He decided I was too beautiful to be left as a mortal so he decided to turn me but things did not go at all as he expected. The infusion of semi-Divine blood, dilute to what I used to have, was enough to awaken some of my cells. That began my very slow return to what you see today. Because of my past, I was not cursed as other Vampires, but I still became one. I can wear the signs of the Angels and walk in the sun.
Vampires visited from other covens and I drank their blood, gradually increasing my strength and the Divine memory of my cells. I gained all their strengths but none of their weaknesses.
In time, I left and none could stop me. Since then I have lived in temples or palaces across the world learning and watching as the world burned under the Angels’ Command. At some stages, I even joined convents to elude their detection. Their brutality was horrendous to behold. Their desire to weed out all traces of the old religions was fanatical and ruthless. There was so much bloodshed, so much wasted life.
Have you heard of the Crusades? The Angels’ religions attacking each other, but then that is the region. Between Eden and the Gates of Hell, it has never known peace except fleetingly. But the whole thing strengthened the power of the Angels so now they encourage bloodshed in the region.
But as time passed science and the desire for freedom eroded the religions’ control over Humanity. As they forgot magic, they forgot the Angels. Now the Angels have nearly lost control and yet they seem even more desperate than previously to reassert their authority.”
“Because now two Goddesses walk the Surface again. Heaven is weak, Michael and Gabriel still rule with an iron fist but the power the Angels once wielded is no longer there. They were stealing the powers from Michael’s sister to supplement their own.”
She shook her head in disgust “Michael had a sister?”
“Yes, the very Arch Angel that set Brigid and myself free. Her name is Sariel, and she was completely denied her powers. Told she had almost none.”
“Where is she now?”
“She is in the Underworld, possibly in Hell and hopefully going to break the Curse binding Lucifer and the whole Underworld.”
“You would wish to unleash more Arch Angels?”
“Fallen Arch Angels that will rise up against their traitorous brethren. Besides, Lucifer was willing to make peace with the Gods, that was why he was punished. He has no love for Michael or Gabriel, they betrayed him completely.
“And if she does not succeed?”
“Then between us, I feel confident that Brigid and I will gain enough followers to empower us enough to avenge our lost brethren.” She turned her predatory gaze on Ariadne “Which is where you come in, you were once a priestess of mine, now I want you as my High Priestess.”
She instinctively wanted to say no, but she was no fool. Those who said no to Hera died. Horribly. She remembered what had happened to Paris and Troy. “Of course my Goddess. I will do all that you ask.
Hera smiled “Excellent, New York I believe is in need of the Mistress of the Labyrinth.” Ariadne’s eyes flashed in fear at her old title, but it was a position of great power, especially if translated to the modern age. New York had a lot of underground tunnels.
For Hera, it was all starting to fall together. For Ariadne, it seemed as it had all suddenly fallen apart.
Gabriel sat on her throne, her face set in a permanent frown. The hunt for Brigid was not going well at all. The Legions, the Guards, even five of The Seven had scoured India and Bangladesh for any trace. Nuriel had her people encouraging the smallest trace of Brigid’s magic to lead some clue. Angels walked along the banks of the Ganges, burning what temples they could. Infuriatingly some of them were protected from Angels. Some dark powers must have lent them protection.
Michael was now preoccupied in Pakistan stirring up a civil war and inciting Muslim hatred for Hindus. If all went according to plan, he would ride the war machine that would scour across India and Bangladesh finally wiping the subcontinent clean of a religion they had never succeeded in removing.
Brigid had pushed their hand, now all her followers would pay, as would both countries.
Thankfully Michael’s reports were increasingly positive. Pakistan was becoming ever closer to becoming an absolute Muslim stronghold. Religious tensions were coming to the fore, and the military coup was within the near future. Yes, it was time the world was reminded of the Arch Angels’ wrath and might. With such a strong presence in Pakistan, it would make it far more difficult for Brigid to gain followers in the region.
It was infuriating that they hadn’t found Brigid, but at least she was showing herself. She had balls, balls of steel as men would say. Hera was the one she would have expected to have already reignited the War of Heaven, but she was hiding. Uriel and Raphael had scoured Europe, especially any country that had once belonged to Rome or Greece. But she wasn’t foolish enough to return. Her remaining active temple was under constant watch by Elders. That should have been burned down long ago, but the Olympic Games were important for the sharing of culture and religions. Though in latter decades it did not seem to spread religion but hinder it.
Indeed much had not been as it should have been in latter years. Their control of Humanity had been lax, many had slipped the lead, and now they were dealing with the consequences. The world had also fallen into ever greater ruin and chaos. Keeping an eye on Sariel had become increasingly more time-consuming, the damn girl was having her rebellious stage at the worst time. Add to that her powers had been flaring wildly. While they had been glad for the power it had actually corroded through her confinement spells, only adding to her erratic behaviour.
The Council too had started becoming rebellious. Now that the two Goddesses were on the loose, one of them actively claiming land, total power had been returned to the Seven. Well six, Sariel was still missing. It was becoming increasingly evident that they would need to choose another Arch Angel to replace her. Not that she would mention that to Michael. He was still desperately searching for her. Nothing had been found.
