Angel's Lament

I would just like to thank you for clicking on my latest chapter before we get started so seriously thank you for reading, as it really helps me seeing so many great people coming around to read my story. With that said I would like to take a quick sec to respond to someone who recently reviewed my story, so if you don't really care about that you can go on ahead and skip to the beginning of the chapter proper. I'm mainly responding to a reviewer named Nix, who found it incredibly stupid that I had the Imperials be willing to consider some of the races in ME as not a threat or even as a possible resource. Firstly I'd like to tell him, though he probably will never see my response, that I prefaced in the first chapter that the Imperials wouldn't be going "PURGE THE XENOS!" as I find a story like that incredibly boring and in my opinion at least kind of stupid. Though I do find certain aspects of that kind of story interesting I personally am bored to death just seeing a story entirely about how the Imperium could shat on anything and everything in any other universe. While yes it is a true fact that 40k is incredibly ridiculous when it comes to its world's events and people I am more interested in other possible avenues that I can explore, as well as I like displaying the last small shreds of kindness left in some denizens of the Imperium. Hence why in this story I'm not having the Imperials go full Black Templar, as well as this is the Blood Angels so that wouldn't have made sense anyway. As well, and I know it might sound stupid, I want to show that even the gruesome and grimdark Imperium can learn to get past its hatreds, at least ones that are completely unfounded. No this does not mean I'll make the Imperials Xeno-lovers but they will be willing and able to learn to accept some of the things in ME. Now with my little rant over and done with let us get into Chapter Eleven of Angels Lament...


Chapter Eleven: Openings on the Horizon, Part II

Joslyn's head was spinning, from a mix of fatigue, adrenaline, dread, and the horrible events of the day. She was still trying to wrap her mind around the Bugmen, but the arrival of the Giants had sent her mind over the edge. Now she was somewhat lost in thought as the world went on around her. From what she could gather after hearing the giant and Kaiden speak to one another, the Giants meant to help them, or so they said. Josyln was finally able to collect some of her thoughts and answered awaiting and nervous Kaiden, as he wished to know what she thought was right to do. Joslyn barely had the power to respond. It wasn't elegant or even in the form of words, it was simply a head nod in the affirmative.

Kaiden quickly nodded to her and looked back at the two Giants giving them permission to approach, but stating they could do so under the condition that they shared every move they planned to make with them. Thereby giving Kaiden, Joslyn and the nurse the power to permit or decline any of their possible actions. The Giants approached slowly, though they crossed the distance between the two groups in only three proportional strides. As they came close Joslyn suddenly felt the fog in her mind begin to lift. The fear and shock were easing. The dreadful thoughts were still there, but their power was somehow dulled, allowing Joslyn a clarity of mind she hadn't felt since the aliens first arrived.

Along with her fears being dismissed she suddenly wasn't as distrustful of the Giants. Something in the recesses of her mind, a voice almost, reassuring her she was in safe company and that no harm would come to them in their presence. Along with the newfound clarity, Joslyn was able to observe more details about the two Giants closest to her. The Blue armored Giant wore upon his helm what looked like an olive branch crown, painted a mix of gold and a mossy green. Joslyn at first mistook it for an actual laurel wreath, but then she quickly saw the metallic glint emanating from it and realized it must have been made from steel or something to that effect.

The White armored Giant's right arm was far bulkier than his left. At the end of his right hand, just below the wrist, there was what looked like a box attached. Protruding from it were two massive implements, one a large syringe and below that a massive buzzsaw.

Joslyn felt a spike of fear well up in her chest as she saw the buzzsaw blade, but sensing her fear the Giant spoke directly to her for the first time, and in perfect English. His voice was as smooth as silk, containing boundless amounts of compassion. "Do not worry ma'am." He assured her, "The blade is only used to allow me to cut through body armor of an injured individual more quickly so that I might see to their wounds all the sooner. Although, it is not a standard medical tool for helping those like you, a mortal. And to alleviate your concerns I will command it to retract back into my tool arsenal. As well, you have my solemn promise, as a Sanguinary Priest, that I mean only to see your wounds and those of your companions healed." As he made his oath the Giant put his right fist across his broad chest and bowed his head to Joslyn.

With that the White Giant somehow recalled his buzzsaw, quickly retracting into the cuff of the gauntlet with only the slightest whoosh. The "Sanguinary Priest" knelt down in front of the small group and pointed the massive gauntlet at the nurse. As he did so, a green glow emanated from the device cast across the head of the weary nurse.

The Sanguinary Priest ran the beam of light down the nurse's entire body, but while doing so he asked her questions about herself and her condition starting with, "What is your name, Mortal?"

The nurse took a second to speak as she gathered her thoughts. "My name is Alexandra Devare. What about you sir... do you have a name?"

The Giant seemed to chuckle, at least based on the deep thrumming noise he emitted and the rumble that ran through his armor, she believed it was. He responded, his voice still sweeter than honey. "Well met, Alexandra Devare. Yes, I have a name, two in fact. One given to me at birth by my parents and one conferred upon me when I became of age to receive it. My birth name was Diris of the Sandcrawler Clan. Then when I was older I was given the name I now answer to, Bariel. My namesake was an honorable man who worked tirelessly in the service of others. I live to be worthy of the name. So, you may call me as such. What may I call you, Alexandra?"

"Actually only my mother calls me that, and only when she's angry with me. I prefer to be called Alex."

Again a low rumble came from Bariel with just a hint of a smile in his voice as he replied, "Well then, Alex, while we wait for the scan to process tell me about your current condition. Are you experiencing any pain in particular?"

Alex twisted her body to the right and bent down to show her injury to the Priest. "I think I was grazed by an alien gunshot on my right lower leg as we were trying to find cover in the Plaza. Once we found shelter I was able to clean the wound and staunch the bleeding with a wrap. Admittedly I also administered some pain meds so I could keep going. So I'm not exactly sure how bad it is."

Bariel bristled at this, feeling responsible they had not arrived sooner. "That is what the scan will tell us and I will take action accordingly." He placed his hand on her injured leg and set to gently removing the bandages. Alex immediately felt calm and certain she was going to be alright.

