From The Ashes (Forbidden Trilogy Book Three)

Chapter Two: When The Rain Falls (Part One)

Content Warning: This chapter contains graphic imagery of violence and death. This material may be disturbing to some readers, discretion is advised.

Ten Days Prior

Constance

Alone I stood. 

Alone I would stand. 

I was the Phoenix, and this was my land. Hear my battle cry and run in fear, for all those who stood against me would die right here. The darkness was where I was born, the light my guidance, but in the shadowy grays was my residence. 

When archangels fall, and the world is cast in darkness, I will come to reign in it's madness. I will be this world's strength, this world's hope. 

I am The Phoenix.

I am Eidolon...

Balthazar had taken the bait.

The demon lord, who was mounted on a black and fire stallion of hell, squared off with me. Fire swirled around and behind him as he slowly approached and then stopped several paces away looking near like a king of Hell.

His focus had shifted to me and behind him I could see his demon army responding.  They were rallying behind him to strike me down, which meant their focus was no longer on the innocent residents. Those innocents had a chance to get to safety. They had a chance to escape the m******e that was happening and Obsidian's demon guard had a chance to help them finally without distraction.

I knew what I was about to do was going to hurt like hell, but I had to make a prominent entrance. I had to show Balthazar I was a power to be reckoned with. I had to make him focus solely on me, on making me a priority to destroy in order to give the innocent residents a chance to get to safety and a chance for the demon guard to rally behind me. And so, I pulled power into myself, making it so the very air around me was vibrating and sparking with the very power I internalized. Against my wrists, I felt the intense burning of the metal as the cuffs counteracted the power inside me. With how they were responding to just the internalization of power, I knew if I even tried casting the spell I was internalizing it would damn near kill me. The cuffs were already searing the skin around my wrists, and I knew I would have third degree burns from them. I wouldn't be able to hold this ruse for long, I could already feel the power struggle between myself and the cuffs draining me.

To give just a little added theatrics--and also so I could ease away from the show of power--I launched myself into the air, hovering over Balthazar and his army with my archangel's sword drawn and ready. Balthazar did not hesitate. He shot off his stallion and hovered across from me. His large form was daunting. His huge black wings powerful. I couldn't see his face because of the black armor he had on, but his red eyes shined from the depths. At one point in time, those malicious eyes would have struck fear into my heart. However, they elicited a different kind of response in me now. One that accepted the challenge in that evil malicious intent.

"They are all out of harms way, Eidolon," Obsidian announced, his mind still connected with the others.

Good.

I rose my sword, challenging Balthazar and didn't wait for an invitation to attack. "Now!" I screamed as I dove towards him and we met in a flurry of feathers and metal. Our swords clashed, sparking at the force of each blow. We danced a deadly duel in the air, both of us aiming to kill, both of us avoiding death by a hair's width. I had to say, this was a far different aspect of fighting than what I was used to. I was used to being on the ground. I had to admit I was a bit out of my element up here in the air and I hoped Balthazar didn't sense my unease as we spun in circles, dancing and dodging around each other. Trying to find that one opening that could end it all.

Behind me, Obsidian gave the order and the two rather powerful elementals on the guard cast their spells, working together to rock the already precarious ground below Balthazar's army as I had directed. They forced their power into the earth, to rock it and force it open, splitting it so deep to expose the magma chamber below. It was a risky move, because it could send the entire place collapsing into the abyss of the magma. But, I trusted the elementals to know their limits.

Several dozen demons were sent spiraling into the darkened depths of the earth's core from the initial jarring. Those who could fly launched themselves into the air where they were met with an opposing force from the demon guard led by Ryn. Those who were left grounded tried to get as far away from the edges as they could, but were met with a resistance who shot blasting spells. Several dozen more succumbed to the earth before Balthazar's army recovered enough to push and fight back. 

"Obsidian. It's time. Uriel, get ready." I snapped.

"Raphael, Ryn. Pull everyone back," Obsidian ordered.

And just like that, the demon guard went back behind the line of defense. Right as the last one made it to safety, Obsidian, Raphael and Ryn banded together and with Rupert's help, sent a huge wave of power crashing into the oncoming demons. With Rupert's shielding power, the blast of power hit the attacking demons with a little more force. It gave us the space between our men and Balthazar's we needed.

"Uriel!?"

"I'm on it princess."

As Balthazar's attention was drawn to the ground, to his confused army, I sent a small blast at him, forcing him to lose his balance in the air. It sent him spiraling backwards and out of control. As much as I wanted to go after him and possibly seize my moment to end him, I refrained. My powers were muzzled. Attacking him with both arms tied behind my back wasn't necessarily the smartest move. Not to mention, I needed to keep my focus on destroying Balthazar's army and sending him scurrying away with his tail between his legs. I couldn't deviate from the plan, otherwise I ran the risk of losing more of the stronghold's innocent residents. 

