See How She Falls (The Chronicles of Izzy #3)(50)
“I am the source, the Origin of the Seers and Guardians. Some have called me the ‘Fire of God’," Uriel supplied, tilting his head to the side in question as if he were listening in on my internal dialogue. I’m sure he probably was.
“So, whatcha doing in my dream?” I asked slowly. Plowing right on through seemed to be the way to go these days. I just hoped it would work with this guy. Even more, I hoped that he would not prove to be as evasive as all of his creations.
“I’ve come to tell you, your day draws nigh," Uriel provided. Thanks, Captain Obvious.
“Well, I sort of knew that already. Anything else? Any messages you want me to pass on to the Old Ones. Oh, by the way, that Emmanuel guy you created has gone totally batshit crazy. Just, you know, in case you weren’t aware. Did you create them, because I sort of thought the whole Creation thing was God’s department.” I couldn’t shut myself up. I was standing there, talking to what I could only imagine was an archangel and all I could do was yammer. My brain had finally snapped. I’d known that it was only a matter of time, I just hoped that it would’ve waited until after the defeating the darkness bit.
“No, I am not the creator, I am the source. The overseer perhaps would be a better term. And yes, I am aware of Emmanuel, but like all mankind, Seers and Guardians are given a choice. Even the ones of old. He will serve his purpose, as do all men.” Uriel looked slightly bored with my questions which was causing me to get really indignant.
“So, we really are all just a bunch of game pieces to you lot, aren’t we?” Now, I was just getting angry.
“This is no game. This is a war. A war of darkness pressing against light since the dawn of time. There will always be upswings and downswings, but we must keep fighting. We must use all that is at our hands to ensure that man survives.” His eyes lit up with a churning fire as he seemed to grow ever taller.
“Okay, so what is all this then? Why do I keep seeing this?” I gestured around me at the angels and demons battling.
“This is a reminder. You are not the only ones that must fight. The fight exists on all planes, Izzy. Even on ours. Yours is not the only sacrifice, nor shall it be the last," Uriel provided.
“Cait," I whispered.
“Yes. She did something that was never asked of her. The demon never would have been strong enough to remain on the corporeal plane for long, yet she still sacrificed herself to ensure the world’s safety.”
“But did you ask this of me? How can I feel like it is even a choice, when my fate was written before I took my first breath?” I’d been struggling with the knowledge that I was powerless to control my own destiny. Maybe I could finally find some concrete answers.
“Because you do have a choice. You can walk away, and leave man to deal with the repercussions.” Awesome, more “it is your choice” propaganda.
“No, I can’t," I stated the obvious. I would be a monster if I walked away and left the world to burn. The vision of Chicago raced through my mind anew, the darkness consuming the man, eating away at him like some sort of virus.
“Which is precisely why you were chosen to fulfill this calling. Go forth bravely, Izzy. The fight has just begun.” Uriel motioned towards the ground.
The battle sped up around me as Uriel faded away. The shrieks of the demons echoed around the clouds, sending chills down my spine. I moved forward, to the place I knew I must go. To my end.
I fell through the clouds, down to where the battle raged. I looked at the people I loved. The time was here. I embraced the demon, hoping that it would end how it did every other time I’d had the vision.
“Oh, that’s precious. You’re giving him a hug? I’m sure that will make everything better for him. Solve all of those pesky hate problems he seems to have. Are you going to hug me as well? Maybe I wasn’t hugged enough early in life. Perhaps that is why I’m doing this now.” Emmanuel’s glee made me want to throat punch the bastard.
“Well, get it over with. I know why you’re here. Just slap the last mark on and let’s get this little game of chicken over with.”
“You do realize you will never win? There is no scenario in which you come out of this unscathed," Emmanuel mocked.
“I’m fully aware of what I’m about to face.” Not a bit of inflection graced my words. I was wrung out, tired from the game. I just wanted it to be done.
“You know you won’t be able to just hug it out with the demon, correct?” Emmanuel seemed to be enjoying himself, mocking me at every turn. I would really love it if I could somehow kill the meddling moron while taking down the demon. If was I truly lucky, they may just be connected.
“If you could shut the hell up and mark me, I would really appreciate it.” I stood, rooted in place, unwilling to show any signs of weakness. It was time.
“It would be my pleasure.” His voice hissed the last word as the final rune appeared on my chest. “Time’s up, princess. See you soon.”
“I’m so kicking that demon's ass," I muttered as I sought to leave the dreaming. “And then I’m coming for you!”
Chapter Twenty Six
I opened my eyes to a bright world. The running was over, the fight had finally reached my door. Inhaling slowly, I tried to focus not on what was just around the corner, but what was here and now. I looked over to find Kennan staring at me, a thousand feelings passed between us, but none were said. I couldn’t do what needed to be done if I kept saying goodbye. Time was up, and we needed to formulate a plan.