The Damned and The Pure Series: Books 1-4 (The Damned and The Pure Series Box Set)

by J. D. Stonebridge

  Caelum removed himself from the wall and walked forward to face Azrael. “Why not? I may not be technically dead, but I have been quite close on numerous occasions. Don’t I get a free pass as my reward?”

  “It does not work that way,” Azrael reminded him. “Purgatory is only for souls without a vessel, and for those who guide them. I simply cannot open the gates to let one who is with his vessel to enter.”

  “And that’s where we have a problem. I will need my vessel for what I intend to do,” Caelum said.

  At the mention of it, Azrael’s face melted into deep thought. She studied Caelum intently, her eyes calculating. “About your plan, I am concerned that you may have miscalculated. While I am certain you will be able to complete the process, I have my serious doubts you will survive it, much less that you will be able to battle against the archangels afterwards.”

  “True, I have a very low chance of surviving such a thing, but that doesn’t mean I will not try, if it means I get to be a hero.” He flashed a wide smile.

  “Such a shallow reason to risk your life,” Azrael commented.

  Caelum scoffed. “Well, I apologize for being mundane. But with how things are at the moment, one life such as mine no longer carries the same value it once had.” He lowered his head and watched the snow gather around his feet. “With everything that has been happening, it is safe to say that we are all doomed. At the least I’ll have a say on how I die, unlike the rest.”

  The Angel of Death was silent for a while, pondering his words. Snow fell all around them, dancing gracefully in the wind. Caelum watched the white flakes fall one by one, and his thoughts were grim. At least, I would fall while fighting.

  “I apologize, Caelum,” Azrael said. “Despite your intentions, I simply cannot open the Gates of Purgatory for you.”

  Caelum half-smiled. “Ah, Lady Luck doesn’t want to side with me today, does she?” He leaned back on the wall and relaxed his shoulders. “How unfortunate.”

  Azrael’s eyes were solemn, but her decision was made. She let out a deep breath and shook her head. “I am now reluctant to ask for your assistance.”

  Caelum raised a brow. “Oh? And what does the stubborn angel need?”

  Azrael looked away from him. “I understand that you have not heard a word from Heaven. I may be able to assist you in getting information. One of my reapers has detected activity recently. Rather, I might say, that a reaper under my command has been taken captive by an angel.”

  “Taken captive?” Caelum suddenly became interested. “And what does an angel intend to do with a reaper?”

  Azrael’s expression deepened to concern. “Perhaps knowing that it is our brother Raphael who has taken the reaper may shine some light on that question.”

  Caelum’s eyes widened. “Raphael?” His thoughts went back to their previous battle with the archangels. No one had seen Raphael’s escape after Uriel’s defeat, though they were certain the archangel survived. “Has he been here the entire time?”

  “Quite unlikely,” Azrael said. “Raphael descended with Uriel for a mission tasked by Michael himself. It would be wise for him to report of their failure, despite his fears of Michael’s rage.”

  “Then he returned for what? Was he banished for being a disappointment?” Caelum offered.

  “I believe he has a purpose,” Azrael said. “The reaper he has taken was no ordinary one, you see. I believe he targeted that specific reaper.” She paused, staring at Caelum. “The reaper he has taken was the one who mended your soul while you were human.”

  The idea caught Caelum’s interest. “The reaper who…” Suddenly, the conversation they had regarding the sacrifices Michael and Lucifer were preparing for their plans returned to him. “A reaper who mended a soul into a vessel. That is quite the irony, don’t you agree?”

  “Irony?” Azrael repeated the word. “What are you implying?”

  “The grand plan to seal off the bank. That is, until the right moment comes to take away all the cash,” Caelum said. He explained to Azrael what they had discovered days before. When he’d requested for the Gate of Purgatory to be opened for him, he hadn’t bothered to mention the grand plan of sealing Purgatory after the abrupt rejection of his request.

