“The orphan army.”
“Yup.”
“Clever.”
“Thanks. It was one of my more brilliant ideas.”
“I’m really into you right now. Let’s head back to our place.”
“Lilith, Weapon just died.”
“Doesn’t kill the mood for me.”
Leech laughed.
“Once you get in the mood, nothing kills the mood for you.”
“Last chance. I can find another nephilim king if you’re not interested.”
“Oh shut up. Fine. I’m in. Let’s go.”
Leech placed a blanket over Weapon’s corpse and Leech and Lilith headed home.
CHAPTER 13
Selene chewed out Reaper like never before and then went to talk to Fade and Backlash.
“Why did you go after the berserkers? You could have done just fine by tackling regular angels and demons.”
Fade nodded.
“That was our original plan, but…”
Backlash elbowed him in the ribs.
“Did we do something wrong, Mom? I thought Leech encouraged us to go after berserkers. Triple points. What are we supposed to take away from that? To leave them alone? We did what we thought was best and…”
Fade grinned.
“And Backlash thinks we got enough points to become minor nephilim!”
Selene grinned and Backlash decided to play it up a little because he knew she was still considering punishing them.
“We did it to make you proud, Mom. And Dad. To make both of you proud. The only nephilim who probably ended up with more points were Shade and Nissa. I really don’t think freezing a bunch of berserkers should count, but…”
“Well I can’t really be mad at you two since it was Leech who instigated all of this. I just worry…”
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take care of Fade and I’ll take care of you and Dad when you’re old and disgusting. Reaper can take care of himself.”
“Old and disgusting?”
Fade laughed.
“Don’t worry, Mom. Backlash said he thinks you have at least a good three or four years before you’re old and disgusting.”
Backlash elbowed Fade in the ribs again. Selene grabbed a pillow off of Fade’s bed and threw it at Backlash’s face. He caught it.
“Your reflexes are getting a little slow there, Mom. Was I overestimating when I said three to four years?”
“That’s enough out of you, Backlash. I’m still not happy about how much danger you placed your brother in.”
“But it wasn’t Backlash’s idea… it was…”
Backlash hit Fade with the pillow and knocked him over.
“Who’s idea was it, Backlash?”
“Mom, I am not a snitch. Also, Fade sometimes remembers things wrong, because he’s the runt of the family.”
“Was it Reaper?”
Backlash knew Selene would go chew Reaper out again which only meant he would torture the two of them even more later on. He had to deflect.
“It was Shade. He decided to go after the berserkers and I bet him we could kill more berserkers than he could. It was stupid and I’m sorry.”
“You’re grounded, Backlash.”
“Fine. Can we still be happy that Fade and I are going to become minor nephilim, though?”
“Sure. You can celebrate by setting the table for dinner.”
Fade jumped to his feet.
“I’ll do it, Mom. Backlash shouldn’t get to do fun things like set the table since he’s grounded.”
Fade rushed out of the room.
“You realize that’s not normal, right Mom? I’m pretty sure Dad has him under some weird kind of mind control spell…”
“Don’t leave the house until Monday. I’ll have a list of chores for you to do.”
Selene turned and left the room. Seconds later, Reaper walked in.
“Did you rat me out?”
“No. I should have, though. It was a stupid idea. Weapon died and the rest of us almost got killed too.”
“Did you at least beat Shade in points?”
“Seriously, Reaper, you have issues. Why the fuck do you have such a problem with Shade? He’s a good fighter and I’d much rather be his friend than his…”
“One day Leech and Lilith are going to pass on. I’ll marry Lucia and the two of us will rule Necropolis and the nephilim. I don’t want Shade to threaten that. If Shadow was still around and sane, I don’t know that Leech would be in charge.”
“Shade has never expressed any interest in ruling. Ever. You’re nuts and you don’t get to tell me what to do anymore. Same goes for Fade. Leave us the fuck alone.”
“And you’ll go be friends with the outcast idiot who can’t cast spells?”
“He has ice powers now. I watched him use them. He may even be more powerful than you.”
Reaper punched Backlash hard in the gut. He fell to his knees, but raised his head to look his brother in the eye.
“I’ll call for Mom and tell her who really told us to hunt the berserkers. Don’t touch me again.”
Reaper muttered some words and touched Backlash’s throat. Backlash tried to call out, but realized that his voice was gone.
“New spell. Been meaning to try it out. So here’s how this works, Backlash. I’m the oldest and I tell you what to do. You do it. Same goes for Fade. Since you’ve decided you’re his guardian now, keep in mind that I can bring pain to both of you. If you tell Mom or Dad, I’ll take Fade into the woods and beat him until you don’t recognize him anymore. Understand?”
Backlash flipped Reaper off and Reaper knocked him to the ground again.
“Nod your head.”
Tears were running down Backlash’s face. He couldn’t take many more hits like that. He nodded.
“Good boy. You should be able to speak again in about half an hour. Think about what I said and what I can do to the two of you if you ever challenge me again.”
