The sun was setting over the far reaches of the realm most mortals thought of as Heaven, though if not for the overwhelming number of white-haired, white-winged, white-clothed angels one would think it were actually Earth. The architecture, however, was clearly not that of modern Earth; every building was built of white marble, with veins of various other precious materials making every wall glimmer.
The onyx streets were nearly empty by that dusk hour. Just within the gates of the realm sat an angel obviously different from the others. His long, flowing hair was black, not white, and the large wings sprawled about him were of that same, cruel color. The white robes that should have covered his body had been replaced by a worn-out pair of mortal jeans. He held his head in his hands, questioning himself over and over about what had happened to him.
"I knew it wasn't wise to let you visit Earth."
Naois lifted his sapphire eyes to see the angel before him. He was like the others; a Pure. Atop his head was a circlet of braided gold, the symbol of marriage that mortals mistakenly took to be a halo. Blazing blue eyes gazed at the sitting male with something between shame and embarrassment.
"Get up, Naois," the Pure ordered.
Naois looked away, trying to keep his own emotions in check.
The other responded by grabbing his hand and forcing him to his feet. "If you've got to be a Fallen, at least be respectful," he warned viciously.
Naois ripped his hand out of his grip. "Like you even want to help me, Conan!" he accused. "You'd just love to see me suffer!"
"Well at least you still have the same attitude!" Conan snapped back. "If you don't master that, I'll tear off your wings and throw you down to Earth myself! Damn it, Naois, how did you even get permission to visit Earth in the first place?"
Naois snorted. "It helps that my brother is in a pretty high position as an adviser to the Ruler."
"I'll be lucky if I keep that job after this!" Conan pushed him roughly, forcing him to start walking. "You have ten years to Purify yourself or you will be thrown to Earth. Understand? The Council's already watching you, and I'm not going to lie to them when they ask me about your progress."
For a long moment all that could be heard between them was the soft sounds of their footsteps on the onyx roadway. Naois was deep in thought, trying to comprehend all that was about him. He knew he was a Fallen, an angel cursed into darkness by sin, and that he first had time to change before his full punishment was given. But that was all he knew.
"Conan," he asked quietly at last, "what did I Fall for?"
Conan gave him a sharp look. "You ought to know."
"I honestly can't remember," Naois replied, looking away with a shake of his head.
His brother sighed. "You slept with a woman."
Naois looked back at him in even greater confusion. "But that's not a sin."
"Without love it is," Conan reminded him.
"But… I…" Naois didn't know what to say. Why hadn't he assumed that? After all, he did remember waking up in a run-down hotel room without clothes moments before realizing his wings were black. But, he knew that was something he wouldn't sanely do. Something was missing.
"You probably felt left out with all those other young men talking about their women, and the pictures of practically naked men and women all over the place." Conan gave him a sly look as he spoke.
They had reached their house, and Naois shot his brother an ungrateful glare as he entered. He slammed the door in his brother's face and flopped down on the floor, lying with his wings spread out. It didn't matter to him what Conan thought. He knew that whatever had happened to him hadn't been his fault.
