Espial

by Nikita Francois

  “How were you able to do that?” I asked, truly amazed at what I had witnessed.

  “It goes back to one of the first things I ever taught you,” smiled Div. “Forget to think. If you waste time thinking too much, you’ll miss the things coming right at you.”

  Rider nodded, removing the silk cloth from his eyes. “Once you master that, you’ll be able to foresee a drop of rain before it even touches your head.” He turned and said goodbye to Div, lightly brushing her shoulder before waving to me. We watched him leave and I suddenly realized what had been there all along.

  “So,” I started, cautiously, “you and Rider?”

  “You and Rider what?” asked Div, not making eye contact with me.

  “The two of you are together?”

  “What do you mean?” She was fiddling with her belt, obviously uncomfortable.

  I smiled. “It’s ok, Div. I won’t tell anyone.”

  She looked at me for a moment. “Thank you.” She smiled and we both went inside for lunch.

  #

  Div and I parted ways after eating a light meal. For the first time in two weeks, I had an entire afternoon and evening free. Having explored much of the LARF already, I went to the roof. I sat on the edge, legs dangling over the side of the building. Not too far away, I saw Fly playing with Gadget on the swings at the playground. Watching angels and Espials walk or fly in and out of the building was very entertaining. Few cars passed, dropping off or picking up Espials in front of the entry. Wings of every color and pattern imaginable graced my sight as angels bustled about. They laughed and mingled with one another, mostly unaware of some of the gruesome things occurring in the east. I wished that everyone could live so peacefully; free from worry and horror. As I sat there observing and pondering my ability to help the situation regarding Sato, Flash appeared beside me.

  “Angel watching?” he asked with a bright smile.

  “Something like that.”

  “Is everything ok?”

  I looked out at the setting sun. “For now yes. But it’s only a matter of time before Sato comes here to destroy everything. Will any of us be ready for what he has in store? Will I even be able to help?”

  “I can’t predict the future, Sol. But what I know for sure is that in life, when things bring us to our breaking point, we have two choices. Run away or face them head on.” Flash took my hand. “From what I understand, you were phenomenal back in New York when the ARC was ambushed. So I have no doubt that you’ll be amazing when the time comes to fight Sato head-on.” He let go of my hand and brushed my cheek. “You don’t have to worry about what to do. Your ancestry alone will enable you to do what needs to be done at the right moment.”

  We sat in silence for a while, watching the sun set lower on the horizon. The remnants of building foundations shone in the twilight.

  “Where do Espials come from?” I asked as I watched a woman walk into the LARF. She looked up, briefly spotting us on the ledge. She gave a quick wave and continued inside.

  “An Espial is someone who has angel ancestry. They are able to see angels and demons, but don’t have wings or auras.”

  “And how do angels come into existence?”

  “When the earth was created, angels were formed to protect mankind. Initially, angels never had children. As evil grew strong, it was clear that more of us were needed. Eventually, angels were miraculously able to conceive. Though rare, these children were superior beings and became known as arch angels. They began developing their wings and auras around the age of fifteen.”

  “Which is why Sato created Oculation.”

  “Exactly.”

  I nodded quietly. We both sat on the rooftop, watching the sun slowly set in the distance. Fewer angels and Espials were out now. I watched Fly gather Gadget’s toys and make her way toward the building. Gadget skipped happily behind her. “If you don’t mind me asking, is your mother around?”

  “Unfortunately no. She passed away giving birth to me.”

  “Oh that’s right. I’m so sorry,” I frowned.

  “No it’s ok. Like I said, angel births are rare, and what happened to her is pretty common. It would have been nice to know her though. I can tell dad loved her very much.”

  “Do you think he misses her?”

  “In some ways, yes. But I don’t think he’s suffering from grief or anything. And I see the way he looks at Div, so I think he’s more than ready to move on.” Flash smiled to himself.

  “Well Div is an amazing angel. She has done so much for me. She does match Rider, in a way.”

  Flash nodded. “I just want him to be happy. And if Div makes him happy, then we’re all fine.”

  Just then a black, four door sedan pulled up slowly in front of the building. The windows were dark and it was difficult to see if there was any movement from inside. Suddenly a woman with long, blonde hair came running from the playground. She yanked open the driver’s door.

  “Flash are you seeing this? Flash?” I looked over and he was gone. I then realized he had softly descended down the side of the building, watching the vehicle from behind a bush. I carefully made my way down next to him.

  The blonde pulled a man out of the driver’s seat. He was fully masked and dressed in all-black. He ran around the front of the car and slipped into the passenger seat. The blonde ducked into the driver’s seat. The car revved and speedily drove off. Flash and I moved out from behind the bushes.

  “Why was she in the playground?” I asked, recalling Fly’s encounter with a woman similar to the one we had just witnessed.

  “I think she’s keeping tabs on Fly. But I’m not sure why.” Flash glanced at his watch. “Let’s go find my father and let him know what happened.”

  We found Rider talking to Christian, who had replaced Victoria at the reception desk.

