“Um… yes?” I looked at her confused. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” she got to her feet and wiped her hands on her trousers. “I’ve been keeping myself busy.” She gestured around the room where a dozen half-finished sculptures sat. “Trying out new techniques.” She smiled. “It’s been kind of nice. The dwarves mostly leave me alone to work.”
“Wait, you’re happy?” I asked, suddenly confused.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” She waved off my comment. “Oh, because you left me here for a few days?” When I nodded, she continued. “It’s sweet of you to think of me, but I know you’re busy. Truth be told, I was kind of peopled out.” She frowned. “I’ve always been a wandering sculptor. The whole staying in a town for so long had made me reach my limit. I was getting up in the morning and strengthening myself to deal with all the people. It was exhausting.”
“I didn’t realize.” I suddenly felt bad for coming to get her which was crazy because only a few moments earlier I’d felt terrible for feeling the exact opposite.
“I never told you, so how could you?” She winked at me. “You’re cute, but perceptive, you’re not.” She sauntered over to me, picking up a satchel of tools along the way. “Besides, it takes two for a conversation.” She smiled at me. “Ready when you are.”
“I’ll be honest, this isn’t going like I expected. I mean, I’m glad you’re not mad, but still.” I sighed. “Anyway, yeah, I did come to get you. Buffy is waiting.”
“You can’t teleport anymore?” Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “I can’t believe you gave up that ability.”
“Dred caved in my chest and stealing his healing ability was the only way I could survive.” I shrugged.
“Dred came?” Annabeth’s eyes went wide. “Is everyone okay?”
“No.” I shook my head. “That’s why I came to get you. Dred shattered Heaven, and we need to go fix it.” I thought about telling her about Gabriella’s capture, but I didn’t want to make her more upset.
“Oh.” She frowned. “I’m not really good at the whole town building thing. I’m just a sculptor.”
“You’re not ‘just’ anything.” I patted her shoulder. “You’re the Sculptor Queen!”
“That’s what the dwarves say too, and it seems so pompous.” She blushed. “I’m not even that good.”
“Are we really having this conversation? You won the sculpting tournament.” I shook my head. “Take some damned praise.”
“Fine,” she grumbled, but I didn’t get the impression she actually agreed. “So why do you want me in Heaven? To make sculptures?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “Your sculptures give stats and buffs and all that goodness. We’ll need that to help repel the Darkness. You up for the challenge?”
“I suppose, but I’ll need good material for that.” She looked around. “The better the material, the better the sculpture.”
“Buffy is working on that.” I shrugged.
“So you turned Buffy loose on the angels?” Annabeth said as we made our way out. “I almost feel sorry for them.”
“Me too,” I replied as the dwarf who had shown me the way looked over at us.
“Did he apologize?” the dwarf asked, looking over at Annabeth. “Because if he didn’t, well…”
“He did. It was very sweet.” Annabeth nodded. “Thank you for asking.” She frowned slightly. “I didn’t quite finish the sculpture, but I will when I finish up in Heaven okay?” She paused for a second. “And don’t go peeking.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” The dwarf totally lied.
“Mmm hmm,” Annabeth said, sighing. “You’ll be disappointed if you do. It’s barely halfway finished.” She shrugged. “And if you do peek, I’ll know, and I won’t come back. How would you like to be responsible for that?”
The dwarf looked like someone had stolen her lunch money. “I would not like that at all.”
“Well then, seems we have a decision, don’t we?” She gestured down the hallways as she smiled. “Can you show us the way out?”
“I’d be honored, Sculptor Queen.” The dwarf threw another glare at me, but it was different this time. She was mad I was taking the sculptor home, which was a bit odd because she’d originally been mad because I hadn’t done that. Dwarves.
It didn’t feel like it took nearly as long to make our way out, and as we stepped through the doorway and Annabeth made her goodbyes to all the dwarves who had followed us out, I spied buffy. The goblin as waiting by the courtyard exit, either staring at one of her many watches or tapping her foot.
“Finally!” Buffy said, nodding at us. “It’s been a dog’s age. Do you know how much money I’ve lost waiting? No, of course, you don’t. Just know it’s a lot.”
