CHAPTER XXXIII

Raguel has never been so sure of things happening lately but he is damn certain where to look for the Nephilim.

Many years ago, before he even met Araceli, Sariel, the guardian Angel, has been protecting a human-being assigned to her. It is customary to all Guardian Angels that when the person they are protecting dies, they'll go back to heaven and wait for Him to assign another person to protect. But Sariel didn't go back. She chose to protect the person's son. But instead, she disguised herself as his mother. She named him Quartz.

For some reason, Sariel made her way to the Sta. de Leones family. She doesn't age so disguised herself every generation...including her adopted child...Quartz.

Raguel once met Quartz when he was still a teenager. And if he is really the Nephilim, he knew his appearance will not change.

He took with him Zanilla and Thamuz. Leaving Araceli with Sindred and Keira and the other security to protect her.

"Chief, Sariel is inside the pre-school," said Thamuz.

Raguel knew that when they left his Manor, he will be detected by Lucifer. But this pre-school that is owned by Sariel, he knew it was warded. Although he couldn't go inside uninvited, atleast, the three of them are safe.

Raguel conjured his staff and made a circle knock on the wall visible only to the Supernatural beings.

"What do you want, Raguel?!" he heard out of nowhere. It was Sariel's voice. It was rather angry and pissed.

"I need to talk to you, Sariel,"

"I have no business with you! Angels warned me about what you did to—"

"I know about Quartz..."

There was silence. He couldn't helped but grin. He shot a nerve out of her.

"Come inside."

The invisible wall made a small crack enough for the three of them to enter. He advice Zanilla and Thamuz to just wait outside Sariel's office and notify him whenever there's something out of the ordinary come out.

Sariel's office looks small from the outside but it was spacious in the inside. On her table, there's a marble with her name written on it.

Sariel Sta. de Leones (President)

"What do you know about my deceased adopted son?" she immediately said.

"You wouldn't even offer me a tea?" he said mischievously.

"I don't want your games, Raguel!" she said impatient.

"Where's Quartz?"

"He's dead! Before I became a Sta. de Leones, he died."

"I don't believe you. Where are you keeping him?"

"I told you he's dead!"

"He's a Nephilim, Sariel! He can't just die that easily!" he roared. Hel has never seen Sariel so shock, she's almost gaping at him.

"W-what are you talking about?" she said almost whispering. He saw her hurriedly lit a white candle and the room automatically became smaller as if they were inside a bubble.

"I know about Quartz being a Nephilim," he said. There's an echo inside.

"How did you..." there was fear on her eyes. "find out about him?"

"That's not important. I just need his help,"

Sariel shot her eyes to him. Probably not liking what she has heard.

"He can't help anybody...not even you!"

"Sariel this is about Araceli—"

"I know what you did to her. That poor girl chose you! You used your lusting power to finally get a pure soul!" she spat with so much hatred.

"She's pregnant with my child. My seer told me that the only person who could help us is the Nephilim named Quartz."

Her face even made a disgusting look. But he doesn't care what she thinks about him. All she cares about is Araceli and their baby. He wants them safe.

"You made a cambion, huh? Is that how you will overthrow Lucifer?"

"That was my original plan. But no. I just want Araceli and our baby safe. I...I love them..."

"You made your own dustruction, Raguel. The moment the demons learns about your child, they won't stop at nothing just to kill the baby!"

"Quartz could cloak my child. He has that power—"

"Except that I don't know where he is, Raguel." She said.

"But you're his adopted mother." He said with forehead crease.

"What do you think the Angels would do to me if they learn that I didn't kill the Nephilim I was supposed to vanquish, huh? I had to protect him so I told him not to tell me where he is!"

"Whose the Angel that sired the Nephilim?"

"I can't tell you that!"

"Why not?"

"I made a promise!"

"Let's make a deal then."

"I don't deal with demons!"

"Sariel, this Nephilim is my only hope. Don't think this as a favor for me. Think of Araceli and my baby..."

He kneeled. He knew it was too low for him to kneel in front of a Guardian Angel. But if he has to kiss her toes for her help, he'd gladly do that. That's how desperate he is.

"I...I can summon him for you," she said in a low voice.

"Really?" hope has risen inside him.

"In one condition, Raguel."

"Anything!"

"No one has to know about his existence. I've given my all just to hid him from Angels. Please don't make my sacrifices worthy for nothing."

"I swear on my souless life that no one will know about him," he promised.

"I have to warn you that this Nephilim is very powerful. The mere sight of him could drain your energy." She warned.

"I'm prepared for that..."

***

"Sindred, pakiabot naman, oh," nakaturo si Ara sa tubig na nakalagay sa sidetable ng higaan niya.

"At your service, Madame," natatawa nitong sabi 'saka ibinigay sa kaniya ang basong may tubig.

She's on bed rest. Kapag nakatayo siya ng matagal ay sumasakit ang tiyan niya. Keira also told her na mas mapapaaga ang panganganak niya kumpara sa kanilang inaasahan.

Dalawang araw na rin simula nang muling umalis si Thorn kasama sina Zanilla at Thamuz. He said he'll be back once he finds the Nephilim.

"Dalawang araw nang umuulan. Masyado ng malamig," reklamo niya.

"There's a super typhoon," Sindred replied.

