Devil in My Soul
Rated M
Genre: Supernatural/Hurt & Comfort
Summary:
They say that we are the villain of someone's story. One decision can reshape the path we walk. One choice could cost you everything. Of course, we must all face the consequences of our actions. Now, a new student comes to town with a dark secret and a deep connection to the supernatural that changes everything.
A/N:
Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen!
Let's get this underway! This chapter is going to seem a bit fast but it's merely a transitional chapter. I want to thank you all for your patience on this chapter as I've struggled for a while with how to post and what direction to go with this. Keep in mind this has always been an alternate take on the story of Liam and Jade's story based on the latter chapters of Monsters and Demons.
There will be more action to come as we set up for the next arc.
Again, thank you for your patience with this chapter, and be on the look out for the next one coming! Love you guys and have an amazing day!
Chapter 9:
Finally Falling 2
They say that those who are good are the ones who give, and the evil ones are the ones who take; but what if the latter were simply broken by those who profess to do the righteous works, leaving the one deemed evil to endure a placement they never asked for? What if what was given was nothing but a burden far too heavy for one to handle?
Villain or hero?
You could only be one. Right?
They were only words made up by mortals to restrict people into a box of comprehension and control. Those words have enough power to shape one's destiny. The ones who claim to be on the side of good will eventually shed their masks, revealing themselves as the monsters they truly are. Those deemed to be sacred and righteous will eventually show their true colors.
Liars.
Thieves.
Murderers.
Cowards.
The only question that matters is the one every soul must answer at some point in their lives:
What will you become?
Nearly two weeks had passed with every day becoming more hectic than the last. While everyone was preparing for the upcoming semester, Liam had been frustrated beyond recognition. It felt like every day that he was fighting off another assassin with the only positive being that he was getting better at defending himself. At the same time, while he was trying his best to balance his two lives, it was becoming more and more apparent that it was taking its toll on him. Among them, Jade and Tori were the most uneasy as his presence during the holidays had been scarce.
To make matters worse, whenever they tried to call or see him, he was never at home or in a deep sleep. Neither spoke to the other about it, but there was a mutual understanding that something more profound was going on. Given his secret, there was no doubt.
On a cloudy Tuesday morning, they both attempted to check on Liam only to find that both he and Darius were just leaving the house. With a silent agreement in place, they followed the vehicle, making sure to keep their presence hidden from the two. It took the two about fifteen minutes to arrive at the park. Once they entered the grounds, they soon noticed that, as expected, there were hardly any souls around. Tori took a deep breath and let the breeze blow her hair back while Jade kept her head on a swivel.
"Where do you think they could be?"
"Wish I knew..." Tori rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "...The last thing I saw was them pulling up to the park. I blinked and they were gone."
Irritated wouldn't begin to describe Jade's feelings right now, but she couldn't fault Tori's feelings. They would probably be in bed if not for how much they cared about their estranged friend. Instead, they were driven by something that compelled them to track down the boy in search of answers. However, nearly half an hour passed and there was no sign of either of them.
The rivals were nearly at the point of abandoning their journey when Tori spoke up.
"I wish there was a way we could track him."
Jade's chest thumped rapidly. There was a way she could find Liam but, it involved a lot of questions that she was in no mood to answer. Thankfully, her mind was sharp enough to conjure a plan for this. She only hoped that it would be enough.
"I might know a way..." She forced out, averting her gaze. "But, you have to promise me two things."
Tori didn't say a word, giving a nod that did little to quell Jade's nerves.
"1. I don't want any questions about this method or how it relates to things. 2. If you so much as tell a soul about this, so help me...!"
"Alright!" Tori held up her hands defensively. "I won't say a word."
"Promise!"
"I promise!"
While Jade still wasn't convinced, she was growing weary of things. Like her frenemy, she too was feeling the effects of being up too early; Being without coffee didn't help matters either, but she would take that out on Liam later. For now, her lips parted and a familiar passage departed her lips. It was a mysterious language that Tori could easily decipher as if she had heard it uttered before.
...Death may come,
But we shall not part.
