Fire of Light: Beauty, Loving, Hero

By D. C. Cowan

As the light of truth is born in the darkness, the false bearer of light rises over the city of peace with scorching heat. With heat as intense as the sun, everything in the path of the evil one will vanish into smoke. The beauty will disappear and love will vanish from the face of Gaia. Will the child of light complete her mission before the sun’s scorching heat destroys her city?

Three women . . . Three prophets . . . Three ages. . .

The spirit is like an eternal fire that burns within each of us. The greater the spirit the brighter the fire will burn. It’s a fire that will never be extinguished. This raging fire inside wants nothing more than to be released to freedom. As the flesh is aging and slowly dying, the fire within grows cold. The prophets of the One must let their light shine to a hopeless world driven into the dark. Fire is life. Fire is light. Fire is truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483532233

Book preview

Page

Title Page

Fire of Light

Angelic Heroes Trilogy

Special Edition

Volume 2

By

D. C. Cowan

Black Rose Legend

D. C. Cowan

Author of

Black Rose Series

Angelic Heroes Trilogy

Elemental Angels

The Novels

My Amoretto

Quote

For the sunrises with scorching heat and dries up the meadow, the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever.

James 1:11

But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD's enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

Psalm 37:20

"You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden . . . it gives light to everyone in the house.

Matthew 5:14-15

Story I

Chapter 1

I am Zurielle, called the Flaming Rose. I remember the birth of Gaia and the birth of all its living beings. No one on Gaia knew how long the planet hung suspended in the dark void. No one there knew exactly how long it existed. Gaian history had just started two thousand years earlier when the priesthood published the first holy book. On Gaia, the city of Arcadia rose as a vast metropolis with a convoluted history of war, religion, and legendary characters described in the holy books. To the Arcadians, it seemed as though the Great Genitor and Creator set Gaia in motion then abandoned it just as the age of suffering worsened. Since the time of Omni, wars, famines, and droughts annihilated most of the world's resources. Very few plants and animals occupy the planet. The clear blue water, that once held many seafarers, gradually dries up. No one has seen the blue sky for many centuries—an impenetrable coat of clouds encompasses the whole planet.

The stories of Queen Omni provided clear testimony of the first coming One. About one millennium ago, King Negasi Basilica bound his mother’s letters into books in hopes that Arcadians would believe and await the second coming. Regardless, very few chose to believe. The modern day king, despite being his direct descendant, despised the thought of someone coming to Arcadia with more authority than he does. If the One returned, he would have nothing to do with it. Who would believe it anyway? Regardless, a brave few refused to abandon hope that the One had abandoned them. The first coming One—born under the name Aurial—died by the hands of a traitor, but where or who is the second? To find the second coming meant to find truth—the truth, which held many dark secrets of the crown. However, who could oppose the most powerful monarchy on Gaia?

One man stood against the tyranny. A little girl stood watching him in the distance. She could hear agitation in his voice, as puffs of frosty smoke escaped from his lips. The weather on the planet had long since fallen out of order—every day like summer, every night like winter. Her stomach grumbled and gurgled with anticipation. A stranger stood in the shadows. The man asked the stranger a question—silence. Footsteps scampered in the distance heading like a predator for its prey as an assassin approached the man from behind. Daddy! The voice of the girl dissipated in the cold city air. She found herself panting, unable to gather enough strength as a murderous demon approached with a knife. She stumbled and fell unable to regain her wits. A glow passed her and a spiritual pressure knocked her forward. Infuriated, the man caught the assassin and reversed the knife on him. Blood oozed from the wound, staining along his shirt and pants spilling onto the pavement. The moment seemed to last for hours. A sardonic grin betook the man’s lips, as the dying body rested along his shoulders. The girl ran to him, crying. The ground beneath her gave way and she could feel herself falling into darkness.

Deva awoke from this reoccurring nightmare and fell to the wooden floor. The dream haunted her over and over. Disoriented, she realized she must have fallen asleep before dinnertime again. Daddy! she said. He's going to be in trouble. . . I think. But maybe it was just a dream. Or worst a memory. She looked around the dark room and rubbed her cold shoulders. Daddy, I have to tell you about my dream. She ran over to his room, but the bed was vacant and cold air blew in from an open window. She closed the window and ran to the dark hallway. Daddy . . . where are you? She could hear voices coming from downstairs. She ducked behind the stairway railing so they would not see her. Her father stood in the living room talking to someone.

