THE SEVEN HEAVENLY CHILDREN

9TH ACT: a*******n

"MOTHER, WHERE IS AXEL?!" Briel begged. She had been asking continuously but never had a proper reply. They had been running for quite some time and Briel was worried her twin might not be able to catch up. The weather was throwing a huge tantrum and it was making the trails harsher than it already was. He might not be able to see them at all due to the storm. The forest was darker than ever and their poor old, rusty lamp was able to shed light on their way.

However, what frustrated her more was her mother's lack of response. Yelena continued to run without hesitation. They were able to cover much distance already and there were still no signs of her brother coming after them.

“Mom! S-Stop!”, Briel called. She was gasping for air already, but her mother kept a firm hold on her wrist that Briel felt like she was being dragged like a little girl. They were trailing the harsh mountain with incredible haist. The deeper they got into the forest, the darker it became. The chills brought by the thunderstorm didn’t compare to the chills she felt inside her heart.

Was she not worried? Briel asked in her mind. Was her mother going to keep pretending not to hear her? Briel’s questions were non-stop now, but Yelena kept on running. It was as if her mother can't hear her.

"Mother! Answer me!" She pulled her hand as she demanded finally. Tears were already in her eyes. She was worried sick for her brother’s safety. Yet it felt like Yelena didn’t care. It left Briel feeling betrayed. She had been waiting for any signs that would tell her Axel was close, but none came. Why isn’t he with them?

Something is wrong!

However, just as before, Yelena just continued to drag her. She wasn’t bothering to explain anything to Briel at all. She was already out of breath, but Yelena had insisted they continue running.

"He'll be coming after us. We'll meet him in the cave." Yelena said as she assisted Briel while they got down the harsh mountain trail. The cave was where I was going to be they stored their boat. It was their only means of transportation to me get away from that island which provided them home for a few months. They are leaving their home again but this time, without bringing anything at all.

"Now, hurry up," Yelena insisted. "They might have already caught up to us!"

The two women continued their descent towards the shore. It had been raining hard for the whole day. They had to be extra careful because the steep drainages were unstable to mud and debris flows. Briel lost her footing and almost slide her way down a mountain cliff. Yelena was able to grab her hand and swung her to safety. Briel's heart hammered against her chest when she saw high her fall would be hadn't Yelena saved her. "Briel, focus!"

They ran across the dark, rainy forest not stopping for anything. Whatever was chasing them down, it was closing in fast. Briel can hear the footsteps not far behind and based on instincts, it wasn't her brother's. The twins had always been like this. By heart and instincts, they were able to sense each other even from miles apart.

"You told me he'll come after us!" Briel muttered accusingly. "Mother, tell me the truth." She demanded. "Where is my brother?"

Yelena didn't answer. "We don't have time for this, Briel!" Her mother shouted exhaustedly. She was avoiding any eye contact with her daughter. "We need to run! Now!" Yelena insisted with gritted teeth.

Briel couldn't stop herself from crying. Something is wrong. "Mother, tell me!" A nagging thought was forming itself in her young mind. Her brother might have gotten captured by those bad people. Worse, they might have hurt him! "Mother!" She shrieked. She was young but Briel wasn't an i***t. Her mother was lying to her. "We have to go back!"

"No!" Yelena contradicted. "Listen to me, Briel. We can't go back now." She was about to grab Briel's hand but she quickly backed off. It earned Yelena's disapproving look.

"I can't keep on running." Something bad is about to happen to her twin. She had enough of running. "No! I'm not going anywhere without Axel!"

Yelena let out an exasperated sigh. Her anger was palpable. She was running out of patience. "Stop being difficult, Briel!" Yelena shouted this time Briel can see her face. She was crying too. It mirrored Briel's fear and pain. "I need to get you out of here. I won't allow anyone to take you too."

She had never seen her mother this broken and lost. Yelena had already lost the love of her life and now her child has been taken from her. She had seen how she had suffered from losing their father. She tried to stay strong for them but Briel could see how she had missed their father. Briel will not let her mother undergo such an ordeal once more.

