Worlds Without End: Aftermath (Book 2)

by Shaun Messick

  Jake squeezed her hand, hoping that she would give some indication that she was still alive. Nothing.

  “She’s going to make it, Jake.”

  Jake looked up. His tear-filled eyes met the brown eyes of Nichelle, who sat on the other side of the bed – now able to speak from her surgically repaired larynx.

  He didn’t respond. He only nodded as he stood up and leaned in to kiss the love of his life gently on the lips. Her lips were cold. As he sat back down, he could not control the despair and anguish that began to bubble to the surface. He grabbed Celeste’s hand again and buried his head into the sheets of the bed. His shoulders began to heave up and down as he began to sob. He was not able to control his anguish. The only thing that kept him going was Celeste. Now, he was about to lose her as well.

  Nichelle moved over to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. “Shh. Let it out.”

  Jake continued to sob. After several minutes, he reached up and grabbed Nichelle’s hand, still looking at his beautiful bride-to-be. “I-I don’t think I can take this anymore. She’s all I have, Nichelle. Everyone’s dying.”

  “She is going to make it,” Nichelle said. “Celeste is strong. I know that she is fighting this. S—”

  But before she could finish her statement, Jake quickly stood up, turned around, and met her tear-filled eyes. He couldn’t maintain control anymore. Every negative emotion flooded through him like a tidal wave, ripping apart his soul. Anger. Despair. Frustration. Hate. Clenching his jaw, he pushed Nichelle out of the way and stepped over to a small wooden table that sat next to the far wall. “No!” he roared, slamming both of his fists down onto the wooden surface. The wood splintered, slicing both of his hands. “No! No! She won’t make it! I can’t do this anymore, Nichelle! I can’t stand by watching the people I love die right before my eyes!”

  Nichelle stepped forward cautiously and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Jake, listen. You have got to calm down. This isn’t helping Celeste. She needs your love and support. Most importantly, she needs your faith.”

  Jake’s shoulders stiffened. He grabbed the underside of the table and flung it to his left. The table shattered into pieces. With rage pulsating through his body, he whirled around, grabbed Nichelle by both shoulders, and bellowed, “Faith in what? God? God? No! There can’t be a God with all that has happened! We can’t win! Her father is too powerful, Nichelle! You know that! There is no poss—”

  The alarms on the life support machine keeping Celeste alive began to go off. Jake’s and Nichelle’s heads snapped quickly toward the monitor, monitoring her pulse. It was flat lining.

  Doctor Ithel Hopet, the replacement for Doc, barged into the room, along with a nurse. “She’s going into cardiac arrest!”

  Jake then turned back to Nichelle, his eyes bloodshot and watery. “Oh no. What have I done?”

  * * * * *

  The spirit hovered in the air a few inches off of the floor of the small hospital room. The white robe he was adorned in fluttered about as if there was a breeze. He watched as the man sobbed. The spirit could feel his pain and anguish, so much so that he nearly wept as well.

  “Will my daughter live?”

  The spirit turned his attention to the spirit hovering next to him, to his right. “I do not know, Ciminae. It is up to him,” he said as he nodded in the direction of the mortal man. “It is according to his faith, if she lives or dies.”

  Sadness crept along Ciminae Chast’s face. The spirit could tell that she desperately wanted her daughter to live. After all, she knew how vital Celeste was to the plan. She couldn’t die. Could she?

  The spirit, reading her thoughts, turned his attention back to the mortal, as Nichelle moved around the bedside to comfort the mortal man. “Yes, our Father has a plan, Ciminae,” he said. “But he leaves it up to his children to accept his will. It is their agency. He cannot force his will upon them. If he did, he would cease to be God. We must choose for ourselves to accept his will with unbreakable faith in our Father. That is when the Father moves us to do his will.”

  “B-but if my daughter dies, all will be lost,” responded Ciminae.

  The spirit smiled and pointed toward Nichelle. “If one does not accept his or her calling, there is always another.”

