It snowed through the night, and by morning everything was blanketed in an untouched white. Simone looked over it, knowing that it would all be gone soon, trampled and melted by the upcoming battle. Adjusting the belt at her waist she ignored what was going on behind her. As everyone got ready, checking their weapons and receiving orders, she blocked it all out, intent on her own plans. She had finally decided on what she would do, but she would keep it to herself until it was time. Jack and Gabriel were still too wary of her going into battle with them, if they knew her plan they would tie her up and leave her at camp. She could only hope that when it was time she could pull it off. Someone laid a hand on her shoulder, and she jumped; startled.
"Are you alright?" Ana asked, a whisper of a smile on her face.
"Just nervous. You would think that someone who could see the future would be used to waiting, but this suspense has me on edge." Simone tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
"To be fair, it is not usually a war that you have to be patient for. It is a first for you." Ana reasoned. Simone smiled.
"Do you have a response for everything?"
"It comes with being a mother." Ana laughed. She gestured to the activity behind them.
"They are almost done. Have you been informed of where you will be?"
"Yes." Simone answered before gathering her courage. Together the two women walked over to the other designated healers; including Zenyatta, Angela, and Lucio, the centaur. It was odd to see Angela with a weapon, but she held the long spear confidently.
"Are you ready?" Zenyatta asked Simone.
"Do I have the option not to be?" Simone replied with a strained smile.
"Do not worry Simone, you will be with me. I will keep you safe." Angela promised.
"I am calling favoritism; both Jack and Gabriel requested I be stationed right next to a healer. Do they have no faith in me?" Simone rolled her eyes.
"I think it's sweet." Angela cooed.
"And speaking of Gabriel…" The other Nephilim's voice got softer, not wanting others to overhear.
"I almost fainted when I saw him earlier. Seeing him with a soul again." She gave Simone a knowing look. Simone's face heated, and though she tried, she couldn't hide the blush. She was aware of what Angela was implying; aware that a piece of her soul went to Gabriel when she admitted her love for him.
"It's sweet. You both deserve happiness." Angela smiled softly.
"If only it didn't have to come right before this."
Only a little before mid-day, Fareeha landed, the demons were within her sight and it was time to move. Simone's heart rate tripled, and she swallowed heavily around the lump in her throat. She shouldn't be afraid, she knew that everything would be okay; that they were ready for this and they were going to win. But fear still clawed through her chest. As Angela called her over, she turned to Gabriel, looking him deep in the eyes.
"When you feel my magic, come to me. Just step through. Do you trust me?" She asked.
"Yes." He grabbed her shoulders, intent on what he needed to
"You're not allowed to get hurt. Do you understand me? I can't have you beside me… but we have a conversation to finish, so you have to come back safely." Gabriel warned her. Her fear seemed to flow out of her, replaced by the warm feeling she felt for him.
"I promise. I would hate to die a virgin" She kissed his mask as Angela pulled her away. Taking flight she looked down at him.
"Don't die!" She hollered over what could have been Jack questioning Gabriel on the comment she had made.
"I'm not going to even say anything." Angela said, trying to keep a straight face. Simone flushed, appreciating the other woman's decision not to make any comments. Reaching their point, they landed, Simone casting one last glance toward where she knew Gabriel was, even though he was out of sight. The horizon turned red, the demons flames dancing across the landscape. Simone looked at Angela.
"I know you promised them that you would stay with me. Don't. I don't need you to follow me around when there are others who need you just as badly." Simone said in a serious tone as she tucked away her wings. Angela gave her a worried look but nodded her head in agreement.
"One more thing." Simone quickly spoke up.
"There is going to be a time when I call to you. I'm going to need you to trust me and do what I say, even if it doesn't make sense. Can you do that?" She asked. Angela took a while to reply, but looking over at the approaching army of demons, she agreed.
It was like the silence before a storm, everyone all hushed. Anxiety and fear leaving a stench in the air as many waited for what could be their own end. The silence was shattered as Fareeha let out a torrent of holy fire straight into the path of the incoming evil. The signal to attack. Great battle cries followed as everyone surged at once, ready to attack. Simone sent up one last tiny prayer that Gabriel would be okay on the front lines as she too prepared to fight.
