Ignite: The Archangels Chronicles

The walk back to the castle was sullen. Azreal could tell the brothers were communicating silently. Whether mind to mind or through some sort of twin bond like Jara and Nyx, was unknown to her. The girls were disturbingly quiet as well, as if everyone was in on a big secret but her.

Stomping through the tree line Azreal was the first one back into the cave system and the first one out. the stone crumbled beneath her feet as she climbed stair after stair into the servants quarter. Wishing she could run away from whatever the boys were about to tell her. Probably some horrific quest that kills off all her friends and ends with her giving her life for some prophecy.

Belial snagged her hand right as she was about to step into the grand entrance hall holding a brass reminder of just how far her family had fallen.

"What?" She snapped at him and wrenched her hand free, "I would like to get his over with."

Belial stepped back as if she had physically wounded him, "Azreal, its going to be okay.."

He tried to say before she spun around and darted into the hall, running past everyone to the furthest corner on the right where Nadie had set up her little weavers circle, spinning stories for the younger children.

Nadie looked into Azreal's face and she knew the old crone had been hiding something as she motioned for the children to go, promising more stories later.

Minx and Belial took a seat on one of the logs spread out around Nadie. Azreal remained standing as she stared down at the old women. "How much do you know?"

Nadie released a long breath and said, "Sit, I have a story to tell."

Dread filled Azreal's stomach, but she sat next to Belial. Who was looking rather worried himself.

Nadie's eyes had glazed over spooling the old tale from wherever wearers stored their secrets. The group remained quiet as they waited for the old crone to speak.

When Nadie finally began talking her voice had grown hollow, as if someone was speaking through her.

'Long ago before the first Archangels decided to preside over this land it was nothing but hot water boiling around a volcano. The beginning, it is called, for it was said to have formed all the islands surrounding it. Hajimari forged the Archangel Azreal's Sword and His Twin brother, Abbadon's, arrow. The two strongest weapons on this plain of existence. This caused turmoil between the kingdoms as the Fae, witch, warlocks, and demons began inhabiting the earth as well.

So the Angels made special items for each of the ruling clans, none nearly as powerful as their own weapons, but magically imbued none the less. The vain Fae asked for a crown so all knew their rule was divine. The Warlocks, were not much better. They chose the chalice of power so they would rule with influence. The Demons and Witches were smarter though. The former asking for a summoning stone to travel between realms and the latter wanted a spell that could breathe life into an inanimate object. And with such great items of power came a dark era of destruction and fear as each clan tried to steal the others enchanted items.``

Everyone's eyes were glued to Nadie as true night fell.

"When the Archangels realized what was happening they took back each of the items including the sword and arrow and tossed them back into the flaming heart of Hajimari."

Azreals patience had finally worn through, "And what does this bedtime story have to do with me?" She ground out.

"That's not the question you should be asking, child."

Azreal's eyebrows drew together, "I don't understand."

Nadie tisked, "Items that powerful could never be destroyed, only hidden."

"There were thousands of witnesses surrounding the volcano as Azreal and Abbadon threw in their sword and arrow . It caused a peace treaty that lasted over a millennia." Azreal said, skeptical.

"Yes, everyone had seen the two most powerful weapons to ever be made in Hajimari get plunged into the flames. The thing is, both sword and arrow had also been blessed by the gods themselves, and anyone knows a gods object can't be destroyed by any mortal means." Nadie was leaning in staring at Azreal intently.

"Not even a volcano could destroy them..." Azreal's whispered as her eyes widened in shock. 'How did they hide this for so long?"

"Not everyone knew about the Angel twins weapons being blessed, it was all hearsay and the Angels themselves never acknowledged the claim." Minx interjected astonished. For once he had no smart a.s.s grin on his face, instead his back was ridged and his mouth was fixed in a scowl.

Azreal's heart thudded in her c.h.e.s.t. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I'm not powerful enough to summon the sword from Hajimari." Her hands were clammy and her tongue was like lead in her throat.

Minx coughed and winced, "I heard something at the dock that might prove you wrong about that."

Belial gently rested his t.h.i.g.h against Azreal's in silent support.

"And what could you have possibly have heard to lead you to believe I'm as all powerful as my first descendent, who literally dropped from the heavens when the rift between our worlds opened up?" Azreal knew the anger was not for him, more for the damning gods who were probably sitting on a golden throne laughing at her right now.

"You are Azreal's only living kin, the only one who might be able to call to the sword, because of your bloodline... Elvar might answer to you." Belial said quietly.

Elvar, the name clanged through her as if she had been waiting to hear it spoken aloud. "Who else knows about this?"

Minx was rubbing the back of his neck, "Well, you see, I was walking past a group of people going on and on about some psychics giving readings, so i decided to jump up on a pillar and watch the show."

"Good to know you were having such a great time." Azreal rolled her eye's.

Minx rolled them right back at her and continued, "At first I thought it was a waste of time too, just some old crack pots staring at the stars too long." Minx stopped fidgeting with his sword and looked right at her, "As they were giving a little girl her reading she looked up at me through the crowd, and I could hear her as if she was whispering in my ear," Minx swallowed thickly "She said, The shield needs the bow to complete their power, then they can go to the beginning and retrieve what was lost."

Azreal frowned at the riddle. "How can I retrieve the bow? That's Abbadon's bloodline."

Nadie shook her head, "You're sure that's what the seer said?" She was starring Minx down, as if she could see through his soul.

"Yes, I'm positive." He shuddered under the weight of her gaze.

"Back when I was a child there was an old prophecy about a shield and a bow," Nadie seemed to be funneling back down into herself. She was mumbling something under her breath.

Azreal took a deep breath, "What about the other items?"

Belial looked at Azreal, "If your able to pull the sword from Hajimari, I think it would be safe to say they have been hidden amongst your family heirlooms and the Dragori line."

Nadie snapped back into herself, "That's it! You are the shield, Azreal!"

"What are you squawking about?" Azreal asked.

"The Archangel Azreal's crest has always been a sword and shield, to protect and defend. Abbadon's was the Bow and Arrow, for justice and truth."

"So your saying one of the Dragori princesses is alive and that I need her to find the sword?" Azreal felt the weight of how impossible this all was.

"We should go see the group of mystic's tomorrow. They may be able to tell us where our hidden princess is." Minx wiggled his eyebrows.

Azreal felt like she was going to throw up. All she wanted was to get these people to safety, now she had to find another supposedly dead princess, and hope she wants to help on their little quest.

Nadie nodded "The three of you will go, but they will expect payment, and it won't be any type of coin." Getting up to hobble over to the children waiting patiently for her attention. "Try to get some sleep, The road is long yet."

Azreal felt hollowed out, but a strong warm arm wrapped around her, "I will stay with you."

Just those few words were all she needed to hear from him. Exhausted, she leaned against him heavily and murmured half asleep, "All I need.." and drifted off.

Belial tenderly kissed the top of her head and scooped her up taking her over to the bed roll he had claimed for them and nestled her into his side.