Enmity

by Paul J Fowler

  Book of Giants

  (Dead Sea Scrolls)

  “The sins of the Watchers have exceeded their previous bounds. We viewed horrors in the Land of the Giants previously unseen. Our losses have been crippling to our people. I buried three sons there, and three of our people’s daughters. Seth and I could not save those we loved, and our dreams are haunted by the evil we saw there...”

  The Testimony of Adam and Eve

  Recorded and stored in the Vault of Records in Har Shalem

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Miscalculation at the Quarry

  As Seth’s feet made the tenth step downhill, his keen mind raced with several thoughts. Hiding on the plateau behind him, Adam was positioned to his left, preparing to move downhill to intercept the giants. Dinak and Jathan, with Seepha, were to his right, ready to act as well. The twins were behind him, prepared to unleash their deadly arrows. Before his eleventh step landed, Seth completed his mental checklist, and for a split second, his mind was taken by the beauty of the surroundings.

  The mountains were rugged but beautiful. Lush with water, the vegetation was green and vivid. Healthy trees gathered in clusters up and down the hills. Seth knew they were close to the springs and close to Hermon itself. The surroundings’ beauty had only one aberration – the gaping hole in the mountainside made by two grotesque members of a species that should not even exist.

  Seth had taken a running start from several paces behind the crest of the hill, enabling him to reach full speed for his trek downhill. His mind raced as fast as his feet, and he mentally rehearsed which target he would attack and from what range. Three flight-capable enemies needed to be incapacitated or killed to prevent any attempt at escape and reinforcement. Eliminating them quickly was paramount, their party was too small for a substantial engagement deep within enemy territory.

  Seth’s mind quickly returned to his targets. The Fallen were engaged in their work; at his twelfth step, they were still oblivious to him. His plan predicated that they would choose to fight and not flee. Their pride would not allow them to bolt before a single attacker.

  At the fifteenth step, the Fallen saw him. Seth knew they were far too shrewd to be confused for long. The winged angels dropped their trumpets and began to draw weapons. The massive floating slab shook for a moment then fell abruptly with a crash. The dark-clad, wingless fallen started moving away from the group as Seth expected him to. Before he returned his full attention to his winged targets, Seth realized a potential miscalculation.

  Seth’s final glance at the dark-clad Fallen as he backed away from his winged companions left him concerned. Seth had deemed the winged Fallen to be of lesser rank than those who had ventured to Har Shalem, similar but less powerful. He initially assumed the single, wingless angel to be their subordinate. The tall, darker clothed Fallen bore a devious and cruel expression, exuding confidence even as he retreated. Closer now, Seth realized he may have indeed miscalculated the threat he assigned to Dinak and Jathan. Nevertheless, it was too late to change a plan in motion. Seth would have to eliminate the winged combatants, with Loran and Lethan’s help, and trust that Dinak and Jathan would rise to meet their assigned task.

  Two winged angels were in front of the massive stone, one behind it. Before his eighteenth step landed, the first arrows hit their target. Two white-crested shafts suddenly appeared in the Fallen to his left, each struck the chest within two-fingers width of the other. Seth hurled his right javelin at the same angel, forcefully piercing his abdomen. The Fallen dropped his weapon and gripped the shaft of the spear. As he did, two more arrows pierced his chest. The angel’s wings beat slowly and weakly, unable to achieve flight.

  Still running, Seth took another stride and released his left javelin toward the creature on his right. This Fallen had also been struck by an arrow and wisely concluded there was more threat to be seen than just one warrior. A rush of its mighty wings lifted the creature off its feet as Seth’s javelin struck him in his side. The angel dipped slightly in the air, involuntarily pausing to grip the spear that pierced him. Two more arrows suddenly appeared in its shoulder near its neck. Barely airborne, it turned away to flee eastward. Then Seth was upon him.

  Seth pulled one sword from the sheath on his back. Leaping into the air, he swung his sword high and downward, shearing off a large section of the Fallen’s left-wing. The angel did not cry out in pain but hissed angrily at Seth as it crashed into the loose, brown soil. As he closed upon the winged creature from behind, another sweeping cut disabled the right-wing.

