In Rebellion (Archangel Jarahmael and the War to Conquer Heaven, Book II)

by John J Higgins

  She quickly bowed herself to the ground before him, frightened that he would destroy her on the spot.

  “You wanted wings. I gave them to you. You need to know your place. I will work on changing your feet once I get back to the Throne Room and get the Book of Creation for the right spell. Muto Somes Ut Aufero Pennae!” Those words changed her back, causing her wings to grow back into her body and her talons to turn back into her feet. “Remember those phrases and you can change yourself, to have wings, or to remove them.”

  Looking down and seeing her feet return, she was delighted. None of this was permanent. I can change myself, what a great thing! And this Archangel taught me how to do that. She looked up, her eyes apologizing to him, opening herself up to him once again to reward him for this gift and they entwined once more.

  Chapter 35

  WEAPONS ARRIVE

  Faumiel was descending along with his band of loyal Cherubim with the weapons they had carried all the way from the Sixth Heaven, down to the pyramid halfway around the Earth at Occidentus. He had hoped that Dubriel had succeeded in contacting Cerebriel, the head of the loyal Cherubim, to assist him ward off the attack from the larger group of pursuing rebel Cherubim led by Glabolas. But as far as Faumiel could see his plan had failed, and now they must do their best to fight off and eliminate as many of the rebel Angels before he and his band were captured or destroyed themselves. The desperately needed weapons would never get to the loyal Angels and help stave off Luciferael’s army in conquering the Heavens and the Earth.

  Faumiel looked up and saw the pursuing rebel Angels dropping out of the skies, having finally overtaken his small group. Glabolas had his sword drawn and was ready to attack Faumiel, causing Faumiel to draw his own as he prepared to defend himself and the weapons cache. It wasn't Glabolas that worried him, as he was sure he could take him. It was what to do about the rest of the rebel Cherubim as they greatly outnumbered Faumiel's loyals.

  Outnumbered at least five to one, Faumiel’s Cherubim kept sinking backwards, trying to protect the sleds with weapons. Another group of rebel angels were positioning themselves to get beneath Faumiel’s group and then they would be totally surrounded.

  Suddenly, a mass of various loyal Angels came streaming out from the pyramid below. Armed with the laser cutters used on the pyramid sites, bright flashes wounded or stunned many of Glabolas’s Cherubim, thwarting the attack. Cerebriel himself took aim at Glabolas and wounded him and made him tumble earthward. Another of Cerebriel's Cherubim took out the rebel leader Haagenti as he tried to rally his rebel Angels. With the two leaders incapacitated, the rebel Cherubim Angels were unable to continue fighting, the remainder of them surprised and in disarray. Within a few moments the rebel Cherubim found themselves surrounded and captured.

  Faumiel was delighted. It was a good move, securing the weapons and making sure that none of the pursuers could go back to Luciferael and tell him where the weapons had been taken. With none of his Cherubim returning to him, Luciferael would not know where they had gone. Hopefully, the rebel Angels would not even realize that Glabolas was in pursuit of any loyal Cherubim who were transporting weapons out of the Heavens. That would give the loyal Angels an element of surprise for once against the rebel Angels.

  Cerebriel himself had led the attack to protect Faumiel and they greeted one another with large smiles, happy to see one another safe and sound.

  “You are a welcome sight!” Faumiel said to Cerebriel.

  “As are you! Not to mention the weapons you succeeded in bringing to us, Faumiel,” said Cerebriel. “It was a great idea sending Dubriel down to the pyramids so we would be warned and get into position here. We have been trying to fight without any Heavenly weapons, and have been losing one Heaven after another,” Cerebriel said to Faumiel.

  “I did not expect to see you here ahead of me,” said Faumiel as he thought about it. “I anticipated that you would come up from behind and attack them that way.”

  “That is the beauty of the pyramid system,” said Cerebriel as he pointed to the pyramid below them. “The portals allow us to move much faster than simple flight. Now we can start making preparations to fight back! But rest first, you have had a long and dangerous journey getting those weapons down here to us.”