While the Sanguinary Priest continued to care for and talk to Alexandra Joslyn looked back around the square watching the Giants as they patrolled around the square. They moved quickly, their every move precise and graceful. They moved with more of a purpose than Joslyn had seen in the most experienced dancers. Joslyn finally rested her eyes on the Blue Giant, who was intently staring off into the distance. She followed his gaze to what his eyes were so intently gazing at, it was the three horrible ships. They were still menacingly floating near the center of the town.

But now they were far less intimidating to Joslyn, the majority of their power having been taken away after seeing that their forces could indeed be brought low. Joslyn muttered a silent curse to the alien ships, wishing for their fiery destruction before she let her attention go back to the square. She turned back to the Blue Giant expecting to see him still watching the ships but instead she found him watching her, with an almost approving gaze. Joslyn wasn't sure how she knew that but something in her told her the Giant was approving of her thoughts, almost like he could see her mind.

But before Joslyn could continue her thoughts on that she heard the White armored Giant calling to her. "Ma'am…" Joslyn looked to the Sanguinary Priest, after that he continued. "Would you allow me to look your wounds over? I need to make sure that you are alright."

"Oh, sure." Responded Joslyn attempting to forget the feeling of approval.

"Alright," The Giant ran the scanner over Joslyn while he spoke, "Would you tell me your name so that I might be better able to address you?"

"My name is Joslyn. Can you tell me what exactly it is you're doing?" Asked Joslyn as a spike of worry forced its way out.

"Of course, I'm using my medical scanner to detect if you have any serious injuries. Whether they be internal or external the scanner will detect them and alert me of anything it finds that is troubling."

"How powerful is it? I mean can it detect things like shrapnel, or other things like that?" Asked Alex her face peaked with curiosity.

"It is rather powerful, at least by our standards. It is able to detect things like shrapnel, yes. It is also able to detect things on the microscopic scale, things such as bacteria and viruses. It even offers feedback based on the Physiology of the individual, such as possible treatments that would prove most effective. Though I have it tuned to warn me of more immediate items and the most dangerous ones, mainly so I can see to them as quickly as possible, especially in an active combat situation."

The machine stopped glowing and the Sanguinary Priest fell silent a moment before he set instantly to work. He opened the box on his wrist and took out a few items then quickly closed it and moved closer to Joslyn saying. "I'm going to give you some more pain-inhibitors. Then an injection of biofoam, which is a substance that accelerates tissue repair as well as bone growth. But first I'll have to set your collar bone back into place. Which will probably cause you a large amount of discomfort."

"Wait, what? I thought my shoulder was fine?" Said Joslyn unsure of what she was hearing.

"Yes your shoulder was set properly and is beginning to heal, but you have also broken your collarbone, which hasn't been seen to." Replied the Giant as he drew nearer.

"Oh... okay, but I didn't even feel it break."

"You might have simply forgotten in the commotion of the moment, and your body may have been dulling the pain because it was still believing itself in a life or death situation. Whatever the reason may be, I must see to your wound to ensure it doesn't begin to heal improperly, as well as stopping it from becoming infected."

With that said the Sanguinary Priest went to work, quickly injecting a syringe into Joslyns arm. Then he quickly removed the needle and disposed of it in a small plastic bag, putting it back in the box on his wrist before taking a moment to allow the painkillers to take effect. After that, He quickly began to pine over Joslyn ensuring to be as gentle as he could while he began to set the bone.

While he worked the 'priest' talked with Joslyn attempting to keep her calm while he worked. He asked her about her family, which ventured into the topic of Tobi. Bariel asked her about her where she worked and what she did there. She told him that she was a botanist in one of the town's many Hydroponics Farms, which she explained provided most of the town's local produce, except that which came from off-world imports. She told him about how she had worked in the Systems Alliance Military when she was younger. She told him how she had joined in the hope of seeing the universe and saving people from those that would prey upon the weak.

The Priest complimented her on her noble intentions. To which Joslyn simply stated that she never got to really help anyone, at least that deserved the help. During her time in the military, she had only ever been tasked with protecting politicians, foreign diplomats, and rich and powerful people the Systems Alliance wanted something from. Joslyn explained how she became disenfranchised with the promises the Systems Alliance made, stating that it was all talk and never action. She told how the outlining colonies were left to rot while the Systems Alliance simply choked itself into negligence due to a desire to please the council and hoping they could be allowed a seat at the Citadel.

The Sanguinary Priest let her speak, only giving the occasional nod of the head reaffirming that he was still listening. Joslyn got to how she left the military after getting married, and how she had then moved to the frontier in an attempt to get away from all of the red tape and inefficiency that was rampant on the inner colonies. She cited how she had always wished to help others as another reason for going to the frontier, where she and her husband joined the local Militia in an attempt to keep the world, and its people, safe. She skipped past her husband's death and simply stated how she eventually left the militia in favor of raising her son and keeping her day job.

She was just about to finish her story when finally an audible Crack could be heard coming from her upper body, followed after by a scream as the horrible pain spiked throughout her body. Joslyn blacked out for a long moment as the pain overwhelmed her, coming back to the moment in the embrace of the Sanguinary Priest. He was holding her upright and making sure that she wasn't in a position to injure herself.

As Joslyn attempted to get herself under control she heard a voice, at the farthest reach of her perceptible hearing, a voice, masculine and deep. "Verna."

The moment she heard the word her body suddenly came back to full awareness the pain suddenly being banished to the farthest reaches of her consciousness. With the pain now only an afterthought Joslyn began to push off the Chest of the worried Sanguinary Priest, who continued to dot over her as she began to sit back up. After another minute and once the priest was sure she was alright he continued on to check Kaiden, who was watching the Sanguinary Priest like a hawk, as he was still unsure about the Giants.

As Bariel began to scan Kaiden and asked him questions, Joslyn noticed the Blue Giant was doing something. The Blue Giant was indicating to several of the other Giants in the square and it seemed he was directing them to push up to the next street. The Giants gave salutes in acknowledgment and set off, their loud and powerful strides slowly fading away as they went down the street. Only three of the Giants stayed in the square with Josyln's group, leaving only five of them in total to protect her and her son.

As the other Giants left Joslyn heard the unmistakable roar of their weapons unleashing ordinance upon more of the Bugmen around the corner. But the sounds of battle quickly dimmed until finally waning completely, leaving the square with only the sound of the wind and the voices of the Sanguinary Priest and Kaiden. Joslyn wasn't fully paying attention to what they were saying, mainly she was observing Tobi. Despite the reassurances of the doctors back in the bunker, she was still terribly afraid for her son and if he would be able to pull through.

