The Awakening Ch. 51-63

When they were all in the gathering area of their floor, Elaine took a seat and smiled as Gabrielle sat next to her and gave her a hug. Caliope and Amra sat in the opposite couch and she kept staring at Gabrielle with pure curiosity, she turned her head and caught back her glare.

"I am sorry Caliope, I know it is hard to believe but yes, Elaine had me long time ago." Gabrielle said with a grin.

Caliope frowned and shook her head. "At first, I was really trying to figure out if I knew it already and had just forgotten. But I guess I really didn't know about your existence after all."

Gabrielle turned to look back at her mother surprised. "Forgotten? What happened to her?"

"There is plenty that happened and I couldn't fill you in by 'our' phone. She lost her memory but is slowly getting back."

"Fine; But you will tell me all about it later, please?" Gabrielle smiled at her mother. Elaine chuckled and nodded. "Of course my dear."

"So why was she hiding?" Vanessa was the one who started the questioning that Caliope already was dying to begin.

"I asked mother to hide me." She grinned as she eyed Vanessa. "About twenty five years ago, we heard rumors about the dark angels planning a big hit on us, something like we've never seen before. I went hiding underground with the fallen ones in order to spy them. Years aren't really a big thing for us once you are in our world." She winked at Caliope when she finished in that statement.

"What have you found out?" Pronab encouraged her to talk.

"Well, I was going to wait for all of them to be here but since you ask." She adjusted herself in the couch and sat straight before continuing. "Through all this time, I had always been in contact with mother; she and I have a special way of communicating, Astral Projection. I know there was one high rank General in their forces who was personally responsible for Gaius disappearance. However, since I had only been with the fallen ones, I couldn't reach that high to find out who it was. One of my connections though, found out he was missing as well, ever since Gaius disappeared. So they are at least in search of where this General has gone. Also, mother told me about what one of the sub's thoughts were about his disappearance, and am inclined to believe it seems to be true, whatever they did to capture him, it was done without real knowledge of them doing this."

"Sub? Are you referring to the other Elaine?" Caliope interrupted her.

"Yes darling, she is. It is a bad habit of her, and she will have to re adjust and get used to call them by their proper rank, which is Second in Command." Elaine replied and gave Gabrielle a stare; she giggled and nodded without wanting to get into arguments.

"Well, the Second in Command Elaine Warrick. Happy mother?" She teased Elaine who couldn't help but laugh and nod. "Yes, I was surprised we never thought about it before, but it looks like it must be true, they took courage now though, and are starting to push us over with more attacks since they haven't seen any actions taken yet against them. I personally wish we could throw Amrafel at them and let him vanish them all for once." Gabrielle sighed and leaned on the couch.

Amra shook his head "I am not a dog to be thrown into the hunt field, thank you."

"She was trying to be funny, dear. Don't take it the wrong way." Elaine tried to ease Amra who was taking a defensive position.

"What would the world be without some bad to balance the good? I believe God doesn't want them to be completely vanished. Even though the idea to end this war quickly before it even begins is appealing." Caliope said as she looked down to her hands. She didn't even notice how everyone was staring at her until the awkward silence made her look up.

"You are wise beyond your years Caliope, definitely a smart cookie. I like you already." Gabrielle smiled at her and Caliope blushed. "I was only teasing of course, and I think it would be impossible to live only in goodness. We tried once, for a couple hundred years, it was a disaster as well." Gabrielle finished.

Caliope perked a brow and showed interest. "You tried it before?"

"Yes we did an experiment. We had humans living in peace and harmony with Angels around to guard them. They fell into slumber; numbed in emotions. Everything became monotonous and simple, almost like machines that did what they were supposed to do and nothing else." Elaine said with sadness. She sighed and continued. "Even though our Father had warned Us that -that- was not the way, we had to experiment on ourselves and see why. He was right and we saw it. Without the bad or negativeness in things, there was no way to ponder the difference and strive for betterness. They became people who didn't even want to think anymore, not even love. Life without some 'bad' in it was impossible. It became inevitable to let life follow its course without our full interference."

