I take a few steps away from Samael, unsure of what to do. “... If I say ‘yes’, what happens? To all of me, I mean.”
Samael’s wings close, the halo dimming. “Thou will ascend as no other Nephilim has, for I have never had an avatar.” he grins, “They never needed it.”
I hem and haw, “what happens to my soul? Listen, you’ve not given me the most…” I try to find the right words, “benevolent portrayal of an angel.”
Samael laughs, his top and bottom eyes shutting, “That is because I am not benevolent.”
“Are you a Fallen Angel?” I frown, “Will this cost me, my soul?”
Samael shakes his head, “I am not fallen, nor am I seeking your soul. I seek a vessel by which to channel a fraction of my strength, to aid my Father, O’ Lord God on high.”
“So you don’t take my soul, but you give me power.” I give him an incredulous look, “I’m hard pressed to think this won’t cost me anything.”
Samael fixes me with a disappointed gaze, “Doth thou not believe or trust me? Hath I not provided thou with the truth, unfiltered, for thine eyes?”
“You have but,” I protest, “I don’t know what becoming your avatar will do. Do I cease to be me? Am I just your puppet to do as you please? Do I serve you?”
Samael approaches me, “You will serve God, as I do.” he explains, “Your body will no longer be human, you will become a Nephilim as Saint Timothy is.”
“I will lose something, I know I will!” I shout, “Tell me what it will cost me!”
Samael’s hands grasp my shoulders, “Thou wilt lose thine weakness, thou will lose thine feebleness, and thou shalt lose the curse of Eve!”
“My curse of…” I push back, “I’ll be sterile?”
Samael heaves a heavy sigh, turning from me, his wings wilting, “Yes. Thou shall lose thy capacity to bear a child.” The halo begins to break apart, “Must I seek another? Woe is us, for the others do not understand as thou does, we must take the means to arrive at our much-desired end.”
The Halo of the sun peels off the floor like tape around the edge.
I step forward, placing my foot onto the edge of the halo, imagining it falling back to the floor, “I didn’t give you my decision.”
Samael regains his composure, “Oh?”
“Can I get time to think it over? Please?” I plead.
Samael places his hand to his chin, “... I suppose I can wait, for thou.” he looks at me, “but allow me to show thou one last vision if you please.”
“Fine.”
Before me is a battlefield somewhere. Bullets, guns, tanks, and explosions are all around me. A shell falls from the sky and lands near me, but the blast seems to wrap around a shell-like shield all around me.
“What the hell?” I scream.
A group of soldiers runs past me, they wear odd uniforms and they wield guns and weapons I’ve never seen before. The commander of the group shouts, “Men, we charge over that hill, and we hit her with the big guns, got it? This bitch cannot be invincible!”
A blue light flashes before them and towering over them is Rachel.
But it’s not the same woman we shot at Fort Hamilton.
Her wings are pure silver and she almost hovers over the ground, her toes pointed to the earth. Arms crossed over her chest, on each is a wicked looking set of swords that arch over each of her fists, her hands enclosed in the metal guards of the swords. She looks down to the men, her eyes pulsing with blue light, her smile twists into a maddened grin of joy. “Rejoice!” She skewers one man, “You shall reunite with God soon... “
One man pulls up his rifle and fires.
Rachel’s left wing folds in front of her, the bullets bouncing off of it like popcorn kernels. “Foolish Mortal.” she kicks the weapon from his hand, and slides down the hill, her feet descending on the ground. Her free hand whips forward, shoving the blade of her sword through the man’s gaping mouth. “You are as capable of harming me,” She raises an eyebrow, that madness crossing her face, her smile widening, “as an ant is capable of tearing down a mountain.” Her left wing sweeps forward in a blur, the man’s body falls to the ground, his head still skewered by her sword. “How shall I play with the rest of you before your demise?”
I hear a shell approaching, Rachel and I both face it.
The shell collides with Rachel, a direct hit, it vaporizes the men in an instant.
As the fire dies down, I observe Rachel standing firm, unburned, unscathed, looking out into the distance. She jumps into the air, her wings unfurled, and makes a beeline towards where the shell came.
“Pathetic Mortal Instruments!” Rachel screams as she lands on the large artillery gun, “You’re not worthy to even bleed upon my weapons!” she screams, “Consider yourselves blessed to die by my hand! Rejoice! You are all saved!” As she shoves her swords into the machine her eyes glow bright blue, the artillery bursts into flames, exploding thereafter.
