by S E Brower
As she turned to face the gathering mass of evil, she took a quick glance over her shoulder back at Garret, “This is what I do best.” He noticed a touch of a smile on her lips. As he twisted to go, he could hear the humming sword, followed by the tinkling of small silver bells. The ‘Song of Death’, in Hell, had arrived.
Garret heaved himself and Britton-Del through the portal, falling to the ground, safely on the other side. The injured Angel’s motionless form dropping with him. Athalon knelt beside his friend, listening for a heartbeat. Still on the ground, Garret looked up noticing the dog sitting by his master’s side when Talon-Har extended a hand helping him to his feet.
Garret looked over at Britton-Del, “How is he?” he asked.
“Injured, but breathing thanks to you,” Athalon answered, glancing back toward the portal. “Where is Suzu?” unable to mask the concern in his voice.
Garret started back towards the portal saying, “I’ll go get her.” But he was stopped by a large hand, gripping the back of his hoodie. He looked up to see Talon-Har shaking his head no. The Portal Guardian looked at the dog, saying one simple word, “Fetch.” In a flash, the dog leapt back through the portal and disappeared.
Suzu had been backing towards the portal, dispatching demons one after another. She was in her glory, with only one stinking vile thing to deal with before she would rejoin her companions.
Her attention trained on the approaching demon, in a rare error, she missed the nearly inaudible pop of air, as Lucifer’s number one, Dreck, appeared behind her. Pulling the dagger Lucifer had gifted him from his belt, he readied to thrust it between her wings.
Suzu was about to finish the last demon before her, when it smiled upon seeing Dreck, knowing the Angel was about to meet her demise. Suzu, not knowing the reason for the smile, took it as an insult, and before the demon could blink, its head was rolling in the dirt.
It was precisely then, that Dreck plunged the blade at Suzu’s back. However, before it found its mark, Dreck shrieked in agony. The dog lunged forward, clamping its jaws down on his wrist with such force, it severed his hand, still holding the dagger.
Dreck raised his bloodied stump screaming. Suzu spun to face this new threat. When she saw the demon cradling his bloodied arm, she swung her sword at his head. Dreck may be a coward, but he was also lightning fast. Jumping back, he avoided decapitation, but her Katana had made contact. Just before he disappeared, she saw a long gash dripping putrid black blood from across his chin. The sight of it brought a smile to her face.
Suzu looked towards the portal. There the dog sat waiting and watching her, Dreck’s hand in its mouth, still clasping the dagger. “Good dog,” she smiled, as she patted it on the head. Together, they entered the portal, taking them back to Talon-Har, back to safety.
Athalon had been helping Britton-Del into a sitting position, while Garret paced back and forth waiting for Suzu to return. He thought her to be ill-tempered, pugnacious, and fierce. He pictured her in his mind. She was exotic, with a strange beauty and he couldn’t help being enamored of her. In his head, he knew she could handle herself, but in his heart, he worried, pacing ever more.
Talon-Har looked at him, “Winglet, worry not, it shall be well.” When Suzu and the dog appeared through the portal, catching Garret by surprise. He then acted nonchalant.
Athalon, jumping to his feet, left Britton-Del on his own, leaning on one elbow. “It went well then?” Athalon asked. Suzu only nodded when Talon-Har noticed the dog laying off to the side chewing on something.
“Come,” Talon-Har commanded, the dog raised its head, and rising, trotted over to its master, the demon hand still in its mouth. “Drop it,” Talon-Har snapped. The dog obeyed. Suzu bending down, retrieved the dagger, then continued over to stand by Athalon.
“I shall keep this,” she said, slipping it into the side of her boot.
Garret turned to Talon-Har, “Thank you, for helping us get Evan back. I’ll never forget what you did for us… for him.”
Talon-Har looked at him, “You have the ‘Song of Death’ to thank,” he turned his gigantic head towards Suzu. “Heel!” he shouted, making Garret jump, as the great dog vanished, and a third dog’s head re-appeared on the crosspiece of his sword. Garret smiled, thinking it was appropriate the dog’s name was Kee, and Talon-Har climbed the portal steps, turning to stand once again at attention.
