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

by J. D. Stonebridge

  In the battlefield that was the world of mortals, Ariel materialized from the sunlight to see the torment that was the city, filled with blood, charred bones, torn flesh, and demolished structures. She took a moment to mourn for what Heaven had brought to this world, but quickly returned her vigilance. “Gabriel! I come to seek guidance.”

  Soon enough, she heard Gabriel’s voice in her head. “Sister Ariel! To the west! We are routing the seraphim!”

  Ariel focused on the trace of Gabriel’s voice. She blanketed herself in light and suddenly found herself beside Gabriel. The archangel stood on the roof of a house, supervising the battle. She raised her scepter and shouted, “Hear me brethren! Ophanim approach from the south! Clear the land and take to the skies!” She then turned to Ariel whose eyes burned with courage but her face was still sapped by sorrow. “Sister, I shall join the fight soon. Are you truly fit to fight?”

  “Yes,” she stated as a beam of light flashed from her hands and turned into a spear. “Let us go!” With that signal, Gabriel and Ariel vanished into the light.

  The sunlight was partly blocked by the smoke from the destruction, but from it, Ariel and Gabriel appeared and dropped down on the melee. Below them, seraphim were brandishing their blades and crossed swords with Gabriel’s virtues. All of Gabriel’s troops were veiled with thick armor which effectively saved them from the seraphim’s powerfully burning blades. With this advantage, their commander appeared to help with the final push.

  Gabriel landed on a seraph parrying a blow from a virtue. Her knee smashed on the seraph’s shoulder, bringing him down. Gabriel then stabbed the fallen angel with the other end of the scepter. The seraph’s glow suddenly ceased and his body turned into ash. Gabriel raised her head and swung the scepter around, effectively hitting a dashing seraph and sent him flying. The seraph shouted as Ariel caught him with her spear, stabbing him on the chest. But before she could act, two more seraphim approached her and attacked at two opposing ends. With a swift upward slash, she made a quick slice at the first one, but the other’s burning blade was about to make its way to her shoulder.

  The blade stopped and the seraph choked. Ariel’s eyes widened in shock, seeing Caelum holding the Zound that stabbed the angel’s neck. “Caelum!” she shouted in both delight and confusion. “What happened?”

  The demon pushed the dead angel aside and looked around to see if more would come their way. “I'm sorry, Ariel. I failed. I was too late.”

  A seraph dropped from above and landed behind Caelum. But the demon simply stabbed the blade near his waist. The seraph paused in pain and that gave Caelum the chance. He twirled towards the angel and flicked his hand in a swift swipe, cutting through the angel’s throat like the last one.

  “I was too late,” he continued, facing Ariel again. “Lucifer beat me to it. He managed to kill Azrael.” His face was solemn as he reported the news.

  “Impossible!” Ariel denied. “Azrael has fallen?” The news shocked her so much that her shoulders and arms fell limp.

  Caelum took one last look and approached the despairing angel. “Forgive me,” Caelum whispered.

  Ariel noticed a slight difference in Caelum’s soul. It had a ray of dark power, unlike that of a regular demon. Could that be the influence of the other demon inside him? Ariel wondered, looking back at the battle weeks before where a demon who announced himself as Power became part of Caelum. Perhaps it was Power who allowed Caelum to escape Lucifer.

  Caelum suddenly looked to the side and stepped back as a seraph slashed his sword between them. “We’ll talk more later!” he exclaimed, seeing more angels descend. “We’ll need to find a different way to stop Michael and Lucifer!” His eyes shone brightly as he stared up into the Heavens.

  The broken Gates of Heaven welcomed Michael who carried Scott behind him, bound in chains of light. At first, Scott was indifferent during their journey when Lucifer had carried him to Heaven and offered him to Michael who found the need to chain him despite his compliance. But as soon as his eyes landed on the Kingdom of Heaven, a face of loss and mourning washed over him. The large pearly gates told in legends was broken, crushed and still burning as the ophan that stood to operate it died when Azrael had burst through it.

  “Follow me,” Michael commanded.

