The Angelic Wars I - Heaven

by Andrew Gille

  “I cannot proclaim a lowly angel as The Enrauch my Lord, it is blasphemy, and it insults The Colossals, our angelic brethren and most importantly you as our highest king,” Mulciber said, looking at the floor.

  Lucifer seethed, “You will do this!” he raised his hand to strike the angel of the Order of the Virtues.

  Asmodeus stopped Lucifer, “No need for the effort if Mulciber wishes to be insubordinate and does not wish to be enlightened by the superior intelligence of angels several ranks higher than him, he can disappear in the battle of Kalos. We’ll give him a hero’s sendoff, and he’ll be a great martyr for our cause. Senciner has been angling to get onto the council and will make a suitable replacement as a representative for the Order of the Virtues. Meanwhile, our friend who takes vague religious scripture very literally here will be locked away in an Azurian Crystal with no one ever wiser, and Surely we can pad Senciner with enough information to make him the same kind of expert that Mulciber here claims to be. ”

  A smile grew across Lucifer’s face. Mulciber was clearly shook by the willingness of Lucifer’s cohorts to do this. Rage boiled up inside of him, but he changed his attitude immediately, “Now that you mention it, I can see several traits congruent between Machariel and the one referred to as The Enrauch in the Anatalian Letters. I’ll be happy to discuss this with the council and give my affirmation that this is the correct interpretation of the scripture. Machariel is truly the angel spoke of in Chapter VII of the Anatalian Letters.”

  “You are wrong about only one thing Mulicber,” Lucifer stated.

  “Whatever it is, allow me to correct it, Your Lordship,” Mulciber said as he quivered.

  “Machenrauch is the angel spoken of in the letters, and you will refer to him as such from here on,” Lucifer corrected.

  “Yes, My Lordship,” Muliciber answered.

  ###

  After a brief introduction by Lucifer highlighting his expertise and research regarding the Anatalian Letters, Mulciber addressed the council.

  “In my studies of the Anatalian Letters, which have been extensive and in which I am regarded as the foremost expert, I have arrived at the opinion that the angel known as Machariel, who sits here in our midst, fits all of the criteria of the one known as The Enrauch in Verse VIII of this most sacred scripture.”

  After Mulciber spoke these words, a fuming murmur of indignation began, it soon reached a level at which Mulciber could no longer be heard, and few were listening to his words, with no one paying attention any longer he finished, “He shall rightfully be called Machenrauch from this day forward.”

  Machenrauch sat silent, arms crossed, staring at Baal and Asteroth who now stood and shouted at Mulciber.

  “You know this is false! Where have you come up with such a corrupt interpretation!” Baal shouted at Mulciber.

  Asteroth pounded his fist on the table and pointed at Mulciber as he also shouted, “Your scholarship of these documents cannot lead you to this conclusion. Mulciber, you infidel! You profane your angelic brothers with this statement!”

  Machenrauch rose from his place at the table, Lucifer dismayed at the breakdown of decorum in his council interjected, “Silence! Machenrauch be seated!”

  Asteroth shouted now at Lucifer, “Do not profane our holy writings by calling this angel by that name! I will not stand for it!”

  Belial chided the indignant seraph, “You won’t stand because Machenrauch will knock you to the ground again, you ass.”

  Asteroth turned to Belial, “You speak to a seraph this way Cherub? I could have your existence ended with one word!”

  “You didn’t seem to fare too well against one you call a lowly angel, Asteroth, one whose supremacy you now call into question. I’m in agreement with Mulciber, this angel seems to fit all of the criteria,” Belial answered calmly, looking into the seraph’s eyes.

  “He does not!” Baal shouted at Belial, “The Enrauch is a cherub!”

  Belial now addressed Baal, “I don’t believe I’ve ever read that part, it says second highest and you saw him take down a seraph, the highest angels, before us,” “I also don’t remember how you’re an expert in the Anatalian Letters, Mulciber, on the other hand, has a rather impressive list of qualifications. You actually once said they ‘lacked credibility.’”

  “You speak blasphemy!” Baal shouted at Belial.

