Guardian of the Sacred Fire

Trapped

            Dawn came and thunder startled me awake.  The clock read 7:24.  Asherah wasn’t next to me.  I panicked and got up.

            “She’s fine love, she’s in her room.” Midael said. He was drying his hair. A towel was wrapped around his waist.  “Go back to sleep.” He said quietly.

            “How is everyone?” I asked.

            “Alive, thanks to you.”

            “What do you mean?”

            “There is someone listening when you pray, and I was the closest thing to an angelic being, your prayers gave me power. It looks as though I am finally being forgiven. I haven’t heard a prayer in over a thousand years.”

            “What happened?”

            “You granted me power over the Sacred Fire momentarily.” He said it as if I would understand. I didn’t so I just left it alone. I was too tired to care at this moment. My entire body ached from bringing the men into the room.  I looked around and all the gurneys were gone.

            “I must have been really out.” I said quietly.

            “I put you to sleep so you would not worry.” Midael said and sat on the edge of the bed.  “I must admit you look pretty good in my robe.” He said and pulled at the hem with a smile.

            “Oh, sorry.” I said and began to take it off.

            “No need to do that love.” He said.

            “Where is Adrian?” I asked.

            “In his room.” He answered.

            “I will go to mine then.” I said and started to get up.

            “I wish you would stay here for the rest of the day.” Midael looked at me with those moonlit eyes.  “It’s been so long since I had a woman sleep in the same bed as me.”

            “Midael, I’m too tired.” I said automatically thinking about s*x.

            “That’s not what I meant. I meant someone to hold while I slept.” He said and lowered his eyes.

            “Oh.” I muttered. I took his hand into mine and he moved closer to me.  His soft lips met mine for a brief moment.  Just a brush of the lips.  He laid down next to me and I put my head on his chest.  My fingers traced his matching scars.

            “Did the same thing happen?” I asked.

            “Yes. It was a demon who prays on vivid dreamers.  Even angels aren’t safe in their sleep.”

            “What did you dream?”

            “Caridwen, the woman I fell for, she was being attacked by warriors.  I tried to save her but couldn’t.” he said quietly. “What about you?”

            “Adrian was drowning in the pond where we found the amulets.  Something had dragged him under. All I could see was blood. When I dragged him out he had the gashes across his chest.”

            “You truly love Adrian?”

            “I don’t know. I deeply care about him I know that.”

            “What about Azrael?”

            “I don’t want to talk about him.”

            “Sleep well Anastasia.” Midael said.

            “You too.” I said quietly.  I laid there for a few minutes before I heard his heart rate lower and his breathing even.  His arm held me close to him.  Why did I stay? I don’t know the man; I slept with him for power.  How much more power could I gain? My only thoughts were now to get as much power to protect those I loved, even though all of them thought I was dead.  I suppose it was better that way because I knew I was going to die anyways.  Make the think it now instead of in the future.  But I missed my mother.  She was my rock, and right now I needed a shoulder to cry on more than anything.  I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.  I don’t know how long I laid there until sleep finally came.  All I know is I had the most vivid dream I had ever had.

            I was standing in a battlefield; a sword was in my hands.  I had a moment to comprehend before I had to block and attack. My sword went into his gut and twisted.  I heard a familiar voice yelling in the distance.  “Fall back!”

            I twisted around and saw Midael.  He wore silver armor and held a bloodied blade.  I started to run towards him when I became surrounded by grotesque looking creatures.  They were a mixture between a gargoyle and dogs with bat wings.  I screamed out what would be considered a battle cry and slashed at the creatures using skills I knew I did not possess with a sword. That’s when I knew I was dreaming.  I started using judo moves on them and they seemed confused.  I may not like my father, but he did teach me well.  I managed to get one to the ground and stuck my sword through its eye.

            “Fall back soldier.” Midael said and was running up to me.  He didn’t seem to recognize me.  Then again I was in armor head to toe and what face did show was covered in blood.

            “Not yet.” I said and went after another.

            “Now soldier!” He said and grabbed me.  He flapped his wings and went straight up into the air quicker than wings should have gotten him there.

            I screamed in fear this time. I was deathly afraid of heights.  I clung on to him like there was no tomorrow.  He landed almost a mile away in a rush of running soldiers who were on our side. He started running as well.

            “Midael wait!” I said.

            He stopped and turned.  “How do you know me by that name?” He asked.

I took off my helmet and let my hair fall.

            “Who are you?” He asked.

            “You don’t know who I am?” I said a little annoyed.

            “You look familiar, but I do not.  Are you kin to Ariella?”

            “No, I’m Ariella reborn. I am Vesta of the Sacred Fire.” I said.

            “Prove it.”

            I tried to call forth my fire but I couldn’t. I tried everything, but it was like it never existed. “Something wrong, I can’t.” I said.

            A trumpet sounded in the distance and Midael grabbed my wrist.  We started running before he took me by the waste and lifted off the ground.  I put my hands over my eyes and fought not to get sick. I really did not like to fly.

