“Besides being the mediator of the family, Brianna is a witch,” he began. “As for Dominic and me... we are tribrids, our father was a Nephilim: an offspring of Lucifer and an angel. Our mothers were human.”
Kori shifted to her knees, “Lucifer, like the devil...as in the devil is your grandfather?”
Hayden continued to stare off into the distance. “Yeah but that’s a story for another time.”
Kori mimicked Hayden’s sitting position. “This is insane.”
“That’s why Brianna attempted to erase your memory,” Hayden admitted. “We didn’t want you guys to get wrapped up in any of this.”
Kori sighed, taking in a deep steady breath. She gazed at the ocean as the waves rolled in long and white fringed.
“What about your uncle? Is he some powerful creature?” she said after a moment of silence.
“He was once an angel but gave up his grace and joined the side of hell becoming an archdemon.”
“Archdemon?” Kori asked massaging her temples.
Hayden nodded but didn’t elaborate.
She began to play in the sand allowing another round of silence to slip between them.
“Since you’re sharing stories, does this mean we’re friends now?” Kori said patting the pile of sand she had compacted together.
Hayden rubbed the side of his face that felt the most of the sun’s warm kisses. “Not even close.”
Kori chuckled, “I was hoping all of this was only a dream.” She paused staring at Hayden waiting for confirmation and when he didn’t comply, she let out an exaggerated exhale.
Kori stared at her dome sandpile, “how are we getting home?”
“Dominic has our only ticket out of here.”
“What does that mean?” Kori asked poking holes in her sandcastle.
“We have to seek out the warden in hopes he or she is nice enough to send us back.”
“And what about Ethan or Brianna,” Kori protested.
“Wardens are basically gods. They can locate the others in a matter of seconds and transport them to our location...” Hayden answered.
He reached over to his right and plucked up the head of Barakus.
Kori gasped and scrambled to her feet, demolishing her sandcastle in the process. “Holy crap I forgot you had that thing.”
Hayden came as close to a smile as Kori had seen since they first met, “Once he wakes up, I’ll force him to tell us where to find the nearest warden estate.”
Kori shuddered. “What do you mean wake up?” she paused as the head suddenly moaned. His eyes fluttered for a few seconds before fully opening and locking eyes with Hayden.
“Aye it’s you,” he screamed. “Once my body grows back, I’m gonna gut you.”
“Did he say when his body grows back?” Kori whispered. Barakus turned his eyes towards her.
She covered her mouth trying to conceal her scream, “this is so freaky.”
“Yeah the gutting thing is not going to happen,” Hayden said. “Where is the nearest warden estate?”
Barakus laughed, his head vibrating. Kori retreated behind Hayden and peered over his shoulders.
“The warden’s estate is on the mainland,” Barakus said in between laughs. “And there is no-one left on this Island to get you there.”
“Why?” Kori asked.
“Because, this entire island has been purged, by orders of High Priest Christos.”
Barakus’s grin broadened, “that’s what happens when you refuse to serve the High Priest.”
“Killing them was pointless. They will soon resurrect.”
Barakus released another crazed laugh, “as part of Captain Ares Crew some of us are fitted with weapons that permanently kills.” He shouted with such enthusiasm his head vibrated.
Hayden frowned, “I’m guessing you aren’t part of that crowd seeing how I used your weapon to kill you.”
Barakus frowned and spoke in a mostly straight-up tone of voice.
“My job is to command the scavengers after every battle and bring back the spoils to our ship.”
“Who exactly are you guys?” Kori asked unable to look directly at the talking head.
“Renegades of Chaos, the most feared and dangerous soldiers of fortune,” Barakus answered as the sky darkened. Hayden climbed to his feet looking skyward.
A massive pirate ship drifted several miles above them. The craft was a magnificent shade of ebony with two pairs of silver turbine wings mounted at the rear, on opposite sides. Suspended above the vessel was a colossal football shape dirigible balloon.
