15

The intense pain of being held up in the air was suddenly nothing to me as I saw my fiancé standing there. Again Chris had made it just in time.

But he was also beyond angry at the situation he'd managed to come into. Chris had always been fiercely protective, especially when it came to his family, and he wasn't about to lose us to this selfish angel or those who followed him.

Judiel regarded him with distaste, "You honestly believe that you can order me around in this scenario? It seems that you've forgotten who you are addressing boy." he scoffed.

"I've forgotten nothing. Now let her go before I cut off your arm." Chris ordered, pointing his sword at him.

Elijah slowly looked up, "Daddy." he whispered.

"Stay with your mother when he lets her go. I'm going to make sure that he can't hurt anyone anymore." Chris told him. He was still making sure not to take his eyes off of Judiel.

Judiel chuckled, "You realize that you have impeccable timing, however, running a sword through this girl in front of you is not how I do things. It would be little compared to finally striking down his son."

He threw me aside as he said that, and I worked hard to pull myself up from where I'd landed, choking as I took in some much needed air.

Elijah ran over and hugged me tightly, "Mama!" he cried.

"It's okay." I breathed as I hugged him back, "I'm gonna be okay."

Chris was already going after Judiel. He seemed much more prepared to fight him this time, moving in an instant to bring his sword down to strike his shoulder. But the angel was incredibly fast, and dodged it easily. A gust of wind hit Elijah and I as he landed a few feet away.

"It seems that you've been training rather hard for this fight." he mocked him.

"Don't mock me. I've had enough of you!" Chris retorted.

I grabbed Elijah and flew towards the trees to make sure we stayed out of the way. This time I made sure to keep a tight grip on him, but it seemed like Elijah didn't have anymore intentions of running on his own. He held onto me just as tightly and closed his eyes.

Chris was still fighting just as hard against Judiel, but couldn't land a real strike on him. He was just too fast. I wondered what we could do now. Judiel obviously wasn't going to give up, and if Chris faltered even a little, I had no doubt that Judiel would seize the opportunity to kill him.

But as we stood there, a sickening sense came over me. We weren't alone there. Something was now behind us.

But before I could attempt to move, I felt a blade being pressed to my throat.

"I wouldn't move if I were you, lest you want your throat cut." a deep male voice whispered in my ear.

I remained still with Elijah, afraid to move a muscle. Chris stopped and stared with shocked eyes. Unfortunately, this allowed Judiel an opening and he grabbed him from behind, holding his right arm behind him and forcing him to drop his sword.

Judiel in turn held his to Chris's throat, "I see you've decided to intervene after all." he remarked to the one behind me.

"Of course I did. It seems that those you've brought with you simply are not competent to do the job you instructed them to. However, I also did not state that I would be on your side. I simply intervened for my own curiosity of what is occurring here." the male voice responded.

Chris struggled again Judiel, "You bastard! You've been trying to recruit one like him?!" he growled.

I carefully turned my head a little to access my current situation better. The blade that was being held to my throat was the edge of a scythe, and the arm holding it wore the sleeve of a long black robe. A hooded figure stood there behind me, and that hood obscured his eyes, though I could see his narrow chin and full lips.

What kind of angels is this supposed to be? I wondered.

Even though I was terrified, something about him brought out an even more primal fear within me. It was like I knew that he could kill me in an instant if he wanted to, and there would be nothing anyone could do to stop it.

Elijah still held onto me, keeping his eyes closed and shaking hard. I wanted to tell him that it would be okay, but couldn't find my voice. I felt too consumed by the fear that came from this powerful dark angel.

Judiel smiled as he yanked Chris a little closer to him, "Did you think that the ones such as Lord Azrael would not involve themselves in this? Those Seraphita are attempting to change destinies, and we all know how that affects his job." he informed him.

Azrael, I thought. I knew this name from somewhere. I was certain that either Jade or Saffron had mentioned it before, but I couldn't place it.

Azrael remained still, "Yes, this does. However, I do not consider it my place to say when one dies. That order is handed down by the Holy One Himself."

I was then yanked around with Elijah. I kept my hold on him as I stared up at the angel now standing before us. As I'd seen, he was dressed in a very long black cloak and hood that reminded me of a grim reaper's. He had one hand gripping my left arm, and the other held a large silver scythe.

As I stared at him, it finally dawned on me who this angel was. This was the Arch Angel Azrael, the angel in charge of life and death. Now we were definitely in big trouble, especially if he decided to take Judiel's side.

The others were coming by then. They'd managed to get away from the angels that had initially come after us, but the current situation stopped them dead in their tracks.

"My God, is that Azrael?" Zane managed in disbelief.

