It was a first time for Linus to go down on land. He was excited to get his first task but his superior insisted to hear her reminders first.
“Remember that you’re only going as a human’s guide. You cannot, at any circumstances, meddle with human affairs and most importantly; heed our sacred rule. You cannot fall in love with a human or kill the same. Linus, do you understood?” Linus smiled widely and nodded.
“Of course!” He responded. He’s so excited to see the world with his own eyes.
His superior handed him a scroll which he hurriedly opened. His smile grew wider as he saw the task. He was tasked to bring creativity and guide an artist. He initially thought he will be a guardian for a child but the task given to him fits him better.
“Remember the rules!” his superior reminded him once again before he departed.
Linus is already on land the moment he opened his eyes. His eyes wandered in delight.
So this is how the human world looked.
The place he landed on seems to be a huge city. He wonders where he will find the human assigned to him. His superior told Linus that he would know once he saw the human. He walked around while being fascinated with the tall buildings humans have established.
His feet brought him to a series of houses, “oh, so this is what she meant!” he exclaimed. He can feel that he is near to the person assigned to him. He checked the houses and one caught his attention. Linus immediately knew that the human he was finding is inside.
Linus looked around the house, it has a simple yet very cozy interior. There are several paintings hanged on the wall too. He walked further and entered a room full of painting materials.
Linus smiled, he finally found her.
The woman is sitting on her wheelchair while her hands are busy painting. He approached the woman and touched her shoulder.
Series of memories entered Linus’ mind, he could also feel the strong emotions engraved on some memories. Linus felt tears streaming on his face. He felt alienated with the foreign emotion.
“So this is how sadness feels…” he mumbled.
Sunny was a promising painter but she lost her career because of an accident. She also lost her ability to walk but that didn’t stop her from doing what she loves. She started painting again as soon as she was discharged from the hospital.
“You’ve been through a lot, Sunny.” He said even though the human wouldn't be able to hear him, he knows that it would bring comfort to her heart.
Sunny suddenly paused. She suddenly felt a warm sensation, like someone is embracing her. It felt very comforting.
Linus analyzed the almost finished painting. It was a very familiar scene. Linus soon realized that she was painting the nearby park he saw while trying to find her. It was exactly how he saw it earlier, except that it was in night setting. There was a woman sitting on the swing, with her head down… all alone. Anyone who sees the painting would immediately feel the loneliness the painting is trying to tell.
Sunny continued painting, she started drawing a figure of a man beside the woman and the outcome surprised Linus. It was a man with enormous wings. The man in the painting is holding the woman’s shoulder, like he was comforting the woman.
“Can you see me?” he blurted out. He knows that they can influence the humans but not this way.
Sunny didn’t answer.
“Of course you can’t. It might be a coincidence.” Linus laughed at how silly his first day became.
Months passed and he learned many things about Sunny. She only has her big brother as her family but he already has his own family so Sunny is living alone. She also undergoes to several therapy in hopes of being able to walk again but she’s not progressing well.
“You can do it Sunny, I’m sure you will be able to walk again.” He cheered for her but it didn’t have much effect. Sunny rarely cries, and mostly expresses her emotions through her art. Linus couldn’t help but to feel sad for her too. He could really see how much she wanted to be okay again.
Things changed when Sunny won a huge painting competition, it was the painting that she was doing on the day Linus came.
“I made this painting during the times that I felt very lonely, when I felt that everything in my life is falling apart," She smiled, "it was supposed to very gloomy, I wanted to express the loneliness I'm feeling during that time. But one day, when I was almost finished making this piece, I suddenly felt an unexplainable feeling of warmth. It was like someone is embracing and promising me that things would be better soon. Hence the title of this piece; Guardian Angel.”
Linus felt something in his chest, his heart is skipping happily. He knew it was more than happiness but he also knew that it wasn't allowed.
--
“Who are you?”
“I'm Linus.” He broke a rule by revealing himself to a human and he knows that he will be breaking a more important rule.
He revealed his true nature to Sunny and told her that he was looking after her for the past months and that is the start their forbidden relationship.
It was the happiest moments of his life. Sunny accepted him for he is. She let him experience how it is to be a human and how to be loved unconditionally.
He mutely wished that he was born as a human instead.
The happy moments lasted for a short time. His superior came for him. He was reprimanded and was forced to go back but Linus escaped. He fought his way to her as he promise to never part with her.
“Wouldn't it be better if we end this relationship?” Sunny's word shattered Linus' whole being.
“N-no, we can't give up.” Linus said, his eyes are pleading.
“I love you Linus, the heavens know how much I do. But I don't you to get hurt, I can't bear the fact that you will be punished because you loved someone like me.”
--
“Why did you do this Linus? You know our sacred rule.” his superior asked with sympathy on her eyes. Linus kneeled as he shed tears.
“Please. I love her, please let us be together.”
“You're not a being that belongs to the land Linus and you know it.”
“But I'm a being that is capable of love. I love her so much, please let me go.” He pleaded but it was never heard.
“Then please exile me.” His statement caused a disturbance in the Holy place.
“Do you understand the words that is coming out from your mouth?”
