Semantics of Free Will

Bea and Lilith both lay dazed on the floor of the hallway where they landed facing each other. They quickly locked eyes.

“You take Ava!” yelled Bea.

“You take Camila!” yelled Lilith at the same time.

Bea got to her feet. “Get her outside Lilith!” she yelled as she sprinted towards Camila. She was forced to dive to the floor, smoothly sliding on her knees, as another bolt flew at her face. Immediately back on her feet she tried desperately to close the distance before Camila could take another shot with her weapon.

She almost made it. Camila was able to reload but was not able to bring the crossbow to bear as Bea dove at her midsection and tackled her. She fired as they went to the ground and Bea screamed in agony as the bolt punctured through skin and sheared through muscle, lodging itself into her left hip.

Lilith charged for Ava, making as if to attack the Warrior Nun. As Ava braced for whatever attack was about to come at her, Lilith quickly teleported behind the other woman, wrapped her arms around her chest and teleported them both out of the hallway.

The impact with the floor momentarily stunned Camila, allowing Bea to reach for the hand holding the crossbow. As she made to slam it onto the ground Camila’s left hand came up wielding another bolt like a knife and Bea was forced to grab her other wrist as well. All thoughts of disarming moves and submission holds were quickly swept away in pain and anger. This had quickly turned into an outright brawl as Camila now brought the crown of her head up hard at Bea’s face. Luckily she was able to turn her head and take the blow on the side of her face instead of directly on the bridge of her nose. She could fight with a black eye; a hard shot to the nose would have left her at the young nun’s mercy.

Using her thumb on a pressure point in Camila’s wrist, she forced the other woman to drop the crossbow bolt then quickly used both hands to disarm her of the crossbow. Pushing the weapon away, she quickly, if unsteadily got to her feet.

They circled each other, a trail of crimson following the taller sister warrior’s steps around the hallway. “Camila?” asked Bea shakily. “What are you doing? What is going on?”

Camila’s answer was a scream of rage as she charged at Beatrice, attempting to land a kick onto the older woman’s injured hip. A fiery burn radiated out through her leg and midsection as Bea took the blow and caught the younger woman’s foot. She held her for less than an instant before landing a hard punch to Camila’s gut, forcing the air out of her lungs but not causing any severe damage.

“You’ll have to do better than that, Cam,” Bea taunted her as the nun regained her breath. Blood was flowing down her leg now, causing her pants to stick. The floor was becoming slick and she had to pay close attention to her footing.

Camila leered at her with a malevolent smile. “Taunting, Beatrice? Are you suddenly worried about me? Prissy little Camila is a threat to the badass sister warrior?”

“What is happening, Camila?” asked Bea. She could feel the beads of cold sweat running down her face as for the first time she noticed the sound of a Halo blast from outside. “Why are you doing this?” Her voice was breaking slightly.

Camila didn’t answer; she reached behind her, whipped out an expandable baton and immediately swung for Bea’s head. The older sister warrior blocked the attack with both forearms and quickly landed a soft jab to the other woman’s chest. Camila feinted another swing to Bea’s left and dove at her when she went to block. Bea twisted around and was able to hip toss her to the ground. Unfortunately, her injured hip was forced to take all of the leverage and her leg gave out, sending her to the floor with the younger woman.

They fought in the courtyard. Lilith was stunned by the sheer ferocity of Ava’s attacks. She was constantly on the defensive. A vicious spin kick at her head forced her to teleport a few meters away. Three of the sister warriors ran over and Ava immediately sent a Halo blast in their direction, sending them flying into the air.

At that moment, Dora and Yasmine came sprinting into the hall. “What is going on?” yelled Dora. “Why is Ava fighting Lil…” She stopped immediately as she took in the scene before her. Beatrice and Camila were lying on the floor, painted red with streaks of blood. Another blast shook the hallway as Bea slowly tried to get up.

“Dora!” she shouted, “Get outside and help Lilith! Be careful of Ava! Go!”

The sister warrior immediately ran passed, leaving Yasmine alone with them in the hallway.

