The Fallen: Breath of Life

Part ll

PART 2

The black is thick, a tangible entity. It’s like a blanket, wrapping around me, holding me tight. Though perhaps peaceful in it‘s stillness, it’s so silent I wonder if I’ve been placed in purgatory. It would make sense, since I don’t deserve to join my family in the heavens. I reach out, grasping for something, anything, but nothing is there, at least, not within my reach. I am immobilized, for the most part, only able to move my head, neck and arms. I feel a seizing panic when I figure this out. Purgatory is not Hell, so I should be able to move freely about this realm, shouldn’t I? Unless I am in Hell. If so, I had upset the Gods even more than I had thought, but I know my mother was cherished by them, held in some high regard that I’ve never really understood. “McKenna,” I hear someone whisper my name. Shivers race up my spine, but I am still held motionless. “Y-yes?,” I croak out. I don’t wish to frighten away the voice, it’s a welcome distraction from the dark, so I try again, “Hello? Who’s there?” “McKenna, you must move from this place.” I struggle against my unseen restraints, but I don’t move an inch. “I can’t! I’m trying, but I can’t.” “Dear girl, there is more to moving forward than the physical effort you must exert. Do you understand what I mean?” I shake my head in confusion, but then realize it’s still pitch black and the owner of the voice must not be able to see me. “No, I don’t understand. You want me to move, but you’re saying there is more to me moving than actually, well, moving?” What does that mean? The voice is closer, this time, nearing. “Yes, yes! Precisely, child! There is more to moving than moving, as you’ve said. Now, how badly do you want to go back to your Roarke and avenge your family?” My Roarke? “Um, I sorry, um… I don’t know your name, but Roarke isn’t mine, I -” “SILENCE! You will not lie in this place, you insolent child! You know not the repercussions of such foolishness! Perhaps you are content to lie to yourself, but you must be honest here. This one time, we’ll forgive your error, but we’ll not make the same exception again. Now, answer my question. How badly do you wish to return to your Roarke and avenge your family?” Gulping, I try my words carefully, not sure what will happen if I say something the voice doesn’t like. “I want very badly to go back to him and avenge my family. What must I do?” There is a hiss, a high intake of breath and I feel as though I’ve been slapped. My head flies backwards, but my body remains still, so it’s a bit like whiplash. “You will not ask questions, do you hear me? You will speak when spoken to. You may be part of the prophecy, but that does not mean that you will leave here unscathed, if you leave at all.” I wince. “Alright, I’m sorry.” That seems to appease it. Them? Who knows. “Good. Listen carefully. To move forward requires patience, perseverance, self-confidence, love and above all, faith. You have little patience, and while you are quite determined, you lack self-confidence, love and faith. You are disappointing your family and us. The Gods have spoken and you will either do as we say or remain here, for as long as we see fit. And let me warn you, child, beings thousands upon thousands of years old have a very different sense of time. A hundred years to you feels like a day to us.” I’m so nervous, I’m sweating, but it’s a cold sweat. I’m in the presence of Gods and they are disappointed in me, along with my family? “Yes, you are in the company of Gods and we, like your family, have a vested interest in what happens to you and how you handle the prophecy. However, some of us fear that you are not worthy of this task. The Neamhai Order is getting stronger and here you sit, injured and full of self-loathing, for a crime you both did not commit or have any control over. Perhaps you are too stubborn to complete this mission.” On top of everything else, they can read minds, so now I have that to contend with as well. “I can do this, I swear to you. I’ll do whatever you need.” “Girl, there is more to this than you know. Here, look.” I feel a cool hand on my temple and then images are flying through my mind, so fast I can barely comprehend what I’m seeing. My mother, in a crown, with other Gods and Goddesses, looking down from the Heavens to Earth at me. My mother wiping my memory when I was twelve. Roarke holding my lifeless body, sobbing and screaming up to the Heavens. A man with black hair and wings embracing my mother, kissing her with abandon. My sister and brother smiling and laughing, a golden a crown atop both of their heads. Members of the Neamhai Order killing innocent humans in their quest to rid the world of immortals. The images suddenly stop as the cool hand moves from my temple and I’m glad I’m locked in place, otherwise, I might have fallen over. “I, I don’t understand.” “No, perhaps you don’t. I’ll explain what I can. The rest you will have to devise on your own, when the time is right. You, McKenna of the Heavens, are special in a way you cannot begin to know. Your mother is a Goddess, not a mere angel or immortal. Your father was an angel who fell from grace because he choose your mother over his duties. They had a short affair, which resulted in you, after which he was dealt with. This makes you a Demi-Goddess, but more powerful than any in recent memory, keeping in mind our version of recent, which dates back millennia. You are the result of a Goddess and an angel. Because of this and your mothers indiscretions, you were chosen. You must be the one to destroy the order and save Earth. If you don’t, there will be untold suffrage, for we cannot allow them to continue. If you fail, McKenna, we will send armies so great, the world as the humans know it will end. The Order has become a force to be reckoned with and as I’ve shown you, begun killing innocents in their search for The Fallen’s destruction.” How can I possibly begin to absorb this information? I have so many questions and I can’t ask them. Another sigh, but this time, I don’t feel any pain. “Fine, go on and ask your questions.” Where to start? “Thank you. Um, you said my mother is a goddess, not was. Does that mean she is still alive?” Silence. “I cannot answer that now. This is something you will have to figure out in your own time.” How am I to figure that out? I saw her die, and yet the images I was shown made her seem very alive. “Alright. My sister and brother… are they like me? Or, were they, rather?” It’s so quiet I feel like I’m alone again. I try not to freak out, because I don’t think the Gods would leave me here, not until they’ve decided I’m completely unworthy. “Your siblings are not like you. They are full blooded God and Goddess. And before you ask, yes, this means they do not have the same father as you. Your sister and brother were born to your mother and her husband. Your father and mother had an affair, which, as I’ve mentioned, ended shortly after you came about.”  I don’t know what to say to that. My mother, my perfect mother, having an affair? It seems unlikely, and yet, I’ve always known I was different. This would explain it. “Alright. May I ask one last thing?” “You may.” “How do I prove to you that I can do this?” A firm hand lands on my shoulder, but still, I see nothing but darkness. “You must do as I’ve told you. You must move forward. You must embrace patience, self-confidence, love, faith. If you fail to do so, you will be dealt with. You cannot continue on this path of self-destruction, child. You have blamed yourself long enough. That is how you move forward. While we know it will be a struggle, we don’t expect the results to be immediate, only that you strive for them. Trying is a large part of doing and we will be watching you and guiding you, when we see fit. If you fail, the repercussions will be swift and your Roarke will be punished, as well.” “But, he hasn’t done anything! He’s only tried to help me!” “That may be, but it will be as I’ve said. Perhaps that will serve as a reminder to you that failure effects not only you, or Earth, but your own heart. Head our words, child, for we’ll not say them again. Do you agree to our terms?” What could I possibly say but yes, when billions of lives hang in the balance, and Roarke is down there, all alone? “Good, now I have faith that all will be as it should. Should you require help in a time of great need, you’ll have it, but it is not a gift given freely. Remember that.”