Cyrus, are you sure you don't need me to be there? a young man said to her father.

No way, Cyrus said. Stay with the twins. I have other business to take care of.

It's probably a trap.

I'm sure it is.

Then let me come with you instead.

Come on Copper, we both know, you'll only get in my way.

Alright, Copper said. Go it alone, but I'm going over there after we’re done and wait it out for you,

Stubborn, Cyrus said smashing his cigarette into the ashtray. I’m leaving soon.

I gotta follow him! Deva rushed back to her room and threw on a coat.

Hey! a voice said from Deva’s window. Her friend waved to her from the fire escape. He had smooth dark skin, and wooly gray hair so shiny it looked metallic. Deva flipped the window screen down, and pulled her friend into her room.

Silver Matrices!

Just call me Silver, okay? he said. Are you coming? I think I know where they’re going, but you have to be quick. They stationed here at your house before leaving.

I’m in, let’s go! she said. Anything to escape her mundane routine of eating dinner, listening to reruns on the radio, and putting on her pajama pants. You always know where the fun is!

What can I say, I’m like a psychic or something! he said. He covered his finger over his lips then pulled her by the hand out of the window. Alright, be absolutely silent and follow me. They climbed down the fire escape and watched Copper and Cyrus through a window. Her father stood with a group of people. Copper prepped a set of children wearing black cat suits. That’s my bro there; I’d know the back of his head anywhere. Looks like he’s telling them how to use that doohickey he brought. He built those for tonight, but I don’t know what they do.

Are those children?

Yeah, twins to be exact.

No fair, daddy never lets me do anything fun.

It’s not fun Deva, but dangerous. . . I’m sure. They watched Copper place a pair of goggles over one of the twin’s eyes. Copper demonstrated the night vision capabilities and different uses of the buttons. That’s so cool! I want to use gadgets like that! Silver said. Ah man, there’s gotta be a way to get into the base along with them. I heard there heading for a government base.

It can’t be easy to get in if they need all those gizmos.

Even if we can’t get in, we can see a real base of the House of Lords!

Oh!

You probably have no idea about what I’m talking about.

Not really.

Whatever. It’s where I want to work when I get older, he said and grinned at her. That and become a universally recognized baseball player.

Ha-ha, cool . . . oh I almost forgot. I have to tell daddy about the dream again. Maybe I can tell him once I get there.

Shush, they’re leaving the apartment now. Let’s go, he said and led her down the fire escape. I think the base is somewhere downtown. It’s blocked by all these gates. Like I said it’ll be cool just to see it. Deva nodded, following him into the trunk of their car. Quiet. He slammed the trunk closed, the only light coming from a glow-in-the-dark emergency button. We’ll use this button to get out once we stop. They heard them load the car and start the engine. The silent and dark trip only took a little under twenty minutes to complete. The car came to a rest; they heard hushed whispers then silence. Silver and Deva found their chance to escape the trunk. There’s the base, Silver said and pointed across the street.

Yeah, but where’s daddy? she asked. After hiding from Copper, they observed the twins slink across the street towards the base. The twins approached a barbwire fence. Latching onto the side of the wall, they managed to climb up the outer side until they reached the barbwire. One twin swung the other up and over the wire with a flip to the other side. The second one bounded off the wall, hovering slightly in the air before flipping sidelong over the wire. Deva and Silver rushed up to the wall in amazement.

Wow, did you see that? Silver asked her.

Yea, we need to borrow some of your brother’s stuff!

Uh-huh, he said, especially if we want to get in here.

I wish we could get in. That would have been fun.

Maybe there’s still a way. They searched along the wall. A few minutes passed, all went quiet. They suddenly heard a rustling from behind the wall. Wait, wait. He pushed her behind a lamppost to hide. What is that? He pointed to a dark figure that leaped over the wall and into the street. Who is that?

