Joan blinked against the bright lights of the room. It took her a moment to make out her surroundings. She was back in the infirmary. Hypatia stood at her bedside and helped her sit up.

"Easy now," she said. "Make sure not to exert yourself, dear. Wouldn't want you to have another bleeding."

"What?" Joan's heart sank. "Is the...? I mean, what about...?"

"Perfectly fine, don't worry." Hypatia smiled reassuringly. "Perhaps it's time we share the good news with the rest."

Only then did Joan notice the others standing at the end of the bed. They all looked so worried, especially Olympe. The Frenchwoman was holding on to her husband, her eyes still red from crying. Joan met Anne's gaze. Now seemed as good a time as any.

"Go ahead," she said with a nod.

"Joan didn't come to us alone," said Anne to Juan, Olympe, and Richard. "We've only just discovered that she's expecting."

All three stared at her, their expressions blank as they processed the news. Then Olympe shrieked with excitement and nearly pushed Juan into Richard as she rushed to sit with Joan. 

"You mean we'll have a petit bébé with us again? Oh, how wonderful! Je suis si heureuse pour toi, ma chère!"

"Ay madre, now she'll want another one," groaned Juan to Richard, who chuckled at his friend's remark.

Olympe had the grace not to react to his comment, but threw him a stern look over her shoulder. Juan held up his hands in defeat and winked at her. She tsk-ed, the corner of her pinched lips going up into a smile, before turning back to Joan.

"You must have been high in rank to have been able to come to Earth for several days for this to have happened. I'm curious to learn of the mortal man who could entice an angel."

"It, um... didn't exactly happen here on Earth," admitted Joan.

Olympe blinked and tilted her head. She looked at Hypatia, Juan, and Richard, but they seemed as confused as she was. They all turned to their leader, hoping that Anne would offer an explanation. 

"Some things are still unclear on the 'how', but Joan's child was conceived in the Vale," she said. "She was on her way down to join the Nephilim with her lover when Michael found them and took her wings."

Juan's mouth dropped, while Olympe and Hypatia both gasped. Richard kept some of his regal composure, but he, too, was puzzled at the revelation. 

"Hold on," he said. "I thought that as long as an angel stayed in the Heavens, such a thing couldn't happen? That it could only happen to the Nephilim because our bodies adapt to the Mortal Realm. And now you're telling us that angels can, in fact, have children, regardless of where they are and if they yet hold their grace?"

"As I said, we're still trying to figure that part out," said Anne. "Thomas spoke with Raphael, and he was as amazed by this as you all are."

"Bewildered, more like," commented Juan. "Who's the father?"

"Doesn't matter right now," answered Thomas. "We all agree it's something extraordinary, but the Lord clearly has a plan for the child if He allowed it to be conceived. Let's recheck our defences and make sure nothing can penetrate them. We're not just protecting a Fallen Angel anymore, but also a celestial child. Best prepare for everything."

They nodded in unison and bustled about. Joan had had her doubts about Thomas after he interrogated her, but now she silently thanked him for keeping the identity of her lover secret. He must have realised, as she had, that a certain number of things were suspicious in her situation. The 'how' was a significant question mark. But what if the 'how' was related to the 'who'?

***

Grigori watched the tower of the underwater church from his hiding place among the leaves of a nearby tree. Even if someone saw him, they would believe him to be a mere shadow caused by the play of sunlight. He caught a couple walking hand in hand along the lakeshore earlier - Richard the Lionheart and his Egyptian wife, the sorceress Hypatia. His attempt to follow them proved in vain after he lost them near some rocks. It could only mean that the entrance to the Sanctum was nearby.
Apart from that, all remained quiet. He hadn't really expected anything to happen. The Nephilim wouldn't let the girl go outside so quickly after her fall. It would be foolish on their behalf. And they were anything but fools. Still, he hoped for some fortune on his side. Especially now that the Master seemed to need him (even though he had claimed otherwise). He did not like to see such a powerful man in such a vulnerable state. If only his Lord would tell him what happened before he had fallen to the Circles. Grigori was certain he could offer advice.
A rustling in the grass took him out of his thoughts. He looked down, and there he saw him - his Master. Odd. What was he doing here?

