The Fallen Celestial Ch. 08

"Which is why Gavreel is wasting no time in attacking," Lexington answered.

As the five entered Shahemein, Lexington instructed Daniel to take Sera and the other Fallen and consult with Gaous and Cresus regarding the situation. Lexington began to head towards his home where Enama and Alexa awaited his return.

Moments later, Lexington arrived at the bottom of the stairway of his home before he felt someone grip at his arm and try to pull him aside.

Lexington turned to face Tanicia, a whore of Atasha's brothel. He noticed she was in a completely different state than she was when he had last been with her. He quickly remembered how incredible it felt to be inside her. How powerful yet weak she made him feel. She wasn't her captivating, sensual self. She was... frantic.

"Tanicia?" Lexington asked.

"We cannot speak here," she answered while giving a nod in the direction of Lexington's home.

---

Tanicia led Lexington to a small inn a few homes down from where Lexington lived in the Third Quarter of Shahemein. The inn was small and dimly lit due to lack of required windows for a room of its size. Because it was almost dusk, Lexington knew he had little time to share with Enama and Alexa.

"What is going on?" Lexington asked impatiently.

"I am sorry to bother you, my lord, but..." Tanicia trailed off. She still peered into his eyes.

Lexington could see the fear in hers. No, not fear, worry. Was she worried about the war with Shadohinus? As far as he knew, Gaous kept the city folk in the dark about their impending enemy though they knew they were engaged in war.

"What is it?" Lexington asked with sincerity.

"I am with child," Tanicia said quickly. Her eyes began to well with water.

Lexington was stunned. His mind quickly went back to their time in the dark alleyway. He remembered how fierce and passionate they were with each other. He remembered finishing inside her tight pussy and how he never wanted to pull his cock out of her. He never gave it a second thought until now.

"Tanicia... I..." Lexington found himself trailing off before concluding with, "I don't know what to do right now. I can't do anything. This war... I must do my part to see that it ends."

A tear streaked its way down Tanicia's cheek. Lexington proceeded to reach for her hand, but Tanicia pulled away.

"It's not an excuse. When I return, we will deal with this together."

Tanicia stood, ran towards the door, turned to give Lexington a quickly glance, then she was gone.

Lexington clenched his fist. How could I have been so foolish, he asked himself.

He peeked out the window and saw that the sun was nearly set. Gavreel and the Fallen Army would be a couple of days away from the Shatelos Grasslands, but he wasn't worried. Daniel and Sera prudently chose the fastest among the Fallen to stay behind with Lexington.

They would catch up to the Fallen easily.

Lexington gathered himself and headed back towards his home. He found Enama breastfeeding Alexa on the porch.

"My love, is it that time again?" Enama asked, almost sarcastically.

He felt the sting of her words however true they may have been. "I promise this is the last time I'll be going away. This war is almost over. I have found help."

"If this is the last time, be sure to come back until it is done and not a moment sooner."

The bluntness of her words stung Lexington once again. He walked up the steps, placed a kiss on the foreheads of both his wife and child and turned to leave.

---

Lexington shortly met with Daniel, Sera the two other Fallen Soldiers, Rebekah and Eli.

"Ready to go, sir?" Daniel asked.

Lexington nodded and replied, "Let us make haste."

The five Fallen used their Celestial speed to dash out of the wall of Shahemein.

Suddenly, Lexington cried out "HALT!"

The four stopped just behind him. Shadohinus stood at the very entrance of the Fallen Fortifications.

"You think me a fool, Seraph?" Shadohinus yelled out.

Lexington could see Mara and that her Valkyric transformation was complete. Though she resembled Thraxa and other Valkyrie Lexington had encountered, Mara was much smaller than most. She wore the same revealing battle armor that was typical for a Valkyrie soldier to don. He found himself distracted as her abundant cleavage rose up and down with her calm breath. She was very calm despite the situation they were currently in. Too calm. Strange, he thought.

"How did you cross the Luildel?" Lexington asked as he approached Shadohinus.

The other four Fallen followed suit. Lexington noticed each of the Fallen that stood beside him had already recalled their armor and respective weapons. Sera was armed with a shortsword and a long dagger, Rebekah was armed with a bow and arrows, Daniel weld his two broadswords, and Eli was armed with a tower shield and battle axe.

"How do you think?" Shadohinus replied. "You gave me the idea."

"Phobus? But how?"

"After Esther stepped through, I sent one Shadowman through a moment later. He quickly reported what you had done and I'm sure you can imagine the rest. With you busy gallivanting through Immobul to get to Cielos, I had half a legion search through Immobul for Phobus -- and we found the Monolith."