She had hope that the Doctors had done all they could but inside, she felt something was still off about his condition. As if the small trace of the venom still in his veins was doing something to him, something sinister. She couldn't place the feeling but as if on an intuitive level she knew something was wrong. Joslyn didn't know if there was anything she could do but she hoped that when the attack was over she could get him the help that he needed.

Joslyn finally peeled her eyes away from Tobi so that she could see how Kaiden was doing, but as she turned to look back at the group she noticed the Blue Giant was staring at her again. His eye lenses seemed to peer into her very mind as if her every thought was but an open book to the Giant. It unsettled her to no end just how piercing his gaze was, but when she attempted to clear her mind of her previous thoughts she found that they wouldn't leave her mind. Just as she was about to say something she noticed the feeling suddenly disappear as the Blue Giant's head swiveled away from her.

But what his attention landed on made her even more nervous. The Blue Giant was then staring at the same intensity at Tobi. Joslyn couldn't resist moving towards her son and getting in between the Blue Giant and him. But even despite her being directly in his line of sight and completely obscuring his view of Tobi the Giant seemed to not notice the interference, as if his vision was unobscured. Joslyn looked to the rest of her group hoping to see they were aware of her predicament, but instead, she found them still deeply focused on the Sanguinary Priest. Who was testing Kaidens eyesight and attempting to see if he had suffered any damage to his optic nerves or eyesight in general.

Joslyn kept quiet a moment longer hoping that the Blue Giant would somehow lose interest in Tobi, or see that his behavior was unnerving her. But he didn't seem to notice her, instead, his gaze only intensified. As if he was searching Tobi for some unseen ailment. Joslyn hoped he was attempting to help but she couldn't stop herself from thinking the worst about his intentions. The Blue Giants gaze persisted for another few moments before he finally seemed to notice Joslyn in front of him, her expression one of nervousness, but an underlining will to defend her son.

When the Giant noticed her he nodded his head to Joslyn before he turned his to look at the Sanguinary Priest. Who was now looking the Nurse over again, attempting to see if there was anything wrong with her leg that had been shot.

The Blue Giant quickly got the attention of Bariel, calling him by his title, the Giant's voice was neutral but contained a serious edge. "Sanguinary Priest Bariel, have you scanned the Mortal Child yet?"

The Priest, without stopping his work on Alex, answered the Blue Giant, his voice calm. "Not yet Brother, from what Alex has told me of his condition he should be stable. Hence why I was saving his observation until I was finished with those who were still awake. Why Commander? Do you have reason to be concerned about his health?"

"What did the nurse say was wrong with him?" Asked the "Commander," his voice still serious.

The Sanguinary Priest turned to his Commander finally stopping what he was doing. "She said that he had been stung by one of the Collectors Drones. The Drone injected him with an adult-sized dose of muscle relaxant, which caused a horrible reaction within his system. The local surgeons were able to remove the majority of the venom from his system after stabilizing him, saying that he would just need to allow his body to naturally process the rest of the toxin out. Do you believe that he is currently in danger Brother?"

The Commander quickly took in the information and answered his brother. His voice was strong and determined as he spoke, allowing for there to be no room to doubt what he said. "Yes, Brother. They must have missed something either about the venom or another agent released in his system. Whatever the case he is going to need our help if we are to stop the malicious attempts of the Collectors to corrupt this innocent child."

Joslyn finally gathered her courage to speak directly to the Commander, cutting the Sanguinary Priest off before he could respond. Her voice was somewhat frantic but contained her spirit and determination to help her child. "What do you mean they missed something about the venom? What else did those monsters do to my baby?"

The Commander turned to Joslyn and spoke to her directly, his voice attempting to sound neutral, but containing the rage the Giant felt towards those he spoke of. "I mean the pitiful Collectors have injected an agent into your son's veins to make him their puppet. Meaning the poison is attempting to corrupt your child to the service of their masters. We must attempt to stop them from doing this and also reverse the damage already done to your child's very soul."

Joslyn was caught off guard by his words but she quickly gathered herself and asked, her voice deadly serious. "What do we need to do?"

"My Brother needs to inject your son with an Antivenom, we call the 'Purifier.' It will stop the corruption from spreading further as well as weaken the enemy's hold upon him. After that, I will need to go into his mind and remove the traces of the enemy's grasp of his soul." The Commander then looked to Bariel, who nodded as he rummaged through the box attached to his wrist.

As the Sanguinary Priest removed a bagged needle and vial of silvery liquid, Joslyn spoke again to the Blue Giant. Her voice was serious but contained the nervousness she was feeling at the moment. "Is there anything that I can do to help save my son?"

The Commander turned back to her and said, his tone no longer attempting to hide his emotions, allowing his angelic voice to contain the warmth and silkiness he had been attempting to cover up. "Possibly, having you to aid me while I enter his mind could help me reach out to him and help me in fighting those who wish to see him made a slave. Yes, I will have you help me. We just need to wait for the 'Purifier' to take effect."

As the Commander finished speaking the Sanguinary Priest moved towards Tobi the needle filled with the 'Purifier' ready in his left hand.

Kaiden moved closer to Joslyn and said to her, his voice not betraying his doubts. "Are you sure that you want these guys to do this, what if this Purifier kills Tobi?"

The Commander, clearly having heard Kaiden, despite his attempts to be quiet, spoke directly to him and Joslyn to a degree. His voice showing his anger at being accused of trying to hurt the child. "You dare to call me a murderer. Of a defenseless and innocent child no less. I have had men executed for making similar claims. Be glad I am at least somewhat understanding of your reluctance. But hear me, Kaiden. If you make another claim of that nature I will end you here and now or any other time in the future. You achieve nothing with your unfounded claims but possibly seeing this child destroyed because of your doubt."

Kaiden straightened as he was threatened, but he held his tongue, mainly for Tobi's sake than his own.

Joslyn spoke before the moment could become any worse. "Do what you need to save my son from whatever these Collectors are doing to him."

The Sanguinary Priest, who had been waiting for the go-ahead to inject Tobi, quickly plunged the needle into the primary vein in Tobi's arm. The silver liquid was injected into Tobi a second later leaving the needle empty. Bariel pulled it out and put the needle back into its plastic bag and then stored it back in the medical box attached to his massive wrist. Nothing happened to Tobi that Joslyn could see but after a few silent moments of allowing the Purifier to do its work, the Commander spoke.

