He never seemed fully himself after he returned from battling his brother. I asked a few times about what had happened, but he never wanted to talk about it. He’d say it was too painful to discuss at the moment, and he’d talk about it when he was ready. I worried about him and found myself praying constantly for him over what happened on that day. Growing up, Paul seemed invincible when we were in school, but now he seemed just as vulnerable as everybody else. I thought after he’d gone to Heaven, he’d never feel any kind of pain again, but Paul told me even the Lord felt sadness and wept over the plight of man.
As I began to say a quick prayer for him, Paul walked into my office. “Hey, Alec. Are you ready for our two o’clock meeting?”
“Yeah, come in, I was just thinking about you. How are you doing?”
“I’m good,” he said as he sat down across from me and opened his tablet and started reading off his notes. “I’ve located some more victims of the previous dealings of the company. I have taken care of their needs from the fund you set up. They now have the best doctors and care as they get back on their feet, and a job in the company whenever they’re ready to re-enter the workforce.”
“That’s great. Good work, Paul. How are you...”
Paul ignored me as I tried to pry into what was going on with him. “How are you and Tiffany doing? Have you got the ring in yet?”
“Well, we are doing really good. The jeweler finished it yesterday, and I picked it up this morning on my way into the office, but that’s not what I want to talk to you about.”
“Alec, please not right now. I’m not in the mood.”
“Yes, right now, Paul. I’ve watched you for weeks, as you’ve walked around with your head down like you were the one who was defeated in The Arena. You’ve also fed me a myriad of excuses for not wanting to talk. You said nothing’s bothering you, you’re fine, or you just don’t want to talk about it. I know you’re in pain, and I’m sorry for that, but I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me. Just tell me what’s going on for you.”
Paul looked away and then back down at his tablet, and then closed it. “There’s a lot going on for me right now, Alec.”
“Yes, l can tell.”
“My brother’s last words to me just before he turned to a pile of ashes on the ground were, I’ve always hated you.”
I wasn’t surprised by the comment, but I wasn’t about to tell Paul that. “Man, that’s brutal. I’m sorry to hear that. You know he was possessed by Legion, so it wasn’t really him speaking to you.”
“He said it to me after I ripped Legion out of his body and cast it into The Pit of Eternal Suffering. You see, Winston mouthed the words to me just before he died because he lacked the strength to say them out loud. When I pressed Jesus to know what Winston’s final words to me were, he told me it would only cause me more pain to know, and he was right. My brother always hated me, and a part of me always knew that. I thought if I could show him that I loved him, he would change, and we could be like real brothers, but the more love I showed him, the more he despised me. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I’m doing my best to work through that.”
“Listen to me, Paul. I can’t say I know exactly how you feel, but you know I’m no stranger to having horrible family members. Just because they have the same DNA as you, it doesn’t make them your family. You of all people taught me that. Now, you can sit here and feel sorry for yourself, or you can take comfort in the fact that you did what Jesus told you to do, and by doing so saved countless lives.”
“How do you know about that?”
“Jesus came to me and told me about it when I was in prayer one day.”
“Did he tell you about what happened?” asked Paul.
“He did. As a matter of fact, he showed me the fight you and Winston had in The Arena as if I was there when it happened. Even though I knew you were going to win, it was incredibly hard for me to watch you suffer like you did. I’m so sorry you had to go through that because of me. Thank you for saving my life at the cost of Winston’s.”
Paul was quiet for a moment, “You’re welcome,” he said. “It’s just like you put it, just because he has the same DNA as me doesn’t make us family, but I’ll be alright. It will just take some time to fully come to terms with it all.”
“I understand, and I’m here for you if you need anything.”
“Thanks, brother.”
“You’re welcome, but I know you, Paul. I know there’s more bothering you than that, so what is it. Are you still mad at yourself about not knowing David and Rachel were spying on us with their little hidden cameras in my offices? Do you blame yourself for what happened to Rachel too?”
“I don’t like the fact that I didn’t know about the cameras, but I’ve made my peace with it. Especially now since we have removed all of them and put the proper measures in place to detect that kind of stuff. As far as Rachel goes, it’s unfortunate what happened to her, but she reaped what she had sown. I hate that Lucifer mutilated her body, and because of that, they had to have a closed casket.”
“I hate that too, and the fact that the police still believe that she walked in on a break-in, and the burglars carved her up like that. It’s like you said, people will come up with any reason not to believe in God and the Devil, but all that aside, your brother reaped what he had sown as well.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t by your hands that her existence was ended, even though Rachel hated you all your life as well. Look Alec, you of all people should know how hard it is to let go of things that family members have done, but I do my best to give it to the Lord every day and move forward. That’s the part I wrestle with the most at times. Sometimes I feel if I would have done more when we were younger, maybe things would have been different.”
“Maybe, but you don’t know that for sure. Has the Lord said you hadn’t tried hard enough?”
