The Demon On My Chest: Waking Up

by Dan Farris

  “I don’t follow.”

  “I had to test Agrippa’s loyalty. What better way to do it then to issue an insane command?”

  “But what if he had followed through? And what about Lucifer?”

  “Lucifer was part of my ruse the whole time. I wasn’t going to let any companion be thrown in the Pit, but Agrippa had to believe me.” Elizabeth looked confused.

  “What…what are you going to do now?”

  “Relax, you don’t have to worry. Well, maybe a little.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s true you and the other companions thought I commanded each of you to be thrown in the Pit, but how can I trust you? How can Pursan ever trust each of you?”

  “You have no choice. The king needs his soldiers’ loyalty. You can’t harm me or any of the other companions.”

  “We need each other, don’t we, Elizabeth?”

  “We do.”

  “Well, as a friend, I want you to do something to prove your loyalty.”

  “And that is?”

  “Agrippa must be punished for his betrayal. I want you to summon the other companions. Then I want you to go to Agrippa. He believes you all owe him, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. After you get there, wait for me to arrive.”

  “And then?”

  “Then I’ll decide what to do.” Rebecca looked at Achcauthilli, his hands were trembling.

  Elizabeth grinned. “As you wish, my queen.”

  “Always a pleasure. Achcauthilli, let’s go.”

  Rebecca and Achcauthilli walked away from Elizabeth’s mansion. “That was crazy! What if she didn’t believe you? We could have been done. How did you know that would work?”

  “I don’t.”

  “You mean you didn’t. It worked.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “What?”

  “When we get to Agrippa’s, she and the other companions should already be there. We’ll find out if Elizabeth believed me. She could have been playing with us back there.”

  “You sure you don’t want to find Pursan?”

  “I’m sure. Trust me, Achcauthilli. I made a mistake before, but I’m sure.”

  “Okay, on to Agrippa.”

  All my time in Hell, all those books, everything I’ve learned, has led me to this moment.

  Chapter 51-Samael

  Samael and the remaining angels who followed him flew only a short distance after they left the lake of fire before they reached Pursan and the demons who followed him. Pursan’s army vastly outnumbered Samael’s.

  To Samael’s right was Raphael, and to Samael’s left was Tzaiphonel.

  “Do you remember the Oenions?” Asked Raphael.

  “I remember. Father didn’t tell us it would be so many of them,” replied Samael.

  “And so strong,” said Tzaiphonel.

  “Yes, but we conquered them and seized their power. Because of you, Samael,” said Raphael.

  “You defeated Lucifer and the others,” said Tzaiphonel.

  “Lead us into victory now… Samael the mighty. Your enemies know your wrath,” said Raphael.

  My wounds are not fully healed. It’s so many of them.

  “Remember, we only have to take out Pursan, then the others will follow,” said Samael. “There he is, in the back. He’s surrounded by a circle of brothers. Coward. Didn’t think he would lead his army into battle.”

  “Beelzebub, Zerith, and Salikethal are with him. Commanders following a bookkeeper,” said Raphael.

  “The ones protecting him, I know them. Rahab…do you see their eyes? Something is different about them,” said Raphael.

  “It doesn’t matter,” said Samael.

  “Brothers! I don’t want to destroy any of you! Together, we can take Heaven! You can leave this forsaken place, and rest in Paradise once more! I know that Pursan has convinced you to follow him. Remember, he is nothing but a bookkeeper! I am Samael. Do you know me? I know each of you! I was there when Father created each of you. I am Father’s first-born son, and I am shrouded in immeasurable power. Bring me Pursan, and I will forgive each of you for this transgression.”

  “It is true this place is no paradise, but it is our home now,” said Pursan. “We have made do, and there was peace before you arrived. You did not ask for our loyalty; you demanded it, just like Father. Do you know how a bookkeeper convinced our brothers to challenge the mighty Samael? How a bookkeeper convinced our brothers to make him the most powerful being in Hell? I gave them a choice. Something you and Father will never understand.”

