THE SEVEN HEAVENLY CHILDREN

10TH ACT: THE FALLEN PRINCE

GAIEL WAS CLOSELY LOSING IN TRYING TO STOP HIMSELF FROM BEATING THE HELL OUT OF ZERCHIEL AND RAENIEL. His insufferable comrades wouldn’t stop teasing him about the girl he just helped. They had gone back to Briel's family room but knowing that the girl had to be given space to properly mourn her only family member, Gaiel had gone out.

If only he had chosen to stay somewhere close to Briel, he might have not endured such bothersome chaff. “I thought you were finding the Seventh, Gale.” Raen teased. “Are you aware how much Pete nagged at me for letting you go off on a mission on your own?”

“Shut up, Raen.” He warned, his tone ice-cold. “You’re the second-in-command. I trust that nothing happened while I was gone.”

Raeniel just laughed. “Well better prepare yourself to face the Council. The elders weren’t so happy to learn that our leader had gone out without permission from Pete.”

Gaiel tried not to wince at the thought. He was prepared to face the Council once they got back but not probably prepared to face Pete’s wrath. He would never hear the end of it and it would probably go on for months.

“It’s okay. He was able to find his true love.” Zerch added earning a deadly glare from Gaiel. The guy then beamed at him and made a sign of peace with his hand.

“Where’s Jun?” He asked Raen, ignoring Zerch’s annoying face and his last remark.

“Oh, how cold,” Zerch said with a burst of laughter afterward. “Completely ignoring my question, Capt?”

The two guys burst into another batch of laughter. They were starting to annoy him.

“Sorry, Gale.” Raen apologized as he tried to stop himself from laughing. “Jun went downstairs with Kai. They were planning to grab lunch from a*****e nearby.”

“That’s great!” Zerchiel clapped his hand as if thinking of something rather annoying once again. “You can invite her over and-“

“Shut up, Zerchiel.” He interjected. He said as he started walking towards the table where he saw several bottles of water. “I’m leaving.”

He was a bit worried about Briel. She had been crying for a while now. He tried not to wince at hearing the girl blame herself. He tried not to listen to her cries but he couldn’t. He was the one at fault. The one person she should hate right now was not herself, but him.

He grabbed a water bottle and was about to go out of the room they were in when he felt a sudden ominous aura. It was more sinister and stronger than the one he had fought against. The others were also on high alert.

“No! Briel!” Gaiel immediately went flying towards the room she was in however a sudden powerful burst hit him. He was completely caught unprepared and went flying against the opposite side of the floor.

“Gaiel!” Raen roared and came for his aid.

“I’m fine! He shouted. He called out his sphere and was ready to fight again when he caught sight of an unconscious Briel in the hands of a man.

Gaiel gritted in anger as she saw her clothes starting to burn at the mere contact with the man’s hand. He saw her winced in pain but she was still unconscious. At that moment, he caught a glance at a familiar symbol appearing on the woman’s forehead.

It can’t be! That symbol! It was her!

“Let her go!” He demanded as he flew back to them. He swung his sphere and aimed for the man but he stopped him with an invisible barrier inches away from him. His attack was deflected.

The man just stared at Gaiel. His blood-colored eyes were dead. “This woman needs to come with me.”

“There’s no way in hell will I allow her to come with you!” He said as he tried to land another blow at whatever barrier was keeping him away. It wouldn’t budge, so Gaiel had to increase the force. “Briel! Wake up!”

“Aren’t you being too clingy, Gabriel’s descendant.” It mocked.

“Shut up! Let go of her!”

“No worries, I’m only going to borrow her.” The man said as he hugged Briel closer to his body.

It annoyed the hell out of Gaiel. “You bastard!”

It said as a dark portal started to swirl from its back. He was also releasing dark clouds of demonic miasma, unable to attack, Gaiel could only curse as the man led the girl into the portal. In minutes a new batch of minor demons was summoned within the area. His teammates immediately spurned into action. Those demons couldn't come out in broad daylight, that’s why Gaiel saw through his tactic. The man was just buying time to escape.

“No! It’s trying to take her away.” Raen shouted. He looked like he wanted to swing his scythe but was hesitating to do so. He might harm the girl. Gaiel saw the angelic fire burning brighter than ever and quickly engulfed the miasma. The others were busy dealing with the minor demons.

