Embaixador

by Marcus John Beltran

  I held Rel’s limp body. He’s not breathing! I began to tear up. Blood poured from his mouth and nose. I tried to revive him, but it was hopeless. There was no mistaking it; Rel was dead.

  This poor little kid, how can this be? What the hell just happened here? I wiped my tears away.

  I heard a crash. I turned around and saw someone in a grey robe walking over. I stood and the figure said, “No, it’s okay. I mean you no harm. He was my friend.” The man walked over.

  The peculiar man leaned over Rel’s lifeless body and knelt down with one knee with his head bowed. I could see the man was very saddened as he deeply grieved for Rel. “I’m Nehriol, a good friend of Rel’s. I’m sorry you had to see this” the man said and stood up. “I’m Caleb, nice to meet you. Why did they kill him? He’s just a little boy.”

  Nehriol replied, “I know. It’s a tragedy and never should have happened.”

  “Who were those people?” I asked.

  “They will pay for this. We will avenge Rel. We will need help, as there are many of them.”

  “Many? Where are they? In fact, I beg you, where the hell am I? What’s happening here?”

  “Come. I’ll show you. We need to go for help,” Nehriol replied as he headed toward the colorful city. I followed.

  “We’re just going to leave him here? We can’t just leave him,” I said.

  Nehriol replied, “Yes. We will come back. The city—it’s safe there. They will help us.”

  As we got closer, I noticed parts of the ground had large and small holes or openings revealing the sky below. I was again reminded that we were floating in midair. I looked up to see in the distance three dark, glowing figures heading to the big city.

  Are they hovering? I wondered. They were. They were all gliding fast across the desolate wasteland.

  I turned and noticed three other dark figures leaving the big city from another direction. I looked to the small, grey city in the opposite direction and saw three more strange figures leaving it. Where are they all going? I wondered. When I looked down again, through one of the large openings, I couldn’t believe what I saw. There were others ascending from that other city Rel was looking at, far below.

  “Oh shit!” I said, seeing some of the dark figures jumping through the openings, flying toward the city below. We got closer to the vibrant city ahead, and I saw more of the mysterious figures in black robes. They were roaming in groups of three, to and from the three different places: the big, bright city ahead, the small grey city behind us, and the city far below us.

  “And what is this place?” He didn’t respond. “I’m dead, aren’t I?”

  Nehriol responded, “You are not.”

  Looking around this vast, grey wasteland, I noticed a few scattered figures that were all alone. Just like the others, they were gliding across the land, traveling to and from all three cities. These, however, wore all white garments and moved more slowly.

  “Don’t worry. We will get the help we need there,” Nehriol said, pointing to the bright city ahead. “Everything will make sense and be okay once we’re there.”

  33

  Not today

  “This way. We’re almost there…” Nehriol said.

  I could see the city ahead and was much larger than I’d thought it was. I heard laughter and cheers getting louder. I was awestruck by the sheer structure and beauty that surrounded me. The grand designs and markings of the tapestries that hung over the walls were glowing. Everything from the statues, decorations to the mighty guards, had a glow of enchantment around them.

  The size of this place and its vibrancy were breathtaking. The guards were huge and intimidating to look upon. They wore enchanted white battle-hardened armor with glowing blue gleaming underlining, and blue beaming eyes. The guards watched our every step as we passed them.

  “What is this place?” I asked.

  Nehriol replied, “The city of Anulace. We will be safe here. Help is inside.”

  I was anxious and excited. I was greeted with nods and smiles from the people who welcomed me in. They were celebrating and cheering my arrival. It was as if they expected me.

  As we walked through the courtyard, I was awestruck. The streets were made of gold, the plants gave off a glow as they moved, and the fountains streamed water that glistened in the daylight. The statues and tapestries were of emerald and sapphire that gleamed brightly, illuminating the city.

  I saw even more people heading into the great city, smiling and laughing as they went inside. I suddenly felt safe and assured here at this grand city.

  A group of others rushed over to Nehriol, and communicated in some other strange tongue, and they headed inside. Nehriol turned back to me with a smile and said, “Welcome, Caleb, to Anulace”

  All I could think about was that young boy, Rel.

