Arariel sighed. “Stop your nonsense, both of you.” He moved to the cherub. “We must go to where she is, we have no time for debates.” The angel went to the house, they would need Semangelof and Senoy for this.
Sansenoy looked out the window and sighed, those brats never listened. She grabbed her coat and unfolded her wings. The last thing she wanted was for Eae to come and find her here, a fight wasn’t what she needed right now.
Chapter XXIII: The Third Horn
Atropa sat on the plush seat of the jet. She never knew Lucifer had a private plane. This new development didn’t surprise her though, nothing really surprised her anymore. Atropa looked out the window. The clouds were still a deep red, only, there were droplets of crimson rain falling from them. She pressed her finger against the glass the made the beads dance and swirl with her movements.
Lilith looked up from her sword sharpening. She saw the teen’s solemn expression. The demon set down her blade and got up. Lilith plopped down next to the teen and put on her best smile. “What’s up buttercup?”
Atropa gave a sad laugh at the question. What wasn’t up at this point? She looked at the demon beside her, “Nothing, I’m fine.”
“You’re a terrible liar,” Lilith said and pulled Atropa’s hand from the window. “Tell me what’s wrong, it’s the least I can do.”
Atropa frowned. She looked at her love, “Why do you say those kinds of things? You’re acting like I’ve done you some great service.”
Lilith stared at the girl. Her eyes softening when she saw Atropa’s ignorance was genuine. “You’re the reason Lucifer made me, Atropa. You’re the reason I am who I am. You gave me love and a purpose. That’s more then what most beings could hope for. I’d do anything for you.” Her hand shook as she added, “I’d give my life for you.”
Atropa was taken aback by the confession. “You don’t have to do that,” she reassured, “I wouldn’t let you do that.”
Lilith sighed, “What if you had to?”
Atropa was confused by the question, “What do you mea-”
A deafening sound rocked the jet. It threw the two around the cabin.
Lilith held Atropa tight, her back hitting the wall. “Fuck!” she placed the dazed girl in a seat. “Buckle up. We’re going to have to land then drive the rest of the way.”
Atropa nodded and put on her seatbelt. She watched Lilith stalk off to supposedly talk to the captain. Atropa looked out at the blooded land.
The world was going to Hell.
* * *
The plane landed at precisely Eleven Fifteen. Lilith was the first to exit. She opened her umbrella. The skies were still crying bloody tears that dyed the streets, steps, and aircraft a complete red.
Atropa stepped out wearily and quickly took shelter under the plastic protection. “Where are we going?!” she had to scream the question, the sounds around them were deafening.
“We need to go to the gate!” Lilith called back.
“And where is that?!” Atropa asked.
“Between the Tigris and the Euphrates! It was the sight of Eden, before Adam and Eve were cast out.” Lilith opened the door to the airport.
Atropa walked in quickly. “Hey,” she looked around confused. “Where’s Erin and Darren?” she asked, her body shaking from the cold.
Lilith folded the umbrella in and placed it beside the door. She ignored the teen’s question. A red trail began to slip from the plastic and trailed through the groves of the tiles. Lilith flicked droplets off her trench coat. She wrapped an arm around Atropa’s waist. “Follow me,” she instructed.
Atropa obeyed as they went through the abandoned halls of the airport. She raised an eyebrow at this. Where the hell was everyone? They moved quickly, heels clicking against the tiled floor. “What’s up with this? Aren’t airport supposed to be crowded and full of businessmen and stuff?” She heard Lilith’s soft laughter.
“Sometimes,” the demon answered, “but all the airports, and other public transports, are closed due to the horns. It’s raining frogs and blood, there’s wildfires and floods, no one wants to go outside.” Lilith opened the basement door. She held it for her love and gestured her inside.
Atropa looked wearily at the dark staircase, “Um, the sign on the door says restricted.”
Lilith chuckled, “Mortal rules don’t apply to us, cupcake. Come on, this is the way we have to go. Darren and Erin are waiting for us.”
