by JK Ensley
“I said… that’s enough!”
When Lala burst into tears, Tenshi lunged for the Guardian Angel of Jinn… just as Yui walked into the room.
*****
“Lala was indeed here when I left this morning,” Yui said as he poured the tea. “Were that not the case, I would never have gone. As for how she ended up back in her room, I have no idea.”
When everyone glanced toward the troubled Princess, she only shook her head.
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I can’t remember what happened after Uncle Yui left. I slept… that’s all I know.”
Duhrias squeezed her hand. “Did you not rest well, my love? Have the dreams worsened?”
“Dreams?” Munenori furrowed his brow. “What dreams?”
Lala shrugged her shoulders. “Just dreams… that’s all.”
“Troubling dreams?”
She didn’t answer the mossy lavender Angel.
Munenori sat his teacup down and sighed. “Lala, forget not that you are a magically gifted Shinobi. If you are having disconcerting dreams concerning your Obaasan, then perhaps—”
“They aren’t concerning Obaasan,” she snapped.
“They’re just dreams, huh?” Munenori raised a single brow. “Well, if you can remember who you did not dream about, then perhaps you can remember who it was you did dream about. Mind sharing that with us, child?”
Lala glanced away before grumbling, “I don’t dream about anyone. I just have restless, dark… feelings.”
“Although it may seem she has been doing little more than sleeping lately,” Duhrias said, gently stroking her raven hair. “In truth, Lala has not been resting.”
“When I wake… I am weary. Like, I have been on a long journey.”
“Have you?” Munenori asked. “Been on a long journey, that is. Do you recall seeing strange places in your dreams?”
She shook her head. “I recall nothing. There is only darkness… and weariness.”
“She does not leave the room,” Duhrias said. “I am ever with her.”
“Is that so?” Munenori mused.
Duhrias gritted his teeth. “Yes, Angel. It is.”
“But today…” Munenori kept his gaze fixed on Lala. “…today was different, yes?”
She looked up at his question. “Well, yes. Today… I actually slept. I mean… I didn’t have the same ominous feeling when I woke. I don’t remember going back to my room, no.” She glanced toward Tenshi. “But, when Papa woke me… I felt rested, refreshed. That is, until the reality of the situation sent an epic burst of fear rushing through me.”
“So…” Munenori narrowed his gaze. “This is the first time since Naga was put to sleep that you actually woke rested. Is that what you’re saying, Princess?”
“No,” Duhrias said. “Lala was having this problem long before any of this happened with Empress Naga.”
“Then tell me, River Spirit.” Munenori looked then to Duhrias. “When did her problems actually start? Was it before or after the Kougai?”
“Just after,” Lala whispered.
“Just after, huh?” Munenori tapped his fingers atop his chair arm. “Tell me, Princess. Can you recall what happened right before you started having these sleeping problems?”
Munenori waited for her to answer. She didn’t.
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Tell me something, Lala.” He leaned forward. “Did you get injured? Did you eat or drink anything that didn’t sit well with you? Did someone say or do something that troubled you?”
The River Spirit and the Princess of Jinn quickly looked at each other, and then simultaneously shook their heads.
“…No. Nothing,” they said in unison.
Munenori’s gaze only hardened… on both of them.
*****
When Raphael showed up for his regular visit midway through the fifth week, Gabriel accompanied him.
Yui’s eyes grew wide when the two Archs entered the room. Yet, he held his silence. His heart was too full of hope to speak.
“Rest easy, Emperor,” Gabriel said, softly smiling. “The time has come. The danger is all but passed. Even if Naga goes straight to Ashgard, what she will find there will not cause her to overreact.”
Still, Yui did not speak.
“Wake now, little sister,” Raphael whispered. “Come back to me, Kagi Naga.”
Jenevier’s lashes fluttered softly before her eyes slowly opened. She did not turn to the right, nor to the left… only stared steadily at the familiar ceiling.
