Chapter 5

Outside of the church as the purple lights illuminated the inside of the building, Seth was grumbling under his nose. When the lights went out, he shook his head and turned around to walk to the nearest house that was deemed safe and comfortable enough.

"Come, my beautiful boy, the show is over. Time for you to heal and rest," he grunted, only nodding towards the house so that Kerim would follow him. Which he did obediently, one of the war demons already trailing him.

Mick and another demon were already inside, making the beds for them. The god looked at Mick, who seemed just as baffled from Seth's mood as Kerim, but the buff man dared to ask about it.

"What's wrong, my Lord?" Mick frowned as he straightened up.

"Samael and Lucifer put on a show of mating. Hopefully only for us and not for the lurking angels around," Seth grumbled more. "I miss my other parts..." he added with a sigh then looked at Kerim again. "You rest now. War demons, please heal and guard his sleep," the God turned to the cute beings already following Kerim close by as they felt he needed their healing. Now they both nodded to Seth and as the stubborn angel laid down they laid beside him changing to their golden color and they all cuddled up.

"Oh yes, we could feel it too... I'm guessing you counted on the possibility of someone not being able to keep it in their pants and that's why Jim did that hiding spell again, huh?"

The Dark God only nodded to that as he watched their angel cuddling with the healing beings. The sight was both cute and also something that let the tension in his chest ease up somewhat – for now.

"I'm... sorry about missing them. But... hopefully soon we'll be back in Athens. Will you stay here with Kerim? I need some fresh air and to check on Jim too," he murmured.

"Yes, go. I'll keep an eye on him," Seth sighed and exchanged a meaningful look with Mick. It was clear they both were worried about the state of their angel.

With a heavy sigh and a heavy heart Mick let his senses search for the Nephilim.

Finding him, Mick looked up at the sky. The usually angry clouds in the burned up horizon gave way to the bright sunshine that morning. It was still something he, and probably the others... or some of them have to get used to... the switched up life of day becoming the night for them when they should sleep and rest until nightfall.

Strangely the big demon didn't minded it that much. Since his full transformation his eyes have been sparkling in an electric white and were sensitive to direct light. Sometimes he felt like in a way it was making a full circle... from the shadow world of the void of the dark matter to an existence where darkness is a comforting friend once again...

***

By the time he got there in his line of thoughts, with which he tried to distract himself from his husband on his mind, he got to Jim. The big man was sitting with one of the war demons looking at him in awe.

"... so after my previous love merged with me, it took some time for Paolo and me to find our way to each other. But because of being each others' true mates, it was inevitable and a few months ago it happened, making us stronger than ever. Which we needed in order to be able to protect this world from the angels, the possessed ones and who or whatever that Call might have lured in..." Jim finished his story and smiled down at the curious and amazed war demon sitting on his legs next to him.

"Wow... It's a fascinating story. Thank you for telling me. Can I share it with my brothers?" he asked curling his tail around himself.

"Yes, you can," Jim chuckled and watched the war demon close his brightly glowing blue eyes for a few seconds to tap into their collective consciousness.

"All done! Now we all know!" he announced with a proud grin before looking at the newcomer.

"Hey, Mick! Come, join us!" Jim looked up at his guard. "You look like shit, man. But still love the nearly white eyes. I guess it'll stuck with you, huh?" he asked as Jim let the war demon crawl up to his side and the Nephilim fondly caressed his back.

"Yeah I guess, uncle Jim," Mick sat down with a chuckle watching the biker with the little demon. "They are so adorable... It’s like we suddenly got a legion of kids to be with us all. Yet they are very powerful..." he said smiling at the curious creature watching him.

"To tell the truth, I feel like shit too... I know it's impossible as I am transmutated on many levels since my first form of existence. But I feel just like fading... I am your guard, that's a purpose. Though soon you’ll do super good without me too..." he chuckled patting Jim's back, proud of his friend. "And Kerim... I just don't know what to do anymore to help him..." he sighed.

"Yes, I love it too that we have them around now. And Paolo's connection to them is beautiful. I can feel some of it through our bond. The dads love you very much," Jim said to the demon as an explanation, getting a radiant sharp-teethed smile back.

