by R C Knight
Lilith giggled as the demon rolled off her. Her hair was a mess and her face was flushed. She smiled at Gideon. “Yes, let’s get down to business. But once we’re done,” she pulled the demon close to her chest, “you will join me and my new friend for some fun.” Gideon rolled his eyes and sighed.
“As you wish my lady,” he replied, his voice hoarse. “Now come here.” Lilith clapped her hands excitedly as she got up from the bed and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist as she looked around him to the map on the desk.
“And what news was brought to us today?”
“They’re just outside the city.” Gideon smiled. “Soon I’ll be able to get my revenge. We need to prepare our forces, but cautiously. I don’t want them to know we know they are here.”
Lilith smiled as she released Gideon and stood next to him. “You don’t need a lot of forces my love.” Her eyes twinkled with delight. “You just need the right demons.”
“What are you talking about?” He looked at her, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. Lilith smiled as she held out her hand. She began to chant in Enochian, a black mist swirled around her clenched hand. Once she stopped, she looked up at Gideon with a smug smile. Slowly, she opened her hand, revealing a silver ring.
“The Ring of Solomon.” Lilith smiled as she grabbed Gideon’s hand and slid the ring onto his finger. “I’ve been working on it for a while now, adding more enchantments. This ring will allow you to control any demon, no matter how strong it is.”
Gideon stared at the ring on his finger. It seemed to glow in the morning light. “You see my love.” Lilith smiled as she grabbed his hand. “You don’t need a lot of demons when you have the best. They won’t see it coming.” She tugged on his hand, pulling him towards the bed. “Now that work is finished, it’s time for some fun.” The demon on the bed began to laugh as Lilith led Gideon to the bed.
The power to control any demon. Gideon smiled to himself as he began to strip for Lilith. This will be fun. That bitch won’t see it coming.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Earth
It wasn’t long before they reached the outer walls of the city. A twelve-foot-tall iron gate served as the only entrance into the city. A small guard shack was located to the side of the gate. Two guards were standing in front of the gate while another sat inside the guard shack. Each guard had a sword strapped to their belt. They wore heavy leather armor with metal breastplates across the chest. Each of the men stood alert, their eyes scanning their surroundings for potential threats.
One of the guards stopped them as they approached. “Halt, state your business.”
“I’m Captain Black of The Persephone, docked in the harbor,” Zane responded confidently.
“One moment while I check the ship masters list.” The guard replied as he walked into the guard shack and began to talk with the guard in there. The other gate guard watched them closely while they waited. The first guard returned, eyeing them suspiciously. “Says you aren’t scheduled to leave for another month.”
“That was the plan,” Zane explained. “However, during our trades we noticed large amounts of demons roaming the roads. We figured there must be more rebel villages popping up and decided it was better to avoid the conflict.” He paused. “In fact, a village we had gone through on our way back was burned to the ground. Terrible things, those rebels.” He shook his head.
“I remember a half legion leaving here several weeks ago. Hopefully the demons will clean up the area fast and your trip next year will be more successful.” The guard responded with a smile as he granted them entrance.
“One can only hope,” he replied as they walked into the city.
Aria couldn’t believe her eyes as they entered the city. The outer ring smelled terrible and looked like an outlying village. The people lived in filth, garbage littered the streets and rodents ran amok. She stopped as she glanced at an angelic symbol on one of the walls. Interesting, she thought as she followed the group deeper into the city.
The streets became cleaner and the houses nicer as they made their way farther into the city. The deeper they went the more beautiful it got. The grass was green, and the buildings were tall. The paved roads were full of trollies escorting people around the city. “My dad said that this is what the world looked like before the Great War. He had an old book with pictures in it that he used to show me.” Zane smiled at Aria, enjoying the look of wonder on her face.
“Let’s move quickly.” Bishop urged them along. “We need to get to the ship and secure our gear. Then sell these horses.”
