บท 66: Chapter Sixty-Six: Light Battles the Dark
Hudson:
Laying in bed, my insomnia stole my peaceful slumber. Staring at the ceiling, the fact that my wife was one of the four horsemen. Only one good thing came from that which was that the end of the world wasn't coming anytime soon. Glancing over at her slumbering form, Death pushed the door open with his paw. Hopping onto the bed, he sat on my chest. Looking rather displeased with his current state, a quiet fit of laughter burst from my lips. Seeing him in such a state bemused me, the other half still happy that he was around to keep my dear Evie's mental state in check. A crooked grin danced across my lips, the humor far outweighing the depression of his loss. Yet, having him around the house at all times released a soothing energy over the house. Thankfully for him, he could now let living beings touch him. Irritated as he was currently, his future shone brighter than before.
"You look like you just saw a cat. Meow." I teased playfully, his paw smacking me across the face. "Jesus Christ, it was fucking joke. What do you want? Can she even touch living people?" Raising his brows, his tail began to wag. This shit screamed odd in my opinion, the sole purpose of my question was to find out if she would have to wear gloves for the rest of her life.
"Of course, I made a deal with the council to permit it. I guess we all agreed to not take that away. No worries there. Her job right now is about an hour a day." He informed me calmly, laying down. "The title I go by now is her familiar. Did you really think that I would let our relationship go? No fucking way. Although it was a lot easier with her keeping my ash. You have a keeper, but do be warned, the next time she dies will be it. No more second chances. One more thing, you have to thank Nuit for pleading her case. Don't tell her what I told you, Nuit wanted to keep it a secret from her. He said something about paying her back for every single favor." The bed groaned as I sat up, he rested his head on his paw. Even as a dog, he still behaved the same. Glancing at his aura, a new light had come over it. Come to think of it, Nuit was nowhere to be found. Perhaps a plan was brewing, his location haunting my mind as well. A bounty hung over his head as well, the whole point of him living with us was for his safety. Little did he know that Evie and him were far more similar than he thought, both of them charging head first into the center of danger. Even when it didn't make sense, they held their head up high in every single battle. Defending the little people seemed to be their core, traumatized pasts carrying them forward in their missions. Snapping out of it, I remembered that I had questions.
"Okay?" I mumbled under my breath, one more question resting on the tip of my tongue. "Why did the other horsemen protect her? I don't get it. Don't they want the w-" Putting his paw up in the air, his nose scrunched up adorably. Impatience showed itself in the way my fingers drummed on the blanket, his shoulders shrugging. What was his freaking issue?
"Nope." He answered simply, rolling onto his back. "We all agreed not to. War starts an issue every now and then. I collect the souls. Antichrist creates a mess all the time. Famine kills crops every now and then to keep God happy. Everyone is happy. People get to live on the Earth for a bit longer. Isn't that enough?" Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, he flopped onto the floor. Walking over to the closet, I entered our home. Things needed to be discussed, my curiosity kept me going. War lounged on a chair in the hall, his eyes meeting mine. Nodding his head, a tired grin dimmed his features. A kindness rested in his eyes, a far cry from the evil picture painted for him. Like it or not, good things did come from war. Territories had been decided, slavery had been freed at the cost of lives. Famine led to new crops, utter chaos creating new inventions. His question woke me up from my train of thought, the relaxed horseman stealing my attention.
"Are you the husband?" He queried with a wave of his hand, a martini appeared in his hand. "I would like to commend you on keeping her at bay. She's a wild one. Do you want to hear about Nuit's past? I bet it's eating you all up. You think as much as she does, your cogs tick a mile a minute." Rising to his feet, he sauntered up to me, his finger playing with my hair. What intentions lay beneath his words, my eyes narrowing in his direction. Opening a portal, he pushed me through. Thick ice threatened to knock me on my ass, icy remains told a tale of what once was. Glancing around, it had Evie written all over it. Icy flowers lined the walls, all but one space was clear.
"She did this. What was this?" I choked out nervously, my face paling. "Why did she do this? This isn't l-" Putting his hand in the air, the silver snowflakes contrasted his vibrant hair. Swallowing the lump in my throat, she couldn't have done this. Revenge wasn't her style, saving the small guys was the main goal. Sipping on his martini, a quiet chuckle left his lips. Raising my brows in response, my temper was about to flare up.
