Symphony of the Abyss [Descendants]

Chapter 12: Annie

The officer put the papers back on the table <I'm sorry sire but I will have to send my men, I can't put the royal family in danger. In return you will follow all the operations from the drones><Yes, that's fine> Ben noddedAde stood up from the table <so what do we do?><You will take these two colonels with you and you will empty as many bunkers as possible. Once there is no more space you will come back here, unload and reload. The losses will be your responsibility Ade><Yes yes there is no problem><For the people we are collecting materials to create belts for them, it will take a while but they can wait a few days> said the officer<They are not needed, I will hold them still with magic> stated AdeThe soldiers looked at him with a question mark <if you say it will work then fine. Go ahead you three...out!>The marshals greeted the general who had left his office just for that occasion. The cameras projected the outside onto the wall of the mess hall where all those who were witnessing the greatest rescue feat of the century had gathered.Mal watched with a sinking heart, Ade had just woken up and was already walking around, the scars on his back were still fresh. She watched him exit from the outside hatch, she saw him wrapped in the tornado of fire that was spreading above and inside the valley. The black dragon placed its paws on the ground, white dust fell from the roof above their heads. The drones framed the dragon from above as the two marshals exited the steel door at the mercy of the freezing wind. On the dragon's back, huge masses of flesh arose from the hard scales, the scars of the human body had transferred to the animal's body creating a pink checkerboard in that black sea of ​​night.The marshals were caught in the animal's claws which placed them on its back between one cervical spine and the other.<You can take off> the general declaredThe dragon opened its wings, moved its enormous paws on the rock, moving sideways. When the wings folded downwards it seemed, for a moment, that the earth had shifted to resist that effort. It rose into the air, freeing the ground from its weight.<North East, direction bunker 1 step> said one of the two intrepid men on the dragon's back.<Perfect, proceed at a constant speed, step> they answered from the intercom<Okay, step>Mal watched them from the drones. In her heart she had familiar feelings combined with an unknown environment. He had come into her life without a reason, she was nothing to him and he was nothing to her and yet they had saved each other, they had shared stories and emotions without a reason. Nothing tied them together, so why couldn't she not feel those feelings, she couldn't erase them from her memory.The dragon passed the mountains at a rapid pace, so fast that the drones couldn't keep up and they had to switch to satellite cameras that played back the images at the base like a film by the best director.The dragon moved with surprising grace, like a ballet in the air currents, its sinuous body adapting perfectly to the surrounding landscape. Its wings beat with power, but also with a touch of grace, as it rose among the snow-capped peaks in a fluid and regal motion. The mountain peaks rose like towers of ice, a majestic vision that disappeared into the horizon. The creature writhed with agility above the snow-capped peaks, carving a bold path through the mountain landscape. Below them, the forests stretched out like a sea of ​​deep green, the branches of the trees dancing in the rhythm of the breeze while the rivers shimmered like silver threads between the vegetation. The landscape slowly transformed beneath them, a palette of colors that blended into a visual symphony of sublime beauty. The mountains retreated into the distance, the sun painted the clouds in shades of orange and pink, creating an ethereal and enchanted atmosphere.The enormous body spun on itself, turning to the right and heading in a glide downwards.<15 degrees north...first bunker in sight...you know what to do> said the officer<Roger, over> the marshals replied as the dragon's turn stopped, heading downwards into the dark green forest. Among the verdant flora, gray spots and shrill screams appeared, moving quickly between the trees, following the shadow of the animal that passed many meters above them.<Here we are, it's down here> the woman clinging to one of the dragon's cervical spines had stood up, indicating a point in the forest with a red dot projected by her weapon. The dragon did not respond but simply froze in mid-air. The trees moved as if moved by a tornado beneath them. Bright, shining blue rivers emerged from the midnight black scales of his neck. They rose from his chest, rising toward his mouth, which opened wide, revealing his teeth as sharp as scalpels. Sparks blue flames spurted from his mouth, coming out and falling to the ground, dying before touching the vegetables. His neck began to shake, making the marshals sitting on his neck shake to the right and left, while a jet of bright blue flames came out of his mouth in a column of fire that devastated the ground, razing to the ground everything that that circle of Hell contained. Inside that circumference, 20 meters below the ground, was the bunker full of people waiting to be saved. The audio recorded and transmitted in the iron room echoed against the metal walls, amplifying the shrill screams of the zombies and the explosions of the flames on the ground along with the noise that that column of fire produced coming out of the dragon's teeth. Ben squeezed Mal's hand <we'll save them all...all of them...please let it go well>Mal placed her hand on his <we'll save them>The dragon stopped breathing