by T. R. Hamby
“Explain,” Mel said quietly.
Silas’ lips twitched. “I’m the second Creation that Father has murdered. But he didn’t take life away from me--he didn’t send me into Nonexistence. He put me in a Place to live in death. Like a prison. He didn’t realize that allowing me to live in any form would allow the power he gave me to grow.”
“Back up,” Nora said, “what power?”
“It took me a long time to understand,” he replied. “In many ways it’s just a theory….but I’ve been pondering this long enough to know it has to be true.
“When Father killed me, he imbibed me with some of his power. Unknowingly, of course. This power was insignificant….but it was the Tree planted by Father himself. It grew….over hundreds of thousands of years….and became this.”
And he gestured at himself--his healed skin, his new hair.
“Two questions,” Barry said, looking bewildered, “one--does this make you--like--a god? And then two--how did you figure it out in the first place?”
“Yeah, weren’t you hanging out in Angel Hell?” Gabriel added.
Silas looked a little pained. “I knew because I could feel my power growing. It’s very strong--very noticeable. This here is the first time I’ve used it--but I knew I could do it. And as for your first question….”
And he paused, frowning. “I don’t know. I could be powerful enough to Create….but I won’t. I won’t repeat what Father’s done.”
There was a pause. Nora looked around; everyone was sneaking glances at each other, as if all asking the same thing.
She decided to go for it. “There’s another god,” she said quickly. “A goddess. She calls herself Them. Do you know anything about her?”
Silas frowned. Then, after a moment, he smiled. “No….not really. But I think I know who she is.”
“Who?”
And he looked straight at Michael. “Reina.”
For a long moment Michael simply stared.
Then he shook himself, an incredulous look on his face. “You know--you’ve seen--”
“You’ve seen his dreams,” Mel said, amazed.
“I saw them years ago,” Silas replied. “Remember, I can still see the future. Here and there….and I saw a lot of those dreams. More than you’ve seen yourself.”
“Then tell me,” Michael said, almost desperately, “who--”
“It’s not you,” Silas said, still smiling that infuriating smile. “He only looks like you.”
“Why?” Michael and Mel asked together.
Silas paused.
“Because it’s him,” he finally said, very quietly. “It’s Father. Benjamin.”
Nora blinked. She felt rather like she had run head-first into a brick wall. Barry had been right all along?
Then she snorted. “You’re full of shit.”
“You think I’ve been dreaming about my Father?” Michael said slowly. “That our Father….looked like me--”
“Looks like you,” Silas interjected.
“--had a brother who looked like Mel, who he killed….”
“Let me explain.”
“Please,” Mel growled.
Silas took a deep breath, as if preparing himself. “You’ll have many of these dreams, and I’ve seen most of them. I’ll tell you the gist--Father was born to a man and woman from another Place. They had their two children. Father resented his parents for not sharing their power with him. He wanted to Create. So he murdered them and inherited their power.”
“He Created the woman,” Michael said. “Reina.”
“Yes. He wanted a wife,” Silas replied. “But she was afraid of him….my guess is because of his intentions. He strangled her, and then he killed his brother Adel.
“Then he Created our Home….and then he Created the two of you. You are the Favored Son, Michael, so he Created you in his image. And he was fond of his brother, so naturally he made your brother in the likeness of his own.”
He shrugged, considering the stunned looks on Michael and Mel’s faces.
Nora ran her hands through her hair. She had a massive headache starting. She didn’t know where to start thinking--the fact that God had a history? The fact that Michael was God’s spitting image, that Mel looked like his brother?
She let out a breath. “What about this Reina?”
Silas smiled again. Nora was about to swipe that stupid smile right off his face.
“Reina is the first Creation Father has killed,” he said. “His first Creation, and the first he destroyed. This time with his bare hands. Now I don’t know where, but I’m guessing Father put her in a special Place--she was his wife, after all. He unintentionally gave her some of his power when he killed her, and that power has been allowed to sit and grow for a very long time.”
