Halo Rising: chapter 4 and 5

Chapter 4:

“I’m tired of this.” Marcus said, “Let’s show the boy what I really know.”

John laughed, “Sure, sure—you just hate getting your face cut...”

...Wind started to sweep out from the north with a cold bite. It burned against John’s face like the blades against David’s cheek.

He smirked as he started to feel the familiar tingling running like devils up and down his spine. The sensation was overwhelming and he fell to his knees.

...Heat started to seethe from every pour on his skin. He could almost feel the steam rising from his back in waves...

The skin began to stretch dangerously thin over his shoulder blades—it felt like thousands of hands clawing and scratching; searching... He ripped the shirt off of his back, even the soft cotton annoying him..

The wind started to sink towards the dirt and stone, the clouds began to dive downwards onto the earth..

His skin breeched over the bones that swept quietly underneath—

The feel of two claw like fingers broke open through the top of his back. They hooked downwards, becoming tangled, then arched back up....

Long, gentle feathers started to shoot out from the fingers—running down the curve until they were filled out....

The soft shuffle of the wings against one another was familiar.

They crossed over each other; tangled, upside-down and pointed upwards towards heaven. The soft bluish hue that twinkled from them gleamed as the sky lifted back into place.

Each time he changed, John could not get used to it....But that was the way of each angel summoner.

The wings represented the heavens, and there tangled mesh represented his mortality–his being bound to the earth—a true earthen and spiritual angel.

David stood completely aware and awakened. John smirked when he noticed it was now truly the boy and not his counterpart.

“So, you understand now, do you not?”

Smoky-green eyes looked up at the twin with a certain twinge they didn’t have before.

“Yes, I do. Completely.”

***

William was hidden in a tree as Millor pretended to look for him.

“Where did that boy go?” The younger twin laughed. He pulled from his small hilt, a long, hunting knife adorned with gold leaf.

“Oh wait...”

The threw the knife into the tree as if it was on fire. William laughed; he expected as much.

He leapt from the tree with his sword Arlen in his hands, fully blazon.

William twirled the sword as if it was a wooden baton. He lifted his knees high as he started to run at Millor, picking up incredible speed.

Millor put his arms in front of his face as he braced for impact. The feel of the blade against his bare skin burned down through to his bones.

“Augh! You put a spell on this, didn’t you?!”

William laughed as he leapt into the air, tumbling over him with flawless grace. He threw the sword to the earth where it broke free into its animal form, turning on a dime and launching itself towards Millor.

William landed behind the twin his arms wrapped about the man’s neck.

“Nice try...”

Millor bent his body forward, throwing William off—but the red head just smiled as he watched Arlen clutch his neck with his teeth.

“Your right—I did put a spell on my blade—a cure spell. One for Arlen, and one for his heart—it gives off no sound.”

The boy retched in the animals grasp.

“Damn you....” Millor cursed as William smirked.

“What goes on here?”

The three of them turned to see David and John standing at the gate of their field.

“Eh, brother?” Millor said, now free from Arlen’s grasp. The panther now sat calmly at his masters side.

“So, you’ve awakened, eh David?” William asked as he took a look at him. He lightly brushed a finger across his wings.

“Don’t touch. Your hands are dirty.” David frowned, folding his arms.

William looked down at his hands, which were scared with blood, “I suppose.”

***

Stone dragons were set outside in long rows outside of the great hall. From there backs they supported large columns of steel and mortar that rose up like forests, holding the roof in place.

Underneath its earthen awning, stood two, carved China doors. There surfaces painted with a grand, blue, mural shellacking of dancing lions and angels, there arms and wings intertwined.

Lenna didn't spend too much time looking at the beauty, as she had been there many times before—but never to ask such a huge favor of the Gate Keeper.

Chapter 5:

She raced into the hall, her dress waving delicately behind her.

Her small legs moved up the stairs as if on wheels. In her sights was the receptionist behind her large, wooden, oval desk sitting to the side of a large closed off hallway—at the end of that hallway was the Gate Keeper's private quarters.

The young girl at the desk looked up when she saw Lenna racing up.

