Out of respect, they had chosen to take up places away from Seraphim’s body. It was calling on everything Alan possessed to hold his emotions in check when his eyes crossed over her still form. It was only her words and her last dying request that trained his mind on what needed to be done.
“I agree,” Alan said. “Next time, Sodom will stack the odds even further against us. He won’t risk being disappointed again. He wants us dead.”
“No doubt about that,” Kyle said. “What are we going to do? If we go into that coliseum again, we’re not going to come out.”
“Then we don’t go into the coliseum,” Rana said, picking the dirt from underneath her nails. “There’s only one option, really; we need to overwhelm the guards when they come next.”
All four warriors nodded in agreement. “They’ll send an army to escort us to the coliseum for the next round of games,” Bobby said. “Sodom’s a lot of things, but he’s no fool.”
“Then we strike before our next fight,” Alan said. “They’ll come to bring us food or at least water soon. It’ll be a single guard who does that, at the most two.”
“I can reach through the rods if we can get him close enough,” Rana said with a glance at their steel door. Metal bars, spaced no more than six inches apart, made up their prison gate. “If I can grab him, it’ll give us a chance to take his keys.”
Alan nodded along with Rana’s plan. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the conversation, Seraphim kept invading his thoughts. It wasn’t only the pain he felt at her passing, it was the idea of leaving her body behind. If they ran he’d have no choice.
The time of day held no meaning for the prisoners in the underground cell. The only light came from a torch mounted on the wall opposite their cell door. Alan slumped next to Seraphim’s body, his mind refusing any more rest and instead focusing on what his life would be now without her.
Alan knew he loved her but how much he had grown to love the Death Angel, he hadn’t realized until now. He didn’t understand what she meant to him until she wasn’t there anymore. Alan, the boy who had grown up an orphan, who didn’t have a friend to call his own, found himself alone once again.
This time his loneliness felt different. Memories of all those he met and even fought alongside flashed through his mind. Yes, he felt lonely now, but he had more friends than he ever had in his life. This sadness and isolated feeling would pass. He could see that now. Seraphim would always hold a special place in his heart.
Alan realized how much he changed. If events like this had happened before, suicide would be at the forefront of his mind. Now justice, not anger or pity for himself, was begging to be dealt.
Alan wasn’t sure if the entire night had passed or only hours as he was torn from his trance-like state at the sounds of shuffling feet.
As the noise grew louder, Alan’s eyes searched the darkness of their cell to make sure Rana was in place. Sure enough, a dark figure stood hidden by the wall beside the cell door. Kyle and Bobby were lying near the center of the room, pretending to be asleep.
A figure came into view. He was tall with a crooked nose and small, beady eyes. The guard gave the room a once-over then leaned over to shove a small plate and ceramic jar through the cell bars.
Rana stirred so fast it was hard for Alan to track her movement. In one motion, she turned and reached through the cell bars. Her slim arm barely fit, rubbing against the aged steel on either side as her skin slid through the narrow gap. Grabbing a fistful of the guard’s collar, she jerked her arm back into the cell as hard as she could.
The guard’s face slammed into the steel with so much force the cell bars quivered. There wasn’t enough time for the guard to make any noise, much less utter a cry for help. Instead, the demon slumped next to the cell door and lay motionless.
Kyle whistled under his breath as Rana sank to her knees and reached through the bars again, this time grabbing the guard’s keys that hung from his belt. “She’s good.”
Rana stood, inserting the key in the opposite side of their cage. A dull click could be heard as the three men waited with bated breath. “Gentlemen?” Rana said, swinging the door open and ushering them through with an open arm as if she were a secretary showing them into an office meeting. “Shall we proceed?”
---
“We’ll need some kind of plan before we arrive,” Ardat said as she was interrupted again by one of Tracy’s loud laughs. Since she discovered her horse, Tracy hadn’t been the same. Once comfortable riding her steed, the Horsewoman of Disease had been laughing out loud as she ran circles around Ardat and the Shaman. Ardat’s lip curled at what she deemed obnoxious. Still, there was some part of her that was proud, even happy for Tracy.
