“Arise. May darkness prevail and bring justice to this forsaken world,” Damali spoke to the creature that had been a Seer moments before.
The charred body began to rise, ripping itself free from the stakes binding it to the ground. An eerie smile danced over its lips as it took its first step out of the circle. The moment its foot hit the ground, it dissolved into a pile of ash.
A roar of anger ripped from Brutus’s chest. “We need a stronger Seer. This is not working!” he shouted.
“We have plenty to choose from.” Francesca replied blankly staring off into the distance. I wondered if she ever conveyed any emotions.
“Remember,” Kennan’s voice echoed in my mind. “Remember before it is too late.”
Afflicted by the memories the darkness had kept at bay, my mind seemed to continue expanding. I’d never felt such agony before. Not when I’d exploded on the battlefield, not when Kennan had been ripped from me, nothing could compare to this endless onslaught. The memories burned through my mind, charring a path that led straight to the vision Molly had shown me.
I was standing in what had once been Isadora’s office, back at the Council. It was never really mine. Anchored in front of the desk, my feet unmoving, the vision played out. Where it had once been a blur, the darkness blocking out what it didn’t want me to see, it was now clear.
“You will do this, Seer.” Damali clasped her hands together, leaning toward me. “You are already an abomination, in this you will be redeeming yourself. Do you not wish to earn your place in the heavens? This is what we were called to do.”
I could see in her eyes she truly believed the words she spoke. She somehow thought reigning destruction upon the world would earn her a place in heaven. I’d seen this sort of madness in movies before, but I never thought it could really happen. She had not only convinced herself this madness was the way to gain God’s favor, she’d also managed to gain the support of others. Perhaps her talents were those of persuasion. Regardless, it was madness. Madness I wouldn’t be a part of.
Reality violently ripped back into focus.
“The Council,” I gasped, struggling to sit up.
“What do you mean?” Eleanor looked infuriated. I wasn’t sure if her anger was directed at me, or the information.
“They’re the ones behind this. They’re trying to summon the darkness into life. Sacrificing Seers.” I couldn’t speak in full sentences. My stomach roiled at the memory of the Seer that had been transformed, only to end in a pile of ash. I sat up, putting my head between my legs. I had to get myself under control. The pain was starting to fade, leaving me shaking in its wake.
“Calm yourself.” Aberto’s hard voice pulled my focus away from what I was feeling. Irritation replaced the panic. As I looked up into his face I could see a brief smile play out upon his lips. He’d done it on purpose.
“Not cool,” I said, glaring up at him, even if I was secretly thankful for the diversion.
“Explain, Izzy.” Eleanor’s brows were creased. I’d never seen her be anything but stoic. Even in her sadness, she wasn’t an emotive person. Something told me, Eleanor was a force to be reckoned with when angry.
“Let us gather the Order. This is a matter that concerns more than us.” Aberto touched my arm briefly before disappearing out of the door.
“Can it be stopped?” Eleanor asked.
The visions Molly had shown me played out in my minds’ eye. If I weren’t strong enough to fight them, then I would become their Revenant, their weapon against humanity, but in the second vision, I’d been strong. I’d stopped them.
“I’m not sure,” I answered honestly. What was the difference between the two scenarios? In one I was strong enough to fight, but in the other, I failed. Worry settled in as people began to file into the room.
You won’t be strong enough. You will do their bidding, my bidding, the darkness promised.
Seers and Guardians filled the room; some I knew, and others I did not. Their faces were a sea of confusion and concern.
As I rose to stand, Aberto moved to my side, clasping my hand. His presence was a welcome comfort, my very own security blanket.
“What have you discovered?” Mona stood at the front of the gathered group. Bodies crammed every available space in the room, struggling for space amongst the piles of books. This room was not meant for gatherings.
“The Council has been corrupted.” A sharp intake of breath echoed through the room. Guardians and Seers began to speak at once. Questions, fears, speculation assaulted me, making me feel weak at the knees.
“SILENCE!” Aberto shouted, his voice quieting the room in an instant.
“When I pulled the demon under, I saw it.” I started only to be interrupted by Mona.
“Why did you not say?” Mona seemed irritated I would’ve kept something like this from her.
“If you would let me finish.” I was equally irritated. If people didn’t quit interrupting I’d never get through this. “I didn’t remember. As most of you know by now, when the demon was defeated, its darkness transferred to me. It lives within me.” Another gasp from the crowd. Okay, so maybe that wasn’t common knowledge. A disapproving look from Mona settled it, my condition wasn’t known to everyone.
“Are you corrupted?” A small voice from the crowd drew my attention to a Seer. She must’ve just come into her powers. She looked so young compared to the battle hardened crowd surrounding her.
“In a manner of speaking, I suppose I am. I’ve learned to contain it. While it will always live within me, it doesn’t control me. I’m no longer a danger.” I paused, hoping to reassure the seemingly unconvinced crowd. “As I was saying, that darkness has been masking those memories. For obvious reasons, it did not want the truth to be revealed.”
I waited a beat for someone to interrupt again, when no one began to speak I pressed on.
