The Riches of Power

The Beginning of the End

POV Paige

"Paige," said a low voice. I stirred with a soft moan. I almost fell back into my slumber when it the voice insisted, "Paige." When I opened my eyes sleepily I was being pulled off Carter's chest, his brown eyes piercing mine for a moment before turning out the window. My fuzzy mind tries to determine what expression I was just presented. He didn't look happy or calm. That look awakens me more. I sit up, and turn my gaze to what once was a meadow. The moon was high in the sky, and you could see the boiling of the black tar as it sloshed in its spot. There was something different from before. It seemed to ever so slightly recede. "Do you think it's moving" He asked quietly, as if he would spook the darkness back to the trees.

I studied the clearing intensely. I could now see a thin ring of dead and blackened grass that came just into view from where we sat. I stood up and moved for a better view. I couldn't deny what my eyes now held. Carter was behind me and had placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked back up at him and his face was lined with anxiety. To confirm what was undeniable, Taryn came racing down the stone stairwell. She was out of sight when, and all we were left with was her voice "Get ready". Before we moved, Elaina came stumbling down the steps. She was disoriented and it wouldn't have surprised me if she fell, but she stayed upright as she tried to catch up with the nimb. We followed behind , her lavish red cloak flowing behind her.

We had all gathered around the fountain, all accounted for except Tara. Adrenaline was pumping through me now, wiping any trace of sleep from me. Asmodel was already rambling when we approached, "We don't know if they are going to show up."

"There are hundreds, possibly thousands of demons out there," Taryn raged in disbelief. "There is no way we can take them without support."

"We are going to have to." Axel breathed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

'They can't be talking about the archangels?' I thought. There was always some sense of security behind the anxiety of the attack. The possibility of an army of archangels was like knowing there was a safety net. I don't think I've ever really felt like I was in any actual danger during this adventure. My mind allowing me to feel like no matter what we will get out of this alive. This fantasy I've built into my head seemed to slowly be crashing around me. The thought of strong, brave, prepared beings trained to protect against evil entities such as these was something I'm sure we were all counting on despite our endless training. My mind tried to wrap around the task ahead, but I couldn't seem to focus on anything with the anticipation pounding in my ear.

My attention was drawn towards the gate where one of the archangels was running towards us. It was the blonde I think his name was Daniel maybe Damien. He was panting and out of breathe, "Its receding even more, and if they are smart they won't let us prepare much longer."

We were very lucky to have had any amount of prep time. I sighed and bit my lip. "Paige and Carter, both of you guard the angels, everyone else let's head outside of the wall." Eric took charge. I looked at Carter, he was already turning back towards the building. We would be the last line of defense for the angels hiding inside. We turned to wait for whatever would come. As we stood outside the door we listened to the hushed nervous whispers of the seraphs inside. I wondered what kept them here, why they couldn't just teleport back to heaven. I took in another deep breath looking down at the waterfall that peacefully trickled despite all else. The cobble stone glowed and pulsed as if it were alive, but it was gentle and almost unnoticeable. From where we stood we could only barely see the edge of the tree line from over the wall. I could only pray we could get through this. My thoughts continued to roam to dark places. Images of the literal waves of demons tumbling over each other to snatch away the innocent and take our lives. They were what waited outside. For a moment I felt like I was going to vomit. I took a moment, but the queasyness lingered. That's when it happened and I turned to the side, spilling my dinner onto the stone. I gagged at the sight and smell. I swallowed the rancid taste in my mouth, and coughed at the burning in my throat.