"That should be long enough for it to have completed its process. Now we need to quickly enter his mind and remove the traces of the Collectors corruption."

Joslyn moved closer to Tobi, stopping when she was sitting adjacent to his chest. She then looked to the Sanguinary Priest as if she was expecting him to have gotten to work. After seeing that he wasn't moving she looked to the Blue Giant and said. "Isn't he supposed to be getting rid of what the Collectors did to my son?"

The Commander shook his head as he drew closer to Joslyn, his every step seeming to strain the stone under his feet. He stopped when he was standing next to her and Tobi. Then he finally spoke his voice sweet but serious. "I am the one who has to remove the corruption."

"How? Do you need to operate on his brain or something?" Asked Joslyn her nerve beginning to crack as spikes of fear began to take root in her heart.

The massive man set himself down slowly next to Joslyn, making sure to be careful around Tobi, while setting the point of his sword in between the cracks in the pavement near his boot. The fire on the sword faded as it descended towards the ground until only the reminder of their even having been fire was the red hot metal of the blade and the waves of heat billowing from the sword. When he was firmly situated near Tobi's head he turned his helmet to Joslyn and spoke. His voice was serious but showing the determination the Giant felt.

"It is not that kind of corruption. The wicked damage they are attempting to do to your son is far more sinister than merely attempting to rewire his brain. No, what the Collectors are attempting to do to your son is far more nefarious than that. They are attempting to corrupt your son's very soul, so that his very essence may become their unwilling servant."

Joslyn was taken off guard for a moment but she quickly spoke of her concerns and her disbelief. "What do you mean they are attempting to corrupt his soul? You mean to try and tell me that souls not only exist but that these aliens possess the knowledge and power to corrupt them?"

The Giant nodded and spoke his voice serious as if what he spoke of was a known fact. "Yes, the Collectors and their masters are able to manipulate the souls of those that come into contact with them. Though it usually takes them a long time to wear down the natural defenses of most people's souls. But the nefarious part about the poison they injected your son with is that it causes a juvenile individual's natural defenses to be toppled allowing the monsters unchecked reign over the minds of those weakened by their toxins. But I am able to fight them for your son's soul. Though having you to aid me will help me to save him."

Joslyn had her reservations about what she was hearing but her fear for her son's well being outweighed her doubts about the Giant's claims. Ultimately she took hold of her son's hand and looked the Giant directly into his piercing eye lenses. "What do we need to do?"

The Commander nodded his head and lifted himself to his knees. He then extended his right arm to Joslyn. "Take my hand and I will show you what to do."

With that said he lowered his head and began to speak in a language she couldn't understand. Joslyn felt her doubts and her reluctance to believe the outlandish claims made by the bizarre Giant, but she quickly set them aside and took the Giants's hand.

The second she grasped the cold metal of his glove she felt the very world around her shift and twirl as if she was being pulled into another realm. She almost let go of the Giants's hand out of fear for what was happening but the second those feelings surfaced the Commander, as if sensing her thoughts, tightened his hold on her hand. Everything around Joslyn suddenly vanished her body seeming to no longer even sense the world around her. The only thing she could still feel was the hard surface of the Giant's gauntlet. Along with the feeling of the glove, she could hear the crackling of electricity. The sound came from all around her, it was an intimidating sound but she pushed past her fears and continued to look around.

Then as if a switch was pulled she was suddenly somewhere again. But somehow she found herself standing in a building she called home, at least she did, before it was burned to the ground five years ago. She stood in the living room of the old house, the room exactly how she remembered it. On the left wall was a series of holographic picture frames, that showed the many happy memories that had happened in the house. One showed a small boy, Tobi, blowing out the candles on a frosted cake. There were five candles on the cake each of a different letter, spelling out the name 'Tobi!,' with an exclamation point as the final candle.

Joslyn couldn't help but smile at the photograph and the influx of old and happy memories it brought with it. What made it worse was the powerful smell that permeated in the Living Room. Joslyn couldn't fully describe the smell, but the only thoughts that came to mind when she got a whiff of that blessed scent was happiness and belonging.

But just before she allowed the thoughts to pull her in she heard the deep and powerful voice of the Commander. "You must not allow yourself to become lost in these old and favorable memories. Do not forget the danger your son is facing." Images flashed in Joslyn's mind of her son turning into a Bugman, his young and innocent face becoming swiftly corrupted as his eyes began to glow the sickly yellow of the Bugs. "We must act quickly if we are to stop that from happening."

Joslyn felt fear rise high in her throat as the images continued to haunt her mind, but they quickly faded as the Giant finished speaking. After she was back together she quickly took one last look around the room trying to take in any sights that seemed out of place or unnatural. The Living Room was decently sized with a large holographic television set sitting in on the frontmost wall, though it was currently not projecting anything but a plain blue screen. While to the left of the TV came a hallway leading towards a collection of rooms. Joslyn remembered the old layout and recalled the farthest two rooms, one on each side of the hallway, were bedrooms. The one on the left was her husband's old office, while the one on the right was Tobi's old room. The third door simply led to Tobi's own bathroom.

The Hallway now was pitch black as if all it led to now was an endless void of darkness. The Commander, having appeared to have finished his analysis of the room pressed towards the hallway, pulling Joslyn along with him by the grip he still had upon her arm. He wasn't horribly forceful in his grasp, but he made it clear that she was to follow him where he went. The Giant used his massive flaming sword to enter the darkness. The Darkness receded gradually as he approached, though it almost seemed to be attempting to fight off the light that came close to it.

As the Commander drew nearer to said Darkness he slowed his steps ensuring that all of the dreadful blackness had been banished before he took another stride. The further they delved into the darkness the longer it took the sword to push back the blackness. The darkness began to peel away at some point, the blackness literally began to fall off the walls and burn to ash as it fell to the floor. Soon they made it to the bathroom door, which was flung open, the darkness covering every surface like some sort of corruption. The Giant pressed onward down the hall uncaring for the blackness that prevailed in the Bathroom.

