Somewhere close to Lahsa, Buthan
"Thanks." Carly handed the driver the fare, plus a tip.
The driver thanks her for her generosity and drove away. She was exhausted from her long trip, but this was the only time she can take time off work. She looked around for her partner, he came here first. Seeing a local citizen waving at her she took her bags and walks up to him.
"Brother." She shakes his hand, normally she'll hug him, but as a foreigner from the West, it was frowned upon, especially as a young woman traveling alone.
"My friend. Come. My house is this way." Carly smiles as she followed him to his hut.
Jophiel throws down her bags. The Holy River, its close presence was affecting her grace. She looks at Zadkiel.
"Okay what were you..." She instantly went quiet when he puts his finger over her mouth. When he starts checking her bags, she went to the basin to wash her vessel's face. Once she looked up she waited till he spoke.
"How was your flight?"
"Fine." She disliked driving, but hated flying more. She was forced to fly economy. Not that she wanted to, but she had to keep up appearances. Her wings felt like they been squished in a sardine can. "Well?" She knew how paranoid Zadkiel was.
"Just checking." He had to make sure. Once he doubled checked Jophiel, he gestured for her to sit down. "My apologies, but I had to make sure."
"I understand." Spies were everywhere. "Brother. What do you want to tell me?" Last time she talked to him was back in the United States. What he knew, Jophiel knew he was taking a huge risk. "Is it about..." When he nodded, Jophiel asked for him to elaborate. "Where is it?''
"Close by." Zadkiel, not an angel that spoke very open. "Where you followed?" It wasn't a question, it was a worry.
"I don't believe so." Angels were more aware than any creature on Earth. If someone was following her, she'll know.
"Good." The knowledge Zadkiel had, he wished he didn't know. "Look. Just spend the night, and we'll head out tomorrow. I rented some scooters, they'll have to do." He yawned. Angels never sleep, but the location of the river was close by, his grace was getting suppressed. "There's a bed there, I'll sleep on the floor. Night."
Jophiel smiles at her brother's snores. Even as the Angel of Benevolence, he had that innocent look on his vessel's face. She was tired herself, but also hungry. She was glad Zadkiel left her a plate of food. Angels never eat, but the Holy River was too close by.
"Burp." Whoops. She quietly excused herself. Thankfully he was still asleep. Once she cleaned up, she went to lay down for the night.
Once she changed into her night clothes, she was laying in bed. With the dimness of the lamp beside her, she opened up her book.
May 7 1945
Germany surrendered! The War is over! Oh finally! Papa, I can't wait to see you.
Jophiel smiled. She remembered that day. People were on the streets celebrating. Her friend, Emilienne was excited to walk the streets again, she was worried about her father. Her friends, Henry and Isaac were drinking at the local pubs, the citizens offered free booze for the Allies. After what they went through, Jophiel didn't blame them for celebrating.
What they went through, she didn't blame them one bit. She sighed. The next War would be the Big One. War against their Father. Jophiel teared up. The First War would be nothing compared to Armageddon. Heaven, Hell, Earth. All would be allied together. She and Zadkiel, they must find that Map before the humans do. Hopefully no one found the Records before they did.
The assassin known as "Messenger" arrives in the only inn in town; as VIP, he was able to get the necessary documents with no issue.
"Your room Sir." The guide says in English.
"Thank you." He answers back in Dzongkha. He saw the surprised face. When the guy got paid with a roll of America currency, he bows deeply to the American.
"Enjoy your stay. The guides will be here tomorrow before sunrise." He answers back in the local dialect.
After he left, Messenger throws down his bags. He packed light, but he brought over a few things, a change of clothes, a bag with his toiletries, his passport, as well as cash. He also bought over some weapons, nothing fancy, a gun with a silencer, a angel blade, some Holy Bombs, as well as some potions. It was easy to get through the authorities with a little mojo, those that resisted, a bullet in the head was enough.
He had the Map, but only part of it. The other half, it was out there somewhere. Those angels, one of them must know where it is. He had to get it first.
A young women was running in terror. She had to get away from what was chasing her. She jumped fences, stole a car, jumped over buildings. She just had to hurry. When she ran into someone, she immediately apologized.
"Whoa! What's the hurry?"
"Sorry. I gotta go." She had to hurry. "Let me go!"
The gang member laughs.
"What's your hurry? You just got here." A few more men came out of the shadows.
"Look, take what you want, I need to go." She unsuccessfully tries to squirm away from his arms. She didn't care about these men, it was what was behind her.
"Lovely night for a party." He laughs. The dark chuckles of the men behind her.
She didn't hear them. She felt them coming closer. She kicks the leader in the fibula, breaking his leg. Leaving him behind screaming, she somersaults over the gang and continues running down the alley. She needed to protect it. She'll stake her own life on it. Spying a mother, she grabs something out of shirt and throws it inside her diaper bag.
Giving a silent prayer, she runs to her flat. Phew. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to enjoy her victory.
'Where is it?!'
