Author: Sirona, Posted: Mon Apr 1, 2019 9:37 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Sirona smiled when Veda accepted her apology for attacking at first sight. Veda explained hat she wasn’t going home, she was out trying to make money to help support her parents. Digging through trash on the streets? Ya, truly Sirona had been off the mark when she had judged Veda by looks alone if she was digging through trash to provide for her parents.

She smiled at the suggestion of traveling together, Veda was right Sirona didn’t know this land really at all, she was just wondering around while looking for the Deities. ”That sounds like a good idea to me, Veda.” After a moment’s pause the angel reached for her bag and from inside that she removed a platinum cube. She fiddled with it and one side popped open and from within it Sirona took our a smaller bag that jingled with silver coins. ”Veda, I’d like to help you and your family. Would you accept this silver, please?” Sirona asked, putting the cube back together with one hand and holding the bag of coins out for Veda. Sirona had been saving up silver for pretty much this kind of reason, she would hand out coins to beggars in the cities she was in, just a few at a time, enough for a meal usually. It was the least that Sirona thought she could do at the moment, even if she hadn’t attacked Veda as she had she would have offered the coins after finding out what Veda was trying to do.

Author: Veda, Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 7:54 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

The demon felt thrilled. She had befriended an angel! That was something even her father and mother had been unable to do. Sirona was her first official friend! Now, Veda had to try to figure out what friends actually did. Were they like siblings and supposed to throw frogs at each other? She would have to research this information later. Perhaps she could ask about it in a library. Suddenly, the angel spoke again. Veda's ears perked up as she looked to the angel. 

"You're fine! Nobody got hurt." She responded with a genuine attitude. 

The angel wasn't the first to attack Veda and certainly wouldn't be the last. When the angel mentioned home, Veda's ears folded down and a slightly sad look appeared on her face. 

"Uh well…I'm not really going home." Veda explained, "I'm leaving to try to find a way to get my parents money. Well…a better way than digging through garbage on the streets."

Leaving home, a difficult choice. But after her interaction with the orc and her reaction to that event…well she knew that staying in the city wasn't a good option. Her family needed somebody who could go out and support them in a stronger way than just working as a pirate or as a servant. They needed somebody who could provide enough money to get them whatever they needed. An idea popped into Veda's mind. Her golden eyes brightened with excitement and her ears flipped back up. 

"But, since you don't know much about this land, then maybe we could travel together for a bit!" Veda suggested, "Maybe we could help each other." 

Author: Sirona, Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 7:12 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Sirona watched as Veda stood and walked closer, studying the way the demon moved and walked. She stepped up in front of Sirona and stuck her hand out, saying it was nice to meet Sirona and after a moment asking if they could be friends. Sirona eyed the hand for a moment as she thought things over for a moment before pushing herself off the tree she was leaning and stepping towards Veda. That way she was able to reach out and shake the demon’s hand, which, Sirona would admit, felt a little weird being an angel. ”I think maybe we can, Veda.” Sirona replied with a small smile.

”As I said, I’m new to these lands, I need to learn more about those that live here. I’m glad we had this chat, Veda, and I am sorry I attacked you at first.” Sirona apologized. ”What do you plan to do from here until you get home, Veda? If you like, I can join you until you get home, we could talk some more?” Sirona offered.

Author: Veda, Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 8:22 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

The demon leaned back and listened to the angel with her explanation. After listening, it became clear that her family and herself thought differently than most demons. Those demons apparently were looking for immortality. Why weren't her parents looking for the same thing? Questions bounced around in her mind. She didn't want immortality. Or at least, she didn't have an issue with aging. But her parents were aging. Slowly, of course. As demons they naturally aged significantly slower than humans. However, they still aged. Pushing these thoughts out of her mind, she refocused on the angle. 

"Yeah. It helps." Veda said. 

Confusion crossed her face but her mouth remained shut, determined to not ask any more questions. Veda pushed herself off of the ground to stand up. Her golden eyes watched the angel for a second before the demon walked closer. Veda had no weapons nor did she seem to be that strong. She had no intent to attack or to cause any damage. She wasn't smiling but her expression was calm. One could even describe it as a little nervous. The demon stopped in front of Sirona. Veda held out her hand to the angel. 