  “We can’t just leave him there; we have to go back and get him!” I said to Nehriol in frustration.

  Nehriol replied, “No. We can’t go back, there will be more. We need help.”

  There will be more? More of the ones that killed him? I thought.

  As we walked up to the front gates, I looked behind me, down the hill, where Rel was lying, and noticed another figure in white garments standing next to him.

  My view was blocked by two other figures in white, who greeted Nehriol. “Did you see any more of them? How many?” Nehriol asked the two figures.

  “Yes, there are many over the hill, heading this way,” one of the figures replied.

  I looked back at Rel, and the other figure next to him, and to my surprise the figure was gone. They had taken Rel!

  “Quick! We must hurry into the city for help, we don’t have much time! Hurry, Caleb, now,” Nehriol insisted.

  I felt uneasy. When I looked back again, however, the two figures in white prevented me, rushing us to the city’s main gates just ahead. Whack! I felt something hit my foot. I looked down to see a faintly glowing rock roll by.

  The others ahead didn’t notice the rock as it rolled off to the right into a bush. The bush was now glowing, drawing me to it. I walked over to the bush and moved the branches, looking for the rock inside.

  When I looked into the bush, I was in disbelief. It was as if I were looking through a window to another place. There, inside the bush, I saw a person in white garments, getting the shit kicked out of them. The person in white was getting jumped by a group of others in all black robes.

  This person was not even trying to defend them self. They were just lying there, as the other ones in black savagely kicked and hit them. Why does all of this look so familiar? I’ve seen all this before. Why aren’t they fighting back? I thought.

  “Hey! They’re going to kill another one! They’re going to kill him!” I yelled.

  Nehriol replied, “We can’t help. There are too many. Hurry inside, Caleb! We must go through the gates!”

  Something is off. A bright light flashed from the bush and I looked inside again. This time, the bloodied and battered person in white turned and looked right at me.

  It was Maximino Jr.! The hair stood on my neck. At this moment I recalled Rel, who told me the ones in dark, the watchers, would pressure, force, and take. The ones in white would not, as they would help only when welcomed or when asked. I turned back to Nehriol and the others, who were heading toward me. The ones in white before me were not what they seemed.

  It was only now, I confirmed Jr.’s words, that I watched Rel, my own guardian angel, die before my eyes. Now Maximino Jr. had to replace him. I could have prevented it. I know I could have fought and saved Rel. He died for my lack of belief!

  My breathing intensified. I felt a burning rage stir within.

  Both of them were with me the whole time, trying to tell me all of this. And now Rel died because of me!

  I know where my belief lies. Jr. was right, I do know who I am. And, I know where I am. I’m home.

  My fists went hot and ignited into blue flames.

  I looked back into the bush,
at the broken and battered Max Jr., who was already looking up at me. It was as if he were waiting for me and my direction. All of sudden, I felt the most intense channeling of my entire being connected with him, as I gave a nod of assurance of faith.

  This change, this affirmation within my spirit, fueled Maximino Jr., giving him strength, instantly turning us both into merciless destroyers.

  Inside the bush, Max Jr. struck back viciously, catching the group of demons off-guard, killing them. I looked behind and stumbled back to see Nehriol and the other two figures in white running at me, now only a few feet away. Immediately, an intense ray of light illuminated from the big bush, stunning Nehriol and the other two. A bolt of light from the bush shot out, hitting me, knocking me to the ground.

  Dazed, I hurried back to my feet and couldn’t believe my eyes. Nehriol and the other two figures changed! They were all now in black robes with demonic grins. The entire city of Anulace transformed into a dark, wicked place of despair. Shrieks and cries of torment and suffering were all around. The stench of death and decay was overwhelming. “Mestre de Batalha!” I heard one of the dark demons yell and hissed, while pointing behind me.

  “Kill him!” Nehriol yelled.

  Pow! Out of nowhere, Maximino Jr. spearheaded right into the two demons, knocking them to the ground, engaging them in fierce battle. Max Jr. swiftly killed the two devil angelics, and struggled with the mighty Nehriol.