“Yasmine,” panted Bea as she watched Camila get back to her feet. “Help me up, quickly!” Yasmine sprang forward and grabbed Bea from under her shoulders and helped her stand. “What is happening?” Bea asked. Camila was up and slowly moving again with her baton. Bea pushed Yasmine behind her, keeping herself between the other two women.

“Ava went crazy,” said Yasmine, sounding terrified. “She’s been fighting with Lilith but also attacking the other sisters whenever they get too close.”

“Do you hear that Camila?” Bea yelled. “She’s hurting your sisters. You are hurting your sisters!”

“Don’t talk to me about hurting sisters!” Camila growled at her. Her face was twisted in a furious grimace. “You’ve done more damage to us than anyone ever could!”

“What are you—Yasmine get back!” Camila had charged again and Bea was forced to defend herself. This time, when Camila went high, she went low and rolled through her legs, tripping her up and causing her to crash face first onto the floor. Bea was on her immediately, slamming her hand into the ground again and again until she forced the weapon out. As she let go, Camila twisted underneath the older woman and slammed her elbow hard into Bea’s ribs, recoiled and then backhanded a fist into the side of the older woman’s face, sending her sprawling onto the ground.

Bea was able to roll over in time for Camila to spring on top of her and they grappled on the floor. Camila was shrieking. “You left us! You betrayed us! You gave us all up for her!” She rained blow after blow onto Beatrice and it was all the she could do to keep blocking and defending herself.

A Halo blast sent Lilith flying but she summoned her wings and took off into the sky. She had thought to lure the other woman away but Ava stayed on the ground, watching her with a look of utter disdain. “Come down and fight, traitor!” Ava shouted, disgust dripping off of her words. When Lilith stayed in the sky, the Warrior Nun turned her attention to the sister warriors in the yard who were scattered behind makeshift cover. Before Ava could level another Halo blast at Sister Dora, Lilith dove at her, claws outstretched.

Yasmine was there with her other sisters and they were able to pull the kicking and screaming nun off of her.

Bea slowly sat up and spit out a mouthful of blood from her cut lip, the metallic tang coating her mouth. She looked over at Camila, who was still struggling as the other sister warriors forced her onto her knees. It looked like they could barely keep the small woman restrained. Bea caught eyes with her and for a moment, Camila’s fury faded into anguish. “Why did you choose the Halo Bearer? Why were you so selfish?”

Choose the Halo Bearer?

Camila had never called Ava the Halo Bearer. Ever. Not even once since they had first found her. Bea’s eyes widened in shock.

“Reya!”

The young nun stopped struggling. She fixed Bea with an icy glare and an evil grin. “The Halo is mine! Once you are gone, the Halo Bearer will return to me.”

Silence filled the room, the only sounds were the distant noises from the fight happening outside. Bea looked quickly to Yasmine. Her eyes were wide and her mouth had fallen open; her face holding a look of shock and horror that Bea knew must be mirrored on her own. She quickly schooled her features.

“You’re wrong Reya,” said Bea shaking her head. “She would never join you—certainly not now.”

“You were all that was keeping her here!” Camila yelled in a voice that did not quite fit the young nun.

“Camila!” Bea said, remembering Ava’s story about Reya’s realm and ignoring the other being in her friend’s head. “You are stronger than her! Can you hear me?” She crawled over to the other woman who was still being held down on her knees on the floor. “She cannot control you if you don’t let her!”

Camila laughed. “This one is already mine!”

“Cam?” Bea put her hands gently on her friend’s face, holding them in place as the younger woman struggled. “I’m sorry I hurt you.” Camila stopped struggling and stared at her, eyes wide. Tears were running down Bea’s face as she continued talking. “I’m sorry I left. I was selfish. I didn’t think about you.” She was crying fully now. “I was stuck in my own grief and I wasn’t there for you and—and I didn’t allow you to be there for me. I’m so, so sorry, Camila!”

Camila continued staring at her, a look of recognition passing over her face. “Bea?”

“Cam!” Bea almost shouted her name. “Listen to me, she cannot overpower you. She cannot defeat your free will!”

