Monsters and Angels

This chapter might seem a little disjointed, however please keep in mind that many things are happening at the same time and the scene is very chaotic. Hence the feeling.

~Going to hell in a handbag~


Those hours before the seal broke were frightening indeed. Biblical plagues rained down on the world. Television stations showed the horrors to the world, though there was no need. Kieran had called to Alucard, “Be ready.”

Alucard and Integra had nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabriel looked out over the vast terraces of heaven’s palace. His master was locked in deep repose, awaiting the new era that would soon dawn. His sapphire gaze swept over the glistening gardens.

“You are thinking of her” came the soft voice of the keeper of secrets. The silver haired angel stood just behind him, his eyes deep and bottomless. Like his knowledge.

Raphael rarely showed emotion of any type and Gabriel suspected it had something to do with the many feelings that his secrets stirred in him. Better to be frozen than overwhelmed. It was a dismal fate for an angel, to know as much as God and be powerless to change any of it.

He had tried once. And paid dearly for it.

“I can’t help it I suppose” Gabriel agreed after a silent minute, “She wants to come home to make her atonements and return to the service of the master.”

Raphael tipped his lovely face to the lavender sky and breathed deeply of the scent of damp flowers, such blooms that could be found nowhere else. “Is that what she wants, or what you want Gabriel?” he asked gently.

The heavenly messenger eyed him carefully, “You would know on both counts”.

The keeper merely nodded, “Have a care with that fool’s heart of yours.”

Then he was gone.

Gabriel also knew what was to happen soon and that it was not a secret from Raphael. There were angels conspiring against the master, taking up the long vanquished banner of Lucifer. They must be dealt with… harshly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raphael knelt before the great throne room. It’s golden doors shut firmly.

“Master” he whispered and he knew he was heard, “I cannot pretend that I do not know what will come soon, I also cannot pretend that I am unaware of what you plan. I can only say with all sincerity that I do not understand the reason you have chosen to see it done this way.”

“Believe Raphael. I see your suffering and I shall remedy it soon enough. For now, these things simply must be.”

Raphael bowed his head, feeling the long suppressed emotion of grief prick his eyes. The one thing he despised was feeling. And it was his master’s fault. No, that wasn’t true. It was his own, it would be far easier to stomach the hurt if he was not the source of it.

Why had he ever loved her? Why had he ever set her in the monster’s path? To save a life that should have been lost. To preserve the gentle soul he had grown so fond of from afar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The catacombs were filled with blinding blue light as the seal met its completion. Every inch of space was filled with the glow and then the heart of the Vatican sounded with an unearthly growl and a great wailing.

The gates of the portal were thrown wide, and out of it rushed legion upon legion of vengeful angels. Deadly beauties, set for battle. Golden armor, silver swords, they moved with the perfection of military competence.

Streaming upwards through the walls like mist to take solid form in the city.

When the seal was completely broken and the earth trembled at the power unleashed, Kieran nodded to Genova and raced off to his battle position. She and the others hot on his heels. His secret was out now. He had known that it was more than the Vatican to be purged. But the whole world.

People crowded in churches, mosques, homes. Huddling together to pray as the sky opened with torrents of violent rain, flaming chunks of debris fell from the sky. The cries of the wounded and dying lifted towards heaven.

From the shadows came the demons and the darkness of men’s hearts clashing with angelics in the streets. The bright glint of swords flashing in the dimness, the clash and hiss of steel ringing through the streets.

Pillars of smoke rose from burning cities. Hospitals were filled with those hurt.

Gabriel shoved a legion back with a mighty blow, looking around. Lucifer was fighting out there too. What side she did she fight for? Could he trust her love enough that she would battle her once minions into submission?

Michael was above him, locked in vicious combat with Sataniel, another fallen angel. They snapped and snarled at each other landing blows that sounded like sonic booms in the night. Flashes of light from the slaps of heavenly blades lit up the horrific scene.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Integra dashed through the streets of Italy with Seras at her side. Other vampires were stalking the citizens, breaking into churches to feed on those who whimpered in fear to a God that seemed to not hear them.

