Chapter 79

It was an hour after sunrise as everyone was starting their duties. Most of the workers went to Stormhaven to help with repairs, and only a few guards and the new residents stayed behind. Arthur was talking with Emilia in the inn about heading back to Stormhaven. She wanted to check on the people, but they refused to let her pass.

"The defenses still have to be repaired, and the streets require cleaning still. Humans have a weakness to diseases after all. Your people need you well to lead them in rebuilding. Just give it another day at least, and I'll take you there myself." Arthur pleaded while grabbing Emilia's hand.

"I'll hold you to that. Are you gonna sit here all day?" Emilia asked.

"With this, I'm fine to escort you all day," Arthur replied showing the amulet.

"I thought you came here to investigate it. Seems like you already know how it works. Did you stop by for another reason?" Emilia asked with a smile.

"There are still secrets my father was struggling to uncover," Arthur replied quickly averting his gaze.

"If that's the case you will be too busy to escort me today," Emilia smirked heading for the door.

Arthur put on the amulet quickly trailing behind Emilia. When he stood at the door sweat began pouring down his face. Watching Emilia walking away he took a deep breath stepping out cautiously. For the first time in his life, Arthur felt the warmth of the sun against his skin. The light was blinding, and he struggled to adapt. Panic was about to sweep him as a familiar voice put him at ease.

"I'm grabbing your hand, but keep your eyes closed till I say," Emilia told Arthur while leading him through the city.

Emilia was taking Arthur towards the forest so he could adapt in the shade. The entire time they walked Arthur said nothing. His eyes slowly adjusted to the light shining through his eyelids, but he still didnt dare open them. Once they neared the divine tree the shade it produced enshrouded them. Emilia stopped looking him in the face while holding his hands tenderly.

"You can open them now." Emilia smiled.

Arthur opened his eyes slowly seeing a pair of beautiful blue eyes gazing at him. He sat in silence mesmerized by Emilia's beauty. Then he noticed the marvelous garden that surrounded them. He peered up at the light peeking the trees as the wind caused the branches to sway.

"Everything looks so beautiful under the sun. Father never roamed during the day, and I started to believe the amulet was a mere legend. I wish the others could see this." Arthur said examining his hand in the sun

"Wait till you see this place when it's lively. The kids should be strolling this way soon enough. Did you meet any of them yet?" Emilia asked while approaching him.

As they were talking Zack approached with Wade and a small group behind him. It was the usual kids who cultivated with him along with some from Stormhaven. Zack nodded at Tanya as she instructed the new members.

"I know this place is safe, but you should still tell me where you're going," Wade told Emilia while examining the two closely.

"I have an escort for today. You should be helping to get the city in order." Emilia declared pointing towards the gate.

Wade bowed before taking off to fulfill her decree. Emilia approached Zack embracing him, and Arthur looked away in irritation knowing he could do nothing.

"Thank you for everything you've done," Emilia said with a smile.

"Arthur and his sister helped tremendously. He seemed dedicated to freeing your people more than anyone else." Zack praised as he walked towards the children.

"That doesn't surprise me. However, this place is a different matter. When did you find the time to build this place?" Emilia asked.

"My mom built it before I was born, but in the last month, I've been making drastic changes," Zack replied.

"This place is already larger than our kingdom, and it baffles me how much land you fit inside the walls. What do you call this place?" Emilia asked watching the kids cultivate under the tree.

"We are still debating that. I've never been great at names." Zack replied rubbing the back of his head.

"When I was little my mother would tell me these stories before bed. My favorite one was a legend of a paradise that disappeared long ago. It was a place filled with beauty and everyone lived in peace. Every day was like spring, and the land was rich with resources. It was heaven on earth, and I use to dream about it regularly." Emilia told Zack.

"What was the place called?" Zack asked filled with curiosity.

"She called it Eden." Emilia smiled.

"I haven't heard that name in a long time," Naomi said while approaching.

"You heard the legend?" Zack asked.

"It's no legend. It was a real place but became taboo for an angel to speak about it...I can't remember why though. Anytime I think too hard on it I get a powerful headache. It is indeed a fitting name for this place." Naomi said watching the crowd.

"I have been wanting to ask you something. How do we have children safely?" Zack asked.

Emilia's face went red hearing this. Zack already had plenty of women at his side and was now trying to gain another. Naomi pulled him somewhere discreet discussing the methods. In order to reduce casualties, a powerful angel had to watch over the birth. If the grace was flaring dangerously they were to guide it properly. This was to keep the mother from dying during birth, but that wasn't the end of the process.

They also had special artifacts to absorb grace, and later return it to the child gradually. The reason why is if a child is born with too much grace it could be dangerous. In their fragile state if their bodies couldn't adapt to it they could implode.

"You possess power on par with an archangel. Guiding vast amounts of grace should be easy for you." Naomi stated.

"Where can we find one of the artifacts?" Zack asked.

"They can only be found in heaven, and the supply is limited, but Samuel claims he can get one. If not Bartholomew will be forced to steal one. If that happens his position will be revealed..."Naomi replied with a look of fear in her eyes.

"If that happens I'll help him escape. Your child will grow up with both of its parents." Zack reassured her placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you. I'm headed for the bath, but I'll see you later." Namoi said as she walked away.

"You're gonna have a child?" Emilia asked.

"Just wanna be prepared for when it happens. I don't wanna lose anyone." Zack replied.

"Is having a child really that difficult?" Emilia asked.

"With a Nephilim, it is," Zack replied.

Emilia was caught off guard at his response. She knew Zack was powerful, but never expected him to be an angel. Then she recalled none of the healers in the lands could help her father yet he could with ease. Seeing the confusion on her face Zack revealed his angelic form to her. The kids saw this and came running up in excitement. Arthur retreated to watch from a safe distance instinctively.

"Your wings are back!" Ashleigh declared touching them carefully.

"Why is there only two?" Tanya asked.

"I'm still recovering some power, but they should be back any day now. Did you show them the breathing technique?" Zack asked patting her head.

Tanya nodded with a smile.

"I need to finish my talk with them, and then we can get started," Zack said while reverting to normal.