Chapter 56
Meanwhile outside
Abyss was having fun, playing with her food. She sent the cultist, ones that still retained some humanity, scattering to the woods. She picked them off one by one, devouring their souls. She did not hear the commotion fight below the Cabin, but she did spot Hanna’s friends running along the lake side. Guiding a pack of humans along with them. She counted the faces and realised to her concern; Hanna wasn’t among them.
She killed her latest catch and fled to the group.
Something was terribly wrong; she could feel it brewing in her soul.
She grabbed Persephone by the scruff of her jacket and pulled her away from the others. Everyone, but her friends fled the scene, sprinting faster from the Shadow. Persephone instinct pressed the barrel of her gun in Abyss’s abdomen. She didn’t care for the iron. “Where is Hanna!” she insisted.
The blonde shock her head. “She’s in there”
Abyss’s eyes widen and her grip on the blonde faulted. “what?”
“The cabin” Persephone repeated. Her face morphed to disbelief
“where the fuck have you been!” she sneered.
The Devil let her go. “Stay here, I’ll get her out safely” she swore. She turned to the Cabin and morphed into a cloud of shadow. The Devil kicked off the ground and flew for the building. The wind ripped in her wake, shredding trees to their knees, sending the humans stumbling to the ground and the water ripped from the blast.
The Crew gathered themselves up first and watched the Shadow descend on the Cabin. Forcing herself inside.
“Well fuck” Kit comment. She dusted herself off, then helped her girlfriend up to her feet, then offered the same help to Persephone. “Whatever is in there ain’t coming out alive”
Persephone took the offer. “Do we trust her to keep them safe?”
“Yeah I think so dude”
“May the Dark Goddess give them strength” Addams prayed. She turned to her girlfriend and friend, adding “I trust this Devil to keep her word”
Kit nodded, then turned to Persephone and asked “Do you?”
Persephone shock her head. “No” she confessed. “But I hope she does”
Under the Cabin
Hanna came to with the feeling of something slippery compressing on her wings. Climbing their way up. A sudden stabbing sensation startled her awake. She looked down to the tentacles wrapped around most of her wings, compressing her body together and suddenly she was dragged along the ground to the Angelic.
She screamed and she thrashed.
She forced her few freed wings into the concrete, stopping herself from being dragged any closer to Damion. “HELP!” she screamed. “SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!” she looked to her family for help, but they needed it as much as her. Broken, bleeding and unconscious. The Tarasks powers worked slowly to heal their wounds, but none were helping her anytime soon. So, she screamed again.
“Scream all you like!” Damion laughed. “No One will save you”
Hanna turned to him, “Perhaps” she agreed. A dark determine grin spread on her face. “It also means you’re stuck with me”
He laughed at her words, deferring her as nothing more then foolish child.
Hanna didn’t mind the insult, it worked to her advantage. She needed to gather all the strength she could muster before he dragged her close. For her to defeat him, she concluded a close attack was essential. If he believed his powers were far superior then she will let him drop his guard. Let him believe her size was weakness. Let him believe this, until she was close enough to grow. To use her wings to fill this room and shred him into pieces no bigger than her teeth.
All she needed was patience and presession.
The door burst open and fell to the ground.
Both Angelics turned to the doorway as Abyss sauntered into the room. Stepping over the doors and taking a stand in the middle of the unconscious group. She surveyed a quick glance over each warrior, then Hanna and finally Damion. “My my what a mess you are” Abyss laughed. Her smile twisted darkly with teeth bared. “Did you really think you could hurt her and get away with it!”
“Abyss” Hanna cried out happily.
Abyss turned to Hanna and her smile changed to her smirk. “Hello Darling, I’m home”
Hanna scoffed. “And what sort of time do you call this?”
“And what do you call this?” Abyss asked, gesturing to the situation Hanna was in. “I thought you were going to look after him”
“And I thought we were going to stop them together?” Hanna responded.
The Devil nodded with a pleased smile. She snapped her fingers and sparks of shadow flew from her finger tips. They sliced through the tentacle shackles, setting the Hybrid free. Damion howled, recalling his injured tentacles. The severed pieces twitched and danced all over the pavement. Shadow snared them and began devouring them piece by piece. Every mouthful made the shadow grow in size before the tentacles all, but vanished and soon, the shadow disappeared as well.