You don’t think the twins got finished that fast do you?

Nah, there’s no way. Besides, where’s the other one? They watched as the figure came running down the street towards them. Ah! Um, hide. He fled behind a trashcan, Deva quickly followed. The figure stumbled down the empty street racing with an incredible speed straight pass them. They could see her more clearly in the headlights. She appeared to have some sort of package locked under her arm. Suddenly the gates of the base opened up and an alarm from a military vehicle sounded. The black figure paused and turned to the car that approached her. The rain started to dampen the street causing her to slip slightly. The military car connected against her small frame sending her flying several feet. Oh my god! Silver said.

Should we do something?

Can we do anything? Silver asked turning to find Deva was no longer beside him. Deva, Deva? He looked around for her, but she had already started running to the girl. She raced in front of the cop car just as it threatened to run the girl down.

Out of the way kid! the officer in shotgun said through a megaphone. This is soldier business; you don’t know what you’re messing with here. Deva shook her head, and tried to help the girl up. Just as she reached for her, the girl slid back from her touch. She jumped to standing, rushing away as if nothing had hit her. The car swerved to miss hitting Deva and stopped. Dang it kid, you really have no idea what you just unleashed, the driver said to Deva. The car darted passed her nearly striking her down.

Are you alright? Silver came to her aid. She nodded. Good, let’s hurry. I don’t want to miss what they do with that little girl.

Or what she does to them, she said. He grabbed her hand as they raced after the military car.

A brigade of military vehicles and one limousine followed close behind the lead car. They inscribed the emblem of the House of Lords on the side of each car. Up the block, a shallow crowd gathered; the limousine stopped in front of a dilapidated building. Officers with batons held back the crowd. Look at that! a woman cried out. Silver and Deva looked up to find the girl on a ledge four stories up.

Come down now, that’s an order! the officer said through his megaphone. The girl shook her head. She had a confident grin on her face. Her thick dark hair blew violently in the rainy winds; a single streak of blond hair ran through her fleecy hair. Her nearly black skin shined brilliantly in the searchlights

You cannot keep me! the girl said. I am a human being! From behind, a soldier tried to pull her in from the window. After overpowering him, she threw him down. The other soldiers caught him in a net, as the girl laughed. The girl held a manila envelope up in the air.

What is that? Deva asked Silver.

It’s some sort of package, Silver said. Maybe she stole it from them.

The girl waved her prized possession in the air. I will show the world what you have done! she said. The cop shook his head and wiped the rain from his face. He turned to the other officers and discussed a plan before heading back to the limousine.

Come down now, the officer said. "This is your last warning before we bring Her out." The smile faded from the girl’s face.

"Who’s Her?"

Someone we don’t want to know, Silver said.

The officer turned to the limousine. Alright Selene, come out, the officer said. As they opened the car door, the crowd gasped.

I can’t see . . . what does she look like? Deva asked bobbing her head around. A pale child stepped out of the car and into the street. Her golden hair rolled down her back striped with shades of crimson. With frightening white skin and lightning yellow eyes, she almost seemed unreal. I can’t believe my eyes. Deva wiped them, and then peered again. Nope, my eyes were right.

Her skin has no color, Silver said and cringed.

A freak! a person said from the crowd.

An angel! another woman said.

The pale child strolled towards the building; even the soldiers moved out of her way. The pale child caused the front door of the building to freeze into a block of ice and it exploded into bits of debris. The whispers in the crowd settled, rain poured gently from the clouds above.

The girl on the ledge watched with wide eyes as the pale child entered the building. No, I’ll never go back! the girl said as she turned her back on the crowd. Fire poured from her mouth. The building exploded with flames; it poured out of each window shattering glass windows. A piece of glass jabbed the girl in the arm and caused her to fumble with the package. It descended to the street below. The soldiers swarmed to collect it. The building exploded in bursts of flames, encasing the rest of the old wooden building. The pale child appeared behind the girl in the window. White mist billowed from the pale child’s fingertips. The fire died down and the building turned as frosty as snow. She grabbed the girl by the throat and tossed her down to the ground below. The girl hit the ground face first and pale child landed on her feet beside her. She dragged her back into the limousine and the soldiers drove away just before the firefighters arrived.

