Her moment drew near. She would be Queen of Floraison. Lucifer shall be a god but a mere minion ruled by her charms. She would be goddess Queen, and have supremacy over Floraison.
Lucifer and his generals watched as the troops cheered and applauded, convinced they would be triumphant.
Lucifer spoke with his generals as rebel soldiers grabbed their weapons and prepared for battle. Weapons fashioned in secret had been hidden within thick bushes, underwater within the many ponds and lakes, and underground throughout the garden.
“Beelzebub, hand me the black bone flute you crafted.” Lucifer extended his hand, knowing Beelzebub always carried it with him. Beelzebub reached into his garment and pulled out the flute and passed it to him with a mystified look on his face.
Lucifer held the device with both hands, placed his lips around the instrument’s mouthpiece, and relaxed his fingers on the flute’s openings. His cheeks puffed out a little and he blew into the simple apparatus, creating a dark and mournful sound.
Lilith and the others grimaced and cringed at the horrid music. Lucifer continued to blow into the black bony pipe while the rebels covered their ears and stared at him with confused expressions.
When Lucifer was done, he inspected the confounded faces and heaved a deep sigh.
Lucifer raised the bone flute for all to see. “The woeful sound this musical instrument produces has no equal and shall be my signal to attack once we are all in position.”
Lilith exhaled with relief and chuckled. “There is always good reason behind your actions, no matter how peculiar they may seem at the time.”
“Memorize the device’s inharmonious sound, for upon hearing it, you are to attack at full force those who congregate in Guidance Park.” Lucifer placed the bone flute in his mouth and played it again for a long moment.
The soldiers were divided into five fighting forces to be led by him and his generals. “By now, the large wooden doors that would give us access into Guidance Park have been sealed shut to prevent us from getting in.”
“How shall we enter the park if the wooden doors are sealed?” Fornues asked with a tremulous voice. Lilith scowled at him for interrupting Lucifer.
Several rebels began to chatter amongst themselves. Some gawked, others rubbed their hands together, a few held their heads in their hands, and many fidgeted nonstop. They appeared to be frightened.
Lucifer sucked his teeth and raised a hand. “Silence! Be still!”
The angels became quiet, watching him as he continued to speak.
“Although the great wooden doors are shut, there are other ways to gain entrance into the park.” Lucifer’s azure eyes glinted with confidence. “We are familiar with the three jungles bordering the park, the East, West, and South Forests. We shall traverse these forests to enter Guidance Park.”
“It is prohibited to enter the woodlands,” a soldier said in a tremulous voice.
“We are no longer bound by the same rules. I determine what is forbidden now.” Lucifer stood straighter, jutted his chin and scanned his troops.
The soldier who spoke out of turn lowered his eyes to the ground. Triumph Gardens became quiet once more and he continued.
“We can also enter the park by way of Mount Verve. There shall be no stopping us now. The War in Floraison has begun and we shall strike first.”
Lucifer gave his generals their missions.
“The forbidden South Forest has the shortest distance, but it is alleged to be the most complex to get across. This is why I have assigned this task to you, Lilith, for I have total confidence in your strength and cunning. I know you shall lead your troops successfully through the perilous woods. When you reach the border between the woodland and Guidance Park, remain hidden until I give the order to charge with Beelzebub’s bone flute.”
As he spoke, he caressed her face.
“Please take care, for I cannot bear the thought of losing you,” he whispered in her ear. She gently pushed away from him and smiled.
“I shall do as you ask.” Lilith grinned. “I shall take my soldiers across the South Forest without harm.”
Lucifer gave a nod and swaggered away and she departed the garden and advanced to the South Forest with her group.
“Samael, you shall lead your troops to the summit of Mount Verve.”
Samael tittered, caught himself and turned as red as a sweet cherry. “The summit of Mount Verve has never been attained.”
