An Angel's Ascent

by Christina Worrell

  “Yes.”

  At that moment, many things began to happen. I was vaguely aware of them. The earth groaned and shifted all around us as it continued to shake. I could feel so many lives being extinguished one by one, all begging for life and forgiveness, and I asked God how he could allow all this. He must have known what we would do? Why create something that you know will destroy itself? Why watch it grow and live and love it when you must watch it turn around and destroy itself? Could I be Kali’s mother, watch her suffer? Could I bring her into this world and let her take on all the responsibility that came with being her? Maybe even someday watch her die too?

  I took a deep breath and waited, through the agonizing pain and fear I felt love. My love for all the things I cherished. I could deal with this. Love made it worth it.

  I could feel Sen’s and Raven’s weak life force. They had shared their life with me. I smiled and knew I had made the right decision. Out of the millions or so who was worth saving, they were, they were worth this pain.

  It felt as if my body was on fire and being ripped apart by jagged claws. It was changing. I was changing in order to protect those I love.

  Was I a martyr? No, I didn’t think so. I had a choice; I did it for love. I would have been a weak, shallow person to have given it up.

  I felt as the world began to calm itself, to settle for a moment in the joy of mother nature returning.

  They were all dead, everyone who wasn’t on this island. Everyone and Michael… My heart hurt at the thought of his name. Could I have been happy with him had all of this never happened? No, he was a brother to me. I loved him like a brother. I missed him more than anything. Would I ever see him again? Did he go to hell with all the rest of the suicides? I would go through all of this torture five times or more to save him.

  I couldn’t understand a lot of things, but I did understand love and sacrifice. How many would sacrifice for love? Would you? Would you take on the world? Would you die for it? Would you suffer more than thousands of people combined? If you said yes, then I died for you…

  I heard a weak cry and knew it was Kali… I had died for her… I would live for her…

  Two cries and I smiled. I would live for them…

  EPILOGUE

  Our world was now gone, along with billions of people. We’d have to rebuild it. Hopefully the ones that came after the two babies I now watched from my bed would make this world worth living in. That they might make it better, heal it and help it grow. I didn’t know what would happen now. I could only wait. Patience was not a virtue of mine.

  I was not human or mortal any longer, but my family refused to let me out of bed for at least thirty six hours, I had died. I didn’t mind. Neither did Lillian. We smiled and laughed as Kali and Gabriel waved little fists and cried at minor discomforts. Both babies were special. I could see and feel how intelligent they were. They would lead us into a new world together, side by side. Michael Gabriel Lothos would protect my daughter Kali and make her happy as she tried to make this world worth living in. They would give it a chance to survive. Something the people of my human time had misused relentlessly. They had greedily sucked every bit of life from it. Like leeches, taking until they burst from their gluttonous ways. Even I had my hand in the cookie jar.

  Aries had finally calmed down and was allowed to see Kali and me. He went straight for me of course and just stared at me like he wouldn’t get a chance to later. I felt so much love when I looked into his beautiful eyes. His demon had fought valiantly to save me, even knowing he could not.

  I motioned him closer and held his hand. I held my other arm out to Raven who held my daughter. She brought her to me, and I took Kali from Raven’s arms. I showed Aries, who finally gave her a chance. It didn’t take long to fall in love with that tiny cherub face. She was beautiful.

  Raven had given me every last drop of her magic and had none left whatsoever. I was grateful but also saddened by her gift. She only laughed saying every little bit helps. Her other gift, where she had shared some of her own life force, had me in awe. Blood or not she was my sister and always would be. One day I would find a way to repay her. Switch and I could not bear to lose her. Others had grown fond of her and her leadership qualities. She was now in charge of not only the hotel, but of all the jobs on the island.

  Switch gave us a bit of his time before he too went to help. He mentally told me he was in love with Raven. That with my permission and some grieving time out of respect for Michael he’d begin to show her just how much he loved her.

  He also told me he had a unanimous vote that all the people who were on the island that had died from here on out would be remembered by having their names inscribed onto the walls of the castle by the doors, starting with my friend Michael’s.

  Nanna paraded around with Kali like a grandmother would. She seemed invigorated, despite her age and the catastrophe we had just experienced. Her ‘Boys’ had been in to check on her and had been thoroughly chased away with Nanna talking about germs and lack of room.

  The band had announced they had found their mates, and a few like Arch, announced weddings to take place after I was out of bed. He had moved fast. I guess the end of the world would make people think twice about what was important. Many were just looking for solace in this time of heartache and loss. It was easier to deal with when you were not alone I guess.

  Sen told me later that it wouldn’t be long before other beings found us. We had to prepare. He also mentioned that despite the earthquake nothing was destroyed and there was no irreparable damage. No one was hurt, but all were grieving and had been told the real reason for all of this. Some were still in denial believe it or not. Most though were honestly sorry for the damage they had added to make all of this come about. Every little bit helps either way. The ones who had accepted their part were now going out of their way to help with everything, cleaning up and venturing outside.

  I knew what Sen meant, though, about what lay before us. I could sense that Kali’s return to earth had ripped open gateways to other dimensions and realities. Already some creatures had found the doors and were entering. It was only a matter of time before I had to decide if those beings would live or die, as they were very close to the island. I was a goddess no matter what others thought. I didn’t want the responsibility of this. I also didn’t want these creatures doing the same thing to my world as the human race had. I didn’t know for sure if I could survive another coming of Kali…

  © Copyright 2011 Christina Worrell (AKA Dark Angel)