The first thing Jireh saw was a high roof. He stared for a moment, then blinked and fought to pull his thoughts together. Something tugged at his legs. He glanced down and frowned when he saw Olivine. She was at his feet, humming as she uncoiled a rope.
"Glad to see me?" She met his gaze before a slow bright smile lit her face. As he mirrored the action, his throat closed up. He blinked repeatedly. Why was he so relieved to see her?
"Where have you been?" His voice scratched on its way out.
"Here and there." She gestured with both hands. "Can you sit up? You lost a lot of blood back there."
When Jireh did as she said, he moaned. He gripped his head as a racking ache bloomed across his forehead. He shut his eyes tight, battling the pounding pain. "What happened to me?" He managed to ask.
"You don't remember?" She sounded as though she was moving but he couldn't hear her footsteps.
Rubbing his eyes, Jireh finally braved opening them and looking around. His breath caught. People were littered all over the floor—even the queen. Panic seized him.
"The queen is dead. No, no, no." He stumbled to his feet. "And the king's mother too? I am dead... dead. How did they die? Who killed them? Did I kill them? But I can't—"
"Relax," Olivine said with a chuckle. "They passed out, would be awake in a short while." She stepped away from the figure she was hunched over and observed him. "You still can't remember what happened?"
"I—"
"Was supposed to happen to the queen and her devouts and not you." She scratched her chin, appearing in deep thought. "I hope Devani didn't—"
Jireh swerved as the memory came rushing back. "Devani was here... a-and the little girl. Oh no." Dread swept through him as he recalled all of it. "It happened again."
"Jireh."
"I did it again. What have I done? I should be dead. See—" he pushed back the sleeve of his robe "—I cut myself..." Frowning in confusion, he stared at his wrist. "It's—I don't understand. I cut myself, I saw it."
"Jireh."
His attention snapped to her. The figure she stood over groaned then rolled to her back.
"Devani?"
"Yes, Devani."
"H-how?"
"I would love to stay and tell all there is to tell but we have to leave now."
Jireh rushed to Devani's side and almost did not recognise her when her shawl fell away. The only white hair in sight was a few strands at peak of her forehead. Her gaze was unfocused as she stared at him with matching grey eyes.
"Your eyes—"
"You're alive—"
Their words came at the same time. A sense of excitement and awkwardness assailed him. Suddenly selfconcious, he looked away.
"Come on." At Olivine's whine, they both straightened. "The girl is over there. Once I wake her, we would walk out through the door at the back." She gestured for them to follow.
The daze returned. Though Jireh was aware of Devani walking beside him, and soon after the little girl and Olivine, he still could not get it grounded in his mind that everything happening was in fact truly happening.
They made it out without a single worshiper or guard in sight. The small sense of optimism in his heart swelled. Maybe he was free after all. He took in a long breath and nearly smiled, then he remembered his cousin. Jezebel threatened to kill him and Hannah—
"Psst!"
They all turned in the direction of the sound.
"Over here." A shadowed figure moved behind a flat-top carriage.
"Why are you hiding?" Olivine asked. "I told you there is nothing to fear."
The figure stepped out as they approached him. Upon closer inspection, Jireh recognised him. "Harel?"
"Jireh." He shot him a weary smile and glanced around the gathering. "Are these all of them?" He directed his question at Olivine with a look of reverence on his face.
Jireh raised a brow. How did they know each other? Was it jealousy that left the bitter taste in his mouth?
"Yes. Move as I instructed..." her voice suddenly faded. She looked around and inclined her head to the right as though she were listening to catch an elusive sound. "Give me your hand, Jireh." When he simply stared at her, she added, "Please, there is little time."
Her hand was small in his but he followed after her as she tugged him a small distance away. Though she appeared weary, she still smiled up at him.
Take that, Harel.
"Issachar and Hannah are fine."
Relief washed over him and what felt like a massive burden fell off his shoulders. "How do you know?"
"Harel will take you to them." She nodded in Harel's direction with her gaze still fixed on him. "I want you to listen to me and, if you choose, take my words to heart."