“No.”
“Has he said things would have been different?”
Paul shook his head. “No.”
“Well then, there you have it. Nothing was going to change for your brother.”
“Don’t give me that, Alec! You don’t know that either.”
“No. You need to hear this. Nothing was going to change for him, or any of my family members you visited before me. So, stop feeling sorry for yourself. You did nothing wrong. Your brother and my family members made their own choices.”
Paul stared at me with an expressionless face, and for a moment, I thought he was going to pull me over the desk and punch me. I was relieved when he nodded in agreement.
“You’re right, Alec. That’s what I need to do, and believe me I’m trying. Every day gets a little bit easier, but there is something else that’s bothering me on top of everything else I’m dealing with.”
“Okay, what is it?” I asked.
“Haven’t you wondered why Lucifer hasn’t tried to attack you or me again yet?”
I sat straight up in my chair and tried to inconspicuously look around the room for any unwanted visitors. “I have actually been thinking about that. It has really been bothering me for a while now. Has the Lord said anything to you about it?”
“Not a word, and I’ve gone into the spirit realm several times since then and spied on various groups of demons. I haven’t heard anything. If Lucifer is planning something, either none of his demons know, or they’re too scared to say anything about it which isn’t like them. They’re too arrogant not to talk about whatever Lucifer’s planning, especially if they have a significant part in the plan.”
“Okay, are you sure that Lucifer doesn’t have any other avenues in my company for funding his kingdom on Earth?”
“I’m positive, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have other hidden dangers in your company he’s waiting to use on us. Lucifer killed all the department heads as soon as he heard I was coming. As you know, from there I went as The Man Wrapped in Darkness, and shut it all down just like the Lord told us to. We have been taking care of and providing for al
l the ones who were hurt by those dealings. I know Lucifer isn’t going to go down without a fight, so we have to stay on guard for whatever he’s planning next.”
I sat back in my chair and was quiet for a moment as I thought about what might be coming our way. “The Man in White was Lucifer’s greatest champion, right?”
“Yes.”
“What if he wasn’t?”
“What are you talking about, Alec?”
“Well, if you and I get the feeling Lucifer’s up to something, then chances are he probably is. Who does Lucifer send after the loss of his greatest warrior?”
Chapter Three
Lucifer
The Second Heaven
Death’s Domain
DEATH LOOKED UP AND smiled at me and Chaos as we entered the main chamber. He shot a quick look of derision at Reviler as he walked out from behind us. I got the feeling Death didn’t care for Reviler in any way, shape, or form. I wasn’t bothered by that, because even I found Reviler to be tedious at times. He was extremely driven, and he had achieved much for my kingdom. He reminded me of a weaker version of myself. However, I had discovered in the past the ones who were the most ambitious were the ones who tried to overthrow me.
“Lucifer, my liege. I am honored by your presence here today. To what do I owe the privilege of this visit?” asked Death.
As far as I knew, he was the only follower of mine who had never tried to dethrone me, but I still kept a watchful eye on him just in case. Death was only around because of me, and he knew it. He existed because of how I was able to deceive Adam and Eve into disobeying The One on that day in the garden. When those two partook of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Death was birthed and entered the world. His work constantly fueled my kingdom with new souls to show his never-ending gratitude for what I had done.
“Death, I am the one who is truly blessed by your exquisite talent every time I come for a visit. You create such lovely melodies that are far superior to anything I have ever heard come from The One. May I ask what is it that you are working on? I have never heard you play it before, but it is quite good, I must say.”
Death looked down at his sheet music. “I am working on my greatest masterpiece of all. It is for The End.” He placed his hand on the page and frowned.
“Death, tell me, why do you look so sad?”
Death shook his head.
“Please don’t hide this matter from me. Surely, there is something I can do to better your mood.”
He released a long exhale. “Because, no matter how hard I try I will never be able to fulfill the purpose for which I was made. I was created to end all life on Earth as we know it, and even after all of my attempts I still haven’t gotten anywhere close to my goal. You and I are after the same thing, and we have worked so hard to get it over the years. But it seems we are bound by the word of The One, and we cannot escape it. The best I will ever be able to do for you is to kill one-third of all life when The One breaks the fourth seal in his book. Then, and only then, will I be able to ride my precious pale horse and have all of Hell ride with me. Honestly, I’m not even allowed to see the pale horse until that time, so with that being said, I prepare my masterpiece for The End.”
I smiled. It was going to be easier than I originally thought, but I was angered by his words. “Why the lack of faith? Do you not trust I have a plan to defeat The One?”
“Lucifer, you know I am loyal to you to a fault. My lament is because it seems that no matter how hard we try, struggle or fight, we are bound by the commands of The One stated in his infernal book. It doesn’t matter what form I take, he constantly usurps my efforts. When I become a plague, The One releases the power of the stripes on his back to heal the humans. I take on the form of war, and he stands as the Prince of Peace on their behalf. So, I become famine, and he overcomes me out of his abundance. Don’t get me started on the people he’s brought back to life after they were firmly secured in my grasp. So, you see, no matter how hard I try to bring about the end of all life for you The One always has a way of interfering in our best-laid plans.”
