Slay My Soul

We had stopped dropping the bombs as soon as word came from the ground that the vampires were stepping forward in droves to surrender. With their power-hungry King dead, they were in self-preservation mode. This whole mess had been their King's idea, not theirs, and most had no interest in being collateral damage. So we had moved on to the castle, intent on destroying the Dark circle and Belestine.

One of my men had linked to me as soon as he spotted the holes appearing in the distant field. The Legion had been called forth in its entirety.

The moving mass now swarms the ground like locusts and still more come. We have sorely underestimated their number and there is no way in hell that we can win unless we can get to Belestine. Soon we will be reunited with Eve, but first, we have to knock their number back enough, so any survivors can have a chance in the future to take back their lands. I direct my men to the front lines under orders to do as much damage as possible. I don't give a flying fuck if the demons are fighting against their will or not. They are between me and the Warlock and I will have his head before I move on to the next world.

I fly over the top and direct a burst of fire over the writhing mass, but they scramble forward as though unaffected. Are they immune to fire? Maybe this is where the myths around hell stem from. Hell is a mythical place of burning lands and maybe the Demons are able to live in harmony with it. Looks like we will be fighting up close instead. I come in hard and fast, aiming toward where Belestine stands and close also, to where Asmodeus is held in his glowing orange prison. My claws stretch out as I come into land, my tail thrashing to prevent the Legion from overrunning me immediately. More dragons land and we tear a path forward with teeth and claws. For a moment we make headway and I push my way steadily closer to my target. I can do this!

But then the Legion seems to swell in number and they are crawling all over me - swarming. I roar with rage as they stab at me and drive me to my knees. But I don't stop. I keep clawing and biting, inching my way to the man responsible for all of this. If Belestine hadn't summoned the Demons, we would have won this war before it got started. I hear the death roar of one of my men and howl in anger. If I can just get close enough, I can spit fire at the prick. He's not fireproof like his minions. I just need to get closer. One of my back legs stops working and they have pinned my tail. Still, I keep crawling forward with pure willpower as my head swims from blood loss. My vision blurs for a moment and my limbs are sluggish to respond to my commands. I reach out through my link to our circle.

I'm not going to make it guys. There are too many of them. I'm sorry. I tell them.

We are overrun too, Darius growls through.

It has been a pleasure to fight beside you all, Luka links in, sounding pained.

One last push, give them hell. Do it for Eve! Lysario orders.

For Eve! We echo. I hear the battle cries from those near me and also those further away. I rally the last of my strength.

What's this soppy goodbye shit! It's not over till the fat lady sings and she's about to sing right now, baby! Acassus thunders through the link. A roar rips through the chaos from above and everyone freezes. A dragon lands beside me and swats the Demons away from me with its tail, as though they are just annoying ants. Still, no one moves. It's like the whole world is holding its breath. The dragon nuzzles my neck and tingles erupt. I'm hallucinating. I've finally cracked! My brain has conjured Eve to calm me in my final moments. People slide off its back and the dragon smoothly transitions into a human. Vines swirl over her skin, covering her nakedness.

"Kneel!" My hallucination roars and the sea of the damned drops to their knees. My mind is showing me what could have been. The happy ever after we should have had. I lay my head on the ground, content to watch this vision as I bleed out. Her head turns to me. "Transform!" She orders me and my dragon retreats, leaving me naked and vulnerable. She nods to a man and Sirus comes into view.

"Drink time," he states, biting his wrist and shoving it into my mouth. The blood coats my tongue thickly and I gag, swallowing involuntarily. He slaps my face. "Keep going dipshit. She will be mighty pissed if you die this close to the finish line." This little world I've created is truly weird. That slap actually hurt. I reach for Eve's shriveled bond, seeking comfort in my final moments. I gasp, swallowing more blood when I find it vibrant, warm, and teeming with her life force. My eyes dart to where she stands and she glances back, winking at me. Either my mind is more creative than I ever gave it credit for or this is... I swallow more blood, eager to repair myself and get my head on straight. Hope flutters cautiously in my chest. Eve strides over to Belestine where he kneels, looking at her in awe.

"Tell Asmodeus that the war has been satisfied and his contract has been fulfilled," Eve orders. Belestine's mouth moves against his will and he parrots her words to a now-grinning Asmodeus. The glow of his prison fades. "You may move," she informs him and he races to her, pulling her into his arms and covering her face in kisses. "I order you and the Legion to remain in this realm, we will bring the rest of your people through later." She kisses his lips passionately and then extracts herself to walk to me.

"Hello, my love," she whispers. My heart bursts with love and the reawakening of our bond. I shove Sirus away, eager to wrap her in my arms.

"You're welcome asshole," Sirus growls at me, landing hard on his ass. I ignore him, solely focused on the woman kneeling in front of me. She cups my face in her hands and I feel her life force reaching out to me. She's real. Eve is definitely here. My angel is alive.

"Eve," I whisper, eyes blurring with tears. "Please tell me this is real. Tell me you are here. That you came back?"

"Always and forever," she whispers, kissing me softly. "I have work to do now, but soon we will have all the time in the world and we will know peace." She reluctantly pulls away. I hear her voice through the link but see those around me widen their eyes as she speaks to us all.

Those who fight with me are free to move as they please, those who would continue to oppose me - make your way to the vampire king's throne room. I will deal with you there. She opens a portal and motions me to stand. We walk through the portal and into the throne room where Hardyn stands waiting.

"My Queen," he bows.

"Pffft, don't be so formal, we are friends first," she chuckles.

"May I play with a few of the enemy as you sort through them?"

"Does a duck quack?" She laughs. "Absolutely! I may even join you later." She turns to Sirus. "Are you ready to take your throne?"

"Fuck no!" He scowls. "It's all yours."

"I rule all - but I can't be everywhere. I need sub-rulers. People I can trust to rule with integrity and fairness. " she reasons.

"Give it to Luka. I've seen the paperwork that goes with it. Luka would be in his element. All work and no play makes Sirus a dull boy," he huffs, then laughs. "Besides I doubt anyone would use my name alongside integrity and fairness in the same sentence.

"If you're sure-"

"Absolutely. All that responsibility..." He shudders. "No thank you!"

"Fine," she says exasperated, throwing her hands up. Two portals open and the rest of our circle drags themselves through, surrounding her. They are a mess of blood and tear-streaked faces. She allows herself to be passed from man to man, each frantic to assure themselves she's really here. Hell, even I am finding this surreal, waiting for her to disappear again. But that is the million-dollar question, isn't it? I clear my throat to gain their attention.

"Angel, how are you here? How are you not dead?"

She turns to me and smiles.

"That is something you need to ask my Dad," she says. I turn to Sirus who puffs out his chest and smirks.

"That's right fucktards! Crazy daddy isn't so crazy now, is he? I believe you idiots owe me an apology."