"Dad? It's me, Cynthia"
"Duncan? It's me, Ellen..."
"David? Honey..."
"Wolfgang? It's your wife, Arianne..."
All over the pyramid, the women stood in front of their loved ones, trying and hoping their love would bring them back, return them to the men they were before Calliope had appeared on the scene.
Carmelo, Jo and Walter jumped down from the columns and rushed over to their friends, followed by Zoltan who had been given Carmelo's long trench coat to cover himself with.
"What's going on?" asked Carmelo, "What do we know?"
"We've joined forces with the women of the town. They know about us, Carmelo, about all of us. They've vowed to help fight the Nephilim too. They're going to try and come through when the moon is at its fullest tonight, when a comet can be seen. We understand the key is the Golden Eagle on top of the structure. If we can just destroy it, and the pyramid, we might just be able to block them from coming through..." said Gabriel, filling them in.
"It must be pretty close to that now. Look," said Zoltan, "I can feel it. I am at my strongest during a full moon...we've got to get up there," he said as they looked up at the sky as the men of the town slowly began returning to their senses.
All around them there were families hugging and crying, the men unaware of the dangers that were upon them. As the women dragged their sons, husbands, brothers, fathers, uncles, etc., to the front of the pyramid, they all gathered together to listen to what Gabriel had to say.
"Friends, this woman, Calliope, possessed you... she took you from your wives, daughters and mothers. She is of the Nephilim, an evil breed of creature intent on destroying our lives. For thousands of years they have been trapped in caves far below ground but tonight they are attempting a mass escape. If they succeed, our world as we know it will be lost. We will be murdered or enslaved. We cannot let this happen. Help us to destroy this structure and help us to put a stop to the Nephilim," he shouted loudly as cheers erupted from the crowd.
Gabriel immediately changed form, joining the rest of the Tulugaq family who flew upwards towards the Golden Eagle that perched on top of the pyramid. They tapped and tugged at the sculpture but it wouldn't budge. Seconds later they were joined by Sammy, who carried a hammer and chisel. Hovering with his huge wings flapping up and down, he banged away at it, but nothing happened. The Eagle wasn't even dented.
They all returned to the ground as the pyramid was being smashed to pieces by the people of Powell River. Chaos surrounded them as it fell bit by bit, to the ground. But the pinnacle remained in place. No matter how hard they smashed at it and drove into it, it wouldn't budge, and the moon seemed to grow larger and brighter by the minute.
"What do we do?" shouted Carmelo across the crowd.
"Moira and the girls have been trying a spell but it's no good... nothing seems to be working," shouted Gabriel. "Just keep trying."
Sammy continued his efforts atop the pyramid but they were in vain. Nothing would damage the Eagle. Tears began to fall down his cheeks as the realisation hit him. They weren't going to make it. The Nephilim were going to win.
Just as the thought passed through his mind, a sudden flash threw him from the pyramid. Unconscious, he fell towards the ground but moments before he landed with a thud, he stopped mid-air and was gently guided to the floor. December rushed to his side, letting out a sigh of relief. Without her magic he might have been killed.
Zoltan watched and ran over, picking him up and carrying him out of harm's way before running back into the building and continuing to try and destroy it piece by piece. Neither of them had noticed the flash that caused his fall. The second one caught everybody's attention.
A flash like a silver rainbow appeared from the Golden Eagle, making its way towards the moon where a small comet with a long silvery tail could be seen flying through the sky.
"Oh no!" yelled Lilly, "We're too late," she shouted, pointing to the sky, "Look."
The commotion below came to a standstill as everyone's eyes focussed upwards, watching as the silver light flashed across the night sky.
With all eyes on the sky, there were no eyes on the ground, where Calliope was delicately tiptoeing back towards the crumbling pyramid.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
A long low rumbling sound erupted all around them as they began to walk quickly through the tunnels towards the huge cavern.
"That doesn't sound good," said Jack, leading them as quickly as he could to the only place he knew where the river ran through. He was pretty sure the beasts would be gone... they'd be with the other Nephilim preparing for their escape.
"How are we going to get out?" asked Eric.
"I'm hoping we can either go via the river or," he went quiet for a second, "that we can use the same escape route as the Nephilim."
Zalea gasped.
"But I don't know for sure yet. Let's not make that decision until we get there. Hopefully December might be able to help us. Don't worry, Zalea. We will get out of here alive."
The rumbling continued as a few smaller stones began to tumble from above.
Jack increased his pace and pulled them along, stumbling and tripping over the ground as it became bumpier, the sound of their heavy breathing began to echo throughout.
"What's going on?" yelled Zalea as the sounds grew louder and louder.
"It's their escape route, I think it's making the caves collapse," replied Jack. "We have to hurry."
Following the light up ahead, they soon stumbled out into the large cavern, coughing and spluttering, trying to get their breaths back.
Squinting at the brightness within the cavern, Zalea and Eric covered their eyes, unable to cope with it.
"Just take a moment to let them adjust. Don't worry, the discomfort will disappear," Jack reassured as he waited for them as they slowly became used to the light after so long in the darkness.