“Sorry.” I shrugged. “But if you think about it differently—”
“I still lost money.” Buffy paused a blink. “Man, I sound like a cardboard cutout villain.” She scratched her head. “I do care about things other than money.”
“Of course you do, Buff,” I said, as Annabeth came over and the two of us followed the goblin toward the Nexus Gateway.
“I do!” Buffy stamped her foot.
“You do what?” Annabeth asked as Buffy switched on the portal. I was surprised it worked because normally they needed to recharge for an hour, but then again, the trip had taken a while. It’d probably been an hour or more. No wonder Buffy was peeved.
“Care about more than money.”
Annabeth laughed, and not just laughed, but thigh slapping, tears rolling down her cheeks, laughed.
“I do!” Buffy growled.
“Oh, you’re serious?” Annabeth said, between gulps of air. “Sorry.”
“It’s not funny,” Buffy snapped. “If you cut me, do I not bleed?”
“I dunno, what’s it called when gold coins flow out of your veins?” Annabeth looked over at me. “Is that bleeding?”
“I do not find this humorous in the least.” The goblin’s gaze swiveled to me. “In the least.”
“I don’t know what to tell you,” I said, shrugging, and then before she could argue with me about it, I leapt through the portal. It was just as painful as before, but when I emerged on the other side, I was glad. I didn’t really like the dwarves and having miles and miles between myself and them was pleasing.
As my compatriots emerged behind me, I stared up at the rift merging Heaven and Hell. In just a little bit I’d be back in Heaven, and while the weather was nice, I wasn’t quite sure I was up to the task. I was also, sort of dreading seeing Michelle after our whole, um, thing.
“Well, my work is done now.” Buffy met my eyes. “I’ll have the order ready tomorrow. Assuming she remembers, Michelle is supposed to send some angels to get it.” Buffy pointed to the loading bay a few meters away. “It’ll be there. Don’t forget to get it or there will be a late fee.”
“That’s paid in money?” Annabeth joked, and as Buffy turned to look at the sculptor, a wry grin split her lips.
“Usually, but I accept many things.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Ass, grass, or cash.”
“Well, that’s just swell,” I muttered, shaking my head.
“Hey, I’m equal opportunity.” Buffy shrugged.
“I’m not even slightly surprised to hear that,” I said, already trying to put the idea out of my mind. Even still, it was hard to not picture Buffy as Jabba the Hutt, covered in slaves while smoking from a pipe and wearing gold chains.
“Anyway, I’ll be taking my leave. Money to make and all that.” She paused a touch. “Not that money is all I’m about.” Then before anyone could say anything, she scampered off toward the loading dock where a group of angels were arranging boxes.
“I feel like we hit a nerve with her,” Annabeth said, looking over at me. “I didn’t mean to upset her.”
“It’s fine.” I waved a hand dismissively at her. “Some people are hyper-competitive, and money is a way of keeping score.”
“I suppose,” Annabeth said as she followed
me toward the town. “So who else is coming to Heaven?”
“You, Maribelle, and Sally.” I glanced at her. “Why?”
“I just wondered if Sam was coming. You know, because of that whole fallen angel thing.”
“Yeah, Michelle wouldn’t allow that.” When Annabeth gave me a blank look, I explained further. “Michelle is the leader of Heaven. It’s really different from here. You’ll see.”
“I suppose I will,” Annabeth mused before lapsing into silence for the rest of our trip. That was fine though because I had to round up Maribelle and Sally before heading off to find Michelle.
It was a bit weird because I could tell Sally was still annoyed at me, but she was doing a good job of not letting it show.
Even still, I would have almost rather talked to her about her feelings than face Michelle. Only as I found the archangel, she was fast asleep. She was curled up into a tiny ball, head on Lucifer’s lap. The older archangel was staring down at her, absently brushing her hair.
“Is it time for you to go?” Lucifer asked, and she seemed strangely saddened by the idea. “I suppose so.” She gently shook Michelle. “Wake up, sweetie. It’s time to go home.”