Athalon held the satchel with the crystal containing Evan’s soul out for Garret to take. “Be on your way, Winglet. Drummondax awaits.”
Garret’s hands trembled as he took it. He had been through so much and waited so long. They had reunited the Brothers Driscoll at last. Garret smiling, thanking them all, headed off to the Guardian Library.
As he made the trek, he thought about Evan. He wanted to be the one to tell Evan what had happened. He wished there was a way to release him from the crystal when it occurred to him, there may be a way. “I wonder,” Garret whispered to himself.
Reaching into the front of his hoodie, he extracted Aalonray’s ‘Empirical Wand’. The ‘Transference’ had given him the memory and knowledge of the wand. But he wasn’t sure if Aalonray had gifted him the actual wand, until just then.
Finding a secluded hallway, he removed the crystal from the satchel. Holding the crystal in one hand, the wand in the other, he performed the movements necessary to unlock it. He knew The Father didn’t approve of magic, but he didn’t care.
To his amazement, he could manipulate the wand with ease, realizing the value of the gift Aalonray had given him. Once the crystal opened, he used the wand to release Evan’s blue mist, awakening him from a deep unresponsive state.
Confused and agitated, Evan’s spirit bounced around the corridor. It took a while, but Garret could eventually calm him. After the initial shock of their deaths had sunk in, Garret spent a long time relaying the story of everything that had happened. When he was through, Evan’s voice filled with wonder. He had no recollection of his own death and was surprised at the lengths Garret went through, in order to save him.
“You went to Hell and back again for me, just like you said you would. So, what happens now?”
Garret shrugged, “I don’t know. If they ask you to be a Guardian, will you say yes?” The question was self-serving. If Evan became a Guardian, he would report to Drummondax. He would visit the Guardian Library occasionally, and Garret would get to see him.
Evan’s spirit was quiet for a while before he answered, “My whole life, I loved The Father. I want to meet him.”
Garret smiled, “I thought you might say that. Listen, I’m sure they frown on using wands here, so I’d appreciate it if you just don’t mention it.”
“Fine,” Evan told him, “but I won’t lie.”
“I know,” Garret laughed. “Sorry Dude, I have to put you back in the box.” He held up the crystal, “I’ll miss you Evan,” he said, as the tears welled up in his eyes.
“I’ll miss you too, Garret,” and with that his blue mist spirit was back in the crystal.
Garret returned Evan’s spirit in the crystal as planned, with Drummondax none the wiser. It wasn’t long before Garret was told Evan had progressed. Garret smiled, having said their goodbyes, he was glad his Evan got his wish. He felt a certain satisfaction to be working alongside Drummondax, as the Librarian.
A week, as measured by celestial time, had passed before Garret once again could steal away to Heaven’s Gate to find Athalon, Britton-Del and Suzu, who had spent as many days recounting their adventure into Hell, to their comrades.
Angels crowded the tavern and filled it with raucous laughter. As luck would have it, when Garret arrived, the three were at the same table where first they met, a new, unknown Angel seated with them.
Garret approached smiling. “How are you feeling?” he asked, placing a hand on Britton-Del’s shoulder.
“I am much better than might I’ve been, if not for you, I understand. I owe you my thanks, Winglet.” He extended his hand to Garret, shaking it
with gratitude.
Suzu looked up from her ale shaking her head, “Winglet… you are full of surprises.” Garret’s face colored up.
Athalon stood, clasping Garret’s hand, “I will always welcome you to join us my friend… you did well.” He turned towards the unknown Angel who was now standing. Athalon laughed, “Darrio, my brother, this brave young soul is the one of whom we were just telling you. Darrio, meet Garret.”
Garret smiled and extended his hand, “Nice to meet you, Darrio.”