"Like her? She just lost her father in a sense and wanted revenge. Revenge is a natural desire. Hell, it is the underlying value of a continuous war. Something that I wouldn't expect you to understand." He returned calm as could be, plucking an icy rose from the ground. "The sadness is what makes it beautiful. Her soul is tainted with an incredible amount of trauma. Problem is that I can't quite place where it stems from. Something else caught my eyes, blood paints her claws. Could you help me understand that?" Raising my brows, he placed the rose in my palms. Dark shadows swirled around my hand, the emotion not making sense. Dropping the rose, we had to get back. Something was wrong, her tenacity doomed to land her into water. War could tell me about Nuit another day, my wife staying alive becoming my first priority. Her plan threatened to kill her, my boots smashing through the portal as the rose shattered. Running through the different hallways, the door waited for me. Sliding into the door, a bit of blood dripped down my forehead. Stepping back, my shaking fingers curled around the door knob. Ripping the door open, War called for me to stop. Crashing into the closet, Evie was nowhere to be seen. Skidding out into the hall, a panicked Grappy grabbed my shoulders. Seeing him in such a state should warn someone of something serious, dread bubbling in my gut.
"What did she mean by fixing something?" He demanded urgently, both of our faces paling at the three other horsemen letting themselves in. Leather gloves covered their hands, concerned looks flashed on their faces. Fantastic, the Gothic A-team was here. Attempting to use our connection, her side was cut off. Only she could do this, my heart seconds from beating out of my chest. Low growls rumbled in my throat, an anxious Grappy taking off into the sky. Catching one of his feathers, we needed all the help we could get. Dialing up Theros, he didn't know a thing. Shit! Evie really screwed up the pooch this time. Calling all the other alphas, none of them had an idea of where she was. Hanging up before I could answer their questions, this wasn't their battle. An injured Death stumbled into the hall, Aly pointing to his broken leg and then the sky. Storm clouds brewed, the epicenter proving to be in the empty clearing. Her wet eyes met mine, a cut lining her cheek. Concern not fear dimmed her eyes, her whole body shaking. Hiding something from me, the secret rested on the tip of her tongue.
"Did she do that to you?" I interrogated intensely, her head shaking. Rolling my eyes, she went out on her own. Why did she have to be so fucking foolish! Rushing downstairs, thousands of eyes watched me run towards the wall. My sneakers groaned with every climb, my arms threatening to give up on me. Reaching the top, a tortured groan poured from my lips the moment I pulled myself up. Shaking off my mixed emotions, Evie needed my help. Jumping off the top, a fresh layer of snow crunched underneath my feet. Not good, I thought to myself. Pulling my sword out from my belt, lightning crackled to life. Sniffing the air, her scent was everywhere. Glaring at the blood dripping on every tree, her intentions were clear. Evie hadn't wanted me to get involved at all, another low growl rumbling in my throat. Getting a good footing, I pushed off my heel. Crashing through the trees, branches clawed at my cheeks. An eerie silence came over the forest, a concentration of her scent wafting up my nostrils. Taking a sharp left, my feet skidded to a rough stop. Horror rounded my eyes at the way Oriont had Nuit and Evie pinned to the ground. My chest huffed up and down, the bark groaning underneath my weight. Oriont snapped his head up, the only thing in my ears were the increasing thumps of my heart. Returning to his victims, a sick grin spread cheek to cheek. Pulling up Nuit's pant legs with blades, silver covered his legs. Shock rounded my eyes, their connection making sense. Nuit had been the last person all along, my heart sinking for him. Looking up, an anxiety riddled Grappy sat on the branch, our expressions matching. He placed his finger over his lips in my direction, both of us not sure how to attack the current situation. Glancing around, her other warriors were at hand. Thousands of demons waited on the other side of the clearing, Nuit not wanting them dead. Unfortunately, that option was probably out. Saphy climbed up his tree, his rifle aimed for their sniper. Tying his hair back, his eyes scanned the higher branches. Garnet itched to go, Calvin keeping him in check. Clicking the safety of his rifle, Saphy found his target. The other horseman marched into the empty circle, War leading the way. Theros popped up next to me, onyx armor shimering in the early morning sun. A helmet prevented his skin from burning, his heart beating as fast as mine. Ready to fight, my heart skipped a beat. Waiting patiently, War spoke first. The very action giving us time to figure out the next step, my appreciation for him growing.
