Seven

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Suddenly, Qol begins to beat his wings wildly, frantically cawing in terror with his eyes, too, fix on my target.

"What's wrong, Qol?" I ask.

He turns to me and caws more frantically. I see that he is looking at me with fear, anger, anxiety and sadness... all at once. He wants us back at Hades.

"No," I refuse and look back towards the particular lonely man, "Not until I have had my hands on him. You can see as well that he is not ordinary, don't you?" I turn back to him inquisitively.

His cawing became even more disturbing.

"Enough of it, Qol! Now, be quiet," I shout at him.

He obeys unwillingly. He may be carrying Lucifer's voice, yet he is still a mere soulless crow whose main purpose was to keep me company... Nothing compared to Lucifer. Besides, to Lucifer I was of more value than this mere crow.

Even as I watch the back of my cloaked prey from the tower, I could smell it was something special, something of worth, of value. Not ever have I felt such a passion in any of my hunt. Carefully I watch every single step it takes. I wouldn't let it slip at any cost. None entertains him as he moves in the crowded Jarglow Alley. Neither does it speak to anyone. A slow smile curve upon my lips as it enters the quiet and dark Ashkut Hollow.

"A Lamb walks into the Lion's den," I smirk at Qol, who is now quietly resting upon my shoulder.

Qol caws dispiritedly in response.

Then I take off, malice and sadism steeling my ardour, not bothering to listen to Qol's reply. He follows me in close pace. Eyes beginning to burn with intense passion, breaths steaming from my nostrils, I move with the wind.

Taking the form of matter, I set my right foot on the soil in the darkened alley and then my left followed. Those angels from Michael's army who saw me took steps closer to their man in protection.

I spare no time to waste at them save for the notorious glances I gave them to intimidate. Funny how they look at me with warning as though I would count them. Those weaklings.

I walk further down the alley and hidingly wait for my target at the next turn which is secluded in the dark by now. So I stand behind the wall, peeking over with an eye to keep watch over his direction. This is going to be a fun game.

Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps approaching... clear, very clear. Victory is already mine.

Mercy is never an option. As soon as he come within my reach, I grab him by his arm and yank him in, pinning him on the rugged brick wall. He let out a sharp gasp. I find myself over him with my other hand pushing him fixed against the wall by his throat.

But the next thing that follows is what I was unprepared for. There isn't anything much I could do. I freeze at the spot and in the very moment. Yes. I freeze. My strength and determination feels drained off to the very last drop that very instant the cloak falls off and I find myself staring into a pair of green, pearly eyes.

Crystal Sea....

I begin to tremble as all consciousness flee, leaving me alone for my emotions to rule over me.

No. It can't be her.

It can't be Primavera.

I become immobile as I continue to stare into her eyes and watch her stare back at me... With fear.

What have I become?

The fear in her eyes wreck my being. Cataclysm was upon me instead. Her wordless and breathless gaze from those radiant eyes pierce through me. I could sense my body beginning to shake inside as I try to fight off the rising emotion that course through me like an unstoppable wave, contradicting every intention with which I came. This isn't supposed to be.

Those eyes – the sunrise I see every morning but could never touch, never feel... the dream I dream of  knowing all along it is vain and wistful, that sole string of hope that I cling to. It all seem to shatter all at once.

As our eyes meet but she sees me no more, as I look over her in profound astonishment and feel her body – matter now.

Where is thy halo, dear Primavera? What have you become?

Through all these eons, her memories were the only thing keeping my sanity. She was one reason I keep looking towards the East. Waiting. She never came. She cannot even remember me now.

Is this the reason why you never came for me?

Why? Why did you leave Heaven?

I waited.

Why didn't you ever come, dear friend?

But now, Fear it is. Her eyes mist over in fear at beholding this unknown evilness.

"I have no jewel. Spare my life, please," she begs, her voice still as endearing as ever.

If only she knew she was a gem as a whole. Her eyes. Her heart. Kind and compassion . . . Cheerful. Oh, Primavera.

But fighting against my emotions and struggling to be the Commander-in-chief of Hades I am, I push her harder against the wall and grunted, "I will not!"

She catches her breath in a sharp gasp as I shove her. Fear... Yet she look at me in a way all being has forgotten to. She speaks to me in a way every being has ceased to - she begged me as if I still have any mercy left in me.

But I am a devil now.

Seeing that I wouldn't spare her, she close her eyelids shut and... a tear slip from the corner of her eye as she gives in to me. Then a different kind of fear and pain grip my throat as I gaze at her trembling in my grasp, the glow of innocence gleaming on her skin.

Can you sink any lower, Xachariel?

Why is it always you who bring tears to her eyes?

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So... How was it, guys? I hope you liked the chapter.

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Lots of gratitude and hope,
Hermyne