“But shadows are fallen guardians?” Theodore replied confused.
“Yes, but they are not of God’s bloodline,” Lier replied tensely.
“But there is only one surviving descendant,” argued Theodore, Eveline was the only person bound to Heiden by blood, and she was being protected by guardians.
“But is there?” Lier quizzed, “I know that Heiden’s granddaughter lives, hidden and protected, but is she the only remaining descendant?”
“I assume so, Lagar killed Heiden’s wife and children,” muttered Theodore, his body cold with fear.
“It is rumoured amongst the priests of heaven and has been, that Unyae carried a child long before she was hidden away in the garden of Calhuni,” whispered Lier, the room darkening and the smoke of his pipe creating a dense fog.
“How?” Theodore replied weakly, if this was true, everything was about to change.
“It is said that when Lagar took Heiden’s family hostage, he raped Unyae and she bore his son,” spat Lier as though he had a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Surely not, she was only what, thirteen suns?” Theodore stammered weakly, his hands becoming sweaty and pale.
“Alas yes she was, but she was able to bear offspring,” replied Lier, his hands waxing themselves to the arms of his leather chair.
“But Heiden surely would have stopped such a thing from progressing?” urged Theodore feeling a sickness in the pit of his soul.
“Heiden was blinded by grief, you know that, he cast Unyae to Calhuni and it is there that she gave birth to a son.”
“But what happened to him?”
“She mothered him until manhood, it is said that he had become dark and vengeful, so unalike his power and yet in possession of her power. Unyae’s power coupled with Lagar’s must make for a terrible and unyielding magic.” Sighed Lier, the mere thought sending a shiver down his back.
“What happened to him?” Theodore asked.
“He left the garden and headed East to the land of Ruarr, to the King, who took him under his wings, teaching him how to use his power for evil gain, before revealing him to his father,” moaned Lier, his thin lips twitching.
“I don’t understand, how does the King of Ruarr communicate with Lagar?” Theodore asked, confused a little dazed.
“He is a prince of shadows, he murdered the Ruarian King, took the throne and now commands the land, he has plunged it into a great darkness, those who disobey are slaves to his regime, and young women are forced into marriage with soldiers from his legion, diluting the bloodlines of the Ruarians into extinction,” Lier answered solemnly.
“This is terrible, how has Heiden let this happen? The lands of Ruarr where once a home to our kin?” cried Theodore unable to drink in the information in a calm and polite manner. Ruarr was once a beautiful and magical land not unalike the Northern Kingdom, its first occupants being those who chose to live outside of Heaven, outside of the on-going civil war. The four kingdoms, both the North and the South were originally a place of refuge for those who wished for protection against the shadows. Now the four kingdoms were ruled by two High Kings and the lesser Kings. Once the Kingdoms of the South had lived in perfect contentment, each differing from the other, beautiful lands, beautiful people, different political regimes, changing cultures, yet united by their descendants and common goal of peace. However over time, the lands changed and so had the people, Kings and Queens of old became seduced by dark magic and greed. The Northern Kingdom of Meerin was a secretive land, ruled over by Galean’s father King Ballour a descendant of the Prince Gabriel. Those who dwelled in Meerin were strongly emerged in magic, some often being born with incredibly rare gifts. Taerin mythology longed supported the rumours that dragon lords lived in the mountains that divided the North from the South. Theodore had spent time among the Southern Kingdoms, watching them fall into deep disarray, his heart saddened.
“Theodore?” Lier whispered gently, triggering Theodore away from his thoughts.
“Sorry, I was in a different place,” he smiled calmly finding Lier’s eyes deep and pensive.
“Do not be sorry, I often walk among other places, we angels do, for we have walked in many places,” Lier sighed inwardly.
“If this rumour is true, then what is Lagar waiting for?” Theodore asked, his blue eyes turning to the fire, watching the flames dance.
