by S E Holmes
“FLEE! Get out!” Nimbus screamed through the maelstrom with supreme effort before he gave himself up to the crushing end.
His words were blown apart as a huge pillar crashed to the ground, barely avoiding the outermost animals in the jam-packed herd. Lacking support, a vast chunk of ceiling crumbled inwards, launching a crushing deluge of debris on those below. The cries of the injured joined the cacophony.
Nimbus was thrust face-down onto the back of a galloping white cow, too feeble to fight his desolation or safely cling on. Missiled stone and rubble flayed his back and wings. Sorrow and pain utterly conquered his will and mingled with consuming shame at his uselessness. Nimbus slumped over defeated and waited for oblivious release from this frightening vision where goodness abandoned the world.
The mad bellows of the lesser beasts overcame the directives of those guiding the exodus from the Chamber. They threatened to cause a panicked stampede, which would certainly end in many trampled, with Equinox in front valiantly attempting to preserve order. Her foals offered assistance from on high and Pegasus whinnied encouragement from the outer steps. Regardless, the golden-horned deer leapt wildly this way and that in a disorganised jumble searching hysterically for a way out, their hooves a panicked tattoo. An inky blackness crept slowly up the ruined walls, as though alive with an evil, ravenous presence. And above it all, the increasing drone of Azazel could be heard as he read aloud words never meant for one so depraved.
“Nimbus!” Celestial’s strident yell penetrated the gloom.
He lifted his head in time to see his Other burst onto the podium and barge the Dark Angel from his position. With desperate strength she tackled him sending them headlong into the seething mass of animals, where Nimbus momentarily lost sight of them. The Book of Lore left Azazel’s flailing hands and was catapulted high into the air. Glorious light invaded the space. Vitality surged through Nimbus’s body and he extended his wings to take flight. But there was something wrong and he couldn’t unfurl one of them. Fraught, he quickly examined the wing over his shoulder, devastated to discover it drooping and broken. No matter how he urged, it remained unresponsive. He had no time to heal it and catch the Book!
In slow motion, Nimbus tracked its toppling arc through the void. He scrambled precariously over heaving rumps, dragging his wing while keeping his eyes glued on the target. He would never make it. The herd had finally broached the exit and trickled single-file from the Chamber into the courtyard. Their timing couldn’t have been worse. The thinning numbers no longer provided a firm plateau and became dangerously mobile obstacles.
As he dodged and darted through the crowd, Nimbus briefly caught sight of Celestial involved in a most unladylike scuffle with Azazel on the floor, legs and arms askew. He appeared to be gaining the upper hand as he flipped her, tearing her fingers from his eye sockets to viciously bring his knee down onto her stomach, easily pinning her winded form as he doggedly sought the Book’s location. Celestial stayed curled over, her half-hidden face a mask of distress.
“NO!” Nimbus hollered in consternation for his twin and in frustration, as the Book began its spinning descent and he remained blocked by a dashing wall of the Gods’ pets.
Azazel’s head whipped around and he stared at Nimbus, calculating the direction of his focus. An exultant leer twisted Azazel’s features as he discovered the Book of Lore’ landing place and leisurely drew back his fist in readiness to inflict a hideously damaging blow upon the inert figure in his grip. Nimbus cursed his own stupidity and changed course aiming for Azazel.
Again, he would not arrive in time to prevent the strike. It seemed he always came too late! A camel lumbered between Nimbus and this horrid scene, obstructing his view and he hurried the stubbornly slow creature with a stinging slap to its thigh. It careened away. Nimbus craned anxiously as he weaved, his worry for Celestial almost unbearable. Until an opening revealed a totally altered and wondrous sight.
Celestial stood ablaze in bright, white light, suspended in a gentle float above the ground. A halo of stardust rotated steadily about her, galaxies of dazzling brilliance so intense as to be blinding if one looked too long; the eternal universe in miraculous miniature. A soothing feeling of peace stole over Nimbus. Celestial maintained a serene expression, her golden curls fanning her tilted head. Azazel grovelled at her feet, spasming and groaning. Gradually Celestial opened her eyes seeking a stunned Nimbus. She mouthed ‘get the Book’ and smiled tranquilly.
