Ascension of Evil (Battle for Souls Book 3)

by Ciara Knight

  “If I do this and fail, is there any hope for the rest of you?” Gabby managed.

  Herak shrugged then gestured to the Prim and himself. “We’ll be part of Satan’s team if you fail.”

  Boon tucked Sammy’s hair behind her ear. “I have to assume we’ll both remain on Earth for eternity.”

  “Grace, what will happen to you?” Gabby clung to Alexander in hopes the nausea would settle.

  Grace tilted her head to one side. “I’m not sure, dear.”

  “Alex, if we did bond, you’ll fall with me. But we didn’t bond like Sammy and Boon, so does that mean you could return to Heaven.”

  He swallowed. “Don’t know.”

  Gabby hung her head. “Does anyone else have any other ideas?”

  General Beck set his plate on the counter. “Sounds like you’ve got a plan.”

  Her dad pushed from the chair. “G-Bear, you know what you’re doing? This sounds like a slim-to-none chance.”

  “It’s our only chance. However, I’m open to another option, if anyone has one.” Silence greeted her.

  “News flash. If we face a battle with just us, we’re underworld toothpicks,” Forras warned.

  Gabby closed her mind to everyone and waited for a sign, a voice, anything. Dear God, what do I do? Again, only silence. To think a year ago, she didn’t want visions or voices in her head. Now, she’d take anything she could get.

  “Just make sure he really deceived you in some way. If you willingly made the deal with no interference, then facing off with Appius is not a good idea,” Grace said.

  Gabby forced herself to remember that awful day. How had he worded his proposal? Did he lie? If only Gabby could remember the specifics. “I’m not positive. I remember him telling me that all would be right in the world, that all of you would be safe if I sacrificed myself. I did, but all of you suffered. I’m just not sure if it was intentional or if he was tricked somehow.

  The house shook. Forras, Herak, and the Prim jumped up. “He’s here and he’s ordering us all to the rift. The war is on. Now,” Forras said in a heavy voice.

  Gabby gripped the table. This was it. No more time. She stood and faced the doorway. “I know what I have to do.”

  Alexander pulled her into his arms. “I love you.” He trembled.

  She squeezed him against her. “I love you, too. Promise me something.”

  “Anything.”

  “Whatever my fate, let it be. Don’t try to save me.” She pulled back, but refused to let go of him. “That goes for all of you. I’m the only one who can stop Appius, so there is no reason for you to interfere. Your job is to protect mankind. If I’m meant to lead the army of angels, then it will be. If not—”

  “No.” Alexander took her into his arms. Standing, he held her tight against him. “Don’t say it.”

  Gabby lost herself in the moment. His arms tightened around her, and she wished they could melt into each other right there. Soulbond and disappear into Heaven for eternity. She clutched the back of his shirt one more time. “I love you. We both know what we have to do. If Heaven wills it, we’ll be in each other’s arms at the end of all this. If not, then we have the memory of a love that will withstand eternity.”

  She stepped back. “It’s time.”

  His arms scraped down her side like dead weights.

  Prim stood and closed her eyes. A ripple in the air sent a charge through Gabby’s body.

  Thunder rumbled through the house. Dishes rattled in the cabinet. Pictures fell from the walls.

  Gabby grabbed her sword from the kitchen counter, slung it over her shoulder and marched to the front door. She took a long breath, fought the choking smell of demonic odor, and concentrated on a voice, any voice. Something to guide her, but nothing came.

  Footsteps thumped behind her. She knew they all wanted to do something to stop her, but also understood she had no choice.

  Combat boots approached and a hand rested on the small of her back. “I wish I could go in your place. Never thought I’d have to watch my baby girl face so much. I tried to protect you.” His voice choked. She reached her hand out behind her and her dad took it in his. She squeezed it then let it go. Cracking the door open, she hesitated then turned and fell into his arms like a little girl.

  They squeezed each other tight and held on a second longer, before she returned to the world outside. The door swung open, revealing another world. Gasps sounded behind her. Wind blurred in gusts of red and black. Sand mixed with steam. The ocean surged onto the beach, almost reaching Grace’s home. The home she’d grown to love.