“I agree, you and Tracy should come up with a strategy prior to reaching Sodom’s forces,” the Shaman said as he shielded his eyes against the sun and looked up to the flapping phoenix overhead. The bird was just within eyesight, a tiny red speck against the sun’s warm rays.
“I can’t help but notice you excluded yourself from the equation,” Ardat said.
The Shaman lowered his old eyes and smiled at the demon. “It’s not my place to enter the final conflict unless absolutely necessary.”
“How convenient,” Ardat spat. “You set the board and arrange the pieces, but when you are needed, you fade into the shadows.”
The Shaman’s smile didn’t fade. “I balance the field. The odds are no longer against the Light. Instead, only choices now remain that could sway the battle in either direction.”
Ardat growled at the Shaman’s cryptic talk. “Choices? What choices?”
“Oh, yours for one, each of the Horsemen’s, even Gabriel’s choice will effect the outcome.”
Ardat bristled at the mention of the Archangel. “Gabriel?”
The Shaman shrugged. “Much changes. Events are evolving so much faster than even I anticipated. But, this is where I must leave you. Protect Tracy until you are no longer able, and she must make her own stand. As I promised before, if the Light succeeds, you will see Michael again.” The Shaman paused as he looked to Tracy then to Ardat. “However, I’m beginning to think you may have other reasons for seeing the Light succeed and, dare I say, perhaps a change is even occurring within you.”
Ardat rolled her eyes. “Please, if you’re going, then be gone with you, old man.”
The Shaman bowed and without the tiniest hint of his departure, he was gone. His form vanished right in front of Ardat’s eyes.
Ardat stood still for a moment, surprised to actually find herself missing the Shaman’s company. Oh, get over it, she told herself. This experience is making you soft. Remember who you are, remember what must be done.
Ardat shook off the feeling and once again continued forward. Night was approaching, the sun beginning its slow descent to make way for the moon. Ardat remained content to allow Tracy free rein with her horse. Tracy would need all the practice she could get with the beast before the final fight began.
Ardat thought of flying, speeding up their travel time exponentially. With Tracy on her steed and the phoenix’s ability to fly just as fast as she could, they would be able to reach Sodom’s camp in hours.
The only thing that held her back was providing Tracy with as much time as possible to prepare. Even an extra day or two of combat practice could mean the difference between Tracy living through the fight that would decide so much, or not.
Hope of giving Tracy more time to prepare, however, would not be possible. Ardat saw Tracy speeding toward her first, then the sound of running feet and shouts soon after.
Tracy brought her green horse to Ardat’s side in a cloud of dirt and kicked-up grass. Her eyes were wide with fear. “They’re—they’re coming. I was riding ahead and they saw me. Another group of warriors, but Ardat”—Something in Tracy’s voice made Ardat look from the oncoming horde to shaking girl—“they have a monster with them.”
“Well, then,” Ardat said, looking to Tracy’s horse and the darke
ning sky overhead, “it’s a good thing we have a monster of our own. How many are there?”
Tracy shook her head. “Hundreds, maybe a thousand.”
“This time you’ll need to fight,” Ardat said, turning to gage the strength of the oncoming force herself. Tracy wasn’t exaggerating. There were hundreds of dark figures pouring over the landscape. One in particular was much larger than the others, the monster Tracy had seen.
“Where’s the Shaman?” Tracy asked as she turned in her seat atop her horse to get a better look at the landscape.
“Where indeed,” Ardat said under her breath.
“What?”
“Never mind, he’s gone now. I need you to focus and remember what I taught you. A certain level of fighting will come natural to you since you are a Horsewoman. Remember your wings are weapons all on their own.”
Tracy swallowed hard but managed a nod.
Ardat reached up and stroked the right jawline of the large horse. “Consider why you exist. Do your job. Protect your rider.”