Hanna scurried back. Injured, but her recovery was nearly done.
Abyss helped Hanna back, then took a stand in front of the Hybrid. “stay back” she advised. She turned to Hanna with a cocky smile “Sorry my Darling, but this one is mine”
Hanna chuckled “sure”
“What are you!” Damion sneered.
Abyss laughed, slowly turning back to him.
Damion leaned over his belly and roared “WHAT ARE YOU!”
“A Devil-“
“-Devil Ha! You’re more of a Demon’s mutt” Damion laughed. He leaned back and laughed mockingly. “You got no Power over me Demon, your power is merrily an eighth of what I’m capable of”
Abyss laughed, causing Damion to stop. “Can you believe this guy?” Abyss laughed, turning to Hanna briefly, gesturing to the Angelic. “Look at his confidence, my it’s impressive” she complimented. She turned back to him and grinned darkly. “It’s the only impressive thing about him, starring down in the face of Death, into the eyes of Hell and waving away with fate with a flick of his wrist” she paused to laugh. “I am not a Demon and no ordinary Devil”
His glee dropped from his face. He leaned closer. “who are you?”
“I am many things, but to you…Death”
Abyss thrust her hands out wide and Hell fire sparked from her being. Flooding the room and the Angelic. He screamed as the Hell fire came bounding its way to him, capturing his body, burning the flesh and soul.
You will never hear anyone scream like he did.
Gold sparked from his being, leaking out into reality. “NO NO NO!” he screamed, trying to drag the dust back in. The flames overtook the body and suddenly, the screams vanished.
Abyss frowned. A quick shake of her head and she cursed the coward under her breath.
The air was filling with toxic smoke and it made Hanna choke. She coughed her lungs out and let out a tired whisper “abyss”. The Devil turned back as Hanna collapsed back into unconscious sleep. The last she saw, was Hellfire and those Devil eyes of Abyss.
She came too again, this time by the feeling of many hands touching her body. The afraid whispers of her family passed over head. The warm legs and lap underneath her body. The comforting touch of Ava’s healing magic working its way over any wounds her own powers have yet to touch.
Opening her eyes, she was greeted, again by Abyss. They were the first set of eyes she saw, starring down at her full of worry. Fire’s light from the Cabin dancing on half her face, the other half blended in darkness with only her eyes glow for light. She held that gaze for quite some time.
They regrouped at Addam’s cabin, the family stayed close together by the cabin while the victims cling to the lake watching the cabin burn.
“Hey sweetpea” her mother’s voice called out and soon her face appeared in her vision. “how you doing?” Ava asked.
Hanna smiled. “fine” she answered.
“We were worried for a moment”
“Well so was I, for you guys I mean”
Ava nodded. She helped her daughter up and the others leaned back to give her space. She watched Hanna look around, smiling to the family friends around her. “Now, you know what I’m going to say…” Ava spoke.
Hanna groaned. “Yes I know I’m grounded”
“Good” Ava laughed. She pulled her daughter into her arms and held her tight. “I’m happy you’re okay”
“I’m okay” Hanna answered cheerfully. She pulled back, only for Beatrice to take her into her own arms.
“You okay?” her voice whispered, muffled by the tight grip she held her daughter.
“I’m okay, you?”
Beatrice nodded. “I’m okay” Beatrice answered and she pulled back. She and her wife, helped their daughter upright. Till she was floating above the ground. The gentle flutter of wings and the roar of fire behind them the only sounds heard.
“You really do know how to make an entrance hey Captain” Mary laughed and she hugged her niece.
“I learned from the best”
“That you did”
“You do realise you were almost caught today?” Lilith asked, her tone full of worry.
“Almost” Hanna pointed out cheekily. “but yes I know, that was too close”
“Way too close!” Lilith hugged her niece and held her tight for a moment. Then let her go.
Camila didn’t say anything at first, the tears welling in her eyes said enough. She took her niece into her arms, held tight and whispered “I’m so happy your safe”
“thanks aunty”
Next was Serita’s turn, she stepped forward and took her niece into her arms will informing “For a final time, please don’t do that again”
“I’lll try not to”
“ugh yep, heard that before” Serita chuckled, gesturing the other aunties with a sly smile.
Kit and Addams pushed their way in next. Giving Hanna a bear hug without any chance to escape.
