The Demon’s Bride

Elise could tell Redrick had fooled many people by his ploy. He had showcased himself as the perfect example of an angel but people had forgotten how deep inside him, he had an undying wrath that could never be extinguished. Elise had her own question and she asked to the two people who knows more than her, "If Camael is the angel of wrath, why hadn't there been anyone who kept an eye on him?" As wrath can goes uncontrollable to people which can caused to a disaster, she wondered why there wasn't anyone who was there to oversee Camael's action, to prevent him from doing what he had done.

Satan answered, "In Heaven not all wrath is terrible. You see Michael? That man is stubborn as a rock but when he is angry, the only thing that stays in his mind is his rage. That rage could be controlled for the good and regardless of his terrible temper, he had proven that he can manage his anger and know how to control himself. As he is the example, all angels believe to see the person by their own self without judging whatever title that had put to them. Also, isn't it was angel's teaching to forgive and to be kind? Though from my view, they are too naive. A little doubt is never wrong."

Elise nodded her head and looked at her father, "How do you know, Redrick, father?"

Leviathan looked at Elise with a faint smile on his lips, "He once saved your mother. I know him because of your mother as well. Redrick... he was the same person who had blessed our marriage. I believed that he had shown his true self. But perhaps I have been overlooking what lies beneath his heart."

Redrick allowed her father and her mother to get married? Elise questioned in her mind, finding puzzle again. She had seen how hateful Redrick was toward demons that he could kill his fellow angel who had let the demon who was learning to weave the just path to death. But he had made an exception for her parents.

She could tell there was something deeper in the man, something she or no one knows about. Regardless, she won't forgive the angel for what he had done. For killing Lady Lucy who remained innocent to her surrounding. 

"We have to now wait for your husband?" Satan then questioned Elise from her left side.

Elise held to Ian's wings. Holding it tight for the fear it would turn into ashes like he did the last time.

Elise showed her grandfather a nod, "When the time comes for him to cross the river, I will complete the last part of the ritual."

Satan reached forward his hand, putting his arms carefully on Elise's shoulders. The warmth, warmed her cold body, "While he can cross the river alone if he had what it takes, unless you come there as well, he won't be able to come back. It wouldn't be easy. To create his body from nothing... you know what you have to do?"

"I do, and I'm prepared" she replied and Satan released his hands, looking at her proudly. He then turned his face, looking at his son then.

"When everything end, we should have a dinner together."

Leviathan doubt his ears at the offer. He knitted his brows together and saw a smile on Elise's lips. Closing his eyes, he looked away, "Only once."

Elise was happy to see the changes happening between her father and grandfather. She didn't have a family as they had always slipped away from her fingers until she met Ian. Now that her father and grandfather had begin to mend the rift that happened between them, she had to bring back Ian to complete her small family. 

A single boat coasted toward the shore, at the sides where they are standing. On the end of the boat was a creature who was cloaked in black. Its body was shorter than Elise as his back was hunched forward. From underneath his cloak, his black bones hands held the wooden paddle on his hand. Though his eyes was covered, Elise could feel it moving toward her as if he knew between the three people, she was the person who needed to cross the deadly river.

"You... are coming to the boat?" The hoarse voice of the creature was shrilling and there was a delay on his first words as if his tongue was having a difficulty on speaking quickly.

Elise nodded her head. She turned to look at her father and grandfather, "I will go now."

"All the best," Satan answered to her, giving her a nod of assurance as if he knew everything would be alright.

"I will wait here," her father told her, giving her the support she needed which she was grateful of.

"I will come back soon," she promised before putting her feet on the surface of the boat. She looked at her father and grandfather who stood there, watching her as she went on her journey which they couldn't accompany in.

As she went on board, the creature look on her. No words exchanged, but Elise could see his displeasure, "Soul... give me."

"I won't be fully crossing the sea to the abyss," answered Elise, "And only crossing the sea to the abyss would I need to pay, don't I?"

The creature huffed to show his annoyance but he didn't reply as Elise had been correct. While crossing the sea needs a payment, in truth, only those who wish to cross the sea over the abyss would need to pay. However, Elise was still on the sea of death, just near the abyss which mean she didn't have to pay.

Looking at the creature, she can't help but say, "Have you done this to everyone? Making them pay before they reach to the abyss."

"Their... destination in the end is abyss. Paying now or later is no different."

Elise knew the creature was avoiding her question and she asked again, "But surely there are people who only wanted to cross the sea and have you made them pay as well?" The creature went silent which could be taken as a tacit agreement. 

"They... are a fool to think that the entire sea is abyss," said the creature without feeling any guilt. "Be careful as well, woman. The ground is dangerous but the sea you are crossing is worse."

"I know. I have heard of what can happen when I cross the sea but I am prepared," Elise looked at the creature's eyes, having him to huff again.

"Surely... only the living has the luxuries to be fearless. I am in no care of your life, protect yourself." The creature gave her an eerie warning as the boat begin to move, leaving the shore.