Azrael was studying me as we stood there, "So, this is one of the children that they have become, and you are the one who gave birth to him. But I also see that things have changed with his presence. Your blue wings are enough to tell me so." he finally said.

"Let us go." I whispered, hearing my voice shake as I spoke.

"Let you go you say? My, you are indeed a brave child. But then, one has to be when they are born with their backs against the wall. I have recorded the deaths of many, many Shadow Wings in the last few centuries, and they all needed to have a will to survive or a will to perish of their own hand. Yet now, I am faced with ones who cannot even be considered what they like to call Nephilim. Their blood is far too pure." Azrael continued.

He moved his scythe and used the blunt top of the blade to lift Elijah's head, forcing him to look at him. Elijah was still shaking, and his eyes widened as he took him in.

Azrael shook his head in a swift motion, causing the hood to fall away. He wasn't at all like I was expecting. Instead of a skeletal face, he had a very beautiful one. His skin was like marble and looked smooth as silk, and he had dark hair that fell around his eyes and shoulders in gentle waves. His eyes were deep and dark, and I felt like they were looking into our souls.

For a few tense minutes, everything remained still. I could hear Chris struggling against Judiel, but he wasn't having much success. The others hadn't moved either. They were probably afraid to, both for Chris and us.

Azrael finally spoke again, "I see now. So, you truly have integrated yourself into this existence, just as she has. How intriguing for both of you."

Before anymore could be said, we all realized that the woods were becoming much darker. Azrael looked to where Judiel was standing with Chris. His diverted attention was enough to allow me to move slightly and follow his gaze.

A dark mass was now rising between us and them. It took on the form of Astaroth. Tall and dark, he stood there showing no signs of any damage that had once been inflicted by Jade and Saffron years before.

Judiel immediately went on the offensive, letting Chris go by tossing him aside. Chris held his side as he landed on the ground and pushed himself up. I could see blood on his shirt. Judiel had landed at least one decent blow on him.

I wanted to run to him with Elijah, but Azrael continued holding me in place, watching this scene unfold.

Jade and Saffron landed on both sides of Astaroth, both looking pleased at this turn of events.

"What a surprise this is. You've actually honored our request to come here and offer assistance." Saffron noted.

"Do not mock me. I am in no mood." Astaroth warned him. He turned his gaze to Judiel, "You have much guile to you. First you steal the second child and try to eliminate this one from speaking at all, then you attempt to recruit one who is in direct command under Him for death."

"And you are one to cast such judgment. You yourself wanted both of these children dead." Judiel retorted. He kept his sword drawn and his wings out, now ready for anything.

Astaroth wasn't intimidated, "You will stand down and disperse from here. You are well aware that I am more than an even match for you when one considers that you have been injured in your previous battle, and I have no doubt that these other two would join me. If we are forced into such an offensive, then we will have no more worry of you in all of this, and it will grant us leeway to get to the child you continue to hide." he continued.

Everything remained still as he said this. Now I noticed that Judiel was injured, just as Astaroth was claiming. Even though he was keeping himself poised, he had bleeding wounds on his right thigh and left wing. Chris had done at least a little bit against him this time.

Judiel finally made his choice, "Fine. There is no reason for me to give my life here for demons or allow any of you to obtain that girl. But this is far from over, and I will make certain that this child doesn't succeed in saving these Nephilim." he relented, disappearing in a bright flash of white light.

Well, I thought, that's one down.

But I knew that we still had a huge problem here. Azrael had remained and was still holding me and Elijah hostage.

Yet looking back at him, I only saw amusement in his eyes as he regarded Astaroth.

"My, my. If it isn't the blood-soaked Grand Duke of Hell." he greeted him.

"I do not deny my title. I wear it quite proudly; but I do not wish to speak of such formalities at this moment. It does not concern me that you are still considered an Arch Angel, especially for the fact that you are the one who sends those too far-gone sinners to me. However, I am requesting along with these two that you allow them to go free. They are of no concern to one like you, as that girl was not either." Astaroth responded.

Azrael considered his words, "Is that so? And what concern would you have in all of this? You of all of them should hate these children with all of what you are." he pointed out.

"Do not mistake me in this. I loathe it all." Astaroth growled. His eyes glowed red before he calmed himself again, "However, I also will not see the last of my creations killed by those who claim to be holy. If I must release him from the curse of my bloodline, then I will ensure that the release is done as it is meant to be."

Zane stared at Astaroth, "You would... help us?" he hesitantly asked.

"Consider it a last favor for the fact that you have become as strong as I wished for you to be." Astaroth responded evenly.

