by Lynn Landes
Masculine hands carve the small wooden pen and she hears voices speaking in a language she can’t understand. The hands begin to shake as he hurries to finish the carving, then he uses a tool to pry open the bottom of the crate and place them inside. Next the hands stuff the area with straw to keep it from being discovered and replaces the bottom.
The scenery changes, but the hands still carry the tea crate. Once more back at a desk, the hands are carving more identical quills and wells. The hands tremble with fear as he painstakingly carves, until loud voices are heard. The hands go still as the sound of a door being kicked open is heard. Maeling sees the hands rise up attempting to block an attack. The quills are sprayed with blood and the hands fall with their owner to the ground in death.
Elina watches the young girl tremble with terror, feeling a sense of urgency she can’t explain. She looks for a secret spot to hide her treasure. When she looks at the wall, she remembers a hole in the back of one of the cabinets.
She used to play inside it, before they filled them with supplies. Maeling rushes inside and searches for the correct cabinet. Quickly she chooses one and sinks to her knees, then desperately begins to pull all the sacks out until she reaches the back. She pushes the back of the cabinet until she feels the smooth wood give and slide to the left. A small opening appears and she grabs a sack of rice flour and shoves the treasure inside it, then pushes the sack back inside the hole. Sweating, she slides the panel back into place and hurries to replace the remaining sacks. At last she breathes a sigh of relief, she heads out to find her father. Not sure what just happened, Maeling breaks into a run and finds her father waiting for her at the loading plank.
“Time to go, Maeling. Where have you been?” he asks starting to walk towards home. Maeling looks up at him and knows he will not believe her, so she tells him what he wants to hear.
“I was just putting the tea set away for you, Baba,” she replies in a shaky voice. Her father mumbles a response, distracted by the noise of the fish market. The sights and sounds fade away as Maeling tries to understand her vision. Ya-Ya says to write it down, so I will she thinks. Lost in thought, she doesn’t notice how her father is struggling. When he stumbles through the door of their home, Maeling watches him with wide brown eyes. Afraid to move, she stares stupefied at the shadow demon now attached to his back.
“Baba,” she whispers in horror. Struggling to look at his family, he stumbles into a chair, aided by her mother.
The demon’s face has no form, for he is shadow. The moment Maeling speaks his eyes begin to take shape. He grows stronger, smiling, he snakes a shadowed limb around her Father’s throat and squeezes. Her Father grasps his throat with both hands as he chokes. Eyes wide with fear, he struggles for every breath.
All noise begins to fade; Maeling no longer hears her mother’s screaming or her grandfather rush into the room. A burning begins to build in her little chest.
Elina sits up in her sleep and her eyes glow as she feels her power begin to build.
Maeling’s grandfather runs to her grasping her arm. He calls her name but she can’t hear him. Scared, she grabs his hand and points at her father. Her grandfather looks and sees the shadow for the first time.
“Ying-zi!” he says loudly. The demon opens its cavernous mouth and spews out a smaller demon onto the floor directly in front of Maeling and her grandfather. It snakes its way towards her mother.
The pressure builds and Maeling hears in her mind, “Breath, we are coming! Don’t fight the feeling Maeling, picture it flowing into your hands.” Maeling closes her eyes and listens to the soothing voice.
“Good. Now shape it into a weapon.” Maeling pictures in her mind two throwing daggers, called shurikans. When her eyes open, she holds two throwing daggers made of paper. Watching closely the snake like demon oozes around her mother’s legs and begins to wrap up her body. The shadow hisses at her and a vibration fills the small kitchen, more are coming.
The demon begins to take a solid shape, strangling her father, he hisses, “Oh NO, Not a paper cut!” mocking Maeling. He releases her father’s throat and when he claps his hands, the room begins to darken as more shadows fill the room.
“Maeling, follow the image in your grandfather’s mind. Do it now!” the voice urges.
“Ya-Ya,” Maeling says and she grabs both of his hands, “You are the vessel!” and she channels her power into him.
