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Lily:
Pitch blackness swallowed all but a single flame floating in front of me, Boomer and Victoria sticking close to my side. The flame represented a soul's sense of hope, my heart yearning to be back home. Death had sent us on a mission to retrieve a lost soul in the space in between purgatory and the upstairs, the snarls around me not scaring quite yet. Her warning was clear, the flame should never die or we would have a hard time getting back. Not to mention, that particular soul would die. Knowing me, the flame would probably blow out and leave me in a tough spot. Summoning a protective dome around it, we were looking for a woman about my age. Listening for a scream of any sort, a woman in an outfit similar to mine floated just out of the light. A sad smile dawned on my lips, the flames flaring. Nothing mattered to me at this moment except saving her soul. Every soul deserved a happy ending if you tried in life. Shaking it off, this job gave me a reprieve from my mental strife. Checking to see if we were all still on her string, the air grew heavy. Heavy footsteps thudded behind me, hot breath bathing the back of my neck. Horror widened my eyes, the color draining from my face. Whispers turned into screams, inky blood pouring from my ear. Running straight ahead, my scythe trembled in my palms. Leaping over the visible roots, she had to be somewhere around here. Jumping into the air, the flame threatened to flicker out. Flipping through air, all I needed was one shot where that monster was. Landing on the nearest tree, Victoria and Boomer hopped from branch to branch behind me. A decaying Victorian mansion hid in the shadows, one hand motion telling them to follow me. A cloud of ash obscured my clumsy landing, something caused us to float into the air. A slender hand yanked us into the mansion, her shaking hand locking the door behind her. The monster scuttled back into the shadows of the forest, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. Sliding down the wall, I needed to catch my breath. This job was taking it out of me, something capturing my eyes. Floating over me, a female spirit with shoulder length waves and fluffy bangs looked exhausted beyond belief. Her sweatshirt dress matched the style of mine, tears of sorrow soaking my head. Wondering how she got here, the universe sure had a way of acting up at the worst times.
“I fell through a hole in the purgatory and I can’t seem to find my way out.” She wept with a deep grimace, my heart breaking for her. “Can you get me to where I need to go to move on? I am afraid this mansion is a dead end, the only way out is out there.” Struggling to my feet, our footfalls echoed over to the window. A portal into purgatory glowed in the distance, the flames flickering again. Cursing under my breath, its spell was wearing out. What had her losing her hope? Coursing through the possible ways there, Watching for what that monster was, my eyes fell on the lost spirit. What she needed was warmth served with a fresh bit of hope.
“Do you have a name?” I inquired with a friendly smile, Boomer licking her face as she sat down next to me. “Also, it might be cool if you had any idea what that monster is.” Pressing her lips into a thin line, her fingers played with the hem of her dress. My goodness, she was me a few years back.
“They call me Cally and it is a cross between a centipede and snake. I almost get eaten every single time.” She admitted with shame dimming her eyes, her wistful gaze falling on me. “I have another favor. Do you think you could bring me home to check up on my parents before I headed up to Heaven?” Black scales shimmered in the glow of my flames, Boomer snarling in the direction of the darkest corner. Inky bubbles floated around the tip of my scythe, the monster scuttling towards us. A loud yes burst from my lips, the opportunity I required had presented itself.
“Summon the darkest of the shadows and devour this monster!” I commanded boldly, my inky bubbles floating over the confused monster. “Time to go!” Leaping out the window, orange flames roared to life. Using the light of the flames to rush towards the hole, a snarl flickered on my lips at the light fading away in minutes. Skidding to a stop, the flames had died down considerably. There was no way we were going to make it in time, inky energy building around my heel. Scooping up Boomer, we shot into the sky. Victoria and Cally clung to my side, another blast of energy getting us closer. My hair fluttered wildly, the hole closing up as we whistled closer. Grabbing the edge, one throw had them into purgatory. Pulling myself up, lost souls wandered around aimlessly in the foggy forest. Wishing them a way out, their time would come. Turning towards Cally, Victoria looked visibly annoyed at the younger spirit clinging to her. Her wish needed to be granted, my desire to send people off with their happy endings. Reaping didn't need to be so cold, this next part would be up to her.
“Where do your parents live?” I inquired with a friendly smile, happy to be out of the shadows. “I can get my father to help us there. Father!” Lucifer appeared in front of me in a rumpled dress shirt and nice trousers, his devious grin speaking of his latest venture. Smoothing out his outfit, he cleared his throat. People needed to play every now and then, he was the Devil after all.
