The Impact (Book II)

The Mission

"Again."

The Lesser Angel gripped his practice sword hard and raced toward me, thrusting forward. I sidestepped him, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it until the sword clattered to the ground. He gritted his teeth and aimed a kick at my side. Using my other hand, I grabbed his ankle and shoved him back from me. He landed on his side on the mat.

Will, who was overseeing the training, sighed. "Malcom, what have I said about rushing the enemy?"

The boy sniffed a little indignantly and muttered under his breath, "It leads to an early death."

[Ironic, coming from him.]

I walked over to the boy and held out a hand. He hesitated for a second before grabbing my hand and letting me help him up.

[So this is what we've been reduced to: training these baby birds how to fight,] Rayi lamented.

I rolled my eyes at her dramatics. It wasn't so bad, in all honesty. Just a little tedious and boring at times.

"Right, who's next?" Will looked around at the young Lesser Angels.

I was disheartened by how young they were; very few of them had reached their one thousandth year and here they were expected to fight demons of high calibers. So, when Will asked me if I'd like to help train them, I all but leaped at the opportunity.

A meek angel stepped forward, her small wings quivered anxiously. Her armor was a size too big for her and she held the sword handed to her clumsily. Patiently, Will corrected her grip and stance, nudging her feet in the correct position.

"Begin."

I waited for her to make the first move and watched as she struggled with the sword and tripped. She hit the ground and a few of the other angels snickered. I frowned and approached her. She looked up at me with large brown eyes.

"Give me the sword," I ordered.

Slowly, she passed me the sword. I threw it off the training mat. Will watched it hit the ground and stared at me oddly, "What are you doing?"

"She can't use a sword and she doesn't have time to learn; not when demons are knocking at our door. I'm going to teach her my way. Get up, girl."

She clambered to her feet. I approached her and undid the fastenings of her armor, letting the heavy breastplate fall to the floor. I kicked it off to the side. Staring at her, I decided she could keep the vambraces and shin guards. I stepped back from her.

"Now then, come at me," I said.

She did so with a surprising burst of speed, her hand clenched back in a fist. I was impressed as I blocked the punch. We sparred for a few minutes as I helped her correct her stance and how to put power behind her hits. She ended the spar by sweeping me off my feet and pinning me down.

I blinked, shocked, before smiling slightly. "Well done; you're the first to force me to yield today."

The angel smiled shyly back at me and got off me, holding a hand out. I took her hand and she hoisted me to my feet. Will said to the Lesser Angels, "That's enough for today. You're dismissed."

They dispersed, most heading to the large area where the others were sitting and talking with each other. Will approached me while I crossed my arms over my chest and observed the angels mingling. Belua was in Will's office; he didn't like the angels enough to want to leave the area he deemed safe.

"She's the Angel of Speed's daughter," he said after a few minutes of silence, "and they're not known for their combat abilities. I was reluctant to take her into my division, but with you around she may just stand a chance against a low-level demon."