by Mika B. Coit
"We finally meet!" He hissed studying Iliana from the tip of her toes to the top of her head, and when he glared back into her eyes, he smirked. "I cannot believe it is really you... Long time no see."
Iliana frowned, completely confused. She had never met or even seen this man before yet he speaks as if they have. Iliana’s perplexed look made the man laugh deeply, like an evil Santa Claus kind of laugh.
"Of course!... You do not remember... He always wipes the memories. But I instantly knew it was you when you Abided your soul with Baddesley’s that night... You know, eavesdropping on someone’s conversation is rude!"
‘It was him behind the red netted curtain?’ Iliana thought as she kept stepping backwards as the man got closer to her, but her back then found the wall and she was pressed against it.
"If you are here... then..." The man turned his head to his left and Iliana followed his gaze.
"Oh... there he is!"
Kazuki was leaning on the wall, his back dripping with blood but his eyes was on the man whose twisted smile now stretched from ear to ear.
"Who are you?" Iliana questioned turning back to the man.
"Samael is my name... The name that the two of you should remember... if both of you are who I think you are." He hissed pointing at Kazuki then to Iliana.
He closed his eyes and sighed deeply before the same smirk returned to his lips as he re-opened those dark fierce eyes.
"Looks like I will have to change my plans. But first... let me test you... Baddesley!"
"Yes Master."
"Free him from his chains." Samael ordered stepping back.
Without hesitation Lord Baddesley whipped out a long black key from the pocket of his suit and released the chains from Kazuki’s wrists. Iliana quickly rushed to him.
"Kazuki!..."
She rested a hand gently on his arm but he turned away from her. His badly ripped, torn and bloody back faced Iliana as he turned round. A pinch of pain struck Iliana at the sight of it and also at the shunned reaction he gave her. Samael however chuckled as he watched the awkward atmosphere between them.
"Not exactly what I had in mind. Well then... Baddesley... kill them both!" He growled firmly.
Kazuki prepared himself to face Lord Baddesley, however Lord Baddesley hesitated as his eyes fell on Iliana’s.
"What is wrong with you Baddesley?... Did you not hear my orders?" Samael questioned turning round to him.
His face looked utterly confused, pained and desperate but he hastily shook it off then picked up the handle of the whip.
"I thought you had gone to sleep!" Samael sarcastically remarked.
"Forgive my idleness Master!"
Iliana felt for the presence of water however did not have the time to concentrate. Lord Baddesley welted the end of the whip towards her but Kazuki grabbed her arm and pulled her away from it. They both hid behind one of the fire pits. Kazuki moaned from the pain that seared down his back.
"Kazuki!..." Iliana gasped as he cowered.
"I am fine!" He quickly snapped.
Taken back from his frosty response Iliana threw him deathly glare which he promptly ignored. Another cracking sound from the whip was heard. Suddenly the fire pit they were standing behind flew towards them. Iliana and Kazuki leapt out of the way just in time as the fire pit fell to the floor, the white hot charcoals scattered everywhere. Kazuki collapsed as they attempted to get up, he was clearly in agony. Iliana stood by him trying to help his body of steel up to his feet, but Lord Baddesley lashed the end of whip again. Kazuki pushed Iliana aside and amazingly grabbed the end of the whip with his bare hand. He wrapped it round his arm and with an almighty strength he pulled it hard. Lord Baddesley stumbled as the handle of the whip was snatched from his grip. Kazuki threw the whip to one side then fell to his hands and knees breathing heavily with beads of sweat rolling down his olive skin.
Lord Baddesley however was not finished. He seized a spear from one the demons gathered round Father Benjamin, Jung and Caitlyn and dashed towards Kazuki like a flash of light. Kazuki wearily raised his head, when Iliana appeared in front of him with her arms open out beside her. She glared at Lord Baddesley running towards with conviction across his face. Iliana heard Father Benjamin, Jung and Caitlyn’s muffled cries from the other end of the room. She took a deep breath then lowered her arms, her glare turned into a soft and content gaze. Lord Baddesley stared straight into her forgiving eyes and just as the sharp point was centimetres from her stomach, he suddenly stopped and dropped the spear. Then he threw his head back and screamed as he stumbled backwards, cradling his head in his hands. Iliana watched him helplessly as he screamed as if he was mentally tortured. Samael rolled his eyes at the sight of Lord Baddesley’s actions.
