Nadia seemed to tense angrily at those words. She then let out a sigh as she regained her calm composure. “It is not my place to color your judgment. I’ve already learned once what results from it. Just know this, without him I would not be here to heal you. I will protect you from Wrath I know of ways to deter her, and the demons who wish ill upon the three of you. While also allowing the lord of Gluttony to come near.”
She clasped her hands in a praying pose then chanted an elven prayer into them. Light flowed forth between them slowly she opened them causing the light to pour forth, and take shape. They took the shape of three rings made of intwined silver, and gold engraved on the inside were blue runes. Nadia then offered them to the priests.
“Wear these, and those who wish to see you come to harm. Shall be unable to harm you. For inside these rings lay guardians who only need to be fed a small portion of your energy. Which can easily be replenished by food, water, and sleep.”

Darrin and Gerrick took the rings and slid them on, grateful for the protection. Looking up they saw Ayrie approaching in the distance, a demon with her.

"She returns to us." Darrin said, relaxing further as he saw his charge. She looked like she hadn't slept in days, and the hole in her dress where she had been wounded gave away that it had been no accident. As she approached she tried to hide it by balling up the torn segment in her fist, but he had seen it before she could do so.

"Ayrie..." Gerrick whispered, concern evident in his voice.

----

'Here we go...' Ayrie thought as they neared the house. She saw a shimmer of magic over the car outside, a car surrounded by a woman she recognized but couldn't place, and the priests. 'So much for hoping they hadn't found out what was going on here...'

She balled up the ruined part of her dress and tried her best to hide it in her fist while not looking conspicuous, and smiled as they approached.

Nadia sensed Ayrie, and used a shadow elemental to surround her. They teleported away before Ayrie could see Nadia’s true face. She trusted the priests to say nothing of this. Though just to be sure she had an air elemental whisper in their ears, “Do not tell Ayrie any of this. Give her the remaining ring.”

——-/

Asran looked out the window his eyes tired, but he remained awake worried. Worried that Wrath would try something without him there. “Damn this curse, damn you Astoria. Why did you have to betray me? Was I not good enough? Did I not prove myself good enough to be loved? Why, why did you betray me for him?” All of this talk of Astoria by wrath had dredged up awful memories. Of Astoria turning to a man clad in a godly holy glow. The man that founded a church upon his pain a man that used Astoria’s magic and then her life as a martyr to help him ascend. How could a man like that become a god? A god of lies, a god who builds temples dedicated to his supposedly good name on the mass graves of his people. He held his head as the pain caused by these memories courses through his head. He screamed out in agony as he remembered her name be buried by his pope, and bishops. Becoming only something whispered about by the supposed nuts of the church.

"Who was that woman? Why was she here?" Ayrie asked Gerrick, as he handed her the remaining ring.

"Put that on, and let's go inside to talk." He said, watching her slide the ring onto her index finger. "We have much to discuss."

"First, why don't you go change into something more comfortable, Ayrie? I can see that you are hurt, there is no reason to wear something you cannot get comfortable in." Darrin said as they turned toward the house. "We will talk for a while and then we will go to bed."

Ayrie looked at the demon that had escorted her, "Thank you for seeing me home. I would appreciate it if you let Asran know right away that we made it safely."

With that the three of them turned and went inside, Ayrie to her room to change, the priests to the living area to make a comfortable spot for Ayrie to sit while they talked.

Mara saw the rings, and her eyes widened they glowed for a moment. Those were powerful magic! But who could have given them to these eyesores? She couldn’t attack now, not one on one. Those guardians would destroy not even dust would remain. Quickly she fled going to lady wrath.

Wrath was pissed she’d trashed the guest house in a fury. Fire dancing around her body as she screamed for blood, and murder. “Damn that priestess! Who is helping her,” she screamed. When Mara arrived she had calmed down some, and was now plotting her revenge. Somehow someway she would need to deceive Ayrie in taking off that damn ring.

Ayrie sat down on the edge of her bed to rest a moment before changing her clothes. It felt good to rest after the long walk from the clinic. Her side hurt, and her shoulder was throbbing. The doctor had given her something for pain, but it was wearing off and soon she would need to make some more. As she sat she looked at the ring that Gerrick had given her. It was simple, and though she hadn't looked at it before sliding it on she could feel powerful magic coming from it. A tiny spirit whispered in her ear that it was for protection, and that she should never remove it, even for a friend.

She wondered who the woman was, she had obviously come to help the priests and she was thankful that she had, but she wondered why she hadn't stayed to speak to her. The nagging feeling that she should know her wouldn't go away. She sighed and stood, standing a bit too quickly and nearly passing out.

"Darrin?" she called. "Gerrick? Could I get some help in here?"

