The Whispers of the Fallen (9 page)

I was shocked when I saw the magnificent castle set aflame. The beautiful columns were all destroyed by the fire, the garden polluted by the smoke. The roars of the Aquilas were loud and ferocious. Behind me I saw Devin, Adawnas and Demetre.

“We are out!” I yelled. “We made it.”

“How did we…what happened?” Devin asked as he composed himself. Adawnas wiped away her tears.

“Isaac!” a hollow voice echoed in the atmosphere. I glanced over my shoulder and recognized Athalas and the other Council members stationed at the entrance to the castle. Devin clasped my arm and immediately we were on our feet, running as fast as we could. They transmitted guttural sounds as their bodies vanished into shadows. They were acting more like animals now. The ghastly screeches sounded terrifying, like wolves howling at the moon.

Ahead, we saw the mist that had brought us to Justicia. Without a moment’s hesitation we entered the mist. There was lightning inside, bright flashes that crossed from one place to another. It was as though the mist could sense something evil was coming. Shortly after we entered it, misshapen shadows appeared. They moved rapidly through the mist to the point where my eyes failed to keep up with them. I began to hear the same rattling sounds I had heard before.

The mist darkened and the shadows became invisible. The only thing that hung in the air was the terrifying rattling sound.

I felt branches from the trees brush against my face; we were back in the forest, back in the same place where Cyro had spared us. The moment we stepped foot outside of the mist, I felt pain strike my body. Not only did I feel it, but Adawnas and Devin fell flat on the ground, writhing in agony as well.

“Insolent fools. Did you really think you could flee from us?” Athalas spoke. I looked at him and noticed how different he looked. He was clothed in shades of black and gray, bearing the symbol of a dark lion on his chest.

I rolled on the ground in desperation. My body was afflicted from head to toe by his power. I was defenseless.

“Beautiful thing, isn’t it? To see one like you being taken by one like me. You will not die tonight, but you will be taken to them—the ones that badly need you. You are just like your parents.”

Athalas swiftly looked at Adawnas. His eyes were filled with rage. He stepped closer to her and slapped her across the face.

“Insolent fool! You knew I did not intend to kill our guests. I just wanted to put them to sleep so the Dark One could have his way with them!”

I heard footsteps approaching.

“Ah! My friends have arrived.” Athalas stood to his feet and laughed. “It really is pitiful to know that this is how it all will end, isn’t it?”

“
Shadows
,” Devin whispered; his body lay pinned to the ground.

“Yes—all wanting to devour
you
. Honestly, the only thing standing between you and death right now is me.”

After he spoke, the Shadows let out a series of screeches. Some were high pitched, others low, but they were all ghoulish.

“I am pretty sure you know the reason why I am here,” Athalas said as he let out a laugh.

“I am not giving him to you, Atha—” Devin protested, but before he could finish, one of the Shadows attacked him with a bite on the neck. Another one swiftly arrived and stole Demetre’s body away.

“Before you finish that sentence, I would carefully consider your words. If you want, you can freely and willingly come with me,” Athalas spoke as he walked toward me. “I promise you won’t come to any harm,” he said with a sneer.

Hastily, Athalas retrieved his sword and swiftly cut a small incision on my chest. I was paralyzed with fear. The pain from the blade was excruciating. “I would consider the option, young one. You do not know what lies ahead.”

“Your power is temporal, Athalas. You know it,” Adawnas spoke in a halting voice.

“Are you sure of this, Adawnas? How could my power be so temporal if the Darkness has endured this long? How temporal will it be if I am the conqueror of Death?”

Devin struggled, but managed to raise himself up with a wound on his neck.

“Because”—Devin could barely speak—“of people…like you…fools like you.” He tried to attack Athalas, but was much too weak.

“The immortal Nephilin is finally damaged!” Athalas clapped his hands gleefully.

Athalas’ eyes turned red and opened wide as he slowly turned his head to my direction. I was still bleeding from my chest, and I knew my blood was what he needed to open the book. He did not speak a word, but I sensed that he was penetrating my thoughts, speaking into my mind.

The pain increased. My vision dimmed and I visualized myself burning in a lake of fire. My flesh was detaching from my body and slowly melting away. I could not die in the fire, nor could the pain be stopped. As I burned, I felt something crawling on my neck. I reached for it only to find maggots eating at my flesh. My heart was pounding violently in my chest, almost exploding. I felt the maggots crawling over my organs, feasting on my burning flesh.

Seconds after it had begun, the vision faded. My sight gradually returned to me. I heard muffled screams, footsteps and the clanging of metal. My surroundings fell silent and the temperature dropped quickly. I had no control over my body. All sound faded into a deathly silence.

V

My body returned to life. Slowly, I felt my senses return to me. My eyes opened to see that I was locked in a beautiful room. There were enormous black curtains hanging down over large glass windows, a regal bed with two lions carved on the bedside dresser. The carpet had a delicately crafted floral pattern and a sweet fragrance lingered in the air.

I noticed my clothing was different: clean and ornate. I wore a black waistcoat over a black leather vest, a gray overcoat that fell to my knees with solid black boots. As I turned, I approached the mirror hanging on the wall to my left. Reaching for my chest, I could feel that the cut Athalas had made was still there.

I realized I was completely alone. I ran toward the sturdy wooden door, knocking desperately.

