The attackers varied, from those who looked human, to dangerous creatures out of a Stephen King film. Defense of the Ether had been abandoned. The guards had taken to leading innocents to safety. I hoped Ash and Maye were in one of the groups that had made it through the collision of Hell, rather than the causalities covering the ground.
Liam whispered from behind me, "It's going to be okay." Turning, I saw the flashes of worry in his own eyes. He had loved ones here too. We all did.
A man with patches of leathery skin hanging from his face came at our group. His eyes sought me out, but Maloc intercepted, parrying a blow I knew was meant for me. The man held a deformed club against Maloc's sword.
Maloc may have been a weathered soldier, but he was ready for battle. The club descended, but Maloc sprung backwards and deftly cut off the club with a backwards thrust. He pushed the attacker towards his front, away from us, and took a defensive crouch in front of our group.
The rest of us gathered with our backs to one another, waiting for others to notice us. I stood facing Maloc in the safest position. However, I would have rather been on the opposite end. If one of the others were injured or killed, it would weigh on me for the rest of my life. Though, given my current predicament, I wasn't sure how long that would be.
The four of us grasped hands and bowed our heads, calling on the elements to protect us. My power raged against my control, demanding to be set free to consume those around us. I couldn't allow it with the innocents still in the mixture of fighters. If I gave in to my darker side it would ravage everyone without consideration for those who did not deserve to be delivered to Death.
Reining in the part of me that wanted the wild abandon of magic, I pulled on the lessons I had been taught. Focus could make or break a spell. Right then it was the difference between life or death.
Tendrils of Griffin’s power trailed through our connected fingers, and through me was absorbed into Liam. I could feel Isis's consciousness in her magic. She attempted to hide it, but she was terrified of the iron scent, of the cries of agony surrounding us, but mostly she feared the ones who begged for death. I felt her flinch as a hand grabbed onto her ankle, felt her shame at kicking him away from her.
Connected by our power, we removed all individual thought, centering ourselves as one. Liam burned with fury, Isis was drowning in terror, and Griffin drew gusts of air to calm our minds. I was grateful for the reminder that we needed to use the elements as protectors, rather than allowing lack of judgment to cloud our use of them.
Without intending to, the others had each named an element: Liam for fire, Isis for Water, and Griffin for Air. I had been left with the weight of earth, maternal in nature with a wrath unlike all others. I would ground Liam's anger, absorb the worry emanating from Isis, and sway with the soothing nature of Griffin. Each of them looked to me for guidance, leaving me as the spirit of our circle.
I screamed as they all funneled their energy into me. I hadn't expected them to wield so much, nor did I think that they would provide me with utter control. It was too much, but I didn't have time to beg them to evenly distribute the responsibility.
Normally, as a circle is built on trust, it would be a matter of equality and a singular task, but it wasn't the case. They did trust that I would make the right decision, but had given up their rights to a voice in the matter. The urgency of the situation had made them panic, but I didn't blame them.
Using their fuel, I created layers of barriers between us and the war. Each layer was fused with a separate element and the last was tied to my lifeline. If anyone managed to get through the other layers, my existence would bar them through my sacrifice. The others would go on, but I would perish.
Maloc was still fighting the man with the hanging flesh. It looked like his skin was half melted off and it sickened me. He drew his club back, hefting it, and brought it back in a rush that collided with Maloc's stomach, drawing a grunt of pain from the guard. He seemed to be losing the battle, curled in fetal position, as his opponent came to deliver the killing blow. When the club raised above his head, ready to slam down and rip through Maloc's skull, I realized that appearances were deceiving. Maloc straightened, flipped onto his back and thrust his sword through the stomach of the demon.
Intense relief rushed over me that Maloc wouldn't be joining the others who had fallen. It was quickly squashed when he disappeared into the melee. Where had he gone? Was he abandoning us?