Azrael chuckled, "It would seem that even one such as yourself can harbor some sense of empathy for what you have created, and you are correct about me being here as well. I have no intentions of taking life here, nor did I have any intention of harm towards the other when I saw her. I simply wished to see for myself what has gotten so many up in arms, and how the balance in all will end up playing out." he told him.

He let me go and I took a step back, still wary as I held Elijah. He was also looking, but didn't appear as frightened as before. I admit that I didn't feel that either. It was like Azrael had let go of the threatening aura he'd first appeared with.

Large, dark colored wings sprouted from his back from under his cloak, and he easily took flight, disappearing into the remaining light that managed to cut through the darkness that Astaroth had brought with him. I stared at where he'd been, my mind still processing what had happened. That had been the angel who presided over life and death, and he was interested in what was now happening. This could send things either way.

All these thoughts were interrupted by the sudden feeling of me and Elijah being hugged tightly. I hadn't even realized that Chris had gotten over to us, but being in that familiar embrace was comforting enough to make me feel safe again. At least the worst of this part was over.

"Are you two okay?" he finally spoke after a few minutes of holding us.

I managed to nod as I pulled back a little to face him, "We're fine. He didn't hurt us, and Judiel didn't get the chance." I assured him.

Astaroth remained where he'd been standing, watching as well, "It appears that my timing in this was impeccable. Even I am impressed that I was able to make it here, whether these two called on me or not." he quietly spoke.

Zane was finally regaining his bearing too, stepping a few feet in front of his father, "But why?" he asked, "Why would you just show up and decide to help now? It doesn't matter whether they called on you or not. You have always been against the entire idea of the Shadow Wings' redemption."

Astaroth still didn't move, only regarding him with a solemn expression, "You would question me on such after this display?"

"I have a right to, whether you decide to lash out at me for it or not. You created me and you've always made it your business to interfere if you didn't like what the outcome may be. I know that you're well aware of what could happen with this. Are you perhaps banking on that other child to speak against us and overturn everything in our favor?" Zane continued.

Saffron smiled slyly at Astaroth, "Yes, that would be the question here, wouldn't it? You have seen her at least in the dreamscape, and you certainly know what she is supposed to represent in the argument." he added.

"You will remain silent." Astaroth ordered. He didn't bother looking at him as he spoke, keeping his eyes trained on Zane, "And of all of them, you should know better than to question my motives behind any of what I choose to do. It is enough that I have allowed you all that I have, especially with that girl who now stands near you."

Kira moved a bit closer to Zane. Although she looked a little uneasy, she remained defiant.

"You know about us." she surmised.

"Indeed child." Astaroth answered, "It seems that the Nephilim born within the clans tend to be quite ignorant about many things concerning the darker side of existence as well. Perhaps your kind are even overprotected by those three who claim to be holy. However, I see everything, and nothing with this boy ever escapes me. The only reason that I saw no need to come after you was for the fact that your life had already fallen into a dangerous turn from the moment you'd allowed that Lamia to befriend you."

Chris tensed up as he heard that, "Lamia?"

Astaroth laughed. It was a deep, evil sound, only cementing my impression of him as almost being as scary as Lucifer.

"You truly believed that I would not know of such a thing?" he continued as Zane scowled at him. He looked back at Kira, who had noticeably tensed up, "Trust me child, I know everything when it comes to such creatures, and I am well aware of what happened with you. I'm also very aware of the boy who was the result of it. Such an unexpected combination. He could prove quite useful to our side if we turned him like his father."

His cutting words made grim sense now. Kira had apparently had a child with some kind of creature called a Lamia. But it didn't sound like it was under any kind of good circumstances. Could this have been the secret that Zane hadn't wanted to talk about?

Mark stepped forward, glaring at the demon, "Are you threatening them now?" he demanded.

Zane held out an arm to stop him, "Remain calm. He enjoys having others challenge him and will rip you apart if he is given the chance." he warned him.

I worried that Mark may not listen to him. We'd seen before that he could be a hothead at times when it came to his sister. But thankfully, he did back down.

Jade decided to speak up, "So, are we to expect that you'd at least halfway join us in this now? You had no hesitation stepping here." he said to Astaroth.

"No, I have no intention of doing so, considering that I would lose myself completely if I am to be faced with the likes of those Seraphs. However, for my part, I will make certain that they make it to their destination. The rest will be up to them and those children." Astaroth responded.

I wasn't sure of whether this was a good or bad thing to have Astaroth at least somewhat on our side, but all the same, we'd take what we could get here. If we were able to get to Fallsburg without any more attacks, then we'd deal with his presence for a little longer. I just hoped that hell wasn't waiting for us at the end of this long road.