Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 9

Chapter 43: Harbinger of Light

(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)

Many years ago on Alecrast…

I was sitting at the old bus stop near the dirt road as I was waiting patiently for someone to take me back to the castle. In my four years, I was mainly brimming with curiosity as I also wanted to go home for the day in which I had to pull myself by the bootstraps and let Dean have his fun with his friends at school. Even though Dad was on a hunting mission, I had hope that he would get me and take me home, for I had waited at the old bus stop for a few hours. Just as I was about to wait for another hour, I noticed the High Elf girl from one of my old adventures walking towards the bus stop as she sat down beside me in which she was digging into her backpack the moment she brought out a lacquer box and opened it up. The sight of onigiri was something new as I saw the girl grab one and offered it to me, for she noticed that I was starting to get hungry.

"Here, this is for you," she said as she handed me the onigiri. "You helped me when we were about to be sold by that meanie a few days ago."

"Thank you," I said as I took a bite of the onigiri. "This is good."

"I'm glad you like it because Aya made them. I'm even learning how to cook from her in which I'll even make you some more yummy food the next time we meet again."

"Sammy!"

I heard Dean coming towards me as he saw me sitting there in which he was ready to take me home. Being the oldest, he had to be the best at what he could muster as he also had to take me home in which it was also dinner time. As for the girl, she saw some servants coming to pick her up as she was on her way home as well, for she would soon be the one who was destined to be my wife after all…

Present day…

Dean and Ravenna were still at the shrine they were in as they were also aware of the further danger that could end up gripping Valinor. Both of them were looking further into the details of how they got here as they found the exit in which they noticed a garden that was untouched by frostbite. Dean noticed that there were flowers grown here as he also saw the magnolias that were blooming along with some roses that were in so many colors. They also saw the ocean as they noticed several ships coming towards the island, for they were on the far side of it. It was a place that was made for them as they also had to return to the citadel after this, for their children and unit were waiting for them.

"This is new," said Dean.

"We've seen flowers growing in greenhouses, but having them growing outside in January?" said Ravenna. "This place must've had a lot of energy to produce the roses, but there's a lot more to what we haven't heard of."

"Those roses and magnolias were once planted and grown by the Mitani Clan before they left for Alecrast today," said Seto as she stepped outside. "Even though Valinor is mostly a planet full of Elves, High Elves were once the dominant force until they were nearly wiped out by others who were jealous of their abilities. Some High Elves remained here in which they even fought by the side of Emperor Clark during the time of the Dark Awakening. When they mustered their efforts to fight off and seal the Maladendrum in its prison, it cost them everything the moment that most of this continent ended up sinking into the ocean for all eternity. Nine hundred years later, the call to unleash the Maladendrum has gotten louder due to the fact that Beryl Beauchamp would stop at nothing to have her war on the horizon. All she needs to wake that bastard up is to include five sacrifices to release it from its prison."

"She's after Sam!" yelled Dean as he felt a sense of dread shake him to the core. "She knew that he was with child in which the babies he's carrying are also targeted to wake up a monster that is feared by everyone, including Hell's hierarchy. And yet, he's laying low, but unprotected in which that bitch of an ice queen won't stop until she gets what she wants."

"Beryl won't reach Sam 'cause he's got the best protection that he could ever have."

"What are you talking about?"

"Reiko is his true protector. She may look meek, but her power is similar to Sam's, but stronger due to both her Nephilim abilities and her devotion to her family. She is someone other than all of us who stood by Sam's side for all eternity, for she was destined to be with him from the get-go."

Dean looked at the picture of Reiko on the wall as he was aware of her role in our family. He was glad that I married her as she was someone who kept me in line after all those times I was bogged down. Still, he was blessed that I was with the love of my life as she would soon play a crucial role in stopping the Maladendrum from destroying everything if it were ever released from its prison, for the future was neither set in stone nor set willingly. It was the usual way of things as both Dean and Ravenna were ready to leave the shrine until they noticed Martha climbing up to where they were, for she was more than likely to be giving the heads-up on what was going on while being on high alert about the situation that was out of hand.

