The Chronicles of the Four Heirs: WAR

Chapter 12

Silas led me down a long dimly lit corridor and didn’t say a word. Raviel wanted me tried, was I going to be executed? Had I offended the Domination, I did everything that had been asked of me.

The longer we traveled down the corridor and it’s bare white walls the more I wondered what to expect. I wanted to question Silas but couldn’t find it in me to speak. There was a noticeable tension that kept us both occupied and our gazes forward.

We reached a large metal looking door and Silas stopped. We locked eyes for a moment before he spoke.

“I have enjoyed watching you grow as a warrior this last year John,” he said extending his hand, “my only hope is that after this we will continue to be friends.”

I shook his hand, unsure of what was going to happen on the other side of the door. Silas motioned for me to open the door, as he stood still.

“Remember everything I have taught you, remember to speak clearly, but above all be true to your own essence,” he said as I put my hand on the door.

When I walked through, I entered a large room that reminded of one of the old sporting stadiums that have long been destroyed. They used Large open areas with benches similar to this.

I walked to the center of the field as it was the only area that was lit and I waited to be judged.

“Welcome John,” I heard Raviel’s voice say loudly, “you are here to reveal your ability in a simple trial by combat.”

Before I could say anything Camael landed softly in front of me, but as he sat his large axe on the ground ever so softly, the rock beneath us gave way and I could feel the impact. There was no smile on his face as he had same expression he had when we arrived.

“This will be your opponent,” I heard Raviel’s voice say, “there are a couple rules for this, since this battle will take place within the Kingdom of Heaven you will not be able to kill each other, that being said whoever delivers the ‘killing blow’ wins.”

I heard some whispers coming from an audience I could not see.

“No use of Commandment Abilities, Wings, or destruction techniques,” Raviel’s voice said.

There was a long pause as Camael began cracking his knuckles and picked up his massive battle axe.

“Wait we are fighting,” I said as I panicked, this angel was monstrous, who knows how powerful he was and I had hoped to never find out.

“You will give me everything your half breed body can muster,” he said as he started walking towards me.

“Begin,” I heard Raviels sing say playfully.

Camael quickened his pace as he sprinted towards me, dragging the axe blade on the ground behind him. I had only a split second to think. I could only do a couple things, I could block and determine how strong he was by his blow to determine if I stood a chance in a straight up fight, or I could evade and hope that I am just flat out faster than him.

As he raised up his axe and brought it down I chose to evade, I dashed sideways avoiding the blow but felt the ground shake violently when his axe contacted the ground. When I looked back all I saw was a dust cloud and rubble flying through the air.

There was no second to asses how far the axe was in the ground because before I knew it Camael was directly in front of me staring into my eyes with a very menacing emotionless expression.

“You cannot outrun me,” he said as his hand snatch me by the throat.

He straightened his back causing me to dangle from his hand from what felt like 5 foot in the air. I could feel the strength of his grip tightening around my neck. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t speak, I could barely scream from the pain, all I had to do was get out of there. I had to think fast, The problem being that I couldn’t even open my eyes. Camael imbued his free hands gauntlet into a long Blade.

This was it I thought to myself, I couldn’t last even one minute with a Cherubim. What was I supposed to do, Then it hit me.

I raised my hands and wrapped them around his wrist, and imbued my armor and gauntlets, altering their structure to grow spikes all around my armor. The spikes drove through his hand and he released his grip on me.

I hit the ground coughing, it took me a few seconds to stand back up but I somehow managed to find my composure. He was extremely fast and just as powerful, not to mention his strikes were precise and deadly. I had to figure a way to make his speed and power a weakness. The problem was that in this arena all you had was sure footing.

There is always something you can do to turn the tide of battle, I heard Silas’ voice echo in my head. Remembering how he would change terrain during our training sessions, I waited.

Camael having allowed me a moment before he acted, sprinted towards me at such a speed he was just a blur. I waited until he was only a few yards from me, as his lead foot was getting ready to hit the ground, I slammed both hands on the ground, blue sparks dancing around them, and covered his path in a sheet of ice.

The result was as I planned, Camael was caught off guard from the ground being covered in ice and lost his footing. As he tried to regain control of his footing, I stood up in a spin, drawing my sword and imbuing my armor into the sword and changed it into a comically giant war hammer. As Camael slid past me I was already following through my swing, hitting him full force in the back and launching him into the wall of the arena.

