chapter seven

Chapter 7
Tahirs departure
Rochelle kidnap
Angel cycle: angel’s encampment
Calanthe stood and watched the flap close as Solomon walked out. She felt sorry for anyone who would get in his way. That was one determined angel. She walked out a few minutes after Solomon she could see that some of the angels closest to her had obviously heard. What am I going to do? Sieghard, Alaric, and now Solomon they have all gone. I must attack the mines soon but I don’t know enough about them. I don’t know the inner works, how many there are or how well fortified they are. Nothing this really sucks. Abiel came up to her “What’s up with Solomon he didn’t try to seduce me as I walked by. The one time I might have agreed to too.” She said semi sarcastic.
“The Pure Spirit is his daughter.” Abiel was barley able to stutter out
“H-how is that possible?”
“Well Abiel when a man and a woman get horny they fuck and since humans and Solomon have yet to discover condoms the lady gets pregnant.”
“Wow real mature Calanthe so did you kick the shit out of him or?” she asked. I couldn’t help thinking as I looked at her she looks worried maybe she really would have accepted today. It has been tough on us all “No he went to become an archangel as is his right by family and passage.” Abiel started talking about the mines and how there was some sort of back door. It was a couple days south of here, it was supposedly a runaway door in case the mines were ever invaded. “Good go get the general and well discuss the matter further. And Abiel try and find Tahir first I have a favor to ask of him.” I needed to know something and Tahir could go and find out for me. I need to know what is going on at the village with the spirit child.”
“Sure. No problem Calanthe.” Abiel said spreading her wings and taking off to find Tahir.
When Tahir entered my tent the sun was beginning to set outside. But of course in a camp of pure angels it was never really dark. Angels have a faint glow to them so when four thousand of us gather it never really gets dark. And archangels only glow brighter so my tent never needed a lamp inside it. “Tahir what are you doing here? Abiel came to me hours ago reporting you had disappeared. You look like hell are you OK.” He looked like he had just run from Lucifer himself.
“She is gone the Pure Spirit had been moved. Her village destroyed burnt down to the base boards. Cadocs men destroyed it early today I had to fight my way out of his demented cloud we cannot beat that cloud with these men I barley got out alive Calanthe the wall will fall unless I can go and raise the ancient Aerial Squadron from their slumber.” The squad Tahir spoke of was an ancient army of angels who mastered the art of aerial warfare long ago and finding no challenge to match them they hid themselves somewhere beyond heaven to wait for a time when they were needed. But so many millennia’s had passed that none now knew where they where.
“Are you sure Tahir is there no other way to over come this cloud?”
“No Calanthe I am afraid there is not. Listen if I do not return by the time the demons arrive then hold the wall for as long as you can and pray that I arrive.”
“I will Tahir come back soon.” We hugged well aware that this may be the last time we would ever see each other again. “Hurry back” I said as he left the tent that he looked back then continued walking. And so one by one the angel’s were going down their own paths and as each of the great warriors left the troops became more and more discouraged.
The next day Calanthe called an assembly to speak to the troops. She looked at all their faces and saw that they were saddened by the loss of their leaders.
“I know that I am not the leader or the warrior that Sieghard and Alaric are or that Maeve was” her eyes began to tear up remembering when Maeve would give this speech. “But I am here to the death in the name of heaven. I realize that we are short on our legendary hero’s but we can still make a dent in the enemy. Three days from now we will attack the mines.” The troops did not respond. One of my commanders came forward
“Permission to speak?” he asked his face serious.
“Granted commander. Speak freely” This would be good or bad
He looked at the man to his left and the man to his right. he smiled “I believe that I speak for my squad when I say IT IS ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!!!!” the angels cheered banging their shields. Again the commander spoke “Commander Calanthe permission the lead the frontal attack on the mines.”
Calanthe could not speak. She had not expected all of this support from the angels not after all of their greatest warriors had left. “Granted and commander after this if you’re alive you can have any post you want.” He nodded “I’ll remember that. Miss Calanthe.” He walked back into the crowd. Once again she addressed the angels. “So you are still with me.” The HAWOOH’s started an echo that could probably be heard in the mine. “Well that’s good to know because I plan on dying soon and I want to be surrounded by soldiers not cowards. And I see no cowards here. Tomorrow we begin our march to the mines and the day after we fight. DISMISSED HAWOOH!!!!” she stepped down from the platform. The resounding cheers could still be heard echoing in the mountains that night.
