Hear the Crickets

by BJ Sheldon

  I’d said what I needed to say and stood back and waited to see how the Hybrids would react.

  They didn’t move. They didn’t blink. They just continued to stare me down, blank faces merely studying me.

  And then as if a dam opened up, they all raised their weapons into the air and began to chant all at once.

  “Hoo, hoo, hoo!” they cried out in unison, growing louder with each grunt.

  I turned and located Dorian and Lillith near the back of the crowd. Lillith’s face was unmoved, looking as stern as ever. But something in her eyes told me she approved of what I’d said.

  Dorian smiled and held his Chakram in the air as he joined in with the others.

  The Hybrids continued chanting, motivating one another, pumping each up other up for the battle ahead.

  It’s a good day to die, I said to myself.

  Chapter 21

  The mood was solemn. Every single person in camp could feel something in the air. Our bodies tingled. Hair stood on end. Electricity seemed to travel in the wind, affecting everyone it touched.

  Azazel’s army would arrive within hours.

  War would begin.

  We stayed alert, ready for anything as we traveled in a large pack toward the burial site. No one spoke. The only noise reverberating in the night air was the crunching of feet on the Badlands’ floor and the sound of the crickets singing in the distance. Their song grew louder, faster, and stronger as the site grew closer. It was as if even the smallest of God’s creatures knew what was at stake and were doing their part to motivate us as we marched along.

  The plan was simple.

  Keep me safe.

  Capture my sword.

  Kill Azazel.

  Simple enough, right?

  I could feel everyone was on edge, nervous and afraid of what was to come. It was their destiny and what they’d been training for their entire lives. The war was imminent, their fates all intertwined with each other’s. No one felt the tension in the air more than me. The outcome weighed heavily on my ability to get back my sword and defeat Azazel.

  But I also knew I wasn’t alone. I glanced around and considered the Hybrids who’d heeded the call to fight with us. They understood the risks and what was at stake, knowing the majority of our troupe would die. And yet, there they were marching toward war.

  The journey into the unknown was terrifying. But I also felt their collective courage coming through.

  They were ready to die for a just cause, for humanity.

  Chapter 22

  It was far too dangerous to allow Sam and Sean to get too close to the fighting, so we positioned them on opposite ends of the site, each hidden away behind a bush or tree. They would act as lookouts, and Lillith would use her powers of being able to hear a mortal’s thoughts to relay information back to the other Hybrids.

  But the guys weren’t left unprotected. Sam was equipped with his shotgun, the same one he brandished against us when we first met him. He also had every single knife that had been in Dorian’s weapons cache and would use them to protect himself if necessary.

  Sean had Gladys, his .50 cal handgun, to keep him safe.

  I could only hope that neither needed to use their weapons and would remain undetected and unscathed throughout the conflict.

  We took a stand at the burial site. I positioned myself at the center with a borrowed sword that I’d taken from Dorian’s weapon duffel, guarded by all one hundred and twenty-three Hybrids including Dorian, Lillith, and Rami. Arna was there as well and would be a valuable ally in the sky if needed. They completely surrounded me, making a ring around the burial site and keeping their backs to me.

  It didn’t take long before the enemy began to arrive. One by one, Azazel’s henchmen appeared, some by portal and others on foot, each wielding weapons and their game face. They all lined up, shoulder-to-shoulder, at the outer perimeter, completely surrounding the site.

  “Seriously. Do these people own anything other than black leather?” I mumbled under my breath, catching Dorian’s backward glance.

  Raja arrived, his flaming wings lighting up the night sky. He landed on the ledge of the rock formation above us, and stood quietly. It was as if he was waiting for something.

  But it wasn’t until we saw a white light coming from the sky that we understood who he was waiting for.

  The light was blinding. It grew in size, becoming so bright that it forced everyone to look away. A noise, which sounded like a tornado, ripped through the air, causing some to cover their ears.

  And then...silence.

  Everyone looked up and saw that Raja was no longer alone.

  It didn’t take a genius to figure out who it was. There was only one logical option.

  “Azazel,” I whispered to myself, my pulse beginning to race.

  He was an immense presence, at least nine feet tall, if not taller. His wings stretched out behind him and appeared as if they were endless. He didn’t draw them in, instead opting to keep them unfurled, possibly as a way to intimidate his adversaries and motivate his followers. The yellow glow enveloping him made it difficult to gaze on him directly. We all squinted, shading our eyes in an effort to get a look at our enemy.

  His hair was long, down to the middle of his back, and it was as white as new snow. He wore a majestic amethyst-colored gown that flowed freely to his ankles. His breast plate was molded tightly to his chest and appeared to be made of pure gold. He wore a belt, similar to my own, which held a large broadsword. Its hilt was gold, and its guard was encrusted with various gems. I knew that while it was a beautiful weapon, it was also probably extremely deadly in his hands.

  If not for the fact that he was a power-hungry Watcher bent on world domination and genocide, one would have found him an impressive figure leaning toward handsome. He was, after all, an angel. What else would he be?

