The Second Time Around Ch. 12

"My king, let me do the honors," she eagerly requested then reached her hand out to silently call for Caid when Abaddon gave his consent. Her small hand clutched his throat as she stared curiously into his face. He was handsome, but also a threat. Something inside of her told her that much. He needed to be exterminated without hesitation. "Stranger, may Abaddon have mercy on your soul."

Caid didn't want to see Brigitte this way. The lack of recognition alone was enough to steal his last breath away, but to have her willingly enjoying the thought of killing him made him feel as if his heart had been torn from his chest. This wasn't the way things were supposed to end. He had let everyone down.

Gina stood to her feet in alarm. She couldn't allow any further harm to come to Caid. What was she supposed to do? She considered the weapon in her hands and felt utterly hopeless. She didn't know how to use this thing. "I know that I don't often pray, but whoever you are, whether you're God or this Almighty fellow, I'm asking you to please help me save my brother, my friend. Just give me the strength that I need to do this," she begged with tears upon her cheeks.

"Say goodbye," Brigitte sweetly told him with a soft smile.

"No!" Gina shouted, suddenly her body dematerialized to reappear in front of her old friend. She briefly regarded her face before wrapping her arms about Caid's body and vanishing. When she came to, Gina had no clue where they were. It looked to be a forest from the vast amount of trees surrounding her. She scampered to Caid's side and sighed in relief that his respiration, although faint, was still steady. She looked down at the spear and gave up a silent prayer of thanks.

"You wouldn't know how to heal, would you?" she asked hopefully. She gasped in awe as it commenced to glow, engulfing both she and Caid in an aura of green and filling her with peace. She was silently reassured that no more harm would come to either of them.

She didn't know how long she sat watching Caid heal, but Gina realized that she needed to find food and water before it became too dark. She was apprehensive to leave him however, if he became thirsty, or worse developed a fever in the middle of the night, what would she do? So far the spear—or someone—had answered her prayers, but she couldn't keep asking a golden rod for favors and expect them to come true. She looked down at Caid still unwilling to go yet resigning that it needed to be done.

"I'll be back as soon as possible. I won't go far, all right?" she told his resting figure. She carefully left the barrier, looking back every so often to make sure that he was still in viewing distance. After wandering around the area with no luck, Gina returned empty handed.

"I couldn't find anything, but don't worry we'll be fine. I'll take care of you." She sat up with him fighting sleep when her head bobbed to make sure that she would be alert in case he needed anything or if someone tried to attack them. Eventually however sleep won out and Gina awoke to find herself curled up beside him. She looked down at his serene face and wondered how he could appear so peaceful after witnessing such hell. Her slumber was oddly refreshing. She thought that she would have at least one nightmare, but her dreams were clear. She also found it odd that she went to bed hungry yet awoke on a full stomach.

Gina shrugged in acceptance and sat with Caid holding his hand. His olive complexion was gradually returning and even the pinkness of his lips was becoming more vivid. Relief flooded her knowing that Caid would recover. She looked around outside of the barrier and speculated as to why it was so quiet and calm. Not one bird flew in the sky, no insects buzzed, no animals trampled about. It was a quiet haven of some sorts. Though Gina was happy to be nestled away, she really needed some kind of contact, human or animalistic. It didn't matter. A part of her was forgetting how to be normal and if she could only prove it to herself that this piece of her still existed, she would rest much easier.

"Caid, if you can hear me, just know that wherever we are is beautiful. If you could open your eyes, you would see a clearing of humungous, green cypresses, evergreens and oak trees, flowers the color of the rainbow all about us, soft moss beneath us. The sky is the bluest that I've ever seen and there's not one cloud in the sky except for the wisps of white here and there. The air is clean, unpolluted and it feels like I'm breathing in heaven," she describes as she holds her head back for a sniff. "When will you open your eyes?"

