Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Rose felt like she was moving in slow motion as she attempted to unsheathe her katana. She barely had her hand on the hilt as Penemuel was practically on top of her, his blue flaming sword reared by to strike. Rose closed her eyes, waiting for the pain and know fully well that she wouldn’t have her katana out in time. The next thing she saw was darkness as her body felt weightless and light. Was this what death was like? Is my soul flying away from this terrible world and into a better reality? Her reality came crashing back to her as she hear someone cursing and felt a possessive hand around her waist.
“It’s okay Rose, you’re safe for the moment.” Devlin whispered into her ear.
Rose opened her eyes wide and glance over at the vampire. So that’s what it feels like to be teleported. It was strange but it was better than having her head lying on the ground staring at her own decapitated body. Devlin wasn’t looking at her, but she knew that the murderous gaze was meant for that winged prick. Many question were speeding through her mind. Was that an angel that tried to kill me? What did she do to deserve death from a holy being? Who was that tiny bitch who told him that he could kill her?
She saw that Duncan had his own sword out and was parrying the blows from Penemuel’s enchanted sword. Duncan seemed to match the angel’s speed and quickness with his own agility and quick reflexes, which frustrated this being called Penemuel. Rose wanted to go help Duncan kill the angel but Devlin held on to her tightly.
“Let me go damn it! I can help out!”
“No you can’t.”
“Hey, I’m a big girl! I can take care of myself!”
“I know you are but you would be dead as soon as he saw you. I almost didn’t get you out of there in time.”
Rose glared at him, “Like you would stand a chance against him yourself. I see that look in your eyes.”
“I would have more of a sporting chance against that creature but I’m torn.”
“Torn? Torn between what?”
Devlin finally did tear his gaze from the fight and locked his vision on Rose as he said, “I want to fight him but I don’t want to leave you here unprotected because I know you would run head long into the fight too.” He chuckled as he added, “Don’t deny it because that’s how you are. I know you don’t need protection normally, but in this case you need it from yourself Rose.”
Rose huffed – “If I can’t fight and you’re to be my chaperone, then let’s go talk to that tiny twerp over there and see what she knows!”
Both Rose and Devlin turned to go talk to Purah but paused at what they saw. Purah was dancing around under the waterfall with her wings spread open. She looked like a little kid with her arms reaching up to the sky and grinning ear to ear, seemingly oblivious to the fight that was happening a good thirty feet away.
Devlin mused, “I’m certain that that one isn’t quite right in the head.”
“Doesn’t matter, the little bitch will tell me what I want to know.” Rose snapped as she rolled up her sleeves, “even if I have to beat it out of her angelic ass!”
Duncan and Penemuel slowly circled each other with their swords held by their abdomen. Duncan wasn’t exactly sure how he managed to fend off Penemuel’s attack, but he knew he had to strike a good blow and take the fallen angel down because his luck could run out quickly. Was he toying with me, is that why I’m doing so well, Duncan wondered. Penemuel’s grip tighten on the hilt of his sword as he swung a barrage of slashing arches and jabs but to his surprise, Duncan blocked each blow.
“You’re skills are par with mine, human.” Penemuel mocked, “Too bad that you’re not as gifted with a sword as I am for I’ve had eons of practice.”
Duncan grinned, “Shut up and fight, bird boy!”
Penemuel growled as he lunged an abdominal thrust at Duncan. He swatted the angelic sword away as he side-stepped the blow and countered with a right hook to Penemuel’s jaw. The blow staggered the fallen angel as he back pedaled from Duncan. He rubbed his jaw, surprised that this human’s punch actually hurt. Over the years, he’d been punched by other human and it always had the same result: a broken hand for human and an unfazed Penemuel. He glanced at Duncan’s hands and noted that he wore no protective gauntlet or gloves and he appeared to be the one unfazed.
