Wanderess

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

THE POWER OF THE FIRST ANGEL

Adrian felt like he was having a heart attack when she left his arms and plunged down into the mess that he had just almost escaped from.

He readied himself to plunge after her, to catch her when he watched in amazement as her own wings sprouted from her back. They truly were a sight to behold, the blue in them making them even more magnificent. She was gaining on the Halo- he couldn't let her do this alone, and so he went back into the exploding cave.

Fayre couldn't feel her injuries as she plummeted, she could only feel the humidity in the air and the air as it rushed past her as the ground neared. She had her eye on the Halo as it fell. She didn't even realise her wings had come out of hiding and were fighting to keep her steady.

She grinned as she saw them, using them for momentum- she pushed back, propelling forward, her speed increasing. She could see Adrian and his midnight wings close behind her. She didn't care. If the Halo was lost again then this was all over. It was better to risk her life than do nothing. She was gaining on the falling circlet. This had all happened in the space of a few seconds and the rushing movement gave her a dizzying headache- but she was so close. As her fingers touched the edge of the metal, she felt a surge of energy. She felt the presence of Adrian beside her and her hands closed around the Halo.

A blinding white light eluded from the space where she had touched the object. As a surge of power flooded her veins as the white light extended to the entirety of the cave. Her wounds burned like fire and the amount of energy she had could run a small factory. She felt Adrian's hand above her ruined arm as she closed her eyes and screamed.

****

Malvat sat on his stolen throne, the blood stains around the dais remained from the battle merely days ago. He wanted them as a reminder of what he had accomplished. His Darkness was surrounding the palace now and soon it would reach the Cities and he would rule all of Paradisum. A loud banging was heard from the large doors that lead to the throne room. They opened slowly as a frightened messenger scuttled in. head bowed, his voice quivered as he spoke, "Your Majesty, Lady Priscilla and her daughter, Lady Iris." Behind him strode in the ladies in question. Their gowns were elegant- fit for a queen. They both bowed before making their way towards the dais, stopping only inches away from the steps.

Priscilla spoke first, "Your Majesty, we've received the most shocking news today. There has been an explosion. The sacred Mount Ares has been attacked. The mountain stands no longer, it is but mere ashes and rubble now."

Malvat saw red then. It had to have been his troublesome grandson. Adrian alone (apart from himself) knew the location of the Halo. The King was enraged yet did not show it. He couldn't let his disciples know about the Halo.

The young daughter or Priscilla, about nineteen, possibly twenty, stepped forward, "Your Majesty, it was said that the Princess was seen around the mountain area a few days before the explosion, and she wasn't alone. There was a man with her."

The King smirked, a plan forming in his wicked mind already, "Well my lovely Ladies, it looks like it's time to inspect the rubble."

****

When Fayre came to, she was in a bed...well a makeshift bed at that. The blankets piled on the floor under her were soaked red, undoubtedly from her wounds.

What had happened? The last thing she remembered was the light from the Halo when she had touched it.

She looked around her surrounding, she was in a Travellers hut, similar to the one Isa and Azaiyah lived in when she saw them last.

Where was Adrian?

She pulled herself into a sitting position. She didn't register the lack of pain in her side and hand. Someone had changed her clothing and she was now in a pair of sweatpants and a white singlet. She looked down at herself as if for the first time. There was something different. Her wounds were gone entirely- which didn't make any sense. She should have had to have her arm amputated from the damage done to it. Instead, smooth, pale skin took its place. Not a scar in sight. She lifted her thin shirt up to see the same had happened to her side cut. Nothing was there. Her body moved different also. As she stood, she was more graceful, more elegant. It was as if something had changed, but she didn't know what. Her muscles seemed more defined and as she brought her hands up to her face to inspect for any injuries, she felt smooth skin. Her hair was softer than ever and silky to touch.

Something weird had happened and somehow it had enhanced her every aspect. She needed to find someone.

She stumbled out of the hut to find nothing but an empty space. The hut she was in seemed to be the only one for miles.

She heard whistling and raced back inside, afraid of who could be out there. Her weapons were beside the makeshift bed and so she raced for Celestia, drawing her and readying herself in an attack stance.

Adrian stepped through the doorway, carrying firewood in his arms, whistling merrily. He paused when he saw Fayre holding a sword aimed at him. He gently put the wood stack next to him on the floor and raised him hands as Fayre shook.

"Hey, you're alright. Put the sword down." She did as he said, too tired to fight back.

"What happened?"

She sat on the blood-soaked blankets; Adrian moved to sit beside her. "I could ask you the same question you know?" She looked at him, helpless and confused. He sighed deeply, linking his hand through her now-healed fingers. "When you touched the Halo, something happened, a bright light burst through everything and left the mountain in ashes. When I woke up, you were lying beside me; I couldn't see the Halo anywhere, I thought we had lost it again. But in that moment," he looked her in the eyes, "I didn't care. You were covered in blood; I didn't know if it was fresh or old- and my only thought was to get you help. So, I carried you back to the car and drove like Hell to the Travellers camp. When I got here, they were leaving. They never stay in one place for lone. The Sisters helped me though, they placed you in the tent and they did...well, whatever it is they do, I'm not entirely sure." She looked up at him, the question in her eyes evident, "They made me leave. They said I couldn't be in the room for the process. But when they were done, I came in.

They...they said that you had absorbed the Halo's power and that's why I couldn't find it anywhere. The Halo doesn't exist anymore, Fayre. You are the Halo. All of Cael's power is now in you, Fayre."

She looked like she was about to be sick. The grip she had on Adrian's hand proof of her fear, "I know, ok. I didn't believe it at first either. But you've got the grace of the first Angel, you were always stunningly beautiful, but now, it physically hurts to look at you- because you're so beautiful." She looked down at their joined hands at that. Everything being hurtled at her was a lot to process. Now Adrian could barely stand to look at her. She felt the tears gather in her eyes as he placed a hand under her chin and pulled her eyes up to meet his. "I would die for you, Fayre. A little thing like that isn't going to deter me from you." Her heart warmed.

"What happens now?" Her voice was small, he had never heard her speak like that before. Even listening to her voice was angelic and made him want to bask in it.

"Well, you're the ultimate weapon. Now we figure out what to do with your power. What powers you might have, how to use them; things like that. If you're up for it?"

The ultimate weapon.

"How long was I out?"

He visibly winced, "Two days, it's about six am. The Sisters were the last to leave, and so it's just been me and you the last thirty or so hours."

Two days. They had lost so much time.

They couldn't lose any more. She wouldn't allow it. She was going to take back her kingdom and save her people. She looked at Adrian, straight in his eyes. Her stare was hard and fiery.

"Let's do this."