It was then as the media continued to film that Ariadne spoke, her voice echoing loud across the city “Know that the Age of Angels is at an end. Hera will free us from their enslavement. Heaven will belong to the Gods once again.” Then she used her powers to smother the explosion, instantly turning the sky dark once again.
She grabbed Kyle by the hand “What the Hell were you thinking you fool?”
He looked at her in surprise and at his still glowing hands “I didn’t mean to, it just happened. I don’t even have control of fire yet.”
Her anger stilled. He truly was everything Hera had hoped for, he was a true-born sorcerer. He didn’t necessarily need training, his magic could respond to want and emotion. He must have Divine blood in him somewhere. He had to be protected. She transported them both to Texas, she had to oversee Hera’s experiments with the Obese and see what she could do with them, she also didn’t want the Angels to trace them to New York.
They left behind a very shocked city, Daemons cheered but very quickly went underground as the Angels started scouring the city. The Humans simply stood and gawked in wonder. So many things were happening that couldn’t logically be explained any more.
By morning, the story was not just all across America but the world. Hera sat smiling in New York as the story came on the news. But in London Raphael seethed in fury. It was well played on Hera’s part, but it wasn’t going to save her.
She opened her eyes to complete and utter darkness. Where the Hell was she? She couldn’t be dead, could she? She could still feel her pulse, her warmth, and the magic coursing through her body. But it wasn’t a magic she recognised, she couldn’t distinguish the essence. It seemed to hint at everything but had no real identity.
Out of the darkness, a faint brown light appeared. In the distance, a planet appeared. Its face cracked, the brown light emitting from the cracks, slowly getting brighter. It reminded her of a dying star.
She floated around for a long time with nothing happening. The star/planet continued to slowly get brighter until the brown light was almost white in intensity.
Then it exploded.
She instinctively raised her hands to cover her face, but no shields would rise. Planet shrapnel was sent in every direction. She felt it pierce through her arms, legs, wings and torso. She felt it even stab into her face. Then the light was gone, and she was left floating in darkness once again. But it wasn’t complete darkness, she was glowing with a faint brown light. Every one of her wounds was glowing, most of all her arms. She turned them over, there was nothing sticking into them, but she watched in amazement as the brown light started to form intricate circles on her arms. She felt something moving throughout her body, a magic she guessed, moving from her other wounds to her arms. Her arms flared painfully bright as the shapes finished and the last pieces of the planet completed the complex symbols.
Understanding suddenly came to her. She had just seen Chaos, at least its representation, and it had just given her more power.
The silence of the void was shattered as her magic was suddenly evaporated. The Angel floated in the vestiges of her Chaos magic, completely unharmed. Her own Chaos was now surrounding the Angel protectively, long forgotten Chaos symbols flaring often. She shrieked in fury then fear when she saw the Angel’s eyes. They were glowing with the brown starburst that was Chaos.
The Angel shot towards her and grabbed her by the throat in an instant. Tiamat struggled against the smaller Angel, her various limbs all attacking her to no effect. She was protected by an indestructible covering of Chaos.
“Tiamat, it is time you were set free.” The Angel said in a terrifying voice devoid of emotion. The void started to shake, the watery walls collapsing in on them in an unearthly roar.
Sariel held onto Tiamat as she rose up out of Bahamut’s core. As she did so, she severed all connection between the two. All around them there were screams as the Curse was ripped asunder. Her powers surged through both Tiamat and Bahamut, ripping away their own powers, bodies and their madness. She stripped them back to their spirits, their purest essence. But she could not separate the spirits that had fused into them both. Gabriel’s Curse had denied them existence, and they had blended completely with the two dominant spirits.
Then her Chaos surged through them, healing and rebuilding them.
Cerberus watched as the magic covering Behemoth suddenly flared brown, no not just brown, Chaos brown with hints of every colour imaginable. There were especially strong presences of light and darkness. What on earth was going on in there? What had happened to Sariel, where was all this Chaos coming from?
