She flapped her wings. Thick, turbulent winds attacked her from every direction, making it difficult for her to take flight. She beat her powerful wings faster and began to lift herself off the ground. She moved through the dense, forceful atmosphere, and finally escaped. Had she not eaten from the Tree of Life and gained supernatural powers, she would have perished. Once more, she headed to the cover of the forest. She settled on the tallest tree where she could overlook the destruction of paradise.
She watched Adam and Eve scurrying away in fear. They were no longer naked, but dressed in natural fibers, such as hibiscus and palm. Shortly after, she witnessed two powerful holy angels descend from Heaven. Each boasted four large, white wings. They stood guard at the entrance to the Garden of Eden. Both Cherubim held impressive weapons, which she was certain were fashioned by God’s own hands.
God means to restore the Garden. Why else would he go to such lengths to secure it? Satan and Samael shall never enter the Garden of Eden while God’s holy angels guard its entrance. They shall not taste the fruit of the Tree of Life as she has. “They have failed, whereas I am a goddess.” Lilith cocked her head and laughed a cruel, mocking cackle that echoed through the forest.
She lingered on the treetop, waiting to see Satan and Samael approach the holy angels and attempt to enter the Garden of Eden. She desired to be a spectator to their devastation.
Chapter 48
The Life Force
Satan and Samael were at the edge of the forest when they heard Lilith’s terrible shrieks. They hurried through the woods toward the cavern where they left her and Dracul.
When they arrived at the cave, they caught sight of Dracul’s pale, limp body, slumped on the dirt. Satan’s face twisted and contorted, reflecting the pain and dismay in his heart. He winced as his flesh became fiery red, and he transformed into the red fiend. He clutched his upper body, experiencing intense physical pain at the sight of his son void of life.
His legs faltered, and he collapsed to his knees. He rocked back and forth, burying his head in his hands. Streams of blood originating from his eyes stained his cheeks. He groaned and shook his head. “I cannot endure the agony of losing my only son.”
Samael scanned the cave for Lilith, but did not see her anywhere, and he did not know what to make of her absence. He staggered away from Satan and pressed his body against the cave’s wall in the shadows, trying to vanish.
Satan spilled his grief over the body of his son for a stretch of time. Some of his blood-tears fell on Dracul’s face and entered his mouth.
Satan ceased his sobbing. “Losing blood this way has weakened me.” His voice was frail and low. He gazed at his son and grimace in pain covering his head with his arms and shook with sobs once more. After a while, he wiped the blood from his eyes and gasped when his son’s eyes snapped open and stared sightlessly.
“Dracul, my son, do you yet live?” Satan peered at him.
Dracul’s eyes rolled languidly toward him and he moved his lips. Satan only heard a faded, voiceless breathing of words, so he lowered his head. Dracul whispered a second time, but again his words were inaudible. Once more Satan moved his ear closer to his son’s mouth.
In a swift motion, Satan suffered the hot, painful sting of Dracul’s bite on his neck. The sensation was both terrible and delightful. His body became slack with feebleness. He pulled away and gaped at his son, whose lips dripped with his blood.
“More.” Dracul looked at his father. “If I am to live, I need more living body fluid.”
“I understand. You need more blood since your own supply has been depleted?” Dracul nodded.
“Samael! Come to me.” He beckoned him.
Samael toddled toward Satan and Dracul. “You have summoned me?”
“Fall to your knees beside my son’s body.”
“Why must I do this?” Samael licked his lips.
“My son yet lives, but he is frail. He requires some of your life force to sustain him.” Satan rose to his feet.
“If I offer him my blood, what then shall sustain me?” Samael trembled.
“I am not requesting that you give him all your blood, only some, as I did.” Satan glared at him. “Besides, I request merely as a formality, my friend, for I can possess you with ease and allow my son to drain you dry.”
Samael shoved his hair back away from his face and knelt by Dracul’s body. He lowered his head, placing his neck close to the small one’s lips, closed his eyes and grimaced in anticipation of what was to come.
Satan propped Dracul’s head so he could easily reach Samael’s neck. Without hesitation, the little red fiend sank his fangs into his flesh. Dracul’s lips were ice cold. Samael inhaled a long, audible breath as pain shot through his body. At the edge of the pain was a slight feeling of ecstasy. He sensed wetness drip down his neck as Dracul greedily drank of his blood.
Samael grew pallid. His mouth moved soundlessly. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he fainted. Satan clutched his long hair and held him so his son could continue feeding. He stopped Dracul just short of killing him.
Dracul’s blood-red color returned to his face and body—he was once again strong and healthy. Satan laughed and hugged his son.
Dracul licked his lips and pushed Samael aside to get upright on his tail. Samael tumbled limply to the cave floor.
“Dracul, I am overjoyed that you are once again in this world, but I am at a loss to understand what occurred here. Where is your mother? Did she flee into the forest to acquire our help?”
He stared at his father with a blank expression. He furrowed his brow in confusion. “I cannot recall anything that happened.” His young mind was unable to interpret the horror of what his mother did to him, so it hid the memory of all things Lilith deep inside.
“How could you forget your mother’s whereabouts?”
