Prey: protectors of Arrasia, book 1

Chapter 7

Ira knelt before his father and waited for him to notice him. He tossed a lava rock between his fingers nervously. "Ah Ira, my beloved son. What brings you to me?"
"Arteria said you wanted to see me, father?"
Lucifer nodded. "Rise, my son, and take a seat."
Ira stood and settled on the throne next to him.
"I have not been honest with you, son. You have an older sister. She is a dark sorcerer and a demon lord. Her name is Arianna. Your mother was a great warrior but she was a child of light. It was her choice to give me such wonderful children. But we were young and in love, son, and because of that we did not foresee the consequences of our actions. Ira you and your sister are Variants. Very powerful Variants. I love you, Ira. You are the only thing that brings me joy in this lifeless place. Please forgive me. I know you are upset. But the angels know of you and your sister, and I fear that God will send them for you. For I see the hatred of the light in Rezzeion, and soon history will repeat itself. He is all ready gathering an army. I know you are drawn to the light. I know you are not happy here. I know you took Rezzeion so that you could have a friend. But that friend of yours is on his way to becoming the future ruler of Darkness. I know you don't want that for him. I don't want that for him. I told you to set him free and in all honesty, I wouldn't mind fighting Gabriel again. But not like this. You must stop him, my son."

Ira stared at his father. He was a Variant. Now he knew why the demons and hell children looked at him with fear and wonder in their eyes. He was never a true son of Darkness. He was never truly one of them. He was both a child of the light and a child of the dark. On his 19th birthday he would choose a side. But he already knew, by the way he longed for the smell and sounds of nature and the way he loved all creatures that he was his mother's son. "Is it true, father?" He asked.
"Is it true that you were once his favorite?"
"Yes. But I was selfish. I wanted what was not mine. In a way, though, he did give me what I desired, a World to call my own."
He glanced up at the ceiling, and Ira knew he was remembering better times.
"Did you have a friend? Like Rezzeion did?"
"Gabriel." At the mention of the name of the famous archangel Ira's eyes widened. His father smiled.
"We were once inseparable, much like Gavriel and Rezzeion were."
"Indeed we were."

Ira and his father looked up, startled. There stood Gabriel, bathed in pure light. "Hello, Lu. It has been a while."
"Yes it has. What brings you here, Gabriel?"
"Someone beat the Wanderer within an inch of his life. He showed up on our doorstep saying something about impending doom. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
"As a matter of fact, I would. I recently released Rezzeion at  the request of my son. I fear that he believes heaven has forsaken him."
Gabriel stepped closer. For a moment, the former friends gazed into each other's eyes.

Ira sensed the wave of emotion that passed between them. There was longing, sadness, anger and fear there. Gabriel turned to go but Lucifer called after him. "Gabe?"
The archangel stopped and looked back. Ira swore he saw a hint of love and regret in his eyes. But then it was gone.
"Yes?"
"Has Kareena asked after her  son?"
"Yes."
"Tell her that he is well. Tell her he turned out all right."
"I will, Lu."
And with that, he was gone.

Ira looked up at his father. "Father?" He said quietly.
"We were each other's first love," he replied, answering his son's unspoken question. Before your mom and I met."
Ira took his father's hand. "I will stop him, father."
"I will stand behind you, Ira. But you must hurry. I fear we are running out of time."
Ira turned to leave.
"Ira?"
"Yes?"
"No matter what happens never forget that you are my son. Never forget that your mother and I love you. Now go, my boy. Go and save your friend."