Seraphed Page #4

I wonder from time to time what the future will bring-I sure hope this sin't our fate.

• Science fiction

								

“Oumba! Oumba!”
A group of Seraphs had gathered under the messiah’s statue and were now shouting war cries.
I looked over at the Seraph standing next to me in confusion, “What are they doing?”  
But he didn’t answer me, seemingly in a trace he stepped forward towards the idol that seemed to have grown. The statue now loomed over the praising group below, its clown-like face stretched open to reveal a toothless grin. 
	I rubbed my eyes. Surely, I’d been mistaken. As far as I knew, statues didn’t move. A trick of the lights, maybe. Or was it something else?
	Sure enough, the idol stood. It’s great claws clasping a carved pillar. With a great rumble it straightened itself to its full height and spoke:
“Seeeeraphs,” It hissed, “The time we’ve been waiting for has come.”
The Seraphs fell to their knees in front of the statue, their bowed foreheads praising it. Despite myself, I felt a pull towards the kneeling crowd. I was after all a Seraph, wasn’t I? 
The power this thing had over them scared me. These fearless creatures that had New York City at grasp, were bowing down in front of a man that consisted simply of stone. This was no ordinary worship, the Seraphs were under some kind of trance, and I could feel myself being pulled in alongside them. 
With a roar that shook me to my core, the stone statue grew. It’s already an immense body bursting through the ceiling, crumbling the building as if it was a lego house. 
Nearly masked by the ear-shattering sound, I felt the gentle tingling in my side. This was different though. Before my bewildered eyes, a tentacle burst through the knitted fabric of my shirt. I felt a cramp in my stomach, as three more came into view. 
I shrieked, but my voice was no longer…my voice? A stoney brawl that sounded like a truck starting up fled from my throat. I held up my hands to examine myself and screamed again when I saw my wrists pop off, tentacles replacing them both.
This was it. I said my prayers and accepted my fate. My whole body went numb and I heard a voice calling out to me: Aria, I have chosen you. I will conquer the world with your aid. Your transformation is nearly complete, after which you will possess great power. Now, go! Spread the word of the god of stone!

                                                     • • •                

From my bedroom window I watched the golden sun slowly descending over the hill. Aria hadn’t come. This wasn’t like her. I had to make a move on my own. Pulling on my jacket, I called out to my mom that I was going to visit Aria. The door slammed behind me before I heard a response, and I set out into the darkening street.
The air was thick with tension, as I walked down the concrete sidewalk. Thoughts rushed through my head, imagining the worst possible scenarios. I clutched my temples, trying to shut off the intrusive thoughts that drilled through the walls of my mind. 
As my breathing slowed to a normal pace, I straightened myself. A lone butterfly fluttered in my stomach. Premonition of something bad.
“Jade” That, that was my name. I looked up and shrieked. Out from a dimly lit alleyway a lone tentacle divulged. The owner of the monstrous limb would soon show its face, I had to get away. 
My breath caught as I stumbled for footage, tumbling over the uneven pavement. I tried to get up but I was too slow, a greasy tentacle was already wrapping itself around my ankle. The monster dragged me back, my face rubbing roughly against the cement. Blood pooled from my scratched jaw and I felt myself growing lightheaded. 
With the last ounce of strength I had left, I rolled myself onto my back. Through my fluttering eyelashes I saw the faint outline of the scaled monster looming over me. But…That was no monster, it-it was Aria?
“Jade,” A scuffed voice emerged from the monster’s throat, “I-I have to do this.”
My eyes welled with tears, this was Aria. What had happened to her?
“Do what?” I sighed. Although she was in the shape of a Seraph, Aria’s presence somewhat comforted me. I felt my muscles loosening up, my body pressing deeper into the cold cement. 
“Jade,” She whispered my name again, “Promise me you will keep my Mom safe,”
“Wha-” She pressed a damp, coiled tentacle over my mouth, “No, let me finish. I need to do this for your good, Jade. They are coming, they will destroy everything.” Aria took a deep breath and paused, “When you wake up I won’t be there anymore. It won’t be safe outside. Take everyone into the subway, you will be safe there.”
	Unease flooded my body, one vertebra at a time, “Aria” I cried, “You can’t leave me. W-Why?” My words fumbled over my tongue.
	Before I could say any more, Aria passed a tentacle over my face, skimming my skin with a cold touch. And for a second I thought I could see a smile curling its way onto her thin lips, “Goodbye, Jade.”
 I sucked in one last desperate breath before I was out cold.




	
	
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