“Is it over?” she rasped.
“Very nearly,” Gabriel said. “Fear not, little one. All is well.”
She slowly put her hand to her throat. “How long was I out?”
“A little over a month,” Raphael whispered.
“Here’s some tea, Mistress,” Yui said, coming over to the bed. “You must be parched. Come, Milady. Let me help you sit so that you may drink.”
“Get out,” Jenevier said, in an eerily calm voice. “All of you… get out. If anyone save my Dragon comes near me, this day will be their last.”
“…Naga,” Yui whispered sorrowfully.
Jenevier closed her eyes. “…Leave.”
When the soft closing of her door and the sound of distant wings had all ceased, Jenevier once again opened her eyes.
“How dare they,” she whispered softly. “How dare they steal my will like that. I will never forgive them. Never.”
She chewed at her bottom lip, letting her tears flood back to soak her curls… while her pained soul trembled within her.
“All whom I love—every last one of them—they all betrayed me. Not a soul came to my rescue. Not a single one. No Guardian. No Angel. No Shinobi. Not even Vindicus came to stand against Gabriel. No one spoke for me. No one cared for what that damnable forced solitude did to me. Every living soul caved under the weight of that blasted golden Arch.” Her trembling was now physical. She shivered with sorrow. “As long as the tempestuous little Death Angel remained silent and still… the universe would remain safe and happy,” she mocked sardonically.
“I have come to make report, Kagi Naga.”
Jenevier didn’t turn toward the tiny whisper coming from the far corner of her room.
She gritted her teeth. “If you are ever watching me, you slimy little son of a hell-damned snake, then you heard my warning. I will not repeat myself.”
“I did not abandon you, Naga,” Rixx said. “I could never do such a thing. As soon as the Arch seized you, I sought help. Alas, there is not a creature within this universe who can undo Raphael’s spell, save the Angel himself. So… I did the only other thing I could do for you.”
“Which was?”
“I went to Ashgard.”
Jenevier sat up then and looked at the Nephilim.
“And?”
“And… I interceded… on your behalf, Milady.” He bowed slightly.
“Interceded? Why would you do such a thing? I thought you were… neutral.”
“I am. I mean… I was. I just… I just couldn’t bear what they were doing to you. So, I took up your part… sort of.”
“Meaning? Tell me, Rixx. What exactly did you do?”
He held his hands up, palms out. “I didn’t kill anyone. I didn’t even hurt anyone. I just… well…” He paused.
“Go on. You just… what?”
“Well, I watched them. The ones you care for, that is. I listened in on their war council—helped answer the questions they could not, found the secrets that remained hidden from them.”
“What did you do, Nephilim?”
“Like I said… I helped. I could see where the other troops were set up, and I would circle such on their maps. Or, when I heard of a plot about this or that from the enemy… I would whisper such to a soldier—see that they made report of it.”
“Is that all?”
“No.” He blushed. “I snuck into the Southern camp a few times… played a bit of mischief. Just to ensure the Ashgardians
safety, mind you.”
“How so?”
“Well… once, I tainted their drinking water—ensuring they could not fight back because they were otherwise indisposed. They all had severe belly aches as soon as they woke.”
Jenevier half smiled.
“Oh, and I dug a large hole just west of the enemy’s main encampment. When they went to sleep that night, I slipped in and stole their weapons.” He snorted out a laugh. “I managed to unarm over half their troops in a single night. They still haven’t found where I buried those swords.”
Jenevier put her hand over her mouth, muffling a laugh.
“And when I finally found out where the Southerners were hiding all those stolen supplies, I drew a map and slipped it inside that dark Elf’s quiver.”
“Baytac?”
Rixx nodded. “He’s a sharp one, that guy. He knew something was up, but he never caught me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.” Rixx smiled. “All I had to do was leave the tiniest of hints here or there, and that strange Elf would pick up on it… just like that.” He snapped his fingers for emphasis. “So… what Gabriel told you was true, Milady. Your people remain whole, and the rebels truly are all but squashed.”
