Divided Paths

by Katrina Cope

  I don't trust the wheezy little guy. He's been around since ancient Egypt and performs his duties with passion, especially when it comes to Michael and me. It is turning into a predictable game. Michael and I hear of a disturbance involving humans, and we go to investigate. Each time, the gatekeeper is there with his portal. He releases several demons at once and always says that Separus sends his greetings. I believe that may be his master, but we are unable to ask him. Every time we have a battle and slay the demons the gatekeeper watches, hiding just inside his portal and rubbing his hands together, and he disappears when there looks to be any threat against him. He is slippery, hard to catch and never physically gets involved in the battles.

  This scenario has continued for quite some time, and it has become quite tiresome. We have to think of a way to stop him from doing this—he is only causing havoc—only we can't seem to stop him. Every so often, there will be a demon uprising in a place not far from human civilians, and we have to fight the demons because we have to protect the humans. These days, I make sure I visit Ava before each battle, and she always comes with us to help. Her magnificent green dragon form flies around the external areas and breathes its fire on them, demolishing the demons by incinerating them with one fiery breath.

  The few times I didn't call her to help us, we ended up struggling with the uneven fight. Ava makes the battles much easier for us. She is a treasure whom Michael found at a young age, and it has been such a privilege to be able to watch her grow up. Although it’s war that brings us together, I enjoy our visits, as I get to spend a few minutes with her after each battle. I love catching up with her.

  She married Jehan a few years back. I gave her away at the wedding. One day I hope I will hear the pitter-patter of little feet. I think she will make a great mother. Each time she has to go, sadness grows in me, but I am simultaneously grateful for the time to share and catch up for a few minutes.

  This is one of those days. Instead of coming and talking to me, she surprises me after helping us defeat the demons. She moves in a far corner of the field, in the gatekeeper’s direction. He hovers on the edge of his portal, watching her approach. He stands with his staff in one hand and the other arm crossed over his chest. Within his eyes, I can see a wicked gleam as he looks at Ava. I go to pursue him, but he disappears per usual, retreating through his portal before I can reach his side. He is quick, slimy like a snake, and very unpredictable.

  Over the years, he has caused Ava much grief. When she was younger, I am sure he was the cause of the demons arriving on her farm and possessing her adoptive father, who then killed her mother. I don't want to let this happen again. I have to get to the gatekeeper before he has another opportunity to cause her more heartache, but I don’t know how. He is as quick as an angel, and he manages to stay one step ahead of me. It aggravates me to no end. I feel so helpless.

  I know Ava is a woman who has grown into her powers and is capable of doing much damage to the gatekeeper and the demons, but the gatekeeper specializes in catching people unaware. She deserves a happy, healthy life. She's had enough to contend with, including people wanting to burn her at the stake just because she was born with magic. Blood doesn't make someone into an evil person. She proves this time and time again by helping us. She doesn’t need the gatekeeper to step in and make her life harder—she never did.

  Michael sees my anger, and he places a hand on my shoulder. He looks to where the portal was before the gatekeeper disappeared into it. “We will get him one day, my brother. He has not forgiven us for his eye, even though we tried to heal him. I didn't know what he was at the time. I didn't know that when I tried to heal him, because of his demon blood, I would harm him. Due to this, I am afraid he has turned into a greater monster, and we must erase him as soon as we can. He is the one who brings all these demons up to Earth's realm to cause havoc.”

  “Yes. Stopping him would be good. But I’m afraid that they will make another gatekeeper as soon as he is taken care of.” I pull my eyes away from where the portal disappeared and look into Michael's serious sapphire-blue eyes.

  “You are right. But it will take several years for them to raise another, giving the people several years of peace.”

  “Unless they have already started the process in case he is overthrown. You know how the demons class each other’s lives as worthless.”