Hot white light explodes from the duo, filling the room. It bursts through the shadows disintegrating them and freeing her parents from the demons.
“Peace little warrior we are almost there,” and the voice fades.
Her father stares at her coughing loudly, and lifts his arms to his daughter. She rushes to his embrace. “Forgive my ignorance, Maeling. I have failed you,” he begs her through tears.
“It’s okay Ba-Ba, help is coming,” she says assures him. Her grandfather walks on shaky legs to the table and sits hard.
“What do you mean, who is coming Maeling?” her mother wonders.
“We Are,” says a voice from behind.
“Elina!” Alex says, shaking her. Her eyes glow with power and he fears she will kill them both. “Elina, wake up!” he says louder.
“Okay, Okay, I’m okay,” she whispers squeezing her eyes tightly shut. She wills her power to dim. Horror replaces light, as she realizes she will draw the demons here.
“Elina, it’s okay. I shielded us. Drink this,” he orders giving her a bottle of water. Elina drinks greedily and tries to process the dream.
“Maeling!” She looks at Alex and says, “Her name was Maeling.”
“Was? Is she dead?” Alex asks with a sense of dread he can’t explain. Elina nods her head yes. “It is a long story, Alex.” She reaches out and picks up the box carefully. Elina pauses a moment and waits for another vision. When nothing happens, she opens the box and pulls out the cotton wrapped quill and drops it into her hand.
“This pen is special, Alex, but Why?” Frustrated, she runs her hands through her hair.
“I know why,” A child’s voice says. Elina jumps at the sound and Alex sighs a deep sigh.
“Alexandria!” he snaps. “I told you to stay away, you never listen!”
She skips over and throws her arms around his neck, “But you love me anyway, don’t you?”
He growls in frustration, “Go home, Lexy.”
She unwraps her arms from his neck and plops down beside Elina, pretending to pout.
“Alexxx, I’m bored, and hungry,” she whines. The child turns her black eyes on Elina and smiles. She is tiny and beautiful.
“Lexy?” Elina whispers and reaching out she touches her face. Alexandria grabs her hand and holds it against her cheek, reading Elina’s memories, past and present.
Elina does not fight the child, she simply waits while Alex watches. A single tear forms in Lexy’s eye. “Thank you, Elina. I have not seen my Mama like that before. She was beautiful, wasn’t she?”
“Yes, and her spirit was full of love for others. She fought to bring you into this world, Lexy. She loved you very much.” Elina replies with a voice full of emotion.
“She died protecting Lexy from a fallen angel, named Kane.” Alex tells Elina.
“When I find him, he will pay.” Lexy promises and her eyes go completely black and her teeth lengthen. “I will take his red and black wings as souvenirs.”
In that moment, Elina is reminded that she is Raphaim’s daughter too. “I can’t blame you for that. I got a piece of him, but I would like to take his other eye!” Elina snaps remembering the fight before Malach shoved her away.
Lexy smiles and looks at Elina with a new respect. “You shouldn’t blame, Malach. He merely did what he thought was best. He loves you very much.”
“Yeah, well... What? Wait, you have seen Malach? He’s alive?!” Excited Elina, jumps up. “Where is he? Can you take me to him?”
Alex is shaking his head before she finishes her sentence. “Elina that’s impossible!�
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“Why Alex? Where is he?” Elina demands turning to face her brother.
“My Daddy has him.” Lexy replies. “He desperately wants that pen, too. It’s special. It is called Cencura, that’s Latin for Judgment. Malach wouldn’t tell him where to find it,” she says, shrugging her shoulders, “so Daddy does what he does best.”
“No,” Elina whispers and stumbles to her knees. Alex rushes to her side.
“Elina, he made his choice. Your safety was the most important thing to him,” he assures her.
Lexy watches unmoved by Elina’s tears.
“He protected you, and the location of the Cencura. The pen is powerful. It can add to or take away from the list in the book.” Lexy says picking up a pack of crackers.
