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The day had quickly taken a turn for the worse for Nethi and Xarros. Oh, it had certainly begun peaceful enough, just a morning stroll through the mountains until their travels brought them to the gates of isolated village. It looked from a distance to be a serene and peaceful town. They could hear the chatter of voices as vendors haggled over their wares and the laughter of children in the streets. Even as they approached it kept its idyllic appearance. A river wound its way in from the north, bordering the town's east end before cutting across to divide what must have been the older portion from some newer developments. As they made to head over the bridge, the siblings could see curtains part and curious face peek out from the millhouses and stone cottages lining the road. Across the bridge the road opened up into a large square, with smaller lanes branching off in every direction like spokes on a wheel. Shops and inns had their doors flung wide open, the milling crowds enjoying the mild weather that the day provided. But most striking of all was the beautiful fountain of marble that took center stage, and the siblings found themselves drawn to the sculptures that adorned it.

But the moment they set foot in the square, they were dismayed to learn this community was a superstitious one that proved far less welcoming for hellhounds than they would have liked.

Screams had filled the streets, mothers had dragged their curious children inside, carts and stalls were overturned in the mad scramble, and general pandemonium ensued. Why, one would almost think that the very hounds of hell had just stampeded through the village square, rather than cheerfully walked in. Regardless, with the villagers' panic the damage was done. Screams of alarm turned to angry shouts and jeers, and the two siblings found themselves confronted with a crowd of angry townsfolk. Light glinted off the sharpened farm tools they carried as makeshift weapons, the shouts of two score voices drowning out any protests or apologies the hellhounds tried to voice.

"Demons!" "Monsters!" "Drive them out!"

The first stone whistled over their heads, catching both hellhounds by surprise. The second clipped Nethi on the side of the muzzle, drawing out a pained yelp that only made the crowd cheer louder. Holding tight to one another they shrank back against the stone fountain in the town square, the crowd now encircling them and cutting off any escape. Fearful for their lives, Xarros tried once more to reason with the crowd, to plea for their safe passage out of the village. A larger stone struck hard against his leg, forcing him down to his knees as the barrage continued. Nethi could only hold her brother close, shielding him from the stones with her body as the crowd edged closer.

"Don't listen to them, they'll bewitch your senses!" "Kill them, kill them now!"

Knowing that no mercy would be found from the crowd, the siblings shut their eyes tight and prayed to whomever might be listening that a miracle would occur.

The skies opened with a deafening crack and from above an orb of ivory light fell like a meteor. It struck the marble fountain behind them without a word, consuming the sculpted images of bird and beast in its glow. Though dazzled and blind, the crowd continued their assault, flinging yet more stones to try and counter this demonic trick.

"Enough."

It was spoken in a whisper, yet its power was enough to shudder the very earth beneath their feet. It rolled over the village like a thunderclap, rumbling and echoing off the mountains. The thrown rocks crumbled to dust in midair, the gathered mob send tumbling back like matchsticks in a gale. Bewildered, the siblings drew back from their embrace and looked to the source of the voice. And what they saw was angel.

She was shorter in height, almost petite with the gentle curves of her limbs and body. Resplendent in garments of gold and white, with velvety fur and hair the color and warmth of a setting sun. No other word but heavenly would suffice to describe the doe. But her eyes flashed with power, an aura of divine light pulsing around her form as she stepped down from the ruins of the fountain. Her wings spread wide with a snap of air, curling around the hellhounds in what could either be a gesture of protection or a means to trap them further.

The crowd had regrouped, shocked into stillness by the new arrival as her gaze swept over them. Any who were bold enough to meet her eyes could feel the charge in the air, the static buzz and hint of ozone left in the wake of a lightning strike. At her feet, Nethi and Xarros held their breath, desperate to avoid drawing attention from either side.

"What cruelty have you inflicted, what sins have you committed that I arrive, borne upon the prayers of the innocent and the persecuted?" Her words, near silent in volume but terrible in their power, were directly firmly at the assembled townsfolk. The aura around her thickened and roiled, as soft and soothing as a hearth in winter to the siblings, yet as blazing hot and deadly as the opened door to a kiln for the mob. There was no doubt whatsoever as to whom was the target of her displeasure.

"It is no cruelty, my lady! It is the work of the just." A man pushed his way to the front of the crowd, the hellhounds spirits dropping at the side of his priestly vestments and the holy symbol in his grip. His eyes fixed them to the spot with their contempt, his words laced with hatred.

"Incubus," he spat, a finger pointing to each in turn. "Succubus! These are demons of the basest lust, defilers of innocence and thieves of souls! How can it be a sin, my lady, to sever such wickedness from our midst and cast it back to hell?"

But the angel was unmoved. "Wickedness, you say? And what blasphemies did they voice, what evil actions did they take? You judge upon appearances, and in that you are blind. Truthfully I say that any can be forgiven their sins and be uplifted to righteousness. You are all but vessels of dust wrapped tight around sinful spirit, shall I judge you by that nature, as you did towards them?"

