Zandriel

Chapter One

Amanda tossed and turned in her sleep. She kept hearing this whisper of a voice. It was saying something but she couldn't hear whatever it is they were trying to say. All she knew was that it was talking. It was persistent, whispering over and over again each time gaining volume. Her head moving right then left, her eyes closed but still moving in little twitches. She still couldn't hear it, even growing in volume it was like it was blocked by something.

"Mandy......He will... find... Run!" Her head jerked back, eyebrows sitting low over her closed eyes. "Run from... red eyes."

Her heart began beating faster and faster, she felt like something was coming. Running straight for her. It was searching for her, like a wolf locked on a scent. It was only a matter of time before it caught up to her. It was furious, each step it took towards her echoing in her head like thunder. The steps were heavy, and peculiar, it sounded as if it was just a normal person walking, but something was dragging. Whatever it was dragging wasn't very heavy, it seemed like it was attached.

Her brow furrowed more, she could almost see it. Standing on the edge of a road, it was huge. It seemed to attract the shadows, even as dark as the road was, the light seemed to be avoiding whatever it was. It was like it was made entirely of shadows with bits and pieces swirling away from its body, like an octopus's legs. It seemed like special effects, like in horror movies, just more real and terrifying. She was only looking at it and her own body got goosebumps and began shaking.

The energy around the creature was violent like it's entire purpose was to hunt and kill. It was entirely black, though she could only see it's back. It was built like a man in a way, but too large, not formed the right way. It seemed to be a mix of human and something else. Something dark and evil. All of a sudden the creature's shoulders stiffened and in one quick silent movement, it turned around, seemingly staring right at her. Eyes glowing red. She could feel a pit of dread forming in her stomach. It began moving forwards, remaining in shadows.

The ground began to shake and rumble. The creature paused, its growl echoing through her skull. Seconds later a bright beam of sunlight hit the creature, making a burning sound. The smell was atrocious, like rotten eggs left cracked in the sun. It let out a furious roar, before reaching it's clawed arm up into the sunlight grabbing something. The shadow beast jerked it's arm backward towards itself. It was holding on to a woman... with wings? The beast brought the winged chick to its face and let out another roar. Wings struggled a bit to reach the sword on her back, stretching her arms as far as they could. Her fingertips touched the sword and instantly a shrill ringing sounded. The beast dropped her and covered its eyes, not moving. The winged woman fell to the ground, knees on the concrete, hands-on either side of her legs panting. She remained on her knees for a moment staring at the beast, when she seemed to think it would stay down she lifted herself off the ground turning to Amanda.

She looked at her for a moment and then shook her head with a chuckle, "You always were such a curious child." She turned halfway to glance at the beast of a creature. "He won't be down for long my dear. You need to find him. Not him," she nodded toward it. "He'll find you soon enough. You need to find Zandriel. He'll protect you. You're his destiny, as he is yours." She laughed a bit, " Oh how I wish I'd be there to see his face." She turns to Amanda again. "I'd never met an angel more fit to be a soldier. Follows the rules to a T, as you humans like to say. He's going to drive you insane, in the best way possible." She smiled at Amanda for a moment, eyes wandering all over her face as if trying to memorize it.

"I'll miss you, little human. You were my favorite, oh the antics you got into growing up would send me into hysterics. Never change Amanda." She took a couple of steps forward, pulling Amanda into her arms. She squeezed her tightly, before quickly releasing her and stepping back. "It's time to wake up Mandy. Remember his name. It's important. I need you to say it for me, now."

Amanda looked into her eyes and nodded, blinking past the tears blurring her vision. She wasn't sure why she was crying, she had no memory of this woman. Yet she felt the hollowness in her heart, she didn't know her personally. But somehow she knew her. She felt safe with her, she respected this woman possibly more than she's ever respected, anyone. So she nodded again and whispered his name, once then again slightly louder, throwing her head back. "Zandriel. Zandriel!"

The winged woman laughed and grinned back at her wiping the tears out of her own eyes. "It'll be okay, child. Life long, Love forever." With those parting words, she walked towards the beast reaching behind her, grabbing her sword. Swinging it once, she sighed. Each step she took she began to move faster until she was running full speed at it. Letting out a war cry she jumped angling her sword to hit the creature just below the neck. The moment the sword made contact a bright light blasted outwards. Amanda flew backward, her head hitting something hard. The world began to fade, even as Amanda tried to blink away the tears.

Amanda flew into a sitting position, chest heaving, heart racing. She swiped at the tears flowing down her face in confusion. Why am I crying? She took a few deep breaths trying to ease the panic attack she felt coming. She didn't know why she was crying, she couldn't remember anything, just felt this... loss. Laying back down she stares up at her ceiling. There was something she was missing, that she was sure of. Just as she was about to give up and go back to sleep, she heard a voice echoing in her mind, "I need you to say his name Mandy, what's his name?" Amanda closed her eyes, tried to focus on the voice. Who's name? Why do I need to call his name? She turned her head to the left. She could hear it, the voice telling her the name. Zandriel.

She sits up again. That's the name. His name. Zandriel. Now that she remembered the name she couldn't hear anything else. Zandriel. Zandriel. Zandriel. It was like someone had stamped the name into her brain. It was a murmur that never changed volume, just barely loud enough for her to hear it.

Amanda wasn't sure why she had to remember this name, or why the person had wanted her to say it with such urgency and importance. She turned to her side grabbing her pillow and pulling it into her chest. Zandriel. The name rang in her ears. Closing her eyes again, she whispered it out loud curious to see if the world would start shaking. "Zandriel."

She waited a moment, eyes wide looking around her room to see what would happen. When nothing happened she laughed to herself and shook her head. She said it again holding her pillow, then again and again. She didn't know anyone with that name, but even while laughing she couldn't shake the feeling the name was important.

The name sounded strong and secure. Just saying the name filled her with a sense of tranquility. She didn't know him, but she knew he was safe and strong. She knew she could rely on him and that he wouldn't hurt her. With a small smile, she cuddled into her pillow, and whispered the name again," Zandriel." Within moments she was asleep again, the dream still completely forgotten, the sense of loss an aching hole in her heart.