Chapter 3

The next morning brought a sunny day to the little piece of godly Eden. Matt was up early, leaving his naked mate in demon form sleep some more. He smiled a bit to himself as he felt his muscles a bit after last night's errr... exercises. And he was planning on stretching his muscles and powers a bit to help himself relax and wake up some more.

After a light breakfast downstairs, he was soon outside on a grassy field not far from the edge of the cliffs. It took him some time to manage closing out the pictures of their meeting with Sotiris and then later what he and Corey did for hours, but in the end the Cherub angel managed to quiet down his mind and focus on getting in tune with himself.

He became a half-angel, half-demon Cherub not so long ago. Before that he was just a half-breed from a human mother and a Cherub father, not knowing anything about his real ancestry until he bumped into the son of Lucifer again whom he had saved a year before that. Soon the struggle with accepting their bond and Matt's growing feelings for the demon have led to their successful mating and his transmutation into what he was meant to be. It was a bumpy road as he had to change a lot during those months (each change leaving tattoo-like markings on his body) and he also had to break some blocking spells on his brain. The high demon shamans, J and M, helped them too and ever since that day Matt has been trying to find some time to practice.

He too had to get used to his new powers, but with his self-discipline and determination it was getting a bit easier with each day. He wanted to do this most importantly for himself, but he also wanted to make Corey proud. And also wanted to be a worthy pair to such a royalty like the buff demon prince was...

So this morning started with his usual meditation then practicing with his katana which he could make materialize from a different dimension. And it ended with training for better control over his now much stronger Cherub powers.

It was peaceful there and no one distracted him for more than an hour as the sun showed itself too that morning. It was the most visible Matt could see it for a while and he stopped at the end of his practice to admire that simple wonder in this chaotic new world.

And it seemed he wasn't the only one who did that.

Lower between the bare rocks and cliffs a young man stepped into the sunlight from the shadows. He was lean, athletic built even, a worthy vision of such a place, which was famous of the ancient times’ beautiful sculptured bodies.

He was dressed in black jeans and skin-tight top, long coat covering his back with waist long brown hair lightly swaying in the wind. He was standing in the sun at the clearing and looked around. Skin white and big round dark eyes scanned his surroundings.

And suddenly like a beam of pure white light he changed. Big soft white feathered wings spread and his whole being was glowing with a blinding light as the angel stretched his wings and let his true form bathe in the rare sunlight.

    
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Matt felt him sooner than he saw the ethereal male. He was drawn to that unknown presence until he found himself standing on top of the cliff with his black half-demon, half-angel wings loosely spread behind him.

The creature was breathtakingly beautiful for sure. A complete opposite of Matt's dark leaking energies. That white light seemed to blind him for a moment or two until his Cherub eyes adjusted to it. Damn, he was strong too. That Matt could feel very clearly even from that distance.

And he was very much a higher angel... But a kind he'd never seen or met before.

For a moment he wondered what another angel would do there, but also realized that the stranger had to be a guest of some sort there too. Otherwise the gods wouldn't let him be on their territory. Or at least that's how Matt's a bit floored brain tried to reason with the unexpected situation.

And then the long-haired angel turned and looked up at him as if he sensed his presence too. It was probably the case as they stared at each other for a minute or two. Two complete opposites. Black and white.

Then Matt watched the angel flutter his blindingly white wings to get into the air and fly up to him until his feet touched the ground not far from him.

The angel turned down the beaming of his pure light and looked with his piercing eyes into the very being of the dark cherub.

"You are one of the newly arrived ones. Welcome. My name is Kerim in this world," he smiled kindly at Matt, letting the light sparkle on the pierced ring hugging his full bottom lip in the middle. Even his voice was angelic in the meaning of sounding kind and calm with a soothing tone.

If Matt had some reserve about this young-looking man being an angel, now it dissolved hearing him talk and sensing him from closer. Because there was no malice in him. Matt felt peaceful and relaxed standing there opposite the dark-eyed creature.

