The Damned and The Pure Series: Books 1-4 (The Damned and The Pure Series Box Set)

by J. D. Stonebridge

  Enoch turned to Jenny with bewildered eyes. “Are you speaking of our Father?”

  “Yes!” David answered enthusiastically, clapping his hands. He regained his composure and continued, “I mean, yes. God is definitely more powerful than Lucifer, than any of us, obviously. If there is anyone that can break down the archangels, it’s Him.”

  “No, no, no, no…” Enoch shook his head. “I- I don’t even know where He is. I—” He sighed in frustration. “I was waiting for Him to return here, but He hasn’t. I have no idea where He could be…” he ended rather mournfully.

  “Yeah, thought so…” David massaged the back of his neck. “Next best thing, then? Anything that may contain God’s power or essence?”

  Enoch looked at him with furrowed brows. “Well, we all do. Very minimal, though, but every one of us holds a part of his essence.”

  “Then, something that holds more of it?” Jenny said. “Is there such a thing that holds more of God’s power than even Lucifer does?”

  Enoch thought. Though his knowledge and life was expanded from when he’d been human, his memory was still limited. He recalled the story of creation, how God built the worlds they inhabited today. Perhaps the worlds contained more of His essence than the archangels, but he couldn’t imagine how they could use an entire dimensional plane to break Michael and Lucifer’s vessels.

  He shook his head and tried to imagine every creation of God that held power. The Tree of Life, the Holy Fire. They contained His power, but still, Enoch wasn’t certain if it was more than Lucifer and Michael.

  Then he thought of what God created in His likeness: humans. Humans indeed contained the power of God, but only a small portion of it. Humans were created in His image, however, God could not bestow upon them the power that they can contain. They were unpredictable so to grant them power to create and destroy may be too much for the worlds to handle. Enoch thought of human society in present time, how their small capability to do what God can led them to chaos, war, disease, and murder.

  Humans cannot be trusted with such power, Enoch thought sadly. One has already attempted, and look where—

  His head snapped up, startling the siblings. Enoch’s eyes widened at the realization, and he moved over to the puddle where they watched the ongoing battle. He remembered the true story of creation, where one had gained the will and power of God until she’d been cursed. Enoch knew the truth; her power had never been truly stripped away from her, only that it was sealed, rendering it useless.

  “She was the one who spoke His true name,” Enoch muttered. “No other being has been able to do that, and it granted her His power.”

  David and Jenny looked to each other, confused by Enoch’s ramblings.

  “She took His power for her own…” Enoch realized. “That makes her closer to Him than Lucifer ever has been!”

  Jenny took a peek at the puddle and tried to put the pieces together. For the first time since her arrival, Jenny was delighted to spot the blonde demon. “Lilith! You mean, Lilith, right?”

  Enoch nodded. “Yes, yes! Lilith contains God’s power still, though she is unable to use it.”

  “Whoa…” David frowned. “Lilith? That blondie who kept trying to kill our friends, Lilith? We need her to kill Lucifer?”

  “Oh,” Jenny realized his point. “That’s gonna be a challenge indeed.”

  “Rather, it’s nearly impossible. But I guess that’s better than no plan at all, right?” David said. “Now, we just have to figure out a way.”

  The determination he saw in the two renewed Enoch’s faith. Though they faced a seemingly impossible task, they still weren’t giving up. Perhaps I was wrong about them not inheriting the will of God…If only I had my scroll with me. Perhaps I would have expressed His will more clearly.

  “David, Jenny,” Enoch called the attention of the two. “I suppose revealing to you what the next events will be wouldn’t hurt so much. Rather, maybe it is for the best.”

  The tension around them suddenly heightened. David and Jenny leaned in closer to him as he spoke the next words. “I may not know in detail how they intend to do it, but I can tell you what Michael and Lucifer plan to do. And time is running out, because— I don’t really know how— but they will be taking advantage of the rapture which will happen soon,” he ended with an exasperated laugh while the siblings stared, jaws agape and hearts pounding hard against their ribs.