Aria looked around with amazement as they loaded onto the ship. She could tell the ship used to be a beauty. The craftsmanship was impeccable, the delicate carvings in the wood must have taken years to complete.
“She isn’t what she once was.” Zane encouraged her to look around. “Maintaining her has been harder than I thought it would be. But she hasn’t failed me yet, and she’s fast.” He winked, a small smile on his face.
Aria walked across the deck; the ship was a smaller two mast schooner. The red and black paint job had worn off years ago. It looked like there had been several patch jobs from cannon balls ripping through her. But she felt sturdy and strong. She smiled as she looked at him. “She’s beautiful.”
They finished loading their bags onto the ship as Bishop looked for a buyer for their horses. He returned with a few people who led the horses away. Everyone gathered in the Captain’s Cabin to discuss their plans. “So, any ideas on how to get Gideon?” Jackson asked.
“Simple. Distraction.” Bishop smiled. “I want to set off explosions around the city. Keira should be able to set them all on timers.” Bishop looked over at Keira, who nodded with approval. “Zane and Aria can use the chaos from the explosions to get into Gideon’s palace and capture him. I haven’t figured out how you’ll get Gideon here, however.”
“There are angel wards around the city,” Aria chimed in. “I saw one when we arrived. They prevent angels from creating a portal into the city. We can use the enchanted daggers to break the wards.”
“And how, exactly, would that help us? You aren’t able to portal anywhere,” Jackson commented.
“I wouldn’t be the one creating the portal.” Aria smiled mischievously. “Have you ever wanted to meet an Archangel?” She asked as Bishop’s face lit up with excitement.
“No way!” He looked around the group, hoping someone else was as excited as him.
“I can send a message to Michael to have them portal down here once we’ve secured Gideon. They’ll be able to transport us to the ship. You guys can already be on your way and we’ll be able to catch up without having a fleet of ships chasing us.”
“I like this,” Bishop commented. “How many wards would we need to break?”
“Three consecutive wards should be enough. Although, the more the better,” she replied calmly. “They should be spaced fifty meters apart. Once you find one it’ll be easy to locate the others.”
Zane pulled his dagger out of his jacket and examined it, a frown on his face. “This dagger won’t give me much fighting time, so we’ll have to be quick. I’ll be lucky if I can get ten minutes out of this thing. Gideon is strong, so we’ll have to attack him at the same time if we want this to work.” He looked over at Aria as she nodded in agreement. “Keira, what do you have for explosives?”
“About forty or fifty pounds.” She paused, her face set in concentration. “It’s not much, but if we place ten pounds at the fuel station, we’ll be able to create a huge explosion. I can place a few smaller explosives at various points in the city, to get their forces scattered.”
“Good.” Zane smiled as their plan came together. “I’ll need whatever is left just in case.” He looked around at his small group, excitement coursing through his body. “Jackson, you’ll be in charge of breaking the seals. Mikayla, I want you to stay on the ship and prepare it for launch. Once Jackson is done, he’ll return here and help you. Riley, I want
you to help Keira place the explosives. Set the timers for thirty minutes, make sure the fuel point is the last one you set. Bishop, you need to try and get some fuel before Riley and Keira get there. We need as much as you can get, but don’t worry if you run out of time. Get what you can and get out. I want all of you on the ship and on your way out of the harbor before the explosives go off.”
Zane looked around his group, his heart sinking in despair. He had tried to keep his distance, but somehow, they had all found a place in his heart. He cared for them more than he’d like to admit, and he wanted to keep them all safe and out of harm’s way. Which was a ridiculous thought. He knew they would all be doing this crazy shit even if he wasn’t around. At least this way he could keep them alive longer. “Mikayla,” Zane held out his hand. “I’m going to need your dagger, so I have more time to fight.” She nodded and quickly pulled out the dagger, placing it in his hand.
“Of course.” She smiled as Bishop put his arm around her.
