Godforsaken: Book 1 (Shade of Light)

by Suren Hakobyan

  “We should fight altogether as one to rise against God,” Samael asked sarcastically. “That’s your theory?”

  “It’s not a theory, it’s the truth. But nothing can convince me to go against Father, ever.”

  Both of them trailed off. Dark clouds began expanding and spreading over Eden. A big shadow came and loomed above the garden.

  “After so many years you’ve finally proved it,” Michael broke the silence.

  “I told you that Saraqael is a traitor,” Samael reminded grumpily.

  “Yes, but I didn’t have any evidence against him.”

  “Now you’ve got it. Raphael has told you already?”

  “Yes. Only two things; about Saraqael, and you taking the girl from Earth to Eden.”

  “I–”

  “I just wonder,” Michael cut him off with a gesture. “How did you know that Saraqael would show up in Dudael?”

  “As you told the archangels about me heading for the prison, he had to notify Lucifer,” Samael explained. “That was a good chance for him to get me to open the gates of Eden. Or rather, give him Lily. But he overestimated his power and didn’t know about Raphael.”

  “Why were you so sure I would tell the others about your plans?”

  “Because you wanted to discover the traitor as much as I did,” Samael remarked with a grin. “The storm is near, and Saraqael needn’t cover up his true intentions anymore. Lucifer has gathered more power than before. I daresay that for the chance to win – to beat Lucifer – you have to join me down here.”

  “I’d like to, but Father’s angry with you,” Michael said in disappointment, making Samael look at him. “I’ve got an order to leave you alone in Eden’s protection. You knew the rule, and you broke it regardless.”

  “So now I know what I’m struggling for,” Samael put in sharply.

  Michael looked at him sorrowfully, as though this was to be his and Samael’s last meeting. His cold blue eyes seemed to crack, revealing his heart and his love for his youngest brother, then the ice in his eyes returned. He patted Samael’s shoulder, nodded in place of goodbye, then opened his wings. They illuminated the area like a heavenly lamp in the middle of a vast darkness. His light reached even Lily where she stood rooted in place, watching the two angels on the top of the rock.

  Michael’s wings waved, lifting him up. He hung in mid-air for a while, then rushed up into the clouds. The weather began clearing as the archangel left Eden, the wind quieted down. The lightning disappeared, but the dark clouds yet remained.

  19. Gathering Storm

  A weak breeze brought dewy air toward Lily and Samael, where they sat on a stone nearby a waterfall. Samael’s wing was wrapped around her, covering her against the cold. The sun sat behind dark clouds. It was the first time Eden had seen autumn.

  Lily admired the unique beauty of nature while being held in Samael’s warm embrace, but her heart felt uneasy. The servants of Eden were preparing for an upcoming war, and Lucifer was about to knock at the gates. There was a very difficult time that lay ahead. Lily knew that Samael was alone in this war and that help wouldn’t come from anywhere. Maybe she didn’t know what the gray-winged angel was capable of, but her heart told her that he wouldn’t be able to stand against Lucifer’s army for long.

  “Such a beautiful place,” she said, bringing Samael back from his thoughts.

  “Yeah,” Samael muttered. “Adam used to sit on this stone and watch the waterfall. And there,” he pointed the opposite bank, “Lucifer saw Eve for the first time.”

  “Do you really think you can defeat him, Samael?” She changed the subject. Her hands jolted nervously as she was waiting for the answer, her patience run thin.

  “You have to trust me, Lily.”

  “I do trust you.”

  “Then why do you ask?”

  “I just want to know,” Lily sighed. “I don’t want something to happen to you,” she confessed, dropping her eyes. “You could let them have me and then you would have nothing to do with the war.”

  “Do you love me so much, that you’re ready to sacrifice yourself for a devil like me?” Samael asked surprised.

  “Don’t talk like that,” she narrowed her eyes. “You aren’t a devil. You’re brighter than any other angel I’ve seen.”

  “Then you’re blind,” Samael pressed his lips and looked aside. Quiet fell for a little while.