“Just a few more minutes,” Michelle murmured, batting her hand at Lucifer.
“Sorry. This is all the time we have.” Lucifer swallowed and looked at the sky. “Sorry.”
“You said it twice,” Michelle mumbled, stretching before rubbing her eyes. Then she looked around, and I could tell she was still drunk. It was a bit weird because I’d expected her to be sober, but then again, it’d only been an hour or two tops. Maybe she’d drank more than I’d thought?
“I meant it twice,” Lucifer said, brushing Michelle’s hair out of her face. “I am sorry.”
“Okay.” Michelle nodded before wrapping her arms around Lucifer and hugging her tightly, causing Lucifer to stiffen, obviously uncomfortable. “I believe you’re sorry.” Michelle turned to look at me. “Are these the crafters?” Her gaze swept over my trio.
“Yes.” I turned toward them like I was Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune. “This is Annabeth, she’s a sculptor. Sally who is a healer, and Maribelle. She’s the carpenter.”
“We do love carpenters in Heaven.” Michelle gave me a small smile. “And we can definitely use the healer, but why the sculptor?”
“See, I told you this was a bad idea—”
“Annabeth,” I said, cutting her off. “Can make sculptures that enhance the abilities of those around them. Putting a few of those inside heaven will vastly strengthen the entire place.” I looked over at Michelle. “Isn’t that what you want?”
“You know what I want.” She met my eyes.
“Did I miss something?” Annabeth asked, glancing from Michelle to the other girls who just shrugged.
“I think we all missed it,” Sally replied.
“What’s there to miss? I think it’s pretty obvious the angel wants a trip to pound town.” Maribelle sighed. “And I somehow doubt she’ll be the only one.”
13
As we landed in Heaven, and the sight of broken buildings and injured filled our vision, the girls I’d brought let out a collective gasp.
“Oh my god,” Sally said right before clamping her hands over her mouth and looking sheepish. “Wait, is He here?”
“No.” Michelle shook her head. “God is not here. Not any longer anyway.” She sighed. “Your reaction makes me feel as though I have been a poor steward for Heaven.”
“It’s pretty bad,” Annabeth said, glancing at her.
“Pretty bad?” Maribelle cried, moving forward and pointing at a half-burned building. “Do you see this joint? It’s terrible! I could build something better with my ass.”
“I don’t think that’s what she meant—”
Maribelle cut me off as she pulled a board off the frame. “And this shoddy nail work?” She shook her head. “This is an absolute nightmare.” She dropped the board and put her fists on her hips. “Who the hell built this? I need to tear them a new asshole.”
“You won’t be able to do that,” Michelle said, gaze moving to the horizon as her hand swept out toward the injured, dead, and dying. “Unless you find them in there somewhere.”
“Right.” Maribelle almost looked repentant for a second. Then she rolled up her flannel sleeves. “Guess I’ve got my work cut out for me.” She pulled the hammer from its sling on her belt. “Send me your huddled fuckin’ masses. Cause shit is about to get built.”
“Did you expect that?” Sally asked, glancing at Annabeth. “Because I for one, didn’t.”
“Not really, but I guess I don’t know her that well,” Annabeth replied, shrugging. “Anyway, do you need my help or can I get to sculpting?” She rubbed her chin. “I think some healing sculptures would be helpful.”
“Yeah, you do your thing, I’ll do mine.” Sally’s face fell as she looked around. “Are there any injured healers I could start with?”
“Or carpenters?” Maribelle called right before she kicked in a stud that caused the entire structure to collapse in upon itself. “Fuckin’ pathetic.”
“Or carpenters?” Sally asked, glancing at Michelle who already seemed bored.
When the archangel caught sight of Sally looking at her, she gave a tiny shrug. “I have no way of knowing. You’d have to ask Uriel. She deals with non-combat staff.” Michelle looked to me then to the three I’d brought. “I’ll go get her.”
As the archangel hurried off, I heard Maribelle yowl. “Why isn’t this working?”
“Eh?” I asked, moving over as Sally hurried over to the closest injured angel.