“Luckily, I had finished a half an hour ago. Where am I taking you?” He mused playfully, leaning on my shoulder. “I hope she knows that you can’t talk to them.” Shooting him a shaking thumbs up, the rules had been stated. Holding hands, his energy swirled around us as purgatory faded away to a suburban home. Storm clouds rumbled to life, the water soaked us to the bone. The rain turned into the background noise, Cally unsure of what to do. Time to lighten up the mood enough for her move, my next words could either land or flop. Walking over to her, I needed to assess where she was mentally.
“Not that I want to know but did you use protection?” I retorted sarcastically, the corner of his lips twitching with his brow. “I am not going to be a big sister, right?” Ignoring my question, Cally’s protests fell on deaf ears as I tied her to my waist with Victoria’s rope. Tugging on the rope, growls rumbled in her throat. Something in her eyes told me that she would sprint into the house which would wrinkle her plan to walk into the light.
“I can’t let you see your family so you need to watch through the window.” I explained with a huff, her arms dangling by her side. “We can get a bit closer.” Her mother and father ate dinner in pensive silence, her little sister staring out the window. Her eyes widened, my heart sinking to my stomach at her smile. Waving in her direction, she mouthed I love you. A bright door appeared in front of us, Cally untying herself. Mouthing I love you back, she spun into the door with a graceful bow. Silent tears stained my cheeks, the moment hitting me. The light was so much nicer than the dark, my soul taking in every bit of warmth from the tender moment. Glitching out, a darkness came over the town. Raising my scythe, my wet eyes fell on Victoria.
“Do you mind going back to tell Matty that I will be a little late coming back?” I begged with a weary smile, her arms scooping up Boomer. Fading away, my scythe blocked a jagged black blade. Pushing it back, the shadow shot back up into the sky. Scanning the land for a thick forest, my feet pounded in that direction. Forming discs of black energy, I skated across with grace. Lucifer floated next to me, his new curved scarlet dual blades blocking the next attack. Remembering I had wings, dark feathers mixed with mine. Taking off into the blue sky, the shadowy monster seemed shocked at us in the sky. Hovering in one spot, the sky could be our battlefield. Spinning my scythe over my head, a wave of black energy blasted the enemy into an abandoned warehouse. Flying towards the warehouse, both of us exchanged looks. His look spoke volumes of a stern conversation fast approaching.
“I will train you on how to take these things down but you have to do what I say.” He shouted over the chilly wind nipping my cheeks, one nod confirming his suspicions. “Let’s go.” Angling my feet towards the cracked roof, his hand stabilized my landing. Several more monsters stirred beneath us, his hand resting on my shoulder. He only did this when he had something important to say.
“I am going to awaken your full powers and I can’t lie about the Hell you are about to go through. Once you do this, more people will be after you for your power.” He warned me with a nervous grin, his fangs extending over his lips. Lifting up my palm, his fangs sank into its tender flesh. Covering my mouth, a burning sensation coursed through me. The inky bubbles shifted to the four elements, blood pouring from my eyes. Screaming into his palm, so much power wouldn’t be able to be held by anybody else. Silent tears stained my cheeks, my claws extending and retracting. Slowly the sharp pain slowed to a dull throb, a purplish hue coming over my fingernails. Lowering his hand, pride glistened in his eyes. Happy to see him smiling, his smile had been taking a vacation.
“You seem to have picked up my powers. We are going to have to train you.” He announced with a hearty laugh, his twinkling eyes watching the onyx versions of every element swirling around me. “Time to begin. If I tell you to step back, then you must. You can’t push yourself too far.” Raising his foot into the air, his heel smashed into the cracked concrete. Musty air rushed around me, my hair floating up his arm curled around my waist. Landing gracefully, he straightened me up. Raising his blades, a cocky grin danced across his lips. Seeing him like this gave me hope in our situation.
“Time to play, boys!” He bellowed with a twinkle in his eyes. “I have a daughter to train. Combine the four elements together into a ribbon. Concentrate, my little devil. Move with the elements.” A strained huh escaped my lips, onyx ribbons swirling around him. A wicked fit of laughter rumbled in my throat, his blades absorbing the energy. Closing my eyes, a whisper told me to open my eyes. The ribbons told me where to strike, my footfalls echoing in the air as I followed my guide. Shadow monsters dropped to the ground, Lucifer grinning ear to ear at my progress. Panic twisted my features, dust flying around me as I knocked my father to the ground. Taking the hit in my shoulder, the monster twisted the blade. Tears welled up in his eyes, a burning sensation causing me to whimper. Passing out underneath me, I struggled to my feet. No one hurt my father and got away with it. Family was all I had and I would die to keep it. Spinning my scythe over my head, this next spell was going to hurt.
