Angels and Wolves
Chapter 11
Fusedtwilight: Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. This chapter ends the season 3b part of the story. After this I have to decide if I should keep it cannon or diverge. I am thinking about adding in season 4 and then just doing my own thing because I don't want to do a remake of the show.
Scott P.O.V
Alison was dead.
She died in my arms.
I tried to take her pain, but it didn't work.
I remember considering the idea of giving her the bite, but even if it did take the oni swords slow our healing.
Argent was going over the story with me. We couldn't say she died fighting oni.
"Scott, tell me again. What happened," Argent said.
I went over the story in my head. I had to repeat it again, and again.
"We were walking to my car. There were...two guys in masks...they tried to mug us...one of them had a knife I think...it...it happened so fast," I said.
"That's good. If you can't remember anything just say it happened to fast okay," he said.
His heart beat was so steady. Looking at him you would almost not know he had just lost his only child.
"How can you be so calm right now?" I asked him.
I had to know. I had to know how he did because all I want to do is fall to my knees and cry until the tears dried up.
"It's what we do," he said emotionless.
Gabe P.O.V
I am still in shock.
Alison is dead.
I saw her soul taken by an angel.
I temporarily defeated Ash but my parents saw my for what I really am.
I was at the Yukimura's with Stiles. My parents were here as well. They were in no state to give a statement so we didn't tell the police they were there.
They stood far away enough from us so they could talk in private but with my hearing I could hear them.
"How could she have killed an oni? I thought they were supposed to be unkillable?" Stiles asked.
"I have no idea how she did it. She didn't hit the firefly," Noshiko said.
"What is so special about the fireflys?" Stiles asked.
"They are a physical manifestation of the nemetons power. I use them to control the oni. To bend them to my will. I summon them bay sacrificing my tails and use the fireflys to ensure their unwavering obedience. Oni can be very difficult to control. You might order them to bring you someone alive and they do but only after they have severed the targets legs to make sure they don't run away," Noshiko explained.
"Could Kira summon some?" Stiles asked.
"I'm only seventeen. I don't have any tails," Kira said.
"Not yet you don't," her dad said with a smile.
"And even if you did you would only be able to summon one oni and it wouldn't be very strong," Noshiko said. "The nogitsune made a powerful move when it separated itself from you Stiles. It tricked us and manipulated us."
"What we need is a divine move. A move so inspired it changes the fate of the game to our favor," Mr. Yukimura said.
"We have the container now. We can seal it away like you did," Stiles said showing them the container.
There was power in that thing. I remember when they had handed it to me to carry I felt a jolt. A tinge that ran down my arms as soon as my skin touched it and when I used my aura vision I saw an energy in the wood. The same energy I once saw coming from the nemeton when I was in my coma.
Power...Noshiko was able to summon stronger oni buy sacrificing her older tails...Kira doesn't have a tail and like her mom said it wouldn't be as strong as the others because she isn't even a century old.
But what if we sacrificed something else instead?
"What about me?" I asked.
Mom and dad looked at me curiously. They had been pretty quiet since we left Oak Creek. And I was too afraid to have the talk with them though I know I should.
"What do you mean?" Stiles asked.
"I'll be right back," I whispered to mom and dad.
I got up and walked over to the Yukimuras.
"I am an elioud. As far as we know I am the last of my kind and after what I did tonight I think it is safe to assume I got some serious power."
"Indeed. You elioud are a terrifying sight to behold when you are enraged," Noshiko said.
There was a new look in her eyes when she looked at me. Before it had been a curious gaze, I was something new, something she had never seen before. Something she never imagined existed. I was a delightful wonder.
But after seeing my in combat there was now a respectful look. A more guarded look.
"Well...what if I made a sacrifice?" I asked.
"Wait who said anything about sacrificing anything?" Stiles asked.
"Thats how it works isn't it?" I asked looking at Noshiko.
She nodded.
"How does one even summon an oni? Can all kitsune do it? Why didn't the nogitsune?" I asked her.
"The nogitsune would have had to sacrifice his own tails and that would have weakened him. A trickster does not achieve his goals through sacrifice. But through manipulation. And the truth is anyone can do it if they know the proper ritual. I learned it from a cousin of mine who learned it from Abe no Seimei," Noshiko explained.
"Who?" I asked.
"He was to the Japanese what Merlin was to the English," Mr. Yukimura explained.
"His father was a human but his mother was a celestial kitsune. The strongest of the kitsune. Although he was born human he did inherit some powers from her. By the time he was five he was able to summon weak oni to do his bidding and even weak oni are not to be trifled with," Noshiko said. "Over time he developed rituals to summon stronger more powerful oni. I used the spell he taught my cousin."
"What kind of oni could we summon using me?" I asked.
She shrugged. "I don't know. Your kind hasn't walked the earth for a long time."
"But if you do have such great power then I am sure it could be something strong," Kira said.
"Strong enough to take down five oni, a thousand year old nogitsune and archdemon?" I asked.
Kira's parents shrugged.
"But it would be a great boon to us," Ken said.
"What are you going to sacrifice Gabe? Last I checked elioud didn't have tails," Stiles said.
"No. But we have wings. And wings have feathers," I said.
"Your going to trade feathers for oni?" Stiles asked looking skeptical.
"My very blood calls to supernatural beings. I figure my feathers will be the same. I mean they are like a physical manifestation of my power. Just like how a kitsunes tail is to them," I said.
"I would need to prepare for the ritual," Noshiko said.
"Good. We'll tell Scott when he gets back home...now I need to go talk to my parents," I said.
I walked back to my parents.
"I'll go make some more tea," Noshiko said.
"I'll help," her husband said.
"Could use some tea," Kira said following them.
"Yeah I'll just...got too," Stiles said following them.
They left me with my parents and I actually wish they had staid.
I sat across from them and they looked at me...like I was a stranger.
God this is worse then when I told them I was bi.
It's one thing to tell you parents about your sexual preference.
But it's a real bitch to tell them your not human.
So I decided to tell them everything. I took a deep breath and began.
