by Chuck Black
“Desgard is a patient general,” Validus heard Commander Brandt say to one of his captains. “He knows the heart of humanity well. Just as we are looking to defend the righteous, he is looking to use the wicked. Time is on his side. As the population grows, so does the number of wicked hearts available for him to use. Don’t be complacent—when the battle comes, it will come fiercely.”
Commander Brandt’s words chilled Validus’s soul. He hung on every word General Danick, Commander Brandt, and Captain Rafinni spoke, for he knew that in them was life for an inexperienced warrior.
Initially General Danick divided his forces into thirds to watch over each of the three sons of Noah and the outspreading of their families. Three primus commanders—Kelandar, Guilden, and Porthan—were assigned to Shem, Ham, and Japheth respectively. Validus’s and Persimus’s detachments fell under Commander Guilden. As the months became years and the families of Noah and his descendants began to spread, the number of attacks by the Fallen increased proportionally.
Commander Brandt was indeed right in his evaluation of the hearts of humanity. Secretly Validus had hoped that with a new start from the righteous line of Noah, the Middle Realm would be a different earth than that which had moved the hand of Elohim to global annihilation.
But alas, it was not to be. Within three generations, Validus could see the erosion of the legacy of faith that Noah had tried to pass on. By the third generation, the forces of the warrior angels had divided nearly one thousand times, and the attacks became fierce, just as Commander Brandt had said.
Through the portals in heaven Validus had watched how sin had corrupted the hearts of men and women, and he was grieved to the soul. But here, where he could not simply turn off the portal and walk away to the peaceful gardens of Zion, he was disgusted, disturbed, and distraught.
In just one hundred years it seemed as though the Purge had purged nothing. Even with the diligent vanguard of the angel warriors along with the guardians, there were hearts that overpowered any work the angels could do, and evil came anyway, empowering the Fallen to accomplish their heinous deeds. And where evil prevailed, conquerors rose up and freedom was lost.
One such man was the mighty Nimrod, great-grandson of Noah. In appalling curiosity, Validus watched his power and influence over the people rise. It was as if Desgard had been watching and waiting for the one man he could use to accomplish his schemes, and he found what he was looking for in Nimrod, the mighty hunter. Although Validus was not privy to the inner workings of command and the decisions there, he assumed that General Danick was concerned. Nimrod was building an army and great cities. His influence over the people was in no small way aided by the Fallen. Here in the region of Shinar, Nimrod built his greatest city of all, Babel.
Occasionally Validus would venture into the city, when not on duty, to investigate the activities of the people. Although Babel was quickly becoming an operational base of the Fallen, he learned that staying nearer to the outer areas of the city was relatively safe. It was near the city center where the Fallen seemed to focus most of their activities. With each trip he made, he became more and more disheartened.
Except when he visited one small abode near the edge of the city.
Validus watched the uncommonly beautiful young woman with curiosity, wondering why she was different from the rest of her kin. His detachment wasn’t even assigned to her family, but one day he watched from afar as she gave the last of her bread to an old woman begging in the streets of Babel. Validus witnessed other kind acts to be sure, but the more he watched this maiden, the more he came to believe that there was something spectacularly humble, bold, and selfless about her.
“Why do you watch her so?” Persimus asked. “I thought you had your fill of watching humans through the portals.”
Validus smiled. Today he had convinced his friend to join him. He knew that Persimus’s mind was often on heaven and not on earth. “Because in the midst of the tyranny of Nimrod and this rebellious city of his, there is at least one heart that seems to defy the wicked temptations of Apollyon.”
“The odds are against her even surviving, let alone making a difference in this realm. She doesn’t even have a guardian anymore.” Persimus turned away and looked upward.
Validus looked at his friend. “You were right; this is a gritty place. But don’t be discouraged, Persimus. Elohim has not forgotten us nor the people of the Middle Realm. We must persevere to bring about the Plan.”
“What is the Plan, Validus? How do we know how to bring it about if we don’t even know what it is?”
