And just like in his dream, the closer he got, the more silence seemed to permeate the air. He glanced behind him. The personal protectors were still in place. There was a momentary jump in his heart as he expected to see red masks. This time all was well. Every face was familiar, each a beaming lily white.
When he finally reached The Grand Reception Hall and walked through the door, just like a surprise birthday party, just like before, the entire hall began to cheer.
“All hail the great Ziminiz. He whose accomplishments here shall never be forgotten.”
Again, he had a momentary shock as he expected to see jeering Nazz and terrified Cardinals. However, and to his relief, this time there were only crimson-red robes welcoming him. A path opened for him. At the end of that path, he would find Indra who had set up a command pyramid in his futile attempt to stave off the waves of deadly red robes.
Ziminiz kept his gaze straight ahead, looking neither up nor down, neither left nor right. As he approached Indra’s pyramid, he expected a pathway to the steps that would allow him to ascend to the top of the pyramid and claim Elysium for himself, steps preferably constructed with the bodies of dead Nazz. Instead, he found a wall of Cardinals standing with their heads down.
“Move aside,” he boomed. The Cardinals moved aside, but they did not turn and walk out of the way. Instead, they mysteriously slid to the side. When he looked forward, he saw someone sitting. His skin was ablaze with yellow light. It was Indra.
Two Cardinals walked over to Ziminiz and gestured for him to sit in a chair across from Indra. The Cardinals casually dropped the severed heads of Kiena and Mayhew to Indra’s right and left. Ziminiz sat gloating in front of the ‘invincible’ God of War. He would live in wealth forever just through clever negotiations for Indra’s release.
A moment later — and he hardly noticed because he was too preoccupied in reveling in his victory and counting his future wealth — two individuals in black uniforms approached and stood on either side of Indra. With so many of his mighty Cardinals all around him, there was no need to look, let alone worry about these two bodyguards. It was an acceptable act of war for a defeated general to retain a weapon and a few personal guards so that his infuriated, defeated troops would not mob and slaughter him.
A moment of silence passed as the two stared at each other. You are defeated, Ziminiz thought to himself. So it shall be you who first turns away.
Another minute crept by. “Well, this has all become rather boring, hasn’t it?” one of Indra’s guards said. “Perhaps, then, I should serve some punch. Cardinal Ziminiz. Might I interest you in a drink?”
It was a polite offer and Ziminiz, with equal politeness, being the magnanimous victor he was, replied, “Yes.”
As the black uniform casually strolled toward a refreshment table, Ziminiz noticed his bright green hands. His eyes reflexively scanned upward and recognized a familiar face. Ah, yes. Of course. Castor Mayhew. It seemed quite logical that it would be Indra’s most trusted bodyguard. So the other would be Whore Kiena. His eyes scanned again. As predicted, Kiena was standing there. She looked quite disinterested in the entire affair. Well, Ziminiz thought, she always was a good actress, so she would seem…
“Impossible. You’re supposed to be dead,” he shouted. He jerked his attention down to the two severed heads on the floor. They were fakes.
Castor walked forward with an elegant crystal goblet and extended it to Ziminiz. Ziminiz’s eyes were fixed on the ever-casual Kuko. “Cardinal Ziminiz,” Castor said evenly. “So many times I have heard the enemies of Nazz Madame General Kuko Kiena say that exact same thing. Apparently, such events are destined to continue under Lilith’s command as well. So it gives me such great joy to hear those happy words exclaimed once again.”
Speechless, Cardinal Ziminiz reflexively extended his hands to receive the goblet. He could feel his fingers but they would not connect with the goblet. He looked down and saw only caps on the stubs at the end of his arms.
“Oh, yes. How impolite of me,” Kuko said. “It’s an old Dek habit to collect the hands of my enemies and send them to their commander, which in this case would be your illustrious Prince Satan on Jerusem. Would you like to see?”
Cardinal Ziminiz continued to stare at his stubs as someone walked forward carrying an elegant wooden box. Salecia opened the box and showed him his two hands set in molds, lined with a bright yellow silk. The hands faced palms up. One palm was branded and painted with the twisted red cross of the subjugator, the other, a rainbow.
