My Demons

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Tess walked silently towards the water. It reflected the light of the full moon, providing enough light to see where she was going. Once she reached the water, she knelt beside it, looking at her reflection,
"If you wish for me to see my future please show it to me now," Tess closed her eyes and whispered. Nothing seemed to happen and she opened her eyes, looking down at her reflection once again. She sighed angrily, but then she noticed her reflection slowly began to change. It gave way to a battle field, she watched figures battle. She could see Diana fighting off a demon, but as hard as she looked she couldn't see Silas. Soldiers fell left and right on both sides as the struggles continued. Suddenly the images flashed to Tess staring down Akbar. She leaned forward as she watched herself. A second later she jumped back in horror and screamed. She scrambled away from the water, the vision fading as quickly as it came. Tess looked around taking deep breaths, hoping no one had heard her. She looked back at the water, not wanting to accept what she had seen. Tess slowly stood up, her legs wobbling. She looked at the angels camp and her eyes watered.
I'm sorry Silas...

~

Tess trudged back to the camp, her heart heavy. She waited until a couple of hours before sunrise, before entering the tent she knew Silas was in,
"Silas," She whispered when she found him. He opened his eyes slowly, and when he saw, her his mouth opened, getting ready to form a question. Tess put a finger to her lips and gestured for him to follow. She waited outside the tent for Silas, her heart beat loudly. He opened the tent flap and looked at her,
"What's wrong-" Tess hit him with the hidden end of a spear, and he dropped to the ground, unconscious,
"I'm sorry," Tess apologized again. She grabbed his arms and legs, dragging him over to where Melderick was waiting. It took a great amount of effort to hoist Silas's limp body up on Melderick, but Tess was finally able to. She mounted Melderick, holding onto Silas's limp body she had draped in front of her. She clicked for Melderick to go forward and began riding East, toward the water again. It didn't take long for her to reach it on horseback and she dismounted quickly, not knowing how much time she had before Silas woke up. She heaved his body off of the saddle and dragged it to a tree she had spotted earlier that night. She began winding a rope around his body and the tree, tying a firm knot. She stood back, reminding herself that she had no choice,
"Hic ceruchus mos quasso in aetas ex indigeo," Tess finished the spell just as Silas's eyes opened. He groaned as she saw his eyes focus on her,
"Tess?" He said in confusion and hurt. Tess bent down so that she was eye level with him. She saw him struggle against the rope,
"Tess, what are you doing?" Tess couldn't hold his gaze for very long,
"I'm sorry," She whispered, looking at the ground,
"I had no choice," Silas looked at her, his eyes blank,
"Tess, what are you talking about?" Tess looked up at him,
"Silas, I saw the future. I can't let you set foot on the battlefield," Silas struggled again,
"Tess, don't do this. I need to be there to protect you!" Tess sucked in a breath, trying to hold a flood of tears back,
"No, I won't let you," She said. She stroked her fingers through Silas's hair, looking into his golden eyes. All she could see was pain, but she knew she was doing the right thing,
"I love you," Tess leaned in and kissed him, hard. She tried to push all her feelings into the kiss, hoping Silas would find some peace in it. A tear slid down her cheek, dripping onto Silas's skin. She stood up quickly, turning away from him,
"Tess?"
Keep walking. She mounted Melderick,
"Tess don't do this to me," Silas pleaded. Tess swung Melderick around and looked down at the angel,
"I'm so sorry," She turned away, kicking the horse forward,
"Tess!" Silas screamed and Tess kicked Akbar harder. The wind ripped tears away from her cheeks,
"TESS!" Silas screamed at the top of his lungs. Tess refused to stop as Melderick thundered towards camp. The sun was rising and the battle would be upon them soon.

