A Gluttony Of Faith

by Steven Lindsay

  Beautiful faces aged and withered, blood splattered across the tanks as skin buckled and warped. Once shining skin withered to ashy stone, limbs fused together as they curled up into the foetus position. Petrified arms and legs crumbled up against leathery torsos while crumbling wings wrapped around the Desiccating bodies. One by one the eerie screams faded to pitiful moans before finally petering out as the Angels fell into the inescapable prison that a Divine’s body became upon Desiccation.

  One by one all of her Elder Angel experiments withered into Desiccated vestiges that many Divine found so useful as power sources. The tanks slowly opened with the hiss of technology and the depressuring of the tanks. They floated out in a magical pink mist as her magic analysed them. It was unlikely any had survived the process but there was always a chance, and she would not take the risk. They would be stored with her other vestiges in Eden to further shield and empower the citadel, but also to provided power to herself.

  Her spells alerted her to Ariel’s approach. Three-quarters of the vestiges disappeared into the empty spaces within the walls that she had created to hold such things. The spells bloomed completely over the walls again to hide any hint of their passing.

  She heard Ariel’s intake of breath as she saw the Griffins in their tanks. Gabriel appeared next to her “Do they meet your requirements?”

  “Gabriel, they are beautiful” she gasped, and she meant it. She had seen plenty of Griffins before the War, but these were more beautiful than she remembered. Gabriel had taken far more care for them this time because they were for the Angels, not the Gods.

  “Thank you, Ariel, they are yours to take, but I would suggest hiding them until after the Council meeting today. Are you sure that you will have the votes you need?”

  “Myself, you and Uriel are dead set, I am very confident that Jophiel will also vote in our favour.”

  “Let us hope she is practical. We need this support.”

  “Then we should just use them.”

  “You would risk the ire of the Council without the unanimous backing of the Seven? They might be weak and pitiful, but they shriek worse than Banshees when they feel that they are not being considered. If the vote goes in your favour, then the Council will accept it whether they like it or not. But if it doesn’t then you have a handful of vipers.”

  “What do I care for the Council, they are pathetic.”

  “That be as it may, Ariel, they are powerful enough to be a nuisance. We do have to tread carefully until we get the vote. Though the Council is scared, our failure to capture Simurgh has highlighted how weak we are against the powers of Hell. We need to adapt and learn how to fight them, that means losses. Even they will see it is better to lose Divine creatures than Angels.”

  “At the least the Angels under my command will support such actions, America is a bloodbath for all involved. We have already lost hundreds of Lesser Angels and who knows how many Humans.”

  “In the meantime, I have a gift for you that may be of some assistance.” The vestiges floated over from where she had left them. Ariel eyed them up, a savage smile growing across her face.

  “Gabriel you are one brilliant woman.”

  She smiled, “I know.”

  “How many are there?” she was counting the floating vestiges, it was more than she currently had.”

  “Twenty-five, all reasonably powerful.”

  Ariel closed her eyes as she connected to the vestiges, she flashed pink and orange as she drew their powers in and formed a connection with them. She would stash them away safely so that no one but her could use them. Such a boon to have been gifted with these vestiges, they would increase her available power by a great deal.

  “I think the tide is starting to turn in our favour.”

  “One can only hope so.”

  Jophiel sank down into her throne watching the chambers slowly fill up with the Council. It felt strange to be sitting up here instead of in the wings, but in time, she would grow used to it. She studied the Council chambers as the various Elder came in. Such a beautiful hall and yet the best vantage point was up on the dais. Latent spells hung all around the thrones, with a simple probe she discovered that they were magnifiers for sight and sound. She could zoom in on any conversation she desired within these halls. The spells also stopped any from doing the same thing to the Seven.

  Behind her sat Gabriel and Michael, they were usually among the first to any Council meeting. Gabriel had said people moved a hell of a lot faster knowing she was waiting. Which was true, it was unnerving to enter the hall with Gabriel watching like a hawk. Now it was her turn to be just as predatory.

  A faint blue light flared as Raphael appeared within his throne, a similar pink flare revealed Ariel in her throne. She was looking the tad worse for wear, her battle armour burned and covered in blood. There was a savage glint in her eyes above a mirthless smile. Those eyes met her own, the question clear. Jophiel inclined her head a mere fraction, but those savage eyes lit up before flickering across the crowd. An uneasy silence fell across the chamber as they started to notice Ariel and the fire dancing across her form. She had come straight from battle for this meeting, and she would not leave until she had the Divine creatures she needed. Fortunately, it seemed likely she would.

  There was a swirl of black mist and a strange long, low hiss as Azrael appeared in his throne. A sharp crack of thunder announced Uriel’s appearance. The Seven were assembled and waiting on the poor fools who were running late.

  A mixed group of Elders darted in between the doors as they started to close. Any Elder left outside would not get to participate in the Council. It was the cost of being late. The doors swung shut gently, the loud boom at odds but a clear message. The Council had started and was not to be interrupted unless under the direst of reasons. Silence filled the room before Gabriel started.