“There is an old prophecy you young angels forget,” Lier began, folding his legs under the table, “Two shall be born, bonded by blood, separated by light and darkness. A time will come, when the light shall fade and darkness shall rise. To the east the sun will set and to the west a darkness will fill the sky, covering the lands in a blanket of fear. Stars will fall, men will become divided and from the depths of the sea shall be awoken a great and terrible beast.” Lier took a deep breathe in as he uttered the long forgotten prophecy of his forbears, “From the garden shall arise a light, firm and bold, strong and brave, on wings of fire it will fly high into the night sky, lifting the stars from the depths of the darkened sea, to join in one last battle that will forever diminish either darkness or light.”
“Calhuni,” muttered Theodore, getting up from his chair and pacing the room.
“Yes, I believe it refers to Celestine, granddaughter of Heiden, half-sister of the prince of darkness.” Lier added watching the young angel pace about his study.
“The great finale,” whispered Theodore, stopping in his tracks and turning to the keeper, his eyes intense and afraid.
“Yes my friend, the great finale is about to commence,” Lier whispered, “every corner of the universe will arise to fight alongside their chosen master, time will stop, all life will hang in the balance. It has already begun.”
“What do we do?” Theodore asked urgently afraid for Eveline, so many miles away from him.
“We begin by killing Dantel,” offered Lier, getting up and taking his cane into his left hand.
“What will that achieve?” Theodore spat discouraged and anxious.
“Dantel is the high prince of London, Fisher is the highly anointed bishop of London, bathed in immense power, power that can make Dantel a terrible enemy to behold, even to his own.” Lier muttered rolling up a map and putting it under his arm.
“I thought Lagmar was his master?” Theodore interjected quickly, following Lier out from the study and into the reception area. Lier stopped and turned to Theodore, a frown upon his brow.
“Dantel intends on sacrificing himself to Lagmar, all the power he now possesses will pass onto Lagmar, the most powerful prince of darkness, with Fisher’s gift of foresight, Lagmar will not only be able to find Celestine, he will be able to look into her future. The gift of foresight is rare, I have never in my life met someone so gifted as that of the Bishop, it is vital that we find him.”
Theodore felt his body tremor upon the words of Lier, he felt as though he had been completely blinded to the reality of the situation, did anyone else know? Had Heiden disclosed this information only to his council? Why had he hidden this from his people?
*
The Bishop was laid, unconscious, atop an old and broken grave, his legs and arms stretched out to each corner and tied. Around the grave a fire encircled his limp body. The dancing flames highlighted his bleeding and swollen face, crumpled and disfigured. A shadow demon, drew lines about the ground with a stick, his eyes glazed and possessed by dark magic. Four other shadows stood around the grave, hidden under great cloaks, chanting whilst Dantel disrobed himself. Snow fell, covering the graves with a heavy dusting of white, making the scene that lay before Theodore and Lier all the more daunting. Both hidden behind tomb stones, they watched the ritual sacrifice take place.
“What do we do?” Theodore whispered to Lier, his blue eyes engulfed in flames, snow falling on his eyelashes. Lier sat pensively watching the ritual, pondering what to do next. Lier already understood that he was too weak for Dantel and the odds were against him, but with Theodore at his side there was hope for the Bisho
p.
“I need a diversion,” Lier whispered back to Theodore, “If I can take Fishers body and put his soul into my own body, then he can survive, but I need you to create a diversion to give me some time.”
“What do you mean take his body?” uttered Theodore, confused a slightly afraid of the answer.
“I am a shape shifter, like your father, I will take the identity of his body, so as to trick Dantel, I will give you Fisher, you must take him to safety, you must leave as soon as I hand him to you.” Urged Lier, now looking back at the intense scene before him. Dantel was naked, his pale skin alit in fire. On Dantel’s back were great wings of auburn fire, pointed highly into the night sky.
“You can’t do that, you will surely die!” whispered Theodore harshly, “we need you! Who will be the Keeper of the city if not you?”
