Chapter Sixteen

Duncan could barely open his eyes from all the swelling. The pain that racked his body was intense but he could feel his magical energy flowing throughout his entire body. He cringed and groaned in pain as the grinding of broken bones rubbed together. Duncan had been in many brawls before but never had his body felt this way. Was the bone grinding a way for the magical energy to mend and heal me? He wanted to take in more deep breathes but he could tell that he had multiple ribs broken and they were all grinding away.

The pain was getting to be too much for him as he screamed out in agony. His body was shivering from cold which meant he must be running a high fever. Duncan tried opening his hands and wiggling his fingers, which was a bad Idea as more pain came crashing down on him. Through his slit eyes, Duncan scanned his surrounds the best he could, even the slightest movement in his neck shot pain up and down his spine. As far as he could tell, he was back in his cell and he was still naked. Figures, couldn’t bother with a blanket or dress me in this five star hotel?

A heavy pressure landed squarely on his chest and Duncan suspected that with all the pain and excessive stress on his body that his heart was giving out on him. Duncan mentally laughed, wouldn’t that be a big fuck you to Sorath! He would come in here and find me dead from natural causes? As the pressure swelled beyond Duncan’s comprehension, there came a series of small pops that sounded like someone was cracking their fingers. With each pop, the pressure ebbed away and as it went so did the pain in that part of his body.

Duncan mentally said thanks to the magical energy inside because he was sure it was mend him, though he wondered if it could release some endorphins to help ease the pain. He heard no response but the sensation that this pain was necessary for our healing and growth came to mind. Okay, either I’m hallucinating or my magic can commune on a more primal level like sensation. A sensation of happiness ran through his mind, despite the rest of his pain, Duncan knew how to commune with it and maybe learn more. Duncan noticed that the level of pain had dropped but then the sensation of sadness hit him as the pressure was building up in his head. It took his breath away, but now Duncan could breathe pain-free now that his ribs were mended so he concentrated on his breathing.

A series of small pops cascaded throughout his head and it made Duncan think of popcorn kernels popping over an open fire. With each pop, the pressure died down and Duncan felt a wave of relief wash over him. I’m guessing I had quite a few skull fractures, Duncan mused. The sensation he received sounded to him like their whole body sustained a great deal of damage and that it had to repair our ribs and skull while mended the soft internal tissue. Wait, did I hear it right? Did it say “their body”?

“What exactly are you?” Duncan asked mentally.

“I am you and you are me and we are one.”

Duncan groaned. Just what I needed, more cryptic bullshit and from myself apparently. Duncan felt pressure building up in his arms and legs but at least it was somewhat tolerable. From what little he could see, Duncan gazed down at his limbs and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. They were literally swelling up like balloons, his skin expanding but not tearing. The wounds he sustained from Pamela’s lashing only tighten but never opened up nor expanded. His magical energy was holding the wounds in place and keeping them from doing further damage. Duncan didn’t want to dare move any of his limbs so he relaxed his swollen eyes and concentrated on meditating. If I can’t move, then why not use what Rose struggled to teach me?

Duncan took several deep breaths and used each exhale as a way to mentally remove the pain from his body and for some odd reason, it seemed like a logic step to take. Duncan wondered if he was still hearing his magical energy and if so, was that where the idea came from? Happiness filled his mind which he took as a yes so Duncan asked, “How is it that we can communicate now?”

“As you grew, I grew too. We have always been able to communicate but you weren’t listening until recently.”

“Recently? Wait...You’re the voice that would warn me about others around me too?”

Happy swirls of energy, “Yes, we weren’t open but once the disaster of this world happened it was enough of a catalyst for us both. Do you recall the frequent headaches?”

“Yes and they were quite painful, by the way.” Duncan scowled.