  “Caleb! He’s a Ceifador! A soul reaper, war god…he will kill me!”

  I shot in the air and pummeled Nehriol, pounding him with fists of fire. Each of my blows ignited like bombs. Nehriol knocked us back with a burst of energy. A deafening screech pierced our ears behind us. I looked and saw it was a demonic woman appear from a black mist.

  “Ceifeira! She’s a reaper witch! Don’t be afraid of her Caleb, she feeds of fear and will enter you,” yelled Jr.

  Nehriol began channeling a red energy force around him and conjured minions from the ground made of dirt. He grasped a whip of black fire and swung, wrapping it around us, and slammed us to the ground. The Ceifador’s power was too great.

  Nehriol’s eyes turned black. “No!” yelled Jr.

  I felt weak and could not move suddenly. A black beam of energy shot into our mouths. He began to drain our souls.

  Out of nowhere, another light guardian intervened, aiding us. And I knew who this other guardian was. It wasn’t Max’s brother, but the fierce and mighty archangelic, Michael! He threw his mighty sword of light, and knocked Nehriol to the ground. All three of us viciously beat down the war god Nehriol, who managed to escape into a black cloud of mist.

  I looked up at the bloodied Maximino Jr., and Michael and gave my nod of approval. I turned around, away from the darkness of Anulace, and headed down the path toward the smaller, grey city and noticed a familiar large tree in the center. Jr. and Michael followed.

  Before my very eyes, the small grey and desolate city changed into a mighty city of wonder. It gleamed with great, majestic splendor, even more than the false city of Anulace of old. I headed down the new path toward the mighty city.

  I turned back to Jr. and Michael and they were gone. I faced the new, bright city ahead. “Caleb! Caleb!” a voice yelled. “Huh?” I said, when I heard the familiar voice. The voice came from the ground?

  I looked to the ground and noticed it had opened. I knelt down and carefully looked through the hole. It was Tiana! And, there was Taylor! Someone one was dragging them away by their arms. What the hell? I thought. Both Tiana and Taylor were trying to get away, crying and kicking while reaching up toward me. “No! Stop!” I yelled.

  The person dragging them slowly turned around. Glaring back at me with a wicked smirk was Dain! “Oh my God! No! Stop!” I screamed, and reached for them.

  Suddenly, the entire ground underneath me opened and I fell into the sky. Unable to look, I kicked and screamed in horror, free-falling to the unknown below.

  I opened my eyes and found myself back on the couch at the Montez’s house. “Caleb, you’re fine, you’re okay. You zoned out a few minutes. Jr’s talking to you and you weren’t responding,” Tiana said. I felt my heart race and hugged Tiana and Taylor, relieved they were okay.

  Still shaken, I looked at Sr. and Jr. And said, “What did I just see? Who are you?

  With a nod, Max Jr. said, “We are Lytenials, from the Lytenial tree-line. We’re Guardiaos in this world, guardians here for our brethren. I am a high archangelic known as Mestre de Batalha, an elite battle-master. As mentioned, prior, I have been assigned to you, in place of our brother, Rel, who was on trial to become a Mestre de Batalha. Was this now revealed to you? What did you see?”

  “Yes, Rel! I was back in that grey wasteland again. Now I know it was no dream. Those fuckers killed him in cold blood! I saw it with my own eyes. Rel is the one who told me about the Lytenials. You are the ones Rel spoke of when I was on the floating city. And you’re the one I thought I saw when I looked back again, who was kneeling next to Rel, weren’t you?”

  Max Jr. held his head low and said, “It was Nehriol who killed him.”

  I pounded my fists in anger.

  Max Jr. said, “Our enemy are the Trydentiums, from the Trydentium tree-line. They’re watchers here on this earth, dark seekers called Buscadors.”

  I replied, “You truly are angels. And that’s who Dain and his family are, they’re all Trydentiums! I knew that Mirtaza gang story was pure bullshit! I also noticed differently colored wings on the angelics. Why?”.