She laughs.
'Go to Hell.'
She knew she was dead. But she didn't care about her mortal life. She lived a good life and had no regrets. She was just a ordinary human, wasn't a witch, wasn't a hunter. But she was a former spy.
'I'll see you downstairs.'
"Okay. It's getting late. What do you say about squash tonight. A change from formula?" The tired mother tells her baby. She thanks the barista for her coffee. Before she could take a sip, she drops her coffee when she hears a explosion. "Oh Dios." She crosses her chest. That was a apartment building up there.
"Dammit." The guy swore. His only lead was dead, so was his partner. He makes a call. "We lost her."
"Fine. Then we move to another. She isn't the only one. Make sure You-Know-Who doesn't find you."
"Yes Ma'am." He hangs up the phone. A job was a job. He wasn't worried about getting caught, no one would care who he was. Putting his phone away, he pushes the cart with his worldly possessions inside. He pretended not to flinch when a policeman brushed by him. A homeless man, one of many identities he used. He casually walks away, not caring about the local enforcement that showed up to take the bodies away.
Sam spent all night reading those journals. What was inside them. He couldn't believe it. Henry, he helped shape history and no one knew. The Men of Letters, did they ever know? He looked at his wife sleeping. Sam tried, but he couldn't sleep. Being careful not to wake her up, he slips quietly to his laptop in the kitchen and powers it on. Using his scanner, he uses the program he downloaded to read the Hebrew text.
Iceland 1944
"What do you mean James is missing?" Emilienne was in Henry's and Issac's shared room, the kind man that walked her home had to go back to the church.
"It was after you left. Henry and I, we were here just talking. James, he went downstairs to make a phone call. He took awhile to come back, we didn't think much of it." Phone lines were strictly monitored because of the War, casual conversations were heavily censored. A generous operator can offer maybe a minute to loved ones overseas. When James didn't come back, Henry went downstairs to check. That's when he saw the tied up owner.
"We cannot stay. The Nazis, they will be looking for us." Isaac knew all three were in great danger, especially Henry. As a American, he would be taken prisoner. Issac and Emilienne, executed on the spot. "The owner will deny ever seeing us, but we must leave immediately."
"And James?" Emilienne was worried about him.
"We'll figure it out. Come! We don't have much time!" Isaac had to get them all out of there. Luckily they didn't unpack. "Leave no traces that we were ever here." Once they take their bags, Henry pays the owner, apologizing perfusly for the trouble.
"Henry!" Issac hissed. Luckily there was a sled outside. "We must borrow your dogs."
All three wasted no time in leaving, they had no idea where to go, just as long they were far from here.
"Where are we?" Emilienne shivered. They were in a cave. It was dark, but all three were huddled by a fire.
"I don't know." Henry shivered back. "No wonder they call this Ice-Land." Ugh. Thankfully there were no hibernating bears here.
"James. Henry, you know James. How did they know who he was." James spoke English, but he also spoke French, Dutch, Icelandic, and German.
"That man with the glasses, he kept staring at us." Isaac knew he shouldn't have trusted him.
Emilienne didn't say anything. She was racked of guilt. That man, she could have warned everyone. Her thoughts were interrupted by footsteps. Henry swore when he realized that the fire was going and it was too late to put it out. When Emilienne saw who it was, she looked surprised.
"You!" It was the priest from the church. The man's kind expression made Henry and Isaac ease a little.
"You know him?"
"He's the priest that was at the church." Emilienne couldn't believe it. "Did you follow us?"
"Qui. My apologies. James. He is my friend."
"Bull."
"Isaac!" Emilienne scolded.
"Forgive him."
"Why trust him! He may be working with the Nazis!" Isaac, he hated the Nazis for what they did to his family and countrymen.
"You are working with James aren't you." Henry remembered how he and James greeted each others. When he nodded, Isaac shook his head.
"Don't believe this Nazi bastard. Because of him, James is missing." He snarled.
Jophiel shakes her vessel's head. She was considered neutral, and took no sides, but she made a promise to James.
"Non. James is my friend. I made a promise to protect you."
"Then explain why James is gone." Isaac didn't trust no one.
"I don't know." Jophiel tried finding James, but the Nazis put on anti tracking symbols. They must be using dark magic. "James is my friend, I wouldn't have abandoned him if I could."
"Then what are doing here then?" Henry saw Emilienne's attraction to the priest, but he didn't trust anyone either.
"I need to protect you. Plus keep the enemy from finding that Map."
Sam jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Honey? Why aren't you in bed?" Piper was smiling at him sleepily.
"Can't sleep." Sam said honestly. What was going on, it was getting exciting. Especially when he recognized a name.
"Leo?" Piper's eyes went wide when she saw his name. She knew he died in his past life in WW2, but Leo refused to talk about it, always changing the subject. "Move over." Soon she and Sam were cuddling on a couch. Sam took his tablet and both were reading from the translation.
Emilienne, Henry and Isaac arrived in the town of Seyðisfjörður a few days later.