“We trust in the word of Elohim, and in our commanders. Didn’t you tell me the exact same thing on the shores of the Crystal Sea not long ago?”
Persimus broke his skyward gaze and slowly nodded. They watched the young woman, whose name was Tamaral, gather five of her younger siblings and four other children for story time.
“Many, many years ago in a land far from here, God reached out His hand and formed the first man from the dust of ground.” The young maiden reached down and scooped up a handful of dirt, animating that which Validus had seen Elohim actually do.
Within just a few words, the children and the angels were captivated by the passion with which the girl told the story of old. Her brown eyes and lilting voice made the story come alive.
Every time Validus watched her, he was drawn to her. There was something different about her, something few other humans had. He couldn’t describe it … it just was. At first he attributed it to the fact that she loved God, but he had watched over and fought for others who had just as strong a faith and not experienced this attachment before.
“We will be her guardians,” Validus said.
Persimus broke from his entranced listening of Tamaral’s story. “What? That’s not possible. We’re not guardians, and we have other duties,” Persimus said, but his voice was hopeful rather than argumentative.
“Yes, but we each have time when we are not on duty. Let’s vow to protect this maiden at every opportunity.”
Persimus’s eyes lit. “So let it be.”
“So let it be,” Validus affirmed.
One week later, Validus and Persimus returned to the city. This time, they invited another warrior named Ral. He was a slightly stocky angel who seemed to find it difficult to fit in anywhere. When he heard Validus and Persimus talking about Tamaral, he asked to join them, and they agreed.
They arrived at Tamaral’s home to discover that she was not there. They learned that she had gone to a gathering near the city center.
“Let’s go,” Persimus said and turned to leave the city.
“What if this is the day she needs our help?” Validus asked. “Let’s go in and see. If it doesn’t look good, we’ll leave. I know some routes that will keep us out of sight.”
Persimus frowned. Ral didn’t seem dissuaded or encouraged either way.
Persimus shook his head. “I think you’re going to get us in trouble.”
Validus slapped him on the back and led them toward the city’s center court, where the construction of a great building was underway. When they arrived, there was much commotion.
“Free yourselves from the bondage of your petty beliefs in God!” Nimrod shouted from the steps of a columned structure just west of the new building they called the Tower. He was draped in scarlet cloth across one shoulder and around his waist. A golden breastplate, belt, and armbands adorned his muscled bronze skin. He looked every bit a king, and his rhetoric proclaimed himself as such.
Validus, Persimus, and Ral stood just off the street to the west of the Tower, where they could hear and see the public gathering. Each week the Tower grew in stature, but Validus had never been this close. It was a massive undertaking. He had never seen such a structure built by man before. It was impressive in a dark sort of way.
“Look … over there.” Ral pointed.
Six Fallen warriors were gathered near one of the far columns, but that was not all. Vexer-possessors began sh
owing up everywhere, scurrying from man to man and woman to woman, whispering and influencing their thoughts. Many guardians were vigilant over their young charges, threatening and in some cases fighting off the vexer-possessors who attempted to come near the small ones.
“This is not good,” Ral said.
Validus drew his sword.
“We ought not be here,” Persimus said as he watched the tension escalate.
“Ral, this is too important for us to leave, but we need to let our detachment know what’s happening. Tell Captain Nosh … Go.”
Ral nodded and quickly exited the city toward their encampment.
“We don’t need to rely on some ethereal deity who controls the pawns of humanity at His whim,” Nimrod shouted. “We hold our own destiny in our hands!” He lifted his hands and closed them into fists. “Do not be a coward and submit yourselves to God. Rise up and become men and women of courage and self-determination. I declare before you this day that I … we shall build this great tower that will rise up to the very heavens. A tower that will declare to the world and to the heavens that we will have no god but ourselves!”
“Blasphemy!” Validus spewed. His hand gripped his sword tightly. “Does Ham know what has become of his people?”
More Fallen gathered around Nimrod and around the crowd.
