Evenstar

by Darcy Town

  Helion went pale. “Promised you what?”

  “That once we rescued Ladriam, once she is restored, he promised to take my life.” She sagged. “I’ve been waiting a long time to be free of it,” her voice cracked. “I don’t want to live with the memories anymore.”

  “Belial, you do not mean that!” He hugged her. “You don’t want to die!”

  She leaned on her brother. “I am already dead, Helion. My heart, my soul…this body is all that remains to keep me here.” She hugged him and closed her eyes. “I’m so tired, Helion. I just want to lay it all down and rest. I don’t want to fight it anymore.”

  ***

  Lucifer walked in flame. In any direction he looked, the earth and skies burned. Flames licked the earth clean of living material. He breathed fire; his body made of heat and light. The sun rose in the sky, but he was brighter. In the roar and emptiness of flame, he found solace. His rage died down, and his thoughts returned. He could go back.

  A familiar booming drew his gaze upwards.

  Michael soared towards him. He hit the fire and gasped. He flew backwards. “What is this?”

  Lucifer laughed. “Now who does not want to fight?”

  “How do you still possess this much power?” Michael followed Lucifer’s movements on the ground below. He gripped his spear, aching to plunge it into his chest.

  Lucifer maneuvered between cracks in the earth. “You are the mouthpiece of Him. Why do you not ask Him? Oh, that is right, you do not question, and so you know nothing.”

  Michael shook with impotent rage. Heat penetrated the shielding of his pendant and drove him higher into the air.

  Lucifer contemplated attacking Michael. He was not afraid of another spear wound, but he feared for Dahlia, unsure of what her status was. He had dallied here aboveground for too long. He glanced up at Michael; the Archangel waited for an attack that would not come.

  Water seeped up from the ground below. Lucifer looked at it, ankle deep. He smelled the sea. He splashed through the water looking for a source.

  Neptune rose from the ground, his body formed from clear water. “You need to come back. We cannot heal them.”

  Lucifer looked from Michael to Neptune. “Take me to her.” He killed the flame around his body and stepped into Neptune. The two vanished into the ground leaving an enraged Michael to scream at the scorched, empty earth below.

  ***

  Dahlia felt Furcas around her in the darkness. There was silence, no pain. She reached out, found a hand, and they were reconnected. Dahlia smiled. Where are we now?

  Furcas shrugged. I do not know.

  A presence joined theirs; it was curious, unafraid, and unthreatening. It paid them no attention. It filled up everything; it was the place. It was young, carefree, and happy. It spoke without speaking, but not to them, to another.

  “I am.” The words had force, substance. The place grew heavy as each sound created mass. The spirit roamed without a distinction in time. It reflected, it existed, and it knew nothing but itself. The presence spoke again, “I am.”

  YOU ARE.

  Furcas and Dahlia froze. Waves of happiness and love shifted from one presence to another. Furcas recoiled. Oh my.

  Dahlia gripped him. What?

  We are in your memories.

  “I am Ladriam.”

  LADRIAM. A SUITABLE NAME. YOU ARE MINE.

  The being of Ladriam rejoiced, but curiosity inexorably joined its happiness. “What are you?”

  THE CREATOR, THE ALL. YOU ARE FROM ME, OF ME, WE ARE ONE AND YET APART.

  Ladriam had no form, but Furcas and Dahlia felt a focal point, a swirling consciousness. This being, inquisitive, looked around. “Where are you?”

  EVERYWHERE, BUT FOR YOU, A VIEW.

  A pinpoint of light grew to a fire, a flame of white. The glow drew Ladriam in. The feeling of adoration blossomed. She was entranced. “You are beautiful.”

  NO, THAT IS YOU. I AM EVERYTHING, UGLY, BEAUTIFUL, STRONG, WEAK. YOU ARE A MIRROR, THE THING THAT SHINES WITH ME.

  “I do not understand.”

  YOU DO NOT NEED TO. YOU ONLY REFLECT THAT WHICH IS.

  The curious consciousness that was Ladriam felt a slight disappointment that tinged the air. “I wish to understand you.”

  YOU QUESTION, DOUBT, YOU HAVE FEELINGS OTHER THAN JOY. THIS IS NEW. The greater consciousness paused, considering. Time had no meaning here; it could have pondered for millennia. It sensed her, watched her, and came to desire her difference. I SEEK TO EXPERIENCE YOU.

