Joan spread her wings and leaped from the wall. She cared less if the others followed or not. Satan and his army made her a fool, and centuries past, a scapegoat for their volatile acts. No more, her mind raged. She wanted to end the war. Wanted her husband and son’s souls to be safe for all eternity and not blotted out by God’s right hand.
She sped ahead, sword pointed. The Hell Force army gained detail before her eyes. She spotted shields, pole arms, battleaxes, and the stunned looks on their undead faces as she streaked across the sky like a golden missile.
Joan plowed into the center formation. Bodies hurtled up into the air from her strike. Shrieks escaped those who died in her attack. Her sword plunged into black armored bodies, she needed not cut their heads off with the blessed sword she carried with her.
Bodies bounced off her armor, spears came down around her. Her blade cut through poles, into more flesh, black blood splashed her armor, more hateful screams from the enemy drove into her ears. A horn blast reached her, not a Hell Force horn, but the horn of angels.
Angels in the millions poured into the air from the First Gate wall, their armor shimmering bright enough to blot out the sky in a wall packed with silver. They dropped down amongst the enemy and the slaughter commenced. Arrows tipped in silver rained across the skies. Both sides locked themselves in a vicious battle.
Joan lifted her shield, black spears shattered like icicles against its blessed metal. She wanted Satan’s head along with Oni’s. Her right hand, armed with Michael’s sword, jammed into chests, decapitated heads, cut off legs. An armored hand grabbed her, she spun and cut off the offending appendage and kicked away the Hell Force soldier who touched her.
Metal crashed against metal. The cacophony reverberating throughout her body. Several heavy whooshes swept above the battlefield. Huge boulders fired from the enemy catapults shot up into the air. The rocks pulled from Heaven’s ground slammed into angels in mid-flight. A few winged beings plunged to their deaths, their souls thrown amongst the others throughout the kingdom.
She leaped into the air, spears slammed against her armor to break like twigs. She decided to silence the catapults blowing boulders through the army.
By the time Daisy Lane reached the gate, Joan no longer stood on the wall as a spectator. Daisy’s mind teetered on whether to start her intended mission, or plunge into the fight to cover her true purpose. Her eyes fixed on the battle. Boulders hurtled towards the sky jammed with silver and black bodies. The rocks plowed into angels and demons alike.
She spotted Joan amongst the tangled masses. Her tiny body leaped from a shattered Hell Force battalion and towards a monstrous catapult. Angelic archers stood on the wall to her left and right, their beautiful arrows raining death upon the Hell Force.
Daisy’s six wings spread from her back. Her thoughts focused on revenge and not getting found out before her plan became reality. She pulled out her double axes and took flight from the wall. Some Hell Force blood on her blade should quench any doubts about her loyalty.
63
Before Joan’s attack, Oni mounted his armored warhorse. His muscles twitched once horns trumpeted a deep call to war. The harsh blare rushed over the battalions, causing the Hell Force soldiers to cheer. Lucifer, adorned in black Roman armor, road up to Oni and nodded. A Hell Force soldier passed Lucifer a black trident.
“Are you ready, Oni?”
Oni nodded as ten thousand horsemen vanished over a far hill. “I’m ready, Lucifer.”
Lucifer smiled his infectious smile. He spurred his warhorse into a canter and Oni followed him. Several thousand black archangels on horseback trailed the two. All rode out to where the battalions stood for battle.
Oni remained silent. The cavalcade rode up a gentle hill where sat a black altar surrounded by dark souls draped in black robes. The hill overlooked the battalions and battlefield. Lucifer stopped his warhorse and dismounted.
Oni waited for Lucifer to hand his warhorse reins to a lesser soul. Once the respectful pause passed, he dismounted the saddle along with the others. His gaze swept over Heaven’s high walls, the golden First Gate and the angels lined along the battlements. If his heart still beat, the blood soaked muscle would have burst from his chest. In all his days as an angel, his eyes never beheld such a sight.