“Something is wrong, Arthur.” Maribelle pointed to a beam she’d been pulling nails out of. Only the holes in the wood were torn instead of seamless like normal. “That shouldn’t happen. At first, I thought it was an accident, maybe altitude sickness or something. Then I tried a couple more times. Something is wrong.”
“Arthur!” Sally called, and as I turned back to her, I saw she was already sweating, and the angel in front of her looked no better. “Something is interfering with the magic.”
“Fuck,” I mumbled, trying to think quickly. “Maybe you need electrolytes? That helps with altitude sickness, or you know, go down a thousand feet?”
“We’re in heaven,” Annabeth said, meeting my eyes. She had a small chunk of wood in her hand, and I could see even from the cursory marks it wasn’t as good as normal. “Not on a mountain. We’re like a billion miles above sea level.”
I shut my eyes for a second thinking, and as I did, a horrible thought struck me. When I was in Heaven, despite the perfect weather, it always felt draining, like the place was actively fighting my power. I’d assumed it’d go away, but what if it was an intrinsic part of the place?
After all, both Gabriella and Sam had complained that hell sapped their powers. Maybe it was the same here, only in reverse?
I opened my eyes and quickly looked over my three girls, and as I did, my heart sank.
Debuff – Unwelcome: The user is currently in an enemy faction. All skills, abilities, and stats will temporarily be reduced by 25%. This debuff will be removed when the user leaves enemy territory, or the user’s faction reputation increases.
“Well, that blows,” I muttered, glaring at the message like I could somehow change it. “We’re afflicted by a debuff that reduces everything by twenty-five percent. No wonder we all suck.”
“Speak for yourself,” Maribelle said with a snort. “Me at seventy-five percent is still world’s better than whoever built this garbage.” She glared at the boards in front of her.
“I guess I know what I’m doing,” Annabeth said, nodding to me.
“Creating sculptures to combat the debuff?” I asked.
“Creating sculptures to combat the debuff,” she affirmed. “I have no idea how to do that exactly, but I’ll try.” She thought for a second. “Can you read me the exact wording of the message?”
I nodded and did as she said, o
nly as I finished an explosion filled my ears. I spun on my heel, turning toward it in time to see black smoke rising from just beyond the western gate only a few hundred meters away. Worse, I could see what looked like an enormous dragon made of pure Darkness flying toward us. Only, I’d never seen anything like it.
As I stood there in shock, a claxon sounded, and while I was sure that was to spur the heavenly host into action, with all the wounded, I had no way of knowing what kind of force they could bring to bear. Worse, I was pretty sure they wouldn’t make it here before the dragon attacked.
“Holy fuck,” I mumbled, and before I realized what I was doing, I was racing toward the gate. I could see lizard men, beholders, and even ravagers moving from the Darkness strewn horizon in numbers I’d never seen, and as I hopped over the gilded gates, I remembered what the lich had said.
When we’d fought, he said the Darkness could only bring forth a force approximate in strength to that of Hell. Maybe it was the same for Heaven, and if that was true, maybe Heaven was stronger than I realized?
Only, I didn’t have time to think about it. As my feet hit the ground and I drew Caliburn from its scabbard, I found myself confronted by an entire legion of lizard men. Only there were more kinds than before. Axe men, sickle users, archers. Hell, there was even a bunch with halberds. It was a bit crazy, but I didn’t care because I was too busy attacking.
As nunchucks whipped out at me, I sidestepped, slashing outward at the lizard man and cutting it in half. As it fell to the ground in bloody chunks, I whirled on the ball of my foot and drove my elbow into the face of another, shattering its skull into a fine gray mist. My sword whipped out again, hobbling another right before its friend threw a spear at me.
I caught the weapon and smashed it into another lizard man, shattering it like a homerun swing. My sword blazed as I called upon my power and unleashed a sapphire blast that blew a two-man wide hole in the lizards.
As crumpled bodies hit the ground in front of me, a dragon swooped down at me. I’ll be honest, fear filled me because the thing was supermassive. Like a goddamned flying building filled with fangs, claws, and flaming breath.
The Builder's Wrath (The Legendary Builder Book 4) Page 8
