Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening! I hope everyone is well. First of all I am so sorry it has been a month since my last update. I apologise for that, but with the month just gone seeing the 6 month anniversary of the loss of my sister it seemed to affect both my motivation to write as well as my inspiration. So it had unfortunately knocked me a little. But on a lighter note, this is a chapter special ready for my 19th birthday which is has already really begun as it is 00:38am here in the UK marking the start of it :) so very excited!
A lovely new person in my life has also made it all very special and such for me, so I am very happy to present this chapter special which should not let down my faithful reviewers and readers. I hope you all enjoy it!
Anyway, on to the new chapter…Please review, it would honestly make my day as always! 202 reviews is just incredible! Thankyou!
'The Angel of Life…' Abe breathed,
'She has awakened…' Rasputin remarked, stepping back and lowering the open book that had been in his hands. Though as Belle came to glance towards Rasputin, her glowing white eyes were not the only attribute that made those in the room come to realise that it was not Belle before them…not completely…
'An occurrence I'm sure you did not want to happen…Gregory Rasputin…' she remarked, her voice being now feather light, soft, though it echoed slightly as she spoke, the name she had uttered being one, however, that she spoke with a hint of disdain.
'What happened to Belle…who are you?' Liz remarked, Hellboy putting himself between Liz and the Angel, though she merely smiled to her.
'Elizabeth Sherman…or Liz as I understand it…I have not much time to explain the situation, but as Belle requested, I can help you but once…so forgive me for the few words I use…But I am afraid, actions must speak for this moment…' she breathed. As her eyes suddenly shifting to Kroenen who had withdrawn both blades, his fast actions put to the test as Belle's hand suddenly drew orbs of light to it which were hurtled towards the former Nazi assassin, the light throwing him into the wall behind him and discarding his blades to the floor. Though as Rasputin set to seize a dagger from his belt, the Angel finally took to battle and seized him by his robes, slamming him against a wall.
'I act upon a request from the heart, but speak to me…tell me the truth I wish to hear…my fellow guardian…what have you done to him…where is Raphael?' she tried, 'need I remind you an Angel in its purified form is at its most dangerous? After all…you committed the most inhumane of crimes to the heavens and earth…' she remarked with an ice cold tone, a gunshot ringing through as Hellboy shot at Kroenen, distracting him from his target of the Angel of Life.
'Abe I dunno what the hell is going on…but we gotta get Belle and get outta here!' Hellboy called out, the Angel not moving her sharp gaze from Rasputin though he coughed out a daring answer.
'You harbour so much power; yet you use it for such weak, insignificant purposes…'
'No, it is you that is corrupted by power and greed. You have cheated death more than once. Though you shall not harm those present,' she remarked releasing Rasputin as she turned to see Ruxandra hovering nearby, wondering whether it wise to challenge her or not.
'So you won't fight…' Ruxandra mused, 'nor will you show your actual form…'
'Anger is a powerful emotion, but not one I currently hold…The fight you seek is not with myself but another,' she responded calmly before turning to Rasputin and without warning casting him carelessly into the wall across the room, with a sphere of light that formed at her hand without any spoken command. 'Understand that punishment for your crimes can not be evaded,' she remarked with a hint of pain slipping into her voice, when Hellboy interrupted.
'Alright, I don't know what the hell is going on, all I wanna know is what you've done with Belle,' Hellboy called as he moved to a better position, watching Kroenen steadily.
'She is safe, though partially dormant inside her own body in order to allow me to assist you,' the Angel responded, though as the alter was disturbed once more, the ground began to tremor violently. 'Quickly, there isn't much time,' the Angel urged, gathering the three together by encircling them with her wings and uttering an incantation in a language they could not understand when a burst of white light eclipsed the room, blinding all but the wielder as they vanished from the room, leaving Rasputin, Ruxandra and Kroenen to the room that fast fell to ruin…
~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~
It was a strange sensation to Abe, Hellboy and Liz as they were moved from the underground chambers; the group going from standing on hard stone that shook at their feet to soft grass. It was now night…the pearlescent moon being so bright against the ebony sky that it seemed to provide a light over where they had now appeared. Seeing the lake nearby it settled Liz to realise they were safe, though she feared for her new-born babies, not knowing what had become of them.
'You shall be safe here…' echoed the voice of the Angel who hovered a mere few feet away, the others being positioned behind a rocky scree that was dusted with thin grass.