“We do apologize for that but it was a necessary task as we worked to build a bridge between our third eye as well as enhance our magical channels. Once we were being eaten alive, we were able to focus all of our combined might and destroyed our enemies. Our body wasn’t accustomed to that much power so soon so we slept and healed while we grew and became stronger, both physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

“Where did you come from? You’re not a demon trying to take over my body, are you?”

Anger filled Duncan’s mind as it screamed, “We are way beyond the scum of demon and the piousness of angels too! We were made by those who loved us and saw that we would be needed here on Earth! We are the product of our parents!”

“Okay, let use our inside voice! Not so fucking loud! I can hear you just fine. So who are our parents and why haven’t they been around for say, all my fucking life? Why did they give up on me?”

“As I say, we have a purpose here on Earth and our parent had no choice but to put us here.”

Duncan growled inwardly, more cryptic shit! Why can’t it just spit it out and say what needs to be said? Didn’t it realize how frustrating it was making me? Duncan recalled growing up, going from one foster home to the next, never knowing if he would have a permanent roof over his head and food in his belly. Why did my parent cast me away like yesterday’s trash? Was their situation so dire that a baby was deemed expendable?

Duncan growled at his magical voice, “Why do you refuse to tell me anything about them or where I came from?”

A sense of smugness came – “Because we were told by our parents when it happened so we choice to withhold the knowledge because it’s not any good if all the answers to life are handed to you, for it will leave you feeling cheated from not discovering it on your own.” Duncan gloomily fumed but then he felt a happy swirl of energy in his head and it added, “You shouldn’t fight us, that won’t get us anywhere. If we work as one, none can stand in our way…answers you want, this we know but so does the broken sadness that is caring for us at this moment in time.”

Broken sadness? What did that mean? Duncan got a new sensation flowing over his entire body. His skin tingled with energy and stung like bees in certain spots. Duncan opened his eyes and found that he could fully open them so he gazed down at his body. Every wound, from the nasty lacerations from Pamela’s whip to the bruises and abrasions caused by the stones were meticulously mending back to normal. While this happened, Duncan noticed two things: one was the pain was dropping fast and he was beginning to feel better and two was that for some odd reason, he was cold from the waist down but from his back up was soft, warm, and seemed familiar.

Since when did Sorath grow a heart and give him a comfy warm chair? Duncan tested his neck and felt no pain from moving it now so he chanced a glance to see what he was leaning on. Mentally he hear the words BROKEN SADNESS spoken as Duncan gazed up at the fallen angel Purah with her back against the wall, propping him up. She looked so beautiful and peaceful as she slept with a content smile on her petite face. Duncan noticed a swirl of happy energy in his mind so he asked, “If you dislike angels so much, then why should you be so happy to see this one? She betrayed us and gave Sorath our location! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

“If you knew what we’ve learned from this one, you wouldn’t think so ill of her. She is an innocent in all of this.”

“I don’t see how. She was the one who raised all those fucking Chouls! She betrayed us to her master and look where that got us!”

“We are where we need to be. Sorath is the fallen angel who has the number 666 upon his essence. He is a deceiver and a liar who will stop at nothing to show up his Creator just for spite. He wants nothing more than the total annihilation of this world. He claimed it was the broken sadness that gave up our location, right? Look at the source before you judge her, you’d be surprised as we were at what she knows.”

“She told you these things?” Duncan asked, feeling like he had been left out of an important conversation.

The energy seemed hesitant to speak at first, but then relayed, “Not so much as spoke it, but we read her mind as she tended to us. Though it is broken, when we touch, she mentally mends together and everything became clearer and there is no deception on her part when we can see into another’s memories and thoughts.”

“So, what did you see?”

The energy abruptly spat out, “Ask her yourself if you seek those answers for yourself. It’s not our place to do everything for us. You have to do this, but do keep an open mind and realize that she is our broken sadness.”