“I summon the flames of Hell to return you to where you belong!” I called out, wincing in pain as onyx flames roared to life, a bit of blood pouring from the corner of my lip as a blade slid through my stomach. Slamming the tip of my scythe into the concrete, a dome glowed to life as the flames devoured everything else. Choking on my blood, it took everything to hold on long enough to finish the spell. My father stirred awake, my hand cupping the blade in my stomach. Falling to my knees, his pleas for me to live faded in and out. Watching the inky waterfall cascade over my fingers, death felt like it was near. Hitting the floor, a rough darkness stole me away.
Groaning awake, a migraine throbbed to life. Clean gauze covered my torso, Lucifer and Matty hovering over me. Tears of relief splashed against my face, the two of them embracing me. Mixed emotions flashed in my eyes, the walls of Lucifer’s castle greeting me. Pushing them off of me, every movement had my muscles screaming in protest. Wincing in response, a burn covered my arm. Uncle Mike entered the room, his hand laying me down. Chastising me, the joy of being alive burned in my tired smile. Alive, I was alive.
“Do you think this is funny!” Uncle Mike snapped hotly, his robes floating with each word. “We thought we lost you.” Cupping his cheek, all the breath left his body. A fit of laughter burst from my lips, bewilderment twisted their features. Where was this coming from? Why was I smiling naturally? When did life get a little brighter?
“This is the first time I felt joy to even be alive. I love you all but this whole time I have been limping along and I am not sorry for saving you. I would save you over and over again if it meant having you in my life, father.” I admitted with love dripping in my voice, every word holding a deep meaning. “I have never been happier. This burn doesn’t matter because every time I look at it I know you are still alive.” Rolling over to face him, his shaking hands were wiping away his tears. Cupping his hands, violent sobs wracked his body. Crap, did I break him! Quick, make it better!
“I don’t get why everyone hates you. You don’t cause the sins that they do. God gave them free will and they chose to give in.” I continued sweetly, his arms yanking me into a bear hug. “I love you, father.” Soaking the top of my head, the dam holding his emotions burst. Centuries of pent up emotions came out, Matty and Uncle Mike leaving the room. Where were they going? Perhaps they felt the need to give us a spot of privacy.
“No one has ever said such kind words to me. No one has ever saved me. The world chewed me up and spit me out. I am so lucky to have such an amazing daughter who can see the light in all of the darkness. I wish I was there to save you but I failed you.” He wept dejectedly, his hands cupping my face. “You have the heart of your mother and the tenacity of your other father. They raised you so well that I couldn’t be prouder. I can’t imagine life without you anymore. I would die without you.” His words caused fresh tears to swell in my rounded eyes, his lips brushing the top of my head.
“Then promise me one thing, never die on me. I can’t live without you.” I returned between sniffles, a quiet okay leaving his lips. “Hope is all we have sometimes.” Grabbing my arm, his eyes rested on my burn scar. Guilt dimmed his eyes, my head shaking. Flashing him my real smile, he leaned back into his chair.
“You are quite the angel. I bet my father is even proud of you. I am so proud of you.” He sniffled sweetly, rising to his feet. Placing me on his back, he left a note. Standing on the window ledge, Matty shot him a thumbs up in the doorway before returning home in a swirl of ivory energy. Jumping off, his wings unfolded. Zooming through the sky, freedom glittered in my eyes. Landing in a sea of black roses, I slid myself off of his back. My parents sat in the center of it all on a simple bench, tears streaming down my cheeks. Crashing into their arms, their warmth was what I craved . Smothering me in kisses, words didn’t need to be said. My mother’s translucent form glittered in the ivory moonlight, my father ruffling my head. Lucifer hung back, a sad smile dawning on his face. Noticing his sadness, I rose to my feet. Crossing my hands, the next sentence was going to sting. The next door in my life had opened, my parents doing what they could.
“You guys can move on, Lucifer can take care of me now.” I stammered out with a broken smile, both of them rising to their feet. “Don’t get me wrong. I love you but you deserve rest and I feel like I have been calling a lot.” Embracing me one last time, they floated into the sky. Lucifer trembled in his spot, my hand motioned towards the bench. Sitting down next to him, his fingers gripping the hem of his shirt. Taking his hand, the trembling stopped. Both of us had been torn apart by life, our bond something far more magical than any of us had ever dreamed of.
“I meant what I just said. They did their part and it's your turn now.” I comforted him warmly, his matching smile meeting mine. “We can be chaotic together if you want. I look forward to our training because I get to spend time with you.” Letting out a sigh at the same time, his hand yanked me into another one of his bear hugs. Thank you God for my excellent life.
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