“You said before that Erzulie fell because she thought she was in love with a human. Where’s that part of your story?”
“She told Elah that she loved me.”
Alexandra opened her eyes. “What?”
“Apparently, she came up with her own answer as to why she put my life above her mission from Elah,” Koneh said. “Needless to say, Elah wasn’t pleased with that answer. I don’t know why Erzulie came to that conclusion.”
“Maybe,” Alexandra said, “she has risen above her limitations and can actually feel now.”
Koneh shook his head. “Not possible.”
“After all you’ve lived through, after all you’ve seen,” Alexandra said, “how can you be sure?”
He shrugged. “I guess I’m not.”
Alexandra took her small verbal victory to sleep with her that night. No dreams came and the next morning felt harsher than the last. Alexandra and Koneh trudged through the unforgiving terrain for several more days until they reached the former ice shelf of Antarctica.
Like in Alexandra’s dream, razor-sharp rocks extended in every direction.
“This is it,” she said. “I’ve seen this place.”
Chapter 32
The razor rocks protruded from the earth as if thrust to the surface by some powerful underground force. Their tips pointed in extreme and contrasting angles towards the red-black sky. Alexandra’s group camped under the cover of one of the large rocks which provided relief from the brutal wind and protection from spotters in the sky. With frostbitten fingers, Alexandra built a fire. The risk of cold exposure had finally outweighed the risk of being detected.
“We passed some dry plant debris a few minutes ago,” Koneh said. “If we want this fire going all night, we’ll need some more fuel. I shouldn’t be long.”
Alexandra nodded and warmed her hands. “How are you doing, Erzulie?”
The fallen angel sat next to her and smiled. “The cold doesn’t hinder me.”
Alexandra examined her companion. “I don’t suppose you radiate body heat, do you?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t,” Erzulie said. “In fact, quite the opposite.”
Alexandra returned her attention to the fire and said, “We haven’t had a chance to talk lately. You and me, at least.”
“My apologies.”
Alexandra nudged her. “Don’t apologize. You kept us safe over the past… Week? Two weeks?”
“Actually, it has been-”
“Don’t tell me,” Alexandra said. “I’m not sure I want to know.”
“As you command.”
“Speaking of commands,” she said as she remembered her last dream. “Are you taking orders from someone? Do you have a… What would be the appropriate word? Master?”
“My master is Iblis, of course,” Erzulie said, “but, with no standing orders or reserve commander on record I am bound to obey the orders of my last master, Elah.”
“So what happens now that neither of those two are around?”
Erzulie smiled. “You are next in the chain of command, so I must follow your orders, my Lady.”
“I see,” Alexandra said. “Not sure I understand the hierarchy though.”
“You need not worry about such things,” Erzulie said. “I have a low probability of failing you. If Derechi was here, we’d see more evidence of his army. We are ahead of him.”
Alexandra was more concerned with her dream than Derechi’s army, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject of her dreams with her angelic friend.
“I’ve seen this place in my dreams,” Alexandra said. “I’ve seen other things too.”
“You have the gift of foresight,” Erzulie said. “In time, you will learn to master it.”
“In my dream, I was here with a white-haired woman,” Alexandra said. “Does that mean anything to you?”
Erzulie turned to her and said, “Perhaps. Tell me more.”
“Well, she said I would make the future. And I am her enemy.”
“That’s all?” Erzulie asked.
“No,” Alexandra said. “I think the first time I dreamt of her, we were in a volcano and then near the ocean. The white-haired woman said the Earth can again be a place of beauty and life… Or something like that.”
“Did she reveal her name?”
Alexandra shook her head. “No. But she did say she wanted Eden destroyed.”
Erzulie gasped. “So it has happened. The One has contacted you.”
“The One?”
“This being doesn’t have a name,” Erzulie said, “yet, Elah feared and respected The One.”
Alexandra’s heart shriveled in fright. Was she really having nighttime conversations with a being feared by God? A being that wanted her destroyed?
“Who is she?” Alexandra asked, desperate for information. “Why did Elah fear her?”
“Well,” Erzulie said, “the One appears in your mythology as Mother Earth, Gaia or merely nature. However, The One is far more enigmatic than can be presented in a story or parable. Elah believed The One an ancient soul trapped on Earth since its creation. Keep in mind, The One has appeared to Elah in many forms through the millennia, with the white-haired crone being the most common.”
“What else do you know?”
“Elah feared The One because she held some sway over the souls of the Earth. How much control and to what extent, I don’t know. Only Elah came face to face with The One and our archives made little mention of her.”
“Do you know what she might want from me?” Alexandra asked. “Why would she even contact me?”
“You said she wants Eden destroyed?”
“Yeah,” Alexandra said, “though I don’t know why she would tell me that.”
Erzulie studied her and said, “Because if Elah is truly gone from this planet, you are the only one with the power to destroy Eden.”
“Why the hell would I do that?”
“Perhaps The One is making her play for dominance on Earth,” Erzulie said. “We can only speculate. However, Elah and The One were enemies. No battles were fought, but Elah issued a standing order to prevent The One from entering Heaven or Eden.”
