LEVI

Cora

Cora. She was a minute old when we met. Born a quarter after midnight; white skin, 118 ounces.

She looked weird. But I soon figured that it was normal when they put her in the nursery with other babies. I stood closer to the viewing glass, peering at her in awe. That human was my purpose.

There were other Guardians behind me, agitated. It was something about me, hogging the view.

The nurses took over feeding for the first few hours. I saw the other angels following their babies around, so I did the same.

"Watch it!" I worsened my case by stepping on a few toes.

Unlike the others, Cora was quiet. She wouldn't open her mouth to take the bottle or show distress. The nurse shimmied her with care. "Don't be picky little Miss. You'll have your mother's milk in the morning," said the nurse. Her name was Elizabeth- her Guardian said she was good.

Soon, morning arrived. A big bright bulb hung in the sky outside. The heat was mild, but I saw why people likened it to the Creater's face. It was difficult for humans to stare at it without burning their eyes.

Cora's mother, Janet, had visitors. Two women who would not stop giggling and complimenting the baby. "She's a beautiful angel," they said repeatedly. I strongly disagreed since that was far from the truth. I doubt Janet herself believed that; she did not smile or look at her daughter for more than a minute before passing her on.

"Congratulations Levickamon!"

"Ack!" I crouched when something slammed into my back. My eyes grew wider as I turned. It was a heavenly being covered in skin the colour of moss, with eyes that resembled blue waters. On his hand were seven thick fingers. I saw the bands on his wrists; they bore the badge of Arioch.

"Did I take too long to show?" He looked at me with his Neanderthal features. "Madon is the name. I will be teaching you how to defend that bundle of joy." He pointed at Cora.

"You're a Chaperon?" I wanted to believe so.

"No, I'm a Tartys. And you're in luck! I love a good challenge." He stomped around the hospital bed, humming.

Holly Cow! I was standing face to face with a Power. In the hierarchy and ranks, Tartys or Powers were of a higher level than Archangels. They possessed great dominion over evil and could snap an underling like me in half. Despite their abilities, Tartys allowed themselves to be controlled by the Archangels; to prevent them from causing harm. That bracelet on Madon's arm should have given me a hint.

"Best be prepared! Tonight you meet her mother's angels." Half of Madon's bulky head went through the closed door. He said he had to assess the conditions in the hospital. Come to think of it, I was beginning to wonder why Janet's Guardian missed the entire delivery.

More people came in to visit. Uncles, Aunties, and friends. The day fleeted like the wind before I knew it. The doctors confirmed that Janet was responding to treatment and that Cora could stay in her room that night. So it was safe to say they would be sent home soon.

Like clockwork, night fell upon us, and the shadows were born. Madon remained by the window, his gaze fixed on the door the entire time. He did not blink or speak a word.

I, on the other hand, was trying to calm the baby while Janet lay in bed. "She's crying. You must feed her," I said. My words would drop into her mind like a distant whisper. But Janet turned the other cheek and covered her ears with the pillow.

I went to Madon after failing to convince Janet to tend to my person. "What do I do, teacher?"

"Sit and wait." That answer did not sit well with me.

"But my human is in distress. How do I ignore her?"

"..." Madon chose not to respond. My skin began to itch as Cora wailed and shrieked in her little voice. My insides began to pound, my ears grew irritated at the sight of a neglectful mother.

"Please, Madon, how do I help her?"

"Patience. That is the first virtue a Guardian must learn. It comes with non-existent torture, anxiety, and fear of what's to come. But it also gives you insight." Madon veered his neck. For a moment, I witnessed a strange frown on his face. I became more concerned that my persistence had offended him.

"Levickamon."

"Teacher."

"Look behind you. The solution to your problem has arrived." His voice was eerie and estranged.

I did as told. I turned and looked. There was black smoke beside Janet. A hollow demon disguised as a hag in tattered clothes. It caressed Janet's head, encouraging her indifference towards Cora.

"It's enough that you gave birth to this child. Why must she disturb your nap?" It had a comforting voice.

Dare I say I could have been swayed if it did not bear the aura of a fallen?

"Get thee behind her!" I yelled.

"Levickamon...pipe down," Madon said.

"What?" I peered at him in utter shock. Was Madon not here to assist me? Was this false training? I had enough reasons to distrust and disobey that order. Cora was my priority.

Things became critical when Janet lent an ear to the deceptive spirit. When she sat up abruptly, I froze.

It was how she approached the crib that made me suspicious. Janet tiptoed to the baby, holding a pillow.

Cora had not calmed down. Where were the damn nurses when you needed them?

"Madon, please do something!"

"Okay," Madon tilted his head. "If it bugs you that much, why don't you do something? She is your human, after all." I received a jaw-dropping response and it shook me to the core.

Janet crept silently to the baby and stood there. Her hands ploughed into the sides of the pillow as she gathered her troubling thoughts. Janet then let out a shaky breath, slowly reaching down into the crib.

"Don't do it...Janet!" Her name slipped out of my mouth. The shadow jerked sharply in my direction. It flinched backwards as if it had no idea I was in the room, but then it darted towards me with speed.

Out came a long set of claws swinging violently at me. I fell after the first blow, with four slashes across my chest. Looking up from the ground, Janet still had that pillow in her hand. Everything about it showed she wanted to cause harm.

"Help me, Madon!" All I could think of was my human. My teacher was silent.

My body began to move across ther floor, but it was not my doing. I had barely made it through the second day, yet here I was, getting dragged away by a demon who could truncate my purpose.