“Was there anything else you wanted to tell us? I know we would all like to hear it. Wouldn’t we?” My glare was as icy as it ever had been.
The minions surrounding Azazel were suddenly cowering. The obedience I’d mistaken earlier for strength allowed me to see a victory like never before. My appetite had been wetted and only victory would curb it.
Azazel let out a loud bellowing sound as he flashed into the air, with his chained minions dragging behind him. He suddenly vanished, releasing the chains allowing the minions to remain. Sure he would return, I looked around the beach as more of our fellow Fallen Angels were arriving, I felt deep inside that this was a war that could be won. It was a war that needed the right leader, and I knew I was that leader.
Chapter 34
How many thousands of us there were, I’d never know. I didn’t need to know. I could feel their souls. I could feel their intentions. We were all acting as one - here for a single act.
The wind was blowing harder than it had all spring, the rain coming in sideways as it pelted us, picking up speed from the ocean. The weight of my drenched clothes was nothing compared to the burden I felt deep inside. As the wind howled over the cliffs and through the trees to finally reach us all where we stood, there was a vigilance it brought with it. I was leading us directly into victory, and I was leading us directly into defeat. Some of us wouldn’t make it. Some of our family members wouldn’t make it. That was known well before anyone decided to join us.
We were an army. They never saw it coming. Standing in the front row, I felt for Athen’s hand and squeezed it. Looking up at him as he stood stoically, hair completely drenched, clothes stuck to his body, I knew we were all miserable - miserably waiting for a fight that would drastically change things to come for both our world and the mortal world. Looking to my left, I saw Cyril and Arie, hands interlocked, looking straight ahead, waiting for the same thing as all of us – a sign of the enemy.
I let go of Athen’s hand, stepping forward and spinning around to see something I’d been telling myself not to. Partially worried that the numbers I’d see wouldn’t meet my expectations, I didn’t want to psych myself out. Instead, what I saw was countless rows and rows of our fellow Fallen Angels, lined up side by side, hands interlocking, ready to face whatever we might encounter in this first of many battles.
The entire beach was lined with being after being with the beautiful green eyes that I took so much comfort in. The lines of Fallen Angels went as far as I could see, circling beyond and behind the jagged cliffs. The sight was more magnificent than anything I could have thought up in my own mind. Catching Athen’s eyes, I felt tears begin to surface because of the overwhelming support that was going to lead us into victory.
Nodding at me, he took a step towards me, spinning like I did to look at the numbers who had gathered to support us.
“Wow, Ana. This is incredible.” He whispered.
“Isn’t it? If only it weren’t for the reason that it was, I might be able to revel in it all.”
Doing my best to wipe off the rain droplets that were continually running down my face, I shrugged off the chill that was trying to present itself deep within in my bones.
“More are coming, aren’t they?” I asked Athen, as I did my best to make out the images I was seeing come down one by one, making their way to the end of the lines that my eyes could no longer find any more.
Nodding, he stood back in line, and I followed his lead. The evil ones were on their way. I could feel it. Facing forward, I raised my arm up towards the sky and circled my wrist, with a finger extended. It was time to listen.
Straining to hear past the torrential downpour and crashing waves, I did my best to concentrate on the vibrations that I’d learned so recently to pick up from the demons. I steadied my breathing in hopes that it would help pick out what I needed to hear before the others.
I felt the shift, everyone had noticed my signal. Row after row of warriors, like myself, were stiffening, preparing for an unknown. The vibrations began to set themselves into motion. A light pounding began off in the distance - the intensity rising with every beat. Closing my eyes, I did my best to distinguish the beats. With every thud echoing through the air, I knew that it accounted for an army not that dissimilar to ours in size.
The cracking sound began reverberating through my eardrums. They were here. The sky opened up, pouring more on us than dampness as the deathly images began dropping down on us one by one. Thousands of minions, dripping in chains were like puppets dropping from the sky, only coming to life once they hit the ground.