Behemoth started to moan and stumble, its massive feet struggling to keep it upright. Each missed step sent damaging tremors across the Level. It collapsed to the ground in a thundering earthquake that shook all of Hell.
Light erupted all over the creature, his hair started to burn off in thick coils that shattered into smaller shards in the sky. There was a deafening scream that tore through the entire Underworld. Then Behemoth exploded.
The chunks of gore vaporised into darkness then swirled around like water, pulling in on itself. It formed a vague swirling sphere that severed in two and formed smaller spheres. Intense brown light and mist poured forth, the amount of Chaos was terrifying. It had to be Sariel she was the only one who could channel Chaos in any amount, but the amount she was channelling was truly horrifying, she could destroy the Gods.
She could destroy the world.
There was a heartbeat then the darkness evaporated off, revealing two large Dragons that descended to the ground. They were both large even by Dragons’ standards, but nothing compared to the Behemoth they had been. One was black the other was ocean blue-grey.
The black one was slightly smaller than the other with red wing membranes. While most of it was black, its underbelly was ocean grey, with a distinct line of red separating the two. His claws and the spines running down his back were also red, as were the two long horns on his head.
The other was larger and far more serpentine. Her colouring wasn’t solid either, highly iridescent, especially along her neck where there were flickers of the rainbow. Her wings were another matter entirely, they were almost identical to Simurgh’s, feathered and rainbow, their brilliance undiminished by the draining effects of Hell. She lacked spines, but her claws were longer and platinum white.
Sariel lowered them as gently as she could onto the ground, she tried to keep them out of the water, but both were so large they covered several of the islands. She slowly floated down from where the darkness had been rent, but she stumbled once her feet hit the ground. Cerberus raced forward to support her.
What did you do Sariel?
She smiled at him tiredly “I gave them peace as best I could, I separated them out as best I could.” Then her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground. She weakly stretched out uncaring as she drifted off into an exhausted sleep. He tenderly licked her face, but she was sound asleep. She had done the unbelievable, and once she left this Level he would be cast back into Hades, he could tell everyone the good news. If she continued as she had, she would easily best and free Lucifer.
He stretched out beside her. There was nothing to trouble them, but instincts were hard to break. The various other guardians all lay down, some with heads raised in observation. There was a sense of unease, especially in Cerberus. His instincts told him to be wary. He thought he saw a twinkle in the distance, but it was gone before he could focus on it.
Far in the distance, Lilith was drooling over the power saturating the air. She slowly crawled forward her eyes fixated on her prey.
Something was happening, but she couldn’t place her finger on it. Just like Agra. The city confounded her. She could feel that Brigid had done something, but she couldn’t pinpoint it or counteract it. She had been coming back here ever since Raphael had requested her help. She hadn’t mentioned to him or Michael that she hadn’t been able to undo whatever Brigid had done.
Now it was a puzzle f
or her that she kept picking at. Funnily enough, it had become the place for her to de-stress, it was almost a comfort working to undo the Goddess’ work. Not that she was succeeding. But it would be eradicated when Pakistan invaded India. That was some comfort.
But now something was troubling her, and she really couldn’t place it. She got fuzzy feelings, and she hated that she didn’t know. She almost felt like she had lost something but had no clue as to what it was. She idly wondered if some of her spells had faded away. The problem was she had that many, of which most were inaccessible. She could hardly check the ones in Hell, not that she needed to.
Besides she had plastered spells and curses all across the planet, of which most she had probably forgotten. It was likely that one of those long forgotten ones had finally faded.
Putting it aside she emptied her mind as she tried to feel the complexities of Brigid’s spell. She smiled dangling her legs off the roof. It was nice to unwind.