  “What does this mean?”

  I DESIRE THIS MUTUAL KNOWING ALSO. YOU, THIS PART OF MYSELF, IS MOST CURIOUS. I SEE IN YOU SOMETHING NOT IN THE OTHERS.

  “Others? What does this mean?”

  KNOWING OF THAT DOES NOT CONCERN YOU. IRRELEVANT. YOU ARE PERFECT, YET NOT PART OF THE WHOLE. YOU ACT AS ONE APART, YET YOU ARE MYSELF. I DO NOT YET UNDERSTAND YOU. I FEEL A SENSE TO JOIN YOU, YET AS SEPARATE, NOT AS ONE. TO BE ONE WOULD TO NOT HAVE YOU. INDIVIDUAL.

  Furcas wrapped his arms protectively around Dahlia.

  “Individual?” Ladriam moved within her realm, a bodiless consciousness, always orienting on the light that is God. “I seek only to do as you wish. I sense unease.”

  YOU SENSE…THAT YOU CAN SENSE, THIS IS SPECIAL. I MUST THINK.

  The light faded.

  Dahlia shivered. What the fuck. Do you understand what is going on?

  Furcas nodded. To understand this I think you must see something else. Let me share.

  They fell into Furcas’ long memory. Light and cold took over from dark and warmth. An electric chill snap brushed against their forms. Dahlia’s eyes opened to Heaven. Her mind could not process it. The consciousness she embodied joined with Furcas’; they overlapped and became one shared entity. He directed her view through his memories. The choirs of angels in Heaven.

  Myriad angels filled her sight, beings of prismatic light and sound. They sang and soared in a place that had neither sky nor ground. Two-winged they were perfect, beautiful, different in appearance yet the same in goal and emotions. They were a harmony of unending song. She knew contentment as Furcas had felt it then.

  From this sight, she found distinctions, seven angels with four wings. Dahlia recognized them, Andrealphus, Paimon, Michael, and Berith. The others she knew only from her dreams. Furcas’ memory supplied their names, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel. The original Archangels.

  The Archangels flew together, their movements mirrored, complementing each other. Dahlia looked to their faces. They were blank. Different in appearance, but something in them was the same. Each Archangel carried a different aspect of the whole.

  The choirs parted and Lucifer the six-winged passed overhead. His face was not blank, but thoughtful, full of ideas. Dahlia heard Furcas’ thoughts. He was individual and yet not. He was connected to Him, but had his own thoughts. Lucifer and Him shared a mind, they were aware of everything, they talked and sang in unison. Lucifer was the first, the companion.

  Dahlia watched Lucifer, ever graceful and bright, fly on. She followed his progress. Where is he going? What was he thinking?

  I do not know the latter, but he was travelling to the throne. He summoned Lucifer. He gave Lucifer a purpose other than an ear and mouth. Then he split from Lucifer, severing their connection. Lucifer was directed outward, we did not know out existed before this.

  Lucifer lost his form in a flash of light. The hosts of Heaven turned, sensing that their Primangel had left them. The seven Archangels came to a rest near young Furcas. She questioned him. What were you then?

  Furcas responded with a smile in his thoughts. A guardian, a singer, and only that, just one of the countless angels that worshipped without thought.

  The sky erupted in light and song. Dahlia watched the creation as Furcas had. Colors and heat blanketed the sky in a rainbow aurora. The singers in Heaven ceased, breathless.

  The seven Archangels blinked in unison, they breathed in harmony, and stepped apart as individu
als. Young Furcas’ eyes were drawn to Paimon. The Archangel looked at his hands, then all around him. His eyes stopped at Furcas, he seemed curious, then looked away captured by another new sight.

  Dahlia felt Furcas’ emotions, his vision, the love Furcas had instantly fostered for the Archangel. Paimon looked back at the newly created universe, his eyes fixed only on it.

  Furcas smiled. He was so perfect then. Utterly fascinated by what Lucifer had done.

  Dahlia watched the Archangels stare at the sky. But they all weren’t?