“Briel!” He called but he was too late. The darkness had engulfed both the man and Briel.

“Who was he?” Zerch asked. “He was strong!”

“Whoever he was, he is dead.” Gaiel gritted his teeth in anger. “Raen, keep that one alive.” He ordered before his comrade landed the finishing blow. “We need to find his master.”

“Are we going to follow them?” Zerchiel asked, his giant ax vanishing into thin air.

Gaiel smirked. He was really mad now. “Now that we found her, there’s no way in hell will I let her go.”

Raen’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“She’s the Seventh.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GAAP.” ALOIS ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEMON IN FRONT OF HIM. He was currently at the demon marquis' castle who immediately granted him an audience the moment he got inside.

The Castle of Skulls was much bigger than he anticipated but hideous as he expected. Lesser demons filled the entrance and the dark halls of the whole castle as they continue to roam or fly around the ill-decorated ballroom.

The place reeked of demonic miasma. For a long time, Alois was never bothered with it. He was already immune to its poisonous properties, however, today was an exception. He was with someone. Using his demonic aura as a shield would do the girl more harm than good.

“Welcome to my humble abode, Your Highness.” The marquis gave him a sinister smile the moment it saw the woman in his arms.

Alois frowned. “Such a dismal place this is.” He mumbled to himself, not bothering to lower his voice.

He glanced at the master of the grim castle. Alois’ mood had gotten worst seeing the giant blob of demonic fats in front of him. The demon had a face of a huge frog with three giant horns protruding from its skull. The demon's putrid smell overshadowed its grotesque face. It was completely violating his sense of smell.

“I see you already have my gift.”, the demon grinned, revealing his sets of greenish canines. It was evident that he was itching to sink its claws into the girl. Alois could almost feel the demon’s malice the way to his skin.

His hold on the girl’s body unconsciously got tighter. Briel still hasn’t regained her consciousness. It was probably because of the miasma. His instincts warned him but everything is coming together as he had planned. He cannot afford to go back now.

He was tempted to blurt out a curse.

“Brilliant, Prince Alois!” Gaap was thrilled at the sight of Michael’s descendant. The giant demon couldn’t contain his hunger anymore and was salivating at the mere aroma of the Nephilim in front of it. “I wonder what she would taste like?”

As the demon had intended, everything was coming together. He will definitely increase both in rank and power the moment he had a taste of Michael’s descendant. He had enough of mere human souls. They weren’t enough for his insatiable hunger. Nephilim hearts were his favorite meal now. More powerful and tastier than corrupted human souls.

He reached out his burnt, dripping with slime claws for the girl but the demonic Prince swiftly backed away.

Alois raised a brow. He can almost hear the demon's dark thoughts. “I assume you haven’t forgotten our agreement yet, Marquis?”

The demon immediately shivered in fear at the sight of the Prince’s discontent.

The demon contorted its forehead before nodding in agreement. He was so overwhelmed with the hunger that he had almost forgotten what he and Prince had agreed upon. “Ah, yes. Your Highness.” He motioned to one of his demon followers. An imp walked forward holding a box towards the dark Prince.

Alois smirked as he saw the box. The dark powerful aura was barely contained by the box.

“As agreed, I brought the Devil’s tongue in exchange for this Nephilim.” Gaap hissed. Saliva came out of its mouth at the mere mention of the word Nephilim. “That foolish Balberith almost snatched away my prey. I will be the one to present this Nephilim’s dead body to the Demon Lord himself.”

Alois gave the Marquis a cold glare. The demon was evidently planning to eat the Nephilim's heart. “I believed he wanted this Nephilim alive, Gaap.”

“Well, accidents happen, Prince Alois.” He laughed at his own dark joke. Flexing his sharp and dirty canines that were dying to tear the Nephilim limb from limb. “I can just say that Michael’s descendant wasn’t cooperative enough. I am sure that the Demon Lord will be lenient with me.”

He was aware of Gaap’s demonic tendencies. The greater demon was probably keeping the Nephilim for himself. That is why he chose Gaap for his plans. He was selfish and cunning but his weakness is his appetite for Nephilim hearts. Alois will be able to easily manipulate him for his bidding.

Alois shook his head and wave one of his hands. “Just don’t blame me for not warning you.”, he said dismissively.

