Protect and Follow
By: MusketeerAdventure
Summary: This takes place during the episode A Bitter Truth. Alex finds he has an unexpected gift to add to his arsenal as the "chosen one" – Noma fears it; Pete is the grateful one; Michael searches for his faith in Mallory – the journey to and in New Delphi is fraught with unexpected revelations; and hope is plentiful – for the moment – until it isn't.
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Chapter 7: What Now?
Pete reentered the world to semi consciousness slowly and felt a sense of peace encircling him. His mind was clear of worry as he attempted to force his lids open – but they were so heavy; hard to move. His body felt weighted down also, but not in a bad way – just in a tired way; as if he could curl in and sleep forever. Here in this dark, silent place he could rest.
Around him, he was aware of warm and cold sensations - the contradiction causing him to frown and shiver slightly. Above him he could hear someone speaking words he could not understand. The voice he thought addressing him sounded firm and encouraging – calling out to him; leading him up from this quiet, peaceful place. He rolled to his side, and pushed into a soft resistant force. He was reluctant to leave his dark sanctuary – but that someone kept calling his name. Irritation flashed briefly in his thoughts – but that voice sounded so worried. "There's nothing to worry about", he thought to himself. "I just need to sleep".
Pete groaned, nuzzled into the warmth and felt his cheek press against the security of worn leather. He breathed in and knew the scent of Alex right away; and leaned in further to take refuge – to just be still for a little while longer.
But Alex had other ideas. "Wake up Pete – wake up", he urged; giving him a slight shake – praying silently that he would open his eyes and be himself again. Be that talkative boy, who wanted the answers to everything; who found humor in the direst of moments – who stood at his side and was loyal without question. If he woke and was not himself – what would he do?
Alex squeezed Pete about his shoulders and whispered, "Please be you."
Through his peaceful reprieve, Pete could feel the anxiety. It pushed through his tranquility and pulled him up into reality. When he finally got control of his eye lids, he answered the call; opened his eyes and found himself on a cold, concrete floor – in the arms of his friend. The blue aura around him engulfed his spirit – spreading through his limbs, his veins and his mind. He felt well, whole and safe.
Noma sat next to them on the ground – anxiously watching him, watching her – her front teeth gnawing on her lower lip. He looked down, and noticed her hand gripping his with such force – he winced. She released his hand apologetically; gasped, and covered her mouth – her eyes wide and wet.
Pete took in a deep breath and smiled – glad to see them – but unclear on what was happening. "Hello", he croaked – his throat dry. He then found himself pulled swiftly up into such a fierce hug, so strong that he could barely breathe. But such fierceness was welcomed, and he didn't mind.
He waited a beat – for Alex to have his moment; and then hugged him back just as hard, and choked out, "I can't breathe." Alex laughed softly at that, and pulled back, holding Pete by his shoulders – unshed tears in his eyes; a crooked grin plastered on his face. Had he truly done it? Was Pete's humanity restored for a second time?
He looked carefully into the face of his friend – and found Pete, his Pete, staring back at him. All be it, unsure and semi aware – it was definitely his Pete; brow furrowed and a question quickly forming on his lips. Only his Pete would awaken from possession to ask a question.
Feeling overwhelmed with emotion, Alex released his friend; stood swiftly to his feet and walked to the nearby wall. He stood with his hands on top of his head – staring wide eyed at his friend – incredibly grateful that the power of eviction somehow had been bestowed on him. He had no words to describe the overpowering significance of this moment.
He looked to Noma, and she watched him with unsurpassed awe.
Alex turned away from them; pressed his hands and forehead against the wall – felt the cool plaster against his hot skin and silently thanked a God he was not sure he ever believed in. But now he believed different.
He pulled the sleeves of his jacket up from his forearms and stared down at the intricate markings; felt the tingling there – the warmth and thought, perhaps He was here after all, and sighed with relief.
