The Darkest Secret
Act Twenty Five: Rising Darkness
AN: Sorry I'm taking forever…I'm dealing with a case of writer's block, and I'm pressed for time.
An hour later, they had all returned to their usual meeting spot; Rae's temple. Serena was still in a catatonic state, and responded to nothing. Sometimes, Amara even checked to make sure the blonde was still actually breathing. Her vital signs were normal, but there was nothing to indicate that Serena was even vaguely aware of what was going on around her. They'd tried everything they could think of short of physical force; they might actually be looking at brain damage, and no one really wanted to explain to Serena's mom exactly how her daughter had ended up as a vegetable. All they could do was wait; and pray that Malos didn't kill Fighter before they got there. Healer and Maker had both tried to find her, with no luck.
"Why are we just standing around?" Healer demanded. "We ought to just hunt Malos down ourselves and quit wasting time!"
"We can't just leave Serena; Malos might take her, too," Venus replied.
"Malos managed to take Fighter from right under our noses," Healer muttered bitterly. "If he really wants to take her, he'll her."
"Not helping, Healer," Maker murmured quietly.
"I'm serious. We were all there; we should have been able to do something!"
"None of us saw it coming."
"Still…"
The argument continued.
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Meanwhile, Serena sat in a secret, sacred part of her mind. It had been formed from her thoughts and wishes, and was the only place where she could truly be at peace. It took the shape of a woodsy clearing, with silvery waterfalls flowing in the distance. Sweet-scented flowers grew in abundance, as well as tall, healthy trees that shielded her from the bright light of the sun. The grass was softer than the finest velvet, and when the soft breeze blew through the trees, one could almost hear soft, comforting whispers. This was how Serena managed to stay happy and carefree despite her battles. This place was what helped her retain that ability and hope.
Now, however, the blonde was in the midst of an argument with Katherine. One would think that, since the two shared a body, they would look alike. Not so. Certainly, they both had blonde hair and blue eyes, but the differences were glaring. Katherine's hair was shoulder length, and her bangs had an irritating tendency to fall in her eyes at the worst of times. Her eyes were a darker blue than Serena's, and held a certain hardness that never appeared in Serena. Furthermore, she was slightly taller, and her attitude and carriage indicated that she would cut her knuckle on someone's teeth if they so much as looked at her wrong. Serena was the opposite. Her hair was actually a slightly darker blonde than Katherine's, and was styled in the usual way, trailing just past her ankles. Her eyes were a matchless cerulean blue, shining with a pure, warm light. Everything about her was gentle and fragile looking.
"Serena, let me drive," Katherine demanded. "I'll find Fighter, kick Malos' arse so far up into his skull it'll take centuries for him to put himself right again, and then our problem's solved."
"But it might get her killed," Serena argued. "And my aunt is still there somewhere. I don't want to kill anyone."
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not you, you're not me. I'll be doing the killing."
"Yes, but no one knows that but us and Malos. Besides, if you do that, I'll never forgive you."
Katherine sighed. "Can you at least pull out of this funk you're in? We're catatonic on the outside, and I bet some of your friends are ready to punch your lights out."
"Let them. God knows I deserve it."
"Why on earth would you think that?"
"I practically killed Fighter; I should never have told the truth; I should have just left, and all of this would have been nipped in the bud. Instead, I let everyone get involved, and basically signed Fighter's death warrant."
"Whoa, now! Malos is just tough, that's all. Come on, Sere, where's the girl who convinced Nehelenia that she didn't have to be alone and miserable? Where's the girl who showed the Dark Moon Clan a better way to live? Are you really going to give up because of one little bump in the road?"
Serena sniffed. "Katherine, how would we find Malos?"
"Easy; we catch one if his minions and beat the shit out of him till we get the answer. Then, we burst in and save the damsel in distress and ride off on a white horse into the sunset."
"Fighter's hardly a damsel in distress. She's tougher than me…and stronger."
"Whatever. The point is, we'll get her back."
"Okay. Um…how do I get out of here?"
Katherine let out a stream of blistering language that, if it had been audible to any outsiders, would have ensured that Serena was still getting her mouth scrubbed out with soap a year later.
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Fighter opened her eyes slowly, letting out a faint groan as she came to. Why couldn't she move? Her mind raced as she tried to remember what had happened and where she was. Her location was unfamiliar to her, she decided as she looked around. She was chained to a wall…suddenly, she recalled what had happened. There had been a battle; Malos had attacked. Her Odango had been in danger…and now she was the daemon's prisoner. At least he'd taken her instead of Serena…wait. Did she know that? Serena could be dead or lying in a ditch somewhere, bleeding and scared…and alone. 'Whoa, there, Fighter,' her mind chided. 'The others wouldn't allow that.' The thought gave her a minimal measure of comfort. Uranus had been there; everyone had. They wouldn't have let Malos hurt her.
"Good; you're finally awake. I was starting to think I might have caused some actual damage." Malos' voice was like nails on a chalkboard, and Fighter felt an intense surge of loathing towards the daemon. On the outside, it appeared to simply be Serena's aunt, but Fighter knew better.
