A/N: Two more planned chapters left! Finally, I can say this story is nearing its close. I may also do an epilogue just to seal the deal. Also, make sure to check the poll of whether Chris or Chef should be the new God. It'll be very important for the ending/epilogue. So choose wisely.
Besides that, nothing to say. So till next time,
D.L.D
Heather's P.O.V
I smirked as I saw Gwen fall down, stuck at the blade-point of two of my finest soldiers. Alejandro and Scarlett. Two of my most trusted and skilled soldiers. The two I can depend on to finish the job. I couldn't help but feel triumphant as my smirk grew wider.
Finally, I'll be getting what I want. Finally, I'll be getting what I deserved. It felt like gift that I'd been expecting for so long and yet, it took just a simple action to get. The anticipation was killing me as Scarlett inched her sword closer to Gwen's throat. Closer. Closer. I could see the helplessness drawn over her face, fear taking over her eyes. Defeat coming closer than ever - then the brunette came charging in.
"Back off!" She moved her sword, scraping Alejandro's arm.
Scarlett and Alejandro were then forced to move from Gwen, both scowling as they gripped their swords. The brunette then helped Gwen up, eyeing Scarlett and Alejandro. Both pairs glared at each other, tension gripping the air around them. This is going to be interesting.
"I suggest you don't get involved," Scarlett spoke as she circled the brunette and Gwen, "Your defeat is inevitable. Heather will reign supreme."
"And you're fine with that?" Gwen raised a brow. She held her bow at its usual attacking position. Is that the only weapon she has? A wooden stick! Alejandro and Scarlett are definitely winning.
"She is more fair than you think," Alejandro shrugged, "To us anyway."
"And you don't get that she's using you?" The brunette shrieked, "Once she wins this, do you think she'll need you? She'll ditch you once she has power."
I smirked at her words. It's true; I don't intend to be buddies with Scarlett and Alejandro after this. Once I have the power I so rightfully deserve, I won't have to use anyone: everyone will be bowing before me. Even Gwen and her little freak show pals. That's if they even survive...
"I prefer to say it's the other way around," Scarlett and Alejandro smirked, "We're using her."
My eyes widened as I clenched my fits. Those...Those bastards! They actually thought they could two-time me? I bet they didn't think I'd be watching. Dumb fucks. I guess I'll just have to banish them after I get my power. That seems ideal.
"Wow..." Amy breathed as she paused to watch them fight, "Those two are snakes. I'm surprised you even trusted them."
"I have my reasons," I shrugged and she just sighed before heading off to do something.
Courtney's P.O.V
"You are just so condescending!" I say as my sword clashes with the Latinos.
I was fighting against one of Heather best (and must trusted) soldiers. He told me his name was Alejandro and so far has been trying to talk me out of fighting. He keeps commenting about my strategy, composure and big brown eyes. They're like 'an infinite pool of chocolate' as he says.
"I'm just trying to make sure a beautiful, chica, such as yourself doesn't get hurt," He defends himself.
"Sure, cause you're so dependable," I roll my eyes as I block his attack, "You're just a fraud."
"A fraud? Nunca," He shook his head, "I'm just skilled at conversation."
"Mhm," I glance over my shoulder to see Gwen fighting Scarlett. So far, it's neck and neck. Both seem pretty battered though.
"But still, I'd feel incredibly guilty if your beautiful face went to the final death," He continues as we exchange parries and thrusts.
I ignore his prattle as I try to look for an opening. I need to end this so I can go after Heather. Once she's down the battle will end and peace will return to the Afterlife. But this Latino keeps trying to flirt his way out of this. It's really irritating! If we weren't in the middle of a battle, I would've accepted, but right now he's the enemy. Even if he's attractive, he's just using it as an advantage. He was like Justin, just with more social skills.
"You can do this Courtney!" I heard a childlike version of my voice say.
"Who said that?" I turned, only to nearly get my cheek cut my Alejandro's sword.