They must not have heard her because they didn't come. She felt odd, but let it go as she slowly straightened and walked to her suitcase which had obviously been packed in a hurry. She changed into a pair of sleeping pants and tank, and threw a robe over her shoulders. She regretted not bringing a pair of slippers with her and vowed that if she ever had the chance she would get some.

Astoria.

Ayrie startled at the name, looking around for the source. 'That med the doctor gave me sure is playing tricks on my mind.'

ASTORIA. Remember who you are!

This time Ayrie whirled around to see a beautiful woman standing in the doorway. She had long red hair and a face reminiscent of Ayrie's, as if she could be a long dead relative. The woman was staring at her, hard, as if she were angry that Ayrie couldn't remember.

Ayrie suddenly noticed that the room had turned grey, the woman beckoned for her to follow and lead her outside. As an astral projection Astoria took her on a spiritual journey through Astoria’s past. Where they landed, Ayrie saw a giant black armored figure standing in the center of a burning village screams echoing from all sides. In their hand was a tattered doll stained with blood.

Asran had come to this village in peace. Had observed them from afar. Of the horrific things they did to the beast folk. Seen how much sick glee as they tortured them. He’d found a dungeon filled with bodies. He thought maybe not all were bad that there were some that deserved to live. But, he was wrong. The woman he’d found in the dungeon she had been chained to a wall burned, and cut into. Her husband he’d found hacked to pieces, and stuck on spikes in their cottage. While the little girl.... god the thought made him sick.

His grip tightened on the doll he’d made for the child, and he turned to look at it. He held it in on hand so easily. A man came screaming at him brandishing a hoe at him. Asran caught the tool with his spare hand pulling it close, and then grabbed the man. His helmet cracked open pouring forth blue hellfire, and he bit the man’s face off before chucking the still alive man into a burning building.

The screams even though sweet to his ears brought him no solace. He turned to look at the doll again the thing was so tiny in his giant hand. Just as the girls hand had been. He sighed out strongly, NO. He could not, would not ever be this weak. He chucked the doll angrily into the fire.

Ayrie looked at Astoria and saw pain and sadness there, then looked back to the scene around her and shuddered with horror. Even in this vicious scene she could see the kindness and willingness to do good for others in Asran.

'Look, now.' Astoria said, pointing at a figure cresting the top of a street path. It was a younger version of the redheaded beauty, and she carried with her a light sword like the one Ayrie had used earlier that night against Wrath. She was headed directly for Asran, but as she approached she watched him toss the small doll into the flames. She stopped, put away her sword and approached cautiously.

She said something to Asran that Ayrie couldn't hear so much as remember.

"I am Astoria, sent here to stop this madness, and to stop you." She said, "But I see that it is not you that I should be stopping." She motioned to the building that Asran had thrown the man into and the screaming stopped. "I will not abide unnecessary suffering."

She stood, her red hair blowing in the wind, almost daring Asran to come after her, as if she feared nothing. Ayrie envied that confidence.

The astral vision of Astoria then took her hand and lead her down a different path, to a different memory, a scene of Asran and Astoria sitting in an unplowed pasture. She was telling him that he didn't have to be violent, that he could care about people and do good with his power even if it was dark. She was interested in the demon, as he showed more signs of caring about the balance of the world than the other Sin Lords did. She wanted to aid him in creating and maintaining that balance, so that scenes like the first wouldn't have to be repeated across the world.

“Oh, You’ve come to stop me? A little girl in over her head,” Asran said. He grew bigger as darkness rolled off him in waves blocking out all light behind him. His eyes bursting with blue energy making it look like his eyes were made of blue fire.

When they were at the pasture Asran huffed out in annoyance. “Jeeze, you’re annoying. The only reason I didn’t kill you was because I realized dealing with the repercussions from killing a light would be far more trouble than the meal would be worth.” He crossed his arms looking away from Astoria. “Besides even if I did want to help people. Which I don’t because you’re all annoying.... It’s not like they’d actually hear what I have to say. People are terrified of demons, and especially terrified of demon lords.”

"If you presented yourself differently, you would not be so terrifying to them." Astoria said. "Just because you are a demon lord does not mean that you are automatically terrifying."

The astral Astoria actually smiled as Asran spoke, and Ayrie heard in his voice his annoyance.

'So similar to the way he talks to me when I question him.' she thought to herself, but when Astoria looked at her she realized her thoughts were not her own here.

The memory Astoria went on. "You have seen the kindness of these people, and their determination to survive far outlasts that of the other races. Why not become their friend through kindness and compassion? Why not help them rid themselves of evil by choosing to eat only those like the man you threw into the flames before? Your immortality gives you the ability to see the larger picture, and one such as you would be doomed to a hollow existence if you continue the way you have."