“Excuse me Please, hold—I haven't called anyone forwards.” she declared; Lenna passed her a glare, then sighed, slowing down.

“...Yes, that's true,” the woman said, “But I know Ehilowhin.”

The receptionist blinked wide eyed.

“Y-you know—!” Lenna cut her off.

“Yes. I know his real name.”

The girl at the desk waved her to proceed down the personal hall. She nodded thanks and pushed the doors open.

This hall was always dark and damp. The lantern holders barren; there was suppose to be no light exposed within his sanctum because of his blindness..

“I know it’s you Lenna Huron.”

The thin voice echoed in the walls behind the door—before she could even knock.

“Gate Keeper, I have to speak to you.”

“Are we not speaking where we are?”

Lenna rolled her eyes, “Please, Ehilowhin...Enough of this.”

She could almost hear him smirking behind the door.

“Then come in.” He whispered.

Lenna pushed the thick, 5 inch, double ebony doors open only ajar, to slip her slim form inside then closed them quickly; inside, it was pitch black.

“Keeper?” she asked. His eyes must be closed, she thought.

As if on cue, the man opened two soft, steamy eyes from almost beside her. She jumped slightly from surprise.

“Yes?” She heard him walking forwards; Lenna followed.

“....It’s almost time, Gate Keeper...” She spoke, “The demons will be upon us in only 5 days.”

“I know.”

She could hear his garments ruffling as he sat down.

“And what do you plan to do?!” Lenna said, her voice rising. Ehilowhin gather his stare and burned holes into her eyes.

“I plan to do what I can for my city.”

“Dammit! This city will burn if you don’t move them to the citadel!”

He looked down, moving papers across his desk, “And you plan to do what? Put all of our faith in a legend that died off two centuries ago?!” His hand slammed the table.

“Please, Miss Lenna, these people are scared enough,” The Gate Keeper sighed, “...You have my permission to move the people to the citadel. Happy?”

Lenna smiled a thin whips of teeth.

“Thank you—Now, the other thing was—”

“Was what?!” The man declared, rising to his feet.

“What is the quickest path to the current?”

He shook his head, “No. That is confidential.”

“I have to know! What if something happens and your killed?! The Current must be guarded at all times, and when your moved to the citadel—”

Ehilowhin scoffed, “I will not be moved! I will protect the Current!”

“....You must understand,” Lenna tried to speak, but the man only dismissed her.

“This is my land,” The Gate Keeper spoke, “You have my permission to move the people into the citadel, but I’ll be damned if I’ll go along as well.”

“Then at least tell me—!”

“No!”

The four men stood up as they watched the girl approach the hotel. Her hands were lowly behind her back and her posture was stiff.

“He disagreed, didn’t he?” John asked trying to take her hand. She just smiled meekly.

“Yes—and he didn’t tell me where the current was either....” Her eyes burned with tears.

Millor cursed, “He’s such an ass! How could he not tell us!?! We have the angel summoner here!” He looked at David who passed a look in between the twins and Lenna.

“He’ll eventually tell us.” William said, “He’ll have to.”

They had to calm themselves; and the best place was the hotel.

A large dinner was served in the private section of the dinning hall for the five of them.

“What is this..?” David whined as a basket of large, shelled-like fish was served in front of him. It dominated most of the foods there, besides the bread and dips.

“What do you mean?” Lenna laughed, pulling one from the basket.

It had long antenna like most insects did, and also had 6 spindly legs as well stretching from its sides. The shelled back was similar to that of a lobster, but looked harder and more plated.

“It’s a relative of the trilobite.” David looked at William who was feeding one to Arlen, “They existed on earth millions of years ago. Personally, I think there more related to roaches actually...” he laughed.

David gaged, “I cant eat this.”

“Oh, but don’t get me wrong!” William said, slathering one of them with butter, “They taste good.” He stabbed his fork in between the plates over the head and back and pulled the meat from the exoskeleton. William smiled, “Try it.”

“No, I’m fine.” David pushed the food, if you could even call it that, out of the way. William laughed.

“You have to eat something.” Lenna demanded, pushing the salad to him.

***