"I'm listening."
"The vow, the bracelet all had power in them, but as you saw, things can get in the way." She squeezed his hand a bit. "The night you first cut yourself, I was there."
"Oh." Confusion and surprise filled his mind.
"I couldn't let you die, and tonight... I still couldn't."
It was as though his heart was bleeding at her words. She had saved him from death, twice. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you save me twice?" Jireh couldn't think of a single reason. His present predicament was an evidence of his inability to make wise decisions. There were several others more worthy of life, he should be dead.
"It felt right. In here—" she tapped the spot over her heart "—it felt right to save you. I am not sorry I chose you even if..." she let her words fade as sadness clouded her eyes.
"Thank you," Jireh murmured then sniffed. He was totally unashamed of his tears.
Shaking her head, she patted their clasped hands. "Thank God. I didn't give my awesome abilities to myself."
"How did you save—"
"There is no time. The vow and bracelet is nothing compared to the protection faith brings." She tapped her temple as she let go of his hand. "Remember that, Jireh." Then she vanished.
Jireh jerked away and stumbled. "What just happened? How did that happen?"
"Let's go." Harel called after him.
"No, she was right here. I swear she—"
Harel rushed forward and snatched him by the lapel of his tattered robe. "Listen to me. I am in no mood to die here. I want to marry, have children and live to a happy old age. Dying in an alley because a certain Jireh made me hesitate when it was time to run for my life is not how I wish to go. She gave an instruction, we follow. Do we understand each other?"
"I... Fine." Jireh tore himself from his former friend's grip and stepped back. "You better answer my questions when we get to wherever you are taking us."
"I give you my word." He turned from him them beckoned. "Let's go."
Just before he followed, he glanced around with the hope of seeing Olivine once more but there was no one in sight. Maybe another time.
As they rode away, Devani grabbed his hand and squeezed. At the contact, Jireh's heart did a little dip and somersault.
She looked at his face. "Now we married?"
"What?" This time his heart dipped in panic.
"I am doing the joke, Jireh." She laughed and the little girl did the same.
Jireh relaxed a bit then chuckled, but when he let his mind wonder in the direction of actually being with Devani, he realised he did not hate the idea... not even a little bit.
***
Olivine's shield was in place. It pulsed around her as she walked down the deserted street off the one that led to the temple premises. Though she was at a slight disadvantage because they were coming to her and not the order way round, Olivine took comfort in the fact that they couldn't pinpoint her exact location.
When the first loud shriek reached her ears, she retrieved her halo from its floating position over her head. Her bands sizzled and shone in anticipation. The smell of them was so thick, she could sniff the putrid odour even within her shield. Just then, one appeared and crashed into the invisible barrier. It howled from the burn of contact and gave off a sharp call.
It had found her exact location. Great.
Discarding the shield with a wave of the hand, Olivine snapped into action. As they descended upon her like rain, Olivine attacked right back. Using her unwound band, she trapped, pulled, then struck with precise swipes.
But they kept coming in droves.
One bit into her foot. Cracking her band like a whip, she lashed it away. Another sank fangs into her side, gnawing and ripping at her. She jammed an elbow into its face. The force of her strike ripped it off her body with a chunk of her flesh. Silvery blood trailed down her side then dripped to the floor.
More latched on. With bands snapping about and a halo in each hand, Olivine spun. Some imps bust into dust while others splatted black blood upon her. Talons dug into her calves, and jagged teeth pierced the flesh of her arms. They were brutally persistent.
"Arrrgh!" With a shout, Olivine's wings burst through her shoulders. The dazzling brilliance of their appearance signaled her presence to every dark spirit or angel close by. Rage burned through her as she spun like a top. Thin sharp blades shot from her wings and pierced every demon or imp in the vicinity. Their insides illuminated like light trapped in cracked earthen ware before swelling and bursting in a spray of dust, black blood and bits of pulverising flesh.
None remained.
