Chapter 46: SS14 – Sophelia – Sacrifices

As the first of her kind, Sophelia differed greatly from her siblings. The first way she differed was her strength. When the father of all angels made her, he needed a champion that could quickly and effectively face the Devourer. To hold him off, on her own, until she could gain the support of her siblings that would come later.

They battled alone for a long time. Sophelia wasn’t sure how long, but in mortal terms it was likely centuries, if not more. Despite her best efforts, in the beginning the Devourer would choose to ignore her at times to go for the mortals she was supposed to shield from him. 

But during that time Sophelia would grow, and soon the Devourer wasn’t able to ignore her any longer. For Sophelia learned to fight with a ferocity that has since then gone unwitnessed. Watching the light of the souls be snuffed out as they were agonizingly ripped apart by the Devourer ignited a resolve in Sophelia’s heart that would shape her growth. 

Long into the battle, Sophelia’s first sibling arrived. She was delighted at the new arrival; for the first time, she wasn’t going to be alone in her strife. 

And Raheem wasn’t discouraged by the enemy they faced. No matter the circumstances, he would stand before their opponent. Fighting side by side, Raheem and Sophelia managed to slow the Devourer down. But not completely.

For when the dark god was cornered, he would change his attack pattern, to go on the offensive in order to deal a blow that would cause the soul to shatter until nothing remained. 

Raheem only managed to survive due to Sophelia’s warning, for she had almost become a target for the same attack in the past. Seeing the mortals whose souls were destroyed in exchange, she understood the gravity of the Devourer’s attack should he get in a clean hit. 

During one of the times that the two angels could do nothing but watch how the mortal souls were being devoured, despite their efforts to prevent it, Raheem came up with a plan. For he agonized even more over the suffering of mortals than his sister.

Grieving at her brother's choice, she reluctantly accepted. Together they cornered the Devourer once more.

Raheem was willing to sacrifice his soul merely for the chance of granting the mortals hope. When the Devourer struck him, the young angel used all his power to reflect as much of the attack as possible back to its source. 

Permanently crippled, the god came to a halt as Sophelia pressed the advantage. With her brother’s sacrifice, the Devourer no longer was given the opportunity to feed on the mortal souls as Sophelia assaulted him relentlessly.

And soon new siblings arrived to support her, but Sophelia was far more concerned than delighted this time. For her new siblings were far weaker than she and Raheem had been. 

However, even with the advantage of numbers that her siblings had provided, it wasn’t enough to actually defeat a god. A god’s strength was simply overwhelming.

But they were able to make the Devourer fall back - although not without more lost siblings, some of them lost forever. But he would eventually return - and when he did, he brought his own numbers. 

During the war that ensued, Sophelia first thought the demons were similar to mortals, due to their lack of divine power. Yet they would eventually return to the battlefield after death, like angels.

However, as one by one her siblings began reaching the limits of their growths, Sophelia realized that the case was even more different. For the demons would continue growing in strength, albeit slowly. 

And that was when questions began to arise for Sophelia. Why could the demons continue growing in strength, just like mortals, while angels reached a limit?

Over time however, the answer began to piece itself together. For her siblings who reached their peak would begin to forget events or conversations Sophelia had shared with them. Important ones that related to the war remained, while others simply began fading away.

And the only thing that was different between angels and all other beings, was the ability to use mana. 

If the ability to absorb mana was required to grow, why wouldn’t their Father make the angels able to?

And as the war involved the mortals as well, why did they have to forget their past lives and have to regrow themselves in each life? Surely one of those options must have crossed her Father’s mind.

One last doubt arose. Why did her Father not help her himself, when she was fighting the Devourer? Even if her Father was weaker than the Devourer, Sophelia realized that they would have been able to claim victory. Especially after Raheem had sacrificed himself to cripple the dark god. Victory had been in their grasp the whole time. 

Sophelia was confronted by her Father as he had sensed her distress, her heart heavy as she felt that she had been betrayed. And the truth she found was far worse than she had imagined. 

{“You must choose, Sophelia. If you speak of this to your siblings and rebel, you and the mortals will stand alone when I'm dead. We both know you may hold on for a time, but eventually, you will lose. 

Or, you can aid me in keeping the souls safe. The choice is yours.” (God)}

Feeling defeated, Sophelia made the only choice she could. 

