22. Rai

Chapter twenty-two

Rai

Divinity in Motion

M y home was being attacked, a demon breach. Azazel grabbed the herbs for the Magic Shop door and then took me into his arms. He teleported us back to my home in time to see a demon leap into a portal. The other who tried to run, Azazel froze and a second later, the portal closed.

I had all of three seconds to try to take in the carnage that was in front of me. That was when I saw another demon charging toward me. I leaped out of the way and Azazel turned to see the demon pivot to attack me, blood dripped from his claws, and I had to dodge him before he could slash at me. Azazel appeared between us, gripping the demon by his throat and lifting him up. The demon's feet dangled wildly as he struggled in Azazel's powerful grip. This demon was a mid-level one and I'd learned from past experiences that the weapons I had wouldn't kill it. But my Champion could.

"Destroy him," I commanded Azazel.

"Gladly," Azazel said with a smile that dripped with his wicked pleasure. He reared his hand back and punched a hole into the demon's chest, ripping out the demon's heart at the same time. He then pulled his arm back, it was covered in blood and bone splinters, the wet, slippery sound both gross and satisfying. He dumped the body on the floor, then tossed the heart. I watched as Azazel seared the blood and gore from his hand and arm into ash, then brushed it off. He turned to the last demon left who was still frozen "He won't stay like that for long."

I nodded, then looked around for the first time to take in the damage. That was when I saw what had happened. Marcel lay motionless on the floor, his throat ripped out and Monique was moaning as she was bleeding profusely.

"Fuck!" I ran over to her. "Check him," I told Azazel.

"He's dead," Azazel said as he joined me while I applied pressure to Monique's wound. Tears clouded my vision, nearly blinding me as I thought about Marcel's death.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I cursed. Had I been here, Azazel and I could have prevented this, but I didn't think demons could breach my home. It was protected. My heart felt like it was made of pure iron because it felt so heavy. I shook with panic and sorrow. I felt so lost. I looked up at Azazel. "What do I do?"

All of the happiness I'd experienced less than three minutes ago was gone and replaced with terror and heartbreak. My chest felt tight and I was having trouble breathing. I think I was hyperventilating.

"Save them, Rai. You can do it."

I shook my head, the tears flowing freely. "I don't know how!" I yelled in my manic state, I didn't mean to lash out at Azazel like that.

He grabbed my face. "Look at me, Rai."

I did, I couldn't help but look at him.

"I trust you, Rai. You're more powerful than you know. Take me into you and use my power and together, we can save them," Azazel said. "Trust in us, baby."

A calmness washed over me and filled me with a warming and comforting sensation that could only be described as pure bliss. I closed my eyes and opened myself up to receive Azazel and when he flowed into me, it was different than when we bonded the first time. My entire body glowed as it levitated from the ground. Flames swirled around me as if I were in an inferno, but they didn't burn. I was held captive by the power that was infusing us as wind whipped all around us, sending lightweight items into the whirlwind. Suddenly, I felt an odd sensation happen inside of me like something fitting into place perfectly. Our souls melding into one.

The wind settled, the flames evaporated, and my body stopped glowing as my feet touched the floor again. I had no idea what had just taken place, but I'd never experienced so much power flowing through me.

"Go to Marcel, place your hand on his chest, you'll know what to do next," I heard Azazel say, which was a new experience. The last time we merged, he'd been either silent or unable to communicate.

"How can I hear you now?" I asked.

"Don't know. You couldn't before?" Azazel asked.

"No."

"And you still kicked demon ass without my direction," Azazel praised.

I felt satisfaction in that, but push it aside to save my friend. Quickly, I ran to Marcel. As he was already dead, I had to restore his soul first before it was too late. Azazel's knowledge was now mine. I pressed my hand to his chest as Azazel had instructed. Instinctually, I knew what to do, and let my power seep into his body, the power to pull a soul from the ether. I touched his soul, then I had to grab it. I heard footsteps—heavy ones—charging at me.

"Behind you, Rai!" Azazel shouted.

I turned to see the demon that had been frozen before coming at me. I had wanted to ask him questions, but I realized I already had the answers. He was no use to me now. I conjured my gun from the power inside of me. It was different from before, black with Hellfire flames on the handle and barrel. I didn't have time to marvel at it as I shot a flaming bullet right between his eyes. The charred hole emitted smoke as the demon dropped to his knees and turned to ash. I drew the gun back inside of me which made me shiver a little because it felt good.

"You're so sexy right now," Azazel said.

I closed my eyes for a second, because it felt weird to have his voice in my head. "Focus," I said out loud.

"I am. You can save your friend, use my power, baby," Azazel encouraged.