The silence in Duncan’s mind was deafening as his magical energy spoke no more. He peered up once more at Purah, wanting to hate her for telling Sorath where to find him but for some reason his temper was toned down. Maybe I have nothing left to hate after the beating I just took a little while ago, he mused. He shifted slightly and it woke Purah up. She looked down at Duncan with a smile but it was her sapphire eyes that caught and held his attention. They were glowing but being this close to her, Duncan could see small white specks in her irises that resembled stars tightening up to form clusters of galaxies.

She was both breathtaking and captivating that Duncan noticed that he had stopped breathing as he gaze at her. Purah ran her dainty fingers through Duncan’s thick strawberry blonde hair, letting out a sigh.

“It’s good to see you’re finally awake. I was worried that we would never get another chance to talk.”

Duncan felt uncomfortable around Purah with nothing on so he slipped a hand over his member, which caused her to giggle.

“What’s so damn funny?” Duncan growled.

“There’s no need to be modest around me Duncan, it isn’t the first time I’ve seen you in your natural state.”

“True but I feel that way now because you’re seeing me at my worse…all scarred, battered, and bruised isn’t something to ogle at.”

“This is true but I’ve cleaned the blood from your broken body and now it looks like it’s back to normal. No more scars to mar a perfect body like yours…not even on your manhood parts.”

Duncan blushed which was something he wasn’t accustomed to doing. No one ever made his body react like that. He wasn’t normally so self-conscious of his looks, but after the lashes and stoning, all Duncan wanted to do was cover himself up and never show his body to anyone, EVER! He rubbed his balls and noticed that there was no laceration on them anymore so Duncan glanced down at the rest of his body. The only sign of injury he had was now long pinks streaks of unmarred skin. It was remarkable at how fast the magical energy inside him was able to mend and fully heal him.

“See? You have nothing to hide nor be ashamed of either.”

“You have a point but- but I know I shouldn’t be like this in the presence of a beautiful lady. I’m still married you know…” Duncan wondered about that last part. Am I still married after everything that has happened to me since Pamela was reaped? He felt confused and conflicted towards her. Despite the lashings and verbal ridicule, Duncan had made a promise to love her until death so he should be forsaking all others except for Pamela. Though she wasn’t adhering to the same promise that he was, Pamela freely admitted to cheating on him with other men and he had caught her on more than one occasion fucking some random guy from the bar, in their own bed.

Duncan didn’t want this burden anymore, but he was a man of his word and he felt obligated to fulfill his promise to Pamela. Duncan noticed a slight shift from Purah and then felt her lips pressed against his scalp. It seemed like it sent a jolt of electricity throughout his entire body and despite his best efforts to hide it, his shaft stiffen in response. Duncan gulped as he sat up and leaned against the wall by Purah cross-legged. She reached out and slipped her hand into his and said with concern, “What’s wrong Duncan? Did that upset you?”

“Purah I don’t know what to think anymore. I’m a married man but the woman I love and am beholden to is the same one who – “Duncan looked down in shame, “tortured me earlier today. She’s a terrible person, always has been to me and I guess this place has made her ten times worse.”

“The whip master is your wife?” Purah gasped, but then thought for moment before adding, “How else has Pamela wronged you?”

Duncan couldn’t look Purah in her sapphire eyes so he gazed down at their hands and replied, “She would be verbally aggressive and say many hateful thing to me, but people do that to each other don’t they?” He let out an anxiety-filled breath and added, “She would go to the bars and get drunk. I’d be lucky if I found her on our couch the next morning. When she did come home, Pamela would regale me with her wonderful night of alcohol and sex, to which she made it clear that she fully intended on getting laid and wasn’t taken advantage of by some strangers.”

“How long did this go on for?”

“Throughout our marriage.” Duncan said regretfully, “It started off with mental forms of abuse with her working on tearing down my self-image and worth, then she went on about how it was my job to do everything around the house and that she didn’t have any time for cooking, cleaning or any other chores because that would hinder her fun times at the bar. We had many verbal altercations but I never once laid a finger on her but that never stopped her from hitting me. Divorce was out of the question which seemed to make her madder and she tried every kind of tactic that she could to get me to file for one, though I don’t know why she didn’t. Probably knew I would never agree to it, which she would have been right…as she often was.”