Gaap chuckled while caressing its bulging stomach, Alois held his dislike. He can smell the demon’s breath that reak of rotting flesh and sulfur as it continued to laugh of it there was something hilarious happening.

“Enough.” He looked at the demon as if he was seeing an insect.

Gaap cleared his throat. “J-Just remember another part of our pact, young Master. The Lord must never know of such arrangement.” Gaap was indeed dying to eat the Nephilim, however, he also wants to have all of the glory of capturing an archangel’s descendant. No one will share that glory. Not even one of the demon princes.

This time, a wicked smile broke from Alois’s lips. A dark thought brewing inside his mind. “Of course, Marquis. You will have all of father’s recognition.”

The marquis nodded in delight. He called the imp before. “You may take the Devil’s tongue as we have agreed upon and I shall take my meal, err, the girl with me.”

He handed Briel to Gaap's underling. As soon as the nephilim’s body touched the demon’s skin, the demon turned into ash and vanished.

The unconscious girl fell on the floor. The Nephilim has started to gleam with angelic light. Michael’s symbol glowed hard on the girl’s forehead.

“What is this?” Gaap roared in anger.

Alois grimaced. “She’s being summoned by her father.” He explained to the demon. “If we lay a hand on her, we will immediately turn into ash.”

“Damn angel! Interfering with my plans!” Gaap’s strength and size starting to double in anger. The demons around them were starting to get agitated as well. "They might have sensed their kin is in danger!"

They had abducted one of the seven great descendants. Of course, the Planes of Existence will certainly be in jeopardy, especially the Heavenly Plane.

Alois, move now! A voice in his head shouted.

“Do not fret, Marquis.” Alois started. He had to quell the demon’s anger before things get more complicated. “I may be able to dispel this but it may take a few hours.”

“I do not care! This girl will never escape here and see the light of day!” Gaap was starting sound incoherent because of anger. The demon was running out of patience.

Alois smiled to himself. This will make things easier for him.

Using his powers he lifted the glowing girl inside a sphere of his aura. Touching Briel is next to impossible as of the moment.

“After six hours, claim her from the dungeon. I will need to take her as deep as I can on our plane.” That was all he said as he vanished with the Nephilim.

____________________________________________________

“BRIEL. Wake up.” Briel groaned when she felt someone gently tapping her cheek. Her body was screaming in pain.

“Sister, open your eyes.” It called. “Please, you need to wake up.”

That voice... it seems foreign but somehow it is familiar.

She started to open her eyes.

The moment she saw him, she didn’t know what to do first. He may look a bit older but she can still recognize those features of his. “Axel.” Her tears started falling. She was trembling. “I-is it really you?”

She was afraid that he was just another demon and was pretending to be his brother.

The man slowly went closer but Briel wasn't buying it easy. She backed away.

She instantly saw the sadness flash in the man's eyes. It was so abrupt, she had thought she imagined it.

"It's me, Bri." He insisted.

She looked at the man with suspicion. What if he was just a lying demon? She may not be able to take it. She had just lost her mother and whatever trick the demons were playing now, it was really cruel.

The boy smiled and was also on the verge of tears. He reached for her hand once more. This time, she wasn't able to move away as her back hit a wall.

He held her hand tight. Briel immediately felt the familiar sensation they shared ever since they were young. She wasn’t sure if all twins had that kind of ability, but now she was sure. It was really her brother.

He was alive. He was fine.

"It is really you." She said almost breathless.

He nodded.

Briel immediately hugged her twin. She had missed him. Briel was a crying mess. “I missed you so much. I never stopped believing that I’ll see you again." Briel touched his cheek.

He reclined to her touch. “I’m so happy to see you, too.”

She started to notice his features. Her happiness, slowly changed to shock and sadness upon seeing how much he had changed.

Axel's deep golden eyes that resembled hers were no longer there. It was changed to crimson red now. His hair was also ash blonde to almost white in contrast to her dark brown hair. Briel can even see his fangs that he was so desperate to hide.

“What happened to you?” She asked as she cupped his face with both of her hands now, gently caressing his face. She looked at his brother's pale face. It was so faint, it made him look so ethereal. It was the beauty that she had always admired his twin brother for. His kind face always made her feel loved.

“Are you scared of me?” His tone cracked as if her actions had broken him. It broke her heart at the same time. He was afraid that she would not accept him.