When Sariel awoke in the morning, she still felt weak but very refreshed. It took her a moment to realise that her eyes were working, she was just staring up at the ever grey of Hell. She quickly jumped to her feet to find both Cerberus and Tiamat watching her. Bahamut was still soundly sleeping, but then his spirit had suffered incredible mutilation.
Cerberus smiled at her knowingly with his three mouths, his tail flicking back and forth. Tiamat and I have found an interesting family connection, she is Anu’s grandmother.
“Anu as in my grandfather?”
Tiamat nodded her head, creating a nexus of rainbow. Sariel stared up in wonder at her ancestor. It was odd to think that only a few months ago the only relatives she had had were Michael and Azrael. Now she had met much of her paternal side, though still not her father. Her maternal side was much more of a mystery, but at least now she could put a face to one ancestor. She wondered what Michael would think when he found out that Gabriel had experimented on his great, great-grandmother. Then again he probably wouldn’t care.
It perhaps helps explain your affinity to Chaos. I was the first in my region, raising lands from the primordial seas. Nyx is the primordial night, and Cerberus tells me Gaia herself has marked you. In part, it helps explain your strength but only in part and not enough. Chaos dilutes quickly with each generation, even if both parents are strong in it. You are far removed from your Primordial ancestors, before you, there was probably no Angel who could even touch Chaos let alone do much with it. You are perhaps the most bizarre anomaly I have ever encountered in my life.
“And it is a pleasure to meet you too Tiamat. It is always nice finding out about my relatives and of course, you are welcome for being freed.” Cerberus smiled at her, she was doing well with her sarcasm these days.
Tiamat laughed, the pure, though thundering note, filled the Level. It had been thousands of years since she had last laughed, or even been in the flesh. Thank you, Sariel Hellbreaker for breaking the Curse binding us together. She placed her paw on Bahamut gently. He has suffered so much from Gabriel’s Curse, I felt his pain all these years. He has suffered much. And I thank you little Chaos Angel for freeing me from my blood and granting back physicality. It has been a very long time since I had a body of my own. Thank you for giving me back life.
“I thought that once a God died they could not be brought back to life.”
That is true, but everything of them must be lost. Typically when a God is killed their powers are drained, this is what seals their fate. I was not drained, and my blood was gathered by many because of its Chaos properties. This was injected into various beings, which in turn gave me a half-life, unable to fade away. Then too much was added to Behemoth and I became concentrated there, trapped within him. Doomed to an eternity of madness and suffering until you freed me. You also gave me a much better body than my last one.
“I just let the magic shape you, it is a combination of mortal perception and your own desires.”
Mortals know who I am?
“Apparently, according to the others, there has been a resurgence of interest in the Gods of old. But I’m not really sure what that means.”
Time will tell little one. What of Bahamut?
“Similar, he too has been shaped by mortal perception, but he was far more damaged. I cannot say what harm the other spirits have done to him and combining Kujuta to him was the essence of cruelty. I could not separate them without killing Kujuta.
Tiamat tenderly stroked his snout. I will remain here and look after him. We will have much to discuss once he awakens. I suggest you continue your journey Sariel, Hell will only continue to weaken you the longer you remain.
She was a bit cut by the dismissal, but she nodded her agreement. She very much wanted to exit Hell. She wanted to feel real sunlight and wind again.
Fear not Sariel, when we are free of Hell, we will have much to discuss for I am sure you have many questions. But Hell is not safe, and there are many who bray for your blood. Speed will be your greatest ally, for we cannot move between the Levels. I can sense Simurgh above, it has been so long, but we cannot transcend the Levels. We are prisoners of Hell, but you are not.
”Can I not do anything to free you?”
Tiamat caught Cerberus’ head shake, she also sensed the half-truths they had told Sariel. Not now, you have already done so much but may I ask a favour of you?
“Of course.”
If you are able to free all those that you can, it will clear a path for us. But look after yourself first, do not exhaust yourself. The tip of her tail wrapped itself around Sariel’s shoulder in her attempt at a hug.