"It's...it's...freezing!" Henry thought Reykjavik was cold, but this was worse. "Where...phew...Where are we?"
"Seyðisfjörður." It wasn't a popular as Reykyvik, but Jophiel knew the German soldiers were stationed here. There was a massive snowstorm brewing. Jophiel wasn't bothered by the weather, but she could see her guests shivering. "Your friend, he is here somewhere." She had to strain hard to hear his prayers, because of how the world was, all of Heaven could hear the cries of the peoples from every corner of Earth. It wasn't easy getting here, she had to hide herself, if anyone knew who she was, it would be disastrous. Heaven was forbidden to interfere with matters of Earth.
"And how do you know that?" Isaac didn't trust him. That church was far from a cave. There was no car tracks, no sled tracks, how he got here, that priest refused to share.
"You aren't the only ones with secrets." Zadkiel came to her. Saying that he found out something.
"Brother! I thought you were in Heaven helping out Anael." Anael was the button pusher to let human souls in, but with so many souls, many angels were helping out the reapers. Thousands were let in everyday, usually it was one tenth that.
"I can only stay for a minute sister. I found out something."
"Well? What is it?"
"That Map that human told you about."
"The Lost Records? That is just a myth." There were millions of records, the so called Akashic Records were just a legend. Heaven spent centuries looking for them.
"That's not why I'm here." He sighed. "There is a weapon on Earth. A weapon that can destroy Heaven."
"That's impossible." Angels and anti demon blades existed, but a weapon to destroy Heaven? "How? Why hadn't I heard of it? Was it Virgil?" He was Heaven's weapon keeper.
"I don't know. All I know is it is strong enough to cut through dimensions. Before you ask, it isn't a Archai." The archais were extinct, Heaven and Hell were afraid of the rare witches and destroyed them all. "It can travel through anywhere, cut through anything, it can destroy entire worlds."
'Where did you hear about this brother?" Jophiel knew Zadkiel well, he was a bad liar. What he whispered in her ear, Jophiel was shaken. "No. No. No. No! That's impossible!" Nephilims were forbidden by every law in Heaven. Queen Sheba, she was a exception, she never used herself as a weapon. She lived a normal life and was sent to the Empty after her death. "Is it on Earth?" She hated killing innocents, but something that dangerous had to be destroyed for the greater good. "That child in America, she was killed by Ishim and his faction." Jophiel prayed for that child's soul, even as a abomination, she was innocent. "Is there another one? Brother?" Zadkiel looked embarrassed.
"A psychic told me." Jophiel's eyebrows rose.
"A human psychic? Who?"
"Doesn't matter. This abomination, he or she hasn't been born yet." Zadkiel remembered her words.
"This child will be stronger than anything anyone ever saw. Stronger than God, stronger than Earth, even Heaven and Hell will tremble at their feet. Beware, that is only the beginning."
Jophiel didn't really believe in prophecy, the Fates already drew plans for every human on Earth. The psychics on Earth, some are gifted with seeing the future, but are limited.
"We know it isn't that human." Hitler was a dark soul, but so many others before him were. Nero, Vlad, Phalaris, all were sent to their final rest after they died. Hitler will be the same way. "Did she give you a name?"
"No. But the Fates, they are shaken." Out of the three, Atropos was the most serious. "They don't know who this is, it wasn't written in the Books." Humans all had a catalog that they follow, it was part of the Grand Design. Births, deaths, they all follow a certain pattern, however, things been wonky lately. What it was, no one knew yet, Zadkiel came to Earth to find out what is was.
"Do you know what it is? When?"
"Sorry sister." Zadkiel shakes his vessel's head. "I wish I can tell you more. However I can tell you one thing. The Map, I have a lead on where it might be." The humans were looking in the wrong place. Signs it was down south, not north. "I'll let you know if I find a lead, until then take care Sister." He flies away before she can say goodbye.
"I cannot come any further then this. Forgive me." She saw the three humans staring at her with suspicion. "I also have a secret mission, but I am on your side. Good luck." She wanted to fly away, but couldn't let anyone know about her true existence. Instead she walks away.
Isaac snorts.
"Coward." The priests are normally neutral, but people were dying left and right. "He could have helped."
"I trust him." Emilienne couldn't say why. But he had this aura about him.
"Whatever." Henry didn't care. "Lets just get this over with." He just wanted to go home. He was sick of the War already. "So where do you want to start?" He just wanted to go inside.
"Find someplace warm." Emilienne stops a woman. "Excusez moi. Is there is inn where we can stay. Preferably cheap?"
"Nei." She shakes her head in disgust. "Those German pigs have almost every room in town." The Allies were supposed to be here, but the British soldiers were out of town at the moment. She didn't care about the British either, they kept trying to get into her pants. "Are you French?" Emilienne was speaking Icelandic, but her French accent came through.
"Qui. My two friends, they are French also." Henry was American, and Isaac was Jewish, but she had to keep their identities a secret. She pleaded at them to keep their mouths shut. Both nodded along.
