Angelina straightened to a stiff pose of menace. In a deep voice she began chanting the staccato rhythm of the music which heralded the appearance of Darth Vader in the Star War’s movies.
Catherine slapped her hands over her mouth, stifling bursts of laughter as she nodded her head vigorously in agreement with Angelina’s Vader theme song demonstration.
“I…I remember those,” Catherine stuttered finally, still regaining control.
“A Gorbasm,” Raphael repeated. “That would be the joining of his name with ah… the term referring to sexual release?”
“You got it, Raph. Rush pointed out every time the guy uttered anything in a public forum, no matter how nonsensical it was, the press would have a Gorbasm.”
“Yes, Gorby is the head watermelon,” Catherine added, “green on the outside and…”
“Red on the inside,” Raphael finished for her. “This Gorby has reached a position of power and influence then if he draws such crowds just by showing up.”
“The liberal whackos treat him as if he were a God,” Angelina confirmed Raphael’s statement with open disdain.
“How will we deal with him inside, Raph?” Catherine asked.
“Abaddon and I are unsure as to…”
Suddenly, cheering and applause erupted from the crowd, accompanied by shouts of startled recognition. People in line near the door gave way in the face of a large security contingent of men with sunglasses and earpieces, who slowly herded the crowd outwards away from the entrance. In the midst of his security detail, a pale older man waved to the crowd. Angelina began chanting the bass dirge she had demonstrated only moments ago, causing Catherine to again slap both hands to her mouth, preventing an outburst of laughter in the midst of a quieting crowd of obviously adoring Gorbachev fans.
“Dum, dum, dum, dum dum dum, dum, dum, dum…” Angelina continued to drone loudly, drawing the attention of both the people around them and Gorbachev.
Raphael could see the telltale birthmark across the man’s head brighten, as recognition of the tune plainly showed on his face. Although Abaddon stood next to Angelina, Raphael could feel the tension within his brother as Gorbachev looked coldly toward the chanting Angelina. A mask of arrogant condescension spread across his jaw in the form of a tight lipped smile.
“He knew we were here, Raph,” Abaddon said simply.
“Yeah, so much for the element of surprise,” Raphael replied as Catherine attempted to elbow Angelina into silence.
Light laughter amongst the crowd near them indicated Angelina and Catherine were not the only ones who knew what her credible rendition of Darth Vader’s theme meant in relation to Gorbachev. It became clear Gorbachev meant to move directly toward them. His security detail spearheaded the way in their direction with the still chanting Angelina the focal point. As the lead security man neared Angelina he reached out in an attempt to take hold of Angelina’s arm. Abaddon looked with frustration at Raphael.
“Yes, my brother, I can still see you,” Raphael quipped as Abaddon plucked the security man’s hand away from its intended target.
The others near the man Abaddon now held in a restraining fashion grabbed the Archangel, only to instantly release him and step back, looking at each other in confusion. Abaddon shook the man’s hand he held in his fist gently while Raphael gestured for the others in Gorbachev’s security detail to calm down. During the confrontation Angelina continued on with the entire theme, heard easily as silence now reigned amongst the expectant crowd of people. Abaddon spoke near his captive’s ear.
“Keep this at your side.” Abaddon released the man’s hand.
“Yes, my Lord,” the security man acknowledged in a hushed tone.
“Would you please ask your companion to stop that annoying attempt at humor,” Gorbachev asked. He made his way to a point near Raphael, seemingly undisturbed by the nearness of either Catherine or the Archangels.
“Hi, Gorby,” Angelina greeted the former Premier of the USSR with a quick wave, which set Catherine off again, unconcerned with the latent power emanating from Gorbachev.
“You will soon learn the price of such disrespect, little Sister,” Gorbachev said menacingly. He met Raphael’s gaze without blinking.
“Bring it, watermelon man,” Angelina challenged, causing even the stoic Abaddon to grin in appreciation.
“Did you cherubs think to sneak in and work some form of miracle for the masses?” Gorbachev laughed, haughtily shaking his head. “I knew of your approach before you did. I am third generation. It is good you are all having such a wonderful time because your end rushes toward you at breakneck speed.”
“Would it not be better to continue this conversation in private?” Raphael asked amiably. “We little cherubs would prefer the humans not witness this cataclysmic demise you have in store for us.”
“Very well, Raphael.” Fury replaced arrogance on Gorbachev’s features. “I will save you for last after I flay your companions alive.”
Angelina clutched Abaddon as reality began to shimmer around him. She felt the electrifying anticipation coursing through his frame. His fists clenched into steel knots at his side. Catherine added her soothing touch. Raphael moved between Abaddon and Gorbachev.
“Isn’t that sweet,” Gorbachev mocked them with a laugh, waving off his security detail’s attempt to ease him away from Abaddon. “Who will be the first? Do you cherubs send the little Sisters of the poor in first to do your battles? No matter, come my friends. We will adjourn to my office where we can continue this delightful conversation in private.”
