by A. R. Crebs
There were groans from her teammates.
“TROY!” Aria screamed in his face. “Wake up! Wake up!” She shook him violently. “Wake up! Goddamnit! Just wake up!” She hugged the man, burying her face into his neck.
Spoofy averted her eyes to the ground. She knew that Aria was never going to recover from this. She and Troy had been lifelong partners. They were basically one entity. Just as much as Troy couldn’t ever function without Aria, she could never function without him.
Aria sat on her knees, embracing Troy. This was not happening. She refused to believe any of this was real. She could only wish that she were merely dreaming and was still unconscious in her bedroom where Dovian had tried to leave her. But the sounds of warfare were too real. She could hear the thunders and cracks of mortar and guns alike, could hear the screams of the injured. The memories she felt spiraling within her mind was suffocating as she relived her life from her parent’s death up to this point in time. What was the point? What would she do now? So many people that were so close to her were now dead. How could she go on without them?
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMM!
An alarm sounded from up high. It was unlike anything Aria had ever heard. It was a foreboding, chilling noise–the sound of a thousand horns and creaking metal. It intermingled with chimes and dings. It silenced everything.
Aria raised her head, looking at the sky. A cold breeze rolled by, whipping her hair across her face. Had she finally lost her mind?
Pushing through the white puffy clouds was an unimaginable object. It was enormous, triangular in form, peaking at the top like a pyramid. As it shoved through the atmosphere, clouds and fire and smoke plumed around it while a portal of stars and nebulas swirled.
Another alarm blared followed by a second, and more ships pushed into the visual realm. The entire sky south of the City of Fountains was covered in nothing but silver and gold metals. Gems and jewels glittered in the sunlight. From the center vessel, a sudden beam of light emanated. Shooting from it was a stream that streaked downward in the blink of an eye, crashing a few meters away near Dovian. From the glowing crater spiraled a golden flame. It churned into a vague humanoid form. Sparkling wings sprayed from behind the strange anomaly. Aria felt its eyes upon her.
Standing, the military woman slowly walked toward the energy of light.
“Aria?” it questioned in a deep voice, the sound oscillating.
“Y-Yes.” She tried to appear stern, but her nerve was gone.
The being gave a short bow to her, its hand pressing against its chest. “A pleasure to meet you, my dear.”
Aria cocked her head to the side, watching the flames of light curiously. “Who are you?” she asked, finding his term of endearment toward her oddly familiar.
Straightening its posture, the being lifted its chin in a regal manner. “You can call me Gaius.”
“Gaius?” Aria exclaimed. “You…you mean you are the original Sorcēarian.”
“That I am and Dovian’s great-grandfather.” After saying this, Gaius turned to look upon Dovian’s body. “A tragedy in every way, yet the only way for things to end as they did.”
A shriek sounded from the battlefield causing Gaius to huff in annoyance. Waving a hand through the air, a series of booms commenced, and golden specks flew from the airships, crashing like meteors into the earth. The lights streaked across the landscape, burning all the remaining demons to ash in an astoundingly effortless manner.
“You’re saying that this all was meant to happen?” Aria asked.
Gaius held a hand out toward Dovian. “As complicated as it all seems, there was a reason behind all of this. Dovian followed each step precisely as was pre-ordained to him. Once he fulfilled his duties, Dovian was granted the gift he had wanted since the day he was born—death.”
“Why give him such a terrible fate?” She glared at Gaius with vibrant green eyes.
Gaius was not insulted by her tone. “Oh, no. Don’t misunderstand. Dovian volunteered for this.”
Aria’s mouth dropped. She remained silent for a moment. “He volunteered?”
“Unfortunately, the earthly plane diminishes the heavenly memories that a soul once had. Dovian was a high member of the warrior class of angels. At the time of the Second Fall, which I was responsible for, Dovian agreed to become the Arbitrator. His sacrifice was in losing his memories. Only the first generation of those who fell with me, the Elders, had kept our memories intact. My role was to guide him and ensure that he followed the path best suited for him and humanity. I kept many secrets from him, and it pained me to do so.” Gaius explained.
“But he killed all of you,” Aria whispered.