Briel was adamant. No way in hell will she abandon her brother. "No! I won't go anywhere without Axel!" With that, she started running back. She can hear her mother calling out to her, begging her to come back but Briel wasn't paying any attention to it. Her brother was out there, needing their help.

"Axel, wait for me." She whispered. "I will save you!" She continued to run. Not bothering to stop her already numb cold feet.

She remembered how the fire consumed their house. What if Axel comes home and found their house in flames? What if he didn't know where to go? What if those bad guys caught him? Briel will not let those bad people have their way and take a very important person from her.

The weather took a turn for the worst. It was raining even harder now. The wind grew violent while the thunder roared from the dark skies. From afar, Briel can see the giant waves violently crashing on the shores. It was like the epitome of how conflicted she was feeling inside.

She can't afford to lose her twin. He was not only her beloved twin but also her best friend. He was always protecting her and now when he needed someone's help the most, they abandon him. Just thinking of him suffering without anyone by his side broke her heart into pieces. She harshly wiped her tears that were mercilessly flowing to her cheeks and continued running back to their house. She knows a shortcut and she can use that to get back faster, however, it will be a lot more dangerous trail.

She was so busy wiping the tears that were blurring her vision that she lost her footing. "Ahh!" Briel shouted as she slid down a steep trail. Briel covered her face with her arms as she slipped down rapidly. She can feel her skin burning from cuts as her body continues its descent.

She was lucky enough to have landed against a strong tree trunk. Unfortunately, the impact was so strong, that she felt the bones in her right arm c***k. She cried as the pain resonated throughout her small frame however, her determination kept her moving. There is absolutely nothing that can stop her.

She can't afford to lose her brother. Briel can feel it! Her brother is in danger. She can sense her brother's fear and Briel can feel a foreboding sense that she'll never be able to see her brother if she won't move now.

"Axel, w-wait for me. I'll come to you." She was quivering due to the cold. Her vision was also starting to get blurry again. She can't remember how long has she been walking when her mother suddenly appeared her way.

Briel was caught unprepared as Yelena suddenly appeared in front of her. She had no time to react as the woman pinned her against a tree. "Listen to me, Briel," Yelena said with indifferent coldness. She had never given her one of those looks before. "You will not waste your brother's sacrifice, do you understand me?"

"Axel..." She tried to call out but her voice bearly made it out of her throat. She couldn't do anything but cry. "Axel. No..."

That was when she felt Yelena's hand on her neck.

"Mo...ther..." She tried to speak and only managed a whimper.

She felt horrified as she felt a series of sharp stings around her neck as Yelena continued to strangle her. Briel used her hands to free herself, but her mother's grip was more powerful.

She was losing consciousness. Through barely opened eyes, she saw how Yelena's face morphed into something so horrendous, that it brought chills all over her body. Her eyes glowed bloody red, then two huge horns protruded from her forehead. She felt burning sensations as her mother's skin melted showing raw flesh. "Do you understand now, Nephilim? I'll bring you to my lord, Briel. Come to our side just as your brother did."

She felt insurmountable pain as the Demon's claws dig deeper into her neck. She could see her blood flowing on its arm. She quickly tried to loosen its grip by grabbing its hands aiming to hurt it. It was futile! It was just too strong for her.

"L-let me go..." She gasped when the grip became tighter. She tried kicking it from the stomach but its body was just too sturdy to even cause damage. Not only that, she cannot propel her body enough to swing her way from it. She was just too weak, too hurt, and too unprepared to be able to fight it.

Its bloodshot eyes stared at her with malice. "Soon, Briel. You will meet that useless brother of yours and your wretched mother in hell. Then you three can become a family again. I can't wait to see that bastard's face upon seeing his family suffer in Lucifer's hands." The demon laughed maniacally. "We will have our revenge and that archangel will fall by my master's feet."

The demon's word triggered something inside her. Was it anger? She looked at the demon's eyes. It stopped laughing and stared back at her. It was seriously offended by the way she looked at it.

"What is it, Nephilim? You've got something to say to me?" Its eyes flickered as if realizing something. "Hah! You are really that bastard's daughter. You had inherited his disgusting eyes." The malice and hate in the demon's voice triggered something in Briel's mind. It felt like it had known a lot about her family. She remembered her mother's warnings before.