As if sensing the girl's curiosity, Jade was both grateful and hesitant as the faded glow of violet began to form that accursed cord. To Jade's astonishment, the cord didn't immediately resume toward their target, dangling limply from her neck. Even more, baffling was the sudden appearance of a scarlet cord that'd begun to wind itself around the purple thread. Unlike hers, this was bright and radiant.
This is possibly worse... That dark voice in Jade's mind growled, prompting her to notice where this new addition resulted. She didn't have to look; It was obvious by the direction, yet the goth couldn't help herself.
"Jade?"
"Yeah?"
"Maybe it's the need for sleep finally hitting me, but are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
Jade didn't reply; She was too caught up in the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to suffocate her. Her mind continued to wail as the scarlet cord finally ceased its growth, wrapping around Tori's wrist like a limp lasso. Before either of them could comment further, they both felt it tug them to their intended destination. When they arrived, they hid behind some bushes as they found the object of their concern.
Their eyes befell a bruised and battered Liam picking himself off the ground. They winced at the way his body convulsed upon reaching his feet, putting his exhaustion on full display. He clutched his neck with trembling fingers while his opponent stepped forward. Whoever this was, it wasn't Darius. Within seconds they watched as the older man charged at Liam with ill intentions only to hit nothing but air as he ducked under the punch and, with the last bit of energy he could muster, threw a spinning back kick. The man quickly shifted his body around and grabbed his foot and with ease lifted him in the air and with a loud crash, Liam was once again on the ground.
"Pathetic..."
Inching closer and closer, the man grinned sadistically as he watched Liam earnestly back into an oak tree trapping himself. Wide-eyed but not willing to show weakness, he attempted to stand on wobbly legs only to have a large hand wrap around his neck and lift him off of the ground. Those blazing red eyes pointed at his him with a rage that wouldn't be sated until he said so.
The agony Liam experienced was a searing hot flame that spanned down his throat, into his lungs. It felt like a white-hot poker was being shoved down his gullet. Any attempt to claw the large hand from his neck was feeble as his mind went into a frenzy. Anyone else would've given anything for this to end.
Well, almost anything...
With a malicious grin, the creature tossed him harder against the thick tree, though the noise was silenced as he constricted his fist and held his prey firmly in place, slowly relishing the display of torment. The entity resumed as the boy gasped for any air he could muster. "I warned you about them... Didn't I? I told you that West girl was nothing but trouble,? She's been nothing but a distraction ever since you two met!"
"..." Liam wheezed, his eyes glazing from the lack of oxygen.
"Now I find out you've been involved with Vega's daughter?! Why do you think you're being hunted? You know nothing of the truth yet you " Tori flinched from her spot while Jade could only blink away the tears that tried to break through. "Are you trying to cause a war?! Have I taught you nothing?"
"Big... Big talk from a hypocrite..." Liam spat, black waves flooding in from the edge of his vision before finding himself tossed into a nearby tree, forcing it to crack slightly from the impact.
Amid the mind-numbing pain, the two warriors had no idea just how close they were to the object of their discussion. It took everything in them not to scream as his body fell limply right in front of them. His scars were on full display as the scent of dirt and blood filled their noses, making them want to vomit. Still, they remained as the weakened form of Liam was lifted once more.
"What are you going on about?"
"I've seen the way you look at Trina," he hacked, drops of thick hemoglobin mixing in with the soil beneath him. "Ever since I rescued her, she's been your main focus! You no longer check on me during missions; you only knew about this hit on me because I told you! So, who's the distracted one?"
"You don't get it, Liam. You've pissed off the big boys and they won't stop until you're eliminated! I can't always protect you from them!"
Go... to Hell..." the boy gasped. "You haven't protected me since I got here. You're the one who got me into the same school, knowing that they were there. If I had chosen my path..."
"Nothing would've changed!" Darius roared, baring his fangs at his ward. "But, I'll rectify your mistake soon enough."
Through blurred vision, Liam put on his best glare, stomaching the suffering from his beating.
"What... What are... you talking about?"
"If I eliminate them, I won't be dragged back into his war..." Darius seethed, venom and desperation blending into his tone. "I know what you're thinking: What would Trina think? Well, don't you worry about that. We have a plan for that! As for you..."
