Of Kings and Demons by George Han Page B

our badge.”
    Maganus stroked his beard as an
ugly frown crumpled his forehead.
     “Can you feel it?” he asked.
    Before Gwyneth could reply,
Marz was its feet; ears raised, and began to howl. The wind had picked and the
trees began to sway.
    “I feel it now,” Maganus said
and looked at his Golden Cross, which glowed with warmth.
    “Benign,” they both said together.
    At that moment, the space to
the left of them, in the midst of the woods, opened like a portal. A path of
light appeared and they heard a thundering gallop. Then a huge stallion leapt
out of the portal and landed with a suave turn, right behind Maganus.
    The winds died away and the
stallion’s rider wheeled his steed over to Maganus. He wore robes of white and
black and an outstanding chest plate that depicted a roaring lion.
    Jin looked like an impeccable Roman
statue that has come alive. Lightly bearded around his squarish jaws, the man
had tied his long hair into a pony tail. His Asiatic features were represented
by darting black eyes that shone like sparkling jewels. His handsome face was
framed in balance and composure.
    Like the owner, the stallion was
a magnificent creature with shiny black hide and bore eyes that glittered like
gems. Despite the commanding presence, the stallion has a gentle disposition. Named
Dilu, the stallion was raised from a rare pedigree in the Asian central plains.
    “My friend, Jin the Silent!”
Maganus clapped in merry at the sight of the timely arrival. Jin dismounted and
held Maganus and Gwyneth in a tight embrace befitting of old friends.
    Maganus spoke first. He had
detected the tension in Jin, his face etched in strain.
    “Fellow angels, glad to see you
both.”
     “Father Paul has been here,
Jin.” Maganus informed as Jin wings folded seamlessly behind him. “The Libri has given me insight.” Jin was grim.
    “Share your insights please,”
Maganus urged.
    Jin said. “A revelation was delivered. I was possessed by the book and a
string of revelations witnessed. I realized I must come personally.”
    They exchanged looks. “The
Demons,” the trio said in unison.
    Gwyneth explained the Leo
Kenyon incident to Jin.
    “Then their attack has already begun,”
Jin replied in a somber tone. “Such audacity.”
    “What actually did you see?”
Gwyneth asked.
    “Images of the Demon Lords, demons,
familiar spirits, and one sightings of young children.”
    “Kinglings they must be,”
Maganus added, referring to the young Kings of Men who were under the guidance
and mentorship of the Guardian Angels; the future leaders of humanity.
    “There were two visions of a
pair, hand in hand.”
    “Siblings,” Gwyneth murmured.
    “There were scenes of chaos and
combat. Kings in peril and …” Jin said, then paused. “The images are hazy, but
I saw a young man and a small girl, and darkness was growing over them.”
    “Darkness rising?” Maganus
asked. “The Libri ’s reaction is worrying.’
    “Pandemonium. Worrying still, vision
of the American Flag in flag and cities were on fire. These images were reason
for my presence in the human arena.” Jin shook his head. “Then I saw the
coordinates and asked them to be interpreted.”
    “My brother angels,” Gwyneth
said. “Speculation will not help us. Action will.”
    “I had already sent out the signum ,
the name of the common signal that Angels deployed to inform their comrades and
allies in the event of a crisis. The distress call was raised by an Angels’
prayer in front of the Golden Cross at Aachen.
    “They have all been alerted?
Alastair, Eugene and Catherine ...?” Gwyneth asked, referring to her fellow
angels—leader Alastair the Strong, Eugene the Healer, and Catherine the Grace.
    “The Defenders have dispatched
units to Asia, Africa, and Middle East. Another unit is on their way here. I
understand Eugene discovered traces of gargoyles in the cities of the Eastern
Seaboard.”
     “Gwyneth, are those children
your kinglings?” Maganus