I watch on in horror as Rachel stands on the wreckage of the machine, cackling, her eyes wide, rapture crossing over her face as her pupils come back into focus.
“Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely,” Samael says behind me, “But, I’m sure you’re aware, Rachel is not as powerful now as she was in her prime.”
“What changed?” I asked, staring on in shock.
“Motherhood,” Samael explains.
The scene changed, Xypheil slams against a wall, grunting as his head knocks back against its surface.
“99.9%?” Rachel shouts, “Damn you Xyphiel!” she charges forward at him, one of her swords pointing to his neck, her wings half bleached of their silver color. “What have you done?”
Xyphiel groans, staggering forward, “My love--”
“Enough of that!” Rachel spats, “You were the only port in a storm, Xyphiel, I thought I made that clear where either of us stood!” she then staggers, dropping her sword. Her hand rushes to her head, “These dizzy spells… do you have any idea what they mean?” she groans.
Xyphiel approaches her, “I was assuming morning sickness.”
Rachel snaps, “I’m transubstantiation you nitwit!” her eyes narrow, glowing ice blue again, “It means I’m being rendered mortal by your damned parasite!”
Xyphiel tilts his head, examining Rachel, “Mortal?” he approaches her, “Is that so?” he slaps her across the face, hard.
Rachel’s head ratchets to the left and she stumbles in that same direction, falling to one knee.
Xyphiel looks on with pride at the result of his slap, “My my, so you mean you have no power to fight me off then, do you?”
Rachel glares, her cheek red, blood seeping from her lip. She’s dumbfounded, touching her cheek, eyes wide, “no… no not now!”
Xyphiel stands over her, “Reconsider my offer Rachel. A family is important, children need the structure, children must have a mother and a father.”
Rachel stands up, seething, “I didn’t want to be a mother you old fool! That’s why I used those damn menstrual cycle suppressors from Rage.”
Xyphiel’s smirks, “yes… yes, you were at first, weren’t you? But after you declined my proposal… well… I altered your medical program.”
Rachel’s eyes went wide, “You… you bastard!”
“Granted I didn’t know as a result you’d become mortal… that was unexpected. But Rachel, come now, you and I don’t hate each other. Perhaps you can learn to turn lust to love, as my wife.”
Rachel turned and left in a huff.
The scene froze as Samael spoke, “Saint Dinah’s line is the only angel who can carry children.” Samael pauses, looking away, “At least, any more.” he faces me, “However, only one blessing per generation can exist at a time.”
I turn to face Samael, the room with the red halo returning, “But Tim isn’t that powerful, the way Rachel looked she was almost like Zepherina.”
“He is not, too much of his father in him,” Samael explains, “As a result, the cherubim is meek. But, his Seraphim form is far greater,” Samael explains.
I nod, “So he and Eva each are hiding their strength.”
“Vanity is a powerful sin,” Samael explains, his form growing, becoming less human, his wings splitting into three sets of massive wings as he stretches taller. His body grows more eyes all over it, each with that dizzying infinity effect. “We chose forms to appease human minds, yet these are not our true vestiges.”
I grow dizzy, and fall to my knees, craning my neck as Samael grows.
“True forms are pure, and purity is true power,” a massive hand reaches down “I shall give thou time to consider if your own vanity is enough to sacrifice thine world.” the hand is large enough for me to stand in.
I topple over, falling onto my back as I try to spot Samael’s head rising higher and higher into the air.
“Know I hath chosen thou, and that this choice is not lightly made,” his voice rumbled, “Chose, young Sofia.”
…
I wake up with Tim laying next to me, my heart pounding in my chest. Someone’s pounding on the door. I shake Tim, who grumbles. “Tim, get up!” hopping to my feet I throw on a shirt and pants while Tim shifts on the cot.
I get dressed enough, and head out of the room, closing the door behind me, and turning to face whoever is banging at the door.
A priest, in his late forties or early fifties, brown eyes and dark hair is standing in front of me, “Oh, sorry I… I was looking for Saint Timothy.”
I clear my throat, “The Major’s just getting up…” I explain, “Father…?”
“Oh, sorry, Father Edward Thomas, and you are?” He extends his hand, frantic.
I shake his hand, “Captain Sofia Vázquez.”
His face falls, “Ah, yes… the infamous Sofia, Timothy was so distraught over.” he clears his throat, “You’re here, now?”
I nod, “Yes, I’m acting as his second in command.”
