Chapter XII

Angel and Bear

They talk of us now as warriors.
The angels have changed over time.
They've risen up Gabe as a martyr
and forgotten his past and his crime.

They think I'm a being of great power,
yet my duty was tactless – inept.
My magick and skill couldn't save her;
it's too much for me to accept.

I thought that his fame would have changed him,
that the angel turned man would convert
Yet now, without wings or a future,
the angel-man moves to concert.

He's rallied his old kin together.
They're willing to try it again,
To stop the Rise of the Vampyre;
bring an end to this horrible chain.

But I've started to doubt the chances
of this army having success,
now that I know they control us.
Can we cause our foe any distress?

If they know all of our movements
and guide us along their design.
Then we are fighting a god
and no man can beat the divine.

But Gabe seems surer than ever
that this enemy can be defeated.
Perhaps it's his mind as a human
that's arrogant, sure and conceited.

But maybe he sees rays of hope
that all humans tend to hold true.
Perhaps he has plans and deceptions
that will allow his new force to pull through.

His plan is so blatant and open,
I worry he's not thinking straight.
To send fifty angels against it...
I've already made my debate.

He says we have no other choice.
Says that thinking has done us no good.
'Now is the time for action.'
I told him that I understood.

And to say that to him is no lie;
I think he is right in a way.
But all we do is seen and foretold,
so by acting; ourselves we betray.

He says that he used to believe that,
but now thinks that hope is they key.
If we fall to despair like they want us
it becomes hopeless to break free.

I've noticed a thought in my mind,
both anger and despair combined.
The spirit of Jem, it is moving,
determined and somewhat resigned.

I think he is finally seeing
that this must end only one way.
I admire his strength and resolve,
but pity his empty dismay.

I wish I could stop his journey,
make him turn back and start a new life,
but my power lies only in sensing
his pain, but not ending his strife.

Gabe says not to worry about him,
that the angels will get there ahead.
And when he arrives we can tell him
the pain is over and Oris is dead.

I only hope we can save Ivy,
though we fear she's already been turned.
If she has then we must dispose her;
once over she cannot return.

The pain in my heart is so bold that
I want to just leave this behind;
to sever my every fibre and
bid adieu to all of mankind.

And why should I not do this?
Can't I tug my life away?
The truth is I still think that
I may have a part to play.

And if staying here would help me
keep my Ivy safe and warm,
then I'd gladly live a thousand years
inside this teddy form.

And so I hope to help her
while the angels do their labour.
Gabe said he'll make them clear a path,
but only as a favour.

I hope to find her quickly.
A special powder will inform
on whether she's been spared the fate
or if she has transformed.

This is my darkest hour.
I know what I must do.
If the test should then reveal
that she has been imbued,

I'll have to use my magicks
or maybe just a knife.
She won't expect, my bold assault,
and then I'll take her life.

At least there is a glimmer
of hope that she'll live on.
Poor Jem knows he must kill:
To him his friend is gone.

Gabe leads the offensive.
The angels carry him.
The lowly king of angels -
his mission very grim.

He's got determination;
a twinkle in his eyes.
Tightly furrowed eyebrows
hold up a fine disguise.

He says he wants to change things;
to bring the world to sense.
I know that in his mind
all he wants is recompense.

But different means to the end
at this point do not matter.
If choosing between hell and this,
I'd gladly have the latter.

I can relate to Jem right now;
alone and so destroyed,
my mind focused on the problem
and the silent looming void.

I miss my Ivy very much;
I wish I could confide,
I may not get to tell her this
with danger on all sides.

Gabe is right on one thing, though;
this thinking does no good.
We ride ahead and think ahead.
This nightmare will conclude.

I'm worried when the nightmare ends
and where we'll all awaken.
Whether this is worth the risk
or whether we're mistaken.

It's all being building up to this;
What we've been waiting for.
The wind blows harshly at us
and we're riding off to war.