Az

by A A Bavar

  Lucifer was sitting prostrated on the floor with his severed forearm aligned perfectly with the rest of his arm. Suddenly, fire flew from his fingertips – both left and right hands, and like a snake he hissed with delight as his tongue slithered from side to side extinguishing the flames except for his left index finger. Then, he slowly pointed the flame at his wounded arm and cauterized it back where it belonged.

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” I growled. “She didn’t deserve to die like that.” I stood, and Lucifer did the same. We were standing face to face, both aware of what was coming next.

  “Brother, brother. There are no actions in this world that do not bring about consequences, and the punishment dished out in this particular case certainly fit the crime.” Lucifer held up his right arm and flexed his fingers while scrutinizing his forearm. “In a relationship, scars are inevitable.”

  I nodded and felt the scars on my back. “You gave me a couple of good ones yourself. I hope you were careful to make them symmetrical. Like you said, I don’t want my new look to be lopsided.” With that, I took off my tattered and blood soaked coat and shirt and threw them on the ground. Behind Lucifer, I saw Kay’s reflected image get up from the couch in Martha’s apartment. She was getting ready to leave. “You were wrong about Michael. What he wanted to say was that I didn’t kill anyone after all. As usual, my dear brother butted in and saved that wretched lowlife. I guess I owe him big time.”

  The swoosh and pop of my new wings opening was exhilarating. It was like being infused with new blood, a kind of wild and uncontained energy that surges through predators when they are on the hunt. My body suddenly felt electric. But the best prize was seeing the momentary shock on Lucifer’s face. “No more Mr. Nice Guy. From now on, we’re playing on hard-mode with default weapons and no bonuses!”

  Lucifer was immediately back to his usual smug self, his countenance one of casual reflection. “I have to admit that I didn’t see this coming,” he said, and leered at me. “But do you really believe that with me in your way you will have time to save her?” Without turning, he motioned to the wall behind him. Kay was putting on her coat. “You always underestimate me, little brother. I’m too me not to have backup plans.”

  Surreptitiously, I glanced to the side, but there was no way that I could leave without fighting him. When I collapsed the ceiling to keep Michael out, I made the room impenetrable, and to break through I needed that freaking beast out of my way. I knew that this fight wasn’t going to be a gentleman’s duel; there was no honor here and certainly no judge or jury. It was going to be as dirty as it gets. Without warning, as my stare found his again, I extended my right arm and summoned my scythe. In response, he bared his teeth, and I saw his eyes twinkle and knew that I was a fraction too late. As my scythe flew through the air and into my open hand, I reflected on how much I hated the sound of cutting steel coming at me. I crouched, my body leaning to the side in defense, and held my arm up at an angle that positioned my scythe lengthwise over my head and shoulder in the path of the descending scimitar. My move was good, but not good enough. The scimitar deflected off of the handle of the scythe but continued its downward motion, barely missing my shoulder and slicing off the corner of my left wing. I screamed in frustration and pain, retracted my wings and rolled over my left shoulder in an attempt to put some distance between us and escape what I knew was coming next. In the background, I heard muffled explosions as Michael relentlessly tried to break into the room and wished that I could somehow tell him to stop and go to Kay; to save Kay.

  The battle that followed was nothing short of barbaric, and I used every ounce of my newly found vigor to fend off his attack. Lucifer leaped the distance separating us and even before his feet crashed on the floor beside me, brought down the scimitar straight at my chest with all the power and weight of his body. With one knee on the ground, I pivoted backwards and held the scythe’s shaft with both hands across my face as a shield. The collision of steel on steel was thunderous and the force almost broke my thumbs as I held fast. Before I could counter, however, Lucifer delivered another blow and another, sending sparks flying in every direction. I was being crushed, my knee breaking the wood floor and digging into the earth below as the onslaught continued. But somehow, even though I wasn’t able to attack, I managed to parry every blow as I waited for a possible opening.

