'You're pregnant?' Abbie asked in disbelief.
'It would seem so'.
Anastasia had invited the witnesses and Jenny to the coach house to discuss the matters of recent events.
Nostradamus's prophecy concerned them as much as it did her and the horseman.
Azrael stood silently at the back corner, keeping a watchful eye. Although he had not raised his arm, he kept his axe at hand. In all honesty she found his overprotectiveness rather sweet, she could only imagine what he was going to be like once she was showing.
'Well, let me be the first to offer my congratulations' Ichabod said, ever the gentleman.
'Thank you' she smiled.
'When Death gives Life. You think that relates to your pregnancy?' Abbie asked.
'It makes sense'.
'And what about the rest of it?'
'Prophecies can be dangerous things to decipher before their time'. Anastasia warned.
'So, what? We just wait till these big three nasties crawl out of the woodwork. We don't know what they are, what they look like'. Abbie said, clearly not happy with having no answers to her questions.
'I have a feeling we shall know when we see them' Ichabod answered.
3 months later…
Anastasia stood looking at herself in the bedroom mirror, she had her white vest-top bunch up underneath her breasts and her grey joggers pulled down. She stroked her palm along her stomach, smiling at the slight curve of her belly, it almost looked like she had eaten a very big meal. Unnoticeable unless you were looking for it.
Tears glazed over her eyes.
'Hello, my little one'. She greeted softly.
She could still feel the thrumming of life beneath her skin, it got stronger everyday as did the heartbeat that started pounding in her head like a marching drum during the sixth week of her pregnancy. Besides Azrael's heartbeat, it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard.
But this was the first physical sign of the life growing within her.
The life she and Azrael had made from their love.
She heard the door close, alerting her that her beloved horseman had come back. He had become obsessed with his nightly checks, every hour he would sweep the perimeter. Making sure there was no threat wandering the woods around their home.
'Azrael' she called out.
His heavy footsteps could be heard, rushing through the corridor as he opened the door at full force, raising his axe to strike at an invisible enemy.
She chuckled.
'Come here, my love' she reached out her hand towards him.
He rested his weapon against the wall, keeping it within reaching distance.
'Look, do you see it?' she asked, gesturing to her belly through the mirror.
'See what?'
'Kneel down'
He did as he was told, his face level with her stomach.
'Here' she traced her fingers over his own down the slight swell of their child.
She observed his reflection, feeling overwhelmed by love and happiness as she watched the proud smile on his face widen, signalling that he too could see the small curvature.
He placed a lingering kiss upon the spot where their child grew.
Since telling him of the pregnancy, he had made sure to kiss their child everyday.
She had thought it impossible to love him anymore than she already did but he had proved her wrong. It made her heart swell with love to watch him interact with their child.
'I read that they're now the size of a peach'.
He hummed in response, peppering her with kisses.
'You're so beautiful' he whispered against her skin.
He slowly made his way up her body, capturing her lips with his own.
A sudden cold chill ran down her spine, the hair on her arm was standing on end as she broke the kiss.
'What's that?'
'What?'
She brought her finger to her lip signalling him to keep quiet.
'Listen' she whispered.
A faint female voice could be heard, she was singing almost hypnotically.
'Stay behind me'. He said, grabbing his weapon.
The door opened to reveal a woman wearing a black cloak, her brown eyes held no good intentions and she was holding a box that was carved with many symbols.
Anastasia's eyes widened she knew exactly who this woman was.
'Well, isn't this a pretty picture. Life and Death, husband and wife. Two halves made whole'.
Clearly already having enough of this conversation, Azrael twirled his axe, the edge burning bright with heat.
The box began emitting a bright white light, Pandora raised her hand but as an Archangel, Anastasia was much faster.
'Azrael' she called, grabbing his back and transporting them to the middle of the high street. Car horns and the screeching of tyres suddenly pierced her ears as she felt his arms wrap around her, guiding her to the sidewalk.
'Are you okay?' He asked.
She nodded, placing a protective hand on her stomach. Noticing her bare feet on the cold, damp pavement.
'We must find Ichabod and Abbie'.
Anastasia took his hand in her own, ignoring the funny stares they were receiving from those who had been going about their own business before they had appeared out of no where.
'The two of you were attacked? By whom?' Ichabod asked.