“Damali, Eric, Francesca, and the other Guardian are at the center of this. They are responsible for the demon. They used the Old One to bring forth Sonneillon. When that failed, they sought another path. They are sacrificing Seers. From what I can remember, they were trying to create creatures of darkness.”
“Why would they do this?” Eleanor’s disbelief hung heavy in the air.
“They believe they are in the right; this is the path they must take to gain the favor of the heavens. They believe by bringing darkness to the world, they will be purging the land of unworthy souls. I’ve seen it in their eyes. It is their truth now. There will be no reasoning with them, no talking them out of the path they’ve set themselves upon,” I replied steadily.
“What can we do?” Mona asked.
“We must prepare for the worst. I’ve been shown two scenarios. In one I’m able to keep control over myself and stop the darkness from arising. In the other, I fall to the darkness and become the spark the darkness needs in order to set fire to the world. If I fail, darkness will fall. You need to brace yourselves for the worst case scenario. Above all, you must be prepared to end me in the event I turn.” I looked to Mona, begging her with my eyes that she wouldn’t allow me to live solely based upon some familial attachment. I needed to know she would stop me.
“You have my word,” Mona promised as she turned to address the rest of the room. “You heard her, go and prepare. There is a battle looming. One for the very fate of the world. The balance must be maintained. Prepare yourselves; call on your brothers and sisters. Spread the word, the time is upon us. However, I beseech you to take caution. Do not speak a word of the Council and their involvement. If we are to be victorious, we must keep the truth hidden. Am I understood?”
“What should we tell people when they ask?” The Seer that had spoken earlier looked terrified.
“Tell them darkness is on the rise, nothing more.” Mona effectively cut off any further questions with her stare. One by one the group left the room, leaving only those closest to me remaining.
I turned Mona to face me, “I want to speak with Uriel.”
“I’m not sure he will return in your presence.” Mona’s honesty struck me. I knew the last time I’d spoken to the archangel, things had not gone well, but I needed to speak to him.
“Uriel, I need to talk to you. Stop hiding and show yourself,” my voice shouted toward the heavens. I hoped my jab would be enough to get him to surface. His pride had been evident in every encounter I’d had with him. I just hoped that pride would play in my favor.
“You dare summon me?” Anger dripped from every word my aunt spoke. He’d come. “Tainted one, you are no longer my concern.”
“Perhaps not, but the balance is about to be disrupted. Maybe you could stop focusing so much on how much you don’t like me now and start thinking about that? Darkness will fall unless the Council is stopped,” I pushed. I needed to know if what I was beginning to suspect was true.
“I am aware.” Uriel was unaffected by my news. “Is this why you summoned me?”
“Are you saying you will not intervene on the behalf of humanity? What of the balance?” Anger pulsed through my veins as my suspicions became truth.
“The matters of man are of no concern. It will play out as it does. We care not, either way. Our battle rages on, Tainted One. We will not stretch ourselves thin to protect humanity. The balance has ebbed and flowed throughout time. This moment will pass and another will surface. Do not summon me again.” Uriel snapped from my aunt’s eyes.
There it was. The confirmation of what I’d felt for as long as this insanity had been a part of my life. We were pawns, just players in a game to the heavens. They cared not for the outcome. There would be no protection from them, no assistance. If humanity were to be saved from the darkness, we must act. In the grand scheme of things, I understood this moment was no more than a blink of the eye to the eternal beings that had watched the world evolve.
This blink of an eye mattered to us, though, and I would be damned before I let the world fall into darkness. I knew what had to be done, but was I capable of holding my own against the darkness? Or would I be the downfall of man?
Faces stared at me, waiting for me to move, to give direction.
“I must return to the Council.” My voice came out shaky.
“You will not go alone.” Conall stepped forward, falling to a knee with a bow. “I will go into battle with you.”
“This is a journey which I must take alone.” I stared down into Conall’s good eye, the ferocious beast lurking just below. How I wished I could have him with me to watch my back.
“That is not entirely true.” Aberto spoke, as Conall rose to his feet.
“What do you mean?” I’d seen the truth. I’d been alone in the Council. Besides, there was no way they would let everyone come back. They needed me, I was useful. Everyone else would be in danger.
“We can remain nearby within the dreaming,” Aberto proposed.
“That isn’t possible. No one here is a soul-walker. Only people with that ability would be able to do what you are asking.”
“There is a way. It is excruciatingly painful, and only temporary.” Aberto looked around the room, asking with his eyes if there was anyone up to the task.
“Do it.” Ian came into view. I hadn’t noticed him standing in the corner. The shadows must have masked him.
“You should be with Molly.” I didn’t want her to be alone, to suffer by herself.
“I do her no good holding vigil beside her bed. In this I will be acting to save her. Do not deny me this, Izzy. You would do the same if it were Kennan lying in that room dying.” Ian’s jaw clenched waiting for me to respond.
“You’re right.” Relief washed over his face for a moment before I continued, “But you better not die.”
“You have my word.” Ian smiled.
“How many can you take?” Mona asked Aberto.
“The marks are etched upon the soul. I am able to mark ten and retain enough of my soul to be of use,” Aberto responded.
