Chapter 25. Divine Lament

"Well done Mikal!" Azael exclaimed, looking up from his fallen sword to his ward with pride.

"I have done it Praeceptor." Mikal rejoiced in having finally bested his teacher.

"That you have young one. Now what will you do?" Azael asked intently.

Mikal pondered the question for a moment before smiling.

"I will offer you mercy and pledge to guide you back onto the path of righteousness."

Azael smiled at his ward's innate benevolence.

"Very good. However, what if I am wicked and unrepentant? What shall be my punishment?"

Mikal looked at Azael in confusion. He could not conceive such a thing.

"Praeceptor, it is not for me to judge. I cannot deem another's sentence." Mikal lowered his sword and gazed at his teacher with sorrow.

Azael closed his eyes and shook his head. Mikal had proven once more that he was no soldier. He was better fit for a role as guardian. The young one's heart was too pure and full of forgiveness.

Stepping over and picking up his sword, Azael stood before Mikal. He gently placed his hands upon his shoulders and looked the young man in the eyes.

"You are truly good and just. You will make a fine Host one day. But you would better serve the cause with your heart then with a sword."

"Forgive me Praeceptor. I will do better." Mikal was overcome with dismay. He only sought to make his teacher proud.

"There is nothing to forgive. I could not ask more of a student. I dare say you have taught me the greater lesson."

"Taught you? What could you have learned from me?"

"The most divine gift…truth."

"The truth? Praeceptor I do not understand?" Mikal was torn.

Azael laughed and ruffled the young ones dark tresses. Mikal batted his hands away and laughed at his teacher's playfulness.

"Come. Enough talk. You must return to your studies. We will continue our lessons tomorrow." Azael took the sword from Mikal's hand and led his ward back to the Great Hall.

As they approached the main gate, they were startled by the commotion. A soldier, dressed in full battle gear, ran over to Azael. Crossing his arm across his chest, he saluted.

"Praeceptor, I bring a message from the General."

"Out with it then?"

"It is meant for your ears alone." The soldier looked over at Mikal then back to Azael.

Azael sensing the urgency turned to Mikal.

"Go inside. I will find you after."

Mikal nodded his head and ran inside.

"We are alone. Speak your message."

"There has been a rebellion. All soldiers and their commanders are summoned to arms. You have been ordered to bring all your charges and prepare them for battle."

"Very well, let me secure Mikal and we will meet you at the Outer Plane." Azael turned to leave but stopped at the soldiers words.

"Praeceptor… I was ordered to bring all the soldiers. The young ones, as well."

"Then you are mistaken."

"No I am not. My orders were clear. All must take up the sword."

"But they are not ready!" Azael shouted.

"The General commands it. He requires as many to fill his ranks."

Azael lunged at the soldier, his hand gripped tightly around his neck, lifting him up from the ground. The soldier clawed at Azael's hand and he kicked out his legs trying to get free.

"I do not care how many he requires to fill his ranks. I will not lead innocents to their slaughter." Azael spat, tightening his grip.

"Azael!" The General shouted.

Azael turned his head and watched as the man approached. The sun shined brightly off the golden armor, casting an ethereal glow about the figure.

"Release him Azael. He was simply doing as I commanded."

Azael looked at the soldier once more before tossing his body down to the ground, feet from where he stood. The soldier stood from the ground slowly, hacking as he desperately tried to draw breath. The General shook his head.

"Go and report to the Outer Plane. I will be there shortly." The General barked.

The soldier saluted and bowed before running to his station.

"Azael, mock my words, your anger will be your undoing." The General said as he dusted his armor and adjusted his sword.

"My anger has suited you and Him on many occasions. I received no complaints then." Azael rubbed his palms together as if to remove any trace of the soldier.

"Yes, you are a fine soldier and commander. That is why I find myself astonished by your actions. Why assault a member of the guard? A guard, who was delivering my message." The General stepped closer to Azael.

"Would you rather I have assaulted you?" Azael stepped into the General's space.

"Is that what you wish?" The General replied with a sneer.

Azael huffed and turned away from the General. The day had begun pleasantly and he did not want to end it with a fight.

"No I do not wish to begin an altercation with you. But even you must have known I would not have easily agreed with your command."

"It is true. I had foreseen some difficulty. But as a commander, you know all are subject to defend."

"But they are but children. Many will meet the true end."

"We were all children once and yet here we stand."

"We are different. Some are not meant for the sword and you know this."

"Then they will meet their ends honorably for their sacrifice."

"I beg you. Do not ask this of me." Azael pleaded not with the General, but with his oldest friend.

"I must ask, as you must comply." The General turned and headed in the direction of the plane.

Azael stared as his friend walked away, his stomach twisted in pain. Left with no choice, he walked in the direction of the Great Hall, trying to summon the courage in order to complete his task. Azael would gather them all, dress them in fine armor and march them to certain death.

The battle raged around him. He watched as one then another fell beneath the enemy's sword. Many had fought valiantly, but their youth only brought inexperience. The enemy exploited this flaw, as it literally hacked through them. Azael had done his best to protect as many as he could but the numbers they fought against were many and he was unable to be in more than one place.