“And I you, as well, these three warriors speak highly of you, Garret,” Darrio replied.
Garret glanced at each of the Warrior Angels, Athalon, Britton-Del, and Suzu, then back to Darrio, looking him in the eye before he said, “My friends call me, Winglet.”
Chapter 21
The Plan
After Evan’s rescue, things had calmed down somewhat. The Guardian Library returned to business as usual, except for Drummondax now running things and Garret taking over for Aalonray. As for their human companions, they also returned to their day-to-day lives.
Travis was now a Dragon Warrior. Although he was still human, a husband and father, he resumed his work at the TV station. Weeks passed since the battle in the Guardian Library, and he sat alone in his office at the end of a long day. It was getting late. There was no one else in the building, everyone had left hours ago. He stared out the window as the summer sun was dipping low in the sky. The lights twinkled throughout the city below.
Reaching behind his head, he retrieved the wooden shard Jordondey presented him. He balanced it on his open palm. Then, closing his fingers around it, the shard extended into a full spear, complete with a metal tip. “Ascalon,” he whispered. Travis studied the spear a long while with great interest.
It was the first opportunity he’d had to inspect it. Opening his hand, the spear reduced once more to a shard, vanishing as he dropped it behind his head. Picking up his backpack, exiting through the door, he hit the light switch, as he pulled it shut behind him. He was heading home. Home to Carrie and his little girls, a contented smile on his face.
Weeks ago, Jessie and her kids went home to Chesapeake. Michael’s deployment ended, and it was a tearful, joyful reunion. With her husband home, and the kids out of school for the summer, she was trying to salvage any semblance of normalcy she could, but it was difficult. She still missed her mother so much, she could hardly breathe.
Harrison, their poor father, took each day as it came. He never found the little blue-eyed Mini Aussie his beloved Faith loved so well. But then again, he stopped looking for him. Nothing would ever be the same for any of them.
With her mother gone, Jessie’s life, the rest of it anyway, had changed forever. Given her experiences since her mother’s death, she became ‘Aware’of so much more than she ever could imagine. Her views on life and death altered, she found it near impossible to not think of The Author, daily.
He had written ‘a gift’ as he called it, into her Life’s Book, which he then destroyed. Without it, Drummondax could not undo The Author’s evil towards her.
Jessie had lived with intermittent pain in her head since the age of thirteen. However, in recent weeks, it became unbearable, until she sought medical attention. After many tests, the doctors confirmed what she already knew. There was nothing they could do except offer her medications to keep her comfortable. The fact remained, she would die, and soon. It was information she kept to herself, even from Michael. She didn’t want to color the last of their days together with sadness, or worse, pity.
On top of which, still not dealt with, was the matter of prayer interception. She felt destined to help put an end to it. So far though, there had been no word from the Celestial realm, and she was worrying as her time was running out.
Knowing the things, she did, that life here on Earth was not the end of existence, and was just the beginning, did not make it any easier. The thought of having to leave her children, to not be there for them during all the important times of their lives, was gut wrenching. She would make the most of every minute she could spend with them.
Sometimes the kids were out of the house. When they were, she studied their pictures, imagining what they might look like as they grew. What they would accomplish. Who they would marry, and how many children they themselves might have. She took the time to sit and write each of them letters, of which to be opened during life’s different milestones.
Graduations from high school and college, weddings, the birth of their first child, and all the wonderful things she would not share with them, as they grew into adulthood.
She thought about recording videos on her phone but knew she would never get through them. Besides, there is something so intimate about the written word, when written in one’s own hand. She would have the chance to choose her words, to think about saying what she meant to say. She cried as she wrote each one.
It took a great while to write her message to Michael. She penned a love letter of sorts, and a lengthy fair-well. As she wrote, the tears welled but stayed stuck. She had said good-bye to him so often, she was growing numb to it. It’s not that she loved him any less. To the contrary, she just couldn’t allow herself the luxury of wallowing in self-pity, not while she still had to care for her kids.