"Did you think that I would miss a good war?" He mused playfully, raising his blade. "I can't leave the Princess of Death and the proper King of Hell to die. Famine and Antichrist, are we ready to mow down some of those numbers? Let's go!" Leaping into the air, the demon army roared to life. Using the distraction, she kicked Oriont into the air. Cursing violently, demons flooded from the trees. The Horsemen landed gracefully, cutting the demons down with single swings. Popping to their feet, the others stepped out to stand by her. Looking majestic in their armor, a wicked grin spread cheek to cheek. Glancing up at Saphy, she snapped her fingers. Chaos erupted around us, his bullets taking out his snipers in seconds. Damn, his aim was deadly. Calling Pearl over, the little girl tossed up three of her pearls up into the air, her ice power surrounding it. Theros charged in, his claws extended out. Decaying demons dropped to the ground as Oriont looked around for a way out. Evil laughter burst from Evie's lips, the tip of her scythe striking all three pearls. Grappy stood in front of me, his brothers helping form a protective wall to prevent us from getting pelted. An icy blast blew our hair back, the delay in the result scaring me. Not having time to stew on it, dark energy moved behind me. Three demons crunched behind us, one swing of my blade cutting them down. Turning back to the attack, only horror music would fit the scene. All Hell broke loose the moment ice shards rained down like an unholy rain. An inky blackness overtook Evie's eyes, Nuit shaking her shoulders. Shoving him to the ground, dark energy tainted her golden aura. Mouthing a silent spell, Nuit, Evie, Oriont and I were in an empty black mind space. Shaking my head, this wasn't like her. Oriont had broken her mind, the dark energy surpassing his. Nuit struggled to his feet, his pleas falling on deaf ears. Pressing his palms together, the desperation showed in his agonized expression.
"It all ends here. I am aware that Nuit has to kill you to take the crown but I can tucker you out." She threatened wickedly, licking the blood off of her scythe. "Let's play, Oriont. Let's play!" Grappy messaged me mentally that he was helping fight off the demons, leaving us to deal with the aftermath of my wife losing her total control. Plotting the next step was her forte, not mine. Should I let her burn it out or should I stop her now? Focusing on my wife, the voices in my head spewed to many options. My face paled at the battle taking place, clammy sweat drenching my skin. Charging at him, he could barely dodge her attacks, ice claiming every inch of the space. Nuit kept begging for her to stop, inky sludge pouring from her eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes, ice crept up my leg. A steady scream of curse words flooded from my lips, a fiery fury burned in my eyes. How dare she keep me out of the battle?
"Hudsy, I can't have you getting hurt." She whispered sweetly, popping up behind me. "Stay like a good boy. I am going to show you how the pros play." Ditching me for the fight, Nuit ripped off his dagger. Ignoring my rising anger at her blatant disrespect, the frustration growing with every attempt to get out of her trap. Giving up, my eyes fell on a quivering Nuit. Rolling up his sleeves, scars lined his arms. Silent tears stained his cheeks, the physical scars matching his mental scars. Spinning his scythe in his palm, the three of them looked like balls of energy seconds from blowing up. Charging at each other, sparks drifted into the air, Nuit's speed making up for Evie's lack of it. Leaping into the air, the three of them bounced off the walls. Looking like balls of light in the sky, my eyes couldn't keep. A whistling noise echoed in the air, Nuit kicking a smoking Evie in my direction. Panic gripped my features, a passed out Evie landing in my arms. Nuit winked at me, my mouth speaking a silent thank you. Crashing into the ice, he mouthed to protect her. Covering her with my body, silver spikes spun behind him. All the breath left my body at the level of his power, his level of power surpassing Evie's. Evie stirred awake, her eyes back to normal. Squirming out of my arms, her soft words could barely be heard. What was she doing? Using too much magic would kill her if she wasn't careful.
"Use lightning to amplify those." She mumbled incoherently, raising her hands. "I will put up a wall when he lets them go. I am so sorry, Hudsy." Flashing her real smile, a warmth came over me. My old wife had returned back to normal, tears of raw agony flooded from her eyes. Kissing my palm, her head snuggled in my palm. Taking the excitement from her kiss, my lightning crackled to life with renewed vigor. Allowing my lightning to build up, Nuit gave me a wink. Going straight for the metal, a wall of ice blocked my view. A deadly silence hung heavily in the electrically charged air, a snap of fingers releasing another Holy rain. Spikes rained everywhere, her ice beginning to crack. A solid ten minutes passed, the wall crumbling down as she fainted behind me. Having met her limits, one of the spikes popped out of her palm. Gentle snores told me that she was going to be okay. Focusing on the battle at hand, Nuit trembled in his spot. Pride swelled in his eyes, his goal mere seconds away. Oriont was pinned to the wall, Nuit's scythe hung shakily over his head. Pulling out an onyx gem, he shoved it into his enemy's throat. Curiosity twinkled in my eyes once more, the big old thing glistening in the pale light of my fading lightning. I suppose I would have to watch the show, Nuit chuckling darkly to himself. The same demented expression on Evie's face haunted his, fresh cuts lining his skin. Inky blood dripped to the ground, his determination keeping him going.