  Ciminae gave him a slight smile as they both watched the scene unfold. They saw the anger of the mortal man getting the best of him as he flung the small wooden table across the room. Their heads then quickly turned toward Celeste after the alarms from her life support machine began to go off. Ciminae grabbed the spirit’s hand and squeezed.

  The small Terrestrian doctor and a nurse barged into the room and began working on Celeste. “Clear,” said the doctor as the paddles charged. He then placed the paddles upon Celeste’s exposed chest. Her body convulsed as the electrical energy reverberated throughout her body in an attempt to jumpstart her heart. No pulse. He tried again. Again, the same result. He tried several more times, until finally … he gave up.

  “Call it,” the doctor said, turning to the nurse.

  The petite nurse looked at the clock on the wall. “Time of death, 11:30 p.m.”

  Jake leapt toward Celeste’s bed. He dropped to his knees, grabbing the cold, dead face of Celeste. “No! Celeste, y-you can’t die. W-we are meant to be together.” He then buried his head onto Celeste’s face, trembling as he sobbed.

  Nichelle moved to the other side of the bed and dropped to her knees as well. The spirit witnessed the faith disappear from her as she began to cry uncontrollably. Doctor Hopet and the nurse both lowered their heads in grief as they began to leave the room. Doctor Hopet placed a comforting hand on Jake’s shoulder and said, “I’m sorry, Jake. I’ll inform General Hauler.” Then the doctor and nurse both left the room.

  The spirit and Ciminae watched as bright lights began to shoot out of Celeste’s body. Celeste’s spirit rose up out of her body, her eyes meeting her mother’s. A smile of joy shone on her face as she hovered over to them. “Mother? I-Is that you?”

  Ciminae nodded and hugged her daughter. “Yes, Celeste.”

  Mother and daughter pulled away, and Celeste turned to look at the spirit. She recognized him instantly. “I-It’s you.”

  The spirit nodded. “Yes, Celeste. We have known each other for a long time.”

  Celeste smiled compassionately at him. “You were to be my son?” she questioned.

  “Yes,” said the spirit. “You and the mortal man were foreordained before creation to be my mortal parents. Unfortunately, the man lacks faith, and it is because of his lack of faith that you are now with us in the spirit world.”

  Celeste turned and looked lovingly at Jake. The spirit read her thoughts and felt her emotions. She longed to be with him, to hold him. She turned back toward the spirit. “What happens next? How are we supposed to defeat my father and his tyranny?”

  The spirit grew concerned. Never before had he felt helpless. This was the first time he ever felt this kind of emotion and it pained him to the core. “I do not know, Celeste. Our Father has chosen another,” he said, pointing to Nichelle. “But she must find a worthy mate, a man strong in faith.”

  Tears began to stream down Celeste’s face as she turned to her mother. “Mother, I don’t want to leave him. Jake needs me.”

  Ciminae grabbed her daughter’s hands. “I know, my dear. But Jake was not chosen because of his lack of faith. Come, join us in the spirit world. It is so glorious, Celeste. So peaceful. It is time to meet your Savior.”

  Celeste nodded in agreement. She turned back to the spirit. “Before we go, may I try and comfort Jake?”

  The spirit nodded.

  Celeste hovered over to Jake, who was still sobbing. She leaned down and whispered into his ear, “Be strong, Jake. We will see each other again. … I love you.”

  She turned back to face the spirit and her mother. Both of them reached their hands out for hers. She grabbed each of their hands as all three of them turned around and began hovering toward the wall. Ju
st as they were about to pass through, the spirit stopped. Ciminae and Celeste stopped as well. “What is it?” asked Ciminae.

  The spirit turned around along with the two women. Jake had both of his hands on Celeste’s head. His eyes were closed, and his head bowed, as he prayed and blessed her. The spirit suddenly had an impulse and looked toward the ceiling. He nodded and hovered his way next to Celeste’s body. He then looked at Celeste and said, “Celeste … you will not remember any of this.”

  Turning back to her body, he then touched her forehead just as white light, oblivious to the mortals, exploded all around them.

