Justice for the Fallen
20.1 Sannarah

When I let the Wrath Demon out, it felt like I fell into the deep, dark well. It was cold and empty but also blissfully silent. But only for a moment. After the initial shock of change, my vision brightened, and I could see the world again, just from afar.

I wished I could close my eyes and ears, but I couldn’t. I watched the explosion destroying the square and the painful screams of the injured and dying. I saw crumbling buildings and bodies burned in the dark flames.

I let that happen.

The city was lost anyway when the Mighty One decided his power was no longer enough. The comprehension of why the gods who created the world could be so cruel as not to care for it was beyond me.

I watched as the Mighty One called upon the angels and his faithful servants to descend from Heaven with weapons raised and battle cries on their lips. In answer, Zurgrun rallied the Fallen, and one by one, they released their horrifying powers meant solely to wreak havoc and destruction wherever they went. Two unstoppable forces clashed, throwing everything they’ve got at each other, not caring about collateral damage.

Hell on Earth was here.

Thankfully, I was numb. What was the point of feelings anyway? The world was ending, and we would perish with it. Maybe we were never meant to survive? Perhaps we were made only to serve as entertainment for gods, and once they got bored, they decided it was time to cleanse the world and start again.

“Sanna, I know you are still in there. You must stop this madness!”

My head snapped back up.

Melkyal.

He was standing there, covered in soot and blood, yet he was still the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. I instinctively raised my hand toward him, but the invisible walls around me instantly tightened, threatening to crush me.

Stay down and be quiet, growled the Wrath Demon. You asked me to take over. I can’t fight a mad god with you squirming inside.

“Don’t hurt him!” I pleaded helplessly. “Do what you must. I don’t care about the rest. Just don’t hurt Melkyal, and I'll leave you be!”

The Wrath Demon scoffed. You are such a weakling. He’s a distraction. It’s because of him you made all the wrong choices!

“Please!”

Fine. But if he keeps getting in my way, I will crush him.

I fell to my knees, deflated. I could only hope the Wrath Demon would keep her word. Once I gave her free reign, I couldn’t possibly get out, but I could make her miserable trying.

When the Fallen One was released back into our world, I felt the power shift even in my secret prison. It was as if the air itself charged up after a lightning strike─the energy around us was almost tangible. But what worried me more was that Melkyal did not give up trying.

“Please, please go away,” I pleaded, even though I knew he couldn’t hear me. A scream of protest escaped my mouth when the Wrath Demon burned him with fire, and I felt the heat of flames on my skin.

“You promised!” I protested, getting back to my feet. My chest constricted as I watched helplessly as the events unfolded.

He’ll live, an annoyed voice grumbled. Now shut up and watch this. I’ll give you something fun to keep you quiet.

And so, I did. The higher the Wrath Demon flew, the more anxious I got.

“What are you doing? The fight is below, on earth!”

Oh, but not everyone joined the fight. I don’t see why only our home should be destroyed.

The realisation dawned on me, and I felt a chill running down my spine. The magnificent floating city, the pride and joy of all angels. That was where she was heading.

“No!” I protested and smashed my fist at the invisible wall. It didn’t budge. “There is no need for that! You were supposed to fight a god, not helpless angels!”

You had your chance, and you blew it. Now shut up and watch me getting my revenge.

I struggled to escape my prison, but the walls tightened around me so much that it was hard to breathe. I fought to get free, but all my effort was futile. The barrier didn’t stir, and the air was filled with the Wrath Demon’s mad laughter as I watched the chunk of Heaven crumble to dust.

Then everything became a blur when we plummeted down with incredible speed. For a moment, I hoped we would fall to our death. At this point, it seemed the world would be better without us.

But then the vision became clear, and my heart stopped.

“I warned you to stay out of my way!” the Wrath Demon screamed in Melkyal’s face with such hatred that the walls around me trembled.

“No! Leave him alone!” I roared, clawing at the barrier around me.

But she didn’t.

My prison tightened again, suffocating me, but I would not back down. Not this time. My vision blurred and I punched and kicked with everything I had. I would not let the Wrath Demon take away the person who brought hope and light to my life.

The walls trembled but held.

I screamed my lungs out, frustrated. It was all for nothing because I was not strong enough. I couldn’t even save one person I cared for the most.

When my vision cleared, a sob escaped my mouth before I could stop it. Melkyal was lying battered and bloody on the ground, his golden eyes glassy and unseeing.

“Sanna… come… back… plea─”

“No, no, no! Please no…” I cried, but his eyes closed, with the word never finished. “NO!”

Something inside of me broke. I spent my whole life grovelling at others’ feet, always serving and accepting the hate, resentment, and mockery. And when I finally found someone who truly saw me and cared for me, he was immediately taken away.

Good riddance. He was annoying. We are better off without him.

“No!” My voice shook the walls. “You don’t get to decide what we do!”

You need me. I am power. I am wrath. Without me, you are nothing but a sorry excuse for a servant.

“You are wrong. You are a part of me, not the other way around.” My heart hammered in my chest, and the pulse raced in my temples, but I couldn’t stop the following words even if I tried. “You are wrath, anger and bloodthirst. You are everything violent, hateful, and ugly, but you are still a part of me. You are MY wrath personified.”

I rested my hand on the invisible wall, and it started to crumble with the crack of breaking glass.

“I am the one in charge here. And I will not let you rule me.”

You are too weak! You don’t have the guts to do what’s necessary. Whenever you must get your hands dirty, you let me out and pretend it’s not you.

“It’s true,” I agreed, tears sliding down my cheeks. “But we both know you and I are one at the same.”

Don’t do it. You won’t survive without me.

“I will because you are still part of me. Always.”

No, I refuse to go back. You let me out. It’s my time! My revenge!

“No. It’s ours. You are my wrath. And I accept you.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, the world around me fell apart, and I was pulled to the surface, leaving the deep, dark well behind me.

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