Daren rolled his shoulders as smoke literally rolled off his body. He stretched his muscles as if testing their feel for the first time.
Heaven was so different from earth. He wasn't referring to the typical vision of heaven that so many humans believed in, he was talking about the feel of that plane. It was so much lighter than earth, and time past by in slow motion as far as he could tell. How long had he been gone? It seemed an eternity to him, and it wasn't because of the time difference.
He'd been away from Eireka for too long. He cursed her for being his fixation during the entire "reprograming" session Raphael gave him. The pain wasn't even the worst part of the torture, it was the thoughts that arose in his mind.
While he was here, Eireka was unprotected. He didn't know if he would be able to get out, much less find her before they did.
You shouldn't care for her,Daren. She is the enemy.
Indeed she was. And a part of him cringed at his readiness to go back to her. But he promised her he would be back, and for whatever reason, Daren found himself focusing on her signature. Doing so caused a dull ache begin to grow in his head. The side effects of his escape were beginning to take effect. . . he had little time to waste in locating Eireka.
"Well, well. Daren, I thought you better than this." Raphael's deep voice thundered behind him, bringing Daren to jump around to face him. The quick movement made him wince as his golden eyes started down Raphael's green ones.
"You would think, killing one of your bretheren would cause you grief. But here you are, join back to the whore. She's your destruction, Daren. Why do you pursue sin?"
That was one question even Daren couldn't answer. He had never before felt anything. Before Eireka, he followed his commands without a single hesitation, his sights fully set on serving. Since she appeared in his life, he found himself questioning the most simplest demands of heaven.
"You will not understand, brother. I do not wish to harm you, but if you chose to pursue me, I will not hesitate to kill you." Daren's voice did not quiver in the slightest. It held just as much authority and confidence as it did when he was in command of his force.
Raphael's gaze held no emotion as he stared into the eyes of one of his most talented pupils. He knew, deep inside, that Daren would fall. And if he chose to find the demon Eireka today, he would seal his fate and that of the entire world.
"You know the consequences of your actions Daren. Should you continue down this path, I will have no choice but to act. You are still in time, brother, chose the path God has forged for you." And with that, he was gone without a trace. Daren stood there for the longest time, contemplating the words of his old teacher.
And still, knowing what lay for him and knowing well what his fate would be if he searched for Eireka, Daren set his sights for her location.
