Hey there my darlings! I hope you are all enjoying the chapters, I am finally finding the time to update on a semi-regular basis. I will say, hold on tight to your emotions for this chapter, it's going to get real tough. Thank you all for reading and reviewing! Please review! xoxo
Gabriella twirled the spear and stepped back into the fighting stance Michael had taught her. Michael and Alex spread out to cover her, Alex drawing his guns while Michael drew his swords.
Gabriel smirked and jerked his head at the 8balls, drawing his sword as they moved past him and advanced on the trio.
Three of the male 8balls advanced on Michael, raising swords of their own, the three of them moving in a deadly dance.
The other two female 8balls advanced on Alex, grinning wickedly at him as they pulled out large serrated swords.
Gabriella and Gabriel stared each other down, each waiting for the other to make a move. Gabriel grinned at her, holding his sword loosely, and crooked his fingers at her, beckoning her to come closer.
Gabriella stepped forward and kept her spear raised, waiting for Gabriel to come closer. Soon they were circling each other, testing their skills and strengths, not really pushing each other's boundaries yet.
Gabriella decided to change their pattern, and thrust out with the spear, catching Gabriel off guard, the blow glancing off his breastplate, leaving a deep welt.
Gabriel stared at the welt for a long moment and then grinned at her, a dangerous glint in his eye. Gabriel advanced rapidly on her, parrying and thrusting with his sword, their blows clanging loudly through the forest.
Gabriella blocked an overhead blow, her muscles trembling with the effort. She knew she was weaker from being ill, but she was hoping that her supposed angel transformation would lend her strength.
She concentrated on blocking blow after blow from Gabriel, and danced out of his reach, breathing as evenly as possible.
She heard a cry from her left, and a shout of triumph from Alex. She felt the presence of the 8balls diminish in her advanced senses, and grinned, knowing Alex had killed one of the 8balls.
Gabriel let out a growl of frustration and advanced on her fiercely, pushing her back. Gabriella felt her heart beat faster and spun quickly to avoid a sweeping blow by Gabriel.
She tucked and rolled, just barely escaping the chopping down blow that brought Gabriel off balance. She sprang to her feet and thrust her spear fiercely into Gabriel's left shoulder.
Gabriel let out a scream of agony and sank to his knees, desperately pushing at the spear, trying to dislodge it.
Gabriella wrenched the spear free and stepped back, waiting warily for Gabriel to get to his feet. Gabriel touched his fingers to the wound and let out a low guttural laugh at the sight of his own blood.
He looked up at Gabriella, "I didn't know you had it in you pet."
Gabriella stared down at him, wary, "I don't want to have to continue this Gabriel, please, please stop. Help us save humanity."
Gabriel stared at her for a long moment and then laughed, throwing his head back. Looking up at her he grinned, "You are a fool."
Gabriella shook her head, "Maybe, but I still have hope. Which it seems you gave up on a long time ago."
The smile wiped off of Gabriel's face as he stood, brandishing his sword at her, "Quiet pet, it's time to die."
Gabriella sighed and readied herself, "By all means, do try Gabriel."
They moved rapidly, trading blows, both breathing heavily. Gabriel lashed out and cut a slice across her left thigh, forcing Gabriella to stumble back, swearing.
Gabriella looked around swiftly, seeing that Michael was fighting two 8balls and Alex was in a desperate fight with his one remaining 8ball.
Her gaze flew back to Gabriel who was twirling his sword, grinning at her. Gabriella felt a cool rush of anger rush through her.
He was like a petulant child who was angry that he wasn't getting his way, lashing out at those who he thought had wronged him.
Gabriella took a deep breath and focused, using her vision state to focus on Gabriel, to see what was coming. Seconds before Gabriel whirled and thrust at her, she saw it happen, and sidestepped the blow.
She continued to focus, seeing Gabriel's moves before he made them, trading blows with him, tiring slowly. Her vision blurred for a moment, exhaustion flooding her limbs.
Gabriel took the moment to knock the spear from her hands, knocking her onto her back. The air rushed out of Gabriella's lungs at the force of the impact, her back aching from the blow onto the icy and snowy ground.
Gabriel moved swiftly to crouch over her, his sword at her throat. Gabriella heard Michael shout her name and looked over to see him running towards her, "No Michael! This is between us."
He sent her a pleading look and took another step towards her, only to be stopped by Gabriella holding out a hand, a powerful force field holding him back.
