The Whispers of the Fallen (19 page)

XI

Raziel smiled down at me as he firmly held on to both of us. At an amazing speed, he flew us to nearby ruins hidden deep in the forest. His attire was unlike any I had remembered from my visions of him. He wore the dark boots that were common for men to wear out to the fields, and black pants that were worn out. He revealed a bare chest and I saw a black leather bracelet on his right wrist.

“Stay here. I won’t be long,” he said and then took flight.

Devin was in awe. A joyful look lighted his countenance, but at the same time he stood speechless and in shock by Raziel’s arrival.

“Can you perceive their thoughts, Isaac? What is happening? Are they fighting?” Devin asked anxiously.

Even though we were now far from the army, I was able to faintly see both the Underwarriors and the Shadows.

“Their fighting is merciless,” I stammered as I tried to concentrate. “The Underwarriors are attacking them in full force, but the Shadows aren’t giving up easily.”

With much straining, I was able to get a dim view of the Underwarriors fighting. Many Shadows vanished, but many Underwarriors were being destroyed as well. Due to the massive armies gathered in one place, it was difficult for me to depict how the battle was playing out. To watch this vivid enactment in my mind brought me anguish.

“We need to trust that all will be well,” I said as I canceled the images from my mind. “I don’t want to keep watching this battle. It will not change its outcome and it will only cause greater pain,” I said as I walked away from Devin.

“So…” Devin took a few steps closer to me. “Wings, huh?”

“Yeah, it surprised me too. I never imagined I’d ever have these,” I responded as I continued to walk away.

Not long after, I heard wings flapping behind me. As I turned around I saw that Raziel had returned.

“They are all taken care of,” he said. His very presence emanated great peace, which had overflowed my soul like a refreshing drink from a cool spring of water. His skin radiated with such brightness that it made the snow pale in contrast to Raziel’s beauty. I glanced at Devin again and his eyes were wide open, gazing at the Star.

“What happened to the Shadows, Raziel?” I asked him as I made my way to him.

“They were sent back to the Abyss. In the Fourth Dimension dying is worse than living, for if one of us dies, we live in pain forever,” he said, almost as if whispering a secret.

“But those Shadows were the lost souls of people. It is not their fault that they were lied to,” I exclaimed.

Even though I was glad to be alive I did not agree with his doings.

“It had to be done, Isaac,” he replied. His eyes were then set on Devin. “Nephilin, you sure seem to be surprised to see me. Has it been long since you have seen one of us?”

“Yes…I mean…
I
…” Devin stuttered, unable to communicate intelligibly.

Raziel approached him and tenderly placed his right hand on his shoulder with a fatherly pat. “Don’t worry, Devin, I know you better than you think.” He smiled.

“How d…d…do…how do you know me?” he asked in surprise.

“Well, first I am a Star, servant of the Creator.”

Devin frowned, displeased with the answer. Raziel’s composure changed; the look on his face took on a very mysterious frown

“I knew your father, Devin,” he answered abrasively.

Not a word escaped from any of us for a time. All was quiet. Only the wind rustled softly through the trees.

“My…father?”

“Yes, your father,” he affirmed.

“
Where is my father, Raziel?
What happened to him? Who is he?” He was desperate for the answer. In an instant his hands were around Raziel’s throat, trying to force the answer out of him.

“Few of your kind have the privilege of knowing even their father’s name,” he answered, grasping Devin’s hands with a firm grip. “Your father’s name is Azael. He fell along with the others when Lucifer betrayed us.” Devin slowly released Raziel.

“Unfortunately, my brother did not choose the path of righteousness,” Raziel added.

“Your…brother?” Devin stammered.

I did not know what to say. I felt as if I was eavesdropping on an intimate family fight.

Devin sat down in the snow.

“Where are the rest of your fellow warriors?” I asked.

“They are all here, scattered around us in the forest. They will only show themselves if I give them the signal.” He turned around.
“Warriors, come forth!” he shouted.

Quickly they all appeared out of the trees, out of the ground and even out of the snow.

“It is nice to see you all again,” Alexander said from amidst the crowd.

“You…you came,” I said, surprised to see him.

“Why did your kind not come to our aid before we lost Demetre and Adawnas?” Devin asked Raziel.

“Our primary duty is to protect Elysium, not to solve your problems and fix your mistakes,” Raziel replied in a cold voice. I could see that Devin was greatly displeased at his response, but he knew Raziel was right.

“What happened in Mag Mell?” I asked.

Raziel and the others instantaneously bowed their heads in unison. From what I could guess it was a sign of respect for those who had lost their lives there.

“The Shadows reached the city last night and wiped out its citizens.” Raziel cringed as he answered my question. His voice implied great sorrow.

“Did any of the humans willingly ally with them?” Devin asked.

“Not that we were able to witness. When we arrived at the city, many had already been ravaged.” Raziel turned his gaze to me. “Even though they were unsuccessful in Isaac to open the Diary, they are still willing to destroy the kingdoms of Elysium to expand their Shadow army even more.”

“The expansion of this army should not be difficult now that the Council has fallen and Athalas—the master of Death—is now one of them,” Devin contested.

“Not only that, but the gate between Elysium and the Fourth Dimension now lies unguarded. Many creatures have already entered—and will continue entering,” Raziel confirmed.

