The Creation: Chaos Rising (14 page)

Nina cringed as the sounds of terrified people thundered in her ears. All around her, bodies lay burned and mangled, some of them partially buried under the chunks of molten plastic raining down from the smoldering ceiling…trapping her…killing her…!

"Easy, Nina," Gabriel's calm voice penetrated the flaming chaos, pulling her mind sharply away from the horrid scene. "It's just another vision."

"Gabriel!" She fell gratefully into his iron embrace. The afterimage of the apocalyptic sight remained in her eyes for another few seconds then vanished with the same abruptness that it had come.

Nina sighed in relief then stiffened as the vision's significance became apparent. "Oh my, God," she cried, raising horrified eyes to his face. "That was the Imax again. But...I don't understand." She gave the phone a puzzled look.  "I called the police…"

"And the Officer you spoke with forwarded the warning to the theater's management. I told you I've been keeping tabs on that," he responded to the questioning look she aimed at him.

"Well what happened? Didn't they believe him?"

A look of regret flitted across the Celemor's face. "I'm afraid not. The manager on duty at the Theater told the officer that their equipment was serviced regularly, and he wasn't about to ‘suffer the outlandish claims of some crackpot fortune-teller'."

A wave of nausea swept through Nina. "Then…what I saw just now…"

"Was the vision coming to fruition," he somberly informed her.

Nina pressed her head harder against his muscular chest, sudden tears welling up in her eyes. "No...All those people…I failed them."

"What happened wasn't your fault," Gabriel said, trying to forestall the tide of grief and self-loathing he sensed rising within her. "You did everything you could."

"Apparently not enough," she choked out with a sob.

The Celemor brushed gentle fingers across her tear-streaked face. "Some tragedies aren't meant to be prevented."

Nina sniffed. "Not be me, anyway." Her voice was laced with bitterness. "I'll bet if you had of been there things would've turned out different.

"I was there," he quietly told her.

Nina turned startled eyes on him. "Then why didn't you stop it?"

Gabriel calmly brought his eyes down to meet hers. "It wasn't part of my Task."

A surprised jolt shot through Nina's body. Clearly she hadn't heard him right. "What did you just say?"

"Saving the people in that theater was not part of my Task."

This t
ime there was no mistaking his callous response.

Nina abruptly pushed her self away from him, her body trembling with anger. "What the hell kind of answer is that? What type of heartless monster are you that you can let so many people die?"

Gabriel's voice hardened. "I can assure you I'm neither heartless nor a monster."

"Then just what the hell
are
you, Gabriel Leyr," the infuriated Harbinger bit out, glaring at him through smoldering eyes.

Gabriel met her censure with an icy reserve. "I'm a Celemor, and as such am not permitted to interfere with the natural course of Mortal history."

Nina's widened in amazement. "You consider letting a bunch of people get roasted natural?"

"In this case, yes." He winced from the sting of the hard slap she dealt his face.

"That's bullshit!" She slapped him again for good measure. "You're practically a damned superhero. You're telling me that you're not supposed to use that power to save lives?"

"Not when it doesn't pertain to my assigned Task," he ground out through tightly clenched teeth. "The rules set down by the Archangels are
very
specific on that topic."

"Hell, break the damn rules!"

A humorless smiled tugged at his lips. "There are some things you just don't do."

"And just why the hell not?"

Gabriel stared hard at her for several seconds. "For me, the cost of disobedience would be high;
very
high."

Nina sensed the emotional maelstrom barely contained beneath his calm façade, but it did nothing to abate her anger. "And you think that cost outweighs the lives of innocent people?"

Gabriel's eyes blazed with Celestial energy. "In the first place, there are no ‘innocent people' in the world. The sooner you understand that, the better off you'll be."

Nina was stunned by his palpable hostility.

"And as far as the cost is concerned," Gabriel continued, his voice calmer, the glow fading from his eyes. "It was."

A toxic silence permeated the office as Celemor and
Harbinger regarded one another across the resentful void that now lay between them.

Several minutes passed then Nina released a tired sigh. She dropped wearily into her chair. "You know, for a while I thought I was finally getting a handle on things; really starting to understand my purpose in all of this craziness." Their eyes met briefly, but the contact was broken when she abruptly turned her chair away from him.

She let her gaze fall on the youths still playing on the court, completely oblivious to the harsh realities being revealed around them. "Now I don't know what to believe."

"Welcome to my world," Gabriel grunted then vanished in a flash of light; leaving the disillusioned
Harbinger alone with her troubled thoughts.