With a long sigh, Olivine wings folded up then disappeared. Panting and bleeding, her feet touched the stone ground as she looked around.
The air stank with the rotten smell of vanquished demons and imps. She scrunched her nose before flicking her fingers. Every grime of battle floated off her then fell to the floor.
Just when she turned in the direction Agate and Garnet were, burning pain sliced through her back at the same time twin blades jutted out. The attack was so sudden and brutal that her knees wobbled from the force of it. Her hands instinctively flew to the spots as silvery blood poured from the wounds.
"Hello, Olivine."
The cloying smell of rust hit her.
"Molech." Blood flooded her mouth and dripped down her chin.
"She remembers me."
Olivine gasped when he twisted the weapons and shoved even harder.
"Its so good to be back in familiar territory." With a foot, he slammed her body forward and tore his weapons out.
"Not so powerful now, are you?" He walked over to where she lay gasping. The agony of her injuries made moving almost impossible, but she managed to roll to her back, halo still clutched in her fist.
"Baal has been visiting." Molech stood over her and pressed one of his blade inch by inch through her chest. "He was very wise to visit." He chuckled and pushed the weapon some more.
Olivine groaned again and clutched her halo tighter. She could feel its light extinguishing.
"I told him to let me have this one fun." When he smiled down at her, he looked perfectly human—even his teeth shone white with no fang in sight. "You shouldn't have let your guard down." He drove the blade all the way home.
Olivine gritted her teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of hearing her scream. But the pain...
"Tell me—"he rested his weight on the hilt of his long sword as his smile grew to a broad grin"—how does it feel to be dislodged?"
Letting all the fire left in her shine through her stare, she managed to mumble, "We are ministers of light—"
"We can never be put out," Molech finished with a mocking whine and eye roll. "Good night, little light."
As he swung the blade straight to her neck, the last thing Olivine saw was her halo dimming then turning into iron.
***
When the last of the horde was vanquished, both Baal and Ashera disappeared. Garnet wiped a hand over his brow. Something was wrong. The sudden silence that cloaked the air around him—
Olivine.
Straightening, he sheathed his sword and snapped his gaze in the direction he was certain he glimpsed a burst of white light.
"Go to her." Agate nodded in the same direction. "I would join you soon."
Garnet did not argue, and he didn't bother flying either. In a blink he was within the city wall, and in another he was close to where he saw the light. The decaying smell of the horde still lingered in the air and amidst it was the unmistakable smell of rust.
Molech.
There was no need searching for him. Garnet knew Molech. He never attempted a sneak attack if he suspected his opponent could already sense it. He must have taken Olivine by surprise.
Garnet clenched his fists. A huge part of him did not want to continue in the path he was sure led to her. He did not want to see.
"We knew this would happen," Agate said as he made an appearance. He pushed his battle-tussled hair away from his face and took the first step. "Let us go."
They found her; and Molech had shown no mercy. Garnet sat on the ground and groaned. She looked like a torn up human child.
Agate took a position at the other side of her body, and after a while of solemn silence, he produced Olivine's hooded cloak. "It is time." The muscle at his jaw worked as he straightened the material.
Damn you, Molech. We will meet... soon. Garnet silently promised.
Taking a hold of the cold ring that was once her halo, Garnet laid it over her stomach and placed her small hands over it. Agate carefully covered her with the cloak, exposing her face alone.
"This is it." Garnet patted her hands for the last time. "I would see you when I see you." At his words, she disintegrated into specks of white lights then disappeared with the wind.
***
It was finally dawn. Both angels sat atop of the highest hill that overlooked the Planes of Sharon and watched the northern sky. Right on time, a single dark cloud appeared and standing on it was a tall figure Garnet recognised immediately.
"Abaddon."
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So sorry about Olivine. 😢
I'm sure that did not come as a surprise though. I mean... I placed all the fore-shadowing there was to place.
The next chapter would be the last of Part One. Yay!
Saw any Errorrs? (See what I did there? 😂) Forgive me and point em out. Love y'all.