"I'm sorry." She saw all three sag. She smiled at Henry. "All is not lost. Come with me. My dorm, we have beds." Josie Sands smiles at the three students. Her time in Iceland was getting lonely. After she introduced herself, she leads them away.
"Josie Sands? Wasn't she..."
"Josie is dead." Sam knew her soul was gone. Abbadon, she was ruthless.
"This is your dorm? I thought the major colleges were in the capital?" Henry liked the beautiful redhead, she was polite and well mannered.
"Remote learning." Because of the War, most classes were canceled, most women were working, but Josie valued her education too much. "I'm not alone, another person is here." She waves at a woman. "Natalie! I have guests!"
Natalie Wasil looks at the three with suspicion.
"Josie, you know this place is off limits." Natalie was a medic, she was supposed to be down south, but was sent here for the time being. "Who are you?" She demanded in English.
"Emilienne."
"Henry."
"Isaac."
"Hah! I knew it." She saw Josie's mystified face. "Men of Letters?" Sure enough, their faces gave it away. "You can't fool me. FYI? If you want to stay hidden, keep up a poker face." Now she knew why she was sent here.
"Men of what?"
"Don't bullshit me American." She looked at Emilienne and Isaac. "Your father sent me here to keep an eye on you three. I'll explain later." Poor Josie was looking back and forth. "Josie, send them to their rooms, and I'll explain everything."
Issac was kicking himself, he and Henry thought they were being professional. No wonder their fathers wanted to keep them out of the war. At least they had their own rooms. He liked Henry, but he liked his privacy. He was putting on his tallitot to pray when he heard a knock.
"Just a minute!" He knew it was dangerous to carry his prayer items, but damn those that interfere with his religious beliefs. "Who is it?"
"Emilienne."
"Emilienne. What is it." He wasn't any older than her, but he was very protective of her.
"I have a question."
"Ask."
"What do you think of Jophiel?"
"Who?"
"The one that led us here."
"The priest? Okay I guess." Issac still didn't trust him, but after meeting Natalie, and after hearing her explanation, he accepted that they was sent babysitters. "Kinda old for one. Why?" He grins at Emilienne. "You know that can never happen. A priest? You should know better."
"Shut up." She blushed at his laughter. "He's nice! That's all." Jophiel was man of the cloth, but she was drawn to him. Not by his good looks, but something else. She just wished she could get to know him better.
"Forget about him. We were sent here for a reason. Besides, what if Jophiel is a Men of Letters member. Wouldn't be the first time." Henry told him a lot of stories. "James. He is still missing."
"Men of Letters?" Josie was in disbelief. "What are they? Some kind of spy?"
"Kinda. It's hard to explain." Natalie's uncle was a member, although she didn't really understand anything when she accidentally found out his secret when she was a child. He wasn't angry at Natalie, she was just a child. But he told her about his role in the secret society. As Natalie grew up, she was given tasks, puzzles, books, and even a private tutor. Thanks to him, Natalie was able to attend medical school as she grew up. When she graduated, she was immediately asked to join the medical team for the United States Army, which Natalie immediately agreed to do so. She worked near the front lines, there the soldiers needed her. "Look, just help these kids, and if you need me, I'll be in the kitchen. Supper will be ready in an hour."
Men of Letters? Screw college. Josie was going back to Illinois. Maybe she can try asking for membership. Seeing that American walking in, she waved hello.
"Hello."
"Hi." Josie says shyly. With her and Natalie being the only 'college students' here, it was getting lonely. Josie had to tutor herself. It was bad timing, she came here to get away from the bad memories of her childhood, she thought Iceland was far enough. But then the War reached here. Her old tutor forbade her from going outside, claiming that it was dangerous for anyone walking alone. Especially for young women. Then he was sent away to assist with the British troops. That is when she met Natalie. A little stiff, way too serious about her job, but was nice enough. She was telling Josie that it was pointless to go to school here, telling Josie to return to America and apply for real college. Might as well, she felt too isolated here. But for now, get to know the young people that just arrived. "So what brings you here Henry?"
"I came here to help with the Allies." Henry heard the stories, that many men were dying left and right. Those that survived were suffering from PTSD and severe bodily injuries. "Then I was sent to assist with the Judith Initiative." MoL missions were supposed to remain a secret, but Henry was tired of hiding. This woman seemed trustworthy enough, besides Henry knew she was American. "You are a college student? It must be lonely being the only student." Technically, this was part of Henry's schooling, the MoL considered secret missions as part of a college education.
"Yea." She liked Henry, he looked around the same age as her. "So this secret mission, what's it like?"
"Harder then it looks." Henry says honestly. "It's no different from fighting in the front lines." James always said adventure was over hyped. How terrible it really was. At first Henry scoffed, but realized he was right. "Take it from me, if the opportunity comes, go home. We take things for granted too much."