The battle had begun. Letting go of Athen’s hand, I heard his whisper reach me telling me that he loved me just in time. He rocketed through the air meeting his first opponent. Forcing myself to turn away from him, I was determined not to let our love hinder my performance; rather, it was there to strengthen it. I felt the first blow of the sharp, metal chain as it hit my back, sending my body to the wet sand with a force like no other.
As I felt the tiny granules of sand enter my mouth, I commanded myself to get up. Everyone was looking at me to lead us to victory. I couldn’t let them down, especially within the first seconds of fighting. I jumped back up, readying myself to take out the creature that sent me into the earth, only to see a towering figure hovering over me waiting for my next move, laughing as if he had already won the fight.
I began running towards this figure who I didn’t recognize, only to dart to the right at the last moment, grabbing the chain that I was certain was the one that whipped me, pulling it with all of my strength. A shriek ran through the air, as the demon was flipped onto his back, my heel burrowing into his neck. Tugging on the chain, another shriek came barreling out of the creature. Finishing him off with one last quick stomp on his neck, I followed the chain as it led to his body. Assuming that the chain was hooked to the demon’s clothing, I was horrified when I felt it lead its way to his hip. Pulling up the shirt, I realized the chain was buried deep within the monster’s flesh. The sight was repulsive as the metal edges were barely visible as the chain snaked deep under the skin.
The shrieks and screams from the other demons, as they were being thrown and caught by their chains was an encouraging sound. As the demons and minions continued to land, I was able to estimate there was at least three of ours to every one of theirs. For now, the numbers were working in our favor. I knew it was crucial to not let myself become overconfident because that’s when mistakes could be made.
Scanning the beach, I saw the demons being overtaken by our own. I did my best to channel my findings to my family. If we target the ones with the chains first, we would be able to eliminate quite a few in a very short time. It felt too easy. I couldn’t see Athen, Cyril, or Arie so getting confirmation that they received my message was comforting.
Looking in the crowd for Azazel, the disappointment began building as I realized this wasn’t the battle he was going to participate in. This was the preemptive battle that was our test. The fury was building inside of me, knowing the battle would not be ending today, but rather, this was only the beginning. My desire to destroy Azazel was only growing stronger with every trick and trap he set for us all. It also answered my question that I had buried deep inside on whether Lilith was going to show up for this one either. My disappointment would have to wait for another day; instead I had to channel my anger into the fight before me.
Diving into the crowd of minions to continue my fight, I was determined to finish them off quickly. This was a waste of time and resources. It was disgusting, and there was nothing I could do about it other than participate and make it end.
Snagging chain after chain, causing dreadful squeals of pain as I tugged from one evil creature to the next, destroying as many as were in my path as possible gave me the strength to keep going. Catching Athen’s eye quickly, he nodded, letting me know he captured all of my thoughts earlier, which brought a huge amount of relief. They are on the same page. We needed to get this over wi
th and quickly.
It was painfully obvious that we were the victors in this match, but unfortunately, we had to ensure that we had taken care of every minion left standing. They wouldn’t stop until they were destroyed. The dark mist was being released into the air from the mounting pile of minions who were being destroyed. The dark mist could easily be mistaken as the most wicked of winter storms. I stood in the far corner of the beach surveying our victories and watching our side fly away to wherever it was they came from after they finished their last victims off. I’d never get to say thank you or meet all the individuals who came to help us fight. The fallen angels were leaving as quickly as they had come, never receiving anything in return. I was staring in utter disbelief as I saw the piles of minions we had destroyed.
Feeling the slash of a chain hit my neck from behind, I turned around quickly, only to be hit again. Grabbing the chain as quickly as possible and yanking it as hard as I could, while I watched the wretched creature’s skin stretch in the direction of each tug, I collapsed alongside the last minion that was apparently left to be destroyed. Seeing his body crumple to the beach, satisfaction began to swell through my body until the pain dropped me to my knees.
