Broken - 2

[Gabriel pov]

Aqua hair, or so I was told - I had asked her appearance in curiosity the one time she had come to Abby's house, that one time at least - it splayed over my shoulders. A hand grasped against my shoulder in such a tight grip.

And for a moment, in my warm heart, I felt a flutter as she pursed her lips and placed them over my ear. Her voice a quiet whisper against the damned and broken. 

Those that had been healed, yet even still their pain lingered. For whatever reason. Though I did try my best. To the grateful and praise of many. But… but as I fingered my hair. Her voice echoed through my mind.

I thought of those I had already healed. Of the daemonic wounds they had taken, almost soul deep. And of the devil that had splintered the cover of this here hospice. 

I remembered where it moved. How its hooved feet broke stone with but its weight. Where each step brought dread and death to those that could not endure.

When I placed my hand over it. Activating that blessed power. I found myself taken by pain. Soul deep. Like someone had poured lava against my nerves, broken my spine in twain and played with it for days on end.

And for the first time in what must have been… been years. I found my voice too heavy to suppress. A scream that echoed amongst those that had been saved by my power.

When my eyes opened once more - tears and blood staining the jacket that I had once worn - it had been torn from my body. A smile sent to Abby, who in her infinite kindness, had covered me with her own. Choosing, amongst many options, to cover my modesty.

So when she came. Her voice heavy with emotion. I found myself at a crossroad, each with merit and demerit. For one sacrificed the few to save the many, and another sought to save those in front of me and to leave those that may be saved… to fate.

"Come. We must depart swiftly if we are to save them."

Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of dread within it. As if Aia expected death to carry in her wake. I doubted not that she was wrong. For the city - at least the part within this quarantine - was destroyed. 

Taken by fire and sealed off by those that could do such. The only reason that I was allowed in, being that I was with Abby. She had vouched for my ability and along with other medical professionals that found themselves valuing life more than their own.

I found those, those medics, I found them extremely agreeable. I knew that if I left with this aqua haired detective. That I would not be able to heal those in front of me.

But for the small, the tiniest chance, that I may play a part in stopping this travesty. I found that most agreeable.

"Alright." I spoke. Determination heavy within my voice. For I had weighed life within my vision. And found those among here lacking.

It was - and may well be - one of the hardest decisions of my life. To sacrifice the few for the many. If I was stronger, if I had just an iota of strength more. If… if…

Every single thought came with an if. Telling of situations where these people… these innocents may not have to die. Only to be directed back to reality. 

"Be safe. I cannot… I cannot accompany you. No matter how much I wish to."

She placed a soft kiss over my lips. A sad smile within her eyes as Abby gestured to the souls within. The medics who needed protection from the demons and cultist within the confines of this hospice.

"I understand." I trailed kiss after kiss among her lips. Until I reached Abby's nose. Where I gave a small promise.

"I will return."

"You better." 

I nodded, a shine within my eyes as my hand was grasped by another. Icy in nature.

And the last parting. Broken by a small and petty muttering.

"Take care of him. It will be your death if even a single hair is harmed."

"Of course. How could I ignore such a saint."

…

[Aia pov]

I looked to the sky. The beatific sky among the frigid winds that trapped those among in this bubble of time. The work of her… it must be. I knew of no other power great enough to take each and every power within this little bubble of time and make it so that they could not leave.

Whether they wanted to or not.

I could practically see that smile of hers, the perfection incarnate. Who orchestrated this whole debacle. For the wellbeing of her student. Who held my hand in a deathgrip. Nervous with such devils and cultists walking through this bubble.

I merely smiled. Hearing that phantom voice within my mind. Telling me to truly bring the potential of her student to the brink.

How? Well that was already decided for me. There was not a single doubt within my mind that she was presiding over my each and every movement. Across each and every person that called this place their battleground.

And I had no doubt, that among the most intelligent of intellectuals, that I was the only one who truly understood her.

For she was enigmatic. With intentions so divine that we mortals could not understand them for the life of us. 

I moved to swipe my hand - only to wince - warmth within my hand. And instead of such an icicle moving with lethal speed. I threw the boy who held my hand so thoroughly.

Into the equally disturbed demon. His hooves a facsimile of a human's own. A cross between some goat and…

I turned my attention. Making to run, only to trip as a rock tore through even my own unconscious defenses. 

"Really?" I spoke. And even if there was no response, I still knew that she could hear me. Was this what others felt like when dealing with my more… free side… Yes, that was the better word.