Protect and Follow
By: MusketeerAdventure
Summary: Events come to a head in Vega as Alex exerts his strength and Morning Star bides his time in Mallory.
Chapter 28: The Beginning Part Five
The walk through town was lovely in this brisk weather and gave him some time to reflect on the small simple beauties of life. To breathe in the fresh air; to smell bread baking from the Henderson's kitchen window; to feel the earth under his feet – solid; hard, comforting.
This was why he was meant to be here. Why he had survived the burial at sea; to be here and smell the roses. He was here to live out his existence with no worries, in his own paradise; a garden of his own making…and Eden of his own choosing.
And here it was – his beginning…Mallory.
The sacrificing; pure of heart natives of Mallory were what kept him going. Their songs of praise were nice; the worship….all well and good. But it was the sacrificing that he cherished, fed from – lapped up and stored in order to heal and become whole again. After centuries of limbo and twenty-five years here among these people, he was still nowhere near healed; and feared it would take a millennium to be his true self again.
And he could not wait much longer – his patience wearing thin as each day went by; no each second.
Neighbors strode by, smiled and issued a hardy "good morning" as they made way to Sunday services. Nodding in return, he waved a greeting of hello; asked about their children, if they were headed to church – and what special pie had Mrs. Conner made to counter the fresh bread made by Mrs. Henderson today?
It did good to fit in – be one of the sheep.
Blowing warmth into chilled fingers, he stopped to look up and take in the magnificent beauty of God's work. The sunrise was a beautiful sight to behold. Closing his eyes to relish the feel of the sun's warmth on his face; he smiled. He had to give Father his props – a gifted creator he definitely was; and besides he always enjoyed a good sunrise.
As a child, he and his siblings would bask in the glory of early mornings; the array of colors – the smell of dew; and frolic innocently among the clouds as Father watched and showered his devotions of love on them. Sighing, he opened his eyes to take it all in. Those were indeed joyous times.
Resuming his path to church, he dismissed such sentimental musings and wondered on the messenger, and where he could be. How things went in Vega with Noma? Would she be a team player and deliver him the chosen one?
For he was the key – that boy. His aura – essence; pure heart was what he needed. No longer would he have to wait every five years to devour, feed off the goodness of Mallory – all confessed sin buried beneath the earth with their leaders.
The chosen one would provide an eternity of fuel to keep him going.
Frowning, he blamed his recent weakness on Michael – his do good brother who had found his way here and tricked him into handing over those sins to him. Laurel was still here and she shouldn't be. He could have benefited for years off of her ultimate sacrifice. Instead – Michael's interference had left him vulnerable as he had done so many lifetimes ago.
There were rules to follow after all and now he had to wait another five years. Just as Laurel volunteered to carry the sins of this community, he needed Alex Lannon to come of his own accord. And Noma was the bait. He doubted the boy would come without her.
Suddenly the air displaced around him, and pain ratcheted in his skull – blinding and steeling him of his breath. Gasping, he clutched at his head, and felt his legs turn to rubber. He knew right away what this was. Michael and Gabriel were tearing each other a new one – no doubt battling it out in Vega over the future of humanity and the chosen one.
Father's markings being such a hot commodity – as it were.
Wincing, he rubbed his temples to ease the pain. He could always sense them, and it was no different now. Their pains were his pains – their sorrows; joys and triumphs ….his as well. A curse he wished he could separate from.
Always they would be his brothers; but now more so his enemies. They had tried to destroy him; succeeded in diminishing him and keeping him out of the loop; had imprisoned him in a watery grave and left him to rot.
He only hoped they would destroy each other – cancel each other out; so he wouldn't have to do it.
He swayed a bit; and a firm hand gripped his arm. Through the haze of such a blinding headache he could hear Laurel ask, "Are you alright Wes? Do you need any help?"
Leaning into her hold, he accepted the assistance gladly. "Yes, Laurel – thank you."
"Here", she prompted and placed her shoulder beneath his arm and grabbed hold his waist. "Let me get you home."
"No….no" he insisted. "I was on my way to church. Please, let's head there. I'll be alright once we get inside."
Lifting an eyebrow she smiled slightly at his stubbornness. "Alright", she acquiesced, "Church it is."
And together, as the bells rang out, they shuffled slowly – side by side to hear the Word and sing praises.
The power of eviction came over him swiftly without any real warning. One moment he was leading the citizens of Vega from beneath the Luxor – Noma and Pete at his side; Michael clashing swords with Gabriel above him – the wind howling; electricity charging the air; and then it happened.
Warmth surged up from his belly – the markings danced about his skin and then the words came forth – loud, with no hesitation, "Sanctify this vessel. Come into the light. Protect us body and soul."
Holding out his arms – raised to reach for the approaching eight balls – as if to welcome them into his embrace he could sense the fear of those witnessing this behind him. Eight balls descended on them fast as they moved out from the protection of the parking garage.
But he wasn't deterred…..knew his plan would work and yelled out the eviction incantation once more; twice and then a final time.
Behind him, he could feel everyone go still; incredulous, as a wave of blue light flowed from him like lava - crashed into the unsuspecting enemy, then out over the city – block by block. The force of the wave so strong – it broke windows; blew in doors; lifted from the ground anything and everything that was not bolted down.
Above them, the storm of the archangel battle waned; as the tidal wave here below at his fingertips grew stronger. The eight balls fell as one where they stood beneath the current of eviction – those before him in the street; those in the bowels of the city or on the outskirts. They could not escape its power.
After what seemed but an instant, his strength fading from the exertion; Alex felt the tide flow back toward him. Up above the lightening had ceased; the wind dissipated and there falling from the sky – a meteor on fire…..Gabriel, descending fast to the earth.
An explosion rocked the ground as newly reborn humans stood slowly to their feet – examining their hands; touching their faces; clutching their hearts looking inwards, into their bodies, souls and minds. Turning in confused circles they took in their surrounds, unclear of where they were and what they were doing.
"They are reborn, and don't know what's happened!" Pete announced, standing at his side; staring out at the multitude of people who were afraid – waiting for what next.
"You have performed a miracle!" he shouted and squeezed his shoulder; amazed at what he just witnessed.
Alex swayed and would have fallen – exhaustion weighing him down, if not for Noma who slid close and held him up around the waist. "Are you alright?" she asked her voice odd; tinged with love and fear –the power displayed by the chosen one warring with her love for him as a man.
Alex nodded; leaned into her the more and began giving orders, "Pete…..pull some people together to help you and reassure these people that everything is okay. They're safe now. Then start moving everyone toward the armory."
Pete nodded – turned away to follow orders, and suddenly Alex fond that he could not move. That he had done this thing – worked this miracle, frightened him. The markings had ceased communicating and left his skin feeling raw and painful. But if he stopped to examine the moment; what he had done – he knew he would go mad. Looking to the heavens he whispered, "Thank you." But it didn't seem enough.
As if from a distance, he could hear Pete's voice calling out instructions; soothing the reborn and herding everyone away toward the armory. Noma peered up at him….expectant – her gaze alight with pride.
There was so much to think about. Had they truly withstood this threat to Vega or did some danger still lurk? They must make haste to the children, be sure the eight balls were all expelled. What of Michael? What of the meteor that fell to earth? Should they all stay here in Vega – rebuild or strike out to find a new, better home?
Noma squeezed his waist and brought him back from such daunting thoughts. "One thing at a time", she whispered.
As he swept her up into a hard, unyielding embrace, out on the horizon an orange tinge of sunlight began its rise in the east….and he, overcome with emotion… hid his face in her hair and wept tears of gladness.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think. And thank you to those who continue to read this story.