Chapter 8: Back at home and toward the future
One their way back, they took their time to relax a bit and to process what happened the day before. They travelled by train and took some breaks to visit different culinary hotspots Dulio recommended. Dulio stuffed his pockets with food to bring back to the orphanage at home, while Ezekiel and Jeanne tried new cuisine they didn't know before.
After two days they finally arrived back at the Vatican and were promptly welcomed by Griselda. After a short exchange, she went to report back to Vasco, and they all went their separate ways. Since they just came back, they would have a day off tomorrow.
-o-
Uriel was currently sitting in heaven together with his sister Gabriel while drinking tea. Gabriel was plainly dissatisfied with something and threw all of it onto her brother.
"Did you really have to send him on that mission?" she asked her brother, unconvinced, that it was a good idea.
"Come on Gabi, the boy has to become strong and the earlier we can eliminate potential weaknesses the better. You yourself should know best that the world is not only sunshine, especially now with the undercurrents and what is planned for the next years. I don't doubt one bit, that Ezekiel will end up in the middle of it all eventually." Uriel tried to reason with his sister.
"Of course, I know that, but that doesn't mean that I like it. And did you ask his parents for permission?" Gabriel questioned, clearly not satisfied.
Uriel's eyebrow twitched heavily at her remark. Obviously, he wouldn't do anything like that without consulting Ezekiel's parents before. His mother wasn't any weaker than him. As for his father, it was just plain suicide for their whole faction if they were to anger him. Shiva himself could deal them enough damage they wouldn't recover from. Adding the shaky stalemate between them, the devils and fallen angels, it would be more than just dumb to anger him.
"Of course I talked with them. Actually, it was Shiva's idea in the first place. You know how he is. He is one of the most relaxed people the godly community has to offer. But his strength doesn't come out of thin air and if you anger him you have only yourself to blame. The beings strong enough to survive a direct contest with him could be counted with your hands. Do you really think I would send his son to kill without his consent?" Uriel was really agitated at the end bringing Gabriel out of her moody state of mind.
"Alright I won't complain about it, but you have to see to it that everything is alright with him. I heard they just arrived back at the Vatican earlier." She relented but still demanded he would take care of any problems that might pop up. She could be called unreasonable since it wasn't even Uriel's idea, but he understood, that she was only worried for her nephew.
"I will visit him tomorrow when we continue his training and talk about it then. But you underestimate the boy Gabi. Did you know that he came to me before to talk exactly about his worries of killing someone and if he will be as affected as others?" Uriel asked.
"He did? But you are right, he always seemed kind of older than he really is." Gabriel answered while thinking of the past.
"Hahaha, of course he would be more mature compared to you sister" Uriel laughed out loud, without thinking what he just said.
Gabriels expression hardened after what she just heard.
"Wha- stop Gabi, what are you doing?! Are you biting me?!"
-o-
The next day arrived and Ezekiel was currently standing in the training grounds together with his uncle Uriel.
"How did it go Ezekiel?" he asked.
Ezekiel thought for a moment before answering: "We managed to save all the children and none of the stray devils managed to get away. The mission was a success."
"You know that's not what I mean." Uriel answered while looking Ezekiel in the eyes.
"Hah…, It wasn't as bad as I worried. On the contrary, it felt too natural for me, that was what made me worry." Ezekiel honestly answered. Until now, his uncle was someone he could share his burdens with. He would always listen and give him advice when deemed necessary.
"You said it made you worry. Do you feel better about it already?" Uriel inquired.
"I had a talk with Dulio and a lot of time to think while we travelled back to the Vatican. I have come to terms with it. In the end its only an advantage as long as I won't go around wantonly slaughtering people." Ezekiel replied, not caring about his language in the slightest.
"Okay Zeke, but you know you can talk to me if the need arises."
Ezekiel only nodded in response but felt thankful to have a family like he did.
"Then its time to get serious again. We will go back into training and you will start to spar with me and the other seraphs from now on. Dulio told me that you weren't really challenged." Uriel announced and started to instruct Ezekiel once more on how to fight in different scenarios
-o-
"Sister Griselda, why did you become a exorcist?" Jeanne asked curiously from the side.
Griselda was currently teaching different things about the supernatural world to her. Jeanne was still lagging behind Ezekiel in certain areas. Taking the supernatural world as a whole, you could fill years of study and still don't know everything.
Upon hearing her question Griselda answered after recalling her past: "I was born to exorcists, so the question didn't really arise. You could say I only followed after my parents. Are you unsure about something Jeanne?"
"While we were on the mission, I realized I couldn't just sit still when injustices like this happen before my eyes. But I don't know if just becoming an exorcist is the right path for me. I don't want to just go around hunting stray devils and other dangerous beings." Jeanne honestly answered.
"You know, you don't have to become an exorcist to help people. There is a lot different ways to do what you imagine." Griselda replied.
"But I am still best with my sword. I wouldn't want to waste it just like that."
"I think you misunderstood me. There are different ways you can still use your sword while helping people. The path you take would definitely differ though." Griselda said.
"What do you mean?" Jeanne inquired after hearing Griselda.
"Did you think the seraphs are doing all of their work alone? They have heavy responsibilities, even heavier than the church. Of course, they can just delegate some tasks towards the church, but more often than not, every seraph has subordinates that they can trust." Griselda further explained.
"You mean I could become the subordinate of a seraph? But-" Jeanne wanted to retort, but remembered the identity of one of her friends. Of course, she could just ask Ezekiel if she could become his sword and subordinate.
"That is a valid option, but you will have to convince them yourself. Most of the time their subordinates are angels themselves. Their longevity is only one of the factors that makes them the best choice. But then again, it isn't unheard of that humans were chosen. I am sure you already have someone in mind, don't you? Griselda said with a slight smirk.
"Yes!" Jeanne shouted before running off.
"Hey! We are still not done here!" Griselda herself shouted before running after the free-spirited girl.
-o-
Meanwhile a certain white-haired girl was running laps around a big field. Every time she would stop because she was out of breath an arrow would strike close to her, pushing her further in fear to get hit. Since the day she came back, her mother started her training and occasionally her bigger family would help. Today it was her far older cousin that was responsible for the physical part of her training. And she hated it. She would rather keep her animalistic friends company. But she knew better than to voice her opinion, it would only spell another few rounds to run.
And so began another eventful and challenging six years.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone