When Heaven meets Hell

Chapter Fifty Nine

"There has to be something we can do." Avander blurted out after a while. "We need to do something. She would want to see this mission through."

Heidi looked up at him just as the sparks faded from her fingers. Joan's arms had been restored, flesh and veins having formed out of thin air as Heidi clothed them with skin. She placed her hands on her own thighs after she was done, the grave look  never  leaving her eyes.

"There might be one way to help her." She started carefully. "If we were to transfer energy into her from another source, we could replenish her reserves. I would transfer my own into her if I could, but my energy is very unstable. Her body would not be able to cope." She paused, allowing this information to sink in. Avander's eyes flashed suddenly, as though he had been struck with an idea. Heidi gave voice to that idea.

"But we can use yours. You're energy will be a good replacement, but there is a problem."
"What is it?" Avander asked curiously.

"She will need large amounts of it and that too at once. " Heidi murmured. "You will be completely drained and will be unable to replenish your own supply. You will lose much of the  powers you gained. You will become weaker than ever before. Also, due to your weakened state I will not be able to free you from the bonds that hold you in Hell. You will have to return to Hell once your time is up."

Avander was silent for a very long time; head bowed as she absentmindedly ran his hands through Joan's hair. For the first time since they had stormed the Sanctuary, he thought about the deal he had made with Heidi long ago. In the heat of battle, he had completely forgotten about his wish to be free. It almost seemed as if Heidi had brought up the topic on purpose at that moment. Now  that he remembered their deal, many thoughts swirled in his mind, each accompanied by a sinking feeling in his stomach. He would never be free. He would forever be trapped in Hell.

And then came anger in a great, powerful wave, overwhelming his senses. Had everything he had done been for nothing? Had he risked his life and his pride just to return to Hell with his tail between his legs? He deserved a reward for all the trouble he had gone to. Why else would he have taken part in a suicide mission such as this?

But when he looked down at Joan's face his anger melted away. A voice reminded him softly how in the end, everything he had done was for her, not his own desires. He had not risked everything for nothing ; he had risked it for Joan. For her love, which he had earned. Both hers and Heidi's. That was all he needed. That was all he truly wanted. He knew that, deep down; he would do anything for the two girls. They mattered more than anything else in the world.

"Avander?" Heidi called his name tentatively.

"I'll do it." He said quietly. "Take my energy and transfer it to Joan. We need to complete this mission."

"Are you sure?" She asked, her tone more quizzical than concerned. "What about your wish? I am at the height of my abilities. I can free you from the shackles of Hell right now if you will. Are you sure you want to give up such an opportunity?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in all my wretched existence." Avander murmured. "We can't afford to put this off for another few years. It'll be a pain in the ass. Besides," He reached down and kissed Joan's forehead. "I have a new desire. I don't want power and freedom anymore."

"What is it that you desire now?" Heidi asked softly, something in her tone hinting that she already knew the answer.
"I don't want Joan to ever be along again." He said with  a smile. "I don't want her to go down that dark path again. The light within her is too beautiful to be consumed with darkness. "


A smile broke across Heidi's face and she reached out to squeeze his hand. "I always knew you were a big softie." She giggle and Avander was amazed by the change that had come over her, her eyes sparkling with joy and excitement and relief. Her lips had curled into a knowing smile.
"Yeah well, don't go telling everyone that." He muttered, a slight smirk gracing his features. It vaporized instantly. Avander's expression grew grim.
"Come on, let's not waste time ."

Heidi nodded and took one of his hands in her own; the other gripping Joan's newly formed hand. Her eyes began to glow, her hair dancing behind her. A golden aura surrounded Heidi, while a black one formed around Avander and a blue one around Joan. Black wisps slithered from Avander's hand to Heidi's, twisting around her fingers before disappearing into her skin. It then reappeared,  a blue wisp sinking into Joan's raw fingers.

Avander could feel his strength dwindling as the process went on, the power he gained from devouring souls slowly fading away. Soon he would be as weak as a newly created demon, maybe more.

It doesn't matter. He told himself as he struggled to remain conscious. This is for Joan and Heidi. This is to bring an end to the hardships suffered and to right all wrongs. If it means I'll end up in Hell, then so be it.

***

"Welcome back to the world of the living," Avander's voice greeted Joan as she cracked open her eyelids, looking blearily up at him. She then pushed  herself up in sitting position. Her head swam.

"Don't push yourself to hard just yet." Heidi's voice advised her and Joan took a moment to steady herself. Her gaze then drifted downwards and she sucked in a breath.

"My hands, my arms..." She stammered, gawking at the newly formed, still pink skin in shock. "How–?" She stopped abruptly, clicking her fingers and watching as blue sparks crackled to life. "My powers, they've returned!" She exclaimed, looking around at the two in confusion. "But how? I felt every last drop of energy drain out of me."

"You have Avander to thank for that." Heidi smiled, shooting Avander a proud grin. "He gave you his own at the cost of all his power."

Joan stared at him in disbelief. "Avander–no! Surely such an act would have grave consequences?"

He gave her a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck apologetically. "Yeah, I won't be able to free myself from Hell now." He murmured, eyes downcast. "But it's fine, It was my decision. You needed  that energy more than I did. I'm sorr–"

He was cut off abruptly as Joan's lips connected with his in a quick kiss. "You idiot. You're such a fool." She whispered, face pressed against his chest. "I'll find a way to free you. I promise, I won't let you go back there."

Her gaze drifted automatically to Heidi, who watched the two with a sad smile, the gloomy look etched deeply into her eyes as well, regret and dread struggling to make their presence known once more. It was a mystery what was going on in her head.

"It's time we made a comeback." She informed them. "Satan will be waiting for us within the inner ward most likely. He will not leave things to chance this time. This will be the last chance we have."

"We'll get the job done." Joan assured. "This was will come to an end today, mark my words."

"Thank you," Heidi whispered gratefully. "Both of you. I can never express how grateful I am for your assistance, for keeping me from fulfilling my destructive destiny. It's very heroic."
"Neither of us are doing this because we want to be heroes." Avander said. "Neither of us have any interest in saving the world. We do it because you're depending upon us."

For a minute, Joan wondered if Heidi was going to cry. Her gaze flitted downwards and Joan could have sworn there were tears shimmering in her eyes. But then Heidi looked up again and smiled.

"Alright then." She said, getting to her feet. "Let's not keep Satan waiting."