“But Them sounds….young,” Barry said, frowning. “She said she’s only been using her power for a few thousand years or so. Maybe a hundred thousand.”
“But has she told you how old she is?”
Barry faltered. “No….I don’t think so….”
“Why don’t you ask her?” Nora said. “Call her.”
“She won’t tell,” Andreas sighed.
“But if we told her we knew--”
“Look,” Andreas said firmly, “whatever happened to her is very painful for her to remember. Perhaps because she was murdered by God; I don’t know. It’s best not to push it. We know enough about God now not to need her backstory too.”
Nora wasn’t so sure, but she nodded.
She looked at Silas. “But then what about you?” she asked. “If you have all this power, you could probably fight God yourself. Get your revenge.”
“I haven't been developing my power like Them has,” he replied quietly. “I only tried it for the first time now….and see….”
He held up his hand, which was starting to wither. “It’s already fading….I’m not strong enough.”
He considered it for a moment, before sighing. “Even if I tried, I wouldn’t know how to control it. I could kill one of you.”
He looked at them. “I only ask for revenge on my Father. I know it’ll kill me. I don’t care--Nonexistence will be sweet after what I’ve been through. I want vengeance.”
“How?” Mel asked.
Silas paused, then replied, “I’m going to give one of you my power.”
Andreas
There was a long silence.
Then Barry said, “I don’t understand. Why not keep the power for yourself and join us?”
“Because you can’t trust me,” Silas replied. “You don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t know what I’ll do. If it turns out the other side allows me to get revenge on Father, then I’ll leave in a heartbeat, and I’ll take all your secrets with me. No….it’s better this way. My power will be safe with one of you, and no Angel Father can send will be able to defeat you.”
“You’re not afraid,” Andreas said.
He wasn’t sure whether he meant it as a question or a statement. But he looked at the Angel sitting in the recliner, and he saw….acceptance. Free acceptance.
Silas shrugged. “When all you experience is fear, for 500,000 years, you start to overcome it.”
He continued, “It’s better that I die anyway. Easier for me, and safer for everyone else. I won’t stay.”
Andreas had a difficult time understanding. But of course, Silas didn’t have family or friends to miss. All he had known for an inordinate amount of time was sickening fear. All he wanted now was vengeance, and mercy.
“But then,” Nora whispered, “he’ll kill you.”
“No he won’t,” Silas replied with a smile, “you will.”
“What?”
“Whoever inherits my power has to kill me to get it,” Silas said. “It’s how Father inherited his power from his parents. And, unfortunately,” he added, “I can only die by fire now. Would you like to do the honors, Melkira?”
Mel went pale.
Andreas felt himself go pale too. Silas d
idn’t know that he too had a fiery Talent.
Andreas and Mel looked at each other. Mel looked just as lost as Andreas felt.
To accept such extraordinary powers….godlike powers….even if it could somehow bring him back to life, Andreas didn’t know if he wanted it.
“Let me ask Them,” he said, and Mel nodded, looking a little relieved.
“We can always say no,” Michael said suddenly, a dark look on his face.
Silas snorted. “You don’t have a choice on that either. Would you really pass up the power capable of protecting your son?”
Michael looked away, scowling, and Gabriel swore under his breath.
Andreas looked upwards. “Them? I need you.”
He spoke in Swedish--he wanted a little privacy, even though three of them were fluent in the language.
It took a moment for her to respond. Hello.
Andreas frowned; she sounded almost grudging. “You heard everything?”
Yes.
“You’re angry.”
Yes.
Andreas sighed. “I’m sorry. We weren’t trying to offend you.”
A pause. I know.
“What do you think?”
I think it’s very dangerous, accepting this power like that. It’ll take time to develop it, to control it.
“Mel can do it.”
No, she said with a sigh, he can’t, Andreas. You’ve seen him with his anger. Imagine what would happen if his temper flared, with all that power.