            We landed about twenty minutes later with more angels.  They were on the side of a large hill able to see the valley below.  I could see the running foot soldiers like ants.

            “Come.” He said and pulled me into a tent.  He let go of me quite abruptly and I nearly fell.  He took off his silver helmet and I gasped at his beauty.  It was like seeing him for the first time again.  All I wanted to do was drop down to the floor, cry, and worship him.

            “How do you know me by that name?” He asked again.

            “You probably won’t believe this, but we are in bed together right now, this is a dream.  This war happened a millennia ago. The actual date is May 22, 2012.

            “It can’t be.” He said.

            “I’m sorry, but it’s true. Sorry I’m not better looking.” I said with a smile.

            I wouldn’t know behind the blood.” He said and went to a basin filled with water.  He grabbed a rag and started wiping blood off my face.

            “Your eyes. I have never seen eyes like that.” He said.  “Ariella’s are a rarity, but I’ve never seen blue and green with gold.”

            “They are called blue hazel.” I said.

            “Tell me, what happens? Do we win this war?”

I turned my head.  What did I tell him? This was his dream.

            “That’s a no.” He said quietly.

I did the only thing that came to mind then.  Don’t ask me why; just spur of the moment type thing.  I wrapped my arms around his neck and drew him down to me.  My lips met his and the air suddenly felt heavy and then it was gone as quick as it came.

            Midael drew away from me.  “Anna? What are you doing here?”

            “I’m in your dream.” I said.

            “But it can’t be.” He said and ran outside the tent.  I followed and watched him look up at the sky.  “Memuneh.” He whispered.  I suddenly heard laughter like I did in the dream with Adrian.  “He has trapped us in a dream.”

            “He’s the one that we got the scars from?” I asked.

            “Yes.” He answered.

            “Well that sucks.” I muttered.

Everything around us started going dark and a wind wrapped around us.  Midael grabbed a hold of me tightly as the wind tried to tear us apart.  He wrapped his wings around me and I looked up at him.

            “You will not have her!” Midael yelled at the dark once the wind died away.

            I suddenly felt pain in my chest and I guess Midael did too. We both yelled out at the same time.  I looked down and noticed we were both naked. Our chests were gushing blood through the scars.

            “I always thought dreams couldn’t harm you.” I said quietly.

            “A human thought.” He answered.

            We stood in the dark I don’t know how long.  He just held me as we bled.  He lifted me into his arms once my legs got weak as if he were afraid to let go of me.

            “It’s cold.” I said breaking the long silence.

            “I know.” He said and we looked into each other’s eyes.

            “If it’s our dream, can’t we take control of it?” I asked.

            “Not if Memuneh has control of it.”

            “Put me down Midael. I want to try something.”

            “I don’t want to risk something happening and him taking you away from me.” Midael said quietly.

            “Trust me please.” I said and he put me down.  Nothing happened.  I called for my fire and I could this time.  The only difference was it was blue instead of the orange red.  I reached out to Midael and he hesitated.  “Trust me.” I said.  He took my hand and the fire engulfed him like it did me.

            “It doesn’t hurt.” He said and the darkness began to turn into a bright light.  I heard heart monitors beeping in sequence. It felt like something was pushing on my chest in sequence.

            I woke to harsh lights and gasping for air.  I shielded my eyes and looked around.  The room went dim suddenly and Adrian came into view.

            “Midael.” I said quietly.

            “Here.” I heard him answer.  I reached out a hand to his voice and his finger tips brushed mine.

            “What happened?” Adrian asked.

            “A demon trapped us in a dream.” I answered.  “That f**k face is getting once I meet him.”

            “I pray that you don’t.” Midael said.

            “You both by medical standards died. You quit breathing and your hearts stopped beating until you both caught on fire. It was a blue fire.

            “The Sacred Fire.” Oriel said and came into the room.  “How can we teach you what you already know?” He asked and went around to Midael.

            I sat up and reached for my chest.  It wasn’t shredded; the scars were still there but no blood.  “Were we bleeding?” I asked.

            “No. Why?”

            “The next time we sleep in the same bed, make sure the wards last.” I said with a hint of a joke in it.

            “Get some more rest; I want to do more test to make sure everything is okay.” Adrian said.

            “Don’t have to tell me twice.” I said and laid back down.  Adrian put a blanket over me and kissed my forehead.

            “I will ward the room.” Oriel said and went to the four corners of the room.  I saw golden runes glowing faintly.  They both left and I looked at Midael. He reached out his and I grasped it.

            “I, Midael vow to you Anastasia Hallow, to protect you all of my days. To help guide you down the path of righteousness, I give you my sword, my life, my very essence until the last breath leaves my body.”

            “I Anna, accept your vow.” I said and got up.  My feet touched the cold floor and I went over to him. He raised up his blanket and I snuggled next to him on the less than twin size hospital bed.  He kissed the top of my head and I buried my face into his warmth. He had vowed to protect me, Anna, not Vesta. The day was looking up.