The blast gave Uriel the time he needed to shift. Obviously, he needed a little more time to shift because he wasn't shifting into a comparably sized animal. No, he was shifting into a giant creature which took a lot more energy, focus, time and power.

I refused to look over my shoulder to see how Uriel's shift was going. Instead, I kept my gaze intently focused on Balthazar. Based on his change in body language, I knew when Uriel had completed his transformation. Blue fire spewed from behind me, along with a very shrill cry that wasn't something I'd ever heard before. The flames Uriel breathed were unique to his race. They spared no being. The demons who usually walked through fire unscathed were now up in flames and unable to put them out. They were literally burning alive.

Balthazar's wide, shocked gaze stared down in awe below him before returning to me and the dragon who had now risen up behind me. I was sure we looked like a daunting pair. Our wings moving in unison. Our focus on him and his army.

Uriel did not show mercy. He spewed several more flames and watched as more of Balthazar's demons fell victim to his devastating fire before his gaze turned to the shocked demon lord. I was fairly certain he had never been on the losing side of anything before.

"Leave." I commanded, my voice reverberating with a power I wasn't used to. "And never come back. Because if you do, you will die."

I could see the confusion in his eyes at my order. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"I am Eidolon. And you will learn to fear my name."

He raised his head in acknowledgement.

"Know that this isn't over. We will meet again, Balthazar."

"I know," he fairly growled.

"Now. Leave. I will not say it again." I threatened, readying myself just in case the demon lord decided not to heed my words and struck anyway. In my mind, I felt both Uriel and Obsidian waiting with baited breath. I was already showing them what I wanted them to do if Balthazar didn't leave. If he continued this attack.

I hated saying those words. Hated giving Balthazar an out, but as much as I wanted to end him, I wasn't ready. The ploy and plan had only been to send him and his army running. It had only been to cripple Balthazar's army enough to where he wouldn't be able to continue his attack and, ultimately, couldn't attack in the near future without running the risk of losing his life and everything he'd built. If I had any inclination of how he worked, he wasn't usually one to take such risks. This, right here, had been a big risk, though he had believed he'd had some kind of upper hand. And, initially he had, until I had shown up with Uriel and Obsidian.

Right now, we just needed him gone so we could tend to the wounded residents of the stronghold and see the extent of the damage he'd wrought. The longer he and his army stayed, the greater our losses would be.

I watched him contemplate his options as he stared down at the annihilation of his army and realized he had lost. There was no way he could win now. He called a retreat and was the first through the portal he'd cast. It only took seconds before the remnants of his army followed him. The rest, those who were wounded and dying, weren't spared by the guard.

The very instant the portal was closed, several of the residents broke through the line of soldiers and rushed to the sides of the fallen. As Obsidian's soldiers followed, helping sort through the bodies and find those who were still alive and in need of assistance, the elementals eased the gaping chasms in the ground closed before casting a gentle rain to put out the remaining fires. I hovered for just a few seconds longer, looking at the devastation Balthazar wrought all because of his greed and need for revenge after we had taken the archangel. His prized possession. 

"Constance?" Uriel's voice filled my mind as I watched Raphael rush from one survivor to another, working his healing magic if he could. I watched how he gently told those who couldn't be saved they were going to pass. I watched how he held their hand and helped ease them into death. It was emotional. It was unfair all the unnecessary lives lost. All the heartache wrought by greed and hate. 

But this was war.

This was the world I'd been born into.

It didn't mean it was easy. It didn't mean there wouldn't be hard days. It didn't excuse the unnecessary deaths of innocents. It didn't stop the pain. 

It was just what it was.

War.

As I hovered in the air, I suddenly became aware of a very large, black scaly nose in my peripheral slowly coming closer. Right as I thought he would tap my right wings and side, I felt something come up under me. I had to admit, it was a bit odd having such a large, mythical creature holding me. I mean, we technically were all mythical beings. But a dragon wasn't something you came across every day.

Sighing, I allowed myself to perch on his dragon's palm and I faced him. Uriel was a very beautiful color, with his black and green scales. I felt so small compared to his dragon form. It was daunting the sheer size of him. 

The instant I wasn't hovering anymore, his nose pressed into my chest and stomach and I leaned into him, leaning my head against him, my hands stroking his massive nose. "This isn't your fault."

"I know its not. But it doesn't make it any easier to swallow."

"No. It doesn't." He agreed, his breath was hot when he breathed out. "He won't hate you. You know that right?"

"I wouldn't blame him if he did."

"Obsidian isn't like that. He knew following you could put his people in danger. This burden, right here, isn't one you have to carry alone. It isn't one either of you have to carry alone."

