Chapter Ten: The Stuff of Legends

Velis stood at the door steps of the West house on the phone. 
Velis
No Malic, no ones here. I’m about to leave.
She leaned against the wall. 
Velis
Now all he is going to have of his old life is memories. 
She laughed.
Velis
If he takes the bait we gave him, which he will, I will find him. 
She walked towards her car. 
Velis
I’ll wait for you here. 
She got into the car. 
Velis
Everything goes as planned. 
She put the key into the ignition and turned. 
Velis
What the hell?
 It did not start, didn’t even make a sound. 
Velis
Well, this is some bullshit. 
The car shook and as something landed on the hood of the car. 
Velis
What the hell?
 There was a loud growl. Velis saw a white tiger. 
Velis
Hello, Masato. 
She picked up her gun and began to shoot through the windshield. The glass was all broken. The tiger was gone.
Velis
Dead, already? 
The right window on the backseat caved in and all she saw was orange came through. 
Velis
Shit! 
She kicked her door open and began to run towards the house. 
Velis
Have to get in the house- 
The tigers got her from the back and from the legs and they pulled her down. Before they were able to sink their teeth they were lifted and throw away from her. 
Malic
Now come on kitties, let’s be nice. 
Malic stood by the car, black, shaved head, and no shirt and black pants on, with two silver cords flowing behind his back. Velis got up and so did the tigers. 
Velis
Thanks, Malic. 
Malic
You owe me. These little tigers were going to eat you up. 
Velis
It’s Merdos and Masato. 
Malic
I figured. The form of what they are. 
He walked forward. 
Malic
Although she isn’t much of a lady, 
He turned and nodded to hear. 
Malic
Hitting a woman is just not right, at least not to me. 
The two silver cords were moving from side to side. Merdos and Masato growled.
Malic
You go on ahead, I’ll be here. 
Velis
Are you sure?
Malic
I’m sure. If they bite onto me, they won’t find any crimson water.
She turned towards Merdos and Masato. 
Velis
See you later boys. You were close, but not close enough. That will be the last time you ever lay a hand on me.

Arkain sat in a confession booth.
Arkain
Bless me father for I have sinned, this is my first confession.
Father Bob
What sin could you have committed my son that would bring you to the chapel at this time of night?
Arkain
Not what I’ve done, but what I’ve allowed to happen.
Father Bob
I’m afraid I am confused.
Arkain
Is it a sin if someone dies because of you?
Father Bob
No, not if you were not aware of it happening.
Arkain
Yeah, that’s what they told me.
Father Bob
They? Who are they?
Arkain
No one, you wouldn’t understand.
Father Bob
Please son, do not belittle my intelligence
Arkain
I don’t mean to father, but before a day ago, I wouldn’t have understood either.
Father Bob
Are you okay, young one?
Arkain
More than okay. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m free.
Father Bob
Will this be all for tonight?
Arkain
Father, do you believe in angels?
Father Bob
Well, of course I do, my religion leads me to believing in such things. I must admit at times it gets a little hard to believe without seeing them, but I believe by faith.
Arkain
You’d like to see one?
Father Bob
Before I died, yes.
Arkain
Seeing is believing.
Arkain walked out of the little chapel.
Father Bob
Where are you-
He saw Arkain and was dumbstruck.
Father Bob
Oh my God.
He fell to his knees on the ground. Arkain stood with his shirt off in the chapel. 
Father Bob
You’re an angel. 
Giant wings spread wide across the air extending from Arkain’s back. 
Arkain
I have wings father, but I’m not sure I am as sinless as an angel is thought to be.Father Bob gulped.
Father Bob
This is the stuff of legends.
There was a loud crack and Father Bob fell to the ground. Arkain turned to see the father fall with a bullet in his head. 
Arkain
Father! 
Again, Arkain felt the feeling of someone dying because of him. 
Velis
Was that your father? What a coincident, we just finished with your step father.
Arkain in his anger could not put words together. 
Velis
Come on, isn’t there something heroic you want to shout out to me? 
She walked a bit forward.
Velis
How dare you, I’m going to kill you? 