“Behold the Amethyst,” Barakus shouted with delight. “Isn’t she such a beautiful sight?”
The flying ship soared towards the ocean and smoothly splash landed onto the middle of the clear blue sea. It turned around then zoomed towards the shore showing little signs of slowing down.
Hayden spun Barakus around so he could have a clear view of the approaching ship.
“I knew they would come for me,” Barakus shouted.
Kori glanced from the head then towards the ocean. “I’m no boating expert but if they don’t stop, they’re going to crash onto the shore.”
However, right before the vessel could contact the bank it lifted several feet into the air and taxied over the shore before it came to a suspended standstill. A bay door opened releasing a metal wide ramp to the ground and six men emerged. In harmonized marching, they made their way down the ramp. The front man who was larger than the rest had long thick dreadlocks and a haggard face. Unlike the others accompanying him, his build was massive. His sunken eyes jumped from Kori to Hayden as the small band came to a halt.
“Are you Captain Ares?” Hayden asked wryly.
No answer.
Instead, the group of men swapped confused squints, then along with Barakus busted into laughter.
“None of those brain-dead barbarians could measure up to the greatness of Captain Ares.”
The massive brute nodded his head with an idiotic grin. Kori shuddered at the sight of his blackened teeth.
“I’m kinda insulted that anyone would ever mistake Argus for me.”
A female’s voice sounded from the confines of the bay door.
Instantly the six men dropped to one knee and bowed their heads. A woman with the deepest of ivory skin paraded out from the vessel. Her black knee-high boots slapped against the metal ramp as she skipped her way onto the beach. The blue corset dress she wore hugged her body tightly giving her breasts the appearance of being perky and larger than they really were.
“I’m Captain Lucia Ares.” Her demeanor almost seemed childish, but her presence demanded respect.
“As you were idiots,” she said prancing past her subordinates.
The six men hopped to their feet.
Kori found the woman extremely adorable, especially her frilly rose-colored pigtails. Seeing a rapier sheathed to the Captain’s left hip, Kori pondered how dangerous the newcomer could be.
“You must be the boy that chopped off my poor Barakus’s head,” the woman said walking circles around Hayden.
He nodded.
The captain poked her tongue out at him. Then she shifted towards Kori sifting her hands through several locks of her hair.
“The scavengers wouldn’t shut up about you. ‘A girl with silver hair and a boy that fell from the sky’ they said.”
“Aye my captain it’s true,” Barakus confirmed.
She tore her eyes away from Kori and towards the head. “Oh, my poor Barakus...I can’t believe that violent boy did this to you,” Lucia said with an exaggerated gasp.
“No worries captain once I get my body back, I’ll teach this kid a lesson.”
Lucia smelled a few strands of Kori’s hair and then tossed them aside.
“Goodness no,” she shouted in mock horror, “anyone who can best you in combat is a valuable asset.”
“I’m not going to join your band of mercenaries,” Hayden snapped.
The captain snickere
d fondly, “you’re acting like I gave you a choice.”
Hayden rolled his eyes, “here’s the deal, you and your crew will take us to the nearest warden’s estate and I won’t kill you all”
Lucia gulped sarcastically, “you’re such a ferocious boy.”
The six men without hesitation unsheathed their sabers. “But I think you might be a little outnumbered sweety.” She giggled and soon her six minions joined in.
The sound of gunfire abruptly boomed.
Argus fell due to an entrance wound in the middle of his skull.
The crew members traded chaotic gawks before their eyes settled on Hayden. He held Barakus underneath his left armpit while his other hand held his still smoking revolver.
Lucia’s lips curled into a smile. “Where did you get that from?” she asked as Hayden lowered the weapon.
He opened his mouth to answer only to be hushed by the captain. “It doesn’t matter. what dies here; will never stay dead for long.” She gestured towards Barakus.
Hayden signaled at Argus’s lifeless body. “Trust, he’ll never resurrect again.”