  “Last warning. Anyone who doesn’t join me will be destroyed.”

  “So be it!” Samael looked back toward his followers. “Destroy anyone who stands in the way of getting to Pursan.” Without waiting for the others to join him, Samael flew toward the demons being led by Pursan. The battle for control of Hell had begun.

  Samael slew countless, but when he looked around him, he saw his followers being destroyed at a rapid pace. In the midst of battle, Samael came into contact with one of the demons who emerged from the Bottomless Pit. Samael eventually destroyed the him, but the demon inflicted a good amount of damage to Samael. The battle continued, with fights and destruction occurring in the sky and on the land. Pursan and the other kings of Hell watched the battle as it continued. Then, Zerith could not contain himself any longer and flew into the midst of fighting. “What is he doing?” Screamed Beelzebub.

  Raphael, seeing that Zerith was now unprotected, tracked him down amongst the fighting, and after an intense battle, slew him. “Do you see, brothers? They can fall. Pursan! You are mine!”

  Inspired by Raphael’s victory over Zerith, Samael continued toward Pursan, destroying every demon that stood in his wake. Finally, Samael reached the demons guarding Pursan. It was Rahab and four other demons like him. Each of them broke away from guarding Pursan and attacked Samael all at once.

  Samael had the upper hand at first until they begin to overwhelm and slowly drive him back. Then, Beelzebub and Salikethal instructed their personal demon guard to attack Samael as well. Samael found himself battling seventeen demons at once, each individually stronger than Lucifer.

  Samael looked at Pursan. He’s so calm… This was his plan! They’re too strong. I can’t keep this up for much longer.

  Samael looked around and saw that Raphael and Tzaiphonel were being overwhelmed as well. The rest of their army were faring no better. Rahab and the other demons attacking Samael began to inflict more and more damage on Samael, forcing him to land on the ground. Then, Tziphoel was destroyed. “No,” cried Raphael.

  Samael was attacked in his right leg, forcing him to kneel on the ground. Father, looks like you win again.

  All hope appeared lost for Samael, until a large number of the demons that fought for Pursan suddenly began attacking each other. Samael looked into the sky, demons surrounded and destroyed Beelzebub and Salikethal. Rahab and the others like him rushed to guard Pursan, but most of them were attacked and destroyed. Only Rahab was able to reach Pursan, and the two of them left the battle and flew in the opposite direction. Then, all the demons still loyal to Pursan surrendered.

  Raphael came and helped Samael off the ground. “What happened?” Asked Samael.

  “Your speech worked.”

  “I don’t think so.” The demons that turned on Pursan were being led by a demon commander.

  “Nelchael,” said Raphael.

  Nelchael walked up to Samael and Raphael. “Those are tough wounds you both have.”

  “You,” said Samael.

  “Me.” “

  Why?” Asked Raphael.

  “I’m a commander, like each of you, but I’ve been forced to play second to a bookkeeper for too long.”

  “If you were planning this, why did you wait so long? So many of our brothers, including Tzipohhel, fell for nothing,” said Raphael.

  “Did you fight Rahab? The others like him? They had to be caught off guard t
o be successful, and it was.”

  “How did they acquire such power? Rahab was a low rank,” said Samael.

  “There’s a place here called the Bottomless Pit.”

  “I’m familiar with it,” said Raphael.

  “Rahab and the others somehow escaped from it.”

  “Impossible,” said Raphael.

  “It doesn’t matter. I want Pursan captured and destroyed,” replied Samael.

  “And what do I get?”

  “Careful Nelchael.”

  “I saw you were wounded when the battle started, but still, I saved you. You owe me.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I’m a simple creature. All I want is Hell.”

  “After we seize Heaven, it’s yours. Now, find Pursan and bring him to me. He’ll pay for his insolence.”

  “Gladly, and I’ll do even better. He has a companion, a woman named Rebecca. I’ll bring both of them to you.” Nelchael and a few of his followers took to the air.