The crowd groaned in disappointment as Gorbachev turned toward the entrance with his security detail encircling the Archangels and nuns. Angelina waved to the crowd of people, evoking laughter and a glance of pure unadulterated venom from Gorbachev. Raphael smiled down at Angelina, taking note not for the first time of what crucible had forged her uncaring attitude toward danger. Angelina winked at him when she felt his attention on her.
“Don’t worry, Raph, we can take him.”
“I will hold you to it, Sister Angelina,” Raphael replied, putting his arm around Angelina’s shoulder. “Are you well, Cat?”
Catherine nodded her head, having retained her grip on the surging Abaddon. “I’m fine, Raph. See you on the other side, Dr. Venkman.”
Raphael laughed. “The Ghostbusters - very good, Sister Mary Catherine. Perhaps we could use a few nuclear accelerators for this one.”
Catherine turned her attention to Abaddon. The Archangel was oblivious to everything and everyone around him other than the man he followed.
“It’s just a hunch, Raph, but I don’t think Abaddon wants or needs anything extra.”
“Let us put our game faces on, my friends,” Raphael acknowledged, reaching over to put a reassuring hand on Abaddon.
Chapter 10
The Watermelon Man
Inside the building, they were led through a maze of rooms and hallways until reaching what appeared to be a large conference room. Gorbachev turned to his head of security who was still feeling the effect of Abaddon’s grip. The man absently rubbed his hands together, as if trying to absorb what he had felt when Abaddon held him.
“You and your men stay out here,” Gorbachev ordered, exasperation at the security man’s confusion evident in the tone of his voice. “When I am through with this meeting, you are fired.”
To Gorbachev’s surprise, the security man looked up at Abaddon and then grinned affably at his employer.
“Let me know how that works out for you, Gorby,” the man said, turning on his heel and walking away without another word.
Gorbachev watched his employee for a moment before gesturing toward the conference room with an exaggerated wave of his hand.
“Please enter and make yourselves comfortable.”
The four comrades walked into the large conference room without hesitation. Gorbachev followed them in, closing and locking the door behind him. He went immediately to the windows. Gorbachev shu
ttered them, leaving only the small amount of daylight able to seep in as the room’s only illumination. Gorbachev walked over to the extravagantly lavish conference table in the middle of the room. He turned so as to lean against it with his back while folding his arms calmly over his chest.
“Well, here we are. What will we talk about first?”
“I’m Sister Mary Catherine.” Catherine walked toward Gorbachev with her hand extended.
Gorbachev laughed appreciatively, straightening away from the table at Catherine’s approach. “I have met your kind before, little whore, so pure, so angelic. I am not one of Lucifer’s pathetic clones to be ripped from my host like a leaf in a thunderstorm.”
“Oh, I don’t think you know me well at all, watermelon man.” Catherine rushed forth to grasp Gorbachev’s hand.
Gorbachev’s features flowed like lava, trying to express the tidal wave ripping through him from Catherine’s grip. She clutched him with both hands, watching in awe as the demon within battled to retain its parasitic control over Gorbachev’s human soul. The man shook as if being electrocuted, his mouth formed into an incredulous silent howl of pain. Angelina put her arms around Catherine, steadying her friend. Raphael made ready to pull the three away from danger.
The demon lost its battle, shrieking in fury as it flowed from Gorbachev’s body, talons ripping backward to eviscerate the humans. Abaddon’s shield intercepted the demon’s assault, all dregs of humanity gone from the Archangel of the Abyss, his black wings stretching outwards in front of his companions. Abaddon’s first lightning fast blow from his sword severed the demon’s arm before it could be drawn back. With a scream so intense, the earthly surroundings shimmered as if in a mist, the demon fled out of Abaddon’s reach, healing and taking full form.
Black as pitch, with rivers of glowing veins and tendons pulsating under its skin, the demon flailed around in agony - the searing memory of Sister Mary Catherine’s grip and Abaddon’s sword-stroke the first pain it had ever felt. Its serpent like body with six appendages ending in hands armed with four curved talons each writhed over two tree trunk sized jointed legs. The huge legs wobbled as the demon fought to gain balance. Sloth like three toed feet, coupled with a spiked lizard tail of immense proportions, forged a three point base for the monster’s nearly twelve foot tall body. The demon’s wide snake head jutted forward rhythmically, its fanged mouth gaping open in rage. Abaddon attacked with a fierce cry, covering the distance between he and the demon in an instant. The demon faded before Abaddon could reach him, leaving the Archangel swinging into nothingness. Abaddon spun toward Raphael. Raphael, Angelina, Catherine, and Gorbachev were gone.
* * *
“I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Raph.” Angelina held on to Catherine with all her might.
Raphael encircled the group with a protective aura. He realized instantly the demon had transported them all to a hellish chaotic realm of nightmarish dimensions. The Archangel looked around at the towering black peaks and craggy landscape with dread. The surface not covered by ebony rock formations flowed in steaming molten rivers of yellowish red lava. A purplish glowing sky with roiling smoky clouds of greenish hues provided the backdrop for capering hordes of creatures scrabbling over the hardened crevices and mountainous venues.
