Rise of the Fallen

by Chuck Black

  Healing usually came quickly to angels and demons alike, but there was a price, and the price was pain—searing white-hot pain. Water accelerated the process for angels, but it also amplified the pain. They called it the Curing.

  “You stay with me, Persimus. You’re not leaving me alone in this fight. Do you hear me?”

  Validus scooped up some of the water and cringed at what this would mean for his friend. He let the water drip from his hand onto the wound. Whatever life was left in Persimus came screaming back as the water sizzled in the wound and steam rose up with his cries. For a seriously wounded angel, the Curing was his only hope, but the pain it caused was overwhelming. Validus had seen angels choose to dissolve rather than bear it. Persimus’s eyes bulged and the veins in his neck stood out. Validus grabbed Persimus’s good hand to give his friend something to hang on to.

  The water helped, but it was not enough. Validus reached for more.

  “No!” Persimus screamed. “Just let me go.” His voice faded as the pain receded. “Just let me go.”

  “That’s not happening, soldier!” Captain Nosh said.

  Sorrow and guilt swelled within Validus. He hesitated. “Fight it, Persimus. We need you! Elohim needs you! This world needs you!”

  Validus reached for another handful of water, and this time he did not stop despite the pleas of Persimus. After two more attempts, Persimus fell unconscious, but he did not dissolve away.

  “Let him rest here until he recovers,” Captain Nosh said. “Ral, you stay with Validus.”

  Validus looked up at the captain, whose eyes were fierce.

  “You’ll have to answer for this, warrior.”

  Validus felt the sting of his comrade’s death all the more and knew this would not bode well with command.

  He and Ral stayed beside Persimus for the next eight hours, waiting for their friend to awaken. His thoughts filled with Niturni, Persimus, and finally Tamaral.

  Had he risked too much for a young woman who was of no significance? And yet he could not help but think that the hope of humanity rested in the hearts of people like her. Were there many? Validus didn’t believe so, but for those who did exist, he vowed to fight to the very end.

  15

  ONE HEART

  2242 BC

  Your unauthorized actions escalated a conflict within Nimrod’s city that ended up costing the life of one of my warriors!” Commander Guilden’s face was red with anger.

  Validus lowered his head. “That was never my intention, sir. I never expected—”

  “That is why you follow orders, warrior. That is why you do not disappear from your detachment by yourself, especially into a city that is laden with Fallen.”

  “I wasn’t alone, sir.”

  “Yes, so I understand. And now your poor judgment has put others at risk too,” Guilden spit back.

  “I was just trying to protect the girl, sir,” Validus returned, but it only made the anger in Guilden’s face more evident. Validus knew there were probably dozens of warriors listening outside the abandoned farmhouse just a few miles from the city.

  Guilden stood, clearly trying to control his emotions. He came face to face with Validus. “I would demote you, but you are already at the bottom of the rankings, so instead you will be given every watch duty as far from humans and angels as possib—”

  “Attention!” Guilden’s vice-commander shouted.

  Validus was already standing at attention, but Commander Guilden turned 180 degrees about and snapped to attention.

  “Is this the warrior?” General Danick asked, his face rigid with command.

  “Yes sir,” Commander Guilden replied a little too enthusiastically. “We lost a man because of him.”

  Validus remained still, but his heart sank into the earth. How had a simple act of compassion for a young, unprotected maiden elevated to such a disaster as to draw the attention of General Danick? It appeared now that for however long he survived this mission to the Middle Realm, his life would be filled with the most mundane duties and responsibilities.

  General Danick came to Validus and eyed him up and down. His glare eased slightly when he looked into Validus’s eyes. “I know you, warrior, don’t I?”

  “I helped you when you were injured on the roof of the ark, sir. It was brief.”

  Danick stroked his chin. “And you were one of the three angels Michael chose to execute the judgment.”

  Validus lowered his head, ashamed that he had let the general down so quickly in his duty on earth.

  The general turned and walked away, talking as he did so. “The report says you witnessed Nimrod incite the people against Elohim. What did you see?”

  “Nimrod stood before the people and declared that anyone who believes in God is a coward. He promised to build a great tower as a symbol of their determination to live without God and to be gods unto themselves.”

  General Danick turned back around and looked at Commander Guilden. “That is valuable information, and it corresponds with the word I’ve just received from Michael regarding the city. If Nimrod continues to unite all of humanity against Elohim, our mission will fail more quickly than before the Great Purge.”

  “Yes sir,” Commander Guilden said. “But according to the report of Persimus, Validus remained longer than he should have and put the lives of his detachment at risk.”

  General Danick glared at Validus with steely eyes. “Why?”

  Validus fumbled for words. “Because … of a maiden, sir.”

  Guilden added his glare to the general’s.

  General Danick walked back to Validus, peering deep into his soul through the window of his eyes. “Leave us, Commander,” General Danick said without taking his eyes off Validus.

  Guilden and his vice exited the farmhouse, and Danick turned and walked toward a window that looked south.

  “At ease, warrior.” He seemed to be gazing at some distant scene. “Tell me about the maiden. Why did you risk yourself and other warriors for her?”

