CHAPTER XXVIII
Ara has never been so overwhelmed with everything that has been happening in her life. She needed to wake up. Isang napaka-habang panaginip na nito. And meeting Lucifer has just topped it all.
When Ara saw Leilani, she knew she wasn't dreaming. Who would've thought that the nice beautiful nurse of Abyss was an Angel.
"It's nice to see you again, Ara," nakangiti nitong bati sa kaniya.
"Leilani..." she muttered. Gusto niya itong tanungin. Maraming maraming tanong. Pero nahihiya siya. Lalo na't masama ang tingin sa kaniya ni Lilith.
Sindred told her that Lilith is one of the first demon that was created by Lucifer, that made her an Elder. Pero hindi ito ang Elder na inaasahan niya. Akala niya ay matanda na ito. But Lilith is seductively beautiful. She'a wearing a floor length made of silk red dress. Her hair is also flaming curly red. Matalim ang mga mata nito kung tumingin. At kapag ngumingiti naman ay hindi mo alam kung matatakot ka.
Nang makumpleto ang lahat ng pinatawag ng hari ng kadiliman ay 'saka nito pinaliwanag ang kalagayan ni Ara. Everyone's attention was on hers until Lilith talked.
"And why would I help a mere mortal?" she said, eyeing her with hatred.
"My dear Lilith," Lucifer walked towards her, snaking his arms on her shoulders making her fliched in fear. "I understand your predicament about this. But Ara is on our side, aren't you, Ara?" baling nito sa kaniya na mabilis niyang tinanguan. Humigpit ang pagkakaakbay nito kay Lilith and his aura became even more dangerous. "It's not about what you want. It's about what I want. Always remember that, Lilith!"
"Yes, my Liege," nakayuko nitong sagot.
"And you, Leilani?" Lucifer said.
"I will help Ara, my Liege," she immediately answered and Lucifer chuckled evily.
"Good, good. Now we prepare. We'll carry out the ritual at midnight, on the Living ground," Lucifer said grinning.
"Living ground?" Ara said, confused.
"Oh, I mean your world."
***
Ara, Sindred, Leilani, Lilith, and Lucifer went to an abandoned convent for nuns. Kagaya ni Thorn o Raguel ay mayroon ding human form si Lucifer. Tanging sina Leilani, Lilith at Sindred lamang ang hindi nagpalit anyo.
Ara thinks that Lucifer's human form is too cool for him. Who would've thought that Lucifer will wear an all white suit, clean cut hair, and a shiny charol shoes. Malayong-malayo sa totoong katauhan nito.
The abandoned convent is small. Inside was convered of cobwebs and with a nasty rotten egg smell. Sindred explained to her that when a once holy building or land was abandoned, it will automatically becomes a belonging of a demon.
As Lilith was busy forming a pentacle on the middle of the convent, Ara took the chance to talk to Leilani.
"Okay lang ba sa'yo 'to? Baka napipilitan ka lang kasi...alam mo na," sabi niya at nginitian lamang siya nito.
"I'm not doing this because of Lucifer. I am doing this because of Raguel." She answered.
"Okay lang ba kung mag-tanong ako sa'yo?" Ara said.
"Sure. Ano na 'yon?"
"Were you an Angel? How did you fall? Malapit ka ba kay Raguel?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong na ikinatawa ng kausap.
"Yes, I was an Angel. When Raguel fall, marami kaming sumunod. I have two choices when my wings were clipped. To be a mortal, or to be a demon. Pinili kong maging tao. But Raguel, he helped me. Kaya kinuha niya ako sa Abyss kahit na isa na lamang akong tao."
"Si Thorn ang kumuha sa'yo sa Abyss?" tanong niya.
"I was a healer Angel so he made me the company nurse in Abyss," she said that made her even more confused.
"Si Thorn...I mean si Raguel, sino siya sa kumpanya?" nakakunot-noo niyang tanong.
"Raguel is the owner of Abyss," she revealed that made her stopped for a second.
Si Raguel and may-ari ng Abyss na kaniyang pinagta-trabahuan. Kaya ito madalas do'n dahil hindi ito ordinaryong empleyado. He is the mysterious owner of the Abyss.
"Lahat ba ng nagta-trabaho sa Abyss ay...katulad niyo?"
Leilani shook her head, "Not everyone. But the head of the offices are Incubus or Succubus. Your former boss, Miranda, was a Succubus." She explained.
