The Angelic Wars I - Heaven

by Andrew Gille

  “It shall be so Lucifer,” boomed the voice of Os.

  All angels heard the exchange. Machenrauch laid down his weapons, as the Elysian Seraphim ceased to fight him. His elation could not be contained. Now was his chance to solidify himself as a hero of the battle of Paradisio. He nearly cheered in anticipation. Surely Michael would be their champion, and Machenrauch would wipe him out again. Then he would finally have the chance to face Shalos, Entera, and Os himself. Only a few small steps separated them from total victory.

  Machenrauch flew out of Elysian Palace to Lucifer. He met the arch seraph standing amongst a group of soldiers on the charred hill that led up to Elysian Palace, smoke still rose from the burning remains of Elysian Palace. The soldiers parted to allow the supreme commander of their forces to land.

  “Wise work to force Os into this duel Lucifer, of course, I will be the champion, and when I easily defeat Michael, our battle for heaven will be won. Thank you, My Lord, for having faith in me to bring us victory.”

  “I will face Michael in the final duel Machenrauch,” Satan did not look at him and instead gazed out on the kingdom that he was sure would soon be his.

  “Why will you be our champion? You know they will choose Michael. I’ve already bested Michael once, you will not have the glory and honor of defeating him to win the war!”

  “I am the most powerful angel in all of heaven, when you see how easily I conquer Michael, you will bow down to me and allow me my righteous place on the throne. We also save ourselves the difficulty of the politics of assimilating the loyal angels into our kingdom. Were we to take the throne violently some may see us as less legitimate rulers. Os will not go back on his word when they see we’ve defeated him according to a set of rules he’s agreed to and he voluntarily steps down we will assume our new leadership roles much more smoothly.”

  Machenrauch was incensed at the cowardice of Lucifer, but he held his rage back. Suddenly he realized that Michael was a formidable opponent. If he allowed Lucifer to fight Michael, he saved his own strength and could not only kill Lucifer after he’d been weakened by Michael, but he would have the power left for a battle with Os. Once Lucifer and Os were out of the way, everyone would bow to him out of sheer terror and respect. Then he could turn his attention to Os’s creation with impunity, surely Os would otherwise want to negotiate restrictions that would save his precious creation from the pain and suffering of the slavery Machenrauch intended.

  “You are the most powerful Lord Lucifer, you must face Michael, I will give you my Ozielian Steel sword,” Machenrauch handed Lucifer his shimmering obsidian sword which Lucifer took in his hands.

  Lucifer strode through the smoldering wreckage, arrogant, nodding at the chorus of cheers from his rebel army as they let him pass. Carrying Machenrauch’s unbreakable sword, he knew that this would be the final duel before he would take the throne.

  Michael stood before the gates of Os’s palace awaiting his foe. He could hear the cheers of the rebel angels growing louder as Lucifer approached. He bent down to one knee with his right hand on his sword hilt and prayed to the Lord for strength during the duel. The other loyal angels in the crowd did not cheer or yell but followed Michael’s lead and bowed down to silently pray for his victory.

  The crowd opened up, and Michael looked Lucifer in the eyes, they were no longer the eyes of an angel of Os’s creation but the hardened eyes of something else, something void of the goodness of Os. Michael knew he could not lose this battle. Both combatants now drew their Ozielian Steel swords, glints of diamond caught the light as both faced each other in their obsidian armor.

  Lucifer began to speak, “Michael…”

  Whatever speech he had planned was cut short by Michael’s attack, he swung his sword at the rebel angel, and Lucifer’s black sword met Michael’s in a deafening clang. Lucifer smiled as he blocked strike after strike from the archangel’s shimmering sword. The swords hummed through the air as they met each other again and again, deadly blows deflected, diamond flecked sparks showering off their Ozielian Steel blades.

  The rebel angels covered the blackened ground with their massive numbers, shouts, and chants of victory could be heard thundering through the city. The clash of metal was the only thing that could be heard above their pompous cheers. Whether through the superstition of the Anatalian Letters or by the reputation he earned at Virgos, all angels knew that Lucifer was a more powerful angel and now victory was assured.