“As was the only solution to ensure the survival of humanity. Can you see the destruction and devastation created by the humans alone? It takes only one man to turn the world upside-down. Once birthed on this planet, the angels’ genetic code became tainted by sin. Imagine a world with matching evils but in the form of Sorcēarians. Do you think humanity would have lasted long?” he questioned.
Aria had not wondered about that. She only knew of Euclid becoming evil. She did not think of the possibility of many more to follow in his footsteps.
“Dovian saw something that I had not. I was confident the angels would remain pure. Yet, I had underestimated the faults of the original Fallen. I had too much faith in giving my kind freewill. Even with our angelic powers, we were no better.” Gaius turned suddenly, eyeing Troy’s body. “And as I speak, he still continues to stir trouble.”
Aria turned to look back at Troy. A commotion had started. Seeping from the cracks in the ground emerged a tall, thin shadow. The mass quivered and vibrated, darting back and forth before leaping into Troy’s body. The gathered crowd quickly backed away.
“Troy!” Aria shouted.
“Don’t get too close,” Gaius calmly advised.
Aria didn’t listen and ran directly toward Troy. The man’s body jolted, his eyes popping open, overshadowing in an inky black. He glared at Aria, his mouth twisting into the worst scowl she had seen him make.
“I WILL DESTROY YOU, EVEN IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!” the dark voice that had once inhabited Sapphire erupted from Troy.
Aria slid to a halt just as the man’s hand clasped around her throat. His menacing stare locked her in place, filling her with dread. Something gathered his attention, and his eyes fled to Gaius. He gave a cry of terror.
Gaius simply held up a hand. “Michael, if you will do me a favor….”
Another rambunctious noise came, and an immense figure of light materialized beside Aria and Troy. It was twice as tall as Gaius with flames made of silver. Whipping its arm outward, a lasso of light snapped around Troy’s form.
“NO!” Troy screamed in the lethal tone.
Giving a tug, the entity named Michael ripped the darkness out of Troy. The soldier’s body immediately went limp, and Aria caught him, kneeling. A horrible screech sounded from the shadow, and Michael held it firmly in place, containing it inside what seemed like an invisible cage.
“My, my…Lucifer, I thought you would have learned your lesson by now,” Gaius mumbled. He looked carefully at the irate shadow. “Let me tell you that He’s been watching your every move. Did you really think He would not have noticed? You certainly tried hard to get His attention. Did you mean for that?”
“THIS WORLD IS MINE!” the darkness shouted.
“Not any longer. You see, He has decided to bring you back home,” Gaius explained.
The shadow halted its writhing and howling. Glaring at Gaius with piercing eyes, it arrogantly rumbled, “I’M GLAD HE FINALLY SEES THINGS MY WAY.”
Gaius gave a hearty laugh, slapping his palm against the barrier around the evil being.
“Ah, yes. So does that mean you forgive Him?” Gaius asked.
“ME? BOW TO HIM AFTER ALL HE'S DONE TO ME?" the shadow snarled. “HE SHOULD BE BOWING TO ME!"
Gaius lowered his head, sighing impatiently. “There really is no
hope for you.” Clasping his hands together, Gaius looked confidently upon the captured blackness. “I’ll tell you what. We’re going to try something a bit different. Since you won’t accept your prison here on Earth, where you’ve been tormenting and causing suffering to the human race…the kind you hate so much, you get a special prison in the heavens. You’ll be locked up for the rest of eternity under severe guard. You’ll hear nothing but that praises for Him from those that are granted in his house–the praises from those you loathe. You will have no sight but for the bright light that shines for Him. You’ll have no speech either. How does that sound?”
This sent the blackness into another fit of rage.
“NO! I WANT SALVATION!”
Gaius chuckled, walking toward Aria and Troy. “You should have thought about that before you decided to fall.”
As it pounded against the barrier, the entity screamed in pain. “NO! I’LL STAY HERE! LEAVE ME BE!”
“Michael, if you will be so kind. Please, take him away,” Gaius called out, not bothering to look back.
Michael didn’t need to be told twice. In an instant, he and the horrible darkness disappeared from sight, traversing back into the ships. The painful roar of anger quickly vanished with it.
