Protect and Follow
By: MusketeerAdventure
Summary: Events come to a head in Vega with Lyrae making his presence felt. Michael and Gabriel face off. All this and more; leading to the beginning of something new for mankind.
Chapter 26: The Beginning Part Three
Lyrae slipped unnoticed through the gates of Vega alongside the rushing, hordes of eight balls that were once his army to command. The heavy emperion steel sword rested in its scabbard at his side and bounced reassuringly on his hip. With perfect timing it swayed in sync with every step he took. The weight of the weapon slammed against his thigh as he maneuvered swiftly through the maze that was battle.
Blood, sweat, screaming horror surrounded him – but he forged on.
The weapon gave him some measure of comfort. To know it was there, ready to use; to strike down Gabriel; Michael and the Chosen One – provided him the courage to follow through with his objectives.
With bitter disappointment, he took in the chaotic battle scene around him, and simmered with unchecked hatred. This was to be his moment, he thought; his triumphant march into Vega – his revenge fulfilled. Instead Gabriel had stolen his thunder – cast him away…..again. Made him out to be the fool; the one in the wrong.
Well, he would see to it that Gabriel saw who got the last laugh.
His escape from New Delphi had been easier than expected. Darkness consuming him, Gabriel had thought him nothing, and spent no time or resources looking for him. Flicked aside like an insect, he had hunkered down within the bowls of the bunker; avoiding detection - waiting for his chance. And when his chance came, he was ready.
Under the cover and disguise of hood and cloak, it was surprising how little attention he received. One more body among thousands filing out from underground; then walking in unison through the desert toward Vega was all the stealth he needed. Keeping up the relentless pace on foot was difficult, but he was determined.
No one paid him any mind; acknowledged him in any way….he was invisible. An invisible force that would take back what was his, by any means necessary.
Gunfire erupted to his right and several eight balls fell to the ground screeching in agony. It was a near miss that sent him sidestepping fallen bodies and rushing to find refuge. Within an abandoned store front, he found just the place.
Pulling the door closed, he searched the empty establishment to be sure he was alone; then sank to the ground to catch his breath. His hands shook with adrenaline; so he clasped them together to keep them still. He needed to get himself together and find a way to turn things around in his favor.
It was all he had now – his revenge. His need to bring Gabriel low was an all-consuming furnace – a personal hell he had to see through. He would not let the archangel get away with this. A lifetime it seemed he had invested. Twenty-five years; he had spent building up New Delphi – creating a commercial and military stronghold.
Twenty-five years he had spent trapped in Julian's body; living underground – among the lowliest of angels and rabble of humanity. Twenty-five years of planning; strategizing; getting ready. It could not end this way. This was his army. This was his plan to humiliate and destroy Gabriel. He would not lose it all to that arrogant, self-righteous prick.
Outside the store front, he could hear screams; feet pounding on pavement; humans and eight balls alike howling in the throes of death.
Underneath, deep inside him, he could feel Julian pushing to assert himself – to come out – to talk him out of this maddened state he found himself in. Pulling at his hair, he pressed the essence of the man down; and shouted for him to, "Shut up! Be still and let me think!"
At one time, he would have let Julian be the voice of reason; given him free reign to make difficult decisions. His talent for survival; his natural skill for leadership; and gift for organization had served him well. The man had been good to him; agreed to share everything – in every way. To have found him; to have melded so seamlessly was a miracle unto itself.
Together they had built an empire.
But now that time was over. He needed to take back what was his – or die trying. "I don't need you now Julian", he whispered; stood to his feet, and then plunged back out into the fray where panicky citizens not caught up in the fighting scurried by those locked in battle, to find a safe haven.
Up on the jumbo screen, looming above the city streets – Duma's voice echoed out threats in a soothing, menacing cadence. Where there was Duma, Gabriel lurked –he reasoned, and took off toward the Riesen Tower – eager to implement his hastily put together plan in motion.
Kill Duma; and retain his army; kill Michael to grieve Gabriel; kill Gabriel to wipe that condescending smirk from his face; then destroy the Chosen One. Kill…kill….kill! Vega would be his.