  “Raphael told me that I shouldn’t trust you, that you were dangerous and selfish,” Lily traced her finger over his cheek bringing his eyes back at her, “But he doesn’t know you at all.”

  “He knows me, believe me,” Samael grinned. “You’re the one who’s misled. Until I met you, I was exactly what Raphael thought I was. Didn’t you see how popular I was in Dudael?”

  “Everybody makes mistakes,” Lily insisted.

  “No, Lily, my mistakes are different,” he sighed looking up at the cloudy sky. “You can’t ever feel the same as me, when I see Heaven but can’t hold out my hand and reach it. Heaven – the place I was born, my homeland. Every time Father summons me, I sit at the same table with him, playing chess, talking to him and looking out the window. That window overlooks Heaven beneath in all its splendor. My eyes see it, but my lungs can’t feel its air. I know why he calls me to play chess regularly, to torture me and remind me of what I have lost,” Lily saw a big, beautiful city reflected in his eyes.

  “Doesn’t he know that you killed Efran’s family to save Heaven?” Lily asked, sounding sad.

  “Murder, even for Heaven’s sake, can’t absolve you. Besides, that’s not the only sin I’ve committed. I liked the life Lucifer led. You saw my club, you remember my face when you leaped out of my car.” Lily nodded. “It was the first time I was ever rejected. I wasn’t as kind as I seem to be now.”

  “You don’t know your own soul,” Lily replied stiffly. “You’ve been confused all this time. You needed somebody to show you the right way, but nobody understood you.”

  “With you at my side, it’s clear what I should do,” Samael said confidently, closing his arm around her shoulders. “I swore that I wouldn’t give you to anybody, even if Eden itself had to fall. I will keep my word until my last breath.”

  “You’re immortal, you can’t die,” Lily reminded him with a smile.

  “You’re right. Those were a human’s words. I should’ve said ‘till I found myself on the Island of the Dead’.”

  “God won’t let any of the archangels to stay there long, I’m certain of it.”

  “Nobody has ever returned from the island, Lily. My brother Uriel keeps it protected. There is only one entrance and no way out. Only he and I can move from there and back.”

  “Because you’re an angel of death?” she asked warily.

  “Yes. But once I lose a fight and somebody sticks a sword in me, I will lose that power and will be stuck on the Island of the Dead forever,” Samael explained in a hushed voice.

  “I won’t let that happen to you,” Lily whispered and hugged him tightly, tears in her eyes.

  Samael laughed sincerely, taking her in his arms. He gave her a quick kiss on her forehead. “You’ll be fine, baby,” he murmured.

  *

  Cold wind blew from the high rock toward Samael and Lily. He peered up in hope of seeing any sign from God, but the Creator kept silent. He was waiting. It was Samael’s turn to make the next move. This would show whether Samael was alone in the war or not.

  *

  What was Nancy doing right now?

  Her friend had to be worried at this point, maybe she had even called the police. But no man was able to help Lily.

  Aunt Agnes and Bill. Lily regretted the last words she had exchanged with her aunt. Aunt Agnes had been always kind to her, loved her as if she were her own daughter. If Lily had known at that time what fate had prepared for her…What would she have said instead? She would’ve told her Aunt how much she loved her and Bill, and that she was thankful for everything they had done for her. Lily swore if
she was ever going to see them again, she would hug her aunt and tell her everything she felt.

  But she was worried. Samael had told her that Earth was in jeopardy too. The holy war had touched even the mortal world.

  The sky above the garden got darker with every passing hour. Soon, night would fall upon Eden. Eden’s small army, under Samael’s command, was at the wall waiting for Lucifer, but the endless glade in front of the gates was empty yet. Lightening bolted across the sky, illuminating the far distance.

  Nobody was on the horizon.

  Lucifer was still preparing.

  End of Part One

  AND NOW A SNEAK PEEK FROM THE SECOND BOOK IN GODFORSAKEN SERIES, COMING IN 2015

  1. The First News

  Rays of sunlight shone brightly through the clouds that hung in the sky. The light was impossible bright, never dimming, and the ground and walls beneath were spun of clouds themselves. At the heart of it all stood a golden gate – the sole way in and out of Heaven.