The balance was being returned finally in their favour. They had lost Sariel and her powers, but they didn’t have to keep an eye on her. The Arch Angels were free to once again incite Humanity. Ariel was smart enough to stand with her cousin, it was where she got her leniency from. Raphael was kept manageable by his friendship with Michael, and Uriel was also one to fall in line behind them.
Azrael, well he did as he always did. His own thing. He kept to himself and his Reapers. Performing a necessary task that took up most of his time. He never spoke out against any of the Arch Angels unless something way out of line happened. He was the silent presence of the Seven. And she liked it like that.
She was busy analysing maps and reports when one of the Ascended Council members came running in.
“Arch Angel Gabriel” he came to a panting stop before her. She hid her sneer, real Angels didn’t tire easily. They were the children of Gods not pathetic mortals raised above their station. Only the Elders had any true right in calling themselves Angels. The rest were merely servant spirits given flesh again.
“What is it?” she snapped. She had no patience and was horribly busy trying to find a pattern for either of the Goddesses actions. Brigid’s pile was huge, her actions clear. Hera worried her, there was very little trace of her at all. A few spells across America. Not a comprehensive picture at all.
“It is Brigid! She has just claimed Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand.”
“WHAT!” she screamed. The whole palace shook violently with her rage. All over Heaven Angels turned to face the palace as they tried to maintain their balance. Thick, dense thunderclouds instantly formed around the palace.
“How the Hell did she claim Australia?”
He fell to his knees cowering in fear and pain as her voice lanced through his mind “She claimed the River Murray as she claimed the Ganges. Exactly the same as last time, massive flooding but no loss of life.”
She lashed out at her throne, sm
ashing the top right off. It flew into the wall and exploded in a shower of marble shards. They crackled under her boots as she paced back and forth “it would seem I have misjudged you, Brigid. You really do have more balls than most men. Hmm if we can capture her before she shakes off the Angelic ties then this could be advantageous.” She stopped and turned back to face the Angel “You said New Zealand as well, what major river is there for that country?”
“None, she claimed it by default when she claimed Australia.”
What was happening to the world? “How is that possible? They are two separate countries.”
“Lord Raphael said that New Zealand was once under the authority of the colony of New South Wales and the two countries enjoy various partnerships across a great many areas. He also said to pass on that Papua New Guinea had once belonged to Australia.”
She ground her teeth, Humans were more hassle than they were worth. It was the same unity and divisions that had allowed Brigid to in essence claim India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. What did she do, study countries that had belonged to each other? She was far cannier than had been imagined.
“I want a list made of every country that might as well be part of another, we cannot have this occurring again. You will bring me this list.”
He nodded before running out, red-silver blood pouring out of his ears.
Dear God what if she claimed the Roman Empire? That would give her most of Europe. Or the Mongol Empire, that would pretty much give her Asia. There were just so many empires to think about, Humans had changed their borders as often as their clothing. And some of those empires had been huge and far reaching. What if she claimed any of the Colonial Empires; the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French or Heaven forbid the British. What if she claimed China, it was ancient, large and hugely populated.
No that was not the way to think about it. That would only lead to panic.
She angrily flicked her hand sending a summons for Ariel. She paced impatiently, crumbling the marbles shards to powder as she sent a probe for Uriel.
*Uriel*
She felt his startled fear *yes Gabriel*
*I want security all around Europe increased. I don’t care how, use as many people as you need. Brigid is on a claiming frenzy, the last thing we need is her gaining access to all the Empires Europe birthed.*
Sudden understanding dawned on him, she cut him off before his panic spread.
“You summoned me, cousin?”
Gabriel spun to look at her cousin, she was dressed ready in battle gear, but that wasn’t new she was always dressed in battle gear. Actually with the exception of Sariel and Azrael all of them were always dressed in armour.
Ariel’s name suited her, she really was the fire of the Gods, she was the second most feared female in all of Heaven. After herself of course, easily explained by their similar lineage. Her own father, as loath as she was to think of him, had been from a very powerful family, Ariel’s father had also been from a powerful family. And while Horus was more impressive than her own father, it was the comparison of the previous generation that really set the difference. Actually, both of their paternal pedigrees were impressive, but her own grandmother was the most impressive of the four grandparents. Gabriel was a throwback to her paternal grandmother.
As for their shared maternal bloodlines, they too showed a remarkable pedigree. Both their mothers had been sired by Hermes, who had been sired by Zeus. Funny how often his name turned up in genealogies. She supposed the Angel Race owed him thanks for giving them their numbers and power. Yes, he was an interesting family member to have.
“Yes, Ariel I have a special task for you, which will require all your cunning and rage.”
She smiled at that, it was Gabriel’s way of letting her use any means necessary “What has happened Gabriel?”
“Brigid has claimed Australia and New Zealand and potentially a third country.”
“How did the bitch manage that?”