Reaper walked out of Backlash’s room and returned to his own house. Backlash knew that the safe play was to do what Reaper told him to from that point on, but he decided on another course of action. He was going to become friends with Shade and then pray that Shade would ultimately become more powerful than his brother.
CHAPTER 14
As Raphael started to circle Steam, Steam realized that he might actually be moments away from death. He was realistic about his fighting abilities and powers and knew he was more powerful than most angels, but had never faced an angel beyond the rank of middle angel. He hoped Coconut, Monkey, and Razorburn were ready to contribute.
“If you’re here for Bumalin, you’re going to have to go through us. I understand things didn’t go so well for you the last time you faced off with a nephilim.”
“Shadow is an abomination. I imagine your kind fears him as much as the angels do.”
Coconut and Monkey each took a shot with their guns. The bullets burned before they could reach Raphael. Raphael laughed and the brothers charged. Raphael opened his hand and two bolts of lightning shot out. The brothers flew through the air and hit the ground several times before coming to a complete stop. They were out cold. Steam looked at Razorburn.
“It’s just you and me now, big guy. I can stall him while you get Bumalin out of here.”
“Or I can just crush him.”
Razorburn placed a massive hand over Raphael’s head and swung hard towards the ground. Raphael disappeared under his fist. Steam rejoiced momentarily before Razorburn’s fist was lifted into the air. Raphael lifted Razorburn by his arm, spun around several times, and threw him further into the jungle.
“You had your fun with the demons, but you won’t get to Bumalin. I’m still here.”
“I’m not familiar with your powers, mutt.”
“Then let me show you a few of them.”
Steam channeled the water from a nearby stream and spun the water into a massive, floating ball. The ball of water moved towards Raphael and engulfed him. Raphael attempted to laugh
, but then realized he couldn’t breathe. He tried to swim out of the water ball, but Steam moved with him and kept him inside. When Steam finally thought he was going to drown the Archangel, Raphael flew out of the top of the water ball and laughed at Steam.
“You can’t drown an Archangel. We are at one with nature and that includes the rivers, streams, and oceans.”
“My mistake. Would you mind telling me the proper way to kill you?”
“You have to have something better than that water ball. What else do you have for me?”
Steam realized that Raphael was just toying with him, but he needed to cooperate. The longer he could stall the Archangel, the more time Bumalin had to exit Leech’s memory and run away.
“If you don’t like water, let’s try some fire.”
Steam summoned a creature that had the outline of a giant man that was engulfed in flames. The flame creature ran at Raphael and tackled him. Raphael fell to the ground and started screaming. Once again, Steam thought he could potentially kill the Archangel when Raphael blended his screams into laughter and stood up. He drew his sword and cut the flame creature in half. The creature vanished into the air.
“Amusing. I’ve never been attacked by a burning giant before. What else do you have for me, half-breed?”
“Let’s switch it up and go with some wind.”
Steam spun his staff and a tornado crawled out of the end. It made its way towards Raphael. Raphael laughed as it approached. Raphael held out his hand and the tornado started moving back towards Steam. Steam tried to send it back towards Raphael, but it kept moving steadily towards him. Steam held out his open palm and drew the winds back.
“That was the weakest one yet. Come on. I know you can do better.”
Steam waved his staff and rocks started gathering in the air above Raphael. They merged until a large boulder was floating over the Archangel’s head. Raphael flew into the air and touched the boulder. It glowed briefly before shattering into thousands of pieces, sending dirt and rocks flying in every direction.
“I’m not sure why you thought that would work. Your large demon friend already tried to crush me. Water, fire, wind, and earth. It’s like you’re a pagan sorcerer trying to teach me a lesson about things you don’t even understand yourself. My turn.”
Raphael pointed his sword at Steam and a large wave shot out of his sword. The entire jungle was flooded as far as Steam could see. Steam cast a spell that gave him fish gills and continued breathing. Raphael swung his sword and the water disappeared.
“On to fire.”
Raphael brought his sword over his head and swung it down in a chopping motion. A pillar of light descended from the heavens and made its way to Steam. Within seconds, Steam could feel his body start to melt. He drew from the stream again and pulled water directly at himself. The water met the fire and a large amount of steam sailed into the air. Steam could feel the burns all over his body.
“Wind.”
Raphael grabbed Steam and flew into the air. When he had reached a substantial height, he threw Steam back towards the ground. Steam tried to slow his fall with sorcery, but Raphael flew at him and grabbed him before flying straight towards the ground. Steam was able to cast a spell to slow the fall, but he still hit the ground hard and it knocked the wind out of him.
“And the grand finale. Earth.”
The earth shook and a hole began to form underneath Steam. He fell into the hole. He couldn’t catch his breath and his body was bruised and burned. Raphael walked over to the hole and looked down at him, laughing.
“It’s time to finish this. Thank you for the few minutes of entertainment you provided.”
Steam saw a large boulder float over towards the hole. He knew it could easily crush him. With the amount of pain resonating through his body, he almost wanted it to be over. He remembered his family, Selene and his sons, and determined that he would have to fight on. He cast a spell that he had heard was a favorite of the demoness Jess. Arms reached up from the ground and started grabbing at the Archangel. Raphael wasn’t expecting it and he lost control of the boulder. The rock fell towards the hole, but Steam aimed carefully and then clapped. The soundwave cracked the boulder and it shattered. Steam climbed out of the hole and rolled over onto the ground.