  Heavy fists rammed against the shield he’d fashioned out of the swords he commanded. Uriel desperately attempted to break it. Inside the dome of swords, Daniel knelt on one knee, his face sullen and stoic as if in prayer. Surrounding the two was a large array of swords, set in a perfect circle. The swords hummed in unison, sounding like an angelic choir. Earlier, when Uriel had focused and his body turned into a bolt of lightning, zooming to the edge of the circle, he realized that the circle was meant to keep him inside. As soon as he had reached the edge, he felt a powerful gust of wind and found himself at the opposite end.

  Now, the enraged archangel struck hard at the swords that were melded together to create a shield for them. Each time Uriel struck it, swords broke only to be replaced by more. Daniel and Uriel were an immense distance away from the others, and the sigil was too far for the puppet to summon the bolts.

  The ground shuddered as Uriel slammed at the dome with all his might. The swords somewhat rippled and broke, absorbing the blows and guiding the force to the ground. This didn’t stop Uriel, raising his fists up again.

  Caelum swung his arm down, making the blazing whip tear into Lilith’s shoulder. Lilith’s face had locked into a twisted shape, her mouth stuck in a muted scream, her eyes nothing but white as they had almost completely rolled up.

  Ariel noticed that as long as she didn’t near Caelum, he ignored her. The sight of him broke her heart, but the angel wished not to abandon hope. Perhaps… Caelum… my dear Cornelius… is still there, fighting. Opting to act, Ariel raced towards Mikaela.

  When Ariel touched her crumpled body, Ariel was startled at the damage Mikaela had sustained. Her entire ribcage shattered, her spine crushed, and nearly all her organs were failing. What kept her alive were the demonic souls she had consumed into her own. The smaller souls proved helpful, but Ariel could feel that the more powerful one, the first one Mikaela had absorbed, was slowly gaining control.

  Doing what she could, she mended the witch’s flesh and bones. Mikaela sputtered and coughed, slowly regaining consciousness.

  Mikaela felt soothing warmth course through her body, dulling the pain she awoke to. When her eyes fluttered open, she turned to the lashing sound. Slowly, her vision cleared to reveal the image of her father, wearing a suit as black as void itself, holding a fiery whip. In front of him was a broken, distorted figure whose skin was a horrible display of flayed flesh and blood.

  “Dad…?” Mikaela called, her breath barely pushing her voice. She saw Caelum stop for a moment, his hand raised, before slamming the whip on the seemingly lifeless figure.

  Two things raced into her head. One, the menacing aura her father was radiating, and two, the strange root-like things seeping under the distorted figure’s feet.

  Chapter Seventeen: Sacrifice

  Ariel assisted Mikaela as she mended her body. Her knees were still weak, and the angel had to carry most of her weight. “Please stay still,” Ariel said. “I cannot fully repair all the damage, but I can make it less painful.”

  Mikaela could feel that her spine was misaligned. She forced her back to arch, and with Ariel’s help, snapped it back to place. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, the broken ribs preventing her from drawing enough air to produce sound. She managed to ask, “What happened to Dad?”

  The angel took a moment before answering. “Caelum… He accepted Azazel’s deal and has become a demon again.”

  Mikaela felt a pang of guilt. Why did you have to go and do that?

  She recalled the moment when she’d thrown the concentrated hellfire to Lilith. She was sure
that its magnitude would burn even a demon, reproducing the act of soul purification. If it wasn’t for the archangel that stood protectively over Lilith, it would have been over.

  And if it wasn’t for Daniel, she thought. I would have died in Uriel’s hands.

  Mikaela finally got herself to stand up on her own. “Thank you, Ariel.” She could still feel the soreness though, as Ariel had fully mended the bones but could do little with her lungs and stomach. “It’s good for now.”

  Ariel sighed, looking at the rabid demon. “I believe he is under Azazel’s control.”

  “You mean that guy who chased us down in Chicago?” She exhaled heavily, her eyes staring at Caelum. “His soul is different. Demonic again, yes. But different even from that. Like there are traces of that other demon’s soul in him.”

  Her mind raced with ideas and she pursed her lips in thought. The soul in her father’s body was powerful indeed, but erratic. Mikaela considered her options, calculating the strength left in her. She turned to Ariel and said in a whisper, “I have a plan, but I think the demon mafia boss may be listening.”