Noting his friend's strange reaction to him, Pete sat up straight. And before he could comment or even ask the obvious, he found himself wrapped in another bone crushing embrace. This time it was Noma who pulled him in and whispered in his ear, "Welcome back." She kissed his cheek hard and brief, and then brushed fringes of his hair back from his forehead.
She granted him with a rare smile that reached her eyes and made her look absolutely beautiful. He was drawn in by the radiance of her; and blushed under her scrutiny. Noma showing him such unguarded affection sort of worried him. Something horrible, then miraculous must have happened.
So he hugged her back; felt her relax and asked, "What happened? How did we get away?" For he remembered nothing beyond being strapped in a chair and praying that he would not forget his friends once possessed.
Noma sat close, held his hands, explained his repossession; their harrowing escape and the miracle of eviction in hushed even tones. Alex slid to the ground; his back scraping against the concrete wall and regarded his friends. He swiped the lone sliding tear from his face and resolved that these would be the last tears he shed until this war was over.
He was so very, very tired and for a moment, wished that Michael were here with him to tell him what to do. He clenched his jaw tight and rubbed the blood from his throbbing hand – the knuckles swelling right before his eyes. He forced his hand to close and formed a tight fist despite the discomfort. Michael wasn't here. Michael had left him. Did what he did best. Leave when he needed him most.
He felt his heart harden toward the archangel he loved as a father; ran his fingers through his hair and down his face. He pushed down on the swollen knuckles and felt the pain of it. He didn't need Michael. Noma was here, and Pete was back with him – these two were who he could trust and count on.
He tipped his head back – closed his eyes and breathed easily for the first time in hours. He listened contently to his friends talking and couldn't help but laugh softly every time he heard Pete exclaim, "Wow"; "for real?" or "you must be kidding".
Hearing their voices sent a surge of energy through him. They were battered and worn, but not broken. They had the amphora. They had the darkness – Julian's secret weapon. Here was their leverage - his way to kill Gabriel once and for all and end this bloody war.
He would make Julian help them.
Gabriel stood over the manhole a few miles from the compound of New Delphi and looked to his brother beside him. "This is our way in Michael", he said; kicking the eight ball who had stood guard away from the dusty entrance – his body limp – without life, his neck having been snapped in one powerful motion.
Michael scanned the area and nodded, seeing no other guards than the several they had already permanently relieved from their duties. They would not be causing any trouble for them, either going in or coming out. Michael sighed heavily. This was almost too easy, and it worried him.
Gabriel reached down to pull the cover open and asked, "What's your plan brother? How do you want to handle this?"
Michael gazed hard at Gabriel – saw the doubt there, and looked to the heavens – squinting against the harsh sunlight. "My plan is only to find Alex and get him out of there – nothing more."
Gabriel nodded and pulled up the cover and looked down into the dark abyss. "The ladder here leads down into the tunnels. We walk a few miles east and it goes straight to the market."
Michael reached for his brother and gripped his shoulder. "Before we head down, I want to ask something of you Gabriel."
Gabriel's eyebrows lifted and reached to his hairline. "You mean, other than helping you find Alex and not to kill him on sight?"
Michael ignored his brother's flippancy; held on fast, and spoke with care. "If something should happen to me, if…"
Gabriel removed his brother's hand from his shoulder; frowned deeply and interrupted before he could finish his thought. "Nothing's going to happen to you Michael. I'll make sure of that. So please, stop being such a pessimist."
He peered closely at his brother and noted that self-sacrificing look he carried so heroically and scowled. Once found, that sense of honor Michael brandied about like a shield grated on him profusely. He turned away to block out his brother's earnest look.
No matter what, no matter what atrocities he had committed – Michael still trusted him; and looked to him to fix things. It was a wonder to him; and annoyed him greatly.
"No truly Gabriel", Michael insisted, "I want you to promise me that you will watch over Alex – see to it the markings are deciphered and take care of him. It's what Father would want. And if you give your promise , I know it would be so."
Gabriel turned back, looked to his brother; laughed with a touch of sadness and shook his head. "No Michael. I won't promise that. I'd as soon kill Alex for what I want."
