It was at that moment that the words from the Book of Jubilees came to him: And He sent His sword into their midst that each should slay his neighbor and they began to slay each other till they all fell by the sword and were destroyed from the earth.
Miguel would be that sword.
“The Nephilim used you,” Juan taunted. “The Nephilim seek to enter the garden. Antonio can open the gate for them and they know this. That’s why Antonio is here.” Juan motioned towards the man standing off in the distance. “You were only brought in to convince Antonio to come.
“You see that we cannot die and yet the Nephilim let you fight us. They knew Diego will kill you. They want you gone.” He paused to let his words sink in.
“You’re in control of your own destiny. So what will it be? Do you want to die here today or will you take back your own life?”
Juan read Miguel’s face and knew the seed that had been planted.
Juan pressed in further, “If you want revenge, make it against those who wronged you much worse than Diego.”
Juan pointed to the distance where Antonio stood. “Antonio knew of this as well, yet posed as your friend. Kill Antonio and the Nephilim cannot enter the garden. Kill Antonio and you’ll have your revenge.”
Juan watched Miguel’s face, studying him to gauge his belief.
Rephaim equally waited for Miguel to make his decision. He would not hesitate to kill him but would also not attempt to sway Miguel’s verdict.
A cloud of doubt crossed Miguel’s face. “Even if I wanted to kill Antonio, I couldn’t reach him before they killed me.”
“We’ll guard your way to Antonio.” Juan called out to his men and they formed circle around Miguel.
“If you want him dead, why don’t you just kill him?” Miguel asked.
“I wish it was that simple. It has to be you. Our Death Circle will move with you inside. Once we reach Antonio, kill him.”
Miguel looked at Rephaim’s raised sword. He elevated his own to mirror the men that surrounded him.
Rephaim reacted immediately, rushing towards a fleeing Miguel. The Nephilim joined in charging the circle of swords. Since they outnumbered their opponent, their tactic was to use size and strength to enter the circle and kill Miguel.
Once Miguel was dead, they would invite Antonio to join them.
The swords of Juan’s men did not make the task easy and the Nephilim were repelled during the initial charge. Two were killed in that first attack.
More were killed with each wave as Juan and his men moved progressively towards Antonio.
Antonio watched the circle gather around Miguel. In the village of the Men of Nod, he had joined Juan in that same Death Circle facing his Calusa brothers. They had been brave that day – fighting like damned souls being dragged to the netherworld – only this time he was not certain that Juan would achieve victory.
Prior to this moment, he had been able to foresee everything: the battle had played out on the blood-soaked field just as it had played out in his mind. But now his foresight faded and he was uncertain. It was a feeling that Antonio had not encountered in some time but now the sensation returned; and Antonio welcomed it.
As they approached, he in turn walked towards them. He considered what came next. He alone had the ability to end what was occurring.
He knew the answer but was reluctant. For good or bad, he knew that decision would end the battle. He watched the bodies of the Nephilim fall as the Death Circle approached.
Juan eyed Antonio warily as they neared. His thoughts were on Antonio when from the corner of his eye, came movement. He turned and saw Rephaim running towards them with a spear.
Juan had quick reflexes but a spear was difficult to dodge. He twisted but was not able to move out of the way of the hurled javelin. The spear reached him and passed through him, leaving him unharmed.
His mouth had just begun to grow a taunting smile when he heard a grunt. He turned and saw the spear embedded in Miguel’s chest. He then realized he was not the target. He watched as the blood flowed from Miguel’s skewered body.
Moments later, Miguel’s corpse lay a pile of dead flesh at Juan’s feet.
Now it was Rephaim’s turn to mock Juan. “Come, Antonio,” Rephaim said stepping towards Antonio. “The time has come.”
“Yes,” Antonio replied, “it’s time.”
The fight left Juan’s men and the Nephilim moved in. Rephaim gestured for Antonio to follow him, taking the first step towards the gate. He turned around to gloat and was surprised that Antonio did not follow. “Antonio,” he repeated, “the time is now.”
Antonio looked at his old friends. He cared deeply about each of them and was saddened at the thought of what must come next. But the decision had been made.
Without speaking, he drew his large hunting knife. Looking at his friends once more, he drove the knife into his chest with both hands. He angled the knife such that the blade tilted upward and penetrated his heart. He looked at Rephaim once more before falling lifeless to the ground.
Rephaim opened his mouth to spew hatred but a cry of pain from one of the Nephilim stopped his words. All eyes moved to him and they saw that Cherubim had returned.
Cherubim’s sword flamed as he cut through the Nephilim. The other Nephilim tried to retreat but Cherubim took the life from them as they ran. Soon, only Rephaim remained.
Rephaim turned towards Cherubim. He could feel the heat from the sword as Cherubim approached…and took his head. Cherubim reciprocated the deaths of the Men of Nod
