Afterlife (Afterlife Saga)
Page 61
She was positioned opposite the cabin at the end of the clearing and when I finally reached her, she wanted me to follow her into the thickness of the forest but I couldn't move. I could hear Draven's and Sammael's voices clearly, which made me stop in my tracks. I couldn’t leave him.
I hid out of sight as Draven had told me to, but I couldn't help but watch, going against what he had asked. They both stood at the side of the cabin and Sammael had his back to the cliff's edge and I found myself hoping he would just step too far and fall.
“It has been far too long My Lord!” Sammael said as if this was only going to be a peaceful meeting between colleagues.
“Not long enough it seems, you’re back for another lesson, seeing as my last one didn't get through!” Draven said in an amused tone, it was almost like he was going to enjoy this. He was stood opposite Sammael and I had a clear view of them both from the tree I was glued against. Ava was nudging me again but there was no way that I was moving from this spot, not until I knew Draven had safely beaten him back to hell!
“What, this time no guard, no council and of course, no Vincent to back you up!” Sammael's bloody teeth snapped together at his pleasure.
“You are distinctly mistaken if you believe I would need anyone else to aid me in crushing your soul and sending it back to the underworld,” Draven said with an arrogant smile on his lips.
“Ah well in that case let me introduce you to some of my friends...they’re just dying to meet you!” Sammael let out a roar into the night and I could see the mist of black tar flow out of his mouth as if releasing an infection into the atmosphere. Then the ground started to vibrate as though something was trying to crawl its way through. I backed up closer to the tree and gripped tightly to the bark. I could hear noises from the cliff face as if there were hundreds of creatures scratching their way to the top making their claws hit the rock like nails on a chalkboard.
The noise made me put my hands over my ears as they now erupted into a high pitched shrieking. Ava responded, making her own ear piercing sound. I wanted to stroke her, comfort her, but one look at her in her demon form and I chickened out. For one thing, all her feathers had been replaced by cooled volcanic rock, black and splitting at the wings. Red embers glowed beneath like a raw energy breaking free. Her beak and claws had grown to even deadlier proportions and the moonlight glinted off the razor edges. No...I don't think stroking was a good idea!
Then I saw the creatures as they emerged from over the side, like a swarm of broken people. They were like tortured bodies with eyes that had been torn out leaving gaping bleeding holes and the rest of their faces were all locked jaws of huge teeth. Their skin wrinkled and split at the folds making it look red raw. They crawled closer to Draven, advancing on the forest floor, their limbs moving independently from the sockets that held them. Their heads rotated all the way around like demon owls and they made the most disturbing noise, like a giant cricket or as though their bones were cracking under each movement.
“Is this the best you could do Sammael... Gorgan Leeches?” Draven said, looking unimpressed and he repositioned himself accordingly, ready for the swarm crawling his way. I held my breath as these gruesome creatures scratched their way closer to the man I loved and I couldn't understand why he hadn't brought anyone else to help him. Well, it seemed I was about to get my answer as the first wave got within range.
Draven's body erupted into flames and he used it against the parasites around his feet setting them alight. They squirmed around and their high pitch squealing got deeper and sounded more like howls of pain. Then the flames erupted from his hands coming out in streams, hitting the ones further away, torching their bodies. When every creature was alight he pounded his fiery fist to the ground making it crack and open up as once again the earth shook. This seemed to release lava like hands from the ground as if the tortured souls of hell had come to drag the flaming creatures back down to where they belonged.
The hands grasped at the scorched limbs, tearing them from their bodies and the forest was filled by the cries of pain and snapping of bone. I felt sick at the sight of hands full of flesh and body parts being ripped apart by hell itself.
The last wave of leeches were coming over the cliff and seeing this massacre they took a different approach spreading out from all angles. These were slightly different looking as their bodies were harder, like frozen, blistered stone with blue light coming from their eyes and chapped limbs. It was like the first wave had been the fire and now it was time for the ice!
Draven's body changed at the sight, turning from red flames to a bluish colour. He then let out an almighty cry into the night making his body quiver and his flaming wings open up to their full span. At first I thought Sammael must have done something to him and I nearly ran over but then his cry turned into a roar and his head was back looking up in the sky. The clear night changed quickly, as it was now darkened with thunderous clouds making me jump at each crack of lightening that lit up the forest.
Then I couldn't help but cry out when Draven was struck by lightening, making the flames around his body turn into electricity that travelled around the skin where it belonged. He then used this as he had done the fire. He shot it outwards picking off each creature in sight. One had crawled onto the side of the log cabin wall and I didn't think he was going to see it as he was facing the other way.
It got closer and leaped out at him with its razor teeth that looked like deadly icicles. It leapt off the wall and landed on him, sinking its teeth deep into his flesh. This however had no effect, as soon as its body made contact it spasmed turning into a black charred corpse. This was then taken away by the wind that Draven also controlled, taking the rest of the black lifeless bodies with it. They looked like soot floating away into the stormy night that was now calming down. The clouds also started to evaporate taking the remains with them and now all that was left were the two to battle it out.