“Is there any hope for Mag Mell? Can we still seek out survivors?” I asked, expecting a hopeful answer.

“Of that I am not sure,” Alexander said. “The kingdom appeared to be deserted when we left it.”

Those around me had great sorrow expressed on their faces. The marks of battle were visible all over the Underwarriors’ bodies. Their silver armors were broken, and their shields were shattered. Cuts and bruises covered their arms and faces.

“Why do you mourn?” I asked. “Why do you mourn the loss of Shadows? Yes, they were humans at one time, but you yourselves said it had to be done.” The conversation was broken by a long, eerie silence. We were too distraught to speak.

“Were others killed?” I asked, afraid of an unfavorable response.

Raziel and Alexander looked at each other. “Corbin, Nephele, Azaziel and Athalas fled before we could catch them. I am afraid only Shadows were lost here this morning,” Alexander responded.

I knew Demetre…Corbin…was no longer the friend I once knew, but I still desired to see him somehow redeemed from the destiny that was forcefully predestined for him. If I was given the choice to follow the Darkness or the Creator, shouldn’t he?

“What must we do now?” Devin asked. “They will keep on destroying the kingdoms of Elysium, and one by one, they will fall into darkness.”

The Underwarriors were all silent. I could sense that all tried to think of ways to destroy the Shadows and the Nephilins, but no one uttered a word.

“We must lead the kingdoms to war against them,” Alexander boldly proclaimed.

“But how?” I asked, bewildered. Even if a Star was able to defeat Shadows here, it would only be a matter of time before more creatures were released out of the Gate of the Fourth Dimension.

“We have to try…I know it will be a difficult task to convince the kingdoms to believe that Lucifer’s army is rising; that the Fallen Stars roam unhindered around us, trying to destroy their people,” Raziel affirmed as he paced about.

“We can watch the Gate of the Fourth Dimension for any activity, giving you and Devin time to reach out to the people,” Alexander advised; the Underwarriors nodded in agreement.

“Who will we go to? Which kingdom would most likely fight alongside us? Who would have the greatest influence on the other humans?” Devin asked anxiously. Even though the task ahead of us seemed arduous, I saw a dim light of hope in the midst of this chaos.

“Go to the Kingdom of Aloisio. It is home to the beast tamers and skilled fighters,” Raziel answered. “Seek to speak with the king. He will know what to do.”

Devin rebuked Raziel with a sneer. “We would be wasting our time trying to convince them to go to war against the Darkness. They have been the ones proclaiming that Lucifer is a myth. They raise their children to believe that humans are the only force in this universe, and that everything else is but a tale.” Devin walked around apprehensively. “Why would we go to them?”

Raziel slowly walked toward Devin; his expression was undecipherable.

“Where is this kingdom located?” I asked Raziel.

“Your friend knows the way well, Isaac.” Raziel turned his eyes to me.

“Azael was not wise in his choice—don’t be like him.” Raziel looked at Devin. “Don’t forget you have the Creator on your side.”

“Then he should be the one destroying these creatures…he should be sending out his most powerful warriors to fight this war,” Devin replied, placing his hands on his face. He nodded in disbelief at Raziel’s statement.

Raziel smirked.

“It was not he who chose the doom of Elysium, it was its inhabitants. Live for the greater good, Devin, I am sure you will not regret it,” Raziel replied, clearly enunciating each word.

Raziel walked back to the others. Alexander followed him.

“Can we count on you?” Alexander asked us. I was reluctant to be the first one to answer, because I was not the one who knew the way to Aloisio. It was obvious that Devin was entangled in an internal battle, and trying to contemplate another solution, but we both knew there was no other way.

“It would be selfish of us to let so many perish because we doubted,” I told him.

Devin stared up at the sky for a few moments, closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. His mind was set as he declared, “As impossible as this feat sounds, you can count on us.”

“Your story of redemption starts now, Nephilin. Do not waste your chance,” Raziel said with a smile.

“We will head to the Gates now, and will do our very best to protect it and prevent more Shadows and beasts from breaking in. We are all united in this fight,” Alexander announced with courage and boldness.

“Underwarriors! Fly!”
Raziel shouted. They took flight. Their flying was beautifully synchronized; they all flew in formation, and their movements were precisely coordinated. Shortly after they had taken flight, they all vanished.

“We must be on our way, Devin,” I said.

“Your body isn’t strong enough to fly for long periods of time yet,” Devin said. “It is best if we travel by horse.” Devin closed his eyes; he was in deep concentration and not long after, I heard the neighing of horses emerging from the woods. I had completely forgotten about his abilities to manipulate some animals.

He was pensive as he watched the wild horses galloping in our direction.

XII

We rode quietly through the white forest. The only sounds we encountered were those of the wind and some wildlife. These were moments when my mind drifted away relentlessly trying to understand the tumultuous disaster my life had become. I wondered where Adawnas was, and why she had left us so suddenly. I attempted to ignore the intense pain and sorrow that lingered in my heart whenever I remembered my parents had died at the hands of the Nephilins; the overwhelming distress of having to witness my best friend defect to Nephele’s side and the others. I was becoming a master at ignoring these haunting emotions, continuing on as if the only challenge I faced was to reach Aloisio.

As we traveled on, I noticed the scarcity of the vegetation. The air was still frigid and the wind was picking up with increased velocity.

“How far are we from Aloisio?” I shivered.