Black-wings

Chapter XXIII Christmas

The entire base was filled with unrest, with the treachery of the colonel and Austin people began to question the faith of all those in the order. We even see men outside foretelling the end of the human race, that man has turned on God and are now toys for the devil to entertain himself.

But for today all that unrest will be centered on the day The Lord was born, today was Christmas and for now, talk of doom will be replaced with praise to Christ. I do wish I could see the people at this time, but under orders from the top I must stay locked away in my room. I am not allowed in the church, and during Christmas I must stay away. Oh well, I suppose it makes sense, why would an unholy being be around the very thing it would consider an enemy?

Lobby area 4:12 PM

"Hey Sky you know where Dante is? He wasn't hanging around outside of the church waiting for me yesterday, and I haven't heard from him all day."

"Um well you see..." He said in his western accent.

"You can finish fixing those decorations Reyes, I'll explain it to her, lets go little red."

Markus walks me over to the lower level of the lobby where no one would hear us and began explaining the current situation.

"You see little red, we don't know exactly what the boss is, but we know it ain't something good, so the higher ups keep the big guy locked up during this time", he said.

"He's not allowed in the church because the higher ups think it would be an insult to god, he isn't even allowed to read or recite the bible. They think it'll make his eyes explode and tongue burn."

"I think that's a little extreme, he fights on our side! Why would he have fought on Gods side for so long only to be treated like this?"

Markus couldn't look me in the eye now, and just shook his head before going back upstairs. What do the leaders of this branch know? I know Dante isn't evil, their just scared because they can't explain what he is.

Whatever, I am going to find him, none of this fair.

"Oh Alisa honey over here!"

It was Autumn calling me from across the lobby carrying a large bag and dressed as Mrs. Claus.

"I am glad I caught you, here this ones for you."

"Thank you Autumn that's real nice of you."

"Oh don't thank me, thank Sgt. Nightroad!"

With that she walked away and began handing out other peoples gifts. She had gave me a green box wrapped in a sparkling gold ribbon. The tag read, to Master Battle from Nightroad.

I didn't expect a gift from Dante, I think I told him what I wanted a week ago when I met up with him after church, but I didn't think he was paying much attention.

I tuck the box under my arm and head into the elevator and choose the floor to my room, I still had some things to do and as soon as I was finished I would have to go and find Dante.

Elites level floor 90 9:30 PM

Oh lord it was nine at night and I still didn't get to see Dante. I was forced into helping with fixing decorations in the halls that weren't done, and then I had a bunch of guys drag me to the dining hall when I was done, I never understood why all the guys at the order kept trying to talk to me, and without Dante around I was being swarmed by them.

I had finally made it past all the guys, all the people partying in the halls and all the people who got to drunk off of eggnog and passed out on the floor and was standing in the empty hall in front of Dante's door.

I knocked a few times but heard nothing from the other side of the door.

"Dante....it's me Alisa can you open up?"

There was still no sound coming from the room, but after a few seconds the door slid open to a dimly lit room. Before I would have been scared to even come to Dante's floor, but I just strolled right in to his room, we had spent so much time together that majority of the fear I had of him vanished as the months passed by.

Inside I could see a few beer bottles littering the floor, and a large christmas tree, decorated with beautiful ornaments with a bright gold star at the top helping light up some of rooms dark corners. The tree was incredible, but looking under I saw not one single gift.

On the other side of the room there was only light pouring through a large window with a view high above the protective wall showing the empty snow covered land beyond it. And in front of that window sat Dante in a large, decorative red chair with gold arms and legs. I could see his red eyes reflecting in the glass.

I stood beside him as he stared at the outside world, looking at nothing in particular.

"What can I do for you Master", he said in his deep, yet soft voice.

"I don't think what the order is making you do is exactly fair."

"It's something we can't question, we fight for them while they keep us in a warm room, so we just go with it."

"You're tree is beautiful, but why aren't there any presents under it?"

"The order removed my name off the Christmas gift list. So an empty tree is a normal thing for me."

I walk away from the man and place the present I had got for him, a red box wrapped with a metallic gold ribbon. I wasn't sure if he would like the gift, he never said he wanted anything but it's the thought that counts I guess.

I pull up a small chair by Dante's work desk and sit next to him, and for a few minutes we sat there in silence.

"Master Battle, why are you here? You should be having fun at the party with the rest of the troops."

"I'd rather be here, I prefer you're company over everyone else's."

For the rest of the night me and Dante sat there looking outside while we talked, and for the first time since we were separated, I had got a genuine smile and laugh. Multiple times actually. I had got to see the old Dante again.

Early Christmas chapter for the story, I hope you enjoyed! If you like what you read then give this chapter a vote, and follow me so you won't ever miss out on Black-Wings!