"Okay so remember when I was kidnapped? Well it was actually this group of hunters called the Order of the Dragon who are like these fanatics who think everything and everything supernatural should be wiped out and I know you think that sounds good right not but trust me not all supernatural beings are bad I mean Ethan, Scott, Aiden are werewolves and Lydia is a banshee. But back to the story I was killed by this guy who was going to stab Danny with a sword but because I am an elioud which is a child of a nephilim which is a child or an angel and human I survived and came back with angel powers and apparently the Devil hates my kind because he hates humans so crossing the two-bloodlines pisses him off because he fell to hell because of us so after the evil elioud and nephilim died in the flood he began to pick the survivors off one by one by sending archdemons who are like archanges only evil. Ash my teacher is actually an archdemon and I feel stupid because I should have realized this I mean I can see auras but I have been trying not to use my powers because my power attracts supernatural beings and not in a sexy way more like I want to eat you kind of way so when I found out what I am I realized something was up because you guys are obviously human so I went snooping in your study mom and found the papers and the letter and we found out recently that Stiles was possessed by an evil fox spirit that was trapped in a jar and hidden under a magical tree by Kira's mom who is actually a nine-hundred year old kitsune which by the way is a fox spirit, because she summoned it when she was in a Japanese interment camp during world war two because a whole bunch of people including her boyfriend were killed and they were going to cover it up and of course it was a bad idea and those ninja guys are oni that she summoned to hunt him down but then the damn thing went and vomited Stiles up so now there are two of him and I think Good Stiles is dying, Alison is dead, I didn't kill Ash just temporarily destroyed his body and he is going to come back for me and I doubt he is going to go easy on me and no you guys know I am a freak and you probably wish you never adopted me which I understand but I still love you and that is pretty much the gist because I do not have the time to tell you the whole story."
Tears were now running down my face and I had to fight back sobs.
The looks on their face was of pure shock. Words like flabbergasted and incredulous did not do it justice.
"Angels?" dad asked looking stunned.
"Yeah, they're a thing. God too apparently but I'd rather not go there," I said.
"Your teacher is a demon sent by the Devil to kill you?" mom asked.
"Yeah, turns out he also killed...my real parents," I said.
"Your friends are werewolves?" dad asked.
"Yeah...except Lydia who as I said is a banshee. That's why she kept showing up at murder scenes."
"And there is evil foxes running around the town?" mom asked.
"Just one. Kira and her mom. But they are good," I said.
"And your...part angel?" dad asked.
"An elioud. My real dad was a nephilim and his father was an angel. Don't know which one yet."
Dad let out a long breath. "It all makes sense. All those times I read in the paper about a mysterious death. Hell the number of time they brought in a corpse that was killed in an unusual way. That Barrow guys had flies come out of his body!"
"Yeah. He tried to kill Kira. She zapped his ass though," I explained.
They were both quiet. What were they supposed to say?
"I...I know this is a lot to take in. But lots of other people know. The sheriff found out a few months back. Scott's mom Melissa is a human and she knows. Alison and her dad are humans. They come from a family of hunters who hunt down supernatural beings. Well...only if they are bad."
"You...you...died?" mom asked, her face whitened and her voice cracked.
I flinched. "It's why my powers activated. My kind are born human and if we are murdered or die in an unnatural way our powers activate."
Mom suddenly flung herself forward, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezed me so hard I felt like Ash was trying to choke me again.
"Oh my baby! My sweet baby boy!"
She pulled back so she could kiss me on the side of the head.
"I knew something was wrong! A mothers instinct is never wrong!"
Dad got up and sat next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
"We planned on telling you."
"But the way Jackson treated his parents when he found out. They loved him as if he was their real son and he was so cold and distant with them," mom said.
Mom and Jackson's dad worked at the same law firm as Jackson's dad. So I was sure she knew about Jackson's shitty attitude towards his adoptive family. Even though they raised him since he was a baby he was cold and distant with them, unless he wanted something.
That was one of the reasons why we didn't get along. That and the way he treated Lydia and his ego and god complex.
When he was made the captain of the swim team I was pissed. Bastard worked me and the others to death. But captain or no captain I never took his bullshit and would get right up in his face if he started abusing his position or began to verbally abuse the others on the team.
I nearly got kicked off the team several times but it was worth it.
"I could never treat you like how he treated his parents. I love you. Your my mom and dad."
I wrapped my arm around mom and the other over my dads shoulders.
I looked at their auras and saw love.
Love is a very beautiful color.
"Is Jackson a werewolf?" dad asked. "I remember that incident where he was pronounced dead but somehow showed up alive."
"Yeah he is a werewolf. But first he was a homicidal lizard but Scott and the others helped him."
I tried not to laugh at the looks on their faces.
For the next several minutes I spoke with them.
I told them more about the supernatural stuff and all the big things that had happened in Beacon Hills that had led to this moment.
The Hale fire. The Darach. The alpha pack. That part was awkward. Telling my parents one of your boyfriends used to be a member of a pack of psycho killer alpha werewolves didn't win Ethan any browny points and I fear he is going to have to try extra hard to gain their approval now.
They were telling me about why they had to adopt.
"When I found out I could have children I was devastated," mom said. "I always wanted a family. I was so close to fulfilling my dream. I had a good job, a wonderful husband, now all I needed was a child and I would be living the American dream."
I placed my hand on hers.
"To find out I couldn't give the man I loved a child...it is a terrible feeling. You feel like less of a woman. Because you can't do the most basic thing a woman can do. At first we considered finding an egg donor for your father."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I wanted your father to have a real child. Not an adopted one. I wanted a little boy or girl running around with his eyes, or his hair or his beautiful mind."
She gave dad a loving smile which he returned.
"I tried to tell her it didn't matter to me if I had a child that was mine or not. As long as we had one we raised together. But it was what she wanted. So we tried finding someone to donate her egg but then we found out I was sterile."
"What?" I asked.
"Ironic I know."
"It seemed like some great big joke. Like life was mocking us," mom said.
"But the same day we found out was also the happiest day of our life. Because that night was the night someone left you on our doorstep," dad said with a happy smile.