“Aria send word to Michael. We’ll head out as soon as we have confirmation from him.” She nodded as she pulled out her book. She gently pricked her finger and wrote as fast as she could. She stared at the book, waiting for the response. Zane and Bishop walked around the cabin, checking everyone’s daggers. Keira left the room to gather up the explosives and work on the timers. Her lips curved into a smile as the book began to glow. She leaned over it, reading quickly.
“They’re in.” She looked up at Zane, her face filled with excitement. “Let the games begin.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Earth
Zane and Aria made their way through the city, arriving at the perimeter of Gideon’s palace. She gazed at the structure, built like the castles from the middle ages, but far more elegant in design. The perimeter consisted of a large wall with a golden gate at the entrance. The gold was adorned with silver filigree. The walls appeared to be polished marble, with engravings throughout. She snapped back to reality as she saw a Prowler patrolling the front gate.
“Let’s stay here in the shadows until we have our opening,” Zane said as he placed his hand on Aria’s shoulder. He knelt beside her and pulled a bandana from his pocket, tying it over his face.
The first explosion caught them off guard. The demons looked in the direction of the explosion but didn’t move. Two more explosions went off, one right after the other. He watched with satisfaction as the Prowlers left the perimeter. He rushed the wall and scaled it quickly, Aria followed him closely. They stuck to the shadows, avoiding the demons patrolling the yard. The final explosion was deafening, the shockwave made the ground shudder beneath them. She looked towards the explosion in awe, a fireball rose in the air then was overtaken by a cloud of black smoke.
Gideon slammed the front doors of the building open. Yelling at the demons to find out what was going on. He was wearing his armor and had his demonic sword strapped on his back.
“You think he was expecting the attack? Or just being cautious?” he whispered to Aria.
“Not like it matters at this point,” she retorted. They watched as groups of demons rushed from the building and out of the gates. “Now,” Aria commanded.
Zane’s heart raced as they rushed into the building, their weapons drawn and ready. Their arrival was met by a small group of Elites with Gideon standing in the back of the room. “I see this is your doing,” Gideon commented snidely. “You dare attack my city? To what end I wonder? You think you can kill me?” He smiled as he stared at Aria. “Or are you here to capture me, little one?” he asked rhetorically.
“You really shouldn’t monologue.” Zane remarked with a smile. Another small explosion went off, catching Gideon by surprise. Zane and Aria used the confusion to take out the small group of Elites. They moved with a deadly precision as they made their way towards Gideon. Aria smiled as they surrounded him, a look of excitement on her face. They rushed him at the same time, but Gideon easily blocked their attacks. She looked over at Zane, waiting for a sign to attack again. Gideon began to laugh as Zane nodded his head. Aria began to rush forward but was thrown back by a powerful gust of wind. Gideon smiled as he sheathed his sword and watched as seventy-two spirits rose from the ground.
“Now, now,” he said mockingly. “You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?” Aria stared at him with disbelief. The spirits smiled as they stared at her and Zane. Gideon began to wave his hand in the air. “It’s amazing what you can do with the Ring of Solomon.” He smiled as light reflected off the silver ring on his finger.
“You’re a coward!” Zane shouted as he widened his stance and bared his teeth. “Are you too scared to fight us one on one?”
Gideon chuckled darkly as he twisted the ring around his finger. A black mist began to fill the hallway. “I prefer to think of it as using my assets.” The mist thickened, making it difficult to see. “Besides, I need to teach you two a lesson. How dare you think you can beat me in my own house!”
Aria began to slowly move towards Zane. “We need to think of something quick,” she whispered hoarsely, the black mist irritating her throat.
“Just get next to me,” Zane commanded. Aria continued to move in Zane’s direction. A loud crack filled the silence of the hallway and Aria felt herself get pulled to the ground. A short scream escaped her lips as she disappeared into the crack in the floor. “What the hell!” Zane shouted into the mist.