"Well it was nice to meet you miss." Veda said, "Thanks for clearing that up for me."

She looked down for a few moments then back up at Sirona.

"I was wondering…if it wouldn't be too weird…" The demon paused, "Could we, maybe be friends?"

Author: Sirona, Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 4:22 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Sirona nodded as Veda explained what and who else lived in the city she came from. ”So a diverse racial population then, ok, good to know.” Sirona replied with a slight nod of understanding. The vampires she really didn’t like the sound of, creatures who drank the blood of mortals to survive in her mind were always going to be evil in some way. Those types needed to be cleansed from the world as much as possible to stop the spread of their disease.

Veda asked a rather good question of the angel, and Sirona found herself thinking it over for a moment before she replied. ”Souls are immortal, in a fashion. When a being dies their soul enters the afterlife, where they are judge to either go to a good or bad place depending on their actions while alive. Sometimes souls are put into new born beings as a way to reincarnate them. As an angel, for example, it’s possible that I was a human before this life, I died and then my soul was placed into this new body. I don’t have any memories of my life as a human, if that is the case, but my immortal soul lives on in this body.” She explained as best she could with what she knew. ”When a demon devours a soul and takes it for its power, that soul is utterly destroyed, it’s the ultimate end for that being who’s soul was devoured. There is no chance for reincarnation after a demon takes the soul. So we angels fight against the demons to stop them from destroying those souls so that they be reincarnated, if that is their fate. We get the satisfaction that, for each demon we kill, we know that a mortal soul has been saved and can continue to live from life to life. Angels do have a hierarchy of power as well. I’m a normal angel, but there are archangels as well that would make my powers look like fireflies next to a bonfire. And still there are more powerful angels than archangles, just like there are different levels of demons.” She paused a moment, unable to think of anything to add she ended with. ”Does that help?”

Author: Veda, Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 2:09 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

"There are orcs, goblins, vampires, and other creatures. But we are the only demonic family that I know of." She explained, "There are also humans, dragon people, and many other species."

Veda listened quietly to the angel's words as the woman spoke. She thought about the way that demons ate souls. It still seemed a lot of work to get power like that. That wasn't even including the fact that a human or person might change their mind and half that demon's work would be gone. Veda didn't really see the point. The amount of work that a demon would have to go through to get a soul seemed to be the same amount of work that one might have to learn a new spell or get physically stronger. The demon didn't really get the point of gathering souls if it was so difficult to do so in the first place…

"I don't really want souls. It sounds like a lot of work and danger." Veda said simply, "So…is that why angels want to kill us? Because regular demons keep wanting to eat souls? What do angels get out of killing us?"

The question wasn't meant to be insulting. But the demon really wanted to know why angels wanted to protect the souls. What did they get out of it? She did not believe that an entire species would protect humans because they were nice. That did not make sense. There must have been something that angels received after protecting a soul. Maybe they used the sole in some way?

Author: Sirona, Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:59 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Vilpamolan, a city of demons? Sirona wanted to know before she went there, she didn’t want to walk into a viper’s nest by accident. Her parents taught her and her siblings, so it started with them then, interesting. ”Is it a city of your kind, or are there other races there as well?” Sirona asked in the small pause that Veda had in her words.

Veda spoke of the other demons that Sirona had described to her, calling them dumb for wanting souls, which seemed useless to Veda. She wounded sincere in her words, so Sirona guessed that she didn’t have to worry about Veda trying to collect souls. Still, there was no reason, at the moment, to lie to the demon about them. ”Both reasons, actually.” Sirona started as she leaned her back against a tree careful of her wings. ”Some demons I have encountered devour the soul itself, destroying it but consuming the power it holds, the power of life itself. This makes the demon stronger with each soul it devours. Others bind the soul into an item, most often a gem, and use them to fuel vile rituals to either call more demons over to this realm, or to make themselves stronger. And still some simple collect them so that they may torture the poor soul until it breaks, for no other reason than it amuses them.” Sirona explained with a sigh. ”But it all comes back to power, those kinds of demons are always looking to gain more power for themselves. Were as we angels can and will work together, demons aren’t known for getting along, less so once the fight is over and the spoils are available to divide, then more infighting starts.”

