PART SIX
After Ian had left, Sara emptied the cooled liquid in her cup so she could refill it with hot coffee. Sitting back in the chair she realized she was shaking. Ian's details of the dream were too vivid for her to completely ignore. She absently looked at the bracelet and noticed the stone had come alive.
"Ya wanna try showing me something useful this time?" She stared at the movement and felt the familiar disassociation she had come to recognize as the Witchblade showing her something she needed to know. "She's just a baby. There's got to be something I can do to help keep her safe."
Suddenly the air around her became dense as a voice echoed inside her head.
"Watch." It was a soft command that Sara knew she would obey. Sounds of fighting caused her to turn in her chair and look around. Gone were the walls of her apartment. The area had become vast and dark, the only light centered on two armored figures fighting.
She could tell instinctively that one figure belonged to a man. His armor was black and seemed to devour any light that dared near. His visor hid all of his face but his eyes. She could see the grayness that Ian had spoke of. As he continually attacked with his sword, Sara could have swore that he was anticipating every move the other fighter, a woman, made. Time and time again the bright silver armor was hit, causing sparks to arch outwards.
The female's protective covering reminded Sara of the one she herself wore when the Witchblade choose to give her a vision of her past lives. The cut and design seem to basically be the same, yet it was totally different and alien to her. Instead of the heavy Celtic images, this armor seemed to be covered with designs that could only be considered Egyptian. Even the headdress was that of one of those Egyptian Gods, a falcon.
"Who is she?" Sara asked softly, realizing she was watching another form of the Witchblade and assumed that she would eventually see her own face under the visor.
"Watch." The voice commanded again as finally the female began to get the upper hand.
Just as victory was almost assured, the dark being pulled out a hidden dagger and plunged it into one of the shoulder joints, imbedding it deep into flesh. The female took several steps back as she cried out in pain as blood seeped over her metal covering.
"Admit defeat." The gravelly voice croaked as he took a step near her, sword pointing at her heart. "Submit."
"Never." She regained her composure and again used her own sword to attack him.
"You are as stupid as the man was." Laughing the being pointed to a corner where a soft red light seemed to appear over a fallen man. "He would not submit to me either."
"What have you done to him?" Fear and anger filled her voice as she looked at the unmoving form. "Is he dead?"
"Not yet." The being continued to laugh as he renewed his attack. "I will let him live long enough to see you succumb to me."
"Don't give up." The fallen man looked up, bleeding from a gash on his forehead. Sara gasped in horror as she realized it was Gabriel. "Baby, don't let him win."
Suddenly screaming, the woman began to fight with a newfound vengeance, pushing the being back farther and farther until finally the dark man was on his knees, void of his weapon. The woman moved forward, holding the point of the sword to his neck.
"Not in anger." Sara found herself whispering. "Not in anger." She watched the deep, livid breaths of the woman as Gabriel slowly and painfully made his way to the two.
"Baby, be careful what you do." His words were raspy as he suddenly coughed then spit blood. "Don't become his darkness." She looked down at him and began to soften, no longer could Sara see the anger in the woman's movements or breathing.
"I give you a choice." The voice was soft and filled with compassion as she pulled the visor off her head and threw it away, revealing long blond hair. Sara looked stunned at the woman as recognition slowly crept into her mind. She was looking at Dianna as an adult, and she was wearing the Witchblade.
"I want no choice from you." The words were spit out like bile. "Do what you must. Seal your fate."
"No." She whispered to the being. "I won't become like you. Instead, I give you over to your madness, completely." Suddenly the Witchblade changed forms from a sword to an intricate mesh of metal covering Dianna's long fingers. She moved and bent simultaneously; slowly touching the dark mans head. "You will live within the insanity you have created." As Dianna moved away and toward Gabriel, Sara watched the man's face grow slack and his eyes become vacant.
"No." Sara whispered as she felt herself being pulled back just as Dianna sat next to Gabriel and held him tightly. "Let me see more."
"Enough." The voice whispered as Sara suddenly found herself back in her apartment, sitting alone in her chair.