"Sorry about climbing up the wall, Captain," she said as she was out of breath.

"You look exhausted," said Ravenna.

"I've had worse, but I can manage."

"Anything new while we were gone?" asked Dean.

"Beryl's on the warpath. I got word from Emperor Florian that she would soon come here in ten days to destroy the seals despite the fact that you made them stronger."

"So, we're trapped in this shit show that is more Desperate Housewives than Game of Thrones."

"We mustn't underestimate Beryl. She has her reasons to cling to war, but something else is beckoning her to unleash the Maladendrum on our homeworld."

"Is it Abaddon?"

"No…, but I know for a fact that the Queen of Hell is too busy trying to hold onto her soul-stealing monopolies in which her 'right-hand man' knows how to manipulate people to suit his own agenda."

"Apollyon…," said Seto as she clenched her fists. "That annoying shitbird may be loyal to Abaddon, but he also has his own agenda to have history put on repeat just to suit his own ends. The bastard is desperate, but there is still hope to stop the Maladendrum from poisoning this planet."

"Lady Reiko…," said Martha as she clasped her hands in prayer. "Let's hope that the gods and the Matriarch grant you strength in your darkest hour..."

Everyone looked at the mural of Reiko as they were aware of her role in stopping the Maladendrum if it were released from its prison. Still, there were a few days left until the blood moon occurred as everyone had to go back to the citadel to report in, for they also had to prepare for the worst when the chips were down...

I was in my room as I continued to stay in my hospital bed due to the bedrest that I was under. After yesterday's warning, I feared the worst as the Maladendrum would be slowly biding its time. Still, I had to do my part, but I was also suffering from the full brunt of the pregnancy that I was forced to endure. When I got up, I heard a commotion occur outside of my room in the infirmary wing as I went into the hallway and noticed Jack arguing with Yashamaru as he was not having it the moment he put his foot down when it came to my role as the only weapon due to the raw power that I had. I never expected the King of the Grey Havens standing firm into keeping me out of the limelight, but Yashamaru was adamant into doing what was necessary to prevent disaster. I was about to be put on a pedestal against my wishes as I was fearing the worst, for I was merely a weapon after all.

"You can't do this to Sam," said Jack.

"Didn't you read the signs already or are you too adamant into not taking drastic measures?" said Yashamaru. "The Maladendrum is demanding to be released and in nine days, the blood moon will occur and no one will stop the threat from—"

"—Lady Reiko will stop the threat. She helped Sam stop Liesel and destroy Project Helios on the Sol-4 a year ago. As for his own predicament on being with child against his wishes, I won't let him use his raw power in his condition."

"He will use his raw power whether he likes it or not and sooner or later, he will also do his part into preventing the Maladendrum from poisoning all of Valinor. Reiko can't just hold her own against a powerful threat that was once subdued during the Dark Awakening nine hundred years ago. Drastic measures will be necessary to put Sam back on his feet, for it is his duty to prevent a danger to everyone, including monsters and demons. Everyone is afraid of the Maladendrum. The only line of defense against this threat is the one with raw power in which it is mandatory for him to stop this threat before it tears Valinor asunder."

"You're going to accelerate his pregnancy, aren't you? Don't think that I don't know what you're doing because I can see right through you. Sam can't do anything in his condition in which the only hope that can stop the Maladendrum is none other than Lady Reiko herself. She held her own before in which she even brought down Father Warren nearly two years ago. She is more than just a wife and mother, for she is also a Winchester by marriage and don't you forget it."

Jack put his foot down as he finally put Yashamaru in his place after he left my room. He didn't want me to do too much as he was also hopeful that Reiko would soon go up against the Maladendrum directly if the blood moon occurred. When he looked outside the window, he saw Reiko coming back from her trip to the town square as she was on her way to see me. It wasn't long until he spotted me standing near the corridor as he also didn't want me to do too much, for he was also aware of what Yashamaru would do to me if he had his way. It wasn't long until I was being escorted back to my room as I had no other choice but to stay in bed, for stress was unhealthy for what I carried inside of me.

