Prey: protectors of Arrasia, book 1

Chapter 2

The arena was filled with the sounds of cheering fans, the smell of fear and sweat and blood, and the sounds of the Achievers, the Kylon tribe's young leader's fierce children growling threateningly at the fighters. Nava, Lord of Wisdom sat watching the proceedings from his place at the high table. You see, long ago, after the last Great War, God had chosen several of his most trusted advisers to in body one of his virtues and become the royal court of Heaven. There was Zya, Lord of healing, Dresia, Lord of war, zaydana, Lady of Light. They each had their own duties and responsibilities and respected and adored their father as much as any of his children on earth did. It was from these lords and ladies that the protection squad, or the Kylon tribe and religion were born. Each child of a lord or lady was given a gift by their respective parent that symbolized his or her virtue. Then, after a blessing and a talk with God, they were sent down to earth to guard the rest of the human race. The Kylon people did not condone violence unless it was absolutely a necessity. But they were not fools. They knew that another war was inevitable, and so they raised their young to be warriors. They are a strict, hard working people who never back down from a fight but are tought to never strike first. That was why all the nobility of Heaven were sitting in this top secret building in this top secret location in this top secret arena watching these highly secretive duels. It was time to send two more of their children to join the others on earth.

Lord Nava looked up when he heard the horn sound. Everyone's favorite twins were next. Theodore and Caine Anderson Hayaus. Anderson would be their mortal names if they joined their sister on earth. . All eyes turned towards the gleeful looking pair of young brothers. Theodore and his twin were athletic looking boys with close cropped black hair and dangerous, calculating eyes. They were the newest Kylon leader's brothers, she had at least 19 siblings, and they were known for their fighting skills. They were cruel and cunning, yet loving and nurturing just like their father, Lord Theodore Hayaus, Lord of victory. In all the duels that the twins had been a part of, Lord Nava had never seen them lose a single one. He watched as Simon and Andrew stepped into the ring. The fighters shook hands. Lord Hayaus waved to his sons from the stands. They turned and saluted their father and mother and shifted into defensive stances. The duel began.

Andrew ran at Theodore with his sword raised. Theodore blocked the blow, then vaulted over Andrew's head. Simon was hurled to the ground by Caine. He struggled to rise. He stood slowly. Nava's and everyone's eyes shifted from one twin to the other. Andrew clobbered Theodore over the head with his weapon. Theodore collapsed to the ground. One of the Achievers let out a snarl and leapt into the ring. It's charge was in danger and it knew only to protect Theodore. It folded its wings across its wolf-like body and growled at Andrew.

Achievers are shape shifting creatures that live in packs. In their wolf-like state they can fly, are bullet proof, and are wickedly fast. They can also speak English in their main form and have thumbs. They were Cassie Hayaus's gift from God. Hey, the child of Victory must have a weapon of victory. She is their leader, and they always obey her commands. The only one above her was god.
The creature tilted his head as young Theodore rose. It whined and looked at Theodore, then at the stands. It could hear its master's telepathic request.
It flapped its wings lazily as Theodore took Andrew's legs out from underneath him and pinned him to the ground. It flew back to its brothers and sisters.
Simon was fighting hard with Caine. Theodore wove a magical net around Andrew and tossed the poor boy at the two fighters. Simon tried to dodge his flying friend and Caine's blade. He dodged Andrew. Caine slashed his leg and Simon tumbled to the ground. Andrew broke free from the net that held him and moved slowly towards Theodore. Theodore sheathed his sword and brought out a pair of wicked looking daggers. The sunlight reflected off the curved blades as he twerled them between two fingers. Simon was also up again. He and Caine were wrestling on the other side of the ring. Theodore dropped into a crouch, eyes swiveling to catch Andrew's every move. Andrew jabbed at him with his sword. Theodore ducked and landed a flying kick to the side of Andrew's head. Andrew collapsed to the floor and Theodore pinned him there. He turned to look at the Audiance. The crowd gave him a thumbs up and Theodore climbed off of Andrew just in time to see his twin snap simon's wrist and send the other boy skidding across the floor. Caine looked towards the crowd for approval. He was also given a thumbs up and joined Theodore on his side of the ring. The brothers saluted Andrew and Simon before bowing towards the high table and disappearing into the locker room to the sounds of cheering fans.