Persephone joined in slowly. Her lingering hesitation didn’t go unnoticed to the Hybrid. She took a few steps forward until she was by Addam’s side. She waited until Hanna looked up from the embrace and held her worried gaze.
Hanna was too stunned for words. It was a frightening sight to see the woman she loved look at her with such fear and worry.
For a moment, Hanna thought she will keep the distance between them. Instead, with a deep unsteady breath, Persephone closed the gap, wrapping her arms around Hanna. Hanna made sure to stay perfectly still, not to startle her ex away. “you’re here” the blonde whispered relieved.
“I’m here” Hanna pulled her eye back and looked over her friends to Abyss.
Abyss gave her a knowing smile. “I wasn’t worried”
“Thanks” she pulled away and turned to the pile her skin laid curled by her parents feet. She cleared her throat and moved to the pile of skin. “I’m just going to..change..be right back”
“don’t go too far” Beatrice advise.
“Yes mum” Hanna answered. She picked up her shell and flew away from her family. The others allowed her be, moving away to take a better look at the burning cabin. Abyss watched them walk past her before she slipped away from the crowd.
Hanna found herself an empty patch and was about to climb inside the skin when she heard footsteps behind her. She jumped, turning to the source and sighed relieved at the sight of Abyss approaching.
“Why do you hide yourself?” Abyss spoke.
The question was unexpected and so earnest, Hanna didn’t know how to respond. “i-i-I don’t” she answered. “not really, this” she gestured to her human form “and this” she gestured to her angelic form. “are both me”
Abyss nodded, pleased with the answer. “Good” she answered. She moved closer to Hanna. She raised her hands up and started stroking Hanna’s nearest and largest mouthed wing. “you are too beautiful to hide yourself from the world”
Hanna’s eyes flushed pink. “I-uh-shut up” she pulled away embarrassed.
“I’m serious, does my words sound like lies. You are not like any Angelic being I ever come across” Abyss confessed.
“You think I’m beautiful?”
“Beautiful and dangerous” Abyss confessed in loving tone. She picked up Hanna’s wing and pressed a kiss to the feathers. “Kind and fearless, a beautiful warrior. Whole armies will flee in terror, Warrior Queen”
Hanna flushed by the love, she thought. She never heard compliments like hers before, she hoped they were compliments. “thank you, where is this coming from?”
“just thought you needed a reminder, darling”
She guessed right. “Well thank you” Hanna comment, she turned to Abyss and grinned. Throwing caution to the wind, she admitted truthly “I think you’re beautiful too, sexy and terrifying”
“Why thank you darling” Abyss replied with a curtsy bow.
Hanna gestured to her skin suit “may I?”
“oh yes of course” Abyss spoke and so kindly turned around. She heard the rustling of restless feathers, quite cursing and later, the sounds of skin stitching back together, but she dared not turn back, not until Hanna was ready.
Abyss knew it was time, when she fell fingers tap on her shoulder. She turned back and Hanna was standing right behind her.
“You know, when you came to the cabin, I was certain who was standing behind the door. Then I saw you and I was confused, but now…now I get it”
Abyss gulped, a sudden case of nervous came across her. “get what?”
Hanna raised her eyebrows up, encouraging Abyss on, but the Devil, read her facial expression, did not elaborate. Hanna gave a short sigh, with a small smile. “Okay” she comment. “you know my angelic can sense certain people, threats and friends, no matter where they are in the room and what they look like”
Abyss raised her eyebrow at her. “Which one am I?”
“Friend” Hanna quickly clarified, it didn’t sound right on her tongue, but she didn’t want to throw false hopes into the wind. “I mean, if you want to?” she asked softly.
“I would enjoy that”
“Great, great…great” Hanna spoke. She looked past Abyss to the others, then back to the Devil and insisted “Come on let’s get out of here” she took Abyss’s hand and led the Devil back to the others.
At the lake, they watched the Cabin burn.
A sense of relief came over almost everyone in the group. The danger was gone. The victims held each other and the Crew held each other’s hands.
Abyss didn’t share this sentiment. She wished she could stand with the others and rest in the knowledge the Angelic was dead, but that was not true. She could not sense where he fled to, but she knew he was out there.
No matter, she will find him and she will devour his soul whole.
Abyss returned to her ship with the intensions to gather latest reports on her portal and a drink before she hit the road hunting.