Sirona glanced away for a moment and then looked back to Veda again. ”So I hope that you do not become like them, Veda, that your parents have taught you, and your siblings, well. If you’re living in a city then I see hope for you.”

Author: Veda, Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 12:55 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

"That is fair. It isn't an option that I deny either." The demon replied.

Veda plopped down on the ground with her legs cris-crossed. Her demonic ears were perked up to hear the stranger better. The stranger talked about how the other demons she had met had always attacked or was evil. That made sense. Veda had only heard about evil demons from everybody. As far as she knew, there weren't any other demons like her or her family. Veda let the woman continue talking about demons and about how Veda was strange. The demon didn't mind much. She was aware that she was strange. It was a fact, nothing to be offended or ashamed about.

"Vilpamolan. That's where I was born." Veda responded, "My mum and pa are the ones who traveled around. They haven't mentioned where they came from or anything yet. But they are the ones who taught me and my siblings to be intelligent."

She thought for a moment about what the angel mentioned.

"Demons sound incredibly dumb. I mean normal demons." The demon responded, "Why would you try to waste all your time getting a soul? Souls seem to be rather useless. I mean look at the goddess of death, she doesn't appeared to be powered by souls yet she's the one who takes the most. I mean why would a demon want a soul anyway? Do they eat it? Do they use it? Is it like a power source?"

The demon's curiosity over regular demons grew. However, she also wanted to find reasons to call them dumb.

Author: Sirona, Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:39 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

”Fine, I promise I won’t kill you or those that rely on you.” Sirona replied as she sheathed her blade as the demon came from around the tree she was hiding behind. Sirona kept her shield in her left hand just in case, and, if she couldn’t get to her blade in time if she needed it, in her right gauntlet was a short blade that could snap out on a simple flick of her wrist.

The demon named herself, Veda, and Sirona listened as she explained in short what was going on. Family? Interesting, so, did that mean that Veda had children? Or was she providing for her siblings? This was a line of thinking that Sirona hadn’t thought she ever find herself pondering. ”I am Sirona.” The angel replied. ”As for hurting anyone, I will always defend myself and those that cannot defend themselves from evil. Death isn’t always the first option, but it’s always an option.” She explained flatly, but made no move or said anything on that otherwise.

”As for the demons I have dealt with in the past. Every demon I have encountered, up to you, has either attacked me on sight first, or, was already attacking others when I came across them. So when I saw you I figured it was about time I had the advantage.” She explained, reaching up she removed the hood from her head, revealing her raven black hair and facial tattoos and piercing and glowing blue eyes. ”The demons I have seen in my past come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. From ones that look, hm, similar in shape to yourself but with physical differences that make still look much different from you. To towering monsters that look deformed and look like beasts.” She described as best she could. ”They’re evil, pure and simple. Tempting mortals with desires or treasures, knowledge, but, even if they grant the mortal what they want and the mortal is willing, in the end, the demon wins by taking the mortal’s life and soul.”

She paused a moment. ”But, as for yourself, you are different, now that I take a little more time to look you over. For that I will apologize for attacking right away and for not noticing the differences that I see. Your horns and tail mark you as demonic, though there are other races, like dragons, that share those traits. Most of all it’s a sense that I had that I had you were a demon, a feeling, perhaps because of what I am and what you are it’s a natural thing. I cannot say, but I knew you were a demon the moment my eyes saw you.” Sirona explained. ”What I am wondering though, is how you came to be? How is that you are not like the rest of the demons in the ways that I have known. May I ask, where did you come from, Veda?”

Author: Veda, Posted: Tue Mar 5, 2019 1:44 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

A mixture of confusion, mistrust, and naivety swirled around in the demon. This was an angel. She should have killed Veda the minute she saw her. Why was she hesitating now? What did this angel want from a demon? Perhaps….the angel was genuine. Maybe she was actually interested in learning about the world around her. Veda's ears perked up with excitement. If the angel was interested in learning, maybe they could become friends? The idea of angel and demon friendships fascinated her mind. Until she remembered that the angel had threatened her only a few moments earlier. Friendship would probably be too far away for now. Settling for not getting murdered would be her first goal. 

