by L. L Hunter
The breeze was crisp coming off the Harbour, as Scarlett made her to way to the edge. Gabriel Academy had its own boat jetty, and Scarlett walked out onto it and stood at the end.
“Everything’s falling apart,” she said, to no one in particular.
“We did everything we could.” Dyston came to stand behind her, placing a hand on her lower back.
“If I’m meant to be so special, can’t I do more to help? The world is falling down because of me.”
“The world is falling down because there are dark forces out there that are selfish and greedy.”
“I still feel as if I’m standing here doing nothing, while there are people out there that are dying. I should’ve just given myself up like Kat, and ended this war.”
“Martyrdom is not the answer to ending a war. Look at what just happened.”
“Exactly, Kat died for nothing. Lakyn is still out there spreading his evil tendrils.”
“What if I said that I know his kryptonite?” Said Dyston. Scarlett turned to look him at him.
“I asked him, he said he didn’t have one.”
“He was lying, or was in denial. There’s only one thing that can hurt him.”
“And what is that?”
“It’s not so much of a what, but rather a who. And they are the reason for how he is today.”
~
Later that night Jacob couldn’t sleep; he tossed and turned. It was his first night without Kat and he had never felt lonelier. He had tried with all his might to harvest her soul, but for some reason it hadn’t worked. He had done it for his parents, and even his grandparents, but for Kat it was different. Something wasn’t right. Her soul just couldn’t be removed. He tried closing his eyes again, but as soon as he did he saw a shadow leaning over Kat’s body. It was a dark hooded figure, and in it’s hand it held a Soul Sphere. Jacob sat upright. Someone else was trying to take Kat’s soul. He jumped out of bed, and not bothering with a shirt or shoes, and ran to the crypt. Once he was inside the crypt he saw him, the hooded figure was standing over Kat, poised to harvest a soul. Jacob unfurled his wings and stretched them out, and then he pulled a dagger from a sheath at his waist.
“Step away from her and you wont get hurt,” Jacob said, holding the silver dagger out in front of him. The figure growled, and it was then that Jacob noticed his eyes, they glowed red.
“You heard me, step back!” Jacob lunged, but the shadow lunged back, grabbing at his arms. Jacob twisted out of the way and lashed out with his dagger, slicing the demon’s back. Black smoke escaped from the wound and the demon hissed.
“He said you would be protecting it,” the demon said. “But what he didn’t say was how easy you would be to kill.” The demon pulled a contraption out of his cloak and unfolded it. Jacob recognised it as a collapsible bow. He kicked out and knocked the bow from the demons hands before he even had a chance to assemble it.
“Go back to hell,” he told the demon. Then there was an unnatural scream as a funnel of black smoke poured out of the demon’s mouth, and disappeared through the door. The body that the demon had been occupying now fell to the floor. Jacob ran over to check if the man was okay, but it was too late, the demon had already taken its toll on this man’s life, he was dead. Jacob removed the man’s cloak and took his weapons. He had an arsenal of bows, daggers, and even Archangel blades hidden beneath his cloak. Then Jacob noticed sadly that this had been a working class Nephilim, he was still wearing his business suit. He closed the man’s eyes and tried to harvest his soul, but couldn’t, he didn’t have one. It had been removed when the demon had taken its place. He stood up and made his way to Kat, she was still untouched. He placed two fingers over her eyes and slid them down to her lips, and then he leaned forward and placed a kiss there.
“Sleep soundly, my princess,” he whispered, before leaving with the dead Nephilim over his shoulder.
It was dawn by the time Jacob had finished the funeral pier and set it alight. once-possessed Nephilim needed to burn to return to ash. That was where the phrase ashes to ashes, had come from.
~
Scarlett awoke suddenly when she sensed the heat of the fire. Heading to the balcony to see, she slid open the glass doors, and stepped out into the cool pre-dawn air. She watched as embers floated up towards the sky. Then she looked down and noticed Jacob standing next to the body of flame. Was he burning Kat without telling them? Jacob sensed her and looked up, and then back to the wall of fire. Scarlett made her way downstairs to join him.
“Its not Kat,” he said, as if reading her thoughts.
“Who is it?”
“A Nephilim I found in the crypt, he was possessed by a demon.”
“A demon? What was he doing in the crypt?”
“Trying to harvest Kat’s soul.”
“Did he take it?”
“No, I couldn’t even take it.”
“How come?”
“I’m not sure, I guess it’s still very much attached to her body.”
No one spoke after that. They stood still, watching the body burn until a fire appeared in the sky behind them.
Chapter Nineteen
Legacy
When the sun had risen to mid-way in the sky later that morning, Dyston had woken her with a sweet kiss, and told her that they needed to pack. They were going to be leaving Gabriel. Scarlett didn’t want to leave so soon, even though it had been a week since she had fallen, it felt too soon. And not only that, they would be leaving Kat behind.
After packing what little she owned, Scarlett made her way down to the dining hall for breakfast, and found her friends at their usual table near the window. She made her way over and slid into the bench beside Dyston, who put an arm around her and slid a mug of a brown substance towards her. She realised it was coffee and inhaled deeply before taking a sip. It warmed her from head to toe, in a totally different way than her trait did.