  “Perhaps you should take some advice from your colleague Asteroth and not talk down to your superiors, arch-angel,” Belial said mockingly to Baal.

  Lucifer felt he had lost complete control of the council as the bickering continued. Mulciber sat mute, almost an admission that he had been coerced into his conclusion. Machenrauch boiled with rage, it was only a matter of time before he again unloaded his fury on Asteroth. Lucifer feared that this time Machenrauch would trap Asteroth in an Azurian Crystal, he was good at it, and he’d had a lot of practice in Hesperides and Antares. Machenrauch was now a seasoned warrior with experience in battle, how could Lucifer stop him? The rest quarreled with each other about all of their petty differences. Idle threats were being shouted back and forth. How could he calm this situation? How was the rebellion going to continue with its leadership in this state?

  Suddenly, something akin to an explosion was heard in the council chamber of Halion Fortress, the marble table cracked, and all of the quibblings immediately stopped. Machenrauch had slammed the table with his fist, cleaving the massive marble table in half, a giant fissure split the table in two.

  “Enough!” Machenrauch exclaimed.

  The eleven angels seated at the table sat shocked at Machenrauch's power.

  “If you do not wish to believe the words of Mulciber, the foremost expert on these documents, you may contend with me. If you feel there is one superior to me in all the heavens save the Arch-Seraph standing here beside me and acknowledging my place as Enrauch, have them challenge me, and I will destroy them. They will shine in a crimson crystal in Cibolia until the end of time. I took Hesperides and Antares myself, you looked on Baal, what was your contribution to the battle at Antares? As I brought down Inamiah, high principality, and ruler of the city, you stood mouth agape, watching my flashing blade dispatch him. Did you call into question my power then? No, you stood, quivering, thanking Lucifer that you were not the one whose metal was tested that day. I saw you standing there as I trapped Inamiah in a crystal and you averted your eyes from my gaze, knowing full well that at my whim, I could do the same thing to your life essence. You question my place because you fear me and this is the only thing you can think of to diminish me and bring me down to your level. I am the second most high, and you will get on your knees before me. This argument will cease! Anyone who speaks of this ridiculous debate when it is now clear who I am will face my wrath. As the scriptures said, I will destroy the traitors and make Heaven a place of victory for angels!” Machenrauch slowly sat back in his seat at the cracked marble table, an uneasy quiet pervaded the room.

  Lucifer was the only one now still standing. He scanned the room to judge the mood. The seated participants seemed to beg for an end to the uncomfortable silence, “Yes, with I as your leader and The Enrauch, Machenrauch, second in command, nothing will stop us. Kalos will fall, and the loyalists of Os will continue to pile up in Cibolia. Now, let us discuss our battle plans for the invasion of Kalos.”

  The assembled council quietly turned and began listening as Lucifer described the plan of attack which would launch the next day.

  ***

  As the others prepared for the battle on Kalos, Lucifer was looking forward. He was assured victory, he knew this, and it was imperative that he stay a step ahead. He gazed into the night skies, and he realized that their accelerated victories had actually kept them from being late to victory. He estimated the time for the coming battles and troop movements and realized that he would make Paradisio right on schedule.

  Tonight was not only the night before the victory that would give them the power of unlimited Azurian Crystals and th
e secrets of the arcane metal Ozielian Steel. Tonight, his research was complete. He had one equation to finish, and the final battle would be as good as won.

  A calculation on the axis of Nivea and a measurement of its exact position in the solar system was all that was needed. He sat back satisfied. A power that the Heavens had never known was about to be unleashed upon them.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The Battle for Azura and Oziel City

  Michael scanned the skies for signs of the invading force. It wasn’t a question of where the rebel angels would strike next but when. Azura, efficient and clean, was home of the largest mines of the crystals, named after the city, that had first been discovered here. Lucifer now used these crystals to trap the life essence of loyalist angels who fought him. This caused great trepidation and fear in Michael’s army. Those who had attempted to stop his minion Machenrauch or got in the way had suffered this fate on Veritas which was now entirely under the control of the rebel armies. All Powers and Principalities on the planet and any other semblance of Os’ Kingdom of Heaven had been contained this way or had defected or fled to other planets. Michael had spies in the army, and they indicated that an attack on Kalos was imminent.

