It wasn’t always great being an angel, Jophiel agreed as she drifted amongst tall and forbidding fir trees. Heaven had a hierarchy just as earth did, yes she wasn’t right at the bottom, in fact she was held in high esteem by the council, it was just that there was in essence a sense of inequality between those who fought for the council and those who were gifted with other powers and unable to be as strong and confident as the angelic soldiers or commanders. Jophiel had for a hobby spent a year trying to teach herself the sword and failed making her quite depressed. Sighing heavily she re focused her thoughts to the present and found to her great surprise that she was now hidden behind a tall, beheaded angel, looking over at a fast number of shadows, who were chanting heavily, dancing erratically around a sobbing child and a terrifying demon whom Jophiel recognised as Dantel. Off course this was his ground so it only seemed right that Lagmar should come here to conclude what she guessed to be the Passover ritual. Lagmar stood under a tall tombstone of a female angel carrying a cross his dark eyes prowling the group of shadows who were crying out loud whilst dancing around Dantel and Belle. Jophiel recognised Belem, who was standing next to Belle, who was floating upside down in mid-air.
“Is that Belle?” Jophiel asked Galean, who was now sitting slumped down on the ground, his face in his hands.
“Yes,” he moaned looking up at her.
“What’s wrong?” she quizzed kneeling down in front of him.
“It is shameful to say this but I have no plan,” he whispered desperately, “I do not know how to kill them all and take her to safety.”
“Sure you do, I will stun them and you will grab her,” offered Jophiel kindly. Galean smiled at her weakly before shaking his head.
“Lagmar is too strong he has Dantel and Belem at his side, I know I am a commander but not even I can take on them by myself,” he urged, turning his head to the right and looking over at Belle who was screaming.
“Listen Galean, I have grown up with stories of your strength, bravery and pure determination,” Jophiel began, her voice clear and commanding, “you do not strike me as an angel that would simply allow that innocent little girl to be violated by Lagmar and not to mention Belem who has a sickening passion for little children!”
“I know! I know!” cried Galean pathetically.
“You must help her, it is your duty,” remarked Jophiel her voice steady a real cloud of passion rising within her, “and I will help.”
“Okay, let’s think about this for a moment,” Galean pondered kicking himself out of the dark cloud he had dug himself into.
“How many are there? Twelve? Fifteen?” asked Jophiel looking over at the shadows, “twelve I think.”
“Yes, I recognise a few, I think we should concentrate on Lagmar, Belem and Dantel, I have a feeling that you will only be able to stun the weaker shadows, but a few is better than none,” Galean commented, “If you stun the weaker shadows, I will make for Lagmar, I need his sword, do you see it?”
Jophiel stretched her eyes and looked at the deadly sword, un alike other swords kept by shadows, this one was noticeably different.
“It’s different from the rest,” she observed, “does that mean something?”
“I think so, Gabriel told me some time ago that Lagar was creating new weapons, stronger swords that would outsmart our own. If I can get that sword and wield it myself, then I can use it against Belem and Dantel,” Galean pondered a slow smile rising on his face, “Yes that’s it, the sword is more powerful than my own, if I can somehow snare it out of Lagmar’s reach I can kill him, which means that you will have to try and save Belle, your one problem being Belem.”
“I can’t kill him,” cried Jophiel now fearing the attack and wanting to hide behind a tree for safety. No she told herself inwardly, this is not a time to be a coward, it is a time for bravery and courage, a child’s life is at stack.
“He stands between you and Belle, you will have to kill him,” commanded Galean feeling like his old self, commander of legions, tutor in strategic planning. Quietly Galean retrieved his father’s dagger, gold and silver. The dagger was called star, because of the yellow jewel that adorned the hilt. Star was an ancient dagger passed down through the house of Meerin, bathed in magical power, beautifully curved and long. Galean’s dagger looked somewhat similar to the ancient Mughal daggers, under the hilt was carved a tree, its roots stemming down over the blade and finishing at the curved end. Along the outside of the dagger, words of courage and inspiration were carved in an ancient language that had long ago been lost to Meerin. Galean looked down at the precious dagger before handing it to Jophiel. “Take it, it will kill the opponent instantly,” he whispered placing it in Jophiels shaking hand.