Sariel smiled, “Look after him, he is very fragile.”
Of course my dear, as am I. But we will lend what strength we can to you. She carefully stroked Cerberus with one of her white claws. A line of fire raced off from him, deeper into Hell. This will take you as quickly as possible to the next level, and Sariel.
She turned back to face the Dragon “Yes?”
Please be careful, you are an extreme rarity.
She smiled again “Thank you.”
She set out quickly, following the burn. She was imbued with energy and progressed with great speed. She cast a final look back to see Cerberus evaporate in a nexus of light. He was finally relieved enough to return to Hades, that was until Hell demanded him again. It was so cruel, she had forgotten to break his Curse, but at least she had freed Tiamat and Bahamut.
Tiamat watched her disappear into the distance with a strange feeling inside her. She had a descendant alive, admittedly it was a despised Angel but from what Cerberus had told her and she had sensed Sariel was far more than an Angel. She was a Goddess through and through, she just didn’t realise it. And with Chaos powers as strong as her she was born to achieve great things. She felt sure that Sariel would restore order to the ailing planet, but she felt sure it was not in the way any of the Gods were imagining.
Chapter 28
The descent into the Fourth Level was relatively simple. The swamps stopped just short of the edge, forming large rivers that thundered down into the next Level. Carved out by the rivers were easy to traverse steps. She wondered if it was a forewarning of greater trouble that descending was so easy. The drizzle stopped while she climbed down, though the clouds remained. By the time she had placed her feet into the Greed Level, she understood the lack of rain. Greed was a desert, with only the occasional river cutting through the many sand dunes.
At first, she thought the Level abandoned, there were no signs of life, such as they were in Hell. There appeared to be no souls suffering eternal torment, and there appeared to be no Guardians forced to torment them. She also had no sense of any Greater Demons.
She walked for a time over the sand dunes. Seeking an easier route decided to head to the nearest river. It would be the most direct path to the next level. She was wondering why the Greed Level had no citizens when she crested her current dune.
Spread before her was a wide river carving its way through the many dunes. Along the bank
s of the river were thousands of people fighting. She instinctively knew that this scene would be occurring along every river bank in this level. She wondered where the Guardian was.
From what she could see there appeared to be two distinct groups, those close to the water which seemed to be fiercely defending it and those attacking them. Whenever it appeared that the attackers got through they rushed to the river’s edge and started digging as fast as they could. Sometimes they succeeded in making little channels, directing water into ponds formed in the hollows between the dunes. As they did they scrambled to make more and more channels, intent to spread the water wide. One of the channels poured out into a very large hollow, cheers went up as the water gushed out into it and started spreading through the valleys between the dunes. Their entire intent seemed to spread the water as wide as possible.
Suddenly the river started to boil. Sariel flattened herself onto the dune while she watched. The water speared upwards in decorative sprays. Still the Prodigal, as she believed them to be, continued to spread the water as far and wide as they could. All the while defending themselves from the Avaricious, who were intent on hoarding as much of the water as they could.
From the water appeared a man or perhaps a Fallen Angel, for he had wings. He walked out of the spray, across the river surface as though it were solid. He was different from the other Demons or Guardians she had seen. He didn’t look scary, he didn’t induce terror. He stood like a man on two legs and had two Demonic wings, bat-like and tattered. The only other remarkable feature was that he was entirely golden. His skin, wings, hair, teeth, even his fingernails were golden.
She wondered who he was.
He raised his hands and in each appeared flaming golden swords. Both of these he swept down on the Prodigal, cutting and tearing with great speed and finesse. The Avaricious cheered, rushing forward to stem the haemorrhaging of the river. Many of them scooped up the water in the ponds to carry back to the river. They worried about a pond when a mighty river flowed past. She couldn’t understand it. Even the greediest of people wouldn’t worry about the spilt water when they had the river. Would they? It had to be the nature of the Curse or she had a lot to learn about Human nature.
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