Hey everyone! Been a while! Feel awful about it, but Overwatch has been quite demanding lately. Admittedly I'm starting to get burned out about it. Hopefully the next event will be a repeat so I can get a rest and save up some currency.
Eugh. Anyways, this chapter features some characters who are not mine. Credit goes to Bluemist562. I'll give a more proper introduction after the chapter.
Side note but I'll go and update some other things like the Community in a jiffy. I've been offline for quite a while and I apologize! I'm quite late. Never dropping the story since there's still so much I want to do with it, I promise!
Also side note but what does everyone think of Malthael in Heroes of the Storm? :) I think he looks pretty cool.
Anyways, hope you enjoy the overdue chapter~
Chapter 28 - Aura of Death
Imperius began his charge upon the barricade of archers in the middle of the encampment. He released a deafening roar that would silence any in his path. "FALL BEFORE ME, COWARDS! FALL BEFORE THE BLADE OF VALOR!" This commanded all of the demons' attentions. They leveled their weapons at him, preparing to take him head-on.
Alas, he was not alone. Behind him was a squadron of angels of Valor. I did not know if they were his special forces or the angels who were simply available in this time of chaos. Perhaps either, perhaps both. Either the case, this would be the best he had available, although they all seemed pretty strong in my eyes. The only angels I have ever seen in action were either corrupted angels or acting under a different Archangel, so I was surely in for a treat.
Of course, he also had us behind him: me with my bow, Andarius and his knives, and Serenity clutching her rapier. We weren't quite as fearsome as angels of Valor could be, but we would help in any way we could. There had to be some way to get through the barrier. Imperius would have to find a weak point in their defenses, and that's when we would slip through. Hopefully there weren't more dangers on the other side… Potentially even worse than what we faced now.
Imperius's wings brimmed with wrathful fire, then leaped at the nearest shielding demon. "ANYONE WHO DARES STAND IN MY WAY WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF MY SPEAR!" He stabbed downwards with the entirety of his body weight. His spear sunk into the steel of the clutched shield, and it made a dent deep enough to burst through. The demon cried out in pain when its arm was pierced by his blade. It was white hot; I assumed its heat would cause burns as well… Flames of the Righteous.
However, the archers turned his way and set sail many arrows in his direction. Imperius grimaced and swung his spear in wide arcs to deflect them, but he could not maintain the offensive with the speed at which they let their arrows fly. He was stuck, and needed assistance in getting out.
That was when we came in. His fellow angels of Valor swooped in and attacked the archers while their attention was turned. I moved into the air to get a clear view of the archers and shot them down while they each struggled with an angel of Valor. They screeched and fell. I let out the shaky breath I had been holding. I had to be careful so that I didn't accidentally hit any of my allies. Now that would be terrible!
I surveyed the battlefield for a moment. Andarius and Serenity both kept close to me, but they were performing spells of their own. Andarius casted a spell of ice to rain down upon his opponents. Meanwhile, Serenity casted wind and light magic to take down her foes. I covered their backs while they finished up, making sure they weren't shot in the back while they used their magic power. Although, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder at them here and there. They really were impressive. I wish I could cast magic like that. I paused. I was never taught magic, but then again not everyone has the ability to… right? I would have to ask Malthael once this was all over in case he had a clue of if it was possible.
But, I digress. I shook my head to rid myself of such thoughts. Now was not the time. I had to focus and lend everyone my strength, as little as that may be.
Imperius, now freed from the bonds of battle, whirled around to face me. I could feel his gaze and lowered my bow, then nodded in his direction. I think I knew what he wanted. I descended towards him, Andarius and Serenity in tow. The Archangel then whirled around and twirled his spear, then lunged at the cavity in their defenses he had created. "Proceed forth, and fulfill your duty!"
I nodded and readied my wings to launch myself through the gap. This was it; this was my chance to deliver this impromptu letter to Malthael. Whatever it was must have been highly important. My wings raised and I flew through the gap.
...Only to let out a cry as an axe was swinging its way towards my head.
Someone tugged on each of my shoulders and sent be back to the other side of the barricade. It was Imperius and Andarius standing there in front of me. Meanwhile, Serenity helped me up.
"Are you alright?!" the maiden asked me worriedly.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine," I said, grunting.
"Luckily I saw it coming, so I signaled Andarius to step in. However, it seemed Imperius's reflexes are worthy of praise," Serenity stated, raising her head to face their direction.
