He used his body as a shield for an instant, but I still got lucky. What made Azreal bleed would've killed me in seconds. I'm surprised he can bleed at all. Was it because he was turning human?
However, his words still sent an eerie chill up my spine and I decided I don't want to be held by him right now. Another soldier stepped up next to Ragnar right as I started struggling, hoping to escape Azreals hold. Even though he was changing on the inside his height and build remains the same. Large and towering like an otherworldly beast despite the elegant way he carries himself. The soldier is dead before he even points his gun at me. The floor is spattered with green blood.
That's gross.
I glanced at Azreals outstretched arm, black light swirling around his fingers. His other arm still held me firmly against him as my legs dangled beneath me. I kicked out hoping for some freedom which earned me another growl from the beast clutching me. I think I got the message.
He grabbed my legs and wrapped them around his waist. My arms wrapped around his neck involuntarily as he dodged another attack gracefully. He teleported us outside the lab and I could feel his muscles strain beneath me at the effort. He was weakening by the second and I didn't know if I should be relieved or frightened. My grip on his neck tightened as I looked past his shoulder at the number of Zakerians chasing us. Another bolt of energy whizzed past us missing its target by an inch. Azreals hands adjusted my thighs around his torso making sure I'm secured as the glass in front of us shattered without him having to lift a finger. I can see an outline of a forest beneath us and It's such a long jump. Just how powerful can he be to destroy things without moving a muscle?
He took a step forward and we went plummeting down, wind sharp against my skin. I glanced at the opening we fell from and caught Ragnar's furious gaze. I can feel the cold chill creeping up through the fabric he gave me earlier today. A false gesture of kindness. I was the thing that Azreal kept close and they were right to use me to attack him. Because It worked. At least somewhat.
There was a strange sense of calm that washed over me as we kept falling, knowing deep down that Azreal won't let us die just like that.
As he said, he wants me alive so he can take his sweet time torturing me later.
Maybe if I let go-
I tried to untangle my legs and his grasp tightened to an uncomfortable extent. "Don't even think about it." outrage tints his deep voice and I'll be damned. He's the most pissed off he's ever been with me and I'm stuck in his hold. plummeting down like a rocket towards the earth settling on a tree branch gently as if we weren't heading towards our deaths a few seconds ago. His feet lands on the forest floor, the leaves beneath us breezing out in a perfect circle. He starts walking, his stride fast and steady. I marveled at the forest that has grown beyond wonders after the enslavement of mankind. This is what a world without humans would look like, gloriously beautiful and dark.
The heavy rain was subdued by the huge canopy allowing only a few drops to escape. Heat hummed from Azreals body, drying me up fast. I feel drained. My mind and body can't keep up with one trauma after the other. I wanted to sleep forever. My eyes were half-lidded, closing ever so slightly.
Azrael tapped his forehead to mine.
"I'm not done with you yet." He promised, eyes blazing.
That was enough for me to be alert once again. I kicked out furiously and Azrael's arm steadied me to his chest. I hate this feeling of helplessness. To make matters worse I could hear the sounds of Zakaerian pods just behind us. They were searching for us. I'm not sure which enemy I should be wary of at this point.
We came into a wide clearing and Azrael took his injured bloody hand and stained the floor. It was when I realized his blood was black and glittery. It's as if he was made out of the fabrics of a Starry sky. He truly was some creature that can manipulate dark matter. I shuddered at the thought. A pentagon glowing in obsidian appeared beneath our feet.
"Get ready."
"What?." I start.
The next few seconds were a blur as we started to vanish into the portal he just created.
Just like that, we're gone.
Then vertigo hits me and I'm stumbling out of Azrael's hold, dry heaving against dark green moss that's soft under my bare feet.
I breathe heavily and blink up against the canopy, realizing it's much denser than before. The giant trees have more vines twisting and turning at odd angles. He wasn't able to take us across continents like before but this place seemed far enough.
I took in a deep breath trying to calm my racing heart. In. Out.
Okay. I'm good.
I just need to figure out how I'm going to survive what's coming next. I know if I screamed no one's gonna hear me anyway. Running is pointless. Fighting him is downright laughable.
I slowly turned around to meet his eyes glowering at me. I think I prefer the emotionless Azrael compared to the one I'm facing right now.
"Have you any idea what type of trouble you caused us?"
I made the smart choice of keeping my mouth shut at this one. He stepped up until his large armored feet were inches away from mine.
"Well?" He insisted. His tone is deadly as always. I look at his injured form, which is turning mortal by the second. More silver strands turn black.
"Yes, "I respond curtly. "Nothing less than what you deserve," I state again, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.
His large hand curls around my neck again but he changes his mind, releasing his hold.
I cough, swallowing the glorious oxygen around me. His gaze looks like he's trying to hold himself back from ripping me into pieces.
I glanced at his injury once again. He got that whilst protecting me. But for what?
I'm not going to thank him. He's done too many horrors to receive a thank you. And I'm not sure of what other horrors lie ahead of me.
"We're even." I finally manage, fully aware that it does not feel even at all. I can remember the whip on my skin so clearly that I can taste the blood that was in my mouth when it happened.
I shuddered.
Azreal grabbed my face and made me look at him. Black eyes searching for something I can't understand.
"I'm very cross with you Aurora. I'm afraid I might just kill you by accident. So why don't we keep our distance?" He implored sounding very serious.
He turned around and started to walk away.
was he leaving me here? Am I free?
But I have no clue where I'm at. How am I going to find my way out of here? I'm starting to question if I'll ever get to see Lucy again.
"Oh, and in case you decide to go off on your own just remember that these woods belong to the nightcrawlers." He says simply.
Translation: meaning im not going to survive a single night here on my own especially, with alien creatures running around feasting on human flesh. I watched Azrael's shadow vanish into the woods and fear and isolation immediately started to set in. That bastard just left me here.
Should I take this chance to run? The chances of survival are close to zero. He's giving me no choice.
"Azrael wait!" I run towards the direction he disappeared to.