The Seventh Angel

Chapter 13

Panic claws at my insides as I grasp the harsh reality of the danger I'm in-vulnerable, alone, with an unconscious, otherworldly man who can't protect me. I scan my surroundings, heart pounding, fearing that another Guardian might emerge from the shadows or that they're silently stalking us. But the darkness is thick, and the silence is unnervingly still.

"Okay, Chloe, hang in there! You're a big girl!" I whisper, trying to steady myself as my breaths quicken, my chest heaving while Kambiel lies motionless on the ground. I force myself to focus, crouching down to check his pulse.

"Alright, at least you're alive..." Relief washes over me; for now, his survival is my only chance for protection. But I have no idea where to go... unless...

"The cabin! It must be nearby!" I muster the courage, taking his gun for protection before moving forward. I glance back to mark my path, and after a few minutes of walking, the cabin comes into view, standing just as we left it-weeks or days ago, I can't even tell. The ache of how long I've been gone grips my chest, but I force myself to stay in the present.

"Okay, now how am I going to get this giant lump of a man into the cabin?" The thought crosses my mind to just leave him here, find my own way back to my father, but I quickly realize it's impossible-I can't get back to Aetheris without flying. Damn it! I'm stuck in the most absurd situation-I can't abandon my captor because I need him to get me home!

"Fucking idiot!" I kick the ground in frustration. Still...

"He saved me..." I recall the moment he stretched his arm towards me, pulling me from the water as the wreckage of the plane fell. He must need me too; otherwise, he'd have left me or killed me by now. Regardless, I owe him a safe place for now. Then I'll leave...

I return to him and crouch, mustering all my strength to lift him. His wings are extended, their bright white feathers glowing faintly in the dark, matching his hair. I shake off my distraction, sliding my hands under his arms and tugging him toward the cabin.

"You heavy, winged fool, couldn't you have just put those wings away?" I mutter, grumbling under my breath as I drag him, inch by inch, managing to move him slowly but surely.

I struggle to lift his upper body, barely managing to get him onto the sofa before pulling his legs up as well. By the time I've settled him, I'm drenched in sweat, exhausted, hungry, and furious. Fatigue claws at me, but I shrug off my bag and pull out a blanket, draping it over him. I check his forehead-no fever, thankfully. Still, I grab a cloth and wipe away the dirt from his forehead and upper body.

"Who would've thought I'd be stuck taking care of you. Just wake up already!" I mutter, frustration laced with anxiety. The thought of someone-or something-finding us sends a shiver down my spine. I know I wouldn't be able to protect us both. I push the fear aside, doing my best to focus. I grab a nearby chair and wedge it under the door handle to keep it secure, then settle down in front of it, gun in hand, leaning back against the sofa where Kambiel lies. I pull another blanket over myself, trying to stay alert for any sound, but I can barely keep my eyes open.

I hover in that hazy state between awake and asleep when I see Kambiel in my dreams again, but this time, it feels as if I'm inside his thoughts.

"She is a Dreamwalker! But how?" The images swirl around me, his thoughts spiraling, everything flashing in blinding white as fragmented words echo. It's as if he's trying to push me out of his mind. Words like bonded, impossible, and Azrael flicker through, leaving me confused and struggling to piece it all together. But something unexpected stands out-I can sense an intense attraction, one that feels unwanted, like a burden. It feels just like mine. It must be my own feelings, right? There's no way he could be attracted to me; I've never caught him looking at me that way.

"Wake up," I whisper into the white void surrounding me, standing on a surface that feels like water beneath my feet. He appears before me, as striking and magnificent as ever, staring at me with a mix of confusion and anger.

"Get out of my head!" he commands-whether he shouts, whispers, or doesn't speak at all, I can hear him as clearly as if the words were right next to me.

I jolt awake from the vivid dream-or vision-realizing the sun is beginning to rise. Relief washes over me.

"Thank the Ethyra, we're alive!" I breathe, but my hope fades quickly as I glance back, seeing that Kambiel still lies motionless.

I rise and splash water on my face, trying to clear my mind of the intense feelings and attraction that linger from the vision. Pushing the chair aside, I step outside, moving cautiously as I scan for any dangers. The morning sun filters through the trees, birds chirp, and the fresh scent of the forest fills the air. It seems peaceful. My stomach rumbles, reminding me I need food, so I venture further, searching for something to eat. I find some berries and savor them, but as I take another step, something invisible and solid suddenly manifests in front of me with such force that I stumble and fall to the ground.

"What the-!" I stare at the space where an invisible wall had formed before it disappears again.

"What was that?" I get up, cautiously moving forward again, only for the barrier to reappear, nearly causing me to collide with it. I study it, sensing something familiar about its energy.

"I see you trying to run away." His sharp voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I spin around.

"You're alive!" I exclaim, genuine relief in my voice, surprising even me. He seems just as confused. Kambiel stands half-naked, arms crossed, looking as if nothing had happened. He frowns.

"Yeah,why would I die.You could have killed me if that's what you wanted."

"Yes, I suppose I could have, but how would I get back to Aetheris then?" I gesture towards where the invisible wall had been. "Did you see that? It just appeared out of nowhere." I glance back, but it's gone. I hear a soft chuckle from behind me-he's laughing?

"It's called an Encelis Barrier," he explains, his tone amused. "It's a method we the Ascended use to prevent someone from escaping." He points to my wrist where those tiny, ancient symbols now glow, the ones he created last night! I completely forgot about it! Damn him!

"It keeps you bound to me. You can't wander too far without it activating," he says with a smirk, clearly enjoying the situation. Anger surges through me.

"YOU! Get this thing off me right now!" I shout, rubbing my wrist in vain, but the symbols remain stubbornly in place. "You hear me?! I wasn't even trying to escape, you idiot! I could die out here on my own!" I march toward him, fuming, while he watches with a smirk. Why did I even help him?

"I stayed up all night watching over you, and this is how you repay me?" I yell, my voice rising as frustration takes over. He looks almost entertained by my outburst.

"You invaded my thoughts without permission!" he retorts.

"I had no idea what I was doing! I still don't know how I'm capable of it! And I didn't understand anything!" I fire back.

"Stop being hysterical. It will disappear in a few days." He adds calmly.

"A few days?? You winged piece of-" I start, but he suddenly stops smiling and shifts his focus, scanning the forest.

"Don't speak," he commands firmly, listening intently. I freeze, my heart racing, fearing more Guardians might be lurking nearby.

Suddenly, a tiny, round black object hurtles towards us, releasing a thick cloud of smoke.

"What the-" he coughs, and I start coughing too as more of the smoke-filled balls are thrown our way. My vision blurs, and I struggle to breathe, the dizziness overwhelming me. I collapse to the ground, seeing Kambiel fall beside me. His hand reaches for mine, but it's too late; his eyes lock onto mine before everything fades. I hear a stranger's voice in the distance.

"Good job, Crystal. You got them-" but the rest of the words are lost as darkness overtakes me.

Ethyra-The universe/God