"He's right." Natalie says walking in. "My friend Leo Wyatt, he's down south fighting." Natalie missed him everyday. They attended the same classes in medical school, then after they graduated, they signed up for the Army as medics. "I just got word, a messenger came by. James is nearby."
"Where?" Henry had to tell Isaac and Emilienne.
"At a house not that far from here. But first. Come and eat."
"I'll get the others." Josie, she was dying to hear their adventures.
Present Day
The drive here was uneventful. Jophiel and Zadkiel didn't talk all morning, they were both too distracted. Their grace was completely suppressed by the time they reached the Holy River. Both were exhausted.
"Being human sucks." They were angels, but here, they might as well be human. They were weak. Even witches won't be able to use magic. Here, all magic was neutralized. Even immortality. "Why did you bring me here brother?" She was saddened to see how polluted it was, the river was filthy. Humans were selfish.
"This place is the only place that I can freely talk." Zadkiel, he was carrying this secret for centuries. "I know where the Map leads too."
"The Lost Records? Where?"
"Atlantis." Atlantis was once a prosperous country, the humans that lived there were more advanced then any other humans on Earth. Their fellow angels, they thought them their secrets. Since it was such a small island, they planted armed guards to keep outsiders from coming in. The mystics there, they kept records of every event on Earth. There was a rumor, that God Himself lived in Atlantis, but it was quickly dismissed. But there was stories that there was a Man living there, that He can see events that didn't happen yet.
"Atlantis is gone." It sank before the Roman Empire took power. "If the Records were there, then They are forever lost." The Ocean won't give back Its treasures.
"Not necessarily. You see, one of the citizens took the Records out." Atlantis sank when a rare Earthquake and record breaking tsunamis kept hitting the small island, luckily most of its Citizens escaped, however many were slaughtered by their enemies. "He or she hidden them somewhere." He closes his vessel's eyes. "The Map is located somewhere near a coast. There, the Map sits waiting to be translated."
"That's it? A map to a map? What does that mean?"
"Father. You know He likes to keep secrets." Neither ever met God, but according to Gabriel, He doesn't like to spoil His children, that they must earn things through hard work. "We know the evil humans found one half, but the other half is still out there."
"Then why bring me here?" She could have been home with Emilienne. Her time was running short. She made a promise to always protect her. To her surprise, Zadkiel hugs her. "Brother?"
"We have a visitor." He whispered. He saw the human watching. "Let's just pray. We hadn't done that in years." He gets down and starts praying.
Jophiel still didn't understand what was going on, but she prayed as well.
Messenger sighs in frustration. The angels, they didn't know anything he didn't know either. Since they couldn't fly, he didn't have to keep an eye on them 24/7. He takes out the map he stole from Aaron Bass.
I found out the Stone is located somewhere on the West Coast. There, the exact coordinates are...
He already knew where the Stone was, but all it said it was there is another map to search for. The True Coordinates were unknown, it was meant for only one person. Every event that ever happens knowing human history was written in It. He knew one person kinda knew it, but he was only a mathematician. His predictions were wild guesswork at best, with everyone debating if his guesses were right. He studied him in college, even wrote his thesis on him. His yet to come true predictions didn't come true yet, but after what he seen in that telescope in San Francisco, he knew their time was coming.
The Great One will be no more, all the world to end
God's Downfall? He seen "Supernatural." Jack takes God's Powers and becomes New God. But he knew that was just a television show. The true Terror, It was on Its way. When it was going to happen, he didn't know. He looks up, the angels are getting up.
"We're not staying?" They were planning on having a picnic, but the river smelled way too bad. Shame, only a few decades ago, it was a beautiful shade of blue. Now it was filled with garbage and sewage.
"No. We can take our lunch and give it to the poorer villagers." He needed to go Home. "I have to return to Heaven, but if you need a ride, I can fly you home to your apartment."
"Thanks brother." She was planning on flying home anyways. She hated airplanes. "Shall we?" She was disappointed that her brother didn't tell her anything new, but she was glad to spend time with him.
Zadkiel had to draw the human and Jophiel away. The knowledge he had on the location of the Map, it was given to Emilienne years ago. She had to die, with her death, her knowledge will die with her. What she knew, it was too dangerous for anyone to know. Not even Naomi's machine could extract the knowledge out of her head.
Emilienne's face was blank as she watched the window.
"Granny. I came, just as I said I would." Sheridan walks in the room. She felt guilty that she was always away, but she worked hard to provide great care of her aging grandma. "How's things?" As usual, Emilienne didn't say a word. "Remember that case I been working on? I almost cracked it." She's been following Prue on social media. Prue, she's been living the good life. Her sisters, Piper, Phoebe and Paige, they been being kept an eye on, so far nothing was going on. All three were living their own lives. But Sheridan knew it was all a ruse. She had her orders, just keep an eye on them. "Prue, she's been traveling around the world. Did you know she went to North Korea? Why would she go there?" That wasn't the only place. Somalia, Iraq, South Sudan, what was Prue up too? When she heard her granny grumble, she asked what's wrong. "Granny? Did you say something?''