No reaction. Gina stayed by his side for a week and three days without a response. She counted the passing nights as a way to stay in touch with reality. One could lose their sanity in such serenity. She found that within the week's span of time which passed not once did she hunger or thrust. She didn't even reek after not taking a shower for God knows how long. The only answer was that they were being supernaturally protected while Caid slept away like Sleeping Beauty. Gina wasn't sure why he had yet to arise. His body seemed to be intact, but she had a feeling that the extensive healing was for his damaged heart. She understood perfectly having viewed a small portion with her very own eyes. To watch your soul mate horribly violated then turning against you could destroy the strongest individual. Collaborators were no exception to this rule either.

"Caid, I'm getting scared, please open your eyes. What's going on in there?" she asked looking down at him in concern. "I need you."

Caid heard Gina in his subconsciousness. He was grateful for her constant presence and the tender care she took with him. A part of him wanted to get up and fight yet he didn't possess the morale to do so. He was broken. Images of Brigitte with Abaddon plagued his mind as he rested. Rabid anger threatened to consume him. How could he defeat the enemy if he was distracted? That would be the guarantee of his death and dying was not something he envisioned in his near future while Abaddon roamed freely. This slumber was the only thing giving him enough solace to continue his existence.

"Did you hear her supplication, Ezra? It is time for you to awaken."

"My Lord, why are You here? I have failed You? Why am I still breathing? I am not worthy."

"Never question the plans I have for you. They were written eons before your creation. I make no mistakes."

"But, my Lord—"

"You are a mighty warrior. I have watched your careful supervision of this planet as if every single human being was your child. You may falter occasionally, however you have never failed me, my child."

"But I am weak," Caid said to him. "I need Your strength. I cannot do this on my own."

"Have I ever once deserted you, dear Ezra? Because you believe in Me, because you serve Me and do My will, you shall never be forsaken. Now arise and take your rightful place in the order. Your soldiers need you."

Gina felt gradual warmth spread throughout her body and feared that the temperature would be too hot for Caid. She reached to check his body heat and gasped as tears trailed from his closed eyes. "Don't worry, I'm here. You'll be all right, okay?"

"Thank you," he whispered back as he clasped her hand in appreciation. His vivid blue eyes opened entrancing Gina inside of them. They were so blue, the bluest that she had ever seen in her life and so beautiful, more beautiful than the universe itself.

"Who are you?" she questioned uncertainly. She was not fearful of this man before her, after all he was still neatly clad in the body of her deceased sibling; nevertheless, Gina knew that even without this familiar appearance there would still be no fear in his presence.

"The moniker given to me by the Almighty is Ezra, but you humans once knew me as Caid. I have finally returned to end this decadence. Do not fear, dear Ginevra, you shall be greatly rewarded for your assistance."

Gina somehow managed to break her eyes away from him however impossible it might have been. This new Caid was radiating so brightly that the sun was nothing to him in comparison. His words were so soft spoken that it came as a whispered caress. His strength was palpable, proven by the golden bands anchored to his biceps, wrists, and ankles. Upon his head was a golden crown with the number one encrusted in crystal and she surmised that he was the high commander. He had diamonds notched upon his neck; notches that she deduced were medals of honor. In fact, they seemed to cover a great percentage of her brother's body and when she reached to touch them, she was encased with the feeling of security and protection.

"Is this your true form?" she asked curiously, still mystified by his angelic countenance.

"As true as it ever shall be in this borrowed body." He smiled and Gina swallowed deeply.

"What should I call you?"

"If you are more comfortable with Caid then so be it." He could see that she had many more questions to pose and waited patiently for her thoughts to formulate a coherent one.

"Do you know where we are?" She looked about and was amazed by the incandescent greens and pink and blues. The forest seemed to be responding to Caid's presence in recognition of his authority.

He stood upon his muscular legs extending a hand out to Gina. She allowed him to pull her up then followed behind meekly as they trudged through the shrubbery. "This is the garden of the Almighty. Come with me, I shall show you visions never seen by mankind." He led her further into the deep, stepping into crystal clear streams that she had been in capable of find upon their arrival. They stopped at a summit and Gina nearly lost her breath. It was magnificent. Stretched before them was a land flowing with milk and honey, constructed from the most valuable of gems, filled with beasts she had never laid eyes upon before.