  He had moved 50,000 soldiers into Azura, the initial attacks on Vertias had employed a force of only 10,000 soldiers, those cities rolled over, not understanding fully what was happening to them. Now Lucifer’s forces swelled with angels who either had lost their faith in Os and believed that Lucifer would sit on the throne of heaven, those who were upset with the announcement Os had made regarding the humans and those who were scared after seeing the overwhelming victories on Veritas. Michael would ensure that taking Kalos would not be as easy. Kalos teamed with angels ready to defend the planet from an invasion. Michael had taken a calculated risk and left Paradisio mostly undefended except for its primary target The City of God. If Lucifer sent his troops across the entire habitable plane of the realm, they’d be too exhausted from exerting their warp spells to fight and would be easy targets for his legions. Lucifer could be a brash risk-taker, the entire rebellion was a reckless endeavor, but even he wouldn’t attempt to attack The City of God after taking only one of Heaven’s planets.

  Securing Kalos, the primary source of his mysterious new weapon, Azurian Crystals, was the only choice that made sense. Veritas was a good place for him to start, the farthest planet from Os himself and mainly an unprotected vacation spot, a good test for his then small forces and proof that he could take something from Os without retribution. Now, however, Lucifer needed the power of industry to continue his war against the ruler of Heaven and Kalos held those resources for him.

  Michael’s soldiers had been training nearly as long as Lucifer’s, their silver armor trimmed with royal blue highlights and steel swords had been churned out in forges on Paradisio and then Kalos after Michael had shut down production of military equipment for Lucifer’s army there, those efforts had now been moved to Veritas. Lucifer’s army was not lacking for equipment, it was estimated that over a million suits of armor and two million weapons had been created before Michael had stopped them from being produced and shipped. That these implements of war had found a use in the hundreds of thousands of recruits that Lucifer was able to impress into service or convince though his victories on Veritas.

  The inevitable call now rang out from the mountain lookout atop the central Azurian Crystal mine. Fiery streaks were seen coming across the sky. Lucifer’s forces were here. Michael rallied his troops to meet the coming rebel angels. To Michael’s misfortune, Machenrauch led the troops that attacked Azura that day.

  High above the mining operation from nearly the center of the mud brick buildings of the city, Machenrauch ordered his troops to cease their warp spells. Glints of gold could be seen in the sky as angelic wings unfurled and the rebel angels floated high above Michael’s forces. Unbeknownst to Michael and his soldiers, Machenrauch would use his new weapons against them in an aerial bombardment. Each angel circled down, gliding on his wings as they fired arrows at the soldiers on the ground. Michael screamed orders to stay on the ground, but nevertheless, a good number of his angels attempted to fly up to their enemies. These victims fared the worst when the arrows hit their unsuspecting targets.

  Pierced through their angelic wings, pristine white feathers became sprayed with blood as the arrows drove through their targets. Angels and arrows both rained down to the surface of Kalos. Many lay unconscious, riddled with projectiles as Machenrauch and his rebel angels finally landed and absorbed their life force into the real crystals mined only hundreds of meters from the battlefield.

  Machenrauch himself was the first to land, folding his wings to his back he drew his sword and the slaughter began. He cut through the troops of Michael’s army like a scythe through wheat. His supreme power was evident. Still in the sky, his archers rained arrows down on the silver-clad army of Michael as they attempted to beat back their rebel nemeses. Michael’s forces were strong and courageous, they cleaved their share of golden plated warriors, but the defeated rebels soon rose their angelic healing powers allowing them to stand again with nothing like the mysteriously modified Azurian Crystal in Michael’s arsenal, he needed to defeat them over and over. This coupled with Machenrauch’s airborne assault and the unstoppable grinder of his own blade would eventually turn the tide.

