The Angelic Wars I - Heaven

by Andrew Gille

  They all shouted, “Hail! Hail! Hail!” as he was carried up the steps and through the doors of The Citadel. Machenrauch’s plan to embarrass him had gone horribly awry and made a hero of him. No one seemed to notice as Machenrauch, the hero of the battle of Oziel City was helped as he limped past wounded. From within The Citadel, he could hear them shouting his name. All hailed Lucifer, the master strategist and executor of the victory at Virgos.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Escape to Aequiss

  Through the blur of his speeding shield orb, he could still see them, behind him, gaining now. Fresh from the reserve ranks of Lucifer’s forces, they were able to exert more energy and were catching up to him Michael realized that they would overtake him if he continued on to Paradisio, he didn’t have the strength to continue exerting his body to attain these speeds. He made the decision to try to lose them and have the forces of Aequiss’ ruler, Leviathan, aid him in ridding himself of his pursuers.

  Decelerating now, the azure orb came into focus, behind him, he could see the light of his golden armored pursuers as they came out of Conveyance's hyper velocity phase, now, following him down into the atmosphere of the watery planet Aequiss. There were at least 10 of them, black trails of smoke followed them as they descended down after Michael.

  Telepathically, he hailed the herald of The City of Kings, a city under the sea on the watery planet. The city was built by Os himself and thus was a wonder that angels could not comprehend. Transparent panels let through sunlight in a massive stone cavern that was covered in a coating that made it impervious to water. Several outcroppings jutted into the water with similar transparent panels. Wherever you went in Aequiss, you could see the ocean through these panels. Aequiss Castle, the seat of Leviathan’s government, was built into the cavern and contained hallways and rooms in which entire walls and ceilings were transparent and allowed one to view the sea life swimming by the windows. The residents lived an amphibious life, and the city was a major attraction for those wanting to see ocean life and the beauty of The City of Kings. Michael knew that Leviathan the principality was no great friend of Lucifer. However, he was also not an ardent follower of Os either.

  “Leviathan asks your business on our planet arch-angel,” Leviathan’s herald asked.

  “I am escaping the battle on Kalos and seek refuge within your fair city. I am currently pursued by ten of Lucifer’s rebel troops. Can you aid me in defeating them?” Michael asked as the endless blue ocean of the planet came nearer and nearer, he’d need to begin slowing down lest he shatter his body hitting the water at too high a speed.

  “Lord Leviathan requests that you do not bring this battle to The City of Kings, our fragile ecosystem could be damaged by a battle within the city, one shattered panel could unleash a tidal wave that would flood the entirety of the city,” The Herald Responded.

  “There does not need to be a battle! Simply greet me with two dozen Powers Angels, and there need not be any violence! By the authority of Os, I command you to arrest these traitors and enemies of the Kingdom of Heaven!”

  “Do not bring your battles here Michael,” now Leviathan himself communicated with Michael.

  Michael neared the surface of the ocean. He slowed as much as he could by exerting himself in the opposite direction, it nearly tore his body apart. He straightened himself again and slammed into the ocean in as hydrodynamic a position as he could. The impact hurt at this speed as the ocean water was like cement and the spray like shards of glass. He was injured but still able to fight. He looked down into the water, and saw nothing, though he knew that he had entered the ocean at the right location. A school of fish swam by and then as he looked to his right, he saw a massive white whale swimming toward him. The whale turned and dove as it reached Michael. Michael followed in its wake if for no other reason than the fact that it made him able to swim faster and he knew he might find the city if he went straight down. The whale turned at just the right moment, before him, he could barely make out the lights inside the cavern of The City of Kings, one of Os’ grandest cities. The blue Azurian Crystals lit up the city, 400 feet below the surface of the sea, at that depth the sun was tempered, but the top of the cavern rose 300 feet so the light traveled through much more brightly than if The City of Kings’ depth would have otherwise allowed.