"We love the fathers too," the creature whispered then continued staring interested at Mick.

"Hey, you are much more than just my guard, Mick. You are my friend. That's another purpose, I guess. I think... maybe... you feel like fading – which I doubt is possible for you anymore – because of Kerim. He feels... off. And like... giving up on something or dunno. It worries me not just because of him, but because it affects you and Seth too... What's the matter with him?" Jim frowned, stroking his beard like usual when he tried to figure something out.

"I think he feels about himself as a traitor too by now. That the others like Samael and Lucifer and the ones following them and fighting for their freedoms paid the price for it. And he just sneaked away. Keeping his light and glory and hiding from punishment. No one here thinks that. Only he gets deeper and deeper into that idea..." Mick said with a broken sigh and laid his head in his hands. "I just don't know how to reach him anymore..."

"Whoa... that's some kind of a... twisted idea, indeed... I mean... I think none of us would think about him like that... just like you said. You know, I've never been good with emotions or expressing them, but... one thing I've learned from our Corey is never giving up on the ones you love..." he murmured softly, feeling sorry for his friend. "Be patient with him, Mick. And show him your support and love. I doubt pressuring him would help much. If you want, I could try to talk to him too, though I don't know Kerim that well..." Jim mused, trying to some way help on his friend.

"Yeah... Thanks, Jim, really. We’ve all been trying to talk to him. Christos and Seth even ordered him… It will have to play out as it should, I guess…" Mick sighed looking at the horizon. The war demon crawling to his side turned golden and touched the big sitting demon's knee, sending his healing powers through the troubled man.

"Thank you," Mick could only say that with a smile as the consoling warmth spread inside him. These demons were really just precious...

"Yeah, well... I hope he'll see reason soon," Jim murmured, not knowing what else he could say. But he smiled at the war demon with warmth in his eyes. Paolo didn't exaggerate when he said they were awesome.

Still, the worry stayed in Jim's heart as he hated Mick (and Kerim) being in such a state. He just hoped it wouldn't distract them from the threat they all were facing...

***

The night came fast. More because all of them needed the rest and slept for most of the day.

As the sky started to darken, Seth was sitting on his horse, staring up at the Moon while waiting for the others to come.

Christos and Brent were already there. Jim and Paolo led the horses, walking with Matt and Corey. Kerim was still escorted by the war demons and the worried Mick.

"I'm very glad that you're not glowing on the outside too…" Seth grumbled at Samael, who rode his black unicorn grinning from ear-to-ear like a five year old at the candy shop.

"Nah… I wouldn't want us to be discovered," he announced. And with that made Seth burst out in a loud laughter.

"Good that you two are careful…" the God sighed and looked over at his brother long. Not saying anything but the always serious and collected Christos was missed greatly as Seth's support. "Alright. Let's go…" he finally raised his gloved hand and waved. There was nothing to be done… They should not waste the time at least…

Matt kinda found the previous mating thing of Robb and Samael entertaining. Or at least what they felt from it and of course the aftermath of it, manifesting in those funny remarks. He chuckled too on the joke but then focused on the task as they followed Jim and Paolo.

The cherub left his eyes on the mated pair in front of them, thinking back on their conversation with Paolo. Of course, later they should also make things straight with Jim as his relationship used to be tense with the Nephilim.

Glimpsing at Corey suggestively as they kept moving on horseback, Matt felt kinda unsure about the right time.

"What do you think?" he asked Corey, knowing that he would understand what he meant since their bond was wide open ever since Japan.

"I think it's time to make peace. They are good with Goldie too," Corey said. He was still on the more observing side ever since they reunited with the group. Beside that everything went relatively well. But he felt strange energies building towards something he couldn't just put a finger on yet…

"Hmm...." Matt murmured, thinking it quickly over then he looked at his pair again. "Yeah, I can feel it too. Something's gonna happen soon," he said then kicked his horse a bit in the sides to make it move next to Jim.

"Hi, Jim..." he said. "I just like... wanted to congratulate on your successful mating with Paolo. You are obviously making him happy and all..."