Stunned into silence, they stare at Lexy. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner, Alexandria?” Alex asks her.
Lexy shrugs her shoulders, “I didn’t know you had it. Malach told me about it before you saved me, Alex.”
“What do you mean, before he saved you?” Elina asks.
“Alex saved me from my Dad. He risked his life, for mine. I will never forget it.” She says moving closer to him, she takes his hand. He kisses the top of her head.
“I am sorry that it took me so long, Lexy,” he responds.
“How long did he have her?” Elina asks.
“Seven years.” Alex replies.
“Daddy let me have some freedom. He didn’t like for me to visit the Angels, but I like to talk to them. Some of them are nice. Malach is the best, though he doesn’t look like you remember anymore.”
Malach! Elina thinks. She pictures him in her mind and she knows she will not stop until she frees him. The image of him blind and wingless torments her.
“Without the final two pieces to the book, the pen is useless. Raphaim has one part of it.” Elina turns to Lexy, “Do you know where your father keeps the scroll, Lexy?”
Alex waits for her answer, dreading it. He knows she is powerful, but he will not risk her safety.
Lexy smiles looking up at him. “You can’t protect me forever, Alex. I know where he keeps it, but I will have to show you. It is protected by a blood covenant and only Daddy’s blood will free it.”
“What do you mean?” Alex asks.
“Daddy wanted to make sure that no one touched the scroll, so he created a lock box that will only open to his blood.” Lexy smiles wickedly, “He didn’t think about my blood. It’s the same,” she replies as she munches on a cracker. “I can get the scroll and you can free, Malach.”
Elina smiles as Alex shakes his head, “No! It’s too risky. Have either of you thought about what will happen if he gets his hands on this pen? We are living in hell on Earth, but there will be none who could stand against him if he has that kind of power. No! We must protect it and the Keeper!”
Alex turns to look at Elina, “Malach knew the risks involved and he was willing to pay the price to guarantee your safety, Elina. Think! Don’t react!”
“I am thinking, Alex. I was sent here for a reason. I can get the scroll and free him. Together, we will find the last part of the book. We can end this for once and all, Alex. Besides, we are more powerful when we are together.” Elina walks closer and takes his hand, “I know all you have lost, Alex and you have done enough. You and Lexy do not have to go with me. Keep her safe and I will...”
“No.” Alex interrupts her, shaking his head. “If there is even a chance that we can end this and free humanity, then I want to help. Lexy do you think you can show us the way?” Alex asks her with a heavy heart.
“Sure. We will need a distraction to draw Daddy away, then I can get you to the box. Elina will have to free Malach, and there are some pretty strong guards protecting him.” She says looking at Elina doubtfully.
Elina’s eyes flash with fire at the thought of any who dare to get in her way. “Don’t worry about me squirt, I can take care of myself.”
Lexy smiles at the fight in Elina.
“I can offer an epic size distraction,” Alex smiles at the girls and claps his hands together. “Let’s get started.”
Chapter 8
It is never easy sneaking into hell, unless you are the daughter of the ruler! Lexy knows the way home. She knows all the nooks and crannies because hell was her playground, until Alex freed her. Sometimes when she feels nostalgic she returns to mess with her daddy, or visit the prisoners. They fill a thirst that is unquenchable. As the daughter of a fallen, her gifts are numerous.
Elina took from her mind the images of the tunnels that lead to Malach’s prison. It is guarded by the Fallen who captured him.
“At the first sign of trouble they will leave their posts to fight at Raphaim’s side. Why bother with a blind, wingless angel. He couldn’t escape even if he wanted too.” Lexy whispers, oblivious to the pain that her careless words cause. “You free Malach, and port to the water fountain. It is in the very center of the mountain.” Lexy projects the path of the fountain to Elina’s mind.
“What if you aren’t there? Where will we meet?” Elina asks.
“If we are not there, you get out. Your safety is the priority. Take Malach and get to my camp,” Alex demands. Elina remembers the directions he gave her and she nods her head.
