Shattered Haven

Old and frail, she stood above them. She stood tall, back straight, her face drawn and gaunt. Ash fell from the sky and gently swirled around her frowning face before touching her hair like a lover's caress, and around her neck a shining heart shaped locket encasing a glowing white stone shone like a beacon, so pretty, for all the pain and suffering it’s existence had cost. In the distance we could see the faint outline of wings against the mountain rocks, all different shapes and sizes, they stood to be a reminder, a statement; they were always watching, always listening. It was only their mercy and our angel dome, our security net, that provided us some form of protection during times like these. Only because they allowed it could she stand before us, rally us, prepare us to fight. Only because of their unjust mercy was she able to live so long, and only her strength and will would protect her now. As she spoke, her words, her life echoed around us, surrounded us and whispered through the mountains, taunting them, preparing them just as much as it prepared us.

“I remember what it was like before. Before they fell, before they killed. Before, when we were free. Freedom. Such a strange concept, for we were never truly free, but we still had our freedom.

That’s gone now. So is the beauty of the sky. Now it burns, burns like the fires of hell, but I suppose that’s what we get for our betrayal.

Because it wasn’t always like this. I remember. When angels meant euphoria not extinction, and God was a mystery not our master. I remember when we decided that that ‘mystery’ was no longer worth our time or consideration, when we turned our back on the light.

Our fault. Our fight.

They came then, when their master died. We could only watch as he fell from the skies. That was the last day of peace.

They set the sky on fire, and asked if we were happy now. What had once been life became death. They took the children next. Stole them from their beds, never to be seen again.

It’s too late to ever really survive this, of course, but we will fight. Always.

For we will not let go of life, or our right to live freely, that is not in our nature.

What keeps us going, you might ask. Why what else but; Love, Loyalty, Pride and Liberty!

We will fight until there is no fight. They will not be able to say we gave up! No! We are human, and give up, we do NOT!”

Here she paused, then sighed. Her sad look hurt all our hearts, and our backs straightened in determination. For her we would fight.

“I cannot promise you happiness, for it has forsaken us. Nor can I promise you heaven, for with all our arrogance and greed we destroyed whatever haven may have been waiting for us there. But I ask, from the deepest part of my heart, do not hate them, or us. We all make mistakes, angel or human, this I can assure, but do not let hatred fill your heart. Do not fight for hate, but for freedom! Do not fight for hate, but for love! For loyalty! Fight for liberty, and the pride of all mankind! We may not be much any more, but I remember a time when we were more. More than pain! More than pointless fighting! More than hate! And we will be that again, even if only in our extinction.”

Here she paused to sigh again, a lone tear trailing down her face. Her hand clutched the locket around her neck so tight it was a surprise it didn’t break. Her wrinkled face scrunched in pain, before relaxing and settling into cold determination.

“We, mankind, have committed too many sins in the past, and perhaps our punishment, this pain, is our payment. With no God to stand judge, they have decided our fate. And if today is our last, I ask of you- No! I beg of you; Fight!

Fight this last fight! Do not give up!

We will not go quietly!

We will not go quickly!

In the name of your forefathers; Fight!”

She raised her hands above her head, necklace torn from around her neck, still clenched in her fist as she roared the last word into the sky.

Instantly we shared a thunderous sound! So loud did we yell that we missed the deadly ‘twang’ of a string previously pulled tight being set free, and then it was too late.

Her body jolted, a bloody Angels arrow pierced through her ancient heart, and as her eyes went dull in death, her hand loosened and she smiled.

“Finally.”

The locket hit the ground, the stone within glowing brighter and brighter as it shattered.

Then, there was nothing.