Liam couldn't hear the words of the one he called brother as his senses began to fade. The darkness felt warm as his sight gave into the abyss. He never anticipated things would turn out like this. Somehow, the pain that once ate away at his body was no longer there. What remained was a humming peace that soothed his form, leaving him floating without care. It felt warm and yet, his mind longed to know one thing:
"Am I dead?"
"You were..." another voice calmly answered him from the void. "...I found you and it's time for the truth to be revealed. I just need you to wake up and I'll answer all of your questions. We're waiting for you..."
"Who... Who are you?"
"Wake up."
Trina was a nervous wreck...
It'd been days since she had last seen her beloved Darius; The last time they spoke about their plans to leave their old lives behind. It was such an enticing offer, one that she couldn't refuse. Sure, it was risky, but the more she thought about it, the more Trina felt her desire grow. Years of negligence overrode any fear that tried to rattle her. Still, some doubts were just too strong to ignore.
What about Tori?
Sure, her younger sister was a pain, and her friends didn't make it any better, but Trina couldn't deny that she loved her sibling. She would miss Tori deeply. This couldn't deter her from her ultimate goal. While she adored her sister, she couldn't stand the rest of her family. The overbearing nature of her mother, whenever she received any attention, mind you and her father's derelict attitude were more than enough reasons for her to leave. Trina grew up being the black sheep and that's when she found Darius.
Given her father's status as an archangel, she was never supposed to exist.
The empty void inside became unbearable as she wandered around her room. The only thing that spared her from drowning in her dark thoughts was the sound of her phone ringing. Rushing to the device, negative emotions faded when she saw the name she'd hoped to see.
"Hello? Darius?"
"Hey, gorgeous..." his depleted voice worried her. "...Are you ready? I'm about five minutes away."
"Are you alright? You sound like you've been fighting again."
"I'm sorry about taking so long, but I had to take care of some loose ends before we could leave. Don't worry, we're in the clear."
Trina wanted to ask more questions, but she also knew that time was of the essence. She knew what Darius truly was but he knew who she was. Being a former demon general trying to turn things around only to be trapped in a vicious cycle of expectations and stereotypes. Her heart ached to watch every attempt he took to mentor and help young boys become better only to have her father take them in as criminals.
At first, Trina believed it was because they were incapable of changing from their delinquent ways, but she quickly learned that it was merely his ego. Nothing about what he was doing in this profession felt genuine. Innocent youths much younger than her were taken and relocated to random homes after being taught to better themselves by her love.
"All in the name of morality..." she whispered bitterly.
Trina Vega didn't have long to contemplate things as a horn blared outside, signaling the beginning of a bright new future. With her family off to their devices, she grabbed her suitcases and headed downstairs. Passing by her parents, a damning revelation pierced her stomach, forcing her to quicken her pace where Darius was waiting. After tossing her bags in the backseat, she hopped in.
As she expected, he was covered with day-old bruises; There was a struggle between him and someone else recently.
"Ready?"
"You're hurt..."
"I had a little misunderstanding a few days ago, but it's resolved now."
Relief washed over Trina but was quickly replaced with shame as she looked away. "You don't have to lie to me. I know what you had to sacrifice for us to accomplish this. I... I truly appreciate you for taking such a huge risk for me..."
"...For us!"
Trina found herself enveloped in the arms of her love, returning the gesture with equal vigor. Despite the pressure of leaving behind the only life she knew, her heart felt lighter than air. Nothing else mattered... Her father's wishes for her life meant nothing to her. The passive attitude of her mother faded from memory. Her sister...
That was the only thing that made Trina flinch in the arms of her beloved, a moment that didn't go unnoticed by the demon. "Seraphina?" she could melt after hearing her true name. Such a name was rooted in obligation, she despised her angelic name in favor of the one everyone knew her by. There was something about when Darius... or Aeshma would say it; It sent a relaxing surge through every fiber of her being.
"Say it again..." She buried her face in his chest, clutching his sleeve. "...Please."
"Anytime, Seraphina."
Once more she felt her walls breaking down, leaving only her authentic self.
"It's been so long since I've felt like this!" Her voice cracked as she struggled to hold back the tears. Freedom and joy flowed through her as he rubbed her back, whispering something in her ear; his lips tickled her ear while doing so. When she pulled away, she was met by the demonic gaze of her lover and friend gazing lovingly at her. "Sorry, I'm wasting time when we could..."