“What do I do with it?” she stammered, her eyes sparkling at the beauty of such a weapon, deceitfully beautiful whilst incredibly dangerous.
“You pierce his heart, it must be his heart,” demanded Galean.
“And what if I cannot, what if he is too strong for me?” Jophiel answered quietly, knowing that Belem was stronger than her.
“Jophiel, in all honesty he is far stronger than you, but it is not just physical strength that is needed in war, it is psychological strength and you,” he grasped her upper arms with his hands, “strike me as a very head strong, determined woman who has sat for too long in the shadows.”
“There’s a reason for that,” she sighed pitifully.
“The reason is that we soldiers do not appreciate enough the work and gifts that angels like yourself have, now there is an innocent young girl in desperate need of our help, that should help to fan the flame within, watch and see, you will surprise yourself.”
Jophiel let out a long breath of air, her body sighing and relaxing with ease. Clutching the dagger in her right hand she looked down at it before looking across at Belem and Belle.
“Right, okay we can do this,” she replied firmly. Galean smiled at her in response and got up from the ground helping her to her feet.
“You are a brave angel Jophiel, are you ready?” Galean asked, taking out his sword, stepping away from the tomb.
“Yes,” Jophiel replied hotly. Galean let Jophiel pass, watching as she entered the group of shadows who were now stopping in their tracks to take her in. Galean stood still in the darkness as Jophiel closed her eyes shut and stunned at least ten of the shadows, causing them to pause instantly, their eyes wide in pain, but their faces still and unmoving. Quickly throwing himself forward, Galean made for Lagmar who was now hissing loudly at Dantel and Belem.
“Take him Dantel,” Lagmar screeched taking out his sword and using his left hand to send bolts of fire in Galean’s direction. Galean quickly ducked as a ball of fire headed his way, rolling over on the ground he got up and made for Lagmar, growling. Jophiel meanwhile looked for Belle who had now fallen hard onto the wet ground, her legs cracking at the force. Belem and Dantel drew out their swords and made for her, pouncing on her instantly, flooring her to the ground.
“Bitch!” screeched Dantel, placing his hand on her forehead sending a bolt of intense pain throughout her body. Jophiel screamed loudly at the heated pain that reverberated throughout her before kicking Belem hard on the shine, sending him backwards with a hiss. Finding her dagger, Jophiel swiftly stabbed Dantel in the thigh, taking the dagger out again and piercing his lung. Dantel removed his hand from her forehead immediately and cried out before stumbling up onto his feet and kicking her hard on the side, the dagger flying out of her hand and resting between fallen leaves. As Jophiel tried to breathe, white blood dripping from her nose she looked on as Belem took Belle into his arms and made for an exit.
“No!” she cried a sudden anger filling her and forcing her up from the ground. Looking around she found the dagger just as Dantel began to lift her from her feet, swinging her about in the air, tucking the dagger safely into her side she gasped as he threw her against a nearby tree, taking the wind right out of her body. Sliding down the moist bark, Jophiel cried, Belem was gone and
so was Belle. Dantel was limping towards Jophiel his left hand outstretched, causing her to ascend into the air again, Jophiel looked for her dagger and took it out as she felt a tight force about her throat, causing her to gasp for air. Dantel limped towards her slowly, his leg dragging behind.
“You think you can kill me angel!” he spat, his fist tightening, construing the air in Jophiels lungs. Jophiel couldn’t speak as she held the dagger tightly, she waited until he was close enough before throwing the dagger into the centre of his face. Falling hard onto the ground, she watched as Dantel lay squirming on the wet grass, hissing loudly and trying to take the dagger out. Jophiel quickly regaining her strength got up and strode over to Dantel, forcefully taking the dagger out of his face and stabbing his heart deeply.