  “Raphael, see that our remaining brothers understand who they serve.”

  “With so many of us fallen, is Heaven still...”

  “Yes! Father will pay.”

  Chapter 52-Rebecca

  Rebecca and Salikethal arrived on the outskirts of Agrippa’s territory.

  “Are you sure about this? We can still turn back,” said Achcauthilli.

  “I’m sure.”

  They continued walking, there appeared to be two rows of people, on two sides, separated by only walking distance. They continued toward it, the rows were made up of all the companions she had sentenced to the Pit. I can do this.

  “Achcauthilli, no matter what happens, thank you for saving me. You know you don’t have to do this.”

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  As they walked between the rows of people, there was someone Rebecca recognized. “Tash? You’re a companion?”

  “Of course, my queen. Forgive me for my game when you first arrived in Hell. I was only having a little fun.”

  “Why are you here? I didn’t sentence you to the Pit.”

  “Yes, but not being present here would have been disrespectful. I am forever your humble servant.”

  Achcauthilli grabbed Rebecca’s hand. Rebecca briefly pulled away before holding his hand tight. Achcauthilli looked at Rebecca like no one, not even Pursan, had ever looked at her before. The two of them continued walking until they reached the end of the rows, Elizabeth was towering over Agrippa, who had been stripped naked and beaten and was on the ground.

  “My queen, what took you so long?”

  “A queen does not rush for anyone.”

  “Here is the traitor.”

  Rebecca looked to where Agrippa’s city had once been, it was gone, along with all the inhabitants.

  “How…how did you escape the pit?”

  “Did you really think the king would leave her so vulnerable? Men, you served him all this time, but you know nothing.”

  “The king doesn’t have the power to escape the Pit. If he was thrown in, he couldn’t even save himself,” said Agrippa.

  “Lies. The queen stands before us.”

  “I tell the truth!”

  Elizabeth looked at Rebecca with suspicion. “Is this true? The king gave you power? You still yield power, do you not?” Elizabeth walked around Rebecca and Achcauthilli like a lion stalking its prey.

  “Are you questioning your queen? Haven’t you learned your lesson? The king did not have the power to escape the Pit before Rahab and the others returned. They imbued the king with power he never dreamed of, and he gave some to me. I’m his companion, after all. That’s how I escaped the Pit.”

  “She’s lying! The king would have told me. I’m his most trusted advisor.”

  “Yes, but you are not his companion. Forgive me, my queen,” said Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth struck Agrippa on the head. “You would have all of us suffer your fate because you betrayed the king.” Elizabeth placed the crown she had taken from Rebecca on Rebecca’s head, and handed her back her necklace and kneeled down before her. “My queen, we are yours to serve. What will you have us do with the traitor?”

  Rebecca looked at Achcauthilli, who was smiling at her. Then, she looked back, the hundreds of companions were kneeling before her. It was the happiest moment of her existence.

  Suddenly, something grabbed her, and she was lifted into the sky. “Rebecca!” screamed Achcauthilli.

  “Release me, release me! Who are you? What do you want?” Rebecca was being moved so fast that she couldn’t see.

  Chapter 53-Rebecca

  “Let me go, let me go!” Rebecca was being carried in the sky by some unknown force. Rebecca continued screaming until her feet touched the ground. When she turned, it was Rahab who had taken her. She felt someone touch her from behind, it was Pursan. The two embraced.

  “I heard what Agrippa did. I’ll punish him for this!”

  “Don’t you worry about me. I had everything restored to order, and I was just about to punish him myself. What about Samael?”

  Pursan looked away.

  “Look at me. Pursan, look at me. What happened?”

  “I had all the armies of Hell under my command. When we reached Samael, we were surprised to see that he had company.”

  “Company?”

  “Angels. But they were injured, even the mighty Samael, and we had them vastly outnumbered. I gave the order, and we attacked. One by one, they fell, until Samael and a few others remained. I had victory, until Nelchael betrayed me.”