There he went again, making me feel things. I couldn't believe I'd been so stubborn before to appreciate his affection. No more. I would no longer deny myself what I wanted... what I needed.

I returned my attention to the soul I had in my hand. It felt familiar and tingled a little. As I lifted my hand from Marcel's chest, I pulled his soul out of the ether, the place between life and death. A soul was only there so long before it was dispatched to Heaven or Hades. Sure, I was certain Marcel was Heaven-bound, but I also knew he wasn't ready to die. At the same time, the grotesque wound in his throat started to heal and when he took his first breath, I knew I'd done something amazing. I'd heard of Guardians being able to heal people, thus bringing them back from the brink of death, but I wasn't sure about them actually doing what I did. I knew it was only possible because of Azazel. Marcel opened his green eyes and looked at me and I felt pure elation. Not only because my friend was back, but because I brought him back. I could save more people now.

"I know you must be confused, but rest for the moment, I have to help Monique," I told him, then I rushed over to her. She was still alive, but barely. I held my hand over her body and pushed my powers into her, healing her wounds in a matter of seconds. I was that strong now. I knew I'd never need to take that potion again as long as I could merge with Azazel. And the same went for him. We were each other's greatest strengths, our greatest weapons, and our greatest support. I understood that now.

She sprung up, gasping, and I grabbed her shoulders to keep her from losing control. "It's okay. You're safe now," I told her.

"The demons—"

"I know. We killed them, but one got away."

"They put something in me then took my blood!" she said, her voice shaking in fear.

"What happened?" I asked to get a clear picture.

"They shot me with a needle that had something black inside, then cut me to take my blood," she explained.

Fuck!

For them to go through such extremes to get to her, maybe they knew for a fact that Monique was the Chosen One. And since they had her blood, I didn't need to go to the Magic Shop now. I needed to go to the Guild. We had to stop the demons.

"What's going to happen to me? Will I become a demon?" she asked.

"No, that's not how that happens. I think they needed your blood corrupted with theirs in order to activate the demon essence that was already lying dormant within you," I said.

"This fucking sucks," she said, tears flowing down her cheeks.

I hugged her. "I know... I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's not your fault. Don't worry... I won't let anything happen to you again," I promised.

She hugged me tighter.

"Can you stand up?" She nodded and I helped her to her feet. I turned to see Marcel standing, yet staring at me, a mixture of awe and fear in his expression. "Are you okay?" I asked him.

"I was dead," he said as he touched his freshly healed throat.

I licked my lips and nodded. "I brought you back," I said.

He frowned and took a step closer to me. "But how?"

"Azazel helped. We are one now. Marcel, I will explain more, but we have to go. The demons have what they want and we have to stop—"

He held a hand up. "I get it. Let's go."

Being trained the way he was, he understood when shit was urgent.

"Give me your hands," I said.

They did and I teleported us to the Guild, but I wasn't allowed to enter. We landed outside of the border. Maybe it was because I was still bound to Azazel. We landed and Monique shook in revulsion.

"I really don't like doing that," she said and swallowed.

"I know, I'm sorry," I said. But it was the best way to travel.

"Let's go," Marcel said and ran off toward the main building.

"Marcel, wait, take Monique with you," I said.

Marcel stopped and turned, then held his hand out for her to join him.

"Is this place safe?" Monique asked.

For someone who'd been through hell tonight, she was holding up well. But then, I had no idea what her life on the streets had been for one so young. This could just be a regular day of the week for her with a little bit more horror.

I nodded. "Yes. Go with him."

"I trust you," she said then turned to join Marcel, only when she took two steps forward, she hit the invisible barrier. "What the hell?"

My thoughts exactly. I walked over to where she was standing and held my hand out, but felt nothing but air. Was it only Monique who was forbidden to enter? I decided to test that theory and walked to where Marcel was standing and yet Monique couldn't join us.

"Holy shit," Marcel said. "She's a demon."

"She's not," I corrected. "But she has demon corruption in her. I think that's why she can't enter."

"If you're merged with Azazel, then how can you enter?" Marcel asked.

"Because—" the voice of Darius startled us and we all turned to see him walking toward us. "You have reached the highest level a Guardian can, Rai. You and Azazel have become the Divine Weapon."

"The Divine Weapon?" I repeated because I couldn't believe it.

"What's that?" Marcel asked.

"What does it mean exactly?" Azazel asked.

"Azazel is listening too," I informed him.

Darius nodded. "Michael as well. He wanted me to tell you that he's ... begrudgingly impressed that you two managed to achieve the coveted level."

"Can all Guardians communicate with their Champions like that?" I asked.

Darius shook his head "No. You can because you are a Divine Weapon. A perfect union."