Linus nodded, angels that are exiled will never set foot on heavens again and will be punished severely. They will be damned to stay on earth as beings that are very likely of a demon.
“I'm ready to sacrifice everything for her.”
--
“I’m back.” He said with a smile despite the heavy burns all over his body.
“Sunny?” He searched the place with difficulty after no one answered his call, still wearing that smile. Finally, they can be together.
He kept on searching until he reached her room, “S-sunny?” he stuttered after finding her significant other on the floor. He felt his whole system shutting down.
He quickly joined the poor woman and tried waking her up, “Sunny, it’s me. I came back for you like I promised. I-I’m already free, we can be together now.” Tears started to trickle down on his face, he continued like a robot, he kept shaking her beloved but her eyes never opened again.
That day, he learned how unfair the heavens play.
He walked away from the house without a destination. He lost everything and he had no other will to continue.
Selected people took a second glance at him since he’s covered in wounds but most doesn’t care or doesn’t see him at all. Soon he grew tired of walking and sat on the ground, wherever he is, he doesn’t know and he doesn’t care.
He sobbed, he can't believe they took her away. The woman still has so many dreams to achieve but she died because Linus loved her. They could've killed him instead.
“You look like an idiot.” Someone said. He didn’t bother looking up at whoever spoke.
“Get away from me, demon.” Linus said without much conviction. He doesn't have energy left for a random demon to be taunting him.
The demon scoffed, “Let me guess, you got banished because you fell in love with a human,” that made Linus look up and the demon laughed at his pitiful face.
“You look ridiculous.” the demon taunted again. Linus gave him a spiteful glare, “How did you know?” He can’t help but to ask.
“Because I’m once like you, I don’t look that ridiculous though.” Linus realized that it's another exiled.
“I thought we could finally be together if I’m not an angel anymore but they took her from me. Sunny died because of me. It's so unfair, I took the punishment but they still took her away from me. She didn't do anything wrong, why...” He mumbled endlessly through muffled cries. His whole system is numb from all the physical wounds but his chest aches so much that he wanted to tear it out.
"So? Am I supposed to cry now that you shared your sober story?" Linus glared at the unknown man again.
But he is right, why would the demon care about his tragic life. He tried standing up but he miserably failed. He tried crawling, just to get away from the demon and mourn for his love in peace.
The demon sighed and pulled him up carelessly using one hand.
“Get over with it and feed so you can heal those nasty burns.” the demon said while still ‘assisting’ Linus, "You're on your own after this."
“F-feed, what do you mean and where are you taking me? ” Linus asked nonchalantly.
The demon looked at him with judging eyes, "You must be very young..." he ascertained.
"What does it have to do with my age?" Linus asked again.
The demon sighed, “Don’t act like you don’t feel it, I know that your body is aching in hunger,” the demon which Linus doesn’t even know the name pulled him again and they materialized inside a place full of people.
Loud music is blaring through huge sound systems and people are busy partying, drinking and making out.
Various scent hit Linus' senses which made him dizzier than he already is. He felt different, something he felt for the first time but he can’t name what it is exactly.
Hunger
The demon walked towards his location with a woman who looks intoxicated. Linus didn't even realize that the demon went away from his side, he’s too confused with what he is feeling right now.
The woman kept laughing and dancing. The woman eventually kissed the demon and he gladly kissed back.
"What is happening?" he feels like he's going to pass out any time soon. He wanted to get away but his own body wouldn't function. Deep inside, he wanted to stay and he's starting to feel fear because of it.
The demon withdrew from the heated kiss, “I’m not so generous so enjoy it while it last,” The demon’s words are clear to his ears but his intent is not. The demon lightly pushed the woman and she landed on Linus' arms.
Angels’ bodies are pure and untainted with sin.
Linus heard himself gasp as he felt something crawling onto his system. His hand automatically latched to the woman's body. Now he understands what the demon is talking about. His body is doing its thing to survive, and that is to feed.
So this is how I dive right into darkness…
“Where are we going anyway?” Linus asked as he's busy reading information about Joaqin's recent cases. Linus is surprisingly hands-on in studying Joaqin’s cases. Joaqin didn’t expect much from the demon but he’s surprisingly handy. “Ah, this is so boring.” He commented before Joaqin can answer then took another folder, “This one is kinda interesting, you should prioritize this.” “I'm going to meet Chris.” Joaqin answered while his eyes are focused in the road. “Hmm, still don't want to give up?” Joaqin could see in the demon's smirk that he's going to start annoying him. Linus knew how it would irk Joaqin. “No. I have my insatiable greed, remember?” Linus laughed at Joaqin's clever response. “You're always quick at things.” the demon commented, “You're starting to get boring.” Linus simply said it to see Joaqin’s reaction. He still sees the human as interesting. Joaqin’s drive to serve justice without anything in return still fascinates him.
