Uriel (The Hallowed Chronicles Book 1) (15 page)

Chapter Twenty Eight

The world rushed back to me at lightning speed and it was different; colors were sharper and every sense I used to determine it had become more powerful. Horrifax had bounded its way toward Raphael who was already struggling to fight of the army of demons he had sworn to protect me from. I could feel his hope run out and I heard his thoughts of just giving up, but I wouldn't let him because no one would let me. I opened my mouth to tell Horrifax off, taunting it, only for me to let out a roar instead. My eyes looked down and I found myself standing taller than a two-story building. I studied my body made out of Light and I came to the realization that not only what Chamuel said was true, but I had been turned into my own dragon. My mouth opened and I let out another roar, pushing with my wings as I bounded toward Horrifax that let out its own roar, clashing with mine.
Get out of here
. I sent the mental message to Raphael who looked up with wide eyes. "Uriel," he said under his breath, pushing off into the air and getting away as I had said to.

I turned to Horrifax who stood tall before me, huffing shadowed smoke that snaked into the air.
How do you possess this?
It demanded. All I could do was smile; silence would be the only thing it would get from me. Letting out another roar, I breathed Light onto it, making it bellow in pain. We ran at each other, our intent the same, kill our enemy and thrive to bring the world to us. I swiped my claw at its face and its tail swung at me, knocking into my new massive body. For a body so big, it felt so familiar, even as it fell to the ground with a loud thud. I wouldn't let it win; not when I've got all this power coursing through my body, spreading like a disease.

As it stood above me, it opened its mouth, letting the flow of acid pour onto me like a waterfall and I cried in pain, the cry becoming a wailing roar. Horrifax took to the skies in attempt to flee, but I pushed my way behind it, using my powerful wings to guide me close behind it. My jaws unhinged and I let out another surge of Light, pushing it from my throat like fire, only for Horrifax to dodge easily. I had to get it back on the ground. I pushed my wings harder and let the sudden breeze of wind guide me closer and I went higher until I was above it. There, I unleashed another surge of Light right onto its back and watched its wings burn away like fire to paper. Its body plummeted at a high speed, crashing to the ground with such force, it created a deep hole in the ground. As I descended, it lay there unmoving, but I knew it wasn't dead; it would have disappeared.

I landed on the ground beside the crater and unleashed the final surge of Light. As if in slow motion, my eyes caught Horrifax turning its head, letting out its acid at full speed. Both collided against each other and exploded, pushing me back and it further into the ground. A claw dug into the top of the hole followed by another as Horrifax dragged itself out of the ground. The shadows forming its shape flickered, showing it was weak and I laughed; the deep, guttural sound vibrating in my throat. Huffing light from my nostrils like smoke, I took in a deep inhale and let it out; Light spiraling toward the struggling dragon before me. The Light engulfed the massive body of Horrifax, exploding and revealing the fading shadows. I then felt the power escaping me and I was shrinking.

Back in my body, I had regained my strength and pushed my wild hair from my face, expecting to see an empty space. Instead, before me stood a hunchbacked demon. Its flesh was ebony and scarred, its horns were spirals at the side of its head and its eyes were amethysts; bearing into me with hatred. "Y-you," it said in a deep voice; showing its gender. "How did you get such power?" I smiled at him and looked to the sky. "I have friends up in Heaven, didn't you know that? I told you I wasn't alone. I never was, Horrifax," I said bravely, summoning my blades.

"I don't get it."

"You don't have to. Love is more powerful than any power you could possibly possess. It's time to end this."

"No, it's time to end
you.
You have been a thorn in Master's side and I will be the one to remove it even if I do not have the power I came here with."

He summoned his own blade; a two-handed scythe and readied it. With a simple twitch of my mouth, I pushed my energy behind me and surged forward, slashing my blades at him when I grew close, only for him to deflect it. "Give in to the fear, angel," he taunted.