"But when did Dianna get the Witchblade? When does it abandon me?" Curiosity and fear filled her voice as she fingered the silver around her wrist.
"When the time comes, you will understand." Then everything was normal. Sara could only look at the now cool bracelet then back at the area where the battle had taken place.
"Vague as usual." Picking up her phone she dialed a number shakily and waited for the familiar voice to answer. "Hey Gabriel, are you busy today? I really need to talk to you."
As Gabriel and Dianna walked along the sidewalk, they didn't see the two men, in different places watching. One would be a protector and one would be a deceiver. Gabriel held Dianna's hand tightly as they walked and laughed not noticing either.
As he watched, the protector spied the deceiver and began to move closer, determined to make his presence known to the dark one. He carefully picked his way through the crowd and around various objects, carefully keeping himself concealed, or so he thought. By the time he reached the place where the other had been standing, there was no one there. Only the stench of evil hung heavily in the air.
Ian looked around and snarled to himself. This one would be harder to take care of than he first realized. He searched the area and when he was sure the other had gone, he again turned his attention to those he knew he had to protect, just as they disappeared into a shop.
"Are you sure Miss Sara knows where we are going to be?" Dianna asked as they entered the clothing store. "I like her a lot."
"Well I think she likes you too Princess." Gabriel looked around the shop until he saw the person he had called earlier. "Mario! Over here." Dianna's eyes grew wide as the man dressed outlandishly neared.
"Gabriel." Dianna tugged Gabriel's hand till he bent down to her. "Do you know anyone normal?" This caused Gabriel to laugh deeply.
"Yeah, I know one or two but they are so boring." He stood as Mario came to them. "Hey Mario, hope I didn't cause a problem."
"No problem, Man." Mario spoke as he eyed Dianna who was trying to hide behind Gabriel. "So this is our little Barbie Doll you want to dress up."
"Dianna, I want you to meet Mario. I buy most of my clothes from him." Gabriel picked up Dianna as he spoke. "I promise he's a good man."
"Hey Dianna." Mario's green eyes sparkled as he spoke to the little girl. "I let Mary and Liz pick out some really nice clothes for you to try on. I think you'll really like them." He waved at two women that were on the other side of the store.
"Gabriel, hey." The dark haired woman hugged Gabriel softly then looked at Dianna. "I hear you need some new clothes." The child nodded. "Tell you what, Liz and I picked out some pretty neat stuff. Lets go try them on for Gabriel."
"Is it all right Gabriel?" Dianna asked shyly.
"Sure it is." Gabriel smiled and put Dianna down. "You can show me what you like then we'll buy them, okay?" He moved closer to the girl as she pulled at his hand. "What is it honey?"
"Should I tell her that her baby will be a boy?" She whispered in Gabriel's ear, causing the man to look at her strangely.
"I think that needs to be a secret between you and me right now Baby. Okay?" He tried to hide his shock as Dianna nodded then took Mary's hand and walked away. "Whoa."
"What is it?" Mario asked as Gabriel stood.
"Probably nothing." He looked at Mario then at Mary and Dianna. "You two still trying to have that baby?"
"Every chance we get." Mario simply nodded and grinned. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Gabriel let out a deep breath as the man looked at him confused.
"Well, you gonna explain why you have a kid with you?"
"Long and complicated story, but bottom line is I am taking care of her till her family can get here." Gabriel hoped that Mario wouldn't ask anything else.
"Hey Gabriel." Sara's voice called from the door. "I see where you get your interesting taste in fashion." She walked purposely toward the two men.
"Hey Sara." Gabriel hugged her then turned to the other. "Mario, this is a good friend of mine, Sara."
"Hello Sara." Mario stared at her jacket. "Nice leathers." Then he turned and greeted two girls that had wondered into the shop.
"You sounded spooked on the phone, what's up." Gabriel let her to a sofa where they could sit and wait for Dianna.
"This thing, " She held up her wrist, revealing the bracelet, "decided to give me another riddle today, right after Ian came to visit me. He told me some wild story about a dream he had with you and Dianna in it." When Gabriel remained staunch and didn't change his expression, Sara shook her head. "So you wanna tell me your version of it?"