Father Thomas looks down for a moment and shakes his head, “yes.” His aura is what I’d expect from most humans, though it’s strong and pure. What I’d expect from a good priest. “Sofia, I need to speak to Timothy. This is urgent.”
“You can explain it, I’m sure I can help.”
Father Thomas shakes his head, “Unless you’re an angel, I’m afraid you cannot.”
I frown, “Well, not yet…” the door opens behind me, Tim walking out.
“Father Thomas? Did you find anything out about Esmeralda?”
Father Thomas nods, “Far too much.”
“Let's discuss in my office then,” Tim suggests and heads out of the room, I follow behind him.
Father Thomas explains, “I knew that Sara had mentioned Esmerelda once, at least once, and with some work, I found some information.” he turned to Tim, “Sara left a… well, a laptop in the Temple Mount.”
Tim stares confounded at Father Thomas, “A Laptop?”
Father Thomas nods, “Yes, she had been chronicling her journey on earth, it seems. The Vatican had confiscated it.” Father Thomas clears his throat, “It’s rather explicit, but in it she describes Esmeralda.”
“And?” I ask.
We reach Tim’s office, the three of us heading in. As Tim sits at his desk, I stand next to him. Father Thomas takes a seat on the opposite side of Tim’s desk.
“With the description, we found the account of a woman burned as a witch in England around the 1300s. The church, in a rare occurrence, had declared her unclean, she was over one hundred years old and still youthful. She had powers that describe a succubus.” he pulls out a copy of an old book depicting a woman being burned at the stake with massive wings and horns. “They say she enslaved the lord of the land and forced him to send her serfs to seduce and devour. The local accounts state they never found those serfs, she drained them of their essence. The church burned her. Sara’s descriptions state she’s grown in power since she was in Hell and that she serves Belial.”
Tim narrows his eyes, “Belial? Do you think she’s after the same seal Sara was at the Temple Mount?”
Father Thomas nods, “It’s possible. Even if Ragna has summoned her in her service, Esmeralda still serves Belial.”
I interrupted, “Who is Belial?”
Tim answers, “He’s a Fallen angel I’ve dealt with in the past…” he smiles, “Well not me. A man named Fred cast him back to Hell.” he faces me, “But he’s an all-powerful force within Hell, and if he has a minion out here, she’s a danger to everyone.” Tim then frowns, “But we cannot defend the seal from a demoness and take the fight to Xyphiel at the same time.”
Father Thomas nods, “Yes… that is why I need you, Timothy. You and I must convince the Vatican to call upon a rather controversial group, but one very suited to this task.”
“What group is that? And how can they assist us?” I ask.
Father Thomas clears his throat, “The Palatine Guard, otherwise known as the Paladin Order. They disbanded in 1970 but in reality, the Vatican reassigned them.”
Tim raised an eyebrow, “How So?”
“Their task is to act as a guard against a demonic invasion of the Vatican… should it require such a thing. There was fear that the rapture was coming.” He sighed, “The Paladins, need to be holy people but, human enough so that when the Rapture comes, they will remain on earth… they would perform some sin to remain on earth to fight the forces of Hell,” Father Thomas explained.
“Why were they not called for when the Vatican summoned a Succubus?” Tim asked.
“They aren’t all in the Vatican at all times. To assemble them someone must call them, and that call can only come from the Pope himself. I’ve arranged for us to begin the process.” he fixes Tim with a serious stare, “They may not believe me, Timothy, but if you come and show them what you are, they will move mountains for you.”
Tim’s face was awash with concern, “I’m not too sure if I should show myself… I know the Vatican watched me fight the Succubus but I’m not sure about showing myself inside the Vatican for a prolonged period.”
Father Thomas stood up, “Timothy, I beg you, please come to the Vatican.”
Tim was about to answer before I placed my hand on Tim’s shoulder, “Father, Tim will be there, I promise.”
Father Thomas looked at me in clear shock, “Tim?”
Tim’s face flushed, “Only she’s allowed…”
Father Thomas faces me with an odd mix of emotions before he just smiles, “You’re a lucky woman.” he stands, “Come. They’re waiting.”
“What?” Tim shouts, “You set the meeting up already?”
Father Thomas nods, “I didn’t think you'd say no.”
…
Before long I recognize we’re in some prison, it’s a modern looking prison with plexiglass chambers. I observe that something has broken one cell from the inside.
Tim stops dead near the shattered chamber, “Father…. Isn’t that Immunda’s cell?”