Asran looked away shaking his head deeply, and faintly chuckled. He leaned back against a fence post, and summoned a chair made of dark magic. “Goodness, decency... That really doesn’t sound like a demon lord now does it. Besides I’m not just going to turn into a garbage disposal just for you self serving humans. I’m a lord not ever will I be your equal or your lesser. It’s like asking the sun, and moon to obey a baby. Honestly with the way you humans wage unnecessary wars over the shittiest of reasons, sounds like an infant having a tantrum,” he smirked behind his helmet. He leaned his head back to look back at Astoria. Then pulled out some meat, and the mouth part of his helmet peeled back so he could eat. “Then again *chew* you adults are too ugly *chew chew* from sin to be as cute as children or babies.” He then swallowed wrong as he realized what he’d just said he sat up hard coughing. Trying to get the meat that had somehow someway gotten stuck in his gluttonous throat down. He frantically looked through his travel gear for a water jug.

Ayrie laughed at the memory of Asran choking. Memory Astoria laughed too, and handed him her canteen. "Here."

She watched him as he drank and thought some more about what he had said. She wanted him to listen to her, but was unsure how when she had already tried plain sense. The way he had held the doll and dejectedly thrown it into the flames, the way he had just spoken of children and babies being 'cute', gave her an idea.

"You were friends with a child here, weren't you?" she asked, "That's why you threw the doll into the flames. They killed her before you could get to her."

She paused for a moment, still looking at him. "What if I told you that you could save millions of children just like her? That just by being a friend to the children, you could change their perception of you, of right and wrong? Or that when they grow into adults they will love you and praise you, be loyal to you?"

Asran chugged the water getting the meat down. Then paused to breath out relief. Astoria’s words made his revealed mouth twist with anger. “They did more than just kill her... The things they did to that poor child, I can never unsee. It’s a reason why I hate you humans. Just because she wasn’t a human she was treated worse than shit,” he said. Cattle in that time had more worth than most people. Astoria’s idea did bring a light bulb on in his head. If he could save the children bring them with him. Protect them build a city around them to keep them safe. To use his power so they’d never go hungry to protect them from following the same path as their parents. “I can do that,” he said. “I even know a place already. Just need to clear it of some weeds first.”

Astoria took Ayrie's hand again, though this time it didn't feel so much like someone else's hand, and she looked as though she had started to disappear. She lead her down another path, to a new memory in which Asran and Astoria were speaking to some adults. These she seemed to know were children he had rescued, who were now adults. They were asking him what to do in some fields, and another was asking about building a port. The building they were in looked like an old version of the main temple, beautiful but much smaller and built from wood instead of stone.

"We're havin' some trouble with the north fields, m'Lord Gluttony." said one of the farmers. He was a plain man, with a scar on his neck where someone had tried to harm him as a child. "The deer keep coming through the woods and eating off the corn, and the snakes is bad out there, too. We're havin' troubles keepin' the boys workin' durin' the day."

"Trout is also low in the shallows. The men are wanting boats that can go out further, but for that we need to upgrade the docks. If we do that we might as well open a port for trade." This man was more well spoken, though he wore clothing much like the first. Ayrie couldn't remember what his name was, but she recalled that he was one of Asran's go between's with the fishermen.

Over the years of helping to build his town Asran had seen less, and less of a need to constantly wear armor. So usually didn’t wear it when he was around his people talking, and guiding them.
Asran pondered the worries of his people for a while then used his immense magic to summon a bag of seeds. From his holding dimension. “Plant these along the outskirts of the fields. They’ll keep pests away, but be careful they can also induce paralysis of eaten. But, tell the alchemists to study them. They can also create good medicines. I’m just not sure as to the how fully. The land where I got these from had people who were rather secretive. I am also going to send a few of my imps to help tend the fields when you grow tired. However, they will not tolerate laziness nor will I, we are better than that.”

He then turned to the man who was his go between with the docks. “The fish are low? I can fix that with some work. But, as for the docks? As we are right now it might be dangerous. But, so long as the merchants, and guards in town remain prudent. We shouldn’t have any issues. I will have Obidiah come in to teach the builders more tricks to construction.” As the children grew Asran had gone to calling in favors he’d done in his past. In order for them to teach the children different things. He’d even opened a library filled with books of every kind. He’d even taught a few with the aptitude magic.

Soon a teenage beastkin came running over to Asran screaming and panicking. Asran pushes past the adults running to the boy. The teen clutched onto Asran’s shirt panting with fear. “Angel, I saw an angel father. He’s I don’t want him to hurt you. So I came as fast as I could,” he said panting. Some of the children Asran had taken in had taken to calling him father. Which Asran did not mind in the slightest. Many of the children saw Asran as a giant soft hearted man. Not some monstrous demon that everyone claimed. He’d even seen him take beatings from their adventurer parents in order to take them away to safety, here. Asran gently calmed the trembling, and panting teenage boy in his arms. “I’ll be okay, thank you for telling me Stewart.” Once he was sure the teen was okay Asran gently stood him up. Then turned to Asrtoria a smile on his face he loved her deeply. “You’ll keep them safe yeah,” he asked.

