by R C Knight
The hut was empty. That’s weird, she thought as she walked inside, her eyes scanning the empty room. She should have been back by now. Her eyes fell on the empty corner, where Myra’s satchel used to be. Fuck, she thought as she continued to scan the room. A light breeze from the open door caused the folded parchment on her makeshift pillow to flutter. Aria walked to her bed and knelt to pick up the parchment. She slowly unfolded it, her eyes lingering on the words that had been written.
Have faith in me.
She sighed wearily as she folded the parchment and shoved it into her satchel. What the fuck has she gotten herself into? Aria wondered as she laid down on her makeshift bed. Exhaustion overtook her as her mind contemplated what Myra might have done. Her eyes became heavy as she drifted off to sleep.
~~~~
Candlelight flickered from a dark corner, illuminating the worn stones of the small chamber. Painful moans echoed off the damp walls, the pure agony of them torturing Zane’s soul. He could feel his heart pounding as he looked around the small chamber. Not again. He thought as images of Raphael filled his mind. A tortured scream echoed around the chamber as Zane stood up and bolted from the chamber. He knew exactly where he was going. He ran around the corner and through a small archway, he threw his hands in front of his face in anticipation of the bright light.
A woman’s giggle echoed through the chamber. “Looks like he didn’t get enough the first time.” She smiled as she looked down at Raphael, running her blood red nails across his bloodied chest.
“Lilith.” Zane growled as he lunged forward, wrapping his hand around her throat. She smiled as he tightened his grip, his anger surging through his body.
“Yes,” she choked. “This is exactly what I want.” Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Zane, stop.” Raphael croaked, his blue eyes pleading with him. “This is what they want.”
“She needs to die. Now.” Zane responded sternly, his eyes turning black as he lifted Lilith from the ground.
“Calm yourself.” Raphael pleaded as he struggled against the chains holding him down to the table. “This is what they want! They need you to lose your control. Then they can take control of you.”
Zane growled as he tightened his grip around Lilith’s throat. She smiled at him, her blue eyes begging him to finish the job.
“Damnit Zane. Listen to me!” Raphael’s voice echoed through the chamber. “What would Aria say if she saw you right now?”
Zane froze, his black eyes focusing on Raphael. “How do you know about Aria?” his voice croaked as he lowered Lilith to the ground.
“I trained her, remember?” Raphael responded calmly. “I know how she responds to situations. She always remains calm and examines the potential outcomes. This is something I tried to teach you as well.” He smiled as Zane released his grip around Lilith’s throat. “She can help you control it, Zane. Don’t give in to your demons.”
“No!” Lilith shouted over Raphael, her eyes filling with bloodlust. “We will have him, Raphael. You cannot stop what has already been determined by fate!” She giggled hysterically as she picked up a small, silver dagger and stabbed it into Raphael’s chest.
“Father!” Zane shouted as he leapt forward. Lilith laughed as she ripped the dagger out of his chest, blood was spurting from the wound as Raphael screamed in pain. Zane roared in anger as he grabbed Lilith and threw her across the chamber. A loud thud echoed around them as her head hit the wall. She slumped to the floor, her unconscious form pale against the dark stone.
“Zane, don’t.” Raphael gasped as Zane picked up the dagger and closed the distance between him and Lilith.
“This ends now,” Zane shouted as he plunged the dagger straight through her heart. He looked back at Raphael, his black eyes burning with anger.
“No,” Raphael whispered; his voice filled with defeat.
Zane bolted upright; his body covered in sweat. He looked over at Bishop, who was tossing and turning in his sleep. I need some air, he thought as he grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head. He quietly stood up and made his way out of the hut.
The cool night air slapped him in the face, the shock waking him up. It was just a dream. He reminded himself as he made his way to the wood line. Raphael is dead. He can’t help me. Zane shook his head as he tried to get the images from his dream to disappear. He made his way into the forest, using the red light from the moon as his guide.
