Syndrome of Mortality

by Eden R. Souther

  Loviel’s heart dropped. “Demias will never approve.”

  “This is true.” On the tips of her toes, Cleoph padded over to Lovie and set her hand on his head. “I shall speak with Bastion and will let you know as soon as possible.”

  In an instant, Loviel was standing; his arms wrapped around the Exalted Mother. He held her tightly to his chest. “Thank you, Cleoph.” He felt tears streaming down his face. “Thank you so much. It means more than you could ever imagine to us.”

  A gentle laughter escaped the Exalted Mother and she took a step back, wiping the tears from Loviel’s eyes. “Go now.” Her voice was warm. “And give Ravin my regards.”

  Excited, Loviel spread out his wings and felt energy rush around him as he returned back to Eartha. This was good news, the best he had in some time. Perhaps things would start looking up. They had to.

  Chapter 18

  An overwhelming sense of loss pervaded his senses, threatening to bowl him over. The feeling rooted him in place and numbed everything else. He could barely see more than a few feet in front of him, and even that was a blur. There was nothing to smell, nothing to hear. The faint shape of a cross loomed on the ground before him. None of the letters seemed to make sense, no matter how hard he tried.

  The world shifted as he blinked, like someone had changed the channel.

  Before him was an elf: Winter. He could see the white hair atop the elf’s head. Those blue eyes pierced him, as though they saw right through to his core. His lips moved, as though he was trying to say something. He was desperate. Pleading, but no sounds escaped him. As he watched, the elf’s eyes lit up like the moon. Matching markings spread along his body, fanning out across his porcelain skin. Gone was any emotion from his face. He barely even breathed. It was as if he’d turned into living marble.

  Another change, and pure blackness surrounded him.

  A woman’s voice drifted across the field. Ravin jerked back as he sought her location. He knew it, but, couldn’t identify the speaker. There was no source.

  When he turned back, everything was different. A dorm? There were beds, and people milling about. A boy with black hair and dull blue eyes grinned up at him. Pain stabbed through his chest.

  He lurched away from the image, and it cut to black. Urgency shot through him. There was something he had to do. Something that he’d promised to do. Something he’d long since forgotten to do. What was it? People were relying on him. Someone important was relying on him. This was someone’s future on the line.

  But who?

  And what had he forgotten?

  Before him stood Iraldin. His long black horns glowed, despite the lack of light. There was nothing but hatred in his grey eyes. His body twitched, then he lunged forward. Those deadly fingers wrapped around Ravin’s throat in a flash. His attacker shouted something, but Ravin couldn’t understand what was said.

  Ravin shot up in bed, panting. He clutched at his neck to free it from the iron vice. A breath of relief escaped him when he realized it had just been a dream. The fragments were already disappearing from his mind, even as he tried to grasp for them.

  His whole body was covered in a cold sweat. A quiet feeling of unease passed through him. What on Eartha had that been?

  Michelle was unconscious beside him, blissfully unaware of the insanity going on in his head. That was good. She deserved the rest. Floating around her brain was a dream involving ice cream and mounds of candy floss. She was charging around the candy cane forests on a baby elephant dragon, which was an elephant with dragon wings, and not even remotely real.

  A smile tugged at Ravin’s lips. Of course she had something adorable like that going on in there. The clock read just after midnight; it was too early to start the day, but too late to do anything else. He slipped out of bed and padded downstairs, a choice he only made because he could feel the angelic energy wafting through the entire house.

  “Loviel?” he called quietly into the darkness.

  Loviel stood from the couch as Ravin neared. “You are awake?”

  Ravin nodded. “I think I had a nightmare. I don’t really remember much of it though…” He was probably better off not knowing. Especially not after how he’d awoken. The vague impression of forgetting to do something lingered in the back of his mind, but he couldn’t begin to guess its origin.

  “I heard you tossing and turning,” Loviel sighed gently. “But I didn’t know you were suffering.” As a good friend, he tried to keep his nose out of other people’s minds. Michelle didn’t like it when anyone peeked inside without her permission. “My apologies, friend.”

