Chapter 27

I didn’t know what to expect when we decided on war but the sudden darkening of the skies as thunder cracked and the sky rumbled at us. It felt like we were doing something terrible but there really was no other option, these kids had control of the entire human population while we were the few, the archangels, the arch-demons and the demis, those of us whose are blessed to be somewhere in between.

Lifting my gaze to those around me, I saw that not one of them looked hopeful about our prospects in this battle. Each one’s face carved into that mask of grim determination laced with hopelessness. Their eyes had lost the sparkle and looked dull yet behind all of that I could see it, the thirst for blood that was igniting within them all. Quite frankly it scared the beejeezus out of me.

As we stepped outside the protection of the henge, the mellow feelings left me and I felt my heart pick up speed as the severity of the situation hit me. My breathing became shallow as I started to panic, my hands reaching out to clutch onto the people beside me so hard that my fingernails dug into their shoulders. I glanced up at the trio of men who had been with me throughout this madness and gave them a shaky smile.

“Did I just do something stupid?” I asked looking over my shoulder at the monument that was about to play host to the battle for the world.

A warm hand patted my own before pulling from the death grip it had on their shoulder. “No, you did fine,” Lucius murmured as he took my now free hand and grasped it tightly in his. Slowly we walked towards the army that had gathered in our absence.

There were so many faces before me, all standing waiting for orders and the reminder that many of them, if not all of them would not survive what was to come. What could we do? a mere army of ten thousand against the human population of the planet under the control of some temperamental teenagers? Considering that killing these people is like cold hearted murder there is nothing more to say, apart from if I survive, I will be wanting a nice retirement package and a house by the beach.

“Men we go to war!” Donalbain’s voice thundered from behind me causing me to jump forwards a few steps before turning my head so that I could send him a scowl.

The answering roar was thunderous, the sound rippling like waves, getting louder and louder with each chant. Some of them were even banging their swords against their armour. I think I’m going to stay behind those guys when all goes to hell. They look like they actually know how to handle a blade whereas mine that was hanging from my waist was merely decoration at that point in time.

I gulped and tried to memorise the faces before me, I wanted to be able to remember those who fought for me even when they probably had no faith in me. I didn’t even have the faith but these people were going to walk blindly into battle with a wimp for a figurehead.

My hand moved to the hilt of the weapon hanging from my waist and I gripped it tight within the palm of my hand. I felt reassured to have the deadly piece of metal there ready wield but without a doubt knew that I probably wouldn’t have the heart to use it in battle. I would never have the heart to kill someone in cold blood, no matter who they are. But, this is kill or be killed. I shook my head back and forth. How can I justify making someone’s heart stop when they are doing something against their will, when they are just as terrified as I am? Harmony’s face flashed before my eyes, first when she bespelled Lucius and I, and then the gruesome mask of pain on her face in death.

“For Harmony,” I whispered before nodding my head to the many people around me to show that I was fine, that I wasn’t going to have a melt down before their very eyes. My smile wavered under their scrutiny but most of them thankfully turned their attention to preparing themselves with the bloodbath that was sure to come.

Donalbain came to stand before me and gave me the once over before giving me a pat on the shoulder. I frowned at his hand and then trailing up his muscled arms until it came to his face and allowed my frown to deepen. The look of pity on his face showed me just what I thought; I didn’t have a hope in hell. I could always go back into the protection of the henge and wait for it to all blows over but by then a lot of people would be dead. No, no matter how much I wanted to run away, I was stronger than that. I would fight because I was not a coward. Even if the cowards way sounded a little too good.

Donalbain pulled the blade from its sheath and placed the hilt into my hand and curled my hand around it. He then waited until I met his gaze and the intensity of his stare was enough to back me up a few steps. “Take this, don’t lose it but remember to use it.” I bit my lip, if he didn’t look so damn serious I probably would have giggle at the fact that his words rhymed. “Savannah, I understand you are of the weaker-” he cut off when he caught my glare and quickly came up with a word he thought was less offensive but still sent me bristling even if I kind of agreed at the moment. “-softer, gentler persuasion but, as it is, you need to get over your aversion to bloodshed. If you hesitate they will kill you, whether you like it or not.”

I nodded my head when in reality I felt like grumbling behind his back. Whether I like it or not? I don’t think anyone likes the idea of dying. I waited for him to return to his men before I allowed my mind to wander. My eyes, like they had been prone to do as of late, drifted to Lucius. He looked so different to the man I first met, heck he is different to the man I first met. The one I met I could easily have castrated and sent away with nothing but a smile and a kick in the ass for good measure. The man I got to know however, he is so much more. He’s complex, he’s a flirt, sex-addict, ass, sweet, caring, kind, ex-angel with daddy issues yet would make a great father. And most important to me, I trust him with my life. It’s strange to think how much he has transformed over time, I could only hope that I live through the battle to get to know him more, I’m not ready to say goodbye to him yet.

