“My gate was destroyed, and it’s much worse. Apollyon, they have joined with a vampire named Caius. I can’t reach the others.” Zach stands slowly and looks down at his massive friend and mentor.
Zach remembers the awe he felt the first time he was greeted by Apollyon. The sun glinted on the golden armor which stood out against his obsidian skin. He was called the “Destroyer” by the others for his mighty ways in battle. Looking at him now he can’t help but wonder…
“How did I end up like this?” Apollyon asks, pushing up against the wall. “The same way you did, I suppose.” The creatures have begun flinging themselves against the other side of the wall and are digging frantically. Rocks can be heard tumbling down to the floor of the cave.
“Why didn’t you heal yourself or call for help?” Zach asks and he remembers Caius said eight of his brothers have fallen. Drawing his sword, he turns to face his brother and prays he is wrong. “Why didn’t you use the gate?”
Apollyon stares at his friend in shock. “You dare to judge me?” His face shows pain and betrayal, but not anger. He stands up and drops his head in a prayer of peace.
“I’ve met this Caius you speak of. Balthial said eight have fallen, Apollyon. I have to know brother… my blade has been blessed to consume the sinful. Face me and be judged.” Zachariel swings his sword and it hisses as it flies through the air, stopping just short of Apollyon’s neck. In the golden hilt of the handle sits an azure stone. It glows igniting the cave with its ethereal glow. The light shoots through the cracks and crevices in the rocks and a squeal of pain echoes outside of the fallen cavern wall.
The Destroyer reaches up and grasps the blade of the sword with both hands. It cuts his hands deep, but Apollyon shows no sign of fear or pain. The blood rolls down the silver blade and covers the blue stone. The light coming from the stone flashes to a bright white blinding them with its brilliance. Zach lets go of the breath he has been holding in.
“Brother you are true.” When Zach tries to remove the sword from Apollyon’s grasp, he refuses to let go.
“Are you?” Apollyon demands. Zachariel smiles at his friend.
“I used the gate, Apollyon. It felt me worthy enough to allow me to pass. I used it and left a trap for those behind me. It was compromised and had to be destroyed. I came here after trying to reach Morgan and the others.”
Apollyon releases the sword and attempts to put weight on his broken leg. He hisses in pain as he tries to extend his wing. “It is still broken. I won’t be able to fly, but at least the wound is closed.”
“The only thing left to do is to get back to the gate,” Zach states and heals his hands. “How many of these creatures are there?”
“When I arrived, those things were waiting for me. I was not expecting to be attacked by demonic vampire dogs, Zach. It was an ambush and I was overrun by their numbers. During the battle, my wing was broken and torn. I ran, hoping to access the gate. I too called for help, but none came. It was only by chance that I found this sink hole. Whether trap or natural it saved me, I fell through the hole, but the fall broke my ribs and leg. I was able to crawl far enough and squeeze inside this hole. That is when I felt you arrive.”
A howl of excitement sounds out as a large chunk of rubble is freed and a small section of rocks slides free. Frantic digging ensues and when a clawed hand reaches inside the hole to grasp the rock for leverage, Apollyon draws his sword and grins.
“Time to take out these dogs, Zach.”
“Only, we can’t use our swords to kill them. It only creates more,” Zach warns and grips the handle of his sword tightly.
“I’ve had to time to think and I have a plan, but it will require precision timing,” Apollyon grins.
“Finally, I get to watch the destroyer in action.” Zach prays for strength because he has no intention of leaving his brother behind to face these monsters alone.
Chapter 21
Anya and Katie watch in shock as Morgan, Liam, and Cass all fall to their knees. A searing pain ripples through the three Archangels. Heaven’s legions weep and their sorrow echoes through the souls of the guardians. “Two of our brothers have been destroyed,” Liam gasps. Liam’s reaches up and grasps their hands. He doesn’t bother to explain that they are out of time. Cass rests his hand on Liam’s shoulder, and they pray for strength and guidance.
“What’s happening?” Katie asks.
“We need to get to the third gate, now. The guardians are in trouble,” Cassiel explains.
Morgan glanced at Anya, “Can you help us, Anya? Is there nothing you can do?”
Anya feels the pain and stress radiating from them. They are looking to her for answers that she simply does not have. “I don’t know how to help.”
Liam turns and faces her. “You can do it again! If I place an image in my mind, Anya, you can retrieve it.” Anya looks up at him and wonders.
“Yes, I did it before with Katie, but she was picturing a person, not a place.” Tossing her dark hair back she paces in excitement.
“It’s the same principle,” Cass explains “and you won’t be alone. If we both hold the same image it will be stronger.”
“If this works, Anya can take us to the fourth gate. We can get to it before Caius this time and stop him,” Morgan declares.
“Yes, but we have to save the others. The