  “Damn you, Adam...” the winged angel cried out in desperation.

  He died before he could finish his insult.

  Seth reversed the grip on his sword, point down towards the earth, and drove his blade through the Fallen’s spine behind his skull. The hissing ended abruptly. Seth left the blade in place, fearing a few crucial seconds to withdraw it would hinder his efforts to eliminate the third angel.

  The remaining Fallen made good use of the massive, rectangular limestone, using it for cover to avoid arrows coming from the hill above. Seth could see it peer cautiously and quickly over the boulder, then swiftly duck down again.

  Seth waved his hand to signal the twins. At his signal, they began moving downhill, ceasing their volleys so Seth could engage the creature without fear of being struck. As he leaped atop the massive limestone slab, Seth heard the rush of wings. The Fallen cleverly raced along the length of the limestone boulder, picking up speed almost level with the ground. Fearing its escape, Adam’s son moved quickly. Seth sprinted swiftly along the length of the stone and jumped on the Fallen as it attempted to gain altitude, driving his knee into its back and forcing it face down into the earth.

  Seth drew a thorn from his armguard and drove it into the angel’s neck. With his left hand, he forced the struggling figure’s face into the earth and drew another thorn from his tunic with his right. A last desperate flurry of wings and struggling arms and legs caused both combatants to roll over each other. Seth lost his thorn but retained a handful of the Fallen’s hair in his left hand. Doggedly, Seth refused to lose his grip, fearing his enemy may escape and alert his brethren. Scrambling to his feet, Seth pulled back on the fallen’s hair and looped his right arm underneath the creature’s chin. Seth joined his left arm, completing his chokehold, and applied pressure. Bleeding and unable to breathe, the Fallen’s wings began to beat more slowly.

  As Seth felt his struggling enemy’s strength fade beneath him, he unexpectedly had thoughts of home. Images of Ahavva, his children, and the city walls swiftly crossed his mind. He thought of Jathan and Elyssa struggling by the river, narrowly avoiding death and abduction. A sudden surge of anger energized Seth’s strength as he quickly adjusted his hold on the Fallen. His arm swiftly slipped upwards from the Fallen’s neck. Firmly gripping the angel’s head, one sudden twist of Seth’s body produced a loud audible snap. The winged creature fell facedown, motionless, and completely silent.

  Seth looked over the boulder to see Lethan and Loran dispatch the winged Fallen that was to his left when the attack began. It never ceased to amaze Seth how a Fallen would cling to life even when mortally wounded. As Loran held the shaft of the javelin, forcing the Fallen to remain still, Lethan removed its head – his sword a blur.

  His task completed, Seth’s thoughts turned to his brother and his father.

  “Now what of Jathan and Adam?” Seth asked under his breath, his eyes searching the valley both east and west.

  The dark-clad Fallen backed away quickly as he saw the lone warrior charging downhill. The angel moved eastward and deeper into the valley as he suspected there was a more significant threat unseen. He desired to gain some distance from his companions, allow them to take the first attack while he determined the full extent of the danger. He quickly spotted the archers take a position at the crest of the hill, firing arrows at his winged associates.

  He touch
ed the thin, ornate gold circlet on his forehead with his right hand. As his fingers connected with the circlet, he began placing his thoughts into the giants’ minds as they labored across the valley from him. He grinned confidently as he pondered the Nephilim drones stomping the life from these presumptuous human enemies. After a moment, the dark-clad Fallen sensed the enormous drone’s compliance with his wishes.

  Looking about, he realized his movements had been anticipated. Two young, armed, humans and a dog were cutting off his path of escape.

  Suddenly the Fallen was gripped by another surprise. The giant’s minds were not in compliance with his. Something was blocking his directives. The hulking monsters were suddenly confused and actively refused his will.

  Angrily, the Fallen drew a long knife from his waist and faced the humans. He beamed every bit of fear he could muster at them, longing to paralyze them so he could kill them at his leisure.

  He watched the humans’ shudder as he projected his fear upon them. Even the canine whimpered in alarm. Soon it would be over.

  But the sons of Adam did not freeze or cry out in fear. Suddenly the youngest one hurled a weapon...

