The Awakener

by Amanda Strong

  Micah heard Gabriel roar, “Guardians retreat!”

  At the same time, Sage taunted, “Astaroth, why don’t you come claim your prize?”

  As Astaroth reared back again, determined to do just what Sage jeered at him, Micah remembered someone else who’d suffered at the end of such a whip. His last coherent thought was a prayer to Him for strength. He was half-aware of Sage squeezing his body against hers; he felt one last burst of strength course through his veins.

  He squared his shoulders, facing Astaroth, whose whip was already cresting in the air. “Just think of your master’s reward if you capture me. Your power and glory will be endless. You’d be more than just Prince of Thrones; you’d be Prince of Seraphim.”

  Astaroth’s greedy eyes stared Micah down as he bellowed, “So I shall be!”

  Micah stepped forward, leaving Sage’s arms behind, knowing where the cat o’ nine tails would land. Sage gasped as the tails seared through his skin, burrowing into his shredded flesh, some tails hooking in and others tearing free.

  Eden felt the impact, like it had been her own body struck. She heard the crack and the deafening sound of contact made. She staggered as she ran, blinded by tears. She swiped the back of her arm against her eyes, clearing her vision. Kicking back the nails that bit through her pants, she scrambled forward, ignoring the demon pursuing her.

  She gaped at Micah’s body, his frame limp and lifeless, as he crashed to the ground.

  He’s going to die! Where’s Andrew?

  “What now?” Sage called out. “Will you stay there forever and miss your opportunity? You know your master will reward you. What are you waiting for?” Sage stood over Micah’s body, which was so still it terrified Eden. She took hold of the end of the whip, its tails still wrapped around Micah.

  Why isn’t she freeing him already? It’s killing him!

  Astaroth reeled in his whip, trying to retrieve ‘his prize’.

  Sage’s grip brought him up short. “Come and get him, or stay where you are.”

  Eden’s view was blocked by Gabriel’s chest as she collided with his body.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Gabriel shouted.

  Let him be mad! I don’t care! How can he leave Micah behind to die?

  “Micah needs you—” she began, but he pulled her into his arms and shot off the ground.

  She punched at his chest. “Gabriel, go back! Don’t leave him!”

  But she knew she’d never get free as they soared towards the exit. Below them, Caitlyn and Trent were ushered out by their guardians. Andrew came into view. He was fighting against his guardian, trying to free himself too.

  “Wait, I can heal him!” he yelled, but the angel didn’t seem to care.

  “Eden, tell him!” Andrew shouted up at her. The opening in the wall loomed closer.

  “He can! He heals people. Let him help Micah,” she begged.

  But the angel with the bow and arrow only hefted Andrew up by his arms and forced him through the opening.

  Damon appeared, carrying an unconscious Willow in his arms. Eden could see her clothes were ripped and there was way too much red covering her. If she weren’t worrying about Micah’s eminent death, she would have panicked over her friend more. As it was, she yelled to Damon, “Help him! You can help him!”

  Damon’s brown eyes stared up at her and then he plunged through, stowing Willow.

  Realizing this might be the last time she’d ever see Micah, Eden strained to look over Gabriel’s shoulder.

  She wasn’t seeing the collapsed young man wrapped in a barbed whip; she saw the boy with a mess of black hair and big blue eyes helping her into the tree fort. He always wanted to be a brave knight. I didn’t get to say good-bye!

  The vines scratched her back, as Sage’s voice rang out, “Then stay, and never progress!”

  Astaroth’s red robes clapped behind him as he lunged for Micah’s body, leaving the well behind.

  Sage consumed herself with flames and comprehension dawned on Eden. It was a trap. Sage would level the prince, and all remaining demons, with her searing, white flames.

  The stone wall and cornfields whirled below them as she sobbed uncontrollably into Gabriel’s chest. He landed and held her tight against him as he ran. She caught glimpses of her other friends doing the same thing, as they weaved through the cornstalks.

  Micah was the bait, her mind repeated, as the earth shifted and they were suddenly tumbling down a steep hill, which came out of nowhere.

  Lightning catapulted across the sky, and the ground rumbled with cracking thunder. Seconds later, they were submerged in a downpour unlike any Eden had ever seen. Visibility was limited to only a few feet in front of them.

  “Gabriel, wait,” Eden shouted up to him.

  “What?” He craned his neck down.

  She pressed her lips into his ear. “We’ve got to go back! This rain may have saved Micah!”

  Gabriel stopped running, his arms still cradling her. She knew he was reluctant to let her go until he decided it was safe to return.

  At that moment, Damon’s body surged past them, sprinting full speed back uphill the way they’d come. He was swallowed up by the sheets of water. Then Andrew nearly collided with them, shooting past.

  Oh good, Andrew!

  She peered up at Gabriel, waiting.