My body jolted as I felt someone incinerated by the first layer of our defense. Their life was taken away on the wind and I could only hope that they were an enemy, rather than someone seeking aid. Seconds later, another jolt happened, followed by a frozen wasteland. Someone had made it through the first layer and now perished, as the second laid claim to their existence. It quickly became obvious that the enemy had outsmarted us. They were sending demon after demon, attacking the same location until they reached the next layer. When they reached the last I knew I would die, but also the others would then be vulnerable.
My eyes opened to search out the mastermind. Suddenly, they were thrown into the anarchy, along with all the others before and after their path. I was confused until I followed the cleared area to find Maloc holding the club of the thing he had killed. Apparently, it had the ability to be thrown and return to the user.
I saw the threat at the same moment that the others did. Several of the creatures attacking the compound had spied our group and were now making their way towards us.
Maloc had acquired a way to push through the crowd, but not with the danger approaching. He reached out his hand to me, offering salvation, the chance to live. At what price?
Four of us were braced for the coming battle but there was only enough time for one to escape. The logical choice was me since I was nearest to the way out. However, I couldn't bring myself to drown in such a selfish decision.
Linking my arms with Isis, with her back pressed to mine, I leaned forward to take her weight and swung around in a fluid movement. I now resided in her previous position, forcing her to draw the straw that would see to her safety. She was now the only one who could be saved.
Isis screamed as Maloc pulled her away. "No!" I turned to watch, my eyes locked with hers. She held a wild determination in her eyes, begging me to turn back time and switch places.
I had exchanged my life for Isis's without giving her a choice. I had known that there wasn't a chance in hell that Griffin or Liam could have been saved, but Maloc was strong enough to force Isis to safety. She had always seemed selfish, but the survivor’s guilt etched in her face told another story. She strained against Maloc, refusing to leave us.
We hadn't died yet, but there was no doubt in everyone's mind that this would be our last stand. Death didn't terrify me, I was at peace with my last act. Isis was the last person that I thought I would give my life for, and yet, I had.
Maloc and Isis faded from sight.
The imminent danger approached; the drums of war drowned out all thought and my stomach settled with the gravity of the situation. Moving closer to my companions, I searched the ground for a weapon, anything that might put a dent in their army.
At first, I saw nothing, but then I noticed a glint of steel a few feet away beneath a corpse. Gauging what time I had, I ran for it, sliding the last few feet until I reached the dead man. As I turned him over, I realized that the blade was still embedded in his ribcage.
Tears stung my eyes. "I'm sorry." Grasping the hilt with both palms, I pulled. My efforts brought forth the sound of suction as the dagger slid from its prison and resulted in a steady stream of blood from the wound.
I dashed back to my original stance and tried not to balk at the blood staining my hands. I saw that the others had armed themselves as well. Liam now held a talon large enough to belong to a small dragon, while Griffin had created a spear of ice. Looking down, my weapon seemed pitiful until I noticed the hooks in the blade itself. This weapon was built to gut an opponent. If thrust inward, when I pul
led, it would deliver a fatal blow. The difficulty would be getting close enough to injure anyone.
I sought my gifts, calling to earth, and I sang a song of regret at the lives torn tonight, but also a song for the aid I needed. Moments later, my dagger was dusted with pure poison. I doubted it would kill the demonic sort, but it might slow them down long enough for me to get my hooks into them.
If I managed to eliminate a single foe, at least I would be avenging some of the lives stolen. It would mean that some of them could rest in the afterlife. I hated the thought of them moaning in agony while they awaited justice.
Griffin held his spear before him, while Liam tossed his talon between his hands in a waltz born of a righteous anger. Our hands were no longer linked, but the swirling emotions emanating from each of them held determination, acceptance, and fear. Like me, they believed this would be the death of them.
Hysterical giggling, like that of a psychopath on laughing gas, startled me. It came from a twisted creature that was all sorts of wrong. From the welts on its back to the open sores spreading across its face and dark olive skin, it resembled something born from nightmares.
