Wrath’s boots flew across the barren asphalt, her eyes flamed with rage as she chased after Evan and his demonic abductor.
She had been running without pause for hours. Every fiber of her being was pushed to the extreme and a constant thick sweat dripped down her back. Her eyes saw the creature’s tortured dark soul no matter how far away it managed to get. This allowed her to keep pace with the massive behemoth as it weaved in and out between the buildings, homes, and trees of the town outskirts. Despite this, Wrath was feeling herself start to slow down, the distance between them slowly grew larger and larger. An estranged thought crossed her mind. It was a feeling she had not felt in a long time. A worry, a deep fear that she was once again going to lose something, someone. These newfound friends had given her a chance even after she wronged them. Despite their short time together, they saw her as more than just what she hated being called most, more than just a demon. If she left Evan to be torn to shreds now, it would forever be a stain on her soul she could never cleanse. Her beauty would be tainted forevermore.
Is this all I can do? Is this all I’ve become? I can’t accept this... not this, this hollow form. Empty and weak. Her mind raced as she felt her leg miss a step.
No. She trembled, unable to see past the sweat dripping down her forehead. No, I will not let you bring me to my knees. She stopped. If she tried taking another step she would collapse. I will not let go.
A faint memory appeared before her eyes. A whisper of what once was, familiar yet so very strange. The winged being reached its hand out to her, the light just barely letting it show. The warmth that emanated caused a single tear to well up in Wrath’s eye.
I remember… I-I am capable of something greater, something more graceful, more powerful. I might not know what, but I know this…
As quickly as it came, the memory faded and reality crashed back. The creature, far in the distance, seemed to have slowed down as well. Perhaps it was mocking her? It did not matter. Wrath straightened her back and took a deep breath. Her dark power flowed through her veins causing her muscles to pulse with strength and a metallic black spread over her skin. Her golden eyes glowed with unholy fury that seemed to seep out of her entire body like a gray mist. She bent forward, her claws digging into the asphalt as she positioned herself on all limbs like a hound ready to chase down its prey.
...I am Wrath.
A shockwave erupted as Wrath released her tensed muscles. She leapt through the air using the ground as leverage to propel herself forward. Destruction was left everywhere she touched it. Like a bullet she dashed forward towards the awaiting crow-beast. Before the monster even realized, Wrath was almost caught up to it. It was too late for it to run now. It dropped Evan onto the cold ground underneath and turned fully towards its opponent. Its bloodsoaked head and neck outstretched as it unleashed its shriek with a ferocious and terrifying vigor. It rushed forward. Wrath responded in kind, opening her mouth to reveal her long fangs as she too screamed back with the same feral anger coursing through her. The crow attacked first by jumping into the air and bringing its arm down onto the empty street sending tremors throughout the area. It did not have time to realize it completely missed Wrath before she appeared like a blur before one of its eyes, her violet blade sinking deep into it. Her claws gripped its feathers as the abomination howled and thrashed its head. It reached with its arm swiping away at the assailant, but Wrath more untouchable than a shadow. She surged around the beast's head like a bolt of black lightning with two golden lights intertwined. The crow shrieked once again, as Wrath’s blades and claws ripped its flesh from its skull. Every swing of her glowing purple swords sent sparks of its oil-like blood flying. Wrath grinned as she bathed in the foul life-force, the blood gave her strength, reinvigorating her ailing body. Her onslaught continued until the beast wildly arched its neck back and began slamming its own head into the concrete. Wrath floated in the air on her black wings as the crow continued wickedly thrashing about like a gutted fish. Its skull was almost completely visible underneath a pool of blood and its antlers were completely broken off, laying on the ground below. Splayed out on its belly, the crow slowly turned towards her, mewling like a beaten dog.
It only took one instant of Wrath pausing for breath for the crow to counterattack like a vicious viper. The creature grabbed its head at the base near its long neck and ripped it off with both of its elongated arms, then it hurled its own disembodied head towards her. Wrath had just enough time to block the massive flesh and blood-dripping skull by crossing her blades in front of her. Still, the weight and force of such a direct hit sent her flying into a small nearby building across the street. As she crawled out of the debris, dazed from the blow, Wrath could see a new head slowly protruding from the creature’s torn neck as a grueling, tortured noise rang across the street. A new crow head adorned its neck, bathed in its unclean blood, a thousand nails and scrolls still embedded in its flesh and eyes . It turned towards Wrath and shrieked once more.
