1Chapter 2
Here and Gone Again
Saga flopped down onto a pile of musty cushions. He felt clammy and lightheaded. His eyes were glazed over with pain. His shirt and part of his cloak was ripped from the knife wound. He looked about him, reassuring that the room wasn't torn apart by the gangsters.
The room was never very tidy to begin with. It was an old building that was once used as a drug dealer's shop until the police came and shut it down. Over the years it became quite a refuge for thieves and sometimes homeless people. The walls were covered with mildew, leaving a nasty smell to the room. The two of them were immune to its scent, thanks to a potion Saga had brewed a few weeks ago. The only things out of place were a couple of papers scattered here and there.
Siya lay the folded tapestry on a small table. He took the broom leaning against the wall and swept the excess dirt out of the room. He then set the broom in its resting place and went to check on his injured sibling.
Saga lay there on the cushions, weak and exhausted. He turned his eyes toward his brother who was now sitting beside him. Siya unpinned Saga's cloak and pulled off the bloodied shirt. When Siya saw the damage done to the angel charm his eyes opened wide with fear. It lay there in three pieces. The only thing holding it together was a thin thread of wire. He pulled apart the rest of the band and began to tend the wound.
It was deep and it hadn't stopped bleeding. Siya pulled out a small box from his sleeve and withdrew a needle and thread. He set them aside for he had to stop the bleeding, plus clean it first. The redhead wandered over to the table and pulled out a bucket and a cloth. Putting his hand over the bucket he began to summon up his magic. The bucket steadily filled with warm water. He turned and walked back to his brother, who was just starting to rest his eyes.
Siya did his work magnificently. When he was little he would spend the days watching his mother gather herbs and study which herb was for each purpose. He was consistently learning new skills a perfecting the ones he already new. The time came when he was just as good as his mother. It made him proud to think of himself as a skilled doctor. Siya shook himself off of his thoughts and reached for the needle and thread. Saga winced as Siya began to sew up the wound, but he lay perfectly still other than that.
"Siya there's a spare angle charm in the back of the drawer. Can you get it when you're done?," Saga asked. "Sure," Siya accepted the favor while wrapping
the arm and shoulder.
Outside it was getting dark. The streetlights were beginning to let out their glow. Atop the roofs winged figures could be seen. The Seekers were very close. There must have been over a hundred of them scattered about the rooftops. Two of them stood out from the rest. One of them had beautiful cream colored wings and long blond hair. Merri was her name. She wandered over to the other angel. He had long shamrock green wings and hair.
"Soar, the troops are ready to obtain the target," she informed the Seeker.
Soar did not answer her. He had his attention on a small scanner in his hand. The scanner's screen showed a small blue dot blinking in the left hand corner. It signaled that their target was only a few yards away. A nasty smile stretched across his face, he began to laugh.
Saga sat up once his brother was done dressing his wounds. He watched as the redhead returned to the table and removed the charm from its hiding place. Siya turned back towards his brother and placed the charm on the arm, right below the shoulder.
Saga smirked, "Heh, now we're safe from their eyes." This was the truth. Once the charm was placed the scanner lost sight of the target. However, the Seekers already knew where to find him.
Soar lifted himself from his knees and stood there examining the landscape, searching for the best way to capture their target. He turned toward Merri who was also surveying the area. She noticed that he was watching her so she turned toward him.
"This time he's not getting away," Soar smirked, "Send out the troops." He watched as Merri nodded and turned back, vanishing into the dark gloom of the night.
Siya was just settling down to rest when he was awoken by his brother's abrupt movements. He stood there eyes wide, darting around wildly, his body shaking terribly.
"What's going on?" Siya sensed his brothers worry. Saga turned around several times looking for something.
"Siya get up. They're here," He was very rattled, "We need to get out of here now." His voice shook along with his body.
Siya immediately jumped up ready to take flight. He knew that when his brother mentioned the words "they're here", it meant that the Seekers were near and were closing in.
Outside the Seekers were advancing. One of the angels bashed open the door making entry for the rest. Inside, nobody was home. The room was empty except for the few crates that originally were there. The back wall was misshapen, though. It was crumpled up and wrinkled, in the middle of the wall a strange black smudge came into focus.
