All in the room started taking off from the balcony until only Raziel me and Kail were left.
Looking over the balcony I saw the veins of darkness spreading through out the earth. It was starting and I still wasn't strong enough to stop it. I turned to Kail he nodded.
"You have my word."
"Thank you."
I threw my arms around him grateful to have him as a friend.
"Come on Phoenix we shouldn't linger."
Raziel took my hand saying nothing about our exchange.
Kail and Raziel took off first as I had one last look at the ground.
"Phoenix!"
Just as I was about to take off one of the veins of darkness wrapped around my leg.
"Raziel!"
I reached for his hand but the vein pulled me back forcing me to the ground.
I could feel the poison of hatred taking effect as I tried to fight it.
Raziel landed back on the balcony grabbing my hands as Kail drew his sword attempting to slice through the vein.
His sword went black doing nothing.
"Drop your sword now before the darkness spreads."
Kail instantly dropped his sword.
"Phoenix use your fire!"
"If I do that he will know."
"It's the only way use it now!"
My wings glowed as I drew on my fire. The veins holding me instantly let go seemingly retreating from it.
Raziel pulled me up.
"Come on both of you!"
All three of us spread our wings, looking back I saw Soneillon standing on the balcony smiling despite his failure.
He mouthed one word.
"Soon."
I flew faster that one word haunting me with its implications.
Once back in the city of angels my father pulled me into a hug.
"What happened, when you weren't behind us-"
"I'm fine."
Raziel turned to Michael.
"We have a problem, one of the veins got Phoenix she had to use her fire to get free of it."
"Shit, we must assume he knows that Phoenixs fire is the only thing that can stop him now."
He turned to me.
"She will need to be protected more then ever until she has finished her training."
"I'm sorry Michael we had no choice."
"It's not an ideal situation since we have lost the element of surprise but it just means our first priority is getting Phoenix strong enough to take down Soneillon."
Turning to the others he ordered.
"Prepare the city for our guests every angel of heaven will be roomed with an angel of hell if we are to fight together we must start off the battle field."
"Many will not like this Michael."
Raguel interjected.
"That's why I leave it up to you to keep everyone in line. For now we are no longer enemies it is the only way will are to survive this."
Raguel nodded.
"I'll get started right away."
"Good."
Turning back to Raziel and I michaels eyes softened for the first time since I had arrived in heaven.
"I know it's a lot of pressure to put on one so young but we need you to concentrate on getting your fire under control. Raziel your first priority is getting Phoenix to her full potential. we are running out of time."
Raziel nodded.
"She will be ready Michael."
Michael went to walk away but turned back.
"Keep her safe she is our only hope."
"With my life."
I watched the exchange in silence overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
"He's a bit intense."
Snapping me out of revere I looked to Kail forgetting that he had followed us to heaven.
"That's an understatement."
Kail laughed.
"Can you imagine Bree around him."
I laughed thinking about it.
"She'd most likely say he needed to get laid."
Then sadness entered my heart for the friend I had lost what seemed likes years ago. I wondered what she was doing now. Was she alright?
Kails hand rested on my shoulder.
"I'm sure she's fine shes smarter then she lets on."
"I know."
Raziel cleared his throat to get our attention.
"If yous are done we have work to do."
I sighed reminded of what was going on.
"I'll see you later Kail."
He nodded as he was lead the other way by another angel to his room.
The look on his face made me smile.
"Your cute when your jealous."
He scoffed wrapping his arms around me turning serious.
"Are you really alright?"
"I'm fine Raziel,"
I looked down.
"He was there."
Raziel froze.
"What?"
He looked down at me.
"I saw him as we flew away, he was there."
"Why didn't he attack?"
I knew he wasn't expecting an answer letting the question hang in the air.
"We need to be carful he has to be up to something. No matter what from now on I'm not letting you out of my sight."
"Raziel-"
"No Phoenix it's not up for discussion there has to be a reason he didn't attack. I'll not give him a chance to take you away from me."
"Don't you think your over reacting just a little bit?"
"We have underestimated him at every turn. He is far stronger then we first thought I'll not give him any chance of getting to you."
I sighed.
"Please Phoenix don't fight me on this i don't want to loose you."
Getting on my tippy toes I kissed him on the cheek.
"Fine I promise."
He smiled.
"Thank you, now come on might aswell get some training in like Michael said time is running short."
———
The next few weeks turned out to be hectic as hell. Fallen angels flowed into heaven. Raguel spent most of her time settling small disputes between angels of haven and hell.
Raziel and I spent most of our time training my fire grew stronger with each passing day. I trained much like we did on earth. He trained me physically improving my fighting skills and at the same time raising my endurance.
Because of our physical training it helped me with my Angel fire training as I could hold onto my fire longer and summon it faster. He also taught me how to use it as a shield and like when I created the Phoenix how to manipulate it into any shape I wanted.
"Focus Phoenix!"
I gritted my teeth.
"I'm trying!"
We were outside in the courtyard both angels from hell and heaven watching on the sidelines.
I was attempting to keep my fire at a steady level without it exploding like in the past.
It fluctuated with the strain I felt. It called to be released as I tried to hold it in place. Raziel stood before me ready to spring into action should I loose control.
I had been holding it for 3 hours now sweat beading from my pores as I tried to contain it.
"Your not focusing!"
Raziel admonished at my fire fluctuated for the tenth time.
My anger rose as my fire burned hotter.
