Vladimir's POV
I woke up with tears in my eyes. I immediately felt every wound Gabriel gave me. My whole body was still bleeding. But, no amount of pain can compensate for the pain in my heart.
It seemed like I wanted to open my whole body to find out if I had a heart because it was so painful. I can not breathe. This is killing me. I cried silently.
It was just a dream. I was dreaming. It was so real that I never even thought it was a dream.
She's great. I don't know if I'll be happy or annoyed because it's all just a dream.
Where is she?
I was brought back to the present when Gabriel hit me with the hard iron. I screamed in pain as it slowly burned my body.
"Finally, you are awake!" Irritated, he said. "I thought you wouldn't wake up. It's been days! What the hell did you dream about?"
Days? It's been days yet it's just hours in my dream.
"I believe Syne showed up for you, right?" Gabriel tried to confirm. "Where is she? That fucking girl! I've been waking you up for the last few days! I really hate her gift."
He threw aside the iron hitting the bell causing me to scream again in pain because it felt like it's breaking my muscles. My ear is bleeding again.
I can not take it anymore.
My body could no longer handle what Gabriel was doing over and over again.
"Why not just kill me, huh?" I shouted. I spit blood before staring at him. "Just kill me and end it!"
Gabriel sarcastically laughed.
"If I can kill you, you are already dead. So, you have to thank that girl for giving you an immunity that even archangels can't kill you!"
The window was shattered by the force of his shout.
I just shook my head and smiled. I don't know but I was glad to hear that. And at least, I knew he couldn't kill me. And if I die I will still see Cassy.
And, if she will be the one to kill me, it's okay. She was the one who gave me life. She made me feel alive again. So, it's fair that she will also be the one to get it.
"But it doesn't mean I can't hurt you."
He pressed the knife to my side before pulling out quickly causing my blood to gush around.
"Let me try it in your heart." He raised the knife and was about to stab it into my heart when suddenly the surroundings became dark.
Everything was silent for a second until a series of lightning bolts drew in the sky. After a few minutes everything was back to normal but my headache get worse when another angel appeared in front of me.
"Michael," I whispered, recognizing the figure from the pictures of him in church. I looked at him. I felt his strong aura more than Gabriel. His green eyes seemed to absorb me into eternal death.
"Big brother!" Gabriel greetedl. He fixed himself before facing Michael and bowing a little.
So, he's the highest among the archangels.
I wonder what Lucifer looks like. Is he more powerful than Michael? I would admit angels are really beautiful. And, Michael's bright light is different from Gabriel or Uriel. It's more refined.
"Where is Mnemosyne?" Michael asked. It was as if its voice had been pulled from the ground to great depths.
"I'm sorry..."
"I gave you one job, Gabriel, just one," Michael said, impatiently. "Where is she?"
Michael looked at me with disgrace. "I see you are not looking so good, but she still isn't here. I couldn't believe she's letting you die."
"He said you can't kill me, so maybe that's why--"
Michael laughed, sarcastically laughed. If this is in another situation, I'd probably say his laugh was like a lullaby, but it felt horror to me as his eyes pierced inside me.
"Maybe I can't." He pulled out a dagger before saying, "Let's talk about Azrael's blade."
"A-azrael?" I lifted my brows.
Ugh. My head is spinning. I need blood. I'm getting weak. Perhaps, I would really die if that blade was pierced inside my chest.
"The Angel of Death," Gabriel answered.
I was shaken. I closed my eyes, waiting for the blade as I prayed to Syne. It's okay if I will die today, but at least I want to see her and hold her for real before that even happens.
"Pray harder," Michael urged.
I counted until I reached five but I did not feel a knife in my body but I heard her voice.
"Enough with that, Michael!"
My eyes widened and couldn't help but smile because I knew this time he was really in front of me. I'm not dreaming because I can still feel the pain all over my body.
"Cassy..." I whispered softly.
"Hello, little sister!" He was smiling though you could feel how angry he was. "What took you so long?"
Instead of Michael stabbing his weapon into my chest he quickly went behind me and he placed the sharp weapon he was holding on my neck. While Gabriel pulled out his long sword and placed it on Cassy's neck.
"Damn! Watch out!" I said, worried but Syne still remained in his position.
I watched her. She's glowing. It's not like how Michael and Gabriel glowed, but I can now see bright ocean blue light around her. She doesn't seem tired, like she regained herself. Maybe she did.
She raised both of her hands.
"I am not going to fight. Let him go and I will go with you peacefully," Cassy bowed a little before looking at me.
"I am really sorry, Chival."
"No, it's okay," I smiled. "I'm fine," I lied even though I knew in myself that I am so close to fainting. I was about to lose myself because of Michael's stab.
She blinked which made me close my eyes. When I opened it, all the wounds on my body were gone. I no longer feel any pain.
