The Riches of Power

Dance to the bass

POV Riley
Down the steps we climbed, the sun setting in the window behind us giving off a fiery burgundy glow that following our figures as we disappeared from its view, but then we were greated with it once again when the light entered through the doorless entry, and neighboring square window. I could see the crowds of angels in their festive wear and their perfect features smiled at us before they could even see us.
The moment we stepped out into the dying red light they cheered and flowers were thrown at us. I was just glad I hadn't tripped over my feet. We followed Asmodel down the path laid out for us that held spiraled runes and designs. Before we had made it to the end of this path the red had faded from what was visible of the horizon and we were left with the tall torches that lit every dark corner of the sanctuary.
We meandered our way to the end of the path where we made our way up the steps of the pavilion.  The columns of that held the pavilion up had silver, gold, and floral vines snaking around them. Large colorful petals littered the steps and the pavilion itself. Eight chairs had been prepared for us. Made of granite with velvet cushioning. We took our seats, looking at the crowd of angels. There were much more than I thought there would be.
Once the crowd quieted down Asmodel stepped onto the podium, that rested at the corner of the pavilion. Silence reigned over the crowd as Asmodel upon her people with a calm smile. "Today we faced an one of the few attacks to ever occur on these Sanctuary grounds. We faced the horde of Traipses," She pauses, " and we won!" The crowd of angels chorused. " But," Asmodel continues "We did not do it alone, nor could we have." She continued, the crowd hushing under her words. " The long forgotten prophecy has started. These eight," She raises a hand towards us. "They are the prophesied, they are the reason we survived today, they will be the reason to hinder the devil and his grasp. Our Father has chosen these specific few for this task, and who has allowed them such great strength." Another round of cheering courses through the crowd. "We also should not take today's events lightly!" She says her voice taking a darker more serious tone. " They will be back, and we must prepare we must remember what occurred in Japan" She warns. Apprehension flowed through the crowds soft murmurs. "Don't worry, we will be prepared. That I am not concerned about. Our Father is with us, just look at how he has healed our buildings already." She pauses and murmurs continue. " Tonight's a night to celebrate. Celebrate the coming of the prophecy, Celebrate the winning of the battle, Celebrate the lives that were lost, Celebrate our father and his healing love." She continued, and the crowds tension seemed to disappear and was replaced with anticipation for the night's activities. Asmodel gave a nod to someone in the distance, I couldn't quite catch who caught her signal, but a bass drum sounded through the grounds. Creating a dark feel as the other instruments joined in and a dark playful tone took over our senses. The angels start to move back to the square and around the fountain dancing had begun. They were old dances, ones where you are moving in a circle in a circle of people revolving around a center point. Our center point was the fountain. Partners would exchange. The music began to lighten up and a folksy tune danced through our ears. When Ryder had pulled my by my wrist out onto the cobblestone dance floor I was mortified.  I tripped and landed against him, his hand on my waist to steady me. My cheeks flared a rosy shade as I recovered, and he moved one of his hands into one of mine and my hand when to his shoulder as he pulled my along in spirals around the fountain. I tried to keep my eyes away from his intimidating brown gaze. I hadn't noticed the others had joined into the dancing crowd until Ryder let go and I moved into position with Michael. My heart rate settled and matched the beat of the music with my feet.

