Smoke In The Clouds

Chapter 2

All angels stared in shock as the fluff of white clouds was tainted. It took no more than a millisecond for the higher-ups to start barking orders.

"I want healers on the back lines, casters and swordswomen and men on the front lines, at the gate of Tont!"

"All archers and long-range fighters, get into position on top of the wall of Kord, any and all other fighters, report to the central city, suit up, and get ready to kick some ass!" A disembodied voice shot through the crowd, pushing bodies to their assigned positions.

~~

The central city was in chaos. With the armory in the dead center, wings and limbs protruded from every opening of the structure. Murmurs and hushed whispers drowned out the instructions of the directors.

Each soldier was admitted with holy water, a natural demon repellent. It was swiped across foreheads, pressed against palms, and doused over bodies.

Women and men began to grow quiet and pale as sounds of distressed angels grew more prominent to hypersensitive ears.

The instructors began to lower their voices as they further explained the plan for battle. A tall muscular man with floppy strands of hair took over in a hushed tone.

"If any of you have ever fought, you know that these particular opponents-" his sentence was cut short by an obsidian arrow in his back. Blood sputtered from his mouth as an obsidian arrow shot through his chest. Black matter eased from the wound, taking over his body. The crowd went silent with shock as the mocking laugh of a demon polluted the air.

She glided through the air on midnight wings before one of the archers shot her down. She face planted on the ground, dark red liquid seeping out from under her and matting her blonde hair.

Demons can be compared to roaches. Once one is in your sights, more come. And if you kill one, hey simply seem to multiply.

They came like a horde of locusts, taking over the skies. It then occurred to me, and thousands of other angels, that we were under attack. That people were dying, being killed.

I flew as fast as my wings would carry me to the roof of the armory. I could see nothing but mass carnage. Demons, but even more angels lay lifeless on the ground, eyes either wide with shock or closed with horror.

An involuntary scream tore through my body, my eyes glazed over with tears. I pressed my hands together, willing my spear to my side as I let out heaved breaths.

A demon came in my sights. With my spear in hand, I knocked its feet from under him. As she hit the ground, her eyes wide with shock, I stamped my foot on her chest, taking her air away from her. I raised my spear the length of my arm and pushed it through her body with all the force I could muster.

As she chocked on blood and cried in pain, I began to recite words, only to be said while the remnants of a deteriorated soul were on the brink of death.

"You have forsaken this holy land with your demonic presence. For it will no longer be allowed. I damn you further, into an oblivion from there is no return or redemption. May God have no mercy on your soul." She chocked a final time, then resorted to a final form. A tangle of limbs and dust as she breathed her final breath. I took no more than second to look upon the body I had just demolished. There was an indescribable rush, adrenaline pulsing through my veins.

My mind was blank with rage. I spotted another demon, blank eyes and a hunched back. Before my mind could resist, my arm shot back and my spear went flying. Directly into the torso of the monster.

My spear fell meters in the sky, breaking through the roof of the prayer hall and shattering multicolored stained glass. I dove in after it, eager to continue my assault. Fitting through the small hole was no challenge, my frame gliding through the air like water over a stone.

I fell to my knees in the deserted chapel, darkened by the polluted air. As I reached my arm out to summon my blade, an invisible force pulled me away, smashing my back against the stairs of the altar.

I sucked in a mandatory breath.

"Your type is always in the way, aren't you? Sit up for me darling." A disembodied voice snuck through the darkness of the chapel. His words forced my body upward to a sitting position as if I was a puppet, and his words were strings. I pushed my hands to the ground, in order to cancel out his force, but to no avail.

"Manipulation. Useful, wouldn't you say love?" The sound of boots clicked louder and louder against marble floors stained with blood. "Once I speak words, your body obeys. Nothing fancy, but it does the trick." My eyes were locked into the floor as the combination of his power and fear paralyzed my being.

He got closer until I could feel his stare coming from directly above me. I could see the tips of his black boots and he ends of his long dark jacket.

"What are you a cliche? A demon walking around wearing all black, thinking you're hot shit. Preying on those who did nothing to you. Does that make you feel good?" My words were choked, as the patient monstrosity in front of me allowed me to finish what I was saying.

"That's quite the mouth you have sweetie. I've never heard an angel speak to me with such a tone and live to see another day," I sucked in an involuntary breath "What a lovely voice, I would love making it scream." He caressed my jawline, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. I shut my eyes, blatantly disregarding the pleasure his hands had caused. "Look at me.Now."

Despite my best efforts to keep my head downwards, it painfully snapped up, almost with enough force to break bones. I pressed my mouth impossible tighter to prevent my cries of pain from being audible.

His face was partially obscured by shadows, though his startling features were visible to my frightened eyes. "You know, I saw your little show. Killing two demons is impressive for such a small girl I suppose. But would you like to hear something? I've killed hundreds of angels easily. At least. Keep that in mind before you start to struggle." My paralyzed body flinched at his words.

Hundreds?

Some locks of hark hair day on his shoulders, while others fell as he leaned forward to patronize me. My breathing came to a halt as grey eyes glazed over, overcome with a feeling that couldn't be named.

I sat in awe. I was directly underneath a demon and one that could rip me to shreds at that. He was gorgeous, nowhere as ghastly and pale as the stories described. My gaze traveled lower and lower as sane and wistful thoughts battled each other.

"Do you have any idea what we do to angels in Hell? Any idea how much you go for? And especially one of your...physique?" I shut my eyes right as limited possibilities flew through my head. What was wrong with me? After all my training, all the battles I'd been through, I should have kicked his ass! Instead, I sat, dumbfounded, in a chapel, completely at his mercy.

He let out a chuckle as he absent-mindedly twirled a lock of my hair. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Go to sleep for me."

His words were the final thing I heard before unconsciousness crept into my mind and body.

Hi again!! What do you think of this new demon and his powers? Is he just a cliche out for money? Or does he have a bigger idea in mind for our sweet Lily? What do you think he plans to do with her?