"Was" she asked.
"Miranda was vanquished by Raguel because she hated you," Leilani said with a shrug.
"H-he killed someone because of me?" she said almost whispering.
Leilani beamed at her, "And he'll kill again for you. That's how he worshiped you, Ara."
Hindi niya alam kung matutuwa ba siya o matatakot sa narinig. But what could be more disturbing than that? Heto nga siya at tinanggap ang tulong ng hari ng mga demonyo. She just couldn't wait for this to end nang makita na niya muli si Thorn.
"We're done," she heard Lilith said.
Lucifer walk towards her giving her that chilling grin. He lead her at the center of the pentacle. The four of them surrounds her. Lucifer started conjuring thunder outside. He told Lilith to start the oration.
"Audi, pater tuus ex inferno. Daemones credunt et contremiscunt ex inferno victa est, de custodia dimisit."
She heard a loud cry coming from under. Hindi sapat ang pagtakip niya sa tainga para hindi ito marinig. Pakiramdam niya ay dudugo ang tainga niya at sasabog ang ulo niya sa lakas nito.
Nakita na lamang niyang mas lalong kinakain ng dilim ang buong silid. She tried to peak on their faces at lahat sila ay umiilaw ang mga mata. Lilith's eyes were white, Sindred's eyes were all black, and while Leilani is the only person who has normal eyes, Lucifer's eyes were blazing red. They were all looking up while chanting incoherent words.
"Novitate vitae enim deferetur, quæque ad mandato."
Biglang nabiyak ang sahig sa loob. Then suddenly, she felt an excruciating pain. Pakiramdam niya ay may kutsilyo sa likod niyang paulit-ulit na kinakaskas. And all she could do to ease the pain is to shout and cry as loud as she can.
"Audi Domine, potentiam tuam tenebrae dicantur."
Unti-unting nawala ang ingay. Unti-unti ring nawala ang sakit sa likod niya. Hapong-hapo ang katawan niyang nahiga sa gitna ng pentacle. Nanlalabo na ang mga maya niya. Pakiramdam niya ay tinakasan siya ng lakas.
"Strip her," she heard Lucifer said. She's too weak to even refuse.
Nakita niya itong lumapit sa kaniya. There was a white light coming out his hands, pointing on her back.
"Mittite vias venas notat, quia angeli eorum intulit, fidelis Araceli nostris..." Was the last words she heard.
***
Weeks earlier...
"Have you heard from her?" he asked, tensed, barely moving from his post.
"The Felices' mansion were heavily warded. No demon could go near the perimeter," Zanilla answered.
He took a heavy, yet, another deep breath.
How could this happened? How could anyone steal her from him when she was on his realm? He couldn't even locate her. As if she's gone off grid.
He was on deep thought when Thamuz blinked inside the hall. He sure hoped he had good news to spill. But from the looks of the Bringer of Souls, he knew it was another bad news.
"Chief, the gates of heaven has released an Archangel," Thamuz said.
"Who?" he said with gritted teeth.
"The Soldier, Chief."
"Michael!" he groaned.
"He brought with him an Elder and a Seraphim,"
He could feel every bit of his being that wanted to explode. Why does on earth these wing-men keep on meddling with his business?!
"They're planning to mark her!" he mumbled when he realized the necessity of an Archangel's appearance.
"Chief, what do we do now?" Zanilla asked.
"They need a human fallen angel to perform a powerful ritual."
"But, Chief, Leilani is on our side—"
"I'm talking about Evangelista."
Raguel, Zanilla, Thamuz, and other three Incubus blinked to the University where Ara spent her college. Evangelista is one of few human fallen angels he couldn't pursue to join his domain.
When they entered Evangelista's office, there are three familiar faces.
"Raguel..." the Archangel recognized him. Giving him a taunting look of his appearance.
"Where's Araceli?!" he roared with anger that made the ground quake.
"Whatever your plans to her, you wouldn't succeed. You wouldn't visit her in her dreams, you wouldn't touch her, even the mere sight of her will cause you pain!" the Archangel sneered.
Michael has always been this arrogant. He thought everyone is beneath him when in reality, he is just like everyone. A pawn to do His bidding. It's funny how these humans worships them in picture and statue when they never even hear.