They soon made it to the end of the hallway, though unlike the bathroom both doors were closed. The corruption eventually fled before the fiery sword, leaving both doors back to normal. Hung on the door to Tobi's old room was a child's drawing, though despite that it was still of decent quality and Joslyn could fully make out what it depicted. It was of an open and grassy field with the occasional tree, while in the center of the whole image sat a family of three. The family was in the middle of a picnic enjoying the beautiful day that they had. Quickly after having the darkness finally dissipate the Blue Giant pushed the door open. The hinges gave a horrid creak as they were moved. Joslyn expected to see a room similar to that of the bathroom, with the strange corrupt substance covering everything. But to her shock, the room was completely fine, the light coming from the ceiling's lightbulb fully illuminating a normal room.

There was a bed directly across from the door with a clean white nightstand next to it. While along all the walls were shelves of toys and action figures, some of the old historic fictional characters, while others new and finely printed. In the far corner sat a small holographic television which was off.

But, as if sensing the intrusion of the Giant and Joslyn, the television flicked on and a voice instantly boomed from it. The image on the screen was of three glowing yellow eyes attached to a gray carapace, though that was all the screen showed. The voice was otherworldly, bizarre, terrifying, and it came from every direction. Joslyn had to pay special attention to understand its strange voice. "How?" It asked at first, its voice sounding perplexed yet incredibly powerful.

The Voice spoke again, this time its tone containing venom and an accusatory undertone. "Who Are You To Stand Before Us!"

The Commander rose to his full height, nearly smashing into the small room's roof, where he spoke. His voice which had usually been neutral now contained extraordinary amounts of anger, as if a caged beast had been let loose within his heart. The Giant's very voice seemed to make the room shake with its intensity and power. "I am A Holy Warrior of the God-Emperor, Filth! And I am here to fight for this child's soul, that you dare to try and corrupt."

The Creature quickly responded, raising its own voice in an attempt to surpass the power displayed by the Giant. The room shook violently as the Beast roared out its response. "You Will Try To Fight Us. But like countless before you, you shall perish and this child will be our puppet!"

As it finished speaking the room shook even more violently the very walls beginning to crumble. Yet despite the tumult, the Blue Giant stood defiant, his stance not once faltering. Joslyn had to lean heavily on the Commander just to keep her balance, her feet having to constantly move just to keep her upright.

The Blue Giant raised his flaming sword to the creature in the Television and roared out his voice even stronger than before. "NO MORE, ABOMINATION!"

The room suddenly became still the horrible vibrations ceasing. The Creature in the television tried to speak but it was cut off as the Giant stepped forward and slashed the television with his massive blade silencing the creature at least for the moment. Joslyn finally able to think straight after the terrifying altercation with the creature looked around the room again. What she saw both sent shivers down her spine and beams of joy through her heart. Tobi lay asleep on the bed neatly tucked under the covers seeming to have been unaffected by the quake that had shaken the room only moments ago.

Joslyn rushed to her son's side hoping to see if she could wake him and lay her worries of his current wellbeing at rest. The Giant followed quickly after her, his posture tense as if he was ready to leap into the fiery pits of hell.

Joslyn lightly shook Tobi hoping to quickly wake him, but he made no movement. His body was still as though he were dead. Joslyn shook him again, more vigorously than she had before and spoke calling her son's name. Still, no response came from the small boy. Joslyn fell to her knees as her fear finally began to cripple her. She grabbed Tobi's hand, it was warm and smooth to the touch. Joslyn pulled the hand closer and rubbed it against her cheek attempting to console herself and somehow rid herself of her present fears.

Suddenly Tobi sat upright, his back as straight and as rigid as a plank of wood. His neck turned almost mechanically towards Joslyn who was staring with bated breath. Then what she saw next sent her heart plummeting to the darkest recesses of despair. The small boy's eyes glowed the same horrible green as those on the television had.

Tobi's face was emotionless and uncaring, while all the veins across his face bulged as if under immense pressure. But what flowed through the veins was not blood, or at least that of a human. The liquid that flowed through Tobi was black as tar and everywhere it passed began to be corrupted, their colors shifting to mimic that of the tar-like liquid. The boy spoke but the voice that came through his mouth only tore at Joslyns heart more. It was the same voice as the creature from the television. "You Cannot Stop Me! We Are Unstoppable! This Child And All Those Of This Galaxy Shall Be Harvested, and you can do nothing to stop it Behemoth!"

The last words were aimed for the giant, but Joslyns heart was nearly torn to pieces seeing what the creature was doing to her son as the natural pink of his skin began to be corrupted by the sickening tar as it pumped through his veins.

The creature possessing Tobi, noticing Joslyns weakness turned towards her and spoke to her directly, its voice seeming to relish in the chance to mock her. "You Can Join Him If You Wish, All You Would Need To Do Is Embrace Our Truth."

"Do not listen to the monstrosity, Joslyn. It is only trying to take advantage of your fear. You have to fight it if we are to save your son." Said the Commander attempting to offer some form of comfort to Joslyn as her heart ached.

"He Lies, You Cannot Save Your Son. Only Join Him In Our Service, Or Perish At Our Divine Hand." Retorted the creature, its voice sounding pompous and arrogant.

"I am not lying, Joslyn, your son can still be saved from their corruption. We just need to call upon him and help to pull him back from their grasp." Said the Commander, his voice serious and appearing truthful. Joslyn looked to the Blue Giant, her eyes pleading for answers as to how they could save her son from being what she saw before her. The Giant answered as if aware of her unasked question. "Call upon your son, I will force the creature to focus its attention on me. You simply need to call out to your son."

"How do I know he can still answer?" Asked Joslyn her face and voice both showing their exhaustion and pain.

"The boy before us may seem to be corrupted, but he can still be saved. You simply need to help me banish the creature from him that is now attempting to distort his soul."

"You Will Fail! You Cannot Win Against Us, We Are Unbeatable!" Shrieked the creature within Tobi.

"SILENCE ABOMINATION!" Roared the Commander raising his sword and holding it close to Tobi's throat. He looked back at Joslyn and finished his orders. "I am going to have to fight it, while I do that call out to Tobi. He will not answer through this vessel." He said pointing to the boy situated in the bed. "As this being before us is simply the manifestation of the corruption attempting to take root. I know not where you may find him, but he will appear somewhere within this memory scape. I will keep it as busy as I can but I cannot promise that your search will be unhindered so be vigilant for anything unnatural."

With that said the creature on the bed enraged at its current circumstance ducked under the flaming sword and leaped towards the Blue Giant. The Giant was quickly able to raise up his guard and was prepared to slash after the creature as it attempted to regroup after its first attack. Which had failed to even scratch the Giant. The Commander raised his guard again, ready for another strike from the child shaped monster.