His lips parted. The green battlefield, an empty space between the Hell Force soldiers and the Eternal City, spread out before them like a virgin’s bed, lush and pleasant to the eyes. A strong desire to defile the empty space with blood and broken angelic bodies filled his head. Oni stroked the bone hilt on his samurai sword. All the hope and hate he held back for centuries bubbled to the surface, fueling him for battle.
A throb assaulted his testicles, followed by a lustful eagerness reserved for teenage boys. Revenge filled his lower belly and spread throughout his body and mind. He began to imagine the havoc and chaos his red eyes would soon behold.
Lucifer ambled over to the altar. “Oni,” he said. “Come here and do the honors.”
Oni worked his way through the crowd. He ignored the heated glares, faced Lucifer and fell to his knees. “Thank you, Lucifer.”
“Rise, Oni.”
Oni rose. A figure dressed in a robe speckled with fresh blood stepped around the black altar made from volcanic rock. The face remained hidden in shadows by the hood over its head. The demon led a shaggy black ram towards Oni and offered him the leash.
Oni took the leash and fixed his eyes upon the ram. The creature bore four huge black horns on its head. Red eyes blinked out from a black face covered in stringy hair like some rock star’s wet look. A long black goatee hung from its narrow chin. The beast smiled at the archangel.
Lucifer removed a dagger from his belt and held the blade out to Oni. “Take this, archangel.”
Oni reached across the altar and took the sheathed blade. The ram’s black lips gaped open and a long bleat emerged from its throat. The shaggy beast mounted the altar unassisted and lay down on its right side eager to greet its fate.
Oni removed the red blade from the sheath. He stared at the ram. The thing’s red eyes held Oni’s red eyes. Once again the ram’s lips parted to reveal thick yellow teeth, a both pitiful and horrid attempt at a smile. A chill danced down Oni’s back. He shifted his gaze to Lucifer.
“A sacrifice to you, Lucifer,” Oni said. “For allowing us to fight on this battlefield today.”
Lucifer wiped bloody tears from his brown eyes. “Thank you, thank you.”
In went the red blade at the ram’s throat. Oni’s hand became lost in fur. Black blood pulsed over his gloved hand, splashing cold and thick from the beast’s throat. The ram’s eyes fluttered and closed, a black tongue slid from between its hard teeth. Oni sliced through the neck until the beat’s head came away from the body.
Lucifer reached and grabbed the ram’s head by its black horns. He lifted the object into the air, blood dripped on the altar. “To victory my Hell Force warriors.”
Cheers exploded from the millions who waited for battle, they rattled their spears and slammed swords against thick shields.
A sonic boom ripped through the air overtaking the horrendous din. All eyes turned up to the skies. A golden meteor rushed from Heaven’s walls and slammed into a first rank battalion. Black armored bodies hurtled high into the air. The jubilant shouts turned into screams.
Oni unsheathed his sword and focused his vision at the disturbance. “No,” he said low in his voice.
Lucifer dropped the severed ram’s head to the altar. With flair and speed the dark prince swept onto his warhorse saddle, a soldier handed the black trident up to him. “Oni, keep her busy.”
Oni swallowed a breath to still his nerves. Lucifer jerked the warhorse reins, rode off and vanished down a hill to join his ten thousand horsemen. “Joan,” he said.
None expected her to attack. She showed no fear. Her sword cut a silver swath amongst the soldiers. Too many fell to their deaths from her fast and accurate hand. For a moment he thou
ght the other angels hesitated in fear. And then they came by the millions to fill the sky with white wings and silver armor. He drew his sword, plunging himself into what he thought would be the war to end all wars.
64
Maria formed up Gold’s warriors for the tenth time. Spears rattled, a shield dropped, the nervous knock and fluster of the troops irked her. People moaned about how their feet hurt. She glanced at Tobias and shook her head. They wanted to fight, yet left untrained too many would die.
“Again,” Tobias said.
Maria and Tobias stood before the large army. Guardians moved about the ranks to lift shields and right spears. For six hours they trained on the sandy field. Their training involved attacks and retreats, one company to the left, another off to the right, maneuvers meant to save lives. Sword strokes, shield strikes, spear thrusts, all combined to destroy the enemy in an effort to protect Israel and the world.
