Chapter Five
I ran past the old library and down the street, my boots slapping against the pavement. Behind me, I could hear my pursuers advancing. There were over eighty legions of them and there was no way I could fight them off. They wanted me and they were determined to get me. Jumping over a fallen lamppost, I cut across the backyard of a house and through the collapsed one next to it.
If I go far enough, they won't find the others. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to any of them. Speeding up, I run past the shop we camped out in after going through the cathedral. The demons behind me are getting closer as the seconds race by. Soon, I hear the sound of wings above me. Looking up, I spot a Fallen. He's flying above me, getting lower until he was close enough to reach out and grab me.
"Xlnv yzxp nb jfvvm!" he called.
"Mvevi!" I yelled.
He frowned deeply and shook his head. Then he suddenly swooped down and grabbed my arm, pulling me into the air. Before I was lifted a foot off the ground, I swung my fist and it slammed hard into his neck. I hit the ground running as the Fallen recovered. In a few minutes, I'd reach the cathedral. Not all the demons would fit inside which means I have a better chance of fighting them off.
Up ahead, I could see the cathedral's bell tower. I raced towards it and hoped I'd reach it before they reached me. The sounds of them getting closer rang in my ears; I have a small chance of making it. Straight ahead was the cathedral with its doors wide open. With another burst of speed, I jumped through the entrance and turned to fight.
Demons poured in after me, ready to corner and capture me. Whipping out my kusari-gama, I cut the heads of the first five demons. More filled in their place before their bodies hit the floor. I bakced up as I swung at the enemy before me, not stopping me from killing them. About twenty Fallen flew through the hole in the roof along with some Bird Men and Harpies.
They landed all around me, sourounding me. I swung my kusari-gama around and sliced through three rows of demons. More of their kind filled their places and I continued to kill them. A Shadow rushed towards me and grabbed my arms. Seeing the chance, other demons came forward and grabbed me. One took my kusari-gama and rendered me weaponless.
I kicked, punched, and clawed at the ones who held onto me. Some staggered back and I moved more freely and able to fight more until another caught my fists. Soon, I was overwealmed and-
I sat up quickly and gasped for air as a cold sweat went down my forehead. My eyes darted around in search for the demons that were everywhere a second ago. Nothing was there except Alice, Briar, and Caleb who were sleeping on the floor and my father who sat in a chair looking out the window. None of that really happened.
It was all just a deram. A very vivid dream.
"Oh, you're up. I was just about to wake you for your shift," my father said.
I was shocked to hear his voice and know it was directed at me, he hasn't spoken to me since yesterday when I got back; and that was to see what I brought with me. Just when I was about to question why he was talking to me, our conversatin from last night hit me hard. He saw hiding something from me.
"Well I'm up now," I said, some left over anger showing in my voice.
"Good," he said, some anger in his voice too.
I stood and gathered my things before waking Alice. As always, she was grumpy the first few mintues of consiouness and grumbled for me to leave her be. After a while, she woke up completely and gathered her pack. Briar and Caleb were ready to move out as Alice slide on her pack.
"No time to waist. The sooner we get to The Black Label, the sooner we're safe again," my father said.
We steped causiouly out of the empty building and into the deserted street. The wind was blowing faintly past us as we looked out for demons. When we were sure it was all clear, we began walking the rest of the way to safety. As we walked, I thought about my nightmare. Many people at our Black Label believed that dreams showed what lies ahead for you in the near future. Sure it sounded like a bunch of crap, but better safe than sorry.
So I replayed it through my head as we walked. First, we hadn't gone past the old library yet. Which means my nightmare, if those people were to believe, might come true as we go past it. Second, I went back to the cathedral. We were past the cathedral and I have no intention on going back there. And three, I was running away to save the surviving members of my family.
I'd do that for them any day, but why was it nesisary? How did it happen? In the nightmare, I was caught by the demons. But then I woke up. What would have happened if it waqsn't a dream? Would I have gone to the Underwolrd? What would happen then? I have so many questions but none of the answers. Hopefully it stays that way. I don't know what I'd do if that dream came true.
"So how long till we get there?"
I was brought out of my train of though by the break of dead silence caused by Caleb's question.
"About two weeks by foot," my father answered.
"Two weeks! Isn't there a faster way?"
"Not if you can think of one."
"How about those?" Alice asked, pointing into the distance.
Following where she was pointing, I spotted three motorcycles.
"I don't think they'll work," Briar said as we headed over to the bikes.
"I hope they do. The faster we get there, the better," Caleb said.
I stepped up to a red one and ran my hand over the set; it was covered in dust. These bikes must have been sitting here for a pretty long time. Caleb hopped on a dark green one next to the red one and checked if it would run. With a strong kick, he started it up. The sudden noise made me jump; Demons from miles away probably heard it.