Jenevier wiped at the fresh tears trickling down her cheek. “…Gratitude, Rixx.”
He blushed again. “Just… don’t tell anyone. Promise?”
Jenevier nodded, softly smiling. “I promise,” she barely whispered.
Chapter 16
Michael
(mick-ELL)
Jenevier sat atop a cliff overlooking the main battlefield.
“Rixx was right,” she mumbled. “As far as wars go… this one is pretty dull.”
I would think you would be pleased with such, Little Fire.
“I am, Dragon. I’m just…” She shook her head.
Just… messed up inside?
“Yeah, Nilakanta… messed up inside.”
Your friends did not mistreat you, Guardian. I kept vigil outside. I would have killed anyone who harmed you… family or no.
She leaned over against him. “I love you more than I should,” she whispered.
No, Little Fire. Never more than you should. He chuckled. I am a jealous creature. I want all of you. And why shouldn’t I? After all, I am Dragon. I deserve nothing less.
Jenevier giggled as she gazed back out upon the battlefield.
She had made sure she was far enough away to go unnoticed, yet close enough so that she could clearly see her old friends.
She smiled. “Alastyn looks so regal in all his royal garb. Don’t you think?” She sighed. “I wonder what life would be like for me now—had I not screwed up with the one intended for me. That would be my beautiful husband down there, Nilakanta… father to our many happy children.” She gently stroked his scales as she spoke. “I would be Queen of Ashgard, and naturally growing old with the man I loved. Ahh… a normal life—kissed with just a hint of magic.”
Nilakanta snorted and bumped against her.
She laughed again and hugged his sapphire neck. “Of course… if I had made all the right choices, I never would have known you… or Varick or Finnean or—”
“Apollyon.”
Jenevier quickly turned toward the unfamiliar voice right beside her.
The man chuckled. “But that would not have been such a bad thing, in retrospect. Now, would it?”
When she tried to look upon the smiling man now sitting next to her, Jenevier suddenly felt dizzy, nauseous, discombobulated. She gasped, grabbing her chest. Focusing instead on the nearly quiet battlefield below, Jenevier tried to rein in her racing heart.
“W-who are you?”
Nilakanta protectively wrapped his tail around her so that the triangular tip was between his beloved Guardian and the glowing stranger.
“I am your eldest brother, Kagi Naga.” He lightly patted the top of her head. “It is nice to finally meet you.”
“My eldest brother? I… I don’t…”
Her throat began to close, stifling her words. Nilakanta growled, and then bent his head down toward her. Jenevier greedily wrapped her arms around his soft snout, burying her face there.
“My name is Michael,” the man said.
“M-Mick… ELL…”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Don’t tell me my brothers forgot to mention me.”
Jenevier didn’t respond… couldn’t. She was too focused on trying just to think clearly.
“Tell me, Kagi Naga.” He placed his large hand upon her head. “Why is it you refuse to look upon me?”
“H-how can I?” Her words were muffled against her loyal Dragon’s nose. “When you remain in my peripheral, I can almost make out your profile. Yet, when I turn to face you… I cannot focus on you properly.”
“Explain it to me, Kagi Naga. When you try to behold my face, what is it you see?”
“Nothing clearly.” She swallowed hard. “You are… everyone and… no one. Blindingly beautiful, yet ferociously hideous at the same time. You are as everyone I have ever met… and everyone that I never want to. You are the epitome of my most magical dreams… and the full summation of my most terrifying nightmares. As I said… you are everyone… and no one.”
“Ahh… so you can see me as I truly am.” He chuckled. “That is a rather unique way of putting it, though—everyone and no one. I quite like it. I am glad you see me as I am, Kagi Naga. Most creatures… they see me as they want to see me, and that is how I am to them.”
“I don’t understand. You like being everyone and no one? Hideous and beautiful?” She snorted. “Perhaps you should explain yourself.”