"I like the sound of that," Azazel said. "I wonder if that happened to him after Michael stuck his tongue in Darius' ass."

My eyes widened at the boldness of Azazel's comment and at the mental picture his words painted. Darius had already admitted that he and his Archangel did... things.

"What?" Darius asked.

"You don't want to know what Azazel just said," I stated.

Darius smiled at me. "I suppose I don't. To further explain, it's a term among Archangels when they reach a certain level with their Guardians. It's extremely rare as only three Guardians have achieved this feat. Ade, Jean Dubois—both are dead, and me... now you're the fourth, Rai."

"What does it mean for me?" I asked.

"It means that you are now the second most powerful Guardian, or you may be the most powerful considering you're bound to Azazel."

My eyes widened. "Surpassing you?" I couldn't hide the shock from my voice.

Darius shrugged. "Maybe. You share Azazel's power completely now. You may be able to do things even I can't do."

"What about physically stronger?" I asked because I'd seen Darius in real action. He wasn't no joke.

Darius smirked. "One day… let us test that, shall we?"

"Hell yeah, I'm game." I'd love to spar and would love to test my limits with my mentor.

I thought back to my home and how I'd brought Marcel back to life. I had to find out. "Since you're also a Divine Weapon, can you bring someone back from the dead?" I asked. I realized I had a lot to learn about being what Darius was. I knew he'd be able to teach me only so much because my Champion was a demon and my powers would be unfamiliar to him.

Darius shook his head, but there was a crease in his brow. "Have you brought someone back from the dead, Rai?"

I nodded.

"Me, sir," Marcel said.

Darius' eyes widened then, his mouth opening at that fact. "My god," he gasped as he looked at Marcel. His eyes noting the blood that coated Marcel's shirt.

"Yeah, my thoughts exactly. It was... weird... but in a good way, I guess. I mean, I'm glad I'm not dead anymore, sir," Marcel said.

I looked at him and smiled... he smiled back.

"He healed me, too," Monique chimed in.

Darius looked at Marcel, then Monique, then back to me. "Then you may very well be the most powerful amongst us, Rai. That is incredible!"

"More than you? I mean, you're over fifteen hundred years old, Darius," I said because I knew power came with age.

Darius nodded. "True, however, the power I get from Michael isn't the same that you get from Azazel. I cannot retrieve a soul from the ether and return it."

"Does it mean that Azazel has that power?" I asked both Darius and Azazel to see who could or would answer me.

"Yes," Azazel said.

"I would believe so," Darius said.

"Azazel answered. He said that he did."

Darius nodded. "Makes sense. He's extremely powerful. Restoring a human life in limbo is something a demon of his caliber could do. Once they get to the level of a Crossroad demon or surpass that."

Ah, that made sense if you were a demon who could grant a human's wish, you'd need that power. That was what made demons alluring to humans. Not only were they something a human could see, but their abilities could be proven. It was a hard battle I had ahead of me.

I cleared my throat and looked at Darius. "You don't find me freaky because I can do that?" I asked.

"Stop it, Rai. You're better than any of them," Azazel said. I knew he accepted me with no issues. But I still needed to hear it from my mentor.

Darius smiled and shook his head. "No, not at all. I find you to be a blessing for all humankind, Rai. You saved two lives tonight with your new ability. Imagine how many more you will continue to save as a Divine Weapon." He walked up to me and hugged me, which made me feel all kinds of warmth, because his approval was very important to me.

"I still have questions. How did he become one and you, sir?" Marcel asked.

"When a Guardian and Champion reach a level of trust, love, and devotion, and they merge, that's when it happens," Darius explained.

"Don't all Guardians and Champions feel that way about each other?" I asked.

Darius shook his head. "Not in the way that you're thinking."

When he said that, I remembered the way Michael looked at him and what he said about their relationship and I finally understood. He did say that Michael and he did have sex. But it couldn't just be the sex, it was because Azazel and I would die for each other. I knew that now. I wouldn't let any harm come to him if there was anything I could do about it and Azazel felt the same way about me.

"I will always protect you, Rai," Azazel said and his voice and words made me smile.

I would have to ask Darius more about being the Divine Weapon later. But I was happy to know that I was hella-powerful now. To be stronger than Darius was out of this world, but I couldn't—wouldn't let it go to my head. I decided to get back to the situation at hand.

"Darius, can't you let Monique in? She needs to be protected in case the demons come looking for her again."

"No. I'm sorry, Rai, but no one with demon blood can enter the Guild. It would weaken the defenses," Darius said.

"But how about when Azazel was able to enter my home," I asked.

"Exactly," Darius said. "The demons who attacked you must have used Azazel's blood and figured out a way to exploit the opening. We can't create an opening for her at the Guild, I'm sorry."