Tobias lifted his round shield. “Shields up.” The army raised shields to protect their front. “March forward at a half-step.”
The army marched ahead in half steps, their sandaled feet stamping the ground. At each step a call exploded from their mouths, the line remained steady and straight as they advanced. Company commanders kept pace with their formations, dust sifted up into the air.
“Perfect,” Tobias said, a broad smile appeared on his face.
Maria performed the half step as an example for the troops. She held her shield up and called out. Her mind turned to what lay ahead in the distance. A flat plain, barren except for the occasional bush, spread out before them underneath a storm clouded sky. They worked in the blind, unable to determine when the enemy planned to attack.
“Halt,” Tobias said. “Take a thirty minute break.”
Maria lowered her shield and gazed at Tobias. “Tobias, no more breaks.”
Tobias eased over to Maria and lowered his voice. “Look at them, Maria. We’ve trained them six hours straight. Besides most of them are civilians, not military.”
“We still push them, Tobias. You’re a Marine, you should understand.”
Tobias turned his head left and right, bones cracked in his neck. “Ok, Maria. This is their last break for the day.”
“I understand what you are doing, Tobias.” Maria gazed at the troops who sat in clumps. Many remained on their feet, practicing on their own.
“Do you, Maria? Two angels, you and me are down here getting ready for a battle. Joan and Daisy Lane are in Heaven. Safe.”
“They are playing politics in Heaven, Tobias. Making up for their fight earlier.”
“Hours ago,” Tobias said. “Almost a full two da..” Tobias narrowed his eyes at the black clouds. He closed them and canted his head to the right. “Listen. Are those battle calls?”
Maria’s eyes glazed over for a second. “What are you listening to?”
“Use your angelic hearing, Maria.”
Maria shook her arms to loosen them and closed her eyes. “Ok, I’m picking up lots of sword strikes, shouts and fighting,” she said.
“Yes, in Heaven.”
Maria’s eyes snapped open. “No, Tobias. They can’t be fighting in Heaven. We’re still here.”
“We will stay and defend Israel.”
Maria swept her gaze over the warriors. “Are we the last line, Tobias?”
Thunder rolled above the clouds, the first peal since the gray gloom covered the earth. Light flickered beyond them. “Heaven’s the last line. We will hold out here as long as we can.”
“Should we rest before the fight?”
“No, Maria. If they’re fighting in Heaven we might be fighting down here soon.”
Maria ran a hand through her black hair. “Jason would ready everyone right now,” she said.
“Yes he would, Maria.” Tobias drew his sword. A round silver shield appeared in his left hand. He slapped the blade flat against the shield boss to create a high bang. Soon Guardians joined in with Tobias. The noisome alarm excited the warriors and drew them to their feet.
Tobias went down the line, striking his blade against his shield. “Battle formations,” he said. “Battle formations.”
The warriors broke from their clusters and lined up. The shield alarm continued until the warriors fell silent. Guardians scrambled to their mounts and rode them back to form a battle line before the entire army.
Tobias clicked his tongue. Two warhorses armored in silver rode up to him and Maria. He sheathed his sword and slid his foot into a stirrup and swung up into the saddle. Maria did the same. With one hand he grabbed the reins and spun his warhorse to face the army.
“Shields up,” Tobias said. The warriors lifted their shields. “Take a knee.”
In unison the army fell to one knee with their shields lower rim on the ground and their bodies hidden behind the round metal objects. He turned his warhorse again to face the barren plain. A wind kicked up, a tiny dust devil swirled on the cusp of the horizon.
Maria slid on her praetorian styled helmet. “I never asked you, Tobias. Why no helmet?”
Tobias grinned and with his right hand, flicked back his long brown hair. “I don’t want to mess up my hair, Maria.”
Maria laughed and slid off her helmet. She shook her head to fluff out her black hair. The angel’s ebony mane cascaded over her armored shoulders. Next she flung the helmet towards the sky where the beautiful item vanished. “There,” she said. “That feels much better.”
