“Did you heart that?” My eyes circled the forest, searching for my companion.
“Where are they, Demetre?” Xylia bellowed, marching up to him.
Demetre darted toward the screams, ignoring Xylia’s question. Arundel trudged his way through the melting snow, wiping the tears away from his face.
My wings sprang out of my back. I shot my way into the sky in an attempt to search for my companions. The torrential rain and towering trees made it difficult for me to spot them.
My heart grew apprehensive when I looked ahead and saw two winged shadows fighting in the air. A rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins as I flew in their direction. The raindrops felt like small pebbles hitting my skin. As I got closer, I noticed that one of these shadows was Devin. With his sword in hand, he cast his body against the other shadow being, aiming to strike him with his blade.
I reached for my sword, prepared to stick it into whatever creature attacked him. Hope was crushed within me when Devin’s opponent pierced his chest.
Devin’s screams sent shivers down my spine. For as long as I could remember, he had never once let out a scream as pain-filled as this one. His body fell to the ground. Despite the limited visibility, I plunged to his aid as I approached their location.
Some joy found its way into my heart when I set my eyes on Adara and Petra standing next to Ballard, who lay on the ground, unconscious. Devin shot me a grimace of pain when he saw me. His left hand was pressed over the right side of his chest in an attempt to slow the blood flow.
My feet sank under the snow while the raindrops continued to fall. In front of me were ten Nephilins—six male and four female. Silver breastplates protected their chests. Spikes protruded from their gardbraces. Their striking blue eyes watched my every move. One of the women had her face hidden behind a helmet with two silver horns.
My eyes searched my surroundings for the one Nephilin I loathed above all others—Nephele. I was relieved when I realized she was nowhere to be seen.
Xavier descended from the sky. The feathers that covered his wings were gray, their tips as black as coal, his rugged garments smeared with blood.
His feet touched the ground.
“This one,” Xavier raised his head toward Devin, “has always been a disgrace to his kind. He has not yet grasped the idea that his very blood carries evil.”
Devin laid his head on the ground, keeping his hand pressed over the wound.
“What happened to Ballard?” I asked my companions, my eyes fixed on Xavier and his army.
“We are not sure,” Petra replied. “Once they found us, Ballard started screaming. After a few seconds, he went into a stupor.”
“It would be wiser for all of you to follow us,” said the woman with the helmet. She stepped her way to us as she unveiled her face. Her familiar voice increased the anger that already burned in me.
“I was wondering when you would show up, Adawnas,” I said with great disappointment. Her golden hair was tied in a long braid.
“We have given you many chances to surrender at your own will, Isaac. If you continue to run, you and your companions will suffer.” She lifted her chin, keeping her eyes on me. “None can escape the power of Lucifer. Tristar has also fallen into shadow.”
“Ah,” said Xavier, raising his finger. “Let us only say what needs to be said. Our enemy does not need to know of our future plans.”
“Forgive me, my lord.” Adawnas bowed her head in reverence, stepping away.
“Adawnas,” I said, pointing my sword to her. “Remember these words. One day, you will think that victory is within your grasp. You will rejoice at the sight of your apparent triumph. When that day comes, I will be the one to stick my blade into your heart.”
“I will gladly wait for that day to come,” she said with a hard smile.
I tilted my head back, looking for Demetre, Xylia, and Arundel. Had they been attacked? Devin grunted and moaned as blood continued to ooze out of the wound in his chest.
I was startled by Adara’s sudden screams. She crouched on the ground, using her hands to cover her ears. The veins on her neck seemed as if they were about to burst from beneath her skin.
“What are you doing to her?” shouted Petra in great distress.
The Nephilins were as still as statues, their striking blue eyes fixed on us. With a calm expression, Xavier smiled.
“I am going to repeat the words that Adawnas said.” His fingers rubbed his pointy chin. “Come with us and you will not suffer. If you resist, the pain and torture you now feel will only increase.”
Adara’s screams were excruciating to hear. I contemplated giving myself up to them. At least the pain and suffering would cease for a while. At this point, I was ready to do anything to find some peace.
Demetre, Xylia, and Arundel ran out of the woods, heading in our direction. Their breathing was labored, their faces tired.
“Ah, the missing companions have arrived!” Xavier’s fingers intertwined. “I am delighted to see that you are all gathered.”
“What is happening to Adara?” Xylia inquired, staring at her friend with worried eyes. Adara’s screams had become sobs; tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I am not sure,” I responded, keeping my eyes set on Xavier.
With a wrathful stare, Xylia turned to face our enemies. Demetre, who now stood next to me, glared down at Devin. Special abilities weren’t needed to know that he questioned the possibility of Devin outlasting this day.
I was overjoyed when I noticed Ballard moving his fingertips as he awoke from his stupor. He opened his mouth, catching a long and deep breath. His chestnut hair was damp with sweat and covered in mud.
“Impossible,” Xavier mumbled while the other Nephilins stared at Ballard. He shot a menacing look at his army, all of whom appeared confusion.
“You failed, Xavier,” Ballard declared in a broken voice. “Your power is not strong enough to take over my mind.”
Xavier wagged his finger at Ballard. “Do not consider yourself victorious just yet, boy.”
With great struggle, Ballard stood to his feet. His shoulders hunched toward the ground.
Adara’s cries had ceased. I set my eyes on her, only to find that she had fallen unconscious.
“What are you doing to her?” Demetre bellowed, pointing the tip of his sword toward Xavier.
With a menacing laugh, Xavier walked our way.
“I am taking over your minds,” he replied with a sneer.
Once again, Ballard fell to his knees, letting out tormenting screams. Xylia fell on her back, shrieking as her hands grasped the forest floor. She squirmed in agony. Petra crouched, grunting and moaning in pain.