She immediately shook her head. “Is this why you never came back? You were afraid that we will not accept you?” Tears were still flowing from her eyes. “You’re my brother. You will always be my brother whatever form you may take.”

“It wasn’t like that, Bri.” He explained. “I was afraid of them finding you. We were not ready yet.” He held her hands. “You were not ready yet. Mom has yet to prepare you." He confided.

She remembered their mom. “Mom died.” She confessed everything to him. He looked lost and broken at the news. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to blame yourself.” He said, quick to stop her from wallowing in dark thoughts. “Mom and I were ready for this.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It was a necessary sacrifice, Briel. We must protect you on behalf of our father."

He saw how confused Briel was, so he decided to continue. “Remember how sickly you were back then?” Axel reminded. “You weren’t exactly sick, Briel. It was the angelic power within you causing havoc inside your body. Your angelic powers were insanely strong and it was too much for your body to handle. Mother eventually had to seal and contain your powers and memories for you to be able to live normally. Unlike you, I didn’t inherit our father’s angelic powers.” He said sadly. “I was supposed to protect you and mother but I couldn’t do anything.”

She felt confused. Whatever she was hearing now did not make any sense to her. One question after another popped inside her head and it was making her dizzy and even more confused.

“I don’t understand.” She held her head which was starting to ache. “Axel, I can’t...”

Axel held her hand tighter. “We don’t have enough time, Briel. You have to take everything at face value now.” That was when she realized where they are. The whole place reeked of blood and a dark and foul stench filled the place. She was acquainted with the stench now, it was the smell of demons.

The place was gloomy and she could hardly make out her surroundings. The room was lit by red crystals that barely omitted enough light. It looked like she was at a dungueon.

Briel panicked. “What is this place, Axel? Where are the others?”

Axel hugged her. “Do not be afraid. Trust me, I will never let anything bad happen to you.”

That was when they heard a loud thump. Briel was suddenly filled with fear. “Just as expected from a Nephilim. I knew you would betray my master.” A demon emerged from the dark.

Axel's expression turned dark. “Lower demons like you should just be silent.”

“Prince Alois, you traitor.” The demon roared. “I shall take your head and present it to the master-“

The demon never managed to finish its sentence as Axiel immediately beheaded him without moving an inch from her side.

Briel’s eyes widened in horror at the sight of the demon’s head rolling in front of her. She looked at the man in front of her. “A-Alois?”

Did the demon just call him Alois? Isn’t the man in front of her Axial? Was he just lying?

But he...

He was about to touch her but she immediately backed away from his touch. She managed to grab a blade from her side and pointed it at the man in front of her. She was crying now in disbelief, her body trembling in fear. She didn’t know whom to trust anymore.

Briel immediately noticed pain flash from his eyes. “It’s really me, Bri.” His voice even cracked.

“Then where am I? Why bring me here? Are you like that demon who possessed our mother? You wanted to bring me to Lucifer too?” She flooded him with panicked questions. “You were at the hospital too! Were you?”

“Briel, listen to me.” He begged. “I had to get caught to buy you and mother a time to escape. They thought that I was the Seventh but eventually, they realized that I was only a regular Nephilim with special abilities.” He said sadly. “That was the only reason I was kept alive. In this world, I am known as Alois."

"I couldn’t do anything. I was powerless in front of Lucifer and his kins.” He confessed. “You don’t know how many times I wanted to be there for the both of you. But I couldn’t. Those demons wouldn’t let me. But I didn’t stop. I couldn't, knowing they were targeting you. I had to do their biddings to gain a little freedom.” She couldn’t imagine the horror hidden behind those words. “Eventually, I was able to see mother.”

She was starting to slowly put the pieces together in her mind.

“You!” She remembered the times her mother left the island and brings back supplies from town, the pearls that Johan would always bring them, those times that she was in danger, he was there protecting her.

“You were the one who had been helping us?”

He nodded. “I wanted to see you, too.” He said sadly. “I missed being happy with you. However, mother forbade me from seeing you. You being aware of my existence will only complicate things. So I had to watch and guard you from afar. It’s really me, Bri.”

“Then, why bring me here?”

“I need your powers, Briel.” He approached her but she quickly backed away meters from him once more. “I need you to free someone.”

