Winged

Chapter 15: Hope

Sydney's POV:
The pearly white wings on my back felt strange, yet familiar, as though they were meant for me. I could not help showing them off to Norus and Torray, who were both clearly astonished to see me back. I felt powerful, unlike anything I had ever felt before. But over the top of that, I felt an incredible sense of anger towards Norus, for everything he had done to the innocent humans of Earth. All I could think of was revenge. Somehow, I knew I could get it, if that was what I wanted. I took an advancing step towards Norus, and he shuddered backwards like the coward he is.
"Who's the scared little weakling now?" I sneered at him.
Norus refused to answer. He had lost his pride.

I kicked him in the chest and he whimpered. Norus was not even putting up a fight. He really must fear the Earth Angel. I almost felt sorry for him, but then I reminded myself of what he had done to my parents when he unleashed hell on Earth. I kicked him again, this time harder. Torray winced.
"Sydney-"
"No, don't," I interrupted.
I needed this. The rage was burning within me.

Demons began to tumble through the portal, and surrounded us, but did not make a move to attack us. Very shortly, there were hundreds of them watching in silence.
"Get on your feet!" I screamed at Norus, "Come on, get up!"
He staggered upright and I shoved him back down.
Torray lay a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged him off.
"Torray, I need to do this. This demon is the reason why everything has happened as it has. This demon is responsible for my parents death!"
I shot towards the dagger that had been used to kill me, and wielded it into the air.
"Sydney! Stop! This isn't you!" Cried Torray.
"I need to do this," I hissed.
"Is revenge really the correct way to have the final word? This is not going to do anything to bring your parents back!"
"Listen to your boyfriend," muttered Norus.
"No!" I shrieked crazily.
I plunged the knife towards Norus' chest.
"Wait!" He cried.
I stopped, crossing my arms.
"Make it snappy," I ordered.
"If you kill me, you will never get your parents back!"
I looked at Norus. Now he was the crazy one. My parents are dead, and they are never coming back.

Mia stepped out from the crowd, hand in hand with Roberto.
"It's true. There is a way to bring them back. But if you kill Norus, you will never know."
I looked at Torray for support, but he just stood, shaking his head.
"I tried to tell you..." He muttered.
"It's your choice," said Mia, "either kill Norus and we will leave Earth and the humans on Earth in peace, or don't kill Norus and we will stay on Earth, but you will get your parents back."
She mouthed something at me, but I could not make out what she was saying.

If what they were saying was true, then I could have my parents back, which was only something I had dreamed about. But then the world would still be swarming with demons, raptors and wolves. My entire life, all I have wanted is for my loving parents to be alive once more. I was too selfish to turn down that kind of opportunity.
"I.."
I dropped the dagger and fell to my knees. Torray wrapped his arms around me protectively. My anger turned into regret and unhappiness. I began to cry.
"It's okay Sydney. It's going to be okay," whispered Torray.
His hands brushed through my hair, and I felt a tingle on my neck where he kissed me.
"I want mum and dad," I sobbed.
"Then you can have them."

I nodded and took a deep breath. I wiped away my tears and stood up tall.
"Norus, I will spare your life if you give me back my parents."
Norus let out a sigh of relief and stood up.
"Smart decision. Now we are going to stay on this planet and make it our home."
I glared at him, and I felt guilty but hopeful.
"So how do I get them back?" I asked.
"I'll show you," Norus said.
He pulled out a menacing dagger and took a step forwards.
"What are you doing..." I growled.

He began to speak again, but suddenly he released a bedraggled howl. Norus fell to the ground and landed hard on his stomach. A long, golden sword stuck our from his back. Mia released the sword and stood back, wiping the blood off her hands.
"My job here is done," she chuckled.
I stared at her in horror.
"How could you! He was going to bring back my parents!"
Mia shook her head in annoyance.
"You can't bring back the dead Sydney. I'm sorry."
I gaped at her, not sure if I should strangle her or thank her. Torray nudged me.
"This is probably bad timing... But I think Norus's demon slaves want revenge."

Torray, Mia, Roberto and I stood back to back in a circle, facing the hundreds of demons, moving in on us.
"Ready to fight?" Asked Torray.
I nodded, grasping his hand in mine. Mia and I exchanged encouraging smiles, and Roberto gave me a slight nod. Then the demons attacked.

Everything went into slow motion. Five demons rushed towards me, and with newfound strength I did a roundhouse kick, sending them flying back. Another few demons flew at me, but I sliced across their torsos with the dagger I was going to murder Norus with. In the midst of the fight, Norus's lifeless body lay stiffly, getting kicked around in the chaos.

Out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed Torray punch up three demons at once, and Mia pulled off an astonishing kick to the face of a demon woman. Roberto was high above us, fighting from the sky. Demons dropped at my feet and before I knew it, there were barely a dozen left conscious. Torray was fighting two, I was finishing off four and Mia was just holding her ground against three demons. I could not help but think how badass we were.

Whilst Mia was beating up the last demon, she did not notice a demon sneak up behind her, carrying a jagged spear. I opened my mouth to cry out, but I knew it was too late. And then, as Mia was about to be stabbed, Roberto sprung in front of her. I aimed my dagger at the last demon and it hit him straight in the heart. At the same time, he stuck his spear deep into Roberto's heart.
"No!" Shrieked Mia.
Roberto dropped to his knees and fell to the ground dramatically. Torray and I rushed over as Mia picked up Roberto's body in her arms.
"No! No, no, no! Roberto! Don't leave me!" She screamed.
Roberto feebly attempted to lift his arm, but he only managed to move a finger.
"I... I love you Mia," he choked.

Tears spilt from Mia's eyes and she shook her head in grief.
"We could finally be together. We could finally have had the life we always dreamed of!" She whispered.
Roberto smiled. He tried to say something, but he grew still and his life drained away from grasp. Mia's bottom lip trembled, and she placed her arms around his head.
"I love you too."

I wrapped my arms around my friend and felt myself cry along with her. We had both lost so much, and I did not want Mia to have to go through this by herself. Torray stood behind us, mourning silently. I did not know how long we sat there, sobbing about our lost loved ones, but it felt like hours. An eternity of sorrow that I had been hiding, fell apart as I cried. I cried for my parents, my friends, Roberto, the humans who had died at the demons wake. I was just glad it was over and the raptors, wolves and most of the demons were gone.

After a while, Mia wanted some space so Torray and I left her to grieve over Roberto's body. We went to a secluded area in the forest. Torray wiped the salty tears from my face, and I gave him a crooked smile.
"It's over," Torray said, squeezing my hands.
Sparks flew through my body, even after everything.
"I guess not all demons are as bad as I thought," I whispered.
"But most of them are?" wondered Torray.
"Pretty much."
And then and there, I knew that I was completely and totally in love with Torray.

----------------------------------------end of chapter 15-------------------------------------