The Rise

by Nathan Parks

  “Well, ok then, there is that. So, what does he want?”

  “He says he has information that will be extremely important to us, as well as that if we go along with it, he will release Metatron without any further incident.”

  “So, he abducts a member of the Council and expects us to just bend to his demands?”

  “Honestly, I get the impression that, in a way, he rescued Metatron. He wouldn’t tell me the whole story. I am not sure that he is the one who is the cause for Metatron’s original disappearance, but I think Mantus is aware of who is.”

  “Did he give his reasoning for all of this?”

  “He just wants to be done with everything. He is seeking balance and just wants to walk away from all the havoc that has become a constant with all of us.”

  “Meh, maybe I will join him in that.”

  “So?”

  “I’m game to hear what he has to say. We can’t just expect to leave Metatron sitting, held up as a prisoner.”

  “We have one more person we have to convince now.”

  “Who is that? I would say, Michael; but based upon your former statement, I take it that it is not him.”

  “No, it is Leah.”

  “Oh . . . strange and unique all at once.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Everything is moving so fast,” Serenity stated as she walked into Chad’s room. “At the same time, it feels as if we are wading through thick mud. We know there is danger, but we sure as hell can’t see it.”

  “Isn’t that the way it normally goes, though?” Chad asked. He was lying down on the bed thinking about the different pieces that seemed in play. “I don’t remember a time when it felt like the Alliance wasn’t the underdog . . . goes back to the Arch Council’s not really letting us be proactive.”

  She walked over to where he was lying and plopped down on the bed beside him.

  “Yeah, I guess you are right.”

  If she had looked at him as she talked, she would have realized the surprise he felt, as well as the strange awkwardness as she laid down beside him. He felt his body go stiff, and he didn’t want to move. What was she doing? What was he doing? His first instinct was to wrap her up and just lie there, but he caught himself. She was a teammate, a battle buddy, a friend. He placed his thumbs into his belt loops in an attempt to force him to keep his arms where they were.

  “What do you make of all of it?”

  She rolled over on her side and propped herself up on her left elbow.

  “I have been asking myself that over and over. I really think that we are on the verge of figuring it out, but I’m not sure all the sides that need to be talking will talk with each other. Gene is right when he says that even the slightest piece of information could become a huge piece of information. The trick will be to get everyone talking.”

  “Who do you think will not talk?”

  “I think, if handled correctly, everyone will; but not to each other. In my opinion, we are about to become a clearinghouse for the information, and we will be in charge of putting it in order to reveal the bigger picture. I just hope we can do it in time; then we can be proactive.”

  “Finally,” he laughed, still fighting the urge to wrap her up.

  “Think we should go see what everyone is up to?” she asked.

  “Let’s do it.”

  They both jumped up and headed out of the room. He walked just a step behind her, trying to control the crazy emotions he was feeling.

  “Chad?”

  He stepped it up and got beside her.

  “Yeah?”

  “Next time I lay down beside you, I would expect that you give me more room on the bed. You can do that by moving over and then cuddling with me.”

  His face turned red.

  “Um, ok. I think we can manage that.”

  She smiled, “Good.”

  * * * * *

  As the two walked into the new Eden Command Room, they saw that it had changed a lot. There was a large table in the middle of it, and Leah was already laying things out. A monitor to which a camera was attached was sitting on one end, facing the table.

  “Wow, it is like a mini Sanctum.”

  “Real mini,” Leah stated not even taking a second to look at either of them. “I was just about to come and get you both. We already are getting information; and just when I think things can’t get any crazier, I am wrong.”

  “Why? What’s up now?” Chad asked as he started looking over the different things Leah had laid out.

  “You will find out here shortly. I want to get everyone back in here. That way I don’t have to repeat myself, but you both better get ready to start working. We have a lot to go over.”

  Within the next ten minutes the room became crowded. It was already a smaller room, and then with the extra things added to it—plus the team—it was really crowded.

  Gene was still not with them when Leah decided to start, “Each of you took care of the things I asked you to take care of, and for that I am grateful. What I can tell you is that there is no turning back; and yes, we were correct: big things are taking place, and Legion is a part of it. I believe that we, without knowing it, actually threw a wrench into a lot of plans that were being set in motion by the Clans . . . well, one in particular.”

  “Let me guess,” Ann spoke up. “Hecate?”

  Leah tapped the tip of her nose with her finger.

  “Hit it right on the bullseye.”

  Serenity flipped through some notes that Leah had passed out, but none of it made much sense.

  She looked up when Ann responded, “How are we going to take on the House of Hecate? Look at us!”

  “I understand your hesitancy, Ann . . . I do. If we were doing this alone, then you would be correct: it would be impossible.”

  “And we aren’t?”

  Leah shook her head, “Far from it!”

  She picked up a remote for the monitor and turned it on. There was a screen indicating that the camera was trying to connect, and finally it did. Chad and Serenity both smiled. They were not used to sitting on the other side of the camera looking back into the Command and Control Rooms of the Sanctum. There was Ki at the head of the table. He was flanked by Yara, Troy, Gideon, Jackie, Faheem, Bristol, and several other Alliance members.