Caliope nodded, she could see how they would have wanted to experience on their own and see for themselves what they were told, something humans do constantly. She saw how angels too have curiosity and try to see things happen even after they were warned.

They exchanged a few more words then finally Elaine guided her daughter to her room so she could rest. Vanessa and Caliope went to get breakfast and were caught by surprise when Pronab already ordered room service for them all; waiters brought cars with different kinds of food and left them at the entrance.

Once they were enjoying their food, Caliope couldn't help but to let her curiosity speak. "Pronab, who is Gabrielle's father? Where is he?"

Pronab almost choked after hearing her question, he coughed briefly then took a sip of his juice before formulating some words. This reaction alone made Caliope more than interested in what he could say. "He was a Greek philosopher, a man who fell deeply in love of Elaine and she of him. He transcended to be the male version of what you are to Amra, but it is a process that takes some time, as you might know by now. And dark angels caught him and killed him before he finished his process. It was very hard for Elaine, and it became hard on those dark angels as well. Those were ancient times, a lot of revelry and not many rules were made yet in this earth. The pain of Elaine was so deep, so strong, her cries reached even them and they felt it in their skins, since her power is to manipulate emotions, it made the pain stronger. They were surprised of the effect it had in her and them so much, they gathered and decided to establish no one would ever try to do harm into another's loved one. They agreed in spoken words, the way things were done back then. Very few rogue one's ever tried to break this rule since."

"I never thought there was such a sad story behind her life, she always seemed so happy, bright, and sunny." Caliope said after some thought. Pronab nodded.

"It was a rough time for her, the hardest one ever I believe. I was in the other side when this happened, I remember the nights of agony it brought to me, and I wasn't even one of those rogues who attacked her loved one."

"Was his name Gabriel?" Vanessa asked.

"No, actually I don't remember his name, Elaine never mentioned either. But Archangel Gabriel took care of her and her daughter, he became like a big brother to Elaine and guarded her until hundreds of years passed and she finally moved on. In his honor, she named her daughter Gabrielle."

They all nodded in agreement. Amra was silent during all this time, much of what was being said was new to him, and the thought of losing his Asteria made him feel bad for what Elaine went through. It only made him promise himself to never let his guard down, to always protect Caliope.

At noon, Elaine and Gabrielle joined all of them in the living room while they waited for the lunch to arrive.

"Why don't we go out to eat? I mean such a big city all for us, full of angels, completely safe supposedly, and we stay locked here?" Vanessa said almost frustrated. She was used to always go out to explore new places, and staying inside was killing her.

Pronab smirked. "You don't want to go out right now."

"Why not?" Vanessa asked while frowning at him.

"They have just arrived. You haven't seen angels on the loose before. They are getting familiar with the city and taking over by now. We are better here for another day at least."

"Are they that wild?" Caliope continued while she chuckled.

"Oh you have no idea." Pronab laughed. "They have been mingled with humans for centuries; many of them haven't spread their wings in that long as well. They are in a city built for them with no danger to show themselves as they are. It is like dropping a kid in a candy store and tell him everything is free..."

Vanessa and Caliope looked one to the other and started laughing at the analogy; inside her, Caliope remembered a carefree Pronab jumping into an abyss in one of their trips.

Hours later, Gabrielle was leaning on the window of her room as Elaine knocked on her door and came in.

"Everything ok?"

"Yes mother, thank you."

"Were you able to see anything dark inside her?"

"It felt strange; I couldn't really get into her mind at all. I will need to make her aware of what I want to do and try some experiments with her, but for now it is all in vain. Why didn't you want me to tell her on the first place?" Gabrielle turned around to face Elaine.

"I wanted to know if you could get through her and read her, that way I would know if any other tries to and can be successful. If you failed, then I have nothing to worry about. We will talk with her tomorrow and begin some tests."

"I am more than curious now though; they called her their Morrighan."

"The one from the myths?" Elaine asked a little concerned.

Gabrielle nodded. "Yes, but I think I know what she is. I will be surer about it tomorrow."

Elaine took a deep breath and pondered what Gabrielle just told her; something as simple as a name became more than an inconvenience.