I remembered the dream I had. Of a man wearing a blue varsity jacket. How he just vanished from sight before mom and dad had opened up the door.
Was it my father? Ash said he killed him but was that before or after I had been safely hidden away?
"We didn't care where you had come from. We were just happy to finally have a child," dad continued.
"I still remember holding you for the first time. You were so beautiful. I remember the first time you looked at me with those beautiful eyes. My little angel. My Gabriel," mom said her eyes brimming with tears.
I hugged them both.
Even if my some miracle we did defeat the nogitsune I was not sure how we could beat Ash. He was of a higher class then it.
I didn't know how long it would be before he was able to reform. Hopefully long enough for us to stop the nogitsune and get ready for his attack.
But I wasn't going to give up. I wasn't going to let him win and I wasn't going to let him hurt anyone I loved.
I had humbled him, in destroying his physical body I had shammed him and before he fled I had felt his rage like a burning inferno that could consume the world.
When he did reform he would be out for blood.
My blood.
Danny P.O.V
Alison was dead.
I couldn't believe it. How could she be dead?
She was a hunter, her family had been hunting monsters for generations!
I had tried calling Ethan only for Cora to answer his phone and tell me the twins had been attacked and were being healed by Derek.
I told her about Alison and she told me that Argent had already called and told them.
I told her I would be over to pick up the twins and after we hanged up I grabbed my phone and car keys.
I managed to sneak out without mom or dad catching me and got into my car.
I got in and adjusted my rear view mirror.
But as I brought it into focus I found I was not alone in my car.
Ash was sitting behind me.
"Hey Danny Boy. You look tired. Take a nap."
He let out a long rank breath of air, only it didn't smell like air, it smelled like something crawled into his mouth and died. I found myself gagging and my eyes began to water and it was not long before I passed out.
Ethan P.O.V
I let out a growl of pain as Derek finished cauterizing my wound.
"It should heal in a few hours, assuming whoever shot you doesn't find you before then," he said.
"Wouldn't that be a shame," Cora muttered.
"We need to find Lydia, Danny and Gabe and get the hell out of here," Aiden said standing up.
"You really think they will leave their friends? That they will leave Scott?" Derek asked us.
"This place is a death trap," I said.
"You think it will be any different out there? How many enemies do you have? And what about Gabe? You forgt he attracts supernaturals? Or that he has hell after him?"
"We can protect Gabe. He is learning more and more control of his power and Lydia can warn us when danger approaches," I explained.
"Sounds like someone needs to tuck tail and hide," Cora sneered.
"We all need to hide!" Aiden growled at her. "Alison is dead! Who will be next?"
"What you two don't get about Scott is what he fights for. People. Not just his pack or his family but people. He cares about what happens to others. He believes in the goodness in others and while you two have been fighting for him you haven't been fighting for his cause. When he gets knocked down he gets back up. No matter what he will never stop because he is a true alpha. If you really want redemption then you need to show him you are here for more then power. You need to show you are willing to stay and fight!"
Stay and fight?
Such a different way of thinking from Deucalion. It was always fight or flight with him. Fight those who are weak and in the rare case we find ourselves facing an opponent who is stronger run.
Ever since Scott had given us a second chance we have been trying to change. We developed a reluctant enjoyment of this place thanks to our mates.
And although there was still some tension between us and many of the others we had begun to enjoy being part of a pack that wasn't obsessed with power or killing all the time.
Aiden was a lot more reluctant then me to admit this but that was his nature.
And he was right about Gabe, Danny and Lydia not leaving. They wouldn't.
For us leaving would be easy, especially if they came with us. We have been nomadic for so long it was not easy to set roots here.
It would be easy for us to run, but for them who have lived here their whole lives and have so many loved ones it would be like...like a wolf seperated from his pack.
I looked at Aiden and he nodded. We could share emotions but sometimes I wondered if we could share thoughts as well.
Because I knew he had made a decision. Just like me.
Gabe P.O.V
Scott and the others had left for the school.
I was still at the Yukimura's getting ready to do the ritual to summon an oni.
Lydia was getting a bad vibe and Stiles needed someone to help carry him around.
We didn't have time to wait for the ritual to finish so I staid here and would catch up with everyone soon. Hopefully with some bad ass back up.
Mom and dad were here. They were not going to miss seeing their son do some occult magic.
Though mom was afraid doing magic might anger God.
Now that she and dad knew angels were real they were both planning on going to church every Sunday from now on and were already planning on getting us baptized.
I was talking on the phone to Ethan. Danny was supposed to come pick him and Aiden up but never showed up.
"I can't get a hold of him. I am worried," he said.
"I will try and get in contact with him. And Ethan. Be careful."
"I will. I love you."
I smiled.
"I love you too."
I ended the call.
"They're almost there," I said.
"Then we should begin," Noshiko said.
Just then my phone began to ring and when I saw it was Danny calling I apologized and answered.
"Danny whe-"
"Danny can't come to the phone right now. Would you like to leave a message I can be sure he gets it."
All the blood in my veins turned to ice.
"Ash?"
"Didn't think I would stay down for long did you?" he asked with a cold taunting voice.
"How?" I asked.
"How did I reform so fast? Stupid boy, I am not some low level spirit like the nogitsune. I was able to remake a body for myself an hour after our fight. I am ready for round two. How about you?"
"I beat you once and I will do it again!" I hissed.
He chuckled. "You can't beat me! You may have destroyed my body but don't get cocky. I was just playing with you before boy but now I am done playing. I am going to make you pay for the shame you brought me this night!"
"Where is Danny?" I asked.
"A little tied up but alive. For the moment. The whole kidnapping thing worked great the first time and I decided to go for one of your other halves. You have nice taste in men by the way. One damaged alpha werewolf and a mortal of royal blood who posses the spark."
I didn't know what he meant by Danny having royal blood or about him being a spark.
"But it's time this ends and end it will. I swear by the nine circles it will end this night! I know your friends are going after the nogitsune. But what they don't know is while they are on their way to the school the nogitsune has unleashed the oni on the town."
"What!"
The hospital, the police station, even the emissary domain has been laid siege. All of Scott McCalls friends and loved ones have been poisoned by the oni and if he is not stopped then they will die. But that has nothing to do with us. We have oue own fight. Come to the nemeton, or else I will send you Danny's pretty head. In a box!"
The call ended.
"We need to do this now!" I yelled at Noshiko.
"Gabe what is it?" dad asked.
"The nogitsune has sent the oni after the people Scott cares about and Ash has Danny!"
"But you destroyed him. We saw it!" mom said.
"He is a greater spirit. Unlike the nogitsune the loss of his physical form would only be a hindrance. For him to have reformed so quickly he must be powerful!"
"And I am going to need back up dealing with him. Let's do this!"
I sat on my knees across from her. She had pulled up an old cloth with a sigil filled with Japanese Kanji.
She placed several bowels filled with herbs on the cloth.
She began to chant in Japanese and I could feel something in the air stir.
I looked to Mr. Yukimura and my parents but they didn't seem to be bothered, at least not how I was.
I felt a strange foreboding dread. I felt like I was lost in the woods, alone in the dark. But knowing I was not alone something was in the dark watching me. Becoming more and more aware of me the more noise I made.
Smoke began to rise from the bowels on top of the cloth and I watched as some of it entered Noshikos mouth and nose.
Then she opened her eyes and I gasped, I heard mom let out a terrified shriek.
Noshikos eyes were glowing. Not like how Kira's did but they glowed like the fires of hell.
"I am Yama," she spoke in a deep and horse voice. "Judger of the dead, ruler of the narakas and tounge ripper. Why have you summoned me?"
"I...I...want to use an oni...sir," I said respectfully.
The aura that surrounded Noshiko was...I could not describe it. It was not exactly malevolent like Ash's. But it wasn't pleasant either. It was merciless and burned with a terrible rage.
And in that aura there was a man. A man with more then one form, one moment I saw him as being blue skinned with four arms dressed in golden jewels, then he was a stern faced sharp eyes and red skinned wearing Chinese styled robes and headpiece. One of his forms reminded me of the mountain oni as it had the same blue skin and three eyes and muscled frame, only that form had severed heads attached to it's belt.
"You seek to use oni like the kitsune?" it asked with what I hoped was humor. "Very well. And what little angel shall you exchange in return?"
It chuckled and the surprised look on my face.
"Do not be surprised. I see through lies. This is not your true form. This is just a disguise you wear to fit in with mortals. Reveal yourself to me so we may further our transaction, after all you see the real me."
I took a deep breath. I took off my shirt, my blue pleather jacket had been torn when I summoned my wings last time.
This time when I summoned them I could feel them slowly crawl out of my back, bleeding out of my skin like sweat.
I heard my parents and Mr. Yukimura gasp. My wings were of the purest white and crystalline like. As if someone had carved them from diamonds. They glowed with a soft illumination and I could feel the overwhelming aura recede...just a little.
Yama smiled. It looked so wrong on Noshiko's face. It was as if someone was using her face as a mask. It reminded me of the nogitsune using Stiles body.
"It has been a very long time since your kind walked this earth. A very long time. When your power first manifested it was felt throughout all the infernal realms. The Star of Morning was enraged to learn you lived."
"I know. I got a lot of enemies and I need help defeating them. The nogitsune has taken control of Noshiko's oni. I need some of my own to fight them. Or at least something stronger."
"Something stronger you say? Very well. In return for one oni samurai from the shadow clan I demand ten feathers."
"Wait, just one?" I asked.
"Believe me, one will be more then enough to handle the oni this wench used."
"What if I give you fifty feathers for five samurai oni?" I asked.
It shook Noshiko's head.
"I only have one available right now. The rest have either been purchased or rented. I won't be getting any new oni in for a while. It is my best deal. Take it or leave it."
"Fine. Ten feathers for one oni samurai," I said
I plucked ten feathers from my wings. I winced a little at the sharp but brief pain I felt as I pulled them off.
I placed them on the table and the smoke from the bowels moved like a serpent and covered them. They vanished from sight and Yama laughed.
"It is done. Good luck to you boy. Your going to need it."
"Wait where is my-"
The aura suddenly vanished and Noshiko fell back.
Mr. Yukimura quickly went to help his wife.
"Damn it!" I cursed.
I pulled my wings back and put my shirt back on.
"Noshiko, are you alright?" Mr. Yukimura asked his wife.
Her eyes fluttered open.
"What happened?" she asked.
"You were possessed by Yama!"
Her eyes widened in shock. "He spoke through me?!"
He nodded.
"He never appears. Not even to speak through a vessel! He must have truly wanted what you had to come here himself."
"I think I got jibbed. I gave him ten feathers for one samurai," I grumbled.
"Yama is always fair and he never lies. If he gave you one samurai for ten feathers then he will keep his word," Noshiko said.
"Then where is-"
Suddenly I felt a rush of air behind me. Everyone gasped and I turned around. A black smoke was rising from the ground. A figure rose out of the darkness, first a pair of luminescent green eyes and then the smoke dissipated and there was a six foot tall samurai wearing black armor.
It had a long club like weapon with blunt metal objects embedded in it and a kitana like Kira's only bigger that hung in a scabbard around it's waist.
"Are you the one who paid for my services?" it asked in a dark echoey voice.
"Umm...yep," I said.
It bent to one knee and bowed his head.
"Then by the code of the oni tribe and by the will of Lord Yama I do pledge myself to you until you see fit to release me from my duty. I am Karasu."
"Oh...awesome," I said.
"What are my orders? Point me in the direction of your enemies and I will ground them to dust," he said.
What should I do?
I could send him to help the others but I will definitely need his help fighting Ash.
But if I don't send him to Scott and the others they could die.
But if I don't bring him to help Danny then...I know what I have to do.
"Take me to the nemeton," I told him.
Stiles P.O.V
I felt so weak.
Each breath I took was more and more painful.
But I had to keep going. I refused to die until this was over.
The four of us arrived at the school. I could feel the nogitsune was here. Maybe it was because it was using a copy of me or maybe it was because it had possessed me. Either way there was a connection between me and it now.