Oh my god! Silver said. Let’s go see if she’s alright. He grabbed her hand, but they ran into someone who picked them up by the collar. He lifted them up. Lemme go! You’ll be sorry. Silver took a swing at the air. Deva tapped his shoulder and pointed to Copper’s face. Uh oh. . .

Busted! Copper said. Fun time’s over! Trouble time starts now!

Chapter 2

Many days passed since that fiery night. Deva’s father had yet to come back home. Always, he left her in the dark about where he goes and what he does. Every time he left the house without warning, she counted the hours until his return. Every time he returned with that blank deathly look on his face. There were frightful moments when the blood rushed to his face while yelling over the phone to unseen adversary. The happiness that used to fill the air before her mother left had long since left from their home. Her mother, when she thought of that most precious woman, she wanted to cry. She could tell that her father wanted to cry when he looked at her mother’s picture in Deva’s locket. She thought her love could bring her mother back to her and her father. Just as everyone discovers, life moves on regardless of love.

The phone rang. Hello?

Hello, Deva?

Daddy?

Ah yeah, I’ll be back. Wait for me.

Hello? She heard the dial tone. All day she waited, but started to lose hope once the sun went down. The quiet of the house drove her stir crazy; she needed to get out and breathe in some fresh air. She began her stroll through the nearby park. Maybe daddy’s not coming back this time. She pulled her braid around to the front, running her fingers along the bumps. I wish mommy was still here. She kicked at a rock on the cobblestone.

Most girls her age had a hobby of playing with dolls, but Deva’s favorite hobby was eavesdropping. Watching the people in the park distracted her from her troubles. Up the block, she witnessed a boy terrorizing a blind nun. The boy shouted and made faces at her knowing her eyes could not see. When the brat kicked the collection bin and scattered coins everywhere, Deva could not stomach it anymore. Hey, you! Deva said. Leave her alone! The young boy stopped dancing in the coins and scowled at her. If he weren’t such a jerk, I’d think he’s a cute kid. A large golden medallion hung from his neck with the symbol of the royal family. Concern that this hooligan may be of royal blood did not stop her. This park, on the upscale part of town, always had someone famous lurking around. Hey, I’m talking to you! You’d better apologize.

What are you going to do about it girly? I can do as I please; I’m rich! With fire in her eyes she raced towards him; she dove for his long hair and h e grabbed hers.

Let go!

No, you let go!

You both let go! a man with frightening red eyes said. He grabbed Deva up by the collar. With a clean flick of his wrist, he threw her away and she landed face first into the nun’s collection bin. The little prince laughed until the same hand crashed along the back of his head. You be quiet. You realize it’s a privilege to enjoy a summer day in the park with your subjects. I’ll have to inform the grand duchess of your actions.

Well, that confirms it; this little imp is from the royal family.

An elegant young woman approached them. It’s alright Sir Osiris, I already know. She had silky white hair, fair skin, and wore a dress-suit embroidered with gold. She took the bodyguard by the shoulder. Let’s head back to the carriage now, please. The man bowed to her. She bent down to the boy. Desecrating a charity bin of a nun is an appalling offense, little man. I forbid you to behave in such an uncouth manner.

We were just having a little fun. The boy frowned and smoothed back his hair.

Fun with whom? she asked and averted her gaze down to Deva. Her face had a warm smile, but it faded as her eyebrows wrinkled and her mouth gaped. She removed the lace glove from her hand and touched Deva’s face.

Mommy? Deva asked.

The grand duchess retracted her hand then stood up. Help this child up, she said facing away from Deva. We must go back to the carriage at once.

The boy helped Deva to her feet, and dusted off her clothing. You’re lucky this time, the boy said into her ear. Next time I’ll get you and the penguin! With a smirk, he dashed after Osiris and the grand duchess.

I guess it wasn’t mommy. Deva almost walked away as well, until she noticed the nun feeling around for the lost coins. The nun’s crystal white irises scanned over the ground as if they could see. Let me help you, Miss Penguin . . . um. . . I mean Miss Nun Lady. Deva scooped up the coins and placed them into piles of the same value.