As his sword slid into the chest of his opponent, he only found relief in the fact that he had left Mikal hidden. The young one had argued that his place was by his teacher's side, but had only relented when he saw how angry Azael became at his refusal to comply. It was with Mikal's promise to remain, that Azael felt comfort that his life would be spared. Azael vowed he would make haste in transferring Mikal to the Guardians once the battle was over. He would not take the chance that his life would be sacrificed like his brethren this day.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he took a moment to survey the battle. It seemed the General was correct. The replenishment in rank had helped turn the tide as he watched more of the enemy killed or fleeing. He took a deep breath and relaxed for a moment. However, this proved to be a mistake, as he felt the pain across his back as the blade slashed through his armor. He turned with the strike, falling to ground. Looking up, he watched as his attacker raised his sword above his head to finish him. Azael closed his eyes, waiting on the blow, opening them suddenly at the sound of metal clashing against metal. He gasped as he found himself looking on Mikal dressed in armor, his sword poised above his chest defending against his attacker's strike.

"I am here Praeceptor." Mikal exclaimed as he turned to engage the enemy.

Azael struggled to lift himself, but the wound was too deep and knocked him down onto his backside. All he could do was watch as Mikal fought against the attacker. The young one proved his worth, as he deflected and countered blow after blow. Through the pain, Azael found himself smiling at how well Mikal was handling himself. He nearly cheered as he watched Mikal disarm the larger man, holding his sword against the attacker's throat. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe Mikal could be a soldier.

Suddenly, Azael's eyes widened in fright as he watched Mikal do what was only natural to him. He lowered his sword, nodding to the man with a gentle smile on his face. Mikal turned to make his way back to Azael. Azael gritted his teeth and pulled himself up. His sword held high, he rushed to Mikal. Yet, his feet were rooted to the ground as he watched in horror Mikal's smile turn bloody and the sword now protruding through his chest.

"No!" Azael screamed as he threw his sword, lodging it into the attacker's chest. The man gurgled, clutching at the weapon before falling face down to the ground.

Azael moved then to catch Mikal's body within his arms. He cradled the young one close to his chest, smoothing out the sweaty hair on Mikal's head.

"Praeceptor?" Mikal coughed as blood ran from his lips.

"I am here Mikal." Azael held him tight.

"I am sorry I disobeyed you. I simply wished to be by your side."

"Quiet now. You do not need to apologize. Conserve your strength." Azael comforted the boy.

"I have failed you Praeceptor." Mikal's eyes filled with pain.

"Failed? You can never fail me. It is I, who has failed you."

"Never Praeceptor. You have taught me well. I must simply practice…more..." Mikal lips lifted in a smile before closing his eyes for the very last time.

Azael pulled Mikal into his chest, resting his body against his own. He felt as his ward's essence withered and became no more.

Azael did not know for how long he held Mikal's body. The sounds of the battle had long since ceased and the eerie silence of death surrounded him. His mind called up images of Mikal from the time of the young one's creation until just this morning on the training field. Azael had instructed many soldiers, but Mikal had meant more to him than any initiate. Hosts were not permitted to procreate, but had he been able, Azael would have chosen Mikal. His light had shined brighter than any before him and any who would come after.

Azael laid the body gently down to the ground. He grabbed the sword and arranged it against the young one's chest as was the custom. Then sparing one final glance, he turned and walked towards the clearing a few feet ahead discarding his armor along the way. He glanced up and caught a glimpse of the General standing a little ways in the distance. The General stared at Azael, a look of questioning on his face. Azael stood straight, crossed his arm across his chest and bowed. Then, with one quick move, drove his sword into his chest. The pain was immense, but was not enough to over shadow the sorrow in his heart. Azael could hear the shouts in the distance, as he fell upon his knees. It was against the law to bring the true end to any Host and an even greater crime to bring this end upon one's self. Yet, done with the rules and blind obedience Azael found he did not care. He had made his own choice. As he felt his own existence wane, he spared but one thought on Mikal and did what no Host before him had ever done. He wept.

Regina held her hand over her mouth, a sob caught in her throat. The story Azael so freely shared was one she had not expected. Not once, had she thought his past was filled with such misery. She reached out and grasped his hand tightly.

"I am sorry for your loss. I too lost someone I loved very much. It left a hole in me. However, to lose a child is unspeakable. I myself do not know what I would do if I ever lost Henry."

Azael looked up at Regina, his eyes full of torment.

Regina sadly smiled in returned.

"Yes Azael, I understand what that boy meant to you. He was as dear to you as Henry is to me."

"Master Henry reminds me much of Mikal. Such is the reason that I must do what is in my power to assure that no harm comes to him."

"Azael, what is going on? Why is my son in danger?" Regina frantically questioned.

"A great evil has descended upon your town. If I do not intervene, I am afraid that many will perish."

"Is there anything we can do?"

Azael shook his head.

"Bid me farewell and smile when you think of me."

"You are leaving?"

"It would appear my time here is done."

"Will I ever see you again?"

"Perhaps, in another life." Azael sadly replied. "But before I go, I wish to impart you with a gift."

Azael lifted the lid of the box and reached inside. He retrieved a delicate silver chain, from it hung a crystal, teardrop pendant. Unclasping the hook, he motioned towards Regina. She reached behind her, lifting her hair away from her neck. Gently, he placed the chain about her, allowing the pendant to fall against her chest.

Regina took the pendant into her palm, watching as the light caught against its natural facets.

"Azael, it is beautiful."

"There is none like in all the worlds. It is all that is left of the light I once possessed." Azael dejectedly said.

"And you wish to give this to me?"

"And so much more." Azael turned towards Regina, taking both her hands in his. "However, I must have your consent."

Regina perplexed by Azael's offer, wondered as to what more did he want to give her. Nevertheless, the look in his eyes spoke of a dire need. She found herself, inexplicably, nodding her head.

Azael smiled as he leaned closer, placing his hands on Regina's cheeks.

"Then with a kiss, I seal my fate."

As he pressed his lips against Regina's, a blinding light burst forth from the pendant, eclipsing the entire room.