'Who are you?' Liz asked; clinging to Hellboy's arm as the spirit within Belle's body smiled kindly.
'Do not fear me as you would fear my counterpart…' she smiled softly, 'I am the former Angel of Life…' she offered, her wings being of the purest white, her eyes now softening down in tone as she watched them carefully. Even in the night-time light there was an ethereal glow that seemed to emit from her angelic form; the Angel's eyes and voice being the only thing that otherwise differed from the body she was currently in control of.
'The former…so that would mean that Belle…'
'Yes…she has been chosen, even before birth, to take my place as the Angel of Life. It would have remained a dormant gift within her, had this world not been on the brink of war.'
'The brink of war…Lady this world is in danger from something or other every damned day, what-'
'The choice…' the Angel interrupted calmly, raising a hand before gesturing to Liz. 'You opted for a life at the cost that you would suffer more than anyone else in the end. The act was neither completely selfish nor selfless. But that time is drawing nearer and only one can stop this world from falling to chaos…' she remarked. 'To undo what has been done…the prophecy of an apocalypse will come true, I have known this even before my life ended…but in the view I have had, you did what you had to; in order to ensure your children had their father, that you had your soul mate. My purpose is to give life…not take it…that is the purpose of my counterpart, though the Angel of Death helped you, it came at a price. Mine shall come with nothing more than an offering of advice. What has happened may be reversed. But it shall not be easy…' she offered, Abe clutching at his wounds as he watched, being fully intent on not allowing his injuries to get the better of him.
Yet as the sound of a car engine startled the Angel, it seemed to provoke her to consider something she looked between them and those who were no doubt approaching.
'There is no time left…' she breathed, 'Belle's body has been placed under such strain…she needs to be left to heal…' the Angel offered slowly, 'my time is at its end, though at any cost you must flee from this place and do not return…all I ask is that you find my fellow guardian…the Archangel Raphael. I know that he is still alive…if he was within the spirit world, he would have come to me by now…'
'Why do we need to find this Archangel or whatever he is?' Hellboy questioned with a frown, the Angel looking at him as she then lowered her gaze.
'Gregory Rasputin is a man who has evaded the natural laws of life and death and has tampered with a balance that needs to be restored. Though while he is strong, if he has manipulated an Archangel…the danger that you could face would be like a losing battle. But if you hold onto faith and love…you cannot go too far wrong. Just spare him if you may…he would not have easily given in to the torture he was faced with…' she remarked, beginning to drift back into the air when Abe reached out to her, only to recoil in pain as he sank to his knees. Though the Angel looked upon him with kindness as she lowered herself to his level…
'You feel much love in your heart for Belle; that much I can feel from you,' she uttered softly, trailing her fingertips beneath his chin to bring him to look at her.
'What is your name?' he asked of her, the Angel simply smiling as she returned,
'Belle knows of it, and she should be your only concern for now…It is time I gave her back to you…' she whispered.
'Wait!' Liz called out as the Angel rose back into the air, 'there is so much we need to know…' she breathed,
'All you need is with Belle, there is a chance to correct what has been done…but do not think I blame you for your choice. Love is a powerful thing…I can only hope you are strong enough to endure the pain. But you have my blessing and my well wishes to carry you through,' she smiled, before finally her wings cocooned her once more, though the feathers began to fade as they spread out again. As they changed from feathers to orbs of light, Belle was lowered before them, the last of the feathers fading and being absorbed by her body until finally, the white light faded.
Though as Abe knelt down to Belle's unconscious figure, he reached underneath her shoulders and behind her knees as he lifted her up carefully in his arms, his body weak, but strong enough to hold her…He wouldn't permit anyone else to do that…no…not now…Though as he looked down to Belle, he saw her eyes flicker open weakly, back to their beautiful shade of amethyst as she looked up at him uttering three soft words. 'You came back…' Yet it was in that moment that as Hellboy and Liz looked over them, the arrival of a few familiar faces startled the newly awakened angel.
'Belle!' called out a voice that held such comfort to Belle, her eyes glancing across to see James appear above them, Dale beside him and on his right, her parents…
'Oh my…no…Belle!' Glenna called out fearfully, putting a hand to her mouth as she sank to her knees, Belle appearing to them as unconscious, though it wasn't the case. But with feeling as weak as she did, Belle found herself unable to speak and be heard. Though she had expected this as much as she did to see Dale…She knew it would happen following her inability to get hold of him after being turned back into a human.