"Guys, before we go inside. If killing me kills it then let me die," I said.
"The plan is to save you. And that is what were going to do," Scott said firmly. "I won't loose anyone else."
I tried not to let the shame show. But it burned my gut like an acid.
"Let's do this," Scott said, his eyes flashed red.
We walked through the doors of the school. Only to find ourselves in a snow covered Japanese garden.
"This is new," I said.
Derek P.O.V
The four of us walked the main stairs, walking through the tunnel that led to the fields of the school.
I could smell Scott and the others, they were already here. But the one scent that stuck out above all others was Stiles, the arcid smell of pain was strongest on him.
The nogitsune sat at the middle of the stairs with two oni standing higher above him.
I place the box on the ground. Making sure he could see it clearly.
"How ironic. A former alpha leading his baby sister and two sociopaths," it taunted.
"I may not be an alpha but I can still fight like one I snarled.
I let out a roar and the oni raised their swords and jumped down the steps, landing on their feet and charged at us.
The fight was on.
Stiles P.O.V
We walked to the center of the garden.
My skin developed goosebumps from the cold air.
As if I wasn't cold enough already.
"We're going to kill all of them Stiles." we turned to see the nogitsune walked out, his strut was like some inhuman moon walk. "One by one," he whispered showing his razor teeth in a wicked smile
Four oni appear surrounding us.
"We are in a state of life and death now."
"Bardo," Lydia said.
"You are dying Stiles as is everyone you care for. I've captured all the territories on the board. The hospital, the sheriff station, the animal clinic."
He walked towards us and pointed a finger at me.
"Seppuku is where a samurai will stab himself in the stomach to disembowel himself. But it is the samurais trusted friend. His kaishakunin who would then finish him by beheading-he then pointed a finger at Scott- And unless you perform the role of kaishakunin. If you do not kill Stiles. Then they all will die."
"Why?" I asked.
It smiled. "To win the game."
Danny P.O.V
When I woke I was on top of a large tree stump and my arms and legs were tied with rope.
"Sleeping beauty weeks," a voice sneered.
Ash was standing next to the stump.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"The nemeton. I am sure you have heard about it."
He ran his hand across the surface of the stump, close to my face.
"Fascinating things the nemetons. They are called many things and take many shapes. Some are trees. Some are lakes. Some can even take the shape of a single flower. They exist on multiple planes at the same time and are kind of like air vent for spiritual energy. Over the centuries mankind learned of the potential of the nemeton. Some revered them and worshiped them as gods. Others sought to use them for their own purposes. As is the way of humans. You'll plunder anything if you can gain something from it."
"Why are we here?" I asked.
"Because when Gabe gets here I am going to sacrifice him on the nemeton. By spilling innocent blood on this sacred power I will taint the land with darkness. You think this town is bad now? Once I further the taint left on it by the darach the darkness will seep into the people. It will be a slow process but within several years the crime rate will shoot through the roof. Beacon Hills will become a feeding ground for demons."
"I wouldn't count on that!"
I looked up. Gabe stood on the edge of the woods. His eyes glaring at Ash.
"So you came?" Ash asked.
Gabe nodded.
"And you came alone? How sweet."
Ash stood and moved so he stood in front of me and the nemeton.
"You have a good heart Gabe. Just like your parents. Would you like to know how they died?"
"I'd rather you let Danny go," Gabe said.
"Your father fought us. It was me and two other of my brothers from the pit. By that point we had already killed your mother. Your father went mad with grief. He ran off with you and we chased him but when we found him you were nowhere to be found. And he refused to tell us where you were. Even when we tried torturing him."
Gabe's mouth clenched tight.
Don't listen to him! I thought. He is just trying to get inside your head.
"It must have been your grandfather. How else could you have been hidden so well from us for all these years? But I never did understand why he took your father with him when he hid you. Oh well it doesn't matter."
Ash spread his hands and a wicked red fire appeared in his hand.
"Any last words?" he asked.
"Get Danny out of here, take him to his home safely then go help my friends fight the oni and nogitsune," Gabe said.
"Excuse me?" Ash asked.
"Wasn't talking to you dick," Gabe said with a smirk.
There was a puff of black smoke behind Ash.
There was giant wearing black samurai armor. Ash spun around but the giant hit him with a club. Sending him flying back into the air.
"Go!" Gabe yelled.
"Gabe!" I yelled.
We shared a look and I saw in his eyes that he was ready to die.
Again.
"No!" I yelled reaching out for him.
The samurai touched my shoulder and suddenly I was enveloped by black smoke and a terrible cold feeling.
Then I was back home.
"Take me back!" I yelled at the creature.
"Be still mortal," it said with impatience. It pulled out a small knife and cut my bindings, "my lord ordered me to bring you to safety. Once I have gone to help your friends I will return to help him. Assuming he survives that long."
Before I could say anything else he vanished in a puff of smoke.
I cursed and ran back outside to my car. It was still unlocked and the keys were still in the ignition.
I started it up and began to drive. I didn't know where the nemeton was, but I had to try and find it. I couldn't let Gabe do this on his own. I wasn't going to lose him again.
Derek P.O.V
Four of us against four oni made things more even.
But that didn't mean the fight was easy. They had their swords, their skills and it was impossible to injure the damn things.
No matter how many times we clawed them it had no effect, it was like attacking darkness.
But we were wasting time, we had to get the box to Scott, without it he couldn't capture the nogitsune.
"Get the box!" I yelled to Aiden.
He pushed his oni to the side and ran for the box, but before he could get to it the oni he had been fighting appeared in a cloud of black smoke in front of him, sword raised high.
"I hate ninjas," he growled, his eyes glowed red.
We continued to fight, the nogitsune watched with a grin on his face that mirrored Stiles own grin, except his grin was much more sinister.
We continued to fight the oni, Cora got back handed by the oni she was fighting and fell to the ground.
It stood over her and raised it's sword.
"Cora!" I yelled.
Suddenly an arrow hit it right on the chest, there was a flash of green light and it exploded in black smoke.