  Scott smirked. Do I even have a choice? Or are you just plain courteous when Lucifer’s not around? Michael looked at him as if he sensed his inner remark. “Keep walking.”

  They made their way to the main roads of Heaven. As they walked, Scott felt two conflicting things. One was that heaven was empty. All active angels on duty were not in their positions, leaving Heaven in stasis. Another was that he could feel the miasma of angel energy. A thick but invisible mist of a dead angel. If flesh releases a foul odor upon decay, this is what happens to angels. A dead angel smells like pine trees.

  “Michael,” Scott called. The angel did not respond. “Hey, Michael.” Still the angel remained in his quiet procession. “Michael, Michael.”

  “Speak. I did not bind your tongue. Do not give me a reason to,” he said with his head turned away.

  Scott shrugged and said his regards, "Heaven's not like what it said in the books. All I can see here is no different than that of the human world. Or is it that many of our earthly designs were based on Heaven?"

  "It is through us that many of your achievements were based. We placed it to ourselves to help you in many of your endeavors. You should be grateful to us, yet you turned what paradise our Father made into a filthy wasteland."

  Scott felt offended, but soon understood that the angel had a point. "Sure, blame all the humans for the foolishness of a few. I'll use that same logic to blame all of Heaven for the screw-up of one." The scenery of Heaven changed. Soon, they found themselves in a white space with a dome in the distance.

  "Where are we headed?" Scott asked.

  Michael instead yanked his hand and the chains on Scott tightened, making him yelp. "You filth don't deserve the love that was endlessly given to you. Nor will you ever be deserving of it." Michael's fist shook as he continued. "It gives me great joy to eradicate you filth from the earth!"

  Scott, though tightly bound and gasping, managed to slip out. "Yeah! To think that you were our prototype! We sure grew into the spiteful, unloving, but beautiful creatures capable of destroying millions!"

  Scott suddenly found himself flying as Michael raised his hand and did a throwing gesture. Scott braced for impact, but instead of a painful thud, he landed on soft grass and earth that felt like a bed cushion. A cough later, he pushed himself up and saw a few flowers in front of him. The Garden?

  "Welcome to the Garden of Heaven, filth," Michael announced.

  The chains on Scott loosened and vanished, giving him a moment to breathe. The air in the garden smelled lightly fragrant to Scott, and as he stood, he saw a variety of plants, trees, flowers, and all manner of colorful flora. All I see are plants. Where are the mushrooms and molds?

  Michael stood just before the grass and with another wave of his hand, several runes of golden light appeared before him. "Stay in this garden and consume all the bounty you wish. For a time later, I shall kill you myself." On that note, Michael disappeared.

  Scott looked around. The garden was silent. And the gardener is missing. He trod along the grass and looked at a tree a good distance away. He did a bit more running and appreciated how untouched the garden was. Soon, he reached the tree. There's my pretty. He mused as his hand felt the brown gnarly bark. With a thought in his head and a scheming glance to the side, he smiled.

  Chapter Thirteen: Craving

  As War’s horse disappeared into the distance, Caelum was left alone in the desolated land. The plant-wielding angel that had slaughtered the soldiers slowly made its way up the ground and hovered, its robe partly burnt and its arms decimated. He looked at himself and remembered that he was a soul, torn from his body by the Horseman so he could witness the event. With angels attacking the world, Caelum was reminded th
at everyone he knew was in danger. I hope everyone is still alive, but… his mind was filled with uneasiness, if we do win and Lucifer dies, what would the world be like after?

  His thoughts were interrupted by Azrael’s voice. Caelum. I sensed that the second Horseman has left. Shall I take your essence back?

  “Yes, please,” he replied. With those words, Caelum saw the world around him blur and he once again felt weightless. When gravity returned to pull him down, he found himself back in the grey garden, now holding a golden sword and still wearing the wooden crown.

  Azrael noticed the new artifact he was holding. “Is that sword…Attrition?” she asked.

  Caelum shrugged. “He gave it to me as a gift. Is it powerful?”

  Azrael shook her head. “No. It is not a sword. For you it looks and feels like a sword, but that artifact is a symbol. Consider it a tool rather than a weapon.”