When she finished writing, she sealed and labeled each one, placing them in a beautifully decorated box tied with a ribbon, under which she slipped a note for Michael with instructions when their children were to receive them. She placed the package up on a shelf in her bedroom closet.
For a long while after, she cried. She sobbed hard and it left her red-eyed, and numb. “I hope these words will bring closure and peace to my family,” she thought. She got herself together and headed downstairs. Pulling the bedroom door closed behind her, she cried no more.
***
Far away, in a realm between Heaven and Earth, a certain young Librarian, wearing a black and white hoodie, stopped by the office of the Guardian Library Curator, “Have you heard anything yet?” Garret asked, wondering when they would put an end to the interception of prayers. Drummondax did not look up from his desk
“Not since the last six times you asked,” his voice holding annoyance.
“Sorry, I just thought… I’ll go now,” he hung his head, as he went back to sorting the books to file, unsure if he had been reprimanded or if Drummondax was finally mastering the art of sarcasm.
Garret busied himself with everyday tasks unaware Drummondax had left. Upon returning from his meeting with The Father, Drummondax sought Garret out, catching him by surprise.
“The Father has spoken,” he whispered, appearing behind Garret, who startled, turning towards the melodic voice.
“I can see that,” Garret grinned, referring to the older Angel’s recent acquired silver strands of hair. Garret put down the books he was filing. “You know, even though I’m here now, I’m still a Rogue. He could talk to me and save you some gray,” Garret smirked.
Drummondax folded his arms staring at him. Garret held out both of his empty hands, “Come on, nothing? That was funny,” Garret sighed, “okay, I guess he already knows, and had other things to tell you. Right?”
“Yes, Garret,” Drummondax smiled, “you are correct. He knows all and had other important matters to impart. One of which, is Aalonray had been mistaken in her belief they intercepted ALL prayers. She handled herself with grace and poise, given the fact she fought on her own. She had no way of knowing only the prayers of humankind on Earth were being intercepted and are still. Now, has come the time to put an end to it. We must halt the interception of prayer.”
Garret’s face brightened with excitement, “I wondered when we would get around to that. I will contact Jessie, and Travis, right away. They can–”
“No,” Drummondax cut him off.
“What do you mean, no? We need them.”
“No,” he repeated, “we shall enlist the help of others for this undertaking. Jessica must spend time with her family.
”
“Well… Travis then, at least.”
Again, Drummondax shook his head no, “He IS her family.” Garret protested, but the look Drummondax gave him, told him not to argue. There would be no more discussion about Jessie or Travis helping them. But that didn’t mean Garret had to agree with it.
“Fine,” he scoffed, under his breath. Picking up the books, muttering to himself as he walked away, he found the ‘S’ section and began filing, angrily shoving the books into place. “He is wrong,” Garret thought to himself, “I know her. Jessie would want to help.”
Garret leaned back to steal a look down the corridor, watching Drummondax return to his office, iridescent blue wings dragging behind him. “He’s unhappy with this decision,” Garret thought, unsure if it was the Curator’s choice, or The Father’s. It didn’t matter either way. When the door to the office closed, Garret exited the Library, slipping away unnoticed.
Making his way to Earth felt strange. It was his first time back flying solo, and the experience was exhilarating. His adventures with the Dragon Warrior Angels had improved his flight skills. While he could have spirited himself there in an instant, he preferred the thrill of flying. Like a rocket, he soared through the stars, the flight taking mere minutes.
The Earth shimmered below him, sparkling like a beautiful, perfect ornament. Lights twinkled in the darkness, guiding him as he burst through the atmosphere, heading straight for Europe. He slowed down, hovering above Wales, as pangs of homesickness washed over him.
As much as he longed for his home on Earth, he understood that this was the life he had now. Re-focusing his attention back to the mission, he crossed the great Atlantic. At one-point swooping so low, he dipped his hand into the salty brine, leaving a trail of spray behind him. Then, he flew into Chesapeake to find Jessie.