"You shouldn't be out of bed, Sam," said Jack.

"I heard about Yashamaru threatening to accelerate my pregnancy," I said.

"Yashamaru is more adamant into forcing you back on the battlefield in which he'll do what goes against your wishes just like what Grandfather did when he beckoned Neville and his accomplice to have you become an Incubator again."

"He's skating on thin ice, but I'm also doing the same thing."

"You're not skating on thin ice, Sammy," said Reiko as she entered into the room. "I felt the presence of Yashamaru directly in which he still wants to put your life at risk just to stop the Maladendrum. You're not the only one who has abilities to stop possible threats, for I also had my fair share with dealing with further dangers as well."

I saw Reiko smiling with a brilliant light as she was optimistic about what was about to occur if the Maladendrum was ever released from its prison. Still, I was worried about her fate as I was wanting to do a little more for her. As a husband and father, I had to do everything to keep my family safe as I was also stuck in a quandary when it came to bearing the foreign ovum I carry in which they were also mine due to my seed bringing them into focus. With the Maladendrum about to be released from its prison and me being put through the ringer as an Incubator, I was at a loss as I was also concerned for Reiko's safety, for she would soon put her life at risk while dealing with the impending threat.

"You worry too much, Sammy," she said to me as she escorts me to my bed. "You know that you can't just go out and about in your condition. You're with child and I can't let you do all the heavy lifting in which you also matter more than anything. Let me do the heavy lifting for you, for it is my sworn duty to help you in the end. We both ended the Second Galvanic Uprising last year in which the Executive Division met their end the moment we stopped Liesel and Project Helios. We have hope for our future, for I will always be by your side."

"But I'm worried about you," I said. "Yashamaru thinks that you don't have what it takes in which he'll stop at nothing to accelerate my pregnancy just to have me give birth and be forced to go back on the battlefield against my wishes."

"Sammy… You may not know this, but I have been blessed with the raw power that you gave me in which your tears saved me from the brink of death after I was burned alive. I was resurrected in the nick of time to aid you in the efforts to stop Liesel on the Sol-4 in which you also helped me in return. We have good and bad memories; losses and gains; and even death and rebirth. I know my place as not only a wife and mother, but a goddess in which I will be your harbinger of light always and forever."

I was moved by Reiko's words as I couldn't say no to her. She was something more than just being a wife and mother as she was radiating a beautiful light that was unwavering and unbroken. I was thankful to have her with me as I saw her to be holding her own, for she would soon go on the crucial mission to stop the Maladendrum in the future…

Yashamaru was standing near the shore of the beach as he was disappointed in me for not "stepping up to the plate" to do my duty. Staring at the sky amid the protective fog, he was concerned about the release of the Maladendrum as he was no stranger of seeing possible threats coming and going. He remembered the Apocalypse in the Elder Days. He remembered the Leviathan outbreak. He even remembered the meddling of time as he also had a hand into keeping our current timeline, for he was also disappointed in my actions for not doing enough with all the raw power that I had in me. When he picked up a sand dollar, he threw it into the ocean like a frisbee as it bounced several times before the waves claimed it. He was angry with me for being trapped in my furlough as he wanted me to do my part into stopping the Maladendrum from being released, for he was seeing the protective fog starting to weaken due to the impending blood moon coming.

"You're failing to do your duty just like your past self screwing up all the time in the Elder Days," he said to himself as he picked up another sand dollar. "If only Chuck and His friends hadn't forced you to be with child, which is mainly a woman's job to do so."

