"I hereby repent thy sin, and seek salvation for Laurel's soul." He held my hands, still razor sharp claws of the demon that was once my obsession.
"So it is ordained, he who bears the name of Dantalion, by the will of God, shall henceforth be granted his salvation from sin, and appointed seraphim, the highest of the angelic order," Gabriel recited.
"If I may, I wish to become archangel like you, and remain guardian to mankind. Grant me the ability to taketh human form, that I may still watch over and protect her."
Gabriel and the entire angelic order exchanged glances.
"The angelic hierarchy, commanded by God, hath granted thy request to be appointed archangel and guardian to mankind. Thy may taketh human form for protection to man."
"Condemned as I, my brothers remain imprisoned as demons of the Goetia, as are my thirty six legions. What of their fate?" Dantalion asked.
"Thy brother demons shall be summoned here before us to seek salvation," Gabriel promised.
"Will thou show them mercy as I?"
Gabriel nodded. "Each shall answer to their own fate, but all will be offered salvation. Look upon her now, Dantalion, as demon no more, but as archangel and child of God."
The stairs of heaven illuminated its hallowed ground. Dantalion breathed new life; his amber-yellow eyes now returned to piercing spheres of onyx, his long dark hair falling to his back in a neatly secured braid. His dagger like extensions removed, he no longer bore the seal of a demon of the Goetia. He ascended the thrones of heaven, wearing not the face of the angel of darkness, but that of angelic immortality, wings fully expanded, soul pure of heart.
As he ascended, I too, rose from the ground, iridescent and weightless, removed of my scarred and tainted form. My soul returned to me within my body, back at the altar of the Courtyard of the Undead. The familiar scent of wisteria spilled over almost down to its base, where I remained perfectly still.
The celestial aura glowed brilliantly above the fires in the courtyard, and my eyes for the first time since my soul was stolen, beheld the most beautiful vision of Dantalion, immortal once again, amongst the other angels of God. They were watching over me, and his image was Godly as well, almost superior to the beauty I loved in him as a demon. His eyes fixed on mine, I could see he was still guarding me, protecting, yet I could no longer hear his voice or feel his blood pulsing through my veins. I could not touch him. Our bond was broken. He could not descend past the hallowed ground of the celestial order.