I looked up and saw Argent holding a crossbow. Isaac appeared and helped Cora stand up. I saw the nogitsune get up and run off.
"Get the box to Scott!" I yelled to Isaac.
He nodded and took the box and ran for the school.
The rest of us continued to fight the remaining oni. I don't know how Argent was doing it but hit arrows were somehow killing the oni.
Soon there was only one left, he fired it at the last oni but it blocked it with it's sword.
"Grab the arrow! It's the last one!" Argent yelled.
Aiden who was the closest to the arrow ran to grab it, but the oni was already making it's way to grab it.
He managed to grab it, but the oni was already there, sword held for a single, deadly thrust just Aiden was about to jab it into it's stomach.
But then there was an explosion of black smoke and at first I thought Aiden killed it. But when the smoke cleared I saw a massive creature in black samurai armor holding the smaller oni by it's arms, it's feet kicked around helplessly in the air.
"Sorry for this cousin, but business is business," the samurai said.
Aiden brought his hand back and stabbed the oni with the arrow and like the others it vanished.
"Looks like I arrived in time to save you boy," the samurai spoke.
"The hell are you?" Aiden asked it backing away.
"Karasu of the shadow oni clan. Here as per the terms of my contract with Gabriel Welkin."
"Gabe?" Ethan asked.
"The half-breed summoned me and I came to help, though it would appear I was not needed. Now I muct go and assist my master before the archdemon kills him."
Karasu disappeared leaving all of us staring at each other in shock.
"We need to go help Scott," Argent said.
Just then Ethan's phone began to ring.
"It's Danny," he said after checking the id.
He answered the phone and I could hear Danny on the other line.
"Ethan it's me!" he said in a panicked tone.
"Danny whats wrong? Where is Gabe?" Ethan asked.
"I was kidnapped by Ash! He made Gabe come alone and there was this samurai looking thing and it took me back to my place. Ethan he's fighting Ash at the nemeton!"
"Where are you?" Ethan asked.
"Trying to find Gabe!"
"What?!" Ethan yelled.
"I won't let him die! Not again Ethan!"
"Danny you can't find it just stay home!"
"No, he needs me."
Danny ended the call.
Ethan let out a roar and Aiden placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Let's go get Scott," I said.
We quickly ran to the school to get Scott, hopefully they have dealt with the nogitsune. Because if we don't get to Gabe in time I doubt we can save him.
Stiles P.O.V
Scott and Kira fought the oni while Lydia and I watched.
I felt so tired, just watching the batle made me feel tired.
The nogitsune watched, it's mouth twisted into a sneer.
Scott and Kira were outnumbered, fighting one oni was impossible but fighting four was a death sentence.
Kira was showing amazing skill with her sword, but one of the oni managed to knock it to the ground where is slid across the floor close to Lydia and I.
Scott ran over to help Kira but I walked over to the sword and picked it up.
I had to end this, if the nogitsune and I were connected maybe if I died I could take the damn thing with me!
"Stiles no!" Scott yelled seeing me with the sword.
"Let him fall on his sword Scott," the nogitsune cackled. "Go ahead Stiles, give up the game."
I should do it, I should just drive this sword through my chest! So why am I hesitating?
Because I know the nogitsune better then anyone. It's been in my head for all this time. But when you have an evil fox spirit inside your mind you learn how to think like a trickster.
And this doesn't make sense. If this really is bardo I can understand why I am here, but Scott overcame his darkness and Lydia and Kira didn't make the sacrifice to the nemeton.
It was a sadist, it enjoyed tormenting people. Making them feel pain and regret.
Something in the reflection of the blade caught my eye.
It was a school desk.
"You have no moves left Stiles," it said, but there was something in it's voice. A slight tremor.
In that moment I realized this was all a trick. How many times have we danced to it's tune? How many times have we allowed ourselves to fall prey to it's manipulations?
Well not this time!
"I do have a move left," I said. I tossed Kira who easily caught her sword. "A divine move!"
The nogitsune snarled at me.
"Guys stop fighting!" I said to Scott and Kira. "It's not real! It's just an illusion...trust me!"
Scott and Kira shared a look. Kira lowered her sword and we all began to walk to the Japanese doors.
The oni raised their swords and began to slash at us. God it felt so real, every cut hurt and even the blood that began to flow from the wounds felt real.
But with each blow my confidence grew, if these things wanted to they could behead anyone of us. But all they did was cut us.
After what felt like an eternity we walked up to the nogitsune and Scott pushed him aside from the doors and opened them. We walked through and found ourselves inside the school.
The cuts and wounds were gone, there was not so much as a scratch on us.
"We won," Scott said.
Suddenly he was slammed so hard into a lock it caused the door to bed. The nogitsune then backhanded Kira, knocking her to the floor.
I knew right away it was the real one, I could feel it.
He began to walk to us, his eyes turned a sickly pale yellow and his teeth morphed into razor sharp daggers and several tails grew from behind his back.
"Divine move, divine move, you think you have any moves at all? You can kill the Oni but me? Me? I'm a thousand years old! You can't kill me!" he rambled.
Foxfire glowed over his hands. I could feel his dark power and knew he was done with tricks.
A kitsune like a fox will run from a fight, it will sneak and hide, relying on it's brilliant mind. But when cornered, when desperate it will bare it's fangs and bite and claw.
The nogitsune was tired of running, enraged we had beaten it it was ready to unleash the full scale of it's one-thousand years worth of power.
"But we can change you," Lydia said with a cold smile.
He looked at her in confusion.
"You can't be a fox and a wolf," I added.
Scott suddenly jumped him from behind, biting him on the arm.
"NO!" it scrammed.
It's fox features melted away as he struggled to get Scott to let him go. But then Kira ran him through with her sword.
It opened it's mouth and a fly came out, the true form of the nogitsune, abandoning it's host.
It flew down the hall and just as it looked like it was going to get away Isaac appeared, trapping it in the wooden container.
The nogitsunes body began to twitch and crack as if it were made from dried clay and collapsed into dust on the floor.
In that moment I felt a surged of power enter me and I fell to the floor.