Penemuel twirled his sword and he hovered off the ground. He was determined to end this fight now since it was clear a fair fight with the mortal on the ground would be a stalemate. He shot in the air and swooped down towards Duncan, slashing away through his defenses and running his blade through his shoulder. Duncan cried out in pain as he clutched his left shoulder, it felt like his skin was on fire and growing hotter with each passing second. Duncan spun around as the fallen angel swooped past him. The blue flaming blade found its mark just behind Duncan’s knee, instantly dropping him to his knees.
Rose watched Duncan struggling to stand as Penemuel turned around to strike again, possibly a killing blow. She pushed herself away from Devlin and summoned fireballs in both of her hands. She had to time it just right or Duncan would be skewered by Penemuel.
“Let them fly Rose!” Devlin hissed.
Rose bit her lip as she prayed to the Goddess that her attack would find its mark. She flung the both at the same time. One struck Penemuel’s hand, disarming him, and the other one burst on his hip and engulfed his body. He abruptly landed and used his hands and wings to shove the flames off his body. To both Devlin and Rose’s surprise, the flames floated off Penemuel’s body and was held there in the air. He glared at Rose as he roared, “Your turn to burn, bitch!”
He twisted his body and used his tendril wings to cast the flames back at Rose and Devlin. Rose put her hand out to command the flames but it wasn’t obeying her. Devlin tackled Rose to the ground as the heat of the flames could be felt and smothered her body with his. Devlin grunted in pain as the flames passed over them but he held on to Rose for dear life. Once it passed by, Devlin teleported away. Rose looked over at Penemuel, who was still scowling at her.
“When I finish with this worm,” Penemuel growled coldly, “you will be next to die.”
Rose gulped but stood her ground defiantly. More splashing caught her attention to her right. Rose nervously glanced over and saw Devlin standing under the waterfall while Purah danced around him, splashing more water on him. He eyed her with annoyance as she bent over and splashed even more water on him from between her legs. Devlin teleported back by Rose’s side and stated, “No doubt about it, she’s a few bags shy of having a full blood bank.”
Duncan could feel that strange surge of energy flowing throughout his body once more. He prayed that he wouldn’t explode with energy and pass out again because he wasn’t sure it would kill Penemuel or not. A little purple light caught his eye as he looked at his injured shoulder. To his astonishment, it was healing right before his eyes and it tingled but in a good way. He felt the same sensation coming from his leg and now he wondered if he would be fully healed.
Penemuel stretched out his arm and his sword flew effortlessly to his hand. He twirled his sword with an air of arrogance as strolled up to Duncan. He canted his smug face down at Duncan as he pointed the tip of his blade at his heart. Duncan felt the surge of energy building up within his body, it seemed to be screaming for an outlet.
“You fought well for a mortal, but alas you were no match for me. You have any last words that I may write on you grave marker?” Penemuel mocked.
“Y-Yes I do,” Duncan clenched his fist tightly on the hilt of his sword and made a fist, “I kicked an angel’s ass!”
Penemuel looked confused and enraged which was the distraction Duncan needed. He swung his sword and bashed Penemuel’s sword out of his hand and then sprung up from the ground and gave the fallen angel an upper cut punch. Penemuel flew up in the air and landed hard on the ground about ten feet from Duncan. As Penemuel rolled on the ground stunned, Duncan charged at him. He noticed that he was moving faster than normal and the energy was still growing but wasn’t demand the release like a few moment ago. Was this the purpose of this strange magic, for fighting? Duncan decided to test his new found abilities and jumped.
Duncan soared in the air effortlessly and he felt as light as a feather but had command of where he landed as he focused on the ground right behind Penemuel as he rose to his feet. Duncan grabbed all of Penemuel’s tendrils and with one swift motion, he sliced all of them off with his sword. Penemuel let out a blood curdling scream as he dropped to his knees. He reached behind his back in a panic, tears running down his face as realization hit him hard. A human just grounded him!