“That is for Gabriel to decide, all I know is this path is the path I must walk, no don’t!” he raised his hand in silence, “ Cael, I have lived longer than you can imagine, longer than your father, why he was just a boy when I first met him, you must understand, we all, all angels are born with a purpose, it is deeply embedded in us, to serve others and to serve causes, this is my cause, I have always known it to be, Dantel and I are bound to one another, it is my destiny to make sure he does not kill Fisher, honour me by understanding,” he breathed heavily, slumping against the back of the tomb stone, looking up into the star filled sky smiling, “anyway..,” he murmured turning to a shocked Theodore, “I will be with my wife, amongst the stars.”
“But Lier, I came to you for help, direction, what will I do?” cried Theodore in desperation, his breathe causing a mist to form in the air.
“Maybe your fate was to find me and to follow me here,” Lier whispered softly, “I know the burden you carry child, and I know you will protect her with all that you are, she is your cause, you understand therefore why I have to do this, this is my way of protecting my Queen, my King’s granddaughter and there is no other cause worth dying for, you already agree with me,” he smiled warmly, lifting a hand to Theodore’s cheek giving him a fatherly stare.
“It seemed so simply yesterday, protecting her, but now, now that you have told me about her brother, I have no idea what to do,” stammered Theodore a sudden loss in hope making him feel weak.
“You will find a way, Cael you must have hope in her and who she is, if the prophecy is right, then she is a mighty powerful Queen, she can end this war once and for all, bring peace among nations, amongst the universe,” smiled Lier his eyes glazed in hope.
“The prophecy doesn’t tell us who conquers who, what if we fail?” Galean uttered pathetically.
“You will not fail my friend, Heiden will not allow his kingdom to fall, he will not allow his people to suffer, not any longer!” replied Lier adamantly, “ but we have no time for discussions, it is time, you must cause a diversion, get Dantel’s attention…, and Cael?” he grabbed Theodores hand roughly, looking up into his eyes, “ Keep her safe, trust no one, even your closest of allies, she is the key, the key to the past and the future.”
“I will keep her safe,” Theodore promised getting up slowly from his hiding place and looking around. Dantel was dancing around the Bishop wildly, his hands raised in praise, chanting a dark and deep language unknown to him. The shadows danced in a circle, holding hands and rotating left instead of right as Dantel was. The chanting grew as Theodore came up with a diversion, the only plan he could think of was diminishing the fire and calling out to the shadows, causing a moment of chaos, enough time for Lier to cover the Bishop’s body , let their souls exchange and save Fischer. Ravens now sat perched in their dozens around the graveyard, looking on in hope as Theodore tip toed around the graves, giving Lier time to near himself to the Bishop. Just as Theodore was ready to pounce, Dantel and the shadows stopped dancing and stood still, Theodore watched as Dantel walked through the fire to jump onto the gravestone, standing above the Bishop with a long, silver dagger, holding it high above his head with both of his hands, reading himself for the kill.
“Now!” Theodore heard from across the graveyard. Suddenly the shadows turned looking about. Theodore darted out from behind the grave, wielded his hands in the air, killing the fire and bringing the cemetery into an intense darkness. From under his coat, he retrieved his sword and brought it life, its golden glow, bathing the graves in a beautiful hue.
“Get him!” demanded Dantel jumping down from the gravestone, making his way towards Theodore. The shadows followed Theodore as he ran in and out of the graves, creating distance between Lier and himself. One of the shadows grabbed his arm, rallying him to a stop and producing his own fire sword. Together they both fought, the other three shadows eventually taking part.
“Kill him!” yelled Dantel’s the vault of his mouth a deep red, sending dread into the very heart of Theodore’s heart. The shadows encircled him as fire met light. Theodore fought hard and killed two of the shadows before making another run, Dantel and the remaining shadows on his tail.
Lier crept out of his hiding place and quickly found Fisher, now awake and breathing heavily.
“Friend, shush you must listen,” he urged the Bishop who nodded in reply. “When you are free, you must make your way to Westminster Cathedral, you will be safe there, you must notify Gabriel, tell him, he has found her, tell him, time is running out.”
“What about you?” cried the Bishop getting up gently only to be pulled down by Lier.
