Chapter Nine; Legend of the Aphotic Angel



"If you wish to know, I shall tell you," the man began,"The Legend of the Aphotic Angel".

"It is a legend that has been passed down for generations, and one that we here, who still believe in salvation for the cursed, don't take lightly. There aren't many who still visit this church. Freedom, true freedom is something that most of them think of as no more than a dream. But I never gave up, nor would I let my family. We literally live in this church, praying round the clock. But the Primave Elders can't touch us." the man chuckled,"You see, I built this church on top of a graveyard, with the permission of the spitits of course. Its hallowed ground. The minute those creatures set foot in this church is the minute they become mortal. Unfortunately, it doesn't work the same for their victims."

"I have studied the Eldolon scriptures religously, and thus built this church, not only as a place of woship, but also as a shelter for the cursed when the Aphotic Angel came. And now, it shall serve its purpose. Oh, but forgive me, I have strayed from the legend itself." He paused."Before I begin, how about I show you to your room. If what you have told me is true, there will be none in a matter of hours."

The man led them up stairs and down the hall of torches and doors."Ah yes, apartment 002, right next to my own family's quarters. Inside are six beds, so you'll likely be sharing the room with a few people." He lead them into the room and sat down on a bed then motioned them in."Gather around and I shall begin"

"Um, sir, excuse me for interupting, but, who are you?" Asked Misty.

"Oh, that's right. We have not had a proper introdution. I am Father Cassius, the head priest at this church."

"My name is James."

"I'm Misty."

"You're looking at Meowth!"

"Pleased to know all of you. Now, shall we start the tale?"

"Legend told of a race of monsters, famous monsters that would be all but wiped out. But these monsters were not your typical hairy, slimy, drooling monsters. No. These were worse. They looked like the most perfect human beings born on this earth. And in truth, they think themselves thus; the only race of light in this world of darkness.But this of course isn't true. They are nothing more than sleek monsters."

"Everyone has heard the tales of the bloodsucking monsters that roam the night in search of, well, blood. Though these ancient tales call these creatures vampires, they were really referring to the Primaves. They took over what used to be called Eldolon City a hundred years ago and turned all the people here into their servants. They promise them their freedom in exchange for many lifetimes of servitude. Therfore, any outsiders are immediatly brought to the elders. You two are very lucky to have made it this far without being reported.The primaves never intend on fullfilling their promise to these poor people. What reason could they possibly have for getting rid of a town full of servants?"

"Your probably thinking, why not just leave? Well, young ones, everyone who has every tried to escape has only faced days of tortue before being re-released into the town. I have only heard of one case where a soul was freed."

"It was only ten years ago, in fact. Damien, the third in power of the primaves, had adopted three children after feeding from their parents. He particularily favored the youngest girl. I could not tell you her name or appearance, for I have heard many rumors of those things. He would...do things to her, and make her do things to him. It was the most disgusting thing. Her older brother tried to fight him off, but failed each time. One day, he tired of it and freed the boy, not wanting to upset the two girls by submitting him to tortue. The youngest girl ran off, and was never heard from again. Damien could have found her easily with his powers, but he thought of them as lovers. He told himself she would return someday."

"Sick." said Misty.

"Yes."

"My God!" said James, utterly disgusted.

"'On a day of snow, when the sky's aglow, Comes the Apothetic Angel. Blinding light and chants of fright shall warn the cursed of her delight. A house she'll make where she will take the pain from ghosts and evil forsake. Free, they will rise, back to the skies and never more shed tears. Her darkness remains, as the flaxen gains an evil thought, a whimsey. Forever in darkness, forever in beauty as her walk grazes the earth. A light inside will end her stride when it is born at the hearth.' that is word for word, the legend of the Apothetic Angel"

"But what does it mean?" Asked James.

"It means, that when its snowing, she will come. She'll save the town from the primaves, but herself will be cursed with immortal life, and something else, but I can't figire out that part. Her life will end at Armageddon,'the light inside born at the hearth'."

"So that means, she'll save this entire town only to be damned herself?"

"Only until the Second Coming. Then, she may finally enter heaven."

James looked out the window, toward the town,"Jessie." They were all silent for a moment."Does...does she know about all this, the one who is to become..."

"Doubtfully." answered Cassius prematurely."My guess would be that she only knows she has a duty to do. The Aphotic Angel has been chosen, out of all of those in the world for her strength. She knows she has to save the town, and, subconsciously, she knows how to transform. But she doesn't know she'll become the Aphotic Angel, and she doesn't know that she won't be freed with the rest of the town."

"I have to warn her." answered James after awhile.

"What?"

"I have to warn Jessie what she's in for!"

"No, child! Don't you think there's a reason she sent you here? Its almost time!"

"Look, she's sacrificing her own freedom to give you yours! I think she at least deserves to know what her fate is!"

"Listen, Boy..."

"No you listen! Keeping her ignorant to the fact that she's damned to walk this earth till it falls when she believes she's going to be freed is cruel, and manipulative! She deserves to know!"

"You fool! You know not what may await you down there! When the Aphotic Angel transforms, she becomes a dark creature, her mind closed to the memories she has aquired. She may destroy you along with the Primaves, and when the Aphotic Angel kills, she doesn't just kill; she plays with you, like a cat and a mouse. She taps into your darkest fears or memories and makes you believe they are real; playing out in front of your eyes over and over until she tires of your suffering and closes your eyes forever..."

"Jessie wouldn't kill me, she loves me! And I her! I now, I must find her! She deserves to know!" He ran from the room, down the stairs, and out of the church followed by Father Cassius, who caught up with him and stopped him.

"Listen to me, boy. If you are to go to her now, than I must go with you. If she starts to transform while we are with her, that we will both be lost. We just have to leave when she issues the warning. Do you understand me, not a minute later."

"I understand."

"Good, then let us move swiftly. The time of Eldolon's Salvation is upon us."





As always, your feedback is appreciated. I really want to hear from you, whether its positive or negative! You can e-mail me at Samantha@DavidBowie.com or Hrtsfilthylssn@AOL.com with any questions, comments, praises, or flames. Thanks for reading! I'll send in chapter ten soon!