The horse neighed and stomped the ground with its large hooves, leaving indentions in the hard dirt.
Ardat redirected her attention back to their enemy. Night was approaching with the enemy. Promises of a fight to come were being whispered with a gentle wind that rustled Ardat’s black robes.
The sun was all but lost beneath the edge of the landscape as Ardat lifted herself into the air. Extending her arms, she pulled boulders and rocks from every direction until hundreds of them spun around her in a cyclone.
The enemy could be heard yelling their war cries as they approached at a sprint. There was no doubt in Ardat’s mind they would kill with impunity. They were not here to exchange words. They were here to end Ardat and capture Tracy.
The mass of warriors was almost in range. Ardat’s eyes traveled over the dark horde to rest on the large figure. He was a giant, a demon with the ability to transform both his size and appearance. This ability would make him a leader within Sodom’s ranks, some kind of captain or major. She would kill him first.
Spears, arrows, energy bolts, and an assortment of other flying weapons filled the air as the battle began. Ardat stopped them all with a flick of her wrist, turning them and redirecting the volley back on its senders.
Screams filled the night sky as hundreds of the weapons intended for her found their new mark. The enemy line wavered, all but the giant stopping to reassess their tactics.
All manner of rocks and boulders still swarmed around Ardat. With a push of both of her hands forward, she sent the cycling mass into the ranks of her enemies, crushing them under tons of stone.
More yells came from Sodom’s forces, both those of pain and frustration. Ardat smirked. Her efforts had already pushed back all but the most steadfast warriors. A handful of soldiers clustered behind the giant, who battered the stones away with heavy hands.
Tracy was right; he was a monster. Standing more than four stories tall, large fangs protruded from his bottom jaw and thick hair covered his body. Still yards from Ardat, the giant lunged for her with an open hand.
Ardat flew around the monster easily enough, her concentration split between the giant and the few warriors that had followed him all the way to engage her. Before Ardat could think of a way to dispatch the group, Tracy burst on the scene.
Her horse crushed helms and shields under his hooves as Tracy’s bright-green wings emerged from her back and sliced her enemies on each side of her.
Good girl, Ardat thought as she witnessed her protégé in her first fight.
A blow struck Ardat across her back, sending her flying into the ranks of the reeling army. Pain ricocheted inside of her. Ardat fought to regain her breath. How stupid could she be? In the brief moment she witnessed Tracy fighting, the giant had found her in the night sky and swatted her out of the air like a fly.
Ardat struggled to her hands and knees. Her vision was clearing from the pain, but what met her eyes was not promising. In the light of the stars and moon she saw the giant had sent her flying into the very middle of the attacking army.
Vengeful eyes and eager grins greeted her in every direction. Ardat managed to regain her feet as they pounced on her from all sides.
Burning fire lit the dark sky, making Ardat blink. A roar more fit for a dragon than a bird echoed in her ears as the phoenix entered the fray, spitting fire and molten lava from its beak.
Sodom’s forces were set ablaze as a roaring wall of fire surrounded Ardat in a protective circle. Through the flames, Ardat could see the phoenix creating an inferno among the ranks of Sodom’s forces. Every weapon—whether physical or supernatural—evaporated in the heat emitted off the phoenix before it could do any damage.
Once again, only one enemy refused to be dissuaded. Ardat caught sight of the charging giant again. The mountain of rage and flesh was running at her at a full sprint. Ardat gritted her teeth and pushed the folds of her robes up her arm on either side. Throwing her hands out in front of her, she planted her feet and pushed gravity against the rushing monolith.
Ardat’s hands shook under the force of the coming beast. Sweat began to form on her brow, making strands of her long hair stick to her forehead. The giant’s run was slowing. He moved forward now as if he were stuck in a bog. The two forces fought one another, both struggling with every fiber of their being to gain the upper hand.