--

Chapter 53

"The Morrighan"

"So here is the deal Caly; we will run some tests on you. First me, then Pronab, then mother, and we will see how you react to them. This way we will have an idea of what kind of powers you have."

"Gabrielle, what if I don't want to know?"

Gabrielle frowned as she looked at Caliope, Amra standing behind her with both hands on her shoulders. A few moments of silence followed Caliope's words and suddenly she started laughing.

"I am joking, of course I want to know. Relax a little or you will make me start worrying." Caliope finally released the tension in the environment.

Early in the morning while they were having breakfast, Gabrielle suggested to gather in a room and start to explore Caliope's mysteries. She agreed immediately but Amra hesitated.

'Are you sure you want to do this?'

Caliope turned her head towards him and nodded.

'That means you won't have secrets for them any longer.'

She looked down and pondered, her only secret to everyone else was the one she shared with Amra, she finally got up from the table and took a deep breath before speaking.

"I really want to know more about my powers, but please understand if I need to rest or I don't feel comfortable at some point." She sounded firm and secure, Elaine nodded and gave her a smile.

"We will go as far as you let us."

Now, sitting on the only chair in the empty room, she felt a bit anxious and nervous at the same time; but she was trying hard to show courage and she knew Amra was not going to let anything happen to her.

"Go on, Gabrielle. You are the one starting? Will you explain to me what are you going to do?"

"That depends." She paused as she walked slowly from side to side in front of her. "I guess I will go easy on you since I like you and all that." Finally she smiled and winked at her. Caliope chuckled and sighed a bit more relaxed. "As you might know, our powers come in different ways, and we manipulate things differently. I am a reader. That means I can read people's minds."

Caliope was caught by surprise and opened her eyes wide.

"Dont worry, I haven't read you yet." Gabrielle tried to release her tension. "It's not like I go around hearing what people think, or a switch to turn on and off. I will it to happen."

"Ah, yes. Of course." Caliope nodded.

"A reader, as the name says, reads the mind of someone. So it is an art one has to master."

"And she excels at it." Said Elaine proudly. Gabrielle looked at her and giggled.

"Fine, go ahead, read me. Do it before I chicken out and run away." Caliope tried to tease and Gabrielle followed with a laugh.

There were only Elaine, Gabrielle, Vanessa, Pronab and Amra in the room with her, a wide living room emptied for a purpose. Her chair was comfortable but she wasn't really; she felt a little tensed but anxiety made it easier to cope. Her heart pounding a million miles per hour.

Gabrielle stood up and in front of her, she smiled kindly.

"Will it hurt?" Caliope asked suddenly.

"Hurt? Oh no, it won't darling." Gabrielle replied with a grin and stared deeply at her. The room filled with silence, one that seemed to trap everyone.

Caliope and Gabrielle stared at eachother for what seemed uncountable seconds; Gabrielle's gaze was penetrating and filled with intention, Caliope looked back waiting for the unexpected to happen. After some minutes Gabrielle's gaze started to change slowly, sweat would come out of her forehead if she were able to produce any Caliope thought. She started to worry.

'I can see her trying to get inside of your head but unable to. Are you blocking her love?'

Caliope heard Amra as clear as the breathing of everyone else in the room. She broke the eye contact with Gabrielle and looked at him shaking her head. "I am not doing anything to prevent her, at least not on purpose. I am not even thinking on what can she do to me, I don't know how her power works."

Gabrielle buffed. "I cant enter her head, as simple as that!" She turned around in frustration. Elaine rubbed her daughter's shoulder and smiled gently at her.

"Let me try it, before her transcendence I was able to affect her. Perhaps I still can." Elaine gave a step forward and Caliope looked at her.

"Yes, please Elaine." She answered, adjusting herself in the chair and relaxing.

Elaine walked to her and showed her hand. "This will be ok. I will just touch your face."

Caliope nodded. Elaine's hand reached to her cheek and softly caressed her cheek. She smiled at her soft touch and looked up at her. She remembered how once a very nervous version of her eased at Elaine's touch once before starting their trip and the new found memories made her giggle. Besides this, Elaine's smile faded quickly and she ended up stepping behind and releasing her. "I can't seem to have any effect on her. This is frustrating!"