Abyss crossed the length of her ship unaware of her surroundings. Her mind was on Hanna and planning strategies to protect her and her family. The latter surprised her, but it felt fair if she were to protect one, she protect them all. For Hanna wouldn’t forgive her for letting them die. Besides, she liked them.
There was a strange air to the ship this night. In appearance, it seemed all was well and on schedule.
Still, one shouldn’t be under cautious.
The Devil entered her office and found the place was destroyed. She paused mid step passed the doorway. Her glass window was shattered, papers scattered, books thrown on the verge of tearing and her chair tossed aside. She frowned confused at the strangeness of this discovery.
She walked through the room. The crunch of glass echoed under her feet.
As she explored, Harlow entered the room. First peaking his head past the doorframe, then crept into the room. His movements were skittish. He followed with his eyes over the room unblinking.
Abyss stopped in the middle of the room. Her back to him, she shock her head. “You’re skills are lacking Harlow, I can smell your breath”
Harlow chuckled nervously. “My apologies my lord, the chef’s stew is heavy on the garlic tonight”
“Oh” Abyss turned to him with a hopeful smile. “Are there any leftovers?”
“A bowl has been saved for you, master”
“Excellent, thank you, now was that all or were you looking for something else?” She asked. “Perhaps tell me what you let inside my chamber?”
“There is something I wish to discuss”
“Then speak freely”
He nodded. He wondered closer, to arms reach. He grasped his hands together and wondered “it’s about your pet, the Hybrid”
Abyss’s smile dropped. “What about her?”
“I fear she is getting in the way of the mission. With your permission, two squads will descend on this Hybrid and kill her. Once dead our mission to find the King will continue”
“No”
“No?” Harlow spoke confused.
“No” Abyss informed. “Our mission is to get that portal online”
“The portal doesn’t work Master”
“It will”
“Master” he pleaded, stepping closer. “Finding the King’s body is paramount. He died long ago and he needs to be laid to rest.” She looked away from him, he tried to follow her gaze to remain contact. “Can we agree this revenge plan has failed and we can all go back home”
“I can’t return without him” she grunted, turning away from Harlow to the deck, she muttered further “mother won’t allow it”
He shock his head. “Master you are the one in charge, not her” he reminded. “This fight with the Angelics cannot continue any longer” he pleaded. “Kill the Hybrid, recover the King and this will all be over”
She understood why he pleaded with her. This world was not theirs and home was so close, but out of reach. She understood his tiredness. Still, she took a deep breath and recoiled at the stench hanging off his clothes. She turned to him and questioned “Why are you insistent of the Hybrid’s death?”
He gulped terrified. “Master I don’t know what you mean-“
Abyss snatched him by the throat, thrusting her claws under his skin and pulled him close.
Suddenly armed humans and her guards rushed in. Sprinting to her. She glared at the people, then turned to Harlow.
“I’m sorry” he whispered.
One guard rushed Abyss and swung the back of his sword on her head. The metal hit her with a bang and her world went black.
When she awoken; she was propped upright, sitting on her legs, like a toy. Surrounded by those she called her loyal Army. Her body pinned by Angelic spears made of light. Very old magic from the war. A final touch was two of her Wraith Demon possessed guards stood either side of her.
Among the humans and the Demons, she saw the Angelic Damion standing by Harlow left side. His size reduced, burned away from the hellfire and now covered head to toe in cloth stained black. She scoffed at the body. She turned back to the crowds and counted the masses.
No children.
She searched their souls on this vessel and found most traces led back to the Angelic before her. The scent of their blood clung to his burned skin. Her teeth grind as she glared at the beast. How dare he come onto her ship and corrupt her army. Even worse, how dare these people sell their own flesh and blood to the Angelic. The very children she personally taught and played with while their parents worked. The very ones she healed when they were first taken.
The stench of death muffled those few living that escaped. She will find them later. For now, she will avenge those lost.
“Are you going to explain yourself or are you going to make me wait all day?” Abyss asked. Turning to Harlow.
Harlow stepped forward, but was interrupted by Damion striding past the traitors.
“Little Devil-“ Damion began.
“I WASNT TALKING TO YOU” Abyss roared. The traitors recoiled with fear and terror. She turned to Harlow and demanded “Tell me, was it worth it?” She turned to the group. “Tell me, was it worth it?”
The group didn’t answer.
“Damion came to us and offered us power, immortality” Harlow explained.