  “The Council meets today at the request of many of the Elder and some of the Seven. There is much to be discussed on the War of Heaven. Arch Angel Ariel your progress in America.”

  Ariel stood up, and images started to float in the air. They showed the division of North America. Canada and Alaska were coloured in red, the Heradmantium Empire was coloured purple, a noxious stain across the United States and Mexico. The UCSA was coloured pink. Various marks appeared along the borders of both areas to mark the skirmishes and battles that had already occurred. There were also the images of battles and the strange creatures they had been facing.

  “The war effort is not going well or in our favour. The Heradmantium Empire continues to grow in many directions. It has completely surrounded the UCSA and spread down through much of Mexico. Latest reports show that it has now spilled over the border into Guatemala. Efforts to stem the southward march of the Army of Nightmares has been slow and Humans are highly ineffective. The results in the UCSA are only because of the presence of Angels holding back Hera’s creatures, though saying that we have lost many.”

  “How many have been lost?” It was Michael that asked, he was the military commander of Heaven, he had much of the reports but had not had the most recent.

  “We have lost hundreds of Lesser Angels, dozens of Ascended and so far five Elder Angels.”

  There was a sharp intake all around the chamber. Five Elder had been lost, they could not afford to lose such numbers, they didn’t have the replacements.

  “Five? How have we lost so many?”

  The images shifted to pictures and footage of the Elites, Maenads, Sorcerers and shadowy images of Hell Cursed Fairies. There were also the images of Persephone, Agrat, and Asmodeus.

  “So far we lost one to a sorcerer during the razing of New Orleans. We are also losing many to Hera’s Divine minions. It would appear that the majority of Maenads have been elevated, and they have a score to settle. I doubt I need to remind anyone of their fighting prowess. There is also a new species call the Elite, little is known about them, but they are Divine, they have killed three Elder. We are also dealing with Hell Cursed Fallen A
ngels, and it would appear that we are dealing with the Demon Prince. He killed the fifth Elder, he also appears to be one of Hera’s generals.” Images and statistics flashed across the projections and screens sitting before the Elders.

  Muttering broke out as the Council looked through the data. They fell silent on Michael’s signal “these losses are unacceptable, we do not have the numbers to lose so many Elder Angels.”

  “We are at the disadvantage, Hera has hundreds and thousands of Divine under her command. We have only ourselves. We are losing.”

  Her words echoed sharply around the chamber. While in the rest of the world the Angels could pretend that they had control, when it came to battling Hera there was no denying they were continually losing ground.

  “Perhaps Ariel should be relieved of her command?” deadly silence filled the chamber as Ariel glared around to see who had spoken. Whoever it was, they were not foolish enough to repeat it. Still her violet eyes prowled the chamber looking for who the fool might have been.

  Gabriel’s cold, hard voice rolled out through the Council chamber, “Ariel your reports are shocking and the losses unacceptable. Surely you have a proposal or plan to change the battles in our favour.”

  Ariel could have smiled at her cousin for setting her up so perfectly. Instead, she kept her face stoic while she continued to glare. New images filtered through the projections. “Indeed, I do. It is abundantly clear that we need Divine minions of our own, pawns to battle Hera’s pawns. Our warriors are being worn down by sheer numbers. I propose that we take a vote to repeal the ban on Gabriel’s Chimeric creatures and other Divine Monsters. They were essential in winning the War last time, and it is abundantly clear that we need them this time as well.”

  “A vote shall be taken.”

  Michael flicked a disapproving glower at his wife as she pushed the vote forward. Her hands had turned white, voting with Ariel. All around the chamber Elders’ hands turned white or black as they voted along with the Arch Angels. Many turned black as soon as Michael’s did. Just as many turned white as soon as Gabriel’s had.

  Azrael turned his hands black, no surprises there. Ariel’s had turned white, as had Uriel’s. When it came to warfare, those two were as thick as thieves. But all eyes had fallen on Jophiel to see which way she would vote. Her hands turned white, and victory flashed across Ariel’s face before she schooled it. Yet the greatest surprise to the whole chamber was that Raphael’s hands had also turned white.

  “The vote is in your favour Ariel. As of now the ban on our use of Divine creatures has been repealed. What are your plans?”

  “I will fill a request for many of your creatures, in doing so, we shall have plentiful Divine pawns to throw at the Gods and Fallen.”

  “If I may offer another proposal?”

  Gabriel’s eyes flicked to Uriel “The floor is open to your proposal if the Lady Ariel is willing to accept?”

  “I will allow Uriel the floor. All ideas should be listened to.”

  “I propose that we also repeal the ban on the Nephilim. Our numbers are small, a third of what we had to fight with during the first War. Now we must also contend with our own Fallen numbers along with the Gods, their Divine minions, and Hellspawn.”

  Michael baulked instantly. “This I must protest. The Nephilim were dangerous and without the constraints on reproduction many of our numbers run the risk of being little better than the Gods.”

  “The Nephilim were essential in the War. They are the equals of demigods, which are a terrible threat to us. They are our mortal instruments to turn the tide of battle in our favour. Our constraints on breeding might make us better than the Gods but during war they limit us. Our numbers are so very small, we are so very vulnerable. We need more of our numbers if we are to survive this war. Without more of us, we will perish. We have lost five of our number, and we are scared because we know that since the War not a single child has been born.”

