It was absolutely dreadful when she had to change again for some date that narcissist wanted. Her eyes twitched when she was escorted back to her room. Sighing, she reached in her wardrobe to get not-very-royalty-clothes just as the prince had said.

  This should be enough. It works when I hang out with them so...

  She wore a fitting red tunic with black leggings and the brown muddy boots she used yesterday. Her thoughts went back to Mara and Yuri. How were they faring? Were they still mad? Sometimes she just wanted Celestia to swallow her below— Now is not the time for that. She put on her black cloak and covered her face with the hood.

  Mallory's wings twitched when she folded them. Her rough demeanor was really testing her. The princess took her money pouch and took the crumpled paper on the floor, folding it neatly and hiding it in her pocket. With that, she left the comfort of her room to face a self-centered jerk on a date.

  When she saw Eric, she couldn't help but freeze at his idea of the blend-in-clothes he stated a while back. He was wearing an overly shiny white and gold coat with his silk shirt unbuttoned. His boots were as sparkly as his face and— is that a dagger— Mallory stood there, face blank.

  "You're here fast." Eric, in the middle of wearing his ring, noticed Mallory's presence. "Were you that excited to see me in punk clothes? I know I'm cool but seriously?"

  If Eric called that punk clothes, the rest of the angels in the square would be degenerates. Mallory sighed.

  "You're like a talking chandelier at this rate," She muttered, rubbing her eyes to ensure that this stupidity wasn't a hallucination.

  "Repeat that? Couldn't quite hear you—," Eric stopped mid-sentence when he turned around to see what she was wearing. He shrieked in horror as he took the image in. "Your clothes!"

  "What about it?" Mallory retorted sharply. "It's perfect for the blend-in clothes you were talking about. Unlike whatever comet yours is."

  "Excuse me? This is perfect!" Eric raised his voice a bit. "I'm just too shiny for you to look away from!"

  "Oh please." Mallory scoffed. "Like I love looking at some flamboyant punk wannabe."

  Eric stood there, crushed by her words. He plopped on a chair with his head down.

  "I am not going out, with you looking like that," Mallory sighed. "I'll pick out your clothes."

  "Absolutely not!" Eric exclaimed. "It is shameful for a woman to—"

  "If you don't permit it, then let's call this off?"

  "Ok fine... I'll call in a maid." Eric said, barely above a whisper.

  "Now this is an honor indeed." Mallory smirked.

  If they were here, they'd love this.

  Sneeze

  Mara and Yuri sneezed at the same time. They stared at each other for a minute.

  Yuri sniffled. "That's odd. It's like we have noses."

  Mara blinked. "But we do?"

  A beat of silence

  "Anyways," Yuri continued. "Where can we get a mood ore? And is it sparkly?!"

  "Of course it is," Mara said triumphantly. "It is from the city square after all."

  "City square, here we come!" Yuri burst out in such energy that even Mara couldn't understand—but unfortunately match— to Mallory's dismay. If she were here, that is.

  Yuri spread out her silver white wings that was big enough to be used as cover from the light. She took her money and prepared to fly, seemingly going first because of her overwhelming excitement. Her balance suddenly went off course when an intense force grabbed ahold of her right foot.

  Upon turning around, she realized it was Mara.

  "Mara?" Yuri locked eyes with her.

  Her eyes widened when she saw that Yuri's voice waver. She let go of her foot and waved her hands in the air in panic. Her confidence seemingly gone.

  "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," She said awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck. "You forgot your cloak."

  Mara handed over a black cloak to Yuri. She watched the girl fold her wings and put it on. She let out a sigh of relief. Who knows what could've happened if she left the other angel on her own shenanigans. When it came to obliviousness, Yuri was close competition to Mara.

  "No worries." Yuri grinned with her usual cheeriness. "Though... I wish you show Mallow the same lovey dovey caring energy you give me. She'd really appreciate it."

  "Nevermind." She giggled. "You always steal her attention from me in general. It's worse that you like it."

  "Hey! I do not enjoy—"

  Yuri flew off before she could finish her sentence.

  "Typical Yuri," Mara sighed. "Welp, I'll be on my way too."