The crater from the night before appeared, the trees around it had been charred but the black flames had finally dissipated. A towering figure stood in the middle of the crater, staring up at the red moon.
“What are you doing up, Cain?” he asked nonchalantly as he walked up next to him.
“Too excited to sleep,” Cain muttered as he glanced down at Zane. “What about you?”
“Same,” Zane mumbled as he ran a hand through his black hair. “You think our plan is going to work?”
“It better. But if it doesn’t…” He shrugged his shoulders. “At least I’ll get to kill a shit ton of demon loving scum on the way.” Bloodlust filled his eyes at the thought. “I’m surprised to see you out here.”
“Why’s that?”
“I figured Keira would try to lock you up and keep you to herself until she has to leave.” Cain chuckled.
“Ahh, yea,” Zane muttered as he stared out at the forest that had been untouched by the black flames. “She already threw a temper tantrum over her going to the ships while Aria stays with us.”
“Does she think she can fight better than the angel?” Cain laughed, his entire body shaking. “She’s our best archer, there’s no way she could compare in close combat to Aria.”
“I know.” Zane sighed. “She’s just acting off her emotions instead of thinking logically.”
“Better than thinking with our dicks, I suppose.” Cain continued to laugh as he clapped his hand against Zane’s back.
“Yea.” Zane chuckled as he looked up at Cain.
“How’s Riley taking it?”
“He’s ecstatic to get farther away from the close combat. He’s too worried about Anne and Aiden to focus right now.”
“That’s exactly why I don’t have a woman,” Cain muttered as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Oh yea?”
“They steal your manhood,” he responded matter-of-factly. “You spend too much time focusing on your woman, and you forget how to be a man.”
Zane chuckled as he looked up at the moon. “I guess you could say that.”
“It’s good that you haven’t found yourself a woman yet.” Cain smiled as Zane looked up at him. “It’s obvious Keira is just a fuck-buddy for you. Which is what we need right now. We can’t afford you to be distracted by a pair of tits.” Cain laughed as he turned towards the village. “Anyway, I should go check on Abel. Make sure he’s not sleeping with someone’s wife or some shit.”
“Probably ‘some shit’, but yea.” Zane half laughed as he watched Cain walk away. “We wouldn’t want that.” He frowned as images from his dream returned to him. She can help you control it. Raphael’s words floated through his mind as Aria’s bright green eyes and radiant smile appeared in his mind’s eye. We can’t afford you to be distracted by a pair of tits. Cain’s voice sounded loud and clear, forcing Aria from his mind. I need to focus. He told himself firmly. It was just a dream. I shouldn’t take advice from a fucking dream. He sighed wearily as he looked up at the blood red moon.
Chapter Thirty-One
Earth
Aria sat quietly on her makeshift bed, her eyes locking onto the empty area where Myra used to sleep. She could hear constant movement outside as everyone prepared for their training. She held her left hand out in front of her and cleared her mind. Myra would want me to move on, she thought wearily as she focused on her hand. To get better than I was before. A small smile formed on her face as lightning danced across her fingertips. She focused, watching the lightning form a ball in the center of her palm. She tu
rned her palm and concentrated as she threw the ball of lightning into the ground. It landed with a hiss as it spread through the hard dirt.
Aria’s face became serious as she held out her right hand. Her eyes narrowed as she concentrated on releasing her holy water. Just focus. She thought, it’s just a little water. Her mind filled with frustration as nothing happened. A soft knock sounded on her door, causing a growl of frustration to leave her lips.
“Come in,” she shouted as her arms dropped to her side. The door opened quickly as Ryder stepped inside the hut. His eyes quickly scanned their surroundings.
“Where’s Myra?” he asked, his eyes focusing on her empty spot.
“She left,” Aria muttered as she stood up and dragged her satchel next to her makeshift bed.
“What do you mean she left?”
“It’s exactly what it sounds like,” she responded with frustration as she picked up her daggers and strapped them to her legs. “She is gone and she’s not coming back, end of story.”
