For The Love Of Freir

...FOR THE LOVE OF FREIR!!

         "Freir! Freir! Where are you? If you can hear me, please answer!" A frantic voice can be heard amidst the sea of dead bodies.

         "Freir..." As the strength in her voice gradually decreased, so did the hope in her heart. She began crying...

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         It has been months now, since my dearest Freir disappeared without a trace. The battle between angels and demons has not ended, only put to rest. For how long, only time could tell. Both sides lost a great deal during the last encounter and I had lost the one I love...

         As the angel of death, I should have sensed it if Freir died in the fight, but I did not. Chances are high that he's alive somewhere, probably badly wounded...

         "Freir, where could you be right now?" I whispered to the wind, in hope that my heartfelt words would somehow reach him however far he is.

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         "Shi... Sh-Shi!" He awakened, his hand clutching his chest tightly.

         The door slightly opened, blue eyes met with brown ones. The young woman after seeing him, hurriedly run out again.

         "Mother! Mother, hurry! He has regained consciousness!" Soon, she re-entered the room with an older woman.

         "How are you feeling, child?" The old lady said, her smile so kind and her voice so gentle.

         "I am fine. If I may ask, who are you? And, where am I?"

         "Child," There she went again, addressing him as if he was a vulnerable boy. Surprisingly, he did not mind. "I am Maria, the owner of this house. My daughter, Amelia found you wandering along the forbidden lands and thought it wise to save you from harm and brought you here."

         Maria wobbled towards a small table, which looked almost as old as she. With fierce determination, she grabbed a rag filled with holes and immersed it in the bowl of water atop the table. To Freir, it looked as if the old woman was trying to drown the poor thing. When Maria finally seemed satisfied with the degree of wetness, she made her way over to the bed that he was lying in. With a slightly unsteady hand, Maria reached for the covers and pulled them to the side, allowing a horrific site to be seen.

         Freir stared in horror and awe at the long scar stretching jaggedly from his left shoulder down to his right hip. It gaped maliciously at him; with such a wound, he should have been dead. He trailed a finger lightly over the portion right above his heart, only to provoke a gasp of pain as Maria dabbed at the wound with a ferocity unheard of in an old crone.

         “My God! Old woman, are you trying to kill me? Can’t you see I’m in pain?” he growled through gritted teeth as Maria continued to torture him. Was it his imagination, or had he just seen the old lady smirk?

         “You’ll be fine, child,” she assured him, a smile blossoming from amongst her many wrinkles. “What’s your name, son? Do you remember what happened or where you come from? We need to know these things if we are to aid you. You must miss your home dreadfully…” She looked over at Amelia.

         These questions stunned him. What had happened? Where did he come from? He couldn’t remember a thing. The only thing he knew was that his name was Freir… but something was still tugging at his mind. That dream… what had it been about?

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         "Freir!" I screamed, waking up dishevelled, still in my office.

         "Shi-sama! Shi-sama!" I hear my apprentice, Lei calling out to me just outside the door. I immediately fixed myself. There's no way I'm going to look less than how an angel of a position as high such as myself needs to look like, presentable and on the top of things!

         "Lei, you may come in. Stop shouting."

         "Shi-sama. I have good news and bad news for you... First, the good news! Guardian Angel Crea has spotted Freir-sama in the human wor---"

         "Really?! Where is his exact location then? I need to go to him right away. He needs me!" Forget about looking on top of things, no one can expect me to contain my excitement if it's news about my lost beloved, Freir.

         "About the bad news, it seems that he has lost all of his memories..." Lei's voice dropped as she said this.

         "No... There's no way. It can't be! Crea must have been wrong! Did they consult with Zaiel about this?" I said, my voice almost sounding hysterical but I'm trying to control it.

         "Yes. In fact, the Angel of Memories, Zaiel-sama himself confirmed this. Due to losing his memories, it seems Freir-sama wouldn't be able to come back here. He is right now, without his powers as well..."

         I could take only so much. My dearest Freir... How? How did this happen? I wanted to go immediately out of here, to consult the other high positioned angels about this. But it seems, I have lost control of my faculties as I slowly but surely fall on my knees, speechless and unable to think about anything except my current dilemma.

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         Worros paced back and forth inside of his manor, located far beneath the earth’s surface – Hell. His long black hair draped over strong shoulders, swinging back and forth menacingly as he took another violent step.

         Freir should have died.

         This one thought consumed his soul, mind, and body. He’d tried his best to make sure that he would never hear about nor see the angel again, but alas, he had botched things up. Luckily, things might still work out… Freir was said to be living with humans now. From what Worros knew, Freir had lost all of his memories and powers. There was still an opportunity to right his wrong. He would just have to disguise himself and return to the human world. When he found Freir, no one would be able to prevent his demise.

