"The teachings of Bilbe?" Ash repeated hesitantly, feeling like someone left out of an important conversation.
"Don't play coy," Cherubim said with a teasing tone. "Thanks to your actions, the faith and devotion flowing into Eden have surged immensely! Prayers, hope, and belief now course stronger than ever. You've become a beacon of light for countless souls in your world."
Ash opened his mouth to protest, but Cherubim continued, giving him no chance to interject. "I can see it—the soul walking the path of righteousness. You radiate a brilliance even the denizens of Eden speak of. But..." Cherubim paused, its many glowing wings shifting slightly, creating a soft breeze. "Why have you come alone? Surely, if you met an angel, they would escort you with great reverence."
Before Ash could respond, Ciel's voice spoke within his mind, her tone warmer than usual. [Cherubim, my brother.]
The voice echoed in the air, soft yet authoritative, like a memory from a forgotten age. Cherubim's wings fluttered rapidly, and the sacred aura surrounding it quivered with unmistakable surprise. The guardian floated back slightly, its immense eye focusing intensely on Ash.
"That voice... Brother Raphael?!" The pitch of its voice rose, blending delight with confusion.
Cherubim drifted closer again, its wings forming a protective circle around its core. Its gaze, once scrutinizing and sharp, softened as it examined Ash—or rather, what it perceived within him. "Raphael... so it's true that you reside within this mortal's body?"
Ciel's voice, calm and composed as ever, responded from within Ash's mind. *[Cherubim, my brother. What you see here is merely a fragment of myself. My true essence remains in the celestial archives of the heavenly palace—a place you know better than anyone.]
Cherubim let out a soft laugh, the sound gently vibrating through the air. "Of course. That does sound like you—always hiding among books and ancient records, Raphael. You've never changed."
[I cannot deny it. Knowledge is both my purpose and my existence. But what you see here is only a small part of me—the part that chose to merge with this man's soul.]
Cherubim nodded thoughtfully, as though reflecting on a deeper truth. "So that's how it is. But... why, Raphael? Why would you, of all beings, the wise one, choose to fuse with a mortal soul? It's so... uncharacteristic of you."
Ash, who had been standing silently with a bemused expression, finally raised his hand. "Uh, sorry to interrupt your family reunion, but I'm still here, and I don't understand half of what you're talking about."
Cherubim glanced at Ash, its immense eye glowing slightly brighter. "Ah, my apologies, mortal. You truly are unique. Not only do you carry a fragment of Raphael within you, but you also speak with confidence before an entity like me. You're unlike most mortals I've encountered."
Ash sighed, crossing his arms. "Well, I don't have much choice. Ciel—or Raphael, or whoever she is—has been a part of my life for a while now. I just let her handle all the heavenly stuff."
Cherubim chuckled, the deep resonance of its laugh ringing like distant bells. "Practical. I like that." But its gaze grew more penetrating, as though peeling back the layers of Ash's being.
"Mortal," Cherubim continued, its tone softer yet still imbued with authority, "how did you convince Raphael, an entity that cherishes solitude, to merge with your soul?"
Ash scratched the back of his head, unsure how to respond to such an intense question. After a few seconds, he said, "I got it from Gabriel. He told me it was a Gift—a blessing from the Father in Heaven to aid me in living in another world."
Cherubim's massive eye narrowed slightly, as if pondering a revelation far beyond Ash's comprehension. After a moment, it nodded slowly. "I see... So it was Gabriel who bestowed this Gift upon you. How extraordinary, yet tragic. I can sense the scars you carry, mortal. What a pity, the trials you've endured."
Ash exhaled, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Well, everyone's got their own scars, right? No point in whining about it."
[Cherubim, my brother,] Ciel's voice resonated softly in Ash's mind, [Can you help us?]
Cherubim raised one of its wings, gesturing for Ash to remain silent as it focused on its sibling's voice. "Raphael," it said with profound reverence, "what has happened?"
Ciel explained, her voice steady yet imbued with emotion. She spoke of Martha, a young girl who had lost her eyes to the cruelty of a fanatical cult. She described the child's suffering and Ash's resolve—a mortal who had endured his own pain yet chose to shoulder the burdens of others.