The crowd's ire had cooled by now, whether in shame at the angel's words or simply in deference to her power, the siblings couldn't say. The priest however, seemed fit to argue still, as if taking personal affront to her question.

"Y-you would judge us, judge me, a servant of your Lord in place of these demons?!

"And if I do," she asked in a frosty tone. "Did you, all of you, not lash out in anger and violence to those who had grieved you not? In passing judgment, know that you could have condemned yourself to the same. What measures you take against others may yet be taken against you." Her hand reached out to grasp his shoulder, her cold tone warming.

"But in showing forgiveness, know that you yourself can be forgiven."

His shoulders sagged at her words, the tension ebbing away as he looked down in shame. No apology was given to the hellhounds, but at least no disgust was shown in his expression. As if knowing that was the best she could hope for, the doe merely shook her head, a look of almost fond exasperation crossing her features. Helping Nethi to her feet, she allowed the hellhound to grasp her arm tightly for comfort, her free hand moving from its spot on Xarros' chest to ruffle his hair.

"Take heart, for I did not come here to pass judgment, but to save two souls from destruction and numerous others from the staining themselves with sin. Yet if I do judge, know that my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with my Father who sent me, and my words are his." Helping the other sibling to his feet, she wrapped an arm around each of their waists, holding them close and encircled by her wings as the crowd parted to let them by. Almost in a trance, Nethi and Xarros let themselves be guided along, weary with relief and too thankful for words. The angel's gaze swept over the villagers, no longer alight with sternness but softer now.

They reached the bridge crossing out of the village, and the angel's wings wrapped tight around the siblings, pulling them to her sides before another flash of light blinded the town. Vision clearing, they watched as the orb of ivory streaked off into the sky once more. For a time, nobody moved or spoke, all of them processing the heavenly visitor and her words. One by one they moved to try and resume their day, only to all jump in surprise as that voice rang out from the heavens once more, but lighter now and full of warmth and humor.

"Oh! I forgot to say... I'm uh... sorry about your fountain!"

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

So this was a little gift Amby and I had made for our good friend 's birthday. We quite liked the idea of our angel Chinny coming to the rescue of a couple helpless hellhounds, sort of inverting the usual dynamic you'd expect between angels and demons. Tossed in a little (hopefully not too heavy-handed) moralizing as well for the heck of it.

Angel Chinny belongs to my gal

Xarros and Nethi belong to

Artwork by

Description

The day had quickly taken a turn for the worse for Nethi and Xarros. Oh, it had certainly begun peaceful enough, just a morning stroll through the mountains until their travels brought them to the gates of isolated village. It looked from a distance to be a serene and peaceful town. They could hear the chatter of voices as vendors haggled over their wares and the laughter of children in the streets. Even as they approached it kept its idyllic appearance. A river wound its way in from the north, bordering the town's east end before cutting across to divide what must have been the older portion from some newer developments. As they made to head over the bridge, the siblings could see curtains part and curious face peek out from the millhouses and stone cottages lining the road. Across the bridge the road opened up into a large square, with smaller lanes branching off in every direction like spokes on a wheel. Shops and inns had their doors flung wide open, the milling crowds enjoying the mild weather that the day provided. But most striking of all was the beautiful fountain of marble that took center stage, and the siblings found themselves drawn to the sculptures that adorned it.

But the moment they set foot in the square, they were dismayed to learn this community was a superstitious one that proved far less welcoming for hellhounds than they would have liked.

Screams had filled the streets, mothers had dragged their curious children inside, carts and stalls were overturned in the mad scramble, and general pandemonium ensued. Why, one would almost think that the very hounds of hell had just stampeded through the village square, rather than cheerfully walked in. Regardless, with the villagers' panic the damage was done. Screams of alarm turned to angry shouts and jeers, and the two siblings found themselves confronted with a crowd of angry townsfolk. Light glinted off the sharpened farm tools they carried as makeshift weapons, the shouts of two score voices drowning out any protests or apologies the hellhounds tried to voice.

"Demons!" "Monsters!" "Drive them out!"

The first stone whistled over their heads, catching both hellhounds by surprise. The second clipped Nethi on the side of the muzzle, drawing out a pained yelp that only made the crowd cheer louder. Holding tight to one another they shrank back against the stone fountain in the town square, the crowd now encircling them and cutting off any escape. Fearful for their lives, Xarros tried once more to reason with the crowd, to plea for their safe passage out of the village. A larger stone struck hard against his leg, forcing him down to his knees as the barrage continued. Nethi could only hold her brother close, shielding him from the stones with her body as the crowd edged closer.

"Don't listen to them, they'll bewitch your senses!" "Kill them, kill them now!"

Knowing that no mercy would be found from the crowd, the siblings shut their eyes tight and prayed to whomever might be listening that a miracle would occur.