“You just don’t stay dead, do you?” Her echoing voice called out, pushing aside a large slab of concrete. Her eyes darted away from the creature onto Evan’s still body far away to its left.
It needs time to regenerate, even if slightly. If I can’t kill this thing, maybe… Just maybe...
Wrath’s tentacles shot from her elbows and wrapped themselves around the chunks of building she crashed into earlier. She ran ahead, and the abomination rushed towards her. With a smirk, she spun mid step and threw the rubble towards the creature’s face. When it lifted one of its arms to defend itself, Wrath’s body released another shockwave. A burst of speed and she dashed under it and through its leg, slicing it completely off below the knee with both of her swords. As the creature howled and collapsed once more, Wrath used her momentum to carry herself onward, turning towards Evan. She ran as fast as she could, forcing her blood to pump through her veins and summon the last ounces of strength she could muster. Her hand reached out to him, ready to grab him and run.
At the last possible moment before reaching him however, a shadow materialized between them. It was too late for her to avoid it as a single punch landed directly into her gut. Blood spat from her mouth before the force of the blow shot her back. Wrath flew through the air before crashing back onto the hard asphalt. She gasped for air between spurts of blood as her entire being was enveloped by pain. Still, she forced herself on her arms, pushing herself off the ground. Slowly, she stumbled back up on her feet, wobbling slightly to the side.
“Graaaah!” She gasped in pain, trying to regain her composure as pools of blood dripped down her chin. Ahead of her she saw them, demons and devils. They were surrounded by cars, with some carrying weapons, others just staring at her, and one carrying Evan’s body over his shoulder.
When… how? She wondered. She could see their foul black souls filled with malice and hate. At their forefront stood one massive individual, with a short bulbous head, blonde unclean hair and two beady eyes staring mockingly back at her.
“I must admit Wrath, I did not expect you to last so long against our little beastie.” Baal called out to her. “Its got quite the vicious temper. But then again, so do you right?”
“What... what are you doing here?” Her voice weakly called out to him.
“Hah, are you seriously asking that? We’re after the angel love. We’ve been tracking you for some time, hoping you lot would pass this way. Unfortunately looks like the important ones took a little detour.”
This... this is bad. Wrath thought as her eyes scanned the mob in front of her. There’s too many for me to fight in my current state, especially with that fucking thing behind me.
“No dipshit, I asked what are you doing here? Where’s Azazel? Did he send you?”
Baal frowned, annoyed at her comment. “He’s dead Love, killed him myself.”
Her eyes went wide. Azazel was not anyone in particular that she cared about, but their shared history together meant that she knew what he was capable of. A change in the demon hierarchy meant that unpleasant consequences could arise, and Wrath knew this.
“You seem surprised.” Baal continued. “I thought you’d be pleased to know tha-”
“Azazel and I had a deal.”
“A deal that YOU broke!” The demon shouted back at her, a hint of anger flowing through him. “It was your own damn fault. You chose to help out the angel and her friends.”
“I chose? Mephistopheles came and asked me. From what I recall he was working with you was he not?” Wrath shouted back at him, slowly walking forward despite the guns being raised against her.
Baal smirked, and Wrath noticed. Something was not right, and she just fell into his trap.
“He was, but unlike you, he never betrayed us.” Another voice behind her called out. It was a cold sound that gripped her mind with fear. She turned and saw a man walking towards her. The crow-beast was nowhere to be seen. He stood tall and slim with a bald head and a face so old it was practically dripping off his skull. He was wearing a simple blue suit with an overcoat. Despite his meek appearance, in his eyes Wrath could see a terrifying force. She recognized him as Baphomet, Lord of the Sullen and the shadow that stopped her from reaching Evan earlier. An aura of sorrow emanated from his presence, as if the darkness of twilight itself bent before him. Wrath steeled her nerves.
“Never betrayed you?” Her voice trembled. “Yes, I'm certain of that.” She laughed.
“You do not believe me... Wrath was it?” Baphomet began. “The truth is simple, Mephisto has been helping us track you all this way. How else did you think we were waiting for you at the train station?”
Wrath’s face betrayed no emotion. But the poisonous words were enough to sow doubt in her mind.
No, Mephisto would not dare betray me. Not ME! He’s lying, he has to be.
“Unfortunately…” He continued. “...Neither the Dusk-Crow nor the Hellreavers have been enough to catch that damned Angel. But, that’s in large part, thanks to you. Not him.” Baphomet finished, pointing at her.