Andreas straightened, horrified. “You think I should get it?”
I don’t think anyone should, including Silas, Them replied. But….someone has to wield it, if he’s giving it up. And if you can control it, it would be very useful. You might not even need me anymore.
It was a joke, but Andreas didn’t laugh. “I can’t--I can’t do that. Look at me. A month ago I was human, I was happy….I can’t even make this Talent work….”
Ask Roone, Them replied gently.
Andreas wasn’t sure why that was her answer, but he got up, caught Roone’s eye, and jerked his head to the study.
Roone followed him inside, and closed the door behind him. “You?”
“Me,” Andreas breathed, pacing.
His heart was pounding, and his hands were shaking.
He couldn’t do it. All of this was too much to begin with. Less than a year ago he had been oblivious to everything, working his job at the clinic and visiting family and friends. Life had been so wonderfully normal. Now he was here, about to accept a power so great he would be like a god. A demigod.
Him. Him.
Roone took his hand, stopping him in the middle of his pacing. He looked a little silly with the bandage on his face, but he was firm.
“You can always say no,” he said, but Andreas shook his head.
“I can’t--we need this--Gabriel needs this--”
“I know you can do it, then,” Roone replied.
“How?”
“You’re a neurosurgeon, for Christ’s sake,” Roone said, and Andreas couldn’t help but laugh. “You have more patience than God. Probably literally. And it’s not just that. If Them says it has to be you, then I trust her.”
“Yeah, because she trusts me,” Andreas replied, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe she shouldn’t.”
Roone shrugged. “We don’t have a choice.”
“Oh, thanks. That makes me feel better.”
They were quiet for a moment.
Andreas shivered. He had no idea the extent of this incredible power, but he had just seen a small portion of it demonstrated in that living room, had felt that power emanating from Silas like a horrible heat. It scared him. Terrified him.
But he thought of Gabriel and Michael. One so desperate to live and to fight, and one so desperate to protect his child. God wanted revenge, wanted blood. What better way to save them all than to become like him?
He sighed. He had to do it. Shit, he had to do it.
He whispered, “Don’t let me do anything stupid with this.”
“I won’t,” Roone said firmly.
“Okay.”
So they returned to the living area.
Silas looked triumphant. “Good. Let’s get it over with.”
He’s happy to go, Them said. You’re doing him a favor.
That didn’t exactly make Andreas feel better.
Everyone was nervous, standing and pacing as Silas sat in a chair in the kitchen. Andreas rolled up his sleeves, and his hands continued to shake. He was really going to do this. God.
Silas clearly sensed his fear. He leaned back in the chair and gave Andreas a look. “Trust me. Better you than me.”
“Revenge, eh?” Barry asked bitterly.
Silas looked at him. “You’ll see. Soon.”
Andreas hesitated. Then, when Silas gave him an impatient look, he twitched his hand, setting it on fire. Before he could chicken out he placed his hand on Silas’ face.
Silas didn’t move; he didn’t scream. His eyes closed, and his face grimaced. His hair burned, and so did his clothes. The chair caught fire.
Then he vanished, and all that was left was the chair and some smoldering rags.
It happened instantly. Andreas felt an enormous shift, an intense sensation within and around him. He stumbled a little, gasping, and Roone grasped his arm. He grunted, braced himself against the counter. For a long moment he stood there, breathing deeply, feeling this very incredible force adjust within him, mold itself inside him.
“Andreas?” Gilla’s voice asked.
He took another deep breath and straightened, opening his eyes.
He looked around. Everyone was watching him warily. The chair had been tossed out, and the windows were open.
I feel you, Them whispered.
Andreas frowned, and closed his eyes again. Yes, he felt her too. She was close by--like a beacon--standing in the corner.
She was so powerful.
He chuckled in disbelief. “I feel you too. I never knew you were in the room with us--I thought you were talking from Up There.”