"….Only if you promise you won't kill me." The demon said, "And you can't kill anybody else unless for a good reason."

The demon poked her head out from behind the decaying tree to see the stranger better. If the angel would agree to not murdering everybody, then the demon would have no issue with talking about herself. Veda did not want the angel to start using this information to hurt anybody. Especially after seeing what the woman could do. 

"My name is Veda." She explained, "And I was talking about my family. I don't want you to hurt them. I'd also like if you didn't hurt anybody else. Unless they attack you or try to kill you first….I've told you information about myself. Sooo what's your name? And what are other demons like?"

Veda was not oblivious. She was perfectly aware of the fact that her family and herself were extremely rare. Hardly any other demons existed like them. Knowing how most demons acted might help her survive other encounters. Information was valuable. No matter the situation. 

Author: Sirona, Posted: Tue Mar 5, 2019 7:46 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Born on the land in the city? Sirona furrowed her brows, what did that mean? Was the demon saying she was born to the world of the living instead of being summoned? That brought up a lot more questions for the angel to think of to ask, but she didn’t advance further against the demon behind the tree. Instead kept her ground and shield up and ready just in case this was a faint to attack Sirona when her guard was down.

The more the demon spoke the more curious Sirona got about her. In truth all of the demons Sirona had encountered up to now had become violent against her right away, even if she wasn’t the first to start the fighting. Not to mention that most had looked pretty bad, in deformed humanoind looking way, but this female didn’t.

After a moment to think the angel replied. ”Then help me understand. I’ve never had a demon run from me like you are or speak like you are, so I’ll admit to some curiosity on my part. I’m from Onnen not Canelux, so I suppose I should try and learn more about those that live here, even demons. So, tell me then; who are you and who are you is this “them” you are proving a good life for?” Sirona asked, relaxing her stance a bit to give the demon some sense that she was being truthful, but still ready in case the demon attacked anyway.

Author: Veda, Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2019 2:39 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

"…I was born here. On land. In the city." Veda explained as confusion crossed her face.

The demon stayed behind her tree defense. Veda understood that most demons were considered evil. But her parents had never told her about any of the things that they might do. She didn't understand much about the concepts of good or evil. All she knew was that she had to make sure that her family survived and were happy. That was it. Everything else wasn't important. But…her mother did once say, be good. Veda didn't understand the order but she did know that if it pleased her parents, then she would do it. Once she figured out what that order meant. The demon knew that good and evil were opposites.

"I know that you'll assume I'm lying. But, there are people out there who rely on me. I'm the last chance they have to get a good life." Veda spoke with her face slightly down, to hide her expression.

Her voice was determined and slightly saddened. Leaving them, well it was the only choice she had. They needed money and would never get enough here. The demon's head lifted up to look at the angel.

"So I'm not going to let you kill me! I'm not going to let you destroy their future!" Veda shouted then paused, "But it's not like an angel like you would ever understand that."

[You're good! :D]

Author: Sirona, Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 3:22 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Sirona sighed, foolish demon, trying to talk her way out of this then? ”You are a demon, simple as that, demons only mean one thing; evil. Give me one good reason why I should not send you back to the Underworld where you belong?” She asked, watching carefully for an attack that she assumed was coming, never once thinking that this demon was just a demon who wanted to be left alone. All of Sirona’s past interactions with demons had been during a fight. She had helped fight off demons from a small town in Onnen, she helped exercise the demon possessed as well, cleansing those souls from the realm of the living. ”Did you get summoned to these lands, or did you claw your way from hell to try and drag the living back down with you?”

