Fate's Design

What Will We Do Next?

Ariel smiled beatifically at Kyle and Abaddon could barely stifle a laugh. The thought of the Antichrist and an angel teaming up to find Lucifer and bringing Heaven and Hell together to stop the Leviathan was more than he could comprehend. He clapped his hands and gestured for his unlikely allies to follow him. “Let's get to work then.”

Maybe this is what the Apocalypse was always meant to be. Abaddon knew it would be an end to how things were, and this was definitely far from what rings had been. Here he was with a frenetic angel and a sullen, immensely powerful half demon six-year-old boy about to take on the most feared creatures ever wrought. If Leviathan had been released and had captured angels, demons, and gods then it was only a matter of time before the Titans were released too. It would be an all out war between the ancient powers of evil and the combined powers of Heaven, Hell, and the gods. It was admittedly terrifying and terribly exciting at the same time. The trio made their way to the Hellhound kennels. Ariel gasped at the sight of the dozen horse-sized, wolf-like creatures that all pricked their lupine ears up at her intake of breath.

“Oh…I don't know if this is the best idea.” She looked around as if trying to find a place to hide. Kyle reached out his hand and grabbed her trembling one.

“It's okay Ariel. You're with me. They'll be good.” The tension visibly released from the angel’s body just then. Abaddon could tell that Kyle was using his own powers of persuasion on her. He shivered slightly at how strong the boy’s powers had already grown. He had impressive control over his powers, picking and choosing at will when he should use them. What confused Abaddon was the boy’s seemingly innate desire to use his powers to improve the way others felt. He wasn't malicious and did not wish to hurt others. He was actually helping Ariel. He wanted her to feel safe and to know they were on the same side. And he was being completely sincere. Abaddon sat back and watched with deep interest as Kyle led Ariel to the kennels. The pair stopped in front of the kennel belonging to a charcoal gray male Hellhound. The animal was young, only one or two years old by Abaddon’s guess. It was sleek and sinewy. Its peridot eyes followed the boy and the angel as they watched it. Kyle reached for the latch and opened the kennel.

“Um…Kyle…that might not be the best…” Abaddon’s fears were for nothing. The Hellhound gently nosed its way from the kennel and padded up to Kyle and Ariel. It sniffed the angel and immediately lay down at her feet. Kyle whispered something to the angel that Abaddon couldn't hear and stepped away. The Hellhound remained still as Ariel reached out and placed her hand on its forehead. The two stayed like that for a few moments and after what seemed like an hour, the Hellhound actually licked Ariel’s hand. She knelt down and petted the creature, intensifying the bond. Kyle smiled and crossed his arms across his chest, pleased with himself.  “Let's get some training done!”

Ariel bonded quickly with the Hellhound. He was calm and obedient with her. There wasn't a single time he tried to attack her, snap, or growl. He was gentle as a newborn pup. After an hour or so of training, Ariel returned her new protector to his kennel and they fed the Hellhounds. Ariel knelt down next to Kyle and hugged him. “You truly are a remarkable child.”

Kyle returned the angel’s embrace. “We've gotta do something. I don't want the world to get ruined because some stupid monsters decided to go all crazy. I like it here!”

Abaddon was thoroughly amazed by Kyle. He'd always imagined that the antichrist would be determined to see the end of the world. But here he was, in all his six-year-old glory, comforting and teaming up with an angel in order to ensure that Leviathan and the Titans wouldn’t destroy the world. “We've got a lot to discuss, Ariel. You'll begin your journey tomorrow. I'll send out a message to whatever demons I can contact. You'll gather the remaining heavenly host. We will have to work quickly and intelligently so that our two sides see the danger of what we’re facing. This will be the first time we've combined forces and in order for it to work it has to be flawless.”

The unusual trio returned to the manor to discuss their plans. It was past midnight when Abaddon glanced over at Kyle as the boy yawned enormously and hastened to rub sleep from his eyes. He was still a boy and needed rest. “Hey Kyle. I think you'd better get to bed. I need you rested and ready to handle whatever comes next.”

