Feathers & Scythes (Angels & Grim Reapers BOOK III)

Chapter 7: Home

Ivan glided downwards following the wind stream. The troop of the five Gladiators, who were accompanying him, flapped their wings faster, trying to match his speed. Although they were following the orders of Lord Machias, distress was written on their faces.

They didn't want to be close to Ivan.

"Move your wings faster! We have to reach Greece before sunset!" he roared to the troop and they sped up without complaining.

Ivan had been flying all around Europe for more than a week. He had searched all the devastated countries, the abandoned houses, even the destroyed churches, searching for Anastasia and Marco. Purposefully, he had left Greece last, knowing that the size of the city and its desolated state now would make it easier to search.

Besides, he wanted to have a 'heated' reunion with the girl he had seen for the first time inside the forests of Japan, between a Grim Reaper and a Shinigami. Ivan smirked with his thought and moved faster, heading to the south of Europe.

-----------------------

Anastasia

I was gazing from above. Everything was covered with water.

My city.

My home.

Breathless, the others behind me didn't speak. But I felt Marco's grip on my shoulder. He was trying to reassure me. Almost half of the city was covered with water, which was sparkling crystal blue under the cold sun of December.

Here there was no snow since we had mild winters with much humidity. The WhiteTower was also gone underwater and the center of Thessaloniki up to the point of the Egnatia street and the AristotleUniversity was completely gone.

Since the whole city was made upon a slope, the lowest part, the one closer to the gulf was already gone. But the Old Walls and the SevenTowers were still standing towards the rising side of the slope.

Without thinking I sped up, heading in the direction of the Old Walls. I thought I heard Marco screaming behind me, but I didn't respond. I was too focused on my flying. I was heading to my home.

When I finally saw the familiar road I landed and continued on foot. Emptiness and deserted streets were all around me; the people had already left, heading towards higher places with the fear of another tsunami.

But I was running to the only place I could still recall and need to see. I turned to the corner and headed straight. Then I had to turn left and the house would come into view.

Suddenly someone grabbed me from behind and my head hit hard on the chest. "Ana! Slow down!" Marco's rushed voice sounded close to my ear. He was panting hard as he followed me.

"Good to find her Marco. I didn't know she had become so fast." Feith's voice came from behind and soon the hurrying steps of the others followed.

Marco tightened his hold around my waist. "What were you thinking Ana? If they saw you-"

"Home Marco, my home is around the corner. Please..." I whispered not caring for my trembling voice.

He let me go and slowly I walked, turning to the last corner. My house stood on the corner of our block, close to the exit towards the road. The two-story house was still standing and strangely it wasn't destroyed.

"What is this? This is a wreck!" Murasaki with Shiro on her shoulder spoke.

"It is not destroyed Murasaki!" I hissed at her but Feith coughed.

"Before losing my powers, I had placed a camouflage shield around the perimeter of your house. Only I and the owner can see its true form."

Grateful I hugged Feith, making him freeze from surprise. "Thank you Feith." I said as I stepped back, while Marco was growling. Kyoko and Tomo, who were on his human form, smiled. "It was nothing. At least I had to do that."