Thamuz released an energy ball when Gadreel, the Seraphim, effortlessly build an angelic shield around them.
"There, there, Thamuz," Raguel said amused. "We wouldn't want to smear their white wings, yet," he said mocking the three wing-men.
"Areceli...your Araceli will spent her lifetime in a self-flagellation camp until her last breath. And I will see to it that she repents. Don't worry, I'll send you a postcard. So whatever your plans...say find another pure soul to corrupt? Same thing will happen!"
Raguel gritted his teeth. He shouldn't be overpowered by his emotions. And he knew Michael is playing him. Taunting him. But the Archangel should know more. He wouldn't be a Chief of Incubus if he wasn't powerful enough.
"Hurt her, and I will hunt you down!" he said suppressing every anger on hims. "I will peel every Angel, just to get you! And if I have to kidnap pure souls just to bring back Araceli, I will do that!" he said with no remorse.
He saw them holding an Angel Lance, ready to fight when he released a blinding energy ball to them, weakening every angel inside the room.
"Do you want me to kill them, Chief?" asks Thamuz when every Angel was all laying on the ground.
"Let them be. They're our only lead to Araceli..."
***
Araceli felt her body and soul draining from all the energy. She wanted to open her eyes but too tired to do so. At kahit na nga ba ay nararamdaman niyang may humahaplos sa noo niya ay hindi pa rin magawang umulat ang mga mata.
"I'm here, my little devil," she heard someone whispered to her ear, making her drawn to slumber.
Nang muli siyang magising ay mag-isa lamang siya sa isang madilim na silid. Pinilit niyang bumangon kahit na ramdam niya pa rin ang hapdi sa likod. Dumeretso siya sa may tukador at walang pag-aalinlangang itinaas ang damit sa likod. She has burn marks. Hindi ito maganda sa paningin kaya agad niyang ibinaba ang likod.
Nang lumabas siyang silid ay doon niya napansing nasa impyerno pa rin siya. Dito na ba siya mananatili? Nasaan si Thorn? Alam ba nito na wala ang Sigil niya?
Nang mapansin niyang paikot-ikot lamang siya sa pasilyong dinaanan niya ay huminto siya. Bigla ay may apoy na lumabas sa sahig at iniluwal si Lilith. Nakahalukipkip itong nakatingin sa kaniya.
"Where are you going?" mataray nitong sabi.
"Hindi ko alam. Paikot-ikot lang ako rito sa pasilyo," sagot niya at hindi maitago ang kaba sa dibdib.
"Lucifer wants you to stay in your room. You're not safe outside especially up there," itinuro nito ang taas.
"Bakit?" nakakunot-noo niyang sabi at ngumisi lamang ito.
"You've caused war, human. Michael sent all his mercenaries to look for you..." she said with animosity. "Hell and Heaven has always been...civil. And now, because of you..." she trail off giving her even more hateful stare. "I don't know what Raguel has seen in you to risk everything he has!"
Napayuko lamang siya. Gusto niyang maiyak sa mga painagsasabi nito. Pero kailangan niyang lakasan ang loob. Hindi normal ang pinasok niya.
"Where's R-Raguel?" she asked almost a whisper.
"He was here...but he left again..." lumapit ito sa dalaga at umikot sa kaniya na animo'y sinusuri ang buong pagkatao niya. "I do not see anything especial from you. So why does Raguel loves you? And why does my father has so much interest in you?" sobrang lapit ng mukha nito sa kaniya. She tried to hold her breath. Lilith is really intimidating. Parang gusto na lamang niyang himatayin.
"Uh, babalik na ako sa silid..." she walked pass her without looking back.
"You know my father, Lucifer, doesn't do free deeds, right?" Lilith said that made her stop from her track and look back.
"Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?" kinakabahan niyang tanong.
"He helped you. Of course, there's payment..." she said with a smirk.
Mas lalong kumabog ang dibdib niya. Mas lalo siyang natatakot sa pinasukan niya.
***
Ara was sitting on her bed when she heard a knock on the door. Tatayo na sana nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. Halos manigas siya sa kinatatayuan nang masilayan kung sino ito. A tear seamlessly fell on her cheeks. And without second thoughts, she run towards him to give him a big tight hug.
"I miss you," she murmured. Pakiramdam niya ay naibsan ang lahat ng bigat na dinadala ng dibdib niya. Thorn has always this effect on her. Yes, he's a demon, but he made her heart calm.