The animals halted, creating an unimpeded pathway. Nimbus jogged to where he was sure it had dropped, swiftly tossing wrecked furniture and tattered silk out of the way to better survey the floor. He moved bits of stuffing, pottery and ripped artworks, magnificent in their former incarnations. He searched and searched, to no avail, positive he targeted its resting place. But it was simply nowhere to be seen. Where had the Book of Lore Fallen, then? His wing throbbed and he supported himself on an elaborate piece of thick wood, once the long side of a painting frame, his face screwed in confusion and anxiety.
“Looking for this,” came a sly voice near the massive golden doors, one now hanging perilously at an angle.
The calm that descended over the remaining animals disappeared as suddenly as it had come and they stamped and called nervously, some already in motion. Nimbus sighed tiredly as Ram, one hand burning below the Book he dangled by its corner, leaned casually against the wall. The Dark Angel shot wary glances at Pegasus, who paced restlessly at his back.
“Call her off my Master. Nothing fancy or we’ll have ourselves a little bonfire,” he sneered, waving an angry red flame closer to the Book. “And make them land.”
“Don’t do anything stupid, Ram. That Book serves you as well.” Nimbus nodded for the foals to join their mother on the ground.
“I can be as stupid as I want! You’re not in a position to tell me what to do. Now call her off or break out the marshmallows!”
Nimbus knew Ram would not be dumb enough to destroy his only bargaining chip. He also knew Celestial was exhausted and could not sustain her power for much longer. Neither could Ram for that matter. Nimbus needed a diversion to buy some time. The herd stamped and shuffled uneasily. As if on cue, the camel he’d bumped into previously wobbled close by. It was wounded, with several deep lacerations to its hump and haunches, which bled profusely. Nimbus silently apologised to the beast for what he was about to do. Unnoticed by Ram, he firmed his grip on his make-shift crutch. He put one free hand up in surrender, surreptitiously bracing his feet.
“Alright, you win. Again,” Nimbus said resignedly, pretending a moment of instability as he raised himself upright.
“I’m warning you, no whistling either!”
“Not!” In a lightening burst Nimbus whipped the rod out and across the camel’s rump. It bucked and skittered haphazardly through the group, battering animals nearby and reinitiating the rush. In distress and out of control, the camel dashed against the flow and was hurtled sideways to violently collide with the Chair of Forgetfulness. It rocked on its heavy base throwing Jam to the ground, where he vanished in a forest of pounding legs.
Meanwhile, Celestial’s energy deserted and she lost her hold on Azazel to sink to the floor. There they lay side by side, both apparently too spent to move. Ram stood rooted to the spot trying to attend the enemies encircling dangerously. The fire in his hand flickered uncertainly and his Book arm trembled under the strain. He spun towards the Chamber opening, his access barred by Pegasus. Tucking the Book under an arm, he hurled a huge fireball at the winged stallion and pelted out the door. A cascading barrier of flame trapped the rest inside the Chamber of Greats, the fire lashing the beasts into a terrorised lather.
Suddenly a figure exploded from the throng. “CAMEL! It’s a camel!” To race after Ram, unimpeded by the inferno.
During the fracas, Nimbus worked to cure his broken wing and now sprang into the air, issuing instructions over his shoulder to Equinox and her colts. “Guard Azazel. Help Celestial, get the animals out!”<
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He torpedoed through the fire using his wings as a shield, looping upwards to swoop high over the courtyard and survey the land below. Nimbus circled once to check on Pegasus, who suffered numerous burns and lay on his side, licking blackened patches of fur and feathers. On catching sight of Nimbus, the mighty horse whinnied and Nimbus knew he would survive. He left the square, gaining altitude and eventually spotted Ram sprinting towards the outer reaches of the Ethereal Realm, where the dimensions between worlds blurred and he would be able to dematerialise.
Behind him in close pursuit was Jam running like a madman, the gap between them diminishing. Nimbus speared the air, his wings tucked close to his body to easily eradicate his starting delay and touch down some distance in front of his quarry. He concealed himself in an outcrop of rocks that narrowed the path to create an ideal place for an ambush and waited. He heard puffed snatches of debate long before they appeared.
“We have to take the Book back to Azazel, Ram! He’ll kill us!”
“How do you know what he’ll do? And why should I trust you? All that time with them and you didn’t return even though you could have! Over a girl!”
“Her Other vexed me! I have only just now come out of it. Must have been the shock of the camel.”
Nimbus detected the angst in Jam’s voice and imagined him shuddering. He wriggled for a better view, peeking out to see them walk slowly over the rise.
Ram chuckled. “All the insidious fiends on our realm and you are frightened of camels!”