My eyes then moved to Gabriel, my supposed ex. The father of my child. Words cannot even describe what I feel towards him and yet he too holds my trust. I feel as if I have known him my entire life and even though our paths are destined for different directions, I will always hold him in high regard because he gave me Danny, whether I remember that or not. I just wish I could remember a quarter of our time together so that I could understand the secret smiles he gives me yet I never seem to understand. Each look of confusion hurts him more and more and I don’t know whether I can cope with those looks for the rest of my life. A sigh escapes my lips and I turn my attention to the other angel of my life.

Ezekiel stood tall and proud, his wings on full display as he talked heatedly with Donalbain about something war related. His attire made him look like a true warrior angel. Even though he looked beautiful and strong and probably alluring to some, I could only admire him in a platonic way. It was weird he felt more like a friend and a brother. To even consider him as anything more made me feel kind of wrong and sick to my gut. I gave my shoulder a slight shrug. Must be part of the angel code. Only one angel per human or something like that, too much attraction to angels causing permanent damage to the poor lowly human. Shaking my head to steer myself away from the weird thoughts, I looked out across the grass that seemed boundless in every direction.

Raising my hand like a kid in class I waited until someone drew their attention to me. It took an age because they were all too engrossed in their own discussions and preparations to pay any attention to me. Clearing my throat loudly, I got the attention of all of those around me which was more than I wanted. I cleared my throat only much quieter this time but I allowed myself to direct my words towards the ones who looked like they had seasoned a few battles in their lifetime rather than looking at the unblemished scar free people.

“Umm, what are we waiting for?” I questioned sheepishly. There was no way that I was eager for battle, but this standing around waiting for all of hell to break loose, quite literally in this case, was making me antsy. The fact I was trying to check out Zeke was proof enough.

Donalbain just looked up at the sky at the same moment it was illuminated by an ominous red light. It made all of the rumbling black clouds look like they had been dipped in blood. Shivering at the ominous sign hanging above our heads I opened my mouth to speak only to be cut off as the earth began to shake. I pulled my gaze to the floor as if the mud beneath my shoes had the answers.

When people started shouting out and murmurs started to ripple through those gathered, I whipped my head up so fast that I was surprised that I didn’t give myself whiplash. I followed the gazes of everyone else and what I saw was beyond comprehension.

A thick black mass was advancing from the horizon. A swarm that was bleeding into view as the seconds passed. It was like the black mass that was looming ever closer was leaking in from whatever lay between the sky and the horizon, from the in between place. Murmurs of distress and battle strategies soon filled the air as they eyed the advancing enemies. It was a terrifying thing to experience because they were all moving slowly, as they were obviously restricted to the normal human pace yet they would be merciless, bound to the will of those unfeeling teens who want to rule over it all.

A crack to our left drew our attention for a moment as a group of 10 people appeared out of thin air. I gaped at them because of the golden armour they were all wearing and the indescribable aura they brought with them, they looked like they were carved to perfection. Without a doubt they were angels. It sent everyone in the vicinity on high alert until Gabriel set a calming hand on the shoulders of those around him.

“Be still, these are the other Archangels, my brothers.” With a solemnity in his voice, he stepped forward and after fisting his hand over his heart he bowed his head to the newcomers. When he raised his head he met an irritated gaze of one of the archangels who most definitely was not a man. “And sister.” He added with a quirk to his lips.

The woman in question hissed at him but I could clearly see the amusement in her eyes. There was obviously a history there, but then again, if you had eternity together then it would strange if there wasn’t some kind of inside joke.

“Gabriel, what is the latest news? We have secured the younger celestials and barricaded them from the will of the book but there is no telling whether it will hold.” A man who was bordering on seven foot and looked like he was born for battle spoke with little inflection in his voice. It reminded me of Gabriel and Ezekiel when I first met them and they were still all angel-like, no emotions other than peace and serenity. I wondered briefly if the two of them would have to be detoxed before they could ever return home or whether they would have to stay here because they had gone a little too native. I shook the thoughts off. We were just about to go into battle and my mind keeps wandering to thoughts that have no relevance at present.

“A bunch of kids with no heart have gotten a hold of the book. I think they are half breeds but not the good kind.” Gabriel replied his voice becoming flat like the seven foot wonders. With his arms folded across his chest he glanced briefly at the mass that was steadily approaching and was not at a distance that figures were distinguishable in the heaving mass of bodies.

I jerked my gaze to his face as his words sunk in. “half breeds? Like nephilim?” The angels looked down at me as if I was crazy, a few sneering in disgust at my words rather than at me.