Confused, Purah asked - “So why did you stay with her after all that?”

“During our wedding ceremony, we exchanged our vows and as a part of that, I said that I would honor and cherish her until death do us part. It may seem silly to you and a bit old-fashioned, but I take it seriously. It feels…”

“Sacred?” Purah said and Duncan thought for a moment and nodded, still not wanting her to look upon him and judge his stupidity like others had done in the past.

“Did she make the same vow?”

“Yes she did, but then everyone who marries does too. Why?” Duncan asked.

Purah squeezed his hand - “Duncan I know all this is new to you so let me explain why you felt so strongly about your wedding promise. When a person with magical abilities makes a vow or an oath to someone, whether it’s to another person or to a deity, it’s a lifetime committee and not something to be taken lightly either because your word is your bond and the consequences for breaking it can be sever.”

“But- but I only came into my magical abilities later in my life -”

“No, you were born with them Duncan and the magic inside you is ancient and old. You have a power greater than anyone else on this planet and that includes both Sorath and I combined.”

Duncan thought about it and wondered if the fallen angel was pulling his leg with the last part. How can I be that powerful when I don’t know anything about my magical self? He finally looked up at Purah and saw she was still smiling at him. He decided that this would be a good avenue to explore since she wasn’t being as cryptic as his magic energy, but first he had to ask, “Did you tell Sorath where I was at?”

“No Duncan, I did not. Why would you ask that?”

“Because he claims that you told him everything and how to find me.”

Purah’s smile faded slightly as she closed her eyes. Duncan figured she was sifting through more broken memories to prove to herself that she didn’t divulge his whereabouts. Why does it matter to me if she did, Duncan berated himself, she’s as much a victim in all this as I am. When did I start to care or have feeling for her? Purah was beautiful and way out of my league so don’t be stupid and fall for this one. Duncan did what he could to not think about the fallen angel but having her this close and holding hand, how could he not? Duncan’s gaze lingered on Purah’s soft pale pink lips and wondered what it would feel like to press his lips against hers. Would she want that from a mortal like me or would she prefer someone like Sorath? Duncan lowered his gazed from her lips and felt compelled to ogle the rest of her alluring body.

Purah opened her with disgust as she rubbed her hand over her eyes, wiping the tears away. Duncan snapped out of his lustful gazing and pulled her into his arms. He held onto her tightly and let her cry against his bare chest. Duncan pet the back of Purah’s head gently and asked, “What did you see, if I may ask?”

“Too much!” Purah replied as her voice was partially muffled, “Not once did I give you up to Sorath but he knew your name because of my greed for you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“When we were last together, I took your magic inside me and took it to another dimension to be safely disposed. I ended up dumping it all out and it burned my clothes off my body. I tried to keep a little bit of it for myself because it was keeping my mind intact and I was enjoying it. Eventually it slipped out of my grasp and I feared losing you in the great scramble mess that is my memory so…I carved your name on different parts of my body. Sorath found me and wasn’t happy to see what I had done to myself and then he became furious and tried washing your stink from me, which was your magic I think.”

“Maybe that’s what he meant when he said I defiled you.” Duncan said to himself.

“Huh?”

“Never mind, please continue.”

Purah squeezed onto Duncan as she cried even more - “When that didn’t work, he…he – threw me against a wall violated me repeatedly.” She looked up at Duncan with pleading eyes, “Know that I was stupid for carving your name on my body, but I didn’t violate your trust…like Sorath has been doing to me for centuries!”

Duncan pushed her head against his chest once more while trying to sooth her. He ran his hands up and down her back as he hugged her, wondering if he should be touching her at all. Purah maybe an angel but rape is rape no matter what you are. She didn’t flinch at all when one of his hands went too far down Purah’s back and grazed her ass. It was soft and firm as Duncan suspected it would be and he yearned to put both his callous hands on those cheeks but would that make him any different than Sorath or Pamela for that matter?