Abiel walked through the camp thinking of the battle to come. She was not afraid for herself but she wondered how many of these angels would be gone from their numbers four days from now after the battle. She heard cheering and the sound of weapons clashing, slowly she crept forward her feet testing the ground with every step to make sure she would not be heard. She came upon a large circle of angels fifty of them a ways off from the camp in a giant circle. She joined the circle and saw two angels fighting in the middle. One was tall and slim; he had brown almost black hair and used two katanas… “Cadoc is that really you?” As she said his name the “angels” looked at her and she realized that these were not her angels. These were the Fallen. Cadoc looked at her “Should have brought an umbrella Abiel. Now you’ll get all wet.” He said as a raindrop hit her face she looked up the cloud. Shapes moved inside it evil creatures with wings they began to descend on the camp. She went to scream but Cadoc held her mouth closed. Soon she heard screaming as the angels were killed in her sleep. She felt one of Cadocs blades pierce her stomach and then the other her throat. The last thing she heard was Cadoc laughing evilly as she watched the camp burn.
Abiel shot up in her bunk covered in sweat she ran out of her tent with only a long shirt to cover her. As she stepped out of the tent she saw no sign of trouble she looked up not a cloud in the sky. She ran to Calanthes tent and walked in. She sat down beside Calanthes bed “Are you awake?” no response. “HEY ARE YOU AWAKE?!” Calanthe jumped up drawing her sword “Who are you I’ll kill you all… wait where am I?” her eyes focused on Abiel they were like a shark that was about to go for the kill “You had better have a good reason for waking me up!!”
“Calanthe can I sleep with you?” Abiel made her self cry a little, her eyes as big and cute as possible. Calanthe instantly forgot her anger.
“Only if you tell me why I am awake at father only knows when in the morning.” Calanthe listened while Abiel explained her nightmare then lay back in bed. She turned over and ignored Abiel.
“Calanthe” Abiel asked. Calanthe lifted up her sheets so that Abiel could get in. “You realize that you owe me big time for this right?” Calanthe asked now wide awake.
“Yes I do. Why do you have something in mind?” Calanthe turned over to Abiel and kissed her. It was a sharp, quick Abiel smiled softly as their lips parted.
“Thank you.” she said “Now I have a surprise for you.” She moved her hand behind her and sat up. Calanthe looked confused Abiel only had on long shirt on. This could only mean one thing. Abiel hit Calanthe with a pillow as hard as she could.
The guards heard giggling whenever they passed by for the rest of the night and could only speculate on what was going on inside their commander’s tent. As the dawn came up on the camp and Abiel walked out of the tent to see a group of twenty angels sitting on chairs or standing up. She froze there was a moment of silence before the angels started to applaud, whistle, hoot and holler. They dispersed into the encampment as Calanthe walked out of the tent in full armor and her sword drawn. Calanthe sheathed her sword nodded to Abiel and then went to make sure everything was being packed properly for the march. Abiel walked to her tent and put on her own armor. Strapping her axes to her belt she walked from her tent. The army was almost all packed and ready to go except for the bigger wagons for the special equipment.
Tahir looked down from the mountain he could see both the mine and the camp. He could make out Cadocs massive dark cloud the Golden General’s army they were about to collide into the final battle for the plains and if they could beat the general then they would suffer only the last resistance from the Dardanosians and the twin keepers there before the pits fell. God keep them safe while I go to find our brothers and sisters of the sky. He prayed silently to himself as turned and opened the old wooden door that lead’s to the green plains of heavens field. And his first step on his journey across the Holy Land.

Demon cycle: fabers castle
Faber paced on the walk way as he scanned the skies watching for any sign of movement. There in the distance he saw what he was looking for a small team of seven Fallen angels he could already make out her red hair leading them. He stared at her beauty as she seemed to take the glory from the sun and hold in her making her glow all the brighter. The team landed and Sorin embraced Faber in a hug. “You have done the right thing my love.” She whispered into his ear. “Cadoc is a traitor even if he does not yet know he is committing treason. But if she is removed then all will become clear to him.” Faber nodded “I understand Sorin. Just take her and leave before his minion realizes you’re here and has time to prepare. They are on the northern point.” Sorin signaled her men to move out.
None of them saw the two black shapes in the shadows on the wall above them. so still were they that even when moving it was like the shadow itself bent to suit their hiding place. As Sorin and her angels left so did the shadows.
Sorin turned the corner to see Krishna and Rochelle on the northern most spike watching the ocean. Her men moved quickly and quietly through the air towards the unsuspecting prey, Sorin walked on the cold bricks she did not want to risk getting hurt before she had to.