"It works all right," Caleb said to Briar.
My father got on the black one next to Caleb's and started it. The engine revved to life and he went forward a little.
"Not bad. Sure it'll attract every demon within three miles but it's fast," he commented.
"Ok, so I'll take one and Alice will ride with Raven and Briar will ride with you," Caleb said, moving forward a little.
"No, Raven will ride by her self. You'll take Briar and I'll take Alice," my father said as I got on my bike.
"Why does she get one to herself?"
"Caleb, do you want to argue like a baby or get the hell out of here," I snapped, kick starting my bike.
If it's one thing I hate, it's people with big mouths. They (Caleb) never shut up!
"You have a broken arm and therefore can't drive," Briar said.
"And because I said so," my father added.
With a grumble, Caleb waited for Briar to get on the bike and Alice to get on my father's bike. When everyone was ready, we sped off towards The Black Label.
It wasn't long until we spotted some demons, just ten minutes into riding to the Black Label. Some Fallen flew alongside us and tried to snatch us up, but kept them at bay as we sped along. Alice shot the ones who came too close. She and Briar had their guns out and were watching our backs as we rode down streets.
"Hglk ifmmrmt nv jfvvm!" one of them shouted.
I restrained myself from answering and sped up. Fallen dropped then faded all around me as we went.
"Raven! I think they're after you!" Alice shouted.
Of course they're after me, they want me to go to the Underworld and rule as their queen. But, I couldn't tell her that, she'd never trust me ever again. Plus, Caleb would most likely try to slit my throat in my sleep. Briar on the other hand, I don't know if he'll try to kill me because his entire family was killed by demons or what.
"You're right, they are after her," Caleb said, taking a quick peek at me with Fallen on either side and above.
Another Fallen tried to make a quick grab at me but Briar shot him down. The Fallen dropped with a shriek of pain and I suddenly felt the tinniest bit of pity for it. That tiny bit of pity made me angry. Those monsters were killing off my race and I felt pity for them? Full of rage, I looked at them and willed them to die.
Just then, they burst into flames and their ashes faded as they floated to the ground.
What just happened? Why did they just burn like that?
Pushing the new questions to the back of my head, I concentrated on getting away. We raced to the edge of the city and flew down the highway and in seconds, the town was a spec in the distance behind us. On each side of the highway, as far as the eye can see, was nothing but barren land.
It was a wonder the human race survived so long while the planet has already been lost. Alice and my father were far ahead and out of earshot. Caleb rode alongside me with Briar steering. Suddenly, the demons drew back and didn't follow.
"Ya, that's right! Run away!" Caleb yelled.
We sped along, Briar, Caleb, Alice, and my father all ahead of me. I hung back a little, keeping an eye out for any demons that tried to sneak up on us.
"Raven!"
I looked behind me upon instinct when someone calls your name. Flying fast behind me was the demon Aim. He's know for answering all personal questions that you didn't want anyone to know about or that you were too afraid to ask. And he also sets fire to whole cities and towns.
Aim looked at me with all three pairs of eyes and smiled. His cat head and snake head, which were on each side of his human head, flashed their fangs. The human head had endless black eyes, blonde hair, and pale skin that looked cold to the touch.
While his cat head had midnight black fur, glowing red eyes, and gleaming fangs. The snake head had blood-red scales, brilliant green eyes, and long, deadly fangs.
"It's time to come home my Queen, back where you belong," Aim's human head said, the cat and snake head keeping their hungry eyes one the others.
I looked at Caleb who was the closest to us. As far as I could tell, he didn't hear Aim…I hope.
"Leave Aim," I ordered.
If they say I'm Queen, does that mean they'll do what I say?
"Pardon me my Queen, but why do you stay with these…humans. Why not return to your kingdom? The Underworld needs her Queen," Aim asked.
"I said leave Aim."
"Yes my Queen, but know that we will do anything get you back. We will not stop until you are safe," he said.
He stopped where he was, hovering in the air. Moments later, I heard an explosion. I slowed to a stop at the side of the road and turned around to see the city immersed in flames. The others stopped and made their way to me.
"What happened?" Briar asked.
"The demon Aim was following us. I shot him and he faded," I lied.
"Did he do that too?" Alice asked, pointing to the city.
"Yes," I answered.
"I see. Well I had no intention on going back anyway," my father said.
We stood in silence, watching the city burn to the ground.
"Are we almost there?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Not quite, but we will be in another twenty-four hours," my father answered.
"We should keep moving then," I said.
Kick starting out bikes, we sped off down the empty highway. As we did, I tried to figure out why the demons were calling my their Queen. Why I understood them. And why Aim said I was half demon.