  Michael in his Ozielian Steel Armor sank quickly. He extended his wings and then pushed them behind him accelerating his dive quickly. The golden armored soldiers of Lucifer seemed to panic in the water, they were sinking, not diving, not attempting to control their descent. Michael did not look back at them to ensure he moved as quickly as he could through the water but in his peripheral vision, he saw fewer of them. Indeed three of the soldiers had become terrified of being trapped in the ocean with the discomfort of pressure and the inability to breathe. Angels could hold their breath for extended periods of time, but the inability to breathe weakened them and was very uncomfortable. These three angels had frantically taken off their armor and swam back to the surface of the ocean choking and splashing as the waves bobbed them up and down. They would need to be rescued because the water soaked into their wings and made them too heavy to fly.

  “Open the gate!” Michael commanded, “Leviathan, I order you to open the gate and allow me entrance.”

  “I do not recall you being given dominion over the principalities Michael. You were told not to bring these soldiers to the City of Kings, and I expect you to turn around,” again Leviathan himself answered Michael.

  “My sword is made of Ozielian Steel, and I will smash through your gate if you do not cooperate with me, allow me entrance immediately and arrest these traitors.”

  With this, the gates swung open, there were two doors, an outer door that opened to the ocean and an airlock which purged the water before an inner door allowed entrance to the City of Kings. Michael entered the exterior doors, they began to close but not before two rebel angels reached the airlock.

  Leviathan stood at the entrance to the inner doors, a commotion was heard inside.

  “Open it before they damage the airlock!” Leviathan ordered.

  The doors swung open, and a stream of water and angelic blood, as well as two unconscious, golden clad warriors, flooded out into the room in which Leviathan, his herald and a contingent of Powers stood. Michael dripping with salty sea water stepped out into the room, his Ozielian Steel armor glinting in the Azurian Crystal lights.

  “Welcome to The City of Kings,” the Herald said out of habit, though much less enthusiastic than usual.

  “Let the others in and detain them and detain these two once they recover,” Leviathan ordered, “You will come with me,” he said speaking to Michael.

  Michael followed him out of the room dripping a trail of salt water and blood as he walked through the doors that led into the city.

  ###

  Leviathan’s cortege joined him as they left the stone enclosure around the airlock. Michael had been to The City of Kings on rare occasions in the past and never failed to be astounded by its beauty. The curvature of the cavern gave it strength and kept the massive pressure of the water above them from crushing everything beneath it. The sun streamed in from a multitude of panels installed in openings in the cavern so that it resembled a colander which allowed light to enter the city, whirling in patterns on the street. Above them, rays of the sun could be seen coming down through the clear waters as schools of sea creatures swam past. The city was a testament to Os’ ingenuity, no angel could have created this wonder of Heaven, and it showed Os’ superiority to them.

  Os warned that though the city was beautiful and safe, that it was also fragile and that Leviathan was charged with keeping it safe. He regarded the city as his own and took this responsibility very seriously. Rigorous rules were in place for visitors to the city and reservations were necessary far in advance to be allowed access to the city. Surprise guests were not welcome, and Michael was no exception. Leviathan made him walk behind him in the processio
n and stared straight ahead as he walked in a determined manner.

  They arrived at Aequiss Castle, the capital building of the planet and the location of Leviathan’s court. Leviathan looked back at Michael, Michael assumed it was to see if he had dried off so that he would not stain the ornate rugs and tapestries of the castle, he had stopped dripping, and that was apparently good enough for Leviathan. A slight breeze blew through the city as air exchangers brought breathable air into the city by converting it from the sea through another form of science that the angels did not understand and this caused the air inside The City of Kings to be of low humidity and dry things quickly.

  Michael had never been in Aequiss Castle, it was a wonder just as the rest of the city. The same material that prevented the sea from crushing the city allowed the sea to flow through the castle causing it to act as a large aquarium of sorts. Lit by Azurian Crystals the hallways and walls were covered with a transparent material that allowed one to look out to the ocean. An array of jellyfish, fish, and aquatic mammals swam by each one they passed on their way through the castle. Through one window, Michael noticed the whale that had guided him down to the city, swimming off in the distance.