“Anyone there?”
I yelled, hoping someone would find me here. The room was fully lit by torches.

I turned around to open the curtains so I could see where I was and I discovered a marvelous city under the gray skies. The beautiful houses all had very similar architectural characteristics, with huge pillars and gigantic windows.

I was alone and without the slightest idea of where I was. Eventually, I heard the door creak behind me. As I turned, I saw a man standing there. He was very tall with long blond hair, a fair complexion, and his eyes were such a brilliant blue that they seemed to shimmer.

“Please, come with me,” he instructed, gesturing the way with his right hand.

“Where am I?” I asked apprehensively as I studied him. His height was intimidating.

“Please…come
now
.” He ignored my question completely. Without contesting, I followed. As I walked down the gigantic hall, my mind raced, trying to recognize this place. The structure of the hall was breathtaking. Red veins stretched up to the ceiling on the marble walls. An ornate fireplace was situated on my left. It was quite obvious that it hadn’t been used for quite some time.

We came to a sudden stop. An eerie moment of silence followed.

“This is Billyth, located in the northern part of Elysium. Now, no more questions.”

I was silent and fearful of what was about to happen. My heart beat wildly and drops of sweat dripped down onto my shirt.

From behind us, a door opened and a beautiful young girl sauntered in. She had blond hair with the sparkling blue eyes, and her ivory skin was flawless. She wore a red overcoat stamped with designs and patterns. I could not see anything else but the familiar red coat. Then it struck me—I was in complete shock. She was the girl from my dream.

“Please, what is taking so long, Azaziel?” Her voice carried a soft melody. As she spoke, it was as if I was listening to a beautiful song.

“I apologize, Nephele.” He turned his gaze to me.
“Please come now.”

He turned around and kept on walking. I followed. Nephele waited until I walked past her. I felt fear rushing through my veins. These people were intimidatingly beautiful, powerful and from another time and place.

We arrived in a crowded throne.

“Please follow me. You are one of our honored guests,” Nephele whispered in my ear.

I hesitated.

“Why would I do that?” I asked.

She giggled softly. “Do you remember what Athalas did to you and to your friends?” The very thought of it made me shiver. “Trust me when I say to you that I can make that feel like a small tickle. Now please,
kindly
follow me.”

The people that were present all had the same characteristics: blue eyes, pale skin and undeniable power. As Nephele, Azaziel and I walked down the aisle, everyone bowed their heads. I suppose they were paying tribute to these two beings. Before us stood a sublime dark throne. Azaziel and Nephele took their place on the right side.

“Please stay on the left side of the throne, Isaac,” Nephele spoke gracefully. She fixed her eyes firmly toward a small door to our right.

Though no one spoke audibly, it was clear that they understood each other.

From a distance, I saw three people walking down the hall. I could tell it was Devin and Adawnas, but the other one wasn’t very clear until they were closer—it was Athalas. My heart leaped when I realized Athalas carried Demetre’s body. Devin and Adawnas had their heads bowed as they walked in, their faces expressionless.

“Ah! The prodigal children have come home! While some of us hide here, you two are brave enough to go out on your own and try to live a life never chosen for you,” Nephele said.

Neither one of them replied with any gestures or words. They looked frightened.

“I must say, I really admire you two. Denying your nature like that—leaving Billyth and joining with the Council for so long, only to see it fall afterwards… To think that you both left in secret, believing in the foolishness of a new life for our kind.” She looked at me. “May this be a lesson to
all
who oppose the Darkness!”

All the while, the only thought that permeated my mind was one—
my friend is not dead.
Most importantly, the Diary hadn’t been opened then.

Athalas walked to the middle of the group and dropped Demetre down on the floor. Demetre wore only a white cloak and his pants. His chest was completely bare. Demetre’s body landed with a thud. Nephele shot a piercing glance toward Athalas. Without warning, Athalas let out an agonizing scream.

“Be careful how you handle him. You have made him suffer enough already,” she declared.

Athalas fell to his knees; the pain subsided.

Those present in the room created a circle around Demetre’s body.

I was confused more than ever now. First, they all wanted us because of our blood, but now they wanted to protect us? Why did I have to stay next to this black throne alongside Nephele and Azaziel? What was going on?

Nephele reached behind the black throne and removed a box. Engraved on the front was the symbol I had seen before; its ornate design and detailed jewel work closely resembled the box that carried the Diary.

Upon opening the box, a soft voice whispered in the room. None of us were able to understand what the voice said. She removed the book from inside, letting the box drop to the floor.

“Isaac, I hope this opens up your eyes to so many things you were unaware of.” She came closer to me, leaving Azaziel on the other side.

“I don’t assume your guardians have told you about Demetre, have they?” She kept her eyes firmly on Devin and Adawnas.

“I am afraid not…but I’ve known him my whole life.”

“That is what your foolish mind thinks. Demetre is not to be this fragile, innocent little man.” She stepped down the small staircase, approaching Demetre’s body. She knelt next to him, her hands caressing his face slowly, her eyes gazing at him adoringly.

“You are probably wondering why you are standing next to this throne, in front of so many of us.”

“Can’t say that I am not,” I said, my gaze fixed on hers.

“Well, your friend Demetre is actually a lot more important than you think. You see, the pain he felt on his chest was actually the Fallen Star waking up inside of him.”

My eyes widened as I heard the word that caused so much fear in me.