Everyone check out "Resident Deadly" on Purity's link.
Decktrya has found an equal
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Incidentally, I apologise for any inconveniences caused by my absence; however, I
did have to attend a classical piano performance where I was scheduled to play
Reserved.
Editing in progress.
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Two voices were heard in response to his call. Firstly, the bearded man spoke with a tinge of relief,
"Yes, yes, of course," said Nanuuk. "Well met. I'm Nanuuk the Marid, and I'll assist you all in any way you choose as long as... well... you don't let me die."
"I shall attempt everything in my power to prevent the deaths of my friends, and were we in Heaven, I could pronounce such a statement with the utmost confidence, knowing that my protection would suffice against any ill. However, here, with my inherent power substantially limited, I cannot proclaim it quite as boldly."
It was the second response that propelled him into the realm of thought again for one second.
"Greetings, Arcterael. My name is Jonathan Solaris. I am half angel, and you may call me by my angelic name, Solariel, if you wish."
This answer initiated a fury of active angelic thought.
My intuition proves to be correct once more. I have encountered this person before, in distant Ages past, in fact, before the beginning of the Last Golden Age. And his name provides the final key which will permit me to read the riddle. This man was once the God of the Sun, Sol Invictus, a champion of the Light and a peerlessly noble deity, but alas, he was also the harbourer of a demon as cruel as he was kind, known as Eclipsis. While under the latter's influence, he succumbed to evil, and massacred scores of innocent, young angels in the Temple of Solaris, perhaps the greatest tragedy that has transpired since the Second Golden Age's end.Upon this thought, an angelic tear briefly formed, composed of pure colourless liquid, and fell to earth with a subtle and delicate sound of impact, and Arcterael perceived himself to be dragged deeper into the world of thought, as recollections returned to the immediate present.
Lumaeliel had entered the Council Chamber with characteristic grace, but imbued with a marked sense of urgency and ponderous tragedy.
Weeping, her tears, being as genuine as the most concentrated emotion of sadness will ever form, took on their true form: that of beautiful white droplets of crystal.
She imparted all that had befallen the Temple of Solaris and its young inhabitants, creating a tragic heaviness in the Council chamber that none had felt nor experienced before, not even during the Elder Days.
At the last, it was the incumbent Chief Archangel, none other or less than Solraegiel himself, who spoke gravely.
"High Archangels of the Council, our ancient suspicions have been confirmed, our worst fears realised into material existence. I shall require any whom wish to accompany me to the ruins of the Temple where we shall banish him forever from the Upper Realm, condemned for all eternity to walk in exile upon the mortal plane. However, this foe is beyond many even amongst you. Should Eclipsis' control linger, should battle begin, approach him not, and rather leave him to me."
Over the course of a a tremendous and titanic confrontation Solraegiel fought with Eclipsis, and, in conjunction with Jonathan's internal presence, finally proved to be victorious in subduing the demon, permitting Jonathan's full return, though not without damage inflicted upon himself.
I did indeed approve of and participate in that punitive expedition, though our foe was Sol's inner demon, never Sol himself nor his human reincarnation.
Unfortunately, while he seems to be in a relatively stable state for the moment, Solraegiel help us should an eclipse blacken the light of the Sun. It will not be a pretty encounter.Returning to the present, he spoke again, gravely,
"I recognise you with ease due to your revelation of your angelic name, Solariel. I sense that you are troubled, and if it may ease such anxieties, I will say this: Heaven's foe and my own will always be Eclipsis, not Jonathan. The actions of the former do not reflect upon the latter, and as such, I hold no grievance against you. However, I warn you that it remains absolutely imperative to maintain a hold of yourself; should the demon ever return, I cannot afford to be merciful."
Then continuing, he said to his new-found friends,
"I have also notified Heaven of our current situation; though the message will require a substantial amount of time to be conveyed to its destination, I trust that Heaven will hear my call, and provide us assistance and hope. If anything, we need simply survive until their arrival."