The fallen thug’s body dissolved into a bluish-white ball of light only leaving behind Argus’s clothing. And like a rouge firework it shot off towards the heavens.
Except for rolling ocean waves, an unsettling hush swept over the beach.
Lucia furrowed her brows and bit her bottom lip till it drew blood. She crossed her arms and stamped her feet in the sand huffing before screaming-
“Fine, since the continent of Elisium is our next stop we’ll drop you off there at the capital city.”
“So, it’s settled then?” Hayden asked.
Lucia reluctantly nodded. “But while the two of you are aboard my ship, I expect you to earn your keep.”
Hayden shrugged, as Delilah dematerialized from his grasp, “aye aye cap’n,” he said tossing Barakus at Lucia. She grunted catching him like an old ball. Lucia stared down into her shipmate’s blinking eyes and he smiled happily at her.
“Hi, Captain.”
She huffed watching Hayden boarding her vessel.
Kori stepped up next to her. “For all it’s worth, I really love your outfit.”
Chapter-Twenty-Eight
“Let me get this straight,” Ethan said pointing at Brianna. “You’re a witch?”
She nodded.
Then switching his finger to Dominic, he continued, “and he’s what you called a tribrid?”
Again, Brianna nodded.
Ethan chuckled hysterically. “Does that mean he’s immortal?”
“Fortunately, no, since Dominic’s one-third human, his humanity dilutes his angel and demon capabilities. Meaning he really isn’t anything special, just a pesky rodent who’s hard to kill,” she answered intentionally vociferous.
Several steps ahead of them, Dominic reached back and flipped her off.
A few inches away from them was Atticus leading the way. After healing his wound, he had promised he would lead them through the woodlands and set Dominic on the path he wished to go before guiding the rest to the warden’s estate.
Brianna glanced heavenward; the sky was barely visible, only a few remainders of blue lingered like speckled shards of a broken vase. The rich fragrance of vegetation consumed her senses reminding her of home.
“Are you immortal?”
Brianna gave Ethan the faintest of smiles. “No, but like Dominic, I may outlive most mortals, however, witches can be killed as easily as humans, for example, my mother died during childbirth.”
Ethan’s gaze fell, “I-I’m really sorry.”
Brianna shook her head. “I didn’t know her, besides from the stories my dad tells me.”
“My mom left my dad a few years ago,” Ethan said staring at the damp ground. “Now she’s traveling the world with another man living the life she always wanted before I was born.”
Brianna’s eyes widened. “Wow.”
Ethan shrugged causally, “at least she sends awesome postcards.”
The further they walked, the forest’s trees began to thin.
“A clearing must be coming up,” Ethan said to no-one.
The damp ground soon gave way to the sturdier foundation of loose rocks, dirt and gravel. Free from the forest canopy, the late afternoon sunlight fell directly onto them. Up ahead wasn’t a clearing, but instead a stone bridge with a girth the length of three arms and no rails. Falling from it probably wasn’t dangerous but would have been a messy wet landing because beneath the bridge, was a wide creek flowing with crystal clear water.
Ethan placed one foot on the passage to test its durability. It was damp with a smidgen of moss.
“Why did we stop,” he asked.
“On the other side of this bridge is a village and the villagers don’t take too kindly to strangers. So, I advise you to keep moving and speak to no-one,” Atticus answered quickly. And before an argument could arise, he continued with. “My home is on the outskirts. We need to stop there and gather some supplies for the journey.”
The way Dominic’s eyes squinted when he glared at Atticus reminded Brianna of a cobra’s slit-like pupil. Scorching animosity was emerging in his hazel orbs.
Atticus laughed whimsically and trotted across the bridge.
The countryside overextended into sight, like a quilt of golden brown and green squares held together by the thick green hemming of hedges. It rose and fell like giant waves on a gentle ocean. The fields were dotted with cattle, farmhouses, barns and a multitude of cottages. Occasionally there was a round wooden rail fence that separated the grounds. The party of four made their way from the bridge and onto a dirt road. The several residences they did see were either too busy tending the fields, herding cattle, or undertaking other daily chores to notice them as they passed.