  All Ravin could do was shrug. “It’s fine.” He waved his hand dismissively. “I’m awake now, so I’d rather not focus on it.” He leaned forward, expectantly. “But you’re back! That means you have news, right?” After the nightmare, he didn’t know how well he would take bad news. Anything less than stellar would just be the crappy icing on the dog turd cake.

  A honey-warm smile appeared on Loviel’s face. “Cleoph was very generous. She said if it were up to her alone, Michelle would be able to become an Exalt. She is going to speak with one of the other leaders about the process. It is looking good.”

  Relief flooded through Ravin, “That’s amazing!” He threw his arms around Loviel. “Thank the stars, I can’t believe it…” He sagged against Loviel as the tension left his body. For the first time in weeks, he felt genuine relief. Michelle finally had a chance at survival. Maybe she could even live for centuries.

  “I have to talk to Sin,” Ravin declared, and released the angel. “That way, we can get this out of the way, fast. Then we fix all this nonsense.” It had felt like such a far-off dream, and yet it was so close.

  “I can stay and watch over her.” Loviel bowed his head, “If you wish to go now.”

  Ravin nodded. “Yeah, I’m going to get dressed.” He pulled his shirt off. “She’s upstairs, and is probably going to sleep for the next two centuries, so I don’t think you’re going to need to do much. She was really worn out yesterday.”

  That would be a thing of the past once she wasn’t human anymore. She’d have more energy than she could handle. It would take a while for her to learn how to control it. But, that would be well worth it, given the life she would gain. Even if he couldn’t see her for a while, it wouldn’t have made him any less eager.

  The demon took the stairs two at a time. He found a change of clothes, then gave Loviel one last hug. “Wish me luck.” He beamed at his angelic friend.

  Loviel bowed his head gently and returned the smile. “May fortune light your way.”

  Ravin patted Loviel’s back. “Thanks, man.” With that, he disappeared. When he opened his eyes, he found himself inside Sinsation. The business was bustling, in fact, it was far busier than usual. A large party had taken over a majority of the tables.

  Erik sprinted between tables; his tan skin was flushed. He had a large serving tray in one hand, and the other helped keep it balanced as he darted around. When he spotted Ravin, the human made a beeline directly towards him. “You,” Erik grunted and shoved the tray at him. “Take this. Fill the orders. We’re swamped.”

  For a few slack-jawed moments, Ravin just stood there. “I can’t Erik, I have to talk to Sin,” he insisted.

  “No,” Erik barked, not once breaking his monotone. “She’s out, and I need you.” Before Ravin could offer any further protests, Erik had already left to go help one of the many patrons.

  A sigh escaped Ravin. Of course, that would be fine. This would at least give him something to do while he waited for his boss to return. He scanned Erik’s mind for where he needed to take his current load and got to work. With ease, he delivered drinks and food to those who requested it. After so many years of working as a lackey like Erik, he knew how to handle himself on the floor.

  He hid his annoyance behind a veil of customer service. Though, more than once, he wanted to lash out at the rowdy lot, he kept himself calm. Even when they insisted on grabbin
g his butt as he passed.

  It wasn’t anything too unusual. After all, the place had the word ‘sin’ in the name, and it wasn’t just because of the spectacular proprietress.

  After a few hours, he found an easy way to take a break. Ravin grabbed a loaded bag of garbage. Erik and Viktor wouldn’t miss him for long. With the sack in hand, Ravin made his way out to the back of the bar. The cool, fresh evening air wafted over him. It was only a few steps to the receptacle, which sorted the reusable parts from the trash so that nothing was wasted.

  He took in a deep breath and looked up at the stars. It could only be so long before Sin returned. It wouldn’t have been so bad, if he hadn’t been so excited. Maybe it would make her response all the more sweeter.

  From behind him came a very condescending, holier than thou voice, “A rat in an alley, how fitting.”

  Ravin whipped around. Standing there was a man, dressed in a white military uniform. It wasn’t one that he recognized as any Eartha Forces, though. It had shiny gold buttons that were meticulously polished. At his hip rested a sword in a gilded scabbard. The belt had long coat tails attached to it.