Jim looked at Matt surprised form that, but eased up and smirked at the cherub. "Well... thanks. It's my life goal now next to saving the world, you know," he half-joked.

"Yeah... He is a great, and very naughty guy…" Matt nodded still feeling kind of awkward talking one-on-one with Jim after their past... things. "Look… I just want to say that I would like us to start with a new clean page. I know I was... maybe too judging with you before. But all I wanted was to keep Paolo safe and happy... I can see that you are a good pair for him," Matt looked straight into the double colored eyes as he was very serious about burying the old happenings.

Jim returned that look and nodded seriously, though, there was a smile in the corner of his lips. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you. I would like that clean slate too. I also know that this new situation is... interesting to say the least. We talked with Paolo about it. I know that you both love him too and... you know, I won't stand in the way of that as... let's face it, the relationships among us are complicated to say the least," he chuckled.

"Yeah… Thanks…" Matt said blushing a bit. "You can't blame us much, though… Your pair is very skilled and amazing," he tried to use Paolo's favorite description of himself and flashed a smile at Jim. "I heard you are close to Seth... I…" the cherub hummed as he tried to not overthink this conversation, but here they are and he was lost for words. "I’d just like to get to know you as Paolo's pair and have a good relationship. That's the main thing. We sort of became family…"

Recognizing that "quote", Jim chuckled under his mustache and glimpsed at Matt. "Oh yeah... I know now, don't worry," he said and winked at the cherub.

"Hm... yes, we are kinda close with Seth. I feel like you are curious about that..." he mused as he leaned away from a branch that came into his path. Also, as he straightened his back, Jim rose a brow as Matt's next comment was a bit... unexpected and in Jim's head had a double meaning.

Clearing his throat, he looked at the other man again. "I'm not against good relationships. It's much easier and healthier than constant internal fighting. I know you were mad at me before because I caused Paolo pain. I regret that and I apologized to him, even if he understood... Hm, anyways, we are good now... and in love, so... yeah. And the bonds and the hardships brought us together as a group. It does start to feel like a family that I never had either," he finished with a small smile.

Listening in the background till that, Corey just smirked and smacked his lips to make his horse gallop up next to Jim's other side. "I am very happy to see you two bonding. I bet Goldie would like that 'relationship' too," he grinned at his pair and even wiggled his eyebrows as for him that sentence had a double meaning as well.

"Oh... Well... We can't tell what time will bring," Matt said clearing his throat as the tips of his big ears turned pink. "You know the winged pig... he loves such activities…" he tried to joke it off and “blame” it on Paolo as last resort. Which earned a laugh from Corey.

There Jim outright laughed, keeping his voice down, though. "Yeah... I bet only Paolo loves such activities..." he said then clearly sized up the cherub with a naughty look just to mess with him a bit. Not that he would have anything against the other pair in that sense... Things were getting... interesting...

***

Much further away on top of a snowy mountain the angel twins have withdrawn into their aerie to rest and wait out the results of The Call.

In the comfortable chamber half-lit by a fire and some candles, Gabriel slid out of the bed and put a fine robe on his body before going to the table to pour some water for himself. He picked a few grapes from the plate full of fresh fruits as he stared out of the narrow window, watching the snowstorm outside.

"Something's happened to our spell. Can you feel it?" he asked quietly.

Michael sat up and the thin blanket fell off his naked body as he turned towards the window too. Focusing his senses, his face darkened quickly. "Yes. I can feel it. Someone closed the Call," he huffed getting out of bed and put on a robe too.

"Who would have such power...?" he whispered stepping to Gabriel's back and hugged the other angel from behind, hiding his face between the shoulder blades of his brother with a sigh. "You think it's... the Nephilim?" Michael’s voice was filled with worry. If the prophecies turn out to be true about that being and his powers...

Sliding a hand on Michael's, Gabriel let their fingers intervene as he closed his eyes for a long moment from his twin's closeness and warmth.