Anastasia finished tying the white sneakers, Abbie had kindly let her borrow as they all sat in the leftenant's living room.
'In five-hundred and thirty-nine B.C, there was a Greek philosopher named Alexicrates. He witnessed the apocalyptic destruction of Babylon, driven by fear he created a box to trap man's most sinful emotions. Anger, hate ,fear. In the hope that God would never once again punish humans for their wickedness'. Anastasia explained.
'This sounds awfully familiar to that of Pandoras box'. Abbie said.
'Upon his death, he entrusted the box to the record keepers of the world, the Atlantians'.
'Woah, back up. Atlantis was real?' Jenny interrupted.
'Yes and they guarded the box for six hundred years. A new high priestess was charged, every hundred years, to protect the box from those who wished to free the evil within. Pandora was the sixth. She was eventually seduced by the power within and opened it. Atlantis plunged into darkness, the people turned against one another. She could of created an apocalypse without the need of any horseman'.
'Is that why she came after the two of you, to kill you?'
'No. To take something out of the box you must replace it with something as equally powerful. For instance, the Horseman of Death or the Archangel of Life, let alone the both of us. She could create Hell on Earth within a few hours'.
'So all we have to do is keep her away from the both you whilst we find a way to stop her'. Abbie figured.
'Unfortunately I don't think it'll be that simple'.
'It never is'. Jenny sighed.
'Pandora is an immortal and there's only one amongst us that has the gift to bring death to an immortal'.
They all turned to the horseman.
'Perhaps if we can somehow separate her from the box, give Abraham the chance to engage her. In the meantime we need a place for the two of you to stay' Ichabod suggested.
'I think I know just the place' Abbie said.
She heard her husband groan behind her as they entered the Masonic cell, she was certain that he had hoped he would never have to set foot in this room again. At least there were no UV lights or chains this time.
'Katrina's magical wards should still be able to deter anyone with ill intentions whilst we look for a way to stop Pandora. Make yourself at home' Ichabod said, exiting the cell, followed closely by Abbie.
'Stuck here again' he sighed, guiding Anastasia to a chair.
'It won't be for long, my love'. She sat down, her hand resting of her belly.
'I remember you saying that last time and I was chained here for three weeks'.
'Three weeks isn't long to an immortal' she smirked at his unamused expression.
'So we need to find a way to separate Pandora from her box or better yet, destroy it'. Abbie said as they entered the archives.
'Yes, leftenant. I will search for information about this Alexicrates, perhaps he left clues on how to dismantle it'.
Abbie suddenly started laughing. 'I can't believe we're once again putting our trust into the headless horseman' she stated in disbelief.
'Abraham seems to be changing for the better'.
There was a time he would have killed Ichabod without a second thought but now they could actually be in the same room without Abraham pointing something sharp in his face, it was an uneasy truce but it was real progress as far as Ichabod was concerned.
'And what about what Michael said? He warned Anastasia that the horseman isn't the Archangel he once was and now she's pregnant'.
'True but one step at a time, leftenant. We need to deal with the task at hand which is Pandora'.
'Fine. You hit the books, I'll tackle the internet'.
'I'll call Hawley, see if he has any contacts that could help' Jenny offered.
'You're gonna wear out the floor'. Anastasia remarked, watching the horseman walk around the small room for, quite literally, the fiftieth time.
His rage and apprehension coming off of him in waves, filling the air between them.
'This is taking far too long. I should just hunt her down myself'.
'My love, you are not a patient man'.
'We don't have time for patience' he said sullenly.
'Come here' she stood up as he walked over to her. She took the shotgun he held in his hand, placing it on the table before doing the same with his axe.
She motioned for him to sit in the chair before resting herself sideways on his lap. She started to hum, playing with his long, tied up blonde hair with her fingers.
The tension seeping out from his muscles, letting out a breath when she stroked his face, she could feel the calmness wash over him.
'It's unfair that you can do that'.
She smiled, she knew he meant no malice behind that sentence. She could sense every time she did this, how much he enjoyed her bringing him peace during his chaotic state of mind and emotion.
'How about Charlotte, if it's a girl' she asked, trying to distract him from his troubles.
'Isn't it a little early to start thinking of names?'
'I've been thinking of names since we found out I was pregnant'.
