by BJ Sheldon
The sound of fighting could still be heard all around us. Although the number of Hybrids clashing with Hybrids had dwindled substantially, the war raged on.
“Release my brothers.” Azazel took a few steps toward me. “Keep your vow. We have released your friend as you asked. Now do as you said you would.”
“You can’t do this,” whispered Dorian.
“I have to,” I replied.
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t know.”
“We’ll all die.”
“What is it you said?” I asked, raising the sword above my head, holding the hilt tightly with both hands. I turned my head and looked at him as a tear fell down my face. “You have to have faith.”
And with that, I thrust the sword into the dirt.
The earth began to quake beneath our feet. Everyone started to stumble, struggling to stay upright. My eyes scanned my surroundings erratically, watching Hybrids lose their footing and collapse to the earth below. Azazel had opened up his wings and hovered a few feet off the ground, a gratified look etched on his face.
But the ground started to do more than simply shake. Cracks formed in the dirt and rock, quickly growing and stretching from one end of the burial site to the other. The cracks widened, and the earth swallowed itself. Hybrids were sucked into massive sink holes that had opened up from the growing fissures, causing the others to scramble for safety.
The terrain below my feet shifted. My wings stretched out behind me as I prepared to fly away and out of harm’s way. I turned and grabbed Dorian by the waist, my newfound size and strength allowing me to carry him a few yards away just as the ground where we’d stood fell into the earth, leaving a gaping hole.
My feet touched the ground.
The burial site was bereft of dirt and rock. Giant skeletons lay suspended in the void below us, floating as if caught in a force field of some kind, my sword still setting upright in the middle of their bones.
“My brothers!” shouted Azazel. “Your time to awaken and take your rightful place with me has come!” He flew at me, his sword aimed at my chest.
In that same moment, I knocked Dorian down with one of my wings to try and keep him safe and out of danger. I turned and flapped my wings, rising high into the sky.
Azazel followed, and the chase began.
He wanted blood.
My blood.
Now that the portal to the Fallen was opened, the only thing left was to awaken them. And my blood was the only thing that could make that happen.
My newly amassed size didn’t slow me down. In fact, it only seemed to give me the strength to fly faster. I raced through the sky, speeding past valleys and rock formations of the Badlands with Azazel close on my tail. He gained a bit as we rounded an area clumped with trees.
I flapped harder and pulled away.
If he managed to get my wings, I’d be just as vulnerable as Raja had been.
But only my sword could actually kill me. It was the only weapon in existence that could kill a Watcher.
And I was a Watcher.
An idea came to me, and I quickly changed direction, heading straight back for the burial site. I flew low and caught the air current, soaring precariously over the void. With my hand stretched out before me, I snagged my sword from its invisible holding place and landed at the far edge of the giant hole.
Azazel was on me immediately, our swords clashing in the darkness. Fire spit from each of our blades, creating quite a scene and lighting up the night air between us. I held him off, blocking every blow he thrust in my direction. He swung at my head, and I bent back, the blade barely missing my face. I lunged forward and drove my sword at his chest, but his broadsword knocked it to the side.
We battled fiercely, advancing and retreating, thrusting and blocking, our swords echoing into the night each time they connected.
Dorian’s gasp distracted me for a split second.
But that was enough for Azazel to knock the sword from my hand and grab me by the back of my hair. He jerked me back and forced me to my knees. One of his cronies carefully approached my sword, which was lying on the ground, and picked it up. He gingerly carried it to his master, kneeling before him, and lifted it above his head.
Azazel snatched it from the Hybrid’s hands, and the man scampered away in fear.
I was far too angry to be afraid, all the while trying to figure out a way to release myself from Azazel’s grasp. But I was afraid for Dorian. He was pinned face down in the dirt just a few feet away, a foe’s knee in his back holding him there. It seemed he’d been ambushed from behind and used as bait to distract me.
It worked.
My mind raced, trying to find a way out of my predicament. I needed to get away from Azazel and retrieve my sword. But I soon realized I was defenseless and at his mercy.
Azazel said nothing as he held me steadfast, keeping me still. I knew what his plan was. Cut off my head, using my blood to awaken the Fallen.
I wondered what death would be like. For centuries, I had yearned for the end. I thought of nothing more than leaving the world and finding a way out of my perpetual earthly hell. But I had found myself changing my views on life.
Death was no longer something I wanted to face out of fear.
If I was going to die, I wanted to do it with courage.
I stiffened, waiting for the final blow that would end it all for me.
Chapter 28
The light was blinding.
My mind desperately sought for an explanation, but there was none to give.
I wondered for a moment if I was dead. Had Azazel killed me? Did I fail the prophecy and doom mankind?
There were shouts in the background. I couldn’t make out the words, but it became clear that I wasn’t alone.
The light began to fade back into the darkness, and I found myself tangled in Dorian’s arms. I was back to my usual height, and the light emanating from my body had dissipated. My thoughts were jumbled as I tried to remember what happened.
“What’s going on?” I whispered.