"You have chosen a good hiding place, Grigori. Come down for a moment. We need to talk."

The servant did as he was told and appeared at the Master's side. He eyed him curiously. This was the first time he saw the Prince of Hell in daylight. The darkness of the private rooms always kept him in shadows, even when they were face to face. He stood amazed at the man's beauty. Rumours had not been exaggerated.
Grigori thought back to when he had last seen the angels. More particularly, the Archangels. His Master was their equal, lost forever to the shadows.

"You are staring, my friend. As if it is the first time you see me."

"Forgive me, my Lord. It's just... the daylight."

"I know." The Master chuckled. "Sometimes you need the light to see things differently. Now, tell me, is there any news from the Sanctum?" 

"I saw two of the Nephilim earlier, but no one else," said Grigori. "To my knowledge, Joan is still inside. I doubt they will allow her to come out on her own any time soon. We will need to be patient."

"Hm, after six hundred years, what's a few more days? Besides, our patience is already about to be rewarded. Gabriël has left the Heavens. I am on my way to meet him now."

Grigori pressed his lips together. Though this had been the plan all along, he held reservations. Gabriël blamed the Lord Protector for his suffering, no doubt. But he could blame the Devil as well. Vengeance was a powerful motivator.

"My Lord, with respect, but is it wise to make yourself known to him?"

"He already knows me, Grigori. Our time together can be traced back to the very beginning. And I have spoken to him during his captivity, several times even. The poison did the work it was supposed to. It was the seed from which my image grew inside his mind. However, I cannot rely on that lingering effect anymore. Gabriël was cleansed by Heaven's Fire, so my connection to him is severing, even as we speak. Fortunately, he agreed to an oath of fealty."

"He did so willingly?" asked Grigori, astonished.

"Yes. I offered help, vowing to protect both him and the girl, and in exchange, he swore his service and loyalty to me."

"Then... he has forsaken his vow to God?"

"Not quite. He chose his words carefully on that. But he no longer stands with the Lord Protector. That is all that matters."

"But Master, if you have vowed protection for Joan, then we can no longer touch her."

"I never intended to harm her, Grigori. I need Joan and Gabriël to join me of their own accord. With Gabriël already bound to me, Joan will follow shortly. She owes nobody but herself at this point. Besides, she will never allow the father of her child to walk the path of darkness alone."

For a brief second, Grigori forgot his place. His mouth dropped, and his eyes widened in disbelief. Had he heard that right? 

"Oh, did I not tell you?" The Master smirked at him. "Our happy couple is expecting. This is the reason the girl fell, and why Gabriël has taken this course of action."

"Will the child not be a... complication?"

"Not at all. In fact, I was hoping this would happen. The lies Michael told are finally revealed, and he has fallen from grace with his closest friends. Soon the Heavens will crumble. That is when we strike." 

Grigori kept silent, unsure of what to say. He had always believed the plan was merely to weaken the collective in the Vale, but clearly, the Master's true intention was far intricate than that.

A child born from two angels, conceived in Heaven. This will change everything.

***

The Dead Sea glistened as the sun shone upon it. The surface seemed to be covered with thousands of sparkling diamonds. If circumstances had been different, Gabriël would've appreciated its splendour. But he had more pressing matters to attend to. He paced impatiently on a high ground overlooking the river Jordan. Seeing the stream made him think back to when the Archangels had secretly gathered to witness the baptism of Jesus. Now that he had left the beings who had always felt closest to a family, he couldn't help but feel sorrow in his heart.

"Reminiscing?"