“You actually surprised me with your last trick, magician. I think it’s time I put you out of your misery though.”
Raphael drew his sword and stabbed at Steam’s nearly broken body.
CHAPTER 15
When Nissa woke, she didn’t recognize where she was. As the fog over her mind lifted, she recognized Shade’s house. She tried to get up and realized that she couldn’t.
“Shade, why am I tied to your bed?”
“So you don’t remember last night at all?”
“Wait… what? Did we…”
Shade grinned.
“I’m just messing with you. I carried you here so you could get some rest.”
“Then why am I tied to your bed?”
“My answer to that will depend on how much you remember about…”
“You knocked me out because I wanted to go after Muan!”
“And now you understand why you’re tied to the bed. I wouldn’t let you throw away your life. You’re welcome.”
Cerberus hopped up on Shade’s bed and all three heads began licking Nissa’s face.
“Cerberus, get down.”
“Shade, untie me!”
“You sound mad. I don’t think I’m going to untie you until you’re not mad anymore.”
“Untie me. Now.”
“See you’re saying stuff with a really relaxed voice now, but I can tell you’re still mad.”
“Did we end up getting the most points for the hunt?”
Shade was surprised by the question, but was happy to see Nissa interested in something other than immediate revenge.
“We did. Fade and Backlash took second. Ares and Enyo took third. We become minor nephilim later today. I hope you’re done being pissed by that point.”
“I need to go home and get ready for the ceremony.”
“That’s still hours away.”
“I’m a girl. Looking beautiful takes time.”
“I’m really glad I don’t have to worry about shit like that. I can be ready in five minutes. I may not even need five minutes. I’m ready now.”
“Do you still have my dad’s trench coat?”
“It’s folded on the kitchen table.”
“I want to try it on.”
“Are you still pissed at me?”
“No.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Well I’m starting to get annoyed now. Does that count?”
Shade walked over to his bed and united Nissa’s feet then went back to the armchair and sat back down.
“I need my hands. I want to get up and try on my dad’s trench coat.”
“You’re still mad.”
“No I’m not.”
“Are you going to attack me if I untie your hands?”
“Sure.”
“You’re still mad.”
“Sarcasm and anger aren’t synonyms. You should look up the difference.”
Shade returned to his bed and untied Nissa. He braced himself, expecting her to attempt to hit him, but she calmly walked over to the table and tried on Weapon’s trench coat. She neatly folded her trench coat and placed it on the table.
“Yeah I can tell he has way more stuff in here than my old trench coat can hold.”
Nissa pulled something out of the pockets and looked at it curiously.
“What is it?”
“Oh right. Dad told me he kept a bunch of these in here.”
Shade waited for an explanation.
“Well?”
Nissa threw the item on the floor and smoke started to spread into the room. Nissa grinned.
“It’s a smoke bomb. They’re special made. Oh and one more thing befo
re I leave.”
Nissa ran through the smoke and punched Shade hard in the face. He fell over clutching at his nose.
“Now we’re even.”
Nissa turned and ran away. Shade grabbed a rag and pressed it to his nose before sprinting out the door to follow Nissa. He collided with Backlash and both nephilim fell to the ground. Shade got up and drew his sword with his free hand.
“I don’t have time for you right now, Backlash.”
Shade scanned the area and couldn’t see Nissa anywhere. He pointed his sword at Backlash.
“If Nissa dies, I’m blaming you. I will track you down wherever you are and kill you.”
Shade picked a direction he thought Nissa might have preferred and started running. Backlash reached out and grabbed his leg. Shade fell to the ground and Backlash scrambled to his feet. He didn’t draw his weapon and waited for Shade to get up. He held his hands in the air to emphasize that he wasn’t a threat.
“I’m not here to attack you. I’m here to help.”
Shade removed the rag from his nose and felt a trickle of blood flow down his mouth. He exhaled loudly in annoyance and placed the rag back under his nose. Backlash opened the water pouch on his belt and drew water from his pouch into the air.
“Remove the rag again. I’ll clean up your nose.”
“Fuck you.”
“Seriously, dude. It’s water. What am I gonna do, splash you in the face?”
“I don’t trust you.”
Backlash recalled the water back into his pouch and rolled up his sleeves. There were bruises and burn marks all along his arms.
“My brother did this to me. I never wanted to fight you. I was under duress the entire time. Please let me heal your nose.”
Shade removed the rag, but kept his sword pointed at Backlash. Backlash summoned the water again and sent it up Shade’s nose. The water increased in heat briefly and then Backlash withdrew it and let it fall to the ground. Shade checked his nose. It was no longer bleeding.
“Thanks. I have to track down Nissa now, so you need to go home.”
“I’ll help you track her.”
“No you won’t. Cerberus will help me track her.”
“I’ll watch your back in case you get ambushed.”
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