by Dan Farris
“You want me to send you all to Heaven?”
“Yes.”
Lucy slowly starting to regain consciousness. “What the hell happened? Who are all these people?”
“They’re lost souls.”
“Lost souls? Wait…are we in the darkness?”
“Yes.”
“Wow. What do they want?”
“They want me to send them to Heaven.”
“You can do that?”
“I’ve done it before.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?”
“How do I know if they deserve to be in Heaven? The people I sent, they were good people. I knew them well. I don’t know these souls. They could be…”
“Evil? Haven’t we discussed that? There is no good or evil. It’s only what you decide.”
“Yes, but… I don’t know.”
“That demon that you killed, the one that swallowed all those souls, some of them innocent, was that good?”
“I…I can’t say.”
“God allowed it; does that make it good? The times you sent souls to Heaven, why weren’t they already in Heaven?”
“Because they were…lost.”
“Yes, but good? Good souls forced to be lost? Is that right?”
“No, it’s wrong. They didn’t even deserve to die in the first place.”
“Yes, but God allowed it. Regardless of what these souls did while they were alive, you should send them to Heaven. There is no good or evil. It’s what you decide. Your will be done.” Is this what you want, God? You have forsaken me. You have forsaken all these lost souls.
“Will you send us to Heaven?” Asked Ezekiel.
“My whole life, everything I’ve believed has been a lie. I thought I served a just God. A decent God. I don’t know what is good or evil anymore. All of you go to Heaven. Every soul that is currently lost, trapped in this place. Go to Heaven. Go to Heaven.” Suddenly, all the souls disappeared, and the darkness and fog disappeared.
“You did it,” Lucy said. “What do you think God will do when he finds all those souls in Heaven?”
“He already wants my soul destroyed; I don’t care what he thinks anymore.”
“Spite. A powerful emotion. Let’s go, you have people to kill.”
Sean touched Lucy’s body and all her wounds were healed. “No, what’s the point?”
“You have to destroy the evil people, remember?”
“Like you said: good, evil, what’s the point?”
“If you don’t do it, they’ll keep coming for you.”
“I don’t care. Let them come.”
“What do you want to do, then?” Sean walked away from Lucy and sat in the grass off the road.
“I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.” Sean stared into the grass.
“Maybe I can help,” said a powerful, stern voice. Sean looked up and there was a large and powerfully built man dressed in a thin golden robe.
“Who the Hell are you?” Screamed Lucy.
“My name is Barachiel. You’re Sean. I’ve been looking for you.”
“You’re the commander that Aadon told me about?”
“You weren’t easy to find.”
Sean still sat in the grass, unmoved.
“You know why I’m here?”
“God wants me destroyed.”
“Aadon is young. He always had a soft spot for humans. He didn’t know what you were, but me, I knew what you were as soon as I heard about you.”
Sean jumped up from the ground. “You know what I am?”
“A threat to the entire order of this space. I don’t know how you got here, but Father has decreed your destruction. No Heaven or Hell for you; your soul will be wiped from existence.”
“Why? I love God. I’m not perfect, but I tried to obey his commands my entire life! Why does he want me destroyed? I didn’t ask for this power! Doesn’t he love me? He created me!” Sean fell back on the grass and began crying.
“Father could never love you. You are not one of his creations, and you are not supposed to exist in this space. I slay you, in his name.”
“Do it then. End my existence. I don’t want to exist anymore.”
“Sean, no!” Lucy cried. “You can’t! Your will be done! Forget God, it only matters what you want!”
“I wanted to believe that a ghost named Mary Ann loved me. I wanted to believe that no matter all the bad shit that happened to me, God, the Creator of everything, loved me. I couldn’t have that, but at least I can have this one thing.”
“How dare you meddle in the affairs of God,” Barachiel said to Lucy. “After I take care of your little boyfriend, I’m personally escorting you to Hell.”
“Leave her alone! It’s me you want. Let her be. I’m not even putting up a fight.”
“You couldn’t even if you tried. Your powers don’t work on me. An old trick for dealing with beings like you.”
Sean tried to stand but couldn’t move. “Run Lucy, run!”
Lucy started running as fast as she could, away from Barachiel. “She won’t get far,” said Barachiel.
Barachiel stood directly over Sean and formed a power sword. “Father, grant me the power to destroy this creature, in your name.” Barachiel moved the sword toward Sean’s heart. Sean closed his eyes.
Sean, still with his eyes closed, heard two swords clash. He opened his eyes, Aadon had stopped Barachiel’s sword. “Aadon?! What are you doing here?” Screamed Sean.
“I’m doing something stupid.”
“Aadon, you go against the will of Father? You go against my will? Have you lost all reason?”
“No, I’ve found it. This kid... He’s good. I know him. He has a thing for dead chicks, but he’s good. He loves Father; he would never threaten him. If Father offered, Sean could help us.”
“Father doesn’t need or want the help of this abomination. Father has decreed extermination.”
“I won’t let you do this.”
