8 A Painful Shade of Blue

After starting towards the locker room, Aza turned back towards the field. He truly hated lying more than anything. If something was said, so should it be.

He walked back to the bleachers and continued climbing the stairs until he completed all 34 of the sets Mr. Fuller had clamed he'd finished.

Falling to the ground, Aza lay there exasperated.

"Mr. Silver."

Aza looked to find the owner of the voice and found it to be Mr. Fuller. He had a wide grin on his face. "Still here I see."

"I like to be honest" Aza struggled to say through ragged breaths.

"Ah, a man of your word I see. Thats a fine quality to have young man. Go on and head home early today. You've worked hard and I have something I need to finish myself today."

"I can keep going Mr. Fuller. I just need a moment to grab some water." Aza Protested.

"And what would you do, drills?" Mr. Fuller began to reason, Aza could sense a lecture coming.

"I never got to touch the ball today, I'd like to run a few drills. Could you spare 15 minutes to help me through a few?"

"You really do astound me Young Man." Mr. Fuller began. "Sadly I don't have much time today, but I can send you home with some formations to choose from. I need you to run our offense so you'll be the one running the show. Coach Drake will be choosing someone to play Sweeper and run the Defense. You and that person will be our Team Captains. It's a great responsibility young man. I'm sure you'll do fantastic. I have never in all my years met a player as dedicated as you."

"Whoah okay Mr. Fuller. I wont let you down."

"Oh I'm sure." Mr. Fuller said, Turning away. "By the way, do you know why I chose you Aza?

"Honestly no sir." Aza replied. Hed been confused himself actually. The Students here had Known eachother much longer. Why would they listen to a new guy?

"Because of your dedication to the sport. No matter how many times your surroundings changed, you remained the same. Big school, small school, no school. You always found a way to play. I've called a few of your old coaches. All of them said the same thing. If you had been able to stay, you would have been the captain. The players would work harder because they were trying to be more like you on the field. You inspire people. Thats why you'll lead this team to victory."

Aza couldnt respond. He didn't even know what to say.

"Anyways, hurry on home. Drink lots of water, i wont go easy on you tomorrow." Mr. Fuller laughed and headed back towards his office.

Aza stood up and returned to the lockers to shower and change clothes. Strangely his legs no longer hurt. He actually felt strangely refreshed.

"Strange..." Aza mused. He grabbed his bag from his locker and walked out to his car Finding Lillie and Gabriel waiting for him.

"What took you so long?" Gabriel asked. "Did you fall asleep on the field?"

"No, I did a few more rounds of bleachers." Aza said calmly.

Both Siblings looked at Aza in astonishment.

"Are you trying to not be able to walk tomorrow?" Lillie asked almost as if she were angry.

For some reason she didn't want anything bad to happen to him. She had seen how worn out he was only 30 minutes ago. Plus she couldn't get that cocky smile hed given her while he'd been laying there out of her mind. His eyes had been pure, Honest. Such a deep blue that one could sense Anguish. She couldn't look at them for too long or she feared she may get lost in them.

"No," Aza answered, "I actually feel great. you guys want to come back to my place? theres a field near my house. We could go find a pick-up game there perhaps?"

Gabriel just smiled and looked at Lillie.

"Yeah little sister, lets go. It'll be fun." Gabriel teased.

"Fine, I'll go." he pouted, "But only because you two idiots might overdo it.

"Cool, so just follow me!" Aza laughed.

The Two siblings climbed into the challenger beside Azas Audi. "We're right behind you" said Gabriel, honking the horn twice.

Aza linked his phone to the car, then drove towards his home. When he came to the first stoplight Aza decided to call his mom and let her know that his friends were coming over.

The phone rang for a few moments before the call connected. "Hello, is everything okay?" Aza heard his mothers concerned voice.

"Yes ma everythings great! I actually made a couple of friends yesterday, and i was wondering if they could come by the house for a moment? Just long enough for me to change and grab a snack I promise." Aza said calmly. He knew his mother was Very particular about guests in her house.

"Whats the rule about guests in my house?" Aza's mother asked sternly.

Aza knew she was going to say no immediately. He felt it was unfair for a moment, but immediately put it out of his mind. It was her house, her rules. It had always been that way. Her way, or the highway. Since Aza didn't have anywhere to go, he ended up following her many rules. She had even made him sign a contract.

"No one is allowed in the house unless you're there. Contract of home regulations Paragraph 7, subparagraph c." Aza stated from memory.

"Very good. You happen to be lucky today though. I came home early today, The governor wanted to spend some time with his kids today. "

Aza sighed in relief. He couldn't bear the thought of making them wait for him outside. "Okay Ma we just left the school, are you already home or on the way?

"Im just leaving city hall Bubs." his mother said. He could hear the sound of her stilettos on concrete.

"Okay Ma, I'll take the scenic route. Bye ma. " Aza knew how she'd react if they were waiting for her.

"Alrighty Aza I'll see you in a few" she hung up the phone.

Aza took the longest way through the back roads. the Winding road that snaked through the trees felt solemn. It was fall, and the leaves were beginning to turn amber and fall

to the ground.

Aza rolled down his windows and turned on some music to make the drive more enjoyable. A mellow tune flowed through the trees. He wished that he had put the roof down before leaving the school.

Before long they arrived at Azas house. He noticed his mother just getting out of her car and heading towards the house. She Flew a smile, and waved her hand. She then, proceeded inside. Aza parked in the driveway, and Gabriel pulled in behind him.

Lillie quickly hopped out of the car then stopped herself. She didnt want to appear to be too excited." Its not like I like him or anything. I'm just here because Gabriel is the only one with a license." she thought to herself blushing a little.