“We need to get out of here now!” Persimus pulled at Validus’s arm.
“General Danick will want to know what’s happening,” Validus said. “You go. I’ll come shortly.”
Validus looked at the cheering people as the Fallen closed in. Some of the guardians had to retreat and watch their charges from a distance. Have they every one turned away from Elohim? Validus wondered.
Just as he was about to turn and follow Persimus, he spotted Tamaral. She was standing next to a man who seemed to be her companion. Validus nodded to Persimus and then materialized through two buildings to get closer to her. Persimus reluctantly followed. They entered a narrow alleyway between two shops, just a few feet from Tamaral.
Anger seethed in her eyes. “This is blasphemy!” she shouted, pushing forward against the throng of people.
“Quiet, Tamaral!” the young man next to her yelled. He grabbed her arm and yanked her back.
“Let go of me, Arphaz.”
“I will not, and you will do as I say. Nimrod is right. Why should we believe in a god we cannot see or hear? Only the weak hold to such foolish beliefs.”
The girl jerked her arm from his grip and glared at him. “I don’t care how much money my father owes you. I will not marry you.”
Arphaz smiled. “Unfortunately you don’t have anything to say about it. Your father has already agreed, and the deal is done.” He laughed, then glared back at Tamaral. Scorn wrinkled his brow and lips. “You will be my wife and you will obey me.” He grabbed her arms again and pulled her in close to him. “And you’d better be a good wife, or I will do with you as I see fit … and your father’s debt will return to him.”
She turned her face away, struggling to loose herself. Arphaz spit and threw her up against the wall right next to Validus. Validus wanted to rip through the man with his sword, but the Genesis Accord was still active, and he would be immediately dissolved to Mount Simcha.
Tamaral clung to the brick wall and waited until Arphaz had disappeared into the crowd of people before she allowed tears to spill softly onto her cheeks.
“Come on, Validus. The Fallen are gathering quickly. There’s nothing we can do,” Persimus urged, then turned and left.
Validus pitied the girl and her future life of misery. There seemed to be so much of that in the Middle Realm … misery.
Tamaral slowly fell to her knees. Validus knelt beside her and put a hand on her shoulder.
“Have courage,” he said softly.
Tamaral lifted her eyes toward heaven. “Lord, these people cry out in defiance of You. They abuse and mock and destroy that which is good and right. I know that You are a God of judgment but also of mercy. Have mercy on us, oh God. Deliver us from the enemy and bring us into Your kingdom.”
Validus listened in amazement. Not a single word of petition for her own situation but for the people and their defiance toward God. She reminded him of Noah. Here, in the middle of rebellion and defiance, was one pure heart who still loved God. Tamaral was unique.
“Validus!” He heard his friend call, but it was not Persimus … and now he remembered that it was not his friend but rather his enemy.
Validus jumped to his feet with sword ready, scanning down the alley between the buildings. “Niturni!”
Thirty yards away across the next street, Persimus faced Niturni with sword drawn, but the tip of his blade was dangerously low, and Validus could see he was not ready or willing to fight their old friend.
“Just like old times.” Niturni smiled. “If only Cadriel were here. Oh, but that’s right, he went to his death after fighting. And for what?” He motioned to the people behind them cheering Nimrod and his contempt for God. “Nothing!”
Validus needed to get to Persimus before any swords flew.
“So Apollyon has made you a warrior. How kind of him to grant you such authority in his kingdom.” Validus couldn’t help the jab. He began walking toward them.
“I have more than you ever will,” Niturni spewed.
“Come back to us, Niturni,” Validus heard Persimus offer, holding out his left hand. “Elohim will forgive you. Return to us and to that which is good.”
Niturni turned his gaze to Persimus. For one brief moment, Niturni’s blackened eyes softened. Validus quickened his gait, but he would be too late. Off to their left, Validus could see other Fallen coming quickly.