Atropa looked around and saw no security. She shrugged and went down the steps. Lilith’s footsteps followed her down the stairs and into the darkness.
* * *
Castella clenched her fists nervously as Eae examined the daggers.
“Where did you get these?” he asked, eyes never leaving the ancient blades.
“The attic, my mother had them up there for years. She said that we’d need them one day, if Judas and Delilah failed their mission,” Castella explained in a hurry. She twiddled her thumbs. Eae scared her and being alone with him didn’t help her growing anxiety.
“Hm,” the hunter hummed. He tapped the blade’s point, they would need sharpening. Eae placed the dagger back in its holder. The angel turned to Castella. “Where is your mother?” he asked. Eae had been waiting long enough for the uppity creature. It had been hours and he was growing restless.
“She, um, she’s…somewhere,” Castella whispered, deflated. She sat on the bed, trying to hide her fear. Her mother had run off to do something or other and left her with a band of panicking angels. Each horn made them all more and more fearful. Time was of the essence. “I-I don’t know when she’ll be back.”
Eae growled and stalked away from the teen. He stormed out of the room and went in search of the cherub’s mother. She had to be around here somewhere. Eae walked through the mansion, disgust slowly rising. The halls were decorated in dull, golden swirls. Vintage paintings and expensive knick knacks lined shelves. Tables made of cherry oak held crystal vases and imported flowers. He detested the materialism his race had fallen prey to. These were made by mortals, for mortals. His kind should be above it. Eae moved through the walkways till a hand caught his shoulder. “Kiraman, leave me be,” he snarled and shrugged off the touch.
Kiraman’s eyes softened. She moved closer and rested her head on his shoulder blade. “Calm yourself, brother. There is nothing we can do. If this is his will, then we have no right to step in. Let us go home, where we can serve and protect. Let us not anger him.”
Eae shook the other off. “Are you daft?!” he shouted, “I will hear none of this. We are not going to stand by and let him throw away the kingdom we have created.”
Kiraman gripped at his arm as he tried to pull away. “Brother,” she pleaded, “Let us go. We can’t do this. We can have a strong kingdom after he is gone, let him leave with us in his favor. I beg you!”
“Leave me be!” Eae shouted and ripped away from his female counterpart. He stormed off around the corner and out of sight.
Kiraman felt hot tears fill her eyes. She wiped away the droplets of water though. Her race was too strong to cry.
* * *
Atropa hated the drive. The desert sand had turned into a bloody red. It was unnerving to say the least. She quietly sat. The teen realized why people were staying inside. Things she’d rather not see kept hitting the roof and windows. Lilith sat beside her, typing away at a laptop. Atropa frowned, she kind of wished that they were different people. That she wasn’t the antichrist, that Lilith wasn’t a demon. What would their lives be like? Would they have broken up? Would they have gotten married? Would their wedding be a big one? Would they have a home with kids? Would she have normal parents? Would they have loved her?
As if reading her mind, Lilith said, “Don’t focus on the ‘what if’s. They’ll only drive you insane.” The demon scooted closer to Atropa. “Hey,” she whispered and tilted the teen’s chin to her. Lilith smiled, “I’ve learned, after a few millenniums, that ‘what if’s’ are just things of a doubting mind. There are
no ‘what if’s’, there is only now. And right now, I’m here and you’re here. I’m not going to let you doubt yourself. Okay?”
Atropa felt her mind ease. “You always know just what to say,” she whispered back. The car came to a halt.
“We’re here,” Lilith said and clambered out of the vehicle. She went around and opened the door for her love. “Come on!” she urge, “the locusts are about to start. We need to get inside.”
The building was small. It looked more like a shack made of stone, ancient, and completely out of place. There was nothing else around it. It seemed to be a lone oasis in an unforgiving landscape. Atropa let herself be dragged out of the car and hustled into the building, just as the fourth horn rang. The door was shut as a winged creature flew into the small room. It had a fucking face! The teen squeaked and smashed it, twisting her foot into the mess. She whirled around in shock. “What the hell was that?!” Atropa screamed.
