A Friend

Blurry faces.

Hushed voices arguing.

More blurry faces.

Alric had no idea how long he had been sleeping. Without a window, he had completely lost track of time. Running a high fever did not help either.

"Brother?"

A gentle hand stroked his cheek. It was warm and soft. He enjoyed the caressing for a while.

"Mother?" No, she had died a long time ago. Then, it slowly dawned on him.

Chuckles.

He finally came to, realizing who was taking care of him.

"I hate you, Fiera," Alric said in a weak voice. He blinked a few more times to get a clearer view.

She sat on a wooden stool next to his bed, her hand against his face. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun. Fiera chuckled again. She was clearly enjoying seeing him in this sorry state.

"Seems you're doing better now."

When he looked more closely, he noticed her tattoo was glowing. He pointed to his right cheek and was about to inquire when the succubus anticipated his question.

"I'm trying to keep you alive with my magic, you dumbass." Even though her words were meant to insult, a gentle smile was on her face. She then turned her head to face the door frame. "Come in."

A meek figure with translucent wings appeared. His red hair was bleached at the tips. Multiple piercings decorated his right ear. Alric guessed the Fae had just reached adulthood.

"As I announced a few days ago, you will get somebody to keep an eye on you. This is Aodhan, another Epsilon." Seeing Alric's judgemental face, Fiera quickly added, "don't underestimate him. He has a high potential to rise through the ranks and become a Gamma. Unlike you."

His piqued expression was all she was hoping to see. In contrast to his older brother, Alric wore his emotions on his sleeve. Easy to read, easy to trigger. She grinned from ear to ear. After enjoying the moment, she clapped her hands on her thighs and got up. "Well, Aodhan will be nursing you back to full health before showing you the ropes." She began to walk toward the Fae. "You're in luck, Alric. This will be the last time we will see each other. I usually only deal with Gammas. If there's anything you need to say to me, tell it to my Beta, Zan." She then patted Aodhan on the shoulder. "I have faith in you." After glancing over to Alric one last time, she left.

"Hi." He not only looked, but he also sounded meek too. Alric merely rolled his eyes in response.

"Just don't go backstabbing me, boy."

"Even if I wanted to, I can't."

"What do you mean?" Having caught his attention, Alric propped himself up.

Aodhan pointed at the tattoo on his cheek. "Being a pack member prevents you from severely debilitating another member. At least intentionally. However, a higher-ranked pack member can extract physical punishment and even kill you."

"Oh?" Alric pondered for a moment. "And being a... pack member is permanent?"

The Fae grimaced. "Pride has informed me you were involuntarily added," he began. "I regret to inform you this is very permanent. You couldn't switch packs unless you become an Alpha to another Matriarch."

"Alpha?" Alric realized he really had no clue how a succubus pack worked.

"A Matriarch always has two people in charge of the pack in the case of her absence or... demise. The Alpha is subject to physical changes and is just as powerful as the Matriarch. They are usually their lovers and responsible for producing an heir," Aodhan explained. "If a Matriarch dies, the Alpha can mate with another person, and the offspring will eventually develop to become a succubus Matriarch. On the other hand, a Beta is simply in charge of the pack in her absence. Their original powers are enhanced, but nothing more."

"Fiera mentioned this 'Zan' as her Beta..."

Before Alric could finish his sentence, Aodhan was delighted to continue. "Yes! Zan is a Wolf, I'm sure you've met him before. I've been told he is rather strict, but that is because he is very protective of Pride."

Trying to process all this information was too much for the angel. "Alpha, Beta... what's with this stupid Greek alphabet? Why make it utterly complicated." Alric made a cuckoo sign.

Aodhan raised his eyebrows. "What, you actually believe The Heaven's caste system is easier?"

"Yes, in fact, I-" Suddenly, Alric realized who he was talking to. A Fae. A male Fae. While Fae were officially listed as the second-highest caste, male Fae were considered trash. They were treated no better than black-winged Tengu, the lowest caste. Therefore, most male fae opted to start a new life elsewhere. "Sorry," he quietly said.