“Thank you, both,” she whispers. Alex kisses her forehead and smiles.
“Let’s go make some noise!” he responds.
Lexy grins and her fangs glint in the dim depths of the torch lit tunnel.
Elina’s thoughts are on Malach, she follows the map given to her and creeps through the tunnel, shielding her thread. Lexy said not to port until she has too. The power would draw a horde of demons, so she crawls.
Blind, she said blind and wingless. Will he forgive her? Can she forgive herself? It doesn’t matter what he looks like, only that he is free. I need to free him and hold him once more. She tells herself as she feels the heat begin to build.
Even this hell needs ventilation shafts to move air around and she finds herself overtop of the cell that holds Malach.
She can’t see inside the black depths of the tunnel, but she can hear. Sweat runs down her back plastering her clothes to her body. Her heart is beating loudly in her ears, Can they hear it below?
The guards are laughing and talking about the last group of humans they captured. Relaxed, they all jump when the mountain rumbles and the screaming begins.
Elina smiles in the dark and waits for it, the sound of running feet. They fell for it! She quickly crawls through and drops into the room below.
Alex and Lexy are almost to the fountain when the rumble occurs. She stops crawling and waits for it, the sounds of screaming and running. He grins and urges her on.
Perfect! They have arrived! His team is comprised of the toughest humans around. They can handle a simple distraction drill.
Lexy reaches the end of the tunnel and points ahead. Alex can see a faint glow, and hears the sound of water trickling. It seems a strange sound to be heard in hell, the soothing life force of flowing water.
Another vibration and Lexy waits for the room to empty, before jumping down. Alex follows quickly and is entranced by the enormity of the water fountain. The water flowing is a thick liquid silver, not truly water. He does a quick scan and finding no threat, watches as Lexy walks towards the fountain.
“It is a contradiction, isn’t it Alex, the beauty of this fountain here, in this place? This isn’t water Alex, but essence. Human souls are sent here to be judged.”
Alex looks up at the three tier, granite fountain. His eyes are drawn to the angels supporting the tiers. Each layer has angels supporting the weight of the layer above, on their backs. Their faces are carved in grimaces of pain and silent screams, as they bear the weight of the souls.
At the top most layer rests a small child with his hand outstretched. Each drop of essence first falls into the palm of his hand before dropping into the level below.
Careful not to touch the liquid, Lexy flares her wings. They
are sheer, black, lace wings. Relief crosses her face at their release. She flies up and hovers in front of the small stone child. Lexy stares at the liquid and turns the child’s hand face down, then swiftly lands beside Alex.
“Watch this!” She says excitedly. The three level fountain makes a great cracking sound as the child on top is sucked into the second layer, disappearing completely! The second layer is sucked into the third and finally the last layer opens in the earth below, revealing a staircase.
“That was awesome!” Alex whispers. Lexy smiles at him in glee.
“Hurry, Alex. Let’s go,” she calls out and runs down the steps, intent on the destination. Alex shares the images in his mind with Elina, stunned by what he is seeing. He follows Lexy into the dark and jumps at the sound of the fountain, moving, reforming. Alex is blind and the silence is deafening. With a growing dread he feels as though he has been entombed beneath the mountain.
Elina senses Alex’s fear and sees an image of the fountain in her mind. She knows she should go to him, but she is so close to Malach. So she stays, and searches the cavern finding it empty. Torches line the walls, she jerks one free and turns around looking for Malach. Nothing. Confusion gives way to fear at the sound of dark laughter behind her.
“Well, well, look who decided to pay us a visit.” Kane says.
Elina turns to face the fallen angel, Kane and his brothers. He strikes immediately giving her no chance of escape. The force of his blow sends her flying backward into the wall. Pain explodes in the back of her head and she struggles to stay conscious.
“Malach?” she groans holding her head. Elina reaches for her power only to find it weak and flickering.
“Is that what you came here for? How pathetic.” Kane laughs.
