THE SEVEN HEAVENLY CHILDREN

11TH ACT: PREDICAMENT

"THERE’S TOO MANY OF THEM.", Zerchiel pointed out as they continue to deal with the annoying demons the dark Nephilim had brought them.

"We need to close that Rift!" Raen exclaimed as he slashed the head off of one demon. He saw another demon about to attack and swiftly kicked the approaching demon in the face and sent it flying against the wall. "They will keep on coming until we close that shitty portal!"

Gaiel shook his head. "No. Not yet." He caught one imp and spared its life. He pointed the tip of his blade to the demon's neck as he stepped onto its stomach.

"That's right.", agreed Kaijiel. "We need that Rift open to save Captain's girl." He then dared to smile at Gaiel.

Gaiel just gave the guy a terrifying glance and heard Kai laugh it off. "Err, I mean, the Seventh."

"Uh oh."', Zerch retorted. "Better not piss off lover boy here. His newfound love was already stolen from him after a few chapters of the book."

The two guys laughed as Gaiel angrily threw his spear at a large demon emerging from the portal. It caused an ear-shattering explosion sound followed by deafening silence. The demon slowly disintegrated into ash.

"Do you even have the slightest idea as to where he took her?", Zerchiel asked.

"I don't need to," Gaiel said matter-of-factly as he eyed the demon behind him. "This demon will do the job for me."

The small demon backed away from Gaiel and fell on its back inches away from Raen.

"Aww." Raen looked at the imp. "Look at this small demon looking all tough earlier and now cowering at our Gale's presence."

"Well, no one can blame you. Even us get scared of Gale's mean demeanor." Zerchiel squatted near the demon who then tried to grab a chance to attack the Nephilim. However, its claw failed to come in contact with Zerch's face.

"That's air manipulation for you, little imp." Zerch used his power to throw the imp high in the air only to drop it inches on the ground. The guy must've liked the stress he caused the demon because he kept throwing and dropping the demon in revenge.

"Zerchiel, don't kill him just yet," Gaiel warned.

Zerch just laughed. "No worries, Capt. I am just toying with him." He made a circular motion with his hand and the demon's body followed like a feather.

Kaijiel interjected. "Let me join the fun too." Using his powers, Kai made a bunch of ice spikes right to where Zerchiel repeatedly threatened to drop the demon.

Gaiel just watched the two nephilims toy with the imp demon. His thoughts were somewhere else.

She remembered the Archangel symbol on Briel's forehead! It was her all along yet I failed to notice it.

"This woman needs to come with me.”

Gaiel gritted his teeth as he imagined how Briel might wake up only to find herself surrounded by demons.

"It's getting bigger again." Raen stood next to him. He was immediately pulled out of his reverie. They both stared at the plane rift in front of them. "Tell me you have a solid plan, Gale."

Gaiel just glanced at his vice-captain and shook his head. "I don't."

Raen clicked his tongue and gave a disappointed sigh. "You are treating me to two years of top-quality meat after this."

Gaiel's face went cold upon sensing another presence from the tear. "Make it three."

Everyone was then suddenly alerted at the presence right behind the Rift. Another demon was emerging from it and it was making the tear on the Mortal plane even wider.

"Zerchiel. Raen.", Gaiel hailed his weapon back to his hand. "The both of you are coming with me. We can't let this demon enter the mortal plane.

"How about the girl?", Zerchiel asked.

"Take imp." He simply. "He'll lead us there."

"Huh?", Kaijiel asked. Gaiel raised an eyebrow at him. "What about me?" He sounded confused but later realized what Gaiel meant.

"That's so not cool, Captain."

Gaiel looked at the demon. It was flaying non-stop while Zerchiel contained it airborne. If he so desires, he can end its life in a second but he needed it alive to reach Briel.

You have to be brave. I'll come for you. He promised. Had he been there for her earlier, she wouldn't be taken just like that.

Tsk. I messed up. Big time.

Seeing the darkening of the Nephilim's expression had the demon fearing for its life. "Take me to your master or I'll torture you with heavenly fire.", he threatened and made a gesture of slashing its neck. "Don't you also dare lie in the presence of Raen, you'll burn instantly?"

At Gaiel's signal Raen ignited his fire. The silver flames engulfed the corpses of the demons around them. Seeing such horror, the demon nodded in agreement.

Heavenly fire is fatal to demons. They will never be able to regenerate any part that gets burned by such fire.

"Stay here with Jun, Kaijiel.", Gaiel then ordered. Let's put your mouth to proper use." He then turned to the other remaining comrades they have. "Slay every single demon that passes through this Rift while Kai keeps it open for us. Zerchiel tie this demon and you make sure it leads us to where we need to be."

"Aye aye, Captain."

"I'll deal with the both of you later," Gaiel said finally.

Kaijiel and Zerch's complaints were drowned by the shouts of their soldiers.

"Roger, Captain!"

