Protect and Follow
By: MusketeerAdventure
Summary: Michael, Alex, Noma and Pete make their way into Vega – however the darkness spreads fast and inner demons make themselves known.
Chapter 21: Into Vega
Alex peered up into the sky – now gray with the beginning of evening and wondered what Michael would find. It had been a good hour since he had taken off with the news that his brother was near. The declaration left his mind reeling with all manner of worst case scenarios.
That Gabriel was here – now – close to Vega spelled more than trouble.
It meant that somehow he had escaped New Delphi and overpowered Lyrae. It also meant that now Gabriel ruled over the New Delphi Empire and all that entailed – the eight ball army; the loyal human inhabitance; the commerce and perhaps the amphora.
He began to pace back and forth; and made an effort to slow his heartbeat. He had made a right mess of the attempt to gain New Delphi's help and Lyrae's allegiance – and felt the guilt for all that had happened and gone wrong there. Noma losing her wings; Pete being possessed; the amphora left behind; Michael tortured – all of it was his fault.
He looked again to the sky; took in the sight of the stars and the luminous full moon – but could see no sign of the archangel. If Gabriel was truly out there – Michael was surely in grave danger. Gabriel's single minded focus to bring God back by way of his downfall was only matched by Michael's fierce determination to see mankind survive.
He shook his head. The day those two took to battle would be epic – and few would be left standing if they tried to intervene. He hoped that battle was not due today.
That the two of them were out there had him on edge and in fear for Michael's safety. He listened keenly for Michael's flutter of wings; and prayed for the archangel's swift and safe return.
He loved Michael and he could not go into Vega without him. He needed his strength; sense of purpose and resilience. They all needed his presence. He was the elder after all; and his centuries of experience were invaluable.
When he turned to his friends; he noticed that Noma sat quietly on the side of the road - her stare piercing out into nothingness – her mind it seemed was a million miles away. He quit his pacing and moved to sit next to her. He grabbed her hand, squeezed it tight and smiled as she turned to face him.
"The archangel can take care of himself", she offered and squeezed his hand in return. He nodded and hoped she was right and looked again beyond her searching up into the sky.
After a while, Alex lowered his gaze; sighed and watched as Pete balanced and walked the yellow dividing line on the highway; his brow furrowed - body tense with anticipation; his tire iron held firmly in his grasp.
He could see that Pete was scared – hell so was he; and wished he knew what words to say that would alleviate the feeling. He could think of nothing. For now they would wait for Michael's return and then go from there.
Michael extricated himself from the tendrils of the darkness and headed back in the direction of Alex and the others. How were they to enter Vega and save her residents if within hours they would be completely overcome with the terror of the amphora?
Obviously, this was some kind of trap. If they entered and were overcome with madness – Gabriel would swoop down and destroy them – kill the chosen one; and begin his usurped rein. His mind swirled with this observation. How was it that Gabriel could do this? Would not he also be affected by the darkness? What had changed since their last encounter in New Delphi?
Something had altered his brother – he could feel it. The level of malevolence he sensed was unnatural. Perhaps in some way Gabriel was already affected, trapped by the force of the amphora and needed his help.
Maybe Lyrae had control of him and that's why he unleashed the darkness on Vega. The possibilities were endless, but for now he had to get back to the others. Vega had descended into hell, and they needed a plan.
When he reached the others – the brief dizzying effects of the amphora had all but receded and he landed to the asphalt with languid ease; retracting his wings and standing to attention.
Alex released Noma's hand; scrambled to his feet and looked to him for a report of what he had seen. Michael took a steadying breath and looked straight into Alex's eyes. "The amphora has been released. Vega is engulfed with the darkness", he paused to let his words sink in. "The citizens have turned on one another; and themselves. No one guards the gates – and there is no order within the walls. Gabriel watches, but will not reveal himself to me."
Alex placed his hands on his hips and sighed deeply. He had thought things would be bad – but this? None of this made sense to him. "Gabriel has let loose the darkness and hasn't attacked the city?" At Michael's curt nod he continued his train of thought. "Then he waits for Vega to destroy herself."
Alex frowned and studied each of his companions. "We have to find a way to close the amphora and save as many people as we can."
"Only an angel can close the amphora" Noma uttered in a whisper – her words edged in trepidation – reeling with the sad thought that she was no longer an angel and could not do this thing for Alex.