No. It wasn't. And it shouldn't be a burden any of us carried alone. I needed to go down there and be with them. Be beside them, comforting those who mourned. Holding those who were dying. Helping those who were injured and traumatized.

"Uriel, why did you choose to fight with me? You have no reason to help me, or this world because of what has happened to your kind."

"I chose to fight with you because, I don't want what happened to me and my kind, to happen to anyone else. And that is what is happening right now with the half breeds. That is what can happen to Obsidian and his people." I could feel his deep rooted emotions and I knew Obsidian had been there for Uriel in a time of need. In a time when everything in his life had come crashing down on him. When he had lost everything and was facing the darkness, the evil that wanted to consume him for the loss of his entire world, Obsidian had given him a family. Everyone here had accepted him for the broken creature he was and loved him. 

"I chose to fight with you because I can see you aren't tempted like so many others are by the darkness. You know of it. You know it lives within you, within all of us. But, just because some of us are battling our darkness, our demons, it doesn't mean we are all bad. You aren't threatened by others powers, or knowledge. You aren't afraid of what you do not know or understand. Instead, you learn. You have a very bright soul. A very good soul. One that everyone, even those who are entrenched in evil, can see and are drawn to. You are the only one who can rally all walks of life behind you, because you don't judge based on what they are but who they are inside. You judge everyone based off of their souls. You are rare. Rarer than even I am, Constance. That is why I follow you. That is why so many will follow you. Why so many are willing to give their lives to you and your cause. Don't let them make that sacrifice in vain." 

"Thank you Uriel."

"Don't thank me, princess. Thank all of those who have given their lives."

I had no intention of allowing any sacrifice to be in vain. 

Sighing, I stood up and jumped off of Uriel's palm and floated down to the ground. Behind me, I felt the surge of power as Uriel started to shift back into his human form. While he was shifting, I looked once more at the unnecessary devastation knowing this would be the theme of my foreseeable future. This loss of life was something I would have to become numb to.

However, right now, it wasn't something I was used to. It cut. It hurt. Tears ran unchecked down my cheeks, under the mask. To everyone looking on, they only saw an emotionless mask. They didn't see how much I was breaking apart. And that was ok.

Uriel came to my side and together we walked from group to group, talking, consoling, helping where we could. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. And as we walked, we both were thanked for our intervention. None of them knew, none of them were aware that it was because of my actions that this had happened. If I hadn't stolen the archangel from Balthazar, none of this would have happened in the first place.

Yes. Rescuing Raziel had given me the chance to have my date with the archangels. It had presented me with the chance to become The Phoenix. But, it also had produced a negative reaction too. Something unexpected and detrimental. Something none of us could ever be prepared for.

Obsidian

I was glad her plan worked so well.

I was glad she hadn't wasted any time. That she was gifted at working with limited resources and fast on her feet when making decisions. In doing so, I knew she had saved so many lives.

But the devastation and death that was laid out before me was still hard to swallow.

My people had suffered.

Lives had been lost.

As I moved through the c*****e of bodies and possessions, collapsed apartments and charred remains, I looked for something. Anything. But I wasn't sure what I was looking for. I was crying, dying inside with every body I walked by. Families were grieving loved ones. Mates and children were mourning the loss of their siblings, partners, mothers. Fathers. Grandparents.

Everywhere I looked, I saw familiar faces. I knew each and every one of the hurt, dying and deceased. And each face cut a little deeper into my heart.

I had known this was a possibility when I'd decided to follow Constance. However, it didn't make it any easier to bear.

But, the one thing that broke me the most was seeing her.

Rain.

She was laying alone, in the middle of so much death and c*****e. Her body between the two crevices of the earth that had been split open to help save the others.

I didn't see her mother or father anywhere. Maybe they hadn't found her yet? Maybe they were also part of the dead? But, seeing her little broken body laying in the middle of everything. Alone. Innocent. Robbed of life. That was the last straw.

I slowly moved to her side and knelt down beside her, her black hair framing her cherubic face. Her dark eyes open and distant in death. She had always been so full of life and vigor. She had always been so strong and sassy. She had been brave. Fearless. 

Hell. She'd confronted Constance, a dreaded Erickson, when Constance had first shown her face in the compound. 

Rain had even faced down an archangel and lived to tell the tale. I smiled fondly at that memory before crumbling into myself, knowing she would never get to fly free, in the clouds with the archangel.

A hand on my shoulder startled me. Constance slowly lowered herself next to me and placed a hand on Rain's shoulder. "I can't imagine what you are going through," she started gently. "And I know sorry isn't adequate, but that is all I know. If there is anything I can do, anything at all, let me know."

I reached up and gripped the hand resting on my shoulder, grateful just to not be alone.