Few steps forward.
Velis
You will regret that? 
She began to laugh. Arkain did not say anything.
Velis
Nothing? Well, you’re no fun. The names Velis by the way. 
She paused as if he were to reply. 
Velis
You going to introduce yourself?
Arkain
Don’t act like you don’t know who I am. 
He said in a low tone.
Velis
Yes, you’re right, I do. What I didn’t know was you have wings. So what, are you a bird? Giant dove maybe?
Arkain did not respond. 
Velis
Well, you seriously are just no fun. 
Arkain
You killed my family. 
Velis
Not only them, but some other people. There was a nasty man at the bar earlier today, oh and the priest behind you. I mean, your father.  
She laughed.
Arkain
You are a monster. 
Velis
I wouldn’t say that. If I’m a monster, you have yet to see the ones who I consider monsters.
Arkain
Why is life so meaningless to you? 
Velis
I’d give you a huge explanation if I could, but simply put, I don’t care. Life is living then dying. I’m just the one applying the dying to the many lives I could install it in. 
She smiled.
Velis
I don’t have a God. At least not his. 
She pointed at the priest's dead body.
Velis
I wouldn’t leave my life in the hands of a God with a plan. I make my own plans, kid. That guy by your feet, he left it to someone else, and look where that got him. 
She walked a little more further.
Velis
Dead.  
Arkain
I’ll be making your plans now. 
Velis
Oh really? You’re going to kill me? Do you know what it’s like to kill? Do you, kid? 
She smiled.
Velis
I mean, a dog trained as a human pet can bark, holler, and growl all it wants, but do you think it could really kill? I don’t think so. 
Arkain
I’m no dog.
Velis
You want to hurt me boy? So then do it if you’re so powerful.
Arkain didn’t move.
Velis
No, I didn’t think so. You see, all you dogs love to bark at strangers, but when it comes down to it, you’re a tad bit to afraid to actually bite. But like you said, you’re no dog, and I’m no mailman. You’ve entered a realm where wolves eat sheep, Your just a sheep little Arkain. You can be one to be slaughtered, or one to be herded.
Arkain
Shut up! I'm tired of hearing you talk.
She giggled. 
Velis
Well, looks like you’d like to be slaughtered instead of coming with me. 
Arkain’s wings widened in the air. 
Arkain
Neither of those is an option now. 
He lifted his hand in the air open as if waiting to grab something. 
Arkain
Are you ready to die?
 A giant sword appeared in the hand of Arkain out of nowhere. He didn't know where it came from. In the moment, he decided he'd use it. 
Velis
Always.
She smiled.
Velis
Let’s see if the Angel of God, is truly as all powerful as they say he is to be. 
Amya got up from her chair after the long meeting with Romberg. 
Amya
I must leave now.
Romberg
Yes, let me get the door for you. 
He got up and walked to the door and grabbed the handle.
Romberg
You know, I think I’m going to hold on to my hope and stay strong. 
Amya
A sudden change in your attitude Nicholas, why so?
Romberg
I don’t know. I had a little mental hit right now. 
Amya
What hit you? 
Romberg
I don’t know for sure, but it feels like I have a guardian angel. I know it sounds a bit silly, but it was just a feeling. 
Amya
I wouldn’t call it silly. The stuff of legends aren’t only kids stories, and you should know that by now. 
Romberg
Well then, in that case, the age of the angel is upon us.
Amya
You are quite the unique human, Nicholas. I was beginning to lose my faith in the ability of humans to prove me wrong. 
Romberg
I’m not afraid to die anymore.
Amya
That’s most pleasing. I hope your guardian angel gets to meet you some day, Nicholas, 
She turned to him as he was opening the door and she was walking out. 
Amya
What was your middle name again? 
Romberg
Selarom. 
Amya
Selarom? 
Romberg
It’s different, like me. 
Amya
Nicholas Selarom Romberg, you will lead the race of man into the darkness, and you must be strong, 
She walked out completely.
Amya
You will, right? 
Arkain in front of Velis spoke at the same time. 
Arkain and Nicholas
You haven’t seen anything yet.