POV Karen

Jump, step, Jump step, Jump step, spin, switch. This was the dance we spun around in. But the tune changed and to my surprise so did the color of the lighting. The angels poured a powder over the flames that lay scattered in the sanctuary. We were doused in a purple shade of flame. The music started with the dark slow tune of the clarinet and bass drum along with violins. The melody was hypnotic. "Let the ceremony of remembrance begin." Asmodel's voice caressed the ears of those present.  The angels started a hymn in a language unknown to me it was beautiful but sad.
    "I want to know what they are saying" I mumbled. By this time the eight of us had been corralled around the fountain, on my right was Pieper on my left stood Charles.
"They are praying for our memories and to break the charm" Eric said. Eric... oh my! His real name is Eric. Memories flew and lingered in front of my eyes clouding my gaze. I didn't hesitate to wrap my arms around him after this revelation. He tensed before squeezing me tighter. When I looked up at him his hair haded faded back to dark dangerous red and his eyes returned to their natural brown. There was a silence when the angels song faded and the only sound was the flicking of the gorgeous royal flames. When the the flute started the beginning of a waltz we found ourselves in the arms of our lovers. Smiles were not containable for anyone in the sanctuary. My heart beat fast and unsteady and butterflies exploded through my core as Eric spun me and pulled me close.
I'd dreamed of moments like this. Dancing with friends with beautiful scenery. We were in our own little fairytale seen with angels surrounding us. The music returned to the folksy tune we had originally and the angels joined in and partners switched and I'd end up dancing and giggling with Tara or Raven. When I looked up I saw Taryn and Elaina clapping and dancing on the side in beautiful black dresses, smiling and clapping along with a few spectating seraphs. That was our night. We danced until our feet hurt and ate until we were full. We had helped clean up as well, I really wanted to blow out the colorful flames. Soon the decorations were packed and the symbols cleaned away from the surfaces until it looked just as we had arrived.
I took a sip of the calming tea we were given as we walked to our guest house. Again we were all alone in the bedroom. "That was a lot of fun" I giggled.
"Definitely" Tara smiled, her gaze up looking at Axel.
"I've always wanted to do something like that" Paige remarked in a daze. I was curled up against Eric on his bed and his fingers ran through my hair. Everyone sat on their mattresses but stayed above the sheets since the air that blew in was much too warm to do otherwise.
"I never imagined that we would end up somewhere like this." Carter mumbled looking out of the window. "Talking with angels, killing demons" he added on. No, i never imagined this either. I always thought I'd finish high school end up in a college studying to be a teacher in English or science. Never in my right mind did I think that I'd know how to use a scythe, but as I reflect on the past few days i have no clue how I even know how to use that thing is beyond me.
I took another sip of my tea and watched in silent awe at the swirling steam that flew in its beautiful pattern. 'We will be okay, won't we?' I asked myself. 'If God of the universe chose us for this task and has protected us this far... He wouldn't forsake us, would he?' I pondered on this. I hoped he wouldn't. No, I knew he wouldn't, though that didn't stop the doubt and fear still punctured my mind and tickled my heart. Soon the candles were blowing out across the room and goodnights were being echoed through the room. I took a last sip of my tea placing the cup on the bedside table and blowing a cool breath of air over the last flaming wick in the room. Then I curled against Eric, shoving my nose against his tunic and breathing in his scent. "Good night" He whispered I could feel his smile as he planted a kiss on my forehead.
"Wake up!" Called the voice of Asmodel. She was climbing up the steps as I groaned and found my way under a pillow. "Your training begins today" she urged. She was met with more sleepy moans. "Make sure you eat and meet me in the barracks" She ordered before leaving.

POV ERIC

We were standing in the large doorway of the barracks. The room was flooded with natural light from the glassless windows that lay midway of the building whose height could be two stories. But instead of a second floor there were stone support beams. The walls were lined with practice dummies and the floor was made of bamboo. It had a very dojo feel to it. Asmodel sat cross legged  on the ground, her eyes closed and breathing steady. "Come in." She beckoned keeping her eyelids down. We fumble our way into the room and sit in front of her mimicking her straight posture, but our eyes remained open. We waited for her instruction quietly....patiently. Finally she moved one of her arm over her head and leaned her body in the same direction. "Do as I do." She said.
We did as she told. "Yoga is an effective way to gain balance, strength, and agility." She said exhaling. She moved to the other side of her body. We followed her through the different positions until she finally stopped and opened her eyes. I felt thoroughly stretched out, and I had expected her to say that we were done for the day, but instead she told us "equip yourselves" We did as we were told. The metal unfolded into their elegant molds. Asmodel had took Raven's shotgun and examined it, taking in the metal designs and its actual composition.
"These weapons were forged in heaven of course." she said taking ahold of my sword. "I believe they are preconceived weapons." She commented.
"What does that mean?" Carter asked, examining one of his daggers.
"It means that even if the user doesn't know how to use them they will." She states. I take a moment to wrap my head around the idea. "Don't tell me you all used weapons such as these in your mundane lives." She snickered.
"Of course not" Kaitlyn answered
"Well yesterday you fought like you've been trained and specialized in your weapons for years." She says taking one final look at my blade. "So that is one less thing we need to worry about. I just need to make sure you know who you're going against and how to prepare for them."