Chronicles of Absolution: Sins of the Soul

Chapter 1

Then

… Angela looked at Morpheus like he was being a pervert for being so forward but indulged. She peered at her shoulder in the mirror. At first she didn't see anything because it was so faint but when she looked closer, she recognized the familiar lines of scarring. It looked like the cicatrization marks she had seen mostly from African tribes. The design though was not like that. Rather it was a bit similar to her tattoo but there was a blend of Enochian and Egyptian as well and she recognized the mark that was unmistakably what would have been Sam's cartouche. "What…?"

"Courtesy of Sam Winchester, my dear," Morpheus answered as he watched the understanding start to develop. "He bit you and more than likely exchanged blood with you thus created that mark. He made you his and I have no doubt you did the same."

… "She is mine. My… I don't know… mate or something."

… "It's about the souls," Death offered as his only hint. "You'll understand when you need to. As will she."

… She watched as Sam fell in, pulling Michael in with him. They plummeted into the dark cavern that was the entrance to the cage. It was still open. She could feel the power as it swirled around, whipping her hair around.

I want you to do something for yourself, Angie.

It was what she wanted for herself. She walked towards the hole, focusing to keep it open a bit longer. It was then she heard her name. She turned to see Dean, face bloodied and broken. He was hurt but he was alive and he would be fine. That was what encouraged her to smile at him, her big brother, before spreading her arms and leaping in…

… I'm sure you'll understand what is going on. Right now you are needed where you belong. It's all about the souls, Angela.

"All about the souls," she muttered frowning…

… "But you are the Malachi; the Messenger of Absolution."

… Choices have to be made. Some lead to perdition and some lead to end of old and alone. The question comes down to whether or not one believes that they can hold on till the end and finally not be afraid to open that door…

… Her eyes were glowing orbs and her loose tendrils were billowing. Her hands were fisted and actually glowing as s result from her tattoos underneath her gauntlets glowing. What Lilith saw though, she realized that she had made a serious miscalculation…

… "I am not scared of what could happen to me in this whole angels and demons crap. I've dealt with them before."

"So if you want it spelled out, the greatest fear I have is losing you Sam and it is because I… love… you."

… I can't forget what I saw in the mountains in Russia. It was a harsh reminder of what could happen when power goes to the head. It's what I fear sometimes when I look at Absolution. I jumped into the challenges to determine my worthiness without weighing the consequences. And I remember like it was yesterday…

… It's always in my mind when I find these things of power. It's why I left the princess alone in Russia and came back to the States alone. It is why I will not tell a soul exactly where it is. Nor will I make it easy for the chosen ones to find it. Maybe I am motivated by that adage that knowledge has to be worked for in order for it to mean something but…

… There are things that are best left unsaid or they are better told by the one who experienced the event. Anyway the path is filled with blood and death. It is in the nature of things and of her race… even more so considering her heritage…

… Carter smiled a bit and took a couple of steps forward. "Always trying to save people. Even when it leaves your partners to die and rot."

"I don't leave people behind."

… Lady Parvati, right now is not a good time for them to be roaming the country. Lenya knows they are with me now and they are in danger and I can't put them in danger. I know they are the Ashvins and how vulnerable they are.

And yet you are the best at what you do my beloved.

Not really. I can't tell you how many times I've screwed things up.

And you forget that it's not just what you do but who you are…

… People were creative. Anyway there is an obscure story about a warrior who caught the attention of the mother goddess. The warrior was known for a few bloody events and pretty much saved the goddess from violation…

… Violation that would break the mother goddess and spread the wrath of a husband across the land. Basically this guy saved the goddess from something that would have had Shiva's ass down on earth and being a colossal asshat…

… Well their story alone is enough to make you understand why. Anyway, the warrior saved the goddess and from there it gets sketchy. Sources say that the goddess healed the brokenness in the warrior and forgave him for all crimes real and imagined. Others say that the goddess saw greatness and wanted to help. Either way to be called a beloved of Parvati meant great favor…

… "You have a good heart Dean Winchester. When things seem at their worst, it is what comes through. Remember that in the times to come."

