With her heart beating wildly, she picked up the phone that she hadn't touched in months with a trembling hand...
As she might have expected, the battery had run out a long time ago, prolonging her ordeal even further. She would now have to wait for it to charge up before consulting her messages.
Without wasting a second, she plugged it into the socket behind the bedside table, next to the plug for her bedside lamp. Feeling out of breath as the moment of truth approached, she stared worriedly at the small black screen.
Several minutes later, the phone finally lit up. She jumped out of bed holding her breath while she eagerly unlocked her SIM card...
It was instantaneous: notifications and messages arrived one after the other at full speed. Not just from Victor, but also from her sister, her friends, her former colleagues... This reminder of her former life came as a brutal shock to her. She saw the names of people she had never once thought of during her time with the missionaries. Nicolas Lecoindre and her former team had sent her dozens of messages after her sudden resignation. Her sister Emma had called her dozens of times after her disappearance... Frightened by the quantity of messages and the extent of the solicitations, she understood why the missionaries had decided to take her phone away. Otherwise, she would never have been able to concentrate on her mission. She had avoided being harassed by her entourage...
However, she didn’t take the time to read any of their messages. All that mattered to her right now was if Victor had tried to reach her since she last saw him this afternoon...
Her heart pounding, she clicked on the tab indicating she had received 47 messages from him. She looked for the most recent one... It was barely an hour old.
Her heart almost exploded at the sight of it: he had contacted her despite the fact that he had a new love in his life. Even so, what he wanted from her remained to be seen.
She was so excited and anxious to read his message that her vision became blurry. But she was able to decipher his words nonetheless:
“Tara, call me back. I'm sorry about what happened. I thought you were gone forever. You're the one I love. I need to see you again as soon as possible.”
Her heart still pounding violently, she dropped the phone on the bed next to her. Half of her was so completely broken by what she had seen, but the other half was jumping for joy and relief at the thought that it was she that he loved. After all, what else could she had hoped for? Handsome as he was, rich, generous, caring and intelligent, had she really thought he would pine away over her for months?
She tried to reason with herself. She was partially relieved... However, even though she was dying to see him again, it was too early. The smell of that other woman still stuck to his skin. Now that she was reassured, although still very sad, she decided to wait until she had accomplished her spheric mission before seeing him again. She had the feeling they would need a little time anyway.
Nevertheless, she didn’t want to repeat the mistake she had made the first time. She would respond to his message instead of leaving him without any news or explanations. Her message went straight to the point and she made it clear that she still wanted him:
“If what you say is true, leave her. Don't come back until she has completely disappeared from your life.”
She sent the message and remained breathless the whole time, waiting for his response. But after over thirty minutes of unbearable anguish, Victor still hadn’t replied.
With an aching heart, she bitterly grabbed her phone and turned it off. Determined, she jumped out of bed and left her room, holding her cell phone firmly in her hand. She crossed the long corridor with firm steps, went through the two doors of the small living room and only stopped once she arrived in front of Emily’s bedroom. For the first time since she had moved into the apartment, she knocked vigorously on Emily’s door.
The lady of the house opened the door with a worried look on her face:
“What's going on Tara?”
“Here,” ordered the seraph, handing her the phone. “Take it. It only brings me tension and distraction. Even if I ask for it back, don't give it to me until I've sufficiently progressed in my own personal development.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Don't give it back to me until Diane has gone back to the Sphere. When that day comes I’ll know who I really am, and who I really want to keep in my life.”
Proud of her decision, Emily nodded and took the phone:
“You won't see it again until you reconnect with your family Up There.”
Tara thanked her with a sign of the chin, her hazel eyes solemnly staring into Emily’s green eyes.
Ready to devote herself body and soul to Diane’s return to the Fifth Legion, she turned on her heels with her head held high and walked away.
For the next three days, her training with Nina was intensive, exclusively dedicated to combat. Her boxing style had naturally changed when she had recovered her sword: she had regained her reflexes, her power, and her technique. After three days, she was almost better than the coach who quickly changed to other martial arts. Whether they were used during different eras by now-extinct civilizations, or whether they dated back five hundred years, Tara knew each of them perfectly. Every move was innate to her. Each martial art had its own strategy and philosophy. Tara fought as if she had studied them her whole life, as if her wisdom and maturity were suddenly of a person thousands of years older.
“You fight well,” Nina remarked, as Tara continued to punch the paos. “You’re completely different from when you arrived.”
“I know. I have Hagen to thank for that,” Tara replied, barely out of breath.
She glanced at her from the corner of her eye while still punching the paos. She still hadn't spoken to Nina about her angel and the Marquis De Villiers. The subject intrigued her, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know more, for fear of not assuming the truth.
The coach, feeling that she was being watched and then noticing Tara’s eyes on her, questioned her:
“What's going on?” she asked defensively.
Refusing to answer, Tara preferred to continue her round of punches, but the coach stopped, dropping the paos to the floor and demanding an answer:
“I want to know what you’re thinking about.”
