Help From Above

THE NORTH GATE - A SHORT WHILE AGO:

John is laying on the floor, his chest feeling like it's burning as Imoga just fired a blast directly into his chest. His eyes closed as his breath starts to get weaker...

John's eyes then suddenly shoot open, a loud gasping inhale escaping his mouth as he lunges up from his laid out position.

His eyes scramble around, trying to scan his surroundings, however he quickly realises that he's no longer at the northern gate.

He looks around a little more but then the gentle, cool breeze hits him, sending a small shiver down his spine. The area around him seems to be unending and there's a far away white light that spans all around him.

The more he looks around, the more this place seems familiar and his suspicion would be confirmed as he hears a familiar voice...

"Hello John Doe".

John whips his head around to see none other than the Angel of Prophecy, Elliyah.

"Elliyah?" John asks as he gets to his feet, "What's going on? Why am I here?".

"That is simple, you are here because I brought you here".

John looks at her with a confused face as he then asks, "Why?".

Elliyah then responds in her regular calm manner, "Because I am going to give you the help you need to defeat Imoga".

Before John can even respond, he is knocked off his feet as what appears to be a chair forms underneath him, causing him to fall onto it.

"Wait, I thought you couldn't get involved if I was about to die?".

"That is correct, however you are not dead. At this moment in time, you are merely ****".

John is confused once again, "Wait... She hit me in the chest with that... magic blast, how am I not dead?".

"You just answered your own question".

John is immediately puzzled and his face reflects that as he tries to figure out what Elliyah means. He even scans his body or more specifically, his armour. John's mind then calls back to what Lani said,

"This is the Armour of Xanvetl, The Angel of Battle".

"My armour" John mutters.

"Correct. The Armour of Xanvetl, The Angel of Battle... and my foolhardy younger brother. It was gifted to the Grand Magisters as a reward after the Great Cleanse of Necromancers. The true nature of the armour was kept hidden to all but the Magisters who knew of its great power".

"What is its power?" John hesitantly asks.

Elliyah simply smiles, "The armour holds the power to completely defend against all blood magic. As it's wearer, you may also find other benefits of the armour on your journey".

"Whoa... holy shit" John says with a chuckle at the end.

John's mind begind to race, millions of questions coming to mind but he can never decide on what to ask. Elliyah simply chuckles with that heavenly tone before saying, "John, you do remember that I can hear your thoughts? As much as I would like to answer all of your queries, i'm afraid we only have a time for a few, so please.. choose carefully".

John simply nods before trying to narrow down his questions and after a few seconds, he's decided on a few.

"Okay, what the hell am I supposed to do?! I mean, i'm literally trying to fight against someone who can bring back the dead! How can I even win?!".

Elliyah chuckles once again, "It is very simple John. You only need to use one thing... your voice".

John is back to being puzzled, "My... voice?".

Elliyah nods, "Tell me... when you listen while I speak, what do you feel?".

John thinks about it for a moment before saying, "Uhh, I guess I feel... calm... in a weird way".

"That is because of an inante evolution within all in the world itself. My brothers and sisters are worshipped and idolized by the people down there. Because of this, an angels voice... our voices.. have grown to have an effect of calm and assurance within those of whom we speak to. That mark I placed upon your arm... that is an angels gift... because of that, your voice has a similar effect, however it is weaker than ours".

"Wait, wait, wait..." John says, trying to wrap his head around this new development, "So you're saying that I can.. calm people by... talking to them?".

"Not quite" Elliyah replies, leaving John nervous about the answer.

"Your voice does have a similar effect however because you are wearing the armour, it alters it. Instead of comfort, the armour turns it into... battle prowess... every time you may suggest a plan or retreat, anything related to a battle... your voice will ring throught the commanders ears and if it doesn't directly go against their directives, they shall follow. Now, some may be more hesitant than others but every time, it is a matter of chaos and stress. The more stressed the affected may be and the more chaotic the situation, the more compliant with orders they receive but the opposite for less stressed".

John is shocked, amazed and bewildered all at once.

"Hold on..." John starts, "Are you saying that I'd be... mind-controlling them?".

Elliyah swiftly but still calmly replies,"No, no, no. It is not controlling their will. It is more a... power of suggestion. You will not **** anyone to do anything against their will. I must also add that the more gifts you obtain, the more your dormant power will be altered. Each mark will increase your ability to persuade, inspire, barter, comfort, all of these things and more because when the time comes, the people of this world will need someone who can lead them not only with a sword, but with their words and wisdom too".

This sudden flux of information takes its toll on John as he leans back in his chair, simply staring up into white nothingness as he tried to comprehend what he should do with this information.

"Uhh, okay... but how do I beat Imoga? Even if i've got this weird voice power, I don't know a damn thing about battle tactics. Whenever I played games back on Earth, I usually just ran in and tried to kill as many as I could before I died".

Elliyah gives a sly chuckle, "Do not fret, once you wake up, you may discover another benefit of having my brothers armour. As for how you will defeat Imoga, all I can say is this... when all looks bleak, look within and you will find what you seek".

John confusion continues but he's beginning to just accept it since at this very moment, he's literally talking to a fucking angel.

Elliyah then stands up while saying, "Now, it is time you head back down to the battle. They need you to lead them to victory".

Elliyah then begins to wave her hand but that's when John stops her by saying, "Wait! Before I go, I have one last question!".

Elliyah stops her hand before saying, "What is it?".

John takes a nervous breath before asking, "You said that the mark can persuade people... does that effect Kyuala, Lani and the others?".

Elliyah smiles once more, "Love is love, no power can alter, break or overcome it".

John lets out a small sigh of relief, his relationship with Kyuala being confirmed to be genuine is an incredible weight off of his shoulders. However, that would've explained Lani's recent behaviour which makes him realise that he's going to have to talk to her about that at some point.

"Do not worry John, it shall all work out in the end. Not only the battle, but your relationships as well...".

John snaps out of his thoughts, quickly remembering that Elliyah just heard everything that he thought of in that moment.

Elliyah chuckles, hearing his silent realisation before saying, "It is time you leave this place, now, go forth and save the people from this terror".

Elliyah waves her hand once more and the floor underneath John seems to vanish and he drops down, recalling back to his arrival to this strange world but this time he feels no fear.

As he falls, John begins to hear a muffled voice that seems to be almost calling him back. As he listens, the voice gets clearer and clearer.

""John? John?! Oh no... no, no, no... wake up... wake up! Please, wake up!".

John closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before his descent stops and after a few moments, he reopens his eyes to find Terra in front of him.