  Faumiel's Cherubim concealed the four sleds that carried the weapons from the Sixth Heaven in trenches around the Occidental pyramid that they covered over with palm tree fronds and undergrowth. They took the captives and wounded of the rebel Cherubim and confined them deep within the pyramid. Cerebriel then placed armed loyal Cherubim as guards to keep them from causing anymore havoc.

  Cerebriel and Faumiel went through the new weapons stores. Although they had brought a large cache of weapons, it was still not enough to arm all of the Angels who were now stranded on the Earth. Cerebriel decided that it would be best to arm the Archangels and Cherubim first with the actual weapons, and disperse the remainder to as many Angels of the lower Orders as they could. They also made sure that construction tools were spread among the Dominions and Principalities who were more familiar with using those tools, so the transition for use as weapons would not be difficult for them.

  Cerebriel and a number of his fellow Cherubim helped move the weapons to the other Angels in the pyramids around the world. They knew that it was only a matter of time before Luciferael and his armies would come out of the Heavens to finish the conquests of the Earth. They wanted to be prepared for the next set of attacks when and wherever that happened.

  It took all night and the next day to move the weapons, as they could only move so many at a time through the portals from one pyramid to another. They then had to distribute them among the Cherubim and make sure that the other Orders of Angels who were given weapons knew how to use them. The pyramids became the focal points and shelters for the loyal Angels who were no longer able to return to the Heavens after Luciferael's conquest. Cerebriel was taking advantage of these encampments by making them training centers, and assigned groups of his Cherubim as trainers for the other Orders of Angels. By using the pyramids for travel, all movements were concealed from observation by Luciferael’s scouts in the skies. They could easily move weapons and loyal Angels from pyramid to pyramid, which allowed them to build and train a loyal army without Luciferael's knowledge.

  Chapter 36

  RETURN TO THE FIRST HEAVEN

  Beelzebael arrived at Jarahmael's palace the next day relaxed and rested. It was a quiet time in the Heavens as Luciferael and his legions had another day off from fighting and preparing for war. Luciferael would want to finish the war and Beelzebael was confident that the last bit of fighting would be confined on the Earth below and that it would end quickly. The rebel Angels had become proficient in the art of war and had momentum on their side. The loyal Angels were not able to claim even one victory and were believed to be beaten and discouraged. How could they not be?

  Beelzebael was surprised to find Luciferael still in the mirrored room, entwined on the floor, asleep, with the Human female. He stood looking from the doorway, admiring this Human female's form as she lay there lying on top of Luciferael, his wings folded over much of her body. He realized that this must be Lillith. He thought back on how much effort they had expended trying to find this Human, all to no avail. It took Jarahmael to find her and bring her where the rebel Angels could get her. Jarahmael could have been a real problem, he thought, fortunately he is now gone and destroyed.

  Beelzebael could see part of his own reflection peering back at him from across the room and thought how handsome he was and how he deserved more, too. Maybe he could have one of these Human or Simian females for himself, or maybe more than one. Destroying the females of the species might not be such a good idea. Sparing them for the rebel Angels might be a better idea. Beelzebael and the rebel Angels might have a better use for all of them.

  He cleared his throat loudly as he walked into the room. Startled, Lillith looked up and saw him standing there as Luciferael opened his ey
es.

  “Welcome lord Beelzebael. Is it morning already?”

  “Yes, my lord Luciferael. I have come to find you to report that your legions are all rested and ready to finish this war!”

  “Splendid. Exactly what I wanted to hear,” Luciferael said, standing up, his eyes looking first at Beelzebael standing there, and then to the mirrors where he looked at himself.

  “I took the liberty to have all the legions assemble themselves in the First Heaven. From there we can attack and have all the reserve legions at the ready.”

  “Great idea, lord Beelzebael. I commend you for thinking ahead. We will overwhelm the loyal Angels who remain on the Earth.”

  “Thank you, my lord. The conquered Potentate Angels were not eager to leave the Second Heaven; it seems that they prefer to remain in their own world.”

