by Tim Hawken
“It’s over,” I said in brief explanation. “He’s gone. Come back out and close the doors. Marlowe, please go in and keep guard over our mortal shells. We’ll need them very soon.”
My friends all snapped unquestioningly to obey my command. They came out onto the balcony with me. I drew Charlotte to my side in the same position as before.
I looked down to see the majority of the souls on the lawn were now awake and in a state of panic. Some looked to the sky, others around at each other for signs of destruction. Germaine was looking around wildly, still confused at how fast everything had stopped. The Pure Seven were on the ground, all bleeding from torn wings and burnt skin. They whimpered as they healed. It was a paranoid state of Bedlam I had to cut off.
“Friends!” I yelled out to everyone present, letting the confident tone of my voice carry all the way to the city. “We have one won our first battle!”
The looks of fearful bewilderment on the faces of my people turned slowly to each other, questioning, then up again to me for answers.
“Asmodeus was here but we turned him back!” I boomed, hoping the announcement would be greeted with cheers.
The crowd remained mute, unsure how to react.
Germaine saw what I was trying to do and let out a rallying cheer in his myriad voices. The effect spread out like wildfire. Everyone started clapping and shouting in celebration, their reluctance forgotten. I nodded to Germaine subtly in thanks before continuing.
“What that deceiver tried to do here was an act of terror,” I yelled. “He wanted to instill fear in your hearts and doubt in your minds, but he failed. We will take control of our own destiny. We will not bargain with evil. It is total freedom or nothing!”
Again, rapturous shouts of triumph clamored through the gathering. Their determination was also mixed with anger. Anger at what had happened. The situation was ripe to burst. I motioned for Germaine to rise back up to the balcony. Using his abilities, he lifted off the ground and cast a purple light to draw attention to the movement. The crowd roared at the display, shouting support for the one who had taken the leap to defend his leader from insurrection. He had survived taking on Asmodeus! Part of me was furious that he had gone against my wishes, but his actions had meant Asmodeus had been forced to show his true colors, before he could sow further seeds of dissent amongst the people. Germaine had helped by acting independently of my will.
The Pure Seven also pushed off from the lawn and spread their battered wings in flight. I could tell they needed longer to heal, but they at least had the strength to reach the roof, where they resumed their posts above us. As they touched down, Germaine settled back into his rank beside me. I raised his hand in the air in victory. The people below called up with enthusiastic congratulations. Touching Germaine’s skin was like touching a live wire. His body was virtually crackling with energy.
“This is what the courageous look like.” I yelled.
The crowd responded by raising their arms as well, screaming their support. While they were cheering, I quickly looked at Germaine. Peering into his eyes I saw a murk of clouds starting to bleed towards the irises. I reached up and put my hand on his face. He tried to shake away but I held fast, drawing what I knew was the problem out of his body. The Jewel of Blood wept its plasma out of his skin and into my palm. I let it solidify. My friend slumped backward, but I held him up with the elements, pushing healing into him as I turned back to the crowd. I put the Jewel back into my pocket.
“We must all have the bravery to meet our enemies the best way we know how!”
The masses responded, seemingly not to have noticed what I had done to Germaine. I pressed on.
“If Asmodeus didn’t realize that we have more than one elemental on our side, he does now. It will chill him to the marrow.”
Continued shouts and claps rose upward in response. It was clear they now felt we had the upper hand.
“You have shown your support for me as well,” I went on. “By refusing to turn away from your own personal desires for the eternal gain of everyone, you have shown your true allegiance. You are the legions. You are the army. You are the warriors who will end this reign of tyranny!”
I hadn’t thought the noise below could get any louder, but the cries of fevered devotion struck a new pitch. I hoped Asmodeus could hear it and it shook him to the core. He had left quickly, without really trying to fight, but we had manufactured a façade of strength from his actions. I would milk his mistake of fast retreat for all it was worth. There would always be repercussions from his appearance, as emotion settled and there was time for questions, but the chance to dampen the force of those questions was now. I waited for the crowd’s cries to die down before I finished my sermon the way I had intended from the beginning.