'You…you there, let her go!' Harold remarked, starting to make his way down to them, Manning going to intervene when Harold rounded on him.
'Shut it Manning. This is my daughter and I don't know what the hell you thought you were doing in leaving her with these people, but this is the end of it. I want an ambulance for her and she is coming with us,' he said plainly, running a hand through his silver coloured hair. Though it was amidst the arguing that Belle finally made herself heard…
'No…' she breathed weakly, she knew she would be unable to fight if anyone tried to take her, and yet she still reached up and clutched at Abe's torn jacket as she tried to hold onto him. But what surprised Abe was how the dog that had been at her Father's side suddenly approached him, sniffing cautiously before whining and putting himself between Abe and Harold.
'Chance…' Belle uttered softly, the onlookers being shocked by Chance's sudden actions, though Harold tried to dismiss it.
'Come on Chance…move out of the way…' he began, though he made no attempt to move closer as Chance held his stance, even sitting right in front of Abe as Belle reached down with her free hand to brush the tips of his ears. As he continued to whine, Abe finally took the moment to appeal to not just her Father, but the other family that were there.
'Please…you may not trust us…not with your daughter, and you have that right. But please allow me to treat Belle…she means more to us than you could possibly understand. I have to see to it that she is alright. Because I would give my life for her…' Abe remarked, the pain from his wounds nothing compared to the emotional worry he held at the thought of not being able to oversee that Belle was alright.
'Dad…please…' Belle breathed, looking into his eyes, the emotion shining there something that he couldn't ignore when he finally sighed in defeat.
'If this is what you want Belle…then I won't prevent it, but this will not continue…I promise you that,' he remarked, kissing her on the forehead gently, before walking away to speak to Manning as James walked past him.
'What have you gotten yourself into?' he said, worry in his face though Belle smiled weakly at him, watching as he trailed his hand down the side of her cheek, Belle reaching and putting her hand over his. Closing her eyes for a moment Belle felt somewhat contented in light of the pain she felt.
'Promise me that you'll be there when I wake up?' she asked, knowing she was gradually slipping from consciousness. Though she didn't speak of her pain, it showed in her expression as she tried to shift slightly in order to take some of the pressure off Abe. Though despite his pain, Abe continued to hold her with the utmost care.
'I will be…' he whispered, before straightening up to look at Abe. 'We'll follow you by car,' he then remarked with a more formal tone.
'Of course,' Abe nodded, James then seeing the wounds on Abe's chest, a touch of concern crossing his features as he looked back up to the merman, Belle smiling at the last thing she heard her cousin say as her eyes finally gave in and flickered shut.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~
The return to their home that night had been one filled with tension and stress. With Abe being forced into being seen by paramedics, Liz and Hellboy refused to settle until they had been reunited with the twins from the hospital. Yet as Belle's family now, in effect, pushed their way into the home that Hellboy, Liz and Abe had started their new life in, it was Liz that really felt the pressure.
'I should have you reported we come to the FBI for help and because you know our daughter has a gift you think it's right to put her with these people?' Harold ranted as they got in the door, Hellboy being on his last nerve. Though it was as Liz came in with the other of their two bundles that she overheard Harold asking what kind of place the FBI were running when she turned to Belle's father in frustration.
'There is no "place they are running," this is our home, a home in which we have tried to use to live peacefully. Away from people like you who judge us without knowing us…' Liz remarked, looking between Harold and Glenna as she sighed, her dark eyes lowering in her gaze. 'When you met me you accepted I was different because you saw me help Belle…Like your daughter I am different and you chose to understand that based off of Belle's trust towards me. So if you can do that for me and have even the smallest amount of faith in me…then what difference should someone's appearance make?' she said plainly. Looking into the eyes of Belle's father, he shifted his expression to Hellboy, who chose to add a few calmer words himself.
'Belle is like a little sister to me. I'd protect her with my life, as would Liz and Abe, even Manning tries…but ya gotta trust that we know what we're doing. You might judge Abe, but right now, he would be the only one that Belle wanted to help her through this.'
Yet it was as Hellboy then shrugged out of his torn and battered coat, that he was able to cradle his new born son better, though his own wounds and bruising were starting to show upon his arms. Yet it was only as they made to walk away that Harold demanded that they explain what had happened to Belle.
