The Chronicles of the Four Heirs: WAR

Chapter 9

         Silas left before Norma and I woke the next morning. It was the First time that she and I had been alone at the cabin and I was hoping it was going to be a chance to relax for once.

         As we sat at the kitchen table going over ideas for how to spend the day, I decided to ask her about her past.

“Well,” she sighed, “I knew this was going to come up eventually.”

         We didn’t say anything for a moment as we stared at each, Norma finally broke the silence as she stood up.

“As you know I was originally a Muse,” she said walking over to the fridge and getting something to drink, “we used to speak quietly into the subconscious of humans in order to inspire humanity.”

“Until the war on Earth broke out and you were linked directly into their minds,” I asked.

“Correct,” She said sitting back down, “over the last 300 years I have been linked to a dozen humans all who have died as a result of this war,” She stated.

“I meant about you, not specifically what you are,” I said half smiling.

She paused for a moment staring me down before sighing again, “Truth is I don’t know much beyond that last 600 years, I know at one point I was a human who had chosen to become and angel, however as you already know I don’t remember much about being human.”

         It was hard to learn about someone who doesn’t remember who they used to be but I figured I would start asking questions, “so is Norma Jean your real name?”

         “No it isn’t,” she chuckled, “but it was the name of the first person I remember being a muse too.”

         “What do you remember about it,” I asked resting my elbows on the table.

         “Oh bits and pieces really,” She said as she leaned back, “Norma was a young starlet who wanted to be an actress and with me as her muse and recognizing that she need out I, inspired her to follow her dreams.”

         “So why use her name,” I asked.

Norma paused for a moment as she thought, I could see the wheels turning in her head and I was getting even more curious about her past.

“Ok, so you know that we are Linked right,” she asked as I nodded, “when a Muse gets Linked to anyone, Angel, Human, Demon, whatever, if that person should ever learn their Muses true name that person would be able to command that Muse and the Muse would have to obey.”

She paused for a second to let her words sink in, “It is the fatal flaw that exists for Muses, it ensures that we are obedient to whoever learns it and that should our partner give us an order we are bound to obey.”

I sat there bewildered at what I was hearing, I couldn’t fathom not having the choice in a decision because someone knew my name. As I looked back towards Norma there was sadness in her face and I could only guess as to why.

“I suppose I’ll just keep calling you Norma then,” I said as I stood up extending my hand, “do you want to go explore the forest with me?”

         Norma’s eyes lit up as she took my hand and we ran out the door. For some reason it felt natural to have fun with her, I wasn’t going to pay much attention to it and I hoped she wasn’t either.

         For the rest of the day we hiked and explored the mountain and asked each other questions. Favorite music, movies, books, but most importantly what we would do when the war was over. I knew that I was originally hoping that I would eventually become a flight instructor for the UEM, but seeing as how I was a Nephilim that didn’t seem like an option anymore.

         Norma said that would like to finish out her Angelic Duties and find out who she really was. It must be hard living everyday knowing that you used to be someone else but have no clue as to your past.

         The next couple days Norma and I grew closer, she no longer resented me for us being Linked and even seemed friendlier. She taught me how I could communicate with her over great distances using our link and explained that I would know for sure if she was ever in trouble.

         As we laid under the stars one night outside the cabin there was a crackling of thunder and Silas walked out of the cabin to join us.

         “Be prepared to leave tomorrow with Michael,” Silas said as he sat down, “Your next stage of training will be completed with him.”

         We sat in silence for a moment before I turned to Silas.

         “Silas,” I asked, “who are you.”

         Silas turned his head away from stars, staring directly at me, he then looked at Norma who nodded before he returned his gaze to me clicking his tongue.

         “Let’s see,” he said rubbing his hands together, “I am the angel currently training the Nephilim John so he doesn’t make a fool of himself in combat.”

         “Silas,” Norma jean said as she glared at him.

         “Alright, alright,” he chuckled before returning his gaze to the stars, “I have always been an angel, I was created not long after the Lord finished Creation. I was born into a long forgotten House of the Heaven’s and in truth I am probably the last survivor of my house ever since Lucifer tried to usurp the Throne.”

         Seeing the look of confusion on my face he sighed and then continued, “I was originally a guard for Heavens’ Gates, however following the Morningstar Conflict I was promoted to Dominion Status and was granted the rank of Commander. It is a duty that I hold very sacred and I will not betray.”

         “So how did you end up training Nephilim,” I asked.

         “It was after Samson had his hair cut by his lover Delilah,” he replied, “it was revealed to us by Samson upon his arrival to heaven that there were Nephilim walking the Earth, he didn’t know it at the time but we had our suspicions.”

         “So you were tasked with training the Nephilim?” I asked leaning forward.

         “No I was originally tasked with slaying the Half-breeds, however I sought out the Angel Raviel and begged him for the opportunity to see if Half-breeds could be trained.”

         “Who is Raviel?” I asked

         “Someone I hope you never meet,” he said firmly, he paused for a moment before continuing, “after destroying so many of your kind, I asked Lord Raviel to allow me to begin training Nephilim, after some time he agreed.”

         “So why are there none around right now?” I asked Silas as he met my gaze.

         “they were hunted,” he said staring at the ground, “everyone I have ever trained have all been killed by Demons. In return I was allowed to hunt those Demons down and avenge my students.”

         We continued talking for most of the night about nonsense mostly. It was the first time it felt like they enjoyed my company and I was glad that I could learn so much about them.

         It wasn’t too long after that Silas told us it was time for bed and we sauntered into the cabin. I Knew I would be leaving with Michael in the morning.

         Silas stopped me before I headed upstairs, “you will be meeting Michael at a temple not to terribly far from here but I would suggest leaving at day break to make sure you get there by evening.”

         I quietly nodded as I walked upstairs, stopping by Norma’s door on the way to my room. I was thinking of knocking but something was stopping me. I decided to leave her be so I went to bed.

         The next day I journeyed to a temple high in the mountains where Michael was waiting for me at the entrance.

         “Follow me,” he said motioning me inside.