“Who?!” She demanded.

“You’ll meet him later, Bri. But first, you need to listen to me.” He insisted. “I don’t have much time before they take me.”

Briel panicked at the thought of him leaving her.

He looked as pained as her. “Yes, I can’t be with you anymore, Briel. They will realize what I did and I will be punished.”

Her knees gave out and Axiel saw that as a chance to approach her. He hugged her tightly as she cried in his arms. Her cries were the only thing that ripped the silence of the place.

She didn't give a damn. She was hurting. The world might not care but it has to tolerate her cries for now. For it was the only way she could express her grief.

“What’s h-happening? I don’t understand anything.” She muttered in the middle of sobbing. “Everything in my life is falling apart...everything felt like an elaborate lie. Everyone was aware except me.”

She can hear her twin brother consoling her. He was in pain too. Briel felt the guilt clawing at her heart. The cruelty Axiel had to endure just for her and here she is, doubting him. Briel immediately released the blade from her hands. “I feel so useless. Everyone was doing their part to protect me, yet I had done nothing. Everyone suffered because I can’t do anything.”

“This is not your fault, Bri. You were a victim of these unfortunate circumstances too.” Axel held her face. “You have to be strong now. From now on, you will be on your own.” He started to grip her shoulder hard. “You absolutely must learn to choose whom to trust, sister. I will come back for you. I promise.” She felt him kiss her forehead. Just as he had always done whenever they will little.

A memory from they were young flashed in her reverie.

“I will always protect you, Briel,” Axel said as he tried to stop himself from crying. They were both beaten up. The kids from the town bully them because of their weird features. They had pale white skin and gold-colored eyes. They were calling them children of demons because of it.

“i***t! I will be the Princess Knight and protect the Prince of the island from those bullies!” She said as she grabbed the wooden sword from the little Axel. “No one will dare to hurt my precious brother!”

“Stupid, Axel.” She started to hit him slightly in the back. “i***t. Just you watch, I will become stronger! I may not be able to do anything now, but I will beat those demons and come for you.”

She felt him chuckle gently. “I know, my princess knight.”

When he let her go, she was calmer now. “Listen to me, Briel. You don’t need to know everything now. The time will come when everything will make sense.” He gave her the blade she was holding earlier. “This is the devil’s tongue.” The blade glowed crimson red and was emanating an ominous aura. “Do not fear, you can use this. You have the power to purify anything as long as you will it. A normal Nephilim would have been corrupted after touching this but not you.” It was just then that she realized how his eyes and fangs seemed more demon-like at that moment. It was obvious that he was having a hard time. Briel touched his hand and immediately, relief was visible on his face.

“See, what I mean?”

She nodded. He handed her the blade. “You will need this as protection for the meantime.” He looked at the end of the hall. “You have to find the angel and free him.”

“What? Angel?”

“Yes, Briel. That angel is trapped here and only you can save him.” He smiled dearly at her.

Briel frowned. This insane confidence he had for her was inconceivable. “What if I can’t? Why are you so sure I can save him?”

He smiled. “Because you are the only one who can do it.”

“This is the time to use every single survival skill mom has taught you. We are born from warriors, Briel. It runs in our blood. You are an archangel descendant, Bri.”

“I am a Nephilim, too? Then, our father is an archangel?"

Axel only nodded in agreement. Her head was hurting but considering what is happening, they don’t have the luxury to discuss everything. “You must use your abilities to fight and survive until help comes.”

“What do you mean?”

“That boy will come for you.” He said with a slight distaste on his face. Brief hadn't seen her brother for years, but she couldn't remember her was capable in making that kind of expression.

“You mean Gaiel? He’s coming to save me?”

He frowned. “Yes.” Then he held her face. “However, Briel. I warn you, never trust anyone so easily. Even those with angelic blood hide a devil inside their hearts.”

She made sure to keep that in her heart. “Yes, brother.”

“Good girl.” He then touched her temple and suddenly something inside her snapped and a surge of power flowed throughout her system.

She got on her knees as a foreign sensation filled her body. It felt heavy and painful at the same time.

“I have partially undone mother’s seal to free some of your angelic power. It is now up to you how to use it to its true and fullest potential, Briel."

He held her face this time. "I will be seeing you later my beloved Sister.”

It was then that she lost consciousness once more.