Tobias raised his chin. “Here they come.”
Maria turned her head to face the plain. Three separate dust trails rose into the air. Three Guardians raced from the horizon from different directions. The riders drove their warhorses up to the angels.
A Guardian wearing a red clasp on his left shoulder pointed back from where he came. “They are coming, Tobias.”
Maria nodded. “Fall into formation, Guardian.”
Tobias unleashed his blade. “To your feet warriors.” The entire army climbed to their feet. “Draw swords.” Metal slipped from sheaths creating a simultaneous hiss.
Tobias glanced to his right. “Be brave, Maria.”
Maria remained silent and fixed her vision on the tremendous dust cloud three miles before them. The haze rose like a sandstorm, billowing forward as if alive. “Today, we have no other choice.”
65
Joan landed near a catapult wooden tire. She didn’t realize how high they built the missile launcher until she stood next to one. The tire alone rose ten feet high. Hell Force soldiers glared at the diminutive angelic creature, their shocked pause gave her time to attack.
Joan swung her blade with finesse, like a silver paintbrush. Her medium became splattered blood, detached heads from bodies and severed appendages. The enemy tried to match her speed and grace. Their clumsy efforts became little more than hack and slash, unlike the determined artistry Joan plied upon her foes.
She turned to face the Hell Force battalions. The once neat rows, things Satan fawned over, crumbled against the angelic onslaught. Silver tipped arrows continued to rain down upon the enemy, screams and squeals erupted from their retched throats. A few battalions made valiant efforts to reorganize against the surprise attack. Still they fell in the thousands, cut down by beings that exercised a butcher’s detachment in their slaughter.
Satisfied at the chaos, Joan slammed her shoulder into the catapult wheel. The oak tire shattered into splinters, the catapult leaned towards her. The large boulder loaded into the launcher rolled from its enormous cradle and landed amongst the armored soldiers who manned the machine. Other catapults continued to hurtle their stone tonnage into the air and amongst the battlefield.
Joan crashed her tiny frame into another catapult after the weapon launched a boulder. The device tipped, crashing on its side. More catapults fired their missiles into the air. Angels continued to fall from the sky or became crushed underneath the round missiles.
Angels, armed with golden sledgehammers, arrived like hawks and landed upon the dreadful mach
ines. They bashed their heavy weapons into wood and black armor alike. Oak creaked and shattered, thick beams snapped. The horrendous noise overshadowed the battle din. Soon the huge boulders no longer hurtled into the air.
Daisy Lane emerged from the war stricken sky like a Valkyrie. Her six wings, large and white, trembling against the wind. The white armor she wore shone bright, fury etched itself across her face. The Seraph landed next to Joan and the destruction she wrought.
“What did you do,” Daisy said.
Joan whirled on her. “What did I do? I did what we are meant to do, angel of war.”
Daisy cut down several Hell Force demons attempting to attack her. Others got the message and gave the Seraph ample room. She pointed her blood-smeared axe at Joan. “You are not in a position to start an attack.”
“I started nothing, Daisy. These animals started the fight and I am here to end this war.”
Daisy lowered her weapon. “The higher angels are arguing in the forum, God abandoned us. He and the Christ fled, locking themselves in their chambers.”
“I don’t believe you. Go hide if you wish, Daisy Lane. Those walls exist for the faint of heart.”
“Michael and Gabriel are debating Satan’s offer to split the kingdom and lodge the prince above God’s throne.”
“Satan’s victory will never happen. I will choose Oblivion before I bow before that black hearted bastard.”
Daisy nodded, a humorless smile spread across her face. “When this is done, I will ensure your punishment is Oblivion.” Daisy spread her wings and flew off into the silver and black maelstrom.
Joan pushed Daisy’s words away and faced the hill Satan stood on. She expected to find him on the same spot, red eyes riveted on the battle. Instead she spotted another hated demon. Through the battle haze, the figure lorded over the fight. With legs spread and sword in hand he glared down upon those who struggled to both live and kill.
Angels of War Battle of Archangels (Book 3) (Angels of War Trilogy) Page 25