[OOC: Kinda short, sorry :/ ]

Author: Veda, Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2019 7:22 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Veda stayed behind the tree. It was her safety and only place of comfort at the moment. She listened to the angel as the stranger asked her a question, along with threats and insults. Threats. Insults. Nothing she hadn't heard before. The hatred in Sirona's eyes were alarming but familiar. Veda had seen that hatred a thousand times before. Everyday. She couldn't fight the angel. That much was clear. Not only did the stranger have a sword but she also had wings and probably had magic. Somebody like Veda couldn't stand a chance. But, there was no way that she could speak of the city. There was a huge chance that this awful angel would go on a massacre there.

"Tell me this first, what have I done to deserve such hatred from you?" Veda asked the woman.

Her golden eyes peaked out from behind the tree to look at the angel.

"And why do you want to kill so much?" She asked.

Veda knew that the angel wanted to kill her, and probably anybody else who wasn't a human. But she couldn't understand why. Goblins, ogres, giants, fey, half-dragons, and many others from Vilpamolan city had described attacks from angels this vicious. Veda had never experienced any before now, but she could finally understand why her parents and hundreds of others were deadly afraid of them.

Author: Sirona, Posted: Sat Feb 9, 2019 8:52 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

The demon fell but before Sirona could close in and end it it managed to get back up and run back into the direction it had come from, back into the cover of more trees. Sirona took to the air again to use her height to her advantage and flew after the demon. Spotting the demon Sirona landed again as it was hiding behind a tree and peered out at her. The demon shouted and Sirona scowled. ”You call me a beast?! Demon filth! And what city do you speak of? Tell me and I shall make your death swift and painless!” Sirona replied sword out and at the ready as she stepped closer.

”Come out from behind there and face me, demon.” Sirona challenged. ”You can’t outrun me while I can fly.” She informed with her eyes narrowed under the hood of her armour, wings out ready to lift her into the air again at a moment’s notice if the demon took off again.

Author: Veda, Posted: Fri Feb 8, 2019 10:36 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Heart pounding. Fear powering her every step. Golden eyes alert as she realized that the angel had seen her. She could hear the flapping of its wings. Veda now understood what a mouse felt like when running from a hawk. Suddenly the angel landed ahead of her. The sight of the angel made the demon stop running towards the angel. The demons stopped too fast and ended up tripping over her own feet, falling face first into the dirt.

Scrambling to her feet, she bolted the opposite direction of the angel. Veda understood her limits. Fighting an angel would be disastrous. There was no possible way to win. The best option was to run away, which she had no issue with. An old tree stood tall and appeared to be stable. Veda attempted to run to the tree and hide behind it. If she made it then she would peer out from behind it, looking at the angel. 

"Go away angel beast!" She shouted with terrified fury, "You don't live in the city!"

Veda had no idea if the angel lived in Vilpamolan city or not. However, since she hadn't heard news of Angels moving in before she let, Veda guessed that this Angel didn't live anywhere near here. Panic ran through her mind as she wondered what the angel beast would be here for. Thoughts of worry for her family burst through her head as she watched Sirona. Every movement Veda made was defensive, as the demon couldn't take her on. 

Author: Sirona, Posted: Fri Feb 8, 2019 9:34 AM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

The feeling of being watched ran down Sirona’s spine as she prayed at the child’s tombstone. Being what she was and where she was this feeling didn’t peak Sirona’s interest like it normally would, more so given the time of day. As she was finished her silent pray the angel stood up, wings stretching a bit as she did. She decided that would walk deeper into the older parts of the cemetery still her faith in the Gods giving her the conviction she needed to do something that others wouldn’t.

The sound of feet running caught Sirona’s ears and she turned in that direction in time to see a figure running away from her. It took the angel a moment to see what her instincts were telling but she noticed the tail and horns soon enough. Demon!

Wings opening wide Sirona drove herself into the air and took off after the demon, drawing her sword as she did. She swiftly winged herself past the demon and dropped from the air, wings still out wide and sword up, hate burning in her glowing blue eyes. ”Demon! How dare you sully this place with your presence!” Sirona cried out taking careful steps forward with her sword at the ready, and ready to dodge or counter any attack the demon might make against her.

No thoughts went through Sirona’s mind that this demon was no threat and meant no harm. No, the angel saw the demon and her first instinct was attack and remove this foul beast from the land of the living. Send it back to the Infernals were it belonged.

