The Angel Teardrop

The Angel Teardrop

By Elyse M. Cunningham

Two men walked down the street towards a second-hand shop to pick up a gift. One of the men that looked to be in his 30s grumbled as they walked. “I don’t know why we’re doing this.” He mumbled as the man with silver hair and hazel colored eyes shook his head in annoyance. “You didn’t have to come with me, Joel, especially if all you were going to do is complain.” The other man barked as they shuffled into the small, brick building.

“Hey, I had to come to get some gift for the upcoming holidays. It’s not my fault that Uncle John wants us to do a Secret Santa under 25 bucks, especially since---,” “You got cousin Suzy.” Joel interrupted as both men then sighed and groaned lightly at how snobby and overbearing their cousin was when it came to gifts. “I’ll let things slide this year, Lance, but next year you’re on your own, brother.” The older of the two stated as the black-haired sibling nodded in silence. The two men then started to walk deeper into the store as Joel started to speak again. “So, what are we doing here besides the obvious? Are you low on funds again?” He asked causing the other sibling to sigh and grumble. “Yeah, sadly, and this stupid Secret Santa event threw me off.” He replied while rubbing the back of his head. “I know that it is 25 bucks or less, but we’re talking about cousin Suzy here and ---.” He trailed off as something caught his eye.  

The coat that was before him was a full-length Black Dakota Hooded Toscana Sheepskin Coat, something that he knew Suzy had been hinting/whining about wanting. “What is a coat like that doing in a place like this? Those types of coats almost run 3k. I don’t think anyone would want to give that up so easily.” Joel questioned as he cocked his head in confusion. Lance ignored his older sibling’s grumblings as he walked over to the coat to check the size and price. “Oh, come on, man. You can’t be serious? Even I know that will cost ---.” Before he could finish his sentence, the younger brother grabbed the jacket and headed towards the register. “Lance! Stop!” He shouted as he ran after him. 

“Come on, man. It can’t be---.” Lance held up the price tag which said 4 dollars causing Joel to become more confused. “How…? There has to be a mistake...” He managed to say as the woman at the register rang up the coat. The two then left with Lance with his gift and a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank the gods that I managed to get this without having to go insane.” He stated with glee as he examined the coat. As he felt around, he came across something hard, but light. “Hm? What’s this?” He asked as he pulled out a necklace and held it up towards the light. “What’s that?” Joel asked. “I don’t have the slightest clue.” He replied as he tried to get a better look at the silver chained necklace with a sapphire teardrop wrapped in silver with diamonds surrounding it. “Oh, man, did you get two gifts for the price of one.” The older sibling said with glee in his voice. “Yeah, but this doesn’t make any sense. What would---.” As he spoke the gem centerpiece started to glow and causing the two men to start quivering in fear. 

A brilliant white light spilled out from it the centerpiece and landed just before the two men’s feet. “Please help. My kingdom is in danger.” A woman’s voice said before a hologram materialized. The woman was the same height as Lance, had flowing golden hair, was wearing a white robe, and a pair of beautiful white wings. “Please go to Chamber of the Crown. There you will be greeted by a knight with purple hair, that is worn with an exotic flair, round eyes that are the color of burnished iron, and wears a black tuxedo that resembles a stage magician’s outfit. Please trust, Cealas, for he is my guardian during these troubling times.” She stated as the connection started to fizzle and crackle. “Go...bttz...to...pfft...Chamber---.” Before she could finish the gemstone’s light stopped glowing while leaving the two men bewildered as to what had just occurred.

“What in the 7 wonders of the world---.” Joel started to say but was quickly cut off as Lance started to make a beeline to his car. “Where are you going? You can’t be heading towards the Chamber of the Crown. You know that is nothing more than the abandoned train station!” He shouted, but it fell on deaf ears as his brother jumped into his car and peeled out of the parking lot. “Wait… Oh, god, mom is going to kill me and we don’t even live with her anymore.” He lamented as he stood there in the freezing cold parking lot as a strong gust of wind blew his way.

After an hour of driving, he came to a stop in his black 2007 Buick and hopped out of the car at the rundown train station. There he came face to face with a man with a powerful build and a narrow looking face that was playing with a 1941 Zippo Lighter. “So, are you the one that my mistress, Airlia, sent to be our savior?” He threw a glance over at the young man and laughed. “You’re scrawnier than an alley cat and she expects you to help us?” Cealas said between laughs as he walked over to the man. “But I will admit your cute and looks have been deceiving in the past.” He teased as he placed a strong hand on the young man’s shoulder. He pulled out a strange amulet that had various runes engraved within it. He started to chant causing the item to glow a strange and eerie red before the two of them poofed from the area before Lance had a chance to react.