Duncan let the lifeless tendrils drop to the ground as Penemuel rolled over on his back to face him. He crawled backwards with fear in his eyes as Duncan crept toward him with a grin of satisfaction. Duncan noticed that his magical energy was demanding his attention once more and he decided to let it guide him as to what he should do next. Duncan saw his arm extend and his hand opened as if waiting to shake someone’s hand. You want to shake the angel’s hand for a good fight? Duncan growled at his inner magic but his eyes locked on to Penemuel’s sword that was off in the distance.
He heard his inner voice mentally command, COME TO ME, and Penemuel’s sword lifted off the ground and glided its way to his hand. Duncan gripped the hilt, the sword almost felt like it belonged to him as it thrummed with power. He hoisted Penemuel’s sword to the sky as the blade glowed a fiery purple flame. Rose and Devlin walked past Duncan and grabbed Penemuel by his arms and lifted him to his feet. He was still wailing in pain from losing his tendril wings.
“Looks like you’re the one who will be next to die.” Rose mocked with a smirk.
Devlin sniffed – “Hmm, I wonder what his blood taste like or if he has any. I smell only energy from this creature, like he’s a husk held together by energy.”
Penemuel’s face paled when he noticed Duncan holding his sword, his mouth gaped open. Words strained to roll off his tongue as disbelief muted his vocal chords before he squeaked out, “N-No! T-That’s impossible! None can wield our weapons but the rightful owner!”
Rose looked at Duncan and did a double take. Not only was the fallen angels sword glowing purple now, Duncan’s eyes was blazing with the same purple energy too. There was a hint of purple and blue light surrounding his whole body. What was he? Man his powers are growing faster than normal, Rose thought. Duncan’s body showed signs that it too had grown in mass as he stood before them all.
“He’s different that’s for sure.” Devlin pondered as he controlled Penemuel easily as he thrashed around, “Not only is he a magic user but he’s changing A LOT.”
Duncan lowered the angelic sword as he stepped up to Penemuel, he steadied himself so he wouldn’t release the ever building energy. It was so strong that Duncan feared that it would be more powerful than what vaporized the ghouls earlier and he didn’t want that fate to fall upon Rose or Devlin. He pressed the tip of the angelic sword against Penemuel’s throat and asked, “What makes you think you’re so much better than all of us? You fly in here and threaten my friends and expect me to roll over and let you get away with it? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t take your head.”
Penemuel gulped – “I know things, things that could be beneficial to you.”
“I know one thing, you better answer all of our questions honestly or I shall start hacking off body part. I will start with your feet and work my way up. Do we have an understanding or should I provide an example?”
Penemuel nodded as he glanced down nervously at his own sword as Duncan poked him in his throat, causing blood to trickle out. Devlin swiped his finger through the trail of blood and lifted it to his nose and inhaled the scent before suckling on his finger.
Devlin crinkled his nose in disgust, “Meh, I’ve had better blood from a diseased rat. Now where do you reside?” Penemuel glared at the vampire but didn’t make a move. He looked back at Duncan, wondering if he could will his weapon. He focused on his weapon intently but nothing happened. Rose smacked the fallen angel on the back of his head and snapped, “Devlin asked you a question, answer him!”
“My place is where one of the mighty oceans once thrived. In the golden palace known as the Promise Land, though if I don’t return Purah back, I might as well be dead.”
“That’s your problem, not mine.” Duncan said coldly.
“Actually, it will be because Sorath wants Purah at his side and he will raze this world once more if she isn’t returned.”
“But,” Rose chimed in, “I thought it was Jesus that caused all the destruction? How did he destroy the word and reap all those people?”
“He didn’t do either. A small group of us fallen angels came up with a plan to screw over our Father, the Creator, long ago. Sorath had Xaphan unleash the worldwide firestorms while Wormwood crept throughout the countryside spreading famine, sickness and disease. Purah over there was tasked with recruiting all the humans that gave their hearts to the Christ and take them back to the Promise Land where they would be cleansed of all sins and wrong doings. Once she was done gathering our holy army, Purah had to raise those who had died and had their names added to the Book of Life and they would help rid the world of the undesirable humans that weren’t collected.”
