Syndrome of Mortality

by Eden R. Souther

  Zier gestured for the two to follow him. The path to the villa was short, and they entered the clearing in just a few moments. The four-story structure loomed over them, dwarfed by the ring of trees that surrounded it.

  “Now Zier, I thought you were going to make us wait forever,” Sin complained and looked over at her company. Jo held onto the small box, glass vial, and the moon-fire pearl. She looked proud of herself. Next to Jo stood Marius and Kazun; their arms were filled to the brim with large shopping bags full of this and that.

  “Hey, he brought Ravin and Loviel with him,” Jo observed, smiling, “and they aren’t killing each other.” Zier had retrieved her to assist Lian with the preparations. She’d been more than eager to lend a hand, given the circumstances.

  Sin purred, “Well color me impressed. He really is a magic man.”

  “You really shouldn’t question my powers,” Zier proclaimed. “When I set my mind to something, I get it done.” The Fallen Angel put his arms around Loviel and Ravin. He didn’t know if the two were starting to piece it together yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time. His eyes landed on Kazun. The boy should have been ecstatic. Instead he was pale and looked terrified. “Is something wrong?”

  In barely audible voice he said one word. “Pompeii.”

  Zier hit his forehead with his palm, then shot Sin an accusatory look. “You told them about that?” A groan escaped his lips.

  “They thought you made the Grand Canyon.” Sin shrugged and flicked her tail. “I had to set the record straight.” Her eyes landed on Loviel and she crooked her brow. “You really trust him to be your Bard?”

  Loviel tilted his head. “Bard? What is going on, why is everyone here?”

  The Fallen Angel sighed at Sin. “We’re going to need some song work, among other things,” he informed Loviel. “It wasn’t part of the original spell, but I think it’ll make things go more smoothly. We are going to free Fenriel, and she will turn Michelle.”

  Ravin looked over at Loviel. “It’s… not the worst option she could have.”

  “No,” Loviel breathed, “it is brilliant. Do you not see, Ravin?” The spark of hope returned in his heart and he felt it beat fiercely within his chest. “As an Angel, she would have to conform to the rules and regulations that we have set for generations upon generations. It would stifle her spirit.” Loviel held up a hand to prevent Ravin from interrupting. “But, as a demon, she would have to fight her base nature.”

  From the many songs he had heard, the Dark Angels were vastly creative beings who lived the Philosophy of Freedom. They didn’t live lives as structured as the Light Angels, but from what he could tell, they were very, very powerful. Their difference in temperament plus their immense ability had caused the Angels of Light to be wary of them. At least that was what the ballads had said.

  “Michelle will live, but she will thrive.” Amazement fluttered like birds in his heart.

  Sin flicked her tail and interjected, “You know since he knows. It’s only a matter of time before Captain Red-Eyes of the Sword gets here, right? Isn’t that sort of, I don’t know, dangerous?”

  “This place is safe,” Zier explained. “His thoughts can’t be reached here. Not even his leader would be able to, and she has a direct connection to Loviel. That’s why I selected this, out of all of the places we could have used.”

  In a fluid motion, Sin cracked her knuckles and rolled her neck. A sharp grin appeared on her face. “So we have the ingredients: the spell, and the linked girl. What’s next, big guy?”

  “Next.” Zier gave his audience a triumphant look. “We begin.”

  Chapter 31

  That night, a vivid sunset painted the sky whimsical shades. Pinks and purples danced together, illuminating the warm summer air. White clouds drifted by lazily. Lian sat beside Kazun on a stone-worked bench, watching the day as it slowly sank into night.

  When the moon appeared, it would be time to start the spell. The time was drawing near. When they released Fenriel, she would be free. She would go to Michelle and turn her into a Dark Exalt. Goosebumps trailed up Lian’s arm at the thought.

  Despite the warmth of the summer evening, she was chilled.

  That, on the other hand, could have been attributed to the fact she was only wearing a tiny black bikini and a loose sarong. A deep blush more lively than the sunset kissed her cheeks.

