War of Wings (23 page)

From conversations he held with God long ago but never understood until now, Lucifer realized there would be new inhabitants on this world. It dawned on him that God had a plan for this planet long ago. No matter. He was its god now. He needed to build his army up to full strength to rule this world and to have his revenge. “Everyone search the land, for this is our new home. Whoever finds me the coldest place in the depths of Terra will be rewarded greatly. Now, go!”

Over the coming months, Lucifer established his hierarchy of dark angels, assigning leaders over each of the many antivirtues he had discovered through his rise and fall. God had called them “sins,” and so be it. He gave them to his most loyal followers as gifts. They were to discover how deep and dark they could possibly reach in order to fully oppose the teachings of his enemy. He created envy, greed, pride, wrath, and sloth. Lucifer pointed out their power. He would never stop searching for more.

Abbeus, Delia, Saraquel, Arrayah, and many other high-ranking fallen angels played their parts in creating the powerful creatures of sin. They all had a hand in developing everything that was the opposite of God. They worked together to move beyond sin. They created true evil, and the first steps of Lucifer’s plan were coming along better than he could have imagined.

Lucifer no longer called his army angels. As they transformed into darker and more evil creatures, he renamed them demons. He found he thrived on evil and destruction. He made a whole new world for his demons, and he grew more powerful with every passing day. Lucifer pried into the depths of every dark sin and was completely thrilled with his domain on Earth. This was just the beginning, he thought. Heaven had better be prepared. He was coming for everything.

T
he day after the war, many angels were distraught like Gabriel because they had also lost loved ones. They were deeply gratified that God had returned and Heaven was back to normal, but then again it wasn’t. They were thankful for the restoration of peace, order, and grace, but the loss of so many left holes in many of the angels’ hearts. Heaven once again smelled of fresh flowers, and the dark, hazy mist was no more, yet many mansions stood empty, and many posts had to be filled. It was a bittersweet time in Heaven.

Most angels believed that the fallen, as they were now calling the banished ones, had crossed the point of no return and could never get back. But Gabriel didn’t feel that way. He held strong to the belief that God was a forgiving God and would one day bring Arrayah back into Heaven and back into his life. God did not say that it could be done, but He also did not say that it could not be done. Gabriel sought an audience with God and pleaded for her forgiveness, but God told him it was not for Gabriel to decide the fate of Arrayah. It never was. Gabriel still held onto the belief that nothing was impossible. He had to in order to move forward.

On the night of the war, when Gabriel, Michael, and Merithah finally got up and went home, Gabriel did not speak more than two words back to them. But the next day he was refreshed, confident, and happy. He knew he would never stop fighting for Arrayah. It was his mission, his hope. Michael and Merithah were the first ones to notice a drastic change in Gabriel, and they let him know about it.

In the days following “the Fall,” as the angels called it, Gabriel began to voice his thoughts and feelings openly like never before. He was known throughout Heaven by now, and he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. Many remembered his role in the war and his speech that had saved so many. Many angels went to him for comfort and answers in the following days while others came to him to give thanks for his plea to God on their behalves. One day, in the inner city near Gabriel’s house, an angel ran up and grabbed his shoulder. He had fought on God’s side in the war.

“Hello, Teniel. I am glad to see you’re here,” said Gabriel.

The angel stood up tall. “It is only because of you. I was scared, and many of my best friends and my true love were followers of Lucifer when we fought that day.”

“I am sorry to hear that.”

“I was able to bring back two of my friends, but I have lost the one dearest to me. I can’t stop thinking about her.” There was pain in his eyes and a longing that Gabriel would say something the others had not.

“Many have lost those dear to them, including me. I will tell you what I am going to do. I am going to stay strong and believe that they can once again be saved. I believe that I will get to see my love again someday. When I do, I will be ready. Hold onto your hope, Teniel. In the meantime, find your passion and live for yourself now. Be happy and be strong. You will meet again.”

A glimmer of a smile came across Teniel’s face. “I will,” he said. Teniel left with a bright outlook even in the darkest time Heaven had ever known. It was the feeling Gabriel lived for now—giving hope to others. He spoke to many angels throughout Heaven as the word spread of his message of hope for the fallen. It was a concept that no other angel thought possible. It was a small chance but still a chance, and many clung to it tightly along with their love for the lost if only to ease the pain. Gabriel believed if God were truly a forgiving God, then there was nothing to say he would never forgive the fallen and even Lucifer for that matter.

A few weeks later, Raphael walked up to Gabriel. His demeanor was different than it had always been. He wasn’t as perfectly dressed, and his facial hair wasn’t as trimmed as it used to be. He wasn’t as joyful either. The betrayal of the fallen angels had affected him, and ever since Azrael’s attack, he had never gained total forgiveness in his heart. It was difficult for him to understand how so much animosity had been built up on his account. He couldn’t let it go. God had restored his wound and Raphael’s wings were even larger and whiter than before, but Raphael still had to search for complete forgiveness, and that would take time.