“Wait, what?” I sputtered. Aberto could be hurt doing this? He hadn’t mentioned that part.
“Izzy, I will be well,” Aberto promised.
“No. There has to be some other way. You said marking a soul takes a piece of your soul as payment. Marking ten is too much.” Memories of the trapped Seers played through my mind. The night Aberto had saved me by giving me a piece of his soul. I’d spent mine in payment for their freedom. Now, he was set on doing the same. “Besides, I thought you weren’t permitted to interfere, to help us. I had to do the marks the last time.”
“Things have changed.” Darkness settled in his eyes, and I knew exactly what he meant. He’d been cursed for interfering on my behalf. Cursed to wander the earth for an eternity, never being able to move on. “If I am to remain here, I will be of use.”
“What happens if you use up your entire soul doing this? You can’t move on. What happens then, Aberto?” Panic welled inside of me. I wasn’t ready to lose him. I couldn’t survive that pain again.
“Izzy, we all have our roles to play. Do not deny me mine.” Aberto gathered his implements and left the room, heading towards the large ceremonial room. “If you wish to be one of the ten, follow!” he shouted over his shoulder, never turning to face me.
He will leave you. They all leave you. Everyone will die because of you.
The darkness reveled in my fears, delighting in the panic that froze me in place.
“He must do this. For you.” Eleanor’s voice pulled me from my mind and the darkness pulsing within me.
“He may end himself in the process.”
“If it were him standing where you stand now, would you not do the same?” Eleanor’s logic did nothing to ease my nerves.
“Why does everyone keep doing that? I get it. If it were someone I cared for in danger, I would be jumping headfirst into the fray. It isn’t quite so easy for me to let other people do the same in return.”
“You aren’t responsible for everyone, Izzy. The world does not rest solely upon your shoulders. If you don’t share this burden, you will collapse under the enormity of it all.” Eleanor’s words brought back every syllable Molly had uttered. I needed to stop thinking this was all up to me. I wasn’t alone.
“What if I fail?”
“Then we will prevail.” Eleanor’s easy response settled my nerves. “If I must end you myself, I will.”
Well, that wasn’t comforting. I supposed I was grateful for her willingness to stop me before I hurt anyone else, but it came out so easily. I looked over at her sideways to see her staring back. Her stoic expression was back in place making it hard to read her.
“I wouldn’t enjoy it,” she said flatly before leaving me to stand in the room alone with my thoughts circling.
My feet carried me into the ceremonial room almost of their own accord. My mind so consumed with the events that lay ahead, all else was lost to the background. Screams of agony pulled them swiftly back into focus.
Ian lay face down on the ground. Aberto was nowhere to be seen. He’d gone into the dreaming to mark Ian’s soul. As the screams ripped from Ian’s throat, vibrant red markings began to appear on his back, forming an intricate maze. When completed, Aberto reappeared in the room, looking exhausted. This was only one mark, how would he endure nine more.
“What now?” Ian breathed out, heavily.
“Now I must mark the others. When all have been marked, we will move to the next step.” Aberto motioned for another to take Ian’s place.
One after one, five Guardians came forward to be marked. Conall, Bruce, Ian, and two others bore the marks before the Seers took their turn. Sena rushed forward to be the first, pulling a disapproving look from Conall.
“Like I’m going to let you have all of the fun,” Sena said with a wink before laying down face first. Her screams tore through the room seconds after Aberto disappeared into the dreaming to mark her. Conall struggled against the restraints of two huge Guardians. If they had so much as slipped a little, he would’ve snatched her away, prevent
ing the mark from ever being completed. Time seemed to freeze as everyone held their collective breath waiting for it to be over.
“Well, that sucked,” Sena panted as Aberto once more reappeared in the room. His strength was visibly fading.
“Let me mark the rest,” I prompted. Surely I could do it.
“You must keep your soul intact. If you fracture even a piece of yourself off, I fear the darkness may find a way to take hold.” Aberto’s eyes held mine steady. “I am well.”
“No, you’re not.” My chest grew heavy as I looked at him. He was a pillar of strength. I’d watched him rip a soul straight from a body, yet looking upon him now, he looked almost broken. I couldn’t lose him. Not now, not after I’d already lost so much. I wouldn’t survive it.
Aberto moved towards me, clasping my arm gently to lead me from the room. “Izzy, this must be done. If you cannot bear to be present and have faith I will make it through, then you should wait out here. Your lack of confidence is causing others to doubt.” His censure was a slap to the face.
“I don’t want to lose you.” I looked up into his eyes, and I knew in that moment what Eleanor had said was true. I did love Aberto. I’d probably loved him for my entire existence.
We were inevitable.
It didn’t change the fact I wasn’t ready to move on, but there it was. The truth. I would be just as crushed by Aberto’s death as I had been by Kennan’s.
“You won’t,” Aberto promised, gently placing his lips on my forehead before turning back to the room. “Are you coming?”
I nodded once, reentering the room behind him. He was right. I needed to have faith in him. He knew better than me what he was doing.
See How She Awakens Page 11