Author: Veda, Posted: Thu Feb 7, 2019 6:02 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Happiness was never given. Nobody was ever born happy. Risks were taken for all happiness. Even if the ones receiving happiness were not the ones who took the risk. So, Veda was going to take the risk. Her feet took her to the edge of the city. The cemetery. If she was going to do this, then she would have to cross the land of graves. A silver dagger remained sheathed and tucked away in her pocket. The demon didn’t have much. A common tunic with many stains covered her upper body while brown pants with a hole for her tail covered the legs. Two brown horns stuck out of her black messy hair. Veda’s eyes were bright gold. If she opened her mouth, one would be able to see her unnaturally sharp teeth.

Echoing silence reminded her of the coming loneliness ahead of her. Some of the gravestones were destroyed or had crumbled apart overtime. A low fog hung around but the sunlight was present still. Birds that Veda couldn't identify circled above the yard. Grass surrounding the tombs had decayed long ago. They used to play here, amongst the stones and dead trees. The demon could almost hear the sounds of laughter from that time. Sadness crept at the edge of her mind. Memories of sleeping curled up with her siblings on the floor, in the corner so that they could avoid the water leaking through the roof, sprang into her mind. One look back to where she had traveled would be all it took to get her back home.

Reaching up to her cheek, she wiped off the salty tears that threatened to overtake her. No, Veda could not allow these feelings to get in the way. Her mission was to preserve her family. Help them survive. Even if it meant breaking her own heart to do it. Pushing herself forwards, she began to walk through the silent graveyard. Halfway through the graveyard she stopped. Fear burst through her mind as she realized that she wasn’t alone. The angelic wings on the woman’s back was unmistakable. Veda hide behind a tree, attempting to remain unseen. An angel? Thoughts ran through her head as she realized the woman might have been here for the city.

What if they found her family? No. If an angel came through, then the angel would be going after the big leagues. Not some random demons who lived in the slums. The swamps beyond the graveyard seemed less threatening all of the sudden. She slipped out from behind her hiding spot to a new hiding spot just ahead. Hopefully, the angel hadn’t noticed her. Veda could have waited until the angel left. But she didn’t think about that. Instead, the demon decided to make a break for the swamps. Bursting out from her hiding place, she ran as fast as she could, trying to get to the swamps where it would be more difficult to follow.

Author: Sirona, Posted: Thu Feb 7, 2019 3:48 PM, Post Subject: Guardian of Angels[P,R?]

Late afternoon in the lands on an overcast day meant that the lands would be darker a little earlier than normal. But as the angel stood from kneeling next to a tombstone, she knew that she would be gone from this place before nightfall. It felt wrong to her, but from the stories Sirona had heard of this place that was to be expected. The dead rising on their own, large carrion birds circling the place even now before the sun was down. A low fog that despite the day light rays hadn’t been burned away but instead persisted since Sirona’s arrival hours before.

The angel had wanted to visit this place once she had heard about it and made her flight down as soon as she knew more about the stories of the cemetery’s past. For the few hour that she had been there Sirona had spent her time wondering the place, reading what names she could from the headstones and not at all missing the irony of her, an angel, walking through a cemetery. But it raise a question in Sirona’s mind, one that she hadn’t thought about in some time. Was she at one point another person?

She wasn’t clueless to the fact that angels could also be the spirits of the dead reformed and in a way reborn as an angel. Could her human body be among these dead? Somewhere else, perhaps on Onenn? It was hard to say, and something that Sirona only thought about rarely since it could conjure up bad images for her. She was who she was now and that’s all Sirona knew, so that’s how she thought of herself, as an angel knight sworn to destroy evil and the forces that employed it.

But now she was slowly heading deeper into the cemetery, older and older the stones became and harder to read the text, if there was any. It was at one stone that Sirona felt a slight pull towards and she stopped at it and knelt down at the side, as not to be on top of where the body would be. With a gloved hand she wiped away the dust to reveal a name, one that she could not read, however, what she could read the age. This had been but a child upon death, the angel frowned and placed a hand on the stone and bowed her head to say a small prayer for the child’s spirit.