“It seems I can,” she cried as he died beneath her. Slouching over she tried to regain her breathe, sweat falling from her brow hotly. Looking across she saw Lagmar and Galean duelling, she wanted to help but she knew her mission was to get Belle, so she turned, conflicted and made her way through the dark cemetery, leaving Galean alone with Lagmar.
Limping a little, Jophiel ran through the dark trees, tripping over a branch but carrying on. In the distance she could see Belem with Belle over his shoulder crying. Sore and tired, Jophiel began to run, her dagger raised in her right hand, running around graves, her perfected hair becoming loose as the rain became intense. In the near distance she could hear the noise of planes soaring over London, the sky a bright orange. Belle was crying out loud in pain, her legs broken her mind traumatised. As Jophiel came closer to Belem she waved at belle to move her head away from Belem’s chest. Looking up from Belem’s back belle frowned at the stranger who was running at her with a dagger, her face construed and slightly frightening.
“Move!” screamed Jophiel, willing Belle to lift her head a little to the right. Belle stopped crying and obeyed moving her head away from the centre of Belem’s back. Belem hearing Jophiels cry ran faster, causing Belle’s head to hit his back hard. Looking to his left and right Belem stopped before quickly turning left and making for the exit. Jophiel nearing him suddenly threw herself forward, bringing the dagger down on his back and praying that Belle would be spared. A great darkness hit her as she slammed against Belem’s back, the dagger digging hard down into his chest. Belem instantly fell, throwing Belle off against a nearby gravestone, causing her to blank out. Cursing he cried, trying to turn his body. Jophiel, her hand tightly clasping the dagger kicked him hard on the leg, pinning him to the ground and drawing herself upwards. Belle’s eyes opened as Jophiel raised the dagger.
“Close your eyes!” she commanded to a stricken Belle. Belle quickly shut her eyes and put her fingers in her ears as Jophiel stabbed Belem again in the heart. A loud screech filled the air as Belem died, Jophiel on top of his lifeless body, covered in black blood. After a moment of silence, Jophiel drew herself away from the dead Belem and stood, dagger in her hand, blood dripping from the blade. The adrenaline had ceased, the anger abated and the heat gone. Stumbling backwards she cried, she had never killed anything before, and the after affect hit her instantly. Crouching down to the grass she wiped the blood from the dagger and placed it inside her skirt, wiping away the blood from her hands and arms by lifting them high into the rain, letting it rinse away any lingering blood. To her right she heard the cries of a broken and traumatised Belle, who was curled up against a gravestone, tiny and vulnerable. Jophiel instantly went to Belle and picked her up in her arms, hugging her tightly.
“There little one you are safe now,” she whispered, tears falling from her eyes.
“Am I safe?” Belle cried into Jophiels hair.
“Yes my darling you are safe, I am going to take you to safety now,” Jophiel cried.
“My legs hurt,” groaned Belle.
“I know pet I am going to take you to my master, he will heal your legs, but I must go back and find Galean,” whispered Jophiel quietly walking away from Belem.
“Galean is here?” cried Belle happily.
“Yes child he came to save you,” replied Jophiel, carefully manoeuvring them both through the trees quietly. “Belle you must be very quiet do you understand?” Jophiel ordered gently.
“Yes,” whispered Belle clinging onto Jophiel tightly, forcing her eyes and mouth shut. Jophiel quietly made her way back to Galean, standing behind a tree, taking out her dagger again in case. In front of her she could see Lagmar and Galean still fighting one another. Lagmar punched Galean to the ground, his sword at his side. Galean fought to get up from the ground but his head was forced down by Lagmar’s large foot, which pressed it into the wet ground. Galean growled as his head erupted in pain. In the near distance he saw Jophiel with Belle in her arms and forced his smile to fade quickly not wanting Lagmar to pick up on Jophiel. A sharp blade teased Galean’s throat, glimmering darkly. Jophiel made to go towards him but stopped when Galean slowly tried to nod his head. With a wave of his hand Galean tried to tell Jophiel to run, to run and leave him, his plan had failed, he was not strong enough for Lagmar.
“No,” whispered Jophiel shaking her head violently at Galean. Galean waved his hand again desperately then screamed loudly.
“Go!”