  Validus took a couple of needed breaths, trying to relax so his speech would not be so stilted. “I happened on her one day and was taken with her devotion to Elohim. After watching her for a few weeks, I have felt compelled to protect her. I am grieved to the heart for the warrior that we lost. It should have been me and not him.”

  “You have seen other men and women who followed after God and His ways.”

  Validus looked over at the general, not sure if that was a statement or a question. “Tamaral is different, sir. I don’t know why, but she is different. I couldn’t detach. She prayed, and I was … moved beyond my own understanding.”

  Danick looked back at Validus. He looked peaceful, calm, not at all what Validus expected from a rebuking general. “Validus, do you know what the Plan is?”

  The question reminded him of the conversations he had had with Persimus years earlier. He was quite certain that many other angel warriors had wondered the same thing, but nothing tangible had been revealed as of yet and they fought for the Plan in faith.

  Validus shook his head, feeling as though he was the only angel alive who did not know. “No sir, I don’t, not beyond understanding that it is a way for Elohim to save the people.”

  The general walked back to the center of the room. “Nor do I, but I believe Elohim will one day save man through man—or rather a man.”

  Validus furrowed his brow as he tried to understand what General Danick was saying. Even if there were such a man, Validus had seen the influence of most godly men wash away in a single generation. Noah was a perfect example. And yet …

  “Show me the girl, Validus; then we will decide what to do with you.”

  Validus took General Danick, Commander Guilden, and twelve escorting warriors into Nimrod’s city to Tamaral’s home. They found her grinding wheat on a flat stone. Nothing spiritual, nothing profound, but within just a few seconds of seeing her, General Danick turned to his aide.

  “Pull three companies off the western fron
t and get them here now. Commander Guilden, you will expend every resource you have to protect this girl until my men arrive. Do whatever it takes. We must get her out of this city and to a place that we can more readily defend. Is that clear?”

  Commander Guilden looked at Validus, then back to General Danick. “Yes, General.” He turned to leave.

  “And, Commander, warrior Validus is being reassigned to my staff.”

  Validus was as shocked and confused as Commander Guilden looked.

  “Yes sir,” came Guilden’s hesitant reply; then he left with his new orders.

  Danick turned to Validus. “You come with me.”

  A few hours later, Validus found himself privy to a command meeting where the leaders of the angel Warrior Order were discussing strategy.

  “This city is strategic for more than one reason,” Danick said as he laid out a map of the Shinar region. “Desgard is inciting Nimrod to lead a rebellion against Elohim.”

  “Yes,” Brandt said. “But there are still many people in the outlying regions who have not been affected, especially the descendants of Shem. Do we expend resources to save a city that may not be salvageable?”

  “Perhaps not,” Danick said. His words were spoken slowly and carefully. “Except that heaven is concerned as well. Although Desgard is attempting to unify the people against God through Nimrod, Michael has told me that this city instead will be a place of division and we are to be ready. We must not abandon this city yet.”

  Danick looked up from the map. Validus stood at the back of the tent, watching the two great commanders decide the fate of angels and men. Primus Commanders Kelandar, Guilden, and Porthan were also gathered around the table, evaluating the situation.

  “Commander Guilden, Shinar is your region. What do you think?”

  Guilden shook his head. “Nimrod is a powerful force among the people. In spite of our efforts, the Fallen have been able to establish a stronghold in the valley. And now Nimrod is building a tower in defiance of Elohim. It is hard to believe this city will do anything but unify the people against Elohim. It grieves me to say that I agree: the city appears unsalvageable.”

  General Danick looked fiercely on his commanders. “Unacceptable! Over seventy percent of the population of humanity is in the Shinar Valley with the rest not far away. The Purge was just one century ago. Have we failed already? Are we to concede victory to Desgard before the waters have fully receded?” Danick glared at his commanders. “No! I will not abandon the whole of humanity to the evil plots of Desgard. There must be another way!”

  Commander Brandt leaned forward. “General Danick, we have seen how humanity falls prey to the evil of Apollyon. The more unified a center of population, the more opportunity there is for the Fallen to work their evil. Think of it—nearly all of the righteous that we have defended stayed clear of the influence of men so they could focus on Elohim. Of course there are exceptions, but as a whole, the more densely populated a region or a city becomes, the more prone the people are to the wicked ways of Apollyon.”

  Danick put a finger near Nimrod’s city. “Yes, but how do we stop it?”

  The silence in the tent gave Danick his answer.

  “All the Plan needs is one heart with no guile.” Validus let the words slip from his lips without thinking. Ever since General Danick had shared his thoughts about the Plan, Validus couldn’t stop thinking about it.

  The general and every commander turned to look at him, and he wished he had stayed silent. Commander Guilden looked as if he were ready to take a sword to him.

  Danick walked over to Validus. A subtle smile lit on his face. “One heart indeed.” He turned back. “Gentlemen, whether Nimrod’s city and tower will rise or fall will be of the Lord’s doing. We are here to protect those whose hearts are perfect toward Him, and that is what we will do.” He walked back to the table and looked at each of his commanders. “All of you are correct, and it has affirmed a new strategy that I believe Elohim has revealed to me. If we are to win this war for the souls of humanity, we must realize that this is not a war of statistics but a war of hearts … or heart.”