Yashamaru threw the sand dollar into the ocean as it bounced off a few times before the waves claimed it. Just as he was about to leave the beach, he saw Castiel standing in his way as he was disappointed in him for not having enough faith in such a dark time, for he had to change his mind before the blood moon came. He knew about what went on in the Elder Days as he was also to blame for even collaborating with Crowley, for he also had his fair shares of regrets along the way.

"We can't delay the call to secure the Maladendrum in its prison," said Yashamaru. "I'll do everything necessary to even force Sam to commit to the cause before Beryl tears this planet asunder."

"I'm a little disappointed in you, Yashamaru," said Castiel. "We all know that Sam can't do anything in his condition right now, for we, his acolytes will help do our job for him."

"Sam can't sit on the sidelines forever."

"And you're adamant into accelerating his pregnancy just so he can get back on the battlefield against his wishes. The Maladendrum may be on the verge of being released, but there is one trump card that can turn the tide in our favor."

"It's Reiko, isn't it? She's a High Elf whose mother was a Half-Elven Nephilim in which she won't be able to handle the might of the Maladendrum."

"Lady Reiko is more than qualified in which she even killed a religious tyrant and liberated Baratheon from his tyranny. As for Sam, he is unable to use his raw power due to what he carries in his body and yet you're betraying his trust."

"What about his past self screwing up all the time, Castiel? All of that happened in the Elder Days without hesitation, only to be tempted by sinister forces at work. What about your own betrayal when you worked with Crowley while dealing with some of your subordinates still siding with Lucifer? What about your dirty work when it came to obtaining powers like a god, only for the Leviathans to be let out of into the world? Have you forgotten about your own mistakes or did you have them swept under the rug?"

"I never forgot about my mistakes nor did I sweep them under the rug. I never forgot about my own penance when I was in Purgatory after the fall of Dick Roman in which I was also feeling more human than what I know. In my brief stint as a human, I learned about everything, even when I had some borrowed grace to heal the Sam of Old back in the day. And yet you act the same way like the ones who were forcing the Sam of the Present to go back to the field while he is with child, but what about those who carry the imprint of raw power in them? They are here to carry the weight, for they will always keep fighting when all hope is lost."

Castiel made his point clear as he also didn't want me to bear my burdens alone. With his right arm glowing with the imprint of raw power, he was determined to aid the cause in which he was also aware of the presence of the Maladendrum. He was aware of the impending blood moon coming as it was also an ominous omen that couldn't be ignored. Still, he was adamant into keeping me away from the battlefield as he looked up into the sky the moment he noticed an ominous glow in the middle of the ocean, for he was aware of the Maladendrum wanting to be released into the world once more. He was also optimistic of what Reiko would do as she was mainly the goddess of the Ashizoka System, for this was a crucial time to prepare for a counterattack during the blood moon.

"I have faith in you…, Lady Reiko," he said.

Dean and Ravenna returned to the citadel as they were welcomed by the rest of his unit. Even though Seto and Martha were elsewhere on Skald Island, they had to prepare for the worst as they later noticed a familiar face enter the moment he was dressed in a black cloak. It was Damien as he was mainly on hunting missions after the war ended, but his presence was here at the utmost importance at the behest of his clan. Still, he was here on business as he was also aware of what was going on, for he had to do his part into preventing the Maladendrum from being released from its prison.

"It's been a while," said Dean.

"I've been busy navigating everywhere after the war ended, Captain," said Damien.

"I bet that you've been hunting for a while."

"I've been busy as my role as a hunter, but I also ended up finding my fair share of oddities in which I noticed a commune of soulless dolls living in an abandoned village the moment they had souls put into their bodies after the war ended."

"When it rains, it pours…"

"That's not all, Captain…" Damien fished out a mysterious knife from his holster as he showed it to everyone. "This blade is a mixture of silver, aetherial metal, wrought iron, steel, and diamond dust. It was made by the Draaza in which it traces back to the time of the Ancient Days where even the Demon Killer was forged. I also had to deal with a few Terran supremacists in which they met their end with what I found."

"The Zenith Vectors…," said Ravenna. "They're everywhere, but their presence has alarmed everyone all over the galaxy."