“I’m not sure,” Dorian replied. “Azazel had you and was ready to take your head when Sam walked out of the tree line and demanded Azazel set you free. He laughed and started to bring the sword down, and then BAM! There was an explosion of light.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, sitting up. The glow from Azazel was still clear, but he had company whose light shone even brighter. “Who is that?” I asked.
“I think it’s Sam.”
“That’s not Sam,” I said mockingly.
“I’m telling you. One minute Sam was standing there, and the next a Watcher was standing in his place.”
The stranger stood just a few yards away from Azazel, towering over our enemy. His size struck me, telling me he must have been someone of great importance within the hierarchy of Heaven. He stood at least three feet above Azazel, and the radiant light that shone from the Watcher was whiter and softer than the glow that came from his adversary.
The Watcher’s robes appeared to be dark blue, and his chest was adorned with a silver breast plate. But it was his eyes that caught my attention. They were blue and almost seemed to shine, reflecting the light that gleamed off the broadsword he held, the point of which was aimed directly at Azazel’s chest.
In an instant, I understood everything. Who Sam had been all along, where he’d come from, and why he’d joined our merry band of misfits. He was a Watcher, disguising himself to keep me safe and to help me fulfill the prophecy.
My father.
“Sam,” I whispered to myself. “It’s you.”
I was sure I saw his eyes flutter in my direction for an instant, but he had other things to take care of first.
“Raphael. Have you come to join us in freeing your brothers?” Azazel asked through clenched teeth. It was clear he already knew the answer.
“No. I’ve come to ensure you join them. I will not fail my God again,” Raphael replied.
I sc
oured my surroundings and realized Azazel had inadvertently dropped, or been forced to drop, my sword to the ground below. It had landed several feet from where the Watchers stood. I’d been weakened by the entire experience, so Dorian crawled over to my prized possession and retrieved it. He handed it to me, and I grasped the hilt tightly in my hand.
My body tingled at its touch. Just holding it again seemed to give me a power surge, and I felt myself gaining strength once more.
In one swift movement, Azazel pulled his own broadsword from his sheath, and the Watchers began to battle one another to the death. When their swords collided, the ground shook violently. But Raphael had the clear advantage. He was far stronger and faster than his enemy, and it wasn’t long until Raphael had backed Azazel into a large rock wall.
I saw my chance and soared silently into the air. No one witnessed me disappearing into the night except for Dorian, who quietly pondered what my plan was—I heard him in my head, but I simply told him he needed to trust me.
My feet landed on the ledge of a large formation not far from the Watcher battle. I gripped the hilt of my sword and felt the energy returning to my body.
And then, I waited.
I had unfinished business to attend to.
I watched and waited for an opportunity.
Azazel spread his wings and hurdled himself into the air. But Raphael had already anticipated that his enemy would make a break for it and matched his leap, releasing his wings behind him and cutting Azazel off. They became entangled, wrestling in the air, finding themselves above the Fallen’s final resting place.
“Be ready,” I heard Raphael say telepathically. I honed in on his face, and in the melée, I saw him gesture below with his eyes.
Suddenly, I understood.
Raphael managed to knock Azazel’s broadsword from his grasp and seized the Fallen’s leader by the throat with both hands. Azazel clawed at the fingers wrapped round his neck in an attempt to pry himself free.
But it was too late.
“Now, Skyy!” Raphael shouted.
I sprinted toward the edge of the burial site and leapt into the air toward the Fallen’s leader, and for a brief moment, Azazel’s gaze met mine.
Fear had replaced his arrogance.
In one swift movement, his wings had been sliced off and fell into the dark void below.
Raphael released his grasp on his foe’s throat.
Raphael and I hovered above and watched the once-mighty Watcher fall into the portal below.
I flew to the center of the void and thrust my sword into the invisible force field that had kept the Fallen trapped for millennia.
The earth shook again, even harder than before.
Hybrids were tossed about. Rocks bounced. Trees fell.
Raphael and I were caught up in a cyclonic-force wind that threw us to the ground.
Dirt kicked up, making it difficult to see. I crawled around until I located Dorian, who was curled up on the ground trying to protect himself from the sudden catastrophe. I wrapped my wings around us, and we waited out the storm.
A few more moments passed, and then we were left with nothing but silence.
Cautiously, we peered out from under my wings, ensuring the coast was clear.
The burial site was again filled with dirt. My sword stood upright, its point plunged deep into the ground. Realization set in. My sword had not only been capable of opening the ancient underground prison, it was also able to close it.
I stood at the edge of the site and gazed out at my handiwork. It was over. I tentatively walked to the center of the site and grasped the hilt.
I yanked my sword from the ground, held it above my head, and screamed.
The Hybrids of Shamsiel screamed back in victory while Azazel’s army knelt in defeat. They would be taken as prisoner. From there, I didn’t know what would happen to them. Nor did I care.
My job, my destiny, had been fulfilled.
Raja and Azazel had been defeated. The Fallen had remained buried. And I had survived.
“Skyy.” Dorian stood behind me. I turned to face him.