Crouching beside Aria, Gaius stared intently at the man in her arms. “Let’s get you patched up,” Gaius gently stated, holding a hand against Troy’s forehead.
Being so close, Aria could make out vague details of Gaius’ face. His light eased the pain in her heart, and she nearly smiled. He looked like an older version of Dovian. His jaw had more of a square shape, but his eyes held a kindness that Aria had seen a time or two from the Sorcēarian she knew.
“Come on, now,” Gaius mumbled, watching Troy attentively. He didn’t speak to Aria and the others, but kept his concentration on the lifeless man. “Well…that’s your decision. Yes. They are all waiting.” Gaius eyed Team Phoenix. “Aria is waiting. You’ve got her very worried.”
Aria eagerly gazed at Troy’s face. Slowly, his olive eyes fluttered open. It took a moment to gather his bearings, and he locked onto her, recognizing her instantly. Aria’s breaths quickened as she watched him in amazement. Troy gave his usual cockeyed grin.
“I was a robot…” he whispered.
A laugh slipped past Aria’s lips, tears falling from her eyes. She pulled Troy into a tight hug, crying into his shoulder. Troy held her, looking sheepishly at the people around him. He froze when he saw Gaius. Then his eyes fled to the airships in the sky.
“Holy shit!” he tiredly garbled. Aria pulled away. “Freakin’ aliens!”
Gaius laughed and rose to his feet. This brought the male soldier’s attention back to the flaming form.
“Who is that? Dovian?” Troy questioned with a confused expression.
Gaius’ faint smile faltered as he peered over at Dovian’s dead body. He slowly moved toward it.
Aria grabbed Troy’s hand. “No,” she said in a hushed tone.
That’s when Troy noticed Dovian’s still form a few meters away. Giving a panicked groan, he struggled to get to his feet, but his body wouldn’t move.
“What happened? What did I miss?” Troy asked a bit more seriously.
“I’ll explain later,” Aria whispered. Scanning his body with her enhanced senses, she gently patted his knee. “Sit here and rest a bit. Your body will be functional soon.”
Troy dejectedly remained seated. Aren and the others gathered around him, all bursting with questions and retellings of the events he had missed. Aria folded her arms and made her way to where Gaius stood. He was silently staring at Dovian’s corpse, the wind licking his form.
“I can see why he took a liking to you,” Gaius murmured, his glowing eyes looking at the black-haired woman. “You are a bit like I’Lanthe in certain aspects. Very strong, yet full of emotion.”
“What happened to her?” Aria asked.
"Currently she awaits in the heavens for him." Gaius chuckled. “That girl is always waiting! After her initial death, I'Lanthe's memories returned. She chose to wait in Hell until the moment came where she could be of use to Dovian once again. She knew of the plan, and she gave up salvation…all for Dovian.”
“That’s amazing,” Aria whispered.
“Sadly, the vessel she occupied…Ivory, was it?” he pondered. Aria nodded. “Ivory’s brain had been damaged. This created a type of split personalities. But know this. She was never once Ivory. All that you had known was I’Lanthe though a bit more of an innocent character when her memories were sealed away. During times of her remembrance, she could not speak of her reasons for being in Hell, for fear of ruining the grand design. Dovian had to decide. She could not interfere but merely guide.”
“Would Dovian ever have chosen to join Sapphire’s side?” Aria asked.
Gaius turned to her. “Depends. Sapphire had tempted him in the best way. It is only a mixed blessing that she…he did not realize that Ivory could not bear children.”
“But…I was told that Ivory still had her reproductive system,” Aria stated.
“Oh, yes. She did. Unfortunately, the woman was sterile. Funny…how things work like that. Sapphire’s plan would never have come to fruition even if she had slain you all.” He spoke plainly of the matter, much in the way Dovian had spoken.
Aria’s head was spinning. “So many coincidences.”
“But are they?” Gaius suddenly placed his hand on the woman’s stomach, causing her to flinch.
Aria lowered her gaze.
“Ah, he is a strong one.” A faint smile appeared once again on Gaius’ face.
“I imagine he will be as stubborn as his father,” Aria whispered sadly.