"Kerim... as in 'generous' and 'noble'?" he asked as the meaning of that name seemed to pop up into his mind from nowhere. Smiling a bit apologetic at him, he nodded. "Yes, you are right. I've arrived with my mate and friends a few days ago. My name is Matt. It's nice to meet you. From your words I assume you live here too... Frankly, it surprised me a bit to see another angel... and a pure one at that here," he said while folding his dark wings, his own black Asian eyes mapping out the handsome features that seemed to have some inner-glow. "But I guess this is a strange place... now with an even more mixed group of beings around. Sometimes I can sense the others too. But haven't sensed you around yet," he said on a quick and deep tone. Obviously his curiosity was piqued.

"I can hide my true being, if I want it, no one can sense me. Your mate is King, son of the Morning One, right? I am a great admirer of that family. The Gods always gave shelter and knowledge and help to those who lacked any evil will," Kerim said. "Please show me your wings. Cherubs in their true form was banished before I was born. And I never had the pleasure of meeting such a whole creature," the angel hurried to ask Matt as the cherub pulled his wings back. "Sorry for my curiosity," he added shyly and just like acting on the good old... 'show me yours, I'll show you mine' saying, he moved his soft white wings for Matt to look or touch too.

"Fascinating... The hiding your presence skill. It is like our guardian angel's power," Matt hummed then smiled a bit wider and warmer as he thought of his mate. "Yes, Corey became my mate recently. And as you can see, I had to change a lot before that," he added with a light chuckle, lifting his heavily marked arms a bit, which showed clearly in his sleeveless shirt.

"I have to say, I like these gods already. Even if I've met only with Sotiris for now. I'm here to learn too. This... Cherub thing is very new to me. Until recently I've been just a half-breed," he confessed then raised a brow a bit surprised, but complied to the request and as he stepped closer to the other angel, he spread and curled his unique wings towards Kerim so he could reach and touch them as he wanted.

"Don't be sorry. Curiosity is the thirst for knowledge and knowledge is power as they say," Matt smirked as he eyed the big gorgeous wings. "You can touch me... if I can touch yours..." he whispered in awe, not even realizing how that sounded as he was also curious and he wanted to know if those wings were as soft (and fluffy) as they looked.

"Yes, knowledge is power. Not everyone wants powerful beings, though," Kerim chuckled and moved his wing before Matt, touching the tip of his long fingers to the black wing's leather amazed.

"I like the return of the ancient beings in such young bodies. Like you and the Nephilim," he said as if just voicing a thought while his fingers slid till the silky black feathers. "You are a gorgeous powerful being. Gonna grow even stronger and skilled in no time."

Matt couldn't fight off the pleasant shiver as his wing was touched so gently. It always had that effect on him, even when he had his previous pair of wings. Instead he tried to focus on the clearly wise angel. From his words and his presence, he realized that Kerim was clearly much older than he looked like.

"Tell me about it... I've been hunted too, like I hear that Nephilim, for what I am. Even before I knew my own heritage," he snorted then lightly frowned, but that expression stemmed from his curiosity. "What do you mean? Like... reincarnation?" the Cherub asked as his own long bony fingers finally reached the white feathers. They were just as soft as they looked like and also warm and very much... living. "Wow... it's like touching... light..." he whispered amazed and a bit flushed from the compliment. "Thank you. I'm working hard on becoming stronger. Can I ask how old are you? You feel... wise and old and powerful to me..." he added as his fingers kept tracing the soft feathers absently.

"Thank you. They are from pure light, yes. And reincarnation? No, I mean the potential was inherited down from generation to generation. But many sank down to live as humans and became that. So these beings and powers became ancient. You and the Nephilim are young, but reached back and woke up what was hidden inside you," Kerim said smiling at how mesmerized Matt was from his wings. "And I am almost as old as your mate. We shared... our teenage years in these caves."

And just as if it was his call, suddenly Corey landed next to them in his full demon glory and nodded his head. "Vega, nice to meet you again."

Matt was listening to Kerim mesmerized and nodded a few times as he absorbed the new information. His hand stopped caressing the white feathers only when his pair landed next to them, but he was already smiling by then as he felt him getting closer.

"Nice superhero landing!" he smirked and winked at Corey, taking a step back from Kerim. The confusion on his face from the different name lasted only for a second as he put two and two together. "Vega? I'm guessing that's your real name..." he said then slightly shook his head while exchanging a look with Corey as he got the hidden meaning about that 'spending their teenage years' there. Man, Matt knew that Corey had a long history of lovers but it seemed quite a number of them concentrated to this stronghold of peace.

