Chapter 15: The message
1217 Words
General Dina ignored the cadets who saluted her as she walked through the hallways of the military academy. Normally, she'd have stopped to greet them and shake their hands, because she knew doing that would boost their morale but as it was, she was already late for a very urgent meeting.
She exited the walls of the academy and also ignored the soldiers and civilians who saluted her. When she reached her destination, which was Zachariah's house, she knocked twice and door opened, showing a very worried Zachariah who tried to smile at her and failed.
She walked in and saw Mark and Mikela whispering worriedly. Immediately they saw her, they saluted her.
“As you were, Soldiers,” General Dina said, spreading her wings a bit. Anxiety always stiffened them, she thought.
Foregoing any pleasantries, Dina sat down on a couch and looked at Zachariah, “Any news?”
“None whatsoever,” Zachariah said, worry creasing his forehead.
“God no!” Dina exclaimed, putting her hands on her head. How had such a brilliant idea turned into a nightmare? For a week now, they hadn't received any message from Ramiel. They'd sent out a search party three days ago, and those parties had not seen any member of Ramiel.
“I wonder if they're alive,” Dina wondered, trepidation making her heart beat wildly.
“Of course, they are,” Mark assured, “they have Raphael as their leader.”
“Raphael isn't invincible, Mark.” Mikela cautioned, “Look what happened to Ariel.”
Mikela realized what she had said and covered her mouth with her hand.
“I'm sorry, General,” she apologized.
“No, no. What you said is true,” Dina waved away her apology, although it hurt to see her brother reduced to an example.
“They can't be dead,” Zachariah announced, “If they are, we're done for.”
“Ramiel was supposed to bring joy to our people, to show them that the Angels are going to return to our former glory. Imagine what would happen if the news spreads that the whole patrol team is missing.” Zachariah said, shaking his head.
“That is why the news must not get out,” Dina warned, standing up, “We don't want the masses giving up once again.”
Mikela massaged her temple, “You know, I thought that once we had Gabriel, 'the chosen one' on our side, everything would work out for us.”
“Me too,” Mark concurred, “Are you sure Gabriel is the one the prophecy spoke of?”
Dina and Zachariah exchanged alarmed glances. If the people began to think that Gabriel was an imposter, it would be catastrophic.
“You dare question us?” Zachariah thundered.
Mark cowered a little, “No, of course not. We trust you. Forgive me for asking such a stupid question.”
“I'll let it slide this time,” Dina proclaimed, “But you shall never think nor voice such blasphemous thoughts ever again.”
Mikela arched an eyebrow, “But you can't blame us for asking. Gabriel is rude, arrogant and immature.”
“The prophecy called him the one who'll turn this celestial war on our side, not the perfect being.” Dina said impatiently, aware that she thought the same thing as Mark and Mikela, “Back to the discussion at hand.”
“Yes,” Zachariah seconded, visibly relieved to sweep questions attacking Gabriel's credibility under the carpet,“ What—”
He was interrupted by a young angel who rushed in, her cheeks red from exertion.
“Simona,” Zachariah barked, “What is going on? I thought I gave you explicit orders not to disturb me.”
“But Sir, it's very urgent,” Simona replied, flustered at the company Zachariah was keeping.
“I don't care how important—”
“The search party is back, and they're bearing stretchers.” Simona interrupted Zachariah once more.
The room fell silent for half a minute before they were able to process and assimilate what Simona had said.
“What?” Dina asked harshly, making her way out of the room.
Zachariah, Mark and Mikela hurriedly followed her outside, where they met the search party holding up crudely made stretchers that bodies laying on them.
A crowd had already gathered and were looking at the search party, asking questions curiously.
When the leader of the search party, a giant woman called Paula saw General Dina and Zachariah, she saluted them.
“Paula, please follow us.” Zachariah ordered.
She nodded and saluted once again, “What about the bodies?”
“Take them to the morgue,” Dina ordered the other members, who obediently made their way out of the crowd.
The crowd began to buzz Seriously, casting glances at the retreating form of Dina, Zachariah and Paula.
When they reentered Zachariah's office, Dina spoke, “Paula. I am glad to see you're back. What happened out there? Whose bodies are those?”
Paula wiped a huge hand across her face, wiping off tears, “Those bodies belong to the members of Ramiel.”
Dina's heart fell, her worst fears had come to fruition.
“They're all dead?” Zachariah asked softly, as though he wished he was dreaming.
“Yes,” Paula replied angrily, “murdered in the most gruesome ways possible. I'm sorry, but there was no way I was going to leave their bodies there.”
Dina could only imagine what Paula had gone through when she'd encountered her dead colleagues. Dina recalled the young and eager to please Thaddeus and immediately burst into tears, regretting ever sending him on that mission.
“You did the right thing,” Zachariah consoled Paula, patting her shoulder, “they deserve and will get befitting burials.”
“Were you able to find out who did this?” Dina asked, pacing the room.
“No doubt, it was the work of demons,” Paula replied, and then her eyes widened, “I'm sorry this skipped my mind, but we found a note.”
“Where?” Zachariah asked.
Paula turned green as she replied, “It was buried in Raphael's mouth.”
Dina exhaled in disgust, “Can I have the note?”
Paula extricated a note from her boot and with two hands passed it to Dina, who took it visibly shaking hands.
Dina noted the parchment stank and kept it at arm's length as she opened it. Zachariah came to stand beside her, to offer her support as well as read the note too.
The note was written in a dried brown liquid.
“This isn't ink,” Zachariah noted with a frown.
“No, it's blood.” Dina answered before reading the hastily written note out loud,
“Listen ye arrogant and blind angels, my name is Gabriella, the one the prophecy speaks of.
I am aware of your plans to kill me and install an imposter of your own, and for this you must pay.
This was just a tip of an iceberg. Soon, I'll find you wherever you are and kill all of you.
See you soonest,
Gabriella.”
Dina blinked and looked at Zachariah, “What did I just read?”
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