  “Dad, something just happened.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “We saw the blonde woman run from the playground into a black car, immediately after Fly left with Gadget.”

  “I think Fly’s being stalked,” replied Rider. “I think it’s best that we place her and Gadget in hiding, at least until we know for sure who this woman is and what she wants.” Rider left the hall, leaving us with Christian.

  “Christian, could you please ask Div if she could come meet me for more training?”

  “Sure.” Christian quickly sent a message out to Div’s apartment.

  “Nervous?” asked Flash.

  “A little. But mostly because I know that I’m not fully ready. That lady came too close for comfort.”

  “I know what you mean. I’ll go see if my father needs help. See you later.” Flash ran off toward Rider’s office. Div appeared soon after, holding a few random objects in her hands.

  “Telekinesis time.” Div laid out a spoon, a book, a sword and a wine glass on the reception desk. They suddenly began moving on their own. The spoon scooped up the book while the sword elevated and dropped its handle in the wine glass. I smirked.

  “I want to know how to do that.”

  Div smiled. “Let’s start. It’s a little tricky to understand at first, but once you get it, it’s fun and useful. Look at the spoon.”

  I focused my attention on the silver spoon. Ordinary and simplistic, I could see why Div selected it first.

  “Try to see things from the spoon’s point of view. How would you feel as a spoon? What is your purpose? How are you treated? Are you flexible or inflexible? These are some of the basic things to start thinking of to make…” Her voice trailed off. The spoon immediately moved from the table and shot into my hand. “Of course. This would be easy to a natural like you.” Div and I both began laughing. Christian looked at me with his mouth agape.

  “That was cool, Sol!” he exclaimed when he finally found the words.

  “Thanks, Christian.”

  “Now open the book to page four hundred and sixty-seven,” instructed Div.

  The book flashed open, pages flipping rapidly before t
hey all stopped. Div and I walked over and saw that it landed on page four hundred and sixty-six.

  “Hm,” said Div, eyeing me.

  “I’m trying to flip it one last page, but it won’t turn for some reason,” I said.

  Div took the book and began reading the page it had landed on. “Um. I think we’re supposed to read this, that’s why.”

  I walked over to her and began reading the headline on the page. “The Final Judgment,” I read aloud. “Div, where did you find this book?”

  “It was on the floor of my hallway weeks ago. I picked it up and just left it at my place.”

  I flipped to the book’s cover, which had no title or author. I went back to page four hundred and sixty-six. “There comes the day on which all beings will be judged for their eternal future,” I began to read. “Blessed or cursed, this judgment will seal the fates of all of the dead and living for the rest of time. It is a day one cannot escape. A day when either evil or good shall prevail for all eternity.” As soon as I read the last word, the page was able to turn. It was blank.

  “I think it’s a warning,” said Div with concern.

  “A warning for what?” asked Christian.

  “If we don’t do something about Sato,” I said, “then evil might prevail and overrun the world for good.”

  “Oh no. It can’t be.”

  “It won’t if we stick together and get our job done,” assured Div. “Come, Sol. I think it’s time we show you something new we’ve been working on with the defense department here.” She took my hand and led me to Stella’s office. Stella greeted us and activated her desktop screen.

  “I thought now would be a good time to show Sol the special wings we’ve been working on.”

  “I agree,” replied Stella. “Come over, Sol. Take a look.”

  I approached her desk as she opened an image of metallic wings. “Those look like the wings of Sato’s robotic army.”

  “Precisely. We’ve recovered some of the bodies from the ATS immediately after you arrived and began inspecting them. After weeks of running tests and making minor changes to the overall design, we’ve been able to create military-grade robotic wings for our Espials here. Rider believes we need everyone helping us in this fight, not just angels. I agree with him.” Using two fingers, Stella enlarged the image to fill up most of the screen. I looked closely at the detailed work. The wings were truly impressive and seemed well-fortified. The memory of Sacra fighting the demon quickly flashed through my mind.

  “We’re going to customize these robotic wings and outfit every Espial in Los Angeles with a pair,” explained Div. “During that time, we’ll hold some basic combat drills so that everyone knows how to properly use them.”

  “The entire process should take about two weeks,” said Stella. “The wings are being constructed as we speak.”

  “Wow,” I replied in awe. “This is both incredible and scary at the same time.”

  “I understand how you feel. Yet in the times we live, they are necessary precautions.”

  I nodded and turned to Div. “Will you be training everyone?”

  “Yes, which is why I’d like to finish your training sessions by next week. Time is almost up.”

  “What do we have left?”

  “I think I’ll have time to show you basic wing regeneration, but invisibility may have to wait until the mission is over. I’d rather you spend the rest of the time practicing what you’ve already learned.”

  “Since we only have a week left, let’s get started with regeneration now.” Div and I thanked Stella for her time and made our way back to the lobby. Christian had left, the reception desk now occupied by Victoria. She was reading through the book we had left.