  “Yes. All angelics reflect their hierarchy through wing color: grey are the unchosen ones, lost in the void of time. White is a recruit. Blue is a battle-hardened veteran, with red trim or white being the elder. Red is a battle master, with white trim or black being the elder. Black is a Arco de Batalha, high arch-angelic of hosts. When enraged, all angelics will reflect their wing trim ablaze. The fallen, Trydentiums, have the same mirrored abilities and powers to us, their counterparts.”

  It was what Max. Jr. said next that shook me to the core. “Dain is also a high archangelic. He’s one of the high elders. Dain had become one of the most powerful Mestre de Batalhas there ever were, but he defected. He was my mentor and my older brother.”

  Jr. added, “He has since become the highest dark angelics to ever exist. During the sacred trials of hosts, we battled in front of all angelics from both sides. I was the only one called and chosen to challenge him. As you know, I lost. Total devastation was all I felt. I’m still in shock.”

  Maximino Jr. continued and said, “I failed everyone, and let my father down. Mocked by all Trydentiums and disgraced. Dain is my bitter enemy, and the only one I’ve been unable to defeat.”

  “Why me?”

  Max Sr. replied, “Because, prior to here, you have chosen your place in time. You’re of our bloodline, Caleb. You’re one of us.”

  “Now it’s Dain who’s also assigned to you. And, he will not stop until your destroyed.”

  I looked into Jr’s eyes. I said, “Destroy me? Nah. Not today.”

  I held Taylor and Tiana. “God is truly with us, Tiana. Tomorrow, we’re going to finish this.”

  34

  On a cloud

  It was the next morning and we wasted no time. We all knew I was ready to face Dain. This time I would not be alone. We devised a plan to go back to Dain, under the premise of surrendering to his god. Before Dain, I would give myself to Lucio, in order to keep my family from harm.

  With our plan set, I drove down the familiar deserted road to Dain’s house. “Shit! I don’t have time for this!” I yelled. I saw flashes behind me and pulled over. Through the review mirror I saw a male and female police officer, wearing shades, walking up to each side of my car. “Is there a problem, officer?” I asked.

  “Yes, there is. A big one…” the male officer replied in a familiar voice.

  What the shit? I thought, while I looked to the officer standing on my left. The officer slowly leaned down, into my driver-side window
, and removed his sunglasses

  It was Joxel! I looked to the other side—it was Zitaya! I knew I had to keep cool, and stick to the plan. “You guys get a part-time job or something? Believe it or not, I was just on my way to your house. Where’s Dain? I want to talk to him,” I said.

  “Yes, first day. Now cut the bullshit. You’d would have just ran again otherwise. Where’s your friend, Jr.?” Joxel asked.

  I said, “Your brother was right. Maximino is a traitor. I found out a lot of things about him, and Dain has to know now.”

  They grinned. Zitaya walked over to my door with Joxel.

  Joxel chuckled. He said, “C’mon now. You really don’t think we believe that, do you?”

  I got out of the car and casually placed my arms around both. I smiled. I looked into their blank stares and smashed their heads together. They dropped.

  “Nope,” I replied.

  Not a thought. I had done that.

  So much for playing it cool.

  As I pulled into the driveway, Dain and the rest of his family were already outside, waiting. The sky was clear, and on this day I knew the light shined on me. I got out of the car, and walked over to Dain, instantly feeling a dark presence.

  “Well, look who it is. We have a visitor, my family,” Dain said. He exhaled a puff of smoke from his joint, adding, “Change your mind? Caleb… C’mon. You know me better than that. I know why you’re here. And we’re ready.”

  “Sorry, boy, you already lost. You fell for their lies, just like I once did. Only for you, it’s too late. I can sense the fear and confusion all over you. Now, you’re going to pay with your soul as you stand there, alone,” Dain said with a wicked smirk.

  I scowled and felt my fists burn. I looked into his eyes, I thought, Yeah Dain, there you go. I know you see it now. My fury.

  “Who said I was alone?” I replied.

  Dain’s eyes grew large, and his face turned pale white. Dain went ballistic, swearing in an unknown language, as his dark brethren stood next to him, perplexed.