  She wore her cloak and soared into the sky. Her eyes twinkled in hope that they can finally reconcile with Mallory.

  All the while, Eric and Mallory were now walking to the city square all the way from the Palace.

  "I feel stained."

  "It isn't that bad," Mallory said, barely stifling a chuckle. "Just be happy that you're not a wannabe anymore."

  "My wings hurt!" Eric suddenly clapped back. "Why do I have to hide my greatness?!"

  "Be quiet drama queen," Mallory hissed. "You'll get used to it."

  He gasped. "You're not allowed to make the beautiful I, your dream, your fiance go through this!"

  She groaned. At least she managed to make him wear simpler clothes.

  Just think of happy thoughts...

  Her mood worsened, since being around him doesn't really scream happy. He made it worse when he suddenly broke the silence.

  "But why do we have to hide our wings?" This time, he was genuinely confused—by Mallory's standards—. "Isn't it like treason to our lineage? Whatever our instructor said?"

  "Have you never set foot in the city..." Mallory whispered.

  "It's because most of them don't have the same magical power we possess." She explained in the simplest terms she could give. "Our wings are considerably greater in size."

  "How does that work?" Eric straightened up after processing himself. He cleared his throat. "I don't mean that I didn't listen to Mrs. Eckart. Its just that I'm too busy being me."

  "Wow," She said in mock admiration. "Its because our excess magic or what others call energy, go to our wings."

  "But why is it trea—"

  "Its treason because royalty just love showing that they're superior."

  "Like you," Mallory added.

  Eric was about to respond, but they already arrived to the city. It was oddly festive and busy. He was frozen in place while Mallory continued walking, not noticing.

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Why is he quiet. Is he even—... This narcissistic idiot.

  She turned around and grabbed him by the ear, careful to not put too much force in case of injury. She can't risk it even if she wants to.

  "Ow ow ow ow!" Eric snapped out of it. He was sweating bullets.

  "Why the sudden silence?" A cocky grin made its way to her face. "Don't tell me you're scared."

  "That's preposterous! A blessed prince is not afraid of his future subjects."

  "From the looks of it, you like you are."

  Eric straightened up, his face contorting from pain to pride while he endured the painful sensation his wings were suffering under the cloak. He always flaunted his wings, so he never really tried to fold it even once.

  "I am not!" He disagreed greatly. "I'm just trying to be cautious of what they'll say to my ridiculousness!"

  "Did yesterday's events not go through your brain?"

  "It was because you and your friends are so obsessed with me." Eric looked flattered, for some reason. "How could I hurt such love from my fans?"

  Mallory let go of his ear and approached a stand that was run by a brown haired girl with soft teal eyes.

  "Good day Mallory." The girl said.

  "A pleasant morning to you too, Aura." Mallory's day was gradually getting better. "It seems like a ton of angels enjoyed your sweets, huh?"

  "Yep. The Renewal Festival really does wonders..." Aura smiled. "Oh? Who's this?"

  Eric's energy came back. "It appears I've caught your eye, beautiful lady. I am Eric."

  The recipient blushed. Objectively speaking, he was handsome. His ego just makes it easy to forget. Mallory elbowed him and gestured to the angel at the back. Black hair and glaring green eyes.

  It made Eric's confidence dissipate.

  "Ahaha. I'm sorry about Asher. He gets a bit jealous sometimes..."

  "It's perfectly okay." Eric coughed up a response.

  Mallory silently enjoyed the whole spectacle while she took the chocolates from the stand and put her payment on the stand.

  "Thank you for the chocolate, Aura." She thanked the soft spoken girl and left, with Eric trailing behind, shoulders slumped in defeat.

  "Anytime!" Aura shouted, looking out of her stand.

  Eric sighed. "What even is that?"

  "It's a chocolate bar. You want some?" Mallory smiled at his defeated look. "Looks like you need it."

  "Shut up," He pouted. "This date is not going well."

  "It's going perfectly fine," She said. "You even got a lesson of not messing with taken people."

  "Yeah right."

  "Speaking of which," Eric looked around in confusion. "Where's your girlfriend? And that energetic gremlin?"

  "What girlfriend?" Mallory looked at him in confusion. "Were you that damaged?"