"Look there Kawswa," he summoned an old gray winged angel to the wall where the smudge lay. Kawswa examined the smudge.
"Do you know what it is?" Soar asked impatiently.
"There is an escape magic seal under this smudge," Kawswa grumbled, "He's outside."
"HEY! THERE HE GOES!" A carrot topped angel was jumping around wildly in the alleyway. His arm waving around pointing up the street. There in the distance, two figures could be seen. Soar became infuriated by this.
"AFTER HIM YOU FOOLS!" he hissed.
The two brothers turned several corners, trying to avoid the Seekers, but to no avail. The Seekers rounded every corner, they topped the roofs, every escape route was blocked. All around them stood their enemies. They were cornered. Saga clenched his teeth, they could not escape, not this time.
Several of the Seekers grabbed a hold of the two brother's arms, restraining them. Saga's eyes flared, the mark on his cheek grew slightly larger, fangs were somewhat visible as he clenched his teeth. Siya's mane of hair bristled, he bared his fangs at the attackers.
Kawswa teetered towards the young wolf. A deep threatening growl entered Siya's throat as the old man approached. He examined the wolf from head to toe before speaking.
"Tis a demon," the old one's eyes narrowed, "I shall send him back to the realm of which he came." Siya snarled as the elderly angel held his hand close to his chest.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Siya snapped at the angels hand. Kawswa did not stir from his work. His hand began to glow as it pressed against the wolf's chest. Siya's eyes opened wide with fear. He started to cry.
"MAKE THEM STOP BROTHER! MAKE THEM STOP!" he cried out helpless to defend himself. With a flash of light the redhead had vanished. The others stood waiting patiently for an order.
"Alright everyone, back to Heaven," Soar commanded.
Saga began to release a powerful aurora. He let out his enormous light blue wings. He struggled till they could no longer hold him. They group backed away, the blue wings they had been informed of, had now shown his true colors. In the moonlight his wings seemed to shimmer. They no longer had their usual bluish color but instead shined with a silver glow. This was why he was known as The Silver Guardian.
He stood tall and full of prowess. Anger filled his eyes and heart. The mark on his cheek was growing larger, his aurora was becoming stronger. He flashed his wings in the moonlight. Soar stood ready. He knew when Saga's wings flashed, he was going to attack. He charged straight for Kawswa. The old one threw a capture spell at his attacker, sending Saga flying. He hit the wall of an old garage causing dust to fly up into the air.
Once the dust had cleared, the Seekers could finally view their captive. He lay there, unmoving by the wall, unconscious. Energy rings glowed around his wrist and ankles. His eyes were closed as if in a deep sleep. Soar wandered over to the unconscious angel.
"Heh, good work Kawswa," he smirked, "Lets take him back." The rest of the Seekers nodded. Several of the group began to summon their magic. A large portal began to appear above their heads while their arms waved around and hand signals flashed from one another, sending their magic toward the portal. Several others grabbed hold of the blue winged angel and altogether they flew through the magic hole.
Merri wandered throughout the corridors of the great palace. This palace was the main place to find most angels. The Angel Council held their meetings here. She was trying to find Forest, Soar's elder brother, to convince him to lower the penalty against Saga.
Forest was one of the high ranking officials, as well as a council member. His appearance resembled his brother, but it was known that they were far from the same. Soar was known to be quite skittish and insecure. Forest was known for his aggressive tactics and sly approaches to changing a conversation to his own will. His wings were much darker in shade than his brother's and he had a leaf symbol on his brow.
She stopped for a moment. Staring up at the fabulous fan tracery that spread across the walls and ceiling. She remembered how he could swindle people out of things. Shaking her head from these thoughts she continued her way down the corridor. She passed several clusters of angels chattering amongst themselves till she reached a large fountain.
The fountain stood in the middle of the corridor. Large sculptures of the great angels were positioned in the center of the fountain, their hands held up in the air releasing the mighty water. There by the fountain's side stood an old man. This man was known by its people as Elder, the king of angels. His long golden wings were folded against his back, glimmering in the sun. He turned his old, wrinkled, gray haired head towards her.