One swung at her and Integra spun from him, lashing out with her guns. Shots rang out as she called above the cacophony, “Seras, keep going!”

The red haired vampire flung herself into the night, changing to mist as she went. Her master was fighting not far off, loving every minute of it, she knew. Several other ancients were rising around the globe, the bond between flaring to life as they took their place in the apocalypse. Some for good, some not.

To say it was a hell of a fight was a gross understatement and the stakes were critically high. The survival of the world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kieran kicked in a door of a villa as his men ran past him.

“You said be ready. You never did mince words”.

He spun to face Alucard, “Ah. There you are, tell me how are you liking my little party?”

Alucard wiped blood from his face, “An open bar, nice touch.”

“Stop joking and get to work vampire”.

“Take your own medicine angelic.”

“Ah but not quite.”

Kieran swept through the homes of the Vatican’s corrupt like a lethal plague. Purging the wicked with blood and fire. Was there no one clean here?

He stopped in one home, hearing the soft whimper of a child. He looked around at the gore splattered walls and grimaced. Then he strode to the long dining table and ripped the costly cloth from it.

Huddled were two small children. No more than three and five. They sobbed and clung to one another. He stared at them for a long moment and then slowly he noticed the slight glow of them. Clean souls.

“Yes, they are clean and they have a purpose to fulfill.” came a soft voice.

He turned on his heel to find himself face to face with an angel. The keeper of all secrets. “Raphael?” he asked. Those viridian eyes fathomless with knowledge as they rested on him.

More quiet than his fellows, he was tall and lean, with an almost girlish face it was so lovely. His long hair was done in a braid that hung over one shoulder.

The silver haired angel nodded, “I have come to lead them away from this. The terror of this night will have sense with them.”

Kieran watched as the angel held his hands out to the children who leapt at him, sobbing against his yellow robes. “You have much work yet to do dark brother.”

Kieran nodded and ran from the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Genova watched as so many Vatican officials tried to flee the city. Some were taken down in the streets but a few were nearing her position. The good weren’t running, satisfied with God’s will or divine protection she didn’t know.

The darkness of their souls glowed like black fire against the dying night. “Ready!” she called and the others of her order set the holy barrier in place. “In the name of God no one leaves!”

Across the fields the returned chorus “In the name of God” rose.

“But is this really God’s will?” she wondered aloud.

“Don’t waver now little human.” A woman’s voice intoned.

Genova turned to face the blonde woman fully, “Who are you?”

The woman was beautiful, her long hair caught up in an elegant style, curls framing an ageless face. Golden eyes framed by dark lashes tilted upwards at the outer corners. Her pale flesh was flawless.

Her pale green robes remained pristine despite the bloodshed occurring in the city just beyond her.

“Someone who knows how you feel.” she said.

Genova stiffened and took note. Fangs and claws. “You are an angelic.”

The woman smiled radiantly, “Mm, You could say that.”

“What do you want?” she asked.

“The question is…what do you want?”

“M..me?”

“Foolish child, you are destined to fall this night. Never to be with him. I can change that. God has given me that power.”

“I just bet you could…” Genova said, forcing her mind back to the battle ahead of her. But her heart…. It questioned.

Golden eyes narrowed slightly, “Care to wager?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alucard lifted his head, dropping a Vatican whipping boy to the ground, “Now there is a nostalgic scent. Fire brimstone and gardenias. Lucifer…what are you up to?”

He received no answer though she was close.

‘Integra’

‘I’m a tad busy Alucard.’

‘Is there a blonde woman near you? She would be very beautiful, an angelic.’

There was a pause.

‘No. Not near me….but….’ an image of the hill, the barrier, Genova, a woman in pale green silks.

‘Damn it!’

