I took hold of Athen’s hand, locking my grip with his. He did the same to his sister. Cyril stepped up to our line taking Arie’s hand, pulling us all deep into the sky as one. Within that moment, the loud crackling of the earth separating began.
The pieces of ash floating in the air felt like pieces of coal, scratching my flesh, as we flew through the air so quickly. Athen broke free from Arie, releasing Cyril and Arie. Looking over at me, Athen’s eyes were filled with the same craving I was feeling. This needed to end.
“I love you, my angel,” he yelled as the wind whipped by us.
We were circling around the battleground, signaling to our ground troops that the time had come. The end was near.
Our bodies were gliding as one through the clouds for the last time before we were to meet Azazel. Feeling the electricity run through my fingertips, reminded me of that first night I saw Athen in Whistler. His beautiful green eyes were teasing me with the knowledge of our many lifetimes together that night. I looked over at Athen, now locking my eyes with his. I spoke the only words that made this moment right.
“Always in eternity,” I told him.
“Always in eternity,” he whispered back. His voice met the rumble of the battle below, but not before kissing my hand as he let it go.
Chapter 28
The burning sensation was impossible to ignore. The heat from the flames was brutal and only getting worse with every minute that went by. The cracks in the earth’s surface were continuing to widen, and the shaking was earth’s cruel joke. The smell of burning flesh and feathers was nauseating, but this was it. This was the fight centuries in the making.
There were so many of us on foot, that it was hard to tell who was fighting what. The clanging of metal, mixed with the crunching of wing cartilage being snapped, was deafening.
Feeling the weight of another on me, I jumped into the air, spinning quickly in an attempt to dislodge the creature from my wings. Another white demon shot through the air and tacked the beast to the ground. I quickly landed on the creature, crushing him and shoving him over the cliff leading to the fiery resting ground.
Looking over at the white demon, I was impressed with the amount of strength she had. She looked younger than I, but full of great certainty for which I was grateful. Her shirt was a bit tattered. It didn’t look as if mine was the first fight she participated in.
“Thank you,” I replied, smiling.
“Anything to help! I know you could’ve taken him, but I want you to save your strength for Azazel.” The girl was grinning.
Patting her arm, I ran to where I had least seen Athen. He was still in the thick of it, slashing and dumping one demon after the next. Some of the creatures were with wings, others weren’t. Some even had the chains that signaled Azazel’s own little posse. It was hard not to admire Athen’s strength and quickness, but I decided to dive in with him and finish off the remaining few.
“I don’t think so,” I laughed, pulling one of the demons out of the circle who was going after Athen. “It’s my turn.”
As her wretchedly long nails were swiping at me, I dodged each jab with ease. It was definitely to our advantage to be up against so many newly-turned. Her skin was red and chapped, probably getting too close to the flames one too many times. As she jumped over my head, I reached for her foot, and slammed her to the ground. If we weren’t still experiencing so many small quakes, I was sure we would’ve felt her body crash.
The numbers were quickly clearing out. Our second army had already come over the hill, much to the surprise of Azazel. We had many more lined up beyond that. He had no clue. There was no winning this for him. I could sense fear begin to stir in Azazel. That was one thing that could always be counted on with bullies. They flee. They’re all talk until it comes back at them. My fear was that he was going to try to escape and leave this fight unfinished.
I looked up at Athen, who knew exactly what I was thinking. He nodded and followed me as I went to confront the fight of my life.
The Lahar sirens began sounding, much to my relief. At least, regardless of this outcome, the mortals in the towns below would clear out before any danger came their way. I was thankful to Cyril, who I was sure was responsible for sounding those off.
I anticipated looking into Azazel’s eyes one last time. I wanted this fight. Marching back over to where he last stood, I was relieved I trusted my instinct. It was written all over his face, he had been contemplating taking off.
“Going somewhere?” I accused.
“Not without you, my angel,” he sneered.
“You’ve got another thing coming!” laughter rolled off of every beat of my sentence.
Azazel began walking over to me. I looked over at Athen, pointing to the hill. I needed him to get everything and everyone ready for our plan to work as we’d hoped. Athen flew quickly to where we last stood together. Arie was already there waiting for him. I saw the silhouette of the being, who I hoped would actually come, standing behind Arie. Our plan was falling into place. Azazel would never see it coming.
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I looked at the flames that created a wall behind Azazel. It would make his end nice and fiery.
Unable to hide my laughter, he raised his eyebrows at me in disgust. His anger was only making him weaker.
Reaching out his hands, he began moving towards me slowly.
“I see that Asmodeus didn’t believe in your little war, huh?” I wanted to jab him as much as I could.
“He wasn’t a good partner to have. It made things too complicated!” he barked.
“What about Lilith? She’s been busy running around town for months telling us our end was near. Where’s she at?” I didn’t even bother hiding my smile.
“She’ll be here.” His voice didn’t sound as confident as it had. “She’s the one who helped train this glorious army. She wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Hmm.” I ventured. “I bet you’re right. Just late to her own party?”
