Strawberry Soul Chapter 3

   "A-angel?" Nagisa said, grabbing Shizuma's arm. The boy was smiling warmly, as though he knew them as friends, but she couldn't help feeling a little scared.

   "Yes," he replied. His smile faded somewhat, and he got down on one knee, saying, "And I must apologize for my probing, but I was very curious about you. And why your friends came along when I asked for Hanazono Shizuma."

   Shizuma, after a brief glance at her love, said, "Probing? What do you mean?"

   The boy got back up, smiling again. "I used Spirit to brush against your minds, and your memories. No offense, but I had to confirm it."

   "Confirm what?"

   His smile faded entirely this time, his gaze now grim and intent. "Confirm that you two have the potential to form the first, pure mortal soulbond achieved in the last thousand years. Many people have claimed for centuries that they have found their soulmates, that they have found people who thought and felt the same. They were deluded. Only two people, recognized by heaven, can achieve an actual soulbond.

   "Before I continue," he added, bowing his head, "I must give you my name." He looked back up. "My name is Michael. Simple, but I was born mortal before I became an angel."

   Nagisa echoed, "Born mortal? Does that mean you're dead?"

   He gave a laugh, warm as his smile, that made Nagisa loosen a little. "No, no, I'm not dead. But my soul was bright enough to be recognized by Lords Adelis and Ratatosk, and they gave me my power."

   Shizuma folded her arms. "Ratatosk? The Norse god who resided on the Tree of Life, Yggdrasil?"

   "The very same. And I progressed so far with my transformation that I acquired a very high rank, a small amount before the title of god: Angel commander, or Seraphim."

   "Wow...." Nagisa said.

   "Now, enough about me," Michael said, becoming a little brisk, "I will ask you this now: Aoi Nagisa, Hanazono Shizuma, do you wish to bind your souls for all eternity, to fufill an unconditional bond of love and trust, to last until the end of time?"

   A little taken aback by the sudden question, the two looked at each other, heart to heart, and then said, in perfect unision, "Yes."

   His smile became more pronounced. "Very good. Now, stand before me, grasping right arms, and close your eyes." They obliged, grabbing each others right arms. Silvery white lit up Michael's eyes, and two gems floated out of Nagisa's pocket. He caught them, and cupped them in his hands, his eyes glowing green. When it faded, the glow changed back to white, and both crystals - infused with simple gold jewelry - flew out to attach themselves to the base of each girls' neck, red for Nagisa, blue for Shizuma. Michael placed his hand, palm up, on top of their own, and chanted, "Lord Adelis, Holy One, Sun of my Heart, begin the bonding of these two souls. Lord Adelis, Holy One, Guardian of my Soul, bless the union of the two chosen before me. Lord Adelis, Holy One, Angel of my Light, grant me the power to bond these souls into one, from now until the end of time!"

   Balls of light flew out of his palm, encompassing the two girls until they were encased in pure light. Michael held his hand skyward, his eyes gone to pure, radiant light, "Let the soulbond... BEGIN!!!"

   A ray of light shone directly on the prism of light, a powerful flare that lasted only seconds.

   And then, as quickly as it started, the light faded, and both girls felt relaxed and at peace, as though the light became one with them. At the base of each neck, their gems sparkled with faint light.

   Michael said, "You may open your eyes now."

   Both girls did, and both stared in surprise at each others new jewels. They touched them, and marveled as they could vaguely but surely feel each others emotions.

   "Done." Michael smiled again, more brightly than before. "Of course, I can't complete the bond for you. That path you must take alone. But I can tell you what you need to know."

   Neither girl paid the slightest attention to him. Nagisa, eyes sparkling with tears of joy, leaped into Shizuma's arms, and kissed with pure, unrestrained love.

   His smiled dimmed slightly, becoming more of a sly grin. "Or I could leave you in peace."

   "Thank you," Shizuma said, turning radiant eyes of joy to him, "Thank you for this."

   "No need. If you truly want to thank me, do what you can to fufill your bond. I can no longer tread this path with you; Now, it is up to you." He got down on one knee and closed his eyes. Almost immediately, two bright, sky blue, semi transparent wings appeared on his back, between his shoulder blades, and hovering on his head was a pure white, shining halo. His form suddenly shone brightly, making the pair shield their eyes, and when they looked again, naught was left of the angel but a few blue feathers, untouched by the gentle wind, floating gently into the ground.