As the eons passed, Sophelia learned to accept the situation. 

At least, she made the appearance of accepting it. For she now realized that her Father didn’t want the war to end. Because as long as the mortals felt threatened, they would rise to the occasion and grow quicker than otherwise would be deemed possible.

Sophelia watched and helped her Father direct the war to change locations over time, in order to encourage the mortals to grow faster and greater during their short lives. If the mortals grew idle in the absence of the threat of demons, then their world would become the next battlefield.

For a long time, Sophelia thought that nothing could ever break the stalemate. For the strength of the angels and demons would always be perfectly matched, so that one side would only temporarily have the advantage. That was, until the twins came.

 

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“Sophelia.” (Alarice)

Sophelia stopped and turned to her sister when she was called out, and spoke with a gentle smile. “Alarice.” 

“We need to talk about Ezme.” Alarice said before returning her lips to a set line, emphasizing her cold expression.

Sophelia blinked slowly and tilted her head as she looked at Alarice. “What about our sister?”

“Have you encouraged her to be close with the mortal?” Alarice accused her.

Sophelia’s smile grew ever so slightly. “Perish the thought, I would do no such thing.”

Sophelia looked away, hiding her thoughts deep beneath the emotions, thoughts and visions she was experiencing as she let the prayers she was receiving flow through her. 

Ezme must grow, but not in the way you want dear sister. Even if she ends up dying just like both of our brothers. 

“Consorting with mortals would be pointless, especially when they are doomed to die. However, I will not tell our little sister what she should or should not do. She must learn on her own.” (Sophelia)

Alarice grit her teeth. “I will not let her walk down the path my brother did. Mortals can’t be trusted. But no matter how many times I tell her, she doesn’t seem to understand.”

Sophelia turned to look at her sister. “That is because telling does not bring understanding. She must see and witness for herself.”

Sophelia blinked slowly with a gentle smile. “Nor can you expect her to understand if you do not tell her everything, either.”

Alarice crossed her arms and frowned. “And tell her that the demon lords were originally our siblings? She can’t handle it. Not yet.”

Sophelia gently stretched her large wings as she sighed. “Then you shall remain at an impasse.”

Alarice snorted and contemplated before she replied. “I don’t understand why our Father had to pick her to associate with the mortal. I know she needs to learn but...it still would have been better if it had been me.”

Sophelia smiled and looked away and once again let the prayers cloud her thoughts. It’s because I suggested it. Because she is one of my seeds.

“Had it been you, it would have been counterproductive. You would not have been able to encourage the champion to fulfill its task with your current state of mind.” (Sophelia)

Alarice frowned. “Why does it matter? The mortal will die anyway.”

“But we need the champion to not die prematurely.” Sophelia smiled as she turned her gaze back to Alarice.

Alarice snorted. “Do you believe I’d kill the mortal?”

“I believe you can restrain yourself. However, mortals are more emotional than us, to the point where it can become self destructive.” Sophelia smiled and cocked her head. “Would you be able to provide the emotional support required?”

Alarice clicked her tongue. “Maybe not, but it’s only going to make Ezme worse.”

Sophelia blinked slowly before she asked. “How did Ezme manage her task as rearguard?”

Alarice frowned and looked away. “She took it hard. But Ezme needs to learn that this war isn’t pretty. And eventually, the demons will likely reach her domain, so she needs to be ready and able to make sacrifices.”

Sophelia once again looked away as she let the prayers flow through her mind. But she will have the champion to help heal her wounded heart. Had it been one us, her siblings, it would be far less effective, or counterproductive, towards the end goal.

“I suspect she will grow from her last deployment.” Sophelia said calmly.

“I hope so. She learns too slowly.” Alarice sighed. “I need to go back to Biradol’s domain. Keep an eye on her for me will you? Keep her away from the path that leads to her falling into the same trap as my brother.”

Sophelia blinked slowly and nodded. As Alarice turned and walked away, Sophelia once again let the prayers hide her thoughts.

Dear sister. What will you say, when you find out that at the time you accused me in a burst of outrage, you were actually spot on? What will you do, when you find out I not only allowed Alaric to walk into the Devourer’s trap, but helped orchestrate it?

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