The heavens quieted the mortal world with a slow, steady snowfall. Pure, silent, and vast, blanketing the second heaven with a veil to mask the poison infiltrating every mortal. It was something like heaven's tears, though few recognized the signs.
More wood for the hearth was brought into Dantalion's chamber, Levi burning a firelight vigil ever since the demons left the realm.
"If you don't mind me asking, exactly how long are we waiting for them to complete the signing of the oath?" Erin nudged Druitte.
His deep voice and warrior stature made her forget he was once one of them. Druitte and Sitri stared blindly outside the window at the snow falling.
"It is an eighteen month purification, though it could take less time if the Four Kings of Hell do not pass the trials," Druitte finally answered, his voice drifting off.
"Levi said we could stay here as long as we wanted," Lucia poked Erin.
"That's really nice and all, but we really should get back to campus… ya know, school?" Erin raised her eyebrows as Lucia flirting with Sitri.
"Maybe they could come with us, ya know… sort of like our bodyguards?" Lucia begged Sitri, batting her eyelashes.
Sitri and Druitte exchanged glances with Halphas, Vine and Levi.
"The girls are right, Lord Dantalion and Master Rowan would want them to return," Levi agreed.
"Tis true they would want their safe return, though we all know war wages within the heavens. This veil of snow merely keeps the mortal realm from the poison temporarily. Soon they will come to know the truth," Vine reminded them all, his philosophical, care-worn look prophesized what was to come.
"So what can be done?" Halphas complained.
"We can help the girls in the second heaven. Make the mortal realm see they must not fall victim to the new Brotherhood and it's power," Druitte winked at Erin.
"Yea. We can stay at Laurel's… ya know, keep things at bay until she comes back," Lucia smiled.
Halphas and Vine nodded. "You four go. We will stay here with Levi and wait for their return."
Levi nodded, leading Sitri, Druitte, Erin and Lucia outside the North gate and into the falling snow outside the realm.
"It is upon us… the war soon wages here in the Courtyard," Druitte motioned to the others, trudging through the snow.
"Shouldn't the mortal realm at least have a say in this? I mean, can't they stop what's going on? They're gonna just let the entire third heaven of angels battle the entire first heaven of demons?" Erin protested, her long hair matted against her face from the steady snowfall.