Lexington stopped once he was within a few yards of Shadohinus and noticed that Shadohinus had a small regiment of a few hundred Shadowmen and Valkyrie with him. He quickly realized that Gavreel and his Fallen Army must be engaged with the rest of Shadohinus' legions and Phobus, the Monolith of Immobul. We must get there quickly, he told himself.

"So what now?" Lexington asked.

"Now?" Shadohinus asked before finishing with, "You die. TEAR THEM TO SHREDS!"

The Shadowmen and Valkyrie poured forward from behind Shadohinus and at Lexington and his Fallen brethren. All five of the Fallen soldiers' eyes glared blue as they ripped through the Shadowmen that charged at them. The other Shadowmen and Valkyrie were charging towards the gates of Shahemein.

"Lexington!" Eli cried out as he motioned Lexington to look towards Shahemein.

Lexington glanced at Shadohinus. He could see the Lord of Avariceal smiling. Lexington turned towards Shahemein and leapt up and as far forward as he could. He landed with a thunderous crash onto a few Shadowmen, slicing and slashing at anything that moved.

He glanced once again at Shahemein and saw the great gates of the city slow slam shut. He felt some relief as soldiers of the Shahemein Military began to pour out the smaller gates and charge at the Shadowmen and Valkyrie.

Lexington continued to push forward, but found the Shadowmen Brutes were much harder to deal with than before. They were stronger. Lexington peeked back to see how the other Fallen were doing. He could only see Eli and Sera. Both were engaged and outnumbered by several Valkyrie but seemed to be standing their ground.

He couldn't worry for them. He had to keep the Shadowmen and Valkyrie from entering the city. He looked up ahead. The Shahemein Soldiers were falling like flies. He knew they would be no match for the Valkyrie. Lexington did his best to charge forward until suddenly, he heard screams followed by a loud crack. He used his Far Sight to look upon the main north gate, Uupshahe. He watched as a giant splinter cracked it's way from the bottom of the gate to the top. At the bottom of the gate, Lexington could see as Valkyrie and Shadowmen Brutes were hacking with demonic might. They would be in the city soon.

A searing heat formed in Lexington's right calf. He withdrew from his Far Sight and glanced down. The end of an Avaricealian spear jutted through his calf and out the other side. The spear had been wedged in between two pieces of Celestial armor, a weak spot. The aim was impeccable, but Lexington knew it was his fault. He was distracted. He felt his right leg buckle and landed on his knee.

"DUCK!" Lexington heard someone shout.

It was the voice of Eli. Lexington through himself forward and craned his neck. The very edge of something caught the back of his Lexington's helmet.

Then black.

---

A jolt of pain shook Lexington awake. It was his calf still. He opened his eyes to a blurred world. Someone was hovering over him. It was Sera.

"Lexington, can you hear me?"

"What has happened?"

"You were knocked unconsciousness. Daniel instructed me to wait with you. The city has been breached."

"And Shadohinus?"

"He took a small group of Valkyrie and headed back towards the Black Citadel."

"What are you standing here for?"

"I was commanded to --"

"TO SHAHEMEIN!" Lexington commanded.

Sera withdrew her blade and dashed into Shahemein. Lexington sat himself up. He could see that Sera had tended to his leg wound and was wrapped. He gazed around him to witness hundreds of corpses. Most were Shahemein Military though there dozens upon dozens of Shadowmen and Valkyrie as well.

Lexington rolled onto his stomach and proceeded to push himself to his feet. His right leg could barely support his way, but he forced himself to fully step down. The pain was almost blinding, but his Celestial abilities enabled him to overpower the pain and continue on. He began to gingerly walk. With each step, the pain subsided until he began to walk faster and faster. Soon, he found himself dashing into Shahemein where the battle was still hot.

Valkyrie and Shadowmen were engaged with the Shahemein Military. Lexington saw Sera aid a small regiment of Shahemeinian soldiers while he witness a Shadowman Brute take on five humans.

Lexington recalled Aequitas and began to slash his way towards the Third Quarter of Shahemein where Enama and his family would be. Lexington quickly arrived at his home to see it undisturbed. Dozens of soldiers raced passed him towards the north gate.

He ran up the stairway and opened the door. Inside, Lexington witnessed Mara holding Alexa and two Valkyrie standing by Enama, Edalo, and Albeus who were lying on the floor in chains.

Mara looked up at Lexington and smiled. She brought a finger to her lips, motioning Lexington to be quiet. Alexa was sleeping.