After Ian had left, Sara emptied the cooled liquid in her cup so she could refill it with hot coffee. Sitting back in the chair she realized she was shaking. Ian's details of the dream were too vivid for her to completely ignore. She absently looked at the bracelet and noticed the stone had come alive.
"Ya wanna try showing me something useful this time?" She stared at the movement and felt the familiar disassociation she had come to recognize as the Witchblade showing her something she needed to know. "She's just a baby. There's got to be something I can do to help keep her safe."
Suddenly the air around her became dense as a voice echoed inside her head.
"Watch." It was a soft command that Sara knew she would obey. Sounds of fighting caused her to turn in her chair and look around. Gone were the walls of her apartment. The area had become vast and dark, the only light centered on two armored figures fighting.
She could tell instinctively that one figure belonged to a man. His armor was black and seemed to devour any light that dared near. His visor hid all of his face but his eyes. She could see the grayness that Ian had spoke of. As he continually attacked with his sword, Sara could have swore that he was anticipating every move the other fighter, a woman, made. Time and time again the bright silver armor was hit, causing sparks to arch outwards.
The female's protective covering reminded Sara of the one she herself wore when the Witchblade choose to give her a vision of her past lives. The cut and design seem to basically be the same, yet it was totally different and alien to her. Instead of the heavy Celtic images, this armor seemed to be covered with designs that could only be considered Egyptian. Even the headdress was that of one of those Egyptian Gods, a falcon.
"Who is she?" Sara asked softly, realizing she was watching another form of the Witchblade and assumed that she would eventually see her own face under the visor.
"Watch." The voice commanded again as finally the female began to get the upper hand.
Just as victory was almost assured, the dark being pulled out a hidden dagger and plunged it into one of the shoulder joints, imbedding it deep into flesh. The female took several steps back as she cried out in pain as blood seeped over her metal covering.
"Admit defeat." The gravelly voice croaked as he took a step near her, sword pointing at her heart. "Submit."
"Never." She regained her composure and again used her own sword to attack him.
"You are as stupid as the man was." Laughing the being pointed to a corner where a soft red light seemed to appear over a fallen man. "He would not submit to me either."
"What have you done to him?" Fear and anger filled her voice as she looked at the unmoving form. "Is he dead?"
"Not yet." The being continued to laugh as he renewed his attack. "I will let him live long enough to see you succumb to me."
"Don't give up." The fallen man looked up, bleeding from a gash on his forehead. Sara gasped in horror as she realized it was Gabriel. "Baby, don't let him win."
Suddenly screaming, the woman began to fight with a newfound vengeance, pushing the being back farther and farther until finally the dark man was on his knees, void of his weapon. The woman moved forward, holding the point of the sword to his neck.
"Not in anger." Sara found herself whispering. "Not in anger." She watched the deep, livid breaths of the woman as Gabriel slowly and painfully made his way to the two.
"Baby, be careful what you do." His words were raspy as he suddenly coughed then spit blood. "Don't become his darkness." She looked down at him and began to soften, no longer could Sara see the anger in the woman's movements or breathing.
"I give you a choice." The voice was soft and filled with compassion as she pulled the visor off her head and threw it away, revealing long blond hair. Sara looked stunned at the woman as recognition slowly crept into her mind. She was looking at Dianna as an adult, and she was wearing the Witchblade.
"I want no choice from you." The words were spit out like bile. "Do what you must. Seal your fate."
"No." She whispered to the being. "I won't become like you. Instead, I give you over to your madness, completely." Suddenly the Witchblade changed forms from a sword to an intricate mesh of metal covering Dianna's long fingers. She moved and bent simultaneously; slowly touching the dark mans head. "You will live within the insanity you have created." As Dianna moved away and toward Gabriel, Sara watched the man's face grow slack and his eyes become vacant.
"No." Sara whispered as she felt herself being pulled back just as Dianna sat next to Gabriel and held him tightly. "Let me see more."
"Enough." The voice whispered as Sara suddenly found herself back in her apartment, sitting alone in her chair.