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Clever Seepha

  The dark-clad, wingless Fallen moved precisely as Seth predicted he would. The Fallen had not seen Dinak and Jathan, his attention was drawn to his winged companions as they were engaged by Seth. Dinak was a step ahead of Jathan as they quickly moved downhill to intercept their target. Jathan was slightly hindered by Seepha, whom he kept leashed, concerned she would not obey his verbal commands. Jathan held a javelin in his right hand, her lead in his left.

  Dinak also gripped a javelin in his right hand and a spear in his left. He regretted his performance in the Great Lion’s valley, having tumbled downhill as he attempted to catch the winged Fallen as it left the cave. After gaining his feet, he observed Jathan execute a perfect lunge with a spear. The strike was commendable, the Fallen was immobilized. He had admired Jathan’s skill and determined a spear would be a favored weapon for an Earthbound until a sword strike was preferable. He now had the opportunity to test his theory.

  They were in spear range when the dark-clad Fallen finally noticed them. It drew a weighty, long knife with its right hand. Clutching an ornate staff in its left hand, he turned to face the humans, his cold dark eyes simmering with anger. Suddenly both Dinak and Jathan felt a rush of paralyzing fear overwhelm their senses. Seepha cried out, whimpering and pulling back from Jathan.

  But both men dug deep into their souls, each remembering Adam’s words to them. Dinak thought of his father, Mahalalel, leading celebrations in the City Plaza. He thought of his mother, Dinah, and her lovely face as she kissed him goodnight when he was a child. Jathan recalled his mother’s embrace and the smell of her hair. He recalled Seepha as a puppy, and Jathan suddenly became furious that this dark creature would dare threaten them.

  Jathan threw his javelin. It was not his best effort, but the Fallen clearly did not expect the attack. The dark-clad twisted suddenly to avoid the projectile, but was too late. It tore across his shoulder, not piercing it but opening a deep cut.

  The Fallen was lean and tall, slightly taller than his human combatants. He wore boots, dark leggings, and a cloak-like tunic. His clothing was of an excellent weave. Rich, black hair framed his handsome features. The angel bore a sinister expression, which grew even darker as his anger increased. His eyes, completely black, betrayed his otherwise considerable beauty. Like most Fallen, he exuded arrogance.

  Now fully engaged, the Fallen waited for the next attack. Dinak threw his javelin. Snakelike, the Fallen freakishly whipped his body aside to dodge the projectile, which flew past him. The angel’s feet never moved, and his eyes never left the young men.

  Dinak glanced at Jathan. Both young men were surprised at how fast the creature moved, and both realized they faced an opponent more skilled than the winged angel they overcame in the valley. Dinak was undeterred though and closing quickly, lunged with his spear. Dinak astutely concluded a body strike was unwise. Recalling his father’s training, he chose another strategy. He thrust low towards the Fallen’s legs and swept his spear to his right. The Fallen cried out in pain as the spear cut deeply below his knee.

  Jathan glanced at Dinak and nodded. He lunged forward, feinting with his sword towards the angel’s chest. As the Fallen employed his staff to defend against the blow, Jathan made a swift cut to his forearm, not his body.

  The Fallen was perceptive and knew they planned to make several small cuts, hopeful he would panic, and force him to make a frantic mistake. Undeterred, the Fallen leaped forward, attacking both men with rapid sweeps of his staff, driving them back. Seepha dutifully kept place one step behind Jathan, who had dropped her leash. She barked angrily, longing for permission to attack.

  The dark-clad swiftly drew back, glaring angrily. It sheathed its long knife abruptly and touched its temple with two fingers from his right hand. It closed its eyes, smiled arrogantly, and instantly disappeared.

  Gone from sight.

  Invisible...teleported? Neither Jathan nor Dinak could be sure.

  Dinak glanced at Jathan, who returned his surprised expression. Jathan dropped into a defensive stance, and took a step back, listening and watching intently. Seepha growled urgently. Dinak suddenly lunged forward, spearing the place where the Fallen previously stood. He felt no impact and stepped back quickly. Dinak constantly probed and swept the immediate area with his sharp spearpoint. Jathan drew closer to Dinak, sword ready, and kept himself and Seepha within the cutting, protective reach of Dinak’s longer weapon. Without words, both men moved flawlessly in tandem, Jathan following Dinak’s lead as the more experienced soldier moved unpredictably, changing stance or position as he attempted to defend against any unseen attack.

