Daniel’s reaction curbs my desire to peek outside. He looks like he’s just watched someone murder and dissect a puppy. My gaze travels from his offered hand, up to his face and I don’t miss the sheen of unshed tears. I briefly wonder what would make a war angel cry, when a bright red-orange light flashes through the destroyed doorway, bathing him in glow of flames.
Curiosity wars with self-preservation. I remind myself that Aeriel is still outside and I don’t hear sounds of battle. Daniel wouldn’t allow me outside – much less ask me to go outside – if it isn’t safe. So, essentially, curiosity wins and I place my hand in his, allowing him to lead me.
I’m so shocked that I can’t form a coherent sentence, much less thought. There’s bodies everywhere; in every possible stage of decay. The stench is almost unbearable; it’s like someone mixed sour milk with rotten eggs and blended it with some horse shit. I tug my hand free of Daniel’s and use it to cover my nose. My gag reflex convulses in my throat and I switch to breathing through my mouth instead of my nose.
Thousands of rotting corpse parts occupy the streets surrounding us. Arms, legs, fingers, toes, heads – and chunks of unidentifiable meat - are scattered here and there. It’s safe to say that a whole cadaver can’t be spotted anywhere. Blood, guts, and other disgusting liquids splatter what remains of the stone walls. Ember had done her damage and now hung suspended in the air, blade tip pointing toward the ground. She spun around and around; so quickly the amber gem almost acts as a spotlight.
I rush forward, intending to grab the hilt when a strong hand on my shoulder stops me.
“Don’t touch it,” Daniel warns. “It’s absorbed so many souls, we have no idea what’s happening to it right now.”
I hear him and I understand his concern, but for some reason, I don’t feel threatened. Ember was given to me for protection; surely Jophiel wouldn’t have given me a weapon that would harm me.
You are right, Little Warrior, I bring you no harm. A haughty feminine voice flits through my mind. Suddenly, I feel like I’ve been wrapped in a warm blanket after being exposed to frigid cold weather. I’m comforted into feeling safe.
“She won’t hurt me,” I murmur and quickly rush forward to wrap my hand around Ember’s hilt. I gasp at the electrical shock that vibrates into my hand, running up my arm. I feel like I’ve just stuck a penny in a light socket. Every hair on my body stands at attention. But, just as quickly as the sensation enters me, it dissipates into pure, raw, energy. I feel like I can literally move mountains.
I share my power with you for as long as you travel the Path.
Holding Ember out in front of me, I study the blade as if I’ve never seen it before. New etchings have appeared along with the other sigils along the metal. My eyes are drawn to the stone – which is no longer a solid color; a large plume of dark red floats inside the center of the gem.
“Souls of the Dead,” Aeriel murmurs reverently and cuts her eyes to me. “No good can come of this,” she adds in a fear-filled voice. “They belong in the Afterlife, the longer they linger here, between Realms, the longer they have to grow corrupt.”
She is right, but she is also wrong. Ember’s whisper echoes inside my mind.
“Ember says that you’re right, but in this case, you’re wrong,” I repeat and hold the sword lovingly to my chest. My mind becomes a fuzzy haze of emotion: pride at seeing my weapon accomplish something so sensational, peace at knowing we’ll be able to release the Lost Souls into the Afterlife once our quest is over, and absolution at knowing I’m almost unbeatable as long as Ember warms my hand.
I hear the angels murmuring behind my back, but their words mean nothing to me. I’m filled with a sudden sense of direction and purpose. I was sent back here to find the Tree of Life. Jophiel sent Daniel and Aeriel along to protect and guide me. This mission was mine and mine alone, no one can complete it but me.
I close my eyes and will Ember back to rest and then turn to face the arguing warriors.
“Let’s move.” My voice cuts through their conversation like a whip. “We know where we have to look, the road is now clear of Zombies, let’s go.”
Daniel’s face morphs from confusion to pure, raw anger. He steps away from Aeriel and approaches me, his hands fisted at his sides.
“You can’t carry all these souls around with you, trapped in that stone,” he announces, his voice vibrating with emotion. “They’ve been trapped far too long, they deserve their peace.”
His words – his argument – make sense, but trigger no emotions inside of me. It doesn’t matter that Ember has trapped the souls, she’s saved them and she needs them to help me. We need them. We’ll free them, just not today.
“I said, let’s move,” I repeat, more firmly and brush past the wide-eyed angels.
A/N: Please don't forget to vote!
What do you think Ember is up to?
YOU ARE READING
Genesis 2.0 (Monster Apocalypse Survival) Sci-Fi/DarkFan/Horror
Science FictionThe End was the Beginning. Adapt and conquer, or die. Sixteen-year-old Andrea Collins survives by the skin of her teeth: always on the move, and trusting no one. Until the one day, the truth hits her - and he has wings. Taking advatage of Creation'...