Camila’s face turned ugly with resentment and then briefly back to normal. Her eyes were wide watery circles. She whimpered.

“Camila!” said Bea harshly. “You are stronger than she is! She is weak! She cannot beat you! Don’t let her!”

“Bea!” Camila pleaded, “Help me!” She sounded terrified. Suddenly she screamed, her cry ripping through the hall. Anguish and misery and torment made solid, bouncing off the walls and crashing through the sisters.

“Let her go!” yelled Bea and Camila collapsed into her arms as both hands reached for the back of her neck as she continued to scream. The answer clicked immediately into place for Beatrice.

“Divinium!” she said to everyone and no one all at once. She looked to Yasmine. “Secure her in the infirmary!” She was up and moving almost before her friend was out of her arms.

“You two,” she said to Eileen and Rosemary, “with me!” She sprinted down the hallway; adrenaline and desperation combining to dull the pain in her injured hip.

By the time they made it the short way to the courtyard and exterior training grounds, Bea was not sprinting anymore. In fact, Eileen had to take her arm over her shoulders to keep the older sister warrior moving. They found Mother Superion hiding behind cover as they all took in the battle between Ava and Lilith. Lilith was flying through the air, taunting Ava but staying far enough away to avoid engaging her. Ava was levitating to reach her but, thankfully, had not removed the Halo to attack.

“We pulled back,” said Mother Superion as Beatrice approached with the two rookies. “Every time we’ve broken cover she’s attacked us. No casualties, but a lot of injuries.” Her eyes lingered on Bea’s blood-soaked leg. “What happened to you?”

“Camila,” said Bea. Mother’s eyebrows flew up. “Reya had possessed her. She’s controlling them through divinium in their bodies.” She took a deep breath. “This was an assassination attempt.”

“Who’s the target?” asked Rosemary.

Bea only raised her eyebrows at Mother Superion. “Reya wants Ava back. That’s what she told me through Camila. She thinks if she kills me she can control Ava enough to get her to return. She won’t have anything else tying her here.” Another blast of the Halo at a group of nuns forced Lilith to the ground for a hand-to-hand fight. Bea marveled for a moment as she watched the two godlike warriors attack each other. Lilith was constantly teleporting around and behind Ava while the younger woman was moving so fast it was hard to follow.

“What do you suggest we do?” asked the older woman.

“Give her what she wants,” Bea replied seriously.

“Beatrice…”

“Ava will not hurt me.” Bea turned to the other women. “Rose, help gather up the wounded and get them out of here,” she ordered. “Eileen, help me get to that low wall over there.”

Bea and Sister Eileen knelt behind the wall, unnoticed by either of the two combatants. “Okay,” said Bea. “Get yourself to safety.”

“I want to help,” the young nun protested.

“You have,” Bea replied, “and she will kill you if you stay. Go! Now!”

Bea turned to check on the battle but was immediately forced to duck as a burst of power rushed in her direction. She turned in time to see the ground behind Eileen explode as the young woman tried to retreat to safety. Her eyes widened in shock and fear.

No!

The earth stood still as Bea watched the young woman whom she had long since taken under her wing fly through the air. Her heart, already racing, was threatening to escape her chest. Then Dora and two other sisters were there to catch the flying nun and break her fall safely. Bea could breathe again. With a look of grim determination, she stood up from behind her shelter and faced her girlfriend.

“Ava!” She shouted the Warrior Nun’s name, refusing to acknowledge Reya’s presence, even though she knew that her lover probably could not hear her yet.

Ava turned to look at her, levitating in the air above a wooden pell.

“You missed,” she said simply. She nearly flinched, burned by the hatred that radiated off the young woman. But she held steady, her gaze penetrating deep into Ava’s dark chocolate eyes, trying to melt them to reach the woman she knew was hidden underneath.

Ava said nothing, pushing a foot off the post she flew at Beatrice. Her eyes narrowed and her lips sneered as she flew fast through the air at the indomitable sister warrior. Bea stood tall, preparing her body for the impact all the while desperately hoping she would not need to.

A black shape flew through the air and barreled into the Warrior Nun just as she had reached striking distance.