"Don't look at them. Never, ever look into their eyes for you will see who they are and they will know who you are."

Briel tried kicking her way out of its grip once more, but it caught her leg this time. She screamed in pain as the demon crushed her bones. "Stop struggling, young Nephilim. The Master ordered to keep you alive but he didn't mention to keep you unharmed. So if I were you, I will not b***h about this too much. I might not be able to stop myself and killing you. Just like I had killed your poor, defenseless mother."

Briel felt bloodlust from inside her body. She was seething with barely controlled anger. Something powerful inside her was trying to force its way out. It was giving her strength as she looked at the demon. It killed her mother. It destroyed what little happiness she has left. Eventually, as anger filled her, something inside was released. The power surged and flowed all over her body. It made her body temperature go up.

"Get your filthy hands off me!" Briel shouted as warm light bathed her body throwing the demon away from her.

"Curse you and your damn father!"

When her eyes flutter open, Briel was greeted by the handsome frowning face of her savior. Those beautiful pair of green eyes mesmerized her once more. Just like the first time she had seen them. It was uncommon for Filipinos to have such a trait. None of his physical traits were Filipino. He might not be from the Philippines but the way he spoke to her made it seem like the language was his native tongue. He didn't have any accent at all.

He kept looking at her with intense curiosity. Briel was starting to feel uncomfortable. He looked handsome, if only he didn't seem like he was burning a hole in her skull.

"Do you plan to keep using me as a pillow?" He asked with a cold voice.

That was when she realized that she was leaning on his shoulders while she slept. She immediately pulled herself away from his shoulders and apologized. He might have felt so uncomfortable earlier but decided not to wake her up.

"I did...I never meant...", she struggled to gather her thoughts.

"Whatever." He reached for a bottle of water and handed it to her. "Drink this. Your voice still sounds hoarse. The miasma might still be in your system."

She followed and drank. Something about the water felt different but it wasn't bad or anything at all. It felt more like medicine because she felt better after drinking it.

"S-sorry." She repeated as she looked at him massaging his shoulder.

The guy looked at her. His eyes widened a bit due to disbelief.

It was too late before she realized what she has done. She couldn't believe it herself. She barely had even known him. How can she act that comfortable around a person she just met?

How shameful. She told herself.

"Was it a nightmare?" He asked after a few seconds of silence. He looked unconcerned about her predicament but something told Briel, he was being genuine. He was just awkward about it that is all.

Briel shrugged. That nightmare felt so real that she involuntarily reached for her neck trying to check if bruises were there. She sighed. She was safe now.

Briel turned to their surrounding. The place was surrounded by policemen and soldiers patrolling over the hospital grounds. She can also see some reporters from outside the gate trying to grab as much information as they can.

"Don't worry. Our men have this situation under control." He stressed the last word with a grim face. It was obvious whatever transpired inside the hospital will remain a secret from the world. "The media will never know what happened here." He said as if confirming her thoughts.

"Where have you taken the other survivors?" She asked. She saw them earlier before she had fallen asleep. They were taken into the mobiles assisted by the man's teammates who were out of sight at the moment.

It was a very long and uncomfortable silence before he decided to answer her query. "They were taken to our base here in Cebu." He didn't explain more. It was another awkward silence that Briel felt needed to continue breaking the ice between them. However, it was hard considering how tight-lipped the man is.

"I see. What would happen to us now?" She asked feeling a bit anxious about what is going to happen to her after that ordeal. She had already lost her mother. The most important person in her life and now she was all alone. What kind of life awaits her?

"You would undergo treatment."

Briel only looked at him. Something about his answer felt amiss. It was like he was telling her the truth but partially. Maybe it was something he could not tell her outright. She was still a human after all. Someone who should be still unaware of the existence of demons. She was sure no harm was to come to her in their hands but it felt like there was a cache.

"It's normal." He spoke after a few frustrating moments of silence.

Briel looked at him. The confusion was palpable on her face. "Huh?"