  Her mind couldn’t process everything. Beasts in the sky. Demons in the tree line. All types—horns, claws, grey skin, massive heads, glowing red or fathomless black eyes. Each had their own unique form of torture.

  This time no plan of action came. She wasn’t meant to fight them.

  Orange bubbled up to the surface of the dark sea announcing Satan’s arrival.

  She forced her legs forward, each step creaking beneath her. Heat penetrated the bottom of her shoes. Everything moved in slow motion. The sounds of the ocean surf and howls of the demons echoed across the beach. Her mind floated and her body threatened to collapse. Concentrating on each step of her human frame, she shuffled down to the sinking, shifting sand. Fish, hundreds of them, lay bloated and dead on the shore. Further down the beach multitudes of sea life, from tiny crustaceans to enormous whales, flapped on the sand, many already lifeless.

  Alexander’s fear shot into her, igniting her own terror, yet she continued forward, ignoring the threat from all sides. Had Prim summoned every hellacious creature on the planet?

  Deals. They never worked the way you planned. There always seemed to be some kind of loophole.

  Gabby stopped in the center of the maelstrom and cleared her throat. She looked up to the crimson tornado-like clouds above and steadied herself. Commanding the most authoritative voice she possessed, she yelled, “I accuse the council angel, Appius, of treason.”

  Did everything fall silent or was it in her head? She stood defenseless, waiting for lightening to strike her down. Or that beast in the water to scoop her up and deliver her to the hell she had nearly faced the first day she swam in the ocean. This time, Alexander couldn’t save her. Her body slacked, mind wondered. Was Charlotte returning? No, she could feel it. Something probed around her mind. Her scalp tightened and tingled at the intrusion, but she remained still, allowing them to search for the answers they needed.

  I have sinned greatly against all of humankind and deserve whatever punishment you deem fit. But mankind does not deserve the same fate. Appius made a deal so that—

  Sharp pain shot behind her eyes and she doubled over, not able to withstand the intensity. Was she wrong? Did she falsely accuse an innocent angel and now she’d pay the price?

  She pushed herself upright and faced the skies again.

  Nothing, no sign of a response. She stood there shaking, waiting for several minutes.

  Then the clouds parted and light from the early morning sun broke through. It was beautiful, a diamond in a dark mine full of coal.

  “Your accusations have been noted,” a voice announced.

  Gabby turned toward the voice. Her mother stood only a few feet away. Golden material flowed from her shoulders, her ringlet curls shining in the light.

  “Mother?” she whispered. “I mean, Elianna. My friend.”

  “I am who you need to see at this moment. I represent the council. Appius is outraged, and deservedly so. But as a council, we will address these outlandish charges. You are aware of the consequences of your actions?”

  She moved her mouth, but was so mesmerized by the figure in front of her she couldn’t speak.

  “You not only risk your soul, but the souls of your friends and all those you love.”

  She froze. Those were the same words from before. The ones Appius spoke.

  Her mother cocked her head and arched an eyebrow.

  “Yes, Appiu
s. This time I know the consequences, unlike last time when I was convinced that their lives were more important than mankind’s.”

  The world resumed. Wind whirled, demons howled, the ocean crashed. Her mother’s body morphed into a silver shadow before it lunged toward her. Gabby’s wings shot out. The silver shadow evaporated and passed through her, sucking the wind from her lungs.

  Your wings are stained with the blood of all those you failed. Admit your sin and sacrifice yourself or all of mankind will pay for your selfishness.

  Inadequacy and fear clamped down on her soul, challenging her resolve. She opened her mind so all could hear her conversation. No, I won’t let you bully me again. I know what you did, and you will pay.

  Stupid child. That’s all you are.

  I demand you release the warrior angels.

  Never. They will fight for me. For the greater good. They despise you for what you did. Do you think they will fall in line and do your bidding after they were trapped for almost two millennia? Do you really believe they would betray the one who offered them sanctuary?

  I know they will do the right thing and fight for Heaven.