  Lucifer wasn’t concerned with my defense. To me it seemed like he wanted to slowly burry me into the ground as he relentlessly delivered stroke after stroke. Sweat rolled down my face and neck, and my arms and back screamed for reprieve. I was glad that Lucifer wasn’t changing his pattern as I held on, but then I realized what he was doing. There were chips and gauges in the shaft of my scythe where he was concentrating his attack and soon it would break. I wondered what would give in first, the shaft or my arms. The answer came with the next blow as Lucifer smashed his scimitar once again on the shaft, but instead of lifting it and hitting again, he used it as a lever and pushed down with his body. I grunted in exhaustion and used everything I had to hold him back. My arm muscles burned and shook violently with the effort. He leaned closer and grabbed my neck with his free hand, his weight now fully on my arms. I could feel the heat from his body and smell the sweat as he exposed his fangs and gave a low, guttural growl. Slowly, my arms bent back and our faces came within inches of each other. This time, his breath was disgustingly putrid. I imagined him stuffing his face with rotten deviled eggs and smirked.

  “Finding this amusing?” he sneered.

  “No, not really,” I grunted. “Just wondering if you had a mint.” My back and legs were in distress and I knew that I would collapse at any second.

  Lucifer relieved the pressure slightly. “You were always my favorite, little brother, but I see your despair for her and that tells me you care, that you still believe in these puny creatures of clay.” He stopped and took a deep breath. When he started again, there was almost a hint of remorse in his words. “All these years, I thought that by showing you, you would finally understand. And even though I knew that you would never come to me willingly, I imagined that you would at least stay out of my way and allow me to do what had to be done. Now I know that will never be, and I have to finish what I started.”

  I couldn’t hold on anymore, and before Lucifer had a chance to move, I collapsed to my side bringing him down with me. Unwittingly, it was my best move. As the scimitar slid across the scythe its blade caught on one of the chipped edges and ricocheted up gashing him across his left arm. He leaned back and roared in anger. I looked up and saw Kay in her coat but still in the apartment and on the phone - thank God for unsolicited sales calls. The distraction, however, cost me dearly. Lucifer struck me in the side of the head with the butt of the scimitar and at the same time grabbed the scythe with his left hand. The explosion of opposite charges was deafening as the scythe repelled his touch, but he didn’t let go. Electricity flew in every direction, and like a net, it weaved its way up his hand and forearm, leaving behind a web of scorched skin. Lucifer forcefully pulled the scythe to him twisting it back and away from me at the same time. Then, he suddenly reverted the motion and shoved it back at me crashing the shaft into my skull. My eyes blacked out momentarily and I toppled over, letting go of my scythe as it clangored on the ground beside me.

  From my position on the ground, I saw Lucifer standing almost with his back to me. He was holding his left hand and staring at his charred and smoking fingers. The shock to my head must have been massive since, although I could see the red of his eyes and knew that he would make me pay dearly for this, all I could think about was how unappetizing a barbequed devil’s finger would be. Then, like a predator that had just remembered its prey, his head veered to me and with a determined pace he moved in for the kill. My scythe’s steel blade was only a foot away, but there was no time for me to try to reach its shaft. I scrambled on all fours and grabbed it hastily, the blade’s edge cutting through my palm and fingers to the bone. I gritted my teeth,
holding in the crippling pain, and swung the scythe in a wide arc as the bloody blade started to slip through my fingers. Blood gushed across its edge, but I held on until it was on target and then let go with a gut wrenching roar. The scythe flew through the air like a boomerang straight for Lucifer’s legs, but he did not flinch or miss a beat as he continued his charge. I knew the blade would slice right through him and for an instant it looked like it was over; that I could still make it to Kay in time. I looked at the passing images on the wall. To my dismay, the call was over and she was leaving the apartment.