Thank you child. We must feed the hungry and clothe the naked as our One instructs of us. The nun smiled. Deva nodded then realized she probably should not use gestures that the nun could not see. I can tell you are one of few. The nun peered at her from underneath the hood of her habit. Do you believe in angels?

Deva shuttered at the sight of her eyes on her, dropping the coins to the ground. I’m sorry, Deva said. Well, um, I don’t know about angels, see. My dad’s an alien or an alimony . . . oh, an—

Atheist?

Yeah, so I’ve never gone to no church, and I don’t have nothing to believe in. The nun stood and waved her hand around. Let me help. Deva placed the nun’s hand on the collection bin for her. I’m sorry you’re blind and can’t see anything.

Child, simply because I cannot observe the same material as you can, does not mean I can’t see the same, if not better, than you. I see that you are a unique individual, with a powerful aura, but you must use your spirituality for good, understand. You are one of few who can make the choice. After placing the money back in and mixing in a little of her own, Deva bid farewell to the blind nun. The nun grabbed her arm. If you must have faith in something, believe in yourself and the One that guides you. You will meet the One soon. The nun released her arm and began to chime her silver bell again.

Deva kicked a stone down the sidewalk, hardly paying attention to the passing people coming down the walkway. Her thinking ended, along with the path she followed. She needed to arrive back at home before her father did. Deva continued to be side tracked by houses, gardens, and store window displays. When she arrived at the building, she realized she had left without a key. She banged her fist against the apartment building’s front door. Mrs. House Keeper Lady, let me in! Um, please.

Coming, coming. The little old woman unlatched the door. Oh you poor child, come on in.

Thank you.

Where’s your father?

I was kind of hoping you’d know.

You poor thing, come in my apartment, and I’ll give you something warm to drink.

No I can’t today, Mrs. House Keeper Lady. I have to wait for my father when he comes home. Maybe some other time. She scurried upstairs, with a wave.

That dear child, she has no idea what kind of father she has. Deva heard the woman say as she disappeared up the stairs.

I hope he isn’t home yet.I could just pretend that I was waiting for him outside the door. Yeah, that’s a good excuse. Shadows darkened the hallway. The hall usually did not have a light unless during the day. She jogged down the hall, stumbling over bumps in the carpet. She read the number on every door, until she finally reached hers. She paused for a second then jingled the doorknob—locked. Oh no, I left the door open before I left. That’s why I didn’t bring a key! What if Dad is already here? I’ll be in the biggest pile of poop ever! She pounded the door. I’m sorry daddy! Please let me in!

Her arm grew tired and even a little red from the pounding. She felt a presence behind her, but glanced over her shoulder to find nothing there. She turned back to the door and began ringing the doorbell, taking glimpses over her shoulder. Then she heard a slow unsteady breathing, and began knocking and ringing the doorbell. She spun around, gripping the doorknob firm in her fingers, as a shadow began moving along the hall towards her. No! she said, jingling the locked door. A hand reached out and covered her mouth; she struggled to free herself from his grip. Cyrus leaned down in her face, with his fingers to his lips. Daddy?

Yeah, you ding-bat. Who did you think I was? Some hood or creep?

Isn’t that what you are anyway?

Ha-ha shut up . . . kiddo. . . He crinkled to his knees. Deva leaned forward to try to help him, but received a handful of blood. Don’t worry, daddy’ll be alright, trust me. Help me in side, would cha? He handed her the key under the rug. I’ll admit I forgot it too. I gotta climb through the window sometimes. Ha-ha— He grabbed his side. She hurried him inside sitting him up on a stool, where he began removing the upper layer of his clothing. She scurried into the kitchen to find the first aid kit and to warm some water in a kettle. After hanging some towels over her shoulder, she scampered back in with medicine, bandages, and a bucket full of water. When he noticed her staring, he looked down at the scars that marked his chest. Please Deva, don’t let this worry you. I’ve been getting scars ever since I fought on the street as a boy. This is just another addition. He rubbed his hand on the old marks. Besides, there’s only one still open.