Even though the morning had been cold, the battleground was hot. Fire had melted away the snow and scotched the ground. Bodies grew sticky with sweat and blood, armor and weapons growing heavy as the fighting continued. Simone tried to focus on the fighting, but her wind was torn as she kept a lookout. She would sometimes see her friends as the battle went on; Angela flashing past to the aid of a hurt allie, Mako's hook flying through bodies to snatch at the closest demon, or Mei immobilizing one in ice before striking it down. Simone, herself, had done a little damage as well. Aiming for the necks, she would swing her small axes, the sound of rotting flesh giving way something she would never be able to scrub from her mind. As more of the day went by, she found herself growing a little desperate. She knew that there was a summoner, somewhere within the mass of claws and snapping fangs, if she could only find them. She needed to think, but finding herself unable as she had to deflect a swipe aimed for her face. Thick blood splattered across her face as she landed a blow to the top of the attackers head. Where would the summoner be? A strike against the land made by summoned demons; intent to take over with no real loss to the summoner themselves. It was a coward's move; so where would a coward hide? Simone would need a better view; she needed to see more. Calling out her wings, she pushed off the ground hard. Gaining altitude quickly, she spotted Fareeha, and made a beeline to her.
"Can you see the back of the demon army?" Simone hollered, gaining Fareeha's attention. The other woman squinted, measuring the distance.
"Yes, why?"
"Is there anyone back there? Someone that isn't a demon?" Simone hoped that her hunch was right.
"Yes! How did you know?" Fareeha was surprised. Simone tucked her weapons back into her belt.
"I need you to come with me." Simone flew back towards the chaos below, calling for Angela. The blonde spotted her, and took off as well. The three nephilim flew high above the battle as Simone tried to explain.
"I need you guys to play along. I'm hoping this will work, but if it doesn't I need you, Angela to cover both Fareeha and Gabriel."
"Gabriel is coming too?" Fareeha asked?
"Hopefully not, but he is a backup plan. There is a summoner, and if he won't stop this madness, then I will portal Gabriel to us. Fareeha, you will need to be aerial cover, while he attacks the summoner directly. Angela, these demons don't have souls, so he can't heal himself while fighting."
"Acknowledged." Fareeha sent her a small salute.
"Down there." Angela pointed, and just on the edge of the demons was a single person, back far enough to not get hurt. Flying over them, they circled, choosing to land behind the summoner and the demon army.
"Make it dramatic." Simone directed as they went for a landing. Dramatic for nephilim involve a variety of things. While Fareeha landed heavily, showing power in her stance; Angela floated down in a picture of grace. But there was also a lot of wing; all three of them bearing them wide in a show of dominance and aggression. The summoner who turned out to be a skinny, weasley old man was taken by surprise.
"Stop this at once." Simone demanded, her voice confident and clear.
"This land is under the protection of the angels. You will take your hell spawn and leave. Now!" The summoner gave a nervous laugh, staring at the three women.
"Who would have thought… My demons should be enough to handle three little angels like yourselves." He cackled, and at least 2 dozen of the demons behind him turned, ready to attack.
"I warn you mortal, we do not fear your summoned monsters. If you do not leave now, your life will be forfeit." Simone tried once more. Next to her, Fareeha tensed, ready to jump into action. The summoner just smirked and the demons behind him started stalking forward. Fareeha and Angela both took flight, but Simone glared at the man.
"You may summon demons, but I can summon death itself." Magic released from her, opening a portal behind her as she spoke. Black smoke drifted through, seeming to come from absolutely nowhere as is curled around her feet and Gabriel reformed behind her. He reached around her, clawed fingers around her throat in a light grasp, the tips of his claws tickling her skin. He tilted her head back so she looked up at him. She gave him a slow, sweet smile. He had come!
"Eat his soul." She said softly, though just loud enough for the summoner to hear her. Gabriel floated past her, putting himself in between the summoner and her before drawing his two broad swords.
"No! This land will be mine!" The summoner snarled. Everything started extremely fast. The demons burst forward, their summoner's anger driving them into a frenzy, Fareeha aimed her fire down towards them, and Gabriel rushed in blades held high. Simone followed, trying to help Fareeha thin down the demons so that Gabriel could reach the real threat. It was a mass of snarling and clawing, demons falling to holy fire and Simone trying to break away from the crushing mob. A thin fingered hand grabbed her arm in a punishing grip and pulled her harshly. The man was in her face, his eyes wide and his yellow teeth bared.