  “That would mean that there is always a half-demon, half-human baby out there somewhere.” The color has drained from Michael's face. “I have to live in the hope that they have not planned this far ahead. This one’s will to bring us down has grown too strong. I'm afraid that his lust to demolish us is putting humans in danger. We must finish him. In the worst case, at least we can capture him and see if there's anything we can do to change his mind about what he does.”

  “He's been living that way for so long, and I don't think that we have a chance. But I'm willing to try.”

  As we stand there together, looking at the spot where the portal used to be, a thick silence splits the air. I feel awkward, as if something is wrong. I look at Michael. His face is pale, and his arms droop to his side. His eyes are unfocused, and he stares straight ahead.

  “Michael?” I call, but he doesn't answer. “Michael? Is everything okay?” He remains staring straight ahead with unseeing eyes.

  “Michael,” I call again.

  He doesn't respond, and I tentatively touch his arm. As my hand connects with his skin, he jumps, and he swipes his arm across mine in an automatic self-defense response to an aggressive grab.

  “Michael. It’s just me.” I release my grip on him. His eyes focus yet remain staring straight ahead.

  “Zacharias. We have to go. It’s Ava.”

  Dread runs down into my stomach and turns into a slushy pit at the bottom. “What? She’s still here. What could possibly be wrong?” I ask.

  Without answering, he disappears from my side.

  - Chapter Thirty -

  It's weird that Michael has gone without me, especially if he has taken off to pursue the gatekeeper.

  I spin to look at Ava, but she's gone. Now, I have the struggle of finding where Michael has gone. He just disappeared. I gather that he has taken Ava. I must find them and check on them.

  I teleport back to the cottage. The place hasn't changed much since I left. The garden is still growing well, and I can hear the animals making noises in the background. As I walk to the cottage, the sound of chickens fills my ears just like it used to at Ava's childhood house. Nothing seems amiss. I hurry toward the cottage, checking every corner in and around the different buildings and pens as I walk.

  When I look at the barn, a terrible thought fills my head. It’s a flash of the memory of when Ava was young and walked into the barn to find her father stabbed through the heart with one of the tools that I had angelically blessed. Ava killed him to protect herself and stop the demon from attacking her. She hadn't wanted to, but she had no choice.

  Something in my gut slices a deep cut. Surely, this can't be a replay of what happened to her many years ago.

  There’s no sign of Michael anywhere. I thought he might be here, considering he mentioned her name when he left. Where have they gone? I have almost reached the little cottage when I call to Michael telepathically.

  There’s only silence. This is unusual. My mind is connected to his. He always answers. Wherever he is, he should be able to hear me.

  Michael? My voice ricochets through my head only to end with silence.

  I continue to the cottage, holding on to the hope that I will find Ava and her husband safe and comfortable inside. I still can't shake the disturbing feeling that has settled over me from the absence of Michael's voice. As I cross the porch to the front door, I twist the handle and burst through.

  It still feels like my place, even though I haven't been here for quite some time. I probably should’ve given them the human courtesy of knocking, but old habits die hard. Instead, I enter, only to find myself frozen on the doormat. My
heart sinks. Before me, on the kitchen table, is Jehan. His legs and arms flop over the edge of the table, and his stomach is slashed from top to bottom with parts tumbling over the sides of his body. A metal bar pierces straight through his heart, pinning him to the spot. Blood flows over his body and onto the table, pooling on the floor. A ghastly feeling fills my stomach, and I want to be sick. Ava would be distraught if she saw this.

  Something warm tickles my cheek, and I rub it with my hand. Clear liquid covers the back of my hand. I'm crying. It’s happening again. Ava's only family has been attacked and slaughtered again. I want to get rid of the evidence, to hide the young man's body, to bury it before Ava can see it. I badly want to clean up the mess, but I don't have time. Ava could be in danger, and I don’t know where Michael is. I have to find them both.