  Anxious excitement bubbled like orange soda in her belly. Despite the many times she had been over had been over how the spell would come to pass, she couldn’t shake fear’s frigid hold on her heart. Not even a year ago, she and Kazun were chained to a icy tablet. For both of them, life would have been over. Kaz would have been without a soul, and Lian a prisoner in her own body.

  It hadn’t even been a year ago that the demon, Ira, tried to release Fenriel.

  That spell had been far different. It had required sacrifice. Ira had been cold-hearted, and his soul had been crueler than a moonless night. The psychological damage he had caused to them was still something Lian dealt with on a daily basis.

  Every day, she was thankful for the friends and family who had helped her find light after all that darkness. If not for Zier, she would have remained in her terrified shell, but having such a powerful ally had given her great comfort. No one would ever hurt her on his watch. Kazun had been there for her, too. When she had returned to Seneal, he’d kept her company on the days she couldn’t force herself to leave the dorm.

  Then, there was Michelle. Lian’s heart constricted. Michelle had always been there, always fighting. It was because of her sister that Lian had found her passion in medicine. Without Michelle, she never would have been brave enough to go to Seneal.

  Now, everyone had gathered to play their part in the spell to bring Fenriel back. That same action would save Michelle. Lian leaned on Kaz and closed her eyes. She just prayed it was all going to go according to plan.

  Kazun put his arm around Lian. “I believe in you,” he murmured as he kissed her head. “I’m so proud of you for being so brave.” The young man was anxious, but he knew that it couldn’t compare to Lian’s anxiety. She was going to have to do it. He was relegated to observing.

  After a few moments, Zier approached the two. “We are going to begin,” he informed them in a calm tone. “Are you ready, Lian?” It would be taxing on her, but that was to be expected. Yet, things would be so much better than before. Instead of just one protector, Lian would have two. And with Fenriel, it would be so much easier. In fact, she wouldn’t need to call out or ever use his name again. Fenriel would just know.

  “I’m ready.” Lian gave Kaz one last hug before standing up and brushing smooth the silky sarong.

  Zier held out his hand to Lian, and led her to the center of the room, just in front of the fire pit. Carefully, he helped her remove the sarong so a good portion of her skin was bare. He fetched a thin brush with pure black bristles. With deft hands he popped the cork from the vial. At length, he dipped the paintbrush into the liquid, then began to paint patterns onto Lian’s skin. “This is what’s known as God’s Tears. It comes from a fountain in Heaven that only the leaders of the sects can enter. It’s said that the fountain is full of ‘God’s Tears.’” His voice was little more than a whisper. “It’s said that a single drop has more power than a hundred angels.”

  Lian did her very best to stifle a soft giggle. The feather-soft brush against her exposed skin was tickling. One tiny burst of laughter escaped and she gave Zier an apologetic look for moving. More than anything, she didn’t want to mess this up. With ingredients like ‘Gods Tears’, she knew the spell was going to be a kicker.

  “It’s okay,” Zier murmured, “I understand.” A grin came to his face. “I should have warned you that it was going to tickle.” The Fallen Angel continued until he had finished the contents of the vial with a large dot painted on the center of her forehead. He gave a nod.

  A smile appeared on her face, reflecting her trust. He was such a kind and gentle spirit. Well
, at least to her, he was. Lian examined her belly where a good number of the markings were set. As they touched the air, they began to glitter silver. There was a lingering tingle as the energy bubbled.

  “You must be getting really excited.” She looked over at the table which held all the prepared ingredients. The marking on her back fizzled like static. “I know she is.”

  Zier nodded. “I am.” His eyes twinkled behind his contacts. “Now, I’m going to ask you to hold onto this.” As he finished speaking, he handed over the small box. “This is the most important part of the whole spell, other than you.”

  Lian was extra careful as she held onto the intricate wooden box. “What is it?” She focused on making sure nothing happened to the most important item she’d probably ever held in her life.

  “This is Heaven’s Heart.” There was sadness in his eyes as he looked at it. “It is the essence that all angels hold, it is a part of their soul. When an angel falls, it is ripped away. However, it can be harnessed with the right spell. This is what makes an angel an angel.”