"Tending to your needs is never a waste of time," he placed a hand on her cheek, chuckling at her.
"Are you sure about this...? About us?"
"I couldn't be more certain about anything," he grabbed the wheel and started the car. "Are you okay with leaving Tori behind?"
Trina's grin fell at the mention of her sister. Once again, her heart ached at the prospect of their decision. Guilt began to taunt her, always creeping in to berate and shame Trina for making any choice that didn't include her baby sibling. Normally, she'd crumble and give in to silence the terror that tormented her, but not this time.
This time Seraphina would rise above the petty insults.
"Tori is old enough to handle herself..." she replied flatly. "She has good friends to protect her if anything tries to cause harm. She's going to outgrow me eventually, so why not give her a headstart? I'm not going to keep sacrificing myself just to please him!"
Darius... No, Aeshma leaned in and kissed his partner, feeling her pain and rage pour into him. Every tear she'd ever cried. Each moment of heartache tasted bitter as their lips remained attached to one another's. Her moans of declining despair were a symphony as she surrendered to his affection. There was no longer a need to focus on the negative, Lord knew he had his own. When they pulled apart, he winked at her and pulled out of the driveway.
"That's all you need to say, gorgeous."
As they drove into the night, Trina spared a final glance at the Vega homestead. Once again, fear tried to grip her heart but she'd tear away as they pushed on into the night. Even the tears stinging her eyes weren't enough to destroy her resolve.
"You know we'll probably get in trouble if we're ever caught..." she muttered semi-playfully.
"Even their powers are limited. Where we're going, they won't have eyes on us!"
Rather than press the issue, Trina chose to let things ride. She shifted in the passenger seat until she was comfortable enough to drift off. Wherever they were headed, she trusted Darius to protect her. While she slept, he too wrestled with dark thoughts that tormented him. In just a few days, he went from making a deal with the devil to attacking someone who looked up to him like a brother.
It'd been a few days since he watched the life drain from Liam's eyes, but it was necessary, at least, that was what he kept telling himself. After sealing the deal with Lucifer, he knew that the bounty would never go away until the boy was dead. He was fortunate that there was no connection made to link him to the vigilante on Satan's hit list, but there was only so much time before even that concealed 'gem' would be revealed.
At least with Liam indisposed, there would be nothing to link Darius and Trina, thus protecting everyone involved. It was a selfish act to do what he did, but, despite the severity of his actions, the former demon general had held up his end of the deal. This was a preemptive strike to avoid the inevitable war that was fated to come. If anyone found out about his involvement, they would almost certainly say that his decision was a cruel one.
But, once they were away from the reach of the mad tyrant, it would all be worth it; That's what he told himself anyway. While his love slept soundly, he continued to battle these thoughts as the image of his brother continued to flash in his mind. It would be a long journey that would pull on his soul for a long time. With a sigh, he turned onto the expressway toward the airport.
Shit! I hope that someday you'll forgive me...
Emerald portals slowly opened, flooding the boy's senses with the cruelty of the mortal realm once more. Surprisingly, his ears picked up the pouring rain outside, the hushed deluge providing a calming effect for him. From what he could make out, he was in a luxurious bedroom, a far cry from the elements. It was all the comfort he'd receive at the moment as his first conscious inhale forced a sharpened hiss. Even worse, stabbing pain in his sides plagued him at the tiniest of movement.
"Shit..." he winced, trying to hold back the tears.
"Such deplorable language," a motherly tone made his ear twitch. His chest tightened, but he couldn't help but follow the voice, finding a familiar sight smiling back at him from across the room. "Honestly, I should expect nothing less from that cowardly demon, though."
"It's you..."
"Save your voice. You've endured a lot in the past few days..."
"Days?!" Liam shot up, instantly regretting it as his body roared at him to lie back down.
Lilith calmly strode over to the bedside, gazing at his writhing form. Despite the excruciating pain, he could barely make out the sorrow in her eyes, yet there was something else. He took short, shallow breaths as the woman checked his body. This was when he noticed the bandages that adorned him. Was the damage that bad?
