"We've got to get out of here!" Dorchester said, moving to pick his friend up.
As everyone turned to make their escape, Tolrah was there, blocking the exit.
"Okay." Dorchester lay Surbenét on the concrete table. "This is it!" he ripped the battle-ax from Trip's chest.
They surrounded Surbenét. Chelsey stood in front of the table with a long silver sword in one hand and her whip in the other. Dorchester stood at the head, holding the battle-ax. Yakima at the foot, bow and arrow at her side. Rebekah stood behind the table. And the two Dobermans appeared from behind the throne; on their team.
Tolrah frowned. The Dobermans growled.
She levitated into the air and said, "You are the sickened. And this is your revelation."
She transformed into a thick, black, and silky ghost-like image with wings. Larger arachnids, snakes, and spiders came racing down the stairs.
Everyone stood guard, protecting Surbenét. Their silver body armor visible. Rebekah's, shining, from under her white gown-She had more power than the others. As the arachnids rushed closer, she leaped over the table, in front of Chelsey, and created a menacing yell, throwing her arms out in front of herself, and The masses of arachnids, snakes, and spiders splattered onto the walls of the foyer, bringing down more torches, slowly burning threw the right and left wing corridors; There was no exit.
CHAPTER 25
Surbenét looked down to see his body lying across the concrete table; Time had slowed down. A Doberman was at the foot of the concrete table. The other dog was at the head. Both sitting statue, protecting his body, and his friends fighting to save their lives; Was he dead?
Neka stood beside Surbenét. They could not hear, only see what was taking place.
"Mother. What is happening?" he gazed at the confrontation below.
"My son. Have you not understood? You must close your eyes to open them."
"Then... I must... " he was confident, staring underneath his feet.
"It is your decision. To do one, you must sacrifice the other." her eyes watered, turning from him before he could look.
"But, When I was being attacked. I felt something. Something I never felt before. I was... gaining strength from somewhere. But then I. Then. Now. I don't know." he was becoming unsure of himself, trying to shake himself out of it.
"Was it your strength?"
"I. I."
"Your heart is strong. And it has always been loyal to you. You just have to trust that. You must fulfill your destiny, my son. Your alliance has protected you with their lives. But your purpose is much greater than you know. As well as the gifts that was given to you. In which you received... She is indeed powerful. But you are more. Make a hasty decision for time is limited." looking down at the arachnid army just feet away, leaping toward Surbenét's alliance.
He looked to his mother, "What will we tell dad." he took a deep breath.
They embraced.
The arachnids continued to move in on the young hunters, surrounding them. Thumping sounds were heard; as if a giant were trying to crush the house with his fists. The fire encasing them grew stronger. The screams of hell's prisoners grew louder. And the darkness of Tolrah was enveloping the group.
They all fought courageously. Losing their powers. Their silver armor slowly fading away.
Then, miraculously, a bright light appeared around Surbenét's body - His aura? It grew. And just as the arachnids began to overrun his friends, the aura exploded, filling the mansion with a radiant light. Knocking his friends out, their magical weaponry fading into dust and diminishing all unnatural from the entire mansion. From the darkness of Tolrah and into the light of justice, Trip's mansion looked brand new. Sparkling. The cathedral inspired foyer was cleansed with Surbenét's absolution.
Trip, Lexi, and Kitten's bodies were no where in sight. Dorchester regained his consciousness. Chelsey was next. Then Rebekah. And finally Yakima. In their ears, they heard nothing but ringing.
Rebekah rushed to Surbenét. He was still not moving. She cried over top of him.
The ringing in everyone’s ears began to subside and they heard the loud pounding from minutes ago. Then, the front doors of the mansion burst open.
Aurora and Ester, wearing their law enforcement badges, poured in with a hoard of federal agents with their guns aimed, followed by paramedics and firemen.
"They're all with us." Ester told agents, who immediately lowered their guns and went threw the mansion.
Rebekah continued to cry, laid her head on Surbenét's blood covered chest, and heard nothing.
Two male paramedics rushed toward them with a stretcher. Dorchester walked over and lifted his friend. Yakima and Chelsey assisted; Even though they didn't need to.
The paramedics were leaving, and Rebekah, rushing behind them, insisted that she went as well.
The group of friends watched as Rebekah and Surbenét got into the ambulance.
"Is it finally over?" Dorchester made the open statement.
"Yes." Chelsey answered. "It is." looking at the ambulance threw the large French doors of Trip's mansion, trying to make out what the paramedics were saying threw the noise of sirens, crackling fire from the burning and collapsing auction building, a government official stampede, and scattered conversation.
A paramedic checked Surbenét's pulse. Rebekah held his hand tight, and gracefully smiled toward Chelsey with tears of joy.
A blond haired, female paramedic stepped on the ambulance. As she turned away, Chelsey witnessed a light scar fade from her cheek. She closed the ambulance door. And the ambulance sped off into the night.
THE END
NOTE:
Thank you for reading THE WICK OF WAR: Absolution. There is more work in progress for the WICK OF WAR series.
Learn more about all of the characters and check out other short stories and novellas in THE WARWICK CITY SERIES. This series will fill in the 6 year gap, from the time Surbenét graduated high school, until the time of his return to Warwick City. REBEKAH’S LANE, SCOT-RICH: The Scorchers, and THE WHISPERING WINDS OF CRYING SOULS are titles available now in this series.
COMING SOON
THE EFFACING
FOREVER UNFORGETTABLE: A Crime of Passion
THE WICK OF WAR: Absolution Page 9