Rochelle and I leaned over the wall looking at the wave’s crash against the wall below. “Rochelle when I tell you too get down and crouch in the point of the wall. Do you understand?” she nodded. I had seen the shadows of the angels flying towards them on the ocean when they passed the sun. But even I did not see the two figures in the shadows. “Now” he said turning he felt Rochelle get behind him and crouch. I drew the sword from my back and swung it side ways decapitating two of the angels as they landed. I took the daggers from my bet and got ready. Three of the remaining angels were more cautious they moved to surround me on all side possible sides. Two more took to the air and hovered there. I could see Sorin taking her time as she walked. The angels charged I let my instincts guide me as my blades blocked parried and struck out against bone and shield and steel. I felt the tip of one of the swords pierce my gut I pulled back and defended the follow up blows. I jumped into a roundhouse kick, knocking one of the angels off the edge of the wall.
As I landed I was aware of the last two hovering angels go for the kill but as the first one pulled his sword back three arrows pierced him one in the head one to the chest and the last to the gut. He fell dead instantly. As the other angel turned I could hear Sorin scream in fury and two shapes detach from the wall and charge with incredible speed. They were at the end before I could blink. Sorin charged and I saw Faber fly across the gap in the points his scythe drawn and ready. As the flying angel turned I jumped on his back and cut off his head. I recognized my saviors Sieghard and Alaric. But they had grown and were older in their eyes than before.
Sorin jumped into flight her berserker rage taking hold the last of her angels charged Alaric and Sieghard. Alaric turned to Sieghard “I got this you got her?” Sieghard nodded. Alaric drew his sword and blocked a series of blows from the Fallen and then dispatched the first with a stab through his mouth and pushed the blade all the way down. His blade got stuck in the fallen as the other approached getting cocky due to Alaric’s lack of weapon. The angel went for a stab Alaric turned to the side grabbed the angels wrist, turned the arm and brought his other elbow down. The bone broke like a twig Alaric grabbed his opponents sword and cut off his head then turned as Faber landed. He moved towards him but was torn by Sieghards need of help with the berserker.
I came up behind him “Alaric go and help your brother I will take Faber.” Alaric looked at “Krishna” then nodded. I walked towards Faber and threw down my daggers he put down his scythe. I smiled, Faber had always had me beat in physical strength but now we were the same height and body type so this would be fun. He went to hit my face I caught the fist and kicked his gut still holding his fist so he could not move. He grabbed my foot in his free hand and spun me. I used to momentum to kick him in the face. He staggered backwards as I landed. I stood up only to be tackled to the ground. We rolled and exchanged punches then I got him in a head lock and managed to hold his legs together with mine. He pulled a knife out from his belt and stabbed me in the gut I released him and rolled away landing by my long sword. I picked it up and removed the knife from my gut tossing it away. I looked at Faber who had his scythe in his hands. Fuck I just wanted a couple weeks off that’s all.
Sorin had her sword in one hand the shield in another, she charged Sieghard hitting him with her shield and then stabbing over top with her sword but just as she was about to hit him Alaric’s blade deflected her sword and he jumped using her shield to step on the knee her in the face. He landed as Sorin staggered backwards for a moment then straightened up and readied herself for the next attack. “What yours done already?” he asked Alaric getting up. Alaric nodded and then they walked to wards Sorin who was now royally pissed off. They each attacked from a side but Sorins heart was pumping so fast with all of the adrenaline that she could match them and more. I ducked as her sword swept over me and rolled to the left swing my sword as I got up. She blocked with her shield and kick out at me I moved back.
Alaric flipped over me and took a shot at her his sword was all over but she was there matching him blow for blow. He got inside her shield and head butted her then ripped her shield off. Sorin smiled as she twirled her hand and a half sword expertly between both hands. She was moving in for the attack when she heard a mighty roar from her left she turned to see the recently thrown Faber come flying towards her. “Oh no” she said before he hit her and both of them went into the wall. Faber got up and rushed back to Krishna who was standing at the other end taunting him. Sieghard and Alaric let Faber pass and then re-focused on Sorin but she was not there. Alaric went flying as Sorin kicked him through the thick brick wall. She sliced out at Sieghard cutting his arm. Alaric slumped down the broken wall unconscious. Sieghard looked at Sorin hate filled his eyes as they turned blood red. He charged Sorin and let out a cry just before their blades met. Sorin did the same their blades clashed against one another as they struck over and over. High low, side to side flipping and rolling it seemed more of a dance as the two berserk warriors went out to kill neither one gaining ground, neither giving any up.
