Just Checking Up! Part Sixty-Seven: A Sinking Issue!

Silks:

Pacing back and forth on the balcony, the orange moon shone bright and strong. Holding my flat stomach, my new golden haired friend had screwed me over. Huffing impatiently, stress had me up at all hours of the night. Why not add the frosting to the cake? Squinting in the distance, a dull glow befuddled me. Drawing up a quick note, a leap over the railing had me gliding down the roof. Hitting dirt, a dark energy called out to me. Sprinting towards it, the long borrowed black band t-shirt hit halfway down my thigh. Twisting my hair into a messy bun, loose strands hung around my cheekbones. No time for a better hairstyle, I thought bitterly.

The dirt gave way underneath me, a lush pile of inky grass catching me. Closing up above my head, horror rounded my eyes. Popping to my bare feet, a quiet fuck escaped my lips. A slight bit of dragon magic tainted the air, a quiet fear created a broken grin. My mask had shattered in the last fight, a rock of dread building in my gut. Leaning against the closest tree, the dead forest of twisted trees blurred several times. Sinking to my knees, a rough blackness stole me away. 

Jerking awake, Burgund snapped into an alert position. Unfolding his wings, a tap of his claw revealed a new mask in the color of his shimmering scales. Smelling the inside, intense elemental magic lined it. Clearing his throat, lightning cracked around his magnificent snout. What a sight to behold!

“I may not be able to cure you but I had this made up by a couple of elemental pals.” He blurted out with a proud twinkle in his eyes. “What the hell are you doing in the badlands of the dragon realm? Talk about a death sentence?” Struggling to speak, a glob of blood bubbled up in the back of my throat. Lifting up the bottom of my mask, a coughing fit painted my bare feet. Dropping it back over my nose and mouth before any more damage, his claw drummed the top of my head. When would he stop that?

“Something weakened the ground to bring me here.” I uttered hoarsely, the bit of dragon magic that struck me having done a fair bit of damage. “You know, some type of dark energy. How about we find it?” Narrowing my eyes in his direction, a warning bolt of lightning whistled past me. Please calm down.

“Considering your new condition, I won’t leave your side. Besides, the fact you are in my realm should hold some weight.” He pointed out in a protective manner, a long sigh drawing from my lips. “You do smell different after all.” Rolling my eyes, a wave of nausea whacked me in the face. Not knowing the source, Bless would be a great aid right about now. Then again, that would distract her from her damn duties. Tapping my foot twice, a trail of orange fire lilies bloomed to life. 

“Stop fretting yourself to death.” I shot back impatiently, his brow cocking visibly. “It really bothers me whenever people care too much about me. What if you get h-” Poking my forehead, the very action silenced me rather abruptly. Getting awfully close to my face, the heat from his lightning woke a fair bit of clammy sweat. Must he care so much?

“Forgive me for being overprotective of my friend.” He growled gruffly, a warmth finding its place in my soul. “The little ones keep asking for you. Maybe you can come back to play with them. You know, when you get better.” Smiling softly to myself, that request sounded lovely as one could possibly materialize. 

“Sure.” I uttered oddly, both of us picking up on the rotten stench of a corrupted elemental. “Seems someone is watching us. Did you happen to make any enemies as of late? Then again, pissing people off is common as breathing for me.” Smirking sarcastically at the same time, inky blood began to dribble from the bottom of my new mask. 

“Are you going to be okay?” He inquired sincerely, my nod not convincing him in the slightest. “Onward we go.” Struggling to hold back a wave of tears, his friendship reminded me of what should be cherished. Placing me on his back, his kind act couldn’t be refused. Hanging on tight, a gust of electrical air hit my face the second he took off. Circling the barren forest, a glitching form caught our eyes. Zooming towards the form, hesitation lingered in his eyes. Flipping off his back, a bolt of burgundy lightning provided the perfect distraction. Summoning my carved shards of wood, a cut on a couple of trees on the way down created a pool of blood. Dual curved blades crackled to life, the orange flames casting shadows across my face. Landing inches behind the culprit, the monster had to be a plant. A needle wiggled in the neck, negative emotions staining my cheeks. How could someone use another elemental like this? Spinning on their heels, milky claws smashed weakly into my curved blades. Milky rivers poured from a sadistic grin, my soul aching for the poor thing. A couple of swift swings cut him down, the needle dropping into my quivering palm. Watching the ash drift into the air, rustling lined cracks perked up my ears. Who else was here? Tucking my needle into the empty compartment of my metal leg, an investigation would have to happen. 

Waving Burgund away, dark angelic energy made itself known. Refusing to leave initially, a deep plea in my eyes did the trick. Disappearing into the sky, the impending wall of arrows were sure to come. Crashing deeper into the woods, dark wooden arrows bounced off the trees. Praying that my dragon friend didn’t get hurt, a line of dark angels in shimmering jet black armor blocked my path. Bearing different types of tainted heavenly blades, the matching black horned helmets were an insult to my fellow demons. 

