Hi all. This is my first attempt at writing but I hope to get some comments and feedback as to how I can improve. I really love paranormal fantasies and nonhuman stories and after reading so much great work here, I've decided to give my own ideas a place on paper. So here it is. Hope you like it!
***
Aria was a Valkyrie –specifically an Ayn; trained in the art of stealth, disguise and intelligence. In other words, she's a spy. There were other denominations of Valkyries of course –most notably the Warriors, the Hunters and the Trackers but Aria didn't choose to be an Ayn. She was born one.
And a born Ayn was rare –so rare that only the richest of clients could afford her services. The ability to cloak oneself with Illusion was only available to the Archangels but the born Ayns also possessed this and it was what made them highly sought after, especially in times of war... like now.
Though she owed no loyalty to anyone, Aria took her job seriously. She had been hired by Iluna, the Archangel of South America, to enter the enemy lands up north and gain information about their next attack movements. It should be an easy task, except that Iluna had requested Aria to spy specifically on the reigning Archangel –Zilarrezko; otherwise known as the Archangel of Death. Aria had never seen Zilarrezko in person but the stories that were told of his power always sent fear in her people. Fear was the reason why Archangels were up there together with the Ordinal angels while the Valkyries and the Humans lay at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Lores of the Angels
had been told repeatedly to her as a child, so much so that she could recite them right now, even as she lay crouched on the roof of the Obelisque –the highest tower in New York that housed the Archangel and his Ordinals.
At the beginning of time, the first creation had been Darkness and then there was Light. Fire was created to sustain light in the dark and Water was made to put it out. Finally, Earth was made and with it, Metal embedded deep within its soils.
Out of these were born winged creatures; each bearing a feature of their birth elements –some called them angels, others were called nymphs but only one was called Man and he was born out of Earth.
However, only the strongest of these creations were named Cardinals; better known as Archangels and they divided up the lands amongst themselves, often fighting for more territory and more power.
After centuries of fighting, Earth conceded and five kingdoms were carved out and they were: Iluna of South America, Zilarrezko of North America, Yukiko of Asia, Noor of Africa and Cyrus of Europe.
A wry smile hit the curve of her lips as she recalled the Lore. Just because they were Cardinals did not mean they were invincible. Her undetected presence, just a few feet from the Archangel himself proved her point. She had been listening to him all night; hidden in the shadows, cloaked in the safety of her Illusion and quiet as a mouse. She didn't even shiver when rain began to soak her body even though the chills seeped right through to the bone.
The Archangel had meetings with his Ordinals for precisely three hours each day starting at midnight. Thus for three days, Aria had crouched on the roof of the Obelisque, putting into memory every single detail that transpired within the walls of the Archangel's office.
***
"Have you news for me Aria Ayn?"
Aria got down to her knees before the Archangel Iluna and whispered, "Yes Cardinal."
"Rise and tell me."
Aria got to her feet and lifted her eyes to look at the exquisite creation before her. Iluna was born into Darkness –the oldest and most secretive clans –but not necessarily the most powerful. However, she was the most powerful Dark angel and deserving of her status as Cardinal or Archangel.
One look at her and no one would doubt it. Her wings were in a color that could only be described as cloudless night skies with its blanket of stars. Looking at them, one would feel eternally lost within its chasm.
There had never been words invented to describe the intense beauty of an Archangel for it affects all living creatures differently. Men –both Valkyrie and Human alike would praise her for her seductive allure; her intoxicating scent that pulls at their very loins and make them beg to be pleasured. Oh, Aria had seen that before and she had no doubt that Archangel Iluna ate men for breakfast –literally or not.
But to her, Iluna sent chills down her body; not from the cold but from the promise of eternal darkness that would rob one of all his or her senses leaving them with nothing but a strange vacuum of pitch black eternity.
"Archangel Zilarrezko had commanded his Valkyrie troops to station themselves along the border. He has the Snow Queen's Valkyries at his disposal as well Cardinal."
"What! That's just absurd! Why that bitch Yuki! How dare she ally with him!" exploded Iluna, her pretty face scrunched up in anger. "And these Valkyries... what denominations are they?"
Aria had to smile. That was not what Iluna wanted to know. She wanted to know if Zilarrezko had any Ayn Valkyries.
"There are only five of us in the world at this moment Cardinal and none of the others are on this continent."
"How sure are you of this?"
"They are my brothers and sisters, Cardinal. I am sure."
Iluna relaxed slightly at the confidence in Aria's voice but spread her starlit black wings nonetheless to its full height in an open display of her prowess. Aria understood the silent warning –there was no point lying to an Archangel.
"Very well Aria Ayn... your next task is slightly harder but I will not accept no as an answer."
Aria kept silent and bowed her head.
"I have made the necessary fund transfer into your account. Consider it an advance payment."
Aria continued keeping quiet... simply waiting for Iluna to speak again.
"I would like you to seduce Archangel Zilarrezko and learn all his secrets."
What!
Aria's brain was screaming in shock. She raised her eyes to stare at Iluna but the Archangel ignored her and was instead fashioning a weapon of sorts from the pools of Darkness surrounding her.
"Cardinal Iluna... I don't think that's a..."
"I have said that I will not accept 'no' as an answer."
"Wouldn't any of the other angels be a more suitable candidate for this task Cardinal? It is almost impossible for a Valkyrie to seduce an Archangel."
"You will do it," she said forcefully as she handed over a black pearl necklace to Aria. "Use this when he is at his most vulnerable. It will help to incapacitate him."
"Will it kill him?"
"Of course not. Only an Archangel can kill another Archangel."
Aria took the necklace but did not put it around her neck.
"You have given me valuable intelligence Aria... but I need more. I need to know Zilarrezko's weaknesses and the only way to learn that is to be within his most trusted circle. I want to know his relationship with Yuki –is she his weakness? Or perhaps he is hers?"
Aria wanted to retort
As he is yours?
but disciplined herself not to betray any emotion or thought.
"I will give it my all, Cardinal."
Iluna came closer to Aria; their nose almost touching each other. "I want you to exhaust every single option that you have. I don't care how you do it. During this time, you will not report to me and don't come back until you've incapacitate him with my Pearl."