  "The girl with purple hair. Like the golden eyes?" He's met with a cold glare. "Like the side ponytail girl?!"

  The amount of nonsense he spouts in a day could become one of the seven wonders of the world.

  "You mean Mara?"

  Eric nodded. "Yeah. Don't really remember names that are beneath me."

  "She is not my girlfriend." Mallory's exasperation seeps in. "What even made you think that?"

  "Well, you're kind of close?"

  Mallory grumbled something unintelligible under her breath after she shoves a bar to Eric and wanders away in the festivities of the day. Meanwhile, the other angel chases after her, not wanting to get lost in this haze.

  Mara and Yuri, on the other hand...

  "Thanks, old man! I'll make sure to give it to her." Mara thanked the elder in front of her. "Oh, tell the twins I said hi!"

  The man had a rough voice, and a mustache. His hair barely hanging on, and his height being one face shorter than the two. Although, his eyes were the most precious thing Yuri has ever seen.

  Yuri took the bracelet, and rubbed the ore Mr. Lee had attached. "Bye Mr. Lee!"

  "If you need anything else, come again." Mr. Lee said, as he sat back down slowly.

  "It looks cool right?" Mara prodded. "It's like a locket."

  "Yep! I can put the poem inside too."

  "How?"

  Yuri grabs the piece of paper she wrote the poem on. It floated on her hand, its gentle glow illuminating the sigil on her palm. And then, shink! The parchment shrunk enough to fit in the bracelet. The girl put it inside the hollow compartment of the bracelet.

  Mara stared in wonder.

  I guess she can be smart at something else than sparkles.

  "Mallow is gonna be so happy!" Yuri chirped.

  "Hope so."

  Mara couldn't contain her relief. After she works things out with Mallory, everything would go back to normal. But something nagged at her. How would they reach her?

  It's a damn festival right now. I doubt she's going out with someone.

  Then, a familiar sight caught her gaze. It was Mallory. She squinted to see the gloomy angel behind her.

  Eric? At least that solves something...

  He was wearing a dark gray jacket with a charcoal shirt underneath. Black pants and scuffed boots? Then a coat. Why was he wearing that? And how did he manage to wear that without him complaining.

  She froze in tracks while she witnessed the whole scene. It didn't take long for her to feel down. They always shared that chocolate bar. She was the one to make Mallory mad. Not the alternative. Was she getting replaced? Were they that dispensable?...

  So much for this stupid gift.

  Mara's wings shifted in discomfort. She turned to Yuri, who seemed to already know what this was all about.

  Sighing, she managed to speak. "Let's just give it to her after her little date."

  With that, Mara went to the northern city walls. She flew up to the very top of the tall stone walls. Yuri followed right after.

  "Are you chickening out last second?" Disappointment dripped in every word she uttered. "Sulky Mara."

  "Ugh... Well clearly she already has a replacement." Mara plopped on the surface, putting her knees to her chest.

  "Come on! After all the effort little old me put to stop you doing that!" Yuri pouted, laying down of the cold surface.

  Mara let out a soft chuckle. "I guess... But she likes him more than us."

  "How?"

  "Well..." She tried searching for reasons. "Uh. Beats me?"

  Smack

  "Woah," Mara is left in stunned silence, as her hand moves to her now red cheek. "More importantly, what was that for!?"

  Honestly didn't know you had it in you.

  "Mara is sulking for no reason!" Yuri defended. "It calls for a trip to reality!"

  "I—what?"

  Mallory can't believe she managed to survive Eric until evening. It's a milestone she will forever be proud of. Now, the festivities have reached its peak for today. Bright lights illuminated the city. Multiple stands were arranged column by column and at the center was a stage.

  But first, came the ritual of the first day. It's supposed to be flawless but a meteor decided to ruin everything by uttering it's very will.

  "What's so important about this anyway?" Eric whispered too loudly. "How's some burning feathers and chanting cleanse those monsters?"

  Mallory elbowed him. "Shut up."

  "Okay okay." Eric adjusted his cloak. "I'm blending in."