"Ah, Merri. It's nice to see you running around here again," he smiled cheerfully. Merri lowered her gaze in respect to her leader, who just began to laugh. She brought herself to see why he was laughing.
"Now, now my child, you don't need to do such a thing. You yourself are someone to be honored," Elder smiled again. Merri smiled, embarrassed at behaving so foolishly in front of him. She shook her head, remembering what she had to do.
"Elder, do you know where I can find Forest?" she asked inquisitively. He looked up into her eyes, giving her a warning. Shaking his head, he finally answered.
"He's down in the dungeon. I too am heading there myself," Elder began to head in the direction of the dungeon, Merri quickly following. The dungeon was at the far end of the corridor. Here angels who have broken the laws of heaven or were too dangerous to be trusted were kept.
There at the end stood a huge wooden door. Magic seals covered it and the door handles appeared ready to bite with the faces of vicious wolves. Metal bolts held the door together. It seemed like the door to hades itself. Merri shivered, usually she stayed away from this place. It always gave her the creeps with all of the evil auroras floating around this place. Elder on the other hand, did not stir. He reached out with his hand and pushed the door open.
When they entered, they could here the cries of angry spirits locked up in their cages. There were a few moans, hisses and shrieks as they passed the cells. Up ahead the two of them could see several figures huddled around one of the high security cells. There were three of them, two of which were arguing. They stopped their fighting as Merri and Elder drew near.
"Ah, my lord. How nice it is to see you," Forest summoned slyly. Merri recognized his tone and narrowed her eyes threateningly. Elder just raised his eyebrows and headed over toward the door. There was a small window near the top of the door. Peering through, the cell was a blanket of white. Snow was gently falling from nowhere. In the back of the room a figure could be seen sitting in the snow. His long light-blue hair flipping around in a wind that also seemed to come from nowhere.
"Oh...," Elder gasped. He had seen much of Saga's powers before, but not once had he seen this. "What is this?"
"That's what I want to find out," Forest sneered, "His magic was drained but I don't understand why he is still able to summon it." He stared through the window at the angel in the far corner. The blue wings turned, noticing he was being watched he shot a blast of snow, blocking the window with a sheet of white.
Forest shook with anger, "I detest that angel. He was never worthy of his rank." Merri snubbed his comment and turned worriedly towards the door, for she had a deep powerful secret within her heart. Long ago when she was still alive, something special had happened to her. She was still a young school girl when it happened.
Merri was running through the snow covered schoolyard. Bells rang, letting the students know that it was time to go home. She stopped, noticing someone ahead near the exit. A young boy about her age stood silently in the shadow of the wall that surrounded the school. He turned his head, realizing that he was being watched. His long light blue hair fell from his shoulders where it began to flow in the wind, eyes glowing in the sunlight as he stared out at her. Shaking herself from her daze, she spoke.
"Can I help you?" Merri inquired. The boy turned completely, facing her. A smile lit up on his face.
"I've been watching you," his eyes flickered like wild fire as he eyed her. Blushing, she stepped away, giggling. Snow scuffed upon the tiles where her feet had stood. All of a sudden he turned away from her, his face was shy and worrisome.
"I like you. I wanted to tell you before... well, I'm leaving soon," The boy shuffled his feet, nervously, "My family is moving soon and... I wanted to tell you before I go. Sometime in the future, if I see you again, will you marry me?"
Merri stood, unmoving, her eyes full of unexplainable emotion. She wanted to speak but her voice had left her, in shock of this boy she didn't even know. She watched as he turned to leave, solemnly. Again, shaking herself into consciousness, she gathered up the courage to speak.
"Will I see you again?" she asked, watching as he stopped and turned to face her. His eyes were deep and sorrowful.
"I do not know... but I hope we will meet again," he answered. His eyes were turned toward the ground full of shame for saying such things he couldn't promise. He seemed dazed for a moment until a gentle voice shattered the silence of the evening.
"Can you at the very least, give me your name?" Merri summoned politely.
He paused for a moment as though thinking of something else to tell her. He shook his head, laughing to himself. Then, bringing himself to give eye contact, he began to speak.