Niturni saw them too, and his countenance hardened again. He yelled and sliced his sword upward. The steel slashed the inside of Persimus’s outstretched arm near his chest, and great drops of blood sprayed outward. Persimus yelled and recoiled as Validus flew to his aid.
“Fool!” Niturni yelled. “Haven’t you heard, dear Persimus? There is no forgiveness for the Fallen. And why would I want to come back to such a petty life of insignificance? You are mere slaves!”
Niturni raised his sword to finish Persimus. Validus would not make it to him in time. Persimus held his bleeding arm close to his body, but he would not raise his sword. Niturni went to strike but hesitated just one fraction of a moment as he looked at the pleading face of Persimus.
It was all that Validus needed. He jumped the remaining ten feet to collide with Niturni.
The next few seconds were filled with armor and limbs entangled in a desperate attempt to gain an advantage. Swords were discarded as Validus struggled beneath the strength of Niturni’s form. Niturni’s left hand found Validus’s throat, and his right hand reached for his knife. Validus thought about reaching for his own knife, but the time lost would be too costly. He punched Niturni’s face, but it didn’t cause the slightest hesitation.
Niturni finished drawing his knife and made his first plunge while squeezing Validus’s throat with an iron grip. Validus reached for the plummeting knife with both hands, stopping it just short of his chest. He slid his right hand up to Niturni’s armpit, simultaneously pitching his body to the left, using the arm as a lever to throw his enemy off him. It was just enough to free himself, rise to his feet, and draw his own knife.
“You are weak, Validus,” Niturni scoffed, spitting blood from his mouth. He walked nonchalantly to his sword. “You will be dissolved, and I will one day be Prince of Mesopotamia.”
Seven demon warriors arrived just as Validus recovered his sword.
“Get him out of here,” a command came from behind Validus.
He turned to see Captain Nosh, Ral, and five more of his comrades arriving. Ral went to Persimus and began helping him back away from the ensuing battle.
In a flash, the sound of crashing steel filled the air. Niturni attacked Validus with ruthless determination. The strength and skill of Niturni was frightening.
Val
idus heard a yell from his right side and turned to see one of his comrades fall. Validus thrust at Niturni to set him back so he could cover for the injured warrior. Moments later, Validus saw Captain Nosh slice through his opponent, and the demon dissolved into a green vapor that sunk into the earth.
Niturni pressed hard, but Validus stood his ground, covering for his wounded comrade. One more demon fell, which put the angels at an advantage. At that, the demons hesitated but didn’t retreat. They were waiting for reinforcements. In the lull, Captain Nosh and his men backed away.
“Grab him and let’s get out of here before more Fallen come!” Nosh commanded.
Validus and one other angel reached for the injured angel, but as they lifted him up, their hands slipped through the bluish vapor that rose up to Mount Simcha. Validus’s heart sank.
“No!” The other warrior glared at Validus, then turned to join Nosh in their retreat.
Validus ran to catch up with Ral. He grabbed Persimus around the waist to help carry him out of the city. Persimus was fading quickly. The blood loss was severe.
He heard Niturni yelling from behind him. “This is all you will ever do—retreat until there is no place left to retreat to.”
Validus glanced over his shoulder at the cursing demon he had once called his friend.
Niturni held up his hand. “I will kill you, Validus. I will kill you and your feeble friend!”
Validus hurried with Ral to get Persimus to safety. Validus could feel him sagging. “Come on, Persimus. Don’t you dissolve on account of a little scratch.” Blood was everywhere. The gash was deep, and Validus suspected an artery had been cut.
“He hesitated. You saw it,” Persimus moaned.
Anger boiled inside of Validus. Anger toward Niturni and toward Persimus. Anger toward himself for allowing this to happen and cause the death of a fellow warrior.
“He won’t hesitate again, and you’d better not either. What were you thinking?”
Persimus moaned something unintelligible. Validus and Ral struggled to get him out of the city as the other warriors gave cover. Once outside the city limits, they found a cattle trough with a few inches of dank water and laid him near it. Persimus was nearly unconscious and slipping away fast.
