The Apocalypse of the Damned

Chapter Twenty-Six: Hope It Gives You Hell

Zion's brain was malfunctioning. First, his angel appeared out of nowhere. Second, he had muscles ­– which the demon did find really attractive – and newfound confidence that he didn't have before. He had no idea what to think. Was he supposed to be worried or proud of his angel?

The demon forced himself not to grab his mate when the angel stepped close to Alexander, someone who was proving to be a danger. He knew his mate needed him to trust him, even if it was hard for Zion.

"How many have you killed, Alexander?" The angel asked more sternly this time. His inner demon was fighting against his angel with the need to protect his mate. But Malak managed to remain calm, needing to know if Alexander has made his transformation yet.

Alexander laughed at him; despite being shaken by the angel's change and sudden appearance, he wasn't intimidated by him. Malak was still adorably small. What was he going to do?

With a malicious smile, the nephilim taunted the angel, "You know I have never liked angels. Maybe I should kill you first."

Zion growled. His eyes flickered to completely black as his demon tried to take control. But before he could even step in to protect his mate, Malak laughed mockingly. It was an odd sound for the angel. Something his mate never heard before. While it didn't inherently sound evil, it wasn't Malak's usual kind laughter.

Malak's demon took over, and frankly, Malak didn't mind. It was the perfect opportunity to reveal the demon that's been hiding within him.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable." He closed his green eyes, then opened them, revealing complete darkness. "Does this make you more comfortable?"

Gasping in fright, Alexander tripped backward to the ground. What the fuck? He thought. The angel ­– well, angel-demon hybrid ­– still had an angelic presence. Even as his demon side came forth, he still was more angel than demon. If it weren't for his black eyes, nothing about him would give away the fact his parents were demons.

"W-w-what the Hell are you?" Growled Alexander. He forced his face to scowl, hoping it hid his fear.

Malak crouched with a sly smile; it was unfitting for the innocent angel. "You are not the only hybrid that exists, Death. Now, are you going to answer my question, or should I banish you to Hell right now?"

"You're too late," Alexander manically laughed. "I've already killed everyone I needed to and more!"

Malak kept a neutral face, stepping back allowing the nephilim to stand up. The angel-demon hybrid confused the nephilim. He expected him to cower or be afraid, but he didn't. He looked more like his stone-faced mate instead.

Though his face showed nothing, inside guilt consumed the angel. He knew the horseman already killed many people. He saw them. There was nothing he could've done. Yet, he blamed himself for not saving them sooner. All those innocent people died, and he wasn't there to help them.

Even though he couldn't turn back time and save them, he could stop Alexander from hurting anyone else.

"Then I guess we must fight," Malak plainly stated causing Alexander to smile widely.

"I guess so," he chuckled before closing his eyes. Zion and Ellette were confused as to what was happening. Their minds couldn't seem to keep up with everything as they were still shocked about Malak appearing out of nowhere. However, they snapped out of their shock quickly when Alexander raised his hand in the air. He started to glow ever so slightly as all his victims raised from the ground. They were all brainless spirits who had no choice but to do whatever their murderer wanted.

Deciding his angel was no longer safe, Zion quickly ran to his mate and protectively pulled him into his chest. Zion's demon seemed to get restless when he noticed his soulmate's black eyes, though Zion didn't let it lose yet. Due to him being a fallen angel, his demon's presence was just strong enough to taint his angel. But it was weak enough that it never controls him, even when Zion choices to let it loose.

Malak bit his lip, thinking about how guilty he felt for leaving his mate. However, he still grinned up at his tall mate and pecked his lips. "I love you very much," the angel said through the mind link.

"Are you prepared to die, Malak?" Alexander said before Zion could reply to his mate. The nephilim chuckled as the demon growled at him. "Aww, demon, don't worry. I'll make all your deaths quick and then I'll take over the world."

"We will not let you," Malak determinedly stated as his demon's grip tightened slightly. Malak could feel his anxiety through the bond, but his mate wouldn't die again. Neither of them would.

Once more, Alexander cackled, "I don't know if you've noticed young one, but–" He motioned to his army of spirits. "You're outnumbered."

However, seemingly out of nowhere, the air around them shifted. Tension was thick as everyone could feel the presence of thousands of demons, yet none were in sight. ­Zion and Ellette were afraid that somehow Alexander recruited demons to help him take over Earth. But they couldn't hear Alexander's fast heart nor see the tiny beads of sweat forming on his forehead. This wasn't part of his plan.

"Are you sure?" The angel rhetorically inquired with a genuine smile.

This was part of Malak's plan.

An army of demons emerged from the forest led by the glorious king of Hell, Lucifer. Malak beamed at the giant demon and waved to the rest. He was incredibly proud of his time in Hell. Despite the pain and guilt that ate away at him from being away from his mate, he made many friends and improved himself a lot.

Zion's eyes grew wide as he quickly looked at his angel. Malak's excitement and pride broke shone through their bond, confusing the demon. His angel didn't trust demons for obvious reasons. So why was he excited to see them now? Did his angel plan this?

Alexander snarled, realizing that Malak was smarter than he assumed; though, the nephilim's ego wouldn't let him give up. He believed he was stronger than all of them, especially with his spirit army. But Malak recruited the few supernatural beings who could banish spirits: Lucifer, a witch, and a pure angel. And while the demons couldn't banish spirits, they could distract them enough for one of his friends to do their job.

"Bring it on," Alexander yelled confidently, signally for his victims to fight.

The battle had begun.