  When Trent ran past them next, he set her on the ground.

  “Ok, but you’ll go faster if I carry you. This hill’s pretty steep and slippery.”

  “I’m not going to argue with you there.” She was confused as to why there was a hill to climb in the first place. Didn’t we go downhill before?

  Willow and Caitlyn came into view, grasping cornstalks to keep from falling backwards. It seemed all the guardians were letting them go back now. Eden could see the rain had washed the blood off Willow’s skin. Eden couldn’t detect any serious injuries.

  “Are you ok?” Eden hollered.

  “I’m fine. What happened?” Willow yelled back, trying to be heard over the rain.

  Eden glanced in the direction of the well. She was anxious to get back.

  “It’s ok, I’ll fill her in. Go to Micah,” Caitlyn shouted.

  “Thanks.”

  Gabriel scooped her up and took off. She ducked her face into his chest. The rain was painful at the speed they were moving. They reached the opening at the same time as Damon, Andrew, and Trent. Being airborne, they flew over the wall. Damon glanced at the sky and shouted out something. Immediately, the rain ebbed, slowing to a drizzle.

  Damon sent the rain! Maybe he saved Micah! Gabriel landed, releasing her. She ran forward, the once-barren dirt now a muddy quagmire.

  Sage was on the ground near the well, Micah’s head was in her lap. Her fingers were gingerly freeing the barbed whip from his flesh. Relieved his body didn’t look burned, she sickened at the amount of blood staining the pool of water Sage and Micah sat in.

  He looks so pale… his lips are blue!

  Damon and Andrew dropped to Micah’s side. Andrew wasted no time thrusting his hands on Micah’s chest. Damon gasped.

  “It’s ok, he’s helping,” she said, touching Damon’s shoulder as she knelt beside him.

  The gashes are closing! She gazed at Andrew, still amazed by what he could do. Then Andrew put his ear over Micah’s mouth.

  “What is it?” Damon demanded.

  Andrew ignored him, burying his hands in Micah’s abdomen. Eden panicked at seeing the open wounds, torn flesh and strips of fabric tangling in a bloody mess.

  “You can save him, right?” Damon pushed as Andrew again checked for a pulse.

  “I don’t know,” he shouted back, his hands and arms now bathed in Micah’s blood. Abruptly, Andrew’s face shot up, peering around. “Caitlyn!”

  Sage broke her silence. “Alaina, bring Caitlyn now!”

  The young, blonde girl immediately appeared, holding a bewildered Caitlyn by the arm. Caitlyn’s eyes swept the scene. She droppe
d down by Andrew, reassuring, “Micah’s not supposed to die now. His mission isn’t over. You can save him.”

  Andrew nodded and the gaping wounds sealed together in rapid succession. After minutes that felt like hours, Micah’s chest rose and fell. There were collective gasps from the audience. After another deep breath in, Micah began coughing. Sage helped him sit up. Eden couldn’t help it; she grabbed his hand, pressing it against her wet cheek.

  Micah turned and focused on her face. He gave her a weak smile. “It’s ok. It’s over now.”

  A lump had taken over her throat and she could only nod, afraid she’d sob if she tried to talk. Micah lowered their clasped hands and gave her fingers a squeeze. Somewhere in her brain, she knew she shouldn’t act so obvious. Andrew was sitting next to her, watching. But at the moment, she didn’t care. Micah’s ok!

  Damon rose to his feet and moved closer to Willow, who stood behind Caitlyn. “Sorry I left you so fast. Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked, looking her over.

  A strand of wet hair stuck to Willow’s lips as she smiled back at him. He hesitated, and then brushed it back. Her smile deepened. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for saving me.”

  Damon gave Willow a somewhat awkward smile before glancing away. Micah was climbing to his feet; Damon leapt to his aid.

  “Thanks, I’m good,” Micah said, gripping Damon’s hand. “How’d you do it?”

  Damon shrugged. “Looked like you could use a waterfall.”

  Micah chuckled. “Glad you’re on my side, Damon.” Then his face sobered as he walked past them. Eden turned and saw why. Trent was on his knees, his complexion drained of color. He swiped at his eyes with his forearm and took a deep breath.

  “Never again, Micah, never ask this of me again!”

  Micah nodded. “I know and I won’t.” Micah grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet. They both thumped each other’s backs.

  Trent muttered, “Good, ‘cause Aunt Lacey still believes I’m a good influence. How could I ever explain myself if you died on my watch?”

  Micah grinned as they stepped apart. “Welcome back, Trent.”

  Trent sighed over-dramatically. “Don’t think I’ll ever recover from this one. You owe me big time, Micah.” He rubbed his hands together. “But now that it’s over, let’s get to the good stuff.”

  Micah peered around at all of them; they were all drenched, covered in mud, and in some cases, blood. “Yeah, I think we could all use some good stuff right about now.”