“Well Sammael, I have to say that was a little disappointing, I would have thought years of solitude would have taught you more than mere parlour tricks!” Draven said resuming his normal purple energy and his wings went back into their folded, interlocked position.
“Come, come, now Draven...that was just foreplay.” Sammael replied, as it was now his time to get ready. His clawed wings opened up from around him and shockingly revealed a muscular body under his withered skin. He didn't look as weak as he first appeared to be and now it looked as though the same power was coursing through his body. Only his was a clear light that was fighting against the hellish red veins that were trying to take over. I put this down to him once being a servant of God who had turned evil for his own powerful gain.
His body started to shake as if trying to control the energy that was building up from his heart. You could see his veins filled with the two liquids that were trying to mix as they moved to his outstretched hand. It was producing a long staff, growing as his power was adding to its size. It was three inches thick and was covered in symbols that glowed with the same energy. It looked alive and for all I knew it was part of him.
At this Draven flamed purple and held both hands out at his sides. I then watched as his power erupted from him, producing weapons of his own. Of of the two, Draven was hands down more equipped as he held two massive swords that also looked as if they were part of his body. They came from his arms and grew until they were near the floor. He reminded me of a samurai warrior about to go up against a warlock. My heart was going crazy at the sight, as a human that has spent more years than not seeing the unbelievable...well this was just something else! I didn't want to believe it was real.
Ava had given up trying to get me to follow her as there was no way I was going to miss this. My eyes were glued to the two glowing figures as they moved around each other, as if calculating where to start. Then I knew it would be soon as Sammael spoke in what sounded like Latin and Draven's response sounded deadly.
“Ego te provoco!” ( Means “I provoke you, Used as a challeng
e, "I dare you" in Latin) Draven growled out which forced Sammael to make the first move, lunging his huge staff towards Draven's head. But Draven was quicker than my eyes could take in and before I knew it he was behind Sammael, taking his own shots. Draven was graceful and moved like a well choreographed fighter. Sammael was heavy handed and swung his staff around above his head making it come crashing down aiming for his opponent. Of course by the time it came down it would only make contact with the ground forming a crater from its impact. Then they seemed to change tactics as now they were fighting at a closer range, making their weapons clash as they connected with each other. Sparks of energy flew out into the dark making it appear as a deadly light show.
At one point I thought Draven had been hit as half his body fell backwards bending at the knees. But I saw the glowing staff swing round and I realised he was just avoiding it as he pushed his torso back upright swinging his swords round in both directions, missing Sammael's throat by inches. Sammael stumbled backwards but regained his footing, which Draven allowed and waited for. I couldn't believe he did this, as I would have used that as my chance to take him by surprise.
“You have learned some more skills since Belphegor's infusion of powers,” Draven said seeming impressed and now I understood why he waited for him to regain his stance....it was out of respect for his worthy opponent.
“That DOG got more out of it than I! My reasons were pure and yet you took his side!” Sammael spat out at him and I didn't understand why but he said it with more pain than hate in his voice.
“You broke the rules, he didn't.” Draven said calmly as he circled him once again.
“And you! What are you doing that is so different from what I did?”
“She is the ELECTUS! She is different!” (Means ‘chosen’ in Latin) He shouted, and it was the first time during this fight that he lost his cool.
“Ah, favoured by the Gods, how convenient for you!” Sammael said in an ice cold voice that made me shudder to my feet.
“I do not have to justify myself to you! You had your orders and you chose to deny them for your own gain Sammael” He said regaining his control but this made Sammael's energy turn blood red as his rage doubled.
“I LOVED HER!” He screamed before charging at Draven with his staff held high ready to strike. He ran at him and jumped giving it the extra height for more of an impact but Draven crossed his swords above him counteracting the move making the sky bright with the lightening as the two weapons collided. I couldn't help the little shrieks that came from me as I watched on in horror.
Sammael was getting more frustrated with each attempt at landing a fatal blow on Draven, but he was unstoppable with his flawless technique. Each movement was a dodge followed up by an attack of his own and a lot more got through making Sammael weaker with each strike Draven's swords made. This made Sammael cry out into the night as he had done in the beginning and again I felt the ground vibrate.
More of the same creatures soon appeared and now Draven not only had Sammael to contend with but now a forest floor covered in what they called Gorgan Leeches. Draven's movements got even faster and I could hardly make out the blur of his glowing shape, twisting and slicing through body after body. Sammael looked as though he had something planned as he held out one hand and directed some of the others to try and get past Draven......and straight to ME!
“Electus!” He shouted at them and they whipped their rotating heads round to me and then came scuttling towards me, making their horrible snapping noises as their monstrous teeth ground together. But Draven saw this and reacted before they could get through. He set his blades alight and cut into the ground making a fiery barricade between them and me. This eliminated most, but one made it through just in time and was now closing in on where I stood, shaking in fear! Ava let out a warning cry to Draven, which made him send out a command of his own.