Duncan gaze went over to Purah. She was sitting on top of the large embankment, upside down with her head and back in the running water with her tendril wings flaring out every so often. Was that why she felt bad about him getting attacked and nearly eaten alive by the Chouls? They were here because she raised them from the dead. How could she be capable of doing all those things without forgetting? Duncan was having a hard time believing this but then again, Purah had said it was her fault and she was blaming herself. Purah looked like a free spirit and a child of nature than a bringer of the Christian apocalypse.
“Don’t let her looks or build deceive you. That one did all those things because Sorath had enlisted her because she has the ability to raise the dead from their slumber. She is bound to him as the rest of us are because of the pact we made so long ago.”
“And that was what?” Devlin asked.
“To aide Sorath to gain power over the world and be worshipped as a God under the guise of Jesus of Nazareth, which I’m sure you’re all familiar with that story.” Penemuel grinned with pride.
“Where do you fit into all of this?” Duncan asked.
“I’m the one who made writing possible for you hairless apes. I gave Mankind that gift shortly after I fell to Earth so that I could have a better connection and influence over what was written long ago. I swayed those who you would call prophets to write all the stories in the Bible. I added my magic and was able to make people read the Bible and get a completely different message which is why there were so many denominations in the world.” He beamed a devious smile that oozed arrogance, ”That’s my great ability, to sway others with a few stroke of my quill pen. Many wars were started between many different races, other than human, because of me.”
“Why would you want to do that?” Rose asked
“Because I get bored easily and I love to write so why not entertain myself at someone else’s expense? They never knew exactly how their feuds began, but in the end it didn’t matter because they tended to annihilate each other.”
“Let me guess, that was why you were cast out.” Rose sneered.
“No you pitiful excuse of worm.” Penemuel hissed, “I was cast down because we demanded that our Father know that we were still His favorite and loved Him so but He became blinded to us and saw humanity as being in his own image, thus loving you before us. We were second rate citizens in His eye when compared to you.”
“Oh boohoo!” Rose said with sarcasm, “Someone’s got daddy issues and got kicked out of his house and now wants to throw a wittle fit down here on Earth. Grow up and get a life you spoiled brat!”
Penemuel thrashed and struggled to free himself as he snarled at Rose. He yanked his arm free from her grip and slammed his elbow into her face. Rose fell backwards and found the fallen angel on top of her with his hands around her throat. Rose’s eyes bulged as she tried gasping for air. Devlin wrapped his arms around Penemuel’s chest to pull him off Rose but he didn’t budge. Penemuel threw his head back and butted it into Devlin’s face, stunning him.
“Spoiled brat am I?” Penemuel growled down at Rose, “You know nothing of what you speak of and still want to mock me? I shall enjoy watching the light leave your eyes – AARRRHHHH!”
Rose coughed harshly as the pressure from her throat was suddenly gone. She rolled over on to her side, grimacing as she rubbed her throat as little black speck clouding her vision slowly dissipated. Devlin kneeled down beside Rose and held her close and protectively. She looked up and saw that Duncan had stabbed Penemuel in the back and was hoisting him up so that the fallen angel slid down the sword like a skewer. Penemuel screamed as he flailed his arms and legs.
“How dare you harm my friends! I’ve lost all patience with you, time to finish your long winded story.”
Duncan grabbed the hilt with both hands and swung downward, slamming Penemuel down on the ground. He hit so hard that his body made an indention in the soggy ground. Duncan pressed his boot down on Penemuel’s back and slowly extracted his angelic sword from his quivering body. He leaned down and yanked Penemuel up so that he sat upright on his knees.
“Spoiler alert, your character dies.” Duncan announced as he swung his sword and in one fluid movement, Penemuel’s head tumbled to the ground. Penemuel’s body began to blacken and turn into an ashy mud pile at Duncan’s feet, the rain pounding it until his remains were nothing more than a gray slurry. Devlin helped Rose up to her feet while examining her throat for any injuries. He cupped her chin and tilted her head.
