Chapter 24
All my love and thanks for reading. I've got like 6 more chapters after this one planned and then THE END! I'm so proud of myself for committing to this story and I'll definitely get the last chapters posted before the end of June. Sorry I was late on this chapter, I wasn't sure what to write and this is sort of a filler so be forewarned. Thanks for your support everybody!
Max
They brought us to a board of seventeen angels, each with their wings held out, a sign of their status. I saw my Watcher, Saunders, among them. I wondered if he was my Voice. The Voice sounded neither male nor female, but I could tell its emotions towards me somehow. He nods at me, showing that he acknowledged me. I haven't seen him in awhile but for a long time, the only angels I communicated with were him and Fang.
"Please stand," Fable tells the Flock. We do so, feeling awkward. We didn't belong here. Well, I did, but this was my district and even then I don't ever feel welcomed here. Fang was from 17, and the others besides Ari never even saw any part of Heaven before.
"What do you have to share today?" Saunders asks us.
I look at Ari. He takes a deep breath and introduces himself, "I am Aric, and I used to be a demon."
The assembled crowd gasps. Judging by some of their faces, I think that they recognize him from the First War. I just stand where I am frozen as a statue. Let the show begin.
Fang
I watch Max as she stands. The Assembly seems dubious of Ari's story though he's living, breathing proof standing in front of them. They recognize him, they remember him and his choice but they can't put the entire picture together. I think deep inside them, they know and they fear it, but their pride is too much. Pride is what got Satan sent down to Hell in the first place and it might get the angels in trouble.
"Why should we believe you?" an angel named Tangle asked. Max's hands clenched. I could see her working to control her temper. I wonder if she's hearing the Voice right now. Her eyes screamed frustration.
"You used to be a demon," Tangle goes on, "You were taught to deceive. What makes you trust-worthy?"
"Nothing," Ari replies calmly, "But if I am still a demon, how would I be able to go through the portal here? They threw me out; my loyalties are no longer theirs."
So it went, back and forth, Max's anger building up more and more as time went by. I could see that she needed this. She needed to stop whatever Hell that was about to break loose. She needed this because she was made to protect others.
The Flock's breath is held as we wait for the verdict.
Max
"Yes!" I scream when we're safely out of the room. The Flock is laughing and hugging each other underneath a big oak. Ari is the proud martyr and his cheeks are ruddy from laughing. I throw my arms around my little brother. He's not so little anymore. He's grown taller than me.
It's ironic really, the way that we're laughing in the face of a War. But they've agreed to send word to the Throne and we'll be prepared. Back in Rome, the Emperor has his armies as well. Who knows where the Battle will be. But we are prepared and I'm happy.
I release Ari and bound into Fang's arms. He kisses me ardently, triumph written all over his face.
Suddenly, a loud crashing sound disrupts our cheerful mood. A stricken angel stands before us, his pale gray face exhausted. "I-I'm from D-district 31!" he huffs between breaths, "We are under attack!"
As I said up there, this is a filler so bear with me until the next chapter. Thanks everyone again! Merci! (French)