Lexington felt rage attempting to overcome him, but he restrained himself. He looked to Edalo and asked, "The rest?"

"They're safe," Edalo quickly answered before one of the Valkyrie sent her foot flying into his gut.

"Quiet, human," the Valkyrie commanded.

"What do you want, Mara?" Lexington asked.

"What I have always wanted since that night you left me."

"That is?"

"For you to die."

Mara pulled a small dagger from her side hilt and raised it over Alexa's body.

Enama let out a scream with Mara yelling "SHUT UP!" in response.

Alexa awoke and began to cry. Lexington saw Mara distracted, summoned Aequitas, and threw it at Mara. The tip of Aequitas found its way into Mara's shoulder of the arm that was holding the dagger. Mara fell back, Lexington threw himself to catch Alexa and pulled her close as he turned to land on his back.

Lexington leapt to his feet and recalled Aequitas to his grasp. One of the Valkyrie had a tuft of Enama's hair in her hand with a blade held just below her throat. The other was aiming a longsword to the back of Albeus's neck.

"Move and die," one of the Valkyrie commanded.

Mara stepped in between Lexington and the other Valkyrie. She was glaring at Lexington as she gripped her shoulder. Blood oozed from her wound in between her fingers.

"Kill them," Mara commanded.

"NO!" Lexington cried out as one Valkyrie sliced open Enama's throat and the other send her blade crashing through Albeus's neck.

Then the rage overcame Lexington. He quickly placed Alexa in the ground behind him and charge at Mara. Mara barely had enough time to set her feet before, Lexington sent his shoulder crashing into Mara's chest and knocked her aside. He leapt towards one of the Valkyrie. She raised her dagger in defense, Lexington rose Aequitas and sliced down through the dagger and through the Valkyrie's skull. Lexington pulled back and kicked the dead Valkyrie aside.

The other Valkyrie charged at Lexington with her longsword, Lexington answered with a defensive swing. The Valkyrie swung again and caught Lexington in the forearm, but the armor slowed the blade's damage. Lexington spun and sent the tip of Aequitas up the Valkyrie's head. He pulled his obsidian longsword back as the defeated Valkyrie's limp body crashed to the floor.

Aequitas faded from Lexington's grip as he hurried towards Enama, but she was already dead. Lexington unchained Edalo, tears filling his eyes.

"I.. I'm..." Edalo tried to form words, but Lexington shook his head.

"Go to your family," Lexington said. "Take Alexa."

Edalo nodded. He picked up Alexa and left.

Lexington turned towards Mara. She lied against the wall, still gripping her shoulder.

"This is your doing, you know this," Mara said.

Lexington approached her slowly. Tears streamed down his face. His armor began to fade from his body leaving the garment he had been wearing.

"You should never have left me," Mara added.

Lexington bent forward and grasped at Mara's breastplate. Her breastplate covered only the top of her midsection, revealing her cleavage in the style that was of the Valkyrie battle armor.

Mara let go of her wound, but cried out while trying to push Lexington's hand aside. Lexington brushed her hand away and pulled her up by the breastplate. The clasp that held her breastplate together snapped in response to Lexington's jerking force. Mara fell back to the ground and Lexington tossed the breastplate aside.

Mara's breasts remained large and supple despite the transformation. Blood draped over one of her breasts and onto the floor as Mara continued to grasp at her shoulder wound.

"Oh, now you want me? When I'm helpless?"

Lexington remained silent. He took hold of Mara by her neck and lifted just her upper body off the ground. He turned and proceeded to drag her outside his home. Mara gripped at his wrist, trying to get free, but it did not help.

Once outside on the porch, Lexington effortlessly lifted the rest of Mara's body off the ground and threw her onto the ground just below the porch's steps.

Outside stood Eli, Daniel, Mayra, and Sera. All four of the Fallen soldiers were drenched in the Avaricealian blood with their weapons in hand.

"Finish her," Lexington commanded.

Sera stepped forward with her dagger and shortsword in hand. She approached Mara while Mara was sprawled on the ground.

Mara began to shout saying, "you Fallen are finished, hear my words, the Lord of Avariceal will --"

Sera shoved the end of her shortsword into Mara's bare chest and then pulled it out just as quickly. Blood gushed from the wound as Mara was left speechless and dying.

"Daniel, take Mayra and head to Gavreel," Lexington commanded.

Daniel nodded and the two dashed off.

"Sera, take Eli and scour the rest of Shahemein. Make sure no Shadowmen or Valkyrie stand."

