Читать книгу GATES OF DIVINITY - TOI BLASIER - Страница 15

For ages now, St. Peter had proudly maintained his position as the usher of Heaven’s gate inside an ivory tower, humble in stature. In all his time at his station, his appearance has remained in a static state. His appearance still that of a stoic gentleman. He bared a full mane of white hair atop his aged face. His stature was not meek but was not overbearing, and his garb draped off his body like a soft stream out of a quaint waterfall. He was quick to spot a figure approaching from a distance. As the figure drew near, he observed a blue hue emanating from the creases of the silhouette. St. Peter knew immediately what this meant, for all angels carried an assigned color based on their status along with the angelic inscriptions inscribed on their garb. White light indicated the highest order of angels; yellow indicated the lower levels of the angelic hierarchy; whereas blue indicated the early descent of a fallen angel and purple light indicated their absolute commitment to evil. However, orange light indicated that the angel was committed to heavenly duties and operations in Hell; and red was none other than the color of the demons.

He was being approached by a Fallen Angel. As the Fallen Angel drew closer, more of its features became more distinguishable. It’s golden blonde hair looked disheveled and it’s face appeared scruffy and their overall appearance seemed to be unkempt. The Fallen Angel bore old garments of the angels and rode atop a gryphon. St. Peter realized that this Fallen Angel was none other than Murmus. He quickly alerted the guardians of the first Heaven, Shamayim. Upon alert, the angels perched atop Heaven’s walls began to sound their trumpets.

Murmus took in the sight of Heaven’s entrance and noticed that nothing had changed in all his time absent from the kingdom of Heaven. His gryphon stirred at the alarm of the trumpets, a once familiar and inviting sound, to which he had to calm the beast. Five guardian angels emerged from their guard post. Kashriel and Tophnar posted themselves side by side with Orion in front of St. Peter while Zevudiel, Matoqiel and Bazathiel surrounded Murmus. They had their swords drawn on him and demanded that he return from whence he came. Murmus anticipated this reaction from his former brothers since he had fallen. “I bring important news and must not be delayed." Murmus said hastily. "Speak your business now and we will determine whether or not it is worthy of anyone's attention." Zevudiel responded immediately. "You don't understand. Heaven is in grave danger." he retorted back. "Since when does Heaven heed the words of traitors?" Matoqiel humored. Murmus’ thoughts were racing as Matoqiel’s sharp words cut him deeply. It is not Murmus’ preference to be one of the Fallen. His endgame was to find redemption and earn his way back into the good graces of Heaven. No one could possibly comprehend how important this was to Murmus on a personal level. "Please, I need to deliver important information to Michael. This is of grave importance!" Murmus exclaimed. Zevudiel broke into laughter "Michael? …", he snickered. "we cannot even talk to Michael. You have set your sights far too high, fallen one." Zevudiel looks to Matoqiel and Bazathiel "Bind him and take him to Sabrael and Pazriel, they will know what to do with him." He then signals for Kashriel and Tophnar to seize the gryphon.

Matoqiel and Bazathiel escort Murmus through the gates of the first Heaven to Sabrael and Pazriel who are accompanied by Dahaviel and Tophiel. "Why have you brought a fallen one into the kingdom of Heaven?" inquired Sabrael. "He claims to have valuable information for Michael." Bazathiel explained. Sabrael closes in on Murmus until he is face-to-face with him. "Deliver your information to us and we will determine whether or not it is worthy of an audience." Murmus looks around and assesses his situation. He then begins to recount the event of Lucifer's release from the pit. "I was there, like a shadow in a dark cave. I watched Abaddon release Lucifer from the pit. Upon being released, Lucifer launched an ambush with the help of Lilith. I watched Lucifer gut Abaddon and then cut out his tongue and use it to unlock the bottomless pit and unleash all the Scourge to feast on Abaddon until there was nothing left of him. I have no doubts that he is preparing right now as we speak to launch another attack on Heaven. It surely is a fact that he still sees himself above God. Michael needs to know this so that we can prepare for Lucifer's attack on Heaven." He explained in extreme detail. The guardian angels paused for but a moment and then leaned in amongst each other and began whispering their thoughts of the situation to one another. They took a few more moments and Murmus could already sense by their body language that most of them were in disbelief of his account. They turned their attention back to Murmus “Do you know how ridiculous you sound? Heaven has nothing to fear. Lucifer would be a fool to show his face around here again. If he does, Michael will just defeat him again." "I think we should hear him out, Sabrael." Bazathiel suggested. "I have heard enough!" Sabrael snapped back. "Send him away and make sure Murmus never sets foot in Heaven again." "But..." Bazathiel began. "Not another word, that's an order!" Sabrael commanded. Bazathiel reluctantly followed the orders given to him and escorted Murmus out of Heaven where his gryphon was already waiting.

Bazathiel escorted him beyond the gate where Murmus makes one final attempt to get through to the angels through Bazathiel. "Listen," Murmus began "There's more. I know how unbelievable this sounds, but I witnessed Lucifer effortlessly order The Scourge with a single simple command to devour what was left of Abaddon. I mean, you know who The Scourge are, don’t you, Bazathiel?” Murmus questioned aggressively. “Of course, I know the tales of The Scourge, who doesn’t?” Bazathiel said incredulously. “I am also aware that their release is impossible, and no one can command The Scourge.” Bazathiel argued. “Did you not hear a thing I said?” he asked rhetorically. “What do I have to gain from making up such outlandish stories? Perhaps, seeing is believing.” Murmus countered. “What do you mean, Murmus?” Bazathiel quickly questioned. “I can show you what remains of Abaddon.” Murmus offered. Bazathiel took a moment to give Murmus’ plea some thought. The thought of having to abandon his post and travel to the bottomless pit to meet up with a fallen angel weighed heavily on his conscience. However, his instincts urged him to oblige Murmus. "You should get back now before they get suspicious. I'll be waiting at the pit for your arrival." and with that they parted ways.