“No these are not angelic of spring but rather than the result of fornication between human and demon. Some are good but if the human parent is evil or heartless then the affliction is often passed onto the child. The demon genes only enhance the discord within the progeny and the results are the evil dictators of the world. Hitler was not an accident. Why do you think his schemes were so reckless?  He wanted to create the perfect race yet it did not include himself. He loathed himself that much. If he had not succumbed to the whispers of a certain devil,” he shot a pointed look at Lucius who nervously glanced at me before turning away. “let’s just say his followers would eventually have turned on him. He was an imperfection according to his own beliefs and eventually he would have died because of it. Luckily my brother managed to finish the war a decade or so earlier than it was supposed to, saving countless lives and repairing the countries before the propaganda became too ingrained into their mind set.”

I frowned at his words and opened my mouth to say something but he cut me off.

“Do not worry yourself about what was, think instead about what is to come. I am only giving you an example of what progeny with the demonic can cause. Though, you seem to have a good heart, it would not affect you should you ever procreate with my brother.” He said it as if it was the most ordinary thing to say but everyone instantly set their gazes between Lucius and me, a few frowning and some looking as if they were about to smile but could not gather up the energy to move their facial muscles. I on the other hand blushed so hard that I probably looked like a tomato as my mouth opened and closed trying to think of something to say.

Lucius stepped forward and punched the giant in the arm and gave him a scolding look but I could see his lips fighting a smile.

“Now, brother, don’t embarrass the lady.” He winked at me before taking a sword that one of the angels offered him. He glanced down at the blade and the skin it was coming in contact with, his eyes widening as seconds passed. “How?” He choked out staring up at the angel who thankfully looked like he was a normal height.

“Father wanted to know he is still with you,” a soft voice that sent shivers down my spine spoke. I could hear the comfort he was trying to offer Lucius which was reaffirmed when a dainty hand patted the choked up man’s shoulder. It was weird the angel, who was obviously male, looked so dainty and childlike. Heck, if wasn’t for the lack of boobs and the fact that he had a five o’clock shadow, I would have assumed that he was probably a girl. “He changed the properties of the blade so that you could wield her once more.”

The look Lucius gave the blade was one that made even me blush. It was like one you would give your lover which the fact he was staring at a fancy sword made me question his sanity. He ran his hand across the sharp edge in a tender caress.

“I have missed you,” he cooed before removing the blade that was hanging from his hip and discarding it before replacing it with his old friend.

The decisive action brought our attention back to the harsh reality of the situation as the thundering of footsteps now gave sound to accompany the trembling of the earth. It would take less than a minute or two for the front lines to reach us and although the hordes of people held weapons and were behaving like they were incensed, there were no signs of the controllers.

Taking the lead, the seven foot angel and Donalbain moved to the front of the fray. Both of them drew their swords and faced the frenzy as if it was nothing more than a warm up, neither of them showing an inch of fear. I tried to follow their example, pulling out my sorry excuse for a weapon but the tell-tale shake of my hands displayed just how terrified I really was.

“Get ready,” a voice hollered but I was glad that I couldn’t really see anything now that we had grouped together as there was a row of seriously tall people standing before me.  “Ten- nine- eight- seven- six- five- BLADES READY- three- two- AARGHH.” The battle cry sounded out across the group reaching my ears and letting a tremble flow through my body. It was quickly followed by the sound of metal on metal and the thud of flesh hitting flesh.

My heart in my stomach, I gripped my blade tighter and tried to see something, anything through the people before me but with the thousands between me and the front line it was fruitless. The cry of pain that reached me over the crowds made me feel sick to my stomach. It was surely the guttural cry of pain before death but the uncertainty of who had perished had me biting my lip. Please don’t let it be someone I know.

After that I got completely lost in the cacophony of sound and blood. It sickened me to see it creeping towards me across the mud, each person dead becoming nothing more than a red pool at my feet. Slowly the row of people before me inched forward as they became entangled in battle and I was left there without a line of defence. I swung my blade through the air to test it before eyeing the bodies engaged in combat before me. I just stood there waiting for something to happen, i could already feel my stomach rolling in trepidation. And then it happened.

The person closest to me, one of Donalbain’s men, fell under the frantic blade grasped in the hands on a woman. The look on the man’s face just before he fell registered nothing but shock as he glanced at his chest where the blade had pierced his heart. Then with a squelch the blade was pulled free and the man fell to his knees, his blade dropping from his grasp before he brought his hands to his chest. Quickly his trembling fingers became coated in blood as he pulled them away from the wound and frowned at him in confusion. His mouth opened to say something and blood bubbled from his lips a moment before he keeled sideways and landed in the mud with a dull thud.