“Why are you spacing out?” The demon appeared beside him and casually took his workbook. Damien shook his head, “I guess this is enough torture for human beings.” Chris sighed and tried to get his English workbook back, “Why? Does our contract remove my liberty to space out too?” He retaliated and continued doing his homework after he succeeded in taking his book back. He is trying to finish everything so he could be free for the rest of the day. Chris merely just got home from school an hour ago since the class decided to allot few hours after classes to finish their preparation for the school event. It's tiring for Chris but it's taking his mind off the grief, even just for a moment. “I’m bored, isn’t there any amusing thing that would happen today?” The demon said and plopped on Chris’ bed. "If you're bored then go elsewhere and stop bothering me, or better yet, find a lead to the people related to my parents' death. I'm starting to feel like selli
The angel is happy to meet another child that he will guide. Damien heard the first cry of the child which is the official start of his duty. Damien’s smile immediately faded when he realized that the smell of death is starting to linger in the child’s mother. The woman lost consciousness and her vital signs instantly became unstable. The medical team did their best to revive the mother.“Please fight for your son.” The doctor said as she tries her best to revive the woman but Damien knew better.The mother lost her life even before she could embrace her second child. Damien felt his heart aching, it was the effect when angels set forth to land. They could feel human emotions. Damien touched the child’s forehead and asked him to be blessed by the heavens.“You wouldn’t grow up with a mother but I will guide and protect you.” He whispers to the child and it stopped crying. The new born baby smiled, knowing that he&r
“Huh? Where is Raya?” Ryan mumbles while holding his unfinished homework. The child suddenly felt odd, he couldn’t explain it but he hurriedly went to contact his sister. “What’s wrong Ryan?” Damien asked. He can see the worry in the child’s eyes. “Why is she not answering?” the child mumbled, almost in tears. That is when Damien got alarmed. He immediately went out and tried finding Raya. They didn’t have a link, unlike to Ryan, so he had to find the woman in his own effort. He revealed his wings and started flying around in hopes of seeing Raya. He flew on his way to the current site of Raya’s work and saw a road accident. His chest tightened when he saw the Raya’s car. The car is turned upside down because of the impact of the truck hitting her car. He promptly landed and ran towards the car. He saw her inside, the door of the car is already detached and she’s still in her seat as the seatbelt is still attached. Her head is bleeding profusely going
Chris headed to the tea shop without Damien. He saw Eugene patiently waiting inside the shop while sipping on his drink. He hesitated on going inside, he’s afraid of going alone. What if they discovered about what Damien did? What should he do? “Where is that demon?” he mumbled while still observing Eugene from a distance. The man is calmly drinking his tea while doing something on his laptop. “Why are you out there looking like a complete idiot?” Chris yelped out of surprise, “Can’t you try being discreet while you try on spying him…” He glared at the demon but it’s totally unbothered. “I AM trying to be discreet but you’re exposing me and where have you been?” Chris spoke in a low voice. He’s annoyed that the demon suddenly left him earlier. The demon shook his head out of displease, “You call compressing yourself behind that tree as being discreet? And I don’t need to report everything to you. Stop hiding, he already knows that you’re here ages ago
“Where are we going this time?” Linus asked after he yawned. Joaqin knew that demons don’t need to sleep which is why he wonders why Linus always looks sleepy.“To Chris’ house.” Joaqin simply answered while his eyes are concentrated on the road.“Chris...” Linus mumbled, where did he heard that name again? “Ah, that kid. You shouldn't worry about him, he's with Damien.”“That is the reason why I'm more worried. He's with a demon, like you.” Linus laughed.“We actually follow the rules in our contract, contrary to what humans portray us" Joaqin 'tch-ed', “that's because the rules are never on the human's side.”The demon laughed again, “Bingo. But we never let our hosts die before the end of the contract, that's a waste of exquisite food,” Linus spoke in an ‘as-a-matter-of-fact’ tone.“Hmm, looks like we're not the
Chris had to adjust his eyes because of the blinding light. He blinked fast for a few seconds before his eyes could fully adjust. He roamed his eyes at the place, all he could see are trees and other plants. The place is beautiful that it took him a moment to realize that he didn’t know where he was. He started walking around, he realized that he’s barefooted but he didn’t mind. The grass beneath is soft and a bit ticklish to his feet. He heard the sound of birds chirping. It made Chris smile, he rarely hears bird chirping because he lives in the city ever since he was young. He tried finding the source of the sound and saw the two birds happily chirping by the branch. Chris watched the birds without disturbing them but to his surprise, the birds flew towards him. The birds circled him before they flew away from him. He continued walking around the place. Somehow he felt lonely that he is alone. His mother would probably appreciate the place more than he does
Chris couldn’t sleep because of what happened yesterday. His emotions got ahead of him and he end up in a tight situation. He got up and pulled his hair out of frustration.“Chris, you’re a big idiot!” he exclaimed to himself, the person watching him by the cameras they installed must be laughing by now. There’s so many things happening and he didn’t know what think first.He plopped back on the bed and sighed. Chris feels like both his head and chest are going to explode. He’s so angry, but he didn’t know who is directed to anymore. He hates the people who killed his parents, the Fantasia people and even himself.He found himself tearing up. Chris sighed and wiped away his tears but it kept falling.His alarm already rang. He reached the alarm from the bedside drawer to switch it off then lazily got up. Now he has a massive headache. Chris groaned, “this is Damien’s fault.” He whispered. T