  Azazel finally tucked his wings up behind him and pulled his sword from its sheath. He held it, point down, and stood gazing out at the standoff below him. He raised his free hand and gestured directly at me.

  “You there. Daughter of Keelin, bastard child of the Makgill clan. Surrender yourself to me. Do so, and you shall save thy companions.” He lowered his hand and stared me down, refusing to look away from me. “What have you to say?”

  Azazel’s words struck a nerve with my supporters. Many began to grumble to each other, whispering their thoughts about the Watcher standing before us. I glanced around, feeling the power of their loyalty driving me to be brave.

  I stood motionless and simply stared back. The silence was loud, with the only noise being the crickets off in the distance, singing us a song of courage. My hand reached across my hip and slowly, carefully, I pulled out my sword. I allowed it to hang loosely from my fingers, turning the hilt over and over through my hand. My mind raced as I gathered my thoughts in retaliation. I needed to say something. He had to know exactly where I stood.

  So, I held up my middle finger and displayed it proudly for Azazel to see.

  My allies suddenly grew silent, satisfied at my rebuttal.

  “Better be careful who you call a bastard child, because you’re the only bastard I see at the moment,” I said with a sneer on my face, lowering my finger.

  Azazel’s mouth curved up slightly on one side with amusement.

  “You are showing me that you are brave? That I do not frighten you? This is foolishness, and you shall burn.”

  “Really?” I asked. “You’re going to kill me? You’re like, what? A million years old? At your age, I bet you couldn’t even bend over and tie your shoes.” I glanced down at his feet and noticed they were bare. “If you wore shoes, that is. And I’m just over three hundred years old. I think I have the advantage. Never dismiss youth, old man. Besides, my friends and I have already taken out some of your Hybrids. They’re no match for us. So, I think maybe you’re a bit too overconfident in the abilities of your pets.”

  Raja laughed at my attempt to be facetious, which only fueled my hatred of
him more. He reached up and pulled something out from a leather scabbard hanging on his back between his wings. He slowly brought it down in front of him and held it out for me to see.

  It was my sword—the spear.

  Azazel gestured at the weapon in Raja’s hand.

  “Without this, you have no hope of winning the war. You should give yourself up to me, and it shall be done.”

  “Listen jack hole,” I said. “I’m not saying it again. It’s never going to happen.”

  “Then, your friends will die a most violent death. And their blood shall be on your hands.” The crooked smile on his face was quickly replaced with immense intensity, his eyes glowing bright yellow with apparent anger.

  For a moment, I worried about what he said. Many of Shamsiel’s Hybrids would die. They were fighting for humanity and to keep Azazel from beginning a new realm on Earth where he would place himself as a god among angels.

  I couldn’t allow him to raise the Fallen and destroy all of mankind for his own selfish, narcissistic motives. My eyes scoured the group of Hybrids surrounding me, protecting the site. They were all there willingly. No one forced them to come and fight that battle.

  I knew they wouldn’t let me down.

  So, I wasn’t about to let them down.

  “You should know that I don’t quit. I never surrender. And I will never, ever cave to the demands of a madman bent on destroying the humans of this world,” I said calmly, trying hard to hide my fear.

  “The humans of this world have squandered their right to live.” Azazel’s expression changed from smug amusement to utter fury, his voice growing louder. “They fight one another over religions that simply do not exist. Humans created religion. They use it to justify their own understanding of a God they have never understood. They have killed one another in the name of their God, and for what? For bragging rights? For land? To be able to say that their God is more powerful than their enemy’s? Humans, as far as I’m concerned, lost the right to exist during the time of Noah. But the creator took pity on His people, allowing them to begin again. Start over. And what has mankind done with that second chance? They became even more sinful. Evil. Destructive. Abominable. They no longer deserve to live, and I shall see to their extinction myself.”

  “Who made you God?” I shouted.

  “You blaspheme,” hissed Azazel.

  “No. You have decided to be mankind’s judge, jury, and executioner. Did God give you that right? Has He passed down the command to destroy them all? It’s ironic, don’t you think? You accuse them of doing to each other what you plan on doing to all of them. Your God is their God. Does your God not believe in mercy? In forgiveness? And yet, you seem not to be able to show mercy and forgiveness to the very same people your God created. What does that say about you?”

  Azazel grew enraged, his face contorting as if possessed.

  “You mock me. You are nothing but a bastard child. What do you know of the ancient ways of Heaven and the Watchers? He showed us no mercy when He imprisoned my brothers there, below your feet. And for what? For teaching mortal man His mysteries? The secrets of the stars, the roots of the earth, the gems of the mountains?”

  “Fathering bastard giant children?” I interjected.

  Raja stepped forward, prepared to attack at my reference, but Azazel put out his arm to stop him in his tracks.

  The Watcher continued as if I hadn’t interrupted.

  “We mingled with His humans, fell in love with the women, laid with them, and they bore us children. We opened their eyes to the wonders of His universe. And for that, we were punished, interned beneath the earth. And where is He now that His mortal men carry out the same sins with their science, their math, and their understanding of the universe? Where is He? He does nothing. He allows their free will to run rampant, to twist His words to their own will, turning their backs on Him and all He has done for them. So do not talk to me about things you do not understand. You were not there in the beginning.” Azazel lifted his sword up and pointed it at me. “But you will be there in the end.”