  From outside of the gate, only one peak could be seen rising out of the miraculous place. Standing on the summit was the archangel Michael, clad in his white armor. His fingers were interlaced, his head tilted as if he was praying, but his mouth was shut and his eyes remained closed.

  Michael opened them as he sensed a movement in the air, and looked up. An angel was flying overhead. Its wings shining in the sunlight, almost blinding Michael.

  The angel – Raphael – landed several feet away from the archangel. He tucked his wings behind his back and walked toward Michael.

  Once he came closer, he stopped, bowed his head and said, “my angel.”

  “Raphael,” Michael greeted tonelessly.

  Raphael looked up at his brother with worried eyes, and said, “Dudael has fallen, Michael. The sinful souls are freed. Lucifer is out of Hell – Saraqael has set us up. He opened the gates of Hell for Lucifer.”

  “So much bad news,” Michael murmured, surprisingly unconcerned. He lowered his hands to his sides. “Where is Gabriel?”

  “In the desert, fighting off the first wave. Lucifer isn’t there, but Gaap and a small group of followers attempted to steal the girl.”

  “Is she safe?” Michael’s gaze pierced Raphael’s eyes.

  “That depends what you mean safe. At least, she’s with Samael,” Raphael said. He looked over the shining clouds.

  “Are they in Eden?” Michael asked.

  “Yes. Why did you send Gabriel to kill the girl?”

  “I never gave such an order.”

  “Gabriel was outraged. He was ready to slaughter everyone in the desert.”

  “You know how he regards Samael,” Michael remarked. “Ever since Samael trapped him and forced him to kill Mammon, he’s hated Samael.”

  “It’s not about those two anymore. It’s about Heaven and Earth, Michael. He has to think wisely.”

  “You tell him –”

  “You’re the head archangel,” Raphael cut him off sternly.

  “I’m not God,” Michael sniffed. “I can’t control anybody’s emotions.”

  He trailed off. A gust of wind arrived to accompany the archangels where they stood, mutely watching Heaven.

  “He proved that Saraqael is a traitor, though,” Raphael broke the heavy silence.

  “He should have,” Michael said mildly.

  “Michael,” he brought his brother’s eyes at him. “I had no choice. If I hadn’t intervened, they’d have the girl by now.” Raphael looked nervous now, his sadness clear in his eyes. “Yes, I destroyed the walls of Dudael, yes, I let Samael escape with Lily. If I hadn’t, then our youngest brother would be resting in the Island of the Dead and Lily would be imprisoned in Hell. And Lucifer would’ve marched onto Heaven without anything in his way.”

  “You did the right thing, Raphael,” Michael stepped forward and put his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

  “But the prison, and Azazel–”

  “The fall of the prison gives us some credit.”

  “I don’t understand.” Raphael’s mouth hung open in shock.

  “The earth is filled with the sinful people, now. Which is impermissible. Lucifer knows that, but he can’t stop them now. He has to slaughter all of them.”

  “I get it,” Raphael tilted his head, musing. “We can send Gabriel with his group to clean up the Earth.”

  “So we’ll have some of our on the Earth. Out in the open,” Michael said. “The Torah rules don’t stop us from doing some cleaning. You see?” He looked away for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “I need your spy, the one among the sinful people.”

  “Jonan?” Raphael thinned his lips. “You didn’t want me to save him back then. You told me to let him freeze to death in that desert.”

  “It was a long time ago. Every one of us has done things that he was sorry for later.” Michael took a deep breath and faced Raphael with a determined air. “Make contact with him.”

  “What shall I tell him?”

  “Tell him to take several men and enter the nearest city. Let him destroy a building, a car – I don’t care. Give me a reason to send Gabriel down to Earth.”

  With a quick nod of his head, Raphael consented. He looked at the head archangel with questioning eyebrows.

  “Did you know what would happen, when you sent me with Samael to Dudael?” he asked.

