Pray or Be Prey

Chapter 5

A week prior to Flyenz starting his tracking of Mirah, Ayularc made the trip to the mountain's cave where he was born. Well, it wasn't his original birthsite but the place his DNA was found, and he was reborn in a manner of speaking. The mountain was not too far west of the city. For him, he could make the trip within the hour timeframe his father had given. It was the reason Ayularc had settled there. The place wouldn't let him go; no matter where he traveled, he felt grounded walking on the land his original body last did. When he first returned, he set out to have the area deemed a landmark. The formation of charity fronts, keeping it a historic site, throughout the years helped keep most humans away. Ayularc didn't want the area disturbed since the search for DNA of his kind lost in The Flood continued to this day.

Ayularc stood quite short in comparison to his father. The Fallen One, now forever changed into his current form, towered over Ayularc's 6' 4" slender frame. Seeing him always made Ayularc face the reality of his existence. Not to rule, as many thought he did during his day to day operations, but to serve. Without turning to face his son, Ayularc's father spoke,

"Of all created, I never thought it would be you. You—losing control over your humanity. What sparked this, do you know?"

"No, father. I have been reflecting on events since it happened. Still, nothing stands out, yet."

"The word has been given that we are to report at once when the weak link has been made known. You are my pride, Ayularc. Of all the human women I had seeded, your birth the first to give me much pride. I know losing your beloved was—challenging, but you are Nephelim, and we were able to return your spirit to another flesh suit. Your DNA was the catalyst to the rebirth of our army. Weakness can not be found among the ranks!"

"I understand, father."

"Your tone betrays you. Something about the loss of love threatens to unravel all the years you have tightened around your humanity. Do not make me have to turn you over to him. His wrath will destroy you. Turn whatever you must into hate. Then turn hate into an unquenchable desire to survive. We must have human blood to complete our agenda," Ayularc's father said, turning to face him, head bent down to shorten the distance between their faces. With a deep sigh, he continued, "love, my son, is a powerful weapon. I was almost consumed by it at the death of your mother. I wanted offspring, yes, but I knew the cost of it for the women we seeded. Of all the human women, she—she reached me, similar to how this woman has reached you. The only thing that saved me from his wrath was the fact all of us who chose to turn against The Creator was needed to build an army. My role was not yet complete. Then I had to do the unthinkable, pledge you, the offspring who bore the most of my DNA as a loyal subject to him. It was my penance, you could say."

Ayularc stood in silence for a moment, peering as deep as he could in his father's eyes. Breaking the silence, he asked,

"What will I give as penance? I have no offspring to give should I not be able to undo the damage to my current existence."

A glimmer, and only a glimmer, of sadness, ever so slightly turned down the corners of Ayularc's father's eyes.

"You will have to give then, as a sacrifice, the thing or one you love most. Only then you may be able to stay the wrath which will return your spirit into The Void for a time."

The cool breeze that rose off the mountain's side did little to cool down the rage building in Ayularc. He had sworn to himself never to be so overcome by his humanity since The Flood that he couldn't regain control. Never to allow the need of another to replace the need for self-preservation. But here he was, the very notion clawing at this resolve.

On the morning when Flyenz showed up at his home, he reflected again over the meeting he'd had with his father. The look in his eyes, the warning in his voice. Ayularc checked his composure when Flyenz entered the large foyer.