“You must not worry about me, Dantel must think that he has killed you and gained your power, trust me, please,” he pleaded, now jumping atop the Bishop, placing both his hands upon his heart and closing his eyes.
“What are you doing?” demanded Fisher anxiously.
“I am saving you, so that she is safe.”
“Who?”
Lier could not answer for both he and Bishop stopped breathing momentarily, a small, tiny ball of light, now formed in each of their hearts, made its way up through the chest, finding the others heart and settling. Suddenly both the Bishop and Lier began to breathe again, each in each other’s body. Fisher looked down at his new body, shocked and bewildered.
“It will only last an hour, then you will return to normal, but please you must go to Gabriel at once,” cried Lier, lying down. Fisher quickly got down from the gravestone and before leaving prayed for his friend.
*
Theodore leaned against the railings, heaving in gulps of air. He had killed two shadows but had lost the rest including Dantel who now he agreed would be returning to the Bishop.
“Lier,” he muttered painfully thinking of the agonising pain he would go through. Closing his eyes tightly for a moment Theodore heard a hissing nearby and opened his moistened eyes to find Lier, or rather the Bishop now motioning him over urgently. Fisher hid behind a street lamp, shaking. Theodore looked left and right, finding the street desolate and silent, before quickly running over to the Bishop.
“Bishop you are safe,” proclaimed Theodore conflicted between joy and sorrow.
“We must go, we have to get to Westminster at once,” he ordered, his green eyes large with fear.
“Okay, come follow me,” Theodore begged, looking back across at the cemetery, before leading the Bishop away down a back alley.
Theodore and the Bishop took a cab to Westminster Abbey and sat in silence for the forty minutes in between, listening to the air raid sirens that were going off. Londoners were running to a fro as they headed to air raid shelters. Search lights illuminated the night sky alongside the glare of fires, caused by bombs. Theodore looked on at the shocked, tired and exhausted Londoners trying to find shelter, many with small children. The taxi driver urged Theodore that they should stop and find shelter but with great authority, Theodore bid him to keep driving at least until it was impossible. Many houses were now crumbled buildings, fires raged in some of the newly hit buildings. Upon reaching Westminster, Theodore quickly paid the driver before getting out. Looking up at the sky he watche
d fighter planes fly by, a thick sound filling the air.
“Come we must hurry,” urged the Bishop, now making his way up to the side entrance. Theodore now catching up with him and stood beside him as he swiped his hand across the latch letting it open quietly, before huddling Theodore inside and closing the door behind them. Inside the abbey was dark with only the search lights acting as a guide. The Bishop limped as he made his way into the centre of the abbey, limping his way up to the altar. Theodore followed quietly, lighting the church candles with his fingers as he passed them by, awakening the abbey from slumber. The echoes of their steps filled the church, only easing when they stopped before the high altar.
“You must step away, Gabriel cannot know you are with me,” announced Fisher, waving him away. Theodore smiled awkwardly before hiding behind a pillar, bending down onto the marbled ground and closing is eyes in exhaustion and grief. A great light suddenly filled the abbey quickly diminishing and Theodore suddenly felt the presence of Gabriel, the oldest and wisest of all angels and God’s left hand guardian. Theodore opened his eyes and found them staring up at a stained glass window portraying the death of Jesus. If only humans understood their God, how betrayed they would feel to know that Jesus was a fragment of their imagination and that God’s children had all been murdered by Lagar, how depressed and discouraged they would feel upon learning the truth. Humans were limited in their understanding for good reason, or so Theodore thought. If humans were fully aware of the universe and their maker, he feared it would only make them more vulnerable to Lagar. Theodore had a similar dilemma to humans, he too wondered why God gave such power to evil, and why He enriched with such power could not shield his people from Lagar. It was such doubts that led him to Lier an old friend of his fathers, versed in wisdom and knowledge.
“God was never without a companion child,” he would lecture, “he was never without darkness, for light to exist there must be darkness, does that mean that we give up the fight? That we lose all hope in Heiden? No.”
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 16