  “We have a proposal and opposition. The floor is open to the vote.” Gabriel’s voice rang out clear. Unlike the last vote many of the Elder’s hands turned white. Despite Michael’s constraints on morality many wanted the freedom’s they had once been granted.

  Michael’s, Raphael’s and Azrael’s hands all turned black. Uriel’s, Ariel’s and Gabriel’s all turned white. Eyes fell on Jophiel whose hands had turned white. Michael’s displeasure was palpable. She could feel his anger from where she sat. Gabriel sitting right next to him simply ignored it. “Uriel, your motion has passed. You will provide the Council with plans.”

  “Of course.”

  “There is something I would like to raise with the Council.” All eyes fell on Jophiel once again. She stood up once Gabriel nodded, though she was surprised. “It has occurred to me in this very Council session that one of our biggest issues are the Maenad population. We had thought them so weak because indeed they bred so extensively with Humanity that their numbers have become vast but their powers forgettable. However nearly every one of our enemies has elevated their Divinity.”

  There was much nodding in agreement.

  “We have a means to strike a blow against this new power.”

  Startled faces turned to look at each other. While the Arch Angels kept their faces blank, she could feel their surprise and confusion.

  “And what is your proposition Lady Jophiel?”

  “We hold within our own prisons Dionysus, the very creator of the Maenads. His power flows through all Maenads, their Divinity comes from him. We can use his power to strip them back to a lower level of Divinity. It may not strip them all of it, but it will surely undo much of the elevation that the Gods have done. If timed well, it could strip many of the Maenads of their power in the heat of battle, something which they will not be prepared for. We could deal a decisive blow that no one will see coming.”

  There was stunned silence to her suggestion before Gabriel roused herself enough to respond. “Jophiel your proposal is brilliant!” then she schooled herself “The proposal goes to a vote, the floor is open.”

  The vote was unanimous. Every single hand was turned white.

  “The motion is unanimous.”

  *Well done Jophiel, your first proposal is unanimous. An excellent start for you. Your suggestion is brilliant. Ariel and Uriel can assist you when you choose to utilise Dionysus’ power.*

  “Is there any other concerns or proposals to be raised for the Council?”

  Now that the Arch Angels had put forward their proposals the floor was open to the rest of the Elder. They could also question Ariel’s reports and any of the other reports to be shared.

  Chapter 15

  Her heart fluttered at the knock on her door. Nuriel practically ran to answer it. Standing on the other side was Raphael, he was holding a bouquet of roses and jasmines. They smelled beautiful, their colours the result of growing in Heaven’s vibrant soil.

  He was so very handsome, even with his wings hidden. She still had to do the painful process. He walked into her apartments wearing a black slim cut suit, his white shirt was open several buttons, revealing his perfect olive skin. For all the world without his wings and wearing Human clothing, he looked like a handsome model. Yet even without his wings visible, there was still the sense of otherness, of power.

  “You look beautiful Nuriel.”

  If it were at all possible for an Angel to blush her cheeks would be crimson. She vaguely wondered if olive-skinned Humans blushed as profusely as their pale-skinned brethren. “Thank you, you look stunning yourself.”

  He smiled that casual smile of his and she just wanted to wrap her arms around him. Instead, she excused herself to finish getting ready. She spelled on the makeup and disappeared her wings. Despite the numerous times she had done it, it remained painful. She looked at herself in the mirror, despite her lack of wings there also remained a sense of otherness. Angels were Divine, and the Divine were different in many ways, all of which were expressed in their beauty.

  She was beautiful in t
he way of the Divine, her long brown hair had been styled up into curls, her amber eyes were edged in eyeliner and crushed amber to bring out the colour. She pitied mortals who had to do it all by hand, it must take ages. Her black dress hugged her lithe, feminine form, but while her shoulders and the top of her breasts were shown to full advantage, the dress fell down to the floor. She touched her wrists and neck, golden jewellery bloomed from her touch.

  She walked out into the main room, Raphael was perusing her public bookshelf. “Find anything of interest?”

  He turned around smiling, it became frozen as he gawked at her. “Nuriel you look amazing.”

  She smiled, this was what it felt like to be a woman in control with her beauty. No wonder Gabriel often had such a smile on her face. She picked the book out of his hands. “I didn’t realise crime scene investigation interested you.”

  “I must confess it is something I know almost nothing about. Is this what you do on the Surface?”

  “Among many things yes.” Was he looking down on her? Was he regretting his decision already?

  “You are a woman of many talents Nuriel. I must confess that I have not kept up to date with Human advancements.”

  “Really? But they have the most fascinating things now.”

  “So Gabriel tells me. Are you ready?” he offered his arm.

  She slipped her arm into his.

  Moments later they had appeared within Jerusalem, the sun sat above the western horizon in an almost cloudless sky. It was a beautiful evening, warm and slightly windy. His shirt fluttered in the breeze, and her hair almost seemed to float behind her.