Aware that she wouldn’t let her off so easily, Tara undid her gloves and answered her in the same tone:
“Your angel is a man, what's his name?”
Nina opened her eyes wide and blushed. The subject was obviously making her uncomfortable.
Nonetheless, she quickly pulled herself together and replied in her usual arrogant tone:
“I thought my angel made himself clear when he answered Diane.”
“Why is he refusing to give me his identity?” insisted Tara as she approached Nina.
Surprised by her self-confidence, Nina opened her mouth, not knowing what to say. Facing her, Tara refused to give in. She remained boldly standing there, her face only a few inches away from Nina's.
If Nina's angel was her legionary, Tara thought, he had no right to disobey her. He had no choice but to give her his identity:
“I’m his seraph,” she reminded her, in an inquisitive voice.
“Regain control of the Fifth Legion and we'll readdress the question,” Nina replied, suddenly regaining her audacity.
Outraged by her provocative attitude, Tara remained speechless: how dare she speak to her like that?
Nonetheless, she regained her composure a few seconds later and continued:
“I know that Diane and your angel were together in my last life... When you were the Marquis Ruben De Villiers.”
Tara was sure that her declaration would make Nina panic, but, to her surprise, the opposite happened; Nina smiled and answered mischievously:
“I thought Victor was the Marquis De Villiers.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Isn't that what you thought?” Nina said provocatively. “Emily told me.”
Confused, Tara froze. Nina on the contrary, undid her bandages with a victorious smile.
Her self-assurance was unbearable to Tara who attempted a final comeback:
“Yes,” Tara replied, “but the Marquis De Villiers looks exactly like your angel.”
On these words, Nina chuckled with contempt, resuming her sensual albeit pretentious manner:
“Tell me Tara, which one of us has forgotten our past, you or me?”
Her question had the effect of an electric shock on her. Unable to respond, Nina put an end to Tara’s accusations:
“If I had been the Marquis De Villiers, I’d remember it. As for physical appearances,” she added, pointing to her own body, “don’t forget that they can play tricks with your mind...”.
On these words, she turned on her heels and walked out, like a panther that was proud to have defended its territory.
As for Tara, she watched her walk away, more lost than ever. Could it be that Victor was indeed the Marquis De Villiers?
She gasped at the mere thought of it as her whole body stiffened. Then, Nina turned to her one last time before leaving the room:
“And while we're at it Tara, you should think twice before you kill the child. The Decision-Makers may not only have good intentions for you. I wouldn't be surprised if They kill you once you're in front of Them.”
“Why would They order me to kill the child, then?” Tara retorted in a slightly aggressive tone, refusing to believe that her only hope of returning to the Sphere would result in her annihilation.
“I don't know,” Nina said, trying to look innocent. “Maybe to use you one last time before They get rid of you forever? After so many years of absence, don’t you think you owe Them this little favor...”
“You're talking nonsense!” cried Tara angrily.
“I understand your disappointment,” answered Nina, who suddenly became extremely serious. “Nonetheless, after having deserted Them for two hundred and thirty-six years, it's an outcome you need to seriously consider. The Decision-Makers are never lenient. The most plausible decision They could make would be to annihilate you. Diane herself knows that They've executed great soldiers for less than that...”
“Diane is different... They wouldn’t do that to her...”
“To Them, we’re only pawns in their war against Evil. The Decision-Makers can create warriors by the dozen if They want to. No one is irreplaceable to Them. Stop being so naive Tara.”
“Why are you telling me this now?” Tara said, feeling tears of rage rising in her eyes. “All you’re trying to do is destroy my hope of returning to the head of my legion, now that I have my sword back and I’m more powerful than you! It’s not my fault that you’re a simple legionary even though you have the strength of a seraph! You need to accept your place and allow me to take mine! I won’t let your jealousy prevent me from achieving my goal!”
On these words, Nina opened her eyes wide and took a step back, horrified and visibly hurt by her accusation.
Then, her pain gave way to pride and without giving her a second glance she exclaimed, as she turned her back to her:
“So be it! Throw yourself into the lion's mouth! After all, you’ve always enjoyed making the work of those old decrepit Sages easier!”
Almost running, she disappeared from the hallway and left her alone in the training room.
Tara, who felt winded following their trying exchange, no longer knew what to think. Nina's words had deeply infiltrated her psyche. She could feel the doubt that plagued not only her mind, but Diane’s also. What if the coach was telling the truth? What if the Sages didn't really intend to give her army back to her?
From then on, a terrible anguish took hold of her. What should she do? Should she try to get the Fifth Legion back even though it was risky, or should she continue to do what she had been doing for the past two hundred and thirty-six years, namely, flee her responsibilities and abandon the hundreds of winged soldiers who believed in her and awaited her return?