As he hit the wall face first there was a distinct cheer from the audience. I returned the Warhammer back into my normal sword and armor, waiting for Camael to pull himself out of the wall.

Camael sat in the wall for a minute all I could see was his back, I had hoped that the blow would have given me a second to collect myself however as soon as I thought he was hurt Camael pushed himself out of the wall and turned to face me. He wore the same expression although there was a slightly noticeable tension in his jaw.

He said nothing has he closed the gap between us faster than a bolt of lightning. I saw the gauntlet on his arm glow blue, and I let instinct take over. I change my left gauntlet into a small shield just as his had changed into a small wrist blade. As I parried his strike our movements became a flurry of us imbuing our armor into different weapons and shields to strike and parry. He would attack with a knife and I would block with a shield, then with my off hand I would try to strike with a tomahawk. He would counter with scythe; I would counter with a hook blade.

For several minutes neither of us moved from our little area as we continued exchanging blows and switching attack hands. The ground was beginning to c***k, and pieces of rock began flying. With every strike I blocked my arms and legs would vibrate and after a while they began to go numb. I was unsure of how long I could keep this up, but it was all I could to keep Camael at bay. Eventually it came to a head, when I changed the dagger I imbued out of my gauntlet into a small rapier and lunged forwards. Camael, most likely annoyed with the continuous exchange, slid just to the side of my sword and grabbed my wrist, punching me square in the jaw and sending me flying.

I was almost knocked unconscious from the blow; it had felt like I had been hit with a fire truck. I struggled to find my feet as I tried to stand back up, but the power of that punch was inhuman. Then it dawned on me, I can’t fight like I’m a human, I have to fight like an angel. That’s what all of this was really about, was to see the results of my training. If this is what an angel is capable of, then I should be capable of the same.

Finding a newfound drive, I pushed myself off my knees and stared directly into Camael’s eyes, unafraid of his ability and undaunted by the difference in power. I knew deep down I could match him, but the question was, how?

We stood barely a few feet apart, His expression was unchanged, but I could tell he was unfazed by our battle so far. As he stared down at me, there was a wrinkle that developed in his brow.

“It would seem you have learned the first truth,” he said as he stared down at me, most of his face was covered in shadow which gave him a most menacing look, “you are more powerful than you believe young Angel.”

His words reverberated within my body, he acknowledged me as angel and not as a half breed. I had to do something to prove that I am just as powerful as him. Without thinking I stepped back and allowed my Soul to seep out, Silas never taught me how to do it, but had said when the time came, I would know how to do it.

The stadium filled with the bright light I was emanating. All around me plasma arms of white, red, and black danced like snakes as they circled around. There was a collective gasp from the audience, however Camael’s expression changed. His face no longer bore an emotionless expression, instead his eyes widened, and his face contorted into a maniacal smile.

Camael began giggling and laughing, as he took a more intense fighting stance. Slowly several animal heads appeared from around his back and they locked eyes on me. what was odd is that he seemed to enjoy this display as if he had been waiting for it his whole life.

Neither of us said a word as we stared each other down, I raised my sword and pointed the tip at Camael. Everyone was holding their breath between what would most likely be the final push between a Cherubim and the Nephilim.

Camael made the first move, he darted towards me pulling his arm back as if to give a devastating punch, his gauntlets glowing as they migrated towards his knuckles creating spiked gloves. He threw his punch, but I deflected with the side of my sword causing his blow to contact the ground.

As his hand hit the ground, I imbued my leg armor into a hammer that sat on top of my knee and brought it up causing Camael face to collide with it sending him spiraling away to the ground.

he laid there for several seconds so I thought he was unconscious, and I dropped my guard which was what he was waiting for. He grabbed my ankle and in one fluid motion got to his feet and spun me around tossing me towards the wall of arena.

I hit the wall and felt my body vibrate from the impact. It wasn’t that I was dazed but that the impact felt like a minor inconvenience.

We stood on opposite side of the area, staring each other down, he then picked up his battle axe off the ground and prepared to strike as I took the same offensive stance. This would be it the final blow.

As a rock fell from somewhere, we both darted forward. Traveling faster than lightning, we both kept sprinting forward as fast as we could go.

“That’s enough,” Raviel’s voice echoed through the arena.

Camael and I stopped a few feet from each other, dust and dirt colliding from our wakes. Our weapons stopping mere inches from each other, my sword at his waist and his axe at my throat. We both looked towards Where Raviel was sitting.