  Time passed in a place without time. The angels watched the universe unfold, the creation of stars and planets. Berith, Andrealphus, and Paimon unfurled their wings and leapt out of Heaven, leaving Michael, Barachiel, Selaphiel, and Jegudiel behind. Michael was torn, wanting to go, yet pensive.

  Furcas smiled. Those three, their curiosity got the better of them. And they saw.

  ***

  Lucifer arrived at the Sanctuary doorway. The second generation Lilliam focused on breaking the shield. Paimon waited in the doorway, staring at Furcas and Dahlia. The others stayed in the room outside. Whitney, Tracy, Celeste, and Jacob huddled together in a nervous, exhausted knot. Apple stood stoically. Berith held up Andy. Belial paced as a terrified looking Helion watched over her every movement.

  Lucifer took this in and turned to Paimon. “What is it?”

  Paimon’s eyes were sunken and red. “No one can heal them. She’ll die when Furcas does.”

  Lucifer stepped inside. A halo of red light circled the two on the dais. His face lost its emotion. “Everyone out.”

  “But.” Paimon grabbed his arm.

  Lucifer pushed him away. “Leave. You can do no more.”

  “What will you do?”

  “I do not know yet.”

  The second generation Lilliam left the room. Instead of reverting to their formless energies, they stayed in physical form and waited next to their families.

  Lucifer reformed the door behind him. He stood alone with Furcas and Dahlia. He stared at the dais, at a loss for what to do next. His gaze settled on the small door fused to the stone wall.

  He crossed the room and touched the door. He leaned his forehead against it, silently commanding the door that would open only for him. The material dissolved and green light poured from the room. He ducked and stepped through.

  The space beyond the doorway was bright, living, carpeted with lush grass. A thin tree grew from the center of the room; an adolescent girl slept at the foot of it. She wore a gauzy smock, and her skin was sea foam green. Blooming red flowers twined through her viridian hair. She did not stir at his arrival. Her eyes did not move beneath her eyelids. There was no rise or fall of her chest. She slumbered in stasis, kept there by her father.

  Lucifer knelt and touched her cheek to release the spell. “Wake, Gaea.”

  Her eyes flickered open, glowing scarlet. Gaea looked up. “Daddy?”

  He lifted her into his arms. “I am sorry to rouse you.”

  She felt the first stirrings of pain. “It hurts.”

  “I know, but I need your counsel.”

  “Of course.” She tried to stand.

  He kept her in place. “Sit, do not strain yourself.”

  She nodded.

  Lucifer set her down gently. He went to the Sanctuary and ripped the dais and some of the floor out of the ground. He brought it all into her room and set it against the wall.

  Gaea noticed Furcas first and cringed. She saw Dahlia and her eyes widened. She leapt up. “Mommy! She is dying!”

  Lucifer helped her stay on her feet. “Yes. We cannot heal them, the barrier prevents us.”

  Gaea touched the red light. It did not repulse her as harshly as the others, but she was not allowed through. It slowed her hand like glue. “Familiar. She has shielded herself using Furcas as a medium.”

  “Can you break through?”

  “Not as I am now.” Gaea shook her head. “I need more of her in me.” Her body grew brighter in closeness with Dahlia. She examined the light, pensive. “You must reclaim her energy, draw it in, and give it to me. Only her own energy can break through this and allow us to heal her.”

  “Where can I find this light?”

  “It is in the humans.”

  Lucifer looked at his daughter, confused. “Why would they have it?”

  “They were constructed from her body.”

  Lucifer flinched. “Why do you think this to be true?”

  “The Earth has told me things while I slept, it recognizes their form.” Gaea’s red eyes met his blue ones. “They are beings of her, not you, not Lilliam. They all contain a spark that is hers. Reclaim it from them and we can heal her.” She stepped back and touched her tree. Two branches shuddered and dropped leathery seedpods into her hands. She broke one in half, one piece she placed near the dais, the other she handed to Lucifer. He took it without questioning.

  She hummed to the other pod. The substance changed, morphed. In her hands, it took the shape of a violin and bow, black and deadened. She handed it to him. “I give you back the Song of Death.”

  Lucifer stepped away. “Gaea, no. Do not give this back to me.”

  Gaea shook her head. “You will not destroy yourself with it.” She smiled, pained. “You have her to care for now.”