The feeling of hundreds of needles piercing my skin took over my brain, a pounding sensation spreading throughout my body. A high-pitched screech invaded my ears. My eyes pressed together as I lost feeling in my legs.
I attempted to repel this power that tried to take my mind. I shivered when I felt a creature crawling on my neck. My heart raced when my eyes saw the black scorpions that lurked around me. Their pincers and stingers were of a scarlet color.
Is this real?
I thought.
What are they doing to us?
The scorpions let out rattling sounds as they crawled on my head. The hairs on my neck and arms rose while I lay immobile. I watched the bodies of the scorpions dissipate into a gray shadow, which later took the shape of Xavier.
The landscape around me turned into a dry wasteland. Old tree trunks were dispersed atop the small hills. Roars of thunder and bolts of lighting ripped the sky.
“Do you enjoy suffering, Isaac?” Xavier asked in a low voice.
The unbearable pain inside of my head intensified. I screamed in torment, inhaling the dust and ash that hovered in the air.
“Do you long for peace?” he insisted.
I coughed as every inch of my body was taken by this torment. With my eyes half open, I realized that Xavier had knelt beside me. His body was covered in a red cloak.
“What is it that you desire?” He had a cunning smile on his face.
I nibbled on my bottom lip, struggling to answer.
“Only a fool would desire torment and war,” I managed to say.
In the blink of an eye, the dark clouds that hovered above me gave way to blue skies. The ash-covered ground and the old tree trunks sprang up with new life. Grass covered the hills and the chirping of birds filled my ears. As quick as a breath, the pain inside my head subsided.
I furrowed my brows.
“Is this an illusion?” I asked, contemplating the beauty of the landscape that surrounded me.
Xavier had a blissful look in his eyes.
“Only if you want it to be. I know how much you desire to be free from the burden you now carry, young Isaac.” He cupped my face in the palms of his hands. “Truth is what we believe to be right.”
There was a sweet fragrance lingering in the air. I rubbed the grass beneath my hands, feeling its soft texture. I gazed at the cloudless blue sky, taking in the rays of the sun.
“You may stay here forever.” Xavier stood to his feet and stretched forth his hand, attempting to help me stand.
I accepted his help. A warm breeze brushed against my skin.
“What is this place called?”
“Whatever you want it to be called,” he replied. “You can make this your world, Isaac.”
As I enjoyed the beauty around me, I noticed that the urgency of my journey had started to fade from me. My heart was being taken over by peace and joy—feelings that had grown to be so unusual to me.
“I can make this my world,” I mumbled, amazed at the beauty that was around me. I turned my face to Xavier. “Where are my friends?”
“They, too, are enjoying their perfect worlds. I told you that if you followed us, we would end your pain.” He wrapped his right arm around my shoulder. “You see, Isaac, all you have to do to stay here in your world is open the Diary.”
My eyebrows came together.
“I will erase from your mind all the painful memories of your journey. You won’t remember Elysium, the Creator…your parents’ death.” He touched my chin with his finger. “I can make it all go away.”
I was lost in my thoughts, trying to remember the days when there were no rumors of war, no Lucifer or Shadows—no evil desires.
I cleared my throat. “What do I have to do to open the Diary?”
With his left hand, he reached into one of his pockets, removing a silver dagger. I analyzed the intricate patterns and details on its scabbard. The emblem of a dark winged lion was etched at the center.
“I just need you to read the words written on this dagger’s blade as you slash a small cut on your wrist. Allow the blood to drip on top of the Diary until the lock opens.”
I trailed the dagger with my fingertips.
“Your suffering can end today, Isaac.” I felt Xavier’s warm breath as he whispered in my ear.
I removed the dagger’s scabbard, gasping as I laid eyes on the shimmering blade.
“He is risen,” I read the writing etched onto the dagger.
“My son.” My heart skipped a beat. I looked over my shoulder and saw my mother and father strolling toward me. Clothed in white robes, their faces were stamped with broad smiles, their eyes glistening with joy. “Do you not want us by your side forever?” asked my mother.
“Isaac, this is your world. You can have everything you have always longed for here.” Xavier laid his hands over the dagger.
“And you will make me forget?” My hand rested on top of his. “I won’t remember anything?”
“Only the things you want to remember.” He gave me a devious smile.
I desired to be free from the burden I carried. My mind would be rid of every ill thought and heartbreaking memory.
In silence, I lowered my eyes, staring at the dagger.
“He is risen,” I mumbled.
I reached inside my satchel, taking out the object responsible for all my pain and sorrow. A feeling of repulsion took over me as I looked at the Diary. I released it from my grasp, dropping it to the ground.
With the dagger in my hand, I held up my wrist. My eyes narrowed when I caught sight of the long, thin scar that had always served as a vivid reminder of my hatred for Nephele and Lucifer. Like an unexpected storm, the vivid image of Nephele and Marco slicing my wrists came to me.
“You will forget everything, Isaac,” Xavier said once again. “Consider this a fresh start.”
I gazed at the scar, feeling anger bubble within me. Though I much desired to have these memories erased, I would only have true peace once Lucifer and his servants were defeated. I saw the face of every child, man, and woman that had died on this journey, and the soldiers of Bellator that had perished in battle. Above all, I reminded myself of the day the Creator had encountered me.
These were moments when my own desires had to be put aside. Would I be willing to allow every single person to perish so I could have peace?
I lowered the dagger, its tip pointing to the ground.
“You are a clever man, Xavier,” I said, taking a quick breath. “But I am afraid your cleverness cannot overshadow my purpose.” His joyful expression was replaced by disappointment. “My world is Elysium and my people need me now more than ever.”