Later, at lunch, Lord Nava sipped his tea while he sat with the Angels. "Azriel?" He asked suddenly.
Azriel snapped to attention. "Yes sir?"
"What did you make of this morning's duel.
Azriel thought about it for a moment. "They are all excellent fighters, sir," he said finally.
"Indeed they are," Lord Nava replied thoughtfully. "But the twins, my friend. What do you make of the twins. Do you see them as Protector material?"
Azriel thought about it for a moment. Theodore had handled Andrew honorably. There had been almost no blood shed between the two of them. But Caine? Caine was a different story. He had broken Simon's wrist and nose before tossing him aside. Azriel wasn't sure about Caine.
"Maybe, sir," He said finally. "Maybe after a few years of training. I feel Theodore will make a fine Protector, given time. But Caine seems ... A little too violent. It almost seemed like he enjoyed hurting Simon."
Nava sipped his tea and took a bite of his chicken. Azriel cut his stake and glanced over to where Theodore and Caine were sitting.

The twins were chatting with Mr. Cloud and Keven. Keven was Arraisia's resident hacker and genius. He and Donny helped the Protection squad and ran one of the best dream agency's in Arraisia. They were responsible for searching all of the nightmares to see if any of the people in the dream were a potential threat to Arraisia or earth. Azriel also saw a few elite members of the Protection squad at their table. He wondered if they had solved the wild unicorn problem. Apollo was there. He was a tall kid with a slow country boy smile and messy brown hair. He'd grown up on a farm, raising sheep and flying horses before he'd been orphaned. Ira had killed his parents. He had only been 5 when they'd died. Now he was eighteen, and he was one of the best Protectors Arraisia had ever seen. He was sitting next to his friend Raoul and his older brother Avery.

Azriel stared at that table for a while, just thinking. Today was a beautiful day. The sun was shining. The birds and Angels were singing. He was surrounded by good friends, great food, and all the happiness he could wish for. So why, then, did he still feel like something was off?

It all happened so fast. One minute everything was fine, and the next it wasn't. Apollo was the first to spot the creature. He, it, was being lead into the banquet hall by a pack of snarling achievers. It had matted hair. It's face was covered in blood and most of its teeth were missing or broken. One of its legs was broken. It's right wing had been torn off. Its arms and eyes were the only things that seemed untouched. It whimpered as the Achievers drew closer, eyes blazing with hunger and an intent to rid the world of this thing. It was Gabriel, the Archangel, who spoke first. "Cain?" He breathed.
Azriel recognized the creature now. He saw the Wondarer's lost, haunted eyes fix on Gabriel: and it horrified him. Who was able to do this to Cain? Everyone usually just avoided him.
"Hello again, old friend. Long time no see," Cain said.
He blinked rapidly before turning away to spit out blood. "I ' I come with a warning. I come as a sign. Rezzeion is coming." He turned away to cough up blood again.
"Save ' save Arraisia, Gabriel. Do ' do not let him end our worlds. Warn the protectors."
He collapsed to the ground. Apollo stood. Avery gathered the others. Cain lurched back to his feet. "Oh, and Gabriel?"
"Yes?"
"That ' that kid that angel you were with, the one who saved you during the last war?"
"What about him?" Asked Gabriel.
"Tell ' tell him to be careful. Tell him to watch his back. God help us all."

Azriel ran to Gabriel as Jesus started giving orders to the Cherubs. "What now?" He asked.
"Warn Gavriel," Gabriel said.