  He reached out and took the violin that she offered him. He remembered the Song as he touched it. The notes swam through his memory and filled up his being. He swayed. “You trust me too much.”

  Gaea waved her father away. “Go, play for her a dirge worthy of a dying star. I will be waiting, ready to collect their light.”

  He stared at Dahlia. “How will I know when you have collected enough?”

  Gaea gestured to Furcas. “He will heal as she does. They are linked now.” She pointed to the halved seedpod that Lucifer carried. “Give that to Paimon. He will know when his love is healed and through him, you will also know when you have reaped enough.”

  Lucifer kissed his daughter’s forehead. “This will hurt you.”

  Gaea shook her head. “I already ache from the poison on the planet, the acid in my blood and scars on my skin. The cancer should be burnt out.” She swayed under the stress of being awake, her energy not what it once was. On the surface, plants and animals faltered, weakened, aged. She regained herself and the balance above was restored.

  Lucifer hugged her. He looked at Dahlia stuck in the stasis of death and nodded. “For her.”

  ***

  Paimon and Helion led Dahlia’s friends away from the Sanctuary. Belial came with them willingly, silent and morose. She had no desire to stay back in the palace with Andy, and Helion would not let her out of his sight.

  Nodin and Tokala followed the quiet party. Nodin slipped his arm around Tracy and pulled her away from the others. They slipped off. Tokala stayed near Celeste’s side. He made no move to take her away.

  Paimon kept his gaze ahead of him, unable to speak. He did not care whether the others followed behind or not. He thought of Furcas, only Furcas. The pain he was in and how he, for all his knowledge, could do nothing…again. He’d failed.

  Paimon walked and the streets grew wider, the houses less packed together. He took them to the home Furcas had made his own for centuries, a tower surrounded by a small garden. Round windows spiraled up the outside. Faint colored lights glowed from behind the glass. Paimon ignored his garden and walked up the steps to the only house that he ever really considered his home. He pressed his palm to the sealed front door and it opened for him.

  The house was immaculate and warm. Furcas had decorated the walls with paintings, photos of Dahlia, and photos of Paimon and himself around the world. The furniture was well worn from centuries of use. Model cars sat atop the long dining room table. Charcoal drawings had been left half-finished. The place was quiet, the air scented with the faint smell of Furcas’ cologne. Paimon bit his cheek to keep from crying.

  The house rose upwards with one suite per floor. The master bedroo
m shared space on the first floor with the kitchen and living room. The troupe passed that bedroom by and took to the spiral staircase. Paimon unlocked the guestrooms as they ascended the stairs.

  Jacob took the first, an ocean-themed room. He ignored the water and fairy lights. He collapsed on the bed and passed out.

  Celeste took the next room. Carpeted like a forest, glow flies passed in the air, making lazy iridescent patterns of green around the leafy ceiling. Tokala waited until the others had continued on. He stood in her doorway and looked at his feet.

  Celeste smiled. “You have been my shadow since you woke.”

  Tokala shrugged. “I like how you fight and your eyes are bright.”

  Celeste smiled thoughtfully. “Do you want to come in?”

  Belial took the next room. Helion stopped her and looked into her eyes as Whitney and Paimon continued up the spiraling staircase. Belial pushed him away. “I will be fine. I have not finished my duties yet. I have my own promises to keep.”

  His black eye flicked over her features. He searched for a lie, but she spoke honestly. Still, he would not move. “Andy will not be able to stand with you gone.”

  Belial looked away. “He has been fine all of this time. Stop being blind.”

  Helion pushed her. “It is not I that is blind. Andrealphus has loved you since he first saw you, before your change, before everything. He would do anything for you.”

  She nodded. “Then he’ll forgive me my choice.”

  “No. You will destroy him with it. You will kill him.”

  She looked up at him. “He will live.”

  “No, Belial, he will not. You are his heart.”

  She leaned on the doorframe, tired. “Helion, do not argue this with me. I cannot continue indefinitely.” She looked him over. “You will not tell Andrealphus.”

  Helion shook his head. “You need to.”

  “No.”

  “Then at least give him some happiness before you tear out his soul!”

  “Helion—”

  “Listen to me!” He grabbed her and pulled her close. “You plan to steal away everything from him. Everything! Give him memories, Belial. They will be all he has once you’re gone.”