  When he was finished informing Azrael of the conditions they were seeking, her face twisted with worry. “Sealing off Purgatory. Therefore—”

  “They are planning the same, yes,” Caelum answered her unspoken question. “And I am quite certain that is what Raphael is planning now. Perhaps to redeem himself from his previous defeat.” He lifted his hand to his chin. “Is there a chance that you would know where he has taken the reaper then?”

  Azrael thought for a moment. “I will be able to locate them. All reapers that walked this land and Purgatory’s are connected to my soul. If I focus on one, I can track its location.”

  “Please do,” Caelum urged. “However, I cannot ignore the possibility that this is a trap so it’s best that we are prepared. But this is also an opportunity for us to take a step in these rather stagnant days.” He smiled, moving forward with his hands on the pocket of his coat. “I’ll gather some reinforcements, then. And we shall meet back here to plan our attack.” He gave Azrael a mock salute then turned to the patch of shadows against the wall. He called on the darkness that pulled him away from where he stood. He crossed into the shadows to meet with his most precious ally.

  Ariel had just returned from a meeting with Gabriel. She appeared from the dim sunlight in the living room and crossed the floor. Her thoughts, however, stayed with her brothers and sisters whom Gabriel had gathered. Many of them were still discouraged about battling against the army of Heaven, even after their recent victory against Uriel. And Gabriel had been doing her best to keep their spirits up.

  We cannot fight with half-hearted soldiers. Ariel had wanted to stay with Gabriel and do her best to assist them, but the archangel decided it was best to keep their forces scattered, in case they were being tracked down. Despite agreeing with her point, Ariel still worried about their comrades.

  “What is with the long face?” Caelum’s voice came from the door. The demon stepped inside and walked towards the angel. “Has something happened?”

  “I am merely thinking,” Ariel assured him.

  Caelum’s face softened at the sight of her expression. He let out a deep sigh, and said, “Forgive me for adding to your worries, then. But I must tell you about something.”

  Ariel looked up to him and asked, “What is it?”

  Caelum told Ariel about what Azrael said. He watched her eyes dart from side to side, considering the information. When he was done, her eyes were alert and her face was stern. “If it truly is Raphael who has taken this reaper, I am certain they are intending to sacrifice it.”

  “That’s what I was thinking,” Caelum agreed. “We have been awaiting for a chance to learn something about what’s going on upstairs. This is our chance, isn’t it? Stopping the fourth sacrifice and taking an archangel as hostage.”

  Ariel looked at the smile he flashed her with incredulity. “You are thinking of taking Raphael captive?”

  “Yes,” Caelum said. “He can provide us the information we need. You need not worry about the process of extracting the information out of him. I’m certain we will think of a way.”

  Ariel frowned. “I am not fond of the idea of torture.”

  “Neither am I, contrary to popular belief. But the situation does call for it.” Caelum shrugged.

  Ariel lowered her eyes, reluctant to agree with the idea. The demon walked closer to her and held her by the shoulders. Her blue eyes met his, and his expression was sincere as he spoke. “This is a war, my dear. We will be forced to take actions we wish not to.”

  “I am aware of that,” Ariel admitted. “My concern is what our brothers and sisters will think of it as they are now having second thoughts. To kill an enemy is an act of war, but to torture is another. If we lower ourselves to such means, I—” Ariel shook
her head. “I fear that we may lose allies.”

  Caelum thought of her words. He understood where she was coming from, however, he could not find it in himself to have second thoughts about his actions, not when the world was on the brink of the end, and not when he was desperate to keep his daughter’s sacrifice from being in vain. Still, he chose not to voice his thoughts. His hands slipped from the angel’s shoulders and he said, “My apologies, then. But we can at least persuade Raphael to give us the information we need.” He flashed his smile to her. “I am quite persuasive, as you may already know.”

  Ariel nodded. “Still, there is the concern about our forces. We suffered many losses to defeat Uriel, and I fear that to capture Raphael, we may suffer more. If the final strike comes, we may be far too weak to defend ourselves.”