Father Thomas frowns, “Yes, I only found out today he had escaped. He took the witch with him, I don’t know where they are but his escape is not good.”
I turn to Tim, “Who’s Immunda?”
Tim grits his teeth as we head up towards a set of spiraling stone steps, “He’s a summoner who called for a Succubus of Hell.”
“Named Sara Baker,” Father Thomas adds.
I stare at Father Thomas dumbfounded, “What sort of name is ‘Sara Baker’ for a Succubus?”
Father Thomas chuckles, “Her mother didn’t know she’d be a succubus when she named her.” he smiles. “Just as a man can become an Angel like Jason, a man can also become a demon.” he opens a sealed door at the top of the staircase.
Inside the next room is a group of Cardinals, in their red caps and red and white robes.
“Oh, uh…” Father Thomas clears his throat, “I brought-”
One cardinal approaches Father Thomas, “Father, please follow me.”
I stared in disbelief, not so much because there was a group of Cardinals at the Vatican speaking to us but because they were speaking Italian and I understood them. I leaned over to Tim, “Uh, why can I understand Italian?”
Tim turned an eyebrow raised, “I don’t know, why?”
Samael’s ‘blessing’ must somehow be at work. As the Cardinals lead us through several hallways, I whisper to Tim, “Tim, I have an important question for you.”
Tim faces me, “I have one too, why you’re here too. You don’t have to be here.” Tim said, smiling, “My Captain.”
I smile, “Because I want to see their faces when you show them who you are…” I hold his hand, “and I want to make sure you do.”
Tim’s face flushes, “I’m just… not happy to show my wings unless I must.”
Father Thomas interjects, “In this case, Timothy, you must.”
“Right,” I agree as I give Father Thomas a sidelong glance. “But about that question, before you derailed me: what are your thoughts on kids?”
Tim stumbled as we walked and glanced at me with a remorseful gaze, “You aren’t…?”
“The Pill, Tim.” I blanch.
Tim nods.
“I take it that’s a ‘no’ to kids?” I ask.
Tim shakes his head, “Not now.” he explains, “If I have kids I become mortal.”
Mortal. That word rattled around in my head as I thought of me growing old while Tim did not. If we had kids, we’d die together. But if I took Samael’s offer, we’d be together forever. I shivered, my stomach in knots as they led us into a huge room.
The massive hall was full of white and gold, and almost no people, save for one old man sitting on a throne at the end.
The Pope, sitting on his throne. I’m meeting the Pope.
My mother would kill me just to take my place but holy crap, that’s The frigging Pope.
Father Thomas knelt, “Your Holiness!” he spoke in reverence.
I did the same, though I didn’t speak.
Tim remained standing, still wearing his trench-coat.
The Pope stood and smiled, “Stand stand, no reason to kneel…” he shuffled towards us, “Father Thomas… many asked me to excommunicate you when you left.”
Father Thomas stood, “I am sorry your Holiness I couldn’t-”
“I have, however, excommunicated the bishops and cardinals that thought bringing forth a demon into these sacred halls was a Christian thing to do.” The Pope explained. “When they had asked to interrogate the sorcerer, I thought that was all they had planned.” he looks to Tim. “Now you ask me to bring The Palatine Guard to safeguard a location within the Temple Mount.” he frowns, “you claim it is a holy quest.”
Father Thomas nods, “Yes your Holiness, this man, Timothy, he can better explain.”
Tim steps forward, “Your Holiness.” he gives a slight bow, “Beneath the Temple Mount sits a Great Seal of Solomon. It is the lock which holds the gateway to Hell barred. The same seal that the Succubus that the Vatican summoned forth attempted to break. Ragna has called forth a demoness of her own, one who we fear will attempt to succeed where the first failed.”
The Pope nods, “So if I were to believe you, you claim Ragna has called forth a demoness, and that I must send my Catholic Paladins, into the Temple Mount, the holiest site on this earth, to guard a seal.” he sighs, “A temple occupied by the Israelites, only permitted worship or entry by the Muslims, and where Christians cannot worship.” he sighs, “Do you know the most difficult part of my position, young man?”
Tim shakes his head, “I do not, your Holiness.”
“The most difficult part, the most heartbreaking part, is to certify miracles.”
I stare at The Pope as he speaks.