Gabriël spun around at LightBringer's voice. He blinked a few times to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. Those onyx eyes, that raven hair, and those angelic facial features... It really was him.
If anyone had seen them together, they would have believed it an odd place for the two to meet. Both Gabriël and LightBringer were dressed in black suits, like a pair of lawyers. Gabriël's clothes had changed the moment he had touched the soil. He wondered if the same had happened to LightBringer, or if he now always dressed like this. It wouldn't surprise him if he did.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" said LightBringer.

"I didn't think I'd ever see you again," said Gabriël.

LightBringer stepped forward and opened his arms to him.

"For old time's sake?"

With no hesitation, Gabriël embraced him, as he had so often done in that long-forgotten past. In that moment, they weren't Archangel and Devil. They were two old friends, lost brothers, finally reuniting.

"I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to expect," he said. "Or who to expect. But you haven't changed at all."

"My appearance may still be the same," LightBringer said, letting go of Gabriël. "But I assure you, I am no longer the blind follower I once was. I've discovered many things, Gabriël. Things that Michael purposely hid from everyone. I shall share my findings with you in time, if that is your wish."

"Right now, I only have one wish. Can you take me to Joan?"

"I can, and I will. But first, I want to ask something. You could've looked for Joan on your own. You could've gone to the Nephilim the moment you left the Vale and run away. Why didn't you?"

"The thought did cross my mind," admitted Gabriël. "But I have no idea where she is. I need your help in finding her. And besides, you have my oath. I'm not one to break it."

"You already broke one vow," remarked LightBringer. "Why should I believe you?"

"I broke my allegiance to Michael because he betrayed us. He doesn't deserve my loyalty anymore. You spoke the truth where Michael spoke only lies. My sword and service are yours as long as you keep your word."

"But your true loyalty is still with God?"

Gabriël said nothing. He wanted nothing more than to say he was still loyal to the Lord, but he wasn't so sure anymore. God had allowed him to have a child with the woman he loved, but He had also allowed Michael to tear them apart. He had allowed Michael to do unspeakable things. Did such a God deserve loyalty?

"Hm, no matter," said LightBringer. "We'll come back to this conversation later. I'll take you to Joan now."

"Where is she?" asked Gabriël, relieved to have the topic changed.

"She was taken in by the Resia Nephilim. A fairly small order, but formidable, nonetheless. You know who leads there, I presume?"

"I do."

"Good, then you'll have no trouble getting in. I will give you some time to reunite with Joan, but remember that Michael can get to her as long as she's with the Nephilim. Arrangements have already been made to accommodate you both, so take her away as soon as possible."

Gabriël knew LightBringer was right, but he would still speak with Anne Boleyn when he had the chance. If there was any way she could protect Joan from Michael, there might still be a way to shield her from LightBringer's influence. He wouldn't let her walk the path he had chosen.
LightBringer held out his hand to Gabriël. The Archangel hesitated for a moment but then grabbed hold of it. A mist gathered. Gabriël felt it pull at him. The Dead Sea disappeared as it swirled around them. Images drew closer. Trees, a village... His feet touched the ground, and he saw a tower in a lake. A remnant of a church lost beneath the water - Lago di Resia. 

"Go ahead," said LightBringer in a sombre voice. "Find her. Hold her in your arms and make love to her. You've been apart for too long. I know the feeling."

Gabriël let go of LightBringer's hand and took a step back.

"Thank you," he said. "Truly."

"Of course. And here, take this amulet. It will guard you, and you can use it to call on me from now on. Our minds are no longer linked, but I doubt you feel sorry about that."

Gabriël took the silver pendant from LightBringer. It was just big enough to fit into the palm of his hand. The symbol seemed oddly familiar, but Gabriël couldn't place where he had seen it before. He hung it around his neck and hid it underneath his clothing.

"I'll need time to convince Joan to leave," he said. "She'll be reluctant to meet you and believe you mean us no harm. You are, after all, known by many names these days, and none of them flatter you."

"Only one is my true name, as you well know. Now go. Be with her."

"Thank you again... Lucifer."