“And the one before his, and so on,” Gaius chuckled. His laughter quickly faded, and an uncertain emotion flooded through him. “But I must take him.”
Aria gasped, taking a step away. Did she hear him right?
“Do not fret. It is meant to be.” Gaius held out his hand. “The portals have all been closed. Earth will be locked from the other realms and will no longer be able to merge. In order to make this happen, I must take anything and everything with me from the other realm. I must remove all evidence of the Sorcēarians and Ives. That includes your child.”
Aria placed her hands on her stomach, looking down apprehensively.
“All things divine must be taken out of this world. Only then can you as humans make the correct choices to follow your paths. We cannot interfere. Evil cannot interfere. It will be up to you and your freewill. It is His will for it to be so. Don’t worry; you will see your child some day. He will be safe with me.” Gaius reassured her.
“I…no. I can’t,” she fearfully refused. She replayed the visions Dovian revealed to her. She could have a beautiful and powerful son. He would have his father’s smile.
“It must be this way, or everything you and Dovian have fought for and lost will all be in vain. It will mean nothing,” Gaius softly stated.
Aria timidly withdrew her hands, watching as Gaius moved forward. In a flash, he removed a swirling orb of light from her abdomen. Reaching out, Aria made an unsure squeak. She didn't expect it to be so quick and painless.
Gaius held up the illuminated ball. “See? All is well.”
Aria lowered her hand and stared at the sphere in wonder. Contained within the small white orb was a sparkle of light. It flickered with brilliance, giving off a surreal sense of peace and joy. It nearly broke Aria’s heart as she realized the tiny speck was what saved her and Troy’s lives. And now that it was gone, she felt empty inside. She no longer felt the high of the Sorcēarian powers, and that was an incredibly lonely feeling.
“We all start out as a little flicker of light and poof; we become amazing things,” Gaius cheerfully spoke. She noticed his eyes dart in Troy’s direction. “I know it saddens you, but you will have your own family some day.” Aria felt a blush spread over her face. "For now, let me borrow your son. I've got my own plans for him."
&nb
sp; Bending over, Gaius snatched up Dovian’s staff. It lit up radiantly as he placed the tiny orb inside, and then he tapped Dovian’s foot with it. “Come now, lazy bones. You have plenty time to sleep.”
As Gaius turned away, Dovian’s body set aglow. Growing into a blinding flash, he shattered into golden dust, spiraling into the sphere on the staff. From the dust, an illusion formed. Aria could have sworn she saw Dovian’s face.
“Wait!” she called out.
Gaius paused.
“Is…is he alright?” she asked.
Gaius looked to his left at what appeared to be nothing, giving a broad grin. Looking back at the woman, he scoffed. “Who? Dovian? Oh, yes. He is perfectly fine. Much better now.” Gaius pointed the staff to the left. “Standing right beside me, in fact. Oh…you cannot see him.” Gaius gestured with his hands. “He is currently outside time. I will have to guide him back to where he belongs.”
Aria felt her tense body relax. In a way, Dovian was still alive. He was merely going back home where he belonged. It pained her, but it also eased her. He would be much happier from now on. After all this time, he deserved some peace.
“So long, Aria! I do look forward to our next visit! It will be here before you know it!” Gaius waved a hand as he walked away. He quickly looked to his left again, whispering, “What? Oh, I guess that did sound a bit ominous, didn’t it?”
Aria gave a small laugh, watching as Gaius burst into a beam of light and returned to his ship. All was quiet in the sky for only a few more seconds, and then the alarming sounds came again. Each ship slowly sank backward into their colorful portals. Once completely vanished, and each portal had sealed shut, a beam of light–like a rainbow–spread over the entire sky, washing over the atmosphere multiple times before dissipating.
Aria stayed in her place, silently staring at the clouds. There was a stillness that made her believe that this was the last time she would ever see any signs of angels or demons. Breathing out her nose, she finally relaxed her tense muscles. The day’s events had been overwhelming, and now she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. All was calm. The desert was lacking any evidence of Sapphire’s creatures but remained littered with shards of metal and destroyed androids. A soothing breeze flew from the south, and it felt cold against the sweat on her skin.