I forgot about the bench. The things I see in my mind, if they're from my childhood, it gets blurry. More and more I even forget the reasons I even wanted to kill my friends to begin with. I might have lost my humanity in the meantime but I sure as hell won't die. Genova is dead and I had to lose my life to acheive this. No grandiose spectacle, no army, just a friend with a gun. She softened. Perhaps she also forgot about us, about the bench and the gang in recess on that day.
None of this matters. I have to sleep for now, answers will naturally come tomorrow.
Ismael fell asleep deep in that hole in the rock foundation, quiet and dry from the rain, protected. He wasn't fully aware of what his angel was able to perform, of his limitations or what not. Now was not even the time for the most necessary questions, he was beyond exhausted, wary, and if it was not for his angel, he would have suffered the wrath of a bear wandering around in these places. But at the sight of the creature he growled and stepped back, his long teeth sticking out like a walrus. Horns in the back of his skull.
The bear takes an arrow in the left jaw, roaring at the hunter who charged the beast with intensity, and at the moment the bear rose to show dominance and attack with its' claws, the hunter quickly slides beneath the animal and visibly injects something in its' belly that makes it fall and enter a state of confusion and madness flat on the ground, convusling.
Then gets close to the hole where Ismael sleeps. "You don't see that every day. Allow me to sneak in, angel. I usually use this spot to rest for a bit. I suppose you can read my intentions, as such you'd know I'm not against you."
The angel nodded in honor once and retreated back. In the morning, Ismael woke up with a dream, describing a bear and a hunter. His angel explained that what he sees and does during Ismael's sleep, he sees it in his dream.
"Furthermore, Master Ismael, when you will be focused enough during your sleep and with enough hard work and discipline, you will be able to lucid dream what I do, meaning you will be able to control me while unconscious."
"That sounds almost unreal. But if there's a possibility, I'll reach my hand to it. The hunter left, I suppose."
"Indeed, he stayed and slept, then woke up and left. No instructions or informations."
"Got it. Thank you, Sebastian. No problem here. Looks like he was polite enough. After all, this was apparently his secret place. Well, it is the morning. Time to get up."
"What will you do, Master Ismael?"
"Look for Genova's body. If she is already buried, I'll use my gift right away."
"And after?"
"What do you mean?"
"What is your lifegoal? You moved on from your past, but what is the plan from now on?"
"Find a place to stay each night, because I don't deserve a stable home. Kill, because that's what I do. I'll see what I can acheive while I'm still on this planet."
"Very well, sir."
"All right, so. Do you know this place?"
"Sehang. If you follow the main track, you'll end up at a remote village that many merchants inhabit. You might find a few places that will agree to sell you their goods in exchange of different materials or currency."
"Nothing out of the ordinary, then. I'm just running low on shèn, even by stealing from dead folks. So while we travel, I'd like you to answer a few questions."
"Such as?"
"Why do you look after me? And where do you come from?"
"My name is Sebastian. I am your angel. I look after you because I was assigned to you. I come from the Heaven you seek. The gift you carry has burdened you, so you were given an angel."
"Do all people have an angel?"
"You, Genova and Mateni. But they were not yet prepared to receive them."
"I would assume there are criterias to ensure the ownership of an angel."
"Yes, and pride and fear, both sides of the same coin, are natural blockers of understanding the connection between the two parties. They would be afraid and lose their mind, but you saw me and you were mature enough to instantly take charge."
"Yes, of course. I knew I was dead. It actually made me very happy to see you, or rather see through you. Being so disconnected between what I see and where I am and what I feel weirded me out a lot, but you get used to it. Something is still taking me out, though. Your purpose here is simply to help me?"
"Yes. I'm also supposed to help you to live your life peacefully, and that whatever plan Heaven has for you, you should follow it by simply doing what you think is best for you. Meaning, I cannot interfere."
"I see. Looks like your description checks out. We arrived at the selling place."
Ismael looked through the numerous tables and stands, fascinated by the craftsmanship and the paintings artists were proudly presenting. One of them tries to get a hold of him.
"You, my good sir! I'm sure you will enjoy some of my fine weapons!"
"That's not normal. I recognize this type of wording."
"Thank you for stopping by! I assume you are a man of refined taste in terms of weaponery."
"I know a thing or two. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"How far are we from Shill Na Ter?"
"You're thousands of miles away, sir. There is nothing but dry land and sea setting us apart from that continent. This is Sehang, a large city in the mountains, the continent you're in right now can be called Shura."
"Thank you."
"Now, before you buy anything, I should give you this."
Ismael grabbed the piece of paper and handed it to his angel so he could see it.
"I've sent my own men to track you down, demon. Don't think that I can't go after you because of this wheelchair. You're going down, son."
"John?"
"Yes, sir. He wants to kill you."
"Of course he does...are you still selling me weapons?"
"No. Leave before I use one of them."
Ismael unsheathed his colt at light speed and shot the man in the face. Right after, he stole the guns and knives on the table.
"Is it safe, sir? Everybody is watching."
"Let them watch, Sebastian."
Ismael ran away, ending the lives of anybody that would try to stop him in his way. The "city" was mainly holding on to nothing but bridges built on the sides of cold rocky mountains with light fences on the sides.
"Angel, above!"
Sebastian looked up and Ismael killed the two shooters on the bridge up north of his current location. He then looked behind for a split second, nothing. No one was looking at him or coming his way. At the first left, he sided into a narrow passage and hid in an empty and calm road where he hid in the bushes for an hour.
"Can people see you, Sebastian?"
"Yes, sir. But they automatically dismiss my presence, even if they are scared of me. So seeing me does not give away your location."
"What the hell are we looking at, then?"
"Something interesting. It seems Heaven has sent another angel. Master Ismael, this one enemy will not dismiss me."