Verus wags her head from side to side. “That makes sense. Armageddon would need a way to stop ghouls from portaling in armies for a counter-attack. He’d never start this war without having thought that through. I’m afraid we’re locked in for the duration.”
I turn to Lincoln. I know this is a total long shot, but I have to ask. “How about the thrax back in Purgatory?”
The Prince frowns. “I had some top warriors here, but everyone was returning to Antrum today with transport ready to go. Once the fighting started, protocol requires an immediate evacuation. They’re all long gone, I’m afraid.”
That news shouldn’t make me so sad—after all, I knew it was a long shot—but suddenly the all-aloneness of our situation seems all too clear. It’s just the people in this bunker against Armageddon and his army.
Damn, this Scala job sucks.
Verus sighs. “Without ghoul transport, armies must cross no-man’s land to reach the Gates of Purgatory. That takes months. At the rate the demon army’s moving, this war will be over in hours.” She rubs her forehead. “Which is as Armageddon planned.”
The Oligarchy rise to their feet, their long crimson robes swaying. “We have one option remaining. Send the Scala to Hell. Draw Armageddon from our lands.” Their bony hands all point in my direction.
Unholy Hell. I cannot freaking believe we are back to this stupid idea again. I’m about to lay into the Oligarchy with the mother of all ‘screw you’ speeches, when I hear it. Sweet music. A mix of tiny voices. The igni have returned.
Lincoln and Verus leap to their feet, yelling at the Oligarchy about their lame idea. The ghoul’s eyes all glow red as they scream their response, which basically amounts to ‘what else can we do?’ I close my eyes, feeling the Scala power within me shift and grow. The many igni voices align until they speak as one. Suddenly, it’s very clear what they want me to do. Although as options go, it sucks, big time.
I set my palms on my eyes, my internal debate raging with the igni. They keep pointing out a path to victory, I keep saying that this Scala job is the pits. I won’t do their crazy idea. No, no, no! But after a while, I finally cave. They’re right; this is the only choice we have left. Damn.
I rise to my feet. “I’ll go.”
Everyone falls silent.
Verus blinks her eyes in disbelief. “What did you say?”
Please don’t make me repeat this a million times. I hate this idea enough already. “I said, I’ll go outside and face Armageddon. Send him back to Hell with my Scala power.” And so help me, if I live through this, I am chucking these igni out of my head, STAT.
“You can’t.” Lincoln’s face twists with worry. “They’ll kill you, and that’s if you’re lucky.”
I let out a long breath. I tried this line of reasoning with the igni. It didn’t work. “If I go outside and hide so they can’t see me, I might have a chance.” Did I mention I hate this idea?
Lincoln steps in front of me, taking both my hands in his. “You think you can send all the demons to Hell?”
No, I think I have a legion of insane lightning bolts inside my head. But I’m not telling him that. This plan is risky enough as it is; the only shot we have is if we all believe it’s possible and work from there. I force myself to look stony and resolved, or something close to it. “Yes, Lincoln. That’s exactly what I can do.”
Lincoln nods. “Then you have my full support.” I have a sinking feeling that he’s lying through his teeth too, but I love that he has my back.
Walker turns to me, his face drawn with worry. “You saw the old Scala at the iconigration. He almost collapsed sending a few dozen icons to heaven. Even at his best, he could only move a few hundred at a time in one place. You’re talking about five thousand demons across all of Purgatory.”
Anger boils up my spine. “You’re being a downer, Walker. I’m a first-generation archangel, whatever that is. Plus, I’m an Arena fighter, a Lewis, and someone with a lot to lose. I can do this.” I slap on another super-confident face in spite of my insides, which positively writhe with nervous energy.
Verus retakes her seat. “Armageddon doesn’t know there’s a new Scala. He won’t be expecting one to attack.”
“Exactly.” I turn to the Oligarchy. “And what if I’m able to do it? Will you agree to change how Purgatory is run?”
The Oligarchy’s coal-black eyes flare red. “How would it change?”
“This land returns to quasi rule,” says Verus. “And we set up a special force of ghouls, thrax, quasis, and angels to help patrol the borders.”
My eyebrows pop up. Clever Verus. I nudge the angel with my elbow. “Nice idea.” Her mouth rounds with a smile.
The Oligarchy fold their skeletal arms over their chests. “Never.”