He went over to the couch where Kyle was seated, his eyelids in immediate danger of slamming shut. He picked up the exhausted child and carried him up the staircase. Ariel stepped lightly behind them. Abaddon placed Kyle on the bed and removed his shoes. He deftly replaced the boy’s dirty jeans and t-shirt with clean dinosaur pajamas. He and Ariel tucked him into bed and the boy was out cold by the time Abaddon flicked off the light. This was the boy who would lead them into war; the boy who had been spawned from human and demon, just now learning about and testing his powers. This was the boy who would determine the fate of the world and he was lying in bed, sucking his thumb and holding onto a triceratops stuffed animal as he slept. He was completely exhausted and unaware of the world. He was a child in this moment. Nothing more. Abaddon felt a completely unexpected paternal protectiveness for the boy. He felt more human than he'd ever felt and he had a real need to keep the boy safe. He wished that he didn't need to use Kyle’s powers. He wanted him to simply be able to be a child and not have to worry about monsters and the apocalypse. He backed out of the room, shutting the door as he left.

“You care about him, don't you?” Her voice surprised him. He had completely forgotten that Ariel was there too. She reached up and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“I do. I don't understand it, but every fiber of my being urges me to protect that boy. And it isn't a demonic feeling like the need to obey. I've always been granted my own freedom in that sense. This is a very human-feeling need. I feel responsible for Kyle.” His shoulders hunched a bit as if he'd been given a heavy load to bear.

“You're feeling what a father feels for his child. It doesn't matter that you and Kyle aren't physically related. The two of you have bonded in an amazing way. He looks to you as a son looks to a father and you see him as a son. You don't see him as what he is supposed to be. I can see that. You see him as he is and what you want for him. It is an admirable quality.” They returned to the living room. Abaddon looked up only after he'd slouched onto the couch.

“We have our work cut out for us. You know that don't you? This is not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination.” He rubbed his temples and leaned as far back into the cushions as he possibly could.

“I think it would be best if I leave before the boy wakes up. I might never return and saying goodbye isn't something I relish.” Ariel understood precisely what they were getting themselves into. She didn't want to upset Kyle. She didn't want to make any promises she could not or did not intend to keep. The two had bonded in the short time they'd known each other and regardless of her inconsistent loyalties, the fact remained that Ariel was an angel and couldn't continue assisting and mingling with demons. She hoped that this war would bring both sides together, but she was not optimistic. She could not bring herself to continue a relationship with a child she should have nothing to do with. It would be better if she simply disappeared.

“I understand. You will take the Hellhound though. We need to ensure your safety. There's every possibility that you will be followed or attacked and I want you to be safe. These creatures are ruthlessly dangerous and we don't know what their game is.” Abaddon and Ariel discussed what needed to happen for another hour until it became more and more transparent that they'd simply have to wing it for this mission. Ariel went up to an empty guest room for what remained of the night and Abaddon simply crashed on the couch.

A light whisper woke the demon from his restless sleep. Ariel was bent over him, dressed in gray jeans, distressed black mid calf leather boots, black and gray plaid shirt, and an army green jacket. Her hair was plaited into a long braid and she wore a black beanie. She was dressed as inconspicuously as possible for her mission. Abaddon got up, his clothes rumpled from sleeping on the couch. The two of them went out to the Hellhound kennels and leashed the sinewy male who would accompany and protect Ariel as she gathered her half of the troops. The Hellhound nuzzled her, sensing her wariness. She patted the beast’s back and took hold of the leash. Abaddon relinquished it to her and the two stood facing each other for a moment. There was nothing more to be said. They both knew that this could be the last time they saw each other and there was no point in saying it out loud. After a brief moment, Ariel and the Hellhound turned and disappeared. Abaddon stood watching the spot where they'd been, blinked, and slowly made his way back to the manor. He had some calls to make.