Scott and the girls called my name. Thinking I was unconscious or worse dying, but in truth I was more alive now then I had been before as my stolen life returned to me.
I opened my eyes and looked at them all. "We're alive," I said.
Scott got a pained look on his face and I cursed myself for my stupidity.
"Yeah, we're all okay," he said.
They helped me up and Isaac walked up to us.
"I figured out how Alison killed the oni. Silver," he said. "She had been making silver arrowheads when she figured it out. All those years ago her dad fired a silver bullet at one of the oni. It didn't kill it because it passed through it's face. It's like poison to them. It has to stay in."
"So the oni are dead?" Scott asked.
"They should be," Isaac said.
Just then Derek and the others came running in through the doors.
"Gabe is in danger!" Ethan yelled.
Danny P.O.V
As I drove I passed a man wearing a blue varsity jacket who was walking along the road.
He tried to get me to stop but I ignored him, I didn't have time to give anyone a ride.
I didn't know where the nemeton was but if I was lucky then Gabe had his cell with him. I just hope to God his GPS is on
I reached for my cell and dialed Ethans number first, we were going to need lots of help.
After a few rings he answered.
"Ethan it's me!" I said.
"Danny whats wrong? Where is Gabe?" Ethan asked.
"I was kidnapped by Ash! He made Gabe come alone and there was this samurai looking thing and it took me back to my place. Ethan he's fighting Ash at the nemeton!"
Another guy was walking along the road wearing a similar blue varsity jacket like the last one. He too tried to get me to stop but like the other one I ignored him.
"Where are you?" Ethan asked.
"Trying to find Gabe!" I yelled
"What?!" Ethan yelled, anger clearly in his voice.
"I won't let him die! Not again Ethan!" I yelled back just as angry.
"Danny you can't find it just stay home!"
"No, he needs me."
I ended the call. I then activated the app I had installed in everyone's phones that allowed us to monitor eachothers locations.
I let out a sigh of relief when I saw Gabe still had his phone. Now all I had to do was get to him in time.
I knew I stood less of a chance against Ash then Gabe did. But I refused to let him die. We already lost Alison, I can't stand the thought of Gabe dying next.
Another guy stood alongside the road, same jacket as the others and I swear to God he looked like the other two.
"The hell," I said watching as he disappeared in the darkness of my rear view mirror.
I set my eyes back on the road and let out a scream.
Someone was on the middle of the road!
I hit the breaks and came within an inch of the idiot.
He did not even flinch.
"Are you fucking stupid! Move!" I screamed honking my horn.
He calmly held up his hand and the horn stopped working.
I stared at the wheel then at him.
I then realized this man, with the blue varsity jacket looked just like all the guys I had passed, because he was the same as them.
He calmly walked to the side of my car. The door opened for him, as if some invisible force had opened it.
He got in and the door shut.
"You know, if you see the same person trying to wave you done, you might want to stop and see what they want," he said.
"Who are you?" I asked, my hands tightened around the wheel.
"Zadkiel," he answered.
His eyes were amber with flecks of blue in them. Just like Gabe's eyes. His hair was black and curly, his face smooth and flawless, as if someone had airbrushed his face. He looked like a Greek statue made into a living human being.
He looked to be in his early twenties, but his eyes shined with an ageless wisdom and serenity no human possessed.
"What are you?" I asked.
"Trying to get to Gabriel before Astaroth kills him. Unfortunately I am restricted to going there the slow way. If I tried to get there in my celestial form Astaroth would sense me and flee before I could arrive and give him a proper smiting."
"What?" I asked.
"Just drive."
He waved his hand and the car shifted into drive and I felt the gas peddle move.
We lurched forward and I put my foot back on the gas peddle.
"After a few miles your going to want to turn right. We'll have to hurry, I fear Gabriel is paying the price for his bravery."
"Why do you want to help Gabe?" I asked.
"Because, he's my grandson," he answered
Gabe P.O.V
"You filthy mongrel!" Ash roared as he punched me in the face.
Blood flew in an arch from my mouth.
I don't know how long we had been doing this, ever since Karasu took Danny away Ash has been beating the shit out of me.
It was all raw violence, every blow was like I was being hit a speeding truck. But the wounds always healed.
He was punishing me for my defiance, making me feel pain before he went in for the kill.
"Do you have any idea how much humiliation you have brought me!" he roared.
He punched me in the gut. I felt all the wind escape my body, quickly followed by a gush of blood.
"I will be the laughingstock of hell for centuries! All because I let one half-breed humiliate me!"
He backhanded me and I went flying through the air. I landed on my back and lay there, trying to catch my breath and let myself heal.
I could hear him stomping over to me, his footfalls shook the very earth itself.
Once he got close enough I sat up and raised my hand and fired a blast of angel fire. He raised his hand and caught it. He gritted his teeth and there was a foul smell like rotten meat being roasted over a sulfurous pit.
His hand was smoking and his flesh was blackened and blistered.
"That fucking hurt!" he hissed.
He flexed his hand and it cracked, the sores and blisters burst leaking puss which burned and blackened the grass where it fell.
But it slowly began to heal.
"I am no demon of the pit boy. I was once an angel of the lord! Celestial flame isn't as effective against me!"
He brought his foot back and kicked my in the rib. I once more found myself airborn and when I hit the ground I cried out in pain.
I was fairly certain I just broke a few ribs.
Suddenly I felt movement in my side and could feel the ribs popping back into place.
And now I am certain my ribs just fixed themselves.
"I am going to enjoy ripping you apart piece by piece!" Ash seethed.
Suddenly there was an explosion of black smoke and Karasu appeared.
"I returned your lover to his domain and went to help your comrades as ordered, though the battle was mostly over. I was rather disappointed as I had hoped to have a good fight."
His gaze landed on Ash who looked less then impressed at Karasu.
"Though I do believe my skills will be better spent here."
"Kill him!" I ordered.
"With pleasure!"
Karasu drew his sword, a long black kitana with a wicked curve.
Karasu raised the sword then rushed at Ash. He raised his sword and was about to cut him in two. But then Ash swiped his hand upwards, from Karasus crotch all the way to the top of his head, cleaving him in two.