  Lucifer continued on the collision course without the slightest concern; his focus directed only at me. At the last instant, however, he effortlessly launched himself into the air like an arrow, did a somersault with scimitar in hand as my scythe flew past underneath him, and gracefully rolled on the ground and stood. Behind him, I saw the driver walk into the hall as Kay locked the door. That image was the catalyst I needed; it was now or never. Desperate and blind with fear, I lunged forward as Lucifer brought down the scimitar. Using my forearm, I diverted the blow and kneed him repeatedly in the gut. He doubled over, but at the same time slashed at my leg. I stepped back as the blade cut air and countered with a sequence of kicks and punches. Lucifer powerfully defended each blow, and it felt like I was hitting a pillar of stone. Neither of us stepped back, however, and we fell into a rhythm of synchronized attacks and defenses, neither breaking the other. I knew time was running out, but couldn’t take the chance to take my eyes off of Lucifer to look at Kay. Suddenly, he jumped back, breaking the sequence, and sneered as he quickly glanced up at the makeshift screen. The driver was blocking Kay’s path. Kay stopped and stared at him unfazed.

  “It will be quite romantic to have you die with her. If taking a single life prematurely would be the end of you, I wonder what would happen if you killed thousands!” Lucifer dropped his scimitar and took a deep breath. I wasn’t sure what he meant and just stared as he stretched his arms wide and then brought them together in a deafening clap. Fire exploded from his hands as thousands of candles flew off the mantles and whistled through the air like arrows straight at me. There was nowhere for me to hide or avoid the attack, and if only one of the candles touched my skin, that soul would be lost and so would I. I kneeled and unleashed my wings, forming them in front of me like a shield. Immediately, countless candle arrows pierced and shot through them, tearing and burning at the same time. The impact was formidable and sent me skidding backwards, but just as quickly, the fusillade was over. Then I heard another clap, just as thunderous, and was assaulted by a new wave of candles. My wings were practically gone, feathers and membrane burnt to the core, leaving only the skeletal structure that did not provide enough coverage to hide me. I was lucky that no souls were lost the first two rounds, but would not survive a third assault. Quickly, I bowed and pointed my wings forward. I was already numb to pain, and sacrificing my wings to try to save myself was the only option left. I pulled back the smoking structure and with great force, abruptly snapped it forward. Hundreds of featherless calami shot out at Lucifer like a deadly swarm of hornets. He dove to the side, but wasn’t fast enough and was stabbed and pierced repeatedly by calamus after calamus as he crashed against the wall and fell to the ground motionless. The damage to his beastly figure was awesome and he looked even more grotesque than before; a red horned oozing porcupine. This was my chance to get out. I looked up and saw the driver take out a gun. I had to go! I turned and shot several fireballs at the collapsed ceiling where the door used to be. The explosion was massive, but it only opened enough of a passage for me to maybe squeeze through. I started to run, my only thoughts centered on Kay.

  “Not so fast, little brother.”

  A red fireball flew over my head and crashed into the ceiling causing a large section of the wall to collapse. My passage to Kay was gone. I bellowed and turned back. Lucifer was standing where I last saw him, but now he was engulfed in flames. I guess it was easier to burn the calami rather than pick them out one by one. Above him, the driver was still pointing the gun at Kay, but somehow he looked distracted; his eyes less menacing.

  “Nice move, little brother. Things are finally getting interesting with you and your tricks. I didn’t know you could do that with your wings.” Lucifer removed a calamus from his chest and used it to pick at his fangs. “But you’re still not up to par with me.”

  “Me alone, maybe not. And you’re right, I’m not up to par with you because I’m not like you. But, I’m also not alone and that makes me stronger.” I pointed to the image of Kay on the wall and smiled. “Take a look.”

  Lucifer looked up just as Gabriel reached over and took the gun from the driver’s hand. Although I didn’t see or hear what happened, I knew Gabriel and unlike Michael and me he did not resort to force to get things done. He was calm and had the patience to talk, love and transform the soul. I smiled because I could not remember the last time Gabriel actually confronted anyone physically. How could he, in that ancient, ridiculous, white robe?

  The driver threw himself at Gabriel, and although Gabriel was not particularly fond of physical contact, he embraced him.