"I did!" A childlike version of myself appeared.
"You're a guardian..." I stop fighting. Alejandro perks a brow, before trying to stab me. He gets repelled by some godlike force.
"Yep," She giggled, "And I'm here to help!"
"But wouldn't that mean Alejandro has one too?" I looked at the Latino as he rubbed his head. Looks like that force really did some damage.
"Nope," She grinned, "I'll explain it later. Battle first, then I'll tell the whole story."
"Ok..." I say as I grip my sword.
Whether it's by my sword or my guardian's, Alejandro's going down.
Ha! I placed this in the middle of the chapter so you have to notice this!
I said it in the A/N, but I'll say it again.
Make sure to check the poll of whether Chris or Chef should be the new God. It'll be very important for the ending/epilogue. So choose wisely.
Gwen's P.O.V
I groaned as I rubbed my head. Scarlett had just tossed me aside like a rag doll, knocking me into the trunk of a tree. God, it hurt.
As I looked up, my gaze was met my electric green eyes and a sword. A wide grin was spread over the redhead's face and I could see the psychopathy hidden behind her intelligent facade.
"You should just give up, Gwendolyn," Scarlett smirked.
My eyes widened as I heard my full name again. I haven't heard it since my family were bombed; taken away in the blink of an eye. Bloody bodies buried under rubble and blazing in the flames. That day I buried my full name. Hid it under the shadows of my past, along with the rest of my former self.
Hearing it again, from someone who barely knew me, caused the memories to flash before me. Smiles, comfort, anger...tears. I couldn't help but glare at the redhead as she smirked at me, sword ready to end my life.
"How do you know my name?" I looked at her, my tone cold and lifeless.
"Who doesn't know of Gwendolyn Maves?" Scarlett chuckled, "Niece of God and Satan. An honor to both demons and angels."
"Thanks for the admiration," I roll my eyes. There was nothing grand about who I was. I was just lucky enough to be born into my family. Anyone could've been me.
Scarlett said nothing, her sword incing closer to my throat. I could feel the tip of it prodding me. A small trickle of deep red slid down onto my collarbone.
"I wonder what everyone would think when I say that I had finally rid the afterlife of its deities," Her smile was dark as she bug the swords a little deeper. I hissed at the pain as a prickling sensation spread through my body, sending small jolts of pain to my arms and shoulders.
"That God and Satan will never return," She dug it deeper still. This time I could feel the sword actually opening the wound. It dug into the muscle, causing more blood to drip from my throat. If Scarlett was aiming to make my death slow and painful, then she was doing it right.
Pain filled my entire body as I tried not to cry out. It stung, it hurt, it - My chest heaved as I felt my inner demon slip into my mind. Dark thoughts swarmed as I thought about how to escape, to inflict damage on Scarlett for what she's done.
"You seem to be panicking Gwen," Scarlett bent towards me, her nose inches from mine, "Is everything ok?"
All I could do was glare at her, managing to spit in her face. My whole body ached and I couldn't think of moving with the pricking sensation of the sword on my throat. It was worse than being burned alive. Feeling my own blood leak down me as she simply smiled. I was helpless; like a worm squirming in a bird's beak.
"Any last words?" The redhead laughed as she dug the sword in deeper and I finally let out a cry. It stung... I wanted it out! I wanted the final death to come. I don't care if I know there's nothing after this! I just want to stop feeling the pain.
Suddenly, the pain stopped. The sword had fallen and I looked up to see Scarlett crumple to the ground. A single dagger wedged into her head. Blood pooled instantly, but I didn't care. I was just happy the pain was over.
"Gwen!" I felt a familiar pair of arms wrap round me. I returned the favour, resting my head on their chest.
If Duncan didn't interfere, then I would've been killed. There'd be no chance of things going back to normal if that happened...
"You came just in time..." My voice comes out quiet. It hurts to speak.
"I know," I felt him place a kiss on my head.