“You all know your mission,” I said, with authority. “Your path is clearer than it has ever been in history. You have each been appointed a worthy general to lead you towards that fate. Your sins are your guide. Now go forth and spread the word to those who might not have heard. We are at war. We are united. Celebrate, as only you know how. We begin to prepare our forces in three days.”
With that, I turned and left the balcony. The cheers followed me inside, while I waited for the rest of my companions to gather behind me in the castle. I shut the doors and, along with them, the cacophony of hellish rejoicing from the Great Lawn.
Marlowe was steady at his post: a true soldier. The others, including the Pure Seven, had all entered and were watching me. I pulled Germaine toward me and then lowered him to the ground. He looked up at me with relief and closed his eyes with exhaustion.
“This was not a victory,” I said to them steadily, looking up from Germaine. “We have salvaged what could have been a disaster, thanks to your combined faith in our cause, but we won no ground.”
I laid Germaine down on the floor and his chest heaved as he fell into a deep healing sleep. I was glad I had caught him when I did. The power of the Jewel of Blood he had ingested had almost overwhelmed his mind. I wondered if this changed things for our resurrection to Earth. I continued to flood repairing elements into him, as I stood again to look at my friends. They were waiting for the next step.
“Gather your thoughts on what you experienced in the last hour. Be prepared to tell me the brutal truth of what you felt emotionally at each turn,” I said to them. “We’ll meet soon in the War Rooms. First, I need to get out of this ridiculous jacket.”
TWO
I LEFT GERMAINE IN MARLOWE’S CARE, knowing he wouldn’t wake for a few hours. I had wanted to heal the Pure Seven also, but they refused, saying the pain they felt was a reminder of the enemy they would face again. They enjoyed the searing burns of Heaven’s fire on their skin. I held off from asking questions about the other angels who had come with Moloch. There would be time enough for that once we’d been able to process what had happened. Smithy and Clytemnestra would ensure everyone was gathered in the War Rooms at the appropriate time.
I walked back upstairs towards our bedroom with Charlotte and Mary. I needed them both with me now, because I suspected Asmodeus had succeeded in seeding some uncertainty beyond his open words. These two would be the most honest with me.
We entered my chamber and I slid the black military coat from my shoulders. I turned and pressed it into Charlotte’s hands.
“Thank you,” I said and kissed her quickly so as not to draw a negative response from Mary.
She nodded silently. I could feel she was holding back tears.
“Everything’s okay.” I stroked her cheek. “We will always have to deal with the unknown. We now need to understand what really happened today. I’m concerned there is more to Asmodeus’ visit than we yet know.”
I paused, watching both of them. Mary looked grim, clenching her jaws in determined strength. I beckoned for them to sit. They each took a place on an opposite edge of the bed, sitting apart from each other. I paced in front of them, explaining to Charlotte with as much detail as I could abo
ut what had happened once I had sent her and the others inside. I spoke of Asmodeus’ offer for a treaty and of his offer to Mary and Clytemnestra of power for betrayal. The details of the actual battle were still chaotic in my mind. The seven angels. Moloch. Asmodeus’ withdrawal into the storm before any real fight.
“My biggest concern is his use of emotional elements. The effort may have bolstered his attempt at making us all doubt our cause,” I said. “Could you feel it from inside?”
Charlotte nodded slowly and tears started to fall quietly. She was still wearing her black silk dress. The striking power of its beauty looked strange on someone who now looked so vulnerable.
“I didn’t know what it was, but I could hear all his words,” she said clearly, despite her tears. “They made me feel like we could never beat him. I started to think maybe we should just let The Guilt disappear and be happy. I was afraid that if he fought you, you would lose.”
She started to sob. I went to her side and laid my hand on her shoulder, before hugging her close to me.
“You know I would never let that happen, don’t you?” I said gently.