I turned to look up at them as well. They had saved me, the both of them. However, we were no closer to getting through the barricade.
Over the din of the battlefield were sudden cries of success. Distracted, I turned to look their way. There were two angels nearby, and one of them had scored a successful kill.
"Yes! That'll be my thirteenth kill! We're slowly pushing through!" shouted a female angel of Valor triumphantly. Her long white wings spread out in a fan shape from her back. In her hand was clutched a unique weapon for an angel to hold, which made her stand out amidst the battlefield even more. It was what I believed to be a large shuriken-type weapon. It was the first I've seen of one in person, however. The weapon was like a bladed star and had a grip in the center. She flicked some demonic blood from the blades.
A male angel huffed beside her. "I would have more kills if I weren't so distracted, Acureil! You get the easy prey which are the shielders, but I have to take out the archers, and there's narrow opportunity to hit them between all those shields! AND THEY SHOOT BACK!" His light blue wings were also long and waved out of agitation. A longbow was clutched in his grasp.
Acureil, the female angel, placed her hand upon her waist smugly. "So how many kills have you gotten, Acrorius?"
The male angel, Acrorius, shuffled. "...Five."
Acureil laughed. "Perhaps when you can catch up to me, then we'll settle it in a sparring match!" She tossed her star-like weapon through the ranks of demons and slashed through several of their calves. At first I thought it was a melee weapon when I saw it, but I was proven wrong by what happened next. It arched in the air and then returned to her hand safely. They roared, but still maintained their shields around the archers for best coverage. So it was a throwing star. I shot at the archers as well but couldn't help but be distracted by her prowess.
Acrorius continued to grumble to himself while he shot however. He did not seem pleased in the least. I pondered how he could be in such a terrible mood, though. Yes, we were under attack, but he had a bow more suitable for this task than mine. After all, it was twice the size as my shortbow. His shots seemed powerful, and would leave a dent in any shield.
I believe I know what they are. Were they rangers? They were both angels of Fate, and they were intended for long-distance combat, same as Kyriael. Sometimes they also acted as messengers but for the battlefield; however, often times they fulfilled independent tasks due to their unique roles.
I was suddenly filled with dread while watching them like this. What was this feeling? Were they in danger? I made to drift forward, when screams filled the encampment. A pair of assassins leaped at them both, intending on taking their heads. The star was in the middle of a thrown arc, and the leap distracted Acureil enough to cause her to not catch it. Acrorius on the other hand was not able to shoot a quick enemy at such short range. I raised my bow and took aim to assist them.
But I would not get the chance to intervene. Imperius lunged forward and slashed through the assassins. Their frail bodies split at the swing of his powerful spear. Once they were felled, he scolded them, his voice booming over the encampment. "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! THIS IS NOT A TEST OR DRILL! This is the battlefield, foolish fledgelings! You could get yourself KILLED!"
"Y-Yes, sir!" Acureil and Acrorius stated sheepishly. They set off to work once more, this time with a more serious exterior.
Imperius huffed, then turned. However, he spotted me staring and growled. He thrust his finger in my direction. "AND YOU! DON'T BE DISTRACTED BY MERE SQUABBLES!"
"Y-Yes sir!" I stated rigidly. So I was not free from a scolding either. I could not help it, though. The young angels appeared boisterous. They must be new within the ranks. I was new to battle as well. Certainly I am no stranger to conflicts and will fight when I need to and rush to get it over with, but in reality I was no veteran fighter compared to these angels of Valor. In fact, they may even hold more experience than I do, and it was a shame once I thought about it. This, along with my other recent battles, would only be one of many. I had to be prepared for the outcome. Shaking these thoughts out of my head, I returned to battle again.
My bow shot down a few more archers with the angels of Valor distracting them. We were making good practice. One time, an archer took aim at Andarius. I called his name to warn him. "ANDARIUS!"
Andarius's head whipped up, believing me to be in trouble. His sudden call of flight was just enough to get him out of range of the arrow. I let out a sigh of relief. The mute angel, on the other hand, was looking around wildly. He thought I was the one in danger when I called him. I set him at ease. "It was a warning for you, but you dodged!"
With the knowledge of the situation resolving itself, he resumed his position as a front lines mage. He pressured the breach we made with his magic. The spells hailed down on his foes. They were as cold as ice, and stung just as much. I cringed just looking at the demons impaled with icicles.