Michael concurred, "This is true; and the darkness is strong. If we enter Vega – we have only a few hours – if that – before we are overcome with the horrors of our own worst nightmares. When this happens, we will be unable to think rationally; or even worse – turn on each other or ourselves."
Alex thought on this – looked about and saw that darkness now completely enveloped them. Gabriel would see them coming regardless of the covering night. But what was Gabriel intention here? If he wanted them dead, they would be under attack at this very moment. He gazed intently at Michael who stared back, waiting and read his thoughts. Gabriel's intent was revenge – he would wait for their move.
Decision made – Alex called his small army in close. "Then we must move fast. We are only a few miles from Vega. When we get inside we'll make our way first to the armory – get us some weapons and then we split up."
Pete began to protest, "No – wait; we should stick together. Haven't we learned already that separating is not a good idea?"
Alex raised his hand to stay Pete's objections. "Michael – you and Noma will find the amphora – and close it up. Pete and I will find Claire and what's left of the Core – or anyone who can help us fight. Because as soon as that bottle is corked, I'm almost positive Gabriel will attack."
The others nodded in agreement. "We'll meet up at the Stratosphere Tower."
"And then?" Noma asked – her thoughts racing ahead to what challenges they would encounter once inside Vega.
"Then we fight", Alex countered – not sure himself what that would entail.
After his brief words – everyone shared weary smiles; handshakes; and brief hugs. Michael placed his hand on Alex's shoulder and then cupped his neck with pride. Pete held tight to his tire iron and stroked it with nervous energy. Noma's pony tail bobbed at the back of her neck; and she reached out to grab Alex's hand and rubbed his knuckles with her thumb.
"This is it", Alex announced to his friends with tight urgency – and peered into each face with unwavering care and love. "We will do this, and come out on the other side." He paused and drank in the sight of his mentor; his love and his friend – and silently promised himself that he would not lose them; and would do whatever it took to protect them.
"Let's go", he called out, and in unison they turned and broke into a brisk jog, straight down Las Vegas Boulevard – toward home.
Once inside the gates of Vega – the horror that awaited them was unfathomable. Men, women, and children ran; screamed in the streets – tore at their hair and wailed from self-inflicted injury. They rushed by them in abject terror with unseeing eyes – their destinations lost in a haze of madness.
The black smoke of despair wound its way around their ankles – seeping through closed windows and locked doors.
Along the streets – some of the residents who were not running from their own nightmares – sat in dazed stupors on curbs; weeping, or staring out into nothing. Behind closed doors, they heard yelling; gunshots and agonizing shrieks of pain. Fires burned; windows were broken – and in the distance they could hear and feel explosions vibrate beneath their feet.
They swiftly zig zagged through the mayhem; made their way to the armory; and slipped in without anyone trying to stop them.
Michael could already feel the effects of the darkness creeping into his psyche and watched the door as Alex, Noma and Pete searched what was left of the weaponry for something - anything to protect and defend themselves with. He sensed the origin of the amphora back near the gate and felt they would find it near the hospital – not far from the Stratosphere Tower.
Noma could feel a faint, faux flutter at her back and worked hard to concentrate on her task and pushed the sensation to the back of her mind. There ahead, she grabbed for the M16; the ammunition and felt the weight of it calm her nerves.
Pete caught a glimpse of himself in a nearby mirror and frowned. Were those blue veins on his face; his neck? He paused before the mirror to take a better look. Alex called to him – throwing a pistol in his direction. He turned from the mirror, and caught the weapon deftly in midair. The uneasiness in the pit of his stomach was forgotten as he looked back and saw only himself peer back.
When they met back at the door – armed to the teeth – Alex nodded with approval to each of them. Michael gave a pointed look to them all. "Remember, the amphora is designed to preserve itself. It will choose a victim to protect it. Watch yourselves – and each other."
"Then we need to hurry", Pete added – his voice wavering with a healthy fear of the unknown.
With nothing more to impart, Alex clapped Michael's back, and brushed Noma's lips with a quick kiss. "Good luck", he said and watched as Michael and Noma took off into the street at full speed, amongst the winding, low black cloud of darkness.
When they disappeared, and he could no longer see them – Alex turned to Pete; reached for him, and rubbed the back of his head – then held onto the back of his neck. "Follow me" – he ordered, "stay by my side" – and out the door they raced.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review, and let me know what you think! Reviews are certainly welcome and much, much appreciated!