  Leviathan’s Powers Angels wore armor engraved with sea-themed designs, and their trim was reminiscent of the fins of sea creatures. Michael also noticed that their equipment was made of what appeared to be aqualene, a rare floating metal that seemed as shining and white like the alabaster halls of Elysian Palace.

  The powers who guarded the castle were armed with tridents and opened the doors to the court as Leviathan approached. Leviathan walked through, and his court took their places as he sat at his massive throne. Michael stood on a marble floor inlaid with a design of the symbol of Aequiss a picture of the planet with a shark circling in front of it.

  Leviathan nodded to an angel of the Order of the Powers, the angel stood in his brilliant white armor and read a statement to Michael.

  “Archangel Michael, you stand accused of entry into the City of Kings without a reservation or invitation. You will remove your armor and submit to being detained by our powers authorities.”

  “You’ve brought me all the way to your court to tell me this Leviathan?” Michael addressed the Principality directly, “I appreciate your adherence to protocol, but I must be going, Lucifer’s forces will no doubt be here next, and I will need to come up with a plan to defend your beautiful planet from the coming invasion. I appreciate your hospitality and the help in stopping his forces from apprehending me, but I must be returning to Paradisio to regroup my forces. Upon my return, I would speak with you Leviathan, and I will forget these unpleasantries,” Michael stated.

  “You have broken our laws, Michael. You will submit,” The angel from the Order of the Powers repeated.

  “I am under Os’ authority to do what I must to defeat Lucifer, that includes breaking protocol and ignoring the usual rules put in place during peacetime. We are at war, and the threat to your planet is grave. By Os’ rule, I shall be leaving, and I expect full cooperation in returning me to the surface and aiding my departure,” Michael stated.

  Michael heard footsteps approaching from behind him, then a familiar laugh, he turned to face an old nemesis.

  “Os no longer rules here Michael,” Beelzebub said looking him in the eye, “Since the beginning of this war, I have been here negotiating the annexation of Aequiss into our rebellion. You don’t need to plan a defense of Aequiss for there will be no invasion, the entirety of this planet is already under the rule of Lord Lucifer.”

  Michael stood shocked, everyone had questioned Beelzebub’s disappearance, now it was clear. He had not deserted the rebel angels, he had merely taken a role as a diplomat instead of a soldier. Many times diplomats were much more dangerous than warriors, and this one had single-handedly taken the entire planet without a sword or spear. Beelzebub walked into the room wearing the same aqualene armor that the powers and Leviathan wore. Gleaming white with the symbol of Aequiss etched into the breastplate and onto the guards.

  Michael held the grip of his Ozielian Steel sword. The mood of the entire room had changed, why Leviathan had not just ambushed him and why he’d gone through these theatrics were a mystery. Right now Michael could not dwell on this thought, however, right now he needed to escape this city. Gabriel would not be there to rescue him this time, he needed to leave, and he needed to leave quickly.

  “Arrest him,” Beelzebub said pointing to Michael, “Lord Lucifer will look with favor upon the one who brings down his arch-enemy.”

  Michael turned now and ran out of Aequiss Castle once again pursued by rebel angels led by Beelzebub.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Escape from Aequiss

  Michael ran through the shimmering light of the visible ecosystems in Aequiss Castle. Above and all around him, sea creatures of all types swam past the massive, transparent walls that made the outside sealife visible. As he passed through a long hallway the shadow of a gigantic white whale passed overhead. Michael looked back at the pursuing powers angels, the most formidable was Beelzebub, without a doubt, he was the most powerful angel in The City of Kings, and this is why he pursued Michael himself instead of relying on Leviathan’s guards to do so. Michael wouldn’t be able to fight all of them at once even in his Ozielian Steel armor.