“She went back to Heaven?” his voice was filled with disbelief, “why?”
“No,” she replied as she closed her satchel. “She left, Ryder. Just went off while we were gone. I don’t know where she is, but it’s not Heaven.” She sighed. “I’m assuming you were checking to see if I was ready to train?”
“Uh… yea,” he muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. “Everyone else is outside already.”
“Then let’s go,” Aria muttered as she tightened her daggers around her thighs. “I’m tired of this place.” She sighed as she made her way past Ryder and to the door. She looked over her shoulder at him. “Come on, there’s no reason to stay here any longer.” Ryder sighed wearily as he followed Aria out the door.
The bright light of the morning sun blinded her as she stormed through the door. She examined her surroundings, Kai had Zane, Cain and Abel over by the wood line, sitting on the ground with their eyes closed as he imbued them with holy light. Dominick stood off to the side, his eyes met hers as a smile crossed his face. She sighed as she glanced over at the sparring circle. Bishop and Riley were waiting with a small group of fighters from Cain and Abel’s group.
“I’m surprised they got more people from their ships already,” Aria muttered as she headed towards the sparring circle.
“Aria,” Ryder’s voice sounded behind her. “Shouldn’t we do something about Myra? Let the Counsel know what happened?”
“It’s fine Ryder,” she responded tartly as she made her way towards the group. “I’ve already taken care of it.”
“Really?”
“Yea,” she responded quickly. “I sent a message last night.”
“And what did they say?”
“To leave her.”
“What?” he responded in disbelief. “But she abandoned us. Surely they’d want us to track her down.”
She sighed wearily as she stopped in her tracks and turned towards Ryder. “We are leaving her because she is dying.” Shock filled Ryder’s face.
“What… how?” His words stumbled out.
“She was corrupted by the black vines in Chicago,” Aria muttered as she turned away from him, her eyes focusing on Bishop. “It was spreading. I don’t think she had much time left.”
“But –”
“Enough, Ryder.” Aria cut him off as she continued towards Bishop. “What’s done is done. There is nothing we can do to change it,” she said sternly as she looked over her shoulder at him. “Just drop it.”
Ryder sighed wearily as he followed Aria towards the group.
“Hey Bishop.” Aria smiled sweetly as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “You feeling alright?”
“I’m fine,” he muttered; his eyes filled with hatred as he focused on Zane.
“Are you sure?” she asked softly. “Because you look like you’re ready to rip Zane apart with your bare hands.”
“I said I’m fine,” he growled as he looked at Aria. “Just ready to leave this place.”
“I think all of us are,” Ryder muttered as he scanned the village. “This red mist works fast.” He sighed as he looked at Aria. “Maybe too fast.”
“Yea,” she sighed. “Well, let’s get this training started.” She smiled enthusiastically as she entered the sparring circle. “Alright. Ryder is going to enchant everyone’s weapons, so we don’t kill each other.” She explained as Ryder started going to each member of the group. “And then we’ll break off into pairs for training. Bishop.” He broke his gaze from Zane and looked over at her. “You get to train with me today.” She smiled. “And after that, why don’t you hang out with Ryder? I’m sure you two will have a blast talking about everything you hate about Zane.” She chuckled as Bishop made his way over, his fists clenched at his sides.
“I hope you’re ready for this.” Bishop grunted as he unsheathed his sword. Ryder jogged over and quickly enchanted the blade, nodding at Aria when he was done.
“I was born ready.” She smiled as she squared her stance. “Give me all you’ve got, Bishop. I expect this to be fun.”
Bishop smiled darkly as he sized her up. “You forget, Aria. I’ve been watching you fight for almost a year now. I think I’ve got your style figured out.”
“Then prove it.” She laughed as she charged him. He quickly blocked her attack and countered, his mind focusing on the fight.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Earth
“This is weird,” Cain grunted as he sat on the hard ground, his legs crossed, and eyes closed. Kai stood in front of him, his hands gently resting on Cain’s temple as he imbued holy light into his body.