Purah glanced up at Duncan and smiled at him and said, “I enjoy being in your arms as well as touching you…I hope you liked it when you felt me up as much as I did.”

“I’m sorry, Purah. I know shouldn’t have done that but – mmmmm.”

Purah yanked Duncan down and interrupted his apology as she pressed her soft pale pink lips against his. Duncan groaned with pleasure as he returned her kiss and in that instant, a surge of energy sparked between the two of them, making them both tremble. Duncan pushed away from Purah and sat back with his hands covering his face, muttering, “I’m no better than Pamela. I’m a cheater too!” He peeked up at Purah and saw that she was standing and shaking with her eyes closed. Duncan worried that she might be having a seizure so he stood back up and reached for her. In his mind, he heard his magical energy shout out, “DON’T TOUCH HER YET!”

“Damn it! Stop shouting, I can hear you just fine! What’s wrong with her?”

“She has been granted a vision.”

“A vision? You gave her a vision?”

“We didn’t grant it but we were a conduit for it.”

Duncan rubbed his forehead in confusion – “Okay, if you didn’t send it, then who did?”

The magical energy swirled happily in his mind as it stated, “Our parents!”

Duncan was both shocked and stunned by this new revelation that he wanted to go sit in the nearest corner and not deal with reality any more. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Am I channeling my dead parent’s ghost now? Purah finally stopped shaking and nearly collapsed to the ground. Duncan reached out in time and yanked her back into his waiting arms. Her body was hot and sweaty like she was working out in a gym somewhere. Purah slowly opened her eyes and to Duncan’s surprise, they were glowing purple.

Purah shuttered with a euphoric smile, “Now that was one hell of a first kiss, Duncan!”

“Are you alright?” Duncan asked with concern in his voice but Purah patted him lovingly on his cheek, “Yes I am, whenever I’m with you or in your arms. Oh, your parents say hi!” Duncan smirked at the angel and was ready to ask her about the vision his parent sent her when a female voice roared from the hallway.

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING WITH MY HUSBAND, BITCH?”

“Giving him what he needs,” Purah glared at Pamela who was holding a small dagger in her hand, “something a whore like you could never give him: Love and respect!”

Duncan had to hold back a snicker as he watched Pamela cheeks redden with anger. She stormed into the cell with the dagger raised and ready to strike, “You foul, rotten, winged abomination! Unhand my man or so help me I will cut out that heart of yours!” Purah stepped in front of Duncan and shrouded him with her wings protectively as she beckoned Pamela to make her move on her. She lunged forward at her and then she froze as Purah lifted her palm up and commanded, “Freeze servant of Sorath!”

Pamela stood at attention and resembled a statue, even her eyes glazed over as all of her hate was washed away. Her breathing became so shallow that for moment, Duncan could have sworn that Pamela had stopped breathing. Purah turned to Duncan and said with a mischievous smile, “Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back to attend to you next.” Duncan wasn’t sure if he should be scared or turned on by the fallen angel so he crossed his legs and leaned his back against the cold gold wall.

Purah spread her tendril wings and hovered in front of Pamela, getting eye to eye with her as she commanded, “Pamela Morgan, you will forget what you witness in this cell nor will you recall being in the cell or this part of the palace, do you understand?”

“Yes, mistress.” Pamela responded in a monotone voice that Duncan never heard before.

“Good.” Purah continued as she placed her petite hand on Pamela’s forehead and gasped, “You are nothing more than a harlot and a deadly snake aren’t you?”

“Yes, mistress.”

“You are to go to your chamber and rest for you know tomorrow is a big day and will need all your strength. You will not recall our conversation or the fact that Duncan is fully healed. Now, strip your clothes but keep your underclothes and then leave us!” Pamela nodded as she peeled off her clothes as fast as she humanly could do. She slipped her dagger into her garter belt and walked out without a care in the world.