"King," Kerim nodded also with a big smile and looked at Matt apologetically. "I'm sorry," he said and with that gave a big hug to Corey.

It was more of the brotherly or ‘nice to see you again after a long while’ type of hug and Corey hoped Matt felt that from the two of them.

"It's so good to see you well," the demon said stroking the white wings too before they let each other go.

"Yes, I can say that more," Kerim laughed shortly. "I was in a safe place with the gods, you've been outside in the human world."

"Yeah, but it was worth it," Corey stepped back beside Matt and hugged his pair pecking his lips.

Matt watched them hug with a smile which only got wider after his pair put his arm around him and pecked his lips. He always felt better and more grounded when Corey was around him. And he also melted from his last comment. "Good answer, big guy," Matt pecked his dimple then turned his head towards Kerim.

"No worries. I know I'm a baby compared to most of you. Which sometimes sucks but we have our drummer and now maybe even that mysterious Nephilim with whom I am going to be able to talk all you grandpas out," he joked, resting a heavily marked arm on one of Corey's shoulders. "And this one here" he nodded towards his pair "is a naughty demon so no real surprise there..."

"Age don't mean much in our circles. My masters are ancient, way older than King and your God. Now you transformed, so ageless too like us all," Kerim smiled. "Talking about the Gods... I have to go. Will see you two around!" he cutely waved a little and disappeared in a blinding beam of light.

"So... Now you met another creature around. I think there will be more," Corey grinned flashing his demon fangs and pulled Matt close to his body in a hug.

Looking at his pair, Matt nodded and hugged him back, loving their closeness (both the physical and spiritual one). "Yes, I'm sure there will be more interesting creatures to meet. Hm, though meeting this one made me think... I was surprised to see an angel here. Even more one with still having his light. I thought that angels on Earth – or at least in his caliber – can be just fallen ones without their light. But... clearly Kerim... or Vega still has his. How come? And what does his angel name mean? I have a feeling it's in connection with light?"

Corey just sighed and looked long at the finally quiet Matt. "Kids learn by asking a lot, huh?" he teased his pair and without letting Matt fake an outrage, he took off in the air and flew with him into one of the inner caves, close to the library.

"Look around," he said letting Matt go. The cave had many murals, mostly historical moments noted in the form of paintings. But Corey pointed up at the ceiling of the cave. "Recognize the night sky? The brightest light represents my father, the morning star," he pointed then moved his finger a little away to a bunch of stars in line. "That constellation is called Lira. Each star in it is a pillar of art, wisdom and knowledge. And the brightest star of that at the end is Vega," he smiled hugging his pair again. "Vega is a pariah. Not fallen. After my father became fallen, Vega was created to be the angel of knowledge, beauty and arts and all that. He loved knowledge so got close to the old Gods. And so became a pariah, an outcast for being and... laying with them. He has a free path through the gates, he didn't fall. So still have the light of heavens. Anything else, my gorgeous dark cherub? " Corey giggled trying to sweet talk his man.

Because of the sudden flight, Matt just gave Corey the stink eye from his comment and let him carry him to the caves. There he looked at the murals even more fascinated, his black eyes following what Corey pointed out for him and absently hugged him back, focusing on keeping his mouth shut as realization hit him about who Vega was.

"Hmm... so basically Vega was created as a 'substitute' to your father's empty position. With slight changes, of course. But it seems the position of knowledge is a dangerous one if he was 'outcast' like this too. But at least he could keep his beautiful light. It would've been a shame if he had lost it, because... man, he is beautiful on so many levels," Matt chuckled and turned back to Corey with a cocky smile, seeing right through his man.

"No, this kid had his fair share of new knowledge before lunch. After we eat, I shall go back to the library to continue my education. So I wouldn't ask soooo many questions in the future, you old man of mine..." he grinned from ear-to-ear then kissed Corey long and deep.

"Yeah... Really fucking beautiful and talented in many ways..." Corey mumbled and kissed Matt back just as passionate.

"Hey, you heard the angel of heavenly wisdom... age doesn't count," he laughed after the kiss. "So… what you say about finding the two strays and eat something then?"

"Beautiful and talented, huh? I can imagine..." Matt raised a brow, trying not to compare himself to Kerim or the gods, even if it wasn't that easy. But he was Corey's born mate, so he could always hang onto that thought.