“It only gets weirder,” Zane chimed in with a laugh. “Trust me.”
“This will help,” Kai sighed wearily. “It’s how we angels strengthen our connection to our magick. I figure it will help you strengthen your connection to your corruption. You need to own it in order to be able to control it. Now, take a deep breath in through your nose, and exhaled through your mouth. Continue that pattern as you connect with your soul. Find where your corruption becomes one with you. That is where you will learn control. I’m using my holy light to help you find your connection.”
They sat in silence; their rhythmic breathing being carried away by the breeze. Bird chatter filled the air as the group continued their meditation. “Have you found your connection?” Kai’s voice was soft, Cain and Zane grunted in response. “Good,” Kai smiled as he moved over to Abel and began imbuing him with holy light. “Now I want you to focus on strengthening that connection. Imagine you are wrapping a rope around it, making it stronger.”
Abel groaned as he focused on strengthening his connection. “Take it slow.” Kai’s voice resonated around him. I can do this, he thought as he forced the connection to grow stronger. I will control it. He focused on the black swirls, ensuring he gave attention to each one. Pain lanced through his chest. Just a little more, he thought as the pain increased, causing him to curl in on himself. Damnit! A ferocious growl escaped his lips as he lost control, his body tearing itself apart as his muscles expanded.
“Damnit!” Kai yelled as he rushed over to Abel, placing his hand over the tattoo on his chest. “I told you to take it slow, fucker,” he muttered as he imbued the tattoo with more holy light, a sigh of relief escaped his lips as Abel crumple to the ground, his body back to normal.
“That’s enough for today.” Kai looked over at Cain and Zane. “You did well. But as you can see, it is dangerous if you lose control. I only want you working on this connection when I am around. Do you understand?” They nodded in agreement.
“Fucking cuck,” Cain muttered as he glanced at his brother curled up on the ground. “How long will he be out this time?”
“Probably a couple hours,” Kai muttered. “Zane.”
“Yea?” Zane responded, looking over at him.
“I have some more training I wanted to do with you. Let’s go into the woods.”
“Why does he get more training?” Cain muttered with
disappointment.
“This involves something you aren’t capable of doing, Cain,” Kai responded. “Otherwise I’d love to have you tag along.” He chuckled as Zane stood up, shaking the stiffness from his legs.
“Maybe next time,” Zane muttered as he looked over at Kai. “Lead the way.”
Kai nodded as he headed toward the wood line. He glanced over at Zane once they were out of earshot from Cain. “You remember that morning we found you in the crater with black flames?” he asked, his eyes scanning Zane’s face as he responded.
“Yea, what about it?” Zane responded with hesitation.
“You need to tell me how that happened. It’s the only way I can help you,” Kai replied sincerely. “And I want to help you Zane. I don’t enjoy watching people self-destruct.”
“It was an accident,” Zane responded with a sigh.
“An accident, huh?” He glanced over at him in disbelief as they arrived at the crater. “And what led to this accident?”
“Aria,” Zane replied wearily as he eyed the crater. “I tend to lose control when I can’t have her.”
“Ahh,” Kai sighed sadly. “I see. Were the black flames from you as well?”
“I don’t know.”
“Alright.” Kai walked around the crater, examining the burned edges. “I want you to try and recreate it.”
“Seriously?” Zane responded, a hint of excitement in his voice. “And here I thought you were going to tell me to never do it again.”
“I still might,” Kai chuckled in response. “But for now, I want to see if you can control it. It might be useful, depending on what it exactly is.”
“Alright,” Zane responded as he shook his shoulders, trying to concentrate. “Let me just… Try to get into that mindset,” he muttered. He took a deep breath as he clenched his fists.
Kai stared at Zane, watching as nothing happened. Zane began to pace around the crater, his shoulders tense. “Let me help,” Kai interrupted with a smile. “I’m Aria.” Kai chuckled in a high-pitched voice. “And I don’t love you.”