From my life experience, I could tell you that appeared to be some top-notch manipulation. Ramy seemed to be pushing the issue by just mentioning the burning of the Silver City, just as I’d seen on my envy floor. Standing between the demons and the Silver City was exactly what I needed to do to complete the floor. I needed to be willing the die, accepting that others were allowed to live in peace. It made me question if anything really changed in the few minutes since I completed the envy floor? No, nothing was different. I would still stand between heaven and hell and fight until my dying breath.
I sighed. “Was all of this a manipulation to get me to choose to fight for heaven? Is going to heaven really a choice?”
Ramy’s lips quirked slightly. “No, it wasn’t all a manipulation. And you always have a choice. Just as you chose to stand between heaven and hell, you can choose to keep fighting or to find peace. God did give you free will.”
“Can you tell me where my friends went?” I asked.
Ramy laughed. “Your Viking friend, Theo, chose to keep fighting. Said he was ready for a new challenge.” Then a bit more seriously he said, “Theodore and Rebecca both chose heaven. They wished to spend eternity together.”
I laughed for Theo and smiled for Theodore and Rebecca. “What about Gunther?” I hadn’t known that man very well, but I was curious.
“Gunther chose to continue the fight against the demons,” Ramy answered.
I nodded, glad for the news. I chuckled then sighed. I knew exactly where I needed to be, where I wanted to be. “I guess I can’t leave Theo alone with Gunther or they might kill each other. Sign me up.”
Ramy smiled and the room changed. The chez I was sitting on was gone, as was the other furniture. Even Ramy looked different, he was larger and more imposing. He was covered in shining armor with a simple white cloth tabard and hood. Behind him two resplendent wings expanded into the air. “Victor Goodspeed, you have fought for your mortal soul and come through Purgatory stronger. Now, you have chosen to continue the fight and ascend to the next level. I hereby declare for all to hear and bear witness! Victor Goodspeed is no longer a Sinner in the eyes of God and his servants! From this moment forward, he is a soldier of the Heavenly Host!”
For a moment, I felt like I was standing too close to the sun as heat and light washed over me. When it passed, I felt . . . lighter. It was as if something that had been weighing me down had suddenly been taken away, something I never even knew I was carrying.
Ramy continued, “The first time we met, you completed an evaluation. You have now completed your second evaluation.”
I furrowed my brow. I tried to ask, ‘What evaluation?’ but couldn’t utter a sound.
Apparently, Ramy wasn’t done, “Purgatory was your second evaluation. Throughout your journey, your choices, your proficiencies, your battles, everything was measured. Based on the decisions you made, you are bestowed the Proficiency Class, Spirit Knight. Present your Body and Soul.”
I still couldn’t speak but pulled out my scroll and offered it to him reverently.
Ramy smiled beneath his hood as he held the scroll up. Light shone down again, and the scroll caught fire, making me panic. I thought for certain I was going to be incinerated along with the scroll. “This scroll was a representation of your mortal soul. Now, you are something more.” Ramy took a step closer to me and took hold of my right arm, pulling it out in front of me. Without warning or notice, he moved the flames until they contacted my arm. The flames poured painfully onto my skin then began moving of their own accord, leaving behind a black branding that faded as soon as it was done only to relight and begin burning a new brand into my skin . . . no, my soul. It did this several times, and with each new brand, I wished I could have screamed.
When the last of the fire had finished branding me, I got a clear look at my forearm which looked like gibberish. It was symbols I didn’t recognize and couldn’t read. But as I focused on it, the symbols changed and shifted until I could read exactly what it said.
Name: Victor Goodspeed
Highest Floor Cleared: 0
Hierarchy: 4th
Rank: 11th
Title: Soldier
Proficiency Class: Spirit Knight
Proficiency Class Rank: Z
HP: 2,000/2,000
EP: 500/500
SE: 500/500
Body Rank: Z
Strength:
Z
Reflex:
Z
Constitution:
Y
Recovery:
Z
Soul Rank: Z
Faith:
Z
Spirituality:
Z
Righteousness:
Y
Fortune:
Z
Applied Statistics
Health Regeneration:
Y
Energy Regeneration:
Z
Spirit Regeneration:
Y
Attack Power:
Y
Divine Power:
Y
Speed:
Z
Accuracy:
55.00%
Perception:
Z
Block:
35.00%
Block Absorption:
Y
Critical Strike Chance:
2.50%
Demonic Resistance:
W
Luck:
0.50
Unfortunately, just because I could now read what it said didn’t mean I understood it. Most of the numbers were gone and in their place were letters. It also said my highest floor cleared had reset to zero, confusing me even further.
Ramy finally released my arm and said, “It is done. Welcome to the Heavenly Host and the next level, Victor Goodspeed.”
Epilogue – Only the Beginning
God smirked. “Well, My child, it’s been another millennium. Ready to give up yet?”
Lucifer matched his creator’s smirk, “Why would I give up? I’m winning. You’re too short-sighted Father. A victory here and there is but a battle. I’m looking to win the war. Can’t you see it? Can’t you see the way my army swells with the damned and the fallen? Your pure souls and angels have no hope.”
God’s smirk faded into a look of consternation. “You don’t think you can actually win, do you?”
“Yes, I do,” Lucifer replied. “So long as you remain on the sidelines as agreed, I don’t think you have a chance.”
God grunted then smiled in a way that infuriated the devil to no end. “Have faith My child. Mankind has not lost this battle yet. A few good souls can change everything.”
Lucifer snarled and whirled away. “Let’s see if you’re saying the same thing in another hundred years.”
God’s eyes twinkled with mirth as He watched his eldest leave, “I look forward to our next visit son. I’m enjoying your game. I can’t wait to see how it all ends.”
Lucifer refused to turn around and continue out of God’s throne room, black wings sprouting from his back before he flew away.
God mumbled to himself once the fallen angel was out of earshot, “Ah Lucifer, always the optimist. It was one of your best traits, but I’m afraid it has blinded you. Still, I’ll entertain your game. Maybe you’ll learn something from it.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
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The Physician will return soon so keep an eye out for the next.
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Purgatory: The Devil's Game Page 50