When they spotted the river running just metres away from them, both rushed over and began to drink, desperately quenching their thirst before they turned their faces upwards and noticed the many cages that hung from above.
"Oh my goodness," whispered Zalea. "This is where you were trapped..."
Jack nodded.
"We need to release everybody. Do you remember how they brought the cages down?" she asked anxiously looking around, searching for something, anything that would help these tortured souls.
"Zalea...Zalea, my love... there might not be time," said Eric, trying to slow her down.
"No!" she said, "We must at least try. We can't leave them here..." she sobbed.
"Okay, okay, let me think," said Jack who scanned the area looking for the pulleys the slaves used to move the cages up and down.
"There..." said Eric, pointing to a huge wheel hidden from view behind one of the fallen columns.
The three of them rushed over and began to loosen it, slowly turning it so that some of the cages began moving downwards. They kept on turning it until, eventually, they reached the ground.
Zalea rushed over to the first one where she found a young woman barely able to speak.
"It's all right, we're here to help you," she whispered, shaking the door of the cage. "No, it's locked," she shouted to the others. "We need the keys," she said, exasperated.
"The slaves," whispered Jack, "I think the slaves have them," he said louder.
"But where are they?" asked Eric.
"In one of the tunnels."
"Which one?" shouted Zalea above the noise of the increasing rumbling.
Looking around him, he was stumped, "I...I...I can't remember," he breathed.
A hand on his arm made him jump forward in shock.
Turning, he saw the slave that had fed him.
The man didn't say a word, he simply handed him a key. Behind him stood all the other slaves he had seen sleeping earlier.
Jack took it and ran towards the first cage, using the key to unlock it. He then went on to the next and the next, followed by Zalea
who had been given another key. Soon, some of the other slaves were helping them to open the cages, pulling out the weakened people and leading them to the river where they all drank. Apart from the rumbling of the caves, all else was quiet.
When the last cage was opened, Jack turned to look for the slave who had helped him, but it was too late. He had collapsed, the simple act of rushing to open the cages causing utter exhaustion. Jack dragged him to the river, made him drink and wiped his filthy face.
The man smiled, "Thank...you," he muttered, "but I cannot be saved. It is... too late... for me. I am so h..h...appy that you survived. When I dragged you out of the cage, I was convinced you were dead."
"You, it was you that helped me?"
The man slowly shook his head, "You were dead, I thought you were dead. I'm sorry, so sorry. I pulled you out to make room for another. The beasts usually feast on the dead but..." the man stopped, closing his eyes in disgust before opening them to continue, "it came over to you and left you there. It... it did not hunger for you. So I had no choice but to, to dispose of you... with the other corpses that had not been eaten. I am so sorry..."
"They made you do this to us. It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself..." said Jack, watching the man cough and splutter weakly.
"Please forgive...me...."
"There is nothing to forgive," cried Jack, "Tell me your name, at least let me know your name," he whispered as the man closed his eyes for the final time.
"My name is.... Pedro Garcia Ramires...." he said with his final breath.
Jack put his head to his chest but he could near nothing. The beating of his heart had stopped. He'd gone.
He gently laid Pedro's body on the ground and stood up. Looking all around him, he saw the bodies of other people who had not survived. There were at least eleven. But there was no time to mourn these poor souls. They had to get out, all of them.
Zalea and Jack began to gather everyone together, hoping that a way out would soon present itself, when suddenly there was a growl from one of the tunnels. Zalea's breath caught in her throat as the ugliest beast she had ever seen crept out from its hiding place, its scaly green skin glistening with what appeared to be beads of sweat.
Jack stepped out in front of everybody, pushing them behind him as the creature's beady eyes watched his every move. Slowly it opened its mouth, releasing a long tongue that licked its lips hungrily. Jack held his breath.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Momentarily glancing away from the bright light, Lilly spotted a vision in white climbing through the destroyed wreck of the pyramid. Her breath caught in her mouth as she watched Calliope tiptoeing quietly along with tears pouring down her immaculate face. She was wearing a beautiful ivory dress, a wedding dress, which twinkled in the night light.
Suddenly, others began to notice the vision and soon, Calliope was surrounded by all the people of Powell River. Those with guns aimed them towards her head.
But she took no notice of what was happening. Instead, she simply sat down on her wrecked throne and continued to sob uncontrollably.
"Calliope," shouted Carmelo. "We know they are going to kill you. We know you don't want to be their sacrifice. We know you haven't always agreed with those you call your brothers and sisters," he continued loudly, approaching her. "We also know you haven't exactly harmed any of us. Not really. I believe you want to help us. If you do, then we will help you."
She lifted her head and shook it, "I... can't... I can't..."
But Carmelo nodded, "Yes, you can Calliope. We know you never meant us any harm. We realise that now. You were... just having some fun. Please help us Calliope, how do we destroy the Eagle?" he asked.
"You can't. It is unbreakable... impenetrable. It's already too late," she stuttered as the crowd began to grow angry. The flash of light was becoming stronger and a loud rumbling sound could be heard coming from beneath their feet.