"Well, aren't you going to speak?" Malos was annoyed by Fighter's silence, so Fighter opted to continue being quiet. "You know, you aren't going to be much fun."
'Fuck you, Malos,' Fighter thought. She remained stubbornly silent.
"Nothing? Hmm…that won't continue for very long. I've been given free reign, you see. You think you can remain silent forever? Think again, girl. The last sound to pass from your lips will be a plea for mercy." Malos advanced, and the blade that had been concealed was now revealed. It looked deadly, and it didn't take a genius to figure out what was about to happen.
Fighter bit down slightly on her tongue. She knew she wouldn't die just yet. First, Malos would inflict as much pain as possible, and try to reduce her to tears and begging for mercy. Well, he would be disappointed. She wouldn't give in, and she would find a way to get out. Or someone would come. Her comrades and love would never abandon her. She kept her face coldly defiant as Malos advanced on her. The cold blade was laid against the flesh near her neck, and moved downwards, doing nothing. He was messing with her, trying to get her to make some sound before the actual pain started. Fighter suppressed a shudder, and tried to remain calm.
The blade suddenly sliced into the flesh of her abdomen. It was only a shallow cut, but it burned like the flames of Hell itself. Tears sprang to her eyes, but she forced them down. Malos made the cut even deeper. Fighter felt her whole body tense up, felt the blood trickling from the wound. She pressed her lips tightly together, and made no sound. The fire that had started with the first strike was now spreading through her body. Malos inflicted another cut, and Fighter clenched her hands into fists, sweat rolling off her forehead.
"So stubborn…but I can see you faltering." Malos' voice was amused. "But don't worry, my dear. The pain your girlfriend will feel when she accepts her destiny will be much worse. Do you want to know what will happen to her once she enters Hell to fulfill her destiny? I'll tell you. She will enter a trap. Her father is waiting for her, you see. He's been waiting a long time. He will get her to unleash Hell on Earth. She herself is a portal for him…and once she is forced to open herself, she will slowly disintegrate into ash, and the last thing she will hear are the dying screams of humanity. It will happen very slowly…she'll slowly burn out, literally be burned alive. It will only take about fifteen minutes, but it will feel like an eternity. And then, of course, her soul will suffer that same pain for all eternity."
Despite the pain she was in, Fighter manage to spit directly into Malos' face. "No force in the universe will let that happen," she hissed. "No one is going to let that happen to her."
"The only one whose vote matters is that of her father," Malos said dismissively. "She will let Lucifer go free, and he will honor his daughter's sacrifice."
Fighter choked. Lucifer was Serena's father? How could that be? She was the opposite of everything her sire represented! She was pure and innocent…how…? No…she wouldn't let it happen. It didn't matter who sired her…Serena was nothing like him. Nobody would let Serena die like that. All she had to do was hold on, and seize an opportunity to escape…she had to warn Serena about this…she couldn't let her die…she began to struggle and try to free herself from the chains that bound her.
"Ah, ah, ah…none of that." Malos struck her across the face, and the burning sensation grew almost impossible to bear.
'Oh, stars…please, protect her…' Fighter silently prayed. 'Don't let her die…'
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Serena finally found the exit. "I found it," she breathed in relief.
"It's about time," Katherine snapped. The Nephilim was itching for some action, and she wanted to get a move on. In her view, they'd wasted enough time. Now was the time to act. She was through waiting. "What are you waiting for? Open the damn door and let's get a move on!" The girl tapped her foot impatiently.
"Chill." Serena opened the door, and the girls exited. It was time for some action. Serena prayed silently that Fighter would still be alive when they found her. Malos could be nasty. The two raced through the passages of her mind, and headed to the control center. Katherine immediately took the driver's seat, and Serena sat back and let her have full control.
Healer was in the middle of a shouting match with Uranus when Serena came around. The blonde made no sound or any move to indicate she was functioning. Serena and Katherine had decided that no one needed to see the one they believed to be Serena play ugly; it would raise too many questions, and they would travel faster if they just left on their own. Now, how to leave? The back door…but they would have to move fast. Well…Katherine would, anyway. Everyone's attention was on the potential brawlers.
'I hope they don't actually come to blows,' Serena fretted inside the mind she shared with Katherine.
'The others won't let it get too bad;' Katherine declared confidently. 'Let's go!'
Quietly, Katherine slipped away in their body, and no one noticed that the catatonic girl was catatonic no longer.
It was surprising how easily they got their hands on a minion. Serena resolved never to get on Katherine's bad side; the girl had pounced immediately, with the deadly skill of a tigress on the hunt. The monster had immediately begun whimpering about how it didn't do anything. Serena knew she wasn't going to like this; Katherine wasn't going to be nice. The delicate blonde tried not to pay too much attention to what was going on. Katherine focused all her attention on her victim. She glared down at the monster. "Talk," she ordered tersely.
"I swear, I don't know anything!"
"Of course not," Katherine replied silkily. "But I don't believe you." She dug her fingernails into the monster's face. The creature let out a pained whimper. Katherine's eyes narrowed. "Shut up," she hissed. "Now, you're in a talk or bleed situation. Tell me where that son-of-a-bitch Malos is, and I won't kill you." She dug in harder with her nails. "Next denial, I'll scratch out your eyes."