With his answer he turned to where he could sense the angelic presence. With a burst of demonic energy he was wrapped in demonic plate armor. He walked towards where he could sense the angelic presence.

Astoria nodded, watching him go. She ascended the stairs to the top of the temple, standing on the roof hoping to watch out for Asran even as she protected the people of the city with her magic.

'This was before things got really bad.' Ayrie thought, then looked around at the vision of Astoria in surprise. The woman nodded at her, and smiled sadly.

'Remember.' she heard, as she watched the vision fade and was left alone to watch her memories of the past. She turned back to the scene in front of her, as her past self watched the battle between Asran and the Angel. As she watched an elven woman approached her, and Ayrie finally realized who the woman with the priests had been. It was Nadia.

"Astoria." she said, "Do you know why the Angel came here?"

"Nadia. Why? We've been building a great city here, Asran hasn't harmed anyone..." She stopped as the elf shook her head.

"He demolished a city to the north of here two days ago. Left no one alive save one dwarf that got away to tell the tale." Nadia said, her hands shaking with rage. "He killed everyone."

"No... Nadia, two days ago..." She paused for a moment, remembering that Asran had been missing two days before. No one had been able to find him and when he came back he had said that he was off scouting trade routes. Her eyes widened, her heart wanting to deny it, but Nadia's word and the fact that he was gone, the presence of an Angel, it was too much. She couldn't deny it, not even in the face of all the good he had done, as he was still a Sin Lord at heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she went from sadness to anger at the betrayal. "What do you want me to do?"

"Help us oust him. Help us get revenge for the city lain to waste at his hand." Nadia said, and held out her hand. In it was a sheet of paper on which was angelic script, a spell. "We will repay his actions tenfold, and then you shall leave here with us and retake your place with the Seven Lights."

By the time Asran had returned Nadia had left.

Asran returned to the city slightly wounded, but okay. At seeing Astoria he smiled his armor fading into black smoke as he knew it was safe. That everyone would be okay now that the overly aggressive Angel was gone. Why had the angel just decided to attack like that he’d no idea. He approached Astoria smiling at her, “I took care of that nasty angel. Don’t know what the hell got that asshole in a twist. I mean I haven done anything wrong.” He chuckled then looked to Astoria. “So listen I was thinking... Maybe we could, go on a date later today. Have a picnic on the hill. I’ll cook,” he smiled happily.

Astoria smiled back, faking a bright attitude. "That sounds lovely, Asran. I'll bring your favorite wine, after all of that you deserve a break."

As she left to meet him later, the wine in her basket was laced with a special sedative she knew would work on him. She and Nadia had come up with a plan, that she would get him subdued enough that she could place the curse and then leave. She was nervous, and unsure that she could follow through. The information that Nadia had given her weighed heavily on her heart, and she wanted nothing more than to just leave without seeing him. She knew she had to do something to control him, to prevent him from ever being able to wreck that much havoc in the world again. This angelic spell would do just that, and he would never be able to break it.

Asran was already on the hill when Astoria came. He’d decked it out with a brand new wooden pagoda just for them. With a table laden with a simple meal by Asran’s standards. There were little lights dancing around made of magic it had a perfect view of the bay, and town.
“Hey, welcome. I know this might be a bit much,” he said chuckling nervously. Then helped her to sit down then gently took the wine from her. “But, I figured something out after the battle. That I’m fortunate to have met you to learn from you there’s a better way.” He gently opened the bottle, and poured two glasses for them. Then gently set the bottle on the table, and picked up his glass. It was clear that he was very nervous, “I want to keep learning from you forever. So... Astoria will you marry me?”

Ayrie suddenly knew why he became so angry whenever Astoria's name was mentioned, and the regret that filled her heart nearly made her start crying. She watched as Astoria happily accepted his offer, wishing that she could reach through the haze of memory and stop her from doing what she did. Explain to her the mistake she made.

"I will, Asran." Astoria said, her smile never faltering. She took his hand, her palm sweaty. "Nothing would make me happier."

Just a few hours ago those words wouldn't have sounded so empty to her own ears, but with the knowledge she had now the words were hollow. The betrayal she felt, the icy rage building inside her every time he looked at her with that smile. How could he smile when he had done something so awful? She took the glass of wine from him and drank from it, at the same time breaking the capsule in her mouth that would counteract the sedative.