"End of the world."
Iceland 1944
"So how do we get James out of there?" All three made plans to save James once Natalie filled them in. Henry was itching to leave Iceland. Not to go home, but to help Isaac save his friends escape in the old country.
"Won't be easy. There is armed guards watching him." Natalie kept her ear to the ground, she had spies that lived in town. "We need a distraction."
"I'll volunteer." Emilienne tells everyone. She saw that pig that was hitting on her in town. She wasn't allowed outside, but she recognized his glasses as he walked by the small dorm.
"No you won't. I'll do it." Josie knew Emilienne was too young and naive.
"Josie. You are not involved. Stay away."
"Bugger off." She tells a surprised Henry. "I'm an adult." She looks at Emilienne. "You are young, you have your father waiting for you back at home. Tell me about this Tovald." She was familiar with the small town, she lived here a year after she left Catholic School.
Once they filled Josie in, she agreed to seduce Tovald or any of the armed guards. She wasn't planning on doing anything, but if push comes to shove, she wouldn't hesitate to defend herself.
"Be careful. If they find out your American, they won't hesitate to kill you." Natalie warned.
"I been an actress my whole life." She was a orphan at a very young age. "This will be my next big role." She was terrified, but no way was she allowing her new friends to get hurt.
"Okay. Just get James out. Don't worry about the Map. A man's life is more important." None of them had a clue where It was anyways. "Just rescue James and come straight back here. We'll leave immediately." Natalie already made arrangements. There were a British tanker disguised as a cargo ship. It was heavily armed, it was meant to defend the Allies from the enemy.
"Fine."
An hour later, Josie was dressed up in a regular, but somewhat dressed up. She hoped to fool the German troops, unfortunately she wasn't as fluent in Icelandic as the others, but she did speak Dutch. After she walked out, she pretended to head to the local trading post for some groceries.
"Plus some flour." She says in Dutch. She was buying only the barest essentials. She was trembling with fear, the soldiers were everywhere. She smiled at at a man she hoped was Tovald.
"That will be twelve dollars."
"Twelve dollars! Why so much?!" Josie knew food was expensive here, but she was taken aback at the price.
"Another accident with the cargo." The shopkeeper was sympathetic. "I was forced to raise prices. My apologies."
Josie had enough money, but she wondered where she was going to get more cash. She only had so much in savings and it was getting dangerously low.
"Let me." Josie turned around at the voice. It was the man in the glasses. "How much? Wow. But I am a gentleman." He pulls out some cash.
"No. No. I can get this." Josie insisted.
"You are a student yes?"
"Ja. Independent mostly. I am hoping to attend university someday." Josie was hoping to attend law school.
The man nodded. Ignoring Josie's protests, he hands over the cash.
"Thank you." He says back in Dutch. He watches Josie pick up the grocery bag. "You need help?"
"Nei. I need to get back. My curfew is almost here." Josie had no curfew, but he didn't know that. "Thanks for the groceries. I promise to pay you back."
"Don't worry about it." The soldier smiles making Josie blush. "You can repay me by coming with me to dinner."
"Dinner? Where?" There was hardly restaurants here. The one she knew was mostly used by soldiers as a mess hall.
"The one nearby. Is there anyway for you to come? Even with curfew?"
Josie pretends to think about it.
"I can try. Just as long as no one sees me."
"Excellent." Just before she walks out, he calls her back. "Wait!" He waits till Josie turns around. "I don't know your name. I'm Tovald."
"Josie." She winks at him. "See you soon." She casually sashays out. Her heart was beating fast, but she forced herself to walk casually. She had to tell everybody about her 'date'.
"Josie. You don't have to do this." Henry hated to put her in danger.
"I don't have a choice. I know the schedules of the soldiers. Most will be having dinner. You two can get James out." Josie was getting ready.
"She's right. You and Isaac can grab James." Natalie already made everyone pack. They were leaving tonight. It was dangerous, but had no choice but to run. Natalie had new orders, she was getting sent down south to Guadalcanal. Medics were needed down there.
"And me?" Emilienne was dying to do something.
"You can grab the Map." Isaac saw everyone's surprised expressions. "What? This is the only chance we have. While we do our thing, Emilienne could take their Treasure. We cannot let them have It." Isaac thought long and hard about it. His father was fighting hard against the Nazis. The Enemy was losing, he can sense it. They would do anything to win.
"Not a problem." Emilienne was given some powder. "What's this?" She was given a small bag.
"Sleeping powder. Chant this once you blow the powder. It's harmless, the person affected will have a restful sleep." Henry hands her a paper. "Just grab the Map and run. Isaac and I will be right behind you."
"Okay." Emilienne wasn't sure what she was supposed to look for, but this was her chance for being a spy like Delphine. Best part was, she didn't have to seduce the enemy. She looked guiltily at Josie. Josie was talking to Natalie about last minute instructions, hopefully she didn't have to go far as Delphine. "Be careful."