  Inside my head, I call him. Michael? Michael, where are you? Can you not hear me, brother? Each time, I can hear the panic rising in my voice, and every time I don't receive an answer, my heart thumps louder against my rib cage, as though it is dying to leave this sinking ship before it’s too late. I remind myself that if he is teleporting, he can’t hear me in that moment. But his silence has continued for a while. Surely, he can't be teleporting every time I call to him.

  Michael? Where are you? I add with frustration, Why aren't you answering me?

  I search the room for any sign of Ava. I exhale loudly, trying to relieve some pent-up tension as I turn to leave empty-handed.

  I face the room from the back of the front door and give it a try even though it is probably hopeless. “Ava? Are you here, Ava?” I call quietly. My voice is not much louder than a whisper. It is my final check to see if she is in the room. Slowly, I step forward. “Ava? Are you in here, Ava?” I ask again as I continue forward.

  I wish that the connection to her life essence was still in my stomach, because I would be able to use it as a tracking device as I had before. Then I could follow the warmth from my stomach to find her. I mourn that it was disconnected when I was relieved her guardian. As a result, I don’t know if she is in this room, passed out cold, or too scared and cloaked in her invisible spell. She could be hiding anywhere if she’s invisible. The one thing I do know is that if she is in here and invisible, she wouldn’t hide from me. She would come out and seek my help, and this she isn’t doing. Perhaps the demons have found something that weakens her. I don’t know.

  I have so many questions, and the biggest is why Michael isn’t answering me. Unlike Ava, he can hear me no matter where he is, because I’m speaking to his mind. He isn’t answering, and I don’t like it. The inside of my stomach feels as if it’s turning into thick mud. I’m beside myself with worry, and I don't know what to do.

  I call out again, spinning around for one last look. I still can't spot Ava or any sign of her. I try not to look at the body on the table, the cause of a great depression. Poor Ava. She has outlived someone again and will need more time for healing.

  I turn to leave when a voice fills my head. It is strained and is accompanied by a groan. Zacharias?

  I stand still, afraid that my footsteps on the porch would block out the sound of his voice.

  Zacharias, I need you.

  Finally, Michael has called to me.

  Yes, Michael. Where are you? I will come instantly. I want to help you.