Salecia closed the box. Ziminiz stared at Kiena.
“It is such a remarkable thing. I was hoping you would find our latest model of neurostimulators adequate,” Kuko said, gesturing to the caps on his stubs. “They trick the senses, causing you to believe amputated appendages continue to exist. Did you enjoy the experience?”
“Castor, please,” Kiena continued, as she walked over to her brother and took the goblet from him. “Let us not be so rude to our honored guest.” She stepped in front of Ziminiz. “Please, great Cardinal, will you allow me to serve you?” she asked as she gently touched the goblet to his lips.
Ziminiz reflexively tilted his head back and received the punch, which was sweet and flavorful. Kiena pulled back the goblet, took the white napkin draped over Castor’s arm, and delicately dried Ziminiz’s lips. She stepped back a polite distance and watched as he swallowed. He ran his tongue across his teeth.
The suicide cap in my bicuspid.
“I deny you your prize,” Ziminiz exclaimed. He bit hard on the tooth. He was so eager to feel death take him away from this horrible situation and back to his illustrious Satan that for a few seconds, it did not register that his teeth felt strange. He reached up with his fingers, forgetting he had none.
“Oh, yes. That,” Kiena said politely. “We thought you might have a suicide capsule embedded in one of your teeth. We couldn’t be certain how many or which ones, so we thought it wise to remove them all. Would you like another drink of punch?”
He looked down to precise points on his body and considered, since he now had no fingers, how best to hit his other suicide capsules hidden under his skin.
“Oh, yes. Those too,” Kiena said with a smile. “I wouldn’t hit myself there. The stitches, you know.”
This can’t be happening. What went wrong?
Indra stood and faced him. “Oh, yes. I promise you. It is happening.” Indra gently took his arm, helped him up, and led him to the steps that ascended the pyramid, steps paved with blood-covered Crimson capes. “And what went wrong is that you came into my house and attacked my Nazz. What a fool you are.” He gently guided Ziminiz higher until they reached the very top. An elegant golden chair awaited him.
“And now, Cardinal Ziminiz,” Indra said as he descended the steps. “Please, allow my Nazz to express their true feelings about you.”
Then The Grand Reception Hall of Elysium shuddered at the booming shouts of Nazz warriors. “All hail the great Ziminiz. He whose accomplishments here shall never be forgotten. We thank you for reminding us. Pride subduing the intellect is the Satanist’s sin.”
“Pride subduing the intellect is the Satanist’s sin. Pride subduing the intellect is the Satanist’s sin. Pride subduing the intellect is the Satanist’s sin.”
An hour later, every pyramid, except the one Cardinal Ziminiz sat on, had been torn down. Large pitchers of cold water flowed in for the tired and thirsty Nazz, water which otherwise would have been spotted by Cardinal Diocletian. By now, everyone had become quite irritated with the flaming Diocletian as he continued to run about, begging to be doused with water. He was taken to the opposite end of the hall from where Ziminiz was stationed and loosely chained to a pole. Periodically, he would scream out.
Daligastian Elders continued to revive dead Nazz warriors. Those previously dead and seriously wounded, upon Ma Meshabber’s instructions, were laid in one continuous row so the Elders could easily walk past. They did not necessarily start by bre
athing prana into their lungs. All manner of methods were used — some quite conventional surgeries, others were rituals incomprehensible to rational Nazz doctors.
Lord Indra had heard rumors of how Daligastian witchdoctors could revive the dead, but in truth did not believe them. His most experienced, senior Nazz doctors swore that after only a few minutes of death, revival was not possible even for the most powerful Nephilim body. Moreover, they speculated, if a revival did occur, it was because a specific type of stasis had been created for the purpose of placing, within that body, the Essence of an entirely different individual.
As Indra casually spoke to his warriors who had been previously dead, he evaluated whether their body contained the same Essence. In every case, it seemed to be true.
On several occasions, a Daligastian Elder would stop what they were doing and speak with Indra. What they talked about was completely unpredictable. Their comments ranged from a simple ‘Hello’, polite small talk, some type of question, or comments such as: ‘I enjoyed the inauguration; Haven’t we had nice weather recently?; I didn’t like the inauguration; Your food sucks; I hate you; Screw you’. Then they would resume their instructions from Ma Meshabber to revive the Nazz.
