Page 52 of Rise from the Flames

“We all have faith in you.” Storm holds his hands up, using his blood to capture the hellfire, ensuring that the pentagram remains in place.

I raise my chin and straighten my back, using their faith in me to push me forward. This must be done. I cannot stand another moment on this plane knowing that Lucifer and Adriel have managed to break through the veils and now jeopardize the universe. And all for what? Their pride. Their desire for control. Neither of them is fit for power, and it is up to us to overthrow them.

Expanding my wings, I flap and push myself forward, heading toward the broken window where the fire and light show illuminate the world outside. Dagan is right about Lucifer and Adriel underestimating me. They are far too concerned with each other to realize that I’m their biggest threat.

I dive into the fiery battle, the two brothers facing each other, against each other in a way I’m not sure they were ever intended. One light and one dark, but instead of creating the perfect balance, they’re creating a fissure in the mortal realm. They must be stopped. If they continue, the apocalypse will destroy everything. No mortal can survive such a battle, and I’m not sure their souls will have the appropriate place to go. They need me more than ever.

Unveiling my sword, I swing my blade at Adriel’s back, surprising him as I cut through one of his magnificent white wings. He drops to the ground with a holler and shoots angelic light at me, stealing my breath. Lucifer tries to take advantage of Adriel’s distraction. I snatch Adriel’s heavenly blade from his fingers, burning my palm, but I don’t let it stop me. I spin and jab the sword into Lucifer’s chest, dropping him to the ground. His beastly form breaks free, and he grows into the monstrous dragon-like demon. I rush forward and dodge beneath him only to fly up into the air to blast my hellfire into his face. Using his monstrous shoulder, I propel myself forward and head back into the warehouse. This is it. They both need to follow me. They will see that I am the one they need to be after, and when I take my final stand, I can save humanity. Iwillsave humanity.

Power hums through the air as I skid across the vast concrete floor of the warehouse. The pentagram glows in the center, Hell screaming for its ruler. Something grabs my wing, snatching me back, and I jerk my leg behind me, kicking Adriel in the groin. Now that he’s on the mortal plane, he faces the same weaknesses mortal men do, and I will take advantage of it.

His hand grabs my throat, and I gasp and slap him across his face. Neither of us sees Lucifer flying toward us, his black wings expanded and horns flashing on his head as he summons power from Hell.

He crashes into us, sending us all sprawling across the floor. Burning heat climbs the walls, and I watch the shadowy figures of souls escape through the cracks created by the pentagram.

Four rumbling voices holler through the air as Storm, River, Damien, and Dagan all chant a spell, using the power of both Heaven and Hell to cage the three of us in.

It’s only now that I realize that I can’t escape.

“Riella! Riella, take our hands!” I whip my attention toward River and Storm, the two of them moving in closer.

Roars sound from behind me, and I catch sight of Dagan and Damien using their hellfire against Lucifer and Adriel. But they are no match. None of us are.

“Riella!” River yells. “Don’t!”

But my mind is already set. There’s no way I’m going to allow them to break the pentagram. This is my duty. This is my purpose in the Universe.

The ground shakes, the floor cracking and crumbling as Hell comes to Earth. I summon my blade and rush toward Lucifer and Adriel, swinging my sword to incapacitate them.

Dark souls break free from Hell, filling the room. They crash over me, licking my skin and grabbing onto me, dragging me a few feet away. Lucifer punches Adriel, knocking him to the ground. The force of Adriel hitting the barrier of the pentagram is enough to crack it, breaking the spell.

“No!” I shove from the ground and fly at them, wrapping my arms around Lucifer and Adriel, clinging onto them. “Knock us in!” I shout, glancing at Dagan.

“Don’t do it,” Damien says. “If she falls, there’s no coming back for her.”

I scowl. “Do it!”

Lucifer and Adriel struggle against my grip, but I blast them over and over with my hellfire. I drag them another few feet, blindly working my way toward the gaping hole in the floor.

And then I see the blast of fire.

But it’s not Dagan shooting at me. It’s Damien.

Running forward, he blasts his hell power, sending the three of us back. He launches from the ground and crashes into us, knocking me into the crack to Hell.

I close my eyes and pray to Heaven to save me.

But all I see is fire.

I’m about to fall into Hell.

39

Rise from the Flames

Riella

Luciferflapshisblackwings, knocking Damien into the pit while managing to keep me and Adriel on the ledge.

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