Humming, he then looked outside again. "I don't know. Maybe... or he was a part of it. Some of our angels are on their way back to report to us," Gabriel said after quickly analyzing what he could feel. His senses have always been a bit more... fine-tuned to such things than his brother's and felt things a little earlier. In turn, Michael was somewhat stronger than him when it came to strength.

"But..." he started then turned around in his brother's arms to stroke the longer hair out of the beloved face before keeping it on a warm cheek "fret not, brother. The Call has sent its message long enough. I am sure it will be answered and we will be able to go against the Nephilim, the Old Gods and all our enemies. So, your dream of a new pure world can become real," Gabriel whispered on a soft calming tone while his thumb kept caressing Michael's cheek. He knew how deeply that fear of the Nephilim was rooted in his brother.

Michael smiled at his twin, holding the warm hands on his face with his own. Gabriel has always been his balance. The rock that kept him calm and collected and sure of himself.

"Maybe he can't possess such powers yet. Not on his own as the force of creation was needed to close it…" he hummed and thought of the Old Gods and their older brother, Lucifer. Would he come out of his hiding and help the Gods and the Nephilim?

Just then the sounds of flapping wings made the twins step apart and face the entrance. Three higher ranked angels walked in and went on a knee before them.

"My lords. We came from the Call. The whole town, even the nearby parts of the forest seems to have exploded. We couldn't find anything except for the remains of silver on the grass near the center of the explosion. And this…" the angel spoke and held up a single golden angel feather.

"Just like we felt..." Gabriel said with a frown then stepped forward to take the slightly glowing feather in his hand. He could see and feel the confusion and curiosity of the three kneeling angels as they didn't know what to think about said feather.

Ignoring that, the archangel turned to his twin and showed him the feather as recognition sparked up in their eyes at the same moment. "So, the Gods were more directly involved too... Interesting," he hummed. Unlike most of the other angels, the twins knew about the now rare breed of the Golden Angels which once were commanded by the Sun God.

"Did you do an extensive search around the site?" Gabriel turned back to the angels once he put the feather in Michael's hand.

"Yes, my lord. The rest of our troupe is still searching the surrounding forests too. Before it abruptly closed, we saw an open portal."

"A portal too... That would be all?" Michael asked looking from the feather he was holding at the angel speaking before them.

"Yes, my lord. We will inform you when the others get back too."

"Alright. Go now," Michael ordered and the three angels quickly left.

"Silver traces… And a Golden Angel... and a portal... I start to have ideas about how things happened…" Michael hummed. "The Keeper of the Gate must have stayed back in their world... The Sun only sent his angel…" he sort of singsonged the end, walking up close to Gabriel again. "The silver of the Moon bled out... He must have given his powers. And that leaves only the Lord of Darkness as real threat… They are probably hiding and trying to get back to the Old Lands…"

"Yes... They most likely combined their forces to stop the Call and weakened themselves," Gabriel nodded, practically finishing his twin's train of thought as he glimpsed down at the feather between them.

"You know it too that it's our chance. We should... either try to find them or wait for them in Athens before they can get into safety. With them weakened and the Nephilim's full powers still unlocked, we could succeed in eliminating them for once and for all..." he said, sliding an arm around his brother's waist while his fingertips stroked along the golden feather.

"We should order the troops to search for the possible shortest and easiest ways back to Athens," Michael plastered himself to his twin, his eyes glowing up with his powers. "We can keep in contact with them from here. But first we should strengthen our bond..." he whispered, looking from Gabriel's eyes down to his bare skin peeking out from the robe's opening. Using the golden glowing feather, he slowly stroked the strong chest. Down even lower the feather traveled as the silk fabric opened under his hand and their powers already merging illuminated their quarter.

The other brother shivered pleasantly as goose bumps rose on his exposed skin wherever the golden feather traveled. Taking a wobbly breath, he moved a bit to let the robe fall onto the floor, his dark wings spreading behind him as more of his powers got loose too.

"Yes. You are right about both, brother..." Gabriel smiled at him before leaning in to press a soft kiss against Michael's cheek and leaned to his ear. "Bring the feather with you..." he whispered and climbed back onto the bed, feeling his twin's glowing eyes on him and also the wide grin on his face.

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