… "You remember well. All life stems from energy. It is in everything that exists. It binds the elements together."

… "Energy binds the elements, the glue that holds all things together," Shiva said as he walked beside her.

"Ethereal energy," Angela replied as she went into another posture. "Like all things are composed of matter, that matter is held together by energy."

Shiva nodded as he watched her. On the wire, it made her a head taller than he was but then again the wire was suspended only a foot off the ground. Yet the posture was the same a person suspended a hundred feet above ground. "True. When something changes, it is merely the energy shifting into another form."

… "All life is suffering according to Buddha." Shiva paced around Angela. Occasionally he adjusted a strand of her hair. "But it is temporary, conditional, compounded by other things, which leads to the second…"

"That to understand suffering, one must find the cause of that suffering. We continually crave for something outside ourselves to make us happy. To know is to begin the means of ending what causes that suffering."

… "You fight a war that few are capable of seeing through to the end but what you leave behind… it is a legacy. To conquer others is to know power. To conquer yourself is to know the way."

… "It's too hard."

"No it isn't. Not if it is somebody you truly care for." Gabriel looked down at her and smirked. He took in her pout and sighed. His smirk softened to a smile as he put a hand on her head and rubbed it. "It has to be from the heart, Cat."

"The heart?"

"Yep," Gabriel replied with a nod. "It has to be because that is what everything worth what it is. So no matter what you do in life, every choice, when you practice your spells, powers… it all has to come from the heart. That is you greatest gift… and secret."

… That didn't matter since she was trying to make the throbbing stop but it didn't help that she was hearing whispers and in a language she wasn't familiar with but it sounded familiar. It was what she heard that night and…

… "Does she even know about you? About us?"

"No," Gabriel shook his head firmly as he spoke, "And it's gonna stay that way."

"She's gonna find out sooner or later," Lucifer pointed out. He spread his arms as if to take the job, "Might as well be now and from someone who will never lie to her. I mean, I haven't lied to her yet." He grinned more to piss off the younger angel.

"Leave her alone, Lucifer," Gabriel warned. He held his blade up in warning. "She is here for a purpose so get over yourself…

… "He knew she was needed here and she needed to be here after everything that had happened."

"He ruined perfection."

Gabriel shook his head slightly at that. "She is perfect no matter what she is and what she does and you wanna know why?" He paused to allow Lucifer to respond if he wanted to. When that didn't happen, he answered his question, "It's because she does what these flawed abortions do. She tries and does forgive."

… I know by now that you would have figured out that I am dead. You would have felt it and then some and I'm sorry.

You're probably wondering what I'm talking about. Well… think back to when you just learned that trick I showed you. Cat, the long and short of it is that the burn was a result of that. I always said it was your gift and greatest weapon. My regret is that my death is leaving you alone to deal…

… He could see the dragon's blood on it and the crest of the Dragonov's but what held his attention was the scarf around her neck.

A slight breeze had flipped it and it gave an almost dramatic look to her posture. The dragon paused and his eyes widened when he saw it. He didn't think that it was possible. He took a step backwards…

… it had made itself a part of the blade. The dragon was attached to the guard and where the seal had been attached there was script writing that looked ancient. The hilt had taken on a gold polished look while the blade remained silver…

… "Those marked by the seal have the authority to tame the beasts that breathe fire. Thus the power of the dragon is added to their own."

… She would just have to forge ahead and figure it out like always while trying to adjust being back. It was all anyone could do…

… . "They are one and the same. The People shouldn't fear her and she is a hunter."

"But the first in a long time that is a dreamer," David replied. "It's different and the stories say little about them."

"But there are a few and one will come who knows that world well." Laurel gave a slight smile of reassurance…

… "Hurtled into the chaos you fight and the world trembles at your feet."

Angela looked up sharply, "What did you say?"