"I need you to lie back and rest," she chastised. "Aeshma, the coward that he is now, still packs a vicious punch. He cracked several ribs and ruptured some vital organs. The fact that I was able to get you healed up was nothing short of a miracle. You should count yourself lucky. They managed to get you to me in time."
"They...? Wait, you're, OW!" Liam regretted his outburst as that triggered a sharp pain in his side.
"You must be careful, child!" she scolded, though her voice never faltered.
"Sorry..."
"Save your strength. The ones responsible for saving your life have been waiting for you to regain consciousness. Jadelyn and her friend Victoria are worried sick about your state. Just relax and I'll bring them to you."
As Lilith turned to exit, she felt Liam grab her hand. She turned to comfort him, it was the shiver in his grasp that made her heartbreak. Gone was the defiance that she admired from the young soul. What remained was a shattered husk. They said that the eyes were the window to a person's soul, and it was apparent that he was in no shape for company. Such a transformation was abrupt but not unwarranted as his gaze fell to the sheets. Whether he wanted to or not, Liam couldn't shake off the truth.
He remembered that look in Darius' eyes; the rage exploding with each blow inflicted upon him. Every blow had a purpose. The result was a trip to another realm where pain and agony couldn't dream of touching him. His breath grew shallow as bile threatened to burn his throat. His shudders soon shifted into mini convulsions. Lilith took pity on the boy, stroking her fingers over his hand.
"Liam?"
"You... Did I die?"
[Liam talks with Lilith about what happened and what he is now that he's technically a resurrected soul. He learns that he was a rare mortal known as a Dark Empath who is dangerous to both sides of the Abrahamic religion. We learn that he is an orphan who was supposed to be trained to hunt down spiritual beings but lied to come to L.A. in hopes of recounting his past. Jade and Tori come in to reveal their parts in Liam's life, excluding their true feelings in separate encounters, leaving them to know more about one another while still maintaining their secrets. Lilith explains that she is immortal for rebelling against Adam, leaving her with a thirst for revenge against any who are affiliated with either side. But, with Liam considered dead, Jade being the daughter of Lilith and Lucifer, and Tori being the daughter of Uriel, they are given a different task, leading to their mission of pursuing the pantheons.]
Jade and Tori sat silently in the living room of the former's home, each one trying their best not to dwell on the awkward air around them. Even turning on the television didn't help matters as their minds were preoccupied with the status of their friend and [secret] crush. Every time they closed their eyes, that traumatic scene replayed in their minds on repeat. The sound of his body crashing into a tree combined with his pained grunts was horrendous, even for someone like Jade. Seeing the blood and bruises marking his body, such a grotesque portrait on his body, was enough to make their stomachs churn.
Bloodthirsty rage stirred with unrelenting yearning.
But nothing compared to the finality of the whole ordeal. Liam was barely clinging to life when they finally left their hiding spot. After a quick inspection, they had to struggle to get him in the goth's car without being noticed. Thankfully, Jade called her mother who told her to bring him to the house, further confirming her worst fear. Now, they were just sitting around, waiting to hear about any progress... or the inevitable fate of their friend.
"Dammit!"
"Jade?" Tori turned to the goth, startled when she slammed her fists against the table.
"It's been days and we haven't heard anything about Liam's condition! What is that woman doing? She'd better not be playing us!"
Throughout Jade's outburst, the Latina could easily see the fear and desperation pouring out from her words. The dam was breaking and the passionate plea of her frenemy was both terrifying and inspiring. Ever since she found out about Jade's connection to Liam, she figured that there was something more beyond the surface and this moment proved no different. Jade was usually passionate about herself, her future, her intended profession, etc. Seeing her show affection to someone not named Beck was a sight to behold; Like an actor with the role of a lifetime, Jade played her part to perfection...
...If only it were a role, to begin with...
Jade felt a hand on her shoulder, tearing the goth from her tirade. She felt ready to explode until she beheld the fearful gaze of the one she considered her rival. This was the moment that she lost her composure, allowing herself to sink into the couch. Right now, at this moment, it wasn't about some petty need to win; Her insatiable need to win had no place here. Tears stung her eyes, each word cutting deeper than the last. She allowed the drops of pain to trail down her face as it was the only form of solace she'd get as she turned to the understanding grin of the girl.