  Chapter 23

  The attack was sudden and swift. My counterparts held their ground while Azazel’s Hybrids rushed forward, weapons raised. The shouts of those attacking were surpassed only by the sound of the clashing metal being used to cut down their enemy. I wanted to throw my hands over my ears and block out the cries of the dying that had begun to fall at the hand of their attackers.

  But the battle had only just begun, and I knew death and destruction would continue until one of the sides was able to claim victory. I scanned my surroundings, searching for my friends. Lillith was battling two rather large followers of Azazel single-handedly. She was doing quite well, and doing so with a large grin on her face as if she was enjoying every single second. She dispatched one of her attackers with a single thrust to his abdomen. Then, pulling her sword out in one swift movement, she blocked an incoming blow from another foe.

  My gaze moved right just in time to see Dorian, holding his Chakram, flip over the head of his opponent, cleanly slicing off his head. Dorian, too, seemed a little too exultant for someone who’d just killed someone. But then, I guessed, his entire life had led up to that moment, and in a way he must feel happy to fulfill his destiny.

  I was relieved to see Sam and Sean had listened and stayed out of sight. Their safety was a priority for me. Over the years, I’d grown to distrust, and even despise, most humans. But I’d grown fond of those two guys. They were willing to participate in a supernatural war to protect the human race. They could have run, knowing there wasn’t much they could contribute to the effort. But they had decided to do what little they could in order to assist me and my small band of strong-willed Hybrids.

  The battle continued around me. I stayed in the center of the circle, semi-protected against Raja’s cronies. I desperately wanted to join my counterparts, but I needed to be patient and wait for the right time. I couldn’t take the risk of being injured before I was able to reach Raja and retrieve my sword. So, I stayed put until it was time, even though I was itching to get into the fight.

  My eyes went from one individual battle to the next. It was easy to see which side people were on. Raja and his cronies were dressed in their usual black leather getups. I smiled again, wondering if it was their way of telling the good guys from the bad guys. But then, they thought they were the good guys, so who knew?

  There were various types of weapons being used. Short swords, broadswords, sabres, and katanas. There were dual Sais as well as spears, and there was even a horseman’s pick being used by a rather bulky Hybrid with remarkably large forearms.

  It was only a matter of time before someone managed to break through the line to get to me. They couldn’t raise their precious Fallen without my blood, so I was to remain where I stood, guarded and protected against Raja and his army for the time being. My cohorts simply wanted to keep me safe, but I knew that wasn’t feasible. They would reach me eventually. Then, I wouldn’t have a choice. I’d need to break away and fight. After all, at that moment they only had the sword, and that wasn’t enough to raise the Fallen. They needed me, too.

  So, I waited, watching the others as they continued to battle their adversaries. Even with all of the hostility and blood that surrounded me, I mustered up my courage and stood tall, ready to take on anyone that came at me.

  I didn’t need to wait long.

  Oddly enough, three blonde women who looked to be identical triplets punched through my protected shield of Hybrids and squared off with me.

  “Three against one. That’s hardly fair, don’t you think?” I said with a snide smile.

  The one on the right commented, “We don’t see a problem with it.”

  “Oh,” I said, trying unsuccessfully to hide a smirk. “I’m sorry. You must have misunderstood. I meant it’s hardly fair to you.”

  And with that, I spread my wings and lifted myself into the air, disturbing the dirt beneath their feet. Dust billowed upward and cre
ated a kind of smokescreen. The three warriors blindly swung their swords upward. I chuckled to myself thinking they all looked a bit like children swinging at a piñata. I continued to flap my wings, keeping myself invisible to them until they began to cough as the dust filled their lungs. Then, with one quick swing of the sword, I summarily separated all three of their heads from their bodies.

  I tucked in my wings behind me and allowed myself to drop to the ground. My feet alighted a bit harder than I’d anticipated, causing my knees to buckle as I landed. I remained in the crouched position, hunched over slightly, as another adversary managed to get through my protective line.

  He was taller than the triplets had been, but as far as Hybrids went, he wasn’t nearly as built as the others. He was thin and lean, with nearly no muscle visible to the naked eye. However, that fact didn’t seem to diminish his fighting skills. He came at me full speed, letting out a primal scream, his broadsword being held up firmly with both hands.

  I waited until he was almost upon me before standing upright to defend myself. There was no reason to exert any more energy than was absolutely necessary. After all, I had bigger fish to fry later.

  Raja and Azazel.

  The clanging of our swords ripped into the night air. He continued to come at me hard and heavy, not letting up for an instant. The lanky Hybrid was stronger than he looked. He continued to force me back with every blow of his sword. Farther and farther I retreated until I found myself back-to-back with someone. I stepped away and spun around to attack, but stopped short at the sight of one of my Hybrid allies. As we glanced at one another, I saw initial fear in his eyes, but upon recognizing who I was, it quickly dissipated. His relief only lasted for a moment.