For Indra’s powerful ego, it was a wonderful and remarkable experience. Every time, irrespective of the comment, he would either continue the conversation, just listen, or bow politely and express how refreshing it was to hear such honesty.
Indra noticed Dhanvantari lying on the floor nearby a row of soon-to-be-revived Nazz. He appeared to be in a lot of pain as he rolled around on his back, his face strangely twisted. Ma Meshabber knelt beside him, a smile on her face. Indra wondered if Dhanvantari had offended Ma Meshabber and she had struck him down with some sort of curse. When Indra was close enough to hear, he relaxed. Dhanvantari was rolling on the floor in uncontrollable laughter as Ma told him one dirty joke after another.
The dead and seriously wounded Cardinals were placed in a row along the fourth wall of The Grand Reception Hall. A much smaller group of Daligastian Elders examined this group and selected specific individuals to revive. The previously captured senior Cardinals were still Indra’s privy, but these other unfortunate Cardinals, once revived and stabilized, were tied to a gurney, taken outside, and loaded into Daligastian transport crafts. Indra knew what would happen to them.
These Cardinals were selected because they had been active in the capture, restraint, and torture of the ‘inferior black-skinned sinners and heretics’. The Cardinals thought they understood torture, but Indra knew they had no idea what unimaginable horrors awaited them on Frakfraka.
Cardinal Ziminiz was escorted from his pyramid and now sat in the same comfortable chair off to the side facing the table pyramid. That pyramid’s height was somewhat reduced, down to just six tables in height.
Lilith stood upon the pyramid looking across the vast hall. She had returned to her dressing room. Instead of having Salecia reapply the rainbow makeup, she converted her skin to silver. As Smigyl suggested, she slipped on her rainbow gown. However, rather than being the modest gown she wore during her inauguration, this one was much more suggestive. She had inflated her petite breasts until they were quite full. The gown was low-cut with no straps. Rather than fine silk, it was constructed of multicolored armored scales, tightly hugging her slender body all the way to her feet. Lilith, Eden’s new Planetary Princess, truly appeared as a warrior Goddess.
She regally glowered at her guests. This would be her first official judgment in her new role. She knew she would have to be strong, fair, and decisive.
“Brave warriors of the Nazz,” she began. “As ever, I am amazed, appreciative, and proud to be called Nazz. I think, once again, our enemies have been reminded why our God is called ‘The God of War’. You have accomplished something quite remarkable. With minimal casualties to ourselves and our guests, the Cardinal’s attack has been completely subdued, and the senior Cardinals, those who were the intellectual and spiritual energy behind this attack, have mostly…”
Kuko’s attention drifted to Ma Meshabber who sat in the first row of chairs on the floor before her. Ma gave a minute twist of her mouth.
“My friend, Ma Meshabber informs me that all the senior Cardinals are now alive. Therefore, all senior Cardinals will be interrogated for any information regarding the enemies of the Nazz. I urge you, senior Cardinals, do not attempt to deceive those who question you. You might believe that because your lives have been spared, that the remainder of your life shall be pleasant. You shall be treated with respect as long as you cooperate fully.”
Kuko looked to the left where rows of Cardinals stood. “However, at the first sign of deception or manipulation, a different category of interrogator shall enter your lives.”
“You cannot intimidate us, Whore Kiena.” Cardinal Ziminiz jumped from his chair. “None of my invincible Cardinals will tell you anything.”
“Oh, indeed?” Kuko looked up and down the rows of Cardinals again. “And does Cardinal Ziminiz speak for all the Cardinals?”
“Of course I do, you moron. I am the Illustrious Ziminiz.”
“Cardinals, please,” Kuko continued quietly and politely, completely ignoring Ziminiz. “Just a simple gesture or nod of the head will be sufficient. Does this one speak for you?”
Ziminiz spun around, his handless body struggling to stand on his chair. He glared at the Cardinals. Every one of them nodded ‘yes’.
He turned back to her with a smirk.
“Very well,” she said calmly.
