SACRIFICE
Peyton and Eve stared in horror at the tip of Azrael’s blade as it stuck through the portal, preventing it from closing. Sparks showered through the air and there was a sound like steel being fed through a wood-chipper as the portal tried desperately to close, the air all around them being disturbed and tossing their hair wildly about. Eve managed to climb shakily to her feet, holding the slowly healing wound in her stomach with one hand. Peyton began to walk towards the portal, thinking that maybe she could push the blade out and let the portal close, but Eve grabbed her arm and held her back, shaking her head. When she spoke, she had to shout over the sound of the portal grinding on the scythe.
“No!” Eve called out. “Don’t touch it! It will kill you!”
“Is there anything we can do?” Peyton shouted back.
Eve shook her head, pushing her hair out of her eyes as it was whipped around her face. “We have to wait! Hope that Darius can stop Azrael!”
Peyton looked back at the portal, shielding her eyes from the sparks with one hand, watching the blade of the scythe vibrate and shake violently as the portal tried to close around it.
“Why did he have to do this?” she said angrily. “Darius could be dead by now.”
Peyton felt sick with worry, furious at the betrayal, but praying that Darius was okay. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Fate had convinced her that she needed to sacrifice herself to Azrael in order to save everyone, but then Eve came along and said not to take Fate at her word. Why would Fate tell her something that wasn’t true? Was Eve wrong? Could Fate have been telling the truth? Had Darius just ruined the only hope the universe had? These, and countless other thoughts, raced through Peyton’s mind as she watched the swirling violet light shower sparks down at her feet, the tip of a powerful blade pointing at her face, seemingly appearing out of thin air. Peyton suddenly turned to Eve.
“If Azrael comes through that portal,” she said, “I’m giving him my soul.”
“Peyton,” Eve said. “Please.”
Peyton shook her head. “No. It’s bad enough that Darius is probably dying for me right now. I won’t risk the whole world because I was scared. If Azrael comes here, I’m giving him what he wants. I want you to promise me. Please, don’t try to stop me.”
Eve shook her head. “Peyton, please don’t make me promise that.”
“It’s the only way, Eve. If Darius can’t stop Azrael and you couldn’t stop him, who’s left? Is there anyone? Anyone at all?”
Eve couldn’t answer. There were, of course, those who had the power to fight Azrael, and together they had the power to destroy him, but they had sworn long ago not to interfere in the concerns of Earth and mortals. And while Azrael threatened Earth, their oath meant they couldn’t touch him until he struck Heaven.
Peyton took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “Please, Eve. Promise me. Promise you won’t try and stop Azrael if he comes through here. Don’t try and stop me from giving him what he wants.”
Eve felt cornered. There was nothing she could do to stop Azrael, even if she tried. He had become too powerful. Finally, she nodded slowly at Peyton. “Okay. I promise.”
“Thank you, Eve.” Peyton turned her gaze back on the vortex, the shower of sparks reflecting in her eyes.
Eve could only stare sadly at Peyton. She had said all she could. Nothing else would convince Peyton of the dire consequences of giving Azrael her soul. All she could do was pray that Darius could close the portal before Azrael came through.