by J. J. Egosi
“Omniverse?”
“Yes,” Hecate confirmed. She basked in the barren landscape she had brought them to. “The omniverse is a summation of all dimensions, including this one, the fifth dimension.”
“Alright, I’ve heard enough. Angels, demons, dimensions, titans, and now an omniverse? We don’t have a dimension titan, and I have no interest in conversing with some kid. So, unless you have something else you need to tell me, take us back and get lost!”
Michael wanted to give the battered, sharp-tongued witch her chance to speak, but he was unable to listen anymore for fear of losing his temper for good.
“I said a certain demon would like to chat with you. I never said it was me.”
“It’s not?” Michael asked.
“No, it’s our master who’s interested. He was so impressed by your performance earlier that he decided he had to meet you right away. I’m sure you two have plenty of catching up to do.”
“What performance? I don’t know this leader of yours. Why would I want to catch up?”
“I’ve said too much. Come with me.”
“And if I were to refuse?”
“I’m afraid I must insist.” Hecate wrapped her hand around his neck, strangling him tightly.
“Get off of him, you bitch!” Isabella said, attempting to pull her off of him.
Hecate smirked and pushed her over. “Do not interfere. My master did not ask for you.”
“We don’t care about your damn master. Michael’s ours!” Julianna shouted, attempting to break Hecate’s incredibly firm grip.
“Hand him over, or we’ll be paying your master an unfriendly visit,” Isabella added as she pulled on Hecate’s waist.
“I don’t think so. Master doesn’t have time for tramps like you. He only has eyes for me.”
“That’s not what we meant.” Isabella pulled even harder.
“I know what you meant, and frankly, I don’t care. I’m only interested in your friend.”
Hecate snapped her fingers, and suddenly they were back in a world they recognized, stood at the bottom of the mountain.
“Happy?” asked Hecate.
“Fucking ecstatic. Let go of my friend, you whore!” Julianna retorted.
“You care that much about him? He’s not even attractive. I doubt he could prove to be a suitable partner for either of you,” said Hecate.
Michael’s face was turning blue from her tightening grip.
“Take that back!” Julianna shouted.
“No, I don’t think I will. In fact, I think he’s quite ugly!”
Michael gritted his teeth. Unable to bear the strangulation any longer, he wrapped his hands around her arms. With one foot forward and the other dug into the ground, he used the force of his weight to knock her into the dirt.
Now out of Hecate’s grip, Michael stood up. He gasped for breath as Isabella ran to comfort him.
“Are you alright?” Isabella asked.
“I’ve been better,” Michael replied, still catching his breath. Isabella hugged him as tightly as she could.
Hecate dusted herself off. “You want to know why I took those elemental cores from you?”
“It crossed my mind,” Julianna said coldly.
“Those elementals are more than just the friends I made long ago. They’re powerful creatures known as familiars. They’re not of this time but of a time long ago. Long story short, familiars are used by demons to wage war against one another.”
Julianna contemplated every lavish tale she spoke of and smirked in derision. “I’ve never heard anyone talk so much and say so little. How does anyone not just kill themselves hearing that shrill voice of yours? Seriously, it’s a good thing you’ve got a cute face. Too bad you’re flat as a board.”
“What did you just say to me?” Hecate’s fingers curled into fists at her sides.
“Oh, did I make fun of the little space girl?” Julianna mocked. “Traveling far and wide in search of the perfect present to satisfy her master. Perhaps a titan ring to seal the engagement, or has he already rejected you?”
“My master loves me. I can assure you.”
“I’m sure he does, little girl.” Julianna grinned, bending down to be at eye level with Hecate.
“Take it easy, Julianna,” said Michael. “She’s a little girl. You shouldn’t go picking on her.”
“Why not? I’ve eaten scarier things than this littler twerp for breakfast. Look, Hecate, was it? Honestly, I don’t really give a shit anymore. I’m bored with your story, and I’d prefer it if we never saw each other again, so how about you forget about Michael and accept that he’s ours. A nasty little brat like you could never handle a man like him anyway. And say what you want, but he’s the whole package, sexy and kind. I doubt your little master has either of those qualities.”
“Insult my master one more time. I fucking dare you.”
“Seriously, Julianna. Stop!” said Michael.
“Yeah, you’ve made your point. This is just mean, even by my standards,” said Isabella.
“Well, my standards are higher. Not only did she steal my bounty, but she put her grubby little hands on Michael. For that, she’ll at least suffer my words.”
“But, still, she’s only a child. Even if she’s a bit unstable.”
“I’m not leaving until I make this little bitch cry, which by the look on her face could be any second now. I mean, just look at her little lip quiver and the way her eyebrows are twitching. Seriously, who could ever have any feelings for such a weak and pathetic little servant who steals from people? It’s no wonder her only friends were the elementals she had to make for herself. And even then, they didn’t want anything to do with her. Talk about a total fucking fool!”
Tears rolled down Hecate’s face.
Michael and Isabella were stunned at how far Julianna had taken her ridicule.
“Take it back…take it all back!” Hecate cried.