"And from the ashes of despair rises Absolution, the warrior princess. Though I must say you hardly look like the princess you should be. It seems that the world has already trembled at your feet twice now. I wonder…"

Now

1765

The fires were burning long and the smoke curled up into the night sky. The smell of burning wood was in the air and ash was everywhere. The sounds filling the air were the screams of the dying and the fearful. The scent of blood was in the air. It was the perfect setting for someone that was hell bent on revenge and seeking their prey.

The demon stood on the hill overlooking the village. Everything was burning and his minions were chasing down those that escaped. Those that stayed and fought… they were all dead. It was no matter. That was the price for doing what they did.

"You will not get away with this."

The demon turned to see one of the warriors and if he wasn't mistaken, the leader. Blood was staining the left arm and it looked substantial. He was surprised they were still standing. He grinned as he replied, "I believe I have whore but I still want the one thing that you've denied me. And you will give it to me."

"You will never get what you want," the warrior spouted as they pulled out a bloodied weapon. "The Malachi is far beyond your reach."

"Well then I guess I shall have to punish you and your people." The demon pulled out a weapon and twirled it.

The explosion was loud as the fireball became visible from the superheating of certain herbs and spices. The demon came over the hill and looked at the devastation. There was nothing left as the last of the minions had continued the chase. The demon walked down to where his right hand was waiting. Behind him was the warrior who challenged him lying dead on the ground. It was hardly a good fight but it did accomplish what the warrior intended.

You will never get the Malachi.

"That is what you think," the demon muttered to himself as he surveyed the damage done to the well. "The sins will be paid upon in future years."

"The village is destroyed and the villagers dead."

The demon looked at his minion. "And the others?"

"They will be pursued until all are dead. But I doubt that they will say anything about the Malachi."

The demon looked at the destroyed village. He knew that they wouldn't say anything. Everyone they had come across hadn't said a word. They were silent until the day they died. It was always the same as he followed the trail. Some of it was harder and some of it was easier. Ever since… He said, "They won't say anything."

"Then…"

"The sins of the past will pay the toll in the future. The Spirit Warriors are dead. That order will no longer be a threat to our plans. And it's all thanks to the Malachi."

The demon turned and started walking away. He didn't look back as he left the burning village behind. It would be as he said, there would be nothing left. Whatever remained would be lost and scattered. They would never be what they once were.

Present

The woods were normally quiet with the usual animal noises. Everything that came out at night and was out and about doing their thing. All was quiet in the world as could be seen by the deer that stepped into a clearing to start licking a salt lick. It was a good night. Until a rustle forced its head to look up.

The rustling got louder as the brush started shaking. The deer looked at the source before it bolted. It was followed by someone crashing through the brush. They fell down with an oomph before trying to get up and continuing to run. They had to get away and for good reason.

A second crash sounded and a second mass came out but with more precision. It shook its head before continuing in the direction that its quarry had taken. With a low growl it increased the pace, sure of its footing. It was going to catch what it was after.

The boy stumbled through the brush. He had long lost the direction of the trail. All he knew was that he had to get to civilization as soon as possible. And that was going to take time. Time he didn't have and he was going to have to use every ounce of what he knew of the woods to get clear of them. His only regret was that he left behind his mentor.

I am sorry my master. I thought I could help.

The boy kept running while trying to stave off the tears. He thought that he was ready to go through the trials to advance to the next level. He wanted to be able to prove that he could be a warrior. That was all he wanted to be and it was all that he was good at. The visions told him that he was to take the path of the warrior.

He thought that he could go to the sacred grounds and try to cleanse the area. He thought that he could do it and thus restore his people's lands. He had the spells and the ingredients. But he was wrong. He was completely wrong. He wasn't prepared for what came out of that. And he had never been so scared in his life.

His mentor had come just in time but it was a terrible cost. He had never seen so much blood in his life. It stunned him into silence and he forgot everything that he had learned. He froze and he just watched in horror as he saw that thing.

Master. You're hurt.

It's just a scratch. I'll be fine.

