Memories of the Forgotten

Hello everyone! A new Chapter to start the new year! Hope your Holidays were a blast! Everyone, hope your new year is productive and your stories have many wonderful reviews and readers!

Anyway, it's time the ultimate truth was revealed... and the danger is all but set...


Chapter 20


It took a full day of rest to effectively heal John from his wounds sustained by Elno, mostly because he had insisted he was fine and tried to convince Jessica to go with him and press onward. He hadn't made it out of the gates when he collasped and was rushed back toward the house they had been staying at. Once he had been set into bed, Jessica began to look about the town.

I wonder what test the heavens have sent to us...and John... he's been acting so strangely since... Jessica turned back to the house and gave a sigh, before sending her gaze upwards. Well John was one to rush in and prove himself in a battle, especially against someone he had a grudge against, he was behaving very rashly about his loss. Although perhaps it had been because of what was at stake.

Jessica had been more then overjoyed at the sight of her daughter again, alive and safe for the time being. But her heart filled with dread at the thought of whatever that man named Elno had in store for her.

"Your troubled aren't you?"

Jessica turned quickly at the sound of a voice behind her, but her eyes widened in surprise when she saw who was there. "Eion!"

Wearing a white robe with lavender hair and wings folded back, was Eion, an angel. Eion had known Jessica for centuries and the two had always been close. It had troubled him greatly to see her go and risk everything against the forces that threatened the world six years ago. He had even come down to speak with her, though he couldn't say much at the time.

"We meet again Jessica. I'm glad to see your doing well."

"What do you want Eion," Jessica said rather bluntly. She had certainly not forgotten the last time they had encountered and how frustrating it was for her.

"I came here to warn you. I must, despite whatever they say."

Jessica's look immediately softened and she could feel the uneasiness in his voice. She knew by 'they' he meant the higher angels, the ones who helpped govern and divide the duties of all the angels. To defy them was almost the same as to defy... Him.

"Jessica, you, John, and Aivon are in grave danger. You may not realize this, but despite your efforts... you failed." Eion looked down at this, as if he couldn't bear to face his companion anymore.

"What do you mean? What did we fail?"

"On that day... the day we all thought you had truely succeeded... he escaped. Mammon broke free of the Dark Gate."

Jessica gasped out loud, suddenly finding it very hard to breathe. "No... you mean... no! It can't be! We sealed him away!"

"We all thought the same thing... but He told us otherwise. You see, when you sealed the Gate once more, you binded the physical form of Mammon away. But in the briefest of moments, when the Gate had all but opened, Mammon was able to set free a bit of his essence into the world. And while you prevented his body from returning, his power still leaked out."

"Hold on..." Jessica interrupted. "What about Midas? He is a part of Mammon, and yet..."

"Midas... obtained something of his own. Something to keep him from obeying his master. But this essence of Mammon hasn't taking a physical form like with Midas. It has possessed a human body."

"Wait... does this have to do with the Forbidden Seal?"

Eion looked up shocked, but pressed on. "Mammon... is merely using the body as a puppet. He is most likely going to use him to reobtain the keys and free his own body. However, he cannot do it alone. And he most certainly can't do it with the limitations of his human host."

"Then... he's going to use the power of the Forbidden Seal to strengthen his human host and..."

"And with this power, nothing could stop him from opening the Gate. As neither Mammon nor Midas can use the power of the keys, he is most likely going to manipulate his host into doing everything for him. Then with his body free, and the added powers of the Fobidden Seal, it may be all but impossible to seal him away once more."

"So, you had to disobey orders then."

Both turned to see another angel one with blue hair. "Arois! Please I-"

"It's alright Eion. I will say nothing in this matter."

"Arois, is that really you?" Jessica reached over and hugged him. They too, had been close. "It's good to see you again after so long."

"It is nice to see you too." Arois turned back to Eion. "So, you told her everything? Despite the fact that we-"

"It's not fair!" Eion said almost outraged. "Midas was absolutely right. We CAN change things too. Last time was different, but now... now they have to know. They have to be told."

"Eion... fine. I suppose considering the conditions..." Arois turned once more to Jessica. "Listen well. In a few days, you will meet Aivon at the next town you come across. Although you can reach it in in about two days, wait for him first before you act."

"What about Midas?" Jessica said, concerned.

Neither angel said anything for a few moments. Eion was the one to speak. "Midas... has been taken. His being has once again been corrupted by Mammon's dark powers. Although from what we know, he didn't simply give in."

"There is one more thing you must know Jessica. Despite the fact you must wait for Aivon to better your chances of surviving this, you must hurry. The Forbidden Seal's power will reach full strength when casted at midnight on the night of the new moon. You must not let the spell be performed, especially on that day."

"The new moon... that's about eight days from now..." Jessica voiced aloud.

"Yes. You and John are best to leave tommarrow at dawn. And be sure to imform him of what is happening."

"But..." Jessica said concerned. "What will happen to you two? For telling me all this?"

"We don't know," Eion said with a strong voice. "And personally, I don't care. I'm tired of not being able to do anything about this..." Jessica still showed signs of worry, but he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Don't worry about me. No matter His wrath, I will not regret doing this."

"Nor I," Arois added.

Jessica nodded and ran back, determined to tell John what she had heard. The two angels watched her go, Arois with a determined look and Eion with an saddened look. "You still concerned aren't you?" Arois said calmly. Eion didn't answer but Arois bowwed his head down all the same. "It is hard... I know. We had to let her go once before. And now, even armed with the knowledge..."

"We are once again throwing them in danger's path," Eion finished, before he streached out his wings, his fellow angel doing likewise. "I wish we could do more... or even help ease their burden."

"We had done all we can. It's in their hands now. We must be able to trust them."

With that, in a fury of feathers, both angels vanished from sight, back into the paradise they had left and wondering if what they said would truely make a difference.