As he ran full throttle through the mayhem, and toward the tower – the unexpected sight of the former angle known as Noma brought him to a skidding halt. There she stood – Michael's obedient soldier; and protector of the chosen one, in the middle of a side street; still as stone, staring into nothingness. Her eyes appeared devoid of any awareness. It was as if she were sleeping on her feet.
She did not see him taking notice of her and wondered at her state. Had she gone insane? Who was it that she spoke to in such hushed tones?
The last time he saw her, she had ripped the wings off her back to save Alex Lannon. It was an unselfish act of loyalty that had on one hand amused; and on the other hand impressed him.
Gripping his sword, he thought to charge now and run her through – but Duma loomed overhead – spouting that "his" army would rain terror if the chosen one was not delivered. Mind made up, he left Noma alone in the street assured that she must have lost her mind; and would prove to be no threat.
Michael swore inwardly as he watched from his vantage point high above, the war room being overtaken by eight balls. Council members and what was left of the Angel Corp scurried from the building like ants and raced out onto side streets attempting to find a safe place to hole up.
The skies went suddenly silent, and instead of the orange glow of explosions and bombastic outbursts of artillery detonations– he was met with an eerie, soundless, inky blackness. Below him - the maze of the city and her people was in pandemonium. Duma had succeeded in taking away their one advantage. Without the cannon – it was almost impossible to subdue the eight ball army and take the city.
Earlier, he had noticed Alex retreat into the underground parking garage beneath the Luxor and felt him to be safe for now. One thing he knew for sure – Peter would see to it that no harm came to the chosen one – for as long as he could.
The drone of Duma's voice penetrated the hushed quiet and bounced off building surfaces – giving their current situation a sense of doom.
In the past, he had been in this situation on many occasions –where all seemed lost. But in each instance Father had seen them through. Faith in Him and His love had been the deciding factor – and inevitably that faith led to triumph.
In his heart, he knew this was the case now. Alex was the chosen one; and through him worked his Father. He knew it; believed it and had faith that with Alex they would find a way. All the years of preparation was coming down to this – to today; perhaps even this hour. And he would do all he could to give Alex an advantage.
Slowly he turned in space to face the Riesen Tower and let the buoyant air hold him up. With Duma there, he knew - so would be his brother. So, he would make haste to the Tower; and face down Gabriel – be the distraction; the catalyst to set things in motion. With a heavy heart, he would do what needed to be done to give Alex the time he needed in order to save this city - these people; and then the world.
For this was the beginning; and if not today then another millennium would pass before the next chosen one appeared. By then, what would have become of mankind? No….the time was now.
Slicing his way swiftly through the waning night – he knew this was their only chance. Soon it would be morning – and he hoped a new day for man and angel alike.
Gabriel leaned over the balcony and laughed aloud. Duma had come through. The war cannon no longer cut a swath through his forces and soon Vega would fall and be under his control.
Peering down on the frenzy below, he let out a conquering whoop of victory and breathed in his success. These puny humans didn't stand a chance against his might. Finally, after twenty-five years- the completion of his mission was at hand.
From here, he would destroy humanity; annihilate his brother – rule this world. Father would be pleased – send for him; forgive him; love him again.
Black eyes shining, he could feel the darkness engulfing his soul – crowding out the uncertainty at the back of his mind that perhaps this was not what Father wanted. But he stamped out that small flame along with his lingering love for his brother and hardened his heart.
This darkness…..this is what true power felt like. With it, he was now invincible; and he relished in it.
Next order of business was to find the chosen one. This time there would be no escaping him; no soft heart; no pleading Michael to give into – he didn't need a living Alex Lannon to decipher the markings; just his tanned hide.
There was nothing – no one who could or would stand in his way.
Startled from his musings, coming straight at him from the midnight sky, was Michael. Headed for him like a heat seeking missile – wings folded back; face hard; lips pressed tight against the wind. His dark eyes were cold like granite and took him aback – so unlike his bleeding heart brother.
Well….this is it – he thought to himself; and howled in the face of Michael's audacity.
"So brother, you have come to confront me!" he called out with unsuppressed glee; unfurled his glory then left his feet with ease. "Come, I am ready."
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