“Those crops look frail and the animals look as if they are on the brink of death,” Ethan said looking over his shoulders.
Brianna chimed in, “purgatory’s life force is weak.”
“Life-force?” Ethan asked.
“It’s the essence of life that’s present in all living beings. And as a witch, I’m able to manipulate it to achieve any effect I desire.”
Ethan scratched the back of his head. “You know a lot about prison worlds.”
Brianna chuckled nervously. “Alexander cast us into a prison world once. As part of our training we had to survive on our own and make it to the warden estate without being captured or killed by its inhabitants.”
Ethan’s eyes widened. “That’s terrible parenting.”
Brianna shrugged, “the wardens were on good terms with Alexander. They kept an eye on us.” She paused staring at her feet, “but unlike that one, this world isn’t desolate or dystopian.”
Venturing deeper into the village they found themselves traveling through the bazaar district. Everyone was dressed differently, ranging from the medieval era or Victorian, to modern clothing.
They passed the greengrocer with his windows full of apples, oranges and other fresh fruit, while the butcher had his bloody slabs of meat on display and naked chickens hanging up. Shopkeepers screamed out offers at the top of their voices to attract customers, while patrons desperately tried to bargain for the best possible prices. But it was the children’s laughter that reigned the loudest as they played their games amongst the crowds.
“There are kids trapped here too?” Ethan asked looking at the group of children playing tag.
Atticus nodded. “Looks are deceiving though. A lot of those children are actually centuries old.”
“How is that even possible?” Ethan asked with raised eyebrows.
“Being trapped here stops the aging process,” Brianna answered.
Ethan went silent rubbing his chin.
“Don’t think about it too much or you’ll end up hurting yourself,” Dominic said coldly.
Atticus stretched out his arms with a broad smile. “Welcome to Amaranthine village.”
Not a single empty space co
uld be spotted between shops. Some of the customers held hands against their temple to shield themselves from the sunlight, which mercilessly shone down upon the market.
Droplets of sweat shimmered on everyone’s brow and many faces turned red due to the sweltering temperature. The heat didn’t seem to bother the locals at all. They carried on as if the briny beads weren’t there. The salty odor of sweat mingled with the tickling fragrance of spices and the sweet smell of flowers from the florist shop. All these smells mixed and gave off a rather unique scent that lingered in the air. A man no older than fifty dressed in untold layers of fragmenting wool stumbled about the market streets. His hair was tied back but still clumped with grease. He shuffled tremulously like there was a personal earthquake underneath his derisory shoes.
“Barnaby!” the man screamed frantically.
As he stumbled about the market place, the vendor’s and clients paid him little attention, unless he ventured too close to them which then resulted in them violently shoving him away like a pesky fly.
“Barnaby!” he screamed repeatedly walking past the small group.
“That’s Erik the town’s loony,” Atticus informed his group. “It appears he lost that mutt of his again.”
“He must be the most hated person in this place,” Ethan said watching the man taking hits from a few locals.
“He’s far from being the most hated,” Atticus said rubbing the back of his head. “We should probably keep moving.”
However, before they could stride any further, a deep voice boomed over the bustling sounds of the market.
“Is that Atticus?”
The loudness of the bazaar dimmed with several heads turning.
Atticus swore under his breath and looked over his shoulder. Behind him, he was greeted by a scowling man dressed in clothing that had clearly seen better days. With more people noticing him, the market’s unruly atmosphere was shrouded in inconspicuous whispers.
Atticus smiled and waved nervously at the crowd.
Their faces did not hide their burning rage. It hissed through them like fatal venom, searching for an escape in the form of savagery. A butcher pulled a knife from his collection and hopped his stall while others began to grab anything close that could be used as a weapon.
LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1) Page 14