The Pariah

Chapter 72

Next Chapter will be the last official Chapter for The Pariah. 

Thanks all who've stuck around until the end and I know this ending may not be what you were expecting or wanted. But I hope it satisfies. 

Chapter Song: 30 Seconds To Mars - This Is War

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"He's here!" Maybelle growls. 

Everyone turns to look at her. It's been almost two days since we arrived back and given the cure. People started to feel better almost immediately. Which was a relief, since Taurus had been sick. 

"How do you know?" Silent questions. 

"The Nemesis. When he's in the presence of Cerberus, his body weakens." She looks up into the quickly fading sky. "He's close. We only have so long to gather troops." 

I nod my head and move to inform everyone of what is happening. "Everyone! We need to hurry!" I yell, trying to gather everyone's attention around me. "Cerberus is coming. Everyone who is fighting, we need to gather. Get your weapons, make sure you know your spells, and get the civilians out of here! Now!" 

Madeline makes way through the crowd. "Erin, I know of a path that leads to the south. We can get back to the Sands there." 

"Can you get the civilians to safety?" 

Notus peals through after Madeline. His shorter frame looks almost comical compared to Madeline's. "We can do it. We'll make sure nothing happens to them." 

I nod back at them. "Good. Paladin's, Shade's! Work together and keep an eye on the walls, if you see a Dark Angel, sound the alarm!" They all grunt in agreement and quickly run to do just that. I turn back to Maybelle and Cecil. "You two, maybe it's best you go along with them. You guys can sense Cerberus if he gets close." 

"Very well, Pariah," Maybelle crouches in a jumping position and unfurls her white wing, then takes off into the night sky. 

Cecil eyes me warily and as she passes, she says, "I have no desire to protect you. But you will bring me back my family." 

"I know, I will." I turn to Rodrick as he approaches. 

"I've been working on a vaccine for the people who aren't Angels that want to fight," he informs me and shows me the syringe. "It'll work for a few hours, but I didn't recruit anyone who I didn't think would be fit enough even without it. It'll help to resist the strength of the Dark Angels." 

"Good job, Rodrick." Another person approaches and I see it's Jones. "What is it?" I ask when I see her excited expression. 

"The Counts and are able to cast a Barrier Spell big enough to keep the city under protection for a short while." She informs me. "I have the other Counts placed on the outer walls, on each post. They await for my go-ahead." She gives me a look, asking me if it's okay.

"That'll do, Jones. Hurry up." 

She quickly moves. 

"Everyone else!" I shout. "Get ready for battle. Cerberus will be here shortly." 

I look up into the stars dotting the blackness above. Bring it on, motherfucker. 

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The Dark Angels quickly assembled around the portal as Cerberus landed down, like a demon feigning as an Angel. I narrow my eyes down on him, as I stayed crouch in the cover of the building across the street. I clutch the sword tight in my hand. 

Cerberus tipped his head back and sniffed the air long and hard. "Home at last." 

The Dark Angels gather around, carrying large weapons, black wings unfurling. I could see Bridget among them and a few other familiar faces, all brainwashed and blank.