  He didn’t need to work hard to tell that the incredibly rude newcomer was an angel.

  “Can I help you?” Ravin didn’t even bother giving a customer service smile. No one like this would come for a drink at Sinsation. No, there were other places that he could ruin with his stuffed-up attitude.

  Each of the Angel’s steps were graceful as he glided forward. There was nothing but contempt and malice as he glared down into Ravin’s eyes. A smirk pulled across his face as he spoke. “I think you can.”

  It wouldn’t take a genius to know that he was outmatched. There was death in the angel’s red gaze, and Ravin didn’t want to test it. “Well, then, I think you’re going to have to speak with my boss.” He took a step towards the back door. “She’s out at the moment, but you look like a patient guy.” With each word, he took the opportunity to backpedal in a desperate attempt to be out of the angel’s presence.

  Ravin’s back hit the wall before he knew what had happened. The angel put his arm between him and the door; his hand rested neatly on the brickwork. “Running away?” The angel chuckled, laughing at his own private joke.

  “No, I have a business to attend to, sir.” Ravin’s eyes darted around to find an opening to slip through. “Now, if you'll excuse me…” He tensed, ready to spring away. Yet, he found himself unable to teleport. He focused hard on the inside of the bar, away from the psychopath who blocked him in. It hit him like a trainsport. The bastard was using his own energy to disrupt Ravin’s ability to escape by magical means.

  The angel chuckled. Power just oozed off of him. “Ah, ah, not so fast,” he tsked. He was starting to probe more fiercely at Ravin’s mental walls. The attempts were almost too strong to fight off. HIs attacker’s expression flickered from that of a cat with a mouse to anger.

  “You are all that remains of that infestation.” The angel’s eyes started shimmering. A ring of pure energy welled above his head. “Your involvement was not happenstance; ‘she’ cannot defend you any longer.”

  “Look,” Ravin held up his hands. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. What infestation? What involvement? Who is ‘she?’ I think you have me confused with someone else.” His mind raced. What the hell was this crazy angel going on about? He didn’t know what the hell was going on, but he knew that he had to get away.

  “Let him go, Demias.” Sin’s voice echoed down the alley. Her dark energy washed over Ravin’s skin.

  As Ravin glanced over, Zier stepped forward. “We’re not afraid of you. You’re out of your element here,” he sneered. “I’d much rather deliver you back to heaven in pieces. So, please, by all means, give us the opportunity.”

  “Oriel.” Disgust dripped off of Demias’ voice. “It has been a long time… but not long enough.” He removed his hand from the wall, then stood tall with his shoulders back and straightened his uniform like an appearance-obsessed prat. “Worry not.” He glanced back and looked straight into Ravin’s eyes. “We were just having a little chat.”

  Then he was gone in a blink.

  Sin marched her way up to Ravin and grabbed the front of his shirt, and while her anger came at him like a wave, her words had an undercurrent of fear. “Ravin, what the hell did you do?”

  Ravin held his hands up between them. “I didn’t do anything!” he defended. “All I did was take out the trash. I didn’t know that was a capital offence.” He flinched back from his boss with a grimace on his face.

  “The Leader of Heaven’s Sword doesn’t just pop in to say hello.” She took in a long breath and regained some composure. After a moment, she released Ravin, eying him warily. “You’re not scheduled tonight.”

  After a few moments of processing, he stuttered, “Uh, no, I’m not.” Ravin shuffled a few steps away, in case she decided to change her attitude again. “I came in to talk to you, and decided to stay and help out. Then that guy just showed up. Was that seriously one of the big guys up there?” A shiver rolled down his spine.

  “Yes, it was.” Zier spat on the ground. “He’s always been that pleasant, that much hasn’t changed. He’s an ass. Always has been, always will be.”

  “But why was he here, and why did he call you that?” Ravin demanded.

  Zier shook his head. “I don’t know why he showed his face here.” He ran a hand through his dark, shaggy hair. “He called me that because he’s a petty douche. We’ve been over this already.” A grimace passed over his face. “It’s in your best interest if you never repeat it.”