Lilith lit a torch. “That’s what God calls locusts.”
Chapter XXIV: The Fourth Horn
Atropa followed Lilith through the network of tunnels. She let her mind wander. What the hell was wrong with God? Why were they throwing down biblical plagues? Was it the aesthetic? The teen tried to ground herself and let her hand drag across the stone wall. It was rough and bumpy to the touch. She tried to calm the racing of her heart.
“Hey.”
Atropa’s violet eyes looked up. The voice had startled her into attention. “What?” she asked, quietly.
Lilith stopped in her tracks. She turned around and stared at the sweet girl. “Don’t worry, you’re going to fix this,” the demon said. She rubbed the teen’s cheek, her nails lightly scraping against the soft skin. “You’re going to be queen soon and then...and then you can rebuild the world!” Lilith said, a smile stretching across her face.
Atropa smiled back. “We can rebuild the world,” she took Lilith’s hand and began to walk beside the other.
Lilith frowned and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She refused to make a comment. Instead she threaded her fingers with Atropa’s and guided her through the halls.
* * *
Semangelof frowned. The girl and her group had left. Leaving an empty manor and unclaimed ground. He sat on the roof of it. The angel had hoped to catch her, to talk to her once more. He touched the soft fabric of the blanket.
To say the angel was conflicted would be an understatement. He had never been more confused in his immortal life. Semangelof looked up at the stars above him. His mind began to wander. What was he here for? This was the lord’s wish, was it not? Why was he trying to intervene? He grabbed at his temples. “Ah, my head,” the angel groaned. The sound of footsteps on the roof made him pause.
Sansenoy came to him, eyes filled with amusement. “Where did you get that?” she asked, pointing to the blanket.
Semangelof rubbed the cloth, “The Antichrist gave it to me. Also this bandage.” He showed her the cartoon mouse.
Sansenoy felt her heart melt. It had been a long time since she had seen childlike wonder on her brother’s face. “I’m glad she was kind to you.”
Semangelof frowned at the memory, “Yes, she was very kind.”
Sansenoy’s features softened. The angel crept closer and sat down beside the other. She placed a loving hand on his shoulder. “What troubles you, love? Does the thought of the end leave you with more questions than answers?” she asked, her voice like silk and laced with purpose.
Semangelof opened and closed his mouth, looking for the words but they never came. He slumped and stared at his sibling, “Why are we here?” he asked, softly.
Sansenoy smiled. “Our sister called us,” she answered. Sansenoy knew that it was not the reply her brother searched for, but still the angel wanted to test her theory.
Semangelof frowned. “No,” again he asked, “Why are we here?” The angel glared at the stars above him and gripped the blanket tighter. “The lord said that this was his plan, so why are we trying to defy him?”
Sansenoy stared at him in surprise. She never thought he would catch on so fast. The angel smiled and laid to rest on the roof’s shingles. “Because, we are selfish creatures,” she whispered. Sansenoy stared at the male beside her, “We are blinded by our own greed. Like man, we are not sinless.” Her milky eyes gazed at the heavens she had left. “What should we do?”
Semangelof frowned at the answer. “I believe,” he responded, “that we should not intrude on his will.”
Sansenoy’s eyebrow raised at the statement. “Will you go back?” she asked.
“No,” the male angel answered, “I shall aid the antichrist on her quest.” Semangelof tied the blanket around his shoulders, he frowned. “She…she is not truly evil, is she?” he asked, a hint of sadness in his tone.
Sansenoy nodded her head and turned away from the stars. She did not want to meet the sky’s eyes.
“I am sorry, dear sister,” Semangelof looked at her, “for being blinded by rage and trying to harm you.”
Sansenoy laughed, “Oh please, save your apologies for when I am truly hurt.” She took his hand in hers. It brought her back to a time when he was just a cherub. His entire hand used to wrap around one of her fingers. That time had long since passed, but she remembered it clear as day. The fourth horn rattled the earth and shook the shingles she was laying on. Sansenoy shot up and gasped as the stars began to disappear into the blackness around them.