"We have been at this for weeks how can you hope to take on Soneillon without killing us all in the process."
My fire expanded more.
"Hold it in Phoenix!"
"Enough Raziel!"
He stepped closer.
"How are you going to focus in battle if you can't even handle this?"
I bared my fangs furious at him, didn't he realise how hard I was trying.
"Getting angry?"
I stared straight ahead not looking at him as he continued.
"You think Soneillon won't use that anger against you? You need to learn to not let your emotions control you. That anger will not help you a good warrior is calm focused."
"I know!"
I yelled my hands clenching.
"Give it up Raziel to think all our hopes fall on a fledgling who can't even control her own fire."
Someone from the crowd yelled.
Without warning my fire lashed out heading straight for the fallen that had spoken.
Fast as lighting Raziel used his own fire as a shield protecting the fallen angel who stood motionless fear in his eyes.
I fell to my knees panting as my fire went out.
The only good thing that had come of our training so far was that I no longer passed out with exhaustion after using my fire.
The crowd dispersed muttering as they left I could hear snide comments from them as they did.
"Child of the prophecy what a joke."
"We might as well give up now."
Raziel stretches a hand out to help me up.
"Don't listen to them your getting better."
I scowled at him knowing that they were right. I was trying to fit hundreds of years of training into a matter of months.
I heard the reports of what was happening on earth. In a matter of weeks hatred had spread causing attacks, murder s and in some cases all out riots.
The angels of heaven were doing everything they could to counteract the darkness but nothing seemed to be working. Many times I had been called on to cleanse those that had been touched by it.
No one knew where Soneillon was hiding most assumed he was still in the underworld bidding his time gathering as much strength as possible. The demons had started venturing to earth openly attacking humans.
Raziel touched my face pulling me from my thoughts.
"I'm sorry Phoenix I know I'm being hard on you."
I looked away.
"It's not that, I just feel so useless. No matter what I do I can't control it. When I escaped the underworld it was so easy my fire did what i wanted to. I wanted a way out and it gave it to me, but now its like it's working against me. Every time I try contain it it screams at me to be released. Then there's this feeling of intense anger..."
I looked to Raziel regretting my words as worry spread across his face.
He started to say something but I cut him off.
"Nevermind I just need to work harder, I'm going for a shower."
I stood up and started walking away when Raziel pulled me back.
"Phoenix-"
"Raziel don't."
He looked away briefly biting his lip. I knew he was trying to hold back his words till he finally nodded releasing me.
I left him in the courtyard worry still in his eyes.
As I rounded the corner I found Kail standing outside mine and Raziels room.
He smiled as I approached.
"How goes the training?"
I scowled at him.
"That good hey."
"I almost burnt one of your friends alive."
He winced.
"Ouch."
"Yup, so unless you need something I'm not in the mood for company I desperately need a shower."
I went to open the door when he grabbed my wrist.
"Well actually I need to talk to you it's important."
I sighed clearly I wasn't getting a break any time soon.
"Very well come on we can talk inside."
He nodded as he followed me in. Every room was fully furnished with bedroom kitchen and living area. I was currently staying in Raziels room which was full of books and various things he had collected over the years. Considering he was the angel of knowledge it wasn't a surprise he was a bit of a hoarder.
Kail sat down on the couch in the living area as I sat across from him.
"What is it Kail?"
"I found out where Soneillon is."
My eyes widened.
"You what?"
He started to say it again but I waved it off.
"Why are you telling me and not your father or Michael?"
His face darkened.
"Because of my promise."
I looked away recalling our conversation in my mind. Yes I had asked him to help me kill Soneillon, but it still didn't explain why he was telling me.
"I still don't understand how this helps Kail even if we know where he is now how is that any different to finding him later when the final battle starts?"
He sighed.
"Don't you get it? Soneillon is in hiding why would he hide now? The fallen have fled the underworld his demons have all but taken over earth. His darkness has spread across the whole world so why would he hide?"
I thought about it why would he hide, he has already gained so much power which is still growing with each passing day. Every time his hatred touches a human he's grows stronger. So why would he need to hide?
I shook my head having no answers.
Kail threw up his hands in frustration.
"Phoenix think about it when was the last time anyone saw him?"
Without hesitation I answered.
"The night we had the meeting on earth."
"And what happened on that night."
Realisation hit me.
"I used my fire on Soneillons darkness."
"Do you see now your fire is the key. Your fire can save Dantalis."
I sank further in my chair, how did I not realise this before. All this time I had been trying to come to terms with killing my soulmate.
"Is it even possible?"
"Think of it like when you burn off the darkness you will have to enter Dantalis mind and burn the part that is Soneillon."
I laughed but their was no humour in it.
"Kail I barely have control of my power yet you want me to burn Soneillon away from Dantalis I'm just as likely to burn them both."
"Well either way stops the darkness so win win right?."
I scowled at him, but he was right if I could accomplish it I could save Dantalis.
"And once Soneillon is gone it will be easy enough to deal with the rest of the demons."
I couldn't believe it I had lost all hope of ever saving Dantalis.
Looking around the room my happiness was halted as I looked at Raziel things. What would it mean for Raziel and I if I did this.
I shook my head it wouldn't change anything I was with Raziel now even if I managed to save Dantalis nothing would change that.
After everything that has happened I owed it to Dantalis to try no matter the consequences.
Looking back at Kail my mind made up.
"Very well I'm in what's the plan?"