Ignite: The Archangels Chronicles

Azreal looked up at Cameron through dripping lashes, her Amethyst eyes were cold empty gems in the dark. Cameron was looking at her with a mix of awe, anger, and just a hint of fear. Azreal weakly stammered, "I had to do it..." she broke off, "There were too many soldiers" she sighed heavily, fighting her exhaustion. Her Angels wings started fading with the last of her strength. Her dantain remained almost untouched, but that didn't matter, It was her soul that was drained.

An Angel's mere existence was to preserve life, It was the first commandment taught in most of the Archangels education and training grounds in Vanu. It was said that many of the other branches of Angels also held this command in high regard. An Archangels powers were only to be used in times of dire need. Then again, these guidelines were established when the Angels ranks had been swollen, so much so, that they had decided the oldest, most powerful bloodlines had to divide into separate continents, each ruling their own domain.

The entire camp had made it past the tree line now, and had formed a half circle around Azreal and Cameron. He was about to reply to Azreal, when Lucia obtrusively shoved herself to the front of the crowd and yelled at Azreal "What in the Goddess were you thinking?" Her hands flailing about ridiculously. "We had a solid strategy, and just as everything was about to fall in place, you just drop down from your hiding spot totally unexpected, and unannounced!" She was gasping out angry puffs of breath. "And don't even get me started on what would have happened if your magic had failed! There were so many troops you would have been trampled to death!"

Lucia's c.h.e.s.t was rising and falling erratically as she finally seemed to be done with her berating.

Azreal s.u.c.k.e.d in a breath, pushing away from Cameron as she began to explain herself. Instead of Azreal rumbling out a meek reply, Cameron's hands wrapped tighter around her waist, keeping her pushed against him. His voice took on a deep baritone as he came to Azreals defense.

"Lay off, Lucia! You saw the same as i did, that there was more than just one lone battalion of soldiers." His voice a dark growl. Then he let out a surprised gasp as Azreal shoved her elbow against his c.h.e.s.t and growled back at him escaping his grasp and standing up. "I don't need you to protect me." She venomously threw back at Cameron, her eyes cutting him to the bone, and turned on Lucia.

"I appreciate your concern, but I am the leader here, and it is my duty to protect my people. We could potentially have lost countless lives tonight." Azreal pushed out with a cold and indifferent air.

Lucia not at all intimidated by Azreals words, kept pushing, needing to make her point. "Yes! That is what you are not understanding!" She exclaimed, "You set up a solid strategy, executed it precisely, and then threw yourself into the heart of danger and almost guaranteed destruction, and for what? We are your people yes, but you Azreal, are the LAST, the last of your bloodline.." Lucia's voice trailed of in a whisper, her palms were faced up in a show of humility "If you die, if you don't let us protect you, then there will be no chance for the future generations under the False Kings rule." The crowd murmured behind her as Lucia finished speaking, carrying her final words off on the humid breeze.

Azreal understood why the girl was upset, she was born a protector, Azreal could she her fierce loyalty shining through her aura. But the crowd was growing restless, unsure of what to do. Seeing their ruler getting a tongue lashing by a girl 3 years her junior was not a good display of leadership. So, naturally, Azreal got mad.

"Protect me?" Azreal spit out incredulously. "I am your Sovereign!" A pulse of darkness pushed out from Azreal, putting further emphasis on her words "I may be the last of my family, but i am the most powerful Angel this continent has seen in a thousand years, and i will shake the world with my vengeance!" Azreal was spiting the words; her eyes once again aglow. The darkness pulsing from Azreal up against the darkness of the night made it look like her magic was swallowing the sky, blending with it, darkening it. The stars looked like little rips in a velvet black canvas.

Lucia was shoved back by the oppressive force of Azreals aura, Lucia winced, lifting her arms to cover her eyes. The crowd was instantly silent, their eyes wide and full of awe and terror. Everyone except for Cameron who's jaw was basically on the ground, and was staring at her with a strange sort of look on his face that made her cringe. "Close your mouth, your going to drool everywhere." Azreal snapped at Cameron, his look making her feel disturbed. Why did he keep looking at her like that? She shook off Camerons strange actions and continued to address the crowd.

"Pack what wasn't burnt, and prepare yourselves for the journey to Langu. We leave at dawn."

At her words a furious chatter had started, but Azreal didn't care, she was too tired to play politics right now. All she knew was that they couldn't stay here.

Turning to maneuver around the crowd of people now talking very vigorously amongst themselves, it was easy for Azreal to escape.

At least that was until someone grabbed her elbow. As soon as his hand touched her she knew who it was, and didn't bother to stop walking. Instead pulling him along a bit, making Cameron stumble through the sand thrown off balance by Azreals sheer force. "Hey!" He yelped indignantly, and dug his heels in the ground forcing Azreal to stop or all out drag him through the sand.

He immediately rounded on her, "What was that about back there? Your all high and mighty now? Last I remembered you could hardly grasp your magic, let alone wield it the way you did tonight!" His brows were scrunched together and his lips formed into a tight pinch as he continued "You didn't have to be so rough with Lucia, she has a point you know?"

Cameron was concerned, Azreal could see it written all over his face. Honestly when she thought back to the battle, she shivered at how little control she had over the situation. In that moment after the first release of power, her magic had begged for her to lose herself in its grasp. Her throat ran dry as she remembered the bloodl.u.s.t that came with it. The need to not only destroy, but obliterate any threat. Thinking back to that last solider... what she had done was far more than necessary.

Azreal shook her head looking down at the sand. "Cameron, a ruler is nothing without her people. Sometimes though, you have to remind them why you are their sovereign in the first place. A wise ruler knows that without the respect of her people, her crown will never be secure. For when there is doubt someone will seek to remove it and place themselves on the throne."

Cameron was unconvinced, not really taking in what she said as he replied incredulously "I don't think Lucia is trying to steal your crown."

Azreal rolled her eyes "Of corse not, but i cant have her guessing my actions and doubting me so openly in front of my disciples without some sort of backlash from me."

Camerons eyes widened as he finally understood. "Ooh"

Azreal realized that Camerons hand was still on her arm and she pulled it out of his grasp and stated "I need to get some sleep before our journey tomorrow" and abruptly turned and started walking into the forest. Just as Azreal reached the dense foliage of the Demora Thicket, she glanced back feeling Camerons eyes on her. Sure enough there he was, the moon framing him in its blinding brilliance against the blackness of the night sky. As their eyes met she noticed he had that same peculiar look on his face...