  Ariel’s eyes scrutinized the area, and indeed, she sensed another demonic presence aside from Caelum’s and Lilith’s, undoubtedly Azazel’s. The angel turned to Mikaela, startling the witch when her face moved only an inch from her own. Before Mikaela could protest, Ariel lowered her head and her forehead touched with Mikaela’s.

  “H- hey, what are you—?” Mikaela uttered, trying to pull away, but a wave of warmth filled her, halting her words. Ariel was warm and soothing, and a flush rose in the witch’s cheeks. It felt as though she could melt in the angelic presence that enveloped her.

  What is this…? Mikaela questioned. She closed her eyes, and in her mind, she saw a small light shining. The light grew brighter, shimmering like a pure soul. Then, a voice echoed as if coming from inside her head.

  We can speak without being heard by others in this way.

  Ariel? She opened her eyes. The angel had hers closed, concentrating on her energy. Mikaela closed her eyes again and saw the light. Is...Is this your true form?

  Yes… Please hold still, our connection might break if we were to part.

  Mikaela felt the angel shifting to move closer to her. Don’t you think this is… I don’t know— a little strange?

  It is only to keep Azazel from eavesdropping. I am trying my best to bond my will to yours. It would be much easier if I was to touch your soul, but that would arouse further suspicion.

  Damn right it will! Mikaela almost panicked. I don’t go that way— Oh, you mean sync with my soul, she concluded, feeling slightly embarrassed. She prayed the angel wasn’t able to read them. Anyway, enough of that. Listen to my plan, Ariel.

  The image of the angel and the witch standing so close to each other warranted suspicion, yet Azazel was uncertain of what to do. He had cloaked himself in the darkness, watching the events unfold from a good distance. And just when he thought things couldn’t get any more exciting, this happened. The witch was clearly flushed and panting whilst the angel exuded a caring, almost motherly, aura. It made him strangely sick so he looked away.

  The two broke from the embrace and faced Caelum, who continued his torture of Lilith. Ariel glanced at Mikaela, worry still evident on her face. Mikaela gave her an encouraging nod. “It will be all right, Ariel. Don’t forget, I’m the soul expert.” She gave the angel a thumbs up before turning her attention back to the demon. Each lash made Mikaela cringe, but she didn’t have the luxury of hesitation.

  “It should be right around this time,” Mikaela whispered, looking down at the ground. “And… now!”

  A sudden burst erupted near where Caelum stood, revealing a dark form that was as large as him. The shadows scattered into black mist and revealed Lilith. Her skin was bare and pink, like that of a baby. Black wisps covered her bare body like tattoos.

  She swiped her arm across, her nails whistling as they tore the air. Caelum dodged; the wind sliced only through the skin of his cheek. But the following gust of wind threw him back. Caelum used the momentum to spin and lash the blazing whip at her. The black wisps around her legs tightened, and with renewed agility, she leaped into the air.

  “Ariel, go!” Mikaela shouted. Ariel pushed Mikaela, and a sudden gust of wind launched her towards Lilith. Mikaela spun mid-air, creating a blast of dark smoke in her wake. The smoke filled the area, covering all of them.

  Lilith gritted her teeth, unable to see through the smoke. A moment passed. A heavy blow struck her face as Mikaela’s boot met her cheek. Lilith’s face distorted, the force chipping a tooth or two before she felt herself get blown away and slammed to the ground.

  Caelum, lost in the confusion, looked about inside the smoke. He struggled to see his prey through the veil of smoke and fidgeted. Then, two glowing hands came from behind him and cupped his ears.

  “Forgive me, Caelum. Forgive me, Father,” Ariel whispered.

  Caelum’s vision slowly dimmed until his world was plunged into total darkness. He didn’t utter a word of protest, just froze in place as his senses failed him. Everything was silent, and everything ceased to exist.

  Forgive me, Father, for I shall blight the will of this soul. Ariel mourned at being pushed to use the one ability bestowed upon her. She wanted to embrace him. Her heart broke to see him completely lifeless though not dead. But she must concentrate. Caelum’s grin had gone placid, and both of them closed their eyes in solemn peace, ridding them of the chaos that surrounded them.