  “I may be able to help with that,” another voice said from the doorway. Shutting the door, David was a mess of unruly hair and bloodshot eyes. He wore a jacket a size too large for him, the hem of his sleeves covering half his palm. He limped towards the angel and the demon, carrying a backpack over his shoulders.

  “David,” Ariel greeted him. She moved to meet the young man who recoiled from her. The reaction halted Ariel in her steps, and she folded her hands together instead. “Are you well?”

  “A little hungry,” David admitted. “But I heard what you’re planning to do and that’s enough to keep me going.”

  Caelum set his jaw. “You wish to come with us in capturing Raphael.”

  “You must not. Not in the state you’re in,” Ariel said to David.

  David waved his hands as if to shoo away their pesky worries and claimed, “You need me. I told you earlier this morning, didn’t I? I was making something. I finished it.” He dropped his backpack on the couch.

  “You finished it?” Caelum repeated, bewildered. “What exactly were you making, anyway?”

  “A weapon. Something I’m sure can work against that bastard, Raphael.”

  The word he chose and the tone of his voice suggested David’s intentions. Though he wanted to make sure their plan to capture the archangel would be successful, Caelum questioned if bringing David would be wise. “What weapon are you talking about?”

  “Hard to explain, really,” David admitted, taking in a deep breath. “I’ve been studying souls, looking over her notes. I developed something that copies the effects of your Zounds.” David nodded to Ariel. “It’s something that can disrupt energies, or specifically, souls. Every living thing has a soul, even angels. That’s what I can use against Raphael.”

  Caelum chuckled. “But to disrupt his soul can potentially force the soul out of the vessel. We’ll need Raphy alive.”

  “I can control it,” David claimed. “I will just allow it to weaken the target without removing the soul. Trust me.”

  Ariel looked over her shoulder to meet Caelum’s gaze. Hers mirrored the same concerns in his thoughts. Caelum moved past Ariel and addressed David. “Are you sure about what you will do?”

  David looked up to him as if offended. “I didn’t spend weeks with my nose buried in research for nothing, Caelum.”

  “I understand that, but—”

  “But what?” David demanded. “Is it because I’m just a human, and you think I cannot fight this war? I am not weak anymore. I—” He balled his fists and gritted his teeth. “I can fight now. You can stop putting me away in the corner while you do the dirty work. I’m not that kid anymore.” Tears threatened to fall from David’s eyes, but he blinked them away before they fell. The bitter feeling in his chest stung him, and he bit it down. “I can fight now, and I will avenge her.”

  The words hung in the air, giving the room an awkward energy. Caelum feared that those words were his thoughts. David’s thirst for vengeance, though a fuel that pushed him to fight, was also something alarming that may get him in trouble.

  What makes him different from you, anyway? A voice whispered in Caelum’s thoughts. The demonic soul from Azazel, the one he called Power, found the drama both entertaining and boring. He wants revenge, you want revenge. You truly aren’t in the position to question his motives.

  Shut up, Caelum told it, and he heard its snickers echoing in his skull.

  “David, it would be a great advantage for us if you would help. But please promise that you will not be reckless,” Ariel asked him quietly.

  David gave a half-smile. “I guess I can try.”

  Ariel turned to Caelum and said, “I will report this to Gabriel. Perhaps, she can lend us a few of her soldiers to assist us. I will return shortly.” She gave David one last glance, then proceeded to move under the skylight. In one flash of light, the angel disappeared.

  In an abandoned tower, Ariel approached Gabriel to whom she told the information she had acquired. Gabriel was deep in thought while she calculated their move. “To bring a large force will arouse suspicion before we can even make a move.”

  Ariel nodded. “We will need Azrael as she is the one who can track down her reaper. David will not stand behind any longer. Neither will Caelum.”

  Gabriel considered her options and turned to Ariel. She offered her hand to the angel who took it respectfully. Golden light glowed from between their combined palms, filling the stone walls that surrounded them with a warm light. When their hands parted, the light lingered in Ariel’s palm.

  “I offer you this,” Gabriel said. “I shall prepare our forces for when you call for our assistance.”