  Then I have already won. The silver shadow solidified as it looped in the sky then landed on one knee on the beach. Sand blew out in all directions. A powerful, silvery man stared through her. This is your destiny. He sank into the sand as horns rose from the water. Two dark, enormous horns.

  Demons charged onto the beach.

  A thousand souls screamed at once, all accusing her of treachery.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Alexander dug his fingers into the wood banister of the front porch, splintering it. The overpowering instinct to save Gabby from the torturous scenario playing out before them consumed him, but he forced his feet to remain rooted to the porch.

  Appius, in the form of a bald man, with silver eyes and draped in a silver robe, confronted Gabby. Then he slipped into the sand while something simultaneously rose from the depths of the ocean. An amber beast, built of molten lava. He had thought it the ugliest thing that ever existed. Wrong! Satan was the ugliest.

  Dark horns twisted out of the water like an old gnarled tree growing from its forehead. Its face was a blur of gold, red, and black, with no defining features except the pools of death at the top of its head. Lava bubbled like pus-filled boils on the creature’s face and chest. Its four semi-truck sized arms plunged into the ocean, propelling it toward the shore. Each thump sent a ten-foot wave hurtling onto the beach. The closer it got, the faster the waves came, until they crashed over Gabby, who never moved.

  Black winged creatures darted in and out between the beast’s arms. Herak’s children of the underworld, but which side were they on?

  Demons ran down the beach and more charged from the direction of Prim’s house. She was surrounded yet made no attempt to flee. Instead, she knelt, bowed her head, and rested her hands on her thighs.

  “No!” Alexander took two steps forward but plowed into Boon and his iron grip. “Are you insane? This is wrong. Is she supposed to fight all of Hell’s demons by herself? If so, why are we here?”

  A jeep crashed over a dune at the other end of the beach. “Ah, I knew my men wouldn’t let us down. Time to fight.” General Beck yanked his sidearm from his holster and stormed onto the beach. He took out two demons, a single shot each. A third rose high on its hooves and stomped toward him.

  Alexander scanned between the demons and angels. Two hunters took on a large grey demon, one hunter hitting it with rapid fire, while the other stabbed it with an electric wand. The hunters had a variety of devices to take down demons, but obviously didn’t know what would work on which demon. The beast swung and smacked both a few hundred feet into the air before they slammed back down with a loud splat in the murky ground. Neither moved.

  Grace turned to Herak. “It’s time for your decision.”

  Herak angled his head down at her. Red sunlight reflected off his scrunched face. “What makes you think—”

  Grace waved her hand. “Because not once did you agree to fight on our side, only to give us information.”

  Sammy pointed. “Look.”

  Alexander followed the direction of her finger and discovered a herd of winged figures, encased in sunlight, zooming toward them.

  “The warrior angels?” Bruce asked.

  The angels landed in a wave of thunder and Satan halted in the water.

  All eyes were on Gabby, waiting.

  Appius spun up from the sand, a silver hue surrounding his body.

  Alexander couldn’t see his face, but a twinge of hatred welled inside him at the sight of the angel who cast him and Sammy from heaven, disgracing them. But it quickly died. Without Appius’s treachery, Alexander wouldn’t have been with Gabby again. The pain, loneliness, and feelings of worthlessness were worth it if he got to taste her lips again. As he remembered their time in the tent and her bedroom six months earlier, he realized they hadn’t needed the soulbonding ceremony. They were bonded in the truest of sense.

  The warrior angels, all differing shapes and sizes, drew their swords and lifted them over their heads. Gabby slid her sword from the scabbard then laid it down in the sand in front of her and bowed her head.

  Breathless, Alexander waited for their decision.

  The lead angel, a small man, stepped forward, his massive wings drudging gullies in the sand on either sides of him. “We served you with honor, yet you betrayed us in battle. We’ve spent two millennia in darkness, away from the glory of Heaven.” His deep voice overpowered the thunderous waves and Hell’s frenzy.