The skies opened with a deafening crack and from above an orb of ivory light fell like a meteor. It struck the marble fountain behind them without a word, consuming the sculpted images of bird and beast in its glow. Though dazzled and blind, the crowd continued their assault, flinging yet more stones to try and counter this demonic trick.

"Enough."

It was spoken in a whisper, yet its power was enough to shudder the very earth beneath their feet. It rolled over the village like a thunderclap, rumbling and echoing off the mountains. The thrown rocks crumbled to dust in midair, the gathered mob send tumbling back like matchsticks in a gale. Bewildered, the siblings drew back from their embrace and looked to the source of the voice. And what they saw was angel.

She was shorter in height, almost petite with the gentle curves of her limbs and body. Resplendent in garments of gold and white, with velvety fur and hair the color and warmth of a setting sun. No other word but heavenly would suffice to describe the doe. But her eyes flashed with power, an aura of divine light pulsing around her form as she stepped down from the ruins of the fountain. Her wings spread wide with a snap of air, curling around the hellhounds in what could either be a gesture of protection or a means to trap them further.

The crowd had regrouped, shocked into stillness by the new arrival as her gaze swept over them. Any who were bold enough to meet her eyes could feel the charge in the air, the static buzz and hint of ozone left in the wake of a lightning strike. At her feet, Nethi and Xarros held their breath, desperate to avoid drawing attention from either side.

"What cruelty have you inflicted, what sins have you committed that I arrive, borne upon the prayers of the innocent and the persecuted?" Her words, near silent in volume but terrible in their power, were directly firmly at the assembled townsfolk. The aura around her thickened and roiled, as soft and soothing as a hearth in winter to the siblings, yet as blazing hot and deadly as the opened door to a kiln for the mob. There was no doubt whatsoever as to whom was the target of her displeasure.

"It is no cruelty, my lady! It is the work of the just." A man pushed his way to the front of the crowd, the hellhounds spirits dropping at the side of his priestly vestments and the holy symbol in his grip. His eyes fixed them to the spot with their contempt, his words laced with hatred.

"Incubus," he spat, a finger pointing to each in turn. "Succubus! These are demons of the basest lust, defilers of innocence and thieves of souls! How can it be a sin, my lady, to sever such wickedness from our midst and cast it back to hell?"

But the angel was unmoved. "Wickedness, you say? And what blasphemies did they voice, what evil actions did they take? You judge upon appearances, and in that you are blind. Truthfully I say that any can be forgiven their sins and be uplifted to righteousness. You are all but vessels of dust wrapped tight around sinful spirit, shall I judge you by that nature, as you did towards them?"

The crowd's ire had cooled by now, whether in shame at the angel's words or simply in deference to her power, the siblings couldn't say. The priest however, seemed fit to argue still, as if taking personal affront to her question.

"Y-you would judge us, judge me, a servant of your Lord in place of these demons?!

"And if I do," she asked in a frosty tone. "Did you, all of you, not lash out in anger and violence to those who had grieved you not? In passing judgment, know that you could have condemned yourself to the same. What measures you take against others may yet be taken against you." Her hand reached out to grasp his shoulder, her cold tone warming.

"But in showing forgiveness, know that you yourself can be forgiven."

His shoulders sagged at her words, the tension ebbing away as he looked down in shame. No apology was given to the hellhounds, but at least no disgust was shown in his expression. As if knowing that was the best she could hope for, the doe merely shook her head, a look of almost fond exasperation crossing her features. Helping Nethi to her feet, she allowed the hellhound to grasp her arm tightly for comfort, her free hand moving from its spot on Xarros' chest to ruffle his hair.

"Take heart, for I did not come here to pass judgment, but to save two souls from destruction and numerous others from the staining themselves with sin. Yet if I do judge, know that my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with my Father who sent me, and my words are his." Helping the other sibling to his feet, she wrapped an arm around each of their waists, holding them close and encircled by her wings as the crowd parted to let them by. Almost in a trance, Nethi and Xarros let themselves be guided along, weary with relief and too thankful for words. The angel's gaze swept over the villagers, no longer alight with sternness but softer now.

They reached the bridge crossing out of the village, and the angel's wings wrapped tight around the siblings, pulling them to her sides before another flash of light blinded the town. Vision clearing, they watched as the orb of ivory streaked off into the sky once more. For a time, nobody moved or spoke, all of them processing the heavenly visitor and her words. One by one they moved to try and resume their day, only to all jump in surprise as that voice rang out from the heavens once more, but lighter now and full of warmth and humor.

"Oh! I forgot to say... I'm uh... sorry about your fountain!"

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

So this was a little gift Amby and I had made for our good friend 's birthday. We quite liked the idea of our angel Chinny coming to the rescue of a couple helpless hellhounds, sort of inverting the usual dynamic you'd expect between angels and demons. Tossed in a little (hopefully not too heavy-handed) moralizing as well for the heck of it.

Angel Chinny belongs to my gal

Xarros and Nethi belong to

Artwork by