fire watching the flames that were incinerating everything they could, he spread his wings behind his back opening them completely in their greatness. A powerful flap of wings, the air condensed in his membranes folded by the pressure, it almost seemed as if the invisible wind had taken on a defined shape and color as they were thrown towards the forest making the fire disappear in a few seconds and with it the black dust rose quickly from the ground leaving a clearing of a light green that seemed born for that moment, so perfect and so young.The dragon landed quickly on the ground, the marshals descended from ropes in a hurry, the entrance hatch opened under the order of the officer at the base who controlled all the bunkers. The soldiers entered inside closing the door behind them, another, inside, security one opened once the first was closed. The dragon lay down on the ground, its tail wrapped around the door to protect the back while the front was protected by the immense mass of its body and a fiery head.The cameras outside went off giving way to those of the helmets of the soldiers who ran in the iron corridor opening all the internal doors until they reached the main room. The last door opened with a cry of fear immediately silenced once they saw the soldiers.<Don't worry we are here to take you to a safer place, now listen to me carefully on what you will have to do. First, who is the representative?>A woman with long blonde hair raised her hand <it's me><How many children, old people and people who can't run are here?><Almost everyone...we've gathered all the people from the hospitals and senior centers><Okay, dragon?> she spoke into the radio in her sleeve <get ready...they're almost all sick>The female marshal took the microphone from the main room <everyone pay attention, can you hear me?> a chorus of approval <outside here you will find a huge black dragon, it's our means to escape the base safely, you shouldn't be afraid to climb on top of it or hold on to it, it's the only thing that can protect you so don't be afraid to ask for help. Now you will have to follow the plan to the letter, I know you're scared but you have to do your best. We will open the hatch and you will come out, you will have to run out as fast as you can. You will find ladders hanging on the dragon's back, climb up without pushing anyone, we have time to get everyone up without exceptions, don't worry about anything just the ladders we'll take care of the rest. For those who can't run or climb the only thing they have to do is be carried to the exit gate, you won't have to worry or struggle trying to climb, you will be carried on the saddle thanks to magic just stay still without being afraid. Once on the back you will be blocked on the back thanks to magic. For children, even if they are small, leave them together with those who can't move at the entrance of the gate, they too will be given back to you with magic. For the last time, you don't have to be afraid...NO ONE will be left behind. I know we are asking a lot but trust me>After the speech they began to arrange all the people, who could run in front of the others. Mal jumped on the chair <it's Jay and Carlos, there in the front row> Evie squinted <yes, it's them> she shouted hugging her <they're aliveeeee> joy was all they felt nowThe transfer process had begun. The outside door opened, people came out quickly and with them also Jay and Carlos, they rushed like a herd towards the stairs starting to climb. In the background the zombies reappeared from the trees smelling of fresh meat, they had no free hole to pass through, even the tail alone was as high as a mountain very difficult to climb, in fact impossible. They crowded together in hundreds trying to bite or scratch the hard scales that did not give a step in front of that fury ending up incinerated even before having done anything seriously. The dragon covered the entire clearing in flames, no zombies were approaching.Dark red tentacles like blood came out of the dragon's back entering the entrance, the soldiers blocked the people at the entrance calming them while the tentacles wrapped around them carrying them on their backs. The others climbed the stairs placing themselves between the cervical spines. The sick were placed on the neck, while they were placed on the hard scales chains of black mist came out from them that fixed the people like car seat belts in their seats.Jay and Carlos were framed while they were wrapped in chains of black mist. The children were given to their mothers' laps without them raising a cry during the process, the elderly screamed more than the children themselves. The dragon spat flames continuously creating a line of death between its body and the outside leaving a space for its claws to act.The soldiers were the last to mount, rolling up the stairs on its back and placing themselves on the dragon's head.<We are loaded, step> said the woman as the red tentacles retreated into her back. The dragon stood up, the zombies tried to climb on its legs, falling as soon as they moved. The wings opened, covering the entire view of the clearing, the hatch had closed without any problems but filled the bunker with poisonous gas for safety. The dragon rose on its hind legs, flying high and leaving a trail of death on the ground.