'Well maybe you should ask the people responsible for that…but it was not us. Trust me, Red will find them…'
'…Belle couldn't even stand,' Dale sighed, leaning against a nearby wall in the corridor they stood in.
'Belle did a selfless thing in there…she could have died at the hands of those people, but she fought against it, not just for us but for you as her family and friends. Though her selfless quality is something I'm struggling to understand as I can't honestly see where she has attained it,' Liz remarked, running a hand through her obsidian hair that seemed somewhat darker than normal against her pale skin.
'Go and lie down babe,' Hellboy soothed in her ear, 'I got this…' he uttered, Liz being on the verge of tears as she leant her forehead against his, Manning now trying to coerce Harold again for a more civilised talk.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~
As Abe carried Belle into their home that evening, he did not take her anywhere else but his room, knowing that she needed to be watched over and that he would be the one to do it. It didn't matter to him…he would assume responsibility for his actions, it was his decision and his alone. He knew Belle's family knew nothing of his relationship with her…but in seeing how hurt she was, he couldn't bear the thought of her being without him there to care for her. He had always taken a natural caring role over his colleagues and those he regarded as family within the bureau. But now, as he carried her into his room, he looked down on her with emotional eyes as he wished only for her to wake up. But that was some time off…
Holding Belle with the little strength he still held following the torture he had been put under in the dungeons, Abe walked straight past the sofa where Belle had fallen asleep on more than one occasion. Instead he carried her to the unused king sized bed in the corner, supported by a step that took him onto the circular formation that held the large bed and showed the beautiful scenic views now bathed in only the starlight of night. Though after laying her down amidst the pillows and cushions that adorned the bed Abe carefully ensured she was well supported as he gently pulled the duvet over her weak form.
Yet Belle continued to sleep, the power that had once been dormant within her having causing a lot of physical strain, as had been apparent to Abe when he tended to her wounds. She was so fatigued…her injuries having been seen too during the journey, though Abe found it so hard to see her looking hurt…so easily breakable.
But as Abe took to her bedside, he refused to leave her alone…He had no interest in the comfort that submerging in the tank would bring. 'If only I'd woken up sooner…' Abe mused with some remorse, the false encounter created from twisted emotions and thoughts of Nuala replying in his mind as if he were reliving it.
'Abraham…I have missed you,' Nuala remarked softly, 'I wondered if I'd ever see you again,' she said with sadness in her honey coloured eyes.
'As did I, it felt like it was too cruel. You didn't deserve to die…'
'It was a decision based upon the good of both our world and yours,' she remarked, the Princess drawing herself closer to Abe as a delicate hand found the side of his face. Though as she leant up to him, her intent clear as the desire within her mind, Abe avoided the contact, Nuala searching his eyes seemingly as he made to brush past her and overlook the view when Nuala took his arm.
'I realise now the choice I should have made…' she murmured, 'I chose my brother, but now I realise I should have stayed…with you. I could have found a way to break the bond my brother held me under and then…' she stammered after finishing her rushed remark. 'We could have been together…'
~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~
Abe's POV
The very thing they thought I'd want to hear…was the one thing that triggered me out of it. It was like my senses and memories came flooding back. That was when I heard her voice…
'Belle…' I breathed quietly, looking to her sleeping form beneath the thickness of a royal blue duvet, her blonde tresses fanning out across the pillows.
'So she's still out, huh?' Hellboy remarked, coming in behind me, his arms and chest having some minor cuts and bruising; but like Abe, the wounds were already starting to heal…
'Yes, she hasn't stirred,' I responded, 'how are her family settling in?'
'Well put it this way, Belle's father Harold is actually capable of giving me a headache quicker than Manning…' he responded. Though my concerns were now over the thought of Harold Lucivia discovering that his daughter was in a relationship with someone like me…
'What are ya thinking Brother Blue?' Hellboy questioned as he leant against the edge of the bed, a frown forming in his expression as he overlooked Belle's pale complexion.
'She nearly died in there Red…if it wasn't for the Angel helping her…she could have been…'
'Don't say it,' Hellboy interrupted. 'Come on, relax, Belle's safe. An' we know who's doing all this.'
'What about Kroenen? I thought he was-'
'Dead? Yeah apparently he's an evasive little…'
'Red…'
'What? Blue that bag of dust and scrap metal killed my Father…Him and Rasputin are still alive but now they're on Belle's case too…' he remarked. I could see the anger in his eyes, the way the gold flared like a burning fire within just waiting to be let out. But what it all came down to was what they wanted.