Ignoring his apology, Aodhan raised his voice. "We may be Epsilons now, but we have at least the chance to rise in rank and become a Gamma! But what do you know, you're an elite angel who never had to raise his finger to work! Don't expect me to play master and servant with you!"

He then stormed out, leaving a flabbergasted Alric behind.

Alone, the angel dropped back into his bed. The metal squealed under the weight, joining Alric's pain-ridden groan in unison. After the pain subsided, he began to ponder. What was he going to do from now on? Where was his brother? Father? He really could use some guidance. The guidance provided by Fiera had just walked out on him. Rightfully so.

Hours passed. Alric drifted between sleep and being lost in thought.

"Use your chance. Become someone new." Alric quoted his father's words when he initially had declined to take over the conglomerate. All he had wanted to become was an executor, just like his brother. He had trained for it. Passed the entrance exams. Smelled academy air. Yet both his brother and father discouraged him and urged him to study business instead.

He sighed. No matter how Alric looked at it, he was stuck here. Forever. And it was probably not so bad, considering being dead was the alternative. If he could prove to them all he wasn't just a stupid idol, he would have a chance at getting back at Samael.

Seeing his ex-assistant's face in his mind provided Alric with the strength to lift his battered body from the bed and get up. Sharp pain ran through his body, forcing him to fall back in bed. But Alric wasn*t one to give up easily. He tried over and over again until he was able to roll out while bearing the pain. Finally up, he felt a rush of energy course through him. Believing he was alright, he confidently walked, instead stumbled, to the door frame. And right into Aodhan.

"Ouch!" Alric intended to hold his nose in pain. Instead, he lost balance and tumbled backward. Aodhan reacted quickly by latching his collar and yanking on it very hard. In addition to all the pain, Alric now had to wheeze to catch some air, but at least he was still standing. Once Aodhan made sure he could somewhat stand, the fae let go.

"I-I didn't expect you to be up," Aodhan apologetically said, scrunching his nose to ease the pain.

"And I... didn't expect you to return." Embarrassed, Alric senselessly tried to flatten the folds in the fabric of his shirt.

Awkward silence permeated the room.

"I... I wanted to properly apologize for being thoughtless," Alric began, feeling remorseful. "Truth is, this is an entirely new situation for me. And I could use some pointers."

"Apology accepted," the Fae replied.

After another awkward pause, Aodhan's demeanor changed. He had the brightest smile on his lips and grabbed Alric by the wrist.

"Come, let me show you around!"

"I still believe it was a grave mistake to take him in," Zan twitched with his wolf's ears as he followed the latest news on a large screen. One segment was entirely dedicated to the disappearance of Gabriel's sons, with statements given by Gabriel himself as well as Alric's assistant Samael.

Fiera stared absent-mindedly at the same screen. She was sitting at her office desk. Papers right and left towered over the succubus.

"Hm?"

"I said you shouldn't have taken that dipshit in," Zan repeated in a slightly raised voice.

"Are you at it again?" She gave an exasperated sigh. "I already explained to you that stringing both of them will give us an edge and possibly even a foothold in The Heaven."

"Nobody in The Heaven will want to hire a succubus pack. They despise us."

"Not really. I have a few potential customers who want to sign us on but require us to have Winged Ones. They have used our services on The Surface, so I know they are veritable."

"I don't see how a wingless angel and an undercover executioner can bring us leverage."

"Do not underestimate Alric. He has tenacity. I'm sure it won't be long ere I will be personally dealing with him." She smiled, though Zan could not quite decide whether it was a pained or confident one. "And as for his brother, we need a proper investigator who can easily travel through all three worlds."

"So you believe she is still out there?"

"All destabilizations have been accounted for, so she must still be alive. We just need to find her before whoever is behind this."