<We are flying, step><Accepted, step> the officer from the base replied <prepare everything for the reception>The soldiers moved quickly, they opened the doors and arranged heating blankets, outside and inside the infirmary that had already been prepared, calling all the personnel. A buffet had been set up downstairs, while upstairs a desk had been set up to record all the people who had arrived there.Mal and Evie immediately went upstairs "Jay, Carlos..." was all they had in their heads, the fear they had had for them was now only euphoria.A scream like the eruption of a volcano, the sun being obscured the lights of the tracks at ground level turned on. The dragon placed its front legs in the valley, the hind legs stuck between two mountains. That was the only position possible if it didn't want to make people jump from its height. The front legs bent bringing its body into contact with the fresh snow. The stairs were thrown down, the red tentacles came out from the back, the people calmly descended while the sick were laid near the entrance and handed over to those responsible. Mal and Evie watched the show from their small stature. Seen from the cameras it seemed like a science fiction movie but seen from there it was something completely different. The size of the dragon tentacles, the amount of people, the speed of Hades' magic and their delicacy despite the enormous mass that came and went as in a machine coordinated to the millimeter. It would have taken humanity years to reach such levels of precision with machines.Evie tugged on her arm, looking up from the red and black mixture. Jay and Carlos were running towards her wearing the golden heating blankets.<Girls ... Ben reached them with Jane <it's nice to see you again><Carlos!><Jane!> Carlos forgot how cold he was and rushed to her, hugging her<I thought I'd never see you again> said Carlos<We were so worried, what happened to you, you weren't in any of the bunkers, when we got in touch with the others, you were never there> said Jay<We were originally supposed to come here but we had some problems along the way> Evie replied<And where did that come from? I didn't know you could do these spells Mal> said CarlosMal smiled <in fact I have nothing to do with it...along the way we met him who helped us><Him?> asked Jay and Evie in unison<Hades>Carlos began to shake <A...Hades....that's...I'm fainting> he said falling on the chair<Are you kidding?> shouted Jay<No> said Evie <he saved Mal's life and ours a lot of times><But think about it> said Jay with wide eyes<So...we have to deal with him?> said Carlos<Yes><If you're calm><We're not> said the Beast staring at the screen<So many complex spells, the size of them and the energy he's spending...it's really a god...a fairy can't fight with him> the tone the Fairy had was anything but reassuring, it was like watching a machine that could create the apocalypse start up.All the people had gotten off the dragon that had already taken flight towards the next bunker. Mal and Evie helped as more people continued to arrive, helping them with beds, even makeshift ones, food and water. I accompanied the sick and helped anyone to go to their bed after it was assigned. Every now and then she passed by the room where the Beast and Belle had remained to watch the dragon's path. "Don't push yourself too hard" she said to herself seeing the blood coming out of the legs.All the people were placed as best they could, occupying all the free places, luckily the base occupied the entire inside of the mountain.Mal heard a bang upstairs and the voice on the intercom saying <mission accomplished all the bunkers have been emptied> Mal left the blanket to Jay and ran upstairs. It didn't even help, Ade was already coming down the stairs. A deathly silence descended on the bunker at the sight of the lord of the Underworld who remained still and impassive at that sudden silence. He leaned on the railing of the stairs, behind him the two exhausted marshals.Ade remained still for a while before going down among the people who silently made room for him, he took a glass of wine from the table and walked away without saying a word. When the two marshals came down they were greeted with much celebration, Mal saw Ade with his gaze down stopping in the middle of the screaming room. A hand resting on his hip while his teeth clenched and his eyes closed "I knew he had overdone it"<Ade!> Mal screamed blocking the whole room, she didn't want to attract attention but she didn't want him to go off to who knows what corner alone.Without worrying about the incredulous looks she rushed to him hugging him <how are you? Does it hurt? You overdid it>He looked at her with sweet eyes <maybe a little> he said with a smile that quickly faded when he heard the indistinct whispers of the people. Mal didn't understand what they were saying, he did because he pushed her away from her with a <go to your friends, don't stay with me, I'm fine think about the others>Mal felt her hands detach from her body meekly, now she could hear the whispers. The words of disgust, hatred, contempt and fear all directed at him, the one who had brought them here. He had sacrificed himself for them and no one realized it. She had also suffered those whispers and now she could change something. She took Ade by the arm not letting him go, he didn't oppose but the amazement he had was as palpable as the beating of his heart.<What are you looking at? Don't you want among you the one who saved you? Without him you would have starved to death in the bunkers show him at least a little gratitude> the silence and the echo accompanied her voice.A deep laugh rose from behind her, Ade knew he was laughing calmly and Mal didn't understand why. She stopped laughing to put a hand on his head <you have quite a temper> he told her before a siren sounded in the base.<We need a family, Chapman... does anyone know where they are? Are they here?>A voice rose from the crowd <I knew they were in their cabin in the mountains before the zombies> said a woman<Where?!