"My name is of no importance, but I shall give it to you all the same," the boy smiled at his own words, "I am Saga Winter of the Land of the Trees. Remember it, for I shall be waiting for you always." With this he turned away, vanishing in the gloom of night fall.
The passed by, through high school and college, but never again did she see her blue haired friend. Merri searched for Saga, high and low, denying others for him. She searched until one sad, winter's day. Full of misery, Merri wandered down a snow covered path down in the forest when she noticed a strange figure in the distance. It was a tomb stone with words she dreaded, carved into it's hard front. The stone was the grave marker of her beloved who had died a year before.
Merri refused to leave that site and died of starvation and stress about a month later. Her tears stained the stone where she lay, leaving her love in the soil with him.
Now in Heaven she finds her beloved has been sent down to Earth for sins he committed. Shortly afterward he was sited breaking the rules they had set him to obey. The council was furious and began to deploy their Seekers to bind Saga. Merri devoted herself to becoming a Seeker to find him and keep the promise they made toward one another.
Kawswa patted Merri on the shoulder, awakening her from her memories. He smiled as she looked around in sudden confusion. Realizing were she was, she smiled and turned towards the group. They all stood in waiting as Elder began to open the cell door. Quickly they entered and shut the door behind them, making sure their prisoner did not escape.
Inside the entire cell was covered with ice and snow. To their amazement it wasn't in the least bit cold. The snow that fell was warm to the touch and did not melt in their hands. They awed at it for some time before turning their attention toward their captive.
He sat there, in the far corner, his eyes burned with hate and distrust as he glared at them. Forest smirked and approached the angel. To this Saga was far from amused, he hoisted himself off the ground and stood ready to confront his attackers. His body began to emit a powerful aurora as he made several threatening gestures, warning the group that he would not hesitate to attack. The snow began to disappear as his aurora grew stronger. Forest sneered at the blue wings.
"I don't know how your magic still remains... but I'll be the one to make sure it is drained and that it never comes back," he hissed.
Saga's eyes glowed red with hate, fangs were visible, his nails had turned into claws. He growled and leapt at his opponent. Forest immediately released a blast of energy sending the creature into the wall. He watched as the blue wings fell to the floor, hissing as it curled up in pain. Forest kicked him hard in the side causing the angel to scream in agony.
Merri almost couldn't bear the site. This torture of her loved one was torture to herself. She wanted to run over to him and protect him from Forest's merciless blows. But she couldn't, she stood frozen, glued to the spot as she watched in terror. Tears began to form in her eyes as Saga was pounded into the floor.
Elder spotted her pain and suffering and laid his old hand on her shoulder. She jumped startled by his touch. He nodded his head and left her side to intercept the two angels. He stopped next Forest who seemed displeased by having to stop his tyranny over the blue wings. Waving his hand he summoned Kawswa to his side. Together they laid the battered up angel on a cot that stuck out of the wall.
Saga's eyes flared, a deep growl emerged from his throat. Lifting his head, he snarled and bared his fangs. He struggled to get up, but his wounds refused it. Instead he writhed in pain and hissed in frustration.
Kawswa stepped forward and placed his hand upon Saga's forehead. His face became quite stern. He brushed away Saga's bangs to find the snowflake mark.
"Well that would explain the snow and ice," Kawswa stated. He ran his finger down the angels cheek. His eyes flickered at the site. There on his cheek lay the mark of a hellion. Kawswa sighed, "He is possessed by the demons. Soon his anger shall cause the demon mark to take over his soul and turn him into a demon." Saga snapped at Kawswa's hand causing him to withdraw it. Merri shivered in fright of what could befall her beloved angel.
She started to cry, "Is there not anything we can do to help him, please!" She wailed, filling the room with her sobs. The others turned toward her, their faces did not reassure her in the least. Saga, on the other hand, seemed to have calmed at the sound of her sadness. His face was still while his blue eyes lay focused one Merri. The demon had disappeared, the only trace of it left was the demon mark on his cheek.
The group stood baffled at the incident that had just occurred. Their mouths hung from their faces and their eyes gawked at the blue winged angel. Forest just sneered and left the room. Merri's tears of sadness became tears of joy for her loved ones safety. Saga could do nothing but smirk. He turned his head to look into Merri's eyes. He smiled, rested his head down on the cot, closed his eyes and drifted into unconsciousness. Elder summoned Merri and the others out of the room.