Alexandra closed her eyes. “This cosmic-level stuff is confusing,” she said.
“I’m sorry,” Erzulie said, “but my station kept me from studying such things in the archives.”
“It’s not your fault,” Alexandra said, “I’m just terrified that this being has taken such an interest in me. If Elah feared The One, then I’m pretty mortified to fall asleep again. Especially if the white-haired crone is my enemy.”
Chapter 33
Koneh nodded. “This feels right. Erzulie?”
The angel nodded and said, “Not far now. I will stay close.”
“Be careful,” Alexandra said. “We don’t know what’s out there.”
Erzulie extended her wings and launched into the air. Moments later, she was gone.
The wind howled through the canyons of rock and Alexandra pulled her scarf over her mouth. Over the last week, the air had grown even thinner and colder. At least she thought it was a week. Time lost all meaning in the wasteland.
Though the wind couldn’t gather momentum and slice through her layers of clothing anymore, gusts and squalls made their way into the rocky paths. Alexandra fought to keep her footing and resorted to a trick which kept her moving.
She thought of home.
Hour long showers. Silk sheets.
Alexandra felt some moisture on her scarf, but it wasn’t from her breath. Her lip was bleeding again.
Tofu salad. Bad movies. Clean drinking water.
Koneh supported her with his arm. “Tough wind today,” he said.
She nodded. Talking irritated her cracked lips, dry throat and raw tongue.
“Do you need to rest?”
Though his eyes were impossible to read, Alexandra thought she saw compassion and regret on his face. Did he really care if she lived or died? Yes, Alexandra believed he care
d. If he really loved her, like Erzulie said, then he cared. However, she didn’t have the time or energy to explore such thoughts.
“Let’s rest,” Koneh said as he helped her to the ground. “How are you feeling? Should we stop for the day?”
Beyond exhaustion, Alexandra strained to form her words. “No. Keep going.”
He eyed her and said, “Okay.”
“Running low anyway,” Alexandra said as she pulled the last can of ravioli from her backpack. After this, it was crackers and trail mix.
“We have enough,” Koneh said.
“You eat,” Alexandra said. “Must eat-”
Koneh opened the Ravioli and handed it to Alexandra. She intended to push the can back towards her friend, but Koneh dropped the food and drew his sword. Realizing he was about to attack her, Alexandra rolled to the side and drew Erzulie’s sword from her belt. Was this betrayal?
They sparred for a few seconds before parting. “What are you doing?” she asked, sobered by the sudden attack.
Without responding, he advanced. Alexandra parried his swings and back-pedaled. Remembering one of his lessons, she didn’t allow herself to be cornered against the rock wall, so she maneuvered into a better position.
“Well done,” Koneh said.
This was a lesson.
Alexandra’s bones creaked and her muscles strained against the cold. A few months ago, she would have been annoyed at his inconvenient timing for a lesson. However, the realities of the journey had sunk into her psyche.
She expected the unexpected.
After the lesson, she slumped to the ground.
“I thought… Nevermind,” Alexandra said.
Koneh leaned against the jagged rock wall and said, “You thought I betrayed you?”
“It went through my head,” she said.
He sighed. “What must I do?”
“I’m just tired,” she said. “You… You’ve done so much for me. I didn’t mean to-”
“It doesn’t matter,” Koneh said. “Save your apology and eat that ravioli. You need your strength.”
Alexandra reached for the can and Koneh drew his sword again. This time, his weapon nicked her parka. She wasn’t fast enough.
“The lesson,” Koneh said, “is one I learned at an early age.”
With just enough energy to stand and swing her sword, Alexandra felt her muscles weakening and her knees wavering. How could she fight if the need arose?
“Your enemy will never let you rest,” Koneh said. “Especially when they think they have you. Let them see you tire, let them see you bleed.”
Alexandra parried and pushed her advantage. Was he building her confidence or was she actually winning?
“Then,” he said, wheezing. “You strike and make them regret their transgressions against you.”
Koneh was cornered against the jagged rocks and Alexandra intensified her assault.
“Make them wish they never heard your name-” Koneh said as he stumbled and dropped his weapon.
Alexandra sliced into his shoulder and shrieked.
“I’m sorry!” she said as she dropped her sword.
Koneh glared at her and drew a dagger from beneath his robes. He lunged, but Alexandra was faster. She kicked the weapon away and pushed Koneh to the ground.
Unsure if she should continue to bludgeon her teacher, she asked , “Are you okay?”
Koneh rolled to retrieve his sword, but Alexandra reached the weapon first and held the point to his chest.
“Very good,” Koneh said before he fell to the ground unconscious.
Chapter 34
“It’s not bad,” Erzulie said. “Of course, he’ll live.”
Erzulie returned from her scouting mission to find Koneh unconscious with a viscous sword wound in his shoulder.
“He told me never to hold back during training,” Alexandra said. “And I didn’t know if he was just teaching me another lesson by letting me win. I didn’t know.”
“My Lady, Lex,” Erzulie said, “Koneh would never let you beat him. He doesn’t believe a student learns anything when it is handed to them.”
“How was I able to beat him?”