Ardat’s muscles screamed, her head throbbed with pain. Still, she refused to give in. Her efforts were soon rewarded as a look of utter horror crossed her adversary’s face. The giant had fought his way just outside of the wall of dying flames the phoenix had used to protect Ardat. Jumping over the dwindling fire would have proved easy enough for the monster if he could move.
Ardat flexed her power over gravity now, not only stopping the oncoming attack but lifting the beast into the air.
Panic washed over the giant as he rose higher and higher. Powerless to do anything but stare, he drifted into the night sky.
Ardat’s energy was nearly depleted. Not only stopping the forward momentum of a creature that size, but now lifting him into the sky had sapped her resources. Ardat grimaced with one final herculean push that sent her enemy so far into the dark sky he was lost to the eye.
Panting with exhaustion, Ardat turned to evaluate the scene around her. While she was busy dealing with the giant, it seemed her allies had not disappointed. Between the phoenix and, to Ardat’s surprise, a very aggressive Tracy, what remained of Sodom’s army was now fleeing into the darkness.
Fires were alive all around the battlefield littered with the dead bodies. The phoenix was chasing the very last of the soldiers into the darkness. Tracy spotted Ardat and galloped over to her, still sitting tall on her horned horse. “This was crazy, right? I mean, we did it. We won. It’s just like something out of a book.”
Ardat nodded, heaving a large sigh. “You did well. We’ll need a performance such as this when we reach Sodom and his main army tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Tracy asked with a look of shock. “I thought we at least had a few days left.”
“There’s no point in delaying. He’ll only send more forces to impede our progress and tire us out for the main fight.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because that’s what I would do.”
“Oh right,” Tracy said.
“Let’s find a place for the night and get you one last training session. You’ll need a basic understanding of weaponry.”
“I think I did pretty well,” Tracy said, looking around her. “I’m surprised; I’ve never been the violent type, but when the fighting started, it just …”
“It just came natural,” Ardat finished.
“Yes, is that weird?”
“No, it’s expected. Now come on, no more talk. We only have one night left. Tomorrow we both meet our destiny.”
Chapter 12
Danielle and Raphael entered Gideon’s workshop to the sound of complete silence. The door was wide open. Th
e inventor angel had his back to them as he stared at a large, bright-silver, circular item set directly in the middle of the room.
Danielle could tell the object was important, but she was sure she had never seen anything like it before. It was tall enough for someone to walk through, with angelic symbols etched into the sides of the metal. “Ummm … Gideon?”
Gideon didn’t move to greet them. Instead, he beckoned them forward with an almost nonexistent wave. “Come in.”
Danielle and Raphael looked to one another for direction. Raphael shrugged and moved into the room to stand next to Gideon. “What are you looking at so intently, brother?”
Danielle followed Raphael’s lead and took a position on Gideon’s opposite side.
“It’s the means of our salvation, if it works.”
Danielle pursed her lips in thought, scanning the contraption again for any clue as to what Gideon was talking about. Still, there was nothing special about it. “How exactly is this—this—archway supposed to be our salvation?”
“Oh, that’s brilliant,” the elderly angel breathed, finally breaking his gaze on the invention and looking at Danielle for the first time.
“Thanks,” Danielle said on reflex. “Wait, how am I brilliant again?”
“That’s the perfect name for it,” Gideon said with a smile as he turned back to gawking. “The Archway.”
“Gideon, what is it and what is it supposed to do?” Raphael asked. Danielle could hear a slight edge in his voice. She couldn’t blame him. They had come to Gideon for a reason and their time was running out.
“Oh yes,” Gideon said, snapping out of his trance and looking between Danielle and Raphael. “My apologies, but it’s the first of its kind. If a power supply strong enough can be found, it will unite the human and supernatural plane once again. Errr, at least form a way to travel between the two—maybe.”
“Ohhhh …” Danielle said much louder than she meant, “so that’s why you’re acting so weird about it. That kind of is a big deal.”
Alan Price and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse Page 9
