she is here, I cannot detect her.”
Sam nodded sadly, somehow suspecting no less. He hadn’t really expected to find her here. Despite her goodness, he doubted whether her truck with demons would be forgiven that easily. It was a crushing blow but one that he’d almost come to terms with. He resolved to find her though, no matter what — even if it involved another trip to the deepest pits of Hell, even if he had to defeat all the demons of Hell.“How long will it take to find Aimi?”
“I do not know,” confessed Samyaza. “You may as well ask me how many demons are in Hell. Time will tell but we must make haste. As I mentioned earlier, this disguise will not last.”
They travelled in silence for a while. After a time, Sam began to feel distinctly unwell. Pain started gnawing first at his outer limbs and then slowly progressing into the rest of his body. It was a heavy, aching pain, almost like tooth ache but in his whole body. He almost recognized it. It was like a sluggish version of the searing pain he got from touching a bible or entering hallowed ground.
Samyaza must have seen the pain on his face. “What is wrong?”
When Sam told him, Samyaza pursed his lips thoughtfully. “I was afraid of this but thought that because you were only half demon — a Cambion — Heaven would not affect you so. This changes things. We have even less time than I thought. The pain will only get worse. Soon, it will become too difficult to bear. We must hurry.”
They picked up the pace. Pain continued to build in Sam’s body but stoically, he tried to ignore it. It felt like his arms and legs were being dipped in acid.
They must have walked for what seemed like hours, the mist all about them, following the trail that only Sam could see. Suddenly, it was gone — not only the trail but the mist too. It was replaced by a scene that Sam immediately recognized. Hikari’s garden.
It was summer. The strawberry and tomato plants were ripe with fruit. A dazzling variety of plants created an explosion of color all around — color that he hadn’t seen in his ash-covered grey world for years. Just the sight of it brought a surge of hope and fond memories to Sam. This was where he’d spent some of the happiest moments of his youth. Then the smell of the garden hit him, the rich bouquet almost overwhelming to his dulled senses.
In a sheltered area off one of the paths that weaved through the garden stood Hikari. Sam’s first impulse was to run over and hug the man but he didn’t want to interrupt his master. Hikari was clearly busy, practicing his craft of bonseki, sprinkling colored sand and pebbles onto the surface of black lacquered trays.
Before he could move, he heard his name shouted and then suddenly Aimi was there, hugging him, kissing him, crying.
“Sam! What are you doing here? I can’t believe you’re here! Did the angels let you in? Of course they did! No-one deserves to be here as much as you do.”
Reluctantly, Sam pushed her away. “Aimi, listen to me. I wasn’t allowed in here. Samyaza brought me. Brought me so I could rescue you. Take you away from here. So we can be together.”
Aimi looked confused for a moment, her eyes darting from Sam to the Watcher. “You came to rescue me? Oh, Sam. From what? Do I look like I need rescuing? It’s beautiful here — exactly what I’d always imagined. Why don’t you stay?”
“Because he can’t, daughter. You of all people should understand that.” Unnoticed, Hikari was somehow standing next to Aimi. Sam hadn’t seen him move.
“Sensei,” said Sam, hugging the small man that had made such a huge impact in his life. Hikari returned the hug, squeezing Sam harder than such a diminutive figure should.
“You should go, Sam. Take Aimi with you. Keep her safe but go now. You shouldn’t be here.”
Sam nodded grimly. “I know, Sensei. But I had to come for her. And for you, if you’d like.”
Hikari shook his head sadly. “I belong here, Sam. As does Aimi, though her soul is conflicted by her desire to be with you. Until her soul is at peace, I believe the right thing would be for her to go with you.”
“If you can’t stay, then of course I will come with you,” said Aimi. “It’s not right for the angels to keep us apart like they have. You of all people don’t deserve it.”
“You know what it’s like down there, though?” said Sam. “Are you prepared for that?”
Aimi smiled at him. “Not really, but if we’re together, I’m sure we can manage. Right, Samyaza?”
Sam looked over at the Watcher. He was frowning. “What do we look like to you, Aimi?” he asked.
Aimi looked confused. “Like Sam and Samyaza, of course.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” said Samyaza. “My glamor has worn off. Anyone can see us for what we really are now. We need to leave, right now!” Sam heard the urgency behind the words. And the fear. Samyaza was afraid.
Almost on cue, Hikari’s garden disappeared like a curtain had been parted. Sam was alone in the mist save for a solitary Angelic figure.
“What are you doing here?” demanded the figure in a voice ringing with power.
“Who?” said Sam, feigning ignorance, trying to buy some thinking time, conscious that his escape route in the form of Samyaza was no-where to be seen.
The figure stepped forward, revealing a handsome male angel. Every part of him seemed to ooze authority. Sam had no illusions that he was now in the presence of an archangel.
“Do not play games with me, demon spawn. You do not belong here and you know it. The Grigori you were with has already been banished but you have piqued my curiosity. Gabriel has told me much about you.”
“I’m sorry,” said Sam, “but who are you?”
“I am the Archangel, Michael.”
“I don’t wish to appear rude, but can I speak to Gabriel? I need to see her.”
Michael shook his head. “We are not at your beck and call. Regardless, Gabriel is not available.”
Sam inclined his head respectfully, aware that he was now in Michael’s domain and as such, had to play by his rules. It was a pity he couldn’t see Gabriel but surely one Archangel was the same as any other?
He winced as the pain suddenly returned. Or maybe he’d just been distracted by his reunion with Aimi and Hikari? It washed over him much more strongly than before. It seemed that Heaven was still punishing him. “I will be happy to leave. Just allow me what I came for. Aimi.”
Michael’s expression didn’t change but the mist, as if sensing the tension, began to whirl more excitedly about the two of them. “You do not make demands here, Demon. This is our realm. Not yours. Aimi belongs here with us.”
Sam shook his head, trying not to reveal the pain and discomfort he was in. “I regretfully disagree, Michael. Aimi and I belong together. Surely it’s in your power to grant me this one wish after all I’ve given up for you?”
Michael laughed. “After all you’ve given up?” he echoed scornfully. “What? You expect a reward? Where is your sense of self-sacrifice? Only the worthy receive such rewards. Do you really count yourself amongst them?”
Sam couldn’t believe this. How could an angel — no, not just an angel, an archangel — be so unreasonable? He wasn’t asking for much. Hadn’t he suffered enough already? Didn’t he deserve just a little bit of comfort; to have the woman he loved by his side?
“I’ve helped where I could. Done what I was able to do. I hoped it would be enough,” said Sam, humbly, desperate to control his temper.
“The Demon in you is coming to the fore,” said Michael. “Who else would demand that the person they loved be subjected to the Hell that awaits them on Earth? To tear them from this place of peace and love?”
“Aimi wants to come with me,” said Sam through gritted teeth. “It’s her choice.”
“No,” said Michael, shaking his head. “It’s not her choice. It’s mine.”
“What about free will?” demanded Sam. “What about people being able to make their own choices?”
Michael stamped his foot. The seemingly insubstantial footing shook with the blow. “Do not presume to lecture me, Demon. Not here, in this place. You have no right.”
“I have every right. For the woman I love. I would do anything for her. Look into my heart and mind. You know this is the truth,” said Sam, angrily. He was shouting now but he didn’t care.
“Control yourself, son of Satan,” warned Michael. “What you say and do now will be tallied up at the end of days.”
“I don’t care,” said Sam carelessly. He took an angry step towards the archangel. “Give me my Aimi back.”
“I will say this for the last time, Samael. No. You may not have her.”