  “Woah,” she breathed, and looked down at the little receptacle. “Does the spell damage it?”

  “Nothing can damage it,” Zier explained. “It can be joined with its original host, and only if they are repentant. Otherwise, it will remain unchanged for the rest of time. That is why it makes a wonderful spell component. We can use that energy to trick the cage to think that there is an Angel of Light trying to open it. Not only that, but she can absorb the energy, and it will replenish itself.”

  Lian held the box closely and carefully. She was glad that it wasn’t making it unusable for the original owner. Whoever it belonged to, she thanked silently. They had no idea how much help they were being.

  “I’m really glad I don't have to lay on that rock,” Lian commented as she watched Zier return to the ingredient table. “The fire feels really good.” Lian hated being cold. The temperature was just right, even with her dressed in virtually nothing.

  If she hadn’t trusted Zier as much as she did, that in itself would have been torture, but he was her guardian. She knew he wouldn’t try to take advantage of her.

  In one hand, Zier held the final ingredient. The pearl sparkled as he approached her. “This is the last item, a Moon-Fire pearl. It came from the Night Temples; the pearls are made of pure starlight.” He held it out and touched it to the center of her forehead, where he’d painted the large patch of God’s Tear.

  Loviel, who had been sitting quietly out of the way, saw his cue. He levitated an old piece of paper with lyrics on it. It was in a language he had never spoken, but the music flowed through him. His voice carried the night-song through room. Masterfully, he played a small harp to accompany his words.

  At once, the spell responded. The surface of the markings twinkled like the stars above. Lian’s head tilted back. As Zier released the pearl, it rose into the air and floated a foot above the girl, still above the point on her forehead. Magic swelled around them as Lian began to float off of the floor. Within seconds, she was in the air, suspended by the power of the spell.

  Sin approached, her dark eyes filled to the brim with pride. “The moon is responding to the spell. In a few moments, we should be able to charge it to full power, then Fenriel will be able to break through her chains once and for all.”

  When the time was right, Sin held out her hands and her eyes started burning like fire. From her fingertips, she released pure silver energy. The spell took a great deal of power. When the chains were set eons ago—each of the sect leaders had placed locks of their own design. One by one, the spell would have to break through each.

  The first lock was the easiest. It broke with barely a fight. As the seal snapped, the pearl started to shimmer. It looked as if it were the moon.

  Using her excess power, Sin tackled the second seal. It, by comparison, was more difficult. It was like trying to break through a castle wall with a dagger. This did not stop the demoness. Instead, she only gave more and more, searching for a point of weakness. Like any citadel, she found its crack.

  Worming her way in, Sin destroyed the second barrier from the inside. Now, her energy worked to hold the seals from returning. Sweat dappled her forehead. “Zier,” she breathed. “You have to break Demias’. I don't have the strength for all three at once.”

  Zier stepped beside Sin and focused his energy on the third seal. He knew the Leader of the Sword’s energy far too well. It was more than satisfying to find the chink in the armor and drive his energy into it. There was an all-too-satisfying snap as the third barrier dissipated into little more than dust.

  Just a few moments later, the pearl exploded, covering Lian with stardust. Every inch of the skin that had been painted now glittered. The glitter stuck to the still damp patches and made each mark look as though it had been made from the stars itself. Then, they began to glow like the moon overhead.

  “She’s coming,” Zier breathed with wide eyes. Excited energy radiated off of him.

  Spectral light filled the air; it was as if a galaxy had been brought to life. A ribbon of moonlight wrapped itself around Lian, causing her skin to illuminate. Lightning split the air and struck Lian’s body. A moment later, a roar of thunder shook the ground itself.

  A pair of wings made from pure white glowing energy released themselves from Lian’s form. Then, two glowing arms separated from Lian and started to pull a second shape from the small girl’s body.

  Energy like a hurricane howled. It tore into the wall and through the ground. If not for Ravin holding onto them, Jo, Kaz, and Marius would have been thrown around by the torrent.