Chapter 19

Hovering silently before the Window, Omen observed the discord between the Harbinger and Celemor with a growing sense of apprehension.

Many were the discussions he had shared with Gabriel in which the Celemor voiced his steadfast disagreement with the limitations put on his actions. The Overseer knew that the incident at the theater would only serve to deepen Gabriel's growing resentment for his Celestial post.

"You're turning into Michael, my friend," a silvery voice rang out as the Overseer Intuition strode gracefully into the room, her thick plait of red hair billowing in the slight breeze created by her passage. "What fascinating events within the Realms have garnered your attention this day?"

"Nothing of any great significance," Omen replied, touching his slender hand gently against hers in the traditional Celestial Greeting of Equals. "I was merely observing the progress of our fledgling
Harbinger."

Intuition's eyes flicked briefly to the shimmering image in the Window.  "It looks to me as if you're more concerned with her guardian."

"Well he has been charged with the Harbinger's safety," Omen replied stiffly. "It is a matter of prudence to maintain a vigil over them both."

"Prudence can be also be served by maintaining your objectivity."

Omen's eyes flared briefly. "Meaning what?"

Intuition leveled a stern look on her fellow Overseer. "Gabriel Leyr holds a place of unusual importance within your heart. Such affection can have disastrous consequences if you allow it to compromise your judgment."

"Distancing ourselves from the Celemors can be equally damaging. Or have you forgotten the circumstances that led to Caleb's current condition."

"Caleb's situation was entirely different," Intuition fired back, her gray eyes flashing. "That Mortal was unstable even before he was subjected to Iblis's bilge. No telling what state that hapless fool's mind was in by the time Michael recruited him."

"My point exactly," Omen cried. "Caleb agreed to leave Hell's ranks and take on the mantle of Celemor out of some skewered sense of betrayal he felt he had suffered at Iblis's hand. If we Overseers had maintained a more proactive rapport with him, his development of similar feelings toward the Archangels, and subsequent rejection of the Divine Tenets, might have been avoided."

The chamber was silent as Intuition consi
dered Omen's position. "Perhaps; I still say Caleb's and Gabriel's situations are entirely different."

"And in my opinion Gabriel's is far more volatile," Omen countered. "You forget; Caleb willingly accepted the
Archangel's invitation. Gabriel was coerced."

A distasteful frown appeared on Intuition's face. "That Mortal was not coerced."

"Oh, come on, Intuition," Omen snapped, his hovering form trembling with aggravation. "You know just as well as I that the Bringer of Death's use of the Mortal's wife as a bargaining chip was totally unscrupulous."

Intuition regarded him through haughty eyes. "Such Mortal concepts do not hold sway for Members of the Watch. We are not their companions, Omen. We are their shepherds, honor bound to herd them in the manner the Almighty sees fit
in order to preserve the Balance." Her eyes bored into the dark recess of his hood. "And that means using whatever measures necessary to do so."

"That still doesn't' make it right," Omen muttered, turning once again to the Window.

"Take caution old friend; you're rhetoric mirrors that of Iblis."

Omen's eyes flared briefly. "And is that really such a bad thing?"

Intuition studied his back for a moment. "It can be," she warned as she made her way back to the chamber's archway. "Hopefully you will remember that before it is too late. Loosing your companionship would grieve me deeply."

Omen cocked his head in her direction. "I thought such Mortal notions did not apply to Celestials."

Intuition's full lips parted in a devious smile. "There are, of course, exceptions to
every
rule," she drawled then left.

Omen studied the empty archway, his eye flaring again when he realized the subtle message she had just conveyed.

"Thank you for understanding," he whispered.

A gentle,
you're quite welcome,
echoed promptly through his mind.

*

Standing before a similar "Window" situated somewhere within the hazy Realm of Sublimia, a concerned Dichotomy also took note of the sudden tension between the Celemor and the Harbinger.

The blended being knew the reason behind Gabriel's steadfast obedience to the Divine Tenets that governed all Tasks, yet something needed to be done to prevent Nina's current disillusion from festering into full-blown resentment.
If it hasn't already,
the Celestial thought grimly.

Chapter 20

Gabriel's gaze swept across the large crowd moving through the open expanse of Detroit's famed Heart Plaza. His Celestially masked position atop the large, circular fountain located in the Plaza's center gave him a perfect view of the numerous festivities taking place in both, the main courtyard and lower-level retail center.

Today was the start River Days,
Detroit's annual summer-opening festival. The two-mile stretch of the water front known as the River Walk was lined with kiosks as numerous vendors presented their various wares to the throngs of people taking advantage of the carnival-themed event.

