Читать книгу GATES OF DIVINITY - TOI BLASIER - Страница 18

Upon returning to Heaven, Bazathiel is struggling with the knowledge he gained from his clandestine expedition with Murmus. He knows its information is of the utmost importance that the highest of Heavens needs to know. But to give this insight also gives up the fact that he engaged with a fallen angel. The punishment, especially if this indiscretion reaches God, will most certainly be quite severe. Bazathiel knows that his stature in the hierarchy is low and he does not have the acclaim to absolve him of this. Back and forth, Bazathiel has never felt such a pull in his mind of what he should do versus what he will do. "Will they listen to me? Can I even get my words to anyone who can put in motion a plan to stop this possible onslaught before it happens?" Bazathiel ponders to himself. These thoughts rang loud in his head like the magnificent trumpets in Heaven. So much so, that he was almost convinced he said them aloud to all of creation. As Bazathiel paced back and forth trying to decide, a gentle voice called out to him. "Hello, Bazathiel. Is the day treating you well?" asked Raziel. Startled by his sudden appearance, Bazathiel attempted to regain his composure in front of the Angel of Secrets and Mysteries. Stalling, Bazathiel contemplated his response, "Yes...Yes, I'm doing well on this glorious day. Thank you, Raziel. Am I interrupting something? I am not accustomed to having your presence. I can depart if need be." Bazathiel nervously said to Raziel. Bazathiel, knowing that Raziel hears all and that trait keeps him often next to God's throne, is extremely wary of that fact. Does Raziel know where he has been and what he knows? If he does, why isn't he being reprimanded already? A flurry of questions races through Bazathiel's thoughts. "No need to worry Bazathiel. You are not interfering in any of my tasks. But I feel as though I am stumbling upon much more from you then you are letting on. It seemed like you were in great contemplation when my arrival surprised you." Raziel's cool and confident observation worried Bazathiel even more. “Well…” Bazathiel paused in his thoughts, "I possess knowledge that is as essential to report as it is dire to my own wellbeing in Heaven. However, it is stuck in my head and refuses to leave my mouth." Bazathiel reflected to himself. He knows that this internal strife was manifesting into his outer self. "Bazathiel... Are you okay? You may speak freely with me. I hear all, yes, but I am the Keeper of Secrets as well. So please, be candid with me." Raziel assured Bazathiel as he could see the anguish in his face. "Raziel, I do have something to tell you. To tell everyone. It's information is with perhaps the direst of consequences if ignored." "Go on Bazathiel. Tell me what you saw." Raziel waited for the story of what Bazathiel learned with concerned anticipation. "When Murmus came to Heaven and nobody listened to what he had to say, I understood why. He is a fallen angel. His word means less than nothing here. But something inside me told me otherwise, if only this one time. Obviously, I know who I am here. My suggestions to listen to him were aggressively dismissed by Sabrael. Pazriel, though he had my best interests in mind, tried to talk me out of listening to Murmus. I know I defied them, but there was just... something that told me otherwise. So once the others departed, I went off to Hell to have a secret engagement with Murmus. Perhaps just to prove my instincts wrong. I think I would have felt okay knowing that this Fallen Angel was bringing false news and I was just too naive to not believe him. Unfortunately, I was not wrong." Raziel listened intently to Bazathiel. He felt a gnawing in his gut as each deep, vivid description poured from this makeshift confession. "Bazathiel, go on. Once you got to Hell, what happened?" "Well... I do not think words can describe what I felt. It was every terrible feeling all rolled into one torturous existence. My skin was crawling... My soul felt aflame. I just wanted to leave, but I had to have my answers. And soon enough, I got them all. And more. Much, much more." "What is it that you saw, Bazathiel?" "I finally approached Murmus. He led me down a corridor that was draped in pure darkness. Once we got to the end of the cavern, I wished the darkness continued. I saw the massive and mutilated remains of Abaddon himself." "You must be mistaken, Bazathiel. Abaddon is the master of The Pit. He is quite unstoppable, let alone to be destroyed in such a manner. Are you sure you saw what you think you saw?" Raziel questioned Bazathiel's testimony as that fate surely seems highly unlikely to befall the Lord of the Pit. "I wanted to think it was not true, but it was confirmed to me by Murmus that it was Lucifer himself that released and commanded The Scourge to feast on Abaddon's body. I had heard of The Scourge in tales, but I could never imagine the stories were true. When Murmus told me that The Scourge were under direction from Lucifer and they devoured Abaddon, it was then that I knew something must be done. If Lucifer can orchestrate this kind of coup to overthrow Abaddon and escape his pit, clearly, he is putting a plan in motion for his millennia aged revenge. So, Raziel, this is my story. I know for what I have done and whom I have defied, my punishment will be aplenty. But please, send this