“I don’t think so,” said Julianna. “I don’t care if you’re only a kid. People who cross me all suffer the same. Make sure to tell that to your master when you return, Hecate. Just hope he doesn’t add more bruises to your collection for being such a failure!”
Unable to hold back her rage, Hecate punched Julianna across the face. The blow knocked her over and sent her sliding nearly twenty feet across the ground.
Julianna was taken aback at the strength of the young girl. She stood and dusted herself off.
Hecate glared spitefully at Julianna. “You’ve dishonored my master, and you’ve dishonored me. It’s time to pay with your life.”
Julianna couldn’t hold back her laughter. “You get one lucky punch, and you think you’re on top of the fucking world. Look, I don’t fucking care about you, your fucking master, or your fucking fairy tales. Just hand over the cores you stole from me and leave before I show you what it really means to get on the bad side of the Light Realm’s greatest assassin.”
“Julianna, how could you say something like that?” Michael said sullenly.
Isabella was just as taken aback.
What she said about her bruises. She went way too far. Will Michael hate her now? Will he keep hating me too?
“The greatest assassin, huh? Well, things are about to change for you, my friend.” Hecate’s breathing fell heavily, as though a wrathful tempest was approaching.
“What is that supposed to mean? I’m not your fucking friend so save the pleasantries.”
“Very well. How about we get down to business?” said Hecate.
Julianna grinned. “I’m listening.”
“You and I will settle our disputes by way of witchcraft. A forbidden form of combat that focuses heavily on making use of familiars,” said Hecate.
“I don’t have any familiars,” Julianna said, growing irritated.
Hecate rolled the five elemental cores across her hand in a playful manner.
“I’m sure such an esteemed assassin won’t need any.”
“How right you are
. I accept!”
She summoned her sword to her hand and pointed it into the grinning face of Hecate.
A cold breeze from the mountain blew over them, signaling the oncoming storm of battle.
Chapter 9
Angel of Death
J
ulianna and Hecate stood about twenty feet across from each other at the bottom of a nearby valley. It was a grassy region made up of large gray stones and flowing rivers that coursed in the distance. The mountain cast its shadow over them like an eclipse, bringing a darkness across the land. Michael and Isabella stood idly by at the valley’s edge on higher ground by a small pile of rocks.
“How should we decide who goes first?” Julianna grinned confidently at her opponent.
“I’ll let you go first. After all, with no familiars at your disposal, you’ll need every advantage you can get,” Hecate replied smugly.
“You’ll be sorry you’ve made such a foolish mistake.”
Julianna summoned a sword to her side and immediately unsheathed it. The great Excalibur broke free from its chains. She launched straight for Hecate’s neck. However, before her blade could touch skin, Hecate blocked her attack with a massive ax.
Julianna stopped in her tracks. She was stunned by Hecate’s quick defenses. She stared at the glowing red aura surrounding the blackened iron of the blade.
“Surprised? You’re not the only one who can wield powerful blades. This ax is an unholy relic, a weapon made by a powerful demon long ago. Legend has it only a handful remain today, so consider yourself honored to be dying by such a worthy weapon.”
“Unholy relic or not, I’ll still destroy you,” Julianna said, striking back.
“You think so?”
Hecate slammed her ax against Julianna’s sword.
“I fucking know so!” Julianna shouted. She returned the blow with even greater force.
The two of them went back and forth; their blades clashing as they exchanged blows.
Isabella and Michael looked at one another; discomfort and unease was evident on both their faces.
“Michael,” Isabella broke the silence that they had made for each other.
“Yeah?”
“That talk about you being an archangel…What do you think of all that?”
“What do you mean?” Michael asked.
“Do you believe it?”
Michael sighed. “I believe I have the potential to be something great. I just don’t know what yet.”
“I see,” Isabella replied. She couldn’t help but worry that he’d want nothing to do with a demon.
Michael stood silently, pondering. Could Hecate be right? Could I really be an archangel? Someone of such great importance?
He imagined what it’d be like to be happy, to be respected and loved for the first time. He bit back his pain, shaking his head in denial. Ridiculous. All of it is. I can’t be great. I’m nothing more than a street rat, destined for a life of mediocrity. Such power and esteem would be wasted on someone like me, so I should stop getting my hopes up and thinking I matter when I don’t.
“Are you alright?” Isabella asked.
Michael nodded and focused his attention back on Julianna’s battle with Hecate. It had only grown more intense. “This battle seems to be really taking a toll on Julianna.”
“What’s got her so worked up? Are those cores really that important to her? Couldn’t she find funds elsewhere? I mean, she’s wealthy.”
“I don’t know if that’s it,” Michael said, intensely watching Julianna.
“Well, you know her better than I do. Is she always like this?”
“Not really. I mean, she’s difficult to read. Sometimes, she’s cold; other times, she’s flirtatious. She can be pretty scary.”
“I see.”
With forlorn eyes, Isabella recalled the last thing Julianna had said to Hecate, the thing she knew had hurt Michael deeply. Will she have the composure to apologize for what she said? Or is it too late? she nervously thought. Now that he’s an archangel, will he choose to move on from both of us?