“Captain of the Guard.” Colonel Reinhardt quickly stepped forward. He touched his right fist to his heart and threw his open palm toward her. “Madame General. I serve.”
As she turned toward Ziminiz, her smile melted.
“Colonel Reinhardt. Crucify them. Crucify them all.”
It did not take long to manufacture crosses. Each row of crosses was arranged in a three-quarter circle. Each consecutive row was set higher than the one in front of it, so all who suffered upon the cross had an unobstructed view of the amphitheater’s focal point — Cardinal Ziminiz. The only exception was a few dozen of the most mean, nasty, and horrible Cardinals, who had the honor of being crucified behind Lilith’s pyramid.
Ziminiz sat comfortably on a chair next to a table covered with different kinds of drinks and foods. A low-ranking Nazz warrior was given the privilege of feeding Ziminiz whatever he cared to eat or drink.
Thousands of interrogators walked along the rows of Cardinals, taking information when it was volunteered. She planned for all of them to suffer for many hours in front of their leader. At some point, when their pain overwhelmed their tongue, they would be taken to other accommodations where more extensive questioning could take place. When a Cardinal decided he had reached a point in his betrayal of Satan, beyond which he could not go, he would be returned to the cross and eventually allowed to die.
Kuko stood in silence as the amphitheater was set up. Periodically, she glanced at Ziminiz. Ziminiz did not appear disturbed by his Cardinals’ suffering. In fact, he appeared to enjoy watching his Cardinals suffer while he sat comfortably.
An idea popped in her head, an idea that would wipe the arrogance off his face.
She elegantly descended the stairs to consult Lord Indra and Lord Smigyl, who politely stood to greet her. After Indra and Smigyl resumed their seats, Kuko consulted with Prince Daligastia and Ma Meshabber. She took a knee before them and they spoke for several minutes.
She ascended the pyramid, deliberately pausing, allowing her brilliant eyes to rest upon Ziminiz who remained defiant, arrogant, and smug.
“We shall scour all of Eden. All wealth, properties, and any saleable goods formally belonging to any Cardinal will be placed in the trust of Goddess Lakshmi.” She bowed to Lakshmi, a wry smile coming to her face. Smigyl had not told Lakshmi what he had said to Kuko. He wanted it to be a surprise. Clearly, she was pleased.
“All former slaves, those not loyal to the Cardinals
shall be identified, freed, and placed under the care and hospitality of Prince Daligastia.
“Furthermore, all books, records, statues, paintings, music, religious artifacts, and symbols shall be brought to Elysium. Those found to have historical and intellectual value will become the property of our museum curators and be incorporated in the Nazz lexicon of the conquered. Any such items whose only worth is due to their content of jewels or precious metals shall be disassembled, melted, and sold at market value. All other items shall be destroyed.”
“You can’t do that!” Cardinal Ziminiz screamed, jumping to his feet.
Lord Smigyl slowly turned his head to Ziminiz. “Sit down and shut up.”
Kuko continued. “I have asked Lord Smigyl if it would be acceptable for High Brahman Priest Hondel Diagon to pay a special visit to Elysium, and for a time, be our guest.” Kuko looked down to Smigyl and bowed deeply. As she straightened, she ran a subtle change across her face and eyes, an expression that again asked his permission.
He briefly closed his eyes and gave a delicate bow of his head.
“Lord Smigyl has agreed. In addition to the Cardinals already constrained, all of Eden’s Cardinals will be captured and brought here. Then we shall place them in a vise.”
She stared at Ziminiz, silver eyes smoldering. He suddenly remembered how he had captured and tortured her many years ago and immediately understood her use of the word ‘vise’. His jaw dropped.
“The nature of this vise shall be quite simple. All Cardinals and their loyal slaves shall be placed upon the cross. For those Cardinals who betray Prince Satan and provide information, we shall show them mercy and give them thanks. In reward, we shall transport them, with no charge, to any location beyond Eden they desire.
“However, we shall keep full account of their locations, and if they ever attempt to rejoin Prince Satan’s children, we shall dutifully identify those who betrayed their God. How Satan deals with betrayal, shall remain upon his compassion.
Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess (The Michael Archives Book 1) Page 65