“Why do you give angels false hope?” Raphael said. “They are gone.”

“I believe they will have another chance.”

“They had their chance. They are gone, as they should be.”

“Where is Amitiel?”

Raphael looked away. “Never mind her. As I said, they are gone! Stop giving false hope!”

“There is no limit to God’s mercy. Even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. I will hold onto hope for the fallen.” Gabriel had angels to forgive as well, and he saw what would happen to him if he didn’t. He had only to look at Raphael.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. Some others still held onto their hope as Gabriel did. He never faltered. Many generations passed since the Fall. Gabriel became a leader of the army of God and a staple among the wise leaders in the hierarchs. He provided understanding and stayed strong, spreading God’s messages throughout Heaven.

Almost every angel who had lost someone believed what Gabriel said, which was that all could be forgiven through love and faith. For those with lost loved ones, the Fall actually strengthened their faith in the Creator. Gabriel tried to keep controversy away, but some angels, especially those who had not lost someone dear, felt the fallen were gone forever and would never be allowed back into Heaven. Gabriel did his best to avoid debates about it.

Not even Michael could believe the transformation that had taken place with Gabriel. He no longer sat around eating fruit and complaining. He now lived a life of moderation and purpose. He learned to do many things and indulged his artistic side, creating astonishing paintings, captivating writings, and even moving music. His creations were fueled by his love for God and Arrayah. Some reflected his joyful soul while others captured feelings of loss to comfort other angels in the knowledge that they were not alone. The Fall taught many lessons in Heaven, and it was agreed unanimously that it should never be forgotten. The upheaval of the Fall led to the most artistic time Heaven had ever seen, and its beauty was heightened as a result.

Gabriel truly was God’s messenger. This role helped the mourners make the decision to see hope and forgiveness rather than become bitter and angry with God. At least that was how Gabriel saw it. Gabriel thus helped avert a second war by affirming the good and keeping angels on the right side during this difficult period.

Michael rose in stature until he was among the highest of God’s leaders. He had proven himself to be one of the most loyal throughout the tribulation and war, and it didn’t go unnoticed. Michael was among the most respected angels in all of Heaven. He could no longer be introverted even if he wanted to be, and it made Gabriel laugh every day. Angels looked up to him like they once looked up to Lucifer. Stories were often told by worker angels of the time that they had seen “the brothers,” as Michael and Gabriel were now referred to, bringing all of the seraphim, cherubim, thrones, and virtues back to God from their hiding place in the White Woods. Every time the story was told, it proved over and over again that rank and class in Heaven did not define them as angels. If archangels could lead Heaven, then anything was possible. This image, of Michael and Gabriel leading the army of hierarchs, was carved into the gold of the ornate bridge right before the steps that led to the upper tiers. For all time, it would remind angels of their inner abilities and what they could become.

G
od had a new plan that Lucifer knew nothing about. He explained to Gabriel His plan of creating a being in His own image, one that would be called “Man” and would have free will to choose to worship Him or not. God needed Gabriel to go to Earth to deliver a special message to Satan. That was how all angels in Heaven now referred to Lucifer; God had changed his name. It meant “the accuser,” for Lucifer had falsely accused God of being a liar.

Gabriel once again asked God about the possibility of forgiveness for the fallen, but God told him everything would happen according to His divine plan. He told Gabriel to be patient, so he would be. Gabriel hoped he would see Arrayah while on his mission.

God prepared Gabriel for what to expect. He told him of the growth of sin to pure evil and the transformation of dark angels to demons. He told him of Satan’s extreme power, strength, and constant lies, but Gabriel wasn’t worried. He reminded Gabriel of what a deceiver Satan was and therefore to be careful of the other liars and deceivers as well. He described to him what Earth would look like and how to deal with the demons. Most importantly, He promised to protect him every step of the way and not let any harm come to him whatsoever.

When fully prepared, Gabriel left Heaven behind and traveled down with God’s message. He shot through the cosmos and headed toward Earth. Gabriel knew the planet had never truly been Terra because it had never been Lucifer’s to name. He was still trying to shake out the water from his feathers when he entered Earth’s atmosphere. Instantly dark demons confronted him. The one in front was tall and had charred to a grotesque caricature of his former glory, but his face was recognizable. Gabriel looked at the burned seraph and noticed his distinct features and mannerisms were still there. They were exactly the same as those of the once-beautiful Abbeus, and Gabriel immediately knew it was he.

He had no shirt, only a black robe with ash-streaked jewels on it and a hood over his head. He had six black, bony wings. Pieces of his wings were broken off, perhaps on purpose. Gabriel could sense the evil that flowed through this skeletal creature even in its youth as a demon. Abbeus was bitter and full of hate, and it oozed out of him like sweat.