"But when did Dianna get the Witchblade? When does it abandon me?" Curiosity and fear filled her voice as she fingered the silver around her wrist.
"When the time comes, you will understand." Then everything was normal. Sara could only look at the now cool bracelet then back at the area where the battle had taken place.
"Vague as usual." Picking up her phone she dialed a number shakily and waited for the familiar voice to answer. "Hey Gabriel, are you busy today? I really need to talk to you."
As Gabriel and Dianna walked along the sidewalk, they didn't see the two men, in different places watching. One would be a protector and one would be a deceiver. Gabriel held Dianna's hand tightly as they walked and laughed not noticing either.
As he watched, the protector spied the deceiver and began to move closer, determined to make his presence known to the dark one. He carefully picked his way through the crowd and around various objects, carefully keeping himself concealed, or so he thought. By the time he reached the place where the other had been standing, there was no one there. Only the stench of evil hung heavily in the air.
Ian looked around and snarled to himself. This one would be harder to take care of than he first realized. He searched the area and when he was sure the other had gone, he again turned his attention to those he knew he had to protect, just as they disappeared into a shop.
"Are you sure Miss Sara knows where we are going to be?" Dianna asked as they entered the clothing store. "I like her a lot."
"Well I think she likes you too Princess." Gabriel looked around the shop until he saw the person he had called earlier. "Mario! Over here." Dianna's eyes grew wide as the man dressed outlandishly neared.
"Gabriel." Dianna tugged Gabriel's hand till he bent down to her. "Do you know anyone normal?" This caused Gabriel to laugh deeply.
"Yeah, I know one or two but they are so boring." He stood as Mario came to them. "Hey Mario, hope I didn't cause a problem."
"No problem, Man." Mario spoke as he eyed Dianna who was trying to hide behind Gabriel. "So this is our little Barbie Doll you want to dress up."
"Dianna, I want you to meet Mario. I buy most of my clothes from him." Gabriel picked up Dianna as he spoke. "I promise he's a good man."
"Hey Dianna." Mario's green eyes sparkled as he spoke to the little girl. "I let Mary and Liz pick out some really nice clothes for you to try on. I think you'll really like them." He waved at two women that were on the other side of the store.
"Gabriel, hey." The dark haired woman hugged Gabriel softly then looked at Dianna. "I hear you need some new clothes." The child nodded. "Tell you what, Liz and I picked out some pretty neat stuff. Lets go try them on for Gabriel."
"Is it all right Gabriel?" Dianna asked shyly.
"Sure it is." Gabriel smiled and put Dianna down. "You can show me what you like then we'll buy them, okay?" He moved closer to the girl as she pulled at his hand. "What is it honey?"
"Should I tell her that her baby will be a boy?" She whispered in Gabriel's ear, causing the man to look at her strangely.
"I think that needs to be a secret between you and me right now Baby. Okay?" He tried to hide his shock as Dianna nodded then took Mary's hand and walked away. "Whoa."
"What is it?" Mario asked as Gabriel stood.
"Probably nothing." He looked at Mario then at Mary and Dianna. "You two still trying to have that baby?"
"Every chance we get." Mario simply nodded and grinned. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Gabriel let out a deep breath as the man looked at him confused.
"Well, you gonna explain why you have a kid with you?"
"Long and complicated story, but bottom line is I am taking care of her till her family can get here." Gabriel hoped that Mario wouldn't ask anything else.
"Hey Gabriel." Sara's voice called from the door. "I see where you get your interesting taste in fashion." She walked purposely toward the two men.
"Hey Sara." Gabriel hugged her then turned to the other. "Mario, this is a good friend of mine, Sara."
"Hello Sara." Mario stared at her jacket. "Nice leathers." Then he turned and greeted two girls that had wondered into the shop.
"You sounded spooked on the phone, what's up." Gabriel let her to a sofa where they could sit and wait for Dianna.
"This thing, " She held up her wrist, revealing the bracelet, "decided to give me another riddle today, right after Ian came to visit me. He told me some wild story about a dream he had with you and Dianna in it." When Gabriel remained staunch and didn't change his expression, Sara shook her head. "So you wanna tell me your version of it?"