  An image bursts through into my head. It is of surroundings I haven’t seen before, but I can teleport there because Michael has sent me the image, and with that comes a trace of the location. The area looks desolate and covered in dry red dirt, and in the image I see demons hovering in the background. The position is weird. It doesn't look as though Michael is standing. If Michael isn't standing, then this is urgent. Immediately, I close my eyes, focus on the image, and teleport to where he is.

  ~~~~~

  MY BODY REFORMS, and hands grab me from all directions. Instantly, I feel my energy depleting, and I look to see what is touching me. A cold shiver runs up my neck. Demonic hands reach out, connect with my flesh, and drain my energy instantly. I pull away, dash out with my ax swinging, and cut off their heads.

  I see two demons standing on each side of Michael, continually touching him. He lies flat on his back. Diligently, I fight my way to him—swinging, slashing, and slicing wherever I can. Particles of black dust fall from the demons as they disintegrate and combine with the soil. I don’t stop slashing even though my arms are exhausted. Many of the demonic hands manage to reach me, and their touch tires me to the bone. When I teleported, I didn't even have time to armor myself against their contact. I didn't know that they would be so close.

  As I swing my ax with all of my might, I catch a glimpse of Michael. He looks weak. I have to fight my way to him. I pull every ounce of my strength together and force it into my muscles, allowing my arms to continue slashing while I move forward. Even after vast amounts of effort, I have only traveled a minimal distance. Michael is still too far away. I continue for a while longer and manage to slash my way toward him, getting far enough to lay a hand on his knee.

  I pull from my emergency power by calling for it in the angelic tongue, but I can’t recharge it enough to teleport us both out of here. This must be why Michael hasn't teleported himself away—he doesn't have enough power left. I have one last bundle of energy to use on Michael, which was given to me when I was chosen as Michael's right hand. It was a gift inserted in case I needed to use this to help Michael. Using this power, I teleport him alone to the angelic headquarters, the cloud in the sky where we gather for important meetings. I know that Raphael will find him quickly. He needs a lot of healing to prevent him from dying after this episode.

  With Michael gone, I breathe a sigh of relief, but I can't stop. There isn’t enough energy for me to go with him, leaving me no choice but to continue slashing. My energy is draining more quickly now that I have used my extra force. I try to pull my energy together enough to call the other archangels, but before I have gathered the strength the demons manage to get more hands on me, weakening even my mental strength. I'm unable to remove their hands, and my mind is struggling to form a word telepathically.

  My knees buckle, and I wilt, my face hitting the ground. I can feel the life draining away from me—it feels as though I will pass out at any second. I have lost so much energy. Dry earth squishes into my cheeks and rubs into my eyes. Demons climb on top of me and secure me, making it even harder for me to move.

  They continue to touch me, and I can feel my head spinning with dizziness as my vision goes in and out of blackness. Here I am, one of the greatest warriors after many years of battle, only to be taken in one of the simplest of ways. So many years of training and being the top of my field, and this is how I'm brought down. At least I know I’ve done my job and protected Michael. He is gone. I’m at peace to know he is no longer under threat.

  My vision spins, and my head turns numb. It is then that I hear it, that horrible, horrible cackle of the gatekeeper. “Separus sends his greetings. He has been waiting for this day as much as I have.” His voice is slimy with betrayal as he greets me. “We meant to grab the other one you call Michael, but you will do for now.”

  He has found me, and I have no way out. No other angel except Michael knows where I am, and he is probably passed out. I can't expect anyone to come and rescue me. Despite my dizziness and fatigue, I can feel the anger welling inside of me. It is robust, immense, and powerful, yet not strong enough to bypass all the lethargy weighing down my body. I have no choice but to succumb to the touch of these demonic creatures until I lose all consciousness, leaving me at their mercy.

  - Chapter Thirty-One -

  Strange noises greet me, thrumming deep and low, rumbling through my head with a ripple effect through my body. I pull my knees to my chest, and my body folds over them like a porcupine in defense mode. The hardness of the ground presses into my face, and a gooey feeling sloshes against my skin. Mixed with the dirt, it creates a crusty layer on my face. My head aches with sonic vibration, and I l
ong to be sick even though I don’t have anything in my stomach to expel, although it already feels as though I've been ill. Whatever my face is lying in, it doesn’t feel right. It isn’t water.

  My breath comes slowly. It’s labored. I smell dust in the air along with something else—something metallic. Excruciating pain courses through my entire body, and I search for its origin. It feels as though my whole body has been sliced open. I attempt to stretch my wings, and I cry out in agony. I know where the pain comes from. My wings.

  Slowly, I attempt to open my eyes, trying to push the lids open even though the light pierces my eyeballs. When I open them and focus, I gradually lift my head from the dirt and look down at the crusty wetness under my face. It isn't water. It isn't tears. It's blood pooling around my face, sticking to my skin, and drying the red dirt onto it. It isn't black demonic blood as I hoped. Instead, it is brilliant red and tinged with gold, and it slowly darkens as the air touches it.

  I'm in shock that I'm still alive. I hadn't expected to wake again. I don’t take this as comfort for when I stretch my body. I cry out in pain. Perhaps they have decided on a fate much worse than death. Slowly, I pull myself up to sit on my heels. I expected to be surrounded by demons, yet not one is in sight. Where are they? And where am I? What have they done?

  I look at the ground before me and notice that the dirt is covered with larger puddles of blood than I anticipated. Whatever they’ve done isn't good. I grit my teeth and slowly round my wings to surround my body so I can have a good look at them. The progress is slow and painful, but finally, I have stretched them from my shoulder blades as much as I can, moving them out in front of me as far as I can.