  The demon took a good look at the masterfully crafted blade. “Well, that’s wonderful, I guess. Where do we go next?”

  “Famine has requested your presence,” Azrael replied.

  “Oh, great. Finally, some courtesy,” Caelum mocked, still feeling a bit of frustration from the past Horseman, War.

  “Follow me. We shall go to the river of souls,” she bid him.

  Caelum looked around at the endless garden. “How?” he asked, but before he could blink, they found themselves in a tunnel. The tunnel looked more like an old cave, and, just like the garden, was colored grey. The walls of the tunnel seemed to be made of chalk, and its decorations were the assorted bones and skulls of different creatures. Caelum then wondered, “Okay, is this the river?”

  Azrael nodded. Caelum pressed his eyebrows together. “Where’s the river?” This question was answered when Azrael gestured above them. “Oh.”

  Above them was a great mass of distorted faces and slowly wiggling arms. What surprised Caelum most was the iridescent glow of the soul slime above them. “What gives?” Caelum asked. “It’s more backed-up sewage than a river.”

  “Since Heaven and Hell are broken, souls have nowhere to go,” she answered. “Let us press on. Famine awaits.”

  The two walked on the dusty, bony path that was the river of souls. Caelum noticed an odd green hue slowly coloring the walls. With every step, the dark green hue thickened, and soon, Caelum saw wisps of green flitting about. Sure enough, from the distance, a figure emerged. As they neared it, its features became clearer.

  From what Caelum could see, it was a desiccated figure, robed in weaves of brown, tattered cloth. The weaves reminded him of Roman royalty, complete with rusty badges where the cloth would be pinned. As he expected, the Horseman was faceless. A hood from the weaves covered its head, and he could see nothing but a void where the face should be. Its steed was similar to it; partly decaying with dry skin and bones. The steed’s hooves stepped silently on the cave floor, and as it reached them, Azrael bowed. Caelum, realizing how rude he had been before, decided to follow Azrael’s motion.

  “Bow not to me, demon,” a dry voice said, making Caelum look up. “I am…below you. I am...one of the most primal forces...in the will...of everything. I am...need. I am...craving. I am Famine.”

  Caelum stared at the being as its horse slowly buckled its knees and bowed to him. He didn’t know what to do, and in a moment of awkwardness, bowed again. “G-greetings, Famine,” he stammered.

  Azrael stepped back and stood near the wall, and as Famine rose from its bow, it spoke to Caelum. “Demon. Have you truly started the rapture in the name of salvation?”

  Caelum said a simple, “Yes.”

  Famine took a step forward. “Are you not here to sate your desires as well?”

  “Well, yes,” Caelum nodded. “I have a desire to stop Lucifer.”

  Famine asked, “What of your other soul? Has he come here in anticipation to consume all the souls of the dead to feel the greatest power?”

  Yes! Caelum felt a small tug in his chest. Yes! The horse speaks the truth! It was Power’s fantasy.

  Caelum smiled. “Yes, he does. We are here with the same goal, just different perspectives.”

  Famine’s horse snorted, dust blowing from its mouth. “I rejoice, demon. For you have the greatest of cravings!” The Horseman then tugged the reigns of its horse, and he began to walk. “Please, demon, follow me. I will lead you to the place where you shall satiate your desires.”

  “Caelum,” Azrael called. “I shall wait by the gates.” With that, Azrael walked back, leaving Caelum to follow Famine.

  The tunnel was long, and the mass of souls swayed back and forth above them in silence. Caelum’s mind raced, knowing he was nearing his goal, and learned that the Horsemen were here not to challenge him. The first one, regretfully, nagged him about the mistakes he’d made that led him to where he was now. The second one took Caelum back to the human world for the view of the battle. And this third one wanted to escort him. This spiked his curiosity, and he decided to ask, “Famine, what are you Horsemen supposed to be?”

  “We are, in essence,” Famine quietly answered, “the fundamental parts...of will.”

  Caelum rubbed his chin. “How come you are the key parts of the Rapture? I’ve heard stories that you all appear in the Rapture to destroy mankind. According to War, the angels seem to be doing your job for you.”