Though cognizant of the numerous activities going on around him, the Celemor's main focus was on the large group of teens and pre-teens moving in a loose cluster throughout the gaming area. With the help of the city's Neighborhood Services Department, Nina had arranged a field-trip for the Center's ever expanding clients, and the kids were having a ball.

Over the past few months, the Center had become a beacon of neighborhood reform throughout Detroit's lower east side, garnering the support of local merchants and private sectors alike. In fact, so great was the Center's popularity, plans for opening another branch in Detroit's lower-income Brightmoore district were already underway.

For Nina, the Center's success was a tremendous personal achievement and an affirmation of her belief in
Detroit's potential to become one of the country's leading cities. Her new stature in the philanthropic community had also helped her attain additional State funding, allowing her to hire a full time administration staff in addition to the several education specialists the Center now employed.

Thus freed of the arduous task of running the Center's day to day finances, she was able to concentrate more on improving the overall curriculum. Nina's selfless dedication to the community had also caught the eye of the media, and the subsequent interviews and feature stories had turned her into quite the local celebrity.

The additional attention occasionally made Gabriel's Task a bit more tedious than he would have liked, but overall things were running very smoothly. He just wished the same could be said about their relationship, still somewhat strained after the IMAX incident.

"You seemed troubled Gabriel," Dichotomy's deep voice sounded as the Celestial materialized atop the fountain beside the Celemor. "Is there anything we can do?"

"Yeah, you can tell me how to get my point across to my charge," Gabriel grunted, his eyes focused on Nina moving amongst her group, taking pictures for the Center's weekly newsletter. "That woman's frenetic hold on her moralistic beliefs leaves a lot to be desired."

Dichotomy's l
eft eyebrow arched upward. "And why is that; because she doesn't subscribe to a Celestial's casual acceptance of mass slaughter for the perceived Greater Good? Perhaps instead of criticizing her beliefs you should immolate them."

Gabriel turned startled eyes to the Celestial. "So you're saying I should've violated my restrictions and saved those people?"

"What we're
saying
is that we can relate to the Harbinger's sentiments on this matter. Most Celestials have become so immured in they're Divine indifference that they've all but lost sight of their moral responsibility."

"Don't aim your righteous arrows at me," Gabriel angrily fired back. "I'm always conscious of the moral implications of my actions as well as the consequences of my inactions."

"Yet you chose to stand by and let those people burn."

"I had no choice! You know what will happen if I go against the
Archangel's on this."

Dichotomy's expression softened. The Celestial laid a comforting hand atop the Celemor's trembling shoulder. "Indeed we do, but before you fall to far into the abyss of self-sacrifice, ask yourself this: Considering the situation at the theatre, and your proximity at the time, would it really have been a violation to save those patrons?"

A look of uncertainty flickered across the Celemor's face, and a sigh escaped Dichotomy's lips. "It's obvious by your silence that such a consideration never crossed your mind."

"No, it didn't," the Celemor confessed, his pensive expression turning into one of regret.

"Believe us when we say that we understand your reasons for remaining obedient to the Archangels, Gabriel, yet we can't help but wonder: Had yours and Clarissa's positions been reversed, would she have succumbed so easily to the lure of Divine complacency?"

"I honestly never gave it much thought," Gabriel admitted in a quiet voice.

Dichotomy studied the Celemor's face for a moment then gave his shoulder another squeeze. "Perhaps you should," he said, his body starting to fade. "The answer to that question might give you the insight you need to deal with our burgeoning Harbinger."

The Celestial's words echoed through Gabriel's mind for a long time. Dichotomy's perspective was often skewered, but in this instance the blended being was right. Clarissa would've never let the threat of Divine reprisals keep her from doing what she knew was right. The ability to follow her convictions had been one of his wife's greatest attributes. In that respect, he had to admit she and Nina were a lot alike.

Gabriel returned his attention to the plaza only to find Nina staring up at him.

Their eyes locked for a moment and the barest hint of a smile appeared on the
Harbinger's face; the first one she had given him in the month sense the IMAX incident.

Nina's attention was drawn away by the smartly dressed, man and woman approaching the group.

Gabriel also focused on the peculiar pair as they exchanged pleasantries with Nina; particularly the male. The stranger's angular features seemed vaguely familiar yet the Celemor couldn't place him.

Their conversation with Nina lasted for several minutes. Afterwards, the
Harbinger shook each of their hands, and the couple left. Gabriel tracked their departure through the crowd, and realized that he wasn't the only one interested in them.