Gabriella looked back up to Gabriel and waited, "Do what you want Gabriel, if you think you can live with it."
Gabriel stared down at her, an angry expression on his face. He pressed his sword to her throat, and Gabriella could feel the edge biting into her skin, the warm blood running down her skin into the hollow of her throat.
Gabriella could see the hesitation in his eyes and in that moment of indecision she grabbed a rock and smashed it into Gabriel's temple, simultaneously kneeing him in the groin, shoving him off of her and rolling to her feet.
Gabriella looked around wildly for her spear and felt a swift rush of fear as she saw it behind Gabriel.
Gabriella gripped the rock for a moment and then cast it aside, drawing her knife from her boot holster.
Gabriel grinned coldly at her, blood running down his face as he rose from the ground. He stepped closer, and in a swift movement threw snow into her face, momentarily blinding her.
In that moment he stepped in and knocked the knife from her hands, thrusting the spear he had grabbed from the ground into her abdomen.
Gabriella let out a cry of agony and sank to her knees, her whole body going cold and numb. Gabriel stepped back as Michael and Alex rushed forward, both calling Gabriella's name.
Michael had felt his heart skip a beat when he had seen Gabriel stab Gabriella; he had never thought he would actually harm her.
Michael fell to his knees beside Gabriella, pulling her into his arms, a low groan escaping him at the sight of the spear impaling her, blood spreading from the wound.
Alex sank down beside Michael; his throat tightening at the sight of Gabriella's rapidly whitening face. Michael stroked her cheek whispering urgently, "Please Gabriella, don't go. You're strong, fight!", tears gathering in his eyes.
Gabriella's eyes were glazing, and she was having trouble focusing, but she finally found Michael's face, so filled with angst and sadness, it would have broken her heart had she been able to feel anything.
She tried to raise her hand, but was only able to get it up off the ground and onto her stomach. Michael saw the movement and grabbed her hand, guiding it up to his face, his heart wrenching at the sight of her so weak.
Gabriella ran her fingers over his cheekbone softly, barely moving her fingers. She smiled weakly, her lips turning blue as she struggled for breath, "Michael, it's ok. I'm ok."
He shook his head rapidly, tears building in his eyes, "No, no, no baby, don't" he whispered.
Gabriella brushed a tear from his cheek, "Hush now. Listen, you need to get Alex and go. Go save humanity. Protect each other."
Alex laid a hand on Gabriella's shoulder, "Gabby, please don't leave us." She smiled at him softly, "Alex, look at me. I have a spear through my abdomen. My insides are torn apart, and if my inability to feel my legs is any indication, my spine is damaged."
Her smile faded, and she reached a hand down to the spear, grasping it firmly, and summoning the last amount of energy she had left in her broken body; wrenched it from her body.
Both men cried out in fear as she did, watching as the wound gushed blood. Michael tore off his scarf and pressed it to the wound, watching in horror as it quickly soaked in blood.
Alex let out a sob, tears streaming down his face as he stroked Gabriella's cheek softly. Michael held Gabriella close, feeling the life draining from her.
Gabriella's eyes fixed onto the sky, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow, her entire body numb. She reached a hand up towards the sky, whispering, "It's so beautiful. It's so, peaceful….."
Michael watched in horror as her breathing slowed, and then stopped, her beautiful blue eyes sliding shut, her body going limp.
Michael felt his heart shatter into a thousand pieces, and a guttural moan escaped him as he pulled her body close, wrenching sobs wracking his body.
Alex cried silently, his arm around Michael, his heart broken for himself and for Michael.
Gabriel watched from afar, feeling a sense of dread. This would only make things worse. The little glen fell eerily quiet as grief took its toll.
As the hours passed slowly, the sky darkened; Michael and Alex both falling silent in their grief, their hearts shattered.
With a final sniff and a wipe of his cheeks, Michael stood, cold anger gripping his heart. He gripped his sword tightly, advancing on Gabriel, who had the good sense to look both afraid and apprehensive.
"You will pay for this Gabriel. You will pay." Gabriel raised his own sword, preparing himself for battle with his brother.
Suddenly there was a bright flash of white light, and a presence filled the glen, forcing both men to cover their eyes.
When the light faded, Michael looked around and felt his heart skip a beat when he saw that Gabriella's body was gone. "No….NO!" He cried, confusion and terror gripping him.
:( Soooo that happened. Try not to hate me! Updates will be coming soon!