Abyss laughed. “Immortality?” She shock her head. “The promises of fairy tale. No one lives forever, just some are longer then others”
Whispers started among the group, the condenses stated she was the liar. She could laugh at their stupidity. Worse her own, for she allowed the humans in. Harlow was right, their greed was their downfall.
“Your old gods yes, but not me, I can offer immortality for a price and that price is the Hybrid”
“You will not have the Hybrid” Abyss declared, “In fact, you won’t leave this vessel”
Damion scoffed. The guards grabbed a staff each and began twisting the holy light inside her. Her thigh and stomach sung with agony. Her scream was short before it morphed to laughter.
“Come on you can did it harder then that!” She laughed. She looked to Damion and rolled her eyes. “Is that all you got, all bark and no bite”
The guards twisted again. Tearing wounds into her body. Widening them with every rotation.
“Tell me where the Hybrid is and I’ll stop this pain” Damion offered.
Abyss laughed at his offer, irritating the Angelic.
“Enough!” Harlow called and they stopped at her command. Harlow moved past Damion and took a kneel in front of his old Master. “This woman, she’s half human. There’s no telling how long she will survive. You will never be ready for the day you loose her, so why start? Why risk it all for one heart beat!”
Abyss scoffed, shaking her head. “She is worth more then that”
Harlow started at her solemnly for a few moments, then shock his head. “I don’t see what you believe you see in her”
“You don’t need to know anything about her” Abyss whispered. She leaned forward, and spoke to Harlow with worried eyes and soft tone. “Harlow…I need you to listen to me, don’t follow this angelic. Side with me and leave the Hybrid alone…” she trailed off with a shake of her head. “Don’t force my hand”
“You care for her?”
“I do”
“She’ll be the death of you”
“No”
Harlow sighed. He turned away to the Angelic and frowned at the man’s impatient stare. He turned back to Abyss and informed full of dread “this is for your own good, master”
“I’m sorry” Abyss whispered and she was.
Harlow nodded, accepting the next steps. He bowed his head to Abyss a final time, proving to his old master he still cared and respected her. However his mind was made up, his path was built and he will follow it down. He stood and walked over to Damion. “The Hybrid‘s location is known”
“Then show me the way, but before that, kill her”
Abyss’s sudden laughter made everyone jump. They turned to her and frowned with horror at the wicked smile gleaming on her face. “With What?” She called excitedly. “With this?” She laughed, gesturing with her head to the holy spears. “I am not some dog you can put down with a snap of your fingers” darkness spread from her being and corrupted the weapons. They melted at her touch and the humans gasped at the sight. Her guards stumbled back, rightfully afraid for their lives. Damion watched on complexed. Harlow, sighed, casting his head down ashamed.
“What are you!” Damion sneered.
“I told you” Abyss laughed. She brought herself on her feet as she roared “I am the Fucking QUEEN OF HELL AND NOTHING SHALL GET IN MY WAY!” Her eyes blazed with a fury none were familiar with. They coward at her feet, terrified of her and deeply regretting the foolish choice they made. However there was nothing to save them this time.
“KILL HER!” Damion screamed.
Abyss screamed a war cry and suddenly she exploded into shadow storm. Enfolding the ship and its inhabitants in one swoop. Devouring everything living and they screamed. Their screams haunted the fateful town. Damion screamed louder then when her Hellfire touched him and for a dear moment, he wished he was consumed by the Hellfire back in that Cabin. Then now suffer this fate.
She devoured their souls, every last one of them.
Gold mist floated from the shadow and fled to the stars. Disappearing into the night.
The darkness vanished in a blink of an eye. Leaving bones in her wake. The body of Damion utterly consumed and what she left behind, the old gods curse took. In the first time since its departure from land. The boat sat floating on the water, in silence.
Abyss didn’t know where else to go.
The holy spears didn’t kill her, yes, but their damage left unhealing marks on her body. She was drained and she needed to get somewhere safe to recharge her powers.
So she went to the Silvia’s house.
She knocked twice on the door then collapsed on its frame. She heard the thuds of rushing footsteps. Soon she was greeted by Hanna’s kind smile. It lasted only a second before the brunette gasped with terror. “Abyss?” She spoke confused.
“I…I didn’t..know where else..to go” Abyss’s eyes rolled back and she collapsed into the Hybrids arms.