Wrath stared blankly back at him, ignoring what he had to say. All her muscles were buckled, awaiting the next move. Her mind raced, trying to find the best course of action.
Think Wrath, think. If you attack him Baal might hurt Evan, and you can’t get to Evan without Baphomet stopping you again... I have to go through him, but... I'm running out of time..
“You are surrounded Wrath! You’re seconds away from collapsing. Don’t do this love. There’s no way out of here for you!” Baal shouted at her from behind.
His words fell on deaf ears as she consumed her rage and cleared her mind. Wrath’s eyes shot open. Her dark strength surged once more, sending out a shockwave that knocked the lesser demons to the ground.
“Unlike Azazel, I have no attachments towards you nor any need for you, Wrath. I will strike you down without mercy if you do not cease.” Baphomet said to her, his body unflinching at her display of power.
“Hmph.” Wrath lunged forward with her blade ready to kill. Baphomet was still, unmoving until her swords seemed like they would pierce his very heart. His right hand reached out and caught the tip of her sword, his fingers curled around its violet edge. Not even a single drop of blood dripped down his wrist. In that second, Wrath, expecting her attack to be parried, used the sudden shift of inertia to propel her legs backwards in the air and land squarely on Baphomet’s shoulders. His head swung up at her as her blade came down upon him once again. Once again however, the blade missed its mark, passing through an ethereal shadow and crushing the asphalt underneath.
“Kshhh!” She hissed then spun around wildly, sending rocks and dust into the air. She sensed Baphomet’s presence behind her and swiped with her claws and violet blades. The demon effortlessly parried her strikes, pushing her weapons away with light taps of his fingers. Wrath’s anger bubbled once more, as she pressed further, ripping and tearing with her hands. Completely on the backfoot, Baphomet only defended himself from each of her blows until an opportunity arose. One slip, one moment of weakness in Wrath’s thrust and he struck. His hand thrusted forward towards her neck, grabbing her and slamming her against the pavement. The cement underneath cracked and exploded upwards from the sheer force as Wrath let out a gurgled shout. The Demon Lord towered over ready to give a final blow, Wrath smirked, and a multitude of shadow tentacles shot from her body piercing through her attacker and sending him back, tossing him onto the ground. Baphomet quickly rose, an annoyed look on his face as he looked at the holes in his suit. He brushed some dust off of him and began:
“Well done. You’ve made your point. I will admit that you are truly fierce. Even on the brink of passing out you managed to land a hit on me. Lay your weapons down now and I will allow you to join me.” He clapped.
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He’s just mocking me. Wrath thought to herself as she stumbled back onto her feet wiping blood off her cheek with the back of her hand. He was toying with me the whole time.
“Haah, haah… This is not over.” She said, panting.
“A shame. You do not realize how defeated you truly are.” Baphomet smiled, and casually stepped to the side.
Wrath was hit by a blast of pure morning sunlight, blazing out from behind the demon. The dawn had arrived, and with it, the last of her strength finally seeped away from her. She felt herself going unconscious as she stumbled forward.
“NO! NO! NO!” She shouted, dashing forward for one desperate final strike as her horns, wings, and dark energy dissipated around her. Baphomet did not even attempt to block or dodge. Her blade was the last to fade, and she merely scratched his chest, ripping his shirt underneath as she collapsed on her knees. There was nothing she could do as she passed out from all the pain and exhaustion crashing down upon her at once. A single thought passed through her mind as she faded into the darkness.
I’m sorry Evan… if… if only… I was… greater…
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Uriel and Constantine slept for hours in the second to last remaining carriage of the train. The last one being partially destroyed from their nightly battle. The train had moved much more slowly, and their trip ended up being much longer. Thankfully, none of the survivors dared to come back to this half of the train, so the duo remained undisturbed. Until Constantine awoke, greeted by the pale afternoon sky. He got up, with an annoying crick in his neck and a constant ringing in both of his ears, and walked towards the front of the train. There, he was greeted by a multitude of people crammed into their cabins and standing in the corridor, startled by his presence.
“What happened out there?” Someone asked him through the commotion. Everyone went silent.
“I… its… Uhmm.” Constantine stammered, still slightly dazed from his sleep and numerous wounds and bruises. “Bad things, bad things happened. But its fine, we’re safe… for now…”
A tall man with bags under his eyes and a scared expression on his face pushed himself forward through the crowd. Constantine slowly reached towards his belt, hand gripping the Death Rose, ready for anything.