Bazathiel returned to Heaven and confronted Sabrael. "Why won't you listen? We have been given an amazing opportunity!" Sabrael reacted immediately "You know what?" he asked rhetorically "Let me ask you a question...since when do I answer to you? Seriously?! You would be wise to remember your station, angel!" “That's enough, Sabrael!" Pazriel interrupted. Sabrael being an archangel who presided over the guardian angels. However, was outranked by one of the princes of first Heaven, Pazriel, who shared his station with Archangel Gabriel. "I will take it from here." Pazriel steered Bazathiel out of the area away from Sabrael to talk to him privately. "I can appreciate your concern," he began "but I can assure you that there is no need for alarm. It is no mystery that Lucifer is going to want revenge upon his release from the pit. Bear in mind that we learned a lot about Lucifer's war tactics in the first war and we too have had a thousand years to prepare for this. It is inevitable that he is going to attack us...starting with first Heaven. Believe me when I tell you, as the guardian of first Heaven, between me, Michael and Sabrael and the forces of Heaven; Lucifer and his armies do not stand a chance. So, before you say anything else, please return to your station and give this some thought. I will check in on you personally to make sure that you are still of sound mine. Okay?" Bazathiel paused for a moment and considered Pazriel's words. "I understand." he said insincerely and marched off. Pazriel did not detect Bazathiel's insincerity and felt like he had made real progress with the guardian angel. With that in mind, Pazriel returned to his previous engagements.

Bazathiel looked over his shoulder to see if Pazriel was still watching him and when he realized that he was not, he went ahead and quietly departed. Now, he had to see the evidence Murmus spoke of. He wasted no time and sped off to the bottomless pit in hopes that he could make it back before anyone would notice his absence.

Making his way into Hell made Bazathiel extremely uncomfortable. Upon entering the cavernous bowels, Bazathiel’s guts felt upside down as his skin began to crawl. The bottomless pit was nothing like what he had been accustomed to in Heaven. The rocky interior of Abaddon’s caves were dimly lit by the orange-red glow from the flowing rivers of magma. Pockets of steam sporadically filled the air, obscuring his vision as he walked around the large and sharply pointed stalagmites. Taking a slow yet rushing approach to his traversing, Bazathiel knew that this situation had to be handled quickly, especially if even a fraction of what Murmus told was true. He had to be incredibly careful not to be seen for this was no place for a low-ranking angel. If discovered, the other angels would surely find out about how he had abandoned his post. Murmus did not give him much for instruction but the further he stepped, the closer he knew he was getting. Even before reaching the pit, the clues all began to form in front of him that proved Murmus’ story to be true. Bazathiel’s morale sank as his eyes connected with the arterial lifeblood painting the stony surroundings. “Could this truly be Abaddon’s?” Bazathiel thought to himself. Bazathiel then noticed the landscape before him was filled with mounds of destruction and rubble as well. It was then he found himself approaching Murmus who appeared to have been waiting for him long enough as he made himself comfortable as he could amongst the devastation. "I was wondering when you were going to show up." Murmus commented. "Make haste, Murmus! I do not have much time." Bazathiel promptly explained. Murmus understood the plight he put on the angel and led Bazathiel down what was left of the area where the ambush took place. As they walked past the piles of rock that littered the ground, the open space in front of them revealed the enormous corpse of Abaddon. There was barely a shred of hide left on the bones, surely an oversight by the ravenous Scourge. The bones left behind were not held together anymore and had numerable teeth marks where they had certainly gnawed on for as long as the taste of blood was still prevalent. The skeleton of Abaddon appeared to be dried up and bleached as if exposed to direct sunlight for days. If not for the unmistakable skull that could only be Abaddon, it would be nearly implausible to identify the corpse. The sight of Abaddon's remains stirred a great deal of turmoil within Bazathiel. In his mind, Bazathiel could come to terms that Lucifer and Lilith could possibly take down Abaddon but to ravage and ingest this giant of a being. The unthinkable has happened and Murmus was right. Lucifer has somehow gained the loyalty of The Scourge and their willingness to do his bidding at any command. Viewing what he had hoped was not true, Bazathiel knew they had to act now. If this was only the beginning, what was Lucifer’s grand plan? With The Scourge released and free to roam wherever is instructed, the possibilities are endless. Bazathiel was at a loss of words when all this newly found information crashed into him like a violent tidal wave onto the beach. Bazathiel knows something must be done, but what? What could he possibly do? “Thank you, Murmus. I wish that your words would not have been rejected so swiftly by Sabrael and the rest. I must return with what I have seen here.” Bazathiel bid a farewell to Murmus and left the bottomless pit to return to his post. Murmus reciprocated the sentiment but he knew that despite his failed efforts, he held onto hope upon hope that Bazathiel will be able to speak sense into the Kingdom of Heaven for there is an impending onslaught coming and something must be done soon. Murmus did not want to spend any more time near the bottomless pit as he had extracurricular affairs to attend to in the meantime.