Erzulie examined the wound a final time and said, “The curse upon his body is weak. I don’t think he can hold on for much longer.”
Alexandra lowered her head and closed her eyes. How could she travel the wasteland without Koneh at her side? After seventy-five thousand years, why did he have to die so soon after she met him? Through the bitter cold, a few tears ran down her cheeks and nearly froze there.
“He will fight for you,” Erzulie said. “To his dying breath he will see you into Eden.”
Alexandra gazed at Koneh’s closed eyes and peaceful face. She had never seen him like this.
“I just wish I had more time with him… I feel like he just told me that Heaven and Hell have fallen and I need to face the realities of my new world.”
Erzulie touched her arm and said, “Your time is so brief, yet look at all that you have accomplished. Would you have ever, even in your most fantastic dreams, imagined yourself here in Antarctica?”
“No,” Alexandra said, “definitely not this.”
Koneh stirred and opened his eyes. When he realized he was on the ground, he whirled and scanned the area.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
Alexandra offered Koneh his sword and said, “You passed out on us there for an hour or so. Sorry about your shoulder.”
“Your student defeated you,” Erzulie said.
Accepting the weapon, he eyed Alexandra and said, “It’s about time.”
“Are you okay?” Alexandra asked.
He rotated his arm and said, “Yes, I am fine. Nice work.”
Alexandra wanted to turn back. If it meant she could have Koneh in her life for a little longer, she told herself she would abandon Eden. Who travels to Antarctica anyway? Sure, the poles have shifted and the ice is gone, but she didn’t know how much more she could take. Her entire body screamed for a reprieve and she regretted her decision to leave the Veracruz base.
“Now that you are both conscious,” Erzulie said, “I have some news. Climb that rock and see for yourself.”
Alexandra followed Koneh up the slope of a nearby rock outcropping. On the dark horizon, just like in her dream, Alexandra saw a flickering light in the distance.
“Is that Eden?” she asked. After all she had survived, Alexandra found words difficult in the face of her goal.
Koneh nodded. “The gates of Eden.”
“Eden.” Alexandra breathed the word and her heart leapt.
With her goal in sight, her doubts from moments ago retreated into the long shadows of the rocks. New life invigorated her cold and weary bones. She narrowed her eyes but couldn’t discern anything more about the intermittent and brilliant light in the distance.
“That light is visible for miles, especially from the sky,” Alexandra said. “We might not be alone out here.”
Koneh grinned. “Good thing everyone else is looking in the Middle East.”
“What?”
“The truth of Eden has been hidden,” Erzulie said. “Hidden even from the angels of Heaven. Only those who have been to Eden can find their way back.”
“Koneh and Lilev,” Alexandra said.
“Exactly,” Erzulie said.
“Even so,” Alexandra said, “how could it remain hidden? Seventy five thousand years is a long time.”
“Buried,” Koneh said, “beneath hundreds of feet of ice and snow.”
Alexandra shook her head. “It’s just so unbelievable.”
“I know how you feel,” Koneh said. “I’ve seen the entrance. When I was still in my youth, I ventured to the forbidden place and gazed in wonder at the silver gates. Beyond those gates, I knew a paradise of trees and water waited. Until now.”
Paradise. Could it be real?
“How much farther, do you estimate?” Koneh asked.
Erzulie cocked her head. “Ma
ybe a day or two. Do you want me to get a closer look?”
“No, stay close for now. Alejandra is right. We don’t know who else is out there, but I have a good idea.”
“Derechi,” Alexandra said. “Do you think they’re already here?”
Koneh pointed to one of Erzulie’s wings and said, “They have the advantage. Well, their advance force does, at least. We move faster than an army, but slower than a group of fliers. They are most definitely here already.”
“Can we make it?” Alexandra asked.
“I told you before,” Koneh said. “I have one last fight left in me and this is it. You will reach the gates of Eden.”
Chapter 35
For two days, Erzulie led them in the direction of the flickering light in the distance. Koneh and Alexandra walked the winding paths between the jagged shards of upthrust rocks. The place looked almost alien to her. Alone with her thoughts, she felt like she was driving without her GPS. Each step she took felt like another turn on a road farther away from the places she knew. Her heart quickened as she realized she was committed to such an unsure path.
Like a distant voice waking her from a dream, she heard Erzulie’s words carry from the sky.
“Above you!”
Koneh whirled and drew his sword in time to slice open a flying demon. Blood sprayed from the creature as its body slammed into a rock.
Erzulie landed on the ground. Silvery blood oozed from gashes in her forearm and wing.
“Flyers. Lots of them,” Erzulie said.
Koneh looked to the sky. “Derechi’s advance force.”
Alexandra drew her slender, black sword from its scabbard.
“We’ll stick to the paths,” Koneh said. “Stay above us and don’t wander too far.”
Erzulie nodded and then shot into the sky.
“Will she be all right?” Alexandra asked.
Koneh pulled one of his daggers from under his tattered clothes and said, “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
A shriek pierced the air and Alexandra glimpsed Erzulie spin in the air to meet a winged attacker. Then, more shrieks reverberated through the canyons and a dozen more winged enemies appeared in the sky.
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