“Are you crazy, Beatrice?” Lilith yelled at her friend.

“Lilith!” replied Bea, silently thanking the demon warrior for her timing. “We need her to use the Halo!”

“She is using the Halo!” shouted Lilith, lifting her hands over and over to fend off blows from the smaller woman. “What the hell do you think has been happening out here?”

“More! She needs to focus on it!”

“How?”

Bea hesitated and then decided she needed to try her plan again.

“Let her go!” she said confidently. “Leave us out here alone!”

“Beatrice!” Lilith started to argue.

“Just do it, Lilith!”

Lilith teleported away, leaving Ava and Bea staring at each other across the sparring grounds. Ava slowly began walking in her direction and Bea could still feel the animosity directed at her. It hurt worse than any wound to have Ava looking at her that way. Especially knowing, as she did, that not all of the anger was manufactured by Reya. Enough of it was real that it made her heart break.

They were within an arm’s length of each other. “I know you won’t hurt me,” said Bea, her voice shaking ever so slightly. “She cannot make you, Ava.”

Ava snarled at her. “The Halo Bearer is mine!” Quicker than a flash she stepped forward and delivered a vicious open-handed slap across Bea’s face, reopening her lip. Bea stood firm and took the hit with a quiet grunt, noting with satisfaction that the other woman had not engaged the Halo.

She looked back at Ava with tears streaming down her bloody and bruised face. She spoke to her quietly. “Ava, I’m sorry.” The Halo Bearer flinched. “I’m sorry I lied to you. I lied about Lilith and then again about Reya. I know that I hurt you. I hope you will forgive me.”

Ava’s eyes went wide, “Bea?”

“I’m here, darling,” she replied, keeping her same calm tone. The young woman’s visage became horrible again.

“You lied to me! You betrayed me!” Ava screamed at her. “All of this could have been avoided if it wasn’t for you! I gave up everything for you! Why didn’t you trust me?”

“I do trust you Ava,” she replied firmly. “You may not think that I do because I hid the truth from you. But I am standing here, right now, in front of you and at your mercy, trusting that you will not let Reya control you. Trusting that you will not hurt me. Trusting that you love me.”

Ava’s lips trembled and tears sprang to her eyes as her face softened again. “Bea?” she asked her voice breaking as she started to cry. “Bea what…” She grunted in pain as she grabbed her stomach and doubled over before falling to the ground onto her hands and knees.

“Ava, listen to me!” Bea said urgently as she dropped to the ground with her girlfriend. “Reya was controlling you with divinium. She must have left some in you when she healed you. You have to find it!”

Ava yelled in pain, “I can’t!” then she took on that same rage-filled look from before. “Get away from me!”

“Just like with the Halo, darling,” said Bea, grabbing her wrists and ignoring the threatening looks. “Use the Halo and feel the divinium.” She was dimly aware that a group of sister warriors had gathered around them in silence.

Suddenly Ava released a primal bloodcurdling shriek that vibrated through Bea’s very soul—the Halo ringing out a clear and pure tone as it shone brilliantly. The Warrior Nun’s entire body tensed and Bea could smell burning flesh and saw smoke rising up from below her abdomen. “Lift her shirt!” she ordered, “Now!” It was Mother Superion who ran forward and pulled Ava’s shirt up her torso. Bea leaned down and could see the blue glow underneath the skin in the other girl’s stomach. As Ava continued screaming in pain she watched, horrified but utterly transfixed, as the glowing metal burned its way through Ava’s skin and out onto the ground; blood, bile and other contents of the Warrior Nun’s gut staining the dirt.

Ava moaned as the Halo already began healing her. Her breathing was shallow and her face was covered in tears, sweat and snot from crying and straining. She looked up at Bea with bloodshot eyes. “Bea?”

The sister warrior’s heart finally shattered. “I’ve got you darling,” she said as she gently pulled them closer together, Mother Superion helping support the young Warrior Nun. Ava didn’t respond. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she fainted. Bea quickly felt her strong pulse—she’s alive— then broke down in tears as she held her. The sister warriors stood around them, heads bowed in silence.