“Was that really necessary? Making her walked to bed like that, won’t someone notice and alert Sorath?”

“Yes it was. I looked into her mind and saw some disturbing things and so I felt compelled to make her parade her harlot ass around.”

“What did you see?” Duncan asked but not really wanting to hear.

“She’s been having a lot of orgies ever since lashing you as a way of celebrating her soon to be bachelorette hood. Also, Sorath has granted her the opportunity to be your executioner in hand-to-weapon combat.”

“Ah let me guess, her with weapons and me with my bare hands. She knows I wouldn’t dare lay a finger on her to cause her harm…I suppose this will be the last time you will get to see me alive.”

Purah walked up to Duncan and slapped him hard on his face. She glared at him as he rubbed his cheek and asked, “What was that for?”

“For thinking that you want to roll over and die tomorrow. I hate the thought of hitting you or causing you any more pain, but if you keep thinking this is it and it’s all over, I will beat you until you see it my way Duncan!” Duncan could tell that Purah would do exactly that just from the way she carried herself when her mind was well.

“So how do I stop her? Am I supposed to use my supernatural strength and rip Pamela’s head off? Beheading her is the only way to kill her so how -”

Purah put her slim finger on his mouth and gazed up at him like he was the only thing that was precious to her in this world. Duncan figured if his magical energy could restore her broken memory then he was something she would covet. So the next question on his mind, was she actually using him for her own benefit or was Purah actually falling in love with him. An angel in love with a mortal, Duncan chuckled mentally, yeah right!

“I want you to fight Pamela because it will help you heal in so many ways and if the opportunity arises, kill her. You don’t need a divorce from her or her dead since she has broken her vows to you. You were freed from that long ago, but never knew it. I know you feel compelled to honor your end, but according to your parents, Pamela nullified it with the way she abused you.”

“Are they ghosts or something? My parents I mean.”

“You don’t know, do you?” Purah parted her lips in sadness, “I guess that would explain why you know virtually nothing of the magic that resides within you.”

“It seems you and my magical energy know more about me than I do so please tell me about them. I was abandoned when I was born and got passed around to different families a lot growing up. If you have time to share, I’d appreciate it.”

Purah reached out and hugged Duncan with a content sigh and said, “I will tell all. Your mother’s name is MoonRose and your father’s name is EnergyBear.”

“That’s their real names? Are you sure of this?”

“Yes and they’ve already given me their blessings to be with you if we both survive the upcoming battles. You were put here to stop Sorath from killing off Mankind. Your father is a seer, which means he has the gift of foresight and see premonitions of future events and saw all this unfolding so they had no choice but to send you to Earth and put an end to Sorath, once and for all.”

Duncan gave Purah a wry look, wondering if she was pulling his leg so he asked, “If I was placed here on Earth by my parents, does that mean we are aliens from another planet?” Purah giggled and laughed as she swatted Duncan on his bare ass and said coyly, “Oh now Duncan, you’re no alien from another planet but you are close in your jesting. Your parents are actually deities in a different dimension and since you are their child that makes you a Demigod!”

Duncan’s jaw dropped as he paled in disbelief but as he was about to rebuke her claim, his magical energy swirl happily in his mind and chimed in, “There’s the answer you sought. Know that we are one and we are unstoppable. Sorath will not win the day for as long as we work together, we will bring him to his knees and make him beg US for mercy!”

Purah giggled and winked at Duncan - “Yes, what you said. Sorath must die and only you are capable of this feat.”

“You read my mind?” Duncan said with shock and surprise.

“No, silly!” Purah playfully said as she snuggled against Duncan’s body, “I can hear your magical essence talking for it’s as much a part of you as you are a part of it.”

Now this has to be me cracking up, Duncan thought as he let out a heavy sigh, “I’m a fucking Demigod!”

Next Chapter: Chapter Seventeen