  “Friends and brothers,” Lucifer chided, “always leeching off you and getting in the way. But, I guess they can be useful sometimes.” Lucifer frowned and turned to look at me. “And predictable.” He smiled and the wickedness of it chilled me to the bone. “It’s time for my backup, backup plan.” With that, he pointed to the driver and ordered, “Now!”

  I don’t know how the driver heard Lucifer, but they must have been connected, because he immediately locked his foot behind Gabriel’s and pushed hard. Gabriel, trapped in the driver’s embrace, lost his balance and they went crashing. I didn’t understand how that was helpful, but then I saw him. It was the killer, the same man I had committed myself to destroy, and he was there to finish the job. I clenched my fists in dread, and the cold silence that engulfed my being was terrifying. The killer took out his gun and aimed at Kay.

  Gabriel, still on the ground, lifted his arm in supplication. “Son, you don’t want to do that.” Gabriel’s voice, so hollow and deep, resonated through me and I was shaken from the mist my mind had settled into. I glowered at Lucifer.

  The killer tilted his gun sideways and stared at Gabriel in disbelief. “Oh, yes I do. You have no idea! Before, it was a job. Now, it’s personal and I’m glad to comply.”

  “Do it, do it,” slurped Lucifer in an almost singing tone.

  The muffled sound of the gunshot exploded through my mind, and from the corner of my eye I saw Kay fall, but I didn’t turn to look; I couldn’t. My focus was Lucifer. All I wanted to do was to hurt – kill him. My pain would come later.

  Lucifer, on the other hand, was caught in the ecstasy of his victory; his eyes reveled in my torment and despair, and he was basking in the fire of his hell, hoping to take me with him. I welcomed his arrogance and cockiness, because his inattention would be his demise. I closed my hand and summoned my scythe from where it lay on the ground behind him. It shot forward and spearheaded straight for his back, but Lucifer knew me well and was ready. Defending himself against a single attack that wasn’t very stealthy didn’t require much from him. In a mocking dance-like move he spun around and kicked the scythe away.

  “Here’s my backup plan, asshole!” With that, I lifted my arms and fired at him indiscriminately. Lucifer turned just in time to dodge the first fireball, but the rest were on target. Stubbornly, he held his ground, making each impact even more destructive than the one before. He roared louder and louder as his beastly form was punished until he finally fell to his knees. I stopped and looked at him, but there was no mercy in me; only justice as I saw it. I walked to him and grabbed him by the neck as he had done with me and threw him hard against the wall. He tried to stand but was too spent and again fell to the floor on his hands and knees. Once more, in a state of uncontrolled rage, I fired fireball after fireball, but this time at the wall above him. When the barra
ge was over, not much was left of the wall and Lucifer was on the ground buried in the rubble. I walked over and stood over him. He looked pathetic and broken, but I still wasn’t content. I bent over, grabbed him by the neck again and pulled him from the destruction without consideration for his wounds. He didn’t call out or show any pain. Instead, he smiled.

  “You lost, brother. You lost her for a second time.”

  Still holding Lucifer by the neck, I reached behind me with my free hand and grabbed the remains of my wing. With a powerful twist, I broke off the long bone that connected the wing structure to my back and held it in front of him. Its sides were jagged and the end sharp and pointed.

  “To get the rose, you have to respect the thorn. This is for Kay and Martha,” I hissed, and thrust the bone through Lucifer, impaling him to what remained of the wall.

  Lucifer’s ferocious cry filled the room. He looked down at the bone extruding from his stomach and grabbed it with both hands. His snake-like tongue slithered out and he hissed, “Are you done having fun, yet?”

  “I’m getting there.” I turned and summoned my scythe. “Now, unlike you, I’m going to end it all!” I placed the edge of the scythe against Lucifer’s neck and fixed my eyes his. “I hope you have friends where you’re going.” I swung the scythe around my head and brought it across in a perfect arc. Inches away from hitting its mark, its blade clanged loudly against the edge of a mighty sword and was blocked. I turned knowing well who to expect.