"Then help us to defeat them," he added, standing looking down at her delicate features. "You are not one of them, Calliope. You're practically a woman. Those below are far from it. We don't want you dead. But they do. Help us defeat them."
Standing up, they faced each other eye to eye and slowly she nodded.
"But they are coming. We can't stop them from coming," she whispered before she turned to look at the faces in the crowd.
"I am sorry. I never meant any of you any harm. I was just having some fun, at your expense I know, and I am sorry, truly sorry. I will help you. I just hope you can forgive me," she said.
"We know, Calliope, we know. But now, we need to know... how do we defeat them?"
#
As the shaft of light grew larger and brighter in the moonlit sky, the rumbling became almost deafening. Some members of the public held their hands tightly over their ears and looked around in fear as the flames that had previously only licked the sides of the columns now raged throughout the building's core and beyond, threatening to set the nearby forest alight.
Gabriel, his family and friends gathered everyone together, leading the Powell River community away from the centre of the pyramid, away from immediate danger and prepared them for what could be their final fight.
In the meantime, Carmelo and all the other vampires, paranormal beings and Michael stood beside Calliope, holding their breath as they waited for the Nephilim to come.
Just in front of them, in a wide circle, stood about twenty witches, including December and Moira, chanting quietly, uttering a spell in the hope it would weaken the beasts upon their arrival.
"Don't worry, darling," said a voice beside Lilly, "it'll be all right. We'll kick their butts."
Lilly turned to look at the ghostly apparition that hovered beside her. Ruby was truly a beautiful woman with her fiery red hair and bright green eyes. She only wished she had known her when she was alive.
A warm sensation filled her right hand as she looked down to find Ruby's own hand on top of hers. They smiled at one another sadly before a massive blast burst from the pyramid, causing such an immense force that they were all pushed high into the air before they plummeted to the ground with a thud.
Scrambling to their feet, the witches were quick to return to their circle and resume their chanting as the others stood staring at the enormous crater just metres from their feet. Other than the softly spoken words of the witches circle there was silence. Carmelo edged forward before Calliope grabbed him, pulling him backwards. When he looked at her, she shook her head in horror. Seconds later, all hell broke loose as a number of huge beasts burst out of the crater, flying into the night sky before turning to face the crowd below.
The people looked up, saw these terrifying beasts that resembled dragons, and began to flee in all directions.
"No!" yelled Gabriel, "stay where you are." But it was no use, the beasts swooped down with such speed and agility, picking up straying people in their mouths, biting down before swallowing. Blood dripped from them as screams could be heard from all around.
Michael stepped forward, held his arms outstretched and began to mutter something under his breath. The creatures suddenly appeared confused as they flew back and forth, up and down, crashing into each other. Dazed and dumbfounded, the creatures eventually landed on the ground one by one, but the final creature spotted Michael and just as it came crashing down to the ground, it managed to change its course.
"Michael!" screamed Jo, watching in horror as the beast slammed head first into the man who promised to have been such an enormous help in defeating the Nephilim.
As the creatures began to realise Michael was no longer confusing them, they flew back into the night sky and continued their savage attack on the helpless people below, causing screams of terror and agony to echo throughout the area.
Suddenly the most beautiful sound began to fill the air. The voice of an angel singing stopped them in their tracks. Everyone came to a standstill as they turned to see where the music was coming from. The beasts followed, flying through the air until th
ey reached the woman with the angelic voice. Slowly, they swooped down and landed before her. Calliope continued to sing, note after note, calming them with her soothing voice, until they closed their eyes and were soon drifting to sleep.
"Now, Carmelo, now..." she yelled as the vampires stepped forward with huge stakes and plunged them deep into the hearts of the beasts before covering them with petrol and setting them alight.
High pitched screeching filled the air as the creatures squirmed and twitched until they were completely still as the fire began to reduce their masses to nothing but dust.
Cheers could be heard from all around as the people of Powell River came walking in, shouting and cheering, laughing.
Except for Jo, who wandered aimlessly around searching for a body. A body that was nowhere to be seen. Michael had simply vanished.
CHAPTER FIFTY
"I'm sorry, Carmelo. I'm so sorry. I did not know I could control them. I would have done it sooner if I'd have known," Calliope said, shaking her head, crying. "People have been killed.... I'm so sorry. There was this vague memory I had about singing to the beasts but I didn't know. I didn't know,"
Calliope looked up with uncertainty. She shook her head, "It's not over... Carmelo it's not over. Tell them, tell them to get away," she said as Carmelo looked at her quizzically. "What do you mean, Calliope? We have slain the beasts."
"No, these were merely our elders. The Nephilim that have been around the longest. They were the weakest. There are others, many more....you must tell your people to ge......"
"How very charming, Calliope" said a voice from the crater, "What a performance. You deserve a round of applause. Now, you may re-join your own kind," said the strange looking man who stepped out from below ground. His scaly skin rippled as the moonlight caught the wings on his back.
"No," whispered Calliope, "Never. I am not one of you."
"Why of course you are. You are our youngest Nephilim child, Calliope."
"I am not a child."
"Of course you are. You have done nothing but act like one since we allowed you to break free from below."