“I’m fine, you don’t need to treat me like some china doll. I can take care of myself.” Rose muttered.
“I know this but one can never be too careful either.” Devlin said as he brushed a strand of Rose’s hair behind her ear, “You are mortal and the slightest bit of trauma to your body could mean death, especially since there’s no more hospitals around.”
Rose snorted, “Thanks for pointing that out, captain obvious! If I didn’t know any better I’d assume you’re looking to see if he damaged your late night snack.”
Devlin backed away with a hurt look on his face as he held a hand over his heart. “Dear Rose, you wound me with such accusations. If I were sensitive, I would be crying like a baby vamp that lost his blood bottle.”
Duncan raised an eyebrow – “Baby vamps? Vampires can be born? I thought it was only from being bitten or given blood of a vampire that could create another vampire.” Devlin gave Duncan a wry look as he replied, “The blood yes but as for the biting, that’s a resounding no.” then he turned to look at Rose and gave her a wicked grin and added, “As for the baby vamps, I’m willing to make multiple attempts to create one if you are.”
“Pig!”
“As if you haven’t thought about it already. Duncan did you know that earlier she was - ”
“DEVLIN!” Rose snapped, her face getting redder with and anger and embarrassment.
“Maybe I should find another place to rest while you two have a go at it back in the cave.” Duncan teased, “The least you could do is kiss the man for fetching you your clothes.”
Devlin shuttered – “She kissed me earlier for some fresh fruit which led to other things before you woke up. Hmm, I wonder what her clothes will get me.”
“A fat lip and blue balls if you don’t shut that mouth of yours, Romeo!”
Both Devlin and Duncan burst into a fit of laughter as Rose stormed away. Duncan comment, “I got to ask from all her dresses and styles, why choose those clothes in particular?” Rose paused as she looked down at what she was wearing. She didn’t pay any attention to the garments when Devlin had produced them from the confines of his modified black duster jacket that he graciously showed off to impress her. It was only a black, skin-tight pants and one of her thicker blue sweaters that she usual wore for the colder weather along with leather gloves that were once red but the color had faded over time that they appeared to be grayish-pink.
Rose turned around and gave Devlin a quizzical look as she put her hands on her hips. Devlin looked her up and down several times as he answered, “It was the one outfit that I felt would make her feel less exposed but also would show off her lovely lady curves. Functional and damn it looks good on her too.” Rose frustration softened towards Devlin. The vampire had the task of going through her accumulated stores of clothing and came up with this combination with her comfort in mind. He could have easily grabbed some of her more revealing blouses or corsets that have matching skirts that didn’t leave much to the imagination, but Devlin took the painstaking time to rummage and find the perfect outfit.
“Huh,” Duncan said as he grazed his over Rose, “I didn’t think she had anything that would qualify as road-worthy attire.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t easy. If that would fell through, I know of a few places that I could acquire better clothing for her.”
Rose meekly walked back to Devlin, feeling guilty as she asked, “How did you get by all the ghouls in my hut?” Devlin flashed her a wicked grin that set her pulse racing as he commented, “The ghouls are no match for me. They can’t smell me unless I’ve fed and so I decided to take out my frustration on them. They never knew what hit them.”
“But you did feed, didn’t you?” Rose asked reluctantly, “Who did you - feed on?”
Devlin thought for a moment and then said coldly, “Someone I knew who deserved it. He’s been on my menu for some time but I wanted him to fear and look over his shoulders for the past few years.” Duncan shrugged his shoulders as he turned to leave but then he felt that electrical spark on the small of his back. He knew instantly it was Purah but didn’t turn to face her. How could he when he just murdered one of her kind in front of her. Duncan didn’t feel guilt over killing Penemuel and wasn’t sure she would recall seeing him do it, but if she touches him…
“Duncan, watch out! The other angel is behind you!” Rose screamed as she raised a flaming hand. Duncan raise his hands in a submissive way as he shielded Purah from the sorceress, which made no sense to him since her fire didn’t harm Penemuel.