I am healed. Wow!
"Oh. There's no need to heal him when I am-"
I felt the world stop for a second before Michael could even finish his sentence until I saw myself standing beside Cassy.
Wait, did she make the time stop?
No, just my time because Michael and Gabriel moved from their place. They were circling us. Cassy was covering me from Michael while Gabriel was holding his spade.
"That's really fast, sister. I've seen you gain your powers back," Gabriel smirked. "I always hate how you can freeze time."
"Are you really waging a war against us?" Michael raised his voice.
"You started it when you kidnap him and his sisters. Why do you have to do that-"
"Fuvk! Where the hell are my sisters?" I remembered. I didn't even think about them. They shouldn't be involved in my mess.
Before one of them could answer, we were suddenly shaken by the explosion. But I feel like it didn't happen where we were, it seemed like it was outside.
Maybe we're in another dimension that only angels can create and enter.
"What the!" Gabriel glared at me. "ARE YOU SERIOUSLY WAGING A WAR AGAINST ANGELS?"
I covered my ear when the force of his shout caused my ear to bleed. In an instant Gabriel was gone.
Ugh! I can't breathe. There's too much blood flowing from my ears.
I am weak even though I'm healed. I need human blood and there's no way to get it.
I hope my sisters are both okay. This is all wrong. This shouldn't have happened.
Michael looked at Cassy seriously. "What makes him so worth it that you chose to fall from the sky?"
Cassy didn't answer him but just smiled.
"Don't be so proud, vampire. Do you really want to-"
"Kill me!" I stepped closer to Michael. "Kill me and end it. I don't want a war so-"
"No, don't," she interrupted. "You don't know what you are saying. You can't die! You swore!"
I sighed. I looked at Cassy seriously and shook my head. I wanted to fight, too. I wanted to be with her and spent the rest of my life with her, but I can't wage a war I've already lost from the beginning.
Even if our whole clan came together we would not be able to defeat the angels. They are the highest creatures God has ever brought to this world. What are we? We're just flies hanging around their playground.
And, I cannot afford to shed blood, with my sisters on the loose.
"Cassy. Let's stop this," I pleaded. "I don't want to go to war. I don't want blood," I said, realizing Vanna's vision. "It's okay."
"No, Chival. Listen to me. Trust me, okay? It's-- "
I cut her. "I am not worth it for you to fall or go into war against your kins. We can't go into war, so just let them do what they need to do. Kill me and collect my soul, my memories, and make the afterlife work again," My voice broke as tears started to fall down.
"Please... I love you," I held her hand and somehow I felt peace. Maybe, that's one of their gifts, to automatically make you at peace when you hold them. "But this isn't right..."
"I'm proud you know where you stand, vampire. Do you want me to do it, Syne or--" I approached Michael and took the blade.
"I'll do it myself!"
I inhaled and exhaled. I no longer know what to do, but all I know is that I don't want to go into war. And, I don't want Cassy to disappear. I lived a long life and maybe this is really the end.
I am just so grateful that I've met and loved Cassy in this lifetime.
Cassy shook her head in dismay.
She looks tired again. I must be draining too much of her energy.
"Go, kill yourself," Cassy urged which made Michael and I both surprised. "Do it."
"Are you suddenly changing your mind?" Michael asked in astonishment. "That's fast. Didn't-- "
We both stopped when Cassy pulled the blade away from me and I couldn't stop screaming when she injured her palm. But I also immediately stopped when I felt the wound on my palm.
What the-- I am bleeding, the same with her.
"You ---" Michael tried to calm himself but I could see how frustrated he was. "You linked yourself to him?"
What? Link?
So it means, if I die...
Cassy looked at me, answering my thoughts, "I will die."
"You don't know what you're doing, Syne," Michael cursed. "You are one of the heavenly governors. The chief of the guardian angels, the angel of memories. You just can't disappear because of him. What makes him worth it? Answer me! " Michael was already in rage as he opened his wings.
I immediately closed my eyes because I knew it could catch fire when I saw his form. But if I'm not mistaken he doesn't just have one wing.
"I love him," Cassy answered, which almost made me cry. I want to open my eyes to see her but there's a force telling me to close my eyes. It must be her, still saving me over and over again.
I heard Michael grimaced. "Uriel must be so frustrated right now," I felt his gaze towards me even with eyes closed. It was burning through my soul, though I don't know if I have one.
Uriel? Yeah.
I remembered him whispering, "I have loved her since the dawn of time and I'll do everything to save her even if it means she'll hate me forever."
I think he means he would kill me, but how could he kill me when it also means killing the only girl he ever loved.
How am I supposed to kill myself when it means she'll die, too?
I don't know how to pray, but if God is indeed up there, then I am praying for answers.
"Now," Cassy handed the blade to Michael. "Kill him, Michael."