“You saved our lives, didn't you? I saw those creatures last night. Everyone was running away but you ran straight towards them.” The man said with a quiet voice. “You saved me and my son’s life. Thank you, thank you so much. You and that girl you were with. Is, is she-”
“She’s alright, just sleeping. Its... Its alright. I did what I could.”
“What is your name, son?” An elderly woman called out to him.
He paused for a brief moment. “Constantine.“ He then said quietly.
The people then got back to murmuring among themselves, some surprised that such a young boy managed to save them, while others doubted the validity of the claims, or of any danger happening at all.
“Please.” Constantine asked for their attention once again. “Does anyone know how long until we reach Gausville?”
“It’ll be around five or so hours.” Someone else responded. “Train is moving awfully slowly.”
Five hours, that means we’ve been out for like what… at least twelve hours.
“Ok, thank you. And… uh…” He stammered a bit more while massaging his neck. “Does anyone have any water to spare?”
The same man from earlier walked up to him holding a bottle of water. Constantine thanked him and hastily drank some, a couple drops dripping down his cheek.
“Is it ok if I give... Some?” He asked, pointing in the direction from where he came.
“Hmm? Oh, yes, yes. I packed quite a few and besides you need some. Hey… also, you look pretty banged up.” The man noticed, pointing towards his blood covered left wrist. “I’ve got a first aid kit I thought would come in handy, I can patch you up if you’d like? Both of you, I’m presuming the girl’s in a similar state.”
Constantine eyed the man up and down. Concern and doubt was written all over his face. The man looked normal enough, obviously tired from a restless night. He had straight black hair and wore a simple blue hooded jacket. He was tall in stature and appeared to be decently fit. A pair of simple rectangular glasses adorned the man’s face. His kindness could be just that, or it could be a ploy for him to lower his guard. Constantine decided he had to risk it, as the wounds from the previous night were starting to ache once more and he knew Uriel was just as hurt. The man was right, Uriel was in a similar position as him, and Constantine would get her all the help he could.
“Hmmh.” He nodded, still having some water in his mouth. “I’ll meet you in the back wagon in a minute. Thank you.”
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Uriel woke up startled when Constantine shook her awake. She was relieved to see that he was alright, and gladly accepted his water bottle when offered. She did not expect the accompanying guest however, and based on his reaction, he did not expect her either when he entered the cabin.
“You have… wings.” He sputtered.
Uriel stared back at him, mildly confused. She looked at Constantine as if asking for clarification. He only nodded.
“Y-yes.” She said, her voice echoing through the chamber. “I… have wings.”
“Are you an angel?”
“Something like that, yes. My name is Uriel… You are?”
“Ah, sorry I didn't… didn't even...” He dropped the small handbag he brought with him on one of the seats and continued. “My name is Sean. You said you were Constantine right.”
“Mmhm.” He nodded.
“Angels, demons… It really is the end of times, isn’t it…” Sean whispered to himself, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
The atmosphere of the cabin became calm and quiet as Sean slowly bandaged the two saviors. Starting with Constantine he dressed his wrists and cuts as well and helped clean his neck scratch before applying some gauze to it. He then turned to Uriel and began cleaning the large gash above her hip with some medicinal alcohol. The angel winced through it until Sean bandaged the wound fully. A couple of plasters and band-aids on some smaller cuts followed, as well as some pain pills for both.
“Anything you can do about this?” She asked, pulling up her jeans to reveal the wooden prosthetic below her left knee. There was a pained look on her face as she did so. “Walking is quite difficult with this.”
Sean took one look, wincing at the makeshift construction. He realized it was a fresh wound, but one that did not happen the previous night. If that was the case, what other monstrosity could do something like that to someone like her?
“I'm sorry, I cannot with the tools I have available. Making prosthetics isn’t… entirely beyond my expertise but I also don't have anything I could use here on the train. The wound is clean though so, no need to change the wrappings. I'm so sorry I can’t help more.” He said, bowing his head.
“T-that’s ok…“ Uriel sighed.
“May I see your hands?” Sean said.
Wordlessly, Uriel agreed, stretching out her arms towards him.
“These bandages are quite old, want me to change them?”
“If its alright with you.”
“Sean.” Constantine called out. “Why so much kindness?”
“Hah, come on now.” He chuckled. “Like I said, you two saved my life, my son’s life, and everyone else that’s still on this train. If the least I can do is tie a couple bandages and offer a bottle of water then by God I’ll do it.”
“You believe in God?” Uriel asked.
“Yes I-” Sean paused, looking at the small, perfectly circular holes in the center of Uriel’s palms. “Is this… stigmata? You two have really been through a lot, no?”