  A pause in the fray as both combatants clashed swords in an exceptionally violent parry. The force threw them both back, Lucifer landing in the arms of his ardently supportive troops. He grabbed the sword from the scabbard of the angel who had caught him and now came at Michael duel wielding.

  Michael’s swordsmanship was tested by the rebel angel as double the number of attacks came at him. Michael rolled to Lucifer’s right as he dodged an attack before him stood Sathariel. Sathariel shouted an insult at Michael, busy doing this he did not notice Michael relieve him of the scabbard of his sword. He protested and attempted to attack Michael for this, but Michael kicked him in the center of the chest and sent him far back into the crowd.

  Now both combatants wielded two swords, they came at each other again with fury and speed. Lucifer’s left-handed blade nearly grazed Michael in the cheek but the attack left him off balance and Michael used this to kick his leg and send him sprawling to the ground.

  From the ashes of The City of God, Michael suddenly found new arcane powers within himself. Blue fire shot from his eyes igniting his swords with a blue flame. As Lucifer picked himself off the ground, he faced Michael’s onslaught, fiery blue flaming swords coming at him. Lucifer counterattacked and took advantage of Michael’s momentum to send him flying into the crowd of angry rebel angels. As the rebels stomped at the archangel, he took the opportunity to make them pay for their insolence cutting all of them in half with the flaming blue swords.

  While Michael was predisposed in the crowd, Lucifer realized that Michael had arcane knowledge telepathically sent. He recognized the spell that Michael had been taught, he needed only remember one verse of the incantation, suddenly he recalled the words that only a few seconds earlier had escaped him, yes that was it! He chanted a few words of angelic script. Green flame shot from his hands igniting the blades of his swords. As Michael hacked his way out of the crowd, he saw Lucifer standing before him, brandishing the two fiery swords.

  The came at each other again, metal ringing as the screech of their blades cutting through the air was now the crackle of magic flames as all four swords blurred into a blue and green show of light in the setting golden sun.

  Another loud cheer went up from the rebel angels as they shouted encouragement to their leader. Machenrauch himself stood on a balcony above the battle sizing up both combatants. He had defeated Michael soundly and quickly, he knew now that he was the most powerful angel in heaven. Looking at both angel’s swordsmanship, he could also tell that Lucifer was the more skilled warrior. It was only a matter of time before a mistake or exhaustion meant the end of the archangel Michael. Machenrauch weighed his options carefully as he watched the duel. How would he defeat Lucifer to ensure he received the glory and honor of toppling Os from his throne? Several schemes unfolded in his head as he began thinking about the invasion and enslavement of Earth and man as well.

  However, when he looked upon the battle, he saw only what he most wanted to see, for Michael was indeed the most skilled and mighty angel. Lucifer erred awkwardly attacking Michael with both blades at once. This allowed Michael to kick him in the leg sending Lucifer bowing before him with his left sword up and his right sword crossed in front of him touching the ground. The green flames burned his right hand causing him pain, he dropped the flaming sword as Michael came down crossing his body in an arc. The fiery blue flame burned angelic flesh as the divine blade cut through the limb like it was made of dried mud. The rebel angel was relieved of his right hand and arm at mid-forearm. His hand and arm lay in the st
reet still gripping the sword as the green flame died out.

  Lucifer screamed in pain as he stood again to face the archangel. He swatted at Michael wildly with the left blade. His uncoordinated attack was easy for the archangel to parry. Michael swung low at the rebel angel’s legs. The attack was blocked, but Michael’s sword touched Lucifer’s left leg searing the flesh with the flaming blade. Michael drew the sword back, slicing into the leg burning Lucifer further and cutting halfway through his leg. The leader of the rebel angels once again fell to his knees. He held his sword up as Michael rained down attacks upon him, but he could not withstand the onslaught. Michael connected his blade with the kneeling angel’s shoulder and sliced his left arm completely off at the shoulder. Lucifer screamed, kneeling in the street, with only half his right limb to defend himself.

