I’m not surprised, Mark is old, not nearly as old as Lucifer, but he’s lived such a long, immortal life. He’s begging for some sort of entertainment, something to make his longer-than-necessary life interesting.
A smile takes over my face while my heart thumps rhythmically in my chest. He is our number one target during this fight. I look over my shoulder and use my face to non-verbally communicate this to Mara. She nods her head stiffly at me in understanding.
“There are no negotiations,” I reply.
A murderous smile takes over Mark’s face. “Then you shall die,” he roars, raising his hand in the air.
Thunder sounds all around us as angels start charging towards us. Gone are any formalities of perceived good and evil as we start rushing towards each other. Some of the angels are flying towards us, while others are running on foot. All of the demons are on foot, though I could portal us all closer and most of the demons here have some portalling ability, but we need to meet them head-on without any surprises. The cacophony of war cries is nearly deafening, but we continue on, even if we’re easily outnumbered three-to-one.
I consider retreating or summoning more demons to the battlegrounds, but when Elvor and Mara run headfirst into the throes of the fight, I know those aren’t options we can utilize. We’re going to have to see this, though; we’re going to have to earn this win. I’ve fought against worse odds.
Mara uses her shadows to wrap angels up and bring them close enough so that she may slice their throats. Some of them, she uses a tendril to simply squeeze their heads so hard that their eyes pop out. The shadows work for her effortlessly; it’s almost like they are completely sentient, and she’s just their host. With her shadows in play, she’s able to take out more demons at once than I’ve ever seen in my immortal life—except for Lucifer. Her shadows work almost like an octopus’ does, protecting her back and those around her. I release a heavy exhale, thankful that she can so readily protect herself. The rest of the demons watch in fascination, and it gives them the motivation they need to want to win this.
Elvor uses most of his training as a fae warrior as he works. He specifically angles himself at Mara’s back, making sure that no one can sneak up on our greatest weapon. Elvor slices the head off of one angel, blood splattering across his face, before digging his blade into another approaching angel.
It’s evident that these angels are freshly immortal because they lack both training and the stamina required to really give us a fight. But their numbers are still concerning to me. We’re strong, but we can’t fight forever, and looking back over the entirety of the valley, I know this is just the first wave. It’s how angels work, sending out the sacrificial lambs before the wolves in sheep’s clothing come out to play.
The blood-shed is relentless. The smell of blood is tangy and thick in the air, and it doesn’t take long for the rising sun to cause the smell of decay to fill the battlefield. Limbs and bodies are thrown throughout, staining what was once perfectly green grass.
I watch as angels fall rapidly; clearly, none of them being given a weapon strong enough to end a demon’s life. My gaze keeps wandering to Mara, even as I fight hand–to-hand with my own angel opponents.
Fucking focus!
An angel pops up from my left and slices my forearm, a deep gash through my flesh that I watch knit together quickly. A low growl rumbles in my chest before I grab the angel by the throat and stab him in the gut. When I pull out my blade, his insides seep out, and his blood splashes all over my boots. He falls to the floor with a listless thump, and I flick my blade, sending his disgusting blood into the soil with him.
There’s grunting, shouts, and moaning. The other demons don’t have weapons that can kill, and it shows as different angels convulse on the ground. I approach one, his throat slit and his left leg missing from the knee down.
“Please, mercy, please,” he begs.
I don’t answer him as I take my death blade and sink it through his left eye. It squelches beautifully as I pull it back out. My blade is riddled with his filth, and I use the dead angel’s shirt to wipe it off.
The moans continue, and I move on, killing the indisposed angels. There’s a stench of ash in the air, and I see some of the bodies are being burned. A plume of smoke hits the sky, letting this realm know exactly what’s happening here. The destruction has my veins bubbling with adrenaline, and I’m ready for more. The blood-shed seeks me out with its scent, which is reminiscent of my life on Earth, and I soak it in. It seeps deep into my bones, giving me the energy I need to press forward.
My eyes are always open, scanning my surroundings to protect myself, but as I look around, I see what my soldiers are doing, and I’m impressed. Each one of them is more violent than the next, protecting our realm and standing together in our war against the so-called good guys.
Judd stays close to Elvor and Mara. He’s using everything he learned in training, but it’s clear he’s out of place. He seems to be using his blade on fallen angels as well.At least they found some purpose for him.
I make my way over to them, pushing angels and demons alike out of my way. There are only a few left standing in this batch. We’ve nearly made it to Mark when laughter ensues.
“You think that’s all I brought with me?” Mark taunts, jumping up into the sky. He hovers, flapping his wings, which have a golden hue to them. Even with the smoke and gore, he still looks ethereal with the mountains at his back. He holds up his hands, almost as if he is in the middle of worship, and more angels sprint or fly onto the battlefield.
“Fuck,” I hiss. “We need to retreat! We need more manpower,” I shout. An angel flies in front of me, and they raise their blade. I quickly take a defensive position and use my other hand to punch them in the stomach, causing them to crumple so I can stab him in the chest.
“We’re not fucking retreating,” Mara screams, her focus on where Mark is flying in the sky. Her shadows are handling the demons around her, but her hands are free. She’s so clearly focused on the ancient angel she isn’t thinking clearly; she’s clouded with revenge. I need to get everyone out of here, I need to keep her safe.
Judd touches her arm, saying, “Mara, there’s too many of them.” His hands are shaking, but he isn’t covered in blood like the rest of us. He’s mostly been doing clean-up and sending angels who have been taken down into nothingness.
“Portal him home,” she commands, nudging her head at Judd.How does she know I can portal someone without their permission?Judd’s eyes go wide as I touch his arm and send him back to Hell. Elvor is managing the last few angels as we wait for the next batch to cross the valley.
“He’s going to be pissed,” Elvor warns as he thrusts a dagger into the nearest angel’s throat. He’s covered in blood, more than anyone else on the battlefield.
“I’d rather keep him safe,” she replies, looking at me. “Are you with me?” she asks.
I shake my head and look around. “We can’t win this. We need more bodies.”
She scoffs, and she stands before me, her hand cupping my face as her shadows keep any remaining angels at bay. The current flock of new angels is getting closer by the second, and I know we should be retreating. “Are you willing to bleed for me?” she asks.
“Yes,” I answer plainly. I’d put my life down for her.
