The (Second) Beginning

SOME TIME LATER:

John takes a long breath before his eyes open slowly as he wakes up.

As his eyes open, he looks up and sees that he is no longer in Reduna'z Square, Reduna'z Gaze or even Fucknowswhat for that matter.

He is a little unsure of the location but it almost seems... familiar.

That familiarity would eventually make sense as he hears a very familiar voice.

"Ahh, you are finally awake. Good, they were getting impatient".

John sits up and in front of him sits none other than his favourite angel, "Elliyah? Oh thank God. I thought I was dead or something".

"Oh, you were, but barely for a moment. It has been so long that I forgot that mortals hearts can't handle the Divine Blast for the first time".

John's eyes open wide as he says, "Wait what?!".

"I said that you were only dead for barely a mo-".

"I know what you said Elliyah! You said I died!".

Elliyah sighs, "Again, it was only for less than a moment".

John is almost flustered, barely able to form a solid sentence in before blurting out, "I don't care if it was just for a moment! I died! That isn't something you can just gloss over Elliyah!".

"John, please... take a breath" Elliyah calmly says.

John wants to continue shouting but realises that it won't get him anywhere. He then decides to do as the angel asks, and closes his eyes while takes a deep breath. He fills his lungs as much as he can, holding the breath in for a few seconds before letting out a deep exhale.

John feels calmer than he did a few seconds ago, opening his eyes back up and seeing the calming face of Elliyah just a few feet ahead of him.

As he looks at Elliyah, he notices something strange about his surroundings, or rather, what's beneath him.

A bed.

All of the questions come flooding back into John's mind, but he decides to ask the most important one.

"Why am I in a bed?".

Elliyah lets out a small, heavenly chuckle, "I figured given your current state, both physically and emotionally, it would be best to have you wake up in a comfortable place".

John then feels around, feeling the incredibly soft bed underneath his body. He runs his hands over the silly smooth sheets before saying, "Wow... comfortable is really an understatement".

Elliyah chuckles again.

John then goes to ask the next several dozen questions he has in mind but Elliyah puts her hand up before sitting down, "I know you have many, many questions, and I will do my best to answer all of them in due time, But for now, I will answer the key ones first".

John nods in agreement before Elliyah continues, "First, yes, you did die, but there was no chance it would be permanent. The Divine Blast cannot directly kill its wielder. Secondly, Reduna'z Gaze is fine, when you used the Divine Blast, you annihilated Imoga and saved everyone you could. Thirdly, the Divine Blast, the power you used to defeat Imoga, is the main power of all Marks of the Angels, it uses both physical and angelic energy to create a blast that will completely decimate the being on the receiving end".

John goes to speak, but Elliyah immediately cuts him off, "Yes, I did say that the Mark gave you the vocal power of convincing and a higher affinity for learning magic, but let me explain more clearly. The affinity for magic is the main ability granted by the Mark of the Angels on the right arm, other Marks on the body also have varying abilities and affinities. The ability of convincing however, is a side effect due to angelic nature of the mark. The Marks themselves however, have the main collective power of Divine Blast".

John begins to understand the hierarchy of the Marks and just how insane his life has become in such a short time.

Another immediate question pops into John's mind and this time he finally gets to ask it, "Back when I woke up, you said they were getting impatient... who's they?".

Elliyah then stands back up, "They shall be here shortly. I will let them make their grandiose introductions".

Just then, two beams of light appear on the ground around ten or so feet away from John and Elliyah.

John begins preparing for who is about to show up and what they are about to do.

The beams of light suddenly stop and two beings now stand in their place.

The one on the right is a large man, around seven, maybe eight feet tall. He stands proud with broad shoulders, long blonde hair and the best beard John has ever seen. All of those are complimented by a ridiculous amount of muscle.

The one on the left is a pale, small & slender woman, maybe around five and a half feet tall with bright, flowing ginger hair, and a decent bust. Her toned legs are on full show, but her body is just barely teasing John's eye because of her slightly open dress. One of her more defining features is her incredibly green eyes, a green brighter than any John has seen before.

John looks at both of the recently arrived figures and immediately notices one thing, "Huh, they're both wearing clothes. I guess they don't share in Elliyah's nude philosophy".

Elliyah overhears John's thought and lightly blushes, but doesn't respond or even look at him as her eyes are focused on the arriving duo.

"So, this is the human?" The woman asks with a kind, but direct tone.

"Indeed he is, sister" Elliyah responds.