  “Alright, alright.” Ravin had enough of being defensive. “I won’t.”

  Sin opened the back door and glanced at the two males. “Let’s go inside. We’ll talk more in my office.”

  Ravin didn’t need to be told twice. He darted straight into Sin’s office. It was the only place he knew would definitely be safe for absolutely certain. Surely Demias wouldn’t come after him in there.

  After a moment, Sin joined him and closed the door, fastened the deadbolt, then flipped on a switch that activated wards. On the tips of her toes, she wandered from one side of the office to the other, then took her seat behind her mahogany desk.

  “Sit, stay awhile.” She gestured to the empty chair. “You wanted to talk?”

  Ravin sank down into the seat and put his head in his hands. “Yeah. Oh.” It all came back to him in a wave. “I needed to ask you about creating a Fellion.”

  “Now Ravin,” Sin purred and her tail flicked with interest “Aren’t you a little young to be having kids?”

  “It’s one of the ways we can save Michelle,” he insisted. “And you’re the only demon powerful enough who would know how to do it.”

  Sin was quiet for a few moments, then a smile pulled across her face. “Out of the box thinking. Point one for Ravin.” She leaned against the desk and twined her fingers together. “I can do it. It is no problem.” She held up a finger before he had a chance to celebrate. “This is not something to take lightly, Ravin. You don’t remember your time as a Fellion, so I feel as if I should warn you.”

  Ravin pursed his lips. “Alright. Well, warn me.” He crossed his arms. “I’m more than willing to listen. I have to do something to help her.” If it turned out poorly, he would have to tell Loviel that it seemed his option was the better one.

  “Michelle is a good soul,” Sin commented and leaned slowly back in her chair. As she did, the old thing let out a tired groan. “She can be wild, strong headed, and delightfully sassy, but the bottom line remains that she is a good soul. I worry how the process will affect her mentally.”

  “I mean, if you wanted to attack my character, you could,” Ravin gave a dismissive shrug. “How do you know she won’t turn out more like me and less like the crazies of our kind? Other than the fact that we’re different kinds of demons.” There were three sects of demons, the chaotic kind like himself, the sinful kind like Sin, and t
he religious Arbiters.

  Sin shook her head. “That’s not what I’m saying, Ravin. In the Fellion state, she will be a creature—bound by her emotion and overwhelmed by an instinctual desire to do sin. She will cause acts of wrath, lust, you name it. Then when she wakes up from the haze, she will remember who she is and what she has done is wrong. What will you say to her when the sin inside drives her to her first kill? How will you chase away the nightmares that will live with her for all eternity?”

  The demoness let out a long breath. She needed to choose her words carefully so he could best understand her words of caution. “I am not saying don’t do it. The death she will face now is a terrible fate, but the path of a Fellion won’t be a cakewalk either.”

  Ravin let out a breath. “Oh…” He could almost see her standing there, covered in blood, a dead body sprawled at her feet, her eyes were wide with horror. The knowledge of what she’d done would slowly eat away at her, even eons later. “I… I’ll ask her but…” he cut himself short. How could he do that to her? No, he would do her best to encourage her to chose Angels. “I’m not going to refuse her the option. It’s her choice.”

  In a pop of energy, Sin was sitting on the front edge of the desk. She leaned forward and put her hand on his shoulder. “It is a worst case scenario, but one you must be aware of. And if she does choose to be one of us, we’ll prepare ourselves.”

  “Thank you for being so honest with me, Sin.” He rubbed his hands together. “It means a lot. I won’t be able to tell her for a while but…”

  “Run along,” Sin shooed him. “You still work tomorrow, so you’d better get some rest.” She winked. “Plus, you're holding up the line. I’m a very popular woman.”

  Ravin shook his head. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, he used his powers to teleport back to Michelle’s house. He shuffled back into the bedroom and stripped down to his boxers. He waved to Loviel, who was seated on the other side of Michelle, then he cuddled into the pillows. The difficult things would come when he woke up. For now, he would rest. Maybe it would make things easier.