My eyes remained transfixed on the man in the dirt before I brought my gaze up to his murdered. A gasp escaped my lips as my eyes because fixated on the distraught woman’s face, firstly because of the pure anguish on her features but secondly, because it was a face I recognised. Tears were streaming down the woman’s cheeks as she gazed upon the lifeless form whose eyes were glaring back at her. She looked completely tortured because of the act she had just committed and probably the dozen or so like it she had committed before if her bloody clothes were anything to go by.

I tried to step away, not wanting to be in a battle to the death with Marianna, my best friend in the whole world and the person who had weathered me through all of the hard times. It was not in my heart to kill her but my movement drew her attention and the fear palpable on her face only became more intensified. With wide eyes Marianna stared back at me and a moment before she raised her sword, I saw her mouth two words that just about broke my heart. ‘Kill me.’

Without any control over her body she lunged forwards, her sword pointed in my direction ready to cause deadly harm as a panicked cry escaped both of our lips. In that moment time seemingly slowed as I met her desperate gaze. She didn’t want my death on her conscience but I didn’t want hers on mine either. As she got closer I started to scream, my eyes closing on instinct as my hand clutched tightly onto my own weapon. And then I heard it, the decisive sound of blade entering flesh and then the heavy weight against my blade.

Peeking out between my lashes, I gasped at the sight before me. Marianna was slumped against me, her eyes staring into mine with pure fear before she gulped and looked down to where my sword was impaling her. Finally she glanced down to her ankle where a hand was still wrapped around her ankle. It was another of Donalbain’s men. He had a nasty looking injury on his leg but even in his obvious pain he kept a steady grip on her leg.

Returning my gaze to Marianna, I started to panic as she slumped further against me.  Her eyes fluttered as she struggled to maintain her consciousness. Her body weight dragged me down and the pair of us slumped to the floor, her cradled within my arms as my bloodied hands came up to brush the hair from her face. I didn’t care about the battle raging around me at that point, all I cared about was my friend that was dying by my hand. It may have been accidental but it was still my blade that pierced her skin and it was still made blade that caused the wound now draining the life from her body.

“Vannah, I’m so sorry.” She whimpered in my eyes as her body arched and her face screwed up in pain. “I couldn’t stop myself I swear, I love you Vannah, you’re my family.” Burying my head in her head I shushed her as her breathing became more laboured.

“I know Mari, I know.” I murmured hugging her tight. She winced again and I pulled away for fear that I was hurting her. She instead was glancing at the hilt of the sword protruding from her abdomen.

“Pull it out Vannah, it hurts.” When she saw me hesitate she pulled the puppy dog look, her eyes widening as she begged me to pull the metal from her body. “Please,” her voice was breathy and displayed just how much pain she was in.

My hands shook as they grasped the hilt and after taking one more glance at the agony plastered on her face, I tugged on the blade pulling it free from her body. A cry escaped her lips before she settled back into my arms. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched the life slowly leave her body but all she did was smile at me in gratitude, like I had just done her a huge favour.

“Thanks Vannah, you’re my best friend,” she whispered even her voice becoming weak as her lifeblood seeped from her wound. Not knowing what else to do, I just hugged her tight and murmured reassurances.

We stayed like that for a while. It was only when someone tapped my leg and I jumped that I realised that she was gone. I looked down at her face which looked peaceful in death and then at the owner of the hand. It was the guy who had tripped her. I wanted to be angry at him but he was just doing what he thought was right and if anything, I should be grateful. He did save my life after all. He stared at me for a moment, his face showing pity but it quickly morphed into the battle façade that I had seen them all adopt.

“Savannah right?” he asked and I nodded. “I know you’re hurting but you need to pick up your blade and get up. This is only the start of the problems, besides, if that is anything to go by, I think you’re going to be needed sooner rather than later.” He pointed to stone arches of the henge when silhouettes against the sun could be seen standing atop of them overlooking the battlefield. In an instant I knew who they were. “Tie a tourniquet around my leg to staunch the bleeding and I will be your back up. I can get you to the henge but only you can decide how this battle will go. Are you ready?”

I stared at him dumbly for moment before lowering my gaze to Marianna. Instantly anger washed through me and I hardened my gaze as resolve flowed through my body. I would avenge Marianna and everyone else that has perished. Meeting the man’s gazes I nodded.

“I’m ready.”  

What do you guys think? I'm not the best at battle stuff. The second half of the battle will be in teh next chapter. I hope you guys like it. Most of you probably would have forgotten who Marianna is. She kind of became a ghost in this story but she's Savannah's BFF at the beginning of the story. I will probably write her into more of the book when I edit ...anyways hope you liked it ~katherine xx