Nightshade

Luka - the summoning

Luka took a breath. The preparations were complete, Shavronne stood by to support his and Richies vocal magics with his violin, and Benji had finished his symbols, and hera had laid out a special bouquet in the center. The full moon crested the mountains, and they began to play. As their song gathered in intensity, the symbols all around them began to glow, the bouquet catching golden fire, releasing a lovely and otherworldly aroma. The song grew in intensity, Shavronne sweating from keeping up with it, and Luka and Richies voices struggled to keep up the song. But they had chosen tonight specially. Tonight was Samhain, the night on which the veil between worlds was most thin. The only night this could work. They called out, and soon, an answer. The song came to a finish, and a blanket of silence fell over them. The bouquet finished burning, and the symbols went dark, leaving them only in the meager light of the moon, which was only let in through the gaps in the ceiling slats. Just as Luka began to consider asking if it had worked at all, a choir like voice cried out, and brilliant light, so bright you could see it, brighter than day, even with one's eyes closed. "Who calls the might of the heavens? Who calls out and knows the old ways? Why do you beseech our help now?" Benji spoke, in a voice steady and strong as ever, that odd accent coming out heavily. "We are a coven of four, crying out in need! This world is sick, dying! Heaven cannot continue to turn a blind eye to all that is growing and twisting beneath it!" Silence, for a moment. Luka felt a thrum of power in this whiteness, even the silence sounded Musical. "We will send but three. Prove that there is hope, and you will have all you need!" The light pulsed, slowly at first, but it shrunk and grew, over and over, till finally, it burst, throwing everyone back, and three faintly glowing figures stood, magnificent wings and halos shimmering. In addition, a cry was heard from behind, and a shredding of fabric. Luka wanted to ensure Cody was okay, but the figures... magnetized his eyes. Thankfully, they walked, calmly but confidently, to Cody, who was shirtless on the ground. Only now Luka saw the hideous bite marks and claw marks, and the scarred stumps of his wings. Only... they were glowing, it seemed as if in response to the other angels. The lead one, a beautiful woman both hard and soft looking, stepped forward, and lifted Cody's chin, revealing his tear stained face. "Rise again child. Heaven has seen fit to raise you high once more." Cody cried out as wings erupted from his back. In contrast to the other angels, whose wings were Solidly colored, his wings were a gorgeous mottled pattern, like a barn owls. He also noticed something else shimmer in his eyes. He rose, a halo forming around his head, then dimming out into non-existence with the other angels halos. They turned to look at the rest of the gathered coven, and at shavronne. Luka trembled at the look of judgement cast upon him and his friends. But, they seemed satisfied. The lead Angel stepped forward, clasping Benjis arm just below the elbow, which Benji mirrored, and they shook their arms once, before letting go. "I am called erianna, I am of one of the noble houses of heaven. Here are my two attendants, jophiel and mirral. We will help you however we can. You've already met my son, I see..." her gaze softened as she looked back at Cody, who had a look of pure glee on his face as he stretched his wings. "M- mother you've... is it true? Is this true?! Am I dreaming?!" She smiled openly and hugged Cody, wiping tears from his cheeks "I am here, my son. We will remain until this world is safe again, or we no longer draw breath. And perhaps... a bit longer. I left you too soon my son... and you suffered greatly for it... I am truly sorry." He just hugged her tightly, closing his eyes in gratitude. "It doesn't matter mother. You're here now." Luka felt his heart ache, thinking of his own mother, long gone. But he was mostly happy, happy for the man he'd seen give every day in service of his charge, not giving up on him even once. Shavronne grinned and came closer "mein gott Cody! You're fantastic!" Eri turned, a harsh look somewhere between a glare and a look of pity in her eyes. "You. I understand you've gone through a great deal. But you'd do well to remember my Cody went through everything you did and more." He nodded and bowed low to the woman in apology, who laughed a bit "no no, don't bow. Never bow, unless it is to accept thanks." He nodded "yes, my lady erianna." She looked past him, to Luka, who felt his heart jump at her glance "I have to apologize to you Luka. " his heart stopped "how... did you know my name?" She looked heartbreakingly sad "because you were the charge of my other son. The greatest among us, everest. He... was killed. Betrayed." He took a second, trying to process this "k- killed? If he was the greatest among you, who could've done that?" She spat "an evil, twisted thing. She calls herself... aeris. She is the prime evil that exists on this planet. Our greatest task that lies before us is her Demise.