"Ahh, the Hero of Reduna'z Gaze! Wearing my armour no less, I knew it! I could feel the power of battle coursing through me!" The man exclaims with a joyful, booming voice, every word filled with glee.

"That is why you were brought along, brother. I knew you wouldn't dare miss the opportunity to meet the bearer of your gift to the mortals".

Elliyah then turns to John, "John Doe, these are my siblings, the loud, brash one is Xanvetl, The Angel of Battle, and the quiet, beauty is Mirona, The Angel of Nature".

John looks at the two, "It's a pleasure to meet you both".

"The honour is ours, John Doe" Mirona says.

Xanvetl then follows up his sisters words, "Aye lad, considering you're even rarer than us angels, we should practically be bowing to you haha!".

"Ignore our brother. He is quite... boisterous, as you could probably tell already".

"And considering you are the first mortal to use his armour in quite some time, he is even more so than usual" Mirona chimes in.

"Of course! That's what my gift was intended for!".

John now recognises the family dynamic he finds himself in, and feels somewhat awkward to be in the middle of it.

"Enough about that. Would you both like to tell John why you are here?" Elliyah asks, getting the duo back on topic.

"Yes, my apologies to you John Doe. Your arrival here has sent our family into somewhat of a... frenzy".

"Yep, most of us prayed for the day the second human never showed up, no offence" Xanvetl adds.

"None taken" John says as he now sits at the edge of the bed.

Mirona then speaks again, "Now, for the reason we are here. You just defeated the necromancer Imoga, perverter of ****. As the Angel of Nature, you have done great deed for me, albeit unknowingly, but a great deed nonetheless. I am here, not only to thank you, but to reward you".

Mirona then takes John's hand, and that same burning feeling from before comes back. It only lasts for mere moments, but it's still uncomfortable for John who slightly grunts.

The burning stops and Mirona removes her hand before saying, "My reward to you, is your second mark".

John looks at his hand and sees just that, a blue circular mark on his hand. This one looks a little different to Elliyah's however, as it has runes that surround a smaller tree symbol.

"Now, luckily for you, I am less... secretive, with my words than my dear sister...".

Mirona's words draw her an amused yet stern look from Elliyah as she continues, "This mark will grant you the ability to heal twice as quick than a normal mortal. You can also share the ability with whomever you touch, if they are wounded. This does only work with injuries however, I am afraid that diseases are a different matter" .

"Uhh... wow... thank you" Is all that John can say.

Mirona quickly replies, "You need not thank me John Doe, you have earned it".

John continues to gawk at the mark for a few more moments as Mirona steps back. This wouldn't last long however, as Xanvetl says, "Ahh! You're not outdoing me little sister! No way!"

Xanvetl then walks up to John and bring him up to his feet with a single hand, "Now boy, I know you're probably expecting another mark or something, but that's not the case".

John is a little disappointed by those words but that disappointment is quickly quelled as Xanvetl continues, "But, I can't let you go without something, after all, you're wearing my armour! You know how long i've clamoured for good to triumph great evil while bearing my gift to the mortals?! Too damn long haha! So, here's my gift to you!".

Xanvetl then draws a dagger from his belt with his left hand before slicing into the palm of his right. As the blood begins to emerge from the cut, Xanvetl places his hand onto John's chest. The bloody handprint stains the armour for a few seconds before turning bright gold and seemingly, burning onto the armour.

As Xanvetl sheathes his dagger, he explains, "That boy, is my blessing to you! My blood will empower the armour and increase your strength twofold while you wear it, so you may vanquish more evil that plagues the world!".

John looks down his chest and now sees that the handprint has now become a sort of sigil on the armour.

"Looks damn good if I say so myself!" Xanvetl comments as he takes a step back, standing beside Mirona.

John is in awe, "It looks amazing".

The Angel of Battle lets out a proud chuckle before leaning over to Mirona, "See? I knew my gift would be better"

Mirona simply rolls her eyes at her brothers childish comment, "Anyway, we must take our leave before our posts are left abandoned too long. Thank you for your actions John, I have a feeling this won't be the last we meet".

"I just hope the next time is also in good circumstances" John replies.

Mirona gives John a soft smile as she nods her head.

"Hopefully next time, we can have a drink! You wouldn't believe how many of these angels are lightweights!" Xanvetl adds.

"I would love to".

Xanvetl nods his head to the young man with that grin still on his face.