  Gabby lifted her head but kept her hands on her knees. “I was deceived by a council—”

  “She has proven herself unworthy. I have sacrificed my seat on the council and an eternity in Heaven to fight.” Appius lifted his baldhead, revealing silver ink in moving swirls tattooed on his scalp.

  “Yes, but for which side?” Gabby hissed.

  The winged leader pointed the tip of his sword at Appius. “Accusations mean nothing. Half-truths and speculation are not a reason to fight a war.” He looked at his comrades. “We are sworn to protect mankind and the gates of Heaven. If the gates to Heaven are sealed and Hell wins this war, what will you do?”

  Appius shifted between his feet as he lifted his chin. “I am a ruling member of the council. Heaven will not forsake me. Unlike others, I have faith in the divine rule.”

  The warrior lowered his sword to Gabby.

  She remained perfectly still. “I will be cast to darkness, as is fit for my failure to protect mankind. I’m afraid that I do not possess Appius’s power, and we shall all be sealed to our fate. Once again, you will be sent to darkness or the fire pits of Hell.” She lowered her head.

  Alexander waited. His wings fought for release, knotting the muscles in his back. In all the years he’d been on Earth during the first war and now, he’d never felt so frightened and helpless.

  He closed his eyes. Dear Lord, I pray that no matter what happens, mankind is spared and peace is restored. I know Gabby betrayed Heaven and all the angels during the previous war, but I beseech you. Please grant her another chance. Together, with the help of the warrior angels, we will redeem ourselves.

  “We have made our decision. Appius, last time we nearly fell, and this time every demon has been freed to fight. The odds are stacked against us. Do you promise we will be granted access to Heaven prior to the gates being sealed?”

  Appius nodded, red sunlight moving across his scalp.

  “Gabby, you were the Chosen One, yet you didn’t fulfill your duty. You sacrificed yourself to save your friends. You betrayed mankind and us for what you wanted most.”

  Gabby nodded. “Yes. But not only did I sacrifice myself to save my loved ones, but to save all of mankind, for we were out-numbered and would have lost. I didn’t realize that you, noble and holy warriors, would also pay a cost and suffer. For that, I am eternally sorry.”

  Alexander braced himself. They were about
to be separated for all eternity. He wanted to scream out and run to her, but knew it would be useless. Gabby had made her choice, as she always did, for the greater good.

  “The Chosen One tells us that she will let her friends, herself, and all of the warriors pay the ultimate price.” The lead angel shouted to his comrades. “Our chances of winning this war are remote, and there is nothing the Chosen One can do to send us to safety.” He looked to the two warriors at his right, and they responded with a nod. Then he looked to his left and the two there did the same. All five of them drew their swords and clanked the tips together. “We so swear to protect mankind, Heaven, and the innocent with our lives, even our souls if we must,” they stated in unison. They brought their swords down to their sides.

  The lead warrior stepped forward and kneeled before Gabby. “We gladly serve one so deserving. Gabriella Lohr, we are at your command.”

  Alexander’s eyes widened. They had used his last name here on Earth. The warrior angels considered them bonded and were putting their trust in Gabby.

  At Appius’s roar, Alexander’s gaze moved from Gabby and the warrior angels to the enraged former council member.

  “All of you will rot in Hell for the rest of your days. Stay and fall with all these misfits, the rejects of Heaven who are doomed to fail yet again. I promise you, Heaven will never allow your return.” Appius squatted then burst into the sky. No wings, just a rocket blast straight to Heaven.

  As if time had been un-paused, all the demons converged on Gabby and the warrior angels at once.

  Boon turned to Alexander with a joyous smile. “Now, we fight.” He jumped from the porch and transformed into a dark knight, sending his shredded fatigues into the muddy sand.

  Sammy took to the skies along with Grace. Forras ordered the earthbound creatures and lost souls that had promised to fight for their freedom, to slaughter the demons emerging from hell. Bruce charged onto the beach straight for Gabby. Alexander shot past him and landed by her side. She stood in the center of a defensive ring made up of Grace, Herak, Prim, Sammy, Boon, and himself. Demons outnumbered them five to one. Satan’s plan for a mass attack had worked.