Snow fell lightly onto the ground, creating a thin white blanket as far as the eye could see. For a region such as this, in a place so close to the ice hell known as Siberia, this amount of snow is considered to be negligible. Yet, for him, this blanket oddly reminded him of home. A light blanket of snow outside the house while he curled up in a blanket by the window with a hot cup of cocoa.
He shivered as a cool, light icy breeze blew through, ruffling his dark blonde hair.
He had missed such days. He missed the swing between hot summers and cold winters. He wondered how his family in Japan was doing.
Moving to Italy to become a Priest had thrust him into warmer weather. Something he and his sweat glands never came to terms with.
However, he never minded.
It was a calling from God and he was more than happy to answer it.
"Father!"
"Hello, Father Noah."
Noah Kamiyo waved as the mother and son duo passed by the Church as he swept the steps of snow and leaves. He had been sent here by the Church temporarily to manage a local church here.
Ukraine had a small Roman Catholic population and he just so happened to be sent to a small village where it was the majority. He smiled softly. He never particularly minded the specifics of other religions. Perhaps he could call himself a product of his time. However, he could clearly recall the more older, hawkish members of the Church—both Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox.
He chuckled to himself as he remembered the frustration some of the Cardinals expressed at some of the non-Catholic branches. Noah guessed that even within the same faith, people could never agree on things. It was just human nature.
The product of humanity's original sin of wisdom.
"What are you thinking about?"
A pair of arms wrapped around him, filling him with warmth. A voice as sweet as sugar filled his ears and his heart skipped a few beats.
"Nothing, dear." Noah reached up and placed his hand over her hands.
If the Church had discovered that he had broken his vow of celibacy, he couldn't imagine what would happen. Yet, even then, he wouldn't trade her for anything.
"Aren't you cold, Lailah?" Noah asked.
Lailah pulled away. He turned to face her.
She truly was beautiful in his eyes. Dark violet hair cascaded down her shoulders. Her blue eyes, which complimented her pale skin, gave her an ethereal presence that was complimented by her habit. Her hair blew slightly in the breeze as she linked arms with him. He gulped, feeling her soft body against his. Two years, they had been married. Two years of unadulterated happiness and bliss. And now, the two had their own little sanctuary away from prying eyes. A sanctuary where they could keep their little bundle of joy safe.
"No, Angels don't get cold… much." She nuzzled against him. "Still, it is a little chilly."
"Want to go inside then? I can think of a few ways we can get warm," he said.
"Oh? That's a rather raunchy thing to say for a priest," she giggled.
"Well, I don't think the supposed angel should be one to talk-"
"Father! Father Noah! Sister Lailah!"
The two were snapped out of their own world when they heard a panicked voice approaching them at rapid speeds. A ragged man ran up to the steps. He was covered in ash and blood. Lailah immediately ran up to the man and began helping him to the stairs.
Noah ran inside to grab a first aid kit. He returned quickly, taking out some gauze and bandages.
"Yuri! What's going on? Why do you look like that?" Noah asked, taking a look at his wounds.
"M- Monster… Monster in the town!" Yuri gasped.
"Monster?" Lailah asked.
"A shadow! A living shadow! It's-"
An explosion happened in the distance. Lailah immediately went on edge. Sparks of light began to gather at her fingertips. Noah similarly became anxious.
"It's gonna kill us all!" Yuri covered his ears and rocked back and forth.
"No. It's not. Stay here. Laila and I will-"
"No, Noah. Go make sure our baby is safe. I'll go check out whatever it is," Lailah said, cutting him off.
"But Lailah-"
"I'll be fine. I'm an Angel, remember?" she winked.
She had said this before multiple times. Stray monsters and low class devils were of no issue to them. He was a Priest trained in Miracles and she was an Angel. However, something about this situation made him uneasy. An uncharacteristic fear had gripped his heart yet, he couldn't say anything to dissuade his confident wife. It was as if her charisma had just washed it all away.
"Be careful," Noah said.
"When have I never been?" Lailah smiled. A violet halo appeared above her head and three pairs of snow white wings appeared on her back. With one powerful beat, Noah watched as his wife took to the skies, leaving a trail of white feathers behind.
"A- Angel…!?" Yuri gasped.
Noah sighed. He had forgotten all about Yuri. He quickly appeared behind the man and chopped his neck, knocking him out. "Sorry, Yuri. But I can't have you remembering what you just saw." He placed his hand above his forehead and a yellow magic circle appeared.
A black pillar of light shot down from the Heavens, slamming into the town square. Noah looked up. A worried look was etched all over his face. "Lailah is using Leliel already…?," he whispered. "I need to get over there and help her!"