Barachiel sighed and took a few steps back, and his sword disappeared. “Brother, listen to me. I see that you’ve grown attached to this…thing. You were always too sentimental. But this thing is a threat to all of us. Father, you, me, this entire space. He must be destroyed.”
“There has to be another way. Can’t you just seize his power and let him live? Or let him come to Heaven?”
“That’s not possible. He is power, and power is him. His kind, you can’t just remove it like a virus. It’s who he is. I’m sorry, but there is no other way. Now, step aside and let me do my duty.”
Aadon turned away from Barachiel and looked down at Sean.
“I’m sorry, kid, for everything.”
“You…you tried to save me? Why? I thought you only wanted my power?”
“Yeah, well, it’s never too late to do the right thing. To be good.”
“Good, what is that? God hates me; he wants me destroyed. I can’t be good.”
Aadon smiled at Sean. “No, you are good, Sean. You’re kind, thoughtful, and care about more than just yourself. Don’t you ever forget that.”
Aadon rushed at Barachiel and started attacking him. Barachiel blocked and evaded Aadon’s attacks but did not attempt to counter-attack.
“Aadon, don’t make me do this, brother!”
“Go back to Heaven. Convince Father to let the kid live.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
“And I can’t let you destroy him.”
Barachiel finally attacked Aadon and quickly got the upper hand. He’s fighting for me? Aadon and Barachiel continued exchanging blows until Barachiel wounded Aadon so badly that Aadon could no longer create a power sword. Eventually, Aadon lay on the grass, defeated, right next to Sean.
“Kid, run.”
“I can’t move.”
Barachiel stood over Sean once more. “Was that necessary? You and I are going to have a long talk when we get back to Heaven.” Barachiel held his power sword over Sean and moved it toward him once ag
ain. God, if this is your will, then so be it. I’m sorry, Mary Ann. Do it, do it, do it.
Just as Barachiel was about to deliver the fatal blow, Aadon used his remaining strength and got between the blade at the last moment. Barachiel was unable to pull back and struck Aadon. Aadon fell to the ground.
“No,” cried Barachiel.
“Aadon…you…you…” Cried Sean.
“Remember kid, be good. Be good. It’s never too late to do the right thing.” Aadon uttered his last words before his body vanished.
“You! You made me destroy my brother! This ends now.” Barachiel moved his power sword to destroy Sean once again.
Aadon sacrificed himself for me? For nothing. “Finish it.” Your will be done, Lord. Amen.
Chapter 49-Samael
. Samael was slouched over, holding his wounds.
“Why haven’t your wounds fully healed?” Asked A’isha.
“Michael and Uriel are both commanders like me. It takes longer to recuperate after going into battle with another commander. By the time we invade Heaven, I’ll be fully healed.”
“How well are you?”
“I’m about half-strength.”
Raphael landed in front of Samael. “What happened here? You’re hurt?”
“Michael,” said Samael.
“In Hell? Michael left Heaven unprotected, but that’s mad!”
“Uriel was giving him information; he’s the one who betrayed us.”
“Uriel! I should have known he would never turn against Father. Many of our brothers have fallen. Too many.”
“But not in vain. Where are Pursan and the others?”
“More bad news: Pursan and the other so-called kings of Hell have betrayed us.”
“What?”
“I went to them and barely got away. All of Hell’s armies are loyal to Pursan now. Brother, with our numbers so thin, and you wounded, I don’t think we have enough to defeat them.”
“Traitors! All of them.”
“Shall we destroy them?”
“No, we need them to invade Heaven. I’ll destroy Pursan and the kings, and the rest will get in line.”
“And if they don’t? Then what?”
“Then I’ll destroy every one of them.”
“What about Father? We can’t defeat him with no army.”
“Nothing will stop me from seeing Heaven burn!”
“You forgot to tell him about Gabriel,” said A’isha.
“Yes, Gabriel. Michael said he still exists.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” said Raphael.
“I believe it so. We must invade Heaven at any cost.” Samael’s wings appeared, and he took to the sky.
“Brothers, Pursan the bookkeeper, has convinced our fallen brothers to declare war on me. Shall we leave Hell, and wait for Father to destroy us?”
“No!” Screamed the angels.
“I agree. I say we go to Pursan and destroy him, and then our other brothers will join us. Who is with me?”
“We are!”
Samael opened a portal. “A’isha, stay here. If I don’t return for you, then go.” Samael landed on the ground and kissed her one last time before taking to the sky and leading the angels to meet Pursan in battle.
There is no other option. Pursan must be destroyed. If I can’t convince my fallen brothers to follow me, all is lost.
Chapter 50-Rebecca
Rebecca continued falling in the Bottomless Pit. Inside the Pit, she couldn’t see anything, only pure darkness.
Pursan should never have left me in charge. I’m just a whore, just a stupid whore.
“Rebecca, Rebecca!” Rebecca looked down, her feet were on the ground. Her clothes were back on. She turned around and it was Achcauthilli.
“What? What’s happening?”
“It worked! You’re back!” Achcauthilli hugged Rebecca and beamed with joy.
“I don’t understand. I was in the Pit, falling… How...what happened?”
“I had some power saved up for a rainy day.”
