Chapter nine

"Why are they still using their bombs?" I asked as another flew over head.

"Humans don't understand how the daemons work. Don't blame them for what they are doing. They're scared and confused. Just like us."

"Who said I was scared?"

"If you're not then there's something wrong with you. Even I'm scared."

He was right. A part of me was completely terrified and wanted to hide. But I couldn't. We'd walk for a day and a night straight with no breaks. I could tell we were getting closer to the gates of Dystopia. I could feel the warmth of forgiveness.

"You never told me why you were crying when you were healing my hand." Helios put his arm over my shoulders.

"You wouldn't believe me."

"I bet I would." A smile crept across his face.

"Well, when I was healing dad, I was in a golden field but no one was there. Expect for the protector. But when I healed your hand, it was filled with fallen soldiers and the tainted. It was such a beautiful sight." I felt my face turn red as I looked at the ground.

"That sounds really amazing. Wish I could've seen it."

"I guess five years of priest hood will do that to you."

"Hey!" A voice called out from one of the buildings.

"Are you two the Adones brothers? We need help!" A tall man with white wings appeared from a building to our left. I couldn't see his face. It was covered with a helmet.

"Yea we are how can we help you?"

"We need you to heal some of our people. Our healers died in battle."

"Battle? Where did you fight? I don't see any damaged buildings. And there's only one of you." I mumbled as I tried looking for others.

"You should've just kept your mouth shut you little brat!" The shroud fell away revealing his true identity.

His height remained the same but his wings were black and leathery. His eyes had black veins combing from them and his mouth was a mess of sharp teeth. And his movements were fast too. Helios barely blocked a blow from him.

"Are you okay?" I asked rushing for his side.

"Watch out!" An arm slammed into my stomach and swept me away.

I was sent barreling into one of the buildings behind me. I heard a crack as it became impossible to breath. He threw Helios' shield to the side and grabbed him by the head. He lifted him into the air and he just dangled there.

"Don't touch my brother!" I managed to yell that as I struggled to get to my feet.

"Erin, help." His words sound strangled as he clawed at the hands.

I drew my sword and used what strength I had left to charge at the man. I was able to sever one hand. Black ooz sprayed from his nub burning my skin. He let out a screech as he dropped Helios. All of his anger turned to me now. He grabbed the blade of my sword and swung me and the sword into the building next to us as hard as he could. I tried to get up but my body refused. Helios laid on the ground not too far from me. I wanted to call out his name but I had no strength to do so. I watched as the Hellion kneeled between us and chuckled. He was the last thing I saw before slipping into darkness.

I awoke to the feeling of the warm sun and soft bedding enveloping me. The white walls of the familiar place I once called home filled my vision. A nurse stood by watching my every movement.

"I'm glad to see you're awake. We weren't sure if you would pull through." I sat up feeling every ache in my body. My eyes searched for him but he was no where to be seen.

"Helios, where is he!"

"Settle down. He's alright. Him and your mother are in the dinning hall. They'll be up shortly."

"How did we get here?"

"My unit found your poor souls getting beat up by a hellion." A strong familiar voice boomed from the entrance of the medic wing.

"Asclepius!"

"It's been a while. Still remember what I taught you?"

"I do." I smiled as he hugged me. It felt like forever since I last saw him. I always thought his golden wings were the prettiest.

"Have you been saying your prayers?"

"Yes. Though I have much to ask forgiveness for." My smile faded as the guilt of my sins finally caught up to me.

"Don't worry about that right now. Try to rest. You've earned it."

"Right." I mumbled as he walked off.

I removed the covers and slowly got to my feet. The nurse tried to stop me but I refused. My whole body ached and my legs felt wobbly but I managed. I hadn't walked these halls in what felt like years. It made me realize just how home sick I was. Though it was odd to see humans roaming the halls. I made my way out to the small garden.

"Forgive my intrusion" I whispered as I bowed my head. I knelt down in the pool of water letting the cloth get soaked. I rested my head on my clasped hands. I took a deep breath in, feeling every once of guilt and pain that I had suppressed over the past months. I felt a hand on my back but I didn't look up to see who it was.

"Forgive me. Forgive me and make me whole again. Forgive me for the sins I have committed and the sins that I have yet to commit. Forgive me for those who I could not save and for the lives that I took. I know my actions were unjustified and went against my teachings. I know now why you stripped me of my wings. It wasn't because I was careless. It was punishment. Punishment for all the bad deeds I have done. Please forgive me. Let the love of the Protector guide me. Bless be thee, Amare." Despite my prayer being over I remained in the pool of water weeping over the guilt and pain for hours.

I finally looked up to see who had joined me. The young lady from the fields stood next to me. Her eyes were closed and tears ran down her beautiful face.

"I'm sorry I failed you." Her voice was so soft and light.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you and your brother. You losing your wings was not a form of punishment. I knew you felt guilty for taking those lives. But you released their aching spirits and returned them home. But I failed you. I should be asking for your forgiveness." She knelt down beside me.

"You did everything you could Soteria."

"And so did you."

We both sat in the garden staring at the crystal water. Not a word was said but both knew what each other were saying. We were both asking for forgiveness.