I was confusing him. He was off balance. I only hoped it would stay that way.
“You know it will take your blood to destroy me,” he howled into the air.
“Oh, really? Didn’t know that,” I replied, trying not to roll my eyes.
“I’ve coveted you for so long, the only thing that can end me is your family. You, my dear, would have to die with me,” he yelled.
“Whoa. That changes the complexion of things. Doesn’t it?” It was hard to hide my sarcasm, but I did my best.
“That’s why I’m telling you, my angel. There is no winning for your side, unless you come with me now.” He held out his hand.
The demons, both dark and white, began circling us. In every direction I looked, there were green and black eyes staring back at me. Azazel looked pleased as his army built the wall around us.
Azazel jumped towards me, his disgusting claws swiping at me. Leaping backwards, I barely missed his grasp. The anger was building inside me with every passing second. I only had to hold him off a little longer.
My body jumped over his, securely landing behind him on the rocky surface, I flung out my leg kicking his spine with all of my strength. His body lunged forward into the crowd of demons.
Standing up quickly, I looked over to where Athen and Arie were perched. They were eagerly awaiting my signal. Before I turned away, I saw Noah land right next to Athen. Thankfully, he’d be here to see the destruction of Azazel. Our family of white demons was growing by the day. Azazel’s family was shrinking by the minute, and he didn’t even realize it.
Azazel turned back around, wiping himself off to stare at me. His eyes were red with anger.
“Get over here, now!” he snapped.
“Excuse me? I don’t follow direction very well. Authority and peer pressure and all that, kind of missed me,” I hissed back, his anger was at the perfect level. He’d never see it coming.
Quickly glancing to the top of the hill, Lilith was looking back at me. Smiling at her, I pointe
d my finger towards the sky. The pieces to the puzzle were coming into place.
The dark demons began following my stare to meet Lilith’s gaze. Her smile would have lit up the mountain, had the flames not already done that. She was our secret weapon. She made her choice that day on the glacier, and I trusted her decision.
Jumping off of the hill, her body soaring with the wind, she commanded her army to attack.
Shooting my body into the sky before I became lost in the shuffle, Azazel hollered after me, still unsure of what was about to take place. Hovering over the scene of the crime, I watched the dark and white demons begin their attack.
Lilith barking orders for her faction to attack Azazel, there was nothing more glorious than the sight I was witnessing. She came through for us all. There was a glimmer of good left in her after all.
“You, grab his arm!” she hollered at one of the faction members.
She flew over next to me, while we both hovered watching the scene below. This wouldn’t end Azazel. We both were fully aware of that fact. It was only torturing him.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?” I asked. “We’re the ones who are indebted to you.”
“For your forgiveness. For seeing something in me I never could see,” she replied.
Athen’s eyes were firmly set on Lilith and myself. I don’t think he was completely sure she had ever intended to do what she’d promised. I didn’t blame him for worrying. I had my doubts too. Smiling over at him, he attempted to smile back.
A loud scream interrupted our feelings of imminent victory. I scanned quickly to find out where it was coming from, when my eyes caught the woman hollering.
My throat clenched up as I realized who was running towards the battle. Looking quickly towards the hill, my worst fear was realized. Noah recognized the scream as well. It was Vanessa. She was attempting to stop the attack on Azazel.
“Oh no!” I yelled, as Noah flew off the mountain to try to intervene.
“Why’s he doing that?” Lilith screamed after me. I had already begun my flight to stop him.
“That was his soulmate. She got taken away from him only a couple of months ago.” Athen hollered to Lilith.
Lilith and Athen were quickly by my side as we attempted to wrestle Noah to the ground. His strength was to be expected. He only had sights set to stop Vanessa. He dove back into the crowd of dark and white demons, to stop her from reaching Azazel.
“I better get in there and end this,” Lilith’s voice was so soft. I almost missed it. That statement meant more than it could ever say in words. Looking at her, I reached my arm out to hug her. The woman, who I had been set on destroying for so long, was making a decision to save us all. The sister, I never had, was about to sacrifice herself for mankind and the army of good.
“Remember, love conquers all,” her voice was nothing like that first time I ran into her. The harshness was no longer evident. She changed.
She ran into the crowd of demons, who quickly parted for her. Azazel’s strength definitely was diminished. He was missing parts of his clothing. His skin ripped to shreds.
“Lilith,” he uttered, “You’ve come to join me?” Saliva was hanging on his lips.
“No, my dear. I’ve come to destroy you,” her laughter rang through the air. And for once, I didn’t want anything to happen her.
Azazel lunged towards her, but his aim was off. Lilith rolled in the other direction, standing up quickly to meet his stare. She rammed her fist into his stomach, creating a puff of black mist into the air. Azazel began coughing.
Lilith began to restrain Azazel, but Vanessa freed herself from Noah’s grasp. She crawled onto Lilith’s back, attempting to stop her from crushing Azazel’s spine. The demons had been instructed to stand down once the final fight had begun.