Caliope felt nervous and started to worry; she never thought there would be so much difficulty in finding out what she really was. Amra was quiet but also nervous, he walked now next to her and put one arm around her shoulder defensively.

"Well, now it is time to let Pronab give it a try." Elaine said with caution, acknowledging Amra's new stance. "We are just going to try and see if you are immune to all kinds of powers, mental and physical. But if you are too nervous about this we can pass this test for now."

She shook her head and put a hand on the one of Amra's that was resting on her shoulder. He looked down at her worried but she smiled at him. "I will be fine, you are all here, nothing can go wrong for me when I am surrounded of the coolest angels on earth."

Amra smiled and leaned down to kiss her. It took her by surprise, but also she could feel the tension in the kiss. He was truly worried.

Pronab walked in front of her and lifted his hands, slowly some dark glowing chains materialized in them. The chains seemed to lose glow slowly, as he kneeled in front of her. "This should not hurt you, and you know how it works. The chains will react with your essence, if you tell a lie, they should restrain you tighter, if it is a true, it will slowly release you. I will just put them around your hands ok?" He almost whispered as Caliope nodded. Her hands, there was nothing bad in trying this just on her hands, she thought. Vanessa looked at the scene nervous for her friend, but also with curiosity.

She put both arms together and her palms up as if welcoming what he was going to do. He smiled comfortingly at her as he put the chain around barely twice. The chains seemed cold at first touch, but nothing different nor scary in her once they were around. After a few seconds, the chain acquire life on its own and adjusted itself around her wrists tightly. Not too tight, not loose either; just enough pressure, then they became lifeless.

He got up and gave a step back, looking at her with kindness. "Lets begin with a simple question, do you love Amra?"

Caliope chuckled and looked up at him. "I love him with all my heart." Amra brushed the back of his fingers on her cheek. She felt the chains give in smoothly and gently. She smiled wide and looked up at Pronab. "They work! they are reacting!"

Elaine and Gabrielle both jumped with joy and Pronab nodded, leaning closer to remove the chains. "We have what we need, now let me remove this thing off you."

He put his hands on the chain and it let her go instantly, as if they were no more than cold simple chains. He lifted his hands and the chains vanished completely.

"So this is what we know; you are immune to some mental powers, but affected by physical objects or manipulations." Gabrielle said as she walked around the room pondering out loud. "My contacts said the dark ones refered to you as their Morrighan; which at first didn't make sense."

"The goddess?" Caliope asked.

"Yes, the celtic Goddess, you are correct." Gabrielle answered. "But this a is tricky area, there are so many possible meanings."

"What do you mean?" Amra asked, he was now pulling Caliope up and in between his arms.

"You see; as a celtic Goddess, Morrigan was associated with death and I can't link her to anything like that." Gabrielle stopped walking and looked at Caliope who had gasped at her words. "Oh don't take it wrong Caly, I am starting for what I know for sure you aren't."

Caliope nodded at her but was still taken in surprise by what she said. Gabrielle gave her a smile and continued. "In one of the archetypes or forms, she is a wise old woman, the Crone. She is compassionate and a healer, but you aren't a healer. The negative mirror is the bitter old woman, you aren't that either." Gabrielle resumed her walk and moved around the room sharing more information as if she was a machine of pure knowledge. "Then there is the shapeshifter archetype, with the ability of changing as the name says, her appearance. You haven't change in any way so far, and throughout all the time you had been with them and myself. So that can't be either. Which leads us to the last one, the one I think is closer to you. The Warrior." She grinned and focused her eyes on Caliope. "Of course! physical strength it is only partly of what a warrior has, and you as an Asteria will learn to have more strength than ever in your past life." She walked towards Caliope smiling from ear to ear. "While there is a negative side of the Warrior, that of wanting to win at all costs including abandoning your ethical principles to prove you are supreme, you are a battle Goddess that feeds on those who have fallen. What this means is you will fight to protect your rights and your life, as well as the life of those you love. Am I mistaken with this?"

Caliope shook her head still not finding words to reply to all of what she was saying. Gabrielle giggled and looked at Elaine. "She is the symbol, the goddess they look, the stereotype of what they need in their side."