Joslyn seeing her moment finally jumped into action and called out her son's name trying to steal her resolve as tension gripped her. "Tobi!"

There was no answer at first and while Joslyn awaited an answer she heard the shriek of the creature and the sound of metal clashing against what sounded almost like stone. Joslyn forced herself to focus on trying to hear something causing her to miss the battle that raged near her. Just as she was about to call out again she heard the faintest sound of a reply. It was quiet, not even understandable it was so faint but it was clearly the voice of her child. Joslyn tracked the noise as coming from outside the bedroom she was currently in.

Joslyn quickly rose to her feet and bolted out the door, uncaring for the continued sounds of combat that were occurring only feet away from her. Joslyn ran down the hall calling out to Tobi hoping to hear his voice again. The reply came a few moments after she had yelled.

This time She was finally able to understand what Tobi said though his voice was still exceptionally faint. "Mama?" Was all he said at first but then after another moment, he spoke again. "I'm Scared Mama."

Joslyn's heart shrieked out to help her son, but she still couldn't see him anywhere in the living room or the adjacent Kitchen.

She called out again, this time also asking a question. "I'm here sweetheart. I just need to find where you are. Can you tell me that?

"I don't know Mama! I can't see anything! Please Help Me, Mama!" Responded Tobi, his voice sounding horribly frantic and horrified.

Joslyn had to hold herself back from panicking as she continued to search the Living Room for Tobi. She called out again trying to pinpoint where her son was, as well as try and offer him reassurance.

Joslyn made sure to keep her panic out of her voice so as to not add any worry for Tobi, instead making her voice sound as calm as she could make it in the hope of easing Tobi's own franticness. "It's okay Baby. I'm coming to get you. Can you tell me anything about where you are? Are you near any walls or any specific surroundings?"

"I think I'm up against a wall, Mama. Please hurry Mama, I think there is something in here and it's scaring me."

Joslyns blood ran cold as Tobi informed her about another person being in the room, but she quickly forced herself back into action her determination to find Tobi as quickly as possible only doubling.

Joslyn found the area where she was hearing Tobi's voice come from, it was near the living room's couch, through the wall directly adjacent to it. Joslyn began to try and find a way through the wall, though she ultimately found nothing to show a sign of an entrance. She had to resort to trying to break down the wall with her bare hands in the attempt to get to Tobi. She quickly dug her fingernails into the first layer of plaster and began to break it off the wall. The first layer mainly kept together allowing her to speedily rip it off the wall exposing the next layer, this time made from hardwood planks.

Joslyn attempted to pry the panels off with her hands but she quickly realized that she wasn't making any headway. With that Joslyn remembered that she had kept an old sledgehammer hidden away on the underside of a shelf in the kitchen. Having kept it there as an easy weapon should her house be broken into. Joslyn could hear Tobi on the other side beginning to panic more, his breathing beginning to accelerate.

Joslyn called to her son attempting to comfort him. "It's okay sweetheart, I'm coming to get you. You're gonna be okay, Mama's coming to get you."

With that said Joslyn quickly sprinted to the kitchen, heading straight for the shelf that held the hammer. When She finally got there she threw her hand under the shelf grabbing the midsection of the hammer before ripping it from its hiding place. As Joslyn spun around she heard a terrible crash come from down the hallway with the bedrooms. Joslyn rushed to see what was happening and was confronted with the sight of a brutal melee between two massive combatants. One she had come to know recently, the crowned Blue Giant was in the midst of a horizontal slash when Joslyn noticed his new opponent fully.

It was a monstrosity of black goo and flesh in a shape similar to a human, but horribly bloated and burnt. There were cuts covering the creature most still smoldering with occasional flecks of ash falling to the floor. What caught Joslyns eyes the most was the creature's face. What few features were left were pulled into a hateful snarl, teeth barred like a cornered wild animal. Joslyn realized the face to be a twisted look-a-like for Tobi, the monster's face still carrying the boy's cleft chin along with his black bushy eyebrows. Joslyn could tell the creature was the twisted form of her son's dopple-ganger Upon the bloated giant's shoulders sat the torn and burnt remnants of a child's sleep shirt, the very same one Tobi had been wearing that morning. The faded image of Luke Skywalker now torn to ribbons, the few remaining intact scraps of clothing had burnt edges.

The two combatants were locked in a ferocious duel, the two only having moments ago smashed through the wall into the hallway. The dust and debris still falling around them as they fought. Though Joslyn couldn't be sure she was able to see that the Blue Giant was the current victor of the fight. As even despite the frenzied and brutal nature of the Creatures attacks, the Giant's armor still retained the majority of its ornamentation. Though the armor was getting covered in the black ichor that poured openly from the abominations wounds. Despite the disgusting grime now attempting to overshadow the suits' decorated beauty, the Commander stood like an Angel of Wrath against a Demon of Hell. The Abomination's arm was caught in the Giant's horizontal slash which nearly tore the limb completely off.

The damage was quickly undone though as the goo covering the monster instantly reconnected the limb to its body. Though despite its extraordinary healing rate there still remained a smoldering cut on the creature where it had been slashed. The cut openly leaking the black liquid in disgusting spirts. The creature roared in rage at the damage it was suffering, the horrid scream it made a mix between a human child and a demon. The abomination leaped at the Blue Giant trying to tackle him to the floor, but the Giant quickly sidestepped the creatures grasping arms. While it attempted to recover the Commander quickly slashed his fiery blade across the horrible monsters back. The cuts left by the blade leaving deep trenches in the creatures hide. The creature enraged further by its pain spun around and struck the Blue Giant. The creature's hands formed into claws as they slashed across the giant's chest. The claws left deep gouges in the Giant's armor horribly damaging the eagle upon his chest.

Now it was the Commanders turn to roar as he leaped after the Abomination, a strange red flame covering the whole of the Giant's body as he charged the creature. The Abomination attempted to dodge the Giant's counter-offensive but it was far too slow as the Giant barreled into it. The two fighters were sent through the wall into the office, the sound of glass breaking audible all the way in the kitchen. With the two giants gone for the moment Joslyn's mind returned to saving her son. She bolted straight to where she had ripped off the plaster and hefted the hammer ready to deliver the first strike to the hardwood planks.