  This whole ritual looked kind of ridiculous to the prince. On top of the stage, a circle of salt surrounded the chanting priest. Feathers were placed mechanically along the salty lines, getting lit by a blue flame. In front of the stage were three massive cages of "Cursed Beings".

  Magicules colored in a dark hue started to go inside the salt, shunning it from its original white color. All the angels bow their heads with their hands clasped together along with the priest, besides Eric.

  "What's next? A whole fireworks show?"

  Mallory ignored him. The end was fast approaching so she needed to endure a tiny bit more. Well, she was supposed to, but Eric just had to mess with one of the feathers surrounding the third cage.

  The other two cages were already cleansed but the tampered one came a raging beast.

  "I'm sorry! But it's not like that thing can get out." Eric whispered to Mallory while the other angels hid for protection.

  "You idiot! That was deliberately—"

  A thunderous roar filled the whole city square. A monster emerged—clawed and snarling from the pain of divine markings burning it.

  The cage didn't shake violently. No. It breathed. The chains binding it to its cage sizzled with overwhelming magicules, as it faced the creature's impure energy.

  Then something slithered along the bars—long, pale, scaly and eyes that gleamed with an intense red.

  "Wait. That's not supposed to..."

  The creature's bones cracked, its joints morphing with black goo and formed wings on its back. it stuck out a long tongue that was out to strangle its master. One wing burst out in scales, while the other bent like the eclipse.

  "Forgive me for I sin, O Great Celestia."

  The cursed being fell to its knees, smiling. It smiled with too much teeth, none were angel-like. It was as if it were the jaws of a snake that learned how to lie.

  Boom

  Everything was a fog of dust as the crowd screamed, taking cover.

  "Someone, guard this evil being while I get the tools needed to vanquish such a vile serpent!" The priest ran off somewhere to grab something.

  "Eric. Run now."

  "What? No way am I—"

  The creature stood up. It stood tall, taking every single step without fail but its joints bent in every wrong way. Like it learned how to walk but chose to do it in such a wrong way to show its grace.

  Its red eyes met Mallory's.

  "Odd. It seems you resemble something from my accursed past, angel."

  The being had snow white hair. Its whole body was covered with eyes, some blinking in directions no neck should turn to. An eye on its ribcage bled—cried blood. Slits and scars decorating its arms opened their eyes, not blinking.

  Including it's six wings. It stood like the rest of them, skin scaly and gray. It took a moment for it to stretch, cracking its bones, while its eyes looked around.

  Countless snakes that came from its right hand slithered all over its body. A vicious smile making its way to their expression.

  Every step it took, the stone below sizzled. The floor that was filled with salt was now a disgusting crimson. It sizzled not from heat, but from rot. Burnt feathers and carcass.

  "It seems your god has forsaken you."

  "Like how he abandoned you?" Mallory's hand glowed with the increasing magicules building up on her palm. "I don't think so."

  The serpent-like being raised its left hand, making it point to the Celestias above. For a second, Mallory saw at least 10 dark sigils around it, then toxic gas spewed everywhere. Angels who inhaled the gas were screaming hysterically while others trembled in fear.

  "What did you do?!" Eric demanded.

  He was only met with a smile.

  Illusion spell? Toxic too... How sick.

  Mallory closed her eyes to concentrate, her hands eventually grabbing hold of a staff she materialized out of her magicules. It had a black shaft that was wrapped up by a white and red thread. On top, it held a crimson red ore that had rings floating around it.

  Immense magical power poured out of her staff. Her eyes widened.

  No time to dwell on it.

  She set down her staff. She focused on all the angels there. A huge white sigil spawned on top of them and forced the gas to dispel. It formed a protective dome on each of the terrified angels.

  "The very light you wield shall be your downfall."

  It lunged at Eric. Her instinct was to push him away. Push away the prince she did.

  This is it.

  Boom

  Someone. Something, slammed into the serpent's path. Feathers scattered around in the foggy air. A shadow pulls her close.

  "What a mess..."

  It was wings, weathered from the dust.

  "What about it, princess?" She said, locking eyes with Mallory.

  A pause

  "Missed me?"

  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

  Chapter Two: Three Steps Forward, One Step Back

  COMPLETE

  Next Chapter: Feather-Fated Reunion