I was a little surprised, but not entirely, for even my best warriors have struggled with their own self-confidence from time to time. “Are you telling me you’re giving up, Death?”
“Give up? Please, don’t insult me. I will never give up on our goal. I just wish there was a way to do it, but it seems like it will never be enough.”
“Oh, that is where you couldn’t be more wrong, my friend. There is a way to push that beautiful red doomsday button to bring about the end in our time and not The One’s. What we want is possible to those who have faith and believe.”
Death looked up, eyes wide and startled. “What? What are you talking about? Please, Lucifer, don’t toy with me.”
“I am not toying with you. There is a way we can achieve our goal. The One has been able to stop us in times past because our means of distributing our power were limited by the technology of the time. The One likes to work through his children to achieve his goals, and he has limited us to that as well. We have had to teach mankind how to make weapons of war and how to make war itself. I have had to release knowledge to them, so they could build bigger and better devices in which to kill each other. You and I are all-powerful spirit beings, but The One has placed restrictions on us in the natural realm because he knows we could end his precious creation in a matter of moments ourselves. You and I both know The One and his followers don’t play fair, they never have, but now we have the upper hand.”
“Yes, I’m well aware of how The One doesn’t play fair, but to what technological means are you referring? You tried mixing man’s technological advances in with your plans before, and they never went well for either of us.”
“I have, but now the machinations of man have finally advanced to the point where they can truly be useful. This can allow us to be lethal on a much larger scale faster than ever before. Even faster than The Once can intercept. So, his love of working through his children will hamstring him in his attempt to stop us once our plan begins. Now the thing we need to bring about our plan is located somewhere at one of the Williams Industries buildings or warehouses.”
“Please don’t take this as disrespect, Lucifer, but I know you have lost your hold on the Williams Industries as a whole and the family itself. You have also lost your beloved champion because of The One and The Man Wrapped in Darkness’s interference in your affairs.”
I smiled to reassure him. “That is true, but you know how I am always prepared with a backup plan when The One sticks his nose in my business.”
“Tell me, what is your plan, then?” Death asked.
I had him right where I wanted him. The hook was baited, and all I needed to do was get him to bite. “It’s true I have lost my firm grip on The Williams Industries, but long before that happened, I had an R&D team in the company develop a special piece of technology just in case of this event. You can use the machine to accomplish your reason for existing. The best part is, the ones who built it believe it will be used to help others get well after a massive viral outbreak from plague or germ warfare. However, in reality I had them make it for you.” I couldn’t help but to laugh to myself. It had been all too easy.
“For me? What kind of a device are you talking about?”
“This machine contains a large chamber that is designed to be filled with a substance that is then released to infect an entire continent.”
“How does it work?” Death asked.
“It disperses the chemicals throughout the atmosphere. The first wave targets a low altitude and will spread throughout the region using the lower air currents. Then, the second wave releases the chemicals at a higher altitude so they can travel on the higher wind currents and reach further away. If you were to enter that chamber, you should be able to disperse your gift to every place on Earth and snuff out all life from that disgusting planet.”
Death’s eyes widened. “How will I be able to use it?”
“You’re a unique being like myself, and much like myself, you can interact in both the natural and spirit realm. You will be able to enter the chamber in the physical realm, and then you will be able to release yourself upon the entire world. Once you’re done, you simply make yourself whole again just like you’ve done before when you would blanket an entire area with a virus or a plague. Remind me, Death, what was your favorite time from when we worked together and caused a massive loss of life on Earth?”
Death closed his eyes as he was raptured by the memory. “Why, the early thirteen-hundreds of course when I took on the form of the Black Death and devastated large portions of Europe and Asia. I remember it like it was yesterday. The feat itself was no mere task, but it was so satisfying to have claimed millions of souls during that time.”
“Yes, I remember it well. Your work was greater than any composer who has ever lived. It was truly a work of art,” I said.
Death smiled from ear to ear. “Do you remember how I went from town to town in a cloud of disease infecting all I came in contact with by using fleas and rats?”
“I do, and it was a glorious sight to behold.”
“Yes, then I spread myself from person to person as they came in contact with the infected and the dead. Their screams and bloody vestiges still bring me sheer joy when I dwell upon them.” Death opened his eyes. “Let us find this machine you speak of. Then we can get to work remaking the world into your image, my lord.”
“Thank you, Death. I knew I could count on you for your support.”
I smiled and turned to Reviler, who had been awfully quiet by the entrance of the room as he carefully watched my exchange with Death. “Reviler, will you be so kind as to go and find the location of the machine named...”
The Symphony of Death Page 2