The archangel’s intense eyes were enveloped in holy fire, and he gazed upon the two fallen angels standing before him.
“We have not failed yet! Spare us!” Zauvek begged.
A mighty voice thundered from the archangel. “Zauvek Syk Serce. Waremasu Tamashii. You have brought great pain to this world. The nations that were, now stand no longer. Suffering and death, these are your gifts to this world. All life now stands at the precipice.”
The archangel stepped forward.
“No! I am sorry.” Zauvek stepped backward.
Waremasu remained still and accepted his fate. The wise angel understood the archangel’s power eclipsed his own.
“Forces set to rise in the days to come might destroy all that remains. The Second Seal will open, and the first will wake this day. You know of what I speak,” the mighty voice thundered.
“The Temperean Titans,” Waremasu said with his seven voices.
The archangel nodded and raised his holy sword at the fallen angels.
“You have torn this world’s guardian angel asunder, an offence to the One on high. You do not stand in the light and the grace. If you die, you do not return. You become darkness and live in darkness, apart from Heaven and Hell. A single choice resides with you now.” The archangel’s sword pointed at the two fallen. “Fight to save this world . . . or fall into oblivion.”
“We will fight!” Zauvek said.
Waremasu agreed.
The archangel narrowed his eyes at Zauvek. “Do not waver in conviction. The tribulations before you are many.”
Zauvek nodded in fear.
“What this world has seen . . . has merely been the weakest chained beneath its surface . . . The day on which you see the asymmetrical ones, beings with vestigial appendages and unholy forms, will be the day the angels rise for war. Pray you never see this day come. For on that day, you will know you have failed, and we shall descend from Heaven,” the archangel decreed.
“No! We just need to find it! Once we find it, we can solve this. We can repair what we have done. We are strong enough,” Zauvek pleaded.
“Are you?” The archangel raised his head and gazed on Zauvek with his holy fire eyes. “Arrogance and pride shall not lead you to salvation. Pride and lust for power were your sins, Zauvek.”
“No, not arrogance and pride. Confidence,” Zauvek said.
“Careful . . . you tread upon a thread of words,” the archangel said.
Zauvek went silent.
“What of the souls?” Waremasu asked.
The archangel lowered his sword. “He will care for those lost during these times.”
The archangel’s fiery eyes moved toward the unconscious enigma on Waremasu’s shoulder.
“Keynas Rakto was his birth name. He was the last of the Failith, the first believers. Long has it been since his race inhabited this world, yet signs of the Failith linger to this day.” The archangel solemnly lowered his head.
“The asymmetrical ones destroyed his kind during the First Temperean Event. He is unique. An instrument. He has had many names. Keynas Rakto was his first.
“His faith was strong, even in the presence of pure evil as it stared into his eyes and ripped apart the last of his brethren. He did not waver with swords in hand.
“The Regtul Empire’s king knew him as Volam, weapons prodigy molded into grand guardian of the Litanien Volnar Kingdom.
“Razbijen von Besvarad, Angel of Light and Guardian of Verdunmull.
“Faolan Stardrifter, elf of the Harmaalinna Kingdom and Shadow Guardian of Lesley.”
The archangel briefly paused.
“Your fates are entangled with his. You will not survive without him, and he will not succeed without you.”
The archangel’s eyes moved again toward Waremasu. “A war will begin when he wakes. A small fraction of his rightful angelic power has seeped back into his soul. Understand that even with this minuscule amount of angelic power, he can tear this world asunder and salt its lands.
“His mind is shattered and bathes in darkness, yet his heart remains in light. Hope persists. Waremasu, the power you were given will no longer be yours. The power was granted on behalf of the children crying out for salvation. Temporary power granted for the temporary plight.”
Zauvek spoke. “How does He expect us to succeed without our complete angelic power?”
“Faith . . . Zauvek. Ye who hath none.” The archangel turned away. “If you fail, a war will come, one such as this world has not seen since the Second Temperean Event. The host will rise for war.”
A bright light surrounded the archangel and obscured him from view once again. The light shot away and disappeared into the sky.
Zauvek whispered, “An immortal war . . .”
Waremasu and Zauvek waited for a moment as the information they received weighed down on their shoulders. Then they resumed their journey to the southwest. Now they had a destination, and their purpose was renewed.
To Be Continued . . .
The titans of old rise once more. Their sister, Verdunmull, shall quake in fear upon their attendance.
The Ikalreev Prophecies 24:1–2
The angels will rise for war. The footsteps of fate declare it so.
The Ikalreev Prophecies 28:2–3
The First Seal Page 33