"Yes, sir," Sera replied and then the two were off.

Lexington turned to enter his home and shut the door behind him. He fell to his knees beside the bodies of Albeus and Enama. He then fell to his side and turned onto his back. He closed his eyes as his mind wandered to the past. He recalled meeting Enama for the first time and the kindness that Albeus displayed to a stranger. He grasped at his chest as his eyes began to well up with water. He began to sob uncontrollably as he wrenched as his chest.

---

BANG BANG. Lexington awoke to the sound of someone pounding on his front door.

"Sir? It's Sera and Eli. May we enter?" Sera asked.

"Come in."

"Sir, a runner from the Fallen Army has reported that High Seraph needs aid."

"Aid? The remaining Fallen are you two and I. There are no more of us."

"We believe he means the humans."

"Absolutely not."

"As you wish, sir. But we must go. The Fallen were able to fend off most of Shadohinus legions. Shadohinus retreated to the Black Citadel."

"And Phobus?"

"Gavreel and the Fallen were able to bring the Monolith down, but he fell in the..." Sera trailed off with a worried expression.

"Fell where?"

"In the Luildel River."

"That means..."

Sera nodded. "Shadohinus has a permanent bridge to the rest of Shatelos."

Lexington leapt to his feet. He flexed his right calf and could feel that it was nearly completely healed.

"Sera. Eli. Let us make haste."

The two nodded as they bolted out the door with Lexington following after. He gave one last glance at the lifeless body of Enama before turning and closing the door.

The three Fallen used their Celestial speed to reach the Fallen's forward position in almost four days. Within that time, Gavreel and the Fallen had fortified their position at Shantei.

Upon arriving, Shantei resembled a small fort. He marveled at the construction and arrangement of the walls and towers.

Once inside, the three were greeted by Daniel.

"This is incredible," Lexington said as he embraced Daniel.

Daniel nodded. "The High Seraph did most of the heavy lifting. We've been discussing the effects of the Earthen Realm on our commander. He says that he has been growing weaker."

"With most of Shadohinus' legions destroyed and Phobus fallen, we can make our last push," Lexington declared boldly.

Daniel returned a solemn glance. "Sir, we took a devastating hit as well. Our numbers are now half of what we first had almost a week ago."

"Fifteen hundred?"

"A third of which are injured beyond healing, sir. This is a fight we cannot win soon and with the remains of Phobus acting as a permanent bridge..."

"What about destroying the Monolith's remains?"

"We've tried. The husk of Phobus is resilient. Even with our Celestial weapons and strength, it is much too difficult to simply hack away at it. The time it would take to completely destroy his remains is immeasurable. We wouldn't be able to take that time and defend our position against Shadohinus. His legions will regrow. Ours will not."

"I must speak with Gavreel," Lexington said.

Daniel nodded and pointed off in the direction where Gavreel had made his temporary hearth.

Gavreel constructed a short tower with a wide-open top. From the top, you could probably see in every direction surrounding Shantei. Though the fortified walls of the new Fallen Fort were shorter than those of the fortifications back at Shahemein, they were much thicker. The walls were almost as thick as roads.

The short tower that Gavreel had constructed was placed at the very center of the Fallen Fort and the High Seraph resided at the very top room.

"My lord," Lexington said as he let himself into Gavreel's small chamber.

"Lexington."

"What are your orders?"

"You know as well as I do that I do not have any attack plans as of right now. We have not the force nor the power."

"This war must end."

"It will."

"How?" Lexington asked.

"I grow weaker with every day, yet I'm still a Celestial of Cielos and in being so... I have a particular option."

"What do you mean?"

"Exitium. I will unleash Exitium."

Lexington recalled the first time he had heard the word. As he remembered, Celestials were created by the Omnipotent, not born as humans. After their creation, they are bestowed their name. They are then trained by Celestial combat masters in the art of war to remain as a balance between good and evil throughout all the realms. It wasn't until he arrived and understood the customs of the earthen realm that Celestials were akin to human guards of cities except that Celestials were the guards of justice.

One of the last things they learned before Celestials would gain the rank of Soldier or Cherub, was a sacrificial skilled known as Exitium. In Exitium, the Cherub or Seraph was trained to release their life essence resulting in a catastrophic explosion that leaves nothing alive in its wake. Though it was a skill that all Celestial Soldiers possessed, it was a skill that had not been used for eons. Lexington did also remember one grave detail about the process. He recalled that the Omnipotent had dubbed it the "Realm Breaker." It was this skill that Gavreel was planning to use on Shadohinus and the Black Citadel.