Deva flashed a smile, before lugging over the supplies. She dipped a towel into the bucket, and rung it out. Daddy.

Yes, Deva. He asked while taking out a cigarette. She frowned at it, and he shrugged. What? I’m in pain.

Never mind. She dipped the towel in again.

No, Deva. He took a long drag out of his cigarette, and then smashed it in the ashtray. You know we don’t talk very often, and now is as good a time as ever. He patted her on the head, and then she placed the towel on the wound.

Daddy, you always talk about living on the streets, how come?

Because I did. I show you all those pictures of the family. They were all no good, gangsters. Oh course, gangs had more class back in those days. He placed another cigarette in his lips, but Deva placed it back in the box. Okay. But that couldn’t stop my parents from being killed.

You mean my grandparents?

Yeah, your aunt and uncle too. I was the youngest of the three, and so I didn’t have a chance to get mixed up in that, except as an errand boy. A business deal went wrong and well, I was left on the streets. I got a job, a little apartment, but it was not the same. By that time I was a teenager, I learned never to trust anyone ever again.

What about mom?

Your mother. . . He started to take out another cigarette and Deva removed the box from his hands. Your mother, was the most beautiful dame, I had ever seen. Ahura Kiran was her name.

I saw a lady who looked like mommy today. Deva removed the towel, washing out the blood. Was she pretty back then too?

Gorgeous. . . That’s what led me to her in the first place. I thought she was just going to be another one of those high-class, stuck up girls—

Hold on, this might sting. She squirted a disinfectant on the wound.

Hey, that hurts!

I have to clean it from infections. He squirmed around and went silent. Was she?

Was who? Oh yeah . . . I mean no . . . no, not stuck up at all. Perfect little angel, ouch. . . Surprising, ouch, compared to her parents anyway. Gees, they were monsters. They hated me. Two, ouch, rich, ouch, stuff shirts. . . Are you done yet?

Yeah, now I’ll have to put some iodine on it.

Ugh, he said and clenched his teeth. Ouch . . . oh well. Anyway, I fell for her as soon as I knew her, practically. I wasn’t sure if she liked me, and I really wouldn’t’ve mind either way. I knew I was no good for her. But, she let her parents disown her, just to marry me, ouch! What are you putting on now?

Just some more medicine, this will help prevent another scare, you big baby!

Alright, so after we got married, went on our honeymoon and before we knew it we had our first child.

Me! Deva’s eyes lit up with glee.

No. . . well, I don’t want to talk about him. He looked down at her. I’ll just tell you that you weren’t the first. I’ll tell you more when you’re old enough, okay.

You have to promise, you will tell me. She held out her hand. Deal.

He laughed while taking her little hand in his. Deal.

That can’t be the whole story, well at least you’re not telling me something.

Like what do you mean?

Well, you know. Why we never go to church, or read from the holy book, or celebrate the Feast of Jumal like other people do.

Deva, it’s something you don’t understand—

Try me. She wrapped the bandage around his waist.

He leaned on his knee, and rubbed over his face. It’s because of your mother.

What does that have to do with—?

A lot. She was the only reason I ever believed in a higher power. She wouldn’t have it otherwise. She showed me the spiritual side I didn’t even know I had.

So what happened? She stopped bandaging for a

Reviews for Fire of Light

[raymy-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fire of Light is the exciting second book in the Angelic Heroes trilogy. In a later period of time we are following Deva as she hopes to warn her father of her terrible dream. While trying to follow her father, Deva and her friend Silver find themselves in a strange situation. What ensues next is shocking and magical. This story captures your imagination and takes it on a wild ride.D. C. Cowan, the mother and daughter authors, brings us another installment in this enchanting story. It was hard for me to let go of Omni but I was pleasantly surprised to find Deva has captured my heart as well. A strong willed and beautiful woman Deva fights the good fight and stays true. Her journey is a hard one and I rooted for her all the way.Cowan’s ability to bring the characters and situations fully to life allowed me to become fully engrossed in the story. When it was over I was left wishing it were longer and feeling attached to the characters. The ending is amazing and beautiful. Full of love, mystery, suspense, science, angels, and hope this is a must read. I highly recommend it!