  Michael threw down his swords. The blue flames flickered then ceased as they lay in the street. He approached the rebel lord grabbing him by the collar and issuing one word.

  “Repent.”

  The pride and arrogance of the rebel leader would not allow him to acquiesce to the lord now. His choice was destruction rather than to accept Os’ forgiveness.

  “Do not relent to the weak followers of this weak god! Let all the angels in heaven know that we will be victorious, stay with me and we will defeat your creator and make him pay for his transgressions against us! Stay loyal to him, and you will become a slave to him and his love for man!” Lucifer shouted to his army who had grown silent.

  Michael kicked the golden armored limbless angel in the chest, he fell back onto the pavement. Michael brought up his leg and brought his foot down on the neck of the rebel angel. In the silence that pervaded the kingdom of heaven, all could hear the echoing crack of Lucifer’s neck. He lay still and said nothing on the pavement of Zion City, blood began pouring out of his mouth in a growing pool the seeped through the cracks of the street.

  Michael’s shoulders heaved as he tried to catch his breath from the battle. No shouts of celebration erupted, no loyal angels raised their hands in victory, for they, like Michael, knew the tragedy that had befallen them. Lucifer was the greatest of them, and now he lay incapacitated on the ground. His pride and ambition had led him down a dark path that had led to his destruction. Michael looked down, saddened by the descent of this great angel into arrogance and hate.

  The silence was broken by a thunderous voice. The booming voice of Os echoed forth through all of the worlds of Heaven.

  “Those that have raised swords against me and against my heavenly army, ye may believe that I shall destroy thee. Ye may think your destruction inevitable. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

  Then from the quiet that had settled over the battlefield came a metallic crash as Raamiel fell to his knees. No longer could he stand in defiance of his father, the one true Lord, Os the Creator.

  “Forgive me, father,” he begged on his knees.

  Machenrauch seethed with anger, he had so easily defeated Michael and now because Lucifer was soft, he saw his dominance of heaven slipping away and Raamiel, cowardly and fearful, had now surrendered. No, he would not bow to a weak and unappreciative ruler. He would lead a last attack into the palace and strip Os from the throne. He leaped from the crowd and shouted to his warriors.

  “Do not listen to the ruse of the slayer of Temerian! He has grown weak, and we are stronger! Stay with me and rise up against him!” He pointed at Michael, “I have defeated his champion, he is too cowardly to face us himself, he knows he will be beaten! Come with me, denounce him and bring his palace to the ground!”

  A loud cheer went up from the crowd. Michael heard them all cheering for his defeat, yet he knew Machenrauch was wrong, he knew that faith in Os, Shalos, and Entera was the righteous path. Michael would not denounce Os, he could not rightfully do so standing in the smoldering remains of this once great city. He would stand and defend the palace from the onslaught.

  Michael stood before the gates as a million rebel angels came at him. He picked up his swords as the loyal angels stood in disbelief. Michael had no way to rally his troops, he alone was the only defender of the gates of heaven’s palace. Machenrauch picked the Ozielian Steel sword from Lucifer’s severed arm as he ran at Michael. Exhausted from the battle with Lucifer, Michael prepared to face Machenrauch once again, he prayed a silent prayer as the lowly angel flew at him, Ozielian Steel sword raised.

  Then from behind him, he felt the warmth of white blinding light. From the lowered gate, a beam brighter than heaven’s golden sun blinded all of the rebel angels who ran forward in the attack. It brought Michael to his knees, he kept his back turned and hid his face from the incredible radiance.

  From the scarred facade a figure emerged. In brilliant white armor holding a sword that shone with the power of a sun, he stepped from the rubble. Michael kept his hands over his face as Shalos now revealed in his pure form walked past him, he touched Michael’s back as he strode toward the rebel angels. Instantly all of Michael’s wounds were healed, and he no longer breathed heavily, nor feared the onslaught of the rebel angels.