“How dare you come here, archangel!” he hissed. Behind him were thirteen more hideous creatures similar to him who silently flapped their bony wings. The air around them smelled of mildew. They were all shirtless, charcoaled creatures with bodies so emaciated that their ribs and joints stuck out. They were hunchbacked and seemed to have shriveled to two-thirds of their original size.

“I am sorry to see you this way, Abbeus.”

“My name is not Abbeus! I am so much more now. My name is Abbadon, Gabriel. I am a king now! Lucifer has granted me an antivirtue of my very own,” he hissed.

“You are not a king.”

“I am. I am the king of greed. It is the feeling you get when you want more. We all want more, Gabriel, and you will see that.”

“No more angels will ever choose to follow you or Satan. I have a message for him from the living God.”

“Who is this Satan? We know no Satan,” said Abbadon. His eyes were angry and hollow.

“Yes, you do. Lucifer is Satan. God has renamed him according to his deeds. I have a message for Satan. God has a new creation.”

“God has a new creation? How wonderful.” He let out a sinister laugh. “You will be proud to see the wonderful new creations our master Lucifer has made. He has created something so beautiful with your perfect Arrayah.”

Abbadon was baiting him, and it was working despite Gabriel’s awareness of it. Gabriel wanted to slap the grin right off Abbadon’s face, but he had been prepared by God and the other angels in Heaven to handle whatever lies Satan and his demons threw at him. Even so, listening to the creature that Abbeus had become made Gabriel cringe. He shuddered at the thought of Arrayah living with these filthy demons, and it pained him that she had had to go through that excruciating transformation. He wondered what she looked like, and part of him didn’t want to know what she looked like.

“Your words are poison,” he said.

“We are so proud to have what was once Arrayah among us. Humility has given birth to its sister, its antivirtue. It’s called pride, and it’s my master’s favorite. After all, which is more fun? Being humble or bathing in the glory? I think you know the answer.”

“I feel sorry for you.”

“Even you know I’m right. My master’s most-prized creation has taken it to a new level. The leviathan is its name, or should I say her name? It resides in the coldest cave we could find. It is no longer male or female to be honest, and it has delved so deep in its pride that its power is godlike. Actually, you had much to do with it. I cannot wait for you two to meet!” Again, Abbadon laughed, an empty, screeching sound.

“There is nothing godlike about that, and I know what you are trying to do. I know Arrayah would never turn into some prideful creature, some demon. I know that you are a liar, just like Satan. Now take me to the one you serve.”

“As you wish, Gabriel.”

With that, Abbadon spun with a whip of his robe, and his pack of demons followed close behind. They surrounded Gabriel in a demonic escort. The group flew south toward the cave controlled by the leviathan, whose lair served as the main hub and meeting point of the demons according to Abbadon.

When they entered the cold, icy climate at the southernmost tip, Gabriel saw hundreds of thousands of demons. The further south he went, the more the white landscape was infested with these charcoal creatures. He couldn’t recognize any of them. They amassed near a severe, dark crack that appeared to go into a mountain cave. The entrance was around five hundred feet high but extremely thin. The creatures were going in and out at will.

The subfreezing temperature was uncomfortable, but Gabriel thought only of delivering his message and hopefully finding Arrayah before leaving. He had waited so many years that he could barely remember how beautiful or charming she was. He missed her face. He missed her laugh. He knew her beauty would be gone, and he wasn’t sure what he would find when he actually saw her, but he didn’t care. He could feel his anticipation mounting and realized he still loved her just the same.

Abbadon escorted Gabriel toward the front entrance of the cave as demons all around were taken aback by his glory. They had not seen it in a long time. They were furiously jealous, but they wouldn’t approach him, and it made Gabriel even less comfortable. The wide-eyed looks on their faces showed how much they longed to be the angels they used to be. He saw all sorts of creatures roaming the area, coming and going near the opening. The majority were skinny, emaciated angels who looked like the worker angels of Heaven, but there were many variations of other creatures. Some were beasts made from combinations of angels’ body parts and parts of mammals, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles. He wondered how that could even happen. There was an air of dark secrets to this place and an evil he never would have imagined.

“Wait here,” screeched Abbadon. “I will tell our master you have arrived.”

The thirteen creatures around Gabriel surrounded him in a loose circle. Abbadon walked into the cave while Gabriel waited. He waited for what felt like hours. He was the center of attention for every demon who entered or exited the cave. Most stared at him with hateful, envious eyes.