“I know she is Rose. We’ve killed one already, there’s no need fight. She’s okay.”
Devlin raised an eyebrow, “I wouldn’t go so far as to say she’s okay. More like tetched in the head, my friend.”
“Why would you consider letting her live since she is one of the reasons the world is in the shitter?”
“Because I know she’s okay, just like I know Devlin isn’t a bad guy despite what he is and also what compelled me to save your sleeping ass back in Melona.”
Rose let the flame extinguish as she parted her lips, realization hitting her. Devlin looked at the both of them several times before asking, “How did you know I was a good person? You saw me feeding that night, viciously I might add, and yet you walk on by like I was nothing more than a butterfly on a flower. Care to share this secret that Rose eluded to earlier?”
“WHAT!” Duncan roared, “You told him about that?”
“No, not exactly but -”
“I confided in you a secret that I have never shared with anyone else in my life and you go blabbing it to the first person you run across! You said that I could trust you, Rose. I guess I was mistaken and played as a fool!”
“Duncan,” Devlin said sternly, “Rose only said that you had a way of knowing things about people somehow but she didn’t betray your trust. She feared you would be this way if she did so I didn’t press her. So do me a favor, leave Rose alone.”
Duncan clenched his fists as well as his jaw muscles. Anger seeped into his mind, engulfing it to the point that he was seeing red. Rose backed away from Duncan as Devlin positioned himself protectively in front of her as Duncan’s entire body began to glow with a purple aura. Devlin’s eyes were locked on to Duncan’s eyes like two alphas asserting their dominance over a territory or a female.
“Your fight is with me Duncan. Leave her out of this! Rose tended to you, kept you safe and this is how you try to repay that debt?” Devlin growled.
Duncan’s breath came in quick, heavy spurts as every muscle in his body tensed for a fight. He was ready to leap on to the vampire but he felt that electric spark on his forearm. Purah. He glanced down to his right and saw the petite fallen angel hanging onto him with pleading eyes. The rains began to let up and only fell as a light drizzle which Duncan could see that she had been crying again. What was it about this woman that makes me want to protect and shield her from the rest of the world, Duncan mused?
“You need to calm down and relax.” Purah murmured, “If you don’t control your emotions, the magic inside you will destroy them…and me too.”
Duncan’s face paled as what she said registered in his mind. He slowly looked back to Rose and Devlin and saw that they were afraid, afraid of him. Devlin could easily teleport her to safety but he chose to stay.
“How do I do this? It’s getting to be too much to handle.”
Purah got in front of Duncan and hugged him tightly as she let out a barely audible sigh. Rose gave the fallen angel a killing look when saw her holding Duncan. Devlin put an arm around her but never took his eyes off the pair. Duncan could slowly feel his anger and rage melting away along with the built up magical energy that he suddenly felt light-headed. He tensed but Purah murmured, “It’s okay. What your feeling is normal when this much energy is released. Just breathe and let me in to help you.” Duncan nodded as he concentrated on his breathing. Never in his life had he ever felt this out of control, but how was it that Purah could make this seem so easy.
“I’m taking it for you so you can be safe.” Purah answered as if she had read his mind.
“But-but what about you? Will you be okay?” Duncan asked with concern in his voice.
He felt a couple of light kisses on his abdomen and then she replied, “I will be okay but I have to leave for a while to release this properly. I don’t want to see you get hurt Duncan.” Purah turned her head and shot Rose a look that froze her, “While I’m gone you will teach him proper meditation and guide him on how to control his ever growing magic, sorceress.”
Rose nodded slowly and a sense of dread fill her whole body when Purah sapphire eyes fared brightly as she added, “If you don’t do this, the firestorms will seem like child’s play compared to what he can release if you don’t.”