"This is our home. We once wanted to share this utopia with humankind however they were not ready. They opted to lust after darkness instead of the light of truth and knowledge. They would have corrupted everything." Gina noticed that his expression became pained as he closed his eyes in remorse. "You were not meant to suffer. The Almighty wanted everyone to be happy, to coexist peacefully, but the kingdom of darkness ruined this opportunity for all of us." He turned his face towards her and smiled sadly.

"It's magnificent," she honestly told him. "Who are they?" She pointed to the ample group of individuals off in the distance. Even from afar they still seemed to be giants.

"Those are my fellow Collaborators. When we have completed our purpose upon the earth and are awaiting our new life, we return here with the others in our true from. In the human world we must assimilate or suspicions will arise. However every now and again there is a Collaborator unable to control their abilities and unable to perfectly blend in, Abraham Lincoln, for example."

Gina's mouth dropped in astonishment. "Honest Abe was a Collaborator?"

Caid laughed and nodded his head, "physical altercation is not the only means to an end. Besides, he was the tallest of his time. Some called him a giant." He winked as if they shared a secret joke and Gina smiled.

"I just thought that everyone else was really short."

He shook his head and took her hand, "Come they are expecting us."

Gina's mind was utterly blown the closer they approached the other Collaborators. By the time they were face to face with them, she was hiding behind Caid as they all towered above their heads. Their height wasn't as spectacular as that of the Jaggernauts, however they still measured at least five to eight feet higher than the average human being.

"Do not be afraid."

"Commander," they unanimously greeted, quickly bowing before them then standing.

"My absence is inexcusable, forgive me. I did not mean to worry you." He looked at each of his soldiers before continuing. "As you have all been informed by now, Abaddon has been released and he has taken control of Alexandra. If she is as powerful under his influence as she was before, this could be the very destruction of not only mankind but also our people."

He stumbled over his next proceeding words then paused briefly. He took a deep breath recommencing his unspoken sentence. "We must immobilize her at all costs no matter what they might be. Today we fight for humanity!" The crowd cheered thrusting their fists in the air.

"Today we fight for our existence!"

"Yea!"

"Today we fight for the ALMIGHTY!"

"YEA!"

Gina watched amazed as they swiftly levitated into the air and disappeared into a bright light. She felt the spear being lifted from her hands and regarded Caid questioningly.

"No, you must stay here."

"Why? I can help you," she told him as he ascended towards the lustrous glow.

He shook his head gently relieving her of the weapon. "Today is not the day you will die. The Almighty has great plans for you."

"Wait!" she screamed unable to stop her tears. "Please, how will I know that you'll be safe? Caid?!"

His ascension reversed and his feet lightly touched the ground. He reached for a golden Jasmine, carefully plucking the flower and laying it in the palm of her hands. "Anything you wish to see is one request away." He hugged her tightly, releasing her as he rose to join his squadron. "I love you, Ginevra Comito. You shall not be forgotten." And just like that he vanished leaving her surrounded in paradise on her lonesome.

"No!" Gina ran after him while clutching the flower dearly to her breasts. She had seen what had happened to Brigitte, she feared for his safety. She fell to the golden ground and sobbed until she was exhausted. She wanted everything to return to normal. She wanted Brigitte and Caid back. She wanted her brother to be alive. She wanted Corey to be more than a wandering spirit. She wanted stability.

"What's going to happen to me?"

"Do not fear, for I know the plans that I have for you."

Great peace invaded her tormented thoughts, soothing away her fears and reassuring her. The great Almighty had comforted her. Suddenly she knew with certitude that all would end well. She looked down at the beautiful Jasmine and remembered what Caid had told her. "Please, I don't know how you're supposed to work, but let me see him."

The petals of the blossom gracefully unfolded until the flower was in bloom and ripples slowly appeared upon its surface that steadily eased into images. "Oh no," Gina whimpered throwing her hand over her mouth in shocked horror. The earth was in a deplorable state. There was no light save for the crimson red glow in the atmosphere. The sun was blocked by a dense mass of clouds giving off the impression of fear and dolefulness. Ten days, she and Caid had been gone for ten days yet the surface looked to have been ravaged for a thousand years.

"One day to you is a thousand to many," she heard the Almighty state and bursted into tears all over again.