“You used it to save me from the Pit?”
“Yes, well, half of it. The other half saved me from Lucifer.”
“Why didn’t you use it to leave Hell?”
“Where would I have gone? Heaven?”
“Could you have?”
“We have to find Pursan and tell him what happened.”
“You could have used the power to get your soul into Heaven?”
“Yes, it was an option.”
“Why didn’t you use it?”
“I had to save you.” Achcauthilli looked down at the ground.
Rebecca hit him in his chest. “Why?”
“Because I had to.”
“You’re a brute, a rapist, a coward, and you abandon your chance at paradise to save me? Why? You only care about yourself, remember? What were you thinking?”
Achcauthilli stared at Rebecca. “I care about more than that now. I care about you.”
“What a waste. You saved a worthless whore. I belong down there.” Rebecca looked back toward the Bottomless Pit.
“You’re not a whore! I don’t care what life you were dealt when you alive, you were always more than that. You’re smart, capable, kind, good…beautiful.”
“No, I’m just a silly whore.”
“No! I remember that angry foul mouthed girl I met in Hell a hundred years ago. That girl who has acquired more knowledge in a hundred years than souls who have been here thousands of years, including me. That girl was so special that the most powerful being in Hell fell in love with her. That girl is so capable that that powerful being left her in charge of his entire kingdom. That girl showed me that there can be kindness, goodness, even in Hell. That girl, that woman is worth risking eternal pain for. That woman who made a brute like me fall in l…that’s who you are.”
“But, I…look at what happened. I made a mistake. A major mistake.”
“So? Look around us. We’re here because God apparently made a mistake. It doesn’t take away from what you are.”
I am not that selfish stupid whore that arrived here. I am so much more than that. I am a Queen of Hell.
“Do you have any more power left?”
“Saving you was the last of it.”
“That makes things difficult.”
“Once we find the king, everything will be fine.”
“We’re not going to Pursan.”
“You have no more power? There is no other choice.”
“Stalin wasn’t with the others.”
“Who gives a damn about him? We need to get you to safety. The only way to do that is getting to Pursan.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Look at what happened. I won’t go to him like this.”
“He won’t care about any of that! He loves you. The only thing he’ll care about is punishing Agrippa and the others.”
“I’ll punish Agrippa.”
“You can’t, you have no more power! I have no more power! Don’t you understand? We are...”
“Helpless?”
“No, we just need to get you back to Pursan.”
“I am not helpless. I am a queen.”
“Yes, you are.”
“And a true queen is never without power. Stalin wasn’t with the others. He’s still loyal to me.”
“But it doesn’t matter. For all we know, he’s the one who pushed Agrippa to do this in the first place.”
“I don’t think so.”
“How can you be so sure? And what if he had nothing to do with it? It doesn’t matter. The only one who can ensure your safety is Pursan!”
“I’m sure of it.”
“You’re willing to risk your soul?” Rebecca remained silent.
“You’re right.”
“I’m what?”
“About Stalin, you’re right. For all we know, he may have known Agrippa’s plan all along. He can’t be trusted.”
“I agree. Now let’s find Pursan.�
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“No.”
“Then what’s the plan?”
“To punish Agrippa. To make things as they were when Pursan left.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
“All of the companions I sentenced to the Pit.”
“The ones that beat you?”
“Yes, once I get them on my side, Agrippa will no longer be a threat to me.”
“They hate you. Why would Elizabeth or the others listen to you?”
“Because I am queen. I know what I have to do now.” Rebecca walked away from the Pit. “Are you coming?”
Achcauthilli took a deep breath. “I guess we’re not headed to find Pursan then? Where are we going?”
“You’ll see when we get there.”
Rebecca and Achcauthilli traveled into the territory of Nelchael until they stood in front of the mountain leading into his home. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’m sure.” Rebecca knocked on the door, and Elizabeth Báthory opened it.
“It’s impossible! You’re supposed to be in the Pit.” Rebecca shoved Elizabeth, and walked past her into the home. She went to the kitchen and sat at the head of the table. Elizabeth and Achcauthilli followed her.
“How, how is this possible?”
“Sit down, we need to talk.”
“How?”
“Nelchael. Does he love you?”
“Is he still…did you tell Pursan what I did?”
“Nelchael loves you, doesn’t he?”
“He loves me more than anything.”
“Yes, he does. These demons, with all of their unimaginable power, they don’t love anything more than their companions, do they?”
“Yes.”
“Well, don’t you think that Pursan loved me enough to make sure that no harm happened to me while he was gone?”
“But your power. It was gone.”
“Don’t be so stupid. I wanted you to think that.”
“Why?”
“I suspected Agrippa was planning a little coup. I needed to know who was on his side.”
“But you sentenced me and the other companions to the Pit. You punished us for doing ‘bad’ things.”
“Do you think that Pursan would leave a fool in charge? This is Hell. There is no good or bad. The only thing that matters is power and what to do with it. You said it yourself, if Nelchael and the others return home to find their companions gone, they will overthrow Pursan. You didn’t think I considered that?”
