There were no grander irritants than a seer in Lord Zariel's mind. He had long believed them to be the lowest filth to walk the Exalted Wheel of the Twelve Realms. Protected by the people who pay homage and the very gods they worship. Seers were often said to be able to communicate to these Gods they worshiped, gaining their favor and blessing.
"A seer?" He repeated derisively, unable to believe his ears. "You took Aurelia, because of a useless hag, foresaw a future? By the Hells, tell me then why is it that Seer did not foresee your clans' destruction. Why did she not forewarn you of the Black hand's incoming cataclysm?" Spitting over the dusty floor. A deadly glint filled his scarlet eye blazing with hunger.
Disturb by the wicked intensity dripping from the Silver Devil. The darkness had seemed to thicken when a long sigh raced through the air, "Leave me," Said Zariel strenuously. He had heard enough for today.
Finding a viable spot, he sat Aurelia down gently so as not to wake her against the library's railing near the second floor that overlooked the darkness below. A bit of wonder overtook the scarlet glow in his eyes, washing it away, leaving only a crystal clear silver as he measured the young girl resting soullessly.
"How I loathe, what you stand for," He remarked beneath his breath. He could still smell the brimstone squeezing through the air from Aurelia's small defenseless hands. He could taste the iron of his blood the longer he stared. He scuffed, dismissing the bitterness of such thoughts that seemed to come and go, with each passing glance he took—clenching his eyes shut and entering a meditative state in an attempt to calm his mind.
Allowing himself to fall into the Grand flow of the Weave, a calm, soothing phenomenon took hold of his mind once more. Lord Zariel soon became lost in what seemed like an endless flow of strings and nodes, twinkling and changing at every angle, every passing moment. A new transformation would take root.
The Weave had always brought the Young Master some comfort, especially during his tormented years in the Nine Hells. The moment he would peer into the world of the Weave, seen by almost none, a sensation of inner peace would swell within him. As if he were looking at the world anew.
Taken in by a greater force, the tension within Zariel's soul, corrupted by the Hells, began to mellow, and his breath began to even.
"Why do I need my eyes to see the Weave?" He asked quite softly.
He drew in a sharp breath, focusing on his soul. Not on his eyes, but rather his soul, the very core of his being. Believing there was more to the Weave than seeing weakness or distorting reality how he saw fit. Zariel saw more within the Weave. He saw the endless flow of life, the beating of hearts, the emotions racing through creation. He saw an endless wave of community all connected to one another in some matter, whether through Karma, Time and Space, or blood. Everything was somehow linked.
Reaching into himself, Zariel snapped his eyes open, bearing a faint serene smile he once thought lost.
"Dumb-Dumb," said Aurelia, glaring so close that their nose had begun touching," your smiling. It's kinda creepy."
Pushing her face away, Lord Zariel rolled his eyes, "I smile," he revealed softly.
"Please," Aurelia mocked, crossing her arms," You smile evilly." She defended and nodded at her own words, recalling her time with her arch-enemy.
He shrugged and took to his feet. Aurelia had seemed rested, but there was something he hadn't noticed before. Something was speaking to him, not with his ears or eyes, but rather his soul. He could feel some tainted essence. He simply could not grasp.
Aurelia stood confused, a little exposed before Zariel's sharp, silver eye. So she lept right suddenly, and Zariel followed. Taking a few steps to the right, she watched his fixed gaze slowly trail after her.
"Why are you staring?" She moaned, defiantly plumping her cheek. Her round golden eyes sparkled with fire. "It's not polite to stare, you know?" She added irritably, firmly placing her hands over her waist.
Lord Zariel opened his mouth to speak but held it in. He had missed it. Even with the Weave, he had not seen it nor felt this looming Spector. Guarded against the unknown, he spoke wisely, "Nothing, just thinking of your training."
"Oh! Oh!" The Young Lass cheered, "I won! Yes!"
"Aye, you did," Lord Zariel reassured. "Come, let's go. It seems like quite a few hours have passed.' He mentioned, a little unsure what happened. One minute he was in meditation. The next moment Aurelia was bothering him. Thinning his smile, he glanced around, unsure where to go. Yet as Lord Zariel stood contemplating, a faint whisper traced over the edge of his ear. Touching his heart and mind, he felt a strange ethereal force guide his action.
His gaze wandered for a moment, landed downwards over the railings at a hidden bookcase. Covered by shadows, Lord Zariel pointed, "Let's go there."
Aurelia popped her head over the railing, curious as to why. She turned back and said to her Master, "Why there? It's just a bookcase."
Leaping over the railing to the first floor without hesitation, Lord Zariel landed from bookcase to bookcase till he arrived on the ground. Curiosity buzzed within him. Taken by the Will of the Weave, his fingers traced slowly over the many books. He stopped upon a particular dark spine that drew his attention. At first glance, the slight discoloration seemed to hint at someone's constant use.
He gave a slight tug.
A sudden rumbling shook the ground. Force to take a step back, amazement filled his sights as the bookcase slowly pulled open, revealing a hidden stairwell.
"How did you know?" Aurelia, who had raced down the stairs, cried. Grinning from ear to ear, she leaped in joy, "Let's go! Aurelia wanna see how strong she has become. She may faintly be a knight."
"How did I know indeed," Said Zariel beneath his breath. He had been asking himself this question for a while. Why had he even taken this way? Why did he follow that strange calling? Questions cemented themselves within him, but there were no answers. A little intrigue at his new power, yet frightened by its influence, he stared down into the darkness and smiled.
"Let's go,"