“I don’t want to leave this place, it’s so pretty. I love Sydney,” said Emer, who was in her usual bubbly mood.
“And we have to leave Kat here, Beth said we can’t fly with her,” added Del.
“Where are we going?” asked Scarlett.
“We’re going to be making our way towards the Americas, to a branch of The Raphael Academy,” said Dyston.
“It’s a long flight, so we’re going to be stopping over somewhere in the South Pacific,” added Jacob. An excited chatter immediately followed from the surrounding tables.
“Wait, how are we going to get all the students there? Not all of us have our wings yet,” asked Scarlett.
“Those of us who do have wings will fly. The others will be flying in the jet,” said Jacob.
“Why are we leaving Gabriel?” Scarlett turned towards Dyston.
“Because we need to keep our students safe. We don’t know when, or if The Lucifites will return.”
“Why are we leaving Kat? Jacob told me that her soul hasn’t detached itself from her body yet.”
“It hasn’t, but she wont be without protection. Gabriel have a good defence, they will protect her.” When he noticed her expression, he added, “don’t worry, we will be doing good by leaving. Gabriel has kindly offered to help rebuild Melbourne.” Scarlett met his eyes. “Really? So we’re going to return to Melbourne?”
“No, ’cause my parents turned down the offer. We’re going to begin a new life in North or South America.”
“But what about the other citizens of Melbourne?”
“Everyone has fled. In time it will be rebuilt, but right now, it’s not safe to go there.”
“How come?”
“Because Lakyn still makes his home there.”
“But I thought the city had been destroyed?”
“Most of it has, but The Lucifites have an underground lair somewhere.”
“Lair?” Scarlett raised her eyebrow at him.
“That’s what I call it anyway,” he chuckled.
“And how do you know about this ‘lair’?” she asked
.
“Let’s just say that it’s family business to know these things.”
Scarlett turned back to her coffee, she didn’t ask him any more about the secret underground lair. If he trusted her he would tell her in time. Wouldn’t he?
~
After breakfast everyone headed back to their dorms to retrieve their bags before heading to the airport. As Dyston led her through the corridors, the sound of soft crying stopped them still. They paused and listened; it was coming from a nearby office. They peered in, and saw Beth sitting at a desk, crying into her hands.
“Mum?” asked Dyston, stepping closer. She looked up and quickly wiped her face, as if to hide what she had been doing.
“Oh sweetheart, I was going to come find you.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked. Beth glanced at Scarlett.
“I can go, if this is a family matter?” suggested Scarlett.
“No its alright, Scarlett. You are more or less part of this family now.” She grabbed a tissue and dabbed her mascara tracks, then added, “Unfortunately.”
“Mum, what do you mean, ‘unfortunately’? What’s going on? And where’s dad? I haven’t seen him around.”
“That’s what I have to talk to you about, Dyston. He’s gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?”
“I mean he’s left, along with your brother.”
“Oh Mum, I…” he stepped closer and stroked her hair, “You still have me, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thankyou sweetheart. Now go. You need to get going.”
“But…”
“Go, I’ll follow.”
Scarlett took his hand and he reluctantly left his mother behind. As they made their way to their room, Scarlett understood what this now meant. It meant that Dyston’s father had joined forces with Lakyn and the Lucifites.
~
At the airport there was a buzz of excited energy and a few tears. A few Blackbell students clung to Gabriel students in a farewell embrace, with each giving a promise to catch up in the near future. As they checked in the luggage, Scarlett turned to Dyston, who seemed distant.
“So where do we fly from?” she asked excitedly.
“You are hopping on that plane,” he told her, taking her face in his hands.
“What, but I thought-”
“Your wings aren’t strong enough, you just got them a week ago. Flying four straight hours… I can’t risk you growing weak.”
“I’m not weak Dyston, I’m actually stronger than you.” She pushed his arms away and crossed hers over her body, “I wish you would stop trying to wrap me in cotton wool, I’m not a child.”
“I didn’t say you were a child… okay fine. You can fly with Jacob, and my mother and I, if, at the first sign of tiredness you let me carry you.”
“Fine, but I’m stronger than you know.” She was getting tired of his overprotectiveness. She swore to herself, that she would prove to him just how strong she was.
“Where’s Jacob?” Dyston asked his mother when she turned up.
“I don’t know dear, I haven’t seen him,” she replied. He ran over to Emer and Delilah next.
“Have you seen Jacob?”
“He isn’t coming,” replied Thomas, who had just come back from the drink stand. He handed Delilah a Coke Zero. Dyston sighed and closed his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Scarlett placed a hand on his arm.
“I knew he’d do this.”
“Do what?”
“Refuse to leave her behind.”
Scarlett understood. Jacob had to be there for when Kat’s soul decided to detach itself from her body.
“Maybe he’ll join us later, when he’s ready.”
“You’re right. Hey, what’s that?” he asked, looking at a leather satchel Scarlett had just given Emer.
“I found it on my bed this morning, the note said to protect it.”
“Who’s it from?”
“I’m not sure, Father Luke I presume. The note was unsigned.”