"They are a threat just like Beryl Beauchamp and her family. According to my cousin, Emperor Florian, Beryl used blackmail to get Iago Arkhelios out of jail by threatening to disclose Aunt Sayaka's medical records, which is a violation that can lead up to a prison sentence. Therefore, we can't let our guard down because of the fact that Beryl happens to be related to the Masbath Family, who specialize in the art of blackmail. What that family also specialize in doing is inbreeding in which their kin have had health problems just like the Thrippes. Matilda Masbath was mainly a Kai courtesan who shacked up with Emperor Sarno XII and bore his son, who lost his life after the fall of Project Amaterasu, but the rest of her children came from different fathers. Beryl happens to be one of them, but she was married off just to fill the void for Jean-Luc Beauchamp, whose first wife passed away after giving birth to his daughter. For the record, Beryl married into the family just to prevent her from the family curse in the form of incest and inbreeding. She bore three more children; twins, Emile and Marianne, and a single birth, Marie-Therese, but she gravitated to her son more than her daughters. She was also eager to be Jean-Luc's confidante due to his status as a defense contractor, but after the war ended, stagnant boredom crept in until the surge of the Zenith Vectors came to prominence."

Dean clenched his fists as he remembered Magda's death at the hands of Jacob Doran nearly a year ago. He also couldn't forget about how the Zenith Vectors came over to the base in the Dabb Mountains on Shiganshina as they were mainly a raiding party with a complex in the form of terrorists who didn't give a damn about everything else other than keeping humanity as top dog of the universe. He wanted revenge against Jacob Doran for killing Magda and nearly doing away with Rory as he vowed to stop him and his group before everything escalated. When he paused, he knelt as he broke down crying the moment he remembered that tragic day when he lost Magda. Even Damien noticed him shedding tears as they turned into diamonds the moment they fell onto the floor, for he didn't want him to fall further into despair.

"Don't try to despair, Captain," he said. "You're not the only one who demands justice for losing a loved one."

"I know," said Dean as he wiped the tears from his face. "Moro also lost a loved one to those asshats who do nothing but kill people for no friggin' reason just like the Executive Division causing harm to any town, city, or village."

"The Zenith Vectors aren't our only concern, for the return of the Maladendrum has gotten nearer by the second once the blood moon arrives. Even with the seals strengthened, there's no other way if the Maladendrum is released, but many priests of other religions have prophesied a glimmer of hope in the form of a goddess with a gentle soul that is blessed with the powers of a Nephilim."

"Reiko…" Dean pauses as he was desperate to tell me once he goes to the castle for a visit to check up on me. "Sam doesn't know about this, does he? Looks like he has a keeper in the form of the High Elf he met at the Mitani Clan's homestead on Alecrast."

Without warning, everyone saw yet another assassin coming into the citadel as Damien spotted it right away. With his left eye changing color due to him sensing danger, he drew out his bow as he fired an arrow into the assassin's heart the moment he noticed him crumple to the floor. When he walked closer and removed the mask, he saw it to be something other than human as he saw the tattoos all over his head. It was a Djinn that came to do away with Dean and Ravenna as he was also unaffiliated with the Hill-Barton Clan on Kaijirin, but was mainly one of those run-of-the-mill monsters that came and went. When he saw some of the members of Dean's unit cart the body away, he noticed something on the floor as he picked it up. It was a pouch with poison-tipped arrows as they were encased in a clear box in which they also sported the emblem of the Black Dragon Guild, for they were no strangers in carrying out assassinations to the behest of our enemies.

"Crude, but deadly," he said as he put away the clear case.

"It seems that our Djinn assassin dropped a Cracker Jack prize," said Dean.

"From what I heard, the Black Dragon Guild is often targeting your brother, for I nearly lost my life if he hadn't saved me from their poisons."

"There's been a problem," said Kotori as she rushed into the room. "The assassin who burst in to attack Dean and Ravenna wasn't from the Black Dragon Guild."