Eventually an immense gust of wind and a dark shadow came over him. Gabriel turned around, ready for battle. As the shadow passed, he looked up at the hindquarters of a black-winged horse twice his size flying toward the thin entrance. The demons around him laughed at his nervousness and made snide remarks. The demons at the opening made way for the creature, and it raised its wings to slow its descent and then landed with a twelve-foot slide. A band of smaller demons escorted the creature into the cave with their eyes lowered respectfully. It was apparently important. Gabriel heard them refer to the creature as Pegasus.

As Gabriel stood by watching, every dark angel in the vicinity entered the cave of the leviathan through its thin, icy entrance deep in the southern tip of Earth. The numbers were multiplying, and he felt his anxiety rise as the entrance got more and more crowded. After about forty-five minutes, Abbadon walked back out.

“Come, archangel, he is ready for you,” said Abbadon.

Gabriel felt a chill go down his spine as he entered the ominous, icy entrance with his escorts. Adrenaline flowed through his body so powerfully that he felt he would burst out of his skin any minute. The smooth walls of the long entrance eventually opened up to a massive pool of frozen water that looked like a thin glass layer breathed over a murky pond. Then he saw the meeting.

On top of the frozen pond stood what seemed like millions of demons. Had they multiplied? Impossible.
The smoothness was unique to the entrance as the cave inside was covered in jagged, dagger-like icicles. The daggers became more menacing closer to the opposite side where another much smaller, darker cave within the cave emptied into blackness. Gabriel saw smoke rising from the darkness of the second cave in the distance.

He was escorted closer and focused his attention on the smaller cave. Every few seconds, thick smoke escaped from its opening. A dark, heavily scaled tail was barely visible from the blackness of the cave, but it was part of something massive. Abbadon wasn’t lying—the leviathan was real.

At the head of a rocky platform next to the cave elevated at two hundred feet was Satan. Below him spread a multitude of demons. Gabriel peered at the fallen angel high on his podium of rock and ice, and his heart dropped again. This army was much worse than he expected. The blackness of their condensed bodies made them blend together like a large shadow. He felt sick.

Satan turned his blazing eyes on Gabriel and smiled a wicked smile before addressing the sea of demons below. “Welcome, everyone! We have a glorious visitor! Please welcome Gabriel the archangel.” As always, he spread his large, powerful wings for dramatic effect. An eruption of hisses, moans, and cheers filled the cave and vibrated off the icy walls.

The demons walked Gabriel past the entire crowd and up to the front of the icy ledge Satan stood upon. When they finally stopped, they left Gabriel alone in the front. He could now hear loud breaths from the nearby cave on his right.

“I have come to deliver a message to you,” Gabriel called up to Satan.

“Please do, archangel.”

“The creation of man is soon to come. Man will be a being created in God’s image but will have free will. He will reside in the Garden of Eden here on Earth.” Gabriel did not understand His plan, but God intended to place these naïve beings in the midst of all the demons on Earth. They would have free will to make decisions just as the angels did. Gabriel continued, “Man will rule over all the Earth. Man will rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, all the wild animals on the ground, and all the small creatures that creep on the ground.”

Satan acted totally unsurprised. “And why do you think God would banish us to this place and then place His most vulnerable creations in our midst? Isn’t God supposed to be merciful and benevolent? Seems pretty cruel to create something and then leave them among us, doesn’t it?” All of the demons erupted in laughter.

Gabriel didn’t know what to say. He had no answer to that question. He paused briefly. “I do not pretend to know God’s plans. I am here as His messenger. God is just; therefore, I know He has his reasons.”

“Of course, you do not know, archangel. God never reveals His reasons. He has His angels follow blindly, just as you do now coming into our domain. Are you even safe here, Gabriel? We will rule his new creations before it is over.”

“No, they will be above you.”

“That is what God tells you, but He already knows what will happen, right?” Satan’s wicked smile surfaced again. “If He loved them the way you believe, He would keep his precious new creation somewhere far away from me. It is a game to Him, and He toys with you the same way He is going to toy with them.”

“God would never toy with me or any of His creations. He gives us free will to make our own decisions. I choose to follow Him.”

“Why did He send you here then? I already knew what He had planned, and He knows that.”

Gabriel paused again and thought of Arrayah. “I do not know.”

“I’ll tell you why. To make you suffer. There is someone I want you to meet, Gabriel.” Satan turned his attention to the cave below him, and Gabriel did the same. Gabriel concentrated on the thick smoke and deep breaths. The leviathan was real, and this was where it resided. It couldn’t be her though. It couldn’t be Arrayah.

Satan looked up. “There was once a beautiful virtue angel named Arrayah who helped me get to where I am now. That angel has become something so much more beautiful, so much more amazing.”

Gabriel’s vision swam, and he felt he could throw up. He knew where Satan was going with this.

Satan continued, “It is because of her I know exactly what we will do to win this war. I know exactly how to rip the heart and will out of God forever!” The demons cheered, and when they did, the leviathan roared so loudly the cave shook and icicles rained from the ceiling.