  The archangel moved away from Ariel, stepping down on the stone stairs. Her steps echoed across the hall below and demanded the attention of the angels and monsters that gathered. The grunt of a wendigo was the only sound that came from the crowd when Gabriel faced her army. Her eyes scanned each of their faces, seeing the fears and doubts that clouded their thoughts. They were unnecessary emotions in a time for battle.

  “Listen!” Gabriel’s voice roared across the room. “The time we have been waiting for may be upon us. The enemy has made their move to continue with their plans, and we will take the situation to our advantage. The traitors who claim themselves worthy of surpassing our Father shall not win this battle. We will not let our treacherous brothers gain what our Father has created for their own gain. I know fear still weigh down your courage, but the only defeat we will face is when we lose hope in our hearts. If we let our faith in our comrades and our faith in our Father waver, that is when we will be defeated!”

  Gabriel brandished her wooden scepter above her head. The blue orb glowed faintly at every word she spoke. “I ask you now, will you let our enemy take over our home? Where is the courage you showed me when you gathered for battle? Where is the fire in your hearts that took you to where you stand now? Will you cower on the sides when the greatest battle of our worlds begin? Or will you stand with me and fight for the home we have created, the home that we have nurtured and cared for? Will you stand with me, brothers and sisters?”

  Like a light lit one by one, Ariel watched their eyes shine with hope. Slowly, each of them, angels and monsters alike, stood their ground with their heads held high. With the words of the archangel and the leader of the virtues, their courage was lit aflame and the doubt that had clouded them before was washed away. The angel smiled, finally feeling hope despite the odds they faced.

  Chapter Three: Pitfalls

  Amidst the silent sky of dusk, a small light twinkled behind the clouds. Another glint followed the twinkling light, and another. They shone like stars that gathered in the sky, pooling together until the light grew like a comet falling from above. The light sped downward, making the wind whistle at its speed. The mountains below reflected the light as it grew nearer and nearer until the burning light hit the ground. Snow exploded upon contact, clearing the field of the white blanket.

  The light faded slowly, and a figure rose from the ground. His form was tall and proud, his chin held high as he took in the world he descended upon.

  “Such a waste,” Lucifer whispered in the air. All around, him snow
fell gently from the sky, covering the mountains. But his golden eyes could see more. He saw the pollution, the despair, and the sin that filled the world he’d once loved.

  “This is the result of His abandonment,” Lucifer observed.

  An angel approached him from behind. He wore a light armor of silver, equipped with a sword at his waist belt and a helmet decorated with white feathers. “Our forces are ready for your command,” he reported quietly to Lucifer.

  Lucifer’s eyes focused on the army he’d brought with him. The best of the seraphim were at his disposal, lent to him by Michael. Though he still believed there were far too many to take against Gabriel’s already wounded army, he need not take risks as they neared the fateful day.

  He returned his gaze to the world before him and couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment. Lucifer took a step forward, his feet burrowing into the cold snow as he took in everything. His vision stretched beyond the horizon, seeing miles and miles across the world. He saw hunger and anger, he saw desperation and frustrations, and he saw grief, loss, and hatred. “Our Father has forsaken us all, and this is what happened,” Lucifer commented.

  He turned around and faced his brothers and sisters whose faces were stern and ready. He pitied them, and he pitied the rest of God’s creations. “We will bring about a new world, my dear brothers and sisters,” Lucifer claimed. “We shall end the defiance of our lost family. Soon, we will become one and create the home we deserve.”

  “Ah, I see that you still enjoy making such speeches, my dear brother,” a voice said. His army poised for an attack as a dark cloud swerved across the sky and descended into a black pool before Lucifer. The archangel did not budge from his position as he watched the cloud rise up to form the figure of a man. The smoke cleared in an explosion and revealed the owner of the voice.

  A demon with a long face and thin body stood before Lucifer. He had graying hair swept down his back, a pointed nose, and narrow slits for eyes. When he smiled, his teeth were sharp and pointed like a shark’s.