  General Danick looked directly at Validus. His eyes were sure. “Commander Guilden, prepare your men. We will march on Nimrod’s city and establish our own stronghold … no matter the cost. The maiden Tamaral is our focus. We must coordinate our strike with prayer support. Commander Kelandar, are there any people of Elohim who travel to the city on a regular basis?”

  Kelandar was deep in thought. “Not on a regular basis, sir. But the man Eber has been invited to meet with Nimrod. He is to be in the city in one week.”

  Danick raised an eyebrow. “I know of him. What is the purpose of the meeting?”

  “We have little knowledge of Nimrod’s plans, but we suspect it is to ask Eber to help build the Tower. He is enlisting the aid of all the men of wealth and influence in the region to participate. Most have agreed out of fear of Nimrod.”

  Danick looked at Brandt.

  “What do you think Eber will do?” Brandt asked.

  Kelandar looked to the floor as he thought. “He is not the man Noah was, but he does have faith and his prayers are daily and intentional.” Kelandar looked up and shook his head. “Under threat, I don’t know.”

  Danick nodded. “Shem’s line has been strong until now. I agree, the outcome is uncertain and we need to make every effort of support”—Danick raised a finger—“without jeopardizing the girl. She must remain our focus.”

  Danick looked at Kelandar, and the commander nodded.

  “We will strike in seven days’ time. Perhaps the Spirit of Elohim will be strong with Eber that day. Commander Porthan, ready your men to support the campaign against Nimrod’s city. Start by pulling back your farthest units. Any questions?”

  There was no reply.

  “Very well then. Dismissed.”

  After the other commanders left, Brandt approached Danick. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? As devious as Desgard is, we should suspect a trap. He knows our movements, and I’m quite sure that he knows you were in the city today. The Fallen are very strong in Babel. We won’t catch them by surprise, and it will be costly. There’s great risk.”

  General Danick thought for a moment. “There are some risks worth the sacrifice.”

  Brandt didn’t look convinced. He turned and left the tent.

  Danick walked toward Validus. “For many months I questioned whether I had heard Elohim correctly in developing a strategy for the Plan, but you have restored my confidence, Validus.” He put a hand on Validus’s shoulder. “I’ve been looking for one such as Tamaral and for one such as you for a long time, and here I have found you both in the same day.”

  Validus didn’t understand what General Danick was talking about. All he knew was that the angel warrior he had watched for sixteen hundred years stood before him. There was much to learn from him, and Validus was eager to do so.

  16

  NEW MISSION

  Present Day

  Your request to have Persimus transferred has been denied, sir.” Commander Malak handed a rolled parchment to Validus, his former and now exiting commander.

  “What? Why?” Validus quickly unrolled the parchment to read the response for himself.

  “Evidently Persimus is on special assignment and has been so for quite some time. When is the last time you saw him?”

  The sound of Malak’s voice muddled its way through Validus’s thoughts until it formed a question. “Uh … it’s been some time, many years in fact. Special assignment …”

  He rolled up the parchment. He couldn’t imagine his reluctant warrior friend on some secret mission of danger. It had to be an information-gathering duty, perhaps reconnaissance on some aspect of the Fallen’s objectives. Validus was curious, and in the corner of his mind, he was also concerned.

  “Did the messenger say where he was assigned at least? Is he still in the Far East?”

  Malak shook his head. “No, nothing … I�
�m sorry.”

  Validus nodded. “I’ll make do.”

  Malak had assimilated everything that Validus had thrown at him in the last few weeks and done it better than he had expected. Validus had in fact completed the transition ahead of schedule and had been only waiting for word back from headquarters regarding his request for Persimus’s transfer.

  He looked Malak straight in the eye. “Are you ready, Commander?”

  Malak nodded. “I’m ready.”

  “Yes, you are,” Validus said. “Hulan will fill in any gaps I’ve missed. He’s a good exec. When the time comes for you to fill a position, pick men who are better than yourself. A true leader is one who chooses the best men to serve with him.”

  Malak looked deep in thought, the weight of commanding a continent already beginning to weigh heavy on his shoulders. Validus put out his arm, and Malak grabbed it. His grip was firm, sure, and commanding. His eyes narrowed.

  “Headquarters didn’t demote you, and it’s not in the general’s character to waste a great warrior. Wherever you are going there’s some great purpose in it.”

  Validus allowed the corner of his mouth to curl up.

  Malak continued, “If you ever need anything and I can help, just say the word.”

  “Thank you, Commander Malak. Godspeed!”

  Validus exited the church and headed due east toward his new mission, a young man in the plains of Kansas.

  It was difficult to release his mind from the burden of command, but time and distance would help. He tried to focus on the mission ahead, but there seemed so little threat there. He wondered what changes Niturni would make in the tactics of the Fallen. Would he move his headquarters out of Los Angeles? Would Malak be able to adjust and counter before more ground was lost?

  Validus shook his head to free himself from thoughts that did not concern him now. Instead he forced himself to focus on Drew Carter, but when he did, he could not help the sinking feeling in his chest.