My worry began to overrun logic.
“Should we help her?” I asked Athen.
“She’s got it. Noah’s got it too,” Athen said quietly.
“What do you mean Noah’s got it too?” My heart was racing. “He shouldn’t be involved in this!”
“Ana, he’s made a choice, and there’s nothing we can do.” Athen’s face was distressed. I realized the talk Athen and Noah must have had covered a lot more than Athen told me.
“If Vanessa needs to be stopped, he didn’t want anyone else to be the one to do it. We have to respect that,” Athen replied, holding me back.
Noah tackled the mass of bodies, ripping Vanessa off of Lilith. Vanessa was fully possessed. There was no recognition of Noah in her eyes. Instead, she offered nothing but pain and destruction. Her hands were flailing, as Noah had to drag her away from Lilith and Azazel’s battle. Vanessa wouldn’t rest. She kept attempting to get back to Azazel.
Instantly, I saw it in his eyes. I grabbed for Athen’s hand. He saw it coming too and squeezed my hand. In a flash, Noah grabbed Vanessa and fell into the flames. I screamed, but nothing would come out. This was not the ending I had played over and over in my head.
My eyes moved over to Lilith in a stunned gaze, not even sure what I was witnessing any longer. I detected a slight whimper and realized it was coming from Arie. I couldn’t let this end any worse than we planned. We were so close to ending Azazel’s terror.
Letting go of Athen’s hand, I ran to Lilith, who was attempting to choke Azazel. His arms were becoming limp, but he always seemed to regain his strength.
“Help me get him over to the flames. That’s how it has to end,” Lilith pleaded.
His arms suddenly began moving again, trying to reach for Lilith’s throat. I hurriedly began dragging him by any means possible. My heart was aching because I knew what was about to happen, but I had to stay strong. He had to be ended by someone in my family.
“Please! We’ve got to hurry!” Lilith screamed.
I was pulling with all of my strength, when we finally got him over to the edge. I did my best not to look down into the fiery pit, knowing that it wasn’t just flames staring back at me any longer. My heart wept for Noah.
The heat was painful at this point. Lilith was crushing Azazel’s neck once more. I stomped on his chest, hoping that last thrust would help end him.
“Ana, you have to get away from here. I’ve got it now,” Lilith’s voice would stay with me forever.
“Thank you,” I whispered, backing away from the events that were about to unfold.
Suddenly, Azazel’s hand grabbed my foot as he inched his way closer to the fiery edge. Kicking and yanking away as best I could, I began to resign myself to this ending. The weight of his body and the heat of the flames seemed far too real to be able to fight them both off.
“Don’t you dare touch my sister!” Lilith screamed. She reached over to my ankle and grabbed one of the knives I had strapped on for a good-luck charm. Stabbing him in the chest, his hand immediately released my ankle. Athen pulled me away, but not before I saw Lilith and Azazel fall over the edge.
This battle was over, but the war might not ever end.
Chapter 29
Standing on the grassy hill over looking Whistler Village brought tears to my eyes. So many times, I wondered if this moment would ever come; if these nightmares would ever end. I turned back towards the lake, watching the ripples of the water dancing their way to greet the corals and purples of the sunset. It was Mother Nature’s thank you gift to us. I was sure of it.
The feeling of victory had never tasted so delicious. In fact, it had never tasted so real. Athen was on his way up to enjoy the beauty of the moment with me, just us two, one last time. With everything we had been through, I never expected this to be the ending to the battles fought.
“Hey, my love,” Athen whispered, sneaking up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. Feeling his nose nuzzle into the nape of my neck sent shivers through me. “Pretty incredible isn’t it?”
“You are pretty incredible,” I whispered, letting my lips grace his ear.
He spun me around and brought his lips to
mine. I slowly began to eat up every morsel of his being. Our souls were finally at peace. We were one again. My memories had all returned, and I was ready to begin making new ones. The quietness of everything, and the overwhelming sense of calm surrounding us, was something I savored in every fiber of my soul. His lips became hungrier with every passing moment. I felt his hands run up my arms creating a desire within me that only he could satisfy. The electricity between our bodies was exactly as I had remembered for the thousands of years before now, and I hoped for the thousands of years ahead of us.
We both just held each other. Our lives were about to change forever.
“There were a lot of different scenarios I pictured for the outcome of these battles,” he said. “But I can tell you that, what’s about to happen, was never in my wildest dreams.”
“Pretty insane, isn’t it? Are you ready for it?” I asked laughing.
“No, are you?” His eyes full of a fear that was new to me.
“Not at all, but it ought to be fun,“ I whispered, pausing briefly I began again. “You know, I’ve been thinking…”
“What’s that?” His eyes were searching mine.
“Since she doesn’t really have a name, I think it’s only right to call her Lilly Noa,” I ventured, leaning back into his embrace.
“I couldn’t agree more, darling,” his voice full of the pride I’d seen that first night he’d met our little girl at the farm.
Cataclysm Page 24