The answer became clear as Diane's compelling voice echoed in her mind: if she had to die, she wouldn’t die a coward. She would return to the Decision-Makers in the Congregation. After all, if They thought it was right to eliminate her after she deserted her army, They weren’t entirely wrong. It was now up to her to prove her worth to Them, in the hopes They would prefer to keep her rather than eliminate her.
With a huge sigh, Tara too left the training room with a determined step.
For the next few days, she and Nina blatantly ignored each other. The coach, who had been insulted by Tara’s accusations, gave her even less consideration and respect than when they first met. From now on, it was Hugo and Mark that Tara fought against during training hours, as Nina refused to enter the room when she was there. The tension in the air was so palpable that none of the inhabitants, not even Emily, dared to ask what had happened between them.
However, the day before the mission, Nina's attitude changed abruptly. Her haughty expression had darkened. She no longer seemed angry, but deeply affected. Something had happened inside her, so much so that even Tara, who was angry with her and refused to look at her, noticed her change of mood and became alarmed.
In the evening, after dinner, Tara went to bed, thinking over and over again about the images and information Enkaz had given her when he had touched her forehead. Even though she was no longer on speaking terms with her, it was Nina who had been chosen to go with her to make sure everything went well, "because she's the best," said Emily.
Thus, she was aware that the next day, her position as head of the Fifth Legion was going to be put on the line, but that wasn’t all. Tomorrow, if she succeeded in her mission, she would willingly go to the Congregation and submit herself to the final judgment of the Sages. She would either resume her position or be annihilated: not only was Diane’s destiny going to be decided tomorrow, but hers would be too.
Suddenly, as she was about to turn off the light, she heard someone knocking on the door. Surprised, she ordered them to come in in a loud and authoritative voice. But when the door opened and she saw Nina's glum face appear, her self-confidence left her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, feeling that something bad was going to happen.
Nina looked down, seemingly in agony, before saying in a hoarse and broken voice:
“Are you sure you want to go tomorrow?”
Tara suddenly felt an irrational anguish rising within her and replied in an annoyed tone:
“Of course! Why would I suddenly change my mind?”
“Tara,” Nina began, all choked up. “This mission will change your life forever.”
“I know it will, and I've made up my mind.”
“If you return to the Sphere again... you’ll be at the mercy of the Decision-Makers...”
“I'm aware of that.”
“Are you sure you're ready?”
Tara frowned. If she continued like this, Nina's pessimism would hinder the smooth progress of her mission.
“You haven't been to the Sphere for over two hundred years,” the coach said in a voice that was suddenly full of tears. “You’re a deserter. You know what They do to deserters...”
Tara looked at Nina in silence, struggling to believe what she was seeing: could it be that the coach was genuinely worried about her?
“We can run away together if you want,” said Nina as she raised her tear stained face to Tara.
Distressed, Tara opened her mouth in surprise. She would never have imagined such a proposal from Nina. Voluntarily deserting the Fifth Legion is what the coach was suggesting, she who had always seemed so faithful to Emily and the others.
Tara remained motionless, her eyes wide with fear. Never had she expected to find herself in such a situation with Nina.
“Nina,” she replied, as if to reassure herself, “if They wanted to eliminate me, They would have destroyed me a long time ago.”
“That's what I keep telling myself to convince mys
elf that everything will be alright,” Nina confided, wiping away her tears. “But even though They’re our Creator Fathers, I’ve never fully trusted Them.”
Nina fell silent, sad to have had to acknowledge such a truth. Tara, who was touched by her concern, now looked at her with more sympathy. She wanted to take her into her arms but stopped herself from doing so out of pride. She replied from her bed:
“Don't worry, I trust Them completely. I had no right to desert Them. If They decide to destroy me even though I’ve come back, it’s because I deserve it. The Sages always make the right decisions.”
On these words, Nina bit her lips and quickly hid her face in her hands. The tears were rolling down her face, but she tried not to sob.
Shocked by her reaction, Tara immediately felt guilty. What she really wanted to do was take her into her arms and console her, but once again, her ego prevented her from doing so. She felt utterly overwhelmed as she looked at her, not knowing what to do to make her stop crying.
“I want to stay with you Tara,” Nina finally confessed between sobs.
Her face was flushed, and she still couldn't hold back her tears:
“I want to be close to you while I still have the chance...”
“Nina, what's going on with you?” Tara asked worriedly. “Trust me, They don't want to kill me. This mission is proof that They're offering me a second chance.”
Nina didn't answer and continued to cry silently. After a few seconds, she resumed in a voice that Tara didn’t recognize:
“I want to stay by your side until tomorrow, for every second of the night and day.”
Distraught and embarrassed, Tara declared after a short silence:
“I’d rather sleep alone…”
“Please!” cried Nina, jumping on her. “I don't want to lose you Tara. These may be our last moments together!”
“Calm down,” ordered Tara, pushing her out of the bed. “I'm not going to die. And you're coming with me to eliminate the child. We're on this mission together.”
HAGEN: 1. Revelations Page 30