Standing on the upper level of the Plaza, the positioning of the kiosks blocking them from Nina's view, were Quinlan and Sanders.

Gabriel was not surprised to see them. Over the past several weeks the Seekers had made frequent stops at the Center, reiterating to Nina their offer of
Presbyterii
aid. Despite her polite but steadfast refusal, the two continued to maintain a discreet presence. At the moment, their eyes were on Nina's mysterious visitors who were now headed toward the vendor area.

Gabriel watched as the Seekers exchanged, what appeared to be, terse words. After sparing Nina a brief glance, they made off in the couple's direction.

He toyed with the idea of joining the chase, but decided against it. He would find out who the mysterious duo were soon enough. For now he resumed his vigilance over Nina as the Center's group made their way toward the food-court.

*

"You do realize we're being followed," Shift said to Darius as she perused the selection of hats at one of the many kiosks lining the crowded market place.

"Of course," Darius responded, catching sight of the Seekers' positions through the large mirror hanging from the kiosks' metal frame. "I had a feeling the
Presbyterii
would be lurking about, though it wasn't
their
interest I expected to draw."

Shift also focused on the conspicuous duo as she tried on a
garish pink cap. "No it wasn't. But given the fact that it's
not
Gabriel behind us, I would have to say my Veil of Deception has sufficiently blocked his Celestial senses."

Darius smiled. "
Apparently so. Let's consider this little test a success, and get on with the business of recruiting this woman."

Shift's return smile falter
ed when she caught another glimpse of the Seekers, now standing two kiosks over. The bothersome oafs were feigning interest in the vendor's impressive collection of hand-crafted jewelry, but to the Morphling's acute senses, their surveillance efforts were pitifully obvious. "And what of our pursuers?"

A soft glow briefly
eliminated the Desomor's eyes. "They obviously think there's something different about us; something...supernatural perhaps." He casually linked his arm through hers. "Let's not disappoint them."

Shift smiled in delighted anticipation of the mischief to come as she and the Desomor strode casually away from the market area.

*

"Looks like they're leaving," Sanders informed Quinlan who immediately handed the stone necklace he was studying at back to the vendor. He gave the woman a polite nod then quickly fell into step with his partner.

"Tell me again why we're following this pair," he muttered as they discreetly tracked their quarry through the milling crowds.

"Call it a gut feeling, but something about those two just seems…off. Given the strange company our reluctant psychic tends to keep, I'm curious to know who they are and what they're interest is with Miss Delcielo."

"Maybe it's not her they're interested in per-se," Quinlan suggested as they excused themselves around a slower moving group of elderly ladies. "That Center of hers has garnered quite a following in the metro area. Maybe those two were potential sponsors."

"Perhaps," Sanders allowed. "But I still want to get a closer look at them; just to quell my own suspicions." Quinlan gave his partner a skeptical look and Sanders released an exasperated sigh. "Just trust me on this," he said then took off after their departing quarry.

That's becoming increasingly difficult,
Quinlan mused as he reluctantly followed, thinking of the drastic change Sanders' personality had undergone over the past several weeks.

The man's suspicion had increased to the point that he now looked upon
anyone
that came into contact with Nina as a possible, heavenly-creature in disguise. Quinlan could understand the man's increased anxiety considering the battle the Seeker had witnessed on that fateful night after the Center's rally, but this borderline paranoia was become bothersome.

Especially went it sends us on wild goose chases through crowded fairs,
the Seeker thought as he tried valiantly to keep up with his determined partner's rapid pace.

"Where the blazes are they going?" he heard Sanders growl just as he was beginning to wonder the same thing himself.

"Looks like they're headed toward the main stage," Quinlan noted as the couple darted around the massive, skirted platform that was set up in the tiered expanse directly in front of the Renaissance Center. "They just ducked in behind those bins." He directed Sanders' attention to the large storage pods lined in neat rows to the side of the stage. "I wonder what they're looking for in there."

"Let's go find out," Sanders urged, quickening his pace so as not to loose their subjects, Quinlan following suit.

The two Seekers rounded the first pod, coming face to face with their quarry calmly waiting for them in the clearing between the first and second pod.

"We do appreciate the exercise gentlemen, but I'm afraid this is as far as our little race goes," the man said in a pleasant voice. He gave his companion an affectionate look. "Say goodbye, love."

"Goodbye," the woman smiled, blowing the Seekers a playful kiss before disappearing with her partner in a flash of light.

Both men stared at the now empty space in silence for a moment then Sanders looked pointedly at Quinlan. "I trust this validates my concern?"

Quinlan made no comment.