Chapter 116 - Preparing for War
Hope POV.
When Erick arrived at the temple along with Rachel and Joshua, I already knew it was bad news, actually just confirmation of what we already expected.
I let them make plans, but I didn't attend the meeting, it was indifferent to me, that was already accounted for in my plans, and I smiled. How did the King think it would be so simple to capture me, especially with the Castle under attack?
Right now, I am watching my Father's vines, seeing how the grapes are changing color, becoming darker, and some are already rotting. This Garden is restricted, and not even my Chosen Ones can enter here without me wanting to and now I don't want to... Loneliness is part of my process.
I took a bunch that was still ripe and had not rotted. I felt the perfect and sugary taste, in addition, I can also feel part of the remaining energy of the Festival and it is a strange feeling for others because my vision is confused, and I lose the ground for a moment. I take a deep breath, and everything returns to normal.
"Father, the future is uncertain, I know what the Other Gods expect of me... But I don't even know if I will be able to reach that level." I spoke softly. "How can I blindly follow the path THEY want, if even THEY don't know if it's the best path?"
I can feel my Father's aura around me, and I know I am welcomed by Him.
"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter which path I choose, does it? It will all come down to how this first battle goes." I sighed and like a breeze caressing my face I can feel my Father's presence fade away.
I finished eating the bunch of grapes, bent down, planted it in the soil and only after that I left the garden and I'm in my room again. It's been practically two days since I left here, but that's okay.
I feel the presence of my five Chosen close by, and it's not long before the door opens, and they walk in. I smile, this is a sight I intend to carry into the next life if I have one. They are chatting and interacting like old friends and companions. This is one of the happy moments I will carry.
Lestat and Marcus are not pecking each other, and their auras are relaxed, the same thing happens between my werewolves, they no longer feel threatened. I don't even know if, by the end of tomorrow, they will all be here and if I could, I would keep this vision in a jar so they would never forget it existed.
I see the five of them stop and look at me.
"Hey..." Dylan is the first to speak and approach. "Are you okay?"
I realize my face is wet, and I nod, wiping those tears away.
"Yeah, I'm just happy," I answered truthfully and saw them relax. I let out a low laugh. "Come on, we need to sleep, because the night will be hard."
The good thing about being the High Priestess of the Temple is that the room had actually been modified to fit everyone because each of them has a different personality and different ways of dressing and it's nice to see them interacting without worrying if they'll find something they like in the closet.
Bath time was no different, as the bathroom was gigantic and there was a shower or bathtub for everyone. I took the opportunity to join in the fun and just for a few hours, I will forget that there is a war outside as I am around those I love and who love me... Not only that, but they love each other.
As we lie down, we share another intimate and erotic moment, as my eyes are closed, I can see everyone's smile as our bodies and souls are entwined.
......
I already knew before the sun came up that something would happen - I can feel it coming through the air tonight, - so when I open my eyes, I don't need anyone to tell me what's going to happen. I get up quietly and walk to the window. My Chosen are still sleeping, and I let them rest.
-"Oh, God! I have been waiting for this moment all my life."- My voice rang out low and melodious, as I see in the skies the great clouds forming and being lit up by bluish thunder, but there is no sound, for even among the clouds the moon shines imperative and it is like seeing all five phases of it at once, as the clouds move.
-"I remember, don't worry."- Again I speak to something that is not physically in front of me, but my voice is carried by the air, and I know it reaches the ears of those we will face.
All the air seems to stagnate as the earth itself is preparing to withstand what is to come and I know that in the far, far distance the first attacks have already been launched, but I trust those around me, my allies.
A smile forms on my lips as I delight in how the beings around me, beyond the temple, begin to destabilize, especially those on the edge of the dome my Father built to protect this capital.
I know that '-I will not just survive-', for I am not on this Earth for just that, I know that I will win. My eyes then move away from the horizon, and I focus on the space below the Temple, in that long circular courtyard and there are those promised by the Lady of the Lake, not only that, but I also see other warriors sent by the Dragon Lord.
"Today is a great day to die." My voice sounded louder, and I let my aura expand and those who were trying to pierce my Father's barrier was thrown away.
"Oh yes... Today is a great day to die." I repeated, and I know that my Chosen are now awake.
They had never seen me assume a position like I am now or with the aura I emanate. My time on the Divine plane taught me many things, one of which is to stand as a Goddess on Earth.
'-"In the midst of Madness and Chaos, -' I will walk." I spread my hands along my body and the vines that are by me move, cutting the skin and my blood begins to flow, but without ever touching the ground, for they are absorbed.
"-How could I forget-" the teachings that the Gods themselves gave me? Death is just another step. Life is just part of a cycle and the Infinite and the Void meet to cause Chaos.
"-I can feel what is coming in the air tonight, I have been waiting for this all my life." I can finally feel my whole body covered in the armor I have earned.
It is composed of several rose bushes. Their thorns penetrate my skin and cut it, feeding on my blood and my aura, while small vines move through my veins and arteries. There is something powerful in what I am doing, something that should not even be in this earthly realm and yet, here I am.
The sound of lightning echoes strongly, along with shooting stars that flash in the sky and explode before they even hit the ground.
"-Oh, Gods, I know the reason for You to remain silent." And he smiles, taking a deep breath and smelling the scent of fear, horror, despair and disbelief as even the most faithful begin to question in their hearts if the Gods can really save them from what is to come.
"But don't worry...'- I will fight, I will fight it.'-"
My voice rang out just as a great cloud of soot, embers and black fire took over the entire perimeter and skies of the capital. Everyone can see what they are about to face, they are long corrupted beings, mixed among the smoke, with hair, mouths, arms, legs and many other pieces of bodies that come together in non-human or even recognizable shapes.
Masses of despair and pain, that's what those creatures were, they feed on those feelings, getting stronger and I know many wonders how it hasn't taken over the streets, houses, bodies and souls yet.
"'-And the vultures begin to circle, they are whispering: Your Time is up. -'" My voice rings out in amusement, because honestly? How can I fear these shadows I already know?
"Ah, I had forgotten... '-This is not a mistake.' It was programmed... -Don't worry. I've been waiting for this all my life. And this time... I'm not alone."
All those who once said I couldn't make it fall silent, for around me are my Chosen Five and just as I draw strength from their auras and their confidence, so do they.
"Ah, definitely... Miss Black, today is an excellent day to die."
I hear Erick's voice echo so close to me and my laughter along with his mixes together and makes even those corrupted beings shiver and cringe.
There is no need for me to say anything, for we are attuned and the moment I propelled my body to jump over the balcony railing, my Chosen and the Prince followed. As our bodies fell the barrier that was around the capital collapsed and if the King or anyone had thought of attacking us, he had already changed his order, because there are many innocents to be rescued. After all, the King did not believe that such a big attack would happen in his domains. I was mistaken, that's why I didn't worry so much when they told me they had an order to capture me.
Then when I touched the ground, the streets of the city were already infested and around me, a circle was formed, my Chosen and my Allies protect me, in front of me I see that shadow that moves and resembles someone, someone I swore to protect and that I would now destroy, because for me, there was no turning back.
"-I saw your face before-" I bowed briefly and those around me stopped, it was as if Time was recording what would happen. "I remembered... I know who you are."
That shadow that was standing in front, with my Five Chosen blocking its passage, but still everyone could see, for the shadows and darkness around that being moved like tentacles ready to attack and it was a simple movement that revealed its face.
"Melvin."