  “We are but symbols. There came a time where we acted upon the lands and brought forth our own will into the world. Would you not prefer to act, if someone has acted for you?”

  Caelum snickered. “I see you’re the lazy type.” Then he realized a portion of what Famine said. “Wait, what do you mean there came a time?”

  “We are but incarnations of the cycles. In a previous cycle, I walked among the wasted lands in War’s wake. I bring hunger, suffering, and disease as I go. For this cycle, I chose to guide you on your way.”

  “That’s very kind of you.” He smirked, but with a hint of doubt.

  “It is...because you craved it. So I shall satisfy that craving.”

  “Craving,” Caelum continued, enjoying the conversation. “You keep saying that.”

  “It is...a vital element of will. Humans seek to consume, and through this, they toil, they devour, they take. Whether it be material possessions, carnal desires, or to nurture their vessels. You are no different.”

  “Really?” Caelum mused. “I am a demon, you know.”

  “Yes… your desires are of a higher degree. Yearning for the bond of a family, to return to a state of normality, and wanting salvation.”

  Caelum remembered Mikaela, the person dearest to him, along with the angel, Ariel. To some degree, he admitted to himself that he had fantasized about becoming a family with the two and perhaps living a happy life, equal to any normal human.

  “I don’t get one thing, Famine. What do you mean, I desire salvation? I don’t think I need that. I never wished to be saved and, in fact, here I am trying to be the bringer of salvation.”

  A few moments of silence passed. Caelum started to think that Famine was mistaken and could not admit his mistake. He was then corrected. “Have...you seen the world you live in? It…is beyond saving. And what of you, if you were the one left?”

  “I…” The words hit him. “Are you saying, if it’s too late, and I’m the only being left?”

  “Yes... would you not seek salvation?”

  Caelum quickly shook his head. “I won’t let that happen. And no, if you think that I believe God will somehow magically appear and save me, you are sadly mistaken, my dry friend.”

  “God...is the cause of all this,” Famine pointed out. “God has starved the angels of his attention, of his love. He drove Lucifer...who loved more than any other angel...to take his empty throne in his desire to create a new world...where there will always be his love…his rule...” Famine’s dark hood turned to Caelum. “Do you not think...he will take responsibility?”

  “I sure don’t,” Caelum answered, but he shrugged. He paused, seeing the end of the
tunnel. “I believe we are here?”

  “Truly so,” Famine replied, but as it did, the horse suddenly snorted and the Horseman picked up its pace. When it reached the end of the tunnel, it stopped and turned to Caelum. The demon’s guard went up. Yeah, I knew this was too easy.

  Famine raised its hand. “Demon, before you step forth into her territory, I request...a toll.”

  “What?” Caelum sighed, his shoulders drooping. “Geez, for a moment there, I thought you were going to attack me.” He straightened himself and asked, “What kind of toll?”

  “Your greatest hunger. I request it.”

  “I’m not sure what you want, friend. I can give you my craving for some physical pleasure and Jenny’s blueberry pancakes that I ate when I was human, if that helps.” Right after he said that, he felt another tug in his chest. I want power! “I see. This hungry me, you want it, right?”

  “Rightly so,” Famine agreed. “I shall sate its hunger, and its hunger shall sate me.”

  “Very well, he’s an annoying chap, but he’ll grow on you.” Caelum nodded.

  With a wave of Famine’s hand, Caelum felt his entire body shudder. Black mist poured out of his skin, mouth, ears, and eyes. The mist continued to leave his body, and then it gathered in front of him and solidified. What emerged was a mirror image of him, still wearing the wide grin he somewhat despised.

  “I’m going?” Power asked, enraged. “I'M NOT GOING TO FEEL ALL THE POWER OF THE SOULS?”

  Caelum turned his head to the side. “I'm sorry, me. I'm afraid you’ll have to go with that tall, dry man over there.”

  Power’s smile twisted into a pout and shouted, “I WANT POWER!”

  “There will be plenty...” Famine said. “Come...let your infinite hunger...sate me…and I shall feed you...for eternity.”