“I have seen all I need,” Raviel stated as he stood up and floated down to the arena, his eyes locked with Camael who bowed and flew off.

As soon as Raviel landed in front of me I stabbed the tip of my sword in the dirt, dropped to one knee, and lowered my head.

“Stand Johnathan,” he chuckled, I stood upright and sheathed my sword.

“You are indeed powerful,” he continued, “unfortunately even we do not know just exactly how powerful you are, but what is clear that even in the infancy of abilities you can hold your own against a Cherubim.”

I said nothing, I didn’t want to offend the Seraphim in any way if I could help it. He clicked his tongue as he eyed me.

“Very well,” he said as he clapped his hands, “I hereby reinstate you to the rank of Captain within the Army of Heaven, your commanding officer will be Silas, however you will not serve within the different legions, you will have a different mission.”

“What will that be Lord Raviel,” I asked dutifully.

“To become stronger,” he said plainly, “there are sure to be battles that you will need to be ready for, with your current progress I foresee you will be able to rival the Seraphim in power, however you do not have the flaw of the Seraphim.”

“What is that my lord,” I asked

“You have compassion,” he said, “you will not destroy needlessly, of all the morals that could guide you, both good and bad, your compassion and need to help others is your strongest weapon, however, be warned young Angel this could also be your undoing.”

I didn’t know what to say as Raviel stood there smiling at me. I didn’t know what to think, this whole time in heaven has been quite odd. Never did I think I’d meet a Seraphim let alone battle a Cherubim, what was next I wondered.

Raviel placed his hand on my shoulder as he guided me towards the exit. The audience cheered as he led me towards the door, but their cheers were muffled, and it felt like I could barely hear them over Raviel.

“You should know Captain,” he said chuckling to himself, “it’s very rare that we get to enjoy a Nephilim fighting within this arena.”

“Why is that lord Raviel,” I asked genuinely curious.

“Well for starters as I mentioned before, had there been more human than angel within you, you would have burst into flames but seeing as how you may be more Angel than Human that allowed you to bear the weight of my Grace.” He stated.

We reached the door, Raviel wished me luck and ushered me through the door with the final words of wisdom simply telling me not to die before he had a chance to face me in the arena.

When I reached the other side of the door Silas was standing there grinning from ear to ear almost like a proud father.

“Congratulations Captain,” he said reaching out a hand.

“Thank you, Commander,” I replied.

We both paused for a moment staring at each other before we both broke out in laughter. Silas reached out and gave a hug.

“I never thought I’d see the day where a Cherubim was frustrated with his opponent,” Silas said keeping hold of me as we walked down the hall.

“I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull it off,” I replied laughing.

“We will be sure to take a few days and relax upon our return, I believe you have earned it,” he said as we exited the hallway and returned to the waiting area for Raviel’s Hall.

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me Silas,” I said locking eyes with him.

“Up till now you’ve been my ward, my student, however after this I hope that I can call you a friend,” Silas said as he reached out a hand.

I didn’t say anything but rather reached out and gave Silas a hug, hoping that how much his guidance and mentorship has impacted me.

“Wait till Norma Jean hears about all this,” I said as we reached the door we entered through.

We stood there for a moment, and Silas motioned for me to create the door.

I placed my hand on the wall and commanded, “odo.”

Blue sparks danced around my fingertips as bolts of blue lightning spread across the wall, and the gate opened reveling the cabin where we stayed.

We walked through laughing and pushing each other just as though we had been victorious in some great battlefield.

We walked into the cabin and I called out for Norma Jean, but she wasn’t there. We looked around and found a note informing us that she was gone back to the Holy 56th camp to get some supplies. We looked around and I caught the calendar out of the corner of my eye.

“Silas?” I asked, “have we been gone for 2 weeks.”

“We’ll time moves differently in heaven, so I suppose that’s not that far off,” he replied shrugging.

“Norma has been gone since the day after we left,” I said pointing out the date on the note she left.

Silas rushed over to look at the note as he kept an eye on the calendar.

“Try to see if you can feel her anywhere,” he instructed.

I closed my eyes and searched for Norma’s life sign, anything that might indicate where she could be. As I Scryed the planet for her, a dark energy loomed over where she was supposed to be. My head filled with screams and roars.

Something was wrong and Norma Jean was in trouble.