Suddenly, the very air around her was heavy. Michael’s celestial essence claimed such power, it became as tangible weight. Jenevier could feel her form giving way under the sheer pressure of it. She was slowly being crushed, and it was terrifying.
When the mighty Archangel beside her began to calm, the unbearable burden began to lighten. She was now panting, gasping for air she didn’t even need.
“F-forgive me, Br-Brother,” she rasped. “I did not m-mean to offend you.”
“You are forgiven,” he answered flatly.
When his oppressing spiritual essence had fully lifted, panic swept through her like a tidal wave. Nilakanta wrapped his tail ever tighter around her.
“Do not try to flee, Kagi Naga,” Michael said coolly. “I came to break words with you. You will not run from me.”
“Y-yes.” She swallowed hard. “As you say, M-Michael.”
“Well met, little sister.”
Jenevier could hear the smile in his voice, but dared not try to turn and see it for herself.
Michael sighed as he looked out over the littered battlefield. “Long before the dawn of man—as you now know him—long before the creation of the third layer of this universe… strife was already a bitter part of life. Wherever creatures shared a piece of land, they fought and warred over power and resources. Man proved no different, Kagi Naga—displaying a perverse fascination with violence. As civilizations grew, as the layers began to pile upon each other, man became ever more innovative with the ways in which he could take another human’s life.” He paused. “There are more ways of killing a man than there are ways of making shoes, making dinner… making love. And while those things can often be quite limited… Death never has been. Tell me, Death Angel. Do my words ring true?”
Jenevier didn’t answer.
Michael ran his hand down the back of her curls. She flinched.
“I have come to help you, Kagi Naga. It is time.”
“Why?” she whispered. “What did I do wrong?”
“What have you not done wrong?” He openly laughed. “Ahh… forgive me. That was but jest.” He sighed. “I heard the bitter words you whispered upon the wind, Kagi Naga. I beckoned them to me—hold them still within my heart.”
“My bitter words?”
He nodded. “The ones you spoke before you came to Ashgard. Shall I repeat th
em for you? I have seared them to memory… All whom I love… every last one of them… they all betrayed me—”
“N-no.” She shook her head. “They are still fresh within me.”
Michael sighed heavily. “When you err, Kagi Naga, you spiral. You must know the words you formed were unjust toward your loved ones. Yet your pride… ahh, your damnable pride… it will not let you fully recant them.”
Jenevier did not speak. She knew better.
“My brothers have all failed in your regard. Even Golden Prince Gabriel himself.” Michael chuckled again. “Now… the time has come for me.”
“W-what will you do to me?”
“We Archs… we each have our own way of dealing with things. You are our only little sister. Father is extremely fond of you. Our precious little Princess—Kagi Naga.” He lightly patted the top of her head again. “And as such, we have been given charge over you.”
“The Archs?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “We love you because Father loves you. And… we each show it in our own way. Uriel is stern; much like you would be when teaching a child. He demands that you pay attention—think before you act. This he does out of love, and love only.”
Jenevier closed her eyes, denying her coming tears.
“Jophiel is different. He tries to teach you via teasing and playful temptation. It is his way. Look upon those two as parents—one stern and the other jovial. A stern parent cannot whip every child into obedience. Just as one teasing parent cannot trick every child into minding. But together… ahh, together they can take care of most any wayward soul.”
Jenevier kept her silence while her mind was playing out the scenes of her past, the scenes containing her brothers, Uriel and Jophiel. With Michael’s wise words, the truth of their heavenly intent was made clear. She smiled.
“Then we have good Prince Gabriel… the most elegant creature in all of creation. He chooses to teach by example. If one were to mimic Gabriel precisely—his words, his actions, his ways—that person would be most blessed of heaven. He is refined, courteous, loving, gentle, strong, and wise. Gabriel is the whole perfect package. Alas, even his vast charm cannot keep every soul from stumbling.”