Imperius's wings flared and caught my attention. His voice blared above the action. "We will make another attempt! Onwards!" He clutched his spear and reared upwards, then came crashing down on the barricade. It was as if he were the embodiment of the wrath of the heavens. The flash of light devastated the lineup of demons and left a large hole. Before they could reform, he whirled around to face me. "GO!"
"R-Right!" I raised my wings and took flight. Andarius and Serenity followed after me. I whirled around, but Imperius wasn't following.
He noticed my faltering. "I said go! I still have unfinished business here!"
I didn't want to leave them there, but I didn't have a choice. We had to act quickly. "Alright!" We flew away, and slowly my view of him was swallowed up by the barricade reforming. Even if we wished to return, we would have to dodge a hail of arrows to be able to cross.
"AND DON'T YOU DARE DIE, ANGEL!"
I whirled around, but I could not see him. But he was there on the other side. I smiled to him and stated softly under my breath, "Yes, sir." An order was an order.
The other side was too ominous for my liking. Corpses littered the encampment. It was difficult to tell how many were our own soldiers compared to fallen angels. However, the demon population was dropping a fair amount judging by the sight we saw. It was both uplifting and disturbing at the same time. Were the Archangels alright amidst this chaos? I don't know. I certainly don't know if this message would help them, and if they were in a felled state… Then, I didn't know what I would do. The best I could do would be to return to Imperius… but I didn't want to think about that possibility.
Andarius flew ahead of me and alighted upon a ledge, gazing down at the view below. Cautiously, I landed next to him, but didn't know what I was getting into. Serenity joined us as we glimpsed a view of the scene before us.
Malthael's chest rose and fell with his gaze raised upwards. His opponent was a mass of a mountain… I let out a breath. I may be exaggerating, and other angels beside myself may have encountered demons of far greater magnitude, but this demon… It managed to take my breath away. Its size was only accentuated by the fact it was indiscernible from true shadow. As far as its eyes? When it turned to look at me, I knew what it felt like to be gazed at from all sides. Eyes stared at me from every crevice of its being. Malice exuded from it.
To put it simply: I was petrified.
Malthael noticed the demon's distraction and whipped his head to stare up at us. We were three frail doves intruding upon a confrontation between a hawk and a spawn from Hell. My knees knocked together and I froze with bated breath. 'Stop staring at me!' I thought to myself, but the words did not come out. Everything felt as if it were staring at me. It was all a blur. The world—nay, the universe—thrust me into a chokehold I could not escape. I knew that if I went down there, I would die.
All I could see were eyes. It was close. It was breathing down my neck. It gritted its terribly white teeth! The image threw itself into my mind of its rotting teeth bleeding with white. The wind rushed, and I almost fell. The rough sinew of his fingers drew near.
CLANG.
Numbly, I covered my ears at the shock. The loss of nerve trekked through my muscles and rattled the core of my being. But the pain made me aware I was alive. I was able to gasp like this. I was able to raise my head and see what had happened for the situation to be like this.
Malthael had blocked the attack with his shotels. The Archangel's feet dragged in the ground as he struggled to maintain hold over his adversary. The blow was strong, I knew. I was on my side, but this realization made me stumble upwards. Two pairs of arms dragged me up. I looked at them both. They were shaken.
"D-Death!" Serenity breathed. Her voice trembled. Her grip on my arm had tightened. "All I can see… is Death!"
Archangel Malthael flared and sliced the hand off himself. I was surprised to hear his voice in this moment. The usually unnerving tone of his tenor was a comfort when a worse threat loomed over us. He declared defiantly while facing the demon, "You do not know what death is!"
Andarius began to tug at me. My limbs resisted. "No! The message!"
Serenity pulled at me as well. "I am sorry… but I do not think Archangel Malthael is free enough to read a message."
My head raised to look at both of them. Their hoods twisted in either direction. They did not even wish to look at me. I gaped. They had given up. Despair reigned in their hearts. I could not stand for it.
The tips of my fingers trembled when grasping the letter, but I forced them to steady. I unfolded the paper to look inside. What was I doing?! It was blasphemous for a courier to peer inside a letter not meant for thine eyes! And yet, it had to be done. Did I wish to uphold my code of honor, or to die? The page was concise, and read as follows:
"I, Tyrael, vote in favor of using Archangel Malthael's forbidden abilities."
Forbidden abilities? No, I had no time! I screamed over the din of the battlefield, "MALTHAEL! USE YOUR FORBIDDEN ABILITIES! TYRAEL VOTES IN FAVOR!"