"I thought I lost you..." he said to her.
"Mabuti at nandito ka na. Ayaw ko na rito. Please bring me to your kingdom...to Abyss..." she pleaded but Raguel just beamed at her.
"I couldn't bring you anywhere right now. You're warded here in Hell. So this is the safest place for you,"
"Bakit ba gustong-gusto nila akong kunin sa'yo?!" she couldn't help but asked. "Hindi pa ba klarado sa kanila na ikaw ang pinili ko? At kanina sinabi ni Lilith na at war ang hell and heaven dahil sa akin? Ganoon ba ako ka-importante sa kanila?" nanggigil niyang sabi at tumawa lamang ang lalaki.
"Don't stress yourself about it. Lilith is...overreacting," he said amused but she just pouted.
"I'm scared of her," pag-aamin niya.
"She won't harm you. None of here will harm you," he said.
"Demons won't harm me, yet, Angels are?"
"Angels are righteous. And because of that, they appear to be jackasses..."
"Itong ginawa nila sa akin, pagiging righteous iyon para sa kanila?" she blurted annoyed.
"They have orders to follow. But don't worry about them. You're safe,"
"But they used my family as their vessel! I've almost wished my family's demise tapos malalaman kong ginawa nilang meat-suit ang katawan ng pamilya ko?! I really thought Angels are nice kasi iyon ang itinuro sa Religion subject namin!"
"Araceli..."
"Nagagalit talaga ako! That sigil almost killed me!" she could feel an anger that wanted to come out at hindi niya ito mapigilan. She needs to vent out.
***
He was astounded when he saw her eyes turned black when she vent out his feelings to him. Yes, he understands her anger towards Angels, but he couldn't understand why Araceli's suddenly had a powerful aura coming out of her.
Without second thoughts, he summoned Keira and asked her to put Araceli on slumber.
"Araceli is fine, Chief. Why did you ask me to—"
"She has a powerful aura on her. Her eyes turned black like a demon eye when she's angry,"
"Chief, there's no aura. What are you saying?" Keira, the seer, asked confused.
Raguel stared at Araceli. He couldn't ask anyone right now except for Keira. Even though Lucifer helped her, he's still doubting his true motives. He knew he wouldn't offer help without payment.
"Can you see her future?" he asks and Keira happily obliged.
She touches his forehead while closing her eyes.
Was it because of the sigil? Is it the effect of removing it? He thought.
"Quartz...Sophina..." he heard Keira mumbled. "Ah!" she scream painfully when she forcefully removed her hands on Araceli's forehead. She was panting hard and small sweats are forming on her forehead.
"What did you see?" Raguel asked.
Keira stared at him with disbelief, "I saw a Nephilim helping a Cambion..."
"W-what? T-that's impossible. Nephilims don't exist! Angels kills them before they were even born because they are an abomination to heaven."
"This one is different. His powers are suppressed," Keira said overwhelmed with what she saw.
"And the Cambion?"
"It was unclear... but it seems that, Araceli is pregnant. You sired it, so the Cambion is your offspring..."
Keira gave him a smile. The smile she gave him every time he succeeds on his plan.
"You're the father so you're the only one who could feel its aura..."
"She's...pregnant?" he asked, almost speechless.
"Yes, Chief. Your original plan worked. You will sire an heir, Chief," she said with glee on her eyes.
The news was processing on his mind slowly. And when he realized what he's done, pure bliss washed over his chest. But it was a short-lived delight. He put Araceli's life in grave danger.
Heaven wants her because she's pure. But when Hell learns that she's pregnant with a demon sire...they will kill her. If a Nephilim is an abomination on heaven, a Cambion is an abomination on hell.
"Keira, I need to find the Nephilim!"
"I will find him for you, Chief. If my premonitions are accurate, this Nephilim will help your offspring..."
***********
Dear Readers,
Thank you sa enthusiasm niyo sa story na 'to. I appreciate the comments that's keeping me inspired. But, for nth time, sasabihin ko na 'wag niyong isipin na totoo lahat ang sinusulat ko. 'Wag kayong ma-offend kung iyon ang description na binibigay ko sa Angels. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na iyon ang paniniwala ko sa kanila. Lahat naman tayo open-minded dito. THIS.IS.JUST.A.STORY.
X.O.X.O,
Ate Thy