“Did you know the shroud of Turin is not the death shroud of Christ?” he begins, “We say it represents the suffering Christ went through during the crucifixion but it is not His blood or shroud.” he considers his throne, “I have gone to places and found fountains polluted by nearby factories which appear to flow with blood. Yet the fountain instilled such potent faith in them, but, alas, it is nothing but falsity.” he turns to Tim, “I have not seen a true miracle for as long as I have lived. The only ones I have certified were a harmless occurrence that inspired people, harmless coincidences which brought people joy at no cost to them.” an amused expression came over him, “So, you claim to be an angel. I am skeptical. God’s angels are in Heaven, and this is where they have stayed in modern times.”
“I am an angel,” Tim explained, “I am Saint Timothy, of Enoch.”
“Where have you been then, Saint Timothy? Where have your miracles gone?” he interrogated. “Children die of cancer and their mothers pray for mercy and yet, none comes. War kills thousands yet it does not end as it used to. Where are you to save those people’s lives? To stop tyrants from ruling. We have taken these tasks on as men and men are…” he sighs, “flawed.”
Tim looked to the floor, “I have been trying, but I’m one of only five Angels on earth that serve God.”
The Pope nods, walking towards his throne, “Well, Saint Timothy of Enoch, not only will sending the Paladins to the Temple Mount be politically catastrophic, calling them would mean these are the end times.” he turns, “I am not supposed to question faith, but if you are an Angel, I would need proof.”
Tim lets his trench-coat fall and spreads his silvery wings wide.
The Pope frowns, “I have seen fake wings on people before,” however it’s clear Tim surprises him upon seeing the wings.
Tim crouches down, his wings spreading wide, and then jumps, flapping hard and flying up into the air.
I smile wide, and turning to face the Pope, “convinced now?”
By the time Tim lands, The Pope had fallen to his knees.
“Magnificent!” he exclaims, “Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined I’d witness an angel come before this church. Please, forgive my transgression against you.” he prostrates himself to the floor.
I turned and watch the Cardinals doing the same. Another shiver ran through me as I smile, imagining having wings of my own.
Tim knelt before the Pope and offered his hand, “Your Holiness, it’s not my place to forgive you.”
The Pope took Tim’s hand.
“But I would ask, please, send your paladins to guard the Temple Mount, I have to defend against Xyphiel and Ragna. It would put me at ease knowing your paladins could, at the least, sound the alarm if it came under attack.”
The Pope got to his feet, nodding, “Yes Saint Timothy. I’ll do as you ask.” he then shouts, “Call forth The Palatine Guard! Bring them here as soon as possible!”
The Cardinals got to their feet and ran off.
I walked over to Tim, beaming, “Wow, the Pope’s kneeling in front of you. What is that like?”
Tim gave me a stern gaze, “No one should kneel before me, I’m not a king or a ruler, that’s God’s place alone.”
The Pope smiles, “I agree, Saint Timothy, again, my apologies.”
Tim places his hand on the Pope’s shoulder, “Your Holiness, if I may give you some instructions for the Paladins in private?”
The Pope nods, “Yes most certainly.”
They both walked off, speaking among themselves.
I turned and made my way over to Father Thomas.
“Thank you for convincing him,” Father Thomas said as I approached.
“Tim can be stubborn sometimes, but he’ll do what’s right.” I turn to watch him on the far side of the room, speaking to the Pope. “He doesn’t have enough faith in himself though. He needs to fix that.”
Father Thomas’s face softens, “You noticed it too then.” he looks to the floor, his face flushing, “Timothy loves you,. It tormented him when he believed he wouldn’t see you again.” he chuckled, “I doubt Timothy would act the same if I were to leave.”
I wasn’t sure what Father Thomas was getting at, but he continued.
“You’re good for him though. He needs you,” he smiled at me, “... should you need an officiant for your wedding, whenever that may be, I would happily wed you two.”
I smile to Father Thomas now, “Funny you should say that… we’re engaged.”
Father Thomas’s eyes light up, “Wonderful news!” he hugs me, “I’m sorry if I was off when we met at first, please forgive me for my…” he releases me, “my jealousy.”
I can’t help but laugh, “Jealousy?”
Father Thomas now whispered, “I long for the love you share, but I see it’s pure and reciprocated.” he smiles his face flush, “Perhaps, someday, I’ll find someone who might make me break my vow of celibacy.” he then gave a mock stern look “Now you are behaving as a good Christian, and waiting for the wedding night, yes?”
My face now flushes, “Y-Yes…” did Father Thomas have some kind of crush on Tim?