Dracul gaped at Satan with vacant eyes. He shrugged and shook his head.
“I cannot imagine your mother left you alone and injured.” Satan leaned against the cave wall and looked up.
Satan sought answers his son could not give him. He would not be at ease until he knew what happened to Lilith. Since he could not recall past events, Dracul fabricated a story to relieve his father’s mind.
“Father, the very creature that attacked me must have attacked my mother and dragged her body away to feast on her flesh.” Dracul placed his fingers over his mouth.
“Are you certain she has met this fate?”
Dracul shook his head. “Yes, father.” He watched his weary, pallid father pound on his chest with his fists and howl as he grieved his mother.
“I shall never look again upon your sweet face. Your striking gaze, alluring smile, warm embraces and kisses shall be forever lost to me.” Satan once again shed blood tears.
Whilst Satan mourned Lilith’s death, and Samael lay unconscious on the ground, Dracul slipped out of the cave. He returned quickly with several hares, which he had already drained. He threw a couple on the ground by Satan, who was yet wailing.
“You must eat to regain your strength!” Dracul yelled over his father’s mournful howls.
Satan stopped grieving. He gazed at his son with love in his bloodshot eyes. Samael was finally regaining consciousness.
“Eat!” Dracul tossed him a hare as well.
The corners of Satan’s mouth raised a touch as he looked at his son. “You are so much like your mother.” Satan was certain she had lost her life fighting for her son.
They ate greedily. When they were full, they fell asleep. Satan and Samael regained much of their strength while they slept.
The next morning they were up with the sun.
“We must make another attempt to enter the Garden of Eden and consume the fruit of the Tree of Life.” Satan looked at his son, who smiled innocently and nodded. “We must take back what is ours and make a good home for ourselves. It is what Lilith desired above all.”
Satan and Samael gathered their weapons once more and proceeded
through the forest toward the Garden. This time, Dracul moved along with them.
Chapter 49
Gadreel’s Song of Lament
Gadreel flew in darkness and in light, only stopping to eat and rest. She did not fear Lilith’s certain retaliation for her desertion. Her mind was focused: she wished to reunite with her little mermaids. She was liberated, no longer dominated by Lilith, whose only thought was to seek revenge on God.
After some time, she arrived at the beach where Fornues was laid to rest, and where she last saw Dagon and her daughters. She tiptoed to the edge of the water and stared to sea. The azure, never-ending ocean was calm and untroubled. It sparkled under the sun, but she saw no sign of Dagon or her children.
Gadreel entered the water. She waded to a nearby flat rock jutting from the ocean. She sat on its surface with folded legs. The ocean breeze played with her curly hair, the color of desert sand in the late afternoon sunlight. Once comfortable, she gazed across the ocean once more certain somewhere underneath the surface her little mermaids swam with their father. She began to sing:
Keenly, I watched my infants’ eyes,
dreading the stares, and soft sighs,
I’m blinded by what they surmise.
They mesmerize; they mesmerize.
Extraordinary off-springs,
Like new exotic samplings,
Shown with Dagon’s unique offerings,
They're my blessings; They’re my blessings.
Soon there dawned an epiphany;
Daughters of our love’s symphony,
Scintillas of our harmony.
True synchrony! True synchrony!
We shared moments evanescent,
When they flourished luminescent.
Now where fishes float florescent,
Is their descent, is their descent.
My heart was lilt in their gaze,
Wilts now in their absence and blaze
Deprived of their love, is to faze
As in a daze, as in a daze.
Emptiness is all fills my core.
My soul burns with hunger once more.
My daughters, I long to adore,
Come to the shore! Come to the shore!
I fear I shall starve, o’er my babes,
Lest their dulcet gaze meet my face.
With time, I’ll be part of this place,
Singing their praise! Singing their praise!
Oh, bring back my mermaids, love-charm!
Come now, or I’ll make loud alarm,
Until my last breath suffers harm!
Cold rocks, no warmth! Cold rocks, no warmth!
“I shall continue to sing,” Gadreel whispered to herself, “and with time become part of this rock, lingering for my little mermaids to be in my arms once more––Or until I utter my last breath in song.”
Gadreel sang all day and night, unwavering in her purpose.
Chapter 50
Mass of Flesh
Lilith grew weary and bored waiting for Satan and Samael to return to the Garden of Eden. Perhaps the cowards decided to abandon their purpose. She wore a sardonic smirk. She prepared to take flight when she heard footfalls in the forest. Peering through the dense trees she squinted, distinguishing Satan and Samael. However, she did not see Dracul. She waited once more for them to step from the forest and make their useless attempt to enter the lost paradise.
When they reached the edge of the forest, they looked toward the Garden. “Wait! I see changes,” Samael said. “There are two large Cherubim with divine weaponry guarding the entrance to Eden.”
Satan took a look at the guardians and their weapons and then glanced at the weapons he and Samael held and frowned. He immediately understood they were no match. However, knowing his son’s eyes were upon him, he did not wish to admit defeat.
“My son, I desire you remain hidden within these trees,” Satan said.