  * * * * *

  Celeste groggily opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred and her head was pounding. She turned toward the man that had his hands on her head. She tried to speak. Her throat was dry and sore. “J-Jake, is … that you?”

  Jake’s head snapped up as he removed his hands from her forehead. “Celeste! Y-you’re alive!” He then gently grabbed her face and began kissing her cheek. She felt his tears on her face.

  “Alive?” she questioned. “W-what happened?”

  Nichelle spoke before Jake could. Tears ran down her face as well as she grabbed Celeste’s hand. “You died, Celeste. You’ve been dead for several minutes.”

  Celeste shook her head. The last thing she remembered seeing was Vlamer Kreuk being run through with an electrified sword. “How long have I been unconscious?” she asked.

  “Almost two weeks,” Jake said.

  She turned and smiled at her fiancé. It was good to see him. She then tried to sit up, but Jake gently grabbed her by the shoulders. “No, don’t. You need to rest.”

  She succumbed to his command. “I died?”

  Jake nodded.

  “But I don’t understand. Where’s Doctor Hopet? H-how did you revive me?”

  Jake shrugged his shoulders. “It’s a miracle, Celeste. I was so mad at God for everything that has happened. But somehow, I sensed that you were still around, wanting to live. That’s when I decided to bless you. I prayed for faith … and …” Jake had to stop as emotion crept into his voice. “I-it worked, Celeste.”

  Celeste squeezed his hand and smiled. She was about to speak when the door to the room slid open. General Hauler rushed in, followed by Doctor Hopet. Scott Hauler stopped in his tracks when he saw Celeste wide awake and smiling. He turned toward Doctor Hopet. “I thought you said she was dead?”

  A look of confusion, quickly followed by relief, flashed over the doctor’s face. “She … I mean, she was dead.” The doctor then quickly rushed over next to her bed and began checking her vital signs. “I d-don’t understand. Your pulse is the strongest it has been in days. How do you feel?”

  Celeste smiled at the small doctor. “Other than a headache and exhaustion, I feel fine.”

  Scott made his way next to the bed as well and placed a comforting hand on Jake’s back. “Are you sure?” he asked.

  Celeste nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”

  A smile of relief formed along General Hauler’s face. It was good to see because the general rarely smiled, especially since being promoted to command the Terrestrian military under the direst of circumstances. “Good,” he said. “Because Skip has been able to get the prisoner to speak.”

  “Prisoner?” Celeste questioned.

  Nichelle responded, “That hostage my father flung across the room.”

  The memories of the battle with Vlamer Kreuk flashed through Celeste’s mind. “Yes, I remember.”

  “Good,” Scott said. “I want Skip to give you a full report on what he has found out. I’ll have him come to this room. I want you to rest.”

  Celeste nodded in agreement. “Okay, but I want you to bring this prisoner as well.”

  A look of apprehension came over Scott’s face. “I don’t think that is a good idea, Celeste.”

  “It will be fine. I am pretty confident that I will be able to take care of him if he tries anything.”

  “Fine, but the Gnol will have his hands tied behind his back and feet in shackles, and I will have a couple of guards in here with their weapons on him the entire time.”

  “Okay,” Celeste responded. “Let’s see what this Gnol knows about my father.”

  * * * * *

  Skip escorted the two guards and the Gnol whose name he now knew as Colonel Sage Merrok to Celeste’s room. They entered the room where General Hauler, Jake, and Nichelle were as well. He was relieved to see that Celeste was okay. She was still dressed in a hospital gown, sitting up in her bed, and eating from a bowl of watered-down oatmeal – about the only food they had left in the base. He made his way over to her, leaving the two guards holding the prisoner next to the door after it slid shut behind them. “Celeste, I am so glad to see you’re okay. They told me that you had passed away.”

  Celeste smiled as she chewed a mouthful of food and wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

  Jake placed an arm over his shoulder. “She did pass away, Skip. But she’s back.”

  Skip turned and looked at his best friend. The two had not had a chance to speak since their return because Jake had been with Celeste the entire time while she was unconscious, and Skip was recovering as well. “I’m glad,” he said, squeezing Celeste’s hand. He then turned his attention back to Jake. “It’s good to see you too, buddy.”