Michael sighed and placed his hands on his weapons there on his hips and caressed the gifts from his brother he held so dear. Gabriel looked to the sky and searched the heavens for what to say to put his brother at ease. For once they found the chosen one and got him out safely, all bets were off.
"What I will promise you brother, is that I will let nothing happen to you. Alex is your chosen one – not mine. I'll see to it you keep out of harm's way and together we will find him and bring him out."
He touched Michael's cheek; cupped it and gave a gentle slap – then grabbed for his neck. "That's all I can promise Michael."
Michael nodded in his grasp and held onto his arm – remembering when no man stood between them. "Fair enough", he said, smiling a little to show he understood.
Gabriel released his brother and clapped him on the back, "Then you go down first. When we get to the market, I'll go high – you low and we'll find that boy."
Michael climbed down; stopped and then looked up to his brother standing above him. "Thank you", he offered; turned his gaze quickly away and descended down into the bowels of New Delphi.
Alex startled and took in a shuddered breath. He must have dozed off for a moment, because when he opened his eyes, Noma sat to his right – the amphora clutched to her chest, and Pete to his left – watching him warily, fear etched on his face.
He reached over and squeezed Pete's knee – hoping that he conveyed a sense of confidence. Pete had been through a lot – they all had; and there was more hardship to come.
"What now?" Noma asked – her question bouncing off the concrete walls; sending vibrations of uncertainty up his spine. He touched the amphora held close to her breasts and proclaimed, "We confront Julian and make him help us kill Gabriel. We unleash this darkness on all of us or on Gabriel alone. It's his choice. Either way – this war ends." He searched her eyes and saw that she wanted to contradict him. Take the amphora – leave New Delphi and make their way back to Vega.
"This is our chance Nomes", he pleaded.
Noma looked down at the amphora, then back to Alex and searched his face – knowing that between them; only she could unleash the darkness. She saw that he still believed in his plan – still had faith it would work. She wasn't so sure. Julian had proven that he could not be trusted. She thought of what he had done to Pete and seethed with anger. He was a stealer of souls – there was no getting past that.
Though she was skeptical of the plan – she had faith in Alex. If he believed – then so would she.
"All right then", she announced – rising to her feet. "Let's get going." She held her hand out to him; he grasped it firmly and she pulled him to his feet. Pete stood with them, and put his hand over theirs – his lips thin with determination.
"Together then", Alex voiced – tightening his grip on Noma's hand. The three of them nodded to each other – giving a silent oath of solidarity. It was time to go.
Julian stood on the platform flanked by his ever present entourage; looked out over his small kingdom of New Delphi and fumed beneath his calm exterior. Lyrae bombarded his senses and demanded immediate action from him – to find the darkness – get it back at all costs. It was his only means of vengeance; his sole purpose in living.
Lyrae had waited centuries for this moment in time; and it would not be lost to him. The chosen one would lure Gabriel here for the markings; and where there was Gabriel – Michael would follow.
Julian attempted to clamp down on the rage – but Lyrae was too strong. He would consume him and have his way – so he let go and let the angel assume control – give orders; search New Delphi high and low for the amphora.
But the amphora was out of reach. The chosen one and his angel lost among the throng of human and possessed; Menathas taken for a purpose he didn't understand. Only General Riesen, weakened and sickly, stood here with him now – unwilling to tell where Alex had hidden himself.
Julian spun around looking through Lyrae's eyes and felt the angel's deep panic. He understood that kind of panic – had felt it for many years before Lyrae had found him, taken up residence within him and promised good health, eternal youth, and power amidst the ravaged and possessed.
Lyrae had saved his life, and given him everything.
He would do anything Lyrae wanted. He would lie, kill, torture; and lay waste to humanity. And above all kill the twin archangels.
When he turned again, there stood the object of his search – the chosen one – holding out the darkness- threatening to kill them all - with his angel and the curiously unpossessed boy at his side.
"Let me handle this", he cooed internally; and Lyare left him to it.
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