"I am not afraid of you. I…" Simone tried to break free of his hold and glared at him.
"I'm not the one you should be afraid of." Simone hissed. Gabriel grabbed the summoner from behind.
"Let go of her." He growled. Simone pulled away, launching herself into the air. She didn't watch what Gabriel did next; already aware that the man was going to die a very gruesome death. Instead, she watched over the mass of demons, waiting. She could tell the exact moment the summoner died; the battlefield growing thick with smoke as the demons disappeared, her friends and allies left confused. The confusion didn't last long. Great cheers erupted as it became apparent that the battle was over and that they had won. A large group was running over to where Gabriel, and now Fareeha and Angela were standing. Simone gave a great inhale of relief, just as happy that everything was over. Smiling, she landed lightly among them.
"It worked!" Fareeha cheered, fists raised high in the air.
"Are you three insane? You can't just break formation like that. You could have been seriously hurt!" Jack barked, sounding equally worried and proud of them. Simone had a witty comment ready, but Gabriel grabbing her halted it. Hands on either side of her face, he looked down at her.
"Are you injured? Did he hurt you?" His voice was stern, though Simone could tell it was because he was worried about her as well.
"I'm fine Gabriel, I kept my promise." She gave him a reassuring smile.
"Good." He took off his mask, pulling her into a lip crushing kiss in front of everyone. Eyes wide for barely a second, she threw her arms around his neck and returned the kiss eagerly.
"No wonder she put up with his cranky bullshit. Gabe's a looker." Sombra chuckled. Gabriel pulled away from Simone.
"Sombra. He growled, causing many to laugh.
"You haven't changed a bit, Gabriel." Angela smiled.
"Can you not do that? She is still my sister, and I still need an explanation." Jack groaned, obviously not enjoying the situation. Gabriel just looked over his shoulder at Jack and gave him a smug smile and a shrug before giving Simone another kiss.
"Is it really over?" Lena asked, trotting over, a little out of breath.
"Yeah. I'm going home. I really need a bath." Sombra grimaced as she looked down at herself.
"Really, that's all you can say?" Simone asked.
"None of us were really that surprised. You did see our victory after all." Satya explained.
"I really don't want to have to walk all the way back. Can you do that portal thing?" Sombra asked.
"Oh Yes." Zenyatta agreed. Jack sighed, aware that no one really cared about the seriousness of Simone's untold plan, or the fact they just fought demons and survived.
"We should celebrate." Mei clapped her hands excitedly.
"There is a feast being prepared for everyone back at Talon. I'm sure by the time everyone has cleaned up, we can meet there." Satya added.
"I will need to make sure there are no more wounded, but with the use of Simone's portal ability I'm sure that everyone can get to where they need to be." Angela dismissed herself, Zenyatta and Ana deciding to follow. Simone frowned, giving everyone else a stern look.
"How come everyone else gets to take a break and I'm still having to do work. Portling everyone back and forth." Gabriel hugged her close and nuzzled behind her ear.
"You're strong enough, you'll be fine. Let them have their fun." He squeezed her tight.
"Besides, we still need to finish that conversation." She bit her lower lip and smiled.
"I did say that we would. But you are just going to have to get used to me expressing how I feel about you."
"Not that one." Gabriel smiled, hovering close.
"I was talking about what you mentioned right before you left. I can't possibly let you go on much longer in such a condition." Simone's brow furrowed, not understanding what he was talking about.
"What condition?" She asked. Gabriel chuckled low in her ear, the noise practically a purr that sent shivers up her spine.
"Your virginity." He rumbled, whispering into her ear. SHe flushed, feeling decidedly warmer that a second ago.
"Oh." Her voice was high and breathy. She certainly didn't need to know the future to know that her and Gabriel were going to have a very normal and happy life together. She snuggled closer into his arms and tried to hide her blushing face.
"Hey now! What are you two doing over there." Jack fussed at them.
"Gabriel, she's my sister, stop that. Gabriel! Are you even listening?"