"And the proof is in the tattoos, but all members of the Black Dragon Guild are often identified with what they paint on their flesh."

"And this isn't all because of the fact that anyone targeting Sam or any of his close friends or loved ones are attracted to the pull of the impending blood moon. There were also frequent visits coming from Beryl Beauchamp in which she is not only thirsting for the return for war, but to resurrect and release the Maladendrum by encompassing five sacrifices to let it out back into the earthly plain. I never expected her to steep so low, but she refuses to hand over power to anyone, not even her own children who fear her. One of them got wind of her actions, but her displays of warning had fallen on deaf ears."

"Beryl Beauchamp is mainly a threat because of the fact that she not only thrives on war, but wanting to cement her status by overthrowing the Valinorian Government and their lottery of the five Elven clans who govern it, my own included. I know that the release of the Maladendrum is imminent, but we can't ignore the blood moon forever. I also know that Lady Reiko will be the one who will be poised to contain the Maladendrum before it tears Valinor asunder, for she is more than just a member of the Mitani Clan."

It wasn't long until Damien left the citadel as he went outside to go for a walk. What he saw from a distance was concerning as he noticed a the sky becoming clear with a red tinge. He heard such talk about bad omens before as he was concerned about the impending blood moon that would signal the release of the Maladendrum. When he rushed further to the beach, he saw several hooded figures standing next to the shore the moment they were mumbling an incantation that kept themselves in a hypnotic state. What he also didn't expect was that the robed figures drew out their knives the moment they were ready to enact their next order. Much to his chagrin, he noticed them to ignore him as they ended up slitting their own throats the moment they crumpled onto the sand. When he got in front of them, he noticed the blood coming from them as it mixed into the wet sand the moment it glowed ominously. He never saw anything like it before as he sensed a further danger the moment his left eye changed color again. He saw the sky go dark as he noticed the blood moon already here, for his worst fear ended up coming true.

"This isn't good," he said as he saw the blood moon surfacing.

The blood moon began to radiate an evil aura as it was causing the ocean to crash further. What he didn't expect was that there was an island in the middle emerging as if it was connecting the rest of the Skalvarg Archipelago. When it stopped halfway, Damien noticed it not moving further as it was an omen that couldn't be ignored the moment he had to warn everyone about this, only to be stopped by several other robed figures who were also ready to take their own lives just to feed the evil aura of the blood moon. What he also didn't expect was that Sylvana was there as she was more than likely to aid and abet in Beryl's plan to release the Maladendrum from its prison, for she was also trying to avoid Abaddon after she fled Hell's dungeon.

"Elder Yavanna help us," he said as he drew out his bow and arrow.

"Finally, you witness the wrath of the blood moon," she said as she was standing near the shore.

"Sylvana Thrippe… From what I heard, you have the gall to go into hiding once again after you were captured by Abaddon."

"I escaped with the help of some of her underlings who fear her wrath, but I also have to unleash the Maladendrum from its prison. Beryl Beauchamp has every right to let it out after being put away in its prison for nine hundred years, for it will swallow Valinor whole."

"You're insane, for you will also face certain death at the hands of a threat that would kill us and tear this planet asunder."

"This is my only chance to unseat Abaddon and give her throne to someone worthy, for he is waiting in the wings to fight his enemies who took away his beloved just like a certain savior took away my brother!"

Damien saw the island in the middle emit a crimson glow as if it was aching to be let out. He feared the worst until he noticed a light shielding him and banishing Sylvana and her followers in which the glow from the blood also faded away. What he didn't expect was that Reiko was standing there as she wasn't having it the moment she used her Nephilim abilities to dissipate the darkness and dispel the blood moon for now. She had to do her part as she was also the goddess of the Ashizoka System who was now blessed with an imprint of raw power, for she was eager to do her part in protecting the Skalvarg Archipelago and the rest of Valinor from the wrath of the Maladendrum at any cost. With the threat averted, she was grateful that everyone was safe for the time being. Even though the blood moon was still there, it was a reminder of the threat of the Maladendrum being released from its prison still stood as it would soon be let out to poison Valinor, for it was the very worst of the shedim imaginable.