Both were quiet.
“I see…” He continued, wrapping fresh bandages around her palms. “If this is really the apocalypse, I hope God has mercy on us all.”
After he was done and on the verge of getting up, Uriel grabbed him by the wrists. She then moved her palms up to his cheek and stared at him with sad snow-white eyes, tears welling up within them.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I brought this upon everyone.” She said. Sean looked at her confused. “I never wished for any of this. I hope you can all forgive me.”
Constantine watched her and listened. An intense feeling of sadness welled up deep within him. It felt as if Uriel was apologizing to him. Even though he did not blame her for anything that had happened, in his heart he knew. If only she had landed in another apartment instead of his... If only…
Sean quietly accepted the Angel’s apology. He then got up and cleaned up all his supplies, leaving some additional medication for them to use if need be. As he stepped out the cabin door, ready to return to his son, he looked back at them and said:
“I hope God is watching over you both, I hope we’ll meet again soon.”
Silence filled the room as he left. Uriel turned to Constantine and they both stared at each other for a couple more minutes before she finally broke the ice.
“What next?” She asked.
“We get to Gausville, lay low and stay out of trouble, find Evan’s dad and wait for Evan and the rest to join us.” Constantine said after a few seconds of thinking.
“You’re always so confident.” Uriel said.
Constantine was surprised by her comment. “Thank you Uriel, its a thing I’ve taught myself. I... I try.”
“Do you really think everything will be ok?”
“Everything has to be ok.” He shouted. “I can’t let even a single doubt in my mind, or I’ve already lost.”
“Constantin-”
“No Uriel, they’re fine, we’re all going to be fine.”
In her mind, Uriel had only one burning question she wished to ask: How can you keep lying to yourself so blatantly?
“I wasn’t always so confident, you know. I...” He began, and a knowing look from Uriel urged him to continue. He sighed. “I guess I never told you but, might as well. My dad, he was… bad. He’d beat me often, sometimes over the slightest things. God knows what would set him off on any given day. Frequently, he’d…” Tears ran down his cheek as he tried to let out the words. “He’d lock me up in a cage... leave me there all day, sometimes multiple... hungry and thirsty. But then one day he just… snapped. Thought he was gonna kill me as well but no.” He wiped his face with his hand before continuing. “It was as if the entire weight of his sins came crashing down on him that one day and… he couldn't handle it. Blew his brains out right in front of me. Took the neighbors two days of me screaming and crying until the cops finally came.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that Constantine.” Uriel stared at him, her face a mixture of misery and horror. “I don’t… I don't remember anything about my childhood.” She lied. “W-what about your mother?”
“Please, don’t be. I'm glad he’s dead. As for her, I have no idea. He would never tell me anything about her. Never even a picture. Not even a name. Nothing.” His expression changed, from a slum down look to one more determined and angry. “But it wasn’t my aunt or the therapists that helped me most, you know? Even though… they did. It was Nikolai and Evan. They helped me pull through. Slowly, my life got better. We were together in everything. When Nikolai had her accident we helped her much the same way they helped me. We were two broken kids and Evan was the one keeping us afloat. And now… they’re both gone…”
Because of me. Uriel finished the sentence in her mind.
“But not forever, Uriel. I made an oath. I swore I would bring Nikolai back and that I will protect you. And I know Evan is safe and on-route to Gausville as we speak.”
Uriel looked at him. She forced herself to believe in his words, believe in the hope that everything would be as he said. She allowed the same fiery zeal to awaken within her eyes.
“In that case.” She began. “I will trust in you, and I will help you. We’ll get them back. We’ll persevere through this.” Uriel stood up from her seat, arranged her clothes slightly and outstretched her arm towards her companion. Constantine nodded and looked up at her. After a moment of pause he stood up and grabbed her hand, shaking it.
“Thank you Uriel. I’m glad you’re here with me.” He said, smiling at her. She smiled back at him, her face beaming with renewed rest and vigor. “I would have been dead last night had it not been for you.”
“You say that Constantine, but I too would have been dead had you not been there. I'm glad to have you beside me on this journey.” Uriel laughed.
“We make a pretty killer duo, hah.” He said, arm reaching towards the medallion dangling on his chest and rubbing it between his fingers.
The two spent the rest of their time patiently in their cabin, waiting with bated breath until the train finally began to slow. A single name was written in bold black letters on a sign outside of their windows as the train crawled to a halt.
Gausville