Chapter 4: The last battle for life
Surroundings were lit in fire and bones were scattered everywhere. The faithful team cringed at the sight of the poor souls. Ahead, they saw the army Albel led. She raced toward them and her allies followed.
"Kyah!" She yelped a battle cry. The battle clashed and many demons fell and lost their life. When half of them were extinguished, Albel shot half of her team and they fell once again. She closed her eyes and silently prayed a prayer to guide their spirits. The other companions showed no fear whatsoever, but mourned for their friends.
"You do not cry, why is that?" Albel sneered. Aena stared at Albel with grief-stricken eyes. Her eyes pierced his heart. He was tempted to clasp it for it bumped his chest with such force. He pondered on the feeling and wondered why he was feeling this again. He wanted to apologize to the girl for some reason and comfort her in a way. He clenched his hand. He thought, if he kills her now, he won't ponder these thoughts. He shot out a blast of darkness right at Aena. One of her companions threw themselves at the blast and was smothered in fire. Aena's eyes widened at her friend's sacrifice. He was turned to ash and she could do anything about it. Her heart tore out. She sunk to the ground, her face hidden by the ash she put on her face. How much she had to suffer, she thought. The Heaven's Blade appeared at her hand, but she forced it away immediately. Albel wondered why she decided not to fight. His heart pounded so fiercely he could have cried out. A sense of relief filled him as he saw she was still alive and a sense of anger at himself for doing that. Aena stood up and lifted her hand into the air. Thousands of electric bolts swarmed around her hand and blasted at the rest of Albel's army. She smote them all in fire. Albel was aghast. Though he felt no sympathy for his army, he felt angry.
"It's just you and me now." She said, repeating what Lock said before. She sunk to her knees once more and started to weep suddenly. She told herself to stop crying or he would pity her, because Lord Hadean would appear. His heart went out to her so much; he was forced to comfort her.
"Please, Aena, don't cry." He said as he approached her. She looked up right before he put his arms around her. His cold skin went against hers; she shivered in his presence, yet felt a sense of comfort from him. Oceans of comfort surrounded her and her companions sighed. 3/4 of him was Lock, 1/4 of him was Albel. Aena forgot everything that was to happen and accepted Albel's embrace.
She remained in that until she remembered what was going on. She pushed Albel away.
"N-No! Please stop or…or…." She hesitated. The ground started shaking and a black serpent surrounded them all.
"(Gasp) it can't be!" One of her companions yelped.
"A-Albel, I'm so sorry." Aena whispered as the serpent closed around them. Albel raced to her and shielded Aena from the assault. The rest of her companions perished and Albel and Aena remained safe. The serpent released his grip and transformed into a demon.
"Albel, I was enormously pleased when your demon side appeared, but yet you still have some good in you. I'm disappointed." Hadean hissed.
"Hadean, I am no slave to anyone, do you hear!" Albel shouted as he held tighter onto Aena.
"Albel, I'm so sorry, I just…just…" Aena hesitated. Albel wondered at her words. He wondered why she was apologizing.
"Ha ha ha, I guess this poor girl is in love with you, you lover." Hadean said toying with him. Albel began to return to the way he was and pushed Aena away. Sadness tore her heart as she saw Albel step aside.
"Now girl, you've ruined most of my plans so you must die!" Hadean bellowed. Fear engulfed her heart, but she summoned her sword and was ready to fight. He charged in and she leapt away shooting him with stinging rays. He zipped past the rays and pummeled her with his claws of darkness. Albel winced and his heart started to pound once more. He clenched his hand until they bled. Aena lost her eye and her right arm. There was not even a socket where her eye used to be, just full of blood. Albel was tempted to cry out.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, (cough), ka." Aena panted and coughed. She was filled with pain and the knowledge of death. She felt as if she failed everyone she loved, including Lock. She mourned for him despite the pain of death.
"Ha, beautiful blood you have. I wonder what it tastes like." He moaned licking his lips. He's mocking me and I'm dying. Takahashi, I've failed you and everyone. I cannot cling to life any longer. Suddenly Hadean started to gag.
"(Gasp) ha, ha, ha! Albel you traitor!" He screeched as he saw Albel's claw through his heart. Albel swiftly pulled it out letting the lord die. At the last moment, Hadean shot a dark beam right at Aena's heart and struck her. Hadean melted away. Albel ran to her cradling her in his arms.
Aena, dying, finally saw Lock return in his former glory and looks.
"Lock, I'm so sorry. I knew this would all happen and I couldn't save you." Aena whispered, though theblood in her mouth madeit hard to hear.
"Aena, I'm supposed to say sorry. I don't want you to die so I'll heal you." Lock pleaded. Lock was about to rummage into his pockets, but Aena held his hand to stop him.
"No, it's better this way. I knew my death would come at this time and I knew Hadean would come. I saw the future, but I couldn't prevent it. It's my fault." Aena smiled. Lock was broken-hearted.
"I will heal you Aena, don't move." Lock said pulling her closer.
"Lock, you have my heart and my love lies there. Don't mourn for me Lock for I will be back and the past will repeat itself." Aena gasped. She felt her life pressing away as the pain in her heart deepened. Her life was gone. Lock felt her soul disappear from her body. He held her motionless shell, shocked that she was gone. Anger took him as he saw the body disappear. He turned back to Albel and his screams of anguish could be heard miles long. What he didn't realize, was a spirit in the sky collected Aena's soul in a box right before her body disappeared. Albel disappeared into the shadows only to exist in legends. The books of history say: The princess of the earth clashed with the demon of the ground. Though she lost her life in the clash, she saved the world... He wandered the earth awaiting her return. No one has ever seen him again. Many say he looks like Albel, but in a mortal state. Half-Albel and half-Lock.
The death of Aena is too much for Albel. Will he be able to cope with this loss? It's not over yet so keep reading.