Everyone had mentally noted not to tease Gaiel too much or suffer his wrath in return.

Kaijiel then called out his weapon. He created a seal right below the Rift and placed his lance in the middle of it. This will secure that no unauthorized entities will be able to get out while he maintained the Rift.

Kaijiel then started the enchantment as the three nephilims follow the demon inside the Rift.

"Take care, guys," Kaijiel shouted. "Huhuhu."

"We will miss you, Kai," Zerch shouted with his annoying fake acting. "Huhuhu."

Raen just used his ax's holder to push the guy forward. "Shut up and look to the front, airhead."

"Poor me." Zerch continued his dramatic lines that got the others laughing. "I get stuck with our cold, snobbish Captain and a stuck-up jerk Vice-Captain."

"Ugh. These idiots."

***

"Briel."

Briel jolted awake upon hearing the familiar voice of her mom. "Mom?" Her eyes started to water.

Was it her mom? Was she dreaming?

"Briel. Come here, baby.", Her mother's voice sounded so near but she was having a hard time trying to find it. It was as if the sounds were coming from all sides at once.

"Mom!"

"Briel." Her mother called behind her. Briel prepared her words and faced Yelena only to get face to face with another demon.

It was a few meters away from her but she could somehow make out the grotesque features of the demon. Briel wanted to run away but it felt futile knowing how her legs felt like giving out. This demon feels different.

This wasn't the same demon before. She thought.

This new demon felt more malicious and dangerous. Only then did she realize then she was trembling in fear. She wanted to avoid its gaze and look elsewhere but she was afraid that if she took the chance to look away, the demon might attack. It stared at her like a predator about to pounce on its prey.

Its skin was burnt and scaley. It has arms that were long and bony but ended with two sets of claws in exchange for hands. Its legs were covered with fur with a few burnt patches and ended with hooves that resembled that of a goat's. Its eyes were large red orbs with dark, feline-like eyes followed by two holes in the center of its disfigured face, probably its nose. On the side of its head jutted out thick, dark horns that resonated with no animal in her world.

Briel was starting to feel suffocated by such heavy and immense presence of the demon in front of her.

"Hello, Briel.", it greeted. "Pleased to finally meet you." Nothing was pleasing about his tone. Her name sounded sour in his mouth. He seemed to be offended by just mentioning it.

Briel can only sense feelings of hatred and bloodlust. "Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you and your wretched mother?"

Briel prepared herself for an attack. No way that she'll let it take her out easily.

"I'm sorry we could've given you a better welcome party should you have come with Balberith earlier." The deep, guttural voice-activated her defensive instincts. It was not opening its mouth but somehow she can hear it speak through her thoughts.

Just like the demon before. It knows who she was.

She can feel the barely concealed hate in its eyes as it stared at her while she pathetically stood there, melting in her sweat while cold shivers ran throughout her body.

"You know, it's nice of you to personally visit me here." The words coming from its mouth felt like it was mocking her. "You might not remember me but I was there when you were born."

"W...who are you?", Briel asked. Finally finding her voice. However, it sounded laughable that she was stuttering in front of an enemy.

"Who am I?" The voice laughed. "So Yelena never mentioned me, huh?" The disdain in its voice was evident. It talked as if it knew her mother for a very long time.

"No. I believe my mother has never mentioned being friends with demons."

The demon laughed at her sarcasm. This time Briel was given an idea of how painful would it be if it bites out of her. Its mouth was full of jagged and sharp set canines. "My apologies. I don't usually look like this.", it said while gesturing to its face.

Briel swallowed the lump inside her throat before retorting, "I don't know who you are or what you need from me but whatever it is expect that you are never going to get it from me."

"This girl..." The demon cackled again. Briel couldn't quite get its humor because they were not talking about something funny.

"Aww, I'm sorry." It admitted half or probably non-heartedly. "To think that your twin brother also forgot to mention his adopted father. How rude, don't you think?"

Again. It was smiling and laughing but its eyes were seething with anger and deeply-rooted hate.

However, something inside Briel was triggered upon hearing the mention of Axel. "Where is he? What did you do to him?", she demanded.

The demon snickered. "Oh, you know? You're accustomed to the life of the mortal plane. You should be able to tell what parents do to...err...disobedient children."

Briel's anger boiled upon knowing what Axel must have gone through. "What did you do him?", she repeated her question but this time her voice was firmer.

The demon clapped its large hands. "I like it. Brave girl." It stared at her for a good three seconds that Briel thought it was about to pounce on her but then it spoke again. "You remind me a lot of your mom. How is she?"

This time it was her who felt intense hatred for the demon. She wanted to attack but something was stopping her. Briel clenched her fists so hard, that they might have started bleeding already.

"Oh, right." Then it gave her a wide, sinister grin. "She's dead. You killed her, right?"