"You sure took the long way Aza. We actually live pretty close to here, I'll show you a faster way tomorrow morning." Gabriel laughed.

"Is there a faster way? It'll probably save me some money haha." Aza laughed trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Alright let's go inside. My mom just got home as well. I'll introduce you." Aza said, heading for the door.

Once inside the Gabriel and Lillie grew shocked as they recognized Azas Mother.

"Mrs. Silver? Aza is your son?" Lillie asked, Baffled.

"Oh Lillie dear! How have you been?" Aza's mother said excitedly. "So you two are the friends Aza told me about! Aza dear why didn't you tell me you were friends with Governor Theotokos's children?"

Aza's eyes grew wide. He had no clue. Honestly he would never have expected these to be the children of the Governor. why were they hanging around him?

"Erm I had no clue?" Aza spoke trying to appear unfazed.

"I'll go call your father and let you know you're here. You kids make yourselves at home. " Azas mother said happily while disappearing down the hall.

8j

"Huh?" Aza was confused.

"Oh Well," He thought, "I'll ask her later.

"I'll go change real quick" Aza said and headed to his room, putting on a pair of shorts and a jersey with his name on the back. Grabbing a pair of cleats he headed back to the living room to find lillie by herself.

"Gabriel stepped out for a second. Our dad called." Lillie explained.

"Oh okay. Hopefully you guys aren't in any trouble for coming here." Aza said, concerned.

Lillie saw his worry and thought to herself, smiling. "So thats what he looks like when he worries about me?" Then she remembered that she couldn't think of him like that. She shook her head and stated, " Our father never gets angry with us. He just made plans without informing us. Gabriel's negotiating with him now."

"Negotiating?" Aza was surprised. Some parents were strict, some more relaxed. obviously their father fell on the more relaxed side. His mother would kill him if he tried that with her.

"He gives us a chance to express our opinions, and tries to meet us in the middle on some things. Hes trying to be a cool dad." she said as if it were normal.

Aza pondered this for a moment then let it go. A defening silence rang out for a moment. Then he remembered something from that morning.

"So, Lillie... I wanted to ask you about something from this morning."

Her face grew cold. "The drawing?" she asked.

"Yes" Aza answered, growing nervous. "You seemed really freaked out. Did you recognize it? It seems so familiar but I cant remember seeing it anywhere but my dream last night."

"That was in your dream?" she asked with a wild look in her eye. "Can I see it again?

"Sure," Aza retrieved his bag from his room and pulled out his notebook. "Here you go"

She looked intently at the sketch. "All black figure, six Wings, and a silver sword. The most striking feature though were the eyes. Such a deep blue that one could sense Unbearable Anguish.

"Are you sure this was in your dream? Just like this?" She pressed. Feeling the room closing in on her.

"Yes" Aza answered growing concerned with the look on her face.

"Can I borrow this?" She asked.

"Sure, I really have no use for it" Aza replied.

Lillie looked at the picture for a few moments then neatly folded the paper and placed it in her pocket.

"Okay Bubs," said Aza's mother, coming out of her room. "Oh Lillie dear, Where did Gabriel go?"

"Hes speaking with father on the phone." lillie said back.

"Oh okay. Aza, did you find anything in the house this morning while you were going all commando?" Azas mom asked, causing his ears to burn bright red.

"Uh no mom, I just had a weird dream and thought I saw someone over me when I woke up."

"Ahh well dear next time put on some more clothes. I'd hate for you to catch a cold."

"Mom!" Aza protested.

Lillie blushed and giggled at the mental picture of Aza creeping through the house in his boxers, but ended up shaking the thought out of her head. There were more pressing matters at hand. She pulled her phone out of her jeans, pretending she got a message.

"Looks like my father wants us home, I do apologize Mrs. Silver."

"Theres no reason to apologize, you two go spend time with your father. He rarely finds a chance to see you two."

" Then we'll be off. Bye Aza!" she said, giving him a hug.

"Oh my Gosh, why did I hug him?" she yelled to herself through her thoughts.

She quickly scuffled out of the door, leaving a blushing Aza and His mother with a knowing look on her face.

Aza quickly told his mother about his day and explained that hed be going to bed since they were leaving early. She understood but continued to poke fun at him about Lillie. He walked to his room embarrassed and fell into his bead. He couldnt get her smile out of his head. He fell asleep thinking of her.

- At the Governor's Manor -

"Are you sure it's Him?" spoke a middle aged man.

"Yes Micheal. Please take a look at this." Lillie handed him Aza's sketch."

"So he Appears..."

"Micheal, he is but a boy. The one we search for is One of the Ancients." spoke Gabriel.

"I shall tell you two a story. Of the Archangel Azazel. His love, and His Fall. Then you will understand what finding him truly means, and why we must protect him at all costs."

"Protect him from who." Lillie asked with genuine concern.

"The Grigori, his children. He has been reincarnated numerous times, His soul has been damaged since the great war in heaven. It is his Destiny to Reclaim his cultivation, destroy the Grigori, and take his rightful place in heaven. He deserves to sit at The foot of our Father. Not to suffer as a Scapegoat, since Christ's death he should have been cleansed, but due to the existence of the Grigori he can not yet be forgiven."

"Micheal The Grigori are monsters, how could they be sired by a child of heaven?" Asked Lillie.

"All shall be explained, let me start from the beginning." said Micheal.

The two listened. The more they heard the more they couldnt help but feel great pain in their hearts. An Archangel, one of the greatest primordial beings in heaven aside from the Father, being used as a Scapegoat. To take on everyones sin. To never know love, only pain and suffering.

She looked at The paper before her, seeing those eyes. She now understood the feelings she had now. She felt her own self-yearning for love. She decided then, she would help him. In any way she could.