Lagmar turned his head and looked at Jophiel smiling as he drew the blade down. Jophiel stood stunned, this wasn’t what was meant to happen, it wasn’t meant to be this way. She had to leave, she had to do as he said, but she couldn’t, she couldn’t leave him here to die alone.
“Please,” Galean begged, “For Belle.”
Jophiel took a step back as Belle turned around to find Galean smiling at her. Belle stretched out her hand, willing for Galean to take it. Jophiel nodded to Galean, her eyes watering, her heart quiet. Quickly as Belle cried out for Galean she turned and ran. Belle cried painfully as Jophiel exited from the cemetery running as fast as she could down the backstreets of Barnes, looking for shelter. Up ahead she spotted a lonely cab, parked in front of a pub and made her way towards it, her face wet with tears and soaked in her own blood. The taxi driver turned in shock at Jophiel and Belle.
“My god are you alright?” he asked concerned.
“Westminster Abbey,” she ordered, hugging a crying Belle to her side, her eyes gazing out of the window, unable to stop the flow of tears that fell.
Part Two
Celestine
Chapter XI
Enlightenment
Theodore stood over Eveline as she lay motionless on the marble altar. The cathedral full of angel’s was quiet and unmoving. Gabriel still circled Eveline praying over her as the doors of Westminster Abbey opened, revealing Jophiel and Belle. Gabriel stopped praying and left Eveline, descending the steps of the altar and making for Jophiel and Belle. Jophiel cried as she carried a pale Belle in her arms, uncaring of the reaction of the angels that surrounded her. Limping Jophiel made her way towards a concerned Gabriel who stood with his arms outstretched. Jophiel stopped before Gabriel, her eyes red with grieve. Without talking Gabriel took the child into his arms and turned to the altar ascending the steps, and passing an astounded Theodore, who was pale and silent, his eyes lifeless, and his head bent in shame. Jophiel followed Gabriel to the altar as he set the crying child down beside the motionless Eveline.
“Eveline!” cried Belle now resting beside Eveline’s body, infused with a golden light. Gabriel let his hands fall to the child’s legs and begged her silence. Jophiel stood beside Theodore painfully quiet as she watched Gabriel heal Belle’s legs, cuts and bruises, soothing her gently with his voice.
“Sleep,” he soothed, swiping his hands over Belle’s eyes slowly, letting her fall into a deep and beautiful sleep. Jophiel bent her head in pain, her body aching and tired.
“Where is Galean?” Theodore whispered flatly, noticing Galean’s dagger at Jophiels side.
“I left him at Barnes cemetery,” muttered Jophiel closing her eyes and remembering his last words, Lagmar’s blade at his throat.
“Alive?” Theodore aske
d urgently.
“With Lagmar’s blade at his throat,” choked Jophiel trying to keep back the cries that consumed her core.
“But he is alive?” Theodore asked desperately, his eyes wide with hope. Jophiel shook her head slowly, noticing Gabriel’s eyes on her.
“I believe he is now dead Cael,” she whispered, her voice shaking, her hands tightly drawn into fists of rage.
“No, Galean isn’t dead,” cried Theodore, keeping his voice quiet, unwilling to anger his master, who looked at him with deep sorrow. Jophiel couldn’t find the words, she didn’t want to say the words, she wanted to run away and never to return, and she wanted to hide in a dark corner never to see the light again. Gabriel walked away from the sleeping bodies of Belle and Eveline, standing before Jophiel.
“Child,” he murmured taking her hands into his own, “I must heal your wounds, please come with me.” Jophiel followed Gabriel, leaving Theodore behind, his eyes burning with pain, his bones weak, his spirit spent, what had he done? Galean was dead, Peter was dead, Ada was dead, Bram was dead, Estelle was dead, Eveline wouldn’t wake, Belle was badly wounded and he, Theodore was riddled with guilt and shame, he had done this, his pride had killed his best friends, all because he couldn’t get what he wanted. Standing over Belle and Eveline, Theodore wept, placing Belle’s tiny hand in Eveline’s and hunching over them both crying.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 25