"I will. Thanks. Well. Wish me luck." She was dressed up slightly, her hair was styled in a popular 'finger do' it was very trendy, but also subdued for a casual dinner out.
"Come back by eight thirty. No exceptions. Make an excuse that you need to head back, or are getting food poisoning. Don't lead anyone back here. We can't risk getting caught." Natalie warned.
"I promise." She was planning her escape anyways. There was a popular bar in town that was usually packed. She'll get him drunk and leave him there. His fellow soldiers can take him home afterwards. "Let's do this."
Josie was terrified when she approached the restaurant. There were many German soldiers milling about, many giving her lecherous looks.
"Look Heinz. The redhead. Do you think the carpet matches the drapes?" He says in German. They both laugh.
"Hey baby! We are lonely here. How much do you charge?"
"Forget about that fool, I'm a higher rank."
Josie ignored them all and walked inside.
The restaurant was packed, it was small, but Josie had a hard time figuring out where Tovald was. When she saw a man waving to her, she walked over to him.
"Hello. Um, I don't speak German. Just Dutch. Where is Tovald? He was supposed to meet me here."
"I'm sorry. He sends his apologies. He was sent away with new orders. He didn't want to be rude, he sent me here to buy you dinner. What would you like? The special is questionable, but the fish is excellent."
Oh no. This was a trap. Tovald must be expecting Henry and his friends.
"Would you excuse me? I'm not feeling well." She had to get out of there. Luckily she knew where a window was. ''Tell Tovald I have an exam I have to study for. Is there a ladies room around here?"
Henry, Isaac and Emilienne were shivering outside an alley. It was only after supper, but the sky was dark. Unfortunately, the moon was out, illuminating the snow. All three were wearing white, but it wasn't guaranteed to hide them from getting seen.
"So how do we get inside?" The house was surrounded by German soldiers. There was only three, but they knew they were armed.
"I have the sleeping potion." Emilienne memorized the spell.
"Too risky. Even if all three are put to sleep, a patrol will come by. We need another plan." Isaac saw them salute to one another.
"I have an idea." Henry saw sled dogs. He knew a spell to control dogs. "Wait a minute." He let out a small whistle only a dog can hear. Sure enough, the dogs walk over with their tails wagging. "Hey girl." Henry says to the nearest dog. "I need a favor."
All three had to stifle their giggles as the three soldiers yelled as their dogs jumped up and ran off with their rifles.
"Hacke! Come back with those! Stupid dogs!" They ran after them swearing in German.
"We have maybe three minutes." They been timing the patrol. "Grab James. Take the Map and get the hell out of there." Henry already saw headlights in the distance. ''We have to hurry." Josie can only distract the enemy for so long.
They cautiously walk towards the house, thankfully the headlights drove the other way.
The house was surrounded by frosted windows. But all three had a plan. One was going to knock, another by the window scratching the window, one was going to be at the back, knocking out anyone that came by.
"Emilienne, be careful." She was going to the back door. "Isaac, any trouble, just stay with Emilienne." Henry had the riskiest mission. But he was the highest trained individual. Plus he had a extensive knowledge of magic thanks to Knox. His instructor, Anne thought him everything he knew in such a short amount of time. Walter was very proud of his son. Henry swore to be the man him and Eliot expected him to be. "Lets do this."
James was unconscious from the beatings the others gave him. He refused to answer any questions, even with them threatening to cut out his tongue.
"Look at him. Stupid American." A German soldier spits. "Why spare him? A bullet will be useful."
"Because the others will come save him." Tovald was no fool, he knew that redhead was a spy. She was American, he could tell. She was missing the Dutch accent. "Tell the others to stay on high alert, shoot any that come through the door." Everyone here was a Thule, in twelve hours, they'll come back.
"Yes sir." The guard saluted. He spits at James as he goes to the door.
When Tovald heard a knock, he nodded to the guard.
"Don't answer it. Shoot. We won't be here in the morning." They already killed the homeowner, her dead corpse was rotting in the basement.
The sounds of gunfire echoed throughout the house. Tovald ordered his guard to check. He already was standing behind James, he was planning on killing him, he had the Map already, he sent It away to be given to The Commandant.
"I'm sorry my friend, I'm afraid we have to part ways. Say hello to St Peter." He put the gun on his temple. When he heard a high pitched noise, he and the others screamed and held their heads in pain.
Emilienne was staring at Jophiel.
"You came!" She didn't expect this. All she did was pray. "How?"
''I heard your prayers."
"A priest? You must be really be religious."
"Lets just say I belong to a higher power." He promised her father she'll always be watching over Emilienne. She was like her daughter. "You and your friends, you cannot enter the house alone. Not without help." She saw the inside. They won't hesitate to kill anyone.
"But Henry and Isaac already left." Emilienne was just waiting for her cue. "Oh mon Dieu." She crossed her chest. There were sounds of gunshots. "Henry. Isaac." She teared up. "James."