"Why don't we go upstairs and check on him?"
Jade blinked at the awkward sight, her face knitting with confusion. "What are you talking about? My mom told us she'd come to get us and-"
"Since when have you ever followed the rules?"
She didn't miss the mischievous tone that Tori gave, prompting a weakened smirk of her own. While she hated when she was right, Jade wasn't going to waste this moment of clarity. With a rekindled spark, she grabbed her frenemy's arm and rushed up the stairs to get some answers. Every step she took vindicated Jade until she felt like an indestructible tank staring at the door of the guest room.
She raised a fist to pound on the door but was stopped when it opened that moment, revealing the taller woman wearing a sullen smile that knocked the wind out of her sails. Immediately, she thought the worst as her stomach dropped. Thankfully, Lilith stepped to the side, revealing the object of their journey.
"Wolfy?"
Liam didn't respond to her nickname for him. He continued to sit in the bed, his eyes staring straight ahead. They cautiously stepped inside, eyeing the bandages that concealed the many different wounds. Liam looked like a zombie, his blank gaze making him look like a doll. Only when they saw his fingers clench the blankets did his usual visage begin to return to normal. The emptiness behind his portals slowly gave way to normal, merely a fraction of their usual brilliance though. Jade didn't care about specifics, rushing over to hug the boy. Tori joined in the embrace, albeit more gingerly than her gothic counterpart.
"Jade? Tori?" he managed to whisper.
"It's alright..." The latter smiled brightly at him, tears brimming her terra pools. She kissed his cheek, missing the evil look coming from Jade. "...You're safe and that's all that matters!"
He didn't respond, still lost in his mind. He tried to hold his poise but it was clear that he was nearing his breaking point. Jade recognized this and placed her hands on his face, making him look into her eyes. To the average person, they would mistake his reaction as depression, but his damaged soul was all she glimpsed.
"I... We're here, Liam. You don't have to pretend!"
"Don't be so hasty, Jade..." The girls turned around to the approaching woman. "He's just coming to grips with what has happened. You mustn't push him too hard."
"What do you know? He's tougher than you think, Mom..."
Jade's venom did nothing to rattle the older woman, but her motherly scowl remained.
"I am well aware of his resilience, Jade. But, it would be unwise to rush the recovery of those who had to be helped back into this world. You, of all people, should know the importance of this."
"You mean... Liam was dead?"
"Yes. When you brought him to me, he was barely clinging to what little life he had left..." Lilith sighed while making her way to a nearby chair. Her manicured finger massaged her forehead in hopes of staving off a headache. "I could explain everything, but we are pressed for time and he needs his rest for an important choice. But I need to know that you'll listen to what I have to say... Without interruption."
Both nodded in silent agreement, allowing her to resume.
"First, your friend did cross over to the realm of souls, or the afterlife if you prefer. Aeshma, or Darius, tried to harm the boy in hopes of offsetting a bounty that was put on him by powerful people..."
"You mean, HIM?" Jade's eyes narrowed, flashing more knowing than suspicion.
"Partially," Lilith sighed heavily. "Your father was notified about your friend's extracurricular activities. However, there was something that shifted everything for the worse. Many of the bounty hunters were reapers who track their prey through scent rather than appearance. When they came for Liam the first time, that was all that was needed for them to continue their hunt. However, he wasn't the only one targeted."
"Trina..."
Multiple gazes pointed at a solemn Tori Vega. "What does your annoying sister have to do with anything?"
"The one you call Trina has another name, Seraphina. Like your friend, Seraphina possesses spiritual gifts that are considered a threat to the forces of hell. She's the eldest daughter of Uriel, the one you call David Vega, the archangel of justice. Should she ever tap into her power and the truth of her identity, it could redirect the balance of power out of my husband's hands. This is where Aeshma comes in..."
Lilith's words were brief but still held importance as Liam flinched violently at the name of the person he held so dear to his heart. Sensing this, Jade clutched his hand while Tori took the other without noticing the other's actions. Lilith smiled and continued to explain why Darius attacked him, careful not to trigger the boy any more than he already was. Besides, there was still the matter of what was to come from all of this.