He didn't believe it. He knew enough about injuries to know that it was a serious injury his master suffered. His master was going to die if the injury wasn't treated. But the master waved him off. Told him that he wasn't to worry about it and that he had to run. But he didn't want to go. He couldn't leave his master behind.

Go.

But Master…

Go!

He couldn't disobey. Too many days of training and following blindly in instruction. He obeyed and turned to run. He did pause to watch as his master engaged the thing that he had awoken with his foolishness. He watched as his master took on the beast and suffered more wounds trying to satiate what it had come for. He only started running again when something else came out and eyed him with the look that the beast had.

Now he was being chased by the other thing and it was getting faster and faster. He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to keep up the pace that demanded it. But he couldn't give up. He had to keep running. He wouldn't stop until he had accomplished the last thing his master had asked him to do.

You must go.

I can't.

You must. Run to the south. Look for the hunters that have graced the thunder of the sky. There you will find the one that can end this.

The boy kept on after jumping up to his feet from the tumble he took. He was heading south but the clue that his master wasn't specific. He only knew of the hunters that took on the traits of the thunder of the sky but there was nothing more. Well there was something but at the moment he was running for his life so he couldn't really figure it out. He had to lose his tail before he got there though and he had every intention to.

He leapt over the fallen tree and ended up landing on a slope. He lost his footing and ended up falling. He rolled down the slope, feeling like he was going faster and faster because of his momentum and the force of gravity. He tried flailing his limbs to slow his descent but he ended up scratching them and it did help a little.

He landed near a tree and he was lucky that he didn't exactly hit it. That would have caused some serious injury and he didn't need that. He just had a few bumps and bruises; nothing he couldn't handle. There was a rustle and a growl. It made him freeze since it felt like it was right on top of him or something. And he could hear it breathing.

The grunts and the snorts were loud but they had him stay perfectly still in fear. He didn't want to fail his master on this. Not after staying behind to make sure he escaped. But the thing was so close. He could hear its breathing and the smell. The smell was… He wrinkled his nose and tried to stay still. Maybe he could hide and then run.

The grunts and noises continued. He held still and frowned when he thought he heard the sound of something sniffing. It was sniffing him? He didn't know but stayed still until his hand touched a rock. Maybe he could distract the thing by making it appear that there was something else out there. It was worth a shot and he could continue on his mission if only to receive forgiveness from his master. He just had to time it perfectly and get in a good throw.

His fingers curled around the rock and he slowly lifted his hand. He thought he could feel the noxious breath of the thing coming down on top of him but he was hidden was a little ledge. That's why the thing was lingering. He tossed the rock slightly to test the weight before slightly shifting to position his body. With a firm sweep of his arm, he threw the rock a fair distance from him. He heard it strike the brush and make a rustling sound.

There was a louder rustle and the growls disappeared. It seemed that the beast had fell for the ploy. He waited a few moments before getting to his feet. He took a few moments to look around and get his bearings. He made sure that he was going in the right direction before taking off in that direction. He still was going to run but he did have some breathing room to adjust his pace. Or so he thought.

He had managed to get further along and near the river when it happened. The attack came from the left and he had pulled back at the last moment in time to avoid getting a death blow to his body. He took a couple of steps back to see the beast turn to recover from its attack. It was impossible. He was certain that he had distracted it enough to get away, but it seemed that it had other means of tracking him.

He still had to carry out his mission. He looked at the beast as it growled and snarled. He could smell the noxious breath. He was hoping that he wouldn't have to fight his way out, but it looked like he was going to have to. He gritted his teeth and pulled out the weapon he had trained in all his life. He held it out in front of him and narrowed his gaze at the beast.

"You will not stop me from completing my mission."

The beast growled before it lunged forward. He was ready. He brought his weapon up and ready to fight. He tensed as the beast charged towards him. He let out a war cry as he charged forward. This was for his master. The night heard the crash and growls and it was silenced by the splashing of blood.

A/N: And we kick off with something that happened a long time ago and a boy running for his life in the woods. Keep watching for more on Sins of the Soul...