"Being scared. Having nightmares. It's normal." He explained. "After what you had been through,” he paused. He looked both distant and cold for a second. “I don't blame you. I can't blame anyone."

She thought he was referring to everything happening around them. It was unlike him to show concern now. However, after giving some thought to it, the guy beside her protected her with his life. Maybe he was a warm person inside. He was just awkward and cold on the outside.

"Do they," Briel started to ask. "I mean, does the police know about what happened?"

The guy looked at her before speaking. His green eyes glinted as his eyes examined her face. "Some." He said not giving much information. He looked like he was struggling to tell her something but decided not to.

It's not like she'll tell everyone. Yes, she might have seen those things but no normal person would believe her unless they saw those ghouls. Whatever happened inside the hospital would cause an uproar. Who would have known? Real demons reside among them, preying on their unsuspecting souls. If the Human Society were to find that out, panic and unrest would plunge their world.

"I haven't thanked you yet," Briel said as she looked at the guy in the eyes. "Thank you for saving me, Mr. Stranger." She said with a smile.

She hoped her mother had survived too. Her eyes start to water again. She was scared but now the feeling of loss weighed her down more than her fear. She missed her mother so much. It was so sad that they were not even given a chance to say goodbye to each other. Pain filled her heart as she remembered the last time they spoke to each other.

"Happy Birthday, Mother!" She greeted as she hugged her mother. Yelena had just woken up and saw that Briel was already preparing their breakfast. "I cooked this for you," Briel handed her mother a plate full of hot, steaming rice. She then gave her mom a piece of fried fish, she caught earlier that day.

"Wow! Thank you, Briel." Yelena said with a smile. She looked absolutely delighted by how her daughter had prepared everything for her. "You didn't have to do this much!"

Briel hugged her mother once more. "I want you to feel special."

"I am already special," Yelena said tears already forming in her eyes. "I have you as a daughter."

"We're not yet done, mother." Briel then excitedly grabbed her bow and set of arrows that Yelena had made for her before. "I am going to go hunt a boar today! I saw tracks around the forest last time. I had already set up the traps. I am positive I'll catch one today!" She squealed afterward.

Yelena just laughed at her daughter's enthusiasm. Briel was a trained and very skilled hunter now and Yelena couldn't be prouder. She had managed to raise a daughter not only blessed with natural intelligence but also skilled enough to take care of herself.

Briel went on hunting that day. They had been living there peacefully for three years. For Briel, that island felt like a new home she had learned to treasure and love. They never got hungry for everything they needed was found on the island. It was just her and Yelena but she was contented. However, by the time she went back home to brag about her kill, she found Yelena on the floor, unconscious. And from that on, she never woke up.

"Uhm. Mister..." Briel hesitated. He still hasn't given her name so she wasn't sure how to address him. "Uhm-"

"Gaiel." He cut her off.

"S-sorry?" Briel asked, surprised. Her mouth was agape with incredulity.

Did he just...or was I just hearing things? She thought.

"i***t. Don't open your mouth like that." He said as he stood up, scowling at her again. "You can call me, Gaiel." He finally repeated.

She was still in a state of shock when he flicked his finger against her forehead. "Aww." She complained as she massaged her hurt forehead. "What was that for?"

"Never mind." He dismissed. "You were saying?"

The realization hit her before he flicked his finger against her already red forehead. "Ah, can I go back inside?" She asked, her voice quivering a little. "I want to see my mother's room for the last time. I'd also like to retrieve some of our belongings from there." It was tough to accept everything, but she was trying her best. Briel can tell her mother won't be able to bear seeing how broken she was right now.

"Okay." Gaiel agreed and started walking towards the hospital which was still crowded with investigators and authorities. He didn't even give a second thought to her request. She expected him to complain about it, but he didn't.

Thinking about everything that had happened earlier, he was walking fine now. Unlike before, he had to rely on Briel to help him walk due to his injury. He seemed healed already.

When he realized that Briel was still not following him, he turned around and gave her a cold stare. She immediately felt the chill in his eyes, and it was as if he saw something very annoying. "Well?"