> Ade shouted<A Mantra> he shouted backAde took his arm off Mal and rushed up the stairs, Mal followed him at a run stopping him before he disappeared from the sight of the crowd that was listening <where do you want to go?><I'll do it to get them, I'll do it quicker> he said to the soldiers who were already getting ready<Stop! We need to coordinate...> the officer shouted at him<Enough with these papers and action plans, open the door for me and I'll bring back all the living><But...><But my ass!> he shouted, flames came out of the floor <Open>Ade disappeared upstairs, rushing outside, all of Auradon wanted to settle in the room to see what would happen. The people's curiosity was endless. They projected the cameras in every corner of the base to keep the crowd still where they had to be.Mal and Jay watched the scene along with many people settled in the north wing.Ade came out running in the snow, the flames came out of his back revealing the black wings that made him fly between the mountains as fast as an eagle. Even the satellites had trouble keeping up with him.The black wings showed the scars of the bites like his back but he didn't seem to notice, he continued to move them quickly and with agility passing between the peaks and swooping towards the ground in a game of acrobatics.The snowy cabin towered among the trees, no lights, no smoke, a bad omen.<Before landing, check the...> the officer tried to say but Ade ignored him, landing in front of the entrance. The zombies gathered there flocked to him. A gesture, a flash of flame and everything was free.He approached the door...you didn't even need to move the handle, it was open.<Fuck> Ade said before entering.Mal put a hand in front of his mouth to keep from vomiting. The room covered in blood everywhere, it looked like Evie's house after the zombies had devoured Hades. Rotting dead bodies lay on the floor, guts everywhere and yellow worms emerging from the flesh.<How many must there have been?> Hades asked as he moved carelessly through the corpses as if he was used to living in carnage.<Five, mother, father, two twin daughters and the grandfather>Ade walked over the corpses as he counted <Mary, Kelly, Frederick, Hans...one little girl is missing> he said looking into the corpses<How do you know the names?> the general asked him<Am I or am I not the god of the dead...Annie? Annie?> he said as he passed from room to room.He reached the upper floor, the door was locked <Annie! Open the door I'm a friend><Go away ghost...they are alive I know>Ade stopped for a moment <I'm not a ghost, I'm a friend. Can I come in?><Do you like animals?> the little voice from inside spoke<I love them> small steps followed the opening of the door.<Then you can come in> from the crack of the door the face of a little girl with black curly hair and a dress stained with blood could be seen.<She's about five years old> Jay commented quicklyAde leaned towards her <hi, can I come in?> she nodded opening the door for him, when he entered she sat on the bed. That pink room was the one she shared with her twin, a bed was abandoned on the side.<What are you doing here?> she asked him, stopping Ade's gaze<I came to take you to a safe place><But I want to stay here, I'm sure they'll wake up><Your family?> Ade sat down next to her<Yes, they're just very tired after getting dirty with markers><Markers?><Yes, the red ones> Mal didn't know how to hold back her tearsAde smiled at her as if it were the pure truth <Oh sure, do you want to tell me the game they played?><I don't know, I was here alone because my mom hadn't made me the pasta I wanted when I heard screams. The monster in the cellar makes those noises so I locked myself in the room and when I came down everything was red, I tried to wake them up but nothing and I came back here><How long have you been here alone?>The little girl looked at the ceiling <she came twice at night><You must be hungry. Don't you want to come with me? When they wake up I'll come get them><No> he shook his head hugging his horse-shaped stuffed animal<Do you like horses?> she nodded <do you want me to take you to see them?><But mommy and daddy?>Ade smiled at her <they told me you can go, they'll join you once they've rested>She got up from the bed <then it's okay> Ade picked her up and jumped out of the window, he didn't want her to go back through the entrance.Before landing they were engulfed in flames, when they disappeared the little girl was laughing happily on the back of a black winged horse that was flying above the house and the zombies.<Trot little horse, go!> she shouted happily while Ade played in the sky with her on his back getting closer and closer to the base.<Poor little girl> said the Fairy who had reached them<A cruelty> commented JayThe horse landed in the snow after a few hours of playing, Ade transformed again taking the little girl on his shoulders and entering.Before their figure came the little girl's voice <it was beautiful, let's do it again, please let's do it again, again, again>Ade appeared with her swinging on his shoulders happily.<Tomorrow is fine> Ade answered her<No today, today...> she stopped when she saw all the people looking at her. Ade put her on the ground, two nurses approached her with a smile but the little girl retreated behind Ade's legs clutching the fabric of his pants.<We don't want to hurt you, we're friends><No, I don't like you> she pulled the pants of the god who bent towards her <they scare me, pick me up> Ade obliged her under the general amazement.<If I come with you you will do what these ladies ask of you> she nodded <then let's go> the nurses followed him with their mouths open.<She is traumatized otherwise how can Ade give you security?> commented an acid one, Mal was about to disintegrate him then he remembered Ade's look "Leave it".