Seconds later the two appeared in what looked to be another rundown train station, but the difference between the one they were at and this was there was nature growing all around. “Follow me.” He boomed as he started to walk towards the terminal. “Wait, I want answers. What is going on here? What does this have to do with me? How long has this been going on? And how will this affect my world?” Lance asked causing the knight to sigh with sadness in this voice as he came to a stop at the broken gates. “For quick answers; a demon that goes by the name Arkoth has been plaguing these lands long before man could walk. You’re the 8th mortal that has come across the Angel Teardrop for it only appears to the ones with a courageous and just heart; it means that you’ve been chosen for this mission. We’ve been keeping this demon and his minions at bay for the last 1,000 years. But it is starting to seep into your world due to his Incantation of the Devouring Age ritual that he’s been performing for the last several weeks.” He let out a tired, troubled breath. “Anyway, let’s get going. My mistress can explain this better than I can.” He then turned towards the busted gates and started to go deeper into the terminal.

Questions swirled as he ran to catch up with him as he moved quickly towards the main entrance. Once they exited, the landscape that was before them was filled with hellfire and brimstone. Before Lance had a chance to utter a word he was quickly ushered towards a strange rock that had the same runes from the amulet. Cealas pulled out the same one and placed it on top of what looked to be a key lock. A low rumbling came as a doorway appeared. “Let’s go.” He stated as he pushed the man into the opening. He fell to the ground with a loud thud as the knight walked in, closing the entrance behind them. “We’re here, Lady Airlia.” He said bowing to the back of a woman, who turned to face them. “Thank you for coming. I apologize for the sudden urgency and dragging you into our mess, but we require assistance.” She spoke softly as tears streamed down her face. 

Lance quickly got up from the ground and looked at her with confusion. “What does any of this have to do with me? And why are you seeking out mortals? Wouldn’t it be more useful to look for someone here in this realm of what looks to be magic?” He stated while trying to keep his cool, but he knew deep down that he was freaking out. She gave him a warm smile as she stepped towards him. “You are correct in that assessment, sir. It would be more useful to seek someone out here in our realm, but almost everyone has been changed into horrible monsters that roam our world now.” 

She waved her hand and caused a screen to appear. She snapped her fingers to cause a film to play out. “Arkoth has been in this realm for as long as I have and we’ve been at war long before spirits and humans were around.” She stated as the film showed her and a demon clashing. “We’ve been fighting for who rules over your lands and things have come to ahead to where we need humans to assist us.” She fell silent for a moment before she started to speak again. “I do know that it is selfish of me to put people like you in harm’s way, but we don’t know where to turn anymore and we are at our wit’s end with this.” She choked back her fake tears as Cealas shook his head. “You may not be magical, but I do know that you can help us with. I can tell that you are different from the others.” She whispered as Lance turned and started to make his way back to the door. “Well, you can count me out. I know that I’ve done some stupid things in my time, but to force humans to be your soldiers is not the way to go. Sorry lady, but there is no way I can help you.” He interrupted as he stormed out. 

“Just like last time,” Cealas muttered to himself before going after him. “He couldn’t have gotten that far.” He thought to himself as he then heard screaming in the distance. He quickly ran towards the screams to find Lance face to face with Arkoth. “Another human coming to me be slaughtered in the name of the selfish sister, eh? Heh, you humans never learn, do you when you come across the Angel Teardrop?” The strange being with webbed ears, a sucker-like mouth, and a rather lengthy body that towered over him. His red eyes flashed with a mixture of anger, sadness, and wanting peace. He glanced over at Cealas who was taking up the rear. “You never told this one the truth, did you? I know how much you cared about the last one and didn’t want to see him in harm’s way. I’ll take it as this is the same case?” The knight sheepishly ran fingers through his hair as he shook his head. “It is kind of hard, to tell the truth with your sister breathing down my neck and expecting me to bring an unwilling participant.” He grumbled. “And you’re correct, I don’t want to see this one in harm’s way. The only reason I brought this human here was in an attempt to stop your sister.” Tears fell from the man’s face. 

“So, this whole squabble is due to…?” “My sister not being able to take over the earth. While this may seem odd, but she’s the one that is actually evil and has caused this chaos that you see here.” The demon said in a matter of fact tone as Cealas nodded in silence. Lance dug into his pocket and pulled out the Angel Teardrop. “What is the point of this then?” He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the two with confusion. “It’s a power amulet that I created, but Airlia got her paws on it and made it into a weapon that can kill Arkoth here, sadly. And there is no way for me to fix it.” The knight replied with annoyance as he folded his arms. “Hm…” Lance muttered to himself as he stared at the jewelry. “This may be a stretch, but what if I…?” He then started to fiddle with the diamonds that surround the sapphire. Before either, one of them had a chance to react, the rock where Airlia was, transformed by turning it into a prison. Once she was sealed away the lands transformed back to their original state and everything became peaceful once more. 

“Thank you, thank you, kind sir! This is a wonderful sight to see.” Arkoth stated as tears of joy fell from the two beings. After a bunch of heart fell hugs, Cealas returned Lance to his world. “Hey, why don’t you come with me for the holidays? I could always use someone as a distraction from my siblings and cousins.” Lance offered as the knight turned back around giving him a beaming smile. “Thank you for the kind offer.” He said as he got in Lance’s car and the two of them drove off towards Uncle John’s house for Secret Santa.