  “No.”

  “I should have known, especially after Dagon. Commanders would never be content with serving under a creature they deem inferior. As if I had a choice, as if any of us did! If only my Father had made us all equals!”

  “So that’s why you sent Rahab to get me?”

  “Stalin told me about what Agrippa did.”

  “Where is he?”

  “Hello, my Queen.” Rebecca was so excited that she hadn’t noticed that Stalin was standing only a few feet away.

  “You knew about Agrippa’s plan, didn’t you? Why didn’t you do something?”

  “He didn’t know until after it had already happened,” said Pursan.

  “Lies! His spies are everywhere. He knows everything.”

  “I assure you, my Queen, I did not.”

  “Lies.”

  “He’s telling the truth Rebecca. I had him tending to other matters, in case Samael defeated my army. I’m sorry. I’ve failed you. My army, my kingdom… I’ve lost everything. And even my most trusted advisor betrayed me, and I almost lost you.”

  “That doesn’t matter. What matters is that we both are here, together. So, where will we go?”

  “Earth.”

  “But now that Samael is the undisputed king of Hell, that’s the first place he’ll look for you.”

  “We have no choice. There’s a great power on Earth; it’s our last hope. The kind of power that can change everything.”

  “Why haven’t you told me about this before?”

  “I wanted to…but then I fell in love with you. You’re very special, Rebecca.”

  “You say that because you love me.”

  “I do, but you are more special than you realize. So much more. When you died on Earth, you were pregnant.”

  “I couldn’t have kids.”

  “It’s true. You were pregnant.”

  Rebecca staggered back, away from Pursan. “How? Why didn’t you tell me before? Why wait until now?”

  “Because I fell in love with you. I was scared that if I told you the truth, you wouldn’t love me anymore. I was going to tell you when the time was right, but Samael, he changed those plans.”

  “Why the secret? If I was pregnant, I didn’t know it, so the baby died with me. It died like my other babies. With everything that has happened, why are you telling me this now?”

  “Your child didn’t die.”

  “Why didn’t you tell
me? All this time, and you knew the whole time that I had a child on Earth? Why did you keep the truth from me? Why?”

  “I was going to tell…”

  “No more lies from you!”

  “Rebecca, please, you’re my reason for existence. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I love you to my very core, you have to know that.”

  “So this great power that you speak of, is it my son?”

  “He has the power to destroy everything. But, he doesn’t know how truly powerful he is yet. That’s why we have to go to him. Once he meets his birth mother, he’ll do everything he can to protect you.”

  That’s why he saved me, a whore from Mississippi. He’s been planning on using me this whole time. He never loved me. Got damn him. Well, I’ll play him. I don’t know how my son is so powerful, but I’ll find him. I’ll protect him from Pursan, God, and anyone who tries to hurt him. And then, he’ll destroy Pursan, Samael, all of them, and make me Queen of Hell. He’ll make me Queen of everything. And I’ll shape things in my image.

  “Yes, we must find him,” said Rebecca in a calm, detached voice.

  “You forgive me, then?”

  “Don’t ever keep secrets from me.”

  “Never. I thought I had lost you. Without you, I would have no reason to continue.”

  Lies. “My son, what is his name?”

  “Sean.”

  Chapter 54-Sean

  Where am I? Is this Hell? Am I dead? Doesn’t matter… I can’t believe Aadon gave his life for me. I thought all he cared about was power. I was wrong. He wasn’t perfect, but he was good. He went against the will of God because he thought it was the right thing. If I had another chance, I’d try to be good too, even if God doesn’t love me. I guess I don’t need his love to be… good.

  Sean looked around, and all he could see was utter darkness. Sean started walking around and began to hear someone speaking. “In you I give the power, the power of this space,” said the voice. I know that voice. Sean continued toward the voice until he reached the form of a woman. She had on no clothes; her skin was pure teal, and she was beautiful.