"They'll be fine." Jophiel was not supposed to interfere with human matters, but she didn't want Emilienne hurt. "My friend, he is helping out." She knew she be in debt to her older brother for millennia, but she was desperate. When she saw him flying away, she pointed towards Henry and Isaac carrying out James. "There's your friends. I have a Coupe. It will be a tight fit, but it will be enough room. Your friends, Natalie and Josie are waiting by the dock."
"Wow." Piper and Sam were reading the diary Henry wrote. "They saved James, but the Map was already gone."
"Luckily the Nazis didn't figure It out." Sam was kicking himself for not skimming through the ledger first. "Whoever took It, they hated the Thule as well." He figured whoever was in that car was a Thule. The body was gone, whoever was behind it was covering his or her tracks. "Why didn't Henry write this in English?" The book was in Hebrew.
"Maybe to fool the enemy. Hebrew isn't easy to read." Piper couldn't understand it, although Prue somewhat could, thanks to her old job as a art appraiser. She missed Prue everyday. "Shame about Josie and Natalie." She knew Josie was taken as a Knight of Hell, and Natalie was killed in Guadalcanal with Leo, then again when Michael 2 came. She yawned. "Let's go to bed." She gets up. When Sam grabbed her, she squealed. "What are you doing?" Sam was holding her in his arms.
"Trying again. The window is closed, but not sealed. Lets open it. In nine months, we'll meet our child." He carries her to their bedroom. Piper laughs as he throws her on the bed.
San Francisco California
The ghost stares resentfully at Leo Wyatt's portrait.
'Why did you abandon us? Because of you, my brother and I died for no reason. I know you had a daughter. We won't rest till we find your great grandson.'
Sheridan was talking on the phone.
"It was an hour ago. My grandma died of a heart attack." She sniffled. "I have to take some time off. My grandma didn't have any living relatives." Her parents were dead, she was raised by her grandma since she was a young child. She was holding a small journal. "Thank you sir. I have to make funeral arrangements." She pushes the screen. "The end of the world? Oh granny." She starts crying. "You were so scared those last few years. Is that why you got that stroke?" She brushes back her hair. "I'm all alone now." Her family was gone, so was her wife. "Tell my parents, tell Nyla I will always love her." Reports say she died of a brain bleed, but Sheridan was always wondering if that was a car accident. She was in a car accident with Paige Matthews. It was a bad accident with both women with identical injuries, but Paige walked out, with just a few scratches. Nyla died of a brain bleed which mystified doctors. Coroner said it shouldn't had happened, it was like it randomly appeared. Then all those mysterious deaths that kept following the sisters. Her partner, Daryl Morris left town unexpectedly after a case. Sheridan only took that job to figure out what was going on. Why her boss was so interested. But she wasn't stupid to ask questions. Her death will look like a suicide. If she was going to die, she was going out on her own terms. "Sorry that Carly couldn't be here." She knew Carly really cared about Emilienne, she was here everyday. Too bad she was too young for her. She held on the book, the book her grandma refused to let anyone hold or read. "Goodbye granny." She watched with teary eyes as she was wheeled away.
There wouldn't be any will, her grandma lived modestly. She said material possessions were like slavery. People worked hard to obtain said possession, but got into the sunk cost fallacy easily. Sheridan agreed, she lived a minimalist lifestyle thanks to her upbringing. Sheridan hugged the diary.
'Goodbye Granny Em.' She sniffled. She lived a good life. She silently left the room.
Jophiel felt her heart breaking. She knew Emilienne passed away. She wiped her vessel's face.
''Brother. I have to return to Heaven."
"Emilienne?"
"Qui." She had to say goodbye. She was expected to fight in the War. She didn't know when she'll come back.
Issac hugs his old friend. When she saw Henry and Josie, she waves as she runs up to them.
"Finally! We been waiting!" Josie was glad to see her old friend. "Your Papa is having a drink with James."
Jophiel watches as everyone laughs.
"Goodbye. Emilienne." She blows her a kiss. She looked over at Zadkiel. "Tell Naomi I will sign up for her army."
Zadkiel smiles at Jophiel. He knew Emilienne will forget about what he stored in her brain all those years ago. Now the location of the second Map was gone forever.
Sheridan was looking at the diary. The hell was this? These symbols were nothing that she ever seen.
"What were you trying to say Granny?" Since she had free time now, she could rack her old memories from college. She studied anthropology in college. She puts the diary down.
The diary was written in code. Even in Enochian, angels and demons alike will get a migraine trying to translate it. One angel, Zadkiel managed to figure out one word.
Ged Med Gal (God)
'Father. What were you trying to say?' He remembered the words he put in Emilienne's head. When he read the Tablet, he was disappointed he couldn't read the symbols. He then destroyed the Tablet, preventing others from reading It. The last word he did recognize. God wrote His name on the bottom. He was curious on the rest, so he planted the knowledge in Emilienne's head. Shame she had a stroke. Most humans cannot handle angel's true forms. With her death, the words were gone forever. He made sure the words were only available while Emilienne was still alive, it was a failsafe.