  ###

  Oziel City, shining opulence, a beauty that rivaled even The City of God was the home of the mines of Oziel Diamonds, the hardest substance in Heaven. With magical properties it could be turned into the glimmering metal Ozielian Steel, it was this which Lucifer sought to create unbreakable weapons and impenetrable armor.

  Lucifer had not embraced missile weapons outside of the spear despite the tactical advantages they had clearly afforded Machenrauch in the invasion of Hesperides and Antares. He preferred his troops to fight their enemies straight on with spear and sword. It was this way that he engaged the forces stationed in Oziel City.

  Selaphiel, the archangel, had prepared for war. Heaven’s musician, he had formerly written hymns, conducted choirs and composed music, now he turned his thoughts to battle and had spoken to angels who had been attacked in the cities of Veritas to prepare a plan. He knew that warping in, recklessly as Lucifer and his warriors had always done, made it difficult to see, and the invading forces had always chosen the largest open area in the city to land. He had placed caltrops and other debris in the city’s large plaza to discourage them from landing there. Oziel City’s Temple of Os sat atop a large hill, to the right of the entrance steps, a grassy incline dropped steeply off into a sort of valley within the city. This valley was a park and had many beautiful trees, Selaphiel had them cut down and had the trunks and branches made into caltrops and distributed the debris to any other open area in the city. The park had a large gate around it with one exit which led to a narrow corridor. Selaphiel’s preparations worked, as the blazing trails were seen in the sky, they all led straight to the bottom of the hill. The rebel angels had little time to recover from exerting themselves during their warp spells and began charging uphill toward their enemies. Shining silver warriors held fast, and it was not until the already tired rebel angels made the charge up the hill that the clash of steel was heard.

  Driving on into the onslaught of Selaphiel’s warriors, Lucifer urged them on from the rear flanks. His front lines fell to the ground as the shining silver forces of Oziel City met them with a furious defense. Even as they recovered, they were smashed back down and punished for their insolence. Golden armor stomped, bloodied, twisted as the metallic clang of swords and armor crafted in heaven’s forges was tested.

  Selaphiel’s warriors were steadfast, well trained and well equipped. Wearing heavier armor specially designed by Selaphiel, they were able to hold their line. Using Ozielian Steel tipped spearheads, they were able to pierce the armor of their enemies, and the magical properties allowed the spears to be more accurate and hit harder. Their flank protected by the column
s of the Oziel City Temple of Os, they used the grassy hill of the temple’s south side to create a gauntlet for Lucifer’s men, the golden armored soldiers ran up the steep hill and were pierced by spears and kicked back down, rolling as they went. Like a wall of iron, they stood before Lucifer’s onslaught. The rebel commander continuously ordered his soldiers up the hill only to have them sent rolling back down, beaten, bloodied and defeated. The greatest insult came when a thrown spear pierced Lucifer and pinned him to the ground, two of his lieutenants picked him up and plucked the spear from his chest, it was several minutes before he had recovered sufficiently to continue leading the battle. Many advocated retreat and cautioned that although the rebel angels were recovering and returning up the hill, Selaphiel’s wall of silver heavily armored angels with their gleaming shields emblazoned with the right-handed palm and eye of Os, continually sent their gold-clad counterparts back down the hill, bloodied, unconscious and completely drained of their life-force. The gleaming silver wall at the top of the hill yielded nothing, and Azurian Crystals were utterly ineffective against angels at full strength. The only attempts to use them accidentally absorbed the life-force of rebel angels who lay at the feet of those trying in vain, grasping at anything to defeat Selaphiel’s troops. Then from the rear flanks, Selaphiels troops began to surround Lucifer’s forces, moving down the hill from both sides of the wall of soldiers.

  ###

  Back in Azura, the situation for the loyalist angels was much different. Scattered and torn apart by continuous fire from Machenrauch’s archers, silver armor lay on the battlefield, bloody, pierced with holes, shredded and empty of their owners. Methodically advancing forward, never breaking formation, they crushed their foes as the archers picked apart Michael’s lines. Angels lying on the street were almost instantly collected into Azurian Crystals which just as quickly disappeared as they were handed off to couriers who received them for the journey to Cibolia.