"Here we go again!" He said in a bored tone with a hint of sarcasm.
"Lord Baddesley?" Iliana eventually called out after watching him for a few moments.
Lord Baddesley’s screams then stopped, he slowly lowered his head until he was gazing vacantly into Iliana’s eyes. He dropped his arms beside him.
"Wagtail!" He whispered in a shaken voice.
Tears appeared at the corners of his beady eyes as he repeated it over and over again.
"Wagtail?" Iliana muttered hearing that word from somewhere before.
Then as if a lightbulb turned on her head, she remembered that name.
"Lucy Baddesley."
With sound of her name, Lord Baddesley fell to his knees and sobbed. Samael appeared with his arms behind him, glaring down at Lord Baddesley in front of him expressionlessly.
"Baddesley!... Baddesley!... How many times have we been through this?... I thought you wanted to forget the past." He hissed pacing behind him. "Yet you always bring them back and end up torturing yourself with it!"
"T-there is something else m-missing." Lord Baddesley stammered, his eyes still fixed on Iliana’s. "Something... I cannot remember."
"You said you did not want to remember that particular part of your memory... You even begged me to rid it from your mind!"
"What are you talking about?" Iliana asked tearing her gazed from Lord Baddesley to Samael. "You erased his memories?"
"Not erased... clouded the truth... He did something in his past which brought him to me. He sold his soul!... He is mine until he faces and accepts the truth of his sins. My own little Miracle."
"Lord Baddesley... you have to face the truth, no matter how painful it is!" Iliana pleaded. "You cannot be bounded like this... You are stronger than you think!"
Lord Baddesley blinked, a flicker of hope flashed in his eyes.
"My Wagtail once said the same thing!"
He took a deep breath before turning round on his knees and looked up at Samael who raised an eyebrow at his sudden change of heart. Samael glanced to Iliana, she could feel his glare penetrating into her eyes like spits of fire.
He waved a hand over Lord Baddesley’s face. Instantly his body began to shake, his head rolled back as he gasped out loudly. When his body was still he lowered his head and stared into the palms of his hands. Samael smiled malevolently.
"Now... do you remember?... Remember when the man you called... ‘Father’ told you that you were not his real son... but the son of a dying poor man... Your ‘Father’s’ wife died from giving birth to a lifeless baby and so he took you in at the tender age of three weeks. In the height of anger you wrapped your hands round his neck and strangled him to death in his own room. After then you summoned me."
Iliana could only watch the helpless Lord Baddesley staring at his trembling hands as Samael continued whilst pacing behind him.
"After you returned from Beach Cove you asked me if I could Cloud your memories of your sin... And also forget about the friend you broke up with... and I willingly did for a small price. Then you met that woman and fell in love with her. Even though she was not a Purifier she somehow managed to Purify your Tainted soul and immediately you remembered your forgotten sin. Then you decided to tell her of your sins
the night of the dinner party that you and her... and your son was supposed to attend."
"No!... Do not continue... please!" Lord Baddesley begged.
"She hated you for keeping such a dark secret... and you ended up going to the dinner alone. When you came back your mansion was in flames... your precious wife was burnt alive... and your son was unconscious. You then came back to me... and I gave you the opportunity to revenge your lover’s killers which you gladly accepted with both hands... And you thrived from the pleasure of tearing apart those men’s body and spirit in their cells. Your soul is damned with the blood you have spilt!" Samael stated showing no remorse. "Some say your sins could be forgiven in time... but unfortunately, that is a luxury that you will never have!"
Lord Baddesley faced Samael, his eyes weary and frightened.
"What do you mean?"
Samael smiled as he narrowed his eyes.
"As I said... my plans have changed."