“That is because no celestial being has ever attempted such a task, but this day the crown of the mount shall be trodden by angel feet.” Lucifer’s solemn gaze met Samael’s amber eyes. “We must surprise attack the holy army from all sides. They shall never expect a downpour of rebels from the mount and that is how we shall win––adding the element of surprise.”
There was a somber note in his voice that was frightening. Samael knew he must stand firm. “Yes, my troops and I shall be the first to reach the summit.”
A half smile bloomed on Lucifer’s face. He placed his hand on Samael’s shoulder.
“You and your troops shall remain on the mountain top in silence until you hear my signal to strike.”
Samael bowed to him and stepped off the platform. He exited Triumph Gardens with his militia to begin the ascent of Mount Verve.
“Dagon,” Lucifer commanded, “you and Fornues shall lead your troops through the East Forest into Guidance Park.”
Fornues’ droopy eyes opened wide, remembering the treacherous vines he encountered in the East Forest as a youth of fifteen years.
Dagon saw the fear on his friend’s face. “We are no longer children, Fornues. We shall not be defeated by creeping vines.” Fornues lowered his head.
“Remain hidden within the trees until everyone is in position and I give the indication to attack,” Lucifer said.
Dagon and Fornues nodded in agreement and at once led their armies out of the garden and toward the forbidden East Forest.
Gadreel trembled and bit the tips of her fingers as she watched Dagon and Fornues, lead their troops out of the park.
Lucifer took her hand, pulled it from her mouth, and placed it by her side. “You shall make your way through the West Forest with your soldiers, Gadreel, and wait hidden within the trees at the edge of the forest. Listen for the bone flute’s melancholy music to indicate attack.”
Gadreel stared at him wearing a smile that did not reach her eyes.
Lucifer heaved a deep sigh. “I am counting on you to make me proud. Do not let me down.”
Her demeanor changed and she raised her chin. “This brillante I shall exceed all expectations.” A purposeful smile slid across her face.
With her head held high, she led her soldiers to the West Forest.
Hordes of rebel angels remained. They stared at Lucifer in silence, and waited with anxious expressions for his last instructions before heading to battle.
“Beelzebub, you shall lead me and the last unit through the cave in Mount Verve into Guidance Park.”
Loud, nervous laughter erupted from Beelzebub in a high-pitched tone. He pressed the back of his hand against his mouth. He stared red-faced at Lucifer, who lowered his brow.
“I do not believe I am a leader. I have always been led,” he whispered.
“You are Cherubim, ranked second highest in the hierarchies of celestial beings. Today you become a leader of angels.”
Beelzebub gulped and then smiled with relief. “I am grateful to be able to atone for my mistakes. I shall do all that is required of me. I shall lead you and the last group of soldiers through my cave and unto victory.”
Chapter 21
Perils of the South Forest
Lilith positioned her strongest warriors in front of the troop to slash a path through the dense forest with their swords. Flashbacks of the vicious vines, which taunted her in the East Forest years ago, clouded her mind. She trembled in fear.
She must be strong.
They encountered an enormous red plant, with an opening i
n the center like a mouth lined with dagger-like teeth. Crawling vines with finger-like leaf ends reached from the plant. The vines seized one of her soldiers and delivered him to the plant’s mouth, where trapped in its fangs, he could not escape.
Lilith and the surrounding troops gawked in shock and horror while the vicious plant crushed and began to devour the captured soldier. Several troopers attempted to rescue the captive, but the plant devoured him too fast.
“Destroy the plant!” Lilith jumped away from the plant, shielding herself from the gripping vines with her quartet of powerful wings. She fluttered her wings, to fly away, but her wings had become useless. A supernatural force within the forest thwarted the angels’ ability to fly.
Two brave soldiers stepped forward and hacked the plant to pieces with their swords but sustained injuries as the fierce tendrils lashed at their flesh.
“We must be vigilant, for the vegetation in this forest is ferocious.” Lilith’s eyes flicked through her surroundings.