It smiled, displaying rotten teeth, and examined me with crossed eyes. "What have we here?" It spoke in a high-pitched voice. "Is this the little Anakim herself? Have you come to play?" As it spoke, the welts strained against its flesh, trying to burst.
Its widened smile allowed me a glimpse at the rows of hidden teeth. The jaw detached from its skull, elongating the way wax did as it dripped down the side of a candle. It reminded me of a snake. "You've been a very naughty girl. You've brought our wrath down upon you." It nodded towards Griffin and Liam, who were embroiled in heated battles. "Their blood is on your hands." It laughed, furthering my disgust and irritation.
"Let's skip the small talk and move straight to the slap in the face at the end of the date. Shall we?"
"Don't worry. You shall have your date, you will be the main course." Its mouth widened further and snapped in a display of exactly how I would be devoured. My stomach plummeted.
Moving away from the others, I circled the creature and vowed to take him out. No one deserved to die a slow, painful death, aware of this demon’s innards, as they were digested – the undulating of its muscles, the tense quiet that would be amplified as bile scalded away the flesh. Though the prey might be lucky enough to die more quickly from the rows of the teeth, which could easily impale before swallowing.
My dagger faced off against the creature’s wicked-looking claws. Liquid oozed from beneath them, leaving me to believe that I no longer held the upper hand in the poison department.
He slashed a hand towards me, as a cat would when threatened. Only this was not a cat, this thing was a monstrosity that could easily pull me into Hell along with it. I barely managed to dodge backwards as it began its assault. If I didn't have the courage to use it, my dagger would be useless.
Calling on Kit’s instincts, I delved into the knowledge that all wild animals were born with, the instinct to survive at any cost. I searched inside myself for them, but came up empty. Holding my dagger in front of me, my hand shook, betraying me to the predator, who would take any weakness he could get.
Its mouth opened wider and an obnoxious odor encased me.
It said, "Do I detect fear? Tsk, tsk. That will do you no good here. I have no sympathy for weaklings."
Dizziness came over me, making it difficult to focus on what was taking place. I turned to focus on Liam, realizing he was much farther away than I’d thought. Griffin was lying at his feet. I couldn't see if he was moving, much less if he were alive.
I couldn't lose anyone else. It was true that Griffin and I had been at war for a long time, but in recent months I’d learned to regard him as a friend.
I ignored my snake-like enemy and ran to my friends. Griffin moaned as I prodded his body, seeking the damage. "Leave me alone, woman. Let me die in peace." He coughed up blood.
"If you think I'm going to do that, then you haven't learned very much. Besides, your mind must be crazed if you think I answer to ‘woman.’" Griffin laughed at my attempt at humor. "Where are you hurt?" My gaze moved from him to my stalker and back.
Griffin moaned again. "Everywhere, but the worst is the knife wound in my back." He winced. "You should leave me. Save yourself. You and Liam have a chance, but I'm as good as dead."
I smacked him across the face. "If I let you die, do you think Ash would forgive me?" Griffin's eyes regarded me with a mixture of irritation and respect, but he nodded. "Look, I need to take care of this jerk and then I am getting all of us out of here. Okay? I will not leave you, but I need you to hold on." I looked at the blood beneath him and realized I needed to hurry.
"Yeah, sure. Just let me sleep a little."
I shook him. "No sleeping! Got it?" I pointed at my opponent. "I need you to watch in case I need help." That got his attention. I didn't really want him to do anything in his condition, but I knew it would give him a goal to help him stay coherent.
"Okay."
Moving away, I met the creature halfway. He smiled, but I knew I would outlive him. There was no way I could allow him to win when someone was relying on me.
"I thought you were trying to run. Pity, I would have enjoyed the chase, but no matter."
I grinned, throwing him off balance with my confidence. "Miss my chance to cut out that vulgar tongue of yours? Not a chance." Kit willed energy to me and I gladly accepted. This jerk was going down and I would get my friends to safety.