He fell apart, landing on either side of Ash and the severed pieces vanished in smoke.
"Some investment that was," I muttered.
Ash raised his hand and I suddenly found myself floating in the air.
He moved me so I was over the nemeton and then slammed me on top of the trunk.
He raised me up, then slamned me down again. Over and over, each time a flash of white burst through my vision as pain wrecked my body.
By the time he was done I was a bloody mess and felt like every bone in my body was broken.
My blood seeped out onto the nemeton, I watched as it slowly was absorbed into it and I could feel it begin to pulse and throb. As if drinking my blood was making it stronger.
"You feel that?" Ash asked walking over to me. "It is feeding on your blood. It is still regenerating, your filthy blood is like fertilizer for it."
He didn't have to tell me that, the first time I had seen the nemeton as a spirit I saw the power flowing through it. But now I could feel it washing over me like scalding hot water.
I could sense the nemetons feelings. It was hungry. So angry. Once it was mighty and stood proud in the woods. But then it had been cut down and only had a flicker of it's old strength.
But then it had been fed life, offerings were made to it like days of old. Now it was slowly regaining it's power and in time would once more stand tall and proud.
It liked my blood. It was a sweet offering unlike anything it had ever tasted. Like a fine wine.
"I will murder you, your death will darken the nemetons power and Beacon Hills will soon become a festering ground for evil. How does it feel to know your death will bring death and darkness to your home for generations to come?"Ash asked with a sneer.
I responded by spitting blood in his face and was satisfied with him howling in pain as my blood burned him like acid.
"Damn you!" he roared.
His fingers turned into sharp talons. He raised it right where my heart was.
"DIE!"
I thought of my parents, I thought of Danny and Ethan and all my friends. I hope they were able to defeat the nogitsune. I hope they all managed to survive.
"STOP!" a voice yelled.
Ash froze, his talons barely and inch from my chest.
"It can't be!" he hissed. He turned around and looked across the field.
Danny stood next to a stranger wearing a blue varsity jacket. He looked very familiar.
"Zadkiel!" Ash spat.
"Astaroth. The years have not been kind to you," he said cooly. "Now if you would kindly back away from my grandson."
Wait...grandson?
Ash spun around, his hand came down to my chest. Suddenly Zadkiel appeared, gripping Ash's arm.
"What did I just say?" Zadkiel asked.
He tossed Ash away. Ash went flying through the air and hit several trees.
He leaned down and touched my and in an instant the pain vanished and all my wounds were gone.
"Keep your lover safe Gabriel. I can't protect him from this battle and fight Astaroth as well," he said.
He turned and began to walk towards Ash while Danny came running over to me.
"Are you okay?" he asked checking me for any injuries.
"I'm fine, how did you get here?" I asked him.
"Your GPS," he said giving me a stern look.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," I said sheepishly.
Before he could chastise me there was a flash of light.
Ash was walking towards us. His mortal form was gone, the only thing that stood between us and him was Zadkiel. He removed his jacket and tossed it to the ground. His whole body glowed with a purple aura.
"Today I avenge my son and daughter inlaw," he said.
A pair of wings grew from his back, like mine they were like diamonds that shined like a son, illuminating the who area.
"You are no longer a part of the host Zadkiel!" Ash spat, flinching from the light.
"Maybe, but unlike you and the others I did not fall from pride no lust. I fell because of love. That makes me more angel then you, you filthy mutation!"
Ash let out a war cry and flew at Zadkiel. Slamming into him with enough force to cause the whole area to shake.
They moved like lightning. Unpredictable and deadly. And there power flowed forth unbound and unrestrained.
I could feel it the infernal power of the archdemon Astaroth and the celestial power of the fallen angel Zadkiel.
Danny moaned and I could feel the force of their power was overwhelming him. It was bad for me to feel it but I could withstand it thanks to my angelic blood but Danny was just a mortal.
I summoned my wings and wrapped them around us like a blanket. Danny let out a gasp as my wings shielded him from the creatures that fought.
All we could do was watch from the safety of my wings. Witnessing first hand what a batle between heavon and hell could be like.
The two of them wrestled with one another. Locked, hand-to-hand.
"You will fail him just as you failed his parents Zadkiel! Even if you manage to defeat me another will take my place!" Ash spat.
"And he will meet the same fate you are about to meet!" Zadkiel spat in turn.
Zadkiel looked at me over Ash's shoulder and I could hear him speaking inside my head.
Gabriel, attack him from behind!
Saying a quick apology to Danny I stood up and flew at Ash, with a single flap of my wings I was soaring through the air. I brought my fist back and with all my strength I shoved my and through his back until I felt the thing he called a heart under my fingers.
Ash let out a roar that was like a T-Rex.
I leaned my face forawrd and whispered in his ear.
"That was for my parents you son of a bitch! All of them!"
"Goodbye Astaroth. I dare say Lucifer is going to be very displeased with you. Tell him I said hi would you."
Zadkiel plunged his own fist into Ash's chest and I felt his hand wrap around mine.
"Light him up," Zadkiel said.
Together we both unleashed our fire.
There was a flash of light so brilliant it blinded even me, Ash continued to scream and I watched as his body was vaporized. But it did not just burn him physically, like before I saw his true spiritual self, I did not have the power to banish him back to hell, but with the combined power of my grandfather there was more then enough energy to send him flying back to the pit.
The light died down and Ash was gone.
Zadkiel was holding my hand, but he was staring up at the sky.
"You are avenged my son."
"He's not dead is he?" I asked
"Astaroth? No. But we have dispersed his spirit enough that it will be a long time before he can manifest again. Don't worry you won't be seeing him again for a very long time."
"So your my grandfather huh?"
He smiled. "Yes."
"Heh...you look way to young."
"I'm older then I look."
"Okay...I think I am going to collapse now."
I don't know if it was the beating or the little light show I just did. But a crushing wave of exhausting overwhelmed me and the last thing I saw was the sky and the sound of someone shouting my name.
Fusedtwilight: Next chapter Zadkiel explains the origins of the nephilim and the story about Gabe's parents.