“But father––”
Satan lifted his hand before him and strangled his words. “Listen to what I tell you.” Satan placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “You must not allow the holy angels guarding the Garden’s entrance to become aware of you. You must remain in the forest, hidden from view, no matter what happens. Heed my words, my son, and know I am most proud of you. You have been my greatest triumph since I was banished from Floraison.”
Dracul gazed into his father’s despairing eyes. He saw love and pain in them, but he was baffled by his wish for him to remain behind, shrouded by the trees of the forest. However, he understood it was important for him to agree to his father’s request.
“Very well, Father, I shall follow your command. I vow not reveal myself. No matter what happens, I shall remain hidden in the forest.”
Satan embraced his son and kissed him on the forehead. He then glanced at Samael and with his eyes, communicated for him to follow.
Samael looked confused and taken aback. “I assumed after seeing the guards, you would renounce your plan of attack.”
“We shall march together toward our objective, and break words away from young ears.” Satan led Samael away from his son and toward the Garden’s entrance.
“We are incapable of being victorious against the guardians of Eden,” Samael whispered to Satan.
“Perhaps, but we shall try nonetheless.” Satan’s tone was dispirited. “Since we were cast out of Floraison, nothing has gone our way.” Now he had lost his one true love. How was he to go on without her? “We must try to conquer the Garden of Eden because it was Lilith’s utmost desire that her son live in paradise. We shall do this for her.”
Samael noted Satan’s dejection and was certain they marched to their defeat. Even so, as his one true friend and servant in all his undertakings, he believed he must share his doom. Crestfallen, he followed without another word.
Meanwhile, Lilith saw them reach the edge of the forest. “What is taking them so long?” She tried to get a better look, but trees and branches obstructed her view.
At last, she watched Satan in his angel form and Samael leave the forest. Together they advanced toward the entrance to Eden. She watched them with wide eyes, rubbing her hands together, unable to sit still.
They marched to the floral archway adorning the entrance and confronted the Cherubim guards.
“Is this where we shall meet our end?” Samael whispered as they approached the entrance.
“I would not deem it so.” Satan wore a veneer of confidence and strut like a peacock.
“Halt!” the Cherub on the right said, his voice booming. “Take another step forward, and it shall be your last.”
“We desire entry into the Garden,” Satan said.
“Yet here we stand in your way, ensuring neither you nor any of your kind ever gain admittance into Eden, for God commands it so,” the Cherub on the left spoke in a ringing voice.
“Why would God deny me access?” Satan looked at them askance. “It is no longer occupied by his humans.”
“Enough, Satan!” Michael descended toward him. “God and all of Heaven have grown weary of your arrogance and pride.” Raphael and Jetrel accompanied him on one side, and Esar and Hashmal on the other.
Satan and Samael lifted their weapons, threatening the holy angels, but their trembling hands betrayed their fear.
“Even now, you are defiant in the face of annihilation! Who are you to question the will of God?” Michael pointed his golden spear. “You do not deserve entry into the Garden of Eden, and you are even less deserving to partake of the Tree of Life. It is time you and your followers be given proper punishment for all of God’s deeds you have undone!”
Samael’s legs faltered and he collapsed. Jetrel swooped down and hovered over him, pointing her silver lance at him, lest he try to escape, but he trembled and held up his hands.
Satan made an attempt to flee. However, Raphael skillfully flung his net over him, knocking him to the ground and paralyzing him before he could take flight. The others swooped toward him. They tied his wrists and ankles.
Jetrel bound Samael the same way.
Esar shifted into a giant green behemoth with shimmering scales and an enormous wingspan. The beast’s sharp teeth were as long as javelins, and its massive, powerful tail was swathed in serrated spikes. The fearsome creature carried a heavy metal chain in its sharp clutches.
Michael and Raphael hauled Satan’s rigid, paralyzed body. Jetrel and Hashmal carried Samael. The holy angels placed them together on their feet, back to back. Satan’s breaths quickened. Samael shuddered. In the form of the massive beast, Esar once again received the task of wrapping the chain around the fallen ones.
When they were bound, Hashmal stood before them. “To ensure you are bound together for eternity, I shall consummate this rite with fire.”
Flames shot from his mouth, burning Satan and Samael. The fallen angels howled in pain. Samael gagged at the sweet, acrid smell of his own burning flesh. Satan grimaced and wailed in torment, as his skin blistered and popped, the odor of his sizzling skin so strong he could taste it. Their hair caught fire. The sharp, jarring stench bombarded their nostrils and left a bitter taste on their tongues. The chain heated to ineffable temperatures. Roasting metal links melted into their flesh––joining them forever. When Hashmal was done breathing fire, Esar grabbed the mass of igneous flesh and took flight.
The others followed the beast to a land covered in ice and snow. Amid this frozen land was an enormous mountain. The beast halted prior to reaching its summit.
“Remain here,” Esar told the holy angels. “Do not come any closer, for this mountain presents great danger, even for us. I shall place the fallen ones inside, where they shall remain imprisoned until the end of days.”
He proceeded into the mouth of the mountain. He placed Satan and Samael standing near the bottom of the volcano’s inner crater at the edge of a large magma lake. Although the weather was freezing cold outside the mountain, inside by the lake of fire was a raging inferno.
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