"She was an extraordinary girl."

I nodded, unable to find my voice as sobs finally ripped through my chest. I tried containing them. I was the leader of this stronghold after all. I needed to be strong for everyone. I couldn't fall apart.

Constance's strong arms wrapped around me, her wings draping over me. I was sure she could feel my shame, my guilt for breaking.

"There is no shame in crying. In showing your pain," she breathed against my temple and I leaned into her. For the first time, I allowed someone to share a burden of mine. I felt her sorrow. I felt her empathy. I felt her healing energy surround me. "It means you are just like them. It means you feel just like them. It means you care about each and every one of them. This, showing emotion, is not weakness. It's healing. It's cleansing. Why you men always think of it as a weakness is baffling to me," she added on in a gentler, teasing note. Her words helped. I felt validated in my emotions, I felt safe to show them. 

A movement behind Constance drew my eye and I saw Uriel hovering, his head bowed as he said a silent prayer for Rain. Across from her, another form took a knee.

"Damn it," Raphael breathed softly, emotionally, his hand resting on the girl's chest in the hopes of finding some sort of life left. When there was none, he gently eased her eyes closed. He scrubbed his face before pinching the bridge of his nose to stop the tears. "Her parents didn't make it either," he whispered softly into the space between us.

"Where are they?" Uriel asked softly.

Raphael motioned over his shoulder and gave a general description of where they were located.

Without a word, Uriel knelt down, picked her up in his arms and effortlessly carried her in the direction Raphael gave. As a small procession, we followed.

"I'm glad to see you alive," Raphael noted as we followed behind Uriel. I knew he wanted answers as to why I'd disappeared, why I allowed them all to believe I was dead. Why I hadn't contacted him to let him know I was alive. But, right now wasn't necessarily the time to get into all of that. We had duties as leaders to uphold. We had dead to bury, to pay respects to. We had many wounded comrades to tend to. We had a home to rebuild.

"I would have been back sooner, but Uriel had something to show me," I said gently, knowing he wouldn't be appeased at all if I didn't give him something.

"And?" he pressed.

I heaved a heavy sigh. To my right, I felt Constance's hand brush mine in silent support. Raphael would find out sooner or later. Why not get all the bad out now? I paused and faced him, my gaze holding his. "Victor attacked Ulysses's mansion."

Raphael's gaze instantly searched my face, his eyes fearful for me. For Celeste, my mate. For Gabriel. And, for Constance. "Is she ...?"

"Celeste is alive and so is Gabriel," I reassured him. "But they are both in Victor's custody. Erwin and most of his pack are dead. Ulysses is dead, his pack is dead, and so is his mate--

"Ulysses had a mate?"

"Yes. A demon mate. But his son lives," I explained sourly. I couldn't believe Ulysses's transgressions, and I knew I didn't know all of them. My heart went out to both Constance and Celeste.

"He has a son? Holy crap! And Constance?" he asked hesitantly as we continued walking.

"She's in purgatory." I had to go with the story. I couldn't tell the truth. Not yet, anyway. We couldn't slip, otherwise we could give Victor what he wanted, and we couldn't afford Constance to be controlled by Victor.

Raphael's gaze flitted to Constance briefly, but I knew her transformation and the mask would keep her identity hidden. He studied her curiously, trying to puzzle out who she was. Raphael could speculate all he wanted to, but he wouldn't know for certain unless she revealed herself to him. "And who is this?"

"This is Eidolon. She is ... Someone Ickarous believed could help us until Constance is released," I explained. We hadn't touched upon her back story and I hoped she would be okay with my explanation. We had no other information about Ickarous's plan. We had very little to go on and build upon.

At first I could see the skepticism on his face, but then he nodded. "Damn! What are we going to do if Constance is in purgatory?"

"Ickarous is working on it."

He scoffed. "You know she won't get out of purgatory, Obsidian. Let's be real."

Well, thankfully she wasn't truly there. Because, if she was, I would be just as frustrated and hopeless as Raphael was feeling now. No one ever came back from purgatory.

"We need to plan as if she isn't coming back, Obsidian," Raphael sighed, broken. I hated seeing him like this, but my hands were tied.

"I know. But all of that can wait," I responded as Uriel found Rain's parents and gently laid her to rest between them. "We have more important things to take care of."

"You're right," he agreed, resting a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I'm glad you're back, and I'm glad we had you and Uriel," he looked past me to Constance. "Thank you for your help, Eidolon. I don't know what we would have done without either of you."

Constance nodded, not speaking.

"Come, Raphael," I encouraged, leading him away from Constance and Uriel. I knew she would be safe with him. It was best to keep Raphael away from her until she was able to mask her mind, her voice and finish her outward façade.