They continued to hike through the gloomy woods, swords drawn and eyes watchful to detect danger. Soon the trees thinned, and they came to a field of huge gold and purple flowers. A cloying, nauseating stench wafted from the deceptively beautiful flowers and drifted into the troops’ nostrils. At first the scent caused their noses to bleed, and then it caused madness.
The eyes of the soldiers closest to the flowers rolled to the back of their heads. They began to pull and scratch at their noses as they twitched and writhed about, staring sightlessly with the whites of their eyes and gesticulating wildly. Some shrieked and picked up rocks to beat their noses, smashing their facial bones. Others used their swords to cut their noses off and stab their faces. The affected soldiers did not stop until they lay faceless and dead on the ground.
Lilith’s eyes widened. “Cover your nostrils! It’s the scent––the flowers’ rancid odor is lethal!” She pinched her nose and ran across the field. Her troops followed her lead. Her pulse beat in her ears. It deadened the wild shrieks of the soldiers who were too late covering their faces, for the poison had already invaded their nostrils and was ravaging their brains.
A short distance away, after they had escaped from the poisonous flowers, a swarm of insects flew toward them. Many of the rebels froze, astounded by the small creatures that seemed to have sharp swords for snouts.
Color drained from Lilith’s face as she remembered the insects that had covered her body in the East Forest. The flying bugs attacked the soldiers again and again with their long stingers. They flew into their ears, noses, and mouths.
She shielded herself from the insects with her wings. She no longer controlled the shaking of her hands, but she took a deep breath and found courage for her troops.
“Use your wings as shields and strike the creatures down with them before they can get close enough to sting you!”
Some of the soldiers dropped to the ground after being stung hundreds of times. Others staggered about, covered in these creatures, their wails muffled by the insects teeming in their mouths. Lilith ran, swatting at the flying bugs with two of her four wings while protecting herself with the other two.
Her army continued evading carnivorous plants and swarming insects until they arrived at a dark river. The river rocks were mottled shades of black, green, and red, and were oddly shaped into twisted faces, which conveyed anguish and dread. Some of the soldiers trembled and were visibly shaken. Lilith looked at the daunting rocks and flinched, but remained strong.
“We must wade through the river,” Lilith said to the muttered complaints of her troops. “With our wings useless for flying, I see no other way. We shall not condemn our brethren to failure because of some repulsive rocks.”
The fearful soldiers lowered their heads, fidgeting and shuffling their feet. “You!” She pointed at a group of them. “Enter the river.” Some of the rebels glanced at each other and gulped before stepping in. She trailed behind them and ordered the rest of the insurgents to follow. They surrounded her, safeguarding her from all sides.
Several of the soldiers in front collapsed in the murky water and began to wail and thrash. Others searched across the surface of the dark waters for something wicked. A few of them gasped and pulled at their garments.
“Remain calm and keep moving.” Lilith’s voice was thick with valor. She noticed a strong soldier by her side. He looked brave. His face was calm and resolute, and he appeared ready to defend her with his life.
“Carry me on your shoulders,” she told him and without hesitation the brave soldier lifted her atop his broad shoulders. Wielding his sword, he waded across the river, carrying her.
Other soldiers continued to fall shrieking and floundering in the water, which was now waist high. Lilith finally spotted the calamity tormenting her soldiers.
“There!” She pointed to long, thin tubular-shaped creatures, which bore into the flesh of her soldiers. Hundreds attacked at once, attaching their mouths to their bodies. The victims sunk under the dark water.
Soldiers continued to be attacked, and the loud cries and bellowing persisted.
“You must move faster!” Lilith screamed to the angel carrying her.
“Yes, my queen,” he said, but she struggled to hear him. When he finally got her across the river, he placed her with care on the riverbank and collapsed. She saw his legs and part of his torso were shrouded in the black, slimy creatures. They were buried deep in his flesh; only their tails remained visible outside his body, wriggling rapidly, trying to finish the horror they had begun. The areas of skin around the sunken wounds began to harden and turned a muted gray.