  Warping was also out of the question, the ascent to warp speed would cause a hole to be smashed into the walls of the cavern surrounding The City of Kings and could cause a total collapse which would bury the city in innumerable gallons of seawater. Destroying this place of beauty would be just one more thing Lucifer would use to motivate angels to his side. He would say that Os didn’t care about the angels or the place that so many of them admired and held as a coveted spot of peace and beauty. Being the angel responsible for the destruction of an entire city in Heaven was not going to help the loyalist cause, warping was not an option, he needed to escape the cavern into the sea and make his way to the surface of the ocean. This was made much more difficult by the fact that he wore a suit of Ozielian Steel armor, though light, the Ozielian Steel had still made him sink to the bottom very quickly once he entered the water. When he made it to the surface, the weight of the water that soaked into his wings would make it impossible to fly. Angelic feathers were somewhat waterproof, and an angel could use his wings in the rain, but being immersed in water would make his feathers sodden and heavy and make flying impossible until he reached somewhere he was able to dry off somewhat.

  Beelzebub’s aqualene armor allowed him to float in the water and his suit was also designed to let him tuck his wings away when underwater to avoid this problem. Michael’s Ozielian Steel armor was not designed with this in mind. Lucifer no doubt already possessed Auriel’s Ozielian Steel armor, Michael did not want to give him another set, so he also needed escape while wearing equipment unsuited for this environment.

  Michael ran out of Aequiss Castle and into the open streets of The City of Kings. Confused citizens of the city ducked out of his way as he sprinted past. Unfurling his wings, Michael took to the air and soared into the openness above the buildings of the city. He knew he needn’t worry about missile weapons since an errant shot could smash the transparent crystal of the panels and destroy the city. The powers followed suit. 5 angels flew at Michael with Beelzebub commanding them to go after the arch-angel.

  Michael dove at the oncoming angels and avoided them as they passed, he held out the blade of his Ozielian Steel sword and sliced through the wings of one angel who plummeted to the ground uncontrollably. Turning, he now positioned himself behind the four remaining angels, they increased their speed, diving toward the ground as Michael approached. As they reached the ground, Michael was able to lop one wing off of the fleeing angel and stab through another’s heart, they both tumbled uncontrollably in a spraying swirl of blood and dirt as they impacted the ground. Now two remained, Michael set his sights on them as they fled when suddenly he felt an impact at his side, Beelzebub, slammed
into him and pushed him out of their flight path. Michael nearly lost grip on his sword in the violent collision.

  Beelzebub pushed him through the doors of The City of King’s Temple. Beyond the temple doors lie a large entryway connected to a long hallway that stretched out from the entryway almost entirely made of the transparent material and lit by Azurian Crystals. This hallway led to the temple’s sizeable main courtroom made of another cavern, this one with the most massive transparent panels behind the altar.

  Beelzebub slammed Michael into the floor of the temple sending him careening into the hallway. He stepped into the hall and ordered the two remaining powers angels to shut the door behind him. The door sealed the corridor and Michael looked up hearing it close and feeling the pressure change as it sealed behind Beelzebub. Michael looked behind him, the entrance to the main hall was already shut, according to protocol, it was only opened during services. Michael and Beelzebub were sealed off in the transparent hallway, the hallway sat on a coral reef, and sea creatures of all types swam past as massive colorful corals swayed in the current. Michael wanted to admire the beauty of the hall, but Beelzebub was already drawing his sword.

  “Why don’t you just give up Michael, the whole of Heaven is against you. You can no longer win. We control 3/4ths of Heaven, Paradisio is but a formality now. Your God has abandoned you, no one answers your prayers. Join us, and you too will know the sweet taste of victory,” Beelzebub offered.

  Michael knew that Beelzebub was genuine. They would accept him, they would be happy to have him in the rebellion. Many in Lucifer’s court would welcome a high angel to lead their forces. The widespread belief in the Anatalian Letters amongst Lucifer’s supporters meant that a high angel like Michael would be well received. Joining Lucifer’s forces would make things much easier and much less frustrating. Lucifer was brash and arrogant, but he was not enigmatic, and Michael knew how to deal with him. At least Lucifer responded to his followers, even if it was with bombastic statements, it was also clear where he stood and why he was doing things. You knew Lucifer did something because he was looking to gain more power or because he considered it his right to do it. Michael could work with this, he could help shape the new kingdom to mitigate Lucifer’s faults and create a realm where the uncertainty and mystery of Os’ decisions was no longer a problem. With his status and skills, he could be second or third in command of all the Heavens.