  “Not to worry. We don't need them to think or to attack on their own, they are just important so we can tap into and use their energy levels. As long as they are available to us as we move through the Earth's skies and around the planet, I will be satisfied.”

  “Yes, my lord. They seem to be a strange and cantankerous lot,” Beelzebael said as he assisted putting on Luciferael's armor.

  Luciferael looked over at Lillith. “Lillith, you should come with us. You can wait for us in the Garden of Eden. That's the place you miss, isn't it?”

  “Yes, my lord. I miss it very much. Can I have my own palace there? Adam and I only had a small hut while were there, but there is a wonderful pyramid that the Angels were building nearby, in the Garden of Eden. After you win the war, would you make it into a palace for me? ”

  Luciferael's gaze was back on his own reflection. Beelzebael thought he was even more stunning in his armor. He would make a fine figure leading his victorious legions, enjoying the glory of defeating the loyal Angels.

  Luciferael distractedly answered Lillith, saying, “Oh yes. The pyramid there. . . sure, Lillith. I will give you all of the Garden of Eden and that pyramid can be your palace. I will get some of the Principalities and Dominions to modify it to your liking.”

  Beelzebael wrapped the sword and belt around Luciferael. “Are you ready, my lord?”

  “Yes,” said Luciferael. He looked at Lillith and then said, “Lillith, change yourself. Show your lord Beelzebael what I have taught you.”

  “Yes, Luciferael,” she responded obediently. “Muto Somes Habeo Pennae!” she called out. Her wings returned, but so did her talons. She moved to try to hide her feet from both Luciferael's and Beelzebael's gaze. The two Archangels smiled at one another in amusement at her behavior.

  “Doesn't seem to like the changes to her feet, Beelzebael!” Luciferael said, smiling even more so. He looked back at her. “Don't worry so much about the feet. There will be no Humans left soon, so it won’t be a problem,” he said and then started to laugh.

  “The wings are amazing,” said Beelzebael. “You are growing in your powers as the new Almighty, my lord.”

  “Thanks Beelzebael. I do have to figure out what went wrong with her feet. Once we finish off the Earth, I will remedy it through the spells in the Book of Creation. Don't want to waste the time now.”

  Luciferael was now totally dressed and he began to walk towards the doorway. “Come Lillith. One day like this won't hurt you. And now you will be able to fly like the rest of us! See how good I am to you!”

  “Yes, my lord,” she responded, still annoyed that her feet were no longer hers. She walked awkwardly behind the two Archangels and they went to the entranceway of Jarahmael's palace and then took off.

  Once the two Archangels were airborne, they hovered and turned to watch Lillith learn to use her wings. Expecting that she would be clumsy at it, they were both surprised at how easily she took to flying. Within a few minutes she was flying in all sorts of positions and doing all sorts of maneuvers.

  Beelzebael whispered over to Luciferael, “She is really quite good at this! You did a wonderful job with her!”

  “Yes, I did, didn't I?” he responded proudly. “Come, let's head for the lower Heavens.” Preening himself slightly, he yelled over to Lillith, “Come Lillith, enough of that, follow us!” He waited a second to make sure she was responding and saw her fly to where he and Beelzebael were hovering. Once she caught up, the two Archangels, with Lillith flying behind, headed towards the entrance down into the Sixth Heaven.

  As they flew down through the Heavens, Beelzebael flew closer to Luciferael. “May I make a request, lord Luciferael?”

  Luciferael was in a great mood. “Sure, lord Beelzebael. You have been a faithful and loyal servant and companion in my ascension to glory. What is it that you would like?”

  “I have noticed how beautiful Lillith is and how she is an exquisite pleasure for you. I was thinking that rather than destroy the Human and Simian females as we originally intended, perhaps we can spare them for ourselves, my lord. I know that I, for one, would like to have a one of these females for pleasure and I am sure that our other Angels would like to enjoy them as well. What do you think, my lord?”

  Luciferael grew silent as he thought about it for a moment.

  “Make the Human and Simian females pleasure slaves? Is that what you are suggesting, lord Beelzebael?”