“A quirk in history, seems we have to be far more careful of old colonies and empires. She has pulled the same trick she did in the Ganges. I want you to scour both countries for her, take your Inquisitors, do as you must. Do what you need to draw her out of hiding. She will come to her worshipper aid.”
“What measure do I use for her followers?”
Gabriel fixed her with cold, calculating eyes “Whatever means necessary, their loss is of no consequence. They chose their allegiance now they can pay for it.”
Ariel smiled savagely and gave her a smart salute. She turned on her heel and was nearly out of the throne room when Gabriel called out “And keep an eye out for Sariel.”
“I will search for any trace of her” She marched out of the hall, and through the corridors. This was an unexpected turn of events, she was even getting a longer leash than usual. Things were going to burn.
Gabriel turned her mind back to Sariel, where ever could she be? What exactly had happened to her? She wondered if she missed the girl. She wasn’t sure how to classify or read her emotions. What was left to feel when you had effectively killed your own parents, destroyed your family and cursed your own brother to madness in Hell? Then encouraged your husband to strip his sister of her powers. She certainly didn’t have the usual measuring stick to compare her emotions to.
She vaguely wondered how Lucifer was doing, she should visit Purgatory and view his crater when she got the time.
But first, they had to capture two missing Goddesses. Ariel was on the hunt, Nuriel was on the search, the Legions of Heaven were scouring, her own Seraphim were tracing. It could only be a matter of time. Couldn’t it?
Chapter 22
When Sariel first entered the dining room, she started in surprise. A Lesser Angel stood next to Nyx, then she turned around, and Sariel realised she was no Angel. She was clearly a Goddess from the nexus of light around her. She had long white wings, they reminded Sariel of herons or ibis, very dark olive skin, long flowing black hair and shining eyes heavily edged in kohl. She wore a simple golden crown and a style of dress she had not seen before, it looked like a linen wrap with straps at the shoulder. It was plain white but embroidered in gold. Gold bangles graced her wrists and ankles while she was barefoot. Apparently a common trend among the Gods.
“Isis this is Sariel, my great-granddaughter.” She indicated Sariel “Sariel this is my dear old friend and pseudo-cousin Isis. She is the eldest of the remaining Egyptian pantheon.” Sariel nodded gracefully to her while Isis studied her acutely.
“She does hold more than a trace of Chaos, it is easy to see Nyx.” She stepped forward and took Sariel’s face in her hands “You look a lot like your mother, but with the darkness of your father.”
“You knew my parents?”
“Everyone knew your parents, living lives like that draws attention.”
She noticed Sariel’s blank face and realised she had no idea what she was talking about “I knew your father when he was young, he worked for many Death Gods and Goddesses. He probably has one of the most thorough understandings of death among the Divine. He was the obvious choice to make the Angel of Death, of course back when it was a specific task, not a common title. He stayed with my husband and me for several decades when he was your age before moving onto other Underworlds. But it was in Aaru that he met your mother.
He was enchanted by her the first time he saw her. Understandable considering the powers she wielded and her looks. She was beautiful with sun kissed olive skin, flowing golden hair with coppery highlights, whenever the sun caught it, it looked like her hair was living flame. She held an exotic beauty for him, being of the skies and brightness, but she was serving Inanna when she descended to the Underworld in her idiotic quest. When her mistress was killed Lilith stayed with Erishkigal for a time to appease her before joining us. She was an amazing woman, bright, shrewd and willing to learn anything. It was what got her into the Angels’ plans. Her wide range of abilities was useful for stabilising and hiding Eden once they took over. Nephilim powers are
erratic making it hard to hide, but her abilities allowed Eden to remain undetected as they bred more Nephilim. She married Adam, for reasons unknown, perhaps to have some semblance of normality. Either way, it ended when she was expected to be subservient, she fell straight into the arms of Samael.
Many things happened, your brother was born and much later you were, but they had parted ways before the end of the War, though I do not know why. By that stage, she had abandoned Heaven, living as a powerful Demoness in her own right and proud of it while he was still a powerful Arch Angel. The last I heard before the Fall was that she was in the Underworld.
She glided over to sit next to Nyx “it would seem that you have inherited the full range of both your parents’ powers. Unusual but not uncommon, I wonder if your brother did as well. It is strange to think your mother was a child of Heaven and the sky, and both of them were Arch Angels yet now both of them belong to Hell.”
“You know where my father is?”
“Of course, everyone does. He is in the Beast’s Crater. The Curse of the Fall changed him from an Arch Angel into a Greater Demon. I think you will find Hell and the Underworld contain more family surprises for you. You found in the realm of Hades your father’s family, but there are more. Indeed, there are a great many Demons your mother has birthed, or your father has sired. The Lilin can trace their bloodline back to her as one of the first Succubi, though their bloodlines have been strengthened by others they still call her Mother. They took their name from hers. Some of the Vampires also call her Mother, among other Daemon races. Indeed, she is sometimes referred to as the Mother of all Evil or the Mother of Demons.”
“My parents are evil?” she was horrified.
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