Briel immediately stood up and ran towards him. "I can't believe you would tell me your name." She said as she reached his side. "What happened to your 'I don't give my name to strangers?'" She teased.

He did not respond instead he approached one of the soldiers inside. Completely ignoring her remark.

"Louise." He addressed as both the men saluted each other. The man named Louise looked at her with silent curiosity.

"She's one of the survivors," Gaiel explained. "We are going to get her stuff back on the seventh floor."

“Oh, okay.” The soldier finally spoke. Briel caught a glimpse of a twinkle in his eyes as if he was teasing them or something. Yet he remained quiet. Probably hesitating to voice out his thoughts because of his companion.

She searched for Gaiel’s face but he already proceeded to the elevator. Briel tried not to wince at the sight and smell of blood.

“So,” Gaiel started, breaking the silence between them. “What are your plans after this?”

Briel winced as she shook her head. She had no idea. However, she had an inkling to start back home. “Probably go back to our island.”

“Island?” He repeated.

“Y-yes.” She stuttered. He probably wasn’t used to hearing that kind of answer. “We’re not from here. I just had to bring my mother here because the hospitals within our province didn’t have enough facilities to help my mother. I wanted to give her a better chance at recovering here.”

However, that didn’t happen. She bit her lip hard.

“I see.” Gaiel didn’t ask further as the elevator finally halted on the 8th floor. As soon as the door opened, she immediately a whiff of something burnt and rotting. It was probably the victims of those demons.

"What will happen to this place afterward?" She blurted out. She can't imagine the hospital returning to what it was before after the horror it has undergone.

"We will burn this hospital down," Gaiel answered straightforwardly. "This place has been infected with demons. We can only purify it with fire." Gaiel quickly blocked her way, her face contorted with confusion but she immediately caught sight of the burnt carcass behind him.

Just like mom.

Briel tried to stop her tears but was unable to. She immediately wiped the tears. They walked out of the lift yet her tears showed no sign of stopping.

“I can come and get your things back if you want.” Gaiel volunteered not looking back at her.

She just shook her head and started to walk. “It’s okay. I’ll be quick.”

He held her hand as he guided her to her mother's room. She was thankful for it. She felt uncomfortable crying in front of a stranger but Gaiel made it easier. The gesture touched her heart.

Within a few moments, she was inside her mom’s room. Briel had heard Gaiel excuse himself and went to the other soldiers whom they found surveying the floor. Briel didn’t mind being alone. She wanted to mourn and she was thankful to Gaiel for giving her privacy.

Her already weak knees gave out as she stared at her mother’s ashes. She felt so devastated and lost. Briel didn’t know where she would start from there. “I’m very sorry, Mom. It was because of me that this happened.” Briel cried. “I’m sorry I was never around when it mattered.” She remembered the time she found her mom on the floor, unconscious. She imagined her mom lying defenseless. Her mother suffered all alone.

“I’m so useless.” She muttered. She was full of self-loathing. Briel remembered the day they lost her twin brother. Even then, she was utterly useless. Axel had sacrificed himself for them to escape. “I told myself I was going to protect you in father’s and Axel's place. I failed all of them, mom. I failed you, too.”

Briel was filled with anguish. A seed of hate was planted inside her heart already. Hate directed at the demon who took her mom’s life away. Hate for those people who had caused them to lead a life of hiding and fear, and hate for herself. She hated how weak she was. “This would have never happened if I was the one who died that night.”

If she had been the one who died that night instead of her twin brother, this would’ve never happened. Axel was way better than her in all aspects. He was smarter and more skillful. He would’ve done everything he could to save their mom. He would’ve prevented all the tragedy that was her life right now.

“I’m sorry.” She wailed as she repeatedly begged forgiveness from the ashes in front of her. “I’m sorry. Forgive me, mother.” She wasn’t sure how long she had been crying. Her eyes felt sore and her voice was already hoarse.

“Bri.”

Briel had stopped crying when she heard someone called her. The hairs in the back of her neck stood up upon healing that familiar endearment.

She immediately looked up and searched for the voice. Her tears only fell harder as she saw a painfully familiar face.

“You...”