  “Yes, my lord,” Beelzebael answered, hopeful he would get a favorable response. “And now you have even made it possible for them to become winged creatures to be our companions if we so desire!”

  “What do you suggest we do with the males?”

  “I don't think it matters much, my lord. We could use them as earth-bound slaves. They are not a particularly bright lot, after all. I would still definitely destroy Adam, he can choose ‘free will,’ I haven’t seen Eve to see if her beauty outweighs the risk.”

  “I did see her, tricked her actually, while in Serpentalia's form. She was easily manipulated and also quite beautiful. I had not thought of her in that way while I was there. But Jarahmael's encounter with Lillith has opened up a whole new way of having pleasure to me. I am sure you will enjoy it too, lord Beelzebael. When we have more time I will let you have Lillith, too. You can tell me what you think of her as a lover.”

  “Really, my lord Luciferael, you would not be jealous?” Beelzebael asked.

  “Not at all lord Beelzebael, these are creatures made of dirt. They are not made of beautiful clean light as we are. They matter no more to me than my own creations, the dinosaurs. Nothing more than an amusement for supreme creatures such as we are. The Almighty had this notion obviously of pairing them all, I gather to deal with the potential offspring. It would be true justice that we enslave those that the Almighty would have put above us.”

  “Yes, it would be,” Beelzebael added, encouraging Luciferael's reasoning.

  Luciferael continued as they flew through into the Third Heaven. “I am not concerned with whatever happens to them or their offspring. These Earth creatures are of little importance to me. We are immortal, my friend. No need to leave legacies or other nonsense. We are our own past, present, and future. Come, there will be plenty of time to discuss the spoils of war. For now, let's just enjoy our flight through the Heavens, or should I say our Heavens, and then off to our ultimate destiny!”

  The three of them passed through the Second Heaven without incident, with a growing anticipation of the final battle that was yet to come.

  As Luciferael, Beelzebael and Lillith burst through into the First Heaven, they saw that it was abuzz with activity. Luciferael's rebel Angel force was assembling itself, preparing to attack the loyal Angels, the last of whom were now on the Earth. Beelzebael's legions were in the lead, and they would be closely followed by the legions under Mephistopheles, Mammonael, Suriel, and Damiel. Sammuael had never been found nor had Michael and Ariel. Each legion was composed of ranks of Cherubim in the forefront followed by the lesser Orders: Virtues, Dominions Principalities and Guardian Angels.

  Luciferael had decided to distribute the Potentate Angels with their energy stores at th
e back of the legions, in case he needed them in specific places. He did not know how the loyal Angels had arranged their defenses on the Earth and he wanted those energy stores protected from capture. He knew that losing the Potentate Angels would be a serious blow to his attack.

  Luciferael turned to Lillith and said to her, “It’s time for you to fly over to the Garden of Eden and remain there. We will be attacking the forces on Earth in a little while. I will come find you once we have cleaned up the loyal army and dealt with the creatures on Earth. I don't anticipate that it will take too long and expect to be back sometime this afternoon.”

  “Yes, my lord!” she responded and in the distance she could see the green lushness of the walled-in area that was the Garden of Eden. The pyramid was off to the side of the Garden and was glimmering white in the morning sun.

  Beelzebael noted that the pyramid there would be her new home and that he would know where she resided once the battle was over, and he watched her as she changed direction in mid-flight and headed towards Eden.

  Luciferael and Beelzebael flew towards the legions beneath them. Luciferael said to Beelzebael, “I will miss having lord Sammuael in the battle with me. It’s a shame both he and lord Jarahmael aren’t here to witness this last major battle. They would be able to see my final conquest of the Almighty's creations here!”

  Beelzebael said to Luciferael, “Yes, my lord, we shall all miss both of them, but lord Sammuael especially. He was a driving force behind elevating you to become the new Almighty. I believe that Jarahmael would have caused problems for us, though, before long.”

  “We can continue that discussion after the war is won. Look down there!” Luciferael said, pointing down. “Lord Damiel did get my message and has taken over Sammuael's legion.”