Father Thomas chuckled as Tim approached, “I’m not a fool, Sofia, I’m certain you have shared your passions.”
My face is fire red now, so much so I can feel the heat radiating from my face, “Tim, how’s the Pope!” I say trying to change the subject.
Tim shot me a curious look, “Um, humble…”
Father Thomas glared at Tim, “Timothy… why was I not informed of the latest developments within the Temple?”
“I’m sorry?” It flabbergasted Tim.
Father Thomas’s arm wrapped around my shoulders, “Of your engagement to this wonderful woman!”
Tim relaxed and laughed, “I… with everything going on I had forgotten to mention it, Father, I’m sorry.”
“When’s the wedding?” Father Thomas asked.
…
When I had returned to the temple, Tim headed back to his office to speak to Demond. I was about to head to the medical wing to ask Irfan a few questions about Josh’s medication when I caught something out of the corner of my eye.
Someone was walking down the steps that went down from the right of the foyer. I could see a red glow along the walls. I ran over, heading down the stairs quickly. As I passed by the expanse I had first found Tim standing over I reached the bottom of the stairs and heard running water.
I walk to the right and saw a massive wall of stone reaching so high up that the top vanished from sight. Running down the wall was water, flowing down into a basin at the bottom. The basin was massive and had benches and indents throughout. There were many cups along natural shelves over the basin.
The red glow was right before the basin, almost dead center. A translucent vision of Samael, his halo pulsed crimson as he grinned. I notice I could only see the blindfold, not his infinite eyes behind them.
“You’ve chosen?”
I nod, looking to the basin, “Is this some kind of… baptism?”
Samael nods, “Take two cups, fill one.”
I walk over, taking two cups, and dunk one into the water.
“Do not drink, not yet.” Samael states and his form moves towards the stairs. “Follow me.”
I follow him, moving up the stairs and back to the foyer. Samael holds up his hand, glancing at me, “Thou shall meet one person as we pass the foyer. Keep it brief.”
We move across the foyer, moving to a room I had yet seen in this place. Samael vanishes inside, passing through the door without even opening it.
As I’m about to open the door, I hear Eva call out.
“Sofia!” she runs over, stopping right in front of me. “I heard what happened with my mother.”
I grimace, “I’m sorry, I know you asked me to kill her, but I couldn’t--”
She interrupts me with a hug, “No, thank you. Thank you for not. Sofia I… I was doing the unselfish thing, passing the act of her execution to you but deep down…” she pulled back, her eyes closed tight. I could see she was fighting back tears. “Deep down no matter how horrible she is, she is still my mother.” she opens watery eyes, “I love her. Thank you for sparing her.”
I smile to her, “I don’t kill everyone I meet… besides, she was excellent leverage with Ragna.”
Eva nods, “I… I should go, I just, I saw you and I wanted to thank you.” Eva hastily retreats. “See you later!”
I nod and walk into the room when she’s gone. As I walk in, the door locks behind me. I jump, startled, but see the red glow further in the darkened room. Inside there are several weapons, shields, armor pieces and such hanging from the wall. This continues until I spot something locked behind a plexiglass case.
It looks like a large blade, with no handle, made from red glass. I see Samael floating near it.
“Sanguine Amber is what some have dubbed this,” he motions to the object inside, the plexiglass door unlocking and opening. It floats out of the case, floating before me, it pulses with incredible power.
The surrounding aura seems like it comes from people like Zeph, Rachel, Tim, and even Ragna. All the auras flickering in hundreds of different hues and strengths.
“Mixed here is the whole of the Guardian Temple’s forces blood, formed into this object,” Samael explained. It tilts towards me, the tip of it facing me, the tapered blade faces the ceiling. “Pour the water on the blade, collect all you can in the second cup.”
I walk over to it, and pour the water, as slow as I can, over the blade, to where a few drops form at the tip. I catch them in the second cup, increasing just enough to make it a tiny stream. After what feels like hours, I empty the first cup, into the second.
It tints the second cup’s water red, I can see swirls of a darker red spinning within it.
Samael placed his hand over it, “Whoever so imbibe this drink of sacred blood and water, shall be the avatar of the Angel of Severity,” he glances at me, “a new Sword of Samael.”
I looked to the cup and saw a halo of the sun appear at the surface, like some kind of latte art at Starbucks.
“Drink, Sofia.”
I can feel my body shiver and shake as I look at the glass.
Guys, should I drink this?