“AVA ANAR!” (Means “GO” in Catalan) Draven shouted, Ava didn't need to be told twice and she took flight in her Demon form. The Lava that flowed through her wings made her move at an incredible rate and she swooped down and picked off the Leech that was coming closer to me. I could just see the bleeding holes in its eyes disappear as she carried it off into the night sky. Ava then threw it up and played with it before ripping its limbs off to devour. I put my head down and gagged as I thought I was going to be sick at the sight of its blood being spilt, spraying out into the night in a red mist.
Meanwhile the fight had become even more intense as I watched Sammael smash down his staff missing Draven, but striking a rock, which then glowed with the same energy from his weapon. It now appeared that it had just erupted from Hell as it bubbled with molten fire. Draven had caught the staff with his feet, balancing on it then using them to grip it before twisting his body violently thus flinging Sammael flying through the air, smashing into the side of the cabin wall. The wood splintered as if a bulldozer had just taken it down.
Sammael in turn picked up the hot boulder and threw it with his powers at Draven who was quick enough to fly out of its path and land backwards behind the destruction it caused. Draven picked himself of the ground where he landed and straightened up his body before walking over to Sammael. He looked possessed by the Devil himself as he cricked his neck to either side as if getting ready for the next round. Sammael, on the other hand, looked as though he was chanting something I couldn't hear but I could have sworn I saw him touch Morgan's body as it could now be seen amongst the rubble.
Then before my eyes could focus Sammael was transported to the other side, next to the forest edge and he swung his weapon round letting it crash into a huge tree trunk causing it to split and jut out on one side making the other side slam down onto where Draven stood! It barely missed but it made him lose his footing long enough to be caught off guard when the tree was sent hurling into him and knocked both his body and tree off the cliff face.
“NO DRAVEN!” I screamed out as I ran from the tree I was hiding behind and launched myself at the edge. I made it only twenty feet before something caught me around the waist pulling me back and stopping me from getting to him.
“NO!... LET ME GO!” I screamed at who was preventing me from moving but the hands gripped me tighter until my ribs hurt.
“GET OFF, YOU’RE HURTING ME!” I shouted out through tearful eyes.
“I will do a lot more than hurt you if you don't come with me quietly!” That voice! No...it just couldn't be!
“It ...It can't be...NO!” I screamed again as I felt the cold blade of the knife held against my neck once again.
“That's right Catherine...I told you I would be seeing you again soon!” Morgan's voice sliced through my soul making me want to finally give up the fight I no longer had the strength for fighting.
Chapter 49 - Draven finds Death at his hands
Morgan's hand clamped over my mouth making it impossible for me to cry out to Ava, who I could no longer see in the sky. Then my heart came back to life with the fight inside me as I saw Draven's body fly up from the cliff face and come crashing down at Sammael's with his swords held out. He came down slicing into Sammael’s body, crossing over his blades first through his head then crossing them back over again cutting through his arms and torso. When Draven landed on one knee, his swords held behind him, he looked up to see Sammael's body fall in pieces to the ground.
This just left his black soul, which was trying to form again into a body but it kept falling in heaps to the ground as it desperately needed a new host. The Tar was all that was left and he was trying to control it. Meanwhile Draven stood back from him and pounded his swords into the ground sending it cracking open once again releasing the tortured souls to take what was left of Sammael.
While this was happening I got my chance to make my own move. Morgan was moving backwards towards the other side of the cabin but he lost his footing on the rubble making the knife lower from my neck slightly. This was enough for me to stamp down hard on his foot causing his hand to release my mouth.
I screamed under Morgan's hand that clawed to my lips trying to keep me quiet. Sammael had used whatever power he had left and hurled himself onto Draven's body and was now attacking it. The black tar clung onto his skin as if trying to get inside and consume his soul. I could feel the blade cutting my neck slightly as I tried to fight to get away and go over to help him, not really knowing what I would do when I got there. But Morgan was doing everything in his power to try and control me, making my feet bleed where he was dragging me along and tearing the skin on my bare soles.
Meanwhile Draven was fighting Sammael trying desperately to get to me also. His body rolled around and tried to regain control of his own functions as the black ooze was taking over, moving to his front so they were face on. Then Draven seized his opportunity by pounding his fist to the ground making the earth split underneath him once again releasing the tortured hands that reached up to Sammael’s body which Draven had suspended over the gap. The hands found the black soul they had come for and pealed it off Draven like meat from the bone. It was like watching the hands of hungry beasts as their claws dug deep into Draven's body, tearing back out handfuls of Sammael's evil black soul.
“Non Omnis Moriar!” ( Means “I shall not die/ Not all of me will Die”, a phrase expressing the belief that a part of the speaker will survive beyond death In Latin) Sammael's black form shouted out into the night!