~

Tess was able to compose herself as she arrived at the make-shift camp. Gabriel was organizing the army. They would be marching to a flat battle ground a couple of miles away. Tess rode up beside Gabriel, who was mounting his horse,
"Have you seen Silas?" The angel asked,
"No, why?" Tess asked, trying to sound confused,
"He hasn't been seen all morning," Gabriel said, as he looked around at the gathering army,
"He's probably here somewhere," Tess said, making her tone nonchalant. Gabriel nodded, and wheeled his horse around,
"Look here! We march to the flat lands!" Gabriel said and turned back around. He clicked his horse forward and Tess rode beside him. They were halfway to the flat lands when shouting came from the back of the army. Gabriel ordered a halt and looked back to see what was going on,
"You might want to see this," He growled at Tess. Tess turned Melderick around and her jaw dropped. Walking toward the front of the army was her father. Gabriel swing off his horse quickly, displeasure was in his every movement. Tess's father stopped in front of him,
"Christian," Gabriel said stiffly,
"Gabriel," Christian said with a nod. Gabriel looked at Christian,
"You were supposed to never come here again."
"You should have wiped my memory then," Christian retorted then looked at Tess,
"Plus you didn't say goodbye before you left."
"I didn't want to upset you and mom," Tess rambled out. Gabriel rolled his eyes,
"Enough with niceties. What are you really here for?" Christian looked at Gabriel,
"I'm here to fight with you," Tess blinked, but was more surprised when Gabriel laughed,
"A fallen angel? Fighting in the ranks of angels? How amusing," Christian frowned and Gabriel realized he was serious. Gabriel shook his head,
"We don't accept traitors," Gabriel scowled. Christian looked at Tess,
"Then accept a father looking after his daughter," He said. Tess smiled and ducked her head. Gabriel looked between them before letting out a long sigh,
"You can fight with us, but remember this, I will be watching you and if you make one wrong move," Gabriel smirked, his message clear. Christian rolled his eyes,
"Understood" He mumbled as Gabriel mounted his horse and gave the signal to move again. Tess looked down at her father,
"What are you doing here?" She asked,
"Didn't I just tell Gabriel this?" Her father said, raising an eyebrow. Tess sighed,
"What about mom?"
"She is safe at home, I assure you," Tess looked at her father,
"You do know how dangerous this is, right?" She asked,
"Remember, I was once an angel," Her father reminded her,
"So where's the babysitter?" Her father asked,
"I don't know," Tess said, her father looked like he didn't believe her, but didn't ask any questions. Tess looked up. The battle field was drawing near.
 
~

Tess watched the army pull to a halt.  Waiting on the horizon was the demon army. Tess gasped as she seemed sucked into their world. She could see Akbar speaking to his army, and Tess realized he must have cast a spell for her to see this,
"Spare no lives," The demon growled,
"Take who you want, but the girl is mine," His eyes locked with hers. Tess gasped as the image shattered,
"What is it?" Gabriel asked in concern,
"They are coming. Akbar wants to fight me."
"He'll have to get through us first," Gabriel growled. Tess watched as she saw the demon army begin advancing. It didn't take long for Tess to realize they were charging. Gabriel swung to face the angelic army,
"Today we fight for freedom! We fight for humanity! Today is the day Akbar regrets ever crossing blades with angels!" Gabriel shouted, raising his sword. The army roared back at him. He turned to Tess,
"Are you ready?" He asked. Tess drew her sword slowly,
"Yes," Gabriel nodded,
"Charge!" He screamed. Tess kicked Akbar forward. Her heartbeat quickened as adrenaline rushed through her veins. Rebellion welled up inside of her. She hated him. Akbar would die today and Silas would be safe. Tess watched as the armies closed in on each other. Time seemed to slow down as the two armies clashed. Blood curdling screams split the air, and the smell of blood tainted Tess's senses. Tess gasped, she wasn't ready. Tess didn't have time to think as a demon charged toward her. She slashed with her sword, easily killing him. Melderick charged through the ranks, and Tess struck down the demons before her. Blood began to stain her horse's white coat. Suddenly snakes appeared on the ground below her. Tess knew they were an illusion, but no one could tell Melderick that. He reared and Tess couldn't hold on. She fell off his back, breaking her fall with a roll. She stood up and looked around. She needed to find Akbar. Another demon charged her and their blades screeched together. Tess kicked him backward and readied her sword. The demon smiled cruelly and charged at her. Tess dodged and slashed his back, but he managed to scratch her arm. Tess yelped in pain. The cut burned, the blade must have been poisoned. The demon screeched and fell to the ground. Tess hesitated with the killing blow giving the demon time to get up. Before he could swing at her, a sword pierced his back, and he crumpled in a heap. Tess looked up and saw Diana flicking blood off her sword,
"Vile creatures," She complained,
"Thanks," Tess gasped. Diana nodded grimly and turned back towards the action. Tess looked around and she locked eyes with Akbar. The sight of him sent chills down her spine. He seemed to be challenging her to come get him. Tess smiled grimly and charged toward him.