“Can’t let things go?” I teased them in a way to keep my sanity, armor clinking as they shifted away. “Hope you like stormy weather.” Thunder rumbled overhead, heavy raindrops plopping down, a flash of lightning blinding them long enough for me to leap over them. Building up midnight black lightning on the tip of my blades, the next step would come with the rising water levels. The true challenge would be to get them all on the ground. Fresh metal boots splashed behind me, a good chunk of them now tailing me. Slipping into a knee high puddle that was turning into a pond, a push off the slick grass landed me on the closest branch. Hanging upside down, bewildered looks met mine as orange fire lilies twisted into vines. Holding them in place, no pleas met my ears. 

“Fry!” I ordered between wheezes, a drop of my blades sealing their fate. Cooking flesh filled the air, feathers going up in flames first. Shielding my eyes, regret joined the blood cascading into my hairline. The lightning died down, nothing but ash floated on top of the surface. The rain died down, a throat clearing sent chills up my spine. Silver armor glinted in the rising orange moonlight, a kick to my knees tossing me towards the ash riddled water. Curling into a ball, water splashed into the air, a silver gloved hand picked me up by my throat. Cold golden eyes glared into mine, slicked back salt and pepper hair made the dark male angel that much scarier. Swinging me around like a rag doll, water poured onto his matching metal boots. 

“How does a mouse defeat an army of cats!” He thundered into my face, his spit painting it. “Speak or I will crush your throat!” Fluttering his tattered smoky gray wings in pure annoyance, a huff escaped his lips. Seconds from untying my mask, fear showed in my eyes for the first time. All the rainfall for sure kicked up the dragon magic in the air, certain death waiting for me. Chewing on my bottom lip, a low growl silenced us both. Burgund ripped off his head, his claws ripping him to shreds. Dropping into thick gray mud, his massive claws continued to turn him into pulled pork. Gulping him down, lightning burned within his core. Coughing out angelic ash, no words could come to my lips. 

Tttttthank you.” I stuttered brokenly, his kind smile breaking the ferocious look he bore a second ago. “Sorry for not being able to finish the j-” Scooping me up, his claw placed me on his back. Shooting out of the danger zone, his large body shot past the Earth section of the universe. Bursting into Heaven, his massive body rolled into Bless’ office. Picking up on my state, her hand waved away the panicked angels coming in to stop him. Fluttering my eyelids a couple of times, an arduous slumber stole me away. 

Stirring awake, fluffy clouds floated overhead. Burgund hummed a few feet away from me, Bless tripping over to me. Fretting over me, her hair bounced away. The sleeves of her new ivory robe brushed my cheeks, her voice coming into clarity. Why did she feel so cozy?

“Forgive me for putting you in such a damn mess.” She apologized feverishly, her palm resting on my flat stomach. “What a fine friend you have there. Death would have befallen you if he hadn’t acted. Could you avoid that damn dragon magic as if your life depends upon it? Good God, my darling friend.” My new mask dangled off of her wrist, a soft ivory robe of my own felt nice on my own skin. Touching my forehead, no dried blood flaked off the tip of my finger. Wet strands clung to my cheeks, Bless rested on her haunches. Sitting up with a groan, every muscle screamed out in protest. 

“Worry not, my angelic friend. Saving me more than makes up for it.” I comforted her hoarsely, Burgund curling his body around mine. “Thank you for flying strong and bold. Shouldn’t you get home? I am sure they all miss you.” Spinning around to face him, my forehead pressed against his snout. Poison always felt so nice.

“Sorry for caring for a new friend. Hell, I think of you as one of my kids.” He confessed shyly, his stunning lightning building around his snout. “Since you are in good hands, I shall comply. Stay safe, little one.” Tapping my head a couple of times with his claw, his body disappeared into the clouds. A tired silence hung in the air, all of my exposed scars catching up to me. Shame dimmed my eyes, a bit of earned fear returning to my eyes. 

“Can I make it better for you?” She asked in a sisterly tone, wild sobs wracking my body abruptly. Everything hit me at once, the needle dropping out of my leg. A gasp escaped her lips, a single tear dancing off of her chin. Shrinking back, a clue had presented itself. Waiting patiently, her hands covered her mouth. Picking it up myself, pure dragon magic dripped in the glass. How did they mix this mess up? 

“Someone stole the abandoned project Dragon Poison from our labs.” She broke down dejectedly, her hand hovering in front of my face. “Don’t hate me for what I have to show you. Angels were once misguided assholes until the right people got placed in higher positions.” Curling my fingers around hers, a pleasant golden energy whisking us into an abandoned lab in a darkened cloud area. Shoving her hands into the pocket of her robe, a long sigh drew from her lips. Ashes of elementals covered the tables, mixed emotions formed a lump in my throat. Stepping back involuntarily, most elementals didn’t pull off any harmful bullshit. Pausing a few feet in front of me, she spun around to face me. Shame haunted her eyes, her features writing a story of unfiltered sorrow.