I was flying up in the sky, toward the gates of Heaven. There, Jophiel stood with a smile across his face, reaching out for me. I reached for him, my fingers yearning to connect with his, only for the gates to slam shut. My wings disintegrated and I fell, screaming for Jophiel. The world came back and with my guard down, Horrifax lashed out at me, slicing my stomach open. My body collapsed onto my knees and I cried in pain. As he stood over me, I could only remember the night before Jophiel died.
Love makes us strong, but it also exploits our weaknesses.
He had been my weakness until the day he left me. Then, he continued to be a weakness, keeping me in the depression I was swallowed in. But now, the love we had would prove to be my strength; the only strength I could count on to help me win this.
I love you, Uriel.
"And I... Love you," I whispered.

My eyes locked onto Horrifax as he lifted his scythe and I screamed, energy exploding between us in shards like broken glass, all of it penetrating him. He screamed in agony as the Light from my energy swallowed his body, tearing it to shreds until he no longer existed. My blades fell from my hands and I stood shakily, blood still slithering from my healing wound. The wind picked up, whipping my hair around me and against my face.
In order to achieve this 'peace' you speak of, you must achieve it through violence.
Nikita's voice tore through my head and though in every aspect she was right, I felt nothing but pain, agony, and loneliness.
When you fulfill your destiny, you will find your peace, I promise.
I fell to my knees, and pounded at the ground with tears flowing from my eyes. She was wrong; I had killed Horrifax and I had still not found what I had been looking for. "Where... Where is the peace you promised?" I yelled to nothing, tears pouring down my face.

With my head hung, I stood slowly, crying for all that I had lost to only obtain nothing in the end. The world was cruel and so was life. All the people that had died, their souls dragged into Hell? They died for nothing and I couldn't even save them. A familiar bird call drew my attention upward and the small body flew down toward me and a memory tugged at my brain.

"You see that bird?" Jophiel asked.

"Yes, it is a gorgeous bird," I replied, smiling.

The bird sang again, calming the wind that had been tearing at my face. I closed my eyes, attempting to relive the memory.
If I don't make it, I want you to know that no matter what, I will always be with you. Look to the skies...  I will be that Red Kite guiding you because I would never let you go through this alone.
My eyes opened as the Red Kite hovered in front of me, staring at me with golden eyes. "Jophiel?" I asked, the tears threatening to drown me. It cawed softly, looking to my hands. Furrowing my brows, I cupped my hands in front of the bird and it cooed softly, pushing its wings to rise above it. Its claws came into focus as it dropped a feather into my hand. When I examined it, I noticed it was no ordinary feather; it was from someone else. My mind flashed to two faces; a woman and a man, only to zoom out to their bodies, presenting their feathered wings and their sigils etched permanently into their chests. Michael and Gabriel.

When one falls, the others will come.

A glimpse into

THE HALLOWED CHRONICLES: GABRIEL

The world had fallen to Hell. The ground beneath my feet groaned against the weight of my body, threatening to give way. Humans were falling to their sins and their souls were being dragged into Oblivion. It was something we couldn't stop, as much as I wanted to. Alongside me, my brother walked in a simultaneous pace. We were like one soul torn between two bodies. Our thoughts were one and our bodies moved gracefully in sync with one another.

Beyond the dark clouds was the auburn sun, setting against the horizon. Even through the thick haze of darkness, it shined upon us and my skin let the last of its light soak into me, filling me with energy. In the near distance, a figure stood with its back to us. My energy reached out to the figure and when it wrapped around it, nothing came in return. We had found who we were looking for.

In my dreams, I had watched this being torment my sister, using his power for darkness. Through her eyes, I saw the harm he was doing unto her, and it made me think back to what he had done to me. My hands curled into fists at my sides, and my brother's hand gripped my shoulder. "Do not let your anger rule over justice," he warned. Our hearts pounded against our chests. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Violet eyes met violet eyes and I made sure to let him know just how certain I was. Sighing, he pushed the hair out of his face and summoned a bow. Already placed neatly against it was an arrow, humming with the need to fly.

Energy vibrated in my palms as I summoned my own blade. With two hands gripping the hilt, I walked forward at a steady pace. My feet pounded against the dry terrain with my eyes bearing into the figure's back, and as I grew closer, he turned. "Well, if it isn't my little Gabriel," he said, cooing softly. I ground my teeth and bit back a growl. My grip tightened on the hilt of my sword and I stood taller, holding up my chin.