  All at once, there was a beam of light as the full moon reached its highest peak.

  The energy figure that had pulled itself away from Lian looked up. A flash of light made the night go completely white.

  When the light faded, a beautiful woman stood, crowned with dark cascading curls. Her eyes were silver like the moon above, yet the pupils were filled with galaxies. Her dark midnight wings were speckled in silver; her face was spattered with freckles. She had a round motherly shape, and in her arms was the small and frail-appearing Lian.

  Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Zier.

  “Fenriel.” Zier took a step forward. Tears spilled down his face. “You’re here! You’re actually here.” It took all of his focus to keep himself from throwing himself at her and crushing her against his chest in a powerful hug.

  “It has been far too long, my dear.” Her voice was beauty in itself; there was no comparison. Her warm tone was enough to comfort even the most frightened child. She placed a kiss on the forehead of her partner. The sweet girl had used every ounce of strength for this to be a possibility. It was, however, not a victory they could revel in for long. “They are coming.”

  Zier was on edge at once. “They shouldn’t be able to find us here.” The Fallen Angel looked around at his protective barrier. No. He felt it. There was a massive crack in the mystical field. Energy was hemorrhaging out into the atmosphere.

  It was a wonder they hadn’t come sooner. Even a human would be able to feel the sheer amount of power pouring into the world.

  “Sin, will you be able to fight?” the Fallen Angel asked in a tense tone.

  “Oh I would love to kick some Angel ass. No offence, Lovie.” Sin smirked, looking a little bit too gleeful at the opportunity. She took a small vial out of her pocket and downed the contents. Immediately, she felt ready to fight.

  Loviel stood and put his hand on Zier’s shoulder. “I will fight for you as well. I cannot do much, but I will give all I can.”

  Jo walked up to Fenriel and offered to take Lian. “I can’t do much in an Angel fight, but I will look after her for you, and so will they.” She gestured to Kaz and Marius. There was silence for a long moment before Fenriel handed over the girl’s limp body.

  “Come on guys, let's get somewhere safe.” Jo started to haul away her friend.

  “Luckily, there is panic ab
ove,” Fenriel announced and stretched out her wings, watching as Jo and the boys headed towards the basement. “We don’t have much time, but we do have enough to center ourselves.” She looked across the faces once more, searching until she saw Ravin. “You.”

  Ravin pointed at himself. “Me?” he asked, confused. There was something intense in her gaze, almost like recognition. At the same time, he felt her probing his mind. It was far more gentle than Zier had ever been, but she was combing every single inch. “You could just ask if you have a question.” He cringed and shuddered at the sensation.

  “I need you to retrieve the girl, Mi-chelle.” She ignored his protest. “If Demias is on his way, he could wreak havoc upon the hospital. Bring her to me and I shall make her an Exalt of Night. When the air is peaceful, we must speak.”

  “I’ll do that right now.” Ravin gave her one last look before he disappeared. There was no time to waste.

  Fenriel shuddered and looked towards the sky. Her silver moonlit gaze intensified. Clouds were gathering around in thick sheets. She lifted her hand and as she did, she caught an arrow effortlessly within her grasp. Clenching her fist, she easily snapped the bolt in half. “They are here.”

  Chapter 32

  Ravin was still more than a little unnerved by how Fenriel had looked at him. It was unsettling and confusing. Why had she recognized him? He certainly had never met her… since he lost his memory. It was possible that they had some kind of history, but he didn’t feel that old. She’d been locked away for more years than anyone could count. He’d feel that, right?

  He could have sworn that she was going to say something before she’d remembered about Michelle. Michelle was the one thing that mattered. Well, that and fighting back the angels that were breathing down their necks.

  “Alright, Ravin,” he began his pep talk. “You’re going to kidnap your girlfriend from the hospital, and take her into a war zone.” The demon ran a hand through his hair and tugged at the ends of the tresses. “No, you’re going to take your dying girlfriend into a place where there will be a bunch of angels who want to kill her.” Anxiously, he bounced on the balls of his feet. How was he supposed to get that done?