Joslyn slammed the hammer into the panels with all her might causing the wood to crack in the middle. But the planks still stood firm and in place. Joslyn again lifted the hammer and delivered another blow to the wood, and another and another until it finally was broken enough for Joslyn to fit through the hole. While she worked she continued to hear the ferocious fight between the Giant and the creature that dared to try and mimic Tobi. Though the if there was any sign of a resolution it wasn't obvious to Joslyn

After the wood came a layer of foam and wiring which Joslyn quickly ripped away to expose the next layer between her and her son. She found another layer of hardwood as her next obstacle. Joslyn grabbed the hammer again and slammed its head into the wooden planks.

As she continued to swing her hammer Joslyn called out to her son both to reassure herself of his well being as well as to warn him of her impending entrance. "Okay baby, I'm going to need you to try and move away from the wall. Don't worry though sweety it's just mama coming to get you."

As Joslyn spoke to Tobi she heard another wall be destroyed by the fierce fight between the giants.

Tobi seemed to take notice of the loud noise as he asked frightfully. "What's happening Mama?"

"It's just the man who's helping me save you doing what he needs to keep us safe." Answered Joslyn hoping that a form of the truth would be enough of an answer for Tobi at the moment.

Tobi responded a moment later, his voice clearly showing his desire to know more of what was going on but deciding to trust what his mother said. "Okay, Mama, I'm trying to get out of the way." A moment later after the sound of shimmying, he said, his voice carrying a sudden urgency. "MAMA! The Things Moving!"

Joslyns heart skipped a beat but her body quickly reacted on instinct and swung the hammer one last time with every ounce of her strength. The hammer struck the broken panels, shattering what remained in her way and continued through breaking the final layer of plaster beyond that. With another strike after that widening the gap in the wall to allow Joslyn through. Joslyn quickly crawled through the hole in the wall making sure to bring the hammer with her. The room she entered was pitch black, no light to be seen, except that which emanated from the hole in the wall. And even the light that came from the hole seemed to be consumed by the darkness that permeated the room.

Joslyn quickly found Tobi tied up and laying on the stone floor his face staring into the darkness of the awful room. Joslyn quickly hauled her son to his feet and crouched down to set free his legs to allow him to at least run if something went wrong. Just as She finished untying the rope wrapped around his ankles she heard something slithering in the darkness. Joslyn pushed Tobi behind her and took a step deeper into the Darkness, hefting the hammer in both hands and ready to slam the hammer into whatever emerged from the darkness.

The first thing she saw was the glimmer of moist scales and a strange series of dark orange lights coming from farther in the darkness. The scales quickly disappeared back into the blackness of the room, but the three glowing orbs drew closer. Joslyn felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end as the orbs grew closer. Joslyn pulled Tobi closer to her, holding him tight behind her. While the creature moved Joslyn held the hammer by its shaft and pointed it into the darkness of the room hoping to dissuade the creature from getting closer.

Joslyn yelled into the darkness a warning. "Hey! Stop Right There!"

The creature either seemed to not understand or didn't care about her warning as it continued to get closer to the hole in the wall where they stood. The creature finally stopped a moment later at the very edge of the darkness.

As it stood there a voice rang out, it was cold, and raspy. "You do not scare me, Human!" It spat the word 'Human' as though it were poison on its lips.

With its declaration of feeling unafraid it pushed itself into the dim light of the room. It was a bizarre creature to behold as if a cross between a snake and a humanoid. The lower torso seeming like a serpent's tail while its upper torso and head looked more human, with two arms jutting out on either side of its body. The whole creature was covered in terrifying black scales including the humanoid portions of its body. The creature's hands had six digits on either hand each ending with gruesome-looking razor-sharp talons, that looked ready to cut deep into Joslyn.

The thing's face was abnormal with strangely sharp features and a profound underbite and enlarged forehead. With its face in the light, the glowing orbs were revealed to be the creature's piercing orange eyes. The things extended lower jaw showed a series of extremely large teeth each barbed at the end to hold whatever the creature bit in its clutches for as long as possible. The teeth were a sickeningly yellow shade with what appeared to be black veins running through the large fangs as if pumping venom through the tooth.

The creature continued to press closer to Joslyn, its face only comparable to how a predator looks at its weakened prey. Joslyn felt a cold sweat begin to cover her as the creature drew itself deeper into the light. As it got closer its lips tilted up into a fiendish smile that caused Tobi to let out a terrified squeal. Once Joslyn heard the fear in her son's voice an instinct jumped into action faster than her mind could fully comprehend what was happening. In one moment of what can only be described as primal fury, Joslyn stepped towards the creature and lifted the Sledgehammer in both hands and swung it with all her might.

The Creature seemed to have been caught off-guard as it simply stood there as Joslyn swung at it. The hammer plunged into the creature's upper torso and sent it careening to the floor from the impact. Joslyn still in the heat of the moment did not relent in her offensive as she followed the creature to where it now lay and swung the hammer down upon it. But to her shock, the creature's arm shot up and grabbed the head of the hammer stopping it dead in its trajectory with the creature. With its opportunity presented the creature pushed itself off the floor and swiped at Joslyn with its freehand forcing her to let go of the hammer to evade the creature's claws. Once Joslyn was forced back the creature shrieked at her its voice shrill and otherworldly sounding.

After that, the creature threw the hammer at Joslyn, who was able to dodge it in time. Joslyn thought about running after the hammer but she saw how the creature seemed to look at her as if preparing to pounce. Joslyn decided to air on the side of caution and simply stepped back putting herself again between Tobi and the creature. It seemed disappointed in Joslyn's decision but it quickly got back into action charging at Joslyn again letting out a banshee-like shriek. Joslyn lifted her arms to try and protect herself from the strikes but her arms paid dearly for it. The Creature dug its claws deep into Joslyn's forearms with its talons leaving massive gouges in her skin. Joslyn did her best to keep herself from screaming but she couldn't help but let out a painful huff of air.

Joslyn in retaliation yelled cursing the creature and fired out with her right leg kicking into the creature's lower torso. A sickening crunch noise emanated from the serpent as it seemed to do the trick as the creature recoiled from the strike and retreated a few feet back from Joslyn, where it stayed for a moment attempting to recover from the kick. Joslyn was a bit confused by the frailty of the creature but put that to the wayside in favor of trying to get Tobi and herself away from the creature and hopefully to the living room where she could better see. While the creature was struggling Joslyn quickly turned around and began pushing Tobi towards the hole she made in the wall.