“Elementals walked the Earth long before us, much like the dragons. Soon a war began between the three of us. Not me personally. That generation of Angels perished, the second generation holding a personal vendetta.” She explained ever so sadly, her boots digging at the clouds. “A group finagled God into allowing this experiment. Dragon magic is the elemental’s sole weakness. Clearly, death nearly found you with just that alone. The second I came into power, I shut it down. The angels in charge immediately defected and became what you killed this afternoon. They are the reason our numbers are dwindling. I am so sorry. Please stop being my fr-” Smashing into her body, shock rounded her wet eyes. Our wet eyes met, both of us understanding why it had happened. Miscommunication became the death of a potential serenity. 

“Hey, hey! None of that talk. You know that I am not a saint. Why would angels be expected to be ones as well? The way I see it, hurt people do stupid shit. If they won’t let it go, count on me to take care of it. Our friendship is still solid.” I assured her with my genuine smile, her awkward embrace becoming a bear hug. Sobbing into my shoulder, years of repressed regret soaked the fabric. Patting her back, such things needed to be released. 

Stepping back awkwardly, her palm cupped my flat stomach. A shadow of my smile lingered on my lips, another apology heading my way. Raising my fingers, a flurry of my fiery orange petals whisked us onto my beach in Hell. Exhaling visibly, no one would be around to listen. Placing my hands on my hips, her eyes quivered with fresh guilt. 

“This is simply happening sooner, that is all.” I chirped brightly, my palm resting on my stomach. “Stop beating yourself up. Gather up any of those files and deliver them to me, so Orchid and her team can make an antidote. If they can make a venom, we can make the antidote. As for the big divide between everyone, I am working on that. Hell, an angel is talking to an elemental right now. I am an honorary daughter of a dragon. Things are looking up in that department. Please see that. Splash in the water and feel the freedom of the waves. Forget about your stress for a moment. Come here when you need a second. Lord knows that I need this space.” Slipping off her boots, sand crunched as she approached the water cautiously. Dipping her toes in, a jet black arrow pierced her heart. Splashing into the water, a tortured wail bursting from my lips. Rushing to her side, a bolt of lightning shot from my palm. The one assailant hit the sand before crumbling to ash, every footfall towards her feeling hollow. Sinking to my knees next to her, a tug had her on my lap. Gathering what powers she had left, she vowed to grant them to me. Placing them in my soul, a warmth coursed through my muscles. 

“Carry my warmth and keep it to heal yourself. Be the angel I never could be.” She whispered between bloody coughing fits. “Kill that evil bitch for me. Grant her the mercy of a swift ending. I love you, Silks. Thank you for being a great friend.” Breaking into golden doves, my soul shattered for the millionth time. Immense pain shot through my body, Black and gold angelic wings growing out of my back, the composition of my soul shifting once more. A storm rumbled to life, black lightning dancing across the sky. Death showed up, her cloak ruffling with each step. Lightning struck inches from her, her hands rising in the air. Go away, damn it!

“This one wasn’t planned.” She blurted out between rumbles of thunder, her form stopping inches from me. “Hell, her time had already come long ago. I don’t deal with angel’s deaths. Do you want to know about her human life?” Staring numbly at the soaked sand, Death plopped down across from me. Shutting down my storm, her scythe lay gingerly across her lap. Calming down enough to listen, this level of sorrow struck me quite hard. 

“Bless worked in a soup kitchen every day of her life, the other free moments were with rescuing women who were in rough situations. One of those men murdered her. Perhaps you reminded her of them due to your childhood.” She explained with a sweet smile, her hand cupping mine. “Now your death will never happen. She granted you near immortality. Don’t waste her final gift.” Wiping away my tears, my face must have looked a damn mess. 

“I should have stopped it but I couldn’t sense it.” I stammered darkly, her palms cupping my face. “How could I be so stupid to take her from her safe place? She would be alive if I didn’t bring her here! All I wanted was for her to have true serenity to grace her soul, damn it! Yet it brought death!” Bringing her hands to her knees, a tired smile haunted her lips. 

“No, fate dealt her hand.” She comforted me ever so gently, her eyes flickering up the golden flecks on my moon. “Her powers molded with you well. Comfort rests with me knowing you can heal yourself. I have to go. Take care of yourself, kiddo. The world still needs saving, after all.” Shooting her shaky thumbs up, Death disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Bowing my head in grief, the many nights spent hanging out with Bless meant a lot. Familiar steps had my head snapping up, Rip burying me in one of his desperate hugs. Spilling everything that happened, his eyes took in my new wings. Comforting me with a kiss on my forehead, the hurt may remain but his love would carry me through.