  “Wing regeneration is self-explanatory. It’s our ability to repair an injured part of our wings. Keep in mind, not all injuries can be repaired. Some are too damaging to ever heal.” Div took a dagger out from her boot and before I could stop her, she slashed her left wing. It began dripping blood, staining the feathers. Her aura seemed to dim slightly.

  “Remedia,” she whispered, eyes closed. The gash in her wing began to close together. The blood seemed to evaporate into thin air. In moments, her wing looked perfectly normal again.

  “Well that’s very useful,” I said in amazement.

  “It definitely is. It can also work on minor fractures or small breaks. But remember, more traumatic wounds likely won’t heal. An angel would need to seek assistance or it will bleed out.”

  “Do you want me to try?”

  Div didn’t even respond. She quickly slashed be blade across one of my wings. I winced, feeling when it made contact. I turned and saw blood dripping down my right wing.

  “Close your eyes and say “Remedia”, she reminded me.

  I closed my eyes and whispered the way she had. I turned again and saw that the wound was healing just as hers did. The blood evaporated as well.

  “Div, you and Sol have been summoned to Stella’s office,” said Victoria, reading a message on her screen.

  “Alright. Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER 26

  “Here’s what we’ve mapped out,” said Stella. She waved her hand rapidly, which opened up an interactive map of Terredome on the hologram above her desk. “As you can see, the Central Excellency Building sits precisely in the middle of the city. Surrounding it are the factories that produces all goods. To the east lies the residential community. The south houses the primary and secondary schools. The west is where the boarding schools’ campus sits. And in the north lies the military headquarters.” She expanded the map to focus on the CEB. “Our weapon is a nuclear reactor. We can access the underground tunnels and overhead catwalks that stem from the factories. Using the tunnel passageways, we will head to the central-most location underneath the building. Once the reactor is planted, everyone will have precisely three minutes to vacate the premises before it detonates.”

  “Am I the only one who remembers what happened the last time a nuclear reactor was activated on this planet?” asked Div. “We’ve barely recovered from that catastrophe and you want to use one again?”

  “Our design specialists have created a way in which the blast will be localized to Terredome only. If planted properly, the only damage will occur within city limits.”

  “And what if it’s not planted properly?”

  “Well let’s just say that we cannot plant it improperly.”

  “Where does Sol fit into all of this? Will she be planting it?” asked Luke.

  “No,” replied Rider. “Sol was correct: Warren Sato wants her alive. So she will keep him distracted in the building while we are planting the bomb.”

  “How will I know when it’s time to leave?” I asked.

  “We will implant a hearing device. It won’t be seen by anyone. Once you receive confirmation, you must teleport yourself as far from the blast zone as possible.”

  “Here’s how we will set everyone up,” continued Stella. “General Matthews’ army will remain hidden inside and outside of the factories surrounding the building. However, they will not police the streets. We need for Sol to seem as if she is willingly turning herself over.”

  I nodded, agreeing with the tactic.

  “Once she’s in his custody, Rider will guide Div and Glinda through the tunnels and into the CEB. Invisible soldiers will be flanking them the whole way.”

  “Will the soldiers be with me?” I asked.

  “Unfortunately, no. Sato’s powers will enable him to see them. You must go in alone.”

  “Oh. How are we all getting there to begin with?”

  “We set up a new ATS pod in your former house in Terredome,” said Rider. “The pod was installed by Div during your Oculation ceremony. We thought you’d need it that day. The entire community has been forced to live and work within the factories, so your former neighborhood is an utter ghost town.” I looked over at Luke, who was shaking his head in disbelief.

  “After the reactor is planted, every
one will fall back,” said Stella. “Sol, you must access your invisibility and at that exact moment teleport here.” She pointed to a house on the eastern most border of the map. “We call it “House A.” This house sits exactly at the thirty mile mark from the CEB. You won’t be entirely out of the blast range when you make it here, but it’ll give you several additional seconds to board a launch pod we established there. Everyone else in the tunnels and on the catwalks will make their way into Factory 7. You all have three minutes once the reactor is planted to reach a pod.” She pointed to a factory just outside the CEB. “It is currently the only abandoned factory on the property. A single ATS pod will be set-up there for the rest of you to transport back to L.A.”

  “After I appear at House A, how do I return?”

  “An ATS pod will be in that house as well,” she answered. “Ace, you will be there providing security for Sol. Once everyone makes it through, the three pods will automatically self-destruct.”

  “This sounds like a great plan,” said Ace.

  “It does, but what’s our margin for error?” asked Luke.

  “There is no room for error,” stated Stella matter-of-factly, “because this is our one and only shot at taking down Sato for good. If this fails, prepare to be hunted mercilessly.” Her last words hit hard as everyone sat silently. “He has his eyes set on world domination and our failure would only fuel his rampage. I beseech you all to go into this with the strength and the will necessary to pull this off flawlessly.”

  “Tomorrow we will perform a test run,” said Rider. “The combat facility here can act as a simulator, converting the combat room into Terredome. Let’s work hard and get the job done. Meeting adjourned.”

  Everyone all stood and headed to the cafeteria for dinner. I pulled Rider aside.