“Where’s Abaddon?” Catherine hugged the whimpering Gorbachev in her arms protectively as Angelina tried to mould her body to Catherine’s, taking strength from her friend’s power.
“He won’t be joining us, bitch!” The demon’s voice seemed to scream from everywhere at once in guttural rasping tones as if evil were given voice.
It laughed - a cacophonous racket even more horrendous than the demon’s words.
Raphael silently focused all his power into the shield he knew the demon would try to breach. Catherine and Angelina gasped in horror as the dog sized inhabitants of the horrific realm poured over Raphael’s shielding aura like locusts, their click-clacking noises acting like needles stabbing into their brains. Sweat broke on the brow of Raphael. His eyes clenched shut in concentration. The noise receded.
Catherine looked into Angelina’s questioning gaze without fear, feeling her purpose welling up inside her soul. “Can you hold on to Gorby, Ange?”
“You betcha’.” Angelina grinned, releasing Catherine and taking the quivering Gorbachev in her arms.
Catherine put her hands over Raphael’s balled up fists, held rigidly at his sides. Angelina watched the agonized look of strain ease on Raphael’s tense countenance. A slight smile began to form though Raphael dared not open his eyes and lose concentration. Suddenly, the demon leapt atop Raphael’s bubble of protection, scattering some of the creatures ripping at the shield’s surface. Catherine began reciting the twenty-third psalm with Angelina immediately echoing her words with fervor.
Talons smashed and ripped at Raphael’s shield, channeling the demon’s pent up rage and frustration into a devastating assault. Raphael went to his knees. Catherine wrapped her arms around him. Raphael opened his eyes to tense slits of sight so to see Catherine once more, his mouth forming into a wry smile.
“Sor…sorry, Cat, Ange,” Raphael muttered. “I…I… can’t…”
Angelina reached over to lay her free hand over Catherine’s and Raphael’s. “Don’t talk, Raph. Cat and I were on borrowed time anyway. Thanks for…”
A streak of blinding light exploded across the putrid sky, smashing into the surface near Raphael’s shielded space, vaporizing dozens of the fanged denizens when it hit. The Gorby demon leaped away from the target of its attack, howling in pain as it shielded its eyes from the piercing light.
Raphael grinned appreciatively, standing unsteadily with Catherine’s help. “I believe the Archangel of the Abyss has found us.”
The group watched the light dissipate, revealing the massive Abaddon, his sword and shield clenched tightly in his fists as he whipped around searching for his friends. Relief flooded over his fearsome countenance when he glimpsed his comrades with Gorbachev. Angelina released the disoriented man into Catherine’s care. She leaned fully against Raphael’s shield, her attention riveted on Abaddon. The mindless creatures flowed over the Archangel at their master’s command, ripping at his body. Abaddon could not stop focusing on those he had thought lost to him forever.
“We are fine, my brother,” Raphael called out, seeing Abaddon’s inaction. “Please do something other than get eaten.”
Abaddon laughed, sweeping away the creatures. They burst into balls of flame at the Archangel’s touch.
“Sorry, Raph, I thought I had lost you all. It blocked my connection with you for…”
Abaddon paused in mid sentence. Using his shield to block the demon’s sudden attack, he batted its huge bulk aside. The Archangel followed up his defense with a blow from his sword that decapitated the scrambling demon. The demonic realm shimmered as its creator flopped obscenely on the dimension’s rough black surface. The serpent head twitched and writhed, mouthing silent screams as its body pawed around grotesquely to find it. Abaddon rushed at the thing, crying out in the grips of a blood lust he had never experienced before - the haunting thought of what could have been lost driving his fury. The Gorby demon disappeared again, leaving Abaddon flailing at empty air.
Waves of the demon’s creatures cascaded over Abaddon, causing Angelina to cry out in anguish. Raphael gripped her extended hand in his where it rested on his shield comfortingly.
“They…they’ll rip him apart, Raph.” Tears streamed down Angelina’s cheeks.
“Sister Angelina?” Raphael admonished as Angelina turned to him hopefully. “Oh ye of little faith.”
Angelina heard Catherine cry out. With shield and sword the Archangel of the Abyss slew the creatures with unhesitating fury, his dark scowl of relish plainly visible in the midst of battle. The wounds inflicted on his body by the claws and fangs of his attackers lasted seconds before vanishing, only to be replaced by new slices from the unrelenting horde.
“Are…ar
e they hurting him?” Angelina’s hand tightened around Raphael’s.
“Yes, Ange,” Raphael admitted. “I can feel the pain through my brother. Unlike me, he embraces it like a long lost friend. The Lord created him in pain. He eats it up like Jello pudding.”
Angelina giggled in spite of her fear at Raphael’s comparison. She watched Abaddon for many minutes in silence, her blood racing at what seemed an unending battle.
“Won’t he tire?”
This time Raphael chuckled. “Remember what I showed you of the battle at Heaven’s gate? The battle Abaddon waged against Lucifer’s horde went on for a time humans would consider incomprehensible.”
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