"Talaga? Are we safe here?" she asked, terrified.

"Don't worry. This is the safest place for us," he beamed, reassuring her.

Nakita niyang pumasok si Keira at hindi maikaila ang pagkabalisa ng mukha nito. Nakatingin ito kay Sindred animo'y may pinapahiwatig.

"Sindred, can I talk to you outside?"

"May problema ba, Keira?" tanong niya.

"What's the problem?" seryosong tanong ni Sindred.

"There's a..." huminga ito ng malalim. "Lilith and a group of higher level demons is outside!"

Biglang tumibok ng malakas ang puso niya. She could feel her fear starting build on her chest. They're here to get her or kill her. Whichever first, she knew she's doomed.

Nakitang sumilip si Sindred sa bintana. He just said that the manor is the safest place for them pero alam niyang hindi na ngayon.

"They're breaking the barrier," Sindred said calmly.

"Oh, God!" she starting to freak out.

"Ara, you stay here. No matter what you hear, no matter what you see, I want you to stay inside this room hidden. Do you understand me?" Sindred said to her.

"Y-yes..." she replied.

"Ara, I know you're hard-headed girl but please, promise me—"

"I promise!" mabilis niyang sagot. Alam niyang iniisip ni Sindred ay kagaya noon ay hindi siya makikinig dito. Pero alam niya ring mas mapapahamak siya kung susuwayin niya ito.

Sindred locked the door after him. Kahit nanghihina pa ang katawan niya ay pinilit niyang bumangon. She tried to peaked on the window at nakita niyang nakapalibot sa buong manor ang mga bantay na iniwan ni Thorn.

Unti-unting nilalamon ng dilim ang dati ng makulimlim na panahon dahil sa malakas na ulan.

Minuminuto ay may kumikislap na hugis simboryo sa paligid at taas ng manor. Ito marahil ay barrier na tinutukoy kanina ni Sindred. May kaunting gitak na ito, palatandaan na may posibilidad na ito'y masira.

"Thorn, we need you," she whispers as she closed the blinds on the window.

Hindi niya alam kung saang parte ng silid siya magtatago. Wala rin namang silbi ang pagtatago niya kung masisira ang barrier.

***

"I've never seen this coming, Sindred!" Keira said on her defense as she can see how pissed Sindred was because she had not seen the sudden attack of Lucifer's workforce.

"Call Raguel. I'll man the main gate," he ordered and she nodded immediately.

Sindred went outside directly to the main gate. He saw Lilith outside staring directly at his eyes.

"Lilith, what are you doing here? And mmm mmm, we could've invited you inside but you're already breaking the barrier," he said trying to sound as normal as possible.

"His Lordship ordered me to get Araceli. Give her to us, and we'll stop breaking this barrier." Lilith said void with any emotions.

"Oh, come on, Lilith. Ara is not here. Raguel and Ara is on a honeymoon trip. You know those two lovebirds," he said grinning.

"Cut the fib! I know she's inside!" she said and her poker turned furious.

Sindred suddenly laugh. So hard that the other demons on his back started laughing, too. Making Lilith and her demons feeling insulted.

"Lilith...Lilith...you never learn. You know very well that you, I, and everyone can't just get what they want just because we're powerful. We're not that previledged," he said in a mocking tone.

"You—"

"You want something, you have to work hard on that. You want Araceli, you have to break this barrier and kill us first!"

He saw how Lilith's jaw locked in anger. Long gone was her poised composture. He's awaken the first woman demon. And he's not afraid of her.

"So be it!" she said.

***

Ara fliched when she heard a loud explotion outside. Muli siyang sumilip sa bintana at nakita niyang nasa labas ng gate si Sindred. He's dueling with Lilith while single-handedly protecting the barrier.

Demon power dueling demon power. She saw how Sindred has been giving his all to attack Lilith. At kahit hindi niya man marinig, alam niyang pinipikon nito lalo si Lilith dahil sa mga atake nitong animo'y parang bata na inaasar.

Sa loob ng barrier ay nakita niyang tumakbo palabas si Keira at pinigilan ang ilang kalaban para sirain ito. She was covered with blue aura blasting everyone who gets near her.

As Sindred almost threw an energy ball at Lilith, the latter immediately dodge it. She threw her own energy ball and Sindred blinked away to dodge it.

Ara is in awe just by watching. She was marveled at the same time frightened by how powerful these demons are. Demons, who should've been on the same side but because of her, they are devided. Does Angels even know that Earth is being the battleground for darkness? Or they just don't want to meddle because of her.

Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang biglang umatake si Lilith pero imbes na kay Sindred ito tumama ay dinerekta nito iyon sa barrier. She was convinced that the barrier is powerful enough to protect her but it suddenly cracks. Leaving a slight opening on the gate.

Everyone outside went still.

Ara whispered a cuss when Lilith and her demons rushed to the threshold. She was about hide when a powerful portal made of fire blasted in front of Lilith.

Pakiramdam ni Ara ay nabunutan siya ng tinik sa dibdib niya nang makita ni si Thorn. She's safe now. He wouldn't let anything bad happen to her.

Her body relaxed knowing that Thorn is outside.

"Feeling safe now, my dear favorite mortal?" she heard a whisper, giving chills on her nape.