Gideon laughed darkly as the mist quickly dissipated. He held Aria tightly against his chest with a dagger against her throat. Beside him was a towering demon, whose eyes were bright red and filled with excitement. The demon looked like a skeleton with rotting, black flesh hanging off its bones. Black, bony wings extended from its back, the tips of which were glowing red with a demonic flame.
“Let me introduce you to Arioch, the demon of vengeance.” Gideon smiled as Arioch let out a deafening roar. “I’m going to leave him in charge of these spirits to take care of you. And for this little angel,” Gideon smiled as he pulled Aria tighter into his chest, “she’s about to get a lesson in pain.” Aria struggled as Gideon pulled her into his room at the end of the hallway.
Zane’s veins in his neck throbbed as he watched Gideon drag Aria away. He clenched his jaw as he looked at the spirits and Arioch. He could see the door at the end of the hallway through the spirits’ translucent bodies.
“Well then.” Zane glared up at Arioch. “What are you fuckers waiting for?” Arioch smiled as he raised his arm.
“Attack.” The demon’s voice was deep and guttural. The spirits surged forward, they were unarmed, using their razorlike nails to attack. Arioch leaned back and let out a deafening roar. He began to beat his wings, creating a vortex of wind. Zane twirled his daggers in his hands, preparing for the onslaught. He chuckled darkly as his blades met the first of his victims.
~~~~
Gideon threw Aria into his bedroom, smiling with delight as she looked around the room. He pulled out his sword, examining the beauty of the black blade. “Now little angel,” he smirked. “Pull out your daggers and fight me. It’s time for you to learn your place.”
Aria smiled as she pulled out her daggers and squared her stance. “You could’ve just invited me back here to kill you,” she mocked. “There was no need for that vanishing act back there.”
“My, my, you are an arrogant little bitch, aren’t you?”
She laughed at the insult. “What are you waiting for? Are you scared to die?”
A flash of sadness crossed his face, which he quickly schooled away. “I’m not afraid of death little angel. In fact, after all these years it might be a relief.” He raised his sword and squared his stance. “Give it all you’ve got, little one.”
She let out a roar of frustration as she charged him. Gideon quickly stepped to the side, dodging her attack. He laughed as he watched her regain her footing. She turned towards him; her eyes alit with fury. Gideon beckoned for her to try again. She clenched her jaw and ran toward him, deftly sidestepping, and g
oing for his side. He easily blocked the feeble attack, his eyes dancing with delight.
“You were much faster the last time we met.” Gideon chuckled. “Could it be that you have fallen?” He smiled as he side-stepped another assault. “This is just sad.”
“Stop dodging and fight me!” she shouted. “You might be faster, but I can still kill you.” She looked directly into his eyes; her green eyes alit with anger. Gideon chuckled with delight.
“As you wish little one, but you won’t like the outcome.” Gideon squared his stance and prepared for the attack. She ran towards him with all her might, thrusting her daggers as fast as she could. He laughed as he blocked each of her attacks. She shouted in anger as she forced her body to move faster. She smiled as she managed to hit his shoulder. “Damnit!” Gideon hissed as he blocked another of her attacks. Aria smiled as she lunged at him again, looking for a weak spot. He laughed as he kneed her in the stomach, sending her flying into the bedpost.
Aria winced in pain as she clutched her side. Gideon’s heavy footfalls echoed around the empty room. He picked her up and threw her onto his bed. He tossed his sword to the ground and quickly mounted her, pinning her arms against her sides with his thighs. “Now, I owe you a lesson in pain.” He smiled as he ripped off her shirt and pulled out his dagger, running the sharp, cold metal down the middle of her chest.
Aria struggled against his weight to no avail. “How does it feel to be completely helpless?” he mocked as Aria glared up at him.
“I will kill you for this.” She narrowed her eyes as she clenched her jaw.
“I love your spirit.” Gideon chuckled as his blade pierced her skin, bright red blood welling along its tip. “I can’t wait to break you. There are worse things than death, little one.”