“I think something may have sparked in Julianna. Something more than just stolen cores. Something Hecate said. Something that’s triggered her.”
Michael and Isabella focused their attention back on Julianna’s battle with the strange demon.
Hecate was wearing Julianna down with her ax. Julianna dug her heels into the ground, panting.
“Have you finished already, you amateur? I never expected a challenge, but I didn’t think you’d be this pathetic!” Hecate seemed disappointed.
“I’m only just getting started,” Julianna said.
“Is that right?” Hecate smugly surveyed their varying surroundings. “Notice anything peculiar about our location?”
Julianna’s eyes met with the horizon. She saw a volcanic region several miles out. It was filled with tall, jagged rocks and smoke. Next to it was a forest of twisting trees that caressed the wind with its branches and a large lake where all the rivers met. It barely took her a moment for her to realize the resemblance to the great beasts she’d faced before. Her eyes widened, and she gritted her teeth, knowing that they couldn’t be far.
“I take it by that aggravated stare, you realize I’ve chosen this landscape because it perfectly captures the spirit of the world’s three core elements. Fire, earth, and water.” Hecate stared back at the three different regions, one after the other, chuckling to herself. “Just admit you’ve met your match with the true guardian of the elements. You’re not fooling anyone, little assassin.”
Julianna’s blood boiled at her mocking. “If you think I’m so weak, then how about you summon some of those familiars you’ve been talking about? I can take them, just as I’ve taken them before.”
“That arrogance will be your downfall. But, very well.” Hecate began performing a chant, raising her arms further towards the looming skies with each phrase.
A roar echoed across the land.
“Mighty forces of nature, I call upon you. Rise, elementals of fire, earth, and water.”
As she spoke their names, the three elementals carved themselves from their respective landscapes. In the distance, the fire elemental rose in a burst of flames from a chasm of ashen stone. The earth elemental followed, manifesting from a nearby forest. Lastly was the water elemental, taking shape by draining the creeks and the lake to form itself. They covered the battlefield with their presence. They were just as foreboding as every time before.
Julianna shook with fear.
I can’t let her win. She’s strong. Though that’s to be expected from a witch of legend. That’s not all. No. There’s something else. Something about this girl, I don’t know what. I must destroy her and everything she cherishes at all costs, including her master.
“Are you ready to repent? I’ll give you one last chance to take back the horrible things you said about me and my master. Otherwise, I’ll set my servants upon you.”
Julianna glared up at the three towering giants. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Very well. It’s your funeral,” said Hecate. She sent all three of them after her.
The land cracked as they made impact.
The elementals hurled their fists down upon Julianna. They tore through the atmosphere with neck-breaking speed and force. Julianna looked confidently upon her adversaries. She summoned another sword from its chains. Durandal.
With one blade in each hand and magic pulsing from her fingertips, she was ready.
She swung both blades, grunting as she bombarded the battlefield with a barrage of varying assaults. Orbs and discs of light flew, and crashing whirlwinds emanated from her swords. The combination of blades and magic attacks made for the ultimate defense against the elemental’s attempts to claw at her.
Sweat beaded down her neck.
Hecate looked on, unwavering in the face of the barrier Julianna had created with her assaults. A wall was all it was to her; it waited to be broken.
Michael a
nd Isabella continued watching from over the valley, waiting to see what she would do next.
“It seems Julianna is actually holding her own, despite all the damage she took earlier,” said Michael. He stared at the many cuts and bruises across her body.
“Yeah, but how much longer can she last?” said Isabella.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean all she’s doing is playing the beasts against themselves. That’s great and all, but when you’re not exerting any power of your own into a battle, you’re basically guaranteed to lose.”
“How’d you figure that?”
“There’s an old saying in business: You only get out of something whatever you put into it. It applies to just about anything, from practicing magic to fighting a battle. Until Julianna can launch some successful attacks, she doesn’t stand a chance.”
Michael watched the battle intently. Isabella’s right. She can’t win this by just defending and deflecting. This isn’t like before when she could just turn one against the other. She has Hecate to deal with now. If Julianna is to be victorious, she’ll need to launch a real attack before it’s too late.
“Maybe she’s just stalling until she gets her energy back?” Michael said suddenly.
“That’s a possibility, but an unlikely one.” Isabella defiantly crossed her arms.
“How so?”
“The time for stalling has long passed. Hecate has more creatures to summon, and Julianna knows it. While Julianna’s catching her breath, Hecate’s just warming up. This battle may as well be over.”
“Be that as it may, I still believe in her.”
“You do?” Isabella was taken aback. “Even after what she said?”
“About Hecate’s bruises? Yeah, that hurt. But so did everything you did to me, and here I am still talking to you.”
“That’s true.” Isabella looked away. “Why is that?”
“Why’s what?”
“You know what! We clearly don’t treat you the way that you deserve. We’re demons, and we kept that from you,” her tone was forlorn. “So, why? Why not just run away? You’re an angel, aren’t you? We don’t belong together.”