'So you knew Belle was the Angel of Life?'
'I knew that was what King Nereus had told her yes,' I responded, 'she'd asked me not to say anything because of Liz's pregnancy…what worries me is that they know Belle is somehow a threat to them. Perhaps because her abilities could stop them…I just don't know what to think though. Belle is in so much more danger than I had imagined,' I admitted, showing my concerns as I took Belle's hand, there being no grip but it comforted me all the same.
'We'll talk about this when Belle's awake and feelin' better…just do what you have to do and be there for her…she's yours buddy. You gotta remember that…' he remarked, clapping his best friend lightly on the shoulder when the door opened once more and James appeared. 'You need something kid?' Hellboy remarked, being somewhat wary of the newcomer into the room, though Abe already knew what James was going to say before he could put it into words.
'I'm here to keep my promise…'
~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~
It had been in the early hours of that morning; that as James and the rest of Belle's family had retired to sleeping in the living room, Abe kept a silent vigil by Belle's bedside following Hellboy returning to Liz and falling asleep with the mother of his children and the new born twins. Abe had preferred him to go back to Liz, knowing she needed Hellboy as much as Belle needed him.
But while he had begun to give up hope of her awakening, it was at five am that the slight grip he had on her hand was suddenly reciprocated…As Abe glanced up to see whether it was simply her shifting in her deep slumber however, he then began to notice as Belle's eyes flickered open weakly, the dim lights in the room being welcoming to her weary eyes as she looked around her.
'Belle…' Abe murmured, the young woman of his desires now looking to him with a slight smile gracing her lips.
'You came back to me…' she repeated softly, tear filled emotion showing in her eyes as she tried to sit up, though Abe came to her, sitting himself on the edge of the bed and gently running his free hand down the side of her face.
'Of course I did…I would never have let go, knowing you were waiting…' he remarked gently, his words soothing to Belle as she then asked if the others were okay. 'They're all fine…your parents, James and Dale are all upstairs…though I will leave you to sleep until the morning, you need to rest…' he said softly, Belle nodding as she finally pulled herself up and into his arms.
'You have no idea what it felt like, the thought of losing you was just so unbearable, it felt like it was getting harder to breathe…' she whispered, holding onto him with all the strength she could muster. 'Promise me you'll stay with me tonight?' she asked, Abe continuing to hold her up as he nodded.
'Of course I will…' he responded, Belle sitting back enough to look into his eyes as she kissed him with so much passion and love it was almost like she was afraid it was going to be their last. But Abe was determined to show her that it wasn't going to be the case. As he trailed a hand through her long blonde hair, Abe carefully lowered her down, kissing her forehead softly as he ensured she was comfortable. 'I may only last a few more hours before I need to return to the tank to rest,' he remarked quietly, 'but until your asleep in my arms, I shall not leave you alone…' he offered, Belle smiling as she leant back into his arms and put her head hesitantly against his chest.
'Is it safe?' she asked quite suddenly, Abe pausing before holding her more closely as he promised her it was, though as she wrapped her arms around him and lay against him, Abe surprised himself by how tired he felt. It was like knowing that Belle was safe suddenly permitted him to give into his weariness as he began to drift off. Though as Belle lay there, silently thinking over all that had happened, she gripped his hand lightly, realising he was asleep as she smiled softly to herself, though that day had made her realise something that she hadn't before. How deeply she had fallen when the man lay beside her was her source of protection. They had taken her in as a client in a way, but they had become a second family to her from the start…but Abe…he had brought her something more. The feelings she held for him being nothing like she felt before. It was only as her eyes closed in giving in to the sleep that her body still needed, that Belle began to drift off…
Yet it was in those last moments that Belle felt Abe's soothing aura encircle her that she felt truly safe; the final words she breathed before falling asleep holding so much of her heart and soul within them that night; Abe being uncertain of whether he was dreaming the words spoken in Belle's voice…though he heard them as clearly as they were spoken…
'I love you…'
So will Abe recognise that Belle really did confess her love to him? So much yet to come as always and of course, I couldn't finish without a little romance ^^ I hope you have all enjoyed this chapter! I promise it won't take so long to update next time .
Thankyou to all my reviewers as always, you keep me going and your lovely reviews are always appreciated!
I will update again soon!
Thankyou and Goodnight!
~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x