"In some cases age does count, but I'll let it slip this time. Now... let's find those up-to-no-good strays and eat something with them so they won't feel so neglected!" Matt exclaimed and dragged Corey out of the caves by his hand and this time it was the Cherub who spread his wings and lifted them off the ground to find Paolo and Brent.

It didn't take long to find them... Somehow they managed to almost get back to the house. But gave up in the front garden... two houses away...

"Look there... Those are strange looking tourists there," Corey laughed pointing down at the grass where Paolo and the demon-looking Brent were in tourist T-shirts and hats and some bottles around them. "It looks like a wild party... They leave me out of so many things..." the demon lord mused as Matt flew right there to their friends.

Matt laughed wholeheartedly at that as they landed. "Don't forget, they leave me out too. Even if I'm focused on learning, I need some chill time too!" he grinned at Corey, taking his hand in his as they walked to the "tourists".

"Hey there! Do you happen to know where to get some of that booze?" he giggled, eyeing the hats and tees. "Love your outfit!"

"I just adore the T-shirts... Hmm… Let's hear you, my winged pig... How's that accent going?" Corey laughed at the sitting up moaning Paolo with the trophy T-shirt for what they ventured out with Brent.

"Fhskkdbgfsbvvajikmm... Hmmarrggggggggg" Paolo groaned.

"That sounded like some displeased comment," Matt laughed looking down at he clearly drunk and tired males. "Boys, you'll get quite a hangover even with your quick metabolism. How long have you been at it? Okay, don't tell... ever since Corey and I retreated to our room, huh?" Matt wiped some tears out of his eyes, finding the situation very fucking amusing. And he loved that they could still do that. Especially now that their asses were more or less covered by being guests at this protected place.

"You sure it wasn't Greek? So… They will need more ouzo?" Corey laughed too especially when Brent sat up and his burning red demon eyes said it all what he was thinking about the rudely loud mates at such an 'early' hour.

"You are just jealous... We went sightseeing and got awwwesome stuff and you just fucked," Paolo managed to say with a tight tongue and hiccups. Brent started to nod to those lines but after the first fast movement of his head just groaned and stopped.

"Oh, our fuck was very satisfying but as I see not as much as your treasure hunt," Matt said in between fits of giggles. "Alright, you big adventurers, how about some water and food before tucking you into bed?" he asked taking the bottle with the remaining ouzo from Paolo's hand to drink most of it before offering it to Corey. Just to keep their friends from getting worse, of course.

"Oh, always wanted to learn Greek when I was younger," Corey laughed not realizing the look Matt gave him for that and drowned the rest of the bottle.

"You get Paolo, I get Brent," he added after that and already was picking up the lean full black demon. Even Brent's long pointy ears were hanging low, and his arrow-shaped end tail was just pulling after him on the ground as he was walking with Corey's help.

"Now come on, Goldie. I have the feeling you'll need your rest," Matt chuckled while helping up the quite out of it guardian angel who kept mumbling things on "Greek" or more like on a gibberish language only he understood.

Soon they got back to their house and Matt made himself busy with preparing some sustaining breakfast while Corey took care of the boys and was trying to make them drink some water.

"They are so adorable, though... Don't you think?" Corey whispered and put am arm around Matt's shoulder a bit later as they stood in the other two's room and watched Paolo and Brent cuddle up and snoring loudly. "Kinda feel like being parents or something," he giggled as they quietly walked out.

"So... I have to meet up with the other two Gods, and we will join you at the library if that's okay with you?"

“Yeah. I guess this is the closest it'll get for us to be parents," Matt whispered with a smirk as he watched the cuddling boys too, holding back a giggle as Paolo started slowly drooling onto Brent's chest, still wearing the famous T-shirt, of course.

Turning his attention back to Corey, the taller man smiled with a gentle look at him. "Sure, love. I'm looking forward to it. Do your meeting with them. I'll go fill my thirsty mind with some more knowledge meanwhile. But not before this..." he added and took Corey's beloved face between his hands to kiss him deep and long and promising, and maybe a bit possessively.

***

The inner caves were not open for everyone. Matt found some guards, female guards in the corners and at the gates. They stopped and looked at him deep, maybe even sniffed at him before letting him walk deeper into the mountains.