Alucard broke the connection to his mate and took to the skies. Lucifer wasn’t playing fair, he could feel it. Kieran had told him that if even one of the chosen fighters faltered, it could be disastrous. There was only one person he could think of that would be easy prey for the fallen angel.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabriel and Michael stepped inside the halls of heaven. The pearlescent stone gleaming softly.

“So are going to do this.” Raphael said stepping from behind a stone pillar. “Slay your brethren”.

Michael’s hand went to his sword, “Are you with us or against us keeper of secrets?”

Raphael tossed his long silver white braid over his shoulder, “I suppose I must. That is what my duty calls for.”

He turned and led the way into the mighty fortress, withdrawing his blade as he went.

“Your duty?” Gabriel asked.

Raphael nodded, “I know every secret. Angelic, demon, mortal, the master leaves them all to me. And now the secret within this great house threaten everything. Just as he knew they would. It was why he chose this time for his repose.”

Michael growled, “You are telling me the master went to sleep knowing his own sought his head?”

Raphael merely nodded and pushed open the first door he came to, “See to the others. This one has filled my ears with far too much darkness.”

Then he stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

A strangled scream erupted mere moments later and Michael and Gabriel sprang into action. Dashing down the hallway they cut a bloody swath through all that opposed them. Raphael joined them a handful of seconds later, his blade slashing with amazing speed and skill.

“Who would have known the bookworm was so good?” Micheal muttered as he swung his blade in a gleaming arc, severing the head of one of the conspirators. “Those who oppose the master’s will must fall!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So are you a betting woman?” Lu asked the human before her.

Genova felt her blood run cold. Something wasn’t right. “Who are you?”

“An angel as you’ve said” the woman turned to look at the smoking city, “Pity, Rome always was such a pretty place. Well, until lately. Don’t you think it’s sad Genova?”

Genova bit back a question, of course an angel would know her name. “It is, but it’s needed.”

A golden brow rose in question, “Is it?”

“Kieran says that God has a plan..”

“Ah. I see. Kieran who is infallible isn’t that right? Let me ask you another question. If God is all powerful and so loving, why does the suffering have to happen. Look closely girl. He could wipe the evil away with a word. A single. Whispered. Word.”

Genova shook her head, “That would interfere with our free will.”

Lu barely contained the sneer from leaping to her face, “Free will you say? Truly a precious thing. How free were you to choose or avoid this battle? How free are you to love the Black O’Mara? How free is he to love you?”

The human flinched under the golden gaze of her companion. These were tender subjects, questions she had often asked herself, Kieran, God Himself. To this very moment she had never gotten a response.

A clawed hand fell to her arm in a gentle caress of comfort. “But He has” she insisted, “I am that answer. I long to give you all you desire. Heaven holds no regard for love Genova, believe me I know. I wanted the freedom to be with my love as well and I was expelled for speaking out against it. Do you believe everyone should be free to choose or only a select few?”

Genova felt tears sting her eyes, “E..everyone” she whispered.

Lu drew closer wrapping her arms around the trembling woman, her lips pressing close to her ear, “Just think. Say the word and I can end this for you. No one will ever come between you again. You will be free. No restrictions, you can be in his arms for everyone to see. Your love will never change, never fade, never forget.”

“I can’t” Genova forced herself to say.

Lu smiled sweetly, her cinnamon breath stroking the human ear, “Shall I show you the life you could have?”

She passed her hand over Genova’s eyes and there appeared so many images. Genova panting and sweaty pressed beneath Kieran’s strong form. The two of them laughing in some shop. Herself swollen with child, Kieran looking on adoringly.

“I can give you that” Lu whispered,” Or leave you to this…”

The pictures changed. Genova bleeding, gasping in the grass. Kieran roaring his anguish. A lonely grave. A broken and despondent Kieran stalking humans from the shadows until angry hunters put him down.

“What will you choose?”

And Genova knew she was lost….