Tobi complied and began to crawl through the wall and into the light of the living room, though his pace was greatly slowed by his restrained wrists. Eventually, he was able to get out on the other side. But before Joslyn could follow after him she heard the Serpent moving and turned to try and either block or dodge whatever it was attempting to do. She was confronted by the creature the moment she turned around and she quickly saw a flash of movement and the feeling of piercing pain shooting up her body. Joslyn looked down and saw that the creature had run its claws along her stomach leaving six deep trenches of broken clothes and skin underneath.

Joslyn this time couldn't hold back the pain and cried out in pain nearly falling to the floor as the pain racked her body. The creature let out a chuckle as Joslyn fell to the floor and stood there a moment to wallow in its perceived victory. The creature then prepared to slither over Joslyn but suddenly stopped in its tracks just at the edge of the hole. Joslyn was able to focus her mind for a second on her surroundings rather than her pain. What she heard both sent a sense of relief through her and a chill of fear. A series of giant booming footsteps that were quickly getting louder could be heard from the other side of the wall.

Then just as the footsteps seemed only feet away the world seemed to be suddenly filled with a blinding red-ish light. Joslyn heard what could only be described as the roar of a Nemean Lion from greek mythology ring out through the room leaving her not only blinded but deafened for a moment. Finally, when Joslyn was able to start recovering from the two sensory overloads she was greeted to the sight of golden wreathed Blue Angel, though she failed to recognize him in the moment, crouched before her speaking in a strange language that sounded more ancient than the oldest known language. The Angel's voice as well carried a natural beat to it that sang of both compassion and strength. As she continued to listen to the words Joslyn began to feel her pains vanish replaced only with an overwhelming sense of calm and peace.

Joslyn couldn't help but drift off at the sudden peaceful feelings sending her world into a blissful momentary rest before reality came flooding back a long moment later. Joslyn expected to wake up in the darkened room where the creature had been but instead, she suddenly opened her eyes to behold the destroyed remnant of the courtyard she had been in not that long ago, with the prone form of her son directly in front of her. Joslyn's arms quickly raced to her stomach, where she had been cut open only moments ago by the serpent-like creature. Instead of finding the deep and gruesome cuts in her flesh and the torn remnants of her clothes she felt both her shirt and cloths to still be intact.

Joslyn remembering what had happened before she left looked around to see if the Giants and her new companions were still with her. To her comfort and permanent shock, the Giants still remained in the courtyard though the three Guards were currently spread across the square weapons ready to fire at a moment's notice. As well as the Giant Bariel was still crouched and speaking openly with Kaiden and Alex. Joslyn felt as though an hour had passed yet when she looked to the sky she saw that it was still in the same position. Meaning that only maybe a few minutes had passed, if even that much time.

Then finally Joslyn looked to her left and found the crouched form of the Commander Giant next to her. His armor unmarked and pristine as though he had not just been in battle with a horrible abomination a minute ago. The only thing that was new or different about him though was a thin layer of frost that had begun to accumulate on his armored plates. But the bizarre thing besides there being frost on his armor in the middle of the afternoon, was the waves of heat emanating from the frost as though it was incredibly hot. As well as the unnatural sight of heated frost was a strange smell that filled the air around her and the giant, the scent of Ozone.

Before Joslyn could try and make any form of understanding of what was happening the Commander moved finally. In one quick and graceful motion, the giant stood back up to his full and incredible height. Joslyn following his example also stood up and looked at the giant.

Once Joslyn was firmly stood she spoke to the Commander, who appeared to be scanning his surroundings. "Thank you for doing… well, whatever it was that you did exactly to help my son. As well as for saving us from those bugmen before that."

The Giant stood unfazed for a moment not letting his vigilance falter, but when he seemed content with his observations he turned his head down to look at Joslyn. After watching her for a second he spoke his voice cool and seeming to contain a kind edge to it. "It is merely my responsibility to see the innocent safeguarded. That means both in body and in mind." He said indicating towards Tobi before continuing. "Though I would ask you as repayment for my aid that you did not tell anyone of the events that transpired in the memory scape. Though I won't fully press that to include your son as he too was apart of the event."

Joslyn responded quicker than she meant to but she was able to reign herself in before she said anything too rash. "I'll try but I won't be fully willing to lie about it. As well what even was that "Memory Scape" thing? And what happened there at the end? Was that you who saved me from that thing?"

The Giant was silent a moment as if deciding whether or not to answer her questions, but eventually he spoke, but his voice was reluctant as it shared some of what it knew. "What I can tell you is that the place you saw yourself in, the 'memory scape' was an illusion concocted by the entity attempting to take dominion over your son's mind. And what happened at the end is of no real consequence for you. What you may know about it is that I stopped the entity from taking over your son as well as I kept it from attempting to reach into you. As well as fine if you desire to tell others from your world of what you saw in that place go ahead, I shan't stop you. But it would be better for both my people and yours if what you saw remain in the shadows for as long as possible."

Joslyn listened with a strange interest but ultimately found her curiosity barely even touched. She wanted to try and press the Commander for more but decided against it for fear that she might push the subject too far. As if to cement the point that the Commander was done talking he looked off into the distance his attention suddenly completely shifted. Joslyn looked to where the Giant had suddenly shifted his attention finding him staring at the three alien ships at the center of town. Before Joslyn could ask the giant what was happening he took several steps towards the ships, easily stepping over Tobi and continuing for over a dozen more feet. The Giant stood there a long moment as if in a heated contest of wills with the three massive ships that seemed to be his obsession.

After another long moment of the giant staring at the ships, something happened. Three simultaneous explosions erupted from the tops of the ships rocking them immensely nearly causing one of them to topple over. Even from the other side of town, Joslyn felt a wave of heat from the explosion hit her, sending a strange sensation down her back that was almost a mix between relief and worry. As Joslyn watched the 'fireworks' fade as the explosions aboard the Alien ships she couldn't help but think to herself. "What happens now?"


Thank you so much for reading the latest chapter of Angel's Lament and if you could please leave me a review telling me what you thought of the chapter, as it really helps me know where I can improve and what you guys might like to see in the future. With that said have a lovely day and please stay safe in this uncertain time that we find ourselves in.