  “What? That you were going to tear up the prison?” The serious look on Raphael’s face answered ‘yes’. “It’s not that I knew, but I guessed. Samael thinks he’s cleverer than me or Lucifer, but I exposed him. He’s predictable, although he wants to believe that he isn’t. But I’m glad his attempts are for Heaven and against Lucifer. So I’m supporting him.”

  “I wouldn’t underestimate the Angel of Death if I were you,” Raphael added quickly.

  “I don’t. I watch him carefully.”

  “You let him to take the girl to Eden,” Raphael said in a voice of forced calm. “If Lucifer goes into the garden, the army of Heaven will be of no use.”

  “But if the girl chooses us, we can enter into the war.”

  “She won’t. She’s in love with Samael. She’d rather die.”

  “She’s ready to sacrifice herself for the good of mankind. The same as every other human. They’ve always been weak.” A slight, smug smile curled across Michael’s lips.

  “I’ve always told you that one day, it’ll be humanity that saves Heaven,” Raphael said sternly.

  “Yes. You’ve been telling me that. I simply don’t believe in it.” He laid his hands on Raphael’s face, bent closer and said, “My brother, I’m proud of what you’re doing for these little creatures, but they are just pawns in our system. Perhaps there isn’t a system without them, but look around.” He gestured toward the cloudy lands. “This is what’s important, this is what both man and our fallen brothers and sisters fight for.”

  Raphael grabbed Michael’s hands and shoved them away. He stepped backward and looked at Michael with sorrowful eyes.

  “A pawn can still become a queen, in the end. Remember, my brother.”

  “Perhaps, but not a king,” Michael nodded. He faced Heaven and lifted his hand. “Remiel,” he called out, his voice thundering through the air.

  Within seconds an angel shot up into the air and made its way to the top, landing next to Michael. Remiel was a stocky, staunch looking angel, with a round face and narrow, gray eyes. He bowed to Michael in greeting.

  “Go! Prepare the dogs of Heaven and the army. We’re at war,” Michael ordered.

  Remiel left in silence.

  Michael faced Raphael. “You can go now,” he said. “Stay in the church, I’ll send your instructions later.”

  Raphael was just about to leave when he stopped abruptly.

  “What is it?” Michael asked, almost anxious.

  “When he was in Azazel’s chamber,” Raphael began. Michael watched him with impatient eyes. “Samael questioned him.”

  “What?”

  “He had an interest
about the rock in Eden. The same one upon which Lucifer met the first sunshine. It seemed odd to me. But you know Samael, he doesn’t do things for no reason. Every move of his has a goal concealed behind it.”

  “What did Azazel tell him?” Michael asked in forced calm, but his voice betrayed him. It shook.

  “He told Samael everything. Where Lucifer was, where you were.” Raphael paused for a split second, regarding the head archangel. “Michael, I don’t understand. What did he–”

  “It’s nothing,” Michael faced him, then, his eyebrows furrowed. “Go!” He waved Raphael away.

  Raphael obediently moved to leave. He lingered for a moment and peered back over his shoulder.

  “You must take Samael seriously, brother. He’s more dangerous than Lucifer. We can’t know what he’s capable of until he shows himself.”

  Raphael took off into the air.

  Michael watched the gate crack open to let the flying angel through, and thought.

  Get the second book of GODFORSAKEN now.

  GODFORSAKEN Book 2 (Shade of Light)

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  Author’s note

  Thank you for reading. I really hope you’ve enjoyed GODFORSAKEN.

  The book was written in 2013, though it’s ready to be published only in 2015. As you’ve already realized, GODFORSAKEN is based on two short stories – Passion of an Angel and Wrath of Michael. In this series – Shade of Light – you’ll find a very familiar story that almost everyone knows that Adam, accepting the apple from Eve in Garden of Eden, man was banished from Heaven. But in my imagined world the rest of the story takes other corner and both angels and demons exist in our real world. Hidden behind an average human camouflage. But they live with us. And learning to feel they understand the beauty of God’s creation.

  If you like GODFORSAKEN, write a review on Amazon, share it in social networks to help the others find the book.