         Then she will be mine… Worros thought as he smiled cynically. He’d always looked on Shi from afar. She was beautiful; the angel of death who never aged and could be likened to the pale, iridescent moon. He had first met her during one of the earlier battles. Shi was a force to be reckoned with… her scythe took down many of the lesser demons, and even some of the elite. Nothing was more enticing than Shi as she took the lives of those around her. If only he could have her for his own. Again, he smirked. Well, she would soon be his, once he finally got rid of that nuisance. Shi would surely be searching for Freir, which would give him ample opportunity to snatch her. She would probably head straight for the location of her love, disregarding the proper protection needed for such a venture. Her oversight would definitely cost her, as he would be waiting silently, unseen, in the shadows.

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         I have to hurry. I can't let them get to him before I do!

         It seems only a few days ago when the Council of Powers were discussing how to return Freir's memories and abilities but then something unexpected happened. I wasn't informed, and only minutes ago did I hear about what the change of plans were...

         Zaiel was asked to completely erase any of the possible ways for Freir ro regain his memories... But why? I simply cannot understand!

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         Freir's dream last night, once again flashed vivdly before his eyes...

         "The Angels will come for you, Freir, and they are not happy! They will wipe out anyone who gets in there way... Including the two people you have just began to cherish..." The faceless figure said; the sound of his voice, convincing and prophetic.

         I won't allow them to hurt Maria and Amelia! Not when I can do something about it! He couldn't fathom why but he felt a surge of power waiting to be awakened right inside of him...

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         Hiding in the darkness, awaiting the time he needs to appear, Worros watched Shi's reaction to the appalling scene before her.

         Yes, that's right. Come, my darling Shi. My plan has already been set to motion and now you, the missing piece is here...

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         No! This can't be! Wh-what happened here...?

         Lying on the ground; some lifeless, others injured where Angels of different ranks. In the middle of all the chaos, only one man-- no, one angel was standing, bloodied but with not a single scratch on his body...

         "Freir? Why...?" I said; the strength in my voice wavering, disbelief written all over my face.

         I stopped what I had been about to say. A wretched feeling of doubt and suspicion twisted about my heart, choking it. I wouldn’t allow myself to believe Freir could have caused this… No, it must have been something else. There was no way my love could have committed such a tragedy.

         With grim determination, and a slight hesitation, I strode forward towards Freir, my heart apparent in my tear filled eyes. “Freir, it’s time to go back to heaven. You can tell me everything that happened once we get back… there’s obviously a lot we need to talk about. Come, my love…” I choked out a sob as I held a hand out to him. I waited there in silence, afraid to move closer, the stench of blood too fresh and the sight too gruesome for my hazy mind.

         Freir turned towards me, his eyes filled with hatred. He hates me… why… I wondered, shocked. He took several slow steps forward as blood dripped down his body and onto the ground, staining it crimson. With frightening speed, he lurched forward, sending a wave of power towards me. I dodged, but barely. Pain radiated from my side as blood began to seep down my clothes; however, the only thing that registered within my mind, at that moment, was that my love had meant to kill me. But why?

         Why does he do this, you ask, Sweet Shi...? a thought intruded upon my own, as masculine laughter drifted into my distraught mind. He’s crazed with the determination to protect his newfound family. Poor creature, he believed that the angels were here to kill them. And since he has no memory of his life before this... let’s just say it was quite easy to lead him astray. Horrified. I was completely and utterly horrified. I knew this voice. It was none other than Worros. But why was he here? This wasn’t one of the battlefields. It was a human town; they were never supposed to wage battle anywhere near such an area.

         I looked around, scanning the area for any demon soldiers. None were there that I could see… but Worros was obviously hiding somewhere. The fact that Freir had committed these atrocities, even though he was under another’s influence, was condemnable by the highest order in heaven. There would be no mercy for him, if caught. And if he weren’t caught… he would turn into that which he and I hated most… a demon. I couldn’t let either of those things happen to him. I attempted to calm myself, allowing a mask of serenity to cover the chaos brewing inside of my body. Calling forth my scythe, I set my mouth in a thin line of grim determination. I would not allow Freir to be damned for all eternity. If there was no calling him back from the abyss, then I would send him to afterlife with my love.

         I took a steady step forward, the only thing betraying my calm outer demeanor was one lone tear sliding forlornly down my face. With the back of my hand, I slowly wiped away. Freir watched me cautiously, his once beautiful blue eyes turned blood shot. With a sad smile, I rushed towards him, accepting our cruel fate. In one clean slice, I ended his life, cutting the single red thread of fate that had connected us.

         Truly, I wanted to end my own life as well, that day. But I will live on, for him, for my love. And maybe... I can have my revenge.

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