Those Who Could Not See

With its dilapidated dwellings, littered streets, and rodents that scuttled in the gutters, the area was teeming with human life, much like the people who identified as souled. In some way, they were superior to the flies and rodents that lurked in the dark and stole food. This place was unlike anything he had ever experienced.

Admittedly, though, he had little knowledge of what he had previously encountered. He had no genuine comprehension of the skies he had left behind, no recall of his own origin, and no image of the god who had thrown him forth into mortal earth. People who couldn't see him rushed to either side as he stood there, unconsciously letting him pass. There was no doubt in his mind as to why he was here.

Every step had a slow, eerie elegance, and anyone who was momentarily moved by the little light that fluttered through his feathers had cause to smile. Their hearts were briefly warmed, and they each began to believe that there was a higher power in the world that was keeping watch over and defending them. Although he lacked any additional evidence, he shared their suspicion that this was the case.

He disregarded them, to be honest, for the most part. Maybe he even felt a twinge of disdain at being told to purge such weak, tainted creatures of the evil that roamed among them—he, who should never have to come into contact with what could be considered nothing more than fallen.

After a while, he passed past the crowd without anybody noticing, his pure white wings glimmering in waves of brilliance. The next, he appeared to be one of them, a regular mortal man. Nobody paid attention to the abrupt appearance of someone who had never been there before, much less the fact that there was another face in the crowd.

Even behind a human visage, however, the beauty of one deemed holy could not be concealed. Those who hadn't before noticed him did so in a flash. The women began whispering to one another, their voices low and obviously meant to be heard above his. Men gave him doubtful looks, nodded, and continued walking, only turning to look back when they were certain he wouldn't see. He let out a sigh and bore both responses. Neither was relevant to his goal here, but they also did not present any obstacles.

"Look at you, wow." A brash woman came toward him, exposing her teeth in what he realized was not a human danger. He hesitated, thinking about her. Her eyes were so deep they looked almost black, framed by pouty red lips, and she had a thin waist, broad hips, and a large, soft chest. It startled him for a second, causing his own body to twitch with curiosity, a response that quickly irritated him. Emotion and want were the only things that could stand in his way since he was a human.

In an attempt to suppress these fresh and unwanted feelings for the female of the species from which he appeared to suffer, he inquired bluntly, "Did you want something?" She blinked, started to say something, then took a step back. With her cheeks flushed with blood and her heart beating twice as quickly as before, it was obvious she would not say another word. Ignoring her, he continued his journey.

Naturally, locating the demon his master had sent him to either capture, if he could, or destroy, if he could not, was the biggest challenge he faced rather than fitting in among these mortal creatures. One way or another, there had to be a solution to this egregious disobedience among individuals who ought to be sent to hell rather than live among the living. He was quite certain about this. But that was all he knew about the monster, sadly. The real problem, however, was that it had undoubtedly been hidden among mortals for a lot longer than he had. The people were at the center of it all.

He wasn't sure when he had paused to consider this before making a decision, but he was acutely aware of the instant a young person struck him, however lightly. Before the boy apologized and fled, he felt his fingers searching for pockets he didn't have. What had the young man hoped to discover, he wondered?

He scowled as he followed him, his fingertips grazing the area the child had touched, perhaps erasing the memory of such strange contact. If the person had been attempting to steal, he wasn't upset about it. He wasn't totally sure why, but he was at least bothered by it. But for whatever reason, he was convinced that a young person shouldn't have to turn to theft.

Emotions that had no place in him suddenly overcame him: a soft, abiding gentleness unlike anything he had ever experienced; a tender protectiveness for the youngster; and a tenderness for the frail, suffering human souls. I am now evolving into the person I was destined to be. He couldn't quite understand the notion, even though he knew it was true. He was startled by these new feelings and became extremely vulnerable.

The feeling then subsided. He inhaled deeply, finally understanding the warmth the humans experienced when his wings' aura passed over them. This was accurate. He didn't want things to alter again because this was how they were supposed to be.

I am whole now.

He just slowly became aware of the world around him again, as though he had just woken up from a reawakening. This time, the scene before his eyes was different. He was unable to ignore every sly look and anxious smile, and he pondered whether this apprehension was caused by the devil that lived among them. He felt a sudden surge of strength and resolve as his fingers curled into his palms.

"My lord?" Her choice of words, in particular, shocked him. He turned and saw a girl with freckles, scarcely taller than his chest, staring at him through slightly squinted watery blue eyes. In this area of the city, what would a noble want? Are you lost? She simply put her fingers behind her head and rocked back on her heels, albeit they were twisted together as though in prayer. "In a place like this, you won't find anything a decent man would want!"

It was oddly hard for him to concentrate on the child. Was she aware of his purpose? When he pointedly queried, "You claim to know my reason for seeking—and what I seek as well?" he was met with another bare-toothed expression, which he assumed was a smile. Or are you going to assist me in finding it? I have a small amount of money to pay.

The girl's face contorted in displeasure as she clucked her tongue. "Isn't it right there? On the side, I can never make a fair coin. With a throaty sigh, she straightened abruptly, lowering her hands in front of her and evoking a presentable front. Are you an aristocrat, sir? Direct and concise.

He thought about her for a bit more, looking unsurely to either side where no one else had come forward to help. “No,” he finally denied, looking back at her. "You wouldn't comprehend by any means. Does that imply that you won't assist me in finding what I'm looking for? He was impatient, convinced she couldn't, but he had to laugh and listen to her.

"Mm!" He almost reached out to steady her as she teetered so precariously that she rocked forward onto the balls of her feet. But she didn't need it, and his attempt made her eyes light up with amusement. It should do well enough because it's the most honorable to pass through this city in a long time! So come with me. She immediately grabbed his hand in her smaller, dirtier one and started dragging him through the throng. "If I can't get a silver out of this, I'll have a copper!"

He possessed only a few coppers, silvers, and golds that were given to him from beyond this world to be utilized sparingly. Even though he was positive it wouldn't help his hunt, he allowed himself to be tempted by the eager child for the time being. He shook his head and scowled once again. Maybe a child knew someone who did, or heard things themselves. She might be able to assist him locate what he was looking for if he gave in to her immediately.