  “Well, if it isn’t our two rebels and our former leader!” Ki poked as he waved to the camera. “Leah, we have a couple of new faces as you can tell. We are ready to get moving forward.”

  “Sounds good, Ki; and it is good to see every one of you, including the new faces! Jackie, I see that you waited until I was gone to join officially!”

  Jackie laughed as she nodded, “No offense meant by that.”

  “None taken!” Leah waved it off. “I honestly was just waiting for you to come and ask.”

  Gideon threw his hands in the air as if to say, “Really?”

  “How are you doing, Leah?” Yara asked, and everyone nodded in indication that they all were concerned about her.

  Some even mouthed the words, “We miss you.”

  “Hah! I can’t even tell you because I have not had a single moment to even consider that question. I think I have worked harder since I left you all than I have in years. I can say it is good to be back in the field!”

  Ki smirked at Gideon as he quietly stated, “I can understand that!”

  Leah looked at Zarius, “Is there going to be any way to get Tanisha and the other two up on this call?”

  Zarius pulled out his phone to check his text messages.

  “I sent her the information to dial in. She told me that she figured she would be able to use one of their cell phones. So, I’m not sure how good the picture quality will be; but they should be coming up on the screen.”

  Ann looked at Leah with some trepidation.

  She leaned over and whispered to her, “Do I have to be on camera?”

  Leah shook her head, “No, but if you are not wanting exposure, then you also can’t talk. The momen
t you say something, everyone is going to want to know who is talking.”

  Ann stated she understood and moved her seat back out of view of the camera.

  Both Chad and Serenity noticed the secret conversation, as well as Ann’s moving out of camera view. They both looked at each other, confused, but did not have a chance to ask any questions before there was a noise indicating that another call was coming on the screen.

  “Before they fully connect, I must warn everyone that Eve is with Zarius’ wife. She, as far as I am aware, does not know that I am involved and neither does Isaiah, who is also with Tanisha.”

  “So, Isaiah is going to be on this call?” Troy asked from his end.

  “The answer to that, Troy, is yes. Yes, I am on the call.” Isaiah’s voice broke through just as their call connected.

  Zarius held back his emotion as he got the chance to see his wife on the screen. It seemed like it had been forever since he had held her. Now, there she was; and he still couldn’t hold her.

  “Oh! Well, isn’t this just a big, damn reunion?”

  Leah didn’t expect less from Eve as the Nephelium realized this was not just a call to Tanisha’s husband as she had been told.

  “Hello, Eve. Glad that all of you could join us.”

  “Sure! Makes me wish that I had a hot iron to just sit on my arm! Pretty sure that would be a better surprise than having to see all of your faces once again!”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Leah ignored Eve’s remarks and jumped right in, “Like I said, I want to thank each of you for coming on board tonight. We have a lot of things to cover and not much time. I believe that each of us has a portion of the story, but none of us have the full picture. We all know that this has been a problem in the past; and I think that if we do not correct it right now, we will find ourselves behind the eight ball. Not only that, but I think it will end up badly for us . . . most likely amazing for the Clans and, specifically, for Hecate.”

  “Leah, we all stand behind you here,” Ki spoke up. “I just don’t know what information we have that is going to help. Just like you, we can feel something is happening. We see that things are moving, but we don’t know anything.”

  “You don’t think you know anything, but I believe you do. I just think we need everyone in on this for it all to become clear. Does that make sense?”

  He nodded, “It does.”

  “Let me first introduce you all to someone that I don’t believe any of you actually know, although many have heard of.” She pointed to Zarius, “This is Zarius. Many know him as Raphael.”

  She held her hand up as commotion broke out within the room at the Sanctum. Heads turned, and there were looks of astonishment, which she had expected. She knew everyone had heard the stories.

  “Before anyone starts asking questions—which we do not have time for—no, he is not dead nor did he die; and if you trust me, then you should trust him.”

  Zarius gave a nod of gratitude her way.

  “In the other screen, you will see a lady that I personally have not met but, through Zarius, have already come to respect tremendously; and that is Tanisha. She is his wife and knows our history probably better than any of us do.”

  Tanisha waved, “Thank you, Leah, although don’t build me up too much. I don’t want to let anyone down.”

  “As many of you are aware—if not all of you—we are at Eden. If you are aware, then you may realize that Gene is not with us. There is a reason for that.”

  Those in the room looked at each other questioningly. They had not been told anything.

  “I am expecting him here in minute, but I wanted to let you all know in advance that he will not be alone. Remember, things have changed. They have shifted. What we have known is no longer what we need to know.” She paused as she thought about what she was saying. “I am a perfect example of that.”

  There was a knock on the door, and then it opened. Gene walked in and was followed by two of the most beautiful women Chad had ever seen. He did not recognize either of them, but his mouth was wide open as he couldn’t stop looking at them.

  “Careful or you will make things awkward,” Serenity slightly elbowed him.

  He looked at her, amused, “Jealous?”

