Chapter

…

The battle field was strewn with the bodies of Neera’s Undead, Vampires and Unborn, and also the bodies of Noilleber. Fires dotted the field, as the armies continued to fight. The smell of blood and burning flesh was smothering. Suspended hundreds of feet above the chaos of the war, a separate battle was unfolding.

“Stop!” Leshiana cried, as Aubrey and Rikki continued to battle with their swords and words, “Stop it now!” she screamed, but to no avail.

“Damn you Rikki! Damn you to Hell!” roared Aubrey, swinging his sword towards Rikki’s head.

“I’ve already been there,” Rikki replied ducking under the blade, “And I’m in no hurry to return!”

“Why?” Aubrey spat, “You made me live there for hundreds of years! Forcing me to be Neera’s dog!”

“Stop it both of you!” Leshiana pleaded, “Aubrey, violence will solve nothing! Violence only begets violence! I was forced to stay as well! But I also see that they’re trying to save us all from Neera’s clutches! Why can’t you?”

“It was his fault!” Aubrey cried, swinging his blade again at Rikki’s head, nicking his cheek, flinging drops of blood into the air.

“Do you really think he intentionally gave us away? No! Of course not! He was your friend Aubrey! Why can’t you forgive him?”

“He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness!” Aubrey cried, “Rikki!” he said turning to face him again, “For causing so much pain to everyone, I’m going to kill you!”

Aubrey lunged at Rikki, his sword aimed for his chest. Aubrey’s sword plunged into a body, but not the one he expected. Rikki was splattered with blood, but not his own. Standing between Rikki and Aubrey, was Leshiana. Aubrey’s eyes widened as he realized what he’d done.

“No,” he whispered, “No!”

Blood ran down Aubrey’s blade and onto his hand. Shrieking, he pulled his sword and hand back, as though the blood was a venomous serpent.

“Aubrey,” Leshiana whispered, a smile dancing on her lips, but blood spoiling them as it ran down the sides.

“Leshiana,” Aubrey gawked in utter horror at the scene he created.

“Aubrey, forgive him. He was you friend. Don’t push him away. You were the perfect duo. Please forgive him. He’s trying to save us all from Neera’s grasp,” a tremendous fit of coughing racked Leshiana’s delicate body, sending droplets of blood cascading down onto the battle below.

“Leshiana,” Aubrey whispered, “No, don’t speak!”

“Rikki,” Leshiana continued, “I wish you luck. Try to forgive Aubrey, he really did love you as a brother, but years of torment twisted that love into hate. Please help him understand.”

Shuttering she looked at Aubrey and smiled, “I love you. I always have. Do try to understand, and forgive Rikki. He never meant to harm anyone.” Shuttering again Leshiana’s eyes became unfocused and her wings went limp, causing her to fall towards the hard, cold, uncaring earth.

“No!” Aubrey screamed diving after her, narrowly catching her before her fragile body collided with the ground. “Leshiana!” he cried, searching her unfocused eyes for any sign of life, “Leshiana! Damn it, you can’t die on me! Leshiana!”

Aubrey knelt there, tears flowing freely from his eyes, cradling his only true love’s dead body in his arms. “Lesh,” he cried, silent tears running down his face. “Please,” he whispered putting her forehead against his own, “No.”

In the heat of battle Aubrey clutched his love close to him, crying silently. Finally, Aubrey raised his head. Looking at the chaos around him, then returned his gaze to the only one who’d ever understood him, the only one who had supported him, the only one who’d ever loved him. Silently he closed her once brilliant moss green eyes, kissed her for the last time, and set her gently on the ground, crossing her arms over her chest, and gently folding her perfect wings.

“Good-bye,” he whispered to her. Standing, Aubrey picked up his sword which he had dropped, turned to Rikki, and smiled. Without any other word, Aubrey charged into his own army of Undead, Vampire, and Unborn. While slashing at his own, he wept silently. As the dead bodies of his evil soldiers fell around him, he knew it was over. Noticing the betrayal of their leader, the whole of his army turned and began to attack him. Defending his ground and the fallen angel that silently lay upon it, he continued to silently slaughter his army. As each row fell, a new one replaced it. Seeing this, Aubrey smiled helplessly at the realization that he would soon join his love.

Seeing the change in attention of Aubrey’s army, Noilleber, lead by the chosen one’s, pursued them and began a vigorous attack on their backs. They didn’t know why the army had turned and focused its attention elsewhere, or even that Aubrey was the cause, but they didn’t care, driven by the knowledge that the end was in sight.

In the center, Aubrey still fought. He fought for no one but Rikki and his love. He knew he would die, it was inevitable, and yet he continued. Obliterating each wave as it smashed against him. Like a stranded raft against the force of the sea, he fought and he wept for everyone who he had caused pain. Finally after hours of fighting alone, Aubrey fell. As the army crashed on him, his strength finally failed him. When he realized it was the end, he didn’t cry out for help, as the sharp blades of his army pierced his flesh he didn’t cry out in pain, even when he saw the blade that would end his life raised in the air poised to strike, he did nothing to save himself; he simply smiled. Smiled and thanked Sono for allowing him to join his love so quickly, and that he had allowed him strength enough to destroy, what would later be realized to be, over two thirds of the army fighting against Rikki and the chosen. He smiled, prayed that the gods would direct his soul to Oli, and finally embraced his own death.

The body of Aubrey fell, landing on the ground next to his love, neither his nor Leshiana’s faces showed any sign of pain, no hint as to how they died, the only facial expression they showed, was that of utter peace, and one small tear that rolled down the cheek of the valiant Aubrey, who gave his life for his love… and his friend.