In one swift movement Samael picked up the black spear that Lord Baddesley had dropped then plunged the sharp point into Lord Baddesley’s stomach so hard it protruded out his back.
"NO!..." Iliana screamed, wanting to rush to Lord Baddesley.
But Iliana felt a sudden stabbing pain inside her which prevented her from moving. It was a strange indescribable feeling that struck her heart and soul, as if something was ripped out of her. A feeling she felt when she first met Lord Baddesley but more intense. The same feeling when she dreams the same dark dream but more painful and real. The shrill screams rang in her ears and her body felt cold. Samael saw Iliana’s reaction and one side of his lips lifted into a malignant smirk as he pulled out the spear.
"I knew it was you!" He hissed when he stood up, dismissing the blooded spear to the floor.
Breathing heavily Iliana looked up at him utterly confused. But her gaze was sidetracked when Lord Baddesley began to fall backwards. Iliana launched forwards to catch him in her arms.
*** Chapter 12 ***
"Lord Baddesley!" Iliana gasped, trying to hold him up.
For a small man he was heavier than he looked.
"You cannot save him!" Samael stated, stepping back yet fixed his glare on Iliana.
Ignoring him Iliana laid a hand over his chest. She could feel his heart, it was frail but still beating. Iliana took a deep breath, concentrating hard on the fluidity of the blood flowing from his heart. As a soft blue light emitted round Iliana’s hand Lord Baddesley drew in a deep breath. His eyes were fully open. Within moments the light faded and Lord Baddesley breathed out as he closed his eyes.
"Well... how about that!... You use their own blood to Purify their soul!" Samael said sounding impressed. "Who taught you that?"
Iliana laid Lord Baddesley down carefully onto the floor, his chest raising and falling slowly but regularly. She stood up and met Samael’s glare.
"Are you going to fight me?" Samael asked, amused at Iliana’s firm look.
"You have left me no choice!" Iliana responded feeling her hands tingle from the presence of water nearby.
"You have always had spirit." Samael said with a smile. "However... tonight is not our night. We cannot be premature with matters such this."
"What do you mean?"
"Uh-uh... that would be telling!" Samael chuckled, waving his long index finger side to side.
"Then why are you building an army?... Who are you fighting against?" Iliana questioned.
"So many questions... yet so little time to answer them. However... I will say this... this world that you live in is right in the middle of a dangerous game that has been played for many years. And I hope this time... you will play your role well."
Rows of demons appeared in front of Samael, growling like hungry bears. Then a beautiful heavenly voice filled the tense room, a song which was so uplifting Iliana instantly felt calm. Gun shots soon followed after, then a clatter of fallen metal and Iliana’s name was called out. Father Benjamin ran towards Iliana with Jung and Caitlyn not far behind him. The demons that had once surrounded them were gone, with only clutter of black spears in their wake.
"Father Benjamin, Jung, Caitlyn... how did you all?..."
"I am a special agent... you think I cannot escape from being tied up for so long?" Jung replied holding both guns out in front him.
Caitlyn carried on singing whilst she tended to Kazuki, her bow glowing in her hand. All the demons shuddered at the sound covering their ears as they huddled over. Black smoke emerged out from the possessed humans forming many more demons in their place. Father Benjamin stood next to Iliana shooting angered glares at Samael who seemed unmoved of Caitlyn’s song.
"You used me!" Father Benjamin cried out in disgust.
Samael laughed as he combed his hair back with his fingers.
"And I should really thank you Benji... I thought you would be in my way of my previous plans... but instead you found the Miracle of water and brought her straight to me. I am surprised though... how an intelligent priest such as yourself did not realise a demon was in your midst for all these years."
"I will burn you myself!" Father Benjamin spat.
Iliana stared at Father Benjamin a little taken back. Firstly... because she had never seen this side of him before. He always had a calm tone to his voice. Secondly... the two of them seem to know one another quite well.
"Catch me if you can... Benji!" Samael smirked before looking intently at Iliana. "Only time will tell of the future that awaits you... you and the most precious thing you hold dear."