His hands were instantly on my face, brushing the dirt from my cheeks.
“You did it,” he murmured. “I always knew you’d find the strength. I never doubted you.”
“I had help,” I replied, a faint smile spreading across my lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him close. He held me tight, but my stare was on Raphael, on Sam—my father.
He winked, opened his wings, and flew off. I watched him until he disappeared through the clouds.
I knew then my questions would probably forever go unanswered.
Chapter 29
The arduous task of burning Hybrid bodies took hours. No trace could be left that any of them existed.
Including Lillith.
Dorian couldn’t bring himself to burn her with the others. He created a small pyre of firewood and laid her gently on top. Another Hybrid walked up and carefully poured gasoline over her body and lit a match.
I couldn’t watch. It was too much to witness her body disappearing within the flames and the green glow of the fire that only appeared upon the burning of a Hybrid. I had to step away, keeping my back to the scene.
But her brother stood firm until the end, right up until the last bit of smoke died out and her body had been reduced to nothing but ash. He stared at the pile, unable to look away for nearly half an hour.
We had already buried Sean near the battleground. He would have wanted it that way, to be put to rest in a spot where he’d had his greatest adventure, a place where he’d discovered just how brave he could be.
His gravesite was marked by a large rock I’d found near the tree line when I gathered his belongings. I scratched a cross into it using one of Dorian’s knives from his weapons bag and rested the stone in the dirt above Sean’s final resting place.
I had tried not to cry, telling myself he’d died a hero’s death. But I failed, allowing myself to become a heaping mess of snot and tears, crumpled on the ground. I eventually pulled myself together. He would have laughed at me, knowing I had a human side to me after all.
Once the Hybrids had been burned and no trace of the battle was left, it was time to leave the Badlands.
Dorian and I gathered to say goodbye to our allies.
“See you soon,” said Arna, matter-of-factly.
“I guess,” replied Dorian. “If that’s where I’m headed.”
“Where else would you go?” Arna smiled mischievously at Dorian and slapped him on the shoulder before making his way to me.
“You, dear girl. You are amazing. I doubt your adventures will end here. In fact, I foresee great things in your future,” said the Watcher, cupping my cheek.
“I hope not,” I chuckled. “I think I’ve had enough adventure for a lifetime. But I’m confused about something.”
“Yes?” asked Arna.
“My wings were still attached but my sword almost killed me after a simple scratch. If I’m a Watcher, that shouldn’t have happened.”
Arna smiled, but said nothing. He spread his wings and flew off into the sky.
I glanced over at Dorian.
“Well, that was enlightening,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
Dorian winked at me.
Rami stepped forward and boldly placed a kiss on both of my cheeks. He then placed my chin in his hand and looked me squarely in the eye.
“You. You are truly amazing. The mortals of this earth have no idea how lucky they are to have you fighting for them.”
“Thank you,” I said sheepishly, unsure of how to take a compliment such as that. “You aren’t too bad in a fight yourself.”
“Thanks. I had a good teacher.” He slapped Dorian on the back playfully.
“Thanks for joining the fight,” said Dorian.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.” The dark-haired Hybrid grabbed Dorian by the shoulders and lightheartedly slapped him on the cheek. They both grinned
, and Rami put his arms around his friend and hugged him tight. “I’m sorry about Lil.”
“I know.” Dorian and Rami’s foreheads came together, as their hands gripped the back of each other’s necks.
Rami knew it would be the last time he’d ever see his friend, and it showed.
It was the price they paid for being born Hybrids. They knew it.
But it didn’t make saying goodbye any easier.
Rami quickly backed away, noticeably upset. But he plastered a broad smile on his face and pointed at me.
“You’re lucky to know him, Skyy. Never forget that.”
“I won’t,” I replied, tossing up a hand, waving as he opened a portal and disappeared.
Dorian and I were completely alone. We made our way back to camp just as the sun started to rise, opting to walk rather than using a portal or flying. He held my hand, and together we traipsed slowly over the rocky terrain, neither of us in any hurry to get to where we were going.
All of the gear had already been packed and divvied up amongst the remaining Hybrids who’d survived, with the exception of the weapons. I’d laid claim to those the moment Dorian offered. I doubted I would ever need them again, but I knew I’d feel safer having them with me.
I’d given Sean’s car keys to one of the Hybrids and told her to find it a good home. She assured me she would before driving away. I watched her speed off, the back tires kicking up dirt and rocks, and I imagined it was Sean behind the wheel just heading home after an adventure.
A single blanket remained at the campsite near where the campfire had once sat. Without a word, Dorian lay down on his back and stared up at me.
“Lie with me,” he said.
I quietly obeyed and found myself right next to him, both of us gazing up at the sky. He entwined our fingers, and together we stared at the clouds above.
The weather had grown warmer. The chill in the air had dissipated the moment Azazel had been defeated, and the usual seasonal temperatures had returned to the Badlands.
We laid together for an hour without uttering a single word. I simply wanted to enjoy his company for as long as I could.
But it was time to ask the question that had been on my mind for the past few days.