"Thank Elder Yavanna that the threat is averted," said Damien as he bowed in front of Reiko.

"The threat may be gone, but that doesn't mean that it can be ignored," she said.

"You came through instead of Sam, didn't you?"

"Sammy has a bun in the oven, but I also wanted him to be on bedrest. He's not the only one who has to protect the Ashizoka System."

It wasn't long until Yashamaru rushed to the beach as he saw Reiko glowing with a beautiful light in which his doubts were dissuaded by what she was blessed with. He never saw her radiating with hope as she was the harbinger of light that dissipated the darkness for now. It was a revelation that came to pass as it was also a reminder of him not to underestimate what Reiko had, for she was a saving grace that displayed a gentle hand in such a delicate time.

"So, it's true after all," he said as he fell to his knees.

"I only kept the threat at bay, but the Maladendrum still wants to be let out," said Reiko.

"And I thought that you weren't strong enough… Castiel was right about you. You may look meek, but your gentle strength speaks volumes."

"You shouldn't doubt what Lady Reiko could do," said Damien as he stood up. "She may have dissipated the threat of the Maladendrum being let out of its prison, but the looming threat of Beryl Beauchamp and others in her ranks will stop at nothing to unleash it against the wishes of the planet."

"The island in the center is where the Maladendrum is imprisoned," she said. "Beryl isn't the only one who wants it freed."

"Sylvana…" Yashamaru clenches his fist as he was concerned about what was going on. "She's been a thorn in Abaddon's side since Milverton's ouster nearly four years ago. She fled Hell's dungeon, but she won't expect its queen from going after her. Abaddon is someone who can't be taken lightly. After her death in the Elder Days, she was reborn from the Empty the moment she set her sights on conquering the Middle Ground, but she was afraid of one shedim that no other demon would let out."

"And Abaddon refuses to get her hands further dirty after she killed so many over the years. She may have a loose temper, but she won't go up against the Maladendrum directly. It stirs on the middle island, but I will be the one who will destroy it. I am not only a wife and mother, but the goddess of the Ashizoka System in which I will protect those who fear the threat at hand. Sammy may do his part in using his raw power to help those in need, but I can also do my part as well. He's did his part in heavy lifting, for I will do the same to protect the people we care about as well."

"You have my support, Lady Reiko," said Damien. "I have faith in what you can do in which you are also there to do your part in stopping the Maladendrum, for it won't be kept at bay for long."

It wasn't long until several members of the Hunter Corps came to the beach to collect the spent bodies from earlier. Still, the threat was averted, but the blood moon was there in which the Maladendrum was waiting to be released, for it would soon start a chain reaction to the rest of the Skalvarg Archipelago if not being dealt with right away…

Beryl was standing near the shore of Cordell Island as she saw the island in the middle surfacing up during the blood moon. Even though she noticed the light from Skald Island keeping the darkness at bay, she wasn't about to concede defeat yet as she still thrived for war. Still, she was a force to be feared at as she also had to act more boldly before being discovered by any bystander dumb enough to catch her in the act. When she walked towards the dock to catch a ferry to one of the mainlands, she noticed Abaddon standing there as she was on the hunt for Sylvana, for she was angry when it came to dealing with stragglers who were loyal to Milverton along with the renegades who wished for a more peaceful existence. In Beryl's case, it was just another drop in the bucket in her plan to restore the war industry at any cost, but there was one obstacle that stood in her way… and that was none other than her own daughter, Marie-Therese. Ever since she was born, Marie-Therese was despised by her mother due to the fact that she was playing with fire when it came to keeping war as an industry. With the threat of the Maladendrum looming, Beryl was confident enough to pounce on the challenge, but not without hearing the temper and wrath of Abaddon, who was there to skewer Sylvana every chance she got.