"Your sister and Darius fell in love, ignoring the treaty set between angels and demons. Though forbidden, a general in Lucifer's army and a daughter who was destined to take up the mantle of an archangel coming together was the last thing anyone could've predicted. Even worse, no matter how much time passed, they never changed what was in their hearts. Aeshma renounced his claim as the demon of wrath while Seraphina turned down the role her father had trained her for and both were cursed to wander the earth until they agreed to come back to their respective posts."
"So, what changed?" Jade raised a brow.
"Your father meddled, as is his way," Lilith giggled as she recollected the outcome that transpired. "What he did was supposed to force Darius to return as your father's general. Instead, it allowed him to exploit a loophole that resulted in where we are."
"That bastard sacrificed Liam so that he and Trina could run off together?!"
"Exactly... But, this has also given us a chance to reshape the future. Which leads us to my offer."
This caused Liam's ear to twitch, drawing his attention to her for the first time since their initial reintroduction.
"You want me to work for you?"
"Something like that. Given the way things have played out, I want to help you three avoid the impending bullshit that these two sides will try to force upon you. With your friend and my daughter on opposite sides by proxy, there's no doubt that they'll be eventual targets for a choice that neither of them should ever have to be forced into making. Hence, my proposition."
"Which is?" Liam stared at her with weary eyes, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep at this point.
"Before the summer solstice, there will be a battle of sorts between Uriel's forces and which General Lucifer chooses. Of course, this also serves as a recruitment opportunity. No doubt, the two will try and bring you in, one way or another..."
"Like hell!" Jade snarled, her eyes flaring up with fury at what was being implied.
"Jade's right!" Tori added. "They can't just make us do something we don't want to!"
"They will certainly try..." Lilith's grim smile was matched only by her gentle simper. "But, I suspect that it would be difficult to conscript you if you're not here."
Liam, Jade, and Tori all eyed the woman, noticing her features dance with amusement. Tori was oblivious to what she meant, but the former duo figured it out rather quickly. Picking up on their realization, Lilith cleared her throat.
"Unlike those two, I can sense that you all are more than just good and evil. Being born into something isn't enough to justify one's path. That's why I'd like for you three to enter a summer academy, one that will aid you in discovering your true identities as well as your purposes. I want you to think about this throughout your upcoming semester but I'll need an answer before spring break so that I can know whether or not to make arrangements. For now, enjoy one another's company. I must go."
"What? Where to?"
"I made a promise to help young Liam with a place to stay in Aeshma's absence!" she giggled again before exiting the room.
On cue, Liam finally allowed himself to lean back in bed, exhaling sharply with his eyes closed. He could feel the power of slumber begin to overtake him, but not before noticing the presence of two bodies against his own. While the bed was large enough to fit them all with enough space, he didn't complain about having them huddled so closely either.
"Thanks..." he whispered, finally allowing his lips to drift upward. "...For-"
"Shhh. We can talk later," Tori cooed gently, yawning into a restful sleep.
"Just rest for now, Liam."
While Tori's tone was tranquil and nurturing, Jade's voice was a mix of demanding and worrying. Liam didn't blame her, especially now that she knew the truth of his condition. He only hoped that she didn't find a way to blame herself for what occurred. The last thing he needed was to awaken to a Jade West pity party. So, he chuckled, just enough to ease a bit of tension in the air before he gave into his body's pleas for sleep. Jade was the last to succumb, but not before considering her options moving forward:
Because of Darius' odd actions, Liam had to be resurrected.
She nearly lost him again.
How was she supposed to cope with that right now?
Maybe she wasn't supposed to?
Jade sighed as she wrapped a leg over Liam's, clinging to him for fear he'd vanish again. This was the third time fate had tried to rip them apart, and if she had anything to say about it, it would be the last chance it'd have to do so. While she was never one to lean on others for assistance, she found her mother's offer both intriguing and perfect. Whatever this academy had, she'd welcome the chance to embark on a new journey.
With a wicked grin, she too lost her battle against the sandman letting her mind begin to sink into the depths of unconsciousness, though not without one final thought to address everything that'd resulted from this turn of events.
"Fuck fate..."