Samael narrowed his eyes as he flicked his hand and a scream from Caitlyn turned everyone’s head. Caitlyn was thrown against the wall ricocheting to the floor like an unwanted rag doll.
"CAITLYN!"
Jung rushed to her side picking her limp body into his arms. Father Benjamin and Iliana whipped back round to Samael who had already slithered away leaving a swarm of demons that had gathered in his wake.
"He has escaped!" Father Benjamin shouted. "How are we going to fight them all with two Purifiers down?"
Iliana could feel her heart racing within her, she closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. Her mind focussed on the flowing water that she sensed from outside the building. Once her heartbeat calmed she re-opened her eyes and a wave of water crashed into the building. The glass doors and walls crumbled from the strong force of the wave. Iliana raised her arms and commanded the water to rise up into the air over the army of demons.
"Father Benjamin... step back with the others!" Iliana ordered, her blue eyes sparkling brightly.
Father Benjamin nodded without a word. The water flew towards Iliana encircling around her body. The force of water was so strong it caused gushes of wind. Her long shiny black hair billowed behind her like a banner of black silk.
For a moment the demons watched how Iliana controlled the wave of water so effortlessly, but as Iliana began to direct the water towards them, they scattered. Iliana whipped out lashes of water in all directions catching groups of demons into a water globe which soon dissipated into the air. Father Benjamin, Jung and Kazuki looked up and watched in amazement. Lord Baddesley wearily fluttered his eyes open and lifted his head up a little to find jets of water flying everywhere around the room with just a wave of Iliana’s arms. As the army of demons lessened Iliana began to tire but she continued to command lashes of water to the demons who could not even get close to her. With one last swing of a tentacle like jet of water all the demons were gone.
All the humans lying on the damp floor inhaled and exhaled deeply in unison. Iliana lowered her arms beside her, feeling as if all her energy was drained out of her. She turned when Father Benjamin called out her name. Father Benjamin was kneeled besides Lord Baddesley and pressing down the black jacket he was wearing on Lord Baddesley’s wound. Kazuki and Jung was on the other side of Lord Baddesley with Caitlyn lying unconsciously in Jung’s arms.
Iliana kneeled down next to Father Benjamin and Lord Baddesley turned to her. His face was pale and wear
y but had a soft look on him, a look Iliana had never seen from him before. Father Benjamin moved aside as Lord Baddesley took Iliana’s hand.
"I was supposed to Taint your soul... however... you Purified mine instead, even after all the dark sins I have done... why?"
"Nobody in this world has lived a life without having sinned. We all deserve a chance... a chance to redeem ourselves." Iliana replied, holding his hand tightly.
Tears filled his eyes, his bottom lip quivered as he tried to speak again.
"I will never be forgiven for my sins. My soul will rot in Hell."
"No!..." Father Benjamin firmly exclaimed. "God shows mercy to those who confesses their sins and repent... no matter how dark the sin is. Have faith as he always has faith in all of us."
Lord Baddesley looked at Father Benjamin sorrowfully and a small smile lifted from the corner of his lips.
"Thank you." He whispered, then added. "I must tell you... Samael is a powerful demon. He can play with your mind so easily."
"Who is he?" Iliana asked.
"He is the Mayor... and my... adopted brother" Father Benjamin stated, lowering his eyes to the floor as if ashamed in saying it out loud.
"What?..."
Iliana stared at Father Benjamin in shock, who did not dare lift his eyes up.
"He is... your adopted brother?... Y-you never said anything about having a brother!"
"You never asked."
Iliana turned to Kazuki who looked just as shocked as she was... this statement was obviously new to him too. Jung however quickly lowered his eyes when Iliana flitted a curious glance in his direction, as if he already knew. Iliana then faced Lord Baddesley still confused.
"So... wait... I was swayed to believe that you did not get along with the Mayor."
"It was an act that Samael wanted everyone to believe. So no-one would suspect our plans... especially Father Benjamin."
Father Benjamin huffed under his breath in annoyance and Iliana looked over to him.
"When I asked you about the Mayor... I thought you said he lost all the feelings in his legs."