Briel was seeing red. She wanted to hurt the demon badly. Yet she couldn't. A part of her believed that she killed her mother. It was all her fault. But she couldn't just let this demon act as if it didn't have anything to do with her mom's death.

Briel closed her eyes and focused her mind. Her mother had taught her this. How could she ever forget?

"The enemy will feed you lies and prey on your weaknesses, so it can destroy you." Yelena once warned. "Never forget what matters most."

"And that is..." Briel urged her mom to continue. Her smile got brighter.

"Never losing sight of who you are." It has become matra when she faced something difficult. There is no benefit in crying in that situation.

"This pathetic demon," Briel muttered. "Preying on my feelings because it's afraid of my strength."

It must have been incredibly offended by her words because now it looked like it was ready to tear her out into pieces. "I can't believe such weakling has the gals to talk as if I am below her."

The demon roared knocking her off balance. She flew across the place and her body slammed into a hard surface.

Briel groaned in pain but she didn't mind.

Such pride. She thought. Now she had the faintest idea who it probably was.

Immediately the demon was close to her, its hand locked around her neck was keeping her in the air. Gone were her fears, all she felt was anger towards the demon.

This demon in front of her, she knew inside her heart who it was. Briel smirked. "Wow, I didn't know you get insulted very easily."

"You have guts, little Briel." It raised its other hand towards her face. "Let us see how strong that will is."

The air suddenly felt like it was being knocked out of her. She was gasping hard as the demon laughed.

"Let me engrave it to you who I am."

"N-no..."

"Briel!" A gentle voice suddenly boomed inside her head. "Wake up."

"Briel!"

"Wake up!"

The demon roared in anger. "That bastard!" It held her neck harder as it continued to absorb something from inside her. "Interfering with my plans again!" The demon's canines grew larger as if preparing to devour her.

"Briel, fight it!"

Briel tried her best to move her hands which at that time felt like they weighed tons. She screamed in pain but the suffering continued.

She had started to smell blood as she started to feel the burning sensation in her eyes. She screamed again. It was her contact lenses they were melting inside her eyes.

"No!"

The demon cackled as it watched her misery.

However, Briel didn't lose hope. Briel instinctively went to her necklace. It was her memento from her dad. Every time she was in trouble, she holds on to it and it helps her regain courage. "Father. I know you can hear me. Lend me your strength."

Upon opening her eyes, Briel felt as if her strength has been renewed. She tried pushing the demon away from her again.

"Let go of me, Ugly." She held both of its horns and used them as leverage to pull herself and kick the demon in the stomach. The force in her kick led the demon to release its control of her. She fell on the floor hard but she didn't mind. She was free from its trap.

"b***h! I will get you for this!" The demon cursed.

"Yeah, yeah." Briel mocked then using her knuckles punched the demon right in the face. Briel's eyes widened in disbelief when the demon was pushed meters away from her.

Briel looked at her hands which were laced with characters glowing with golden light. It looked like tattoos colored in gold. It felt warm and somehow familiar.

"Briel! Watch out!" Someone yelled, but it was too late. A power force sent her flying towards the other end of the dungeon hall.

She coughed blood. She was gasping for air as she pulled herself up. It was like getting hit by a truck on full speed. Her skull felt like it was hammered a hundred times over. If was pounding hard.

"Ack!" She was back to reality but Briel was struggling to breathe and tears were starting to flow out of her eyes. She started to trash her body around but it was no use.

One part she sees the demon trying to choke her to death and another part of her was seeing the dark dungeon ceillings. It was like being trapped into two thin layers of the fabric of reality.

"No...someone...Axel..." She tried asking for help but no one came. Tears

"Briel! Grab the blade!" The voice shouted.

Wherever the voice was coming from, she couldn't tell at all. But she followed its instructions.

"Hurry! It's right next to your right foot."

She struggled to move her body even though her lungs felt like bursting. Using her right foot to fumble for the knife blindly.

When she felt the cold metal, she immediately felt relief. Briel sat up and held a black knife in her hand. It had an asymmetrical shape and a wavy blade. It also had symbols written on the blade that glowed with a crimson tint.

It was the blade Axel gave her. It appeared quite eerie and malevolent. It was even called the Devil's tongue. She was still in the same dungeon but Axel was nowhere in sight. The place was dark and cold that she had the urge to hug herself due to fear.

Then she remembered the reason why Axel brought her there.

"Listen to me, Briel. You don’t need to know everything now. The time will come when everything will make sense.”

She looked at the blade and tighten her hold on its hilt. The blade glowed and the crimson light earlier slowly change its color to blue. The light shed on a cell in front of her.

Then she saw a being trapped with chains inside. Its body emanating a faint glow. It had numerous wounds and gashes around its body giving Briel an idea that this being was put into a horrendous series of torture.

“You have to find the angel and free him." Axel's words echoed inside her head.

The Angel looked at her and with a small, weak smile greeted her. "Finally, you found me. Hello Michael's daughter, I am Azrael. The Angel of Death."