Cherubim listened intently, each word stirring something within its radiant form. The light surrounding its body pulsed gently, and its wings moved slower, their rhythm almost soothing. When Ciel finished, a heavy silence filled the air.
Cherubim regarded Ash with a newfound respect—not curiosity or judgment, but deep admiration. "Mortal," it said at last, "you have chosen a path fraught with hardship. You could have lived solely for yourself, yet you've taken on the burdens of others. You've touched Raphael's heart, and now... you've touched mine as well."
Ash scratched his head again, feeling awkward under the weight of such praise. "Look, I'm not doing this for recognition. That kid needs help, and I just happened to be there."
Cherubim chuckled again, its resonant voice carrying warmth and gravitas. Its massive eye glowed brighter, exuding respect and acceptance. "Humility—another reason you are worthy," it said.
Before Ash could respond, Cherubim continued, "You need not search. I will give you my own."
Two glowing orbs detached from one of Cherubim's vast wings, floating gently through the air like falling stars. They radiated an intense golden light, so sacred that the very atmosphere seemed to hum with their power.
Ash instinctively stepped back, startled by the offering. "Wait... is this okay?" he asked hesitantly, his gaze locked on the luminous orbs now hovering before him.
Cherubim's immense eye softened, and a faint smile seemed to form in the light around it. "Of course. Perhaps this is the will of the Father Himself. Wasn't your purpose in seeking the artifact to create eyes for that child? Take them. Use them."
Ash turned slightly, as if seeking Ciel's input.
[Ash,] Ciel's voice resonated softly within his mind. [These eyes already contain the Heart of Luminaris. There's no need to create a pair for Martha. Cherubim has given us something far more valuable than we expected.]
Ash's gaze returned to the luminous eyes hovering before him. He extended his hand slowly, hesitantly reaching out to the sacred light radiating from them. As his fingers brushed the glowing surface, a gentle warmth flowed through his body—a sensation like a distant yet familiar embrace.
"Thank you," he said at last, his voice low but laden with gratitude.
Cherubim gave a slight nod, its wings shifting softly, producing a sound like the faint rustle of wind. "You are welcome, mortal. But I ask one thing of you—to deliver a message to the child."
Ash tilted his head slightly, his expression curious. "What message?"
"These eyes... can see much," Cherubim said, its tone becoming solemn. "Far beyond what ordinary human eyes can perceive. They reveal hidden truths, lies, and the beauty of the world often overlooked by mortal souls. Yet with such sight comes great responsibility. Tell her this..."
Ash waited, his eyes fixed on Cherubim.
"Do not look away from what these eyes reveal," Cherubim continued. "No matter how beautiful, horrifying, or painful it may be. These eyes will show the world as it truly is, not merely as she wishes to see it. Should she turn away, she will lose more than just her sight."
Ash nodded slowly, the weight of Cherubim's words settling deeply within him. "I'll tell her," he promised.
Cherubim's massive eye glowed brighter for a moment, then dimmed back to a soft radiance. "Good," it said. "You possess an honest heart, Ash. I trust you to guide the child well. But remember—this is only the beginning. The path you've chosen is fraught with challenges."
A faint smirk appeared on Ash's face, carrying his trademark sarcasm. "A life full of challenges is the only kind I know."
Cherubim chuckled softly, the resonance of its laughter ringing like distant chimes. With a gentle beat of its wings, it stirred a breeze that carried a faint, sweet fragrance, reminiscent of spring blossoms. "Then go. Use these eyes wisely and ensure they see what they were meant to see."
With a final nod, Ash reached out, taking the glowing eyes into his hands. Their warmth filled him once again, and as he held them close, he whispered quietly, "I'll make sure they're used to bring light, not despair."
Cherubim's form began to fade, the sacred light of its being dissipating into the golden glow of the Veilara Mountains. Ash stood silently for a moment, the eyes in his hands pulsing faintly with energy. Then, turning with resolve etched into his expression, he began the descent back down the mountain—ready to return to Martha and fulfill the promise he had made.