"Where the hell is she?!" she yelled as her voice shook the dock. "I know that Sylvana fled after the demons who helped her spilled the beans in her escape!"

"If you're looking for this Sylvana, she's not here," said Beryl.

"She's aware of a monster that even demons are afraid of, but it doesn't give a damn about any of us in general!"

"Are you talking about the Maladendrum?"

"You know of it very well, don't you…, Beryl Beauchamp née Masbath. Don't think that I don't know about you, but I know what your putrid family is due to their penchant for blackmail. Your mommy, Matilda, was the top notch whore who couldn't keep her legs closed once she got knocked up by so many men and one of them was the Kai Emperor while your own sire was a retainer for the Four Stewards, mainly House Arkhelios."

"How dare you drag my mother's memory in the mud, you ginger-haired harlot?! I may be related to the Masbath Family by blood, but I'm a Beauchamp by marriage and nothing will take that away from me, not even you!"

"Let me make it clear to you that I want Sylvana dead! She has the gall to aid and abet into unleashing the Maladendrum in which it's nothing more than a threat to all of us. You may have the gall to cling to war, but sooner or later, my worst enemy will be a great asset to destroy what you're trying to let out, mark my words!"

Beryl saw Abaddon leave without a trace as she waited patiently for the ferry to land to the dock. When she got into it, she left Cordell Island as she was now aware of what would happen next, for the harbinger of light would soon take her place in the heroic pantheon when the time was near…

I was back in my room as I was resting in my bed while I was touching at my stomach. The very movement of the quadruplets kept my mind at ease as I was also hopeful that Reiko was there with me. By the time I saw her enter into the room, she was happy that she did her part as she was also adamant into keeping me in my bed until the quadruplets were born. She was a more than just a wife and mother, but someone who was there with a kind and gentle soul that kept her grounded and away from danger, for she was someone that was there by my side the whole time.

"I had a feeling that you would be here," I said.

"The blood moon came early, but I managed to stave off the threat for now," said Reiko.

"I should've been there to back you up. I can't let you do this alone if the Maladendrum is about to be released from its prison."

"Nonsense…" Reiko presses a finger to my lips as she doesn't want me to worry too much. "For a long time, you put your life on the line, for I should also do the same as well. We also did our part into destroying Project Helios and ended the war last year, for this is what we were made to do by protecting the innocent and stopping any form of evil threat imaginable."

"And you will by my harbinger of light, for I have a lot of faith in you. We already destroyed the Sol-4 a year ago, didn't we? We even ended the war in which the Executive Division hasn't been seen or heard of again."

"We may have ended the war, but you, on the other hand need to stay in bed."

I saw Reiko hold my hand as she noticed it trembling from the lingering stress that kept coming back. She also didn't want me to get out of bed during my pregnancy as she was aware of her role as being the harbinger of light. Even though I was calm, I was expecting to get more rest until I saw Dean burst into my room the moment he was there to spill the bad news about what happened earlier, for the blood moon was already here prematurely.

"The bitch is back," he said to me.

"Is it Sylvana?" I asked.

"Yeah… Shortly after Reiko repelled the attempt of the Maladendrum from getting free, we discovered some dead bodies on the beach in which they ended up taking their own lives just to offer themselves to loosen the grip of the monster's prison."

"It never ends, does it? And everyone still wants me to go back on the battlefield just to quell the monster's fury before it gets let out."

"Don't even think of getting out of bed, Sammy," said Reiko. "You still have four little parcels in your body in which you can't do the heavy lifting in your condition. I will do everything in my power to protect everyone on Valinor, even you, so I suggest that you stay put."

I couldn't say no to Reiko as she was right about me being swamped with the four little parcels that I had. Still, I knew of her to be brave and even wearing the pants of the family in which she also didn't want me to do too much, for she was the harbinger of light that kept the darkness at bay…

To be continued...