Amidst the dust clouds below, Malthael heard me. All went quiet. No longer did we hear the conflict. It was silent, muffled by the beige fog.
I held my breath. What did this message even mean? Did Malthael really have something in store that we didn't know about?
A voice hissed behind me. "Have you received one more vote in favor?"
The back of my neck bristled and a shudder traveled down my back. I whirled around to be greeted by the sight of Malthael looming over me. "N-No, I did not…"
Malthael paused, then turned away. "I cannot use it… One more…"
He needs one more vote? Then… "Where's—"
The demon set upon us once again. Malthael raised his sickles to block, but he was having a difficult time. I knew immediately that we had to leave. I zoomed off. My friends watched me go hesitantly, but soon followed. I knew what I had to do. I had to go find Auriel and Itherael while Malthael bought more time.
It didn't take long to find them. They were next to the armory and fending off an army of fallen angels. I flew to their aid and shot at a few of them. Andarius rained ice upon them, and Serenity jabbed a few with her rapier. It was enough to slow down the tide for them.
Itherael was panting heavily. He stood in front of Auriel protectively while she attacked from afar with Al'maiesh. He turned to us while catching his breath, asking, "What are you doing here?! Huff…"
Auriel draped her cord across his shoulders. "We don't have long to take a breath…"
I shot at a few more while Andarius fended them off. "Auriel! Itherael! I need an answer! Do you vote in favor of Malthael using his 'forbidden abilities'?" Whatever they were, they were highly controversial to be voted on like this.
"What?! No! That could lead to innocent loss of life!" Auriel cried. Her whip struck an approaching angel.
"But, Lady Auriel! Are these not desperate times?!" Maybe it was foolish to put my hopes into something I didn't even know of, but we needed anything at this point!
Itherael finally managed to regain his breath. "How many votes?"
"Two," I stated. I looked at him. "Malthael says we need one more vote!"
Auriel balked. "Itherael, you couldn't possibly be thinking—"
"Auriel… It will be alright." Itherael raised his head. "Have some faith."
Auriel stared off into the direction where Malthael was fighting. "Faith…" She paused. She needed a moment to think upon those words. Then, she said, "I abstain from voting. Do as you wish."
"Then I vote in favor," Fate decreed. He outstretched his hand. "Now, go!"
I nodded and raised my wings, shooting up into the sky. However, behind me, I heard sounds of protest.
Serenity and Andarius were trying to follow, but Itherael held them back. I was shocked. "Itherael, why—?!"
"I know I assigned you to protect Lenedial," Itherael explained, "but I have a prediction, and any outsiders would only interfere." He raised his hood to look at me. "Go, Lenedial. We will lessen the chance of loss of life!"
I didn't have time to hesitate. "Fine!" I flew off quickly, leaving behind my friends and superiors.
Itherael lowered his hands. "Forgive me. But there is something I must tell you."
They took turns knocking away the angels while they listened to his words.
Fate resumed speaking. "Do not worry for Lenedial." He slashed across the chest of an enemy, then the thigh of another. "She will not come to harm as long as Malthael is there. But any more… and that would truly spell 'death.'"
The two had no choice then. They fought to assist Fate and Hope, slowly turning the tides back in their favor.
Auriel blocked an attack for Serenity. "Thank you for assisting my patients while I was away, ascetic. I have heard much of you. You remind me of Lenedial."
Serenity got a few good jabs in, then said, "I am surprised to hear your reaction, but no, Ma'am. I thank you for taking care of Itherael like you have. Assisting you is a privilege."
"Once this is all over, I will discuss with Itherael as far as rewarding you."
The scribe became shy at the thought. "I-I could never! A mere angel as I—"
"Enough." Al'maiesh knocked a row of enemies away. Her voice was a beacon of hope compared to the sounds of battle. "Your healing skills could use honing. This will not be the last we see of each other."
Serenity became silent. She looked out at the battlefield and realized just how few enemies remained. They were succeeding.
Andarius, however, paid attention to none of that. He raised his head to gaze off into the distance, thinking to himself, 'We are safe… But she will be alone with Death.' If only they knew how correct they really were…
Malthael continued his battle with the demon without any distractions. However, he was swiftly tiring. The demon was strong… Too strong. Blocking every attack sapped his energy. If he had no energy left, he couldn't dodge. It was only a matter of time. If Malthael fell, the morale of everyone would fall even worse than it did with Imperius. Malthael was Wisdom. If Wisdom couldn't outsmart a strong opponent, the angels would question if wit outmatched their strength, and altogether would lead to their downfall. And it was the burden of an Archangel to defy death.