  The wilting form that was her old vessel slept soundly just beside where Lilith had crashed. She lifted herself from the ground and took a contemptuous glance at the broken body. She winced at its charred skin which reminded her of the pain. The form shriveled like an old leaf, the skin graying and cracking until it crumbled into ashes.

  Mikaela stood in front of her, blowing dust in her wake. “Round two, Lilith.”

  Lilith glared at the witch, but instead of attacking, she bolted into a run in the other direction. Mikaela realized that she was heading for the hole in Hell. Is she trying to escape?!

  The witch dashed after Lilith, muttering a spell as she went. Runes marked her leg, and suddenly, her speed heightened. Mikaela soon caught up to the fleeing demon, but not before Lilith reached the crater that led to the hole into Hell. It was covered in molten rock and crystallized sand, and Lilith was summoning something.

  Mikaela abruptly stopped, hearing Lilith’s words. The spell was familiar, and she had no intention of waiting for Lilith to be successful. She stomped both feet on the ground and a large explosion propelled her towards Lilith. While in mid-air, Mikaela hugged her knees and summoned darkness to cover her with a sphere. Thorns burst from the black sphere, turning her into a big, spiky cannonball. The attack connected, and Mikaela crashed against Lilith. The spikes dug into her flesh, but to Mikaela’s surprise, as she hopped off, Lilith didn’t stop her spell. Before her feet could land back on the ground, Lilith finished her chant and the crater erupted from the inside.

  Like a volcano, the hole spewed a mass of dark souls. Mikaela watched in awe as a huge billow of smoke morphed into thousands of distorted faces, crying and moaning. Mikaela quickly fashioned a blade out of the shadows and threw it at Lilith, stabbing her shoulder. Again Lilith didn’t flinch.

  Mikaela recoiled at the sight of Lilith’s face when she turned. The childish face of the demon was now stained with blood flowing from her eyes like tears. “You get used to the pain,” she told Mikaela with a smile. Lilith turned back to the souls. The air got filled with cries of anguish and pain as they shuddered.

  With a wave of her hand, the souls pooled together, spinning around each other like a tornado that descended into Lilith’s chest. The cries of the souls were drowned out by Lilith’s own wailing. Her body jerked violently while the souls poured into her vessel. Terror filled Mikaela as she watched the ordeal. After no more than a few seconds, the smoke was snuffed into the demon’s body. Lilith’s upper bod
y slumped back while her legs remained in place with her feet flat on the ground. She stayed like that for a few moments, Mikaela frozen on the spot, waiting for something to happen. Then, Lilith’s shoulders began to vibrate, a laugh tearing through the silence. Her blonde hair glowed and wisped like flames, and Lilith lifted her body straight, turning to Mikaela.

  Her eyes were full of glee as she shouted, “Why haven’t I done this before?!” She looked at herself as the energy surged into her veins, trailing glowing lights under her skin. “Now I understand why you love this so much!”

  Lilith swung her arm around, bringing forth a gust of wind. She swung her other arm and hellfire wisped from her fingers. Mikaela took a step back, watching the demon playing with her new powers.

  Lilith snapped at her, her smile growing wider. Lilith opened her mouth and a scream echoed from her lips along with raging fire. Mikaela hopped back, blocking her face as the fires almost licked at her arms.

  “Two can play that game!” she challenged Lilith. Mikaela concentrated on the souls that filled her body. Alright, you little rascals, time to show your mistress what tricks you know.

  With eyes shut tight, Mikaela spread her arms. She visualized the powerful demon she’d absorbed. She saw a large black panther in her mind, with glowing yellow eyes and a hungry mouth. Mikaela imagined opening the cage of the panther and letting it loose, a leash around its neck.

  Mikaela felt a pull in her body. Her back arched, and she could feel the bones inside her wriggling. When she opened her eyes, her vision had gone red. Everything around her was filtered in red light, but Lilith stood out, glowing like a Christmas tree. Her mouth was dry and her body was hot. Every muscle in her body twitched, and her mind was filled with strange anticipation. No, something more powerful.

  Bloodlust.

  Mikaela ran towards Lilith. The demon slammed both her hands and conjured a shockwave that sliced vertically through the air. Mikaela’s body leapt, twisting in mid-air to dodge the shockwave. Amazing reflexes. Well done! Mikaela cheered herself on.