Blood

Ten minutes had passed, but in those ten minutes the Archangels' Hall had become a battlefield. Blood was spreading on the floor and I, too, had suffered quite a bit. I did not feel well. All attacks were aimed at me, and although this seemed like my fight, everyone else was fighting. They all defended me, did not let anyone approach me, but I was full of blood. It wasn't my own. I was not disgusted, but I felt sorry for the fallen. What had Nereus told the fallen that made them just throw themselves into danger? Nereus wanted me dead, so what use was it all? What would their reward have been? I looked around in the fray, avoiding a severed hand. I actually felt sorry for the fallen. I mean, I wouldn't be keen on a missing hand. Even Zayn was engrossed in a fight with them. He was hurt. A laceration was clearly visible on his temple. I almost smiled. It reminded me of how I found him. Injured in an alley. Ingrateful and naughty. Arrogant and without scruples. Nobody paid any attention to me except the fallen. They wanted to see me, but couldn't. You were right ... They were all after me. The archangels sat calmly at the edge and watched everything with watchful eyes. So you really wanted to stay out of it? I didn't know what to make of it. Maybe it was better that way. Suddenly a hand came to my mouth. At first I thought nothing of it, but when I was pulled backwards away from the action I suspected bad things. I desperately tried to release my hand from my mouth, but it was just too strong. Because that didn't work, I tried my mental powers, but still nothing happened.  

“Forget it, little one. I can protect myself against your mental attacks. “, A man's voice whispered in my ear. I recognized this voice immediately. I would recognize her among thousands. It was Nereus! That's why he hadn't shown up ... He had planned an ambush. The others were so absorbed in their struggles that they didn't even notice how I was being pulled away from their midst. It seemed to me as if the archangel could make himself invisible, because the archangels who sat in their seats continued to stare at the events in the hall. No one paid any attention to me! I gathered my inner strength and concentrated on the elements, but suddenly I got an electric shock. My body went limp and no longer wanted to obey me. Was it Nereus' powers?

"I'm sorry," he whispered in my ear and dragged me out of the hall. “But your existence is a mistake. It's up to me to correct all nature's mistakes. "

I opened my eyes. Was that serious? Did he think he was the savior or what? That was sick! Damn it, I couldn't move, how am I going to stop this guy? Would the others even notice that I was gone? I blocked out Nereus' shabby laughter and instead concentrated entirely on myself. There had to be a way to bring my gluteal muscles back to life. If I would wait it would be too late. I had no idea what this guy was doing to me after all! 

My question has already been answered because he drew me into a hideous looking dungeon that stank of death and rot. The air here could have been cut.

My eyes fell on a couch, apparently made of stone, which was surrounded by a narrow and elongated table. Exactly on this table were ancient instruments to torture someone. Oh god, there were things I had never seen before and yet I realized what cruel torment they would cause one. I had never been a fearful person ... Nephilim, but I had to admit I was now in sheer panic. And with the panic, life returned to my body. I took the chance and freed myself from the archangel's grip. But instead of running away, as I might have done, I went into attack position. Nereus staggered back and stared at me in disbelief. What, had he still not got used to my powers? He should have expected it. I bundled my black fire in my hand and aimed it at him. 

"One step and you'll be grilled!" I snarled. The whole thing sounded more casual than it really was. To be honest, my legs weren't very stable. Maybe the panic. Or maybe the aftermath of that weird electric shock, which I suspected much more. Unfortunately, my little interpretation of black fire didn't scare Nereus. And he didn't seem to have any respect either, because he just laughed and took a dangerously large step towards me. 

“Little one, you have no idea how to kill an archangel. So please just try. This pathetic black flame won't help you either. "

He made a gesture with his big hand to indicate that I should give it a try. Of course, I didn't have to be told twice. I fired the bullet of fire at him, but unfortunately he fired his heavenly fire. Both balls met in midair. There was a loud bang and a pressure wave spread through the little dungeon, which threw me against the wall and made me cough. The stench of decaying body parts was so extreme that it brought tears to my eyes. I blinked and tried to see something through the thrown up dirt and dust, but it was already too late. Nereus was already in front of me and grabbed my throat, whereupon he lifted me into the air. 

"It's about time you died," he growled and pushed me down onto the stone dissection table at breakneck speed. I tried desperately to defend myself against his grip, but shortly after his paw came off my neck, a thick leather strap closed around my skin. I gasped and tears came to my eyes again as the air burned my lungs. That stupid strap around my throat didn't make breathing easier either. My lungs rattled. I wanted to get rid of this stupid thing, but moments later my arms couldn't be moved either. Because they were just attached to this stupid table with leather buckles. A short time later my legs also had to believe in it. And as if that wasn't enough, Nereus also imagined he was pulling a strap over my waist.

"So that you don't rear up," he breathed, baring his teeth. Had I ever met a nastier guy? I do not think so. 

"You know ..." he began as he tightened all the straps again. “The power of a Nephilim is in his heart. So ... I'll take it. I hope you understand that it is serving a good cause. "

He had turned on the conversational tone. I didn't like that. With my mental powers I hit his inner barriers, but again he just laughed.

“Save your strength, little one. I am immune to such attempts. After all, I'm not an archangel for nothing. "

I let out a deep sigh. What should i do now? With my physical strength I got no further here and neither with my mental strength. He was able to fend off my fire problem so what was left for me? My empathic abilities didn't help me here either. I just couldn't get past his barriers. I was a real fool when I thought I could do it. But then I got an idea. I still had the option of getting the elements under my control. I only had one option. I hoped it would work. I brought the fire under my control and focused on where the leather touched my skin. Maybe someday it would start to stew. That was my only chance! So while I was concentrating on the fire, Nereus suddenly picked up a scalpel. A big lump formed in my hand, but I couldn't let it distract me now. I closed my eyes so as not to have to watch what Nereus was doing now.   

“To be honest, I'm having fun here. Otherwise I never get to let off steam. And certainly not on a living object. ”He giggled. A sharp pain ran through me, which is why I gave a startled cry. I opened my eyes and could just see how the cut in my abdominal wall was getting longer. I could hardly think clearly because of the pain, but I had to concentrate on the fire. That was my only chance! I screamed louder. Although it wasn't intended, it was a good move on my part. Nereus lowered the blade and shook his head in annoyance.  

“Girl, not so loud. It hurts your ears. ", He grumbled and went to another table. Out of the corner of my eye I saw how he took a handkerchief and wadded it up. I had to hurry. The heat in my body was unbearable, not to mention the pain in my abdominal wall, but when Nereus came closer to me and was already bending over me, I braced myself with full weight against the leather. It took a few moments, but the straps gave way and eventually broke completely. Done! Foaming with rage, I jumped off the table and gave Nereus a punch that made him crash against the wall. The pain got worse. It felt like someone was grabbing my skin with their hands and tearing me apart. But I shook my head not to think about it. I threw open the creaking door of the dungeon and ran at a deadly pace back the way Nereus had come with me. My healing powers still left something to be desired, so no wonder that I lost more and more blood and thus became weaker and slower. I ran into the hall and felt exactly how Nereus came closer and closer to me. Damn it, it was unbearable! An impressive calm had returned to the hall itself. Desperate and frantic, I looked for Zayn with my eyes. Most of the dead were dead, lying motionless and twisted in their pools of blood, those who were still alive whined for mercy and huddled on the floor. My gaze met Zayn's.