At some parts the outside light peeked through, but mostly torches lit the paths, bringing a more ancient feeling to the place. And those who were not used to the place might have felt stared at constantly.

But Matt has already been there – or at least to one part of the library – when he and Corey have first met Sotiris, so he wasn't intimidated that much by the immortal Spartan female warriors standing guard and remembered where he was going. Preparing mentally to go through quite some material that day, he smiled to himself, ready to fill his head with more knowledge while thinking of making his pair proud too. Even if Matt knew it was more for his own benefit.

As he quietly closed the heavy oak door behind him, it felt as if stepping into a different world. He loved the smell of old books and parchment and the ambient light only added to the atmosphere of the huge library.

Rubbing his slender hands together, he sighed a bit excited and headed for the first shelf he felt drawn to.

It didn't take long for him to find a fascinating book – this time at the seemingly "English section" – about runes and occult symbolism and while reading, he started pacing up and down on the corridors. He was so immersed in the pages that first he didn't even notice that he wasn't alone.

The man was hiding his presence well. He waited to check out the young cherub, and as he saw Matt getting lost in the reading, he stepped out from between the shelves to be noticed.

But it seemed the tall Asian-looking man was more interested in ancient cultures... So the other man walked closer, even let his aura to be felt. That should start things...

Said lean curly man was in the middle of turning a page in the book he was holding when a presence started seeping to his senses and made him suddenly look up with his black Asian eyes.

He didn't know neither the presence, nor the man. Even if he kinda looked... familiar?

As he tried to figure out from where, he found his manners too and made the slight surprise vanish from his face as he sized up the clearly supernatural being. Another angel perhaps?

He was shorter than Matt (which was the case most of the time), had long wavy dark brown hair, a short beard left longer at the front with some silver in it and warm interested and maybe a bit mysterious dark eyes. He was handsome and buff from muscles like Corey. The stranger was wearing black boots, jeans, a black T-shirt with a white scull within a heart, under it a label saying 'Love Death' and a black denim jacket over the tee.

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"Oh, sorry I didn't see you there. I'm Matt," he offered his right hand. "Are you a guest of the gods too?"

The stranger flashed a kind warm smile at Matt, showing some dimples and took the offered hand.

"Nice to meet you, Matt. Call me Robb please. And indeed, I found safety in the welcome of the Old Gods way back in the days. And I help out whenever I can in return. You are young, and a being of ancient times. Forgive me for being nosy. I just find it fascinating," Robb spoke kindly like the perfect gentleman he was while sizing up Matt.

As they shook hands, Matt felt a slightly familiar but much stronger energy run up on his heavily marked arm and he frowned lightly as the dimples on the stranger's face felt even more familiar, but he couldn't put a finger on it from where. It was a bit frustrating to say the least, but he let it slip for now and focused on the clearly older and stronger yet chill man. Even his slightly hoarse deep voice was soothing to Matt's cute big ears.

"I see. It seems like the theme around this place," he chuckled as Kerim practically said the same. The more people Matt heard talking about the trinity, the more he liked these gods.

"Yes, I've got that earlier today. Being young and ancient at the same time," he chuckled with a slight shrug. "And don't worry. I have a feeling I'll get that quite a few times in the future too as I know my kind is rare and feared. Though it's all new to me, to be honest. I just hope I can live up to the expectations," he unwittingly voiced one of his worries.

"I am sure you will grow into your powers perfectly, Matt" the man talked on an even more shooting voice. "And what brought you here? What else worries your awaking mind?" he asked and slowly walked to the reading tables looking at Matt to follow and take a seat with him.

As if being pulled on a string, Matt followed the shorter man and sat down with him. Thinking for a second, he placed the book he was holding gently onto the table and stroked along its leather cover.

"We came here with my mate and friends so I can learn more about my kind and myself and the skills I already possess but can't use fully yet," he said. "And maybe also for some shelter for a while. Or helping to the Nephilim I hear is here too now. As I don't believe in coincidences. Dunno, it was my mate's idea. He's much older and wiser than I'll probably ever be. As you said I'm young," he babbled with a nervous little chuckle and it seemed that he couldn't stop now. "What worries me? Honestly? That I won't be able to reach my full potential to protect the ones I love and care for," he admitted his deepest fear which was also his deepest desire. Because yeah, that's what he really wanted to do. Keep Corey, Paolo and Brent safe.