information upwards so that a proper defense may be put in place. I beg of you." Raziel raised his celestial hand to his chin to contemplate what to do. This warning from Bazathiel would have merit if not for his only source a fallen angel. "No word of a fallen angel would be held in any regard, no matter the severity of it. And yes, Bazathiel, you are quite the loyal and trustworthy soldier. But it won't mean anything to Him since you followed a fallen angel to Hell to get this information." Distraught and bewildered at Raziel's reaction, Bazathiel asked "So, how do I make this information more palatable? They must be told before it's too late." If it is not too late already Bazathiel continued to himself. "As I said, receiving this news from a fallen angel will be brushed off as nothing. Like a loose strand of hair on your shoulder..." Before Raziel could proceed, Bazathiel expressed in disconcert, "Then perhaps Lucifer has already won!" Bazathiel emphatically announced. Raziel, knowing this must be kept under wraps for now, reaching his angelic palm up to Bazathiel's mouth virtually catching Bazathiel's words in his hand. "Hush now, Bazathiel, and let me finish. If I were able to secretly assemble a group of six angels to send with you back to Hell and verify what you have just told me, then I believe I would have enough credence to deliver this to Michael and Gabriel. With those six witnesses corroborating your story, we can then sufficiently pass this on and begin the next step." The stress left his face and a weight lifted off his person, Bazathiel felt relieved a touch that something could be done. "Do you have six angels in mind for this? They will need to be able to keep this covert trip quiet." "Yes, Bazathiel, I am aware of what we are doing and what I will be asking them to do. But know this, if this goes in any way other than a simple in and out, more than bringing back what you have told, my role in this will be denied and you will be on your own. My six know this and have agreed to the harsh consequences that await them, if so be. Do you?" Bazathiel took a moment to think over his answer. He knows what he saw to be true and what will become of it if they remain ignorant of Lucifer's machinations. "Yes. I know what will happen to me. I am willing to make that sacrifice, but I will not have to. What I saw with my own eyes shook me to my core. What I heard devastated my own being. I know what happened in the first war with Lucifer. If I can be even a miniscule part in preventing a second war, I accept it all." Raziel looked upon Bazathiel, nodded in approval to his proclamation. "Good, Bazathiel. And I truly hope you keep that grit and determination. You will need it, that I am certain." "Well, since this is settled, what's next Raziel?" "Next is we get you with The Six and get you on your way, yes?" Before proceeding, Bazathiel was puzzled by the fact that Raziel had already assembled his six angels, “Wait, how did you already have them ready if we have not even finished our conversation yet?” “Bazathiel, my dear guardian angel, I am the keeper of secrets after all.” “But why did you approach me, Raziel?” “That, Bazathiel, was more for you than I.” Bazathiel then expressed a new concern, “Does anyone else know??” “I have kept this secret between us, and my six angels gathered.” Raziel leads Bazathiel to the small group of angels forming up not too far from their conversation. Bazathiel was somewhat unfamiliar with these angels Raziel was preparing introductions for. Raziel laid out what was in their immediate future, "This mission is of the utmost importance and secrecy. Bazathiel has alerted me to a major occurrence in Hell, of all places. I need you six to accompany him to determine the truth or lack thereof. As I have told Bazathiel, if you are caught during this or things go awry in anyway, I will disavow all knowledge and deny all involvement. But, if successful, we will react accordingly. Bazathiel, these are the angels you will be traveling into Hell with. I would like you meet Mikael, Hariel, Omael, Haamiah, Melahel, and Sitael. Like you, Bazathiel, these six are also abandoning their posts to aid you in your quest. Omael will be your second in command and will be your guide to gain access to Hell, as he is familiar to that point. He will lead the team should anything happen to you. Sitael is the key component of your mission, should there be any information of merit, he is your recorder. Anything of importance found will be documented by Sitael. His return with any data pertaining to this is paramount." Raziel explains. He then turns his attention to the Six, “You all are aware that there will be no guarantees and that some of you might not even return, right?” he reiterated to the angels. They all gave a confirming nod. "Bazathiel, the time is now. Travel safe and return swiftly." Raziel gave those last instructions to Bazathiel and The Six. Bazathiel felt reluctant to accept such a huge responsibility, but his commitment to protect Heaven motivated him to follow through. As they exited the gates, Bazathiel panned the group and observed their readiness. Bazathiel took this as his cue to give the first order, “Armor up, angels.” With a single celestial thought, the angels’ garbs glow a bright yellow sheen as their respective armor forms around their bodies. Bazathiel then turns his attention to Omael, “Take us to Hell.”