The demon leered at him suddenly. Its voice was deep and grating, and its intense gaze seemed to emphasize its words. "I can see it."
The Archangel remained silent. Petty words would not work against him; he would not be fooled again. Gripping his sickle, he made a slice at its knee.
Of course, it backed away and sneered. He didn't have the energy to make a proper strike against it. "You do not? It is as clear as day. I see everything." It dodged another strike. "Your doubt, your emptiness, your lack of life!"
"You will have to try harder than that," Malthael's voice rumbled, before he blasted his enemy back with a force wave.
The demon's clawed feet skidded back. Deep grooves carved themselves into the ground. His opponent chuckled. "You may knock me back, but that does not get rid of me!" Its large hand lunged for his head.
The Archangel grimaced. He raised his shotel, but inside he knew the demon was right. He was empty. What was the point of standing alongside his brethren? He no longer felt anything for them nowadays. He no longer had a figurative heart. He was cold, and if he still held emotion, it would scare him how much he changed. But he did not. He felt nothing. The motivation was lacking. Why was he here? Why did he fight? There was no point. The battle was eternal… The Eternal Conflict. It wouldn't be long until he lost the will to fight completely. His block was half energy. He might not ward it in time.
"MALTHAEL!"
Ah, that was right. There was a reason to fight. He blocked the clawed hand and swatted it away as if it was nothing. If he killed all demons, slayed all the sources of suffering, all of this would end. He and his people could live in peace. That is all they wanted. That is all he wanted!
"Archangel Malthael!" The voice called again. He glanced briefly to the cliffs above. It was the courier, Lenedial. She had returned. What did the foolish girl think she was doing, getting this close?! He linked his shotels with the demon's claws to keep him anchored in place while she stated her business here.
Lenedial gripped the hanging rocks while she leaned over. Her cord draped around her shoulders hung over the edge. The wings on her back fanned out in the shape of a butterfly's wings. They showed her urgency in this moment while she cried out, "THREE VOTES IN FAVOR! AURIEL NEUTRAL!"
"..." Malthael waved his shotels, sufficiently deflecting the claws, before flying into the air. The air grew frigid. An aura collected around him with an appearance of smoke and vapor. His arms crossed in front of his chest. The light of his wings dulled to the tone of the gray mist. The hood on his head shifted slightly in the courier's direction. The tone of his voice was unlike anything she would have heard before… It forewarned the essence of Death. "...If you value your life… You will run."
He could sense it. Fear. She feared him in this moment. But this fear… This was not her wary fear she showed him within his tent. No. This was shock, and terror. Her hood disappeared from above the rocks. The Archangel turned his back to the cliff. This new ability he held was confidential for a reason. Normally, he was intimidating. But in this form… He was dangerous to friend and foe alike. He was cold...
He was the Angel of Death.
So the two featured characters who are NOT mine are Acureil and Acrorius from Bluemist562's story Never Cease Curiosity! If you're interested then go and check it out! I know it's a brief appearance right now, but I hope it was enjoyable nonetheless!
Little bit of trivia about me but my birthday's happening next month, July 21st. So that's pretty cool. ;)
Review Response will be a bit shorter this time around. Everybody must've been busy! That's to be expected given what time of year it is. :P I'll try to release more chapters, but also gotta work on my book a bit more.
Review Response
LightswornVindicator (Guest): Indeed Hell did break loose, and it's only going to get worse from here. ;) And yes I did mention streaming, but I still need to set about getting a mic, but saving up the money. XD The better mics cost quite a bit, but I'm getting one a little cheaper. But anyways, streaming might be a little ways off, but normal videos might not be. We'll see. :) Anyways, thank you for reading and reviewing!
Bluemist562: Here we go! Finally got to feature your characters a little bit! Hope you enjoy! :D Glad you want to be a part of the community; sorry I took so long to get back to you. I'll get you added in a jiffy. ^^;
Imperius: You don't have to tell me twice, Demonspawn! *Roars and dives into battle*
Indeed slow burns are painful, but when I finally get to the best parts, it'll be sooooo satisfying. X'D When I finally get there.
Anyways, thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
kenyizsu: I wouldn't give up hope yet. He never said he was the leader amongst everything. ;) Plus the perpetrator isn't going to be a vague figure, that much I assure you. You'll recognize them, trust me. P: But while I get to them, have some action! Thanks for reading and reviewing! :P