Lilith’s face turned white and disgust twisted her features. She yanked the slippery fish from the warrior’s body and tossed them into the river. The brave warrior squirmed and groaned all the while.
When she pulled the last slimy creature out of him, she held it before her and peered at it. “What manner of fish is this? It has no scales, and its large eyes sit on the top of its head.” It had rows and rows of teeth in its sucking mouth. There were seven openings on each side of its head. She placed her hand upon these holes, and the creature began to thrash in her hand and then died. She grimaced and tossed the creature to the ground.
Many dead soldiers sprawled on the banks of the river. Their color had changed to that of stone, and their skin had solidified, and where the creatures had bored into them was hollow.
The snakefish creatures used their numerous sharp teeth to cut through the skin to extract body fluids and consume parts of their insides. They also released toxins, which caused the victims’ tissues to dry and calcify.
“Push the corpses into the river.” Lilith frowned and turned away. “I do not want to leave behind any mark of failure.”
Rebels who had survived the river crossing pushed the desiccated bodies of their fallen comrades into the river. They watched with glistening eyes as the depleted corpses sank like stones to the riverbed.
Lilith regarded the angel who had valiantly carried her through the river.
“I have never suffered such physical anguish.” The soldier looked at her with a brief smile that turned into a grimace of pain. “But I would put myself in harm’s way once again if it meant your life would be spared, my queen.”
“Do not die, my fierce warrior. Persevere a while longer, and when we enter Guidance Park, I promise I shall get you to the River of Life. Unlike this dark and lethal river, the River of Life shall make you whole again.” Lilith’s lower lip quivered and she held back tears but her face appeared confident.
Despite all they had been through, they would win this war. There could be no other outcome––they must triumph.
She commanded two strong soldiers to carry her sentinel the rest of the way. As the soldiers followed her command, she observed her remaining troops. They looked scared, tired, and many were hurt.
“I know we have been through much.” Her soldiers turned their attention to her. “We are almost at the entrance to Guidance Pa
rk. Those who remain strong must help those who are injured. When we enter the park, we shall fight our way to the River of Life and partake of its healing powers. You shall be mended and restored!”
Her soldiers hailed with renewed vigor. They regrouped and began to trek through the forest once again, leaving the fearsome river behind.
On this side of the river, their single concern was the creeping vines with the red spikes and prickly leaves similar to the ones Lilith was familiar. The soldiers used their swords to eradicate them. When they reached the edge of the terrifying South Forest, Lilith ordered the soldiers to stand at ease.
“We must remain as still and quiet as the trees concealing us. We shall wait for Lucifer’s signal to launch the attack.” Lilith stared at the canopies overhead. “Stay watchful of your surroundings. I do not wish to lose another soldier to this hostile environment.”
“We won this battle. Do you hear me, God?” She flared her nostrils and balled her fists. “Your invincible South Forest has been defeated. Yes, I lost many, but for every rebel angel I lost to this forest, I shall slay three holy angels.”
She appeared the image of equanimity on the exterior, but inside she was a raging volcano. They would have victory. They could not be beaten. All they had suffered here, they would regain tenfold later when she became Queen of Floraison.
Chapter 22
The Climb to Mount Verve’s Summit
Samael and his troops flew halfway to Mount Verve’s summit, but without warning, their wings became rigid and heavy, making it impossible to fly any farther.
Most of the rebel angels experienced a pulling sensation toward the ground when their wings began to stiffen, so they used the last bit of strength in their wings to hoist themselves onto the mountain’s wall.
“Secure your weapons and hold on to the rock face with your limbs,” Samael said. Still, many panicked as they scrambled to secure their swords in their sheaths and fell to their deaths.
“Grip unto the mountain side with your hands and feet, for we must climb the rest of the way using the strength of our arms and legs alone.”
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