Athen was immediately by my side, picking me up. Not understanding why these injuries, compared to any of the other lashes I had received, were worse, confused me. I honestly couldn’t fathom why the last lash that I was dealt would have done this to me. My mind was becoming quickly cluttered as I tried hard to concentrate on Athen’s face, his lips, anything to get my mind focused.
“What if our love is the downfall?” I whispered.
My arms were wrapped around his neck as he carried me from the pile of bodies spread across the beach.
“Never. It only makes us stronger.” He was out of breath, and I didn’t understand why until he dropped to his knees, letting me roll out of his arms onto the pebbles below.
“Athen!” I screamed without realizing what was happening, watching him begin to fall forward. “No, Athen!”
I searched his body for any sign or clue. I didn’t understand what was happening. My fingers felt over every crease and crevice of his skin and clothing. I felt nothing. The tears were streaming down my face, I was unable to catch my breath. We had defeated the Legion. It was me who had gotten hurt, not Athen.
“Sweetheart, please…please. I don’t understand. Don’t leave me, please.” My wailing had to catch someone’s attention. There had to be someone left on the beach. I prayed someone would hear because I couldn’t move, not with my injuries. I began to feel serenity envelop my body. Holding Athen, I slowly scooted myself to be closer to him. It was as if his body was making me calmer. The ocean air began to get deep within my lungs, as I did my best to focus. I had to communicate with Cyril and Arie. I tried my best calling for help.
The confusion set in. We won, and now, Athen was lifeless in front of me, and I can’t use my legs to get help. A sense of hopelessness began to invade my thoughts as I did my best to concentrate and beg for Cyril or Arie to help by way of thought. The steady beat of the waves crashing washed over me as I, too, met the same darkness as Athen.
***
Somehow I was in our bed – we were in our bed at our Kingston home. I opened my eyes and saw the familiar colors surrounding me along with the wonderfully comforting sound of Matilda snoring. I reached for Athen’s hand, clasping it as tight as I could. He slowly began to tighten his hand around mine. Remembering where I last was and the inability to move my legs made me shudder. Cyril and Arie must have gotten us both back to our home.
“How are you feeling?” Athen muttered into my ear, turning on his side to face me. Remembering that I couldn’t move my legs from the injuries, I turned my head to face his.
“Good but awfully confused.” He looked completely unscathed. “Come here!” He moved closer, and I began kissing his neck frantically. I couldn’t stop. I thought I’d lost him, yet again. I felt his breath whisper down on my forehead.
“You’ve got to explain! I was the one with the injuries, and then you collapsed?”
“Um, well. I was doing my best to try to heal you. I was just trying to do it too fast, and it depleted my resources so to speak.” His eyes sparkling as if I should be pleased with this answer. “Move your legs.”
I curled them up and realized they really did move. Happiness flooded through me.
“Are you serious? You can do that?” I completely flipped over now, not having any fear of pain radiating through my spine or legs.
“Yeah, depending on the injury. We’ve all got our talents, you know?” He tried to play it off.
“Seriously? That’s your special talent?” I asked tickling his ribs.
“One of them.” He replied before coming over to grab me and take me under the covers with him. Completely exhilarated by the idea, I happily followed as he slid me down between the sheets. I still couldn’t believe that I was still relearning so much about this life and, truthfully, Athen.
***
The sun was drying up every cloud in the sky - a welcome sight for the Northwest. Athen and I were still at our Kingston home, just us two. It was incredible to be able to spend this time together, alone. I couldn’t get enough of his newly-created sparkling, green eyes. It pained me not to see them for those several months that seemed like an eternity. Understanding more and more what fifty years of waiting for me must have been like, I felt like I could never reach that same level that he had been on, no matter how hard I tried.
Feeling Athen entering the bedroom, I spun around to greet him. Seeing his smile, my body rushed his, jumping on him as he lifted me up.
“Whoa! What’s gotten into you this fine morning?” He asked, hugging me back tightly.