I ran, not towards him, but towards a wagon a few feet away. Jumping, I kicked against the wood and landed my other foot into his cheek, as he came after me. The resounding crack was satisfying. He growled, but my blow had shut him up.
The fight was a blur of punches, kicks, and him slamming my face into the concrete. Grabbing a nearby shovel, I leveled it and swung it into his head, . I then thrust it into his abdomen while he was distracted, and then moved my dagger in front of me. The rage in his eyes from his injuries was terrifying, but I wouldn't back down.
"What's the matter? Afraid of a little Anakim? Or is it just because I'm a girl?" I barely finished my sentence, when he rushed me, tackling me to the ground like a quarterback.
The landing was brutal. All the air was thrust from my lungs and I felt his claws tearing into my chest. My one satisfaction was that my dagger was now buried deep within his guts. When I tore it loose, his innards spilt over me. Blood gurgled as he tried to speak, and he finally fell against my body. He was dead, but I was poisoned.
I tried to maneuver towards Griffin and Liam. If I could just get them out, I would be content to pass on. It was not to be. I faded in and out, catching glimpses of Liam's battle. He was taking on two demons, one who would have looked fairly normal if it weren't for an abnormally large tongue, and the other a grotesque giant who looked like he could take on an army himself.
I feared for my companions. My eyes locked on Griffin. I hoped he could see the apology in my gaze before I surrendered to the poison. Lost within the darkness, I relived the most horrific events of my life, but none of them compared to the feeling that I was a failure.
Images passed through my mind: my childhood, my life with Maye and Ash, and eventually, Asmodeus. He spoke to me; his voice was hushed, but assertive. "Live, little Anakim. You are not meant to die here. Your destiny is much bigger than a single battle." His expression was one of love and concern, as he leaned in to brush a light kiss against my lips. "You have outlived horrors most have never seen. You can push through this."
My voice was raspy, as if I hadn't tasted water in days. "What if I don't want to live?"
"Then it was all for nothing. Your friends have sacrificed themselves because they believe in you. If you can't have faith in yourself, you might as well give up on them. Go ahead and deliver them to Hell yourself, because that's the future that will await them if you can't find the strength to continue." His face was fading. I couldn't find it in me to hold
onto the vision. Darkness took me once more.
Awareness came to me slowly. I was standing in a luminescent room. A seemingly endless light passing from wall to wall created a prism effect. I was suffocating, being pulled at the seams and sewn into a tapestry of distortion. I wasn't supposed to be here! My world had drifted away; I was left with a new dimension that my mind couldn't make sense of.
The insanity of silence descended upon me as I twirled, searching for an exit, a window or another path to familiarity. Frustration rose up to unfurl from deep within me, but my voice was lost too. Pressing my hands to my ears, I hoped the action would make sound seem more tangible. Nothing changed. Grief shadowed my eyes, drawing forth a liquid sadness which crested my checks and fell to the ceramic floor.
I raced to the wall, banging my fist against the hardened ivory material, then I fell back against the wall and sank to the floor. The blood smudged behind me was my witness, declaring that this wasn't a dream. The pain from my knuckles had taken the side of the wall, blaring that this was useless and I was a prisoner in a white fortress.
"Let me out of here!"
Though I screamed the words, I would be better off getting my point across in a silent horror film. I couldn't even hear my breath, and I began to hyperventilate.
Why bring me here? Where were my friends? Shouldn't I be dead? The thoughts reeling through my mind were enough to drown out the worries of my own fate. I had finally began to calm down and sort through possible answers, when I felt a hand clamp around my calf and I was being dragged towards the middle of the floor.
I was alone in the room, but something was forcing me away from the white walls. Whatever it was, I tried to fight against it, clawing at the tiles beneath me. I reached for something to grab onto, anything that would prevent this unusual control over my body. Crying, I begged for it to stop. Hurricane-like cramps carried through my tears and bore into my midsection. What was happening to me?