“Dear lord,” Semangelof whispered in horror as all of Heaven’s lights slowly dimmed into nothingness. “We must go quickly. Do you know where they are?”
Sansenoy smiled in disbelief, “Yes, I do.”
Semangelof beamed, “Wonderful! Will you come with me, sister?”
Sansenoy answered plainly, “Of course.”
* * *
Eae sat across from Senoy. “You knew she was here?” he growled out.
“She was supposed to be dead.” Senoy sighed, “We were fools to think two mortals could handle her. We thought the book would keep her at bay, then they came and told me it had been destroyed.”
“Didn’t your daughter warn you? Did she not come home with a curse?” Kiraman asked, glaring at the complacent being. “Were you not warned about the demons that had suddenly come to town?”
“She used those imps to shield herself!” Senoy defended. “If I had known it was truly her, I would have done something. As for Castella, I simply thought she had interacted with one. If I had known it was her that cursed her, then you wouldn’t be here.” She got up to pour herself a drink. “Listen, I’m a very busy woman. I have a town to run. I have an entire network of people breathing down my neck. I’m sorry I didn’t notice a couple of demons.”
“You were warned and turned a blind eye,” Tennin reminded.
Senoy glared at her. “Where were all of you?” she asked. “Where were you when she was born, hm? Where were you all when they announced their ingenious plan? Where were you all when each kingdom pled their case?!” Senoy shattered the glass in her hand. “Because I specifically remember seeing none of you!” The shards dug into her skin, but couldn’t break it. She let them fall and took in a deep breath. “None of us are blameless, but do not forget your place. You all are still young. I predate you by centuries, remember that.”
Eae stood, “You may be older, but you are not wiser.” He stalked toward her. Unlike her daughter, there was no fear in her eyes. “If you had focused on them instead of your stocks, we would not be in this situation. If you had made sure she was killed instead of raised, none of this would be happening!”
“You don’t think we tried? You honestly believe we didn’t try?! They would not let her die! We almost did it once, and they slaughter every single being involved. They told us that if we tried to take her life again, while she was a child, that we would burn with the sinners. The most we could do was contain her. It was all we had!” Senoy finished her explanation and looked at everyones stunned faces.
Barachie
l shook his head. “No, he would never do such a thing,” he whispered in disbelief.
Senoy glared at him, “You know nothing about them.”
Kiraman placed her head in her hands. She sucked in a breath then released it. “What’s done is done, the past is in the past. We now must move forward.”
Eae nodded. “Do you know where they are going?” he asked Senoy.
The eldest angel smiled, “I do.”
“Wonderful, we shall go then, and kill her!” Eae exclaimed.
Kiraman was shocked by this. He had just heard that if they intervened, they would be damned and yet he still wished to kill? She shot up. “Brother, we mustn’t! Did you not hear her? If we try to kill her, we will be thrown into the pit!”
Eae scoffed, “Nonsense. His eyes have been blinded to this world for millennia. Once we have vanquished her, he will see the error of his ways. That we are worth this world and our kingdoms.” He turned to Senoy, “Write down the coordinates, we leave at dawn.”
The other angels nodded in agreement. Kiraman was shocked by their compliance. She swallowed her tongue for the moment and clenched her fist.
They would all burn for this.
Chapter XXV: The Fifth Horn
Atropa looked around the bedroom. Her eyes stared into the fire’s light. She had an unholy urge to caress it. Atropa stood up and walked over to the flames. She let it warm her fingers. Her skin began to tingle and shine at the contact.
“I see you like playing with fire,” Erin said.
Atropa jumped back and stared at the imp. “Um…sorry, I just-”
Erin smiled, “Don’t apologize sweetie. Trust me, I understand. I was human once too.” He walked over to the bed and sat on it. Erin patted the spot next to him. “Will the gracious princess sit with a peasant like me?” he asked with a mocking tone.
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