I chose not to make a fuss about the weakened defenses in my home. They did the best they could, I just wish I'd known about that little security flaw beforehand.

"Now, he tells you," Azazel retorted, pretty much expressing my thoughts.

"Well, where the fuck can I take her?" I asked, because I refused to leave her where she could be killed.

"I'd like to know that, too," Monique said. She'd been so quiet throughout most of this conversation, but I realized that was how she had been able to survive on her own. Watch. Listen. Learn. She was a smart young lady.

"I think you know," Darius said in that cryptic way of his when he wanted me to figure shit out for myself.

"Can you make anything easy?" I snapped.

"No, he can't. That stick up his ass won't let him. By that, I mean Michael," Azazel wise-cracked and I had to hold in my laughter.

Darius turned to Marcel. "Go and rest. You've had it rough."

"But—"

"Go." Darius gave him a look that said he wasn't about to argue. Marcel nodded, then hugged me before leaving. When you got an order from a Guardian, you followed it, no questions asked. Especially one from Darius.

Darius turned to Monique. "I'm sorry for all that you have gone through tonight. I apologize that I can't let you in, but you will be protected. Our young Guardian here knows the perfect place for you."

I did? Oh shit...yeah, I did!

"The Magic Shop," I said.

Darius turned and smiled at me, then he nodded. "No demon can enter there to cause harm. There is no place where she will be the safest. Also, you'll need the backroom of the Magic Shop to get to Satan's cell."

"Is that the only way to find it?" I asked, because I wasn't sure if that creepy Owner was going to be reasonable. Or what would he ask for to gain access to that backroom?

"No," Darius said. "But it will be the fastest way for you to get there. It's located in the space between Heaven and Hades and both demons and angels can get there, but it's not easy... unless one goes through the portal in the Magic Shop."

"That's good enough for me, then. Do I need to give him anything for access?" I asked.

"He will tell you his price... if there is one," Darius said.

"Are you coming? I mean, this is Satan we're talking about."

"I can't, and even if I take the other route, I won't get there in time. It will take me at least three days," Darius said.

"Why can't we go together?" I asked.

"Only one can enter for a specific span of time. You will have to be merged with Azazel when you do," Darius said.

I didn't like the idea of going alone.

"You're not alone," Azazel said.

"You won't be alone, Rai," Darius said, and I wondered if he'd read my mind.

"But—"

"You'll have your Champion with you." Darius smiled. "Have faith."

"I do, but the last time a Guardian tussled with Satan..." I let my voice trail off because that Guardian died to lock Satan away. And he was a Divine Weapon, too.

"He also wasn't bonded to the most powerful demon Knight in existence, Rai," Darius said.

"I'm starting to like him," Azazel said.

I've always liked Darius and the way he said that made me feel special, as if he wanted me to know that I was always meant to be different. He wanted me to take pride in the fact that I wasn't like the others. All of the bullying I'd endured that made me feel less than others should no longer hold any power over me. I felt my chest swell as a heavy weight was lifted from my soul.

"Thank you, Darius," I said because I had needed the boost in both faith and confidence.

"One more thing, and this is important," Darius said.

"What?" I waited.

"Now that you are a Divine Weapon, if you die, so does your Champion and vice-versa. Before, if you were just bonded, if one died, the other could still live. But no more," Darius said.

"Well, that's good to know, but I wasn't planning on dying anyway," I said.

Darius smiled and nodded. "Now, go... save the girl and the world. It's the destiny of every Guardian."

"Taking on Satan is one hell of a mission right out of the Guild, though," I half joked, because it was true. I mean, damn.

Darius nodded. "I will get everyone ready if you need backup."

"Meaning?" I needed to know if he meant if I died.

"If Satan gets free, we must all fight," Darius said.

"You know you just told me I could do this, but now you're saying I might fail?" I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Darius laughed then. "I do have faith in you, Rai. But it would be foolish to not prepare for the worst. Now, make me proud." He vanished then.

I needed to get to the Magic Shop. I ran over to Monique. "I'm sorry. We have to go back to my home, then we can go to the Magic Shop. You'll be safe there."

"I just want to point out that's what you said about your home and this place," Monique stated in what I was learning was her sassy way.

"I know... I'm sorry."

"I don't have a choice but to believe you. I know you're doing your best. Please, just don't let me get hurt or killed," she pleaded, and for the first time, I saw tears brimming in her eyes. She'd been holding strong for so long, but right then, she was a kid who just wanted to be safe and protected.

I took her into my arms, hugging her tightly. "I swear, I will not let anyone hurt you again. I will kill those demons who did."

She hugged me back. "I trust you."

Trust... one word that meant everything.

It was time to put things into motion.