"Cutting off my head won't kill me." Oriont elated with a sick grin, Nuit shaking his head as lightning crackled over his spikes. Wicked laughter spilled from Nuit's lips, his eyes falling on the gem. Pausing his attack for a moment, the dark side of him relished the moment.
"I can't but that gem will. You know the guy you murdered to get the crown. Don't think I will never forget the abuse my mother and you had inflicted upon me." He promised sincerely, the tip of his scythe striking the gem. "You see, it contains the last of my father's blood mixed with Holy Water. Here's to you joining my bitch of a mother." Horror contorted Oriont's features, his skin melting off in wet plops. Kicking the ice off of my legs, a wall of lightning burned to life. Covering Evie with my body, this was going to get gross. His body swelled out, blood and guts raining over Nuit and me. Grabbing the still beating heart, the empty black space faded to a sea of ash and tired heroes leaning on trees. Holding the heart over his head, his voice rang out loud and strong. Pride swelled out his chest, silent tears flooding from his cheeks.
"Upon devouring this heart, I shall be King of Hell!" He chanted boldly, dropping it down his throat. Swallowing it whole, a blast of energy knocked us back. Stirring awake, she struggled to her feet. Aiming her scythe over her head, Nuit narrowly dodged her throw. Shooting her a death glare, the dark emotion fading away the moment it hit its mark. A snarling demon's head was pinned to a tree, Nuit finishing the job. Sinking to her knees, tears of joy welled up in her eyes. Wiping away her tears, she couldn't help but feel everything. The goal had been reached, all the struggles being worth something.
"I told you I would help you become king." She bragged with a weak grin, reaching out for him. "I am so proud of you. May peace overcome Hell. Well, as much as it can." Sitting against the nearest tree, she rested her hands on her knees. Coughing up a fair amount of blood, Nuit tossed her dagger back to her. Clipping it to her neck, everyone surrounded her. Fussing over her, a small cry caught her attention. Aly held Flynn, wet tears staining the girl's cheeks. Opening her arms up for them both, the girl leapt into her arms. The reunion was needed, Flynn's laughter twinkling like bells. Hugging them like her life depended on it, an apologetic smile trembled on her lips.
"I am sorry, Aly. I didn't mean to hurt you." Evie sobbed brokenly, burying her face into her shoulders. "You don't ever have to f-" Shaking her head, an Earth shattering scream shattered the air. Popping to her feet, a sharp whistle had Grappy at her feet. Leaving the kids with me, she climbed onto his back. Flying back, an excited grin lit up her face. Hiking back, we entered as Raven was in the throws of childbirth upstairs. Curse words mixed with gentle ones, one strong cry allowing relief to wash over us. Peeking into the room, Raven cradled a healthy baby boy in her arms as a blood soaked Evie gazed up at me with all the love in the world. Salty tears soaked the baby's face, Stephanos grinning ear to ear over her shoulder. Mouthing a healing spell, any tears or loss of blood had been reversed. Theros brushed past me, embracing his brother warmly with a flurry of joyous tears. Spinning him around, any beef they had melted away in a matter of seconds.
"His name is Alucard Evron, after you of course." She announced through a wall of tears, her fingers playing with the soft onyx waves, his ruby left eye falling on me. Focusing on the right emerald eye, his laughter sounded like bells twinkling in the air. Smiling happily to myself, a new peace coming over all the lands. How could one individual bring all the forces together like this?
Some time passed, Raven slumbered in our bed as Evie scrubbed at the blood soaked sheets in the laundry sink. Coming up behind her, her lips pecked mine sweetly. A tender blush rose to her cheeks, a bead of sweat dripped off her clean skin.
"I can't believe that I actually delivered a healthy baby boy." She bragged with a bright smile, her wet eyes watching the dried blood float to the surface of the water. "I don't think I can get that stain out of the mattress though." Spinning her around, the sheets sank to the bottom. Yanking her into a bear hug, her head rested on my chest Clearing my throat, her loving gaze me mine.
"Why wouldn't it work out, Evie? Who else stands up for the little guys? Who else helps others before hers?" I choked out through a wall of tears, my hands cupping her face. "I told you that I would wait for an eternity for you. I am glad I did. Every moment I spend with is my own slice of Heaven. From the moment we met in school, we were bound to be together." Kissing her passionately, time stopped. Home, her arms were home.
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