Them giggled. Sometimes I do. Other times I come down….you’re very strong now, Andreas….
“As strong as you?”
No, not yet. Maybe one day.
“Will you train me?”
Yes. I’ll train you.
“How do you feel?” Roone asked.
Andreas nodded shakily. “Okay.”
“You’ll have to train,” Mel said firmly. “As soon as possible.”
“Great, but first, there are Demons in the backyard,” Gabriel said.
Barry bolted to the window. “Fuck!”
“How many?” Mel asked as everyone scrambled around for knives and swords.
“Ten, like he said. They’re past the stables now.”
“Gilla, stay with Gabriel,” Mel said, and Gilla nodded.
“No--you need her,” Gabriel cried, looking incensed.
“We need her to protect you,” Michael shot back, and without warning he pulled him into an embrace. “Be safe, for christ’s sake.”
“Andreas,” Mel said firmly, “be careful. You don’t know what you can do.”
Andreas nodded shakily.
He wasn’t ready for this. He had never been in a battle before. He couldn’t be killed--he didn’t even think a Blade could touch him--but he still wasn’t ready. And now he had this great power, and he had no idea what to do with it.
But there was no time to think. The group strode out of the house, swinging their Blades. Andreas had a sword, which he had only just started learning how to use.
“Where’s the boy?” a mottled woman asked.
The Demons were spread out in a line, and the group of Angels and Immortals did the same. Andreas recognized the woman as Ceres, and his anger flared.
There you are.
Barry hissed, and she leered at him. “Come back for more. I hope to return the favor this time. Or maybe I’ll just kill your lover, leave you to suffer.”<
br />
She looked around. “We won’t have to kill any of you if you hand over Gabriel. Father doesn’t want more blood spilled. But I’m guessing you’ll deny the offer.”
And her eyes flashed. “Did you kill Silas?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Nora breathed, flicking her knife.
Ceres smirked, and then caught sight of Andreas. Andreas saw a sudden flash of her burying her knife in his body, and his insides burned with rage. The power within him flexed, and his head and fingers twitched longingly.
She looked surprised. “What, you’re alive too?” she growled. “How many times do I have to kill all of you?”
“Give up now, and you won’t have to find out,” Mel said. “Andreas, fire.”
And then he hurled a knife at her face.
She caught it, and the battle was on. Andreas produced a flame, and Mel drew it into his hands. Everyone moved, including Andreas, who sprinted in the direction of Ceres. But Nora was on her, and a jet of fire was headed her way.
He acted on instinct. He threw out a hand, and the fire halted, turned, and rushed, as if being vacuumed, right into his palm. Andreas staggered, feeling the heat sear his hand, and swore in Swedish.
He looked around. A very large Demon was the source of the fire, and he looked incensed. He growled, threw out his hands, and sent a jet of fire in Andreas’ direction.
He had a strong urge to duck, but ignored it, taking it head on. The force made him stagger again, but instead of becoming alight, he seemed to absorb the fire instead. Even his clothes were untouched. He shook himself, and the Demon let out a roar.
And then they were fighting. Andreas dropped his sword, raising his fists and parrying the Demon’s blows. He had only gotten a little training in fighting, and was therefore the weaker opponent. The Demon knocked him to the ground several times, and Andreas had to scramble up, dizzy and shaking.
Around him the battle raged. He caught glimpses of Nora and Ceres, knifeless, tumbling on the ground and shrieking. Mel was burning a Demon to a crisp, and Michael was dueling with another.
He was knocked to the ground again, and saw Barry, dueling with an undead Angel, lose his sword. He dove for it, and the Demon raised her Blade over his head.
“No!”
Andreas shot out a hand, and a flash of fire burst from it. Barry shouted and ducked, and the Demon was engulfed. She screamed shrilly, beating at herself, before dropping to the snowy ground. She disappeared, and Barry sat there stunned.