Amy's P.O.V
The soldiers are falling. The small, yet somehow powerful, army that's opposing us has wiped out around half of our troops. All that remained was the bulky meatheads who could actually fight. Some people had also converted to the opposition as well. This wasn't a good thing. That meant that they knew all our plans...
I looked back at Heather. She was busy watching the battle, probably thinking that she'd win. Fool. If she wants any chance of still having her pride and life, she'd better come up with an escape. I know I am.
I peer about, looking for a route that had not too many people. If I sneak away unnoticed, I can always say to the winning side that I was hiding out. It was fool-proof, plus no-one can link me to Heather. I can always say I was forced to manicure her nails and stuff. Lying's easy.
Happy with my plan, I start to head towards a wooded area. From what I saw there's no-one there so I can easily slip past. After that I'll be a free person, able to live as I please in this ruined world.
Dawn's P.O.V
I open my eyes to see that I'm on a battlefield. Corpses and body parts are littered everywhere, blood soaked into the dry soil. Flags, swords and even armour was scattered around me and for the first time in a while, I could smell the metallic scent of blood.
I looked up to see a darkened sky. Plumes of smoke mixed with clouds and I could tell the sun was hidden somewhere beneath them. It was daunting. A place that was barren and destroyed. Lifeless and corrupted.
Then, I see two angels. One of them I recognise as one of my ancestors. Their light blonde hair and pale skin made them stand out from the crowd. In their hands was the hourglass of Amerin. The one thing that was used to set time.
"We must do it," My ancestor spoke, "It's too dangerous not to."
"But it's dangerous to attempt to Jacob," I looked to my left to see God. Beside him was Satan. "It's better to leave it for Gwen."
"Gwen?" I raise a brow as I watch them.
"But what if she can't perform the incantation?" My ancestor continued, "I'm not even certain if my family are alive anymore."
"There is a lone survivor," Satan smiled softly at him, "And we've given Gwen the incantation."
"But does she know what it is?" My ancestor persisted.
"No, that's why we called to meet you," God sighed as he knit his brows, "We need you to leave a message for your relative. This moment if possible."
"In the hourglass?" His eyes widened, "That would be unwise! What if it -"
"I will send it to her," Satan interrupted, "I'll make sure someone rights this wrong."
"Fine," My ancestor nodded before fiddling with the hourglass.
Suddenly, the battlefield faded and I was being pushed backwards. Faster and faster I feel down this deep dark abyss, until I was finally in another moment.
This time it was with Skywynne, God and Satan. Skywynne is the oldest ancestor my family can trace back. She was the one to create the hourglass and harness the powers of it. We call her the 'Mother of time'.
"Are you two sure you want to do this?" Her expression was grim, "The Afterlife's peaceful and disturbing it may -"
"Disrupt the peace, we know," God waved his hand, "It'll be fine."
Satan and Skywynne just shared a look before nodding.
"Fine," She bit her lip, "I'll help."
The three then got into a triangle, each cutting open their palms in turn. They then held their bleeding hands together, joining them into a chain. They then began to chant, leaves and odd pieces of debris floating around them. A cold gust of wind whipped past and I turned to see the sky fading away. The blue hue of the sky had turned to a blood red. The sun was also fading, its golden light dying out like an extinguished flame.
After the sky went, the land began to crumble. Dirt, grass, trees, buildings; everything was being destroyed. Replaced by barren and broken versions.
The chanting continued until the wind finally stopped, causing the trio waking up from their trance. As they did, the colour returned to everything. Blue was in the sky, yellow in the sun, green in the trees. Yet something was different. Something had been changed.
The sound of yelling confirmed my theory. A crowd gathered pitchforks and guns at the ready. The trio all grimaced.
"I hope you're happy, God," Skywynne frowned, "In your quest for perfection, you ruined what was perfect."
She then stomped off as the memory faded and I heard a voice.
"Fix it," It faded into the black abyss.
I then woke in my room.