"We need to have him rest his wings before we give the punishment," Elder smiled and began to make his way down the hall. The others shortly followed his lead. Merri however held back.
"I have to get Saga out of here if it's the last thing I do, she turned toward the door, "Hang on for just a little while longer my love. Quickly she broke free of her thoughts and headed down the hall after Elder and the others.
It was late night. The moon glowed in the darkness of night, it danced in the sky with stars glimmering in the moonlight. No one stirred from their slumber except for one, it was Merri. Her wings glistened in the moonlight as she ran down the corridor. Just ahead of her lay the dungeon's door.
Two guards were stationed at the entrance, one asleep, the other surveying the area. Merri bit her lip. She knew that guards were not the strongest of the ranks but could still do quite a bit of damage. The guard that was awake was completely oblivious to her presence, this would make things easier.
She stopped her thoughts. Someone was behind her. The warmth of their breath could be felt against her skin. In a quick twist of her body she faced her enemy, ready to strike, a dagger clenched in her fist. But to her surprise it was Elder. His eyes were calm and trusting. His hand rose and laid itself on her shoulder.
"No need to speak, I know what you are trying to do," Elders face seemed to light up with worry and happiness, "You love him dearly now don't you?" Merri lifted her head and stared into his old eyes, tears began to flow down her cheeks.
"Yes, yes I do. I would give any thing to save him," she whimpered. His eyes stared back into her's for a moment before he turned away. He began to speak again.
"You stay here until the guards and I have gone. I shall lure them away just long enough for the two of you to escape. I want both of you to get as far away from here as possible. A great evil has arisen in Heaven and wishes to cause much suffering. Remember, stay safe young one," Elder warned. Then he turned and wandered over to the guards.
"Will you two please come with me for a moment?" Elder smiled cheerfully at the guards, who in turn nodded and followed the master down the corridor.
Merri waited patiently in the shadows until the three figures disappeared from sight. Then in a flash she crossed the dark, unforgiving clearing. She leaned against the door panting, exhausted. Pausing for a moment to make sure no one was coming, she slipped inside.
The terrible feeling she got around this place had returned to haunt her. The moans and shrill cries of maddened spirits filled the air, it was nerve-racking. She shuddered at their shrieks as she passed the cells. As if under a spell, a calm gentleness came over her as she neared her beloved's imprisonment. All of her fear turned into confidence. She was going to free him!
Quiet as a mouse Merri slipped over to the door. Remembering she didn't have a key to open it, she stamped her foot down in frustration. Quickly she went over her thoughts trying to find an answer, but her thoughts were interrupted by a strange object which landed on her foot. It caused her great pain but she kept as quiet as she could. Below and behold, a key card lay on the floor next to her hurt foot. Picking it up off the floor, she examined it till satisfied and unlocked the door.
Saga lifted his head off the cot. The sound he just heard was the door being unlocked. He lifted himself painfully up into a sitting position to await what would befall him next. To his surprise it as the young female he saw earlier that day. She stood tall and proud in front of him. He just sat there dumfounded by her as she smiled at him.
"I'm getting you out of here, Saga Winter," Merri informed, holding her hand out to pull him up. He smirked, took her hand and pulled himself up, but the second he stood, he fell over. He smiled weakly as he sat there on the floor.
"Heh, it appears that I am unable to get up. This could be a problem," he chuckled. Merri was not amused. She whipped out a small bottle from her pocket, grabbed a hold of Saga's chin and poured its contents into his mouth. He sputtered and wiped his mouth. The potion was foul tasting but he could feel his strength returning. Merri held her hand out to him. He grabbed her hand and managed to finally stand up.
Together they raced through the many corridors, avoiding the guards and slipping past unexpecting angels who were asleep in their beds. They passed the fountain of the great angels. They ran until they reached the main gate. Saga slipped his hand through the gate. After several clanging noises the gate sung itself wide. He turned back to Merri who was amazed by his tactics.
"Where to now?" she asked.
Saga smirked and released his huge wings, "We're heading to Demon World."