Immolation Ex: The Knower (COMPLETED)

Chapter XXXVI

"So who are you, mister?" Dustyn asked, watching the old man examine his bruised wrists. His eyes darted about the alley and he noticed his surroundings reeked of rotting vegetables and urine, but that could have just been the old army blanket they were seated on with their legs crossed like they were about to meditate.

"My name is Cain."

Dustyn raised an eyebrow in confusion, turning his attention from the neighboring stinky, blue dumpster to his rescuer. "Cain? As in..."

The elderly man closed his eyes and exhaled. "Yes, that one."

"Seriously?"

"Why does everyone do that when I tell them. They have been doing it for millennia."

Dustyn shrugged his shoulders. "Typical, goofy human nature I suppose. Kinda like smelling something nasty and then offering it to someone else for them to catch a whiff. Like this place."

Cain stared at Dustyn and then began to roar with laughter. "Oh my word, that is hilarious. No wonder that witch Bezaliel was so enamored with you."

"So, what do you want with me and why are you still alive?" Dustyn asked.

"The answers you seek are connected and I will answer them right after I heal your wrists." Cain grabbed Dustyn by each forearm and covered the wounds with his hands. The old man gritted his teeth and squeezed.

Dustyn howled as pain raced through his body radiating from his wrists. "Stop, dammit!"

Cain released the young man and with the action, removed the pain Dustyn experienced. "What the...?"

The old man nodded and then stood, shaking his hands around like they were wet.

"Are you a Watcher?"

"Hardly, my boy, hardly. I am but a simple demon like yourself."

"Then who is your Watcher?"

"Samael."

Dustyn was silent.

The old man's eyes narrowed. "...yes, that one."

"But, he's dead, or so I heard."

"That my dear king, is accurate."

"Then how is it you are not mad? You should be a lunatic with red eyes and who knows what else."

"That would probably be the case were it not for what happened. An event long ago that completely changed my life..."

Immediately After The Fall

"Samael, you liar!" shouted Azazel, wincing as he stood from the scorched, rutted ground. "You said that Father would listen. You said He..."

Samael stepped forward and threw a fist into his brother's face. The impact sent dark angelic blood streaking over the field's pretty swaying grass and the former Archangel's dirty robes.

Azazel reeled, losing his balance to land on his rear in the tall vegetation. His Heavenly sword appeared in his hand.

Samael responded in kind and readied himself. "It is you who lied, brother. You said the others would join us once they heard our reasoning, but instead they drove us out, Michael leading the charge!"

"How was I to know?" Azazel replied as he stood up his weapon in hand. "In secret, there were so many who expressed the same opinion! I thoroughly believed they would come to our aid when we rose up to voice our grievances."

"Stop Samael! You and Azazel, this is not the time for fighting amongst ourselves!" Bezaliel shouted. "If we are to return and take Heaven, we..."

The dark clouds coating the skies above the Watchers separated. Light streaked from overhead like a shower, drenching the bodies of several hundred beings strewn about the lovely field, some dead, some alive.