It was also quite strange that he just more or less confessed that to a total stranger...

"Don't worry about such. I am sure my... Your mate is very supportive. Also the old gods, you will meet them more and I hope these worries will rest in you," Robb said with a sneaky smirk at the end, looking over Matt's shoulder.

Entering the room was the trinity with Corey and Kerim. And to Matt's questioning look Robb stood up and bowed a little bit.

Corey on the other hand had a stiff closed up look on his face as he nodded back standing at the table's side with the others.

"Father," he greeted the standing man, looking at Matt then 'Robb' again. "You had to use your confessing powers on him too? Really?"

Matt was confused from Robb's words but when he noticed him looking over his shoulder and he felt his mate and clearly the gods and Kerim enter the library, he too stood up and followed his example with bowing a bit to the gods.

It was the first time he saw the other two gods. Seth with his long black hair and goatie and Christos with the knee-long dreadlocks as they moved closer along with Sotiris. Matt saw how Kerim seemed to follow behind them in their shadow, eyes downcast and not speaking at all.

But that's not what made Matt's cheeks, neck and even his big ears turn red... It was Corey's revelation about who this Robb guy really was. Matt's eyes even widened for a second or two from the realization that he's been talking with Lucifer, the Morning Star and Corey's father. He had zero idea about that and sharing his deepest and most intimate fears and thoughts with him only made him feel more embarrassed and awkward as he looked between Corey and his father. Now the similarities in their appearance and energies made perfect sense! How couldn't he realize that on his own?!

"Son. My only one…" Robb stood Corey's cold stare. "I had to meet him before you make an official introduction. And see him as he truly is. You ran away and kept away from us. I was worried for you, King. And I am very happy to see you well and alive," he said with tender love shining in his eyes for his remaining son.

"None of that matters now. The only thing that matters is that we are all here and alive. Matt, nice to meet you. I am Seth, he is Christos and you've met Sotiris already," Seth stepped ahead speaking to Matt. He kept his sizing up small glowing eyes at the cherub. As it seemed to be 'let's analyze Matt with our powers' day.

"So now you don't need an official introduction, but... Father, meet my pair Matt," Corey said a bit easing up.

"Nice to meet you, Matt. I am archangel Lucifer of the Morning," Robb winked and offered his hand now.

Matt swallowed hard and some sadness and being moved feeling filled him while watching the father and son meeting. He knew that losing Corey's brothers were hard on both sides and that was one of the reasons why Matt wanted to keep Corey safe and alive. He was the only remaining son of Lucifer. And Matt just realized that learning about himself served the purpose of fulfilling Corey's life path too.

Matt wanted to shout 'hug it out already' at the father and son duo, but Seth's words drew his attention to the god. For the third time that day the Cherub felt being sized up, which was exactly the case so he just accepted that it was such a day.

With a nod of his head as his blushing was finally starting to disappear, he shook the outstretched hand again while sliding his other arm around his mate for support and encouraging not being so cold towards his father. Even if he only partially knew about their past.

"You act as if you don't understand why your son ran away to find his pair," Christos finally said on a contemplative voice, clearly focused on the tension between Lucifer and his son. "You practically did the same when going after your pair to free him and be with him..." he hummed lost in thoughts as he kept his observing eyes on the trio.

"I understand it. I just wanted to keep King safe. I would never have dragged him back against his own will... My so-called spies were meant to just get info back to me on how you are, son," Lucifer spoke to Corey who looked down and nodded slowly.

"I know. It was hard to face the aftermath of my decisions and hearing news about my brothers," Corey admitted.

"We agreed that your father should take part in the training of the newly arrived ones," Seth added as a matter of fact.

To that all eyes were back on the black-haired god and in the sudden silence Christos waved towards the bigger reading table from where Matt and Lucifer stood up earlier.

"Let's just sit down first," he suggested, sending a little bit scolding look at his younger brother who just spoke.

Frankly, Matt was shocked to some degree as he sat down along with everyone – except for Kerim, who stayed standing behind Seth, eyes still downcast.

"That... would be an honor and a great help too," Matt finally said to break the heavy silence and might or might not have lightly elbowed Corey's side to react. After all, his pair had to know that this was a huge opportunity not just for Matt but for the Nephilim and anyone else who might need what the Morning Star could teach them.

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