“I know, but there’s more,” she said, lifting her head to meet my gaze. “Worst of all, I started to doubt you.” Her tears increased. “A deep feeling kept asking: why did he send me inside? Does he think I’m weak?”
I sucked in sharply, wanting to reassure her, but she continued.
“I wondered why Mary was allowed to stay out there with you. Do you trust her more? Do you secretly love her? She is more beautiful and confident than I am.”
Mary’s snorted her disdain at the words and I shot her an angry look. I knelt down and took Lotte by her hands.
“You know you are everything to me,” I said, searching into her eyes to make sure she was hearing my words. “I fear losing you, that’s why I try to protect you. I know you’re not weak, but I’m afraid I’m not strong enough to keep you with me. I couldn’t bear to lose you again.” I looked across to Mary and hoped my next words would not hurt her.
“Mary is my friend. Of course I trust her, but you are the only one I could ever truly love as my partner. There is no other and never will be.”
I squeezed her hands and let my nose rest upon hers. I felt her tears against my cheeks. Her breath was hot against my lips and I wanted to kiss her deeply, but there was no time to linger in her arms. I stood up.
“Mary,” I said softly. She was looking down at her hands, picking at her nails furiously. “Mary,” I said louder. “What about you? What are your doubts? We have to voice them so they don’t take a hold of us.”
She looked up at me with steely eyes.
“They are not doubts if they are real,” she said, standing abruptly.
I took a step forward to comfort her, but she brushed my hand away and walked towards the door.
“I have no illusions about our relationship, Michael,” she said. “But when the real battle comes, you cannot be looking over your shoulder at Charlotte. You’re going to have to let everything and everyone go if you have a shred of a chance at defeating him. Nothing else matters.”
Before I could reply, she turned and left, slamming the door. I started to go after her, but Charlotte grabbed my arm.
“Let her go,” Charlotte said, keeping her voice soft but firm. “Trust me. She just needs some time with her thoughts.”
“That’s exactly what I’m worried about,” I said, but instead of leaving I stayed. There would be enough time to make things right with Mary. I just didn’t know how I was supposed to do it.
THREE
THE COUNCIL WERE ALL READY AND WAITING in the War Rooms. Mary was the only notable absence. Smithy stirred his large pot of tea. Marax and Clytemnestra were seated together, waiting patiently. Marlowe had brought in Germaine’s sleeping form and had him laid out in a corner of the room. It reminded me of how inert he had been at The Perceptionist’s for centuries. He would come back to us soon enough this time: this was just sleep. The Pure Seven were carrying in the mortal bodies, which I hoped would still be used for our pending resurrection to Earth. They were perfectly intact and surrounded by cool air to keep them fresh and ready. The evil angels arranged the bodies side-by-side along the table top. Our war room now looked more like a morgue. I clenched my fists, resolute. The events of the day had only made me more determined to stick with our plan. We couldn’t sit by and just wait for Asmodeus to attack us again. I had to remain on the front foot, not shrink away as I was sure he wanted.
Charlotte and I both sat, as always taking random seats around the table, rather than the head thrones. The others saw that we were getting settled and came to attention. Smithy continued to look around, waiting for our final guest.
“We will start without Mary,” I said. “She already knows the crux of the problem we face.”
Everyone fell silent and listened intently.
“Asmodeus came here to see if he could create divisions between us,” I began.
“Divide and conquer,” Smithy said wisely from his seat. “It’s one of the oldest techniques of war.”
“And he is the master of it,” I replied. “He used not only words, but his ability to manipulate emotion. I’m sure you all felt it, as did I. It was an elemental manipulation to make us feel uncertainty and embed it in our hearts. Charlotte has said she felt doubt in my love for her. Mary wondered if I had the focus needed to defeat Asmodeus. I’m sure you’re all feeling similar uncertainties after his ploy.”
The nods around the table were at once a blow to my heart, but also encouragement that they were all still truthful. If we knew what the problem was, we could overcome it.