'Katherine!' Serena whispered.
'Just doing what's necessary.'
"He-he's in a cave nearby," the monster whimpered.
Katherine relaxed a bit. "Oh? Which one?"
"I-I don't r-r-remember."
Katherine smiled sweetly. "In that case…" She lifted the creature and pressed it against a wall. "You're dead, my friend."
"Okay, okay! He's in that…oh, I remember! It's-it's that one Friesner's Cave!"
"See, now. That wasn't so bad." Katherine summoned the flaming sword in her possession. "But you're still screwed." The monster didn't even have time to scream before he was reduced to ashes.
Katherine spread her wings wide and flew to the cave.
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'I'm going to die here,' Fighter thought. The pain was killing her. She still hadn't screamed, but Malos had done plenty of damage. Fighter felt like she'd been thrust into the very flames of Hell. There wasn't one part of her body that wasn't weary and suffering pain. 'Oh, Odango, I never meant to leave you like this!' The raven-haired girl had long since lost all hope of escape. Even now, she could hear Malos' gloating laugh. Once he was through with her, he would show her lifeless body to Serena, as a sign of his great power. That would break her. So Malos thought. Fighter was certain that as long as Serena had the others, she wouldn't give in.
The raven-haired beauty closed her eyes from weariness, and to stop seeing the sight of her own blood surrounding her. She was so tired…she could feel the strength leaving her. The end was so close…did she have any regrets? Yes…she wished she'd been able to tell her Odango that she loved her one last time. She wished she hadn't played so many pranks on Healer and Maker. She wished she'd tried just a little harder to be civil towards the Outers. Well, at least they would be able to protect that brightest of lights and keep it from going out.
Malos' voice suddenly sounded amused. "Well, I must say, Serenity, I am impressed. I never imagined you'd find me. Still, you're too late to save her."
Fighter opened her eyes. Serena was standing in front of Malos, her eyes cold and dark with sheer loathing. When she saw Fighter, her eyes softened briefly, but hardened once more as she turned her attention back to Malos. "Odango," the dark-haired girl whispered.
"Let her go, Malos," Serena growled. "I killed one of your minions, and if you don't release her, I'll only be too happy to kill you, too."
What? Fighter was suddenly sadly confused. Odango shouldn't be issuing death threats…
"But of course, my dear. Simply accept your father's will, and I will gladly let her go."
"I hold no love for my father. He deserves to stay in Hell."
"Very well. Then you can watch while I kill her." Malos moved towards Fighter, but Serena blocked him. Her flaming sword rested against the daemon's throat. Malos was trapped.
"You wouldn't kill you aunt, would you?"
"Of course not."
Katherine let Serena take control, and this time, she was ready so quickly that Malos didn't have time to attack. The gentler blonde focused all of her efforts on releasing her aunt. And she felt it begin to work. She pressed her advantage. Malos screamed in rage as he was thrust out of his host. But as he, a mere shadow, flew out, he heard his master's voice in his head.
+I grow tired of your incompetence, Malos. But you may make yourself useful to me still. I see now that my daughter is much too stubborn. I must forcefully separate her from Serenity's influence. Do you see the knife I am showing you? Take it, and plunge it into her chest. My daughter will not die, but she and Serenity will slowly separate. Eventually, the Moon Princess will be forced out.+
Malos took it, and made his last move. Serena's aunt was unconscious, and the girl was kneeling over Fighter. She didn't see the threat. She was too busy looking in horror at Fighter's injuries. The girl was covered in cuts and bruises, and she was on the verge of death. The raven-haired beauty looked up at her with a sad, loving tenderness. "Odango…" she murmured. She softly stroked the blonde's face. Tears shone in her gorgeous cerulean eyes. It was too painful to see. She started to avert her eyes, when she saw Malos over her love's shoulder, knife raised. "Odango!" she cried. But it was too late.
The knife came down just as Serena turned, alerted by the alarm in Fighter's eyes. It plunged into her chest, and Serena let out a sharp cry of pain. The knife disintegrated, and Malos disappeared. The blonde doubled over. Fighter let out an anguished moan. She was going to die, and so was her Odango.
"Serena." Someone else was with them.
Fighter turned her head. It was Arriane.
"Your mother sent me after you. That knife didn't kill you. I'm not sure what it was meant for, but it wasn't made to kill. Come on; let's get your aunt and your friend out of here."
Serena straightened, looked at Fighter worriedly, and nodded. "She's really hurt, Arriane."
"I'll help her. You take your aunt."
The blonde nodded. Arriane knelt beside Fighter. The fallen angel's gentle, probing fingers examined the wounds. "You're one tough girl," she commented. "I don't know many people who could hold on this long. You sit tight. I'll have you back to yourself in no time."
Fighter relaxed. The haze in her mind was nearly overpowering…she needed to rest…everything went dark. Her last conscious thought was, 'Odango, don't leave me…'
Meanwhile, in his dark abode, Lucifer smiled. "Soon," he whispered. "Soon I will be free. Serenity is no longer a threat, and my daughter will have no motivation to defy me any longer."