Descendant - Prologue/Chapter One [edited]

Note: I rewrote this, completely redoing the Prologue and tweaking chapter one using the criticism I received. I was going to go on to chapter two, then come back; but something made me go back first. I'm glad I did. I'm sorry if I shouldn't have totally reposted, but I read somewhere it was okay if you actually rewrote most of it? Okay, I'll be quiet now...please critique as much as you'd like. I appreciate all help!

Prologue

Every muscle in the young man’s body was rigid as fear slowly wound itself around him, tighter and tighter as the wait grew on. The air itself was thick with the oncoming storm, making breathing a daunting task, heightened by the anticipation of what was coming.

Unable to wait any longer, he turned his face to the sky. “Show yourselves, or damn you all to Hell!” he cried, his voice thick with emotion. His features twisted with an anger he rarely displayed to the world. His cry was answered as a winged creature fell before him. The ground rumbled, followed by the crash of thunder.

The creature rose to its full height, its wings spread out behind it. The face of it was divided by two prominent scars, and yet still the beauty it had once been remained beneath the terror it now was.

“Ezekiel Amarus, you have defied the Guard too long,” the voice of the creature rang out. “You must now join us, or you will be brought to death. You must pay for the sins that forced your forefathers to fall from the Heavens and land upon this forsaken place. The sins of those before you must be answered for.”

No, they were not his sins. It was not his debt, and he would not answer to them. Total defiance had never been done, but he would not let that stop him.

“Never!” he shouted, thrusting his hands before him. Power touched each nerve, growing and fighting its way to the surface. As it raced from him, the lightning struck around the creature. Each bolt obeying his command, striking at his each thought.

The grass surrounding the angel transformed into flames, surging in an imperfect circle. They danced, reflected as fury in the creature’s obsidian eyes, growing higher as the lightning continued to strike. Without another thought or look at the creature, the boy turned and ran. He ran, and ran, until he could run no more. When he stopped, he knew what he must do.

Chapter One

The metal clanged angrily together, each boy standing in a fierce position. Ezekiel Amarus’ deep blue eyes met the pale green of Gedeon Manessah’s, challenging him to make a mistake.

“Ready to quit yet, Eon?” Kiel teased, knowing the other never would.

“I’d turn this sword into myself before giving in to you, friend.” Eon jested. He watched Kiel closely, anticipating his next move. As Kiel swung his sword, Eon swiftly moved to the right. He landed near the other boy’s back, and took the opportunity to attack.

Kiel had to fall to the ground to avoid the blow. His smaller size allowed him to roll to the side and spring to his feet with little trouble. Eon turned to block his attack, but did so too late. Kiel’s sword nicked his right hand, causing Eon to lose hold of his blade. It fell to the ground with a dull clang.

Eon stood at the point of Kiel’s blade, Kiel grinning wickedly. “Not so fierce without our abilities, are we brother?” It was merely a nickname. Eon thought of Kiel as a brother as much as Kiel thought of him as one, although they had no relation aside from their celestial blood.

“If I’d not agreed to hold back, you’d be dead,” Eon teased. His smile was all joking, but the subject was one that confused him. As descendants of Fallen Angels, they were granted certain abilities that began to form at the age of sixteen. By eighteen, the abilities should be fully developed; therefore, Kiel should be more powerful than Eon. The other boy seemed to be without any abilities, however.

It was just one of the mysteries that shrouded Kiel. Another ability each person with celestial blood possessed was that to sense others of their kind. It was a way for the Guard to guarantee they would never fail to find the descendants. When Eon had met Kiel, he had been unsure if what he was sensing was actually a fellow descendant’s blood. Kiel had seemed sure of what Eon was, which stopped any doubts Eon had been having.

Eon had never mentioned it, just as he’d never questioned why, at nineteen, the other was not called upon by the Guard. The Guard were the angels in charge of collecting those with celestial blood to become Guardian Angels. Their job was to find those with the blood of Fallen Angels running through their veins. The Archangels believed it was the duty of these descendants to pay back the sins of their fallen relations, and once a descendent turned eighteen, the Guard came for them.

Eon shook his head, bringing himself back to what Kiel was saying and away from the memory of the one who had told him all of this. The one he’d called Father for ten years too long.

“Come on, then, Eon,” Kiel spoke as he handed the other his sword. “We better get back to the house. You have school tomorrow.” There was laughter in his voice, and Eon knew he was enjoying this. Eon was only seventeen. If he didn’t go to school, it would raise questions.

“I get the school, but why the moving so much?” Kiel insisted they move every so often. They’d recently moved to East Heron, and tomorrow was Eon’s first day at the local high school.

“I told you, the longer you stay in one place, the easier it is for the Guard to sense you there. With your eighteenth birthday coming up in a few weeks, I don’t want to take any chances.” Eon knew the Guard would find them regardless, and hiding this way only gave them a few extra weeks at most. It was another mystery of Kiel, and yet another question he never asked. If he didn’t question Kiel, Kiel didn’t question him.

They’d made the long walk back from the meadow in good time. It wasn’t exactly normal for people to fight with swords, but Kiel had learned as a young boy and insisted that Eon learn. He hardly minded, as it was a skill he picked up naturally. A release when his temper flared.

Their house stood before them, small in comparison to the vast trees that surrounded it. They offered a wall of security to the two descendants, blocking out the questioning eyes of any neighbors if Eon were to slip up and use an ability. Once inside, Kiel planted himself on the small worn couch, a cocky smile still glued to his face.

“Kiel, I think I’ll go to bed. The fight wore me out,” he spoke with surprise in his voice. As a descendant, he was typically able to endure things quite well. However, it had been their longest yet, lasting all afternoon. He was good with a sword, but no match for Kiel who had been using one since he was young. Kiel remained full of energy, and Eon had to admit he admired the other.

“All right, then, if you’re sure. Here I’d planned to whip you at something else. You must have known. Smart choice on choosing to pretend to be tired,” Kiel grinned, enjoying that there was still something he could beat Eon at. Eon shook his head, not able to prevent a smile.

“Good night, Kiel. Don’t miss me too much tomorrow.” Kiel faked a look of disappointment, his eyes dancing with the remaining laughter.

“I’ll try not to, Gedeon. I just don’t know how I’ll survive without you.” Eon closed his door, muffling whatever smart comment Kiel made following that. After removing his shirt, he walked into the bathroom connected to his room, and leaned his hands against the cool counter.

His pale eyes gazed back at him, all humor having left them. They took in the ragged scar running from the top of his shoulder down to his armpit. His eyes closed, but the thoughts continued racing, pulling Eon back to that night.