Mirona then turns to Elliyah before saying, "Farewell for now, dear sister. Just remember, don't keep the human all to yourself, Hylaega may get a little jealous...".

The two women share collective chuckles but Elliyah turn says, "I am sure she will find some way to meet him".

The angelic trio then let out laughs, the other two seemingly agreeing with Elliyah's words. Just then, those beams of light from before, now encompass the two before quickly disappearing, along with the angels.

John then turns his attention back to Elliyah who simply says, "Well, it seems that it's not just the people down there that you have made an impression on".

"I'm just glad I hadn't pissed them off somehow, I could only imagine how much an angry angel could make my life hell" John replies.

Elliyah chuckles before saying, "Sit beside me" The angel then pats the part of the bed beside her and John quickly takes a seat at the very same spot.

"Now, I know your time here has been... confusing, to put simply, and what my sister said is true, I have been overly secretive, but there are reasons to everything and unfortunately, I can't give you some of those answers. However, I did say I would answer some of those burning questions you had earlier, so you may now ask away".

John begins to rattle his brains, but it wouldn't be long before he asks, "Okay, you said that i'm alive and that Reduna'z Gaze is fine... so why am I here?".

Elliyah takes a breath, "Let me start by saying that, both of those statements are true, you are currently fine and Reduna'z Gaze has become peaceful once more. The problem is... the Divine Blast".

John wants to interrupt, but stops himself as Elliyah continues, "Now, I told you that the Divine Blast uses a combination of angelic and physical energy, well due to your injuries from Imoga's shadows... your body was drained of more than usual".

"What do you mean?" John asks worryingly.

"I mean... you are currently... comatose".

John's heart drops into his stomach, shock, fear and panic all set in at once as he quickly bombards Elliyah with two questions, "Wait what?! You told me I was fine! How long have I been in a coma?!".

Elliyah puts her hand on his before saying, "Well, as of now, you have only been **** for a matter of minutes. I can tell you for certain that it won't last for long however, I can't give you a definite time, but with Mirona's mark, you shall heal quicker than you would have before".

John's rapid heartbeat begins to subside a little, the words slightly calming him down, but not completely.

The next question then pops into his mind, and so he asks, "Okay, so... when I wake up... what's next? You said that I have this destiny to help you beat this Drakkatel, so... do I just wait until it shows up and blast it?".

Elliyah bows her head, "If only it were that simple...".

The angel takes a breath before continuing on, "When my family and I confronted the Drakkatel, we used our collective Divine Blasts... and barely wounded it. The reason why you are the key to defeating will be clear to you in time but for now, you must learn as much as you possibly can to help us have some advantage against the beast. That doesn't just include magic either, it also means gaining allies, I cannot tell you how to go about doing all of this, but I know that you will be the one to do so".

John can hear the seriousness in Elliyah's voice and even slight quivers of fear as she speaks. Those slight quivers make John put his hand on Elliyah's shoulder before saying, "I won't let you down".

Elliyah's smile just beams at him, "I know you won't" She replies.

Elliyah then says, "Unfortunately, I cannot keep you here much longer, so, do you have any more questions for me?".

"Uhh, yeah... where do I go next? I assume I won't be able to stay in Reduna'z Gaze if you want me to gain allies".

Elliyah nods, "You assume correctly, unfortunately I cannot tell you exactly where, but... I have a feeling that you won't have to wait long until you find out".

John notices a slight smile on her face which doesn't fill him with complete confidence, but he doesn't acknowledge it.

"Do you have another question?" Elliyah asks.

John then recalls one particular moment which he's been wondering about for a while, "Yeah... back after we first talked and you gave me the mark... I was changed, or rather... a part of me changed, for the better I might add. But I want to know, why did you do that?".

Elliyah innocently giggles, immediately knowing exactly what John is referring to, "That... was a gift from the Angel of Love. I saw how... friendly... you and Kyuala Mar'azu had got, so I may have stolen a spell from my sister to give the orc a... gift, for helping protect you".

"Well, from what I've heard, she's definitely thankful for the gift".

The two laugh after John's words, but Elliyah is the one to cut into the laughter by saying, "Now, it is time you return back to your body so you may recuperate".

The two then stand up and Elliyah gets ready to send John back but not before he says, "Y'know, when we kill the Drakkatel, I hope i've got one hell of a harem to go back to".

Elliyah smiles, "If that is where your destiny takes you, then it shall be".

The Angel of Prophecy then clicks her fingers and John is cast out of the Angels Nest.