“What is it?”
“The legacy of my family.”
~
With the promise to protect the heavy tome on the plane, Emer took the satchel. Then Dyston and Scarlett left to go to their secret runway along with the other winged angels. The place they were heading to was about fifteen minutes drive away. Scarlett stared out the window of the car and saw luxurious mansions sitting on the side of steep cliff faces. When the car slowed and they got out, Scarlett realised they were in a cemetery.
“What is this place?”
“This is Clovelly Cemetery, its one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in Australia.”
“But why are we here?”
“Did I mention that these statues, the ones depicting angels, aren’t really statues?”
Scarlett looked around at the numerous stone angels. There were a few with their wings folded half way, poised to fly, and one embracing a small child. But the one that really caught Scarlett’s attention, and chilled her to the core, was a statue of a tall angel, she couldn’t tell if it was male or female, or what rank they were, holding a human. They were leaning over and embracing each other, as close as if they were about to kiss. She felt it was symbolic of what their world had become today. Scarlett didn’t hear Dyston come up behind her.
“Sad isn’t it?” he said.
“I think its romantic.”
“No it’s sad, they were punished for falling in love.”
Scarlett suddenly realised what he meant. She followed him to the edge of the cliff.
“You mean like you were?” she asked. He didn’t answer. He just stared out to sea.
“You said the statues aren’t really statues. What are they?” She asked. He turned to meet her eyes.
“They are our fate, if we don’t follow the rules.” He unfurled his wings and the wind ruffled his feathers, wild and beautiful.
“But you said it yourself, that rules are only meant to be broken.” Again, he didn’t answer, instead he smirked and said, “Come on, now I need you to fly.”
Chapter Twenty
Rachael
“Was Lakyn always like that?” Scarlett asked as they flew above the clouds. It was peaceful up there. Dyston did little spirals, then flew under her upside-down so that he could see her face.
“Like what?”
“Cold.”
“No not always. He was once a very caring person, when he was young.”
“What happened?”
“He had his heart broken.”
“By me?”
“No, this happened fifteen years ago. Her name was Rachael, and he was smitten.”
~
Fifteen Years Earlier
“Lakyn, wake up and get back to work,” yelled Zachariah, slamming a book closed. Lakyn jumped.
“Sorry.” He shook his head as if to shake away a thought. He had been daydreaming again. He picked his pencil back up from where it had fallen on his sketchbook, and stared at the image there, his drawing of a concept Archangel’s bow.
“I don’t pay you to fall asleep, Son.”
“I know.” Lakyn worked at his parent’s company, Blackbell Incorperated. They were blacksmiths and weaponry experts. The Blackbells had been making the celestial weapons forged from The Realm’s metals for centuries, and now it was Lakyn’s job to design them. He didn’t want to be an entrepreneur like his father, he wanted to be an artist. But when Zachariah saw his potential, his affinity for art and a talent for drawing, he hired his son to be the Head of the design team. So each afternoon, day in and day out, Lakyn came here, to his family’s warehouse, and sketched until his hand grew numb.
One Friday, he found himself bored of drawing swords and bows, so he flipped over a page in his book to a fresh clean one, and began to draw something entirely different—the face he hadn’t been able to get out of his head for weeks. The face that had been haunting his dreams, the girl with the white streak in her hair. He was dying to find out if she were real, and
most importantly, find out her name. But until that day came, he drew. He sketched her every day. He sketched until he had memorised every inch of her face by heart, from her mysterious grey eyes, to her sweet but sad smile. He was already in love with her.
One day out of the blue, Zachariah told him to deliver an order of Archangel blades and bows to Daylesford Convent. He didn’t know why his father had asked him to do it, or what a convent would want with angelic weapons, but he went anyway, to please his father.
The convent stood on the crest of the botanical gardens, overlooking the town of Daylesford, Victoria, and was an impressive nineteenth-century gothic mansion. Built in the 1860’s, originally a grand home, it was then turned into a boarding school for girls. In the 1970’s the school closed, and the building underwent years of renovations, until it was opened again in 1991 as a gallery. But Lakyn was still confused as to why this place had ordered their weapons. He parked the black company truck and got out, breathing in the crisp air as he made his way to the arched entry. Just as he was about to knock, the double doors swung inwards with a creak.
“Hello?” His voice echoed, but there was no reply. He stepped inside and called out again, “Hello?”
“There’s no need to announce your presence again, I was coming.” The voice startled him. He spun around, and came face to face with her.
“You…”
“Sorry I scared you, this place can be creepy at times,” she said with a small smile. It was really her; it was the girl from his sketches, the girl from his dreams. But he couldn’t let her know that; he didn’t want to seem weird.
“I… . uh, yeah, you scared me,” he covered himself and laughed.
“What can I do for you?” She was even more beautiful in real life, her eyes bigger and even more intriguing, and her hair was silkier than imagined. He cleared his throat.
“I um… I have an order from Blackbell Incorporated, twenty blades and bows?”
“Oh yes, thank you. I’ll get Adam onto that.” She walked to a table in the hall and began dialling on the telephone, spinning the numbers around one by one. She then picked up the earpiece.