RISE OF THE QUADBRID

CHAPTER 7: THE REALM OF LIGHT

The portal ripped open and threw out two figures out of its mighty storm and into a realm of majestic beauty. Zarchros collapsed to one knee as soon as his boots stepped foot on the glossy marble floor, spattering blood on it. He was getting weaker by the second and it seemed like only a matter of minutes before his last breath would escape into the atmosphere. Clint immediately rushed to his side to pick him up and looked up to the radiant city of angels. The air here was soothing and pure, like each breath he took stripped away all his problems. Vanessa's eyes went sharp in search of something or someone she knew that could help Zarchros.

Clint's gaze captured the radiant city, the towering spires of stone that gleamed like frozen sunlight, bridges constructed beautifully between the spires, at their bases and the wingless angels in human form, faint halos over their head,flowing white robes and curious eyes that stopped to stare at the unfamiliar figures. Vanessa had been here before but not to the common faces. She tugged at Clint's arm to grab it and even though her expression was cool, she didn't trust the glittering world.

Zarchros, in his condition could not even raise his lips yet alone marvel at a city that he had seen edge to edge. His ace was stern, he was gasping for air, the black veins close to his jaw, he prayed silently for a second shot at life for he knew death was looming over him and he was running out of time.

"Aunt vanessa we need to do something and fast, he's losing breath" Clint whispered in worry.

"Where is he!" She blasted.

None of the angels replied her, their gazes kept switching from Vanessa; the leviathan, Clint; an unfamiliar mortal, and Zarchros; one of their own at the verge of death.

"That's Zarchros, he is dieing" one of the angels whispered to another holding a staff, who looked like the leader of the gathered congregation.

"I can see that Rory but what about our visitors, a leviathan and a mortal, who knows what they are planning."

"But they brought him here to help him" Rory countered.

Orion considered and nodded half heartedly. He made his walk to the visitors accompanied by some other angels.

Then a sound came. The bells of the Tower of Light. Every angel stilled. Statues carved in honor of the seraphims glowed magnificently.

Vanessa didn't care. She grabbed the Orion, her voice desperate and commanding, "Take me to him; the healer. Now!"

He hesitated, but when he saw the black veins on his body and Zarchros coughed, spattering blood on the then glossy marble, he obliged and then gestured for them to follow.

Angels on the streeet parted for them and the crowd behind them, some bowed, others glanced at Clint whose aura flickered strangely.

The angel directing them stoppped at a glowing pathway carved form divine crystal. Unlike the towers and spires in the outer part of the city, this place was diferent, very qiuet but not less magnificent. A domed structure loomed ahead; where the archangel of healing resided.

As they stepped inside, the air that welcomed them was gentler and cooler. The Archangel of Healing's home looked more like a sanctuary than a palace. Its walls were smooth and bright. Vines of silver leaves ran across them and the small blossoms gave of a sweet scent that hovered in the atmosphere. The floor glowed like polished glass and in the cente of the sanctuary stood a great sapphire tree with golden leaves.

Near the tree was the archangel of healing; Avalon, his presence not threatening but significant. He wore a silver robe that glowed failntly and when he looked up, his eyes carried the peace of a being who had witnessed endless suffering and pain but never gave in. Around him were small orbs of healing energy that flickered rom time to time.

Vanessa wlaked towards him, Clint sticking close to her. "Avalon, you are the best supernatural I've seen in a long time." Vanessa said, her tone mixed with desperation and a taint of joy.

"Its been a long time too Sharaqi especially since you left to be wih the humans and I can see that you brought someone with you, possibly your son?"

"Sharaqi?" Clint questioned.

"I might have forgot about that part Clint." she replied. "And you Avalon, we'll talk later, Zarchros needs help." she added with a half hearted smile.

Avalon walked towards them and placed his hand on Zarchros' neck but instantly removed it in shock.

"Whatever this is, I can't treat it here, I gotta treat him in m own uppe chamber" Avalon said still looking at his in shock.

"Already there!" Vanessa shouted, waving down at him.

"Someone's eager." Avalon replied and released his wings. He flew up to the upper part of his sanctuary. He took them to his own chamber and lay Zarchros on a large bed.

He opened one of his cabinet and soaked his hand in a kind of white liquid and then rubbed his palm together. His hand was shining brightly white and he walked toward his almost dead archangel. By now, the poison had already spread to his head just a feww inches away from his head.

Avalon placed his hand on his upper abdomen area, white light emitted from his palms and entered Zarchros' poison ridden body. Instantly he felt another powerful energy fighting off his aura. Aavalon immediately removed his palm from Zarchros' body.

"There's dragon essence in his body and the poison in his body is a mixture of both chaos and dark magic. " Avalon said.

"The dragon essence in his body is mine. I put it there to slow the poison's flow." Vanessa said. "Do we have to remove it?" She asked in a worry tone.

Avalon grabbed her by the wrist to Zarchros' body and stood behind her.

"Now you're gonna remove it under m guidance. You ready?"

"Yeah." She replied.

She placed her hand on his body and Avalon placed his palm on hers, moving it slowly around Zarchros' upper abdomen as if searching for something.

Now Sharaqi, you have to focus on finding your essence. Remember, the poison is a mixture of chaos magic and dark magic so you have to be careful not to extract the poison's chaos instead of your chaos energy.

Vanessa was having trouble concentrating with Avalon behind her and touching his palm. She was feeling a kind of warmth in her heart that she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Are you sure I can do this?' Vanessa asked, looking back to Avalon who was very close to her, like close close. Her heart beat faster. Something she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Looks like aunt Vanessa found herself a new somebody" Clint murmured.

"Of course you can. You can do anything Sharaqi."

"Thanks Avalon and I heard what you said Clint."

Vanessa faced Zarchros' body again and closed her eyes again in concentration. It was as if she was transported to his mind. She saw her red essence battling the poison but it was being overwlemed. "Time to go home." She muttered.` On the outside, Vanessa was dragging out her essence into her palm and she felt renewed, like a piece of her had been restored.

"Good work. Now its my turn." Avalon saidwith a smile.

Avalon placed his palm on Zarchros' body and the white light emitting from his body spread throughout his body and the black veins were disappearing until Avalon could see all the poison flowing like an orb in the centre of his stomach. Avalon raised his palm up and the poison flowed out of his body. Zarchros writhed in pain, his eyes shining white.

"Steady there buddy its almost out." Avalon said and in about a few seconds the poison was out floating like an orb in the air, greenish black in colour. He stored it in a purifying container. The poison moved violently in side the container threatening to break it but bit couldn't.

Zarchros closed his eyes and dozed off. Now he could have a peaceful sleep.

"Now this is all done, do you guys care to share what happened?" Avalon asked, sitting down on a chair and folding his arms.

Vanessa frowned. This was going to be the hard part for her. She didn't want to tell anyone about Clint's identity but it looked like she had to.