  Both men heard a footstep. The faint crunch of feet on earth.

  The men glanced again at each other, cautiously surveying the ground before them, hopeful for their next clue. Seepha growled angrily, hackles forming a savage ridge on her back, fangs bared. She was obsessed, her body tense and pointing, her eyes fixated on something. Both men looked at Seepha, then quickly again at each other with a smile.

  “Get him, Seepha!” Jathan commanded.

  Seepha shot forward like a bolt of lightning, several paces from the Fallen’s last appearance and to their right. Both men heard an angry cry. Seepha suddenly jumped back with a whimper, circled about quickly, and lunged again. Both men overheard another muffled scream and saw black blood on Seepha’s jaws. Seepha jumped back one more time, circled around again, and lunged forward. Her mouth was clamped on something unseen, which she began shaking vigorously.

  Suddenly the faint outline of a man-shaped form took shape before their eyes. Dinak moved forward, closing the distance. Jathan moved forward and called out.

  “Seepha, to me!” Jathan yelled.

  Seepha dropped her hold on what now appeared to be the Fallen’s ankle and circled back to Jathan’s side. The moment she pulled away, Dinak lunged, driving his spear forward using the strength of both his legs and arms.

  The power that the Fallen used to conceal itself was interrupted. The dark-clad angel was fully impaled by Dinak’s spear and was now completely visible. The spear entered the right abdomen and exited the Fallen’s back on his right side. The Fallen dropped his staff and grasped the shaft of the spear, pushing back against the young warrior. Dinak saw the shoulder wound from Jathan’s first javelin, he also noted lacerations on its mangled left forearm and left ankle. Seepha had performed her task admirably.

  Dinak pushed forward on the spear, then upward. He hoped to drive the beast to its knees so Jathan could deliver a deathblow. The Fallen was far from finished though, it raised its long, heavy knife and savagely hacked the shaft of the spear twice, breaking it. Dinak stumbled forward when the wood split and quickly ducked a wicked sweep of the angel’s
long knife. Dinak rose rapidly, bringing his open palm crashing upward into the angel’s arrogant grin. As Dinak pulled back to draw his sword, the dark-clad kicked out with brutal speed. Dinak avoided the worst of the blow but tumbled backward from its force.

  The angel attempted to follow up with another attack on Dinak but could not, because suddenly the Fallen was struck again on his ankle, a snarling blur of fur and teeth that was shaking him violently. As the dark-clad raised his knife arm to kill the dog, Jathan lunged forward. Adam’s son attacked the moment the black eyes turned towards Seepha, striking the dark-clad angel on the face with the buckler in his left hand. As the Fallen wavered, Jathan’s sword cut quickly, shearing through flesh to the bone on the Fallen’s knife arm. Dropping the knife and hissing angrily, the creature lashed out wildly at Jathan. Adam’s son stepped back, calling Seepha to him.

  Dinak was back on his feet, sword drawn. Jathan and Seepha regrouped with him. Forming a semi-circle, they slowly stalked the Fallen, who hissed at them while backing away cautiously. Dinak and Jathan were again mindful of each other’s movements, each looking to create an opportunity to strike themselves or create an opening the other could exploit.

  Bleeding from several places, the Fallen was, remarkably, still on its feet. It screamed in defiance and drew the point of the spear out of its back. Holding the short piece of the spear in his left hand, it arrogantly called the young men forward with a gesture from his right.

  The Fallen did not have to wait long.

  Dinak feinted first, provoking a wild swing from the spear point on the left. Jathan gripped his sword in both hands and reversed his grip, point down. Jathan attacked low on the Fallen’s right when he saw his opening, lunging past the monster while cutting across the Fallen’s mid-section. Then Jathan stabbed backward, piercing the angel’s lower back, leaving the sword in place as he swiftly rolled away. The dark-clad twisted towards Jathan, hissing in pain.