LEVI

The Special

Azazel shrunk to the size I knew. He wasn't pleased. It showed on his 'angelic' face. 

"Hey, Azazel, you're here!" Madon scratched his head, beating out a nervous laugh as Azazel lent him a hand. Elijah chose to look away, dead silent, when he was reminded of how his actions could influence me negatively. I must confess I had never seen that side of my Chaperon. 

I always pictured Azazel as one without a voice. He rarely spoke much back in Arioch. 

"If Esme had not swallowed that bolt, you two would have single-handedly ended Levi's calling, along with his soul! Not to talk of the great suffering you would have caused this community. Shame on you...both of you!" Azazel did not sugarcoat it. 

The cape that saved my soul floated around. As I stared at its hollow parts, a crystal-like figure filled in the space. In a matter of seconds, another celestial was peering at me. The cape folded around her body, hiding her true form and leaving behind a face patterned like a mosaic painting. 

It was beautiful- she was beautiful, and Archangel Esme was her name; my third and final teacher approved by the head of Arioch.  

"Azazel, you are right to be mad, but that snake in human skin was asking for it." Madon cleaned up his act, putting away his beast of a sword.

"When Marmaroth called on you, you swore to be bound by this duty until it is duly served. How then do you compromise it over something as petty as a misunderstanding?"

"..." Madon was left speechless. He spied on Elijah, savouring one last frown as he was forced to conceal his anger. 

Azazel turned his attention towards me as he drew nigh. "Thank you for heeding my call. Forgive me if I interrupted your work at Arioch." I saluted with one knee down. Azazel let out a sigh as he placed a hand on my head. "Rise, Levickamon. I'm glad you used that whistle. Are you harmed?" He began looking for lacerations. He found none that was serious. 

The fire created by Madon and Elijah was quenched for now. They continued to throw subliminal insults at each other now and then, but they learned to keep it away from their job. 

I was more than elated to introduce my Chaperon to Cora. Humans grow up so fast, it's interesting keeping up with the changes.

"That's Leah and her Guardian, Tabris," I spoke about other members of the household.

"I've heard of him. I appreciate you looking out for my underling." Azazel went back to his shy self.

"It is an honour to assist you, Sir," Tabris saluted.

Clearly, my Chaperon was a bigger deal than I thought. My spirit felt more at home in Azazel's presence. I asked about my brothers and sisters back in Constantine and of Newt. He expressed their concern and inquisitiveness about how I was faring. Cahethal and Elyon, my third brother, carried the house on their backs with their outstanding progress. 

I was happy Azazel could stay for a while. And by that, I meant a couple of months. He said he owed it to me for being absent most of the time. As a Chaperon, he could clone himself to see to the needs of his pupils. However, my case made it hard to accomplish that seamlessly. 

I learned that most of the fallen ones had not come at me because I was surrounded by mighty teachers. 

**

Esme did not say much. She liked to roam around the house, spying on every crevice. She moved like a shadow, present but unseen. Her job was to teach me how to operate in the physical realm. For reasons unknown, she took an interest in Leah. Esme would sit by Leah's bed when she fell asleep, studying the pores of her skin.

"Esme has the gift of premonition. She can see into the future. It could be that she just saw something about Leah." Azazel explained when I got nosy. 

So one day, when the heavens blessed me with a chance, I gathered the courage to ask Esme a question. "Can you tell me Cora's future?"

Esme narrowed her glassed eyes slightly as if my request had stunned her. Silently, she hovered into Cora's room and looked through the single window. The others were outside having a meeting about what to do with me. I picked up a few words from afar- I swear it wasn't intentional. 

Esme went closer to Cora's crib. The baby was fast asleep in the cool of the afternoon. Ten months and counting, she had outgrown all her clothes. The Archangel looked at me. Her gaze was hard to read.

"Searching into the future before it happens can throw us unto the wrong path. Heed my advice; never try to change the outcome of destiny. If it is heaven's will that you know what lies ahead, the Creator will open my third eye. However, it is fair I tell you to brace yourself for the answers you get," she said.

When Esme looked back into the crib, she was taken aback. Cora's eyes had snapped open, staring directly at her. "Can she see me?" Esme asked, arching a brow. Babies were like an open book. Their souls could easily connect with spirit beings. On average, most babies saw their Guardians and other spirits to a certain age or growth. 

"She sees me, so I'm sure she can see you," I said to Esme. She smiled ever so lovely that my core shook and my lips curved unknowingly.

Esme became more fascinated when Cora giggled. "Haha, she's a lively one, isn't she?" 

"Yes, she is," I reached out to caress Cora's forehead. 

"May I?" Esme glanced my way with hopeful eyes. She accorded me the respect due to a guardian, even though I had not fully earned it. "Only if you'll be gentle, Teacher," I said.

Cora stretched out, wriggling as she got our undivided attention. She laughed without a care in the world when Esme touched her. Most infants refused to be held by strangers, not to talk of celestials other than their Guardian. 

"Can you see anything?" I said. Madon would have thrown in a lecture on patience if he were there. 

"No, nothing comes through." Esme was so engrossed in petting Cora. That pleasant moment was shaken when Esme froze. "Levickamon...look." She lifted her eyes, amazed at something. I couldn't believe it myself as I lowered my chin. 

Esme's finger was squeezed tightly by a little girl who wanted to play. "Did you teach her to do that?" She grew more bewildered by the second. 

"I've never tried this with her. I thought humans could not touch us in this form."

"Yes, they can't," Esme stressed. "Call the others." She glanced at the window. I went out there and delivered the message. They did not drag their wings and feet to get to Cora's room. Little did I know that the second I left, Esme's third eye opened.

'It can't be.' Her thoughts were loud as I got closer to the door. We made eye contact the minute I entered. Azazel, Madon and Elijah took turns letting the child touch them and then racked their brains to give a reason for it.

"Cora is special," Esme commanded silence with her response. She said nothing else at the time. But her thoughts were vocal each time our eyes met. 

'How do I tell Levickamon... That his journey with Cora is marked by misery... She will be his downfall.'