'Of course you have' he chuckled. 'And if it's a boy?'
'I like James'.
'And those are your favourites?'
'No. I've got so many more that I like. Maybe if I do a list and you do a list, we can…' she looked at his amused smile 'I'm getting too excited, aren't I?'
She couldn't help herself, she had imagined being pregnant with his child since they had first made love in the Garden of Eden and now that it had finally happened, she couldn't believe it. She almost had to keep pinching herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
Their baby was a miracle.
'I like those names too. I also like Alice and William'. He rubbed her belly affectionately.
'Those are beautiful' she kissed him.
'All right, we've got it' Abbie exclaimed, bursting through the door several hours later.
'Yes. The leftenant and I provide a distraction whilst Abraham confronts Pandora'.
'Fine'. The horseman said, not needing anything else, all he wanted was to eliminate this threat as fast as possible.
'Wait, that doesn't sound like much of a plan. What's the distraction?' Anastasia criticised, she didn't want to dishearten them, she knew they were trying their best but it was her husband who was to be thrown into the firing line.
Even as an Archangel he was not immune to his own gift and now as the horseman he was even less so.
And Nostradamus's last line, 'the Horseman will end'. Neither one of them had made a move to discuss what it could mean. They had only just found one another, surely fate would not be so cruel as to tear them apart once again, not now their child was growing in her womb.
'We're not sure yet but we have six hours before sunset. It should give us plenty of time to think of something'. Ichabod assured them.
''The witnesses really do like to wait for the last moment to finalise on a plan' Anastasia joked.
'You're staying here'.
Her eyes darted to where he was leaning his back against the wall, his arms crossed but still holding onto his shotgun.
'What?'
'You're not coming with us'.
'This isn't the dark ages, where the little woman stays home whilst the man ventures off to slay his enemies'. She argued, walking up to him.
'My darling, that is not what I meant, you are the strongest person I know. But I need the both of you safe so I can concentrate on the matter at hand'.
She sighed deeply, feeling his strong arms around her, pulling her close to him. 'I don't like the thought of us separating at a time like this'. She rested her head on his chest, listening to his strong heart beat within.
'Nor do I but it won't be for long…I love you'.
'I love you'.
'Do you remember the plan, Abraham?' Ichabod asked as he walked through the woods with Abraham who was sitting astride his white horse.
'I remember, Ichabod. You do your part and let me worry about mine'. He said before galloping off to the dirt road that was twenty feet from where the witnesses were hiding in the tree line.
It turns out their brilliant plan was for him to be the bait, force Pandora out into the open, and then the witnesses distract her long enough for him to end her.
A sudden lightning bolt struck the ground before him causing Daredevil to whine unhappily, a bluish black whirlwind formed, Pandora stepping out from
Daredevil continued to protest, trying to fight his master's wishes of staying put.
'Pretty horse. It was foolish of you to come without your Archangel, pale rider'.
He gritted his teeth, she dared to mention Anastasia, his grip on his axe tightened.
Where were those two idiots?
'And now you will be mine'.
'Hey!' Abbie called out.
Finally the witnesses jumped out from their hideout. Abbie firing her gun and Ichabod his crossbow, none of which seemed to be having an affect on Pandora.
The horseman rolled his eyes, why did he put his faith in them?
Perhaps Anastasia's misguided hope and trust in these two fools had started to rub off on him.
He swung his axe, aiming straight for Pandora's neck.
He should have done this from the very beginning.
Quick and simple.
Pandora's hand shot up and he found himself unable to move, even Daredevil was stuck in place.
'Who killed Cock Robin? I, said the sparrow. I saw him die…'
Abraham could hear Pandora sing. Unlike Anastasia, whose voice soothed and drove away his woes, Pandora's voice filled him with dread and melancholy.
He watched as her eyes turned a golden yellow, almost serpent-like.
Had he failed his wife and his child?
He had promised her no one would ever take him away from her and now it seemed as though he would not be able to keep his word.
The witnesses stood helplessly as both the horseman and his horse turned into black mist and was quite literally sucked into the box.
Pandora was practically ignoring them as if they were nothing but insignificant insects that were not worth her time nor energy.
She opened the lid of her box, peering inside.
'I have given you the horseman's power, the power of Death. Now bring me Fear'.