Krishna stabbed at Faber but Faber moved in the nick of time and hit Krishna with the butt end of his scythe. Krishna swept his sword side ways slicing Faber in the stomach. Faber grunted in pain and Krishna smiled his head bleeding a bit. Faber rushed him but Krishna threw down his sword and grabbed Fabers arms turned and using all of Krishna’s great strength threw Faber at Sorin. Faber was so surprised that he hit Sorin full on and used her as a brace or himself hitting the wall over fifty pace away. Faber got up and in the dust tossed Sorin out to the right so she could circle round her opponents. Then he charged and went back to his own fight.
He picked up his scythe and waited for Krishna to attack. Krishna grabbed his sword and delivered a flurry of blows to Fabers head and chest. On the last swipe he faked a swing the high kicked Faber in the chin sending him flying. Faber used his wings to control his flight and then circled Krishna for a few moments. Then he charged but Krishna again dropped his sword and grabbed Faber, using his momentum to throw him face first into the ground. Faber was knocked unconscious Krishna looked to Sieghards fight.
Sorin jumped over Sieghards low sweep and kicked him in the face sending him into a backwards flip. Sieghard used the back flip to give a kick of his own Sorin caught his leg and pulled him back towards her. As he straightened up Sorin took her sword and drove it into his gut. She let him fall off her blade and then walked towards Krishna who was so badly beaten and exhausted that she defeated him with a quick flurry of blows.
Rochelle saw Sorin raise her blade and new that even though Krishna was a demon she had become more connected with him over the past few days than anyone in her life. This was a demon she had just met and he was already willing to die for her. And he was about to. Rochelle stood up and went to Sorin screaming “If you spare him then I will go quietly.” Sorin stopped mid swing and nodded to Rochelle. She then leaned down to Krishna’s ear “Hey Cadoc when you get your body back lets try again. Until then I am going to torture this “Pure Spirit” until she joins us and then I going to kill her.” Krishna went to move but Sorins fist knocked him unconscious first.
When Cadoc awoke he was on a small merchant boat heading towards land. He was bound with armoroid chains and could not move.
“So your awake are you?” Alaric asked moving to sit beside Cadoc on the deck. “Well brother I don’t know what to do with you. You were protecting the Pure Spirit but you’re not on our team are you?” he asked I shook my head “Thought not. Well who are you with then obviously not Rayner anymore. And what happened to your old body?”
I told him what had happened since the first night I saw her to earlier that day.
“I love her Alaric and I cannot let her die. Please help me save her from Sorins wrath and I will pledge allegiance with God once again.” Sieghard came up behind me “How can we trust you brother you have been our enemy longer than you have been our brother. And on top of that why should I believe you love that little bitch?” unfortunately for Sieghard the chains were loose and it was very low quality armoroid because I broke the chains and started to choke him with the chain. Alaric pulled me off with great effort “Stop it you two!” he said. Looking from me to Sieghard “Or do I have to tie you up again?” ha asked me.
“She is not a bitch and if you say one more bad word about her brother or not I will kick your ass. And no I’ll be fine once I’m back in my body and I have my powers back.”
Sieghard looked at me “Why should we trust you Cadoc you betrayed us for Lucifer? And now after over ten millennia you want our help?”
I looked at him “I know have no right to ask for help. But I need only for you to help me once and you will have the mines and the war over in a week. I LOVE her and I would rather bow to the most corrupt of man than to see her hurt. Please Alaric, Sieghard I ask you not to forgive me but to help her.”
Alaric looked at me and then at Sieghard “I will do it brother if you will.” Sieghard looked at me and said “Well we have to get her back anyway. But once she is safe you will rejoin heavens army as a loyal member and you will bow to man.” I nodded the ship docked with the wharf and I got off and took off running in the direction of my camp I was making good time better than I had on the horse. I would make camp in roughly five hours. I would then get my body back and tell my troops of Rayners betrayal. Then I would lead my army down Sorins throat and make her suffer as she had never suffered before.
Rochelle woke up on a cold metal board. She was standing but her hands and feet were spread apart and bound. She saw Sorin on the far side of the room a knife in her hand. “I am really going to enjoy getting to know all about you Rochelle” she sliced Rochelles arm. Rochelle was a nice girl but she was getting angry. “What the fuck are you talking about you bitch? I have been with Krishna this whole… oh my god.”
Sorins face became angry and twisted. “Yes that’s right he has known me for over ten millennia and I get the occasional fuck every year or so. But then he meets you and falls in a love so deep he trades bodies with Krishna just so that he can keep an eye on you himself. Well see how long he reacts when you don’t look so pretty anymore.”
Sorin raised he knife, Rochelle braced herself. And up in heaven God cried for his Daughter in the Middle World.