  Shalos approached Lucifer’s body, the rebel leader had regained enough strength to move and crawled away from the light. The final thing Lucifer saw on Heaven was Entera chanting angelic verse and a door in the sky opening. In one motion the armored Shalos picked him up and hurled him into the sky, his screams went unheard as he flew headlong upward so fast that his body glowed red hot and a smoke trail followed his path.

  Machenrauch, blinded, continued on, screaming to his soldiers to continue the fight. Many lay dazed in the streets, but a wave of rebel angels met the Shalos they had never before seen, Shalos the God, the son of Os who now revealed his brilliance and cast his light upon the darkness. They too were flung high, burning as they accelerated, black trails behind them. Machenrauch screamed as he swatted the Ozielian Steel sword at the blinding figure. The figure’s blazing sword came down upon him and shattered the Ozielian Steel sword like glass. He now held Machenrauch’s face in his hands, forcing him to look him in the eyes. Machenrauch screamed in terror, he held the powerful rebel angel over his head with one hand, pausing, letting the rest see his power over their arrogance. Then Machenrauch too joined his brethren streaking into the sky, burning from the sheer velocity.

  As Michael looked up, he saw waves of the rebel angels lifted into the sky, propelled at amazing speed off of Paradisio. The screams of the rebel angels were louder than their cheers previously. The twisting, churning bodies were thrown into the air from where they stood and converged into a single stream high above the city. A seeming tornado of black smoke rose into the heavenly sky as the rebel armies were launched with incredible speed, screaming, burning, suffering.

  Then, Raamiel was the only remnant of the army of rebel angels, he sheepishly looked around, relieved to still be standing in the remains of The City of God, then fell to his knees in his golden armor and wept.

  Shalos stood in the middle of the street. Those remaining were no longer blinded by his brilliance as he returned to his more familiar form. They approached him and bowed before him. He lay his hand upon Michael, the supreme and strongest of all angels, victorious in the face of powerful evil, he had faced down the threat to heaven and protected it from this great menace. Michael wept, in awe of the all-powerful being who stood before him. He bowed his head as the figure spoke.

  “I the Lord your God deliver thee from the wicked and reward thee who stood faithfully in the face evil and the fear of defeat. Now all of thee who stood beside me shall have a place at the banquet. Goodness and love will follow you for all of your days now, and you shall live in the house of the Lord forever.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Aftermath

  Fiery, streaking down out of the sky, then the last of them fell, hurled headlong, down to bottomless perdition.

  He saw four planets, race past as he fell, then out of the blackness of this unfamiliar cosmos, a blackened wor
ld emerged, massive oceans of magma gave off the only light as the cracked obsidian surface absorbed the rays of the crimson sun. The planet was black, charred and burned by a giant red sun baking it’s obsidian surface. Waves of burning hot magma lapped the shores in a massive ocean of fire. Rivers of lava flowed from this sea of fire through cracks in the blackened surface. Storms of hot wind forked lightning from black clouds in the reddened sky sending shards of sharp metal blasting through the air and raining acid in sheets that sizzled upon their impact with the surface.

  What appeared as one fiery asteroid, burning black smoke trail behind it, streaked out of the sky and impacted the surface. It was soon followed by several more and for many hours streaking balls of fire rained down, black trails marking their trajectory. Much like heaven, this world had stars, planets and a solar system, but it was as unlike Heaven in every other aspect.

  The rebel angels had fallen. Fallen into an entirely new realm. From here there was no path back to heaven if one could travel to every star in the orange smoggy sky one would not find Os or anything pleasant, this entire universe was made to cause pain and suffering. Their tortuous journey, burning as they accelerated through the portal that Shalos and Entera had opened in the skies of Paradise, had lasted only a few moments but this plane was as far from heaven as Os could have sent them. Devoid of anything pleasant or good, Os was not present here.

  Upon impact with the charred surface, the fallen were driven deep into the ground, some continued their fall through a massive cascade of magma that went down for miles. Some came to rest in gigantic caverns. Some found themselves plunged into the ocean of fire which would soon be known as the Stygian Molten Sea.