“Tell me then,” I said. “What are your deepest concerns?”
Not one eye came up to meet mine. Everyone sat, with their heads down, not even looking at each other. The silence was heavy. I stood up.
“I’m afraid we can’t win,” I said, honestly. They all looked up in surprise. “I’m afraid that he is too strong for me and, if I fail, you will all be punished for it.”
Again I was met with silence.
“But I own my fear,” I continued. “I think it’s constructive. I will never be complacent. I will never underestimate what we’re facing. That is our advantage. Asmodeus is so used to victory and control that he may just slip. We can turn our fears and doubts into a tool to make us work harder.”
Smithy placed his cup down to rest on the table. The spoon inside it tingled on the porcelain and made everyone look his way.
“I’m afraid of war,” he said. “I fear that, even when we bring down the physical barriers, the symbolic divisions will still stand. Those in Heaven think they have earned their right to be in Paradise while others suffer. They will never accept a world where those who have sinned are not punished. I’m not even sure I like that idea. What ever happened to the concept of justice, where evil deeds are held to account? If there is no Hell, what happens then? Do people simply get away with doing bad things in life?”
I heard his words and the enormity of them struck me. We were hoping to rearrange a universe which had been built for a reason. From our side, down in the fire and guilt, it always felt as though we had the raw end of the deal. But we were far from innocent. Those in Heaven had led good lives. Yet, who was the judge of good and bad? One being who had selfish intentions? I had seen enough to know that not everyone here deserved eternal anguish. Smithy himself was a noble soul. Why should he suffer forever and ever? Charlotte certainly shouldn’t be here. Her only crime was to love me. It seemed punishment from an “objective” stance failed to take account of the context behind the deeds. Clytemnestra was a product of her environment. We needed to break the cycle of lies and let people decide for themselves. There had to be a better way.
“Smithy,” I said. “Do you have any coffee?”
He looked scandalized, as if I’d asked him for poison. Sliding a cup closer to himself, he poured in hot tea and then passed it over to me.
“You
’re not doing yourself any favors, if you’re trying to build our confidence again, by admitting you prefer the evil bean over the sublime leaf,” he said.
I smiled.
“You have made my point for me,” I answered. “Things are not black and white in this world. You believe that tea is the only thing to drink, but others prefer coffee. Some people see certain actions as heroic, or brave; others think the same deeds are foolhardy or misguided. There is no universal perspective we can hope to reach and still live this existence as individuals. If we all see things exactly the same way, we are clones of each other. The only thing we can ask for is the ability to come to conclusions on our own, without being forced one way or the other. We need unity through diversity. Right now, we do not have that choice. We are bound to live here. If we were all allowed to have the chance to migrate to Heaven, some might choose to stay here anyway. But we must have the option and we will need to fight for it. It is a fight worth having.”
Smithy pursed his lips sternly.
“As long as you don’t drink coffee, I’m okay with that,” he said gruffly.
I suppressed a smile and took a sip of the tea he had given to me. “If that’s what it takes,” I said, “I’m willing to make that sacrifice.”
He laughed. It helped me feel better that my moral compass was still with me all the way. The others seemed to feel their anxiety ease, and Clytemnestra looked up.
“I am the same as you, Michael,” she said. “I fear it’s a battle we cannot win.”
The others all voiced their agreement, although they did not look afraid as they said it. The mood was more of confession, where the weight of what they held inside was lifted from them.
“We cannot pretend it’s going to be a simple endeavor,” I nodded. “But let’s look at where we are. We have a pathway from Earth to Heaven. We still have the Jewels of Blood to enhance our bodies. We have a group of powerful and intelligent people in this room, and a whole army of some of the finest soldiers in history. We are hardly helpless. Asmodeus didn’t steamroll us out there. He fled! If we were easy targets he would have finished us then and there. There is a way to move forward. We have to keep our heads pointing in the right direction and we will make it happen. We have to. The alternative is not acceptable.”