  Jake smiled and grabbed him by the shoulders. “You too, Skip.”

  The two stood in silence for a few seconds before General Hauler broke in. “So, Skip, tell us what this Gnol has told you.”

  “I think you will need to hear it from his mouth, not mine.”

  “Okay,” General Hauler replied as he made his way around the bed to stand next to Skip. He glared at the Gnol. “So, tell us what you know.”

  The Gnol gave General Hauler a cocky smirk. “I will if you unbind my hands and unshackle my feet.”

  “Not a chance,” General Hauler responded angrily.

  Before the Gnol could respond, Skip gently touched the General Hauler’s arm. “I think Colonel Merrok will be okay.”

  Celeste interjected, “Merrok?”

  Colonel Sage Merrok turned his disdainful gaze from General Hauler to the beautiful princess lying in the bed. He bowed his head in reverence. “Yes, your Highness.”

  Celeste tilted her head a bit, examining the tall Gnol. “I think he will be okay,” she said, turning her attention back to the general.

  “And what makes you think he will be okay, Celeste?” General Hauler questioned.

  “Because he referred to me as your Highness. My father outlawed the use of that title. The use of that title is punishable by death. He wouldn’t have called me that if he didn’t have some doubts as to the true divine nature of my father.”

  Sage smiled at her. “It’s because of what I found in that temple. That’s why I doubt the divinity of Koroan Chast.”

  General Hauler turned back to Sage. He continued to glare at him as he nodded to the two guards to release his cords and shackles. “Fine. But if you try anything, Merrok, I will have these guards kill you where you stand.”

  A presumptuous smile formed along Sage’s lips. “Very well.”

  The guards proceeded to free Sage from his bonds, and then raised their rifles on him.

  General Hauler folded his arms across his chest. “Okay, tell us what you found that has seemingly convinced you that Koroan Chast is not your savior.”

  Sage then explained everything that he had told Skip. He told them about the basement compartment, containing the scrolls and the golden tablet. He described the statue of Jehovah blessing the young boy, as well as the inscription written under the painting. Skip observed Jake’s and Celeste’s reaction as Merrok quoted the inscription. Both of them seemed to understand that the verse might have something to do with them.

  Sage then went on to explain how he had gone back to Chast to ask Vlamer about the gold tablet. He explained how Vlamer became enraged when he mentioned the name Jehovah, and then had him arrested.


  When he finished, Celeste asked, “Where’s the gold tablet now?”

  “I assume that Vlamer Kreuk placed it somewhere safe within the palace. He did not have it with him when I accompanied him back to the temple.”

  Jake spoke to General Hauler before Celeste could reply. “We need to get our hands on that tablet, General.”

  The general nodded, but with an expression of concern. “Agreed, Jake, but I don’t see how that is possible now. We simply do not have the manpower.”

  “I’ll organize a team,” Skip interrupted.

  “Negative, Colonel,” General Hauler replied.

  “But, sir.”

  The general held his hand up to stop Skip before he could continue to protest. “No, Skip, I have already authorized a mission that Jake will be leading to Gnolom.”

  “Gnolom?” Skip questioned, turning his attention back to Jake.

  “Yeah,” said Jake. “We think that there is something on Gnolom – possibly, the source of Koroan’s power. We don’t know for sure. Whatever it is, we think that it is something that we can use to finally defeat him.”

  Skip was about to respond, but General Hauler interrupted, “Yes, and I want you to go with them to Gnolom, Skip … I have a feeling that your skills will be needed.”

  Frustration and indignation was heard in Skip’s voice as he replied. “But, sir. We need that tablet.”

  “I understand that, Colonel. Like I said before, we don’t have the manpower, and my decision is final.”

  Skip knew when it was time to give in. General Hauler was in charge now, and there was no way he was going to risk any more lives for another suicide mission into Chast. “Understood, sir,” he said as he turned his attention back to Jake. “So, when do we leave for the sandy beaches of Gnolom?”

  Jake chuckled. “We leave in one week.”