~Final Battle~

Danni sighed as she stretched her angel wings behind her. She looked down at Damein, who was still unconscious on the ground. Danni smiled and shifted a bit to get comfortable in the tree and drifted off, allowing herself to rest and heal after another long battle with Damein. He had always seemed familiar to her, but she couldn’t remember where from. She shrugged it off and fell asleep.

*********

Majaya smiled to herself as Danni’s thoughts reached her. Damein’s dreams were becoming visible as well and Majaya found it hard to resist laughing. Both had a feeling that they had met before, but couldn’t remember where. A Soul drifted down and landed on Majaya’s shoulder. She smiled and reached up, cradling the soul in her hand. “Should we show them the past?” she asked. The soul glowed and chirped at her as she nodded in agreement. “We’ll wait until the time is right.”

********

When Damein finally woke, the sun was shining. He hissed at the warmth of it on his sore body. He stood up and slowly stretched. He growled softly as he scratched his ear and looked up into the tree for Danni. He was puzzled as he realized that she was already gone. “Meh” he muttered, “Probably out fighting” and he turned to go inside to eat.

Dodger had already left for work, so Damien plopped on her bed and smiled as he saw she had left him a piece of chocolate cake on the night-side table. He purred softly as he ate it, and went to sleep.

Danni grunted as she was body-checked into the hard ground. Dust and debris floated up as her attacker lifted himself off her. Danni slowly and painfully pushed herself up and stood to face her attacker. He had disappeared again. Danni focused on sensing him, but was too late as he attacked her from behind. Danni screamed as she felt a knife slice away at her back, cutting deep into her back and wings. She staggered for a moment, then winced as she launched herself into the air. Her attacker laughed.

“Where’s ya protective demon, Angel?” he hissed.

Danni glared at him. “I don’t need that meddling demon!” she spat back at him, “He’s so useless that he would only add to my problems if he was here!” “And yet……ya love him, eh?” he mocked. Danni shook her head quickly. “No” she hissed. “Hmm….” The figure thought for a moment, “DENIAL!!” he exclaimed and laughed. Danni hissed and took off after him. At the last moment, she summoned her glaive and swung at him. He screamed in absolute pain, and touched his face with his hand. He pulled it away to reveal blood from the small nick she had given him on his cheek. Danni stalled for a moment as his eyes hardened. “Prepare to die, Danni” he whispered quietly.

Danni completely froze – How did he know her name? He suddenly appeared beside and wrapped his arms around her tightly. He licked her ear and Danni shuddered. “Remember this as you die, Angel,” he whispered harshly, “You were killed by Tharyx.” Danni heard a slicing noise and tried to fight him off. She heard a soft “thwump”, and as Tharyx’s laughter filled her mind, she felt her body slowly go numb. She looked down at her feet and gurgled as she saw the red stained tip of Tharyx’s Black Moon Sword protruding through her abdomen. She loosely grabbed at the blade, cutting her hands, as Tharyx pulled it back out. Danni coughed a bit and fell through the air, hitting the ground with a soft thud.

Damein’s ear twitched at a noise. It sounded like something falling in the distance. He shook his head as he woke up, and got up. He walked out onto the balcony and looked around. His face visibly paled and within seconds, he had launched himself into the air, flying as hard as he could towards the battle.

Danni used her glaive to support herself as she stood up. “Stupid minion,” she whispered, glaring at Tharyx, “You should know that I am immortal.” He laughed and lowered himself to the ground, standing before her. “Give it up, Angel” he challenged.

“Sundavar” Danni whispered in her native tongue. Tharyx paused, looking at her hard, “What did you say?” Danni closed her eyes and took a deep breath, steadying herself. “SUNDAVAR” she yelled as she lifted her glaive to point at Tharyx with it. She opened her eyes and looked at him with deep hatred. Tharyx froze.

“Danni!” Damein called out as he beat his demon wings harder. He knew time was against him in this race, but he had to try.

Damein’s voice echoed in Danni’s mind and she fought back her tears. She slowly stood up straight and tall, keeping the blade of her glaive pointing at Tharyx. He smirked. “Ya bluffing, Angel. Ya know like me that death is a double- edged sword. Ya complete the spell and we both die.” Danni’s expression softened and she shook her head ever so slightly. “I accept whatever consequences I must, as long as I save the one I love.” Tharyx gasped as fear started to show in his eyes. “Ya mean ya’d die with me?” Danni smiled, causing Tharyx to step back. “I love my friends more than life itself. I swore to protect them at all costs, even if it would mean my life.” Tharyx stepped back again.

“I am not afraid to die” Danni whispered. She heaved her glaive into the air above her head. A tear rolled down her cheek and she smiled again as one word echoed in her mind: Damein.

“Skubankla Tautur Breisingr!” she screamed as she brought the glaive down.

Damein screamed in frustration as he finally reached the battle. He instantly flew to Danni to protect, but was blinded by a white light that seemed to be coming from her.

*********

Majaya hissed at the sight and covered her eyes as the light blinded her as well. “Stupis Angel!” she shouted through her tears, “It was not your time to do that!” she cried as she fell to her knees.

*********

The light finally subsided and Tharyx grunted. He lowered his arms and blinked, trying to clear his vision. “I’m alive?” he muttered. He hissed and disappeared.

Damein whimpered and Danni looked at him. “Damein” she whispered. Damein whimpered again and fell onto one knee, clutch at his wrist. He had managed to stop Danni’s most powerful attack with his claws. Danni knelt on both knees in front of him and cradled his chin with her hand. “Why?” she whispered, tears streaking her cheeks. Damein blushed as he gently smiled in reply. Danni threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Damein closed his eyes and hugged her back.

Damein grunted as he felt Danni suddenly throw him to the ground as she stood up. He gasped as he heard metal sliding deep into flesh, and cracking of bones. He lifted himself up onto this hands and knees and looked up.

Danni couldn’t stop staring at the hilt of the Black Moon. A sword in the stomach was one thing, but a sword through the heart was another – That does it all. She fell to her knees as Tharyx pulled his sword from her once again and he knelt in front of her.

Danni looked at Damein, and smiled as the life in her eyes slowly dulled. Damein shook his head as tears freely fell down his cheeks.

Tharyx cradled Danni’s chin and made her look at him. He leaned in beside her and whispered “Now you’re mine Angel”. Danni shook her head as Tharyx moved his face so that he was millimeters away from hers. Tharyx stroked her cheek and Danni started to sway as the life slowly drained from her wound. Tharyx caught her and gently kissed her on the lips. He pulled away and shifted his position. He then wrapped his arms around Danni, and stood up, picking her up in his arms.

Damein stood up and ran at Tharyx but froze when Tharyx looked at him. “Don’t try it, Demon,” Tharyx whispered and he disappeared with Danni.

Damein fell to the ground as Tharyx’s power vanished, releasing him of the spell. Damein screamed in anger, pounding his fists on the ground. He then curled up, sobbing at his loss.

*******

The final tear streaked Majaya’s cheek as she turned her back to the gruesome scene below. The memory was going to haunt her forever now, no matter what. “The last and strongest of the Seven Arc Angels,” she whispered.