  “Nope. I don’t know who they are, but they clearly look way above your level. Don’t get me wrong: I am also, and I’m stooping down a bit, hoping to lift you up to where I am; but those two . . . yeah, not a chance.”

  “Whatever!” he retorted.

  Gene turned to the ladies and offered them one of the seats, and Zarius moved over to offer them the seat in which he had been sitting. They both smiled and motioned that they would rather stand.

  More murmuring from the Sanctum’s call caught the attention of Serenity, and she looked at the different facial expressions of each of the Eternals.

  She leaned over and whispered into Chad’s ear, “Not only are they out of your class range, but I get the feeling they are not even in the same species range!”

  She nodded to the screen. It took a second for Chad to look over, but then it became clear to him as he saw the same expressions that Serenity did.

  “Angels?”

  “I bet dinner on it.”

  “Sure, a PB&J,” he laughed.

  “Don’t expect much more,” she smiled. “Um, did we miss something?” she asked as she got his attention again and pointed to the screen.

  Chad leaned over so he could get a better look, and he saw all the Eternals of the Alliance standing.

  “Please, everyone who is standing, have a seat,” one of the two females stated.

  Ki spoke up, “We are honored and puzzled, Gabriel! Why do we have two members of the Arch Council present in this meeting?”

  “What the . . .” Chad whispered. He looked at the two ladies and then back to Serenity, “Arch Council?”

  She smiled, “Told you they were out of your league.”

  Gabriel sat in between her counterpart and Zarius.

  She acknowledged Ki’s statement, but then turned to Leah, “Leah, this is not our meeting, but yours.”

  The Vapor took it all in for a moment. When she had chosen to step away from all of this, she thought that was what she was literally doing. Here . . . now . . . this very moment, she was not only leading her team, but also leading two individuals who had done so much for her over the years . . . two whom she had grown to love and respect . . . two angels that she thought she would most likely never have the chance to converse with again. How things were changing.

  “For those who do not know, Ki is correct: these are two members of the Arch Council, Gabriel and Nemamiah. They are friends and supporters.”

  “Don’t forget warriors!” Nemamiah spoke for the first time. “We didn’t start off as Council members, but we have sat where you each are right now.”

  “Fantastic! Anyway, could we get a pizza delivery guy, also?” Eve questioned flatly.

  “I’m dying for a pepperoni pizza right now.”

  Leah wanted to punch her in the face. She hadn’t changed . . . well, she may have gotten worse; but she clearly had not gained control of her tongue or attitude since the last time they had spoken with each other. Their feud reminded Leah of another disgruntled friendship and she looked up at the screen in an attempt to get a read on Troy. Sure enough, he was leaning back, no expression, arms crossed—true soldier form.

  “Ok, as we get started, let me give a caveat to all this. There is no one . . . and I mean no one . . . is being forced to be here. If you don’t want to be here, then you are free to go; and there will be no hard feelings. What we are about to talk about and head into is not going to be easy. We cannot afford to have feuds, anger, or even hatred become roadblocks.”

  “Sweet!” Eve stated as she stood up. “I have nothing to offer anyway. I am here simply to be support for Isaiah; and by the looks of it, he now has plenty of it.”

  Isaiah grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her back to her seat.

>   “Eve, come on.”

  “Come on nothing! All of you, including your picturesque Arch Council members, are nothing but a bunch of hypocritical, religious zealots on a fantasy mission of self-destruction. I want no part of any of this. You all may not have made me what I am, but yet all of you actually did make me who I am! The Clans, Hecate . . . hell, some weird dragon with seven heads . . . can have the bunch of you as far as I am concerned.”

  She yanked her arm away from Isaiah and exited off camera. No one said anything. Those who knew Eve were not surprised, either.

  Leah looked over to Gabriel and Nemamiah, “Now, do you get it?”

  Gabriel smiled, “I get why you two don’t get along; she is you all over again.”

  That generated a round of laughter from almost everyone, and it eased the tension for a minute.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Let’s start this off.”

  Zarius scooted closer to the table as he spoke.

  “It is obvious that what we share here is on a need-to-know basis. If you are hearing this, then you fit that category; but remember, anyone outside of this meeting needs to only know the portion of the bigger picture.”

  There were nods all around.

  “Sweetheart,” he addressed his wife, “do you want to go first?”

  “Before she does, Zarius,” Leah interrupted, “please let me explain a few things to all of those who don’t know anything about you. What you all need to know is that, as stated, you can trust him; but also, he is the brother of Michael.”

  “Yes, Michael is my brother,” Zarius confirmed. “That is going to come into all of this as we go along.”

  For the next hour or more, information flowed back and forth; and the leaders for each team took notes, compared notes, and crossed off notes. Finally, it started to look like a picture forming in front of them.

  “As we start seeing how all of this is coming together, there are a few pieces for which I need everyone to take a deep breath and just soak in what some of us here are about to share with you,” Leah explained. “This is going to be hard for some to understand, but there is some information that we cannot share with everyone. I just ask you to trust me when I say that as soon as we can share things with everyone, we will; but for the safety of some, right now is not that time.