“I just can’t believe how lucky I’m to have you. That’s all.” I said not wanting to let go.
“Well, I’m pretty sure I feel the same way, sweetie.” He said letting me go to slide back onto the bed.
“Yea, but you know how lousy I feel about my patience? I only went months waiting for you and was thinking of some pretty drastic things. The amount of desperation I felt when I thought I couldn’t have you or wouldn’t have you made me act in ways I never would have thought. I had no control. You managed for fifty years to have your act together.” I told him, somewhat sulking as I relived how awful of a soul mate I might actually be.
His finger tilting my chin to look up at him, he spoke the words that I’d been hoping to hear for so long – forgiveness.
“Ana, you didn’t have someone chasing after you the way I did. I didn’t have to deal with the thought of someone else possibly getting you, ya know? I don’t know how I would’ve responded. Somehow, I think I might have been on the same track. You’ve got to let go of all of that. It will eat you up. That’s one thing I’m sure of.”
“Do you really think you might have had some of the same thoughts?”
He stared deeply into my eyes, brushing my hair from my face.
“Yeah, I think I’d rather have lived in oblivion than think someone else might have become the new me. Better to wander around knowing you aren’t missing anything, than knowing you’re missing everything, but someone else has it.”
“Thank you, Athen. Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
He was holding me tightly, and I believed he was telling me the truth. Maybe, I wasn’t that horrible after all. Maybe, it would have happened to anyone.
“It’s been wonderful being down here, only us two. I know it’s coming to an end though, huh?” I said, the seriousness of our latest victory still fresh in our memory.
“Uh, before ya know it.” He said, ruffling my hair as I jumped on him, pretending to attack.
“When do you think they will get here so we can all say our goodbyes?”
“Way too soon,” Athen mumbled, “Way too soon.”
“Do you really think this is what we are going to have to do for the next while? It seems like we sent a pretty good signal to Azazel
and his followers.”
“Yeah, he got the message alright. He knows that on that beach we were united in our pursuit for the good of mankind. But it also told him something else - that the fight has barely begun.”
“So you really think he’s only going to step back for a little while before starting up again?”
“I think you know the answer to that better than any of us.” Athen said, referring to my latest premonitions that had begun surfacing.
“I know, but it’s just hard to fathom that separating from Cyril and Arie is the best thing for us now.”
“You and I know both know that the threat Cyril poses is still great. We aren’t out of the woods with him turning against us. We all know that. He could still become trapped with Azazel’s plan, unable to refuse.” My heart ached at the sound of those words hitting the air. I also knew that I was part of something larger that I couldn’t tell Athen. Arie had made me promise, and this was the only time that I would ever follow her wishes by keeping a secret.
Hearing Cyril and Arie arriving, we both readied ourselves to say our goodbyes to them, for as long or as short as it may be. Our plan was to spread out to places where we would be less obvious. All of the Fallen Angels around the globe were leaving the comforts of their homes, not knowing when any of us would get to return. We would be doing our best to not use our typical way of communicating between each other, no telepathy, so to speak. We would actually be using cell phones so that it would just blend into the other chatter of mortals. Our goal was to try to stay off the demon grid awhile so we could all regroup and establish our networks and plans of attack.
It didn’t help that the lingering images of Cyril being tapped to join Azazel hadn’t been executed. If it was something that we thwarted, at least, we could check it off the list but that hadn’t even happened yet. There had been no attempts. It was still a viable problem. Arie had been a nervous wreck and asked me to participate in a plan that she had devised to possibly stop the entire vision from happening. She thought being the sister of Athen would work in her favor as long as I played my part in it. Arie was certain she had a remedy for Cyril’s possible predicament, and it was me who had to keep the secret buried deep inside, waiting for the signal. Knowing everything they had done for me, I felt it was only natural to help in any way I could even if I didn’t necessarily agree with it. Only time would tell, if we did the right thing.
Legions Page 23