That would mean that 27 years had passed since the last time she had been on earth. What had happened to her family? Were they even still alive? Her soul ached for them. Mamma, Dante, would she ever see them again? Her tears were endless as her eyes beheld the destruction and profligacy. Demonic beings were torturing humans, beating them, raping them, slaughtering them and rejoicing as if it was all fun and games. Blood stained the waters making them cherry red. Women and children scattered helplessly for safety as legions of demonic entities scurried in a panic. She wasn't left wondering for long who was responsible. She saw Caid and his army clearing out the masses with only one swing of their arm. He was definitely more powerful than before and also more take charge. He led his men fearlessly, engaging in battle willingly and risking himself instead of a human when they were held hostage.

His abilities extended far beyond what she had observed with his fight against Abdigar. He was able to use the enemys' powers against them, taking advantage of their weaknesses to defeat them mercilessly. Gina saw his determination and those around him recognized his strength. This time Caid was a force to be reckoned with.

Caid lifted the spear and slammed it upon the ground invoking an earthquake that tore the streets apart. "Abaddon, show yourself. We have unfinished business," he shouted, spinning about just in time to sweep the scythe end of the spear upwards and chop off several heads. He propelled the spear eliminating a radical demon trying to possess a poor old woman in order to hide inside of her. He held out his hand and the spear faithfully returned.

"Abaddon!" He cried, his body never ceasing to fight the numerous beasts and hellions pouring towards him in an effort to stop the massacre he was single handedly delivering on his own while his forces fought the devils in the sky.

With an 'umph' Caid landed upon his back then stared up into the beautiful face of his life partner. She smiled down upon him wickedly, raising her leg to slam into his chest. "I'm sorry, dear Collaborator, but my king is currently occupied with fulfilling greatness," she told him lunging for him with her fists ready to strike.

"Alexandra, I will not harm you."

"Who is this Alexandra you speak of? How about less chatting and more boxing?" she suggested disappearing and reappearing to knee him in the back.

"I will not harm you," he told her. "I know there is a fragment of you that still remembers me."

"The name is Brigitte and I don't know you from a can of paint," she retorted, back flipping and connecting the toe of her shoe with his sturdy chin. His skin felt like steel, however she was undeterred and ready to do anything necessary to see to his demise. She watched him fall with a definite thud and wondered why he wasn't fighting back. Was he seriously not going to retaliate?

"Fight me, you horrible excuse for life or I will annihilate you right here and now." She gripped his throat as her black eyes roamed his soul. He wasn't making it fun to kick his ass. At least moan and beg. That's what all the others did. Frustrated by his silence, Brigitte launched him into a brick building and flew after his sailing body. She kicked him in the abdomen returning him from whence he came then slammed him down through the ground.

"Why will you not fight me?" she demanded when he stood to his feet. She decked him in the jaw then sent an uppercut to his chin watching as he alighted on his back only to stand up and wait for her. "Why?"

"Because I love you, Alexandra."

"I tire of your rambling," she snapped. "I did give you a chance, but it seems that you don't value your mingy existence." Her left hand grabbed his shoulder snatching him forward as her right hand embedded itself in his gut. She expected him to regard her hatefully, to do something other than scrutinizing her so lovingly. Why was he doing this? Images flashed in her mind and she shook her head to clear them away. Who was this man and why did she fear him so?

"Alexandra, remember me," he told her grasping onto her and pulling her tightly against him. The memories flooded her thoughts overwhelming her senses as Brigitte recalled everything from the dawn of time. She felt the black mist clouding her soul vanish as pain shook her to her core. She looked down at the gaping wound which had healed when Abaddon possessed her, once more wide open and draining her of her life force.

"Ezra? Forgive me, I know not what I do."

"All is forgiven," he reassured her. "Go into the light. You are finally free." His eyes blurred with tears as he experienced her death once more barely able to control his torrid emotions as he kissed her goodbye. He used his energy to cremate her remains, watching her blow away into the wind. No one would ever be able to hurt her again. Stumbling to his knees, Caid willed his body to heal unable to do so completely due to Abaddon's arrival.