Fallen Angel

Sorrow & Tears

Cora stood in the doorway to the meeting hall, staring directly at Minerva. The Relinquo had done no harm to her. Her red dress was in perfect condition. Her black waves shimmered in the moonlight. Her inhumanly pale skin and electric emerald eyes made it seem as if she were the angel of death, not Minerva.

 “What is it you wish me to do?” she spoke to the angel. Her voice was monotone to match her aura of indifference.

 Leira surprised herself. She was legitimately shocked that Cora was a servant of Minerva all this time. Sure, she never came to trust the girl, but she never expected her to be an enemy. It was no wonder she had so much interest in the crystal. So that little traitor managed to sneak the crystal fragments over to Minerva when we weren’t looking. How could we be so foolish?

 Leira was not too surprised that Maximillian was a pawn of the dark angel. He lay in a broken heap on the other side of the room, his clothes charred and burnt. The slow rise and fall of his chest revealed that he was still clinging to life. Marissa stood beside Leira, tears streaking down her face. Then, ever so slowly, she walked over to where he lay.

 Kyle seemed to be hurt the most by this turn of events. “Cora…h-how could you!?” His voice wavered.

 Cora refused to look at him. Was it just Leira’s imagination, or did an expression of sadness just cross over the girl’s face?

 “Well? What shall you have me do?” Cora repeated to her master, balling her hands into fists.

 Minerva grinned. “These people; kill them. I do not care how.”

 With that said, the angel quickly exited the room, slamming the doors shut behind her. Finally, Cora turned to face her old companions.

 “You know, Cora, I honestly thought you were on our side. I should praise you for your craftiness,” Leira commented.

 “That was not what I…expected to hear from you, Leira,” Cora replied, frowning.

 “Leira, Will, you two head out and find the crystal. I’ll handle her myself,” Kyle said. Both Leira and Will started at him, wide eyed.

 “Kyle…” Leira said softly. She was not about to leave him to fight on his own. He needed her; why didn’t he see that?

 “How could you say that, Kyle? We would never leave you by yourself!” Will retorted.

 “Just go!!” he yelled, his words sending daggers into Leira’s heart. The fury inside her that had simmered down rose up once again. Did he seriously think he would be fine without them? None of them knew what Cora was capable of. Leira was afraid that when she returned, he would be dead, just like… No. She would not think of that ever again.

 “Fine then,” she muttered, grabbing Will’s wrist and half-dragging him out the door.

----------------------------

“How bold of you Kyle; I assumed you took no action without your friends,” she commented as they left. Her tone was slightly mocking. Her eyes sparkled with confidence. Beautiful… Kyle thought. He had always thought that of her.

 The time they had spent together was so precious to him. He remembered her laughter, her beautiful smile, the way her eyes lit up whenever he came to sit next to her… Whenever he was near to her, his heart pounded faster and faster, until he thought it might beat out of his chest. There was no denying his feelings for her.

 But now, it was if she had ripped his heart out and stepped on it. Had she only been pretending? Had those smiles and laughter only been false? He had to settle this, alone. Without Leira to intervene. I’m sorry, Leira. Forgive me.