24 Hope

CAPTAIN VILT STEPPED outside, breathing in the warm dry air of the desert, an arid air tinged with salt. Her throat felt dry no matter how much water she drank. There were some mesquite trees nearby offering a little shade, and beneath them she spotted two people talking.

Marshal Janus was speaking with someone, and she wanted to let loose on the woman, punch that smirk off her face. The stupid fool didn’t understand the sacrifice those like Wallow paid. She was just an undeader to Janus, a tool to be used and discarded. The discrimination against virals was strong within the legions, and Vilt had to admit she’d once felt that way herself. Not anymore.

Then Vilt realised who the marshal was speaking with, and marched over. Janus saw her coming, and the marshal must have also noticed the look on her face for she immediately said, ‘Stand down, captain,’ as Vilt reached them.

The other person turned, regarding her with an amused expression. Adal, said to be the most ancient of angels, smiled at her. She’d seen him often enough to know that face.

‘Where were you, eh?’ Vilt demanded, stabbing a finger back at the fort where Wallow lay inside.

‘Captain—’ began the marshal, but the angel forestalled her with a raised hand.

‘It’s alright, marshal,’ he said, still looking at Vilt. ‘You may leave us.’

Janus did as he instructed though she shot a glare at Vilt as she went. A few seconds later, she was screaming instructions at some hapless soldiers.

‘Where were you?’ Vilt demanded again. ‘Wallow, the others. She’s badly injured, and her companions all died out there. Why do you always turn up when you’re not needed?’

It was then she noticed the shimmering in the air behind him. Dozens, then hundreds of figures appeared as though made of light and mist, solidifying before her eyes. It was an awe-inspiring sight, and it dampened her anger. They had wings of various dark hues, and all held fearsome spears or long swords and shields.

Adal turned to see what she was looking at. ‘Ah, yes, the first myriad to arrive. The others will be along shortly, as I was telling the marshal. A stern woman, prone to shouting it seems.’ He grinned at her again.

‘You never deserved my prayers. Not a one of you.’ She turned to go.

‘You’re right, we didn’t. We are here now, though. I’m sorry about Wallow and the others. I’m sorry for a lot of things.’

Vilt turned. ‘Why didn’t you save them?’

He offered her a sad smile. ‘My child, I am an angel, and far older than you can imagine, but even I am not omnipotent and nor am I all powerful as your Church would have you believe. I don’t know everything, and I cannot be everywhere. We need you humans more than you need us, in fact. Something my kin would likely refuse to acknowledge, but there it is. The truth.’

‘Then, we’re all doomed.’

‘Ah, but that is where you are wrong, Vilt. I’ve seen it in you humans time and again. No matter how dark it gets, no matter how terrible things seem, you never lose it. You despair, you cry out for help, you sometimes give up, but deep within you it’s always there.’

She looked at him, feeling confused, trying to work out what he was talking about.

‘Hope,’ he said. ‘Look deep inside of yourself and you’ll find it. Your hope sustains me, sustains us all. We’ve come to stand with you here on the front line. This is where it will be decided, but because of Wallow, you, and many others, I have hope.’

Vilt said nothing. She turned and walked away, not looking back, returning to her post on the wall. There was nothing else to say.

However, his words remained, repeating themselves over and over in her head. When she looked deep within her, very deep, she discovered something precious.

It flared a little at her touch and she stood a little straighter. Maybe they might all die and the world might fall to darkness. but it was not over yet.

There was still hope.