"I'm not little nor am I yours."

"Ah yes, I forgot. You have abandoned me."

"I had my reasons. You are not to be trusted and you have put harm unto my kin."

"Well, if it isn't the twin. Michael, how very nice it is to see you."

Michael's feet fell in line with mine and we stood together with our heads held high. When I watched my brother, I saw his muscles tighten. He didn't believe me of this man's corruption, and seeing his body stress, I knew he had finally felt it. "You two look so much like each other. White hair, violet eyes and perfectly tanned skin. Perfect; the way you're supposed to be, in the human's eyes," the figure said from behind his hood. Michael's chin locked into place and his energy flashed like lightning between us.

"We're not here to talk," I said sternly.

"Then why are you here, darling?"

"I saw what you did to her. You are beyond corrupted, Councilman. You were supposed to remain neutral and you have defied your position."

"Did what to whom? I have no idea what you're talking about."

The councilman flew back as Michael's energy collided into him and stepped forward. I shot my arm out, keeping him from going forward. "No, this is my fight," I said. Without another word, he stood back and I approached the councilman. I grabbed his robe and pulled him close, tearing down his hood to reveal his severely mutilated face. Though my heart stammered in my chest, I knew I had to keep calm. I was stronger than him and he had no power over me... not anymore. "Don't play stupid. You know who and what I'm talking about. This isn't something you can escape. Not this time. You've lost," I spat, tossing him aside.

As he remained on the ground, I raised my blade and its reflection glinted in the councilman's soulless eyes. The corner of his mouth curled upward in a grim and satisfying smile. "My, Gabriel," he said sweetly, knowing exactly what was about to happen. "Wrath definitely suits you. You feel it don't you? You have all of this power to destroy something. It makes you want more, doesn't it?"

"No. I have all the power I need to stop this. I have the power to end this war and to end you."

"Yes, let the rage fuel you. Let it corrupt you. Let the darkness cause the most powerful Archangel to fall."

"Never."

Without another word, my blade swooped down and through the councilman's neck. His head rolled away and burst into his flames with his body following suit until all that remained was his ashes and robe. My hand began to shake and my weapon disappeared as I fell to my knees. Michael jogged up to me and helped me up. "Thanks for the help," I said, smiling weakly. He grinned and head butted me.

"Before we go, we must send a warning to the other council members," he said.

"What do you propose we do?"

He circled around to my back and plucked a feather from one of the wings protruding from my back. With his bow gone, he only held an arrow in his other hand. My eyebrow shot up, clearly confused by his lack of words, but I remained silent. Taking the stem of the feather into his mouth, he swiped his arm with the tip of the arrow, drawing blood. Before the wound could heal, he dipped the feather into the crimson liquid and placed it on the ground by the councilman's ashes. "It's time to find the others," Michael said straightening up and stretching his wings. Nodding, I did the same, my wings yearning to fly. As we pushed off from the ground and toward our new destination, we knew the feather would be found. We wanted the other council members to know. This was more than just a war between Heaven and Hell, and they weren't going to elude us anymore.

Acknowledgements

There are so many people in my life that have helped me become the writer I am today that I want to thank, but it would take a whole novel to thank them all. First of all, I want to thank my nana for being such a strong woman even when suffering dementia. Before she fell to it, she had shaped me into the woman I have become. I also want to thank my mother for sticking by my decision to pursue my passion for writing and being tough with me when it had completely taken me from reality and made me become a hobbit. A huge thanks goes out to my former high school teacher, Migs, for once again being an amazing person and putting
Uriel
through her first phase of editing.

Without these specific people, this book would still be collecting dust in my hard drive on my computer; my loving mother and father, the ones who kept asking me when I would be finished and my friends, the ones who gave me complete honesty. Lastly, my love, Jorge, for giving me the courage to stick up for myself against my inner critic, and writing beside me at Starbucks as we shared stories and edited each other’s writing. It’s amazing and refreshing that we share the same passion.

I wouldn’t have been able to get any confidence in my writing, or even gotten near to making this complete without you all. I love you all so much.