“Yes, well at least I’m not scared of figurines. As I was saying, taking the Book home is not the brightest idea. Imagine what would happen if some of the warped simpletons below were to accidentally possess the Book. I once saw the Chief of the Imps replace the faces of his entire council with their butts for some minor infraction. Do you fancy walking around with two anuses and no face? Meal times were a total debacle! We should take the Book back and help rescue Azazel. Then we shall be praised like no others.”
“Why have you turned into such a fun-suck all of a sudden? We will be praised like no others if we keep it with us!” Ram snapped sourly.
“You should listen to your brother, Ramiel. Or is it that you would perhaps keep the Book for yourself? Wreak a little vengeance on my gargoyles, possibly?”
Nimbus was horribly shaken by the imperious tone of Azazel himself, but not us much as Jam, who visibly paled at the unexpected arrival of his Master. Azazel’s head and body emerged in increments as he broached the ridge. How had he escaped? Was Celestial alive and safe? Jam and Ram turned to face Azazel, stances tense and edgy.
Ram bowed obsequiously. “Of course not my Master! I was keeping it secure. Out of the polluted grasp of the pure! And I greatly admire your gargoyles, and wish them only the best,” he babbled with a fake earnest expression. “Remember, I rescued you from that other --”
“Enough!” Azazel waved a hand testily in Jam’s direction. He to fell to the ground unconscious. The Book tumbled to the sandy earth.
Jam’s eyes went wide in alarm. “What have you done? My brother! Does he breathe still?” He crouched over Ram.
“Naturally. Now prove your loyalty and bring me the Book!”
Jam moved to collect it. Nimbus argued heatedly with himself, unsure whether to let events unfold or immediately liberate the Book. Where was Celestial? She’d left him alone again! He had no clue whose side Jam was on, discriminating the intentions of others another of his seemingly endless weaknesses. Jam reverentially picked up the Book and took a faltering step to his master.
“Come Boy! Your progress is glacial and we don’t have eons!”
Nimbus detected a twitching muscle near Jam’s eye. He gulped and confronted his Master. “No, I will not give you the Book.” His bravery astounded Nimbus; Jam was going to stand up to Azazel unaided! “It is against the Universal Laws and they are binding. You will bring ruination on us all with your lust for power!” He pulled the Book close to his chest.
“You will provoke the wrath of the sleeping Divine One and wake the evil counterpart. You will breach the cosmic balance and I cannot let it happen. We must abide the Essential Tapestry!”
“Very courageous,” the Dark Angel snarled. “I have underestimated you, Jomjael of the Fallen. Embrace your annihilation, betrayer!”
“I will take the Book with me!” Jam shouted his body crackling with blue sparks.
Ozone filled the air and Nimbus perceived a low humming sound, increasing in intensity. Jam prepared to obliterate himself and the Book. He would not have the power and Nimbus could wait no longer to take action. He blasted forth from his crevice, racing passed Jam to wrest Azazel, who was taken completely unawares, to the dirt. They rolled back down the hill like the Sisyphus Boulder, the Dark Angel thrashing and fighting to break free. Nimbus held on for all he was worth, as he was mercilessly bludgeoned.
“RUN, Jam!”
But for some obscure reason, Jam procrastinated on the crest peering down at the squirming duo. The Book was nowhere to be seen. Nimbus was rapidly losing and the only weapon available was Skylar’s worthless glove! What could he do with it? Slap his adversary and claim pistols at dawn? Azazel expelled a guttural roar and heaved Nimbus into the air. He was tossed onto his back with a force that vented breath from his body. He stayed prone, a panting fish out of water, burning lungs begging for oxygen.
If Azazel made it back over the other side of the hill with the Book, he could leave the Ethereal Realm to return at will. They could never relax again! The Elders would have no solutions to questions of Eternal Protocol, which if performed incorrectly, could warp time and cause everlasting suffering for the people it aimed to help.
Nimbus groaned and thrust himself over onto his stomach. He clung to Azazel’s foot, dragged back towards Jam. Azazel struck out, his heel connecting Nimbus’s cheek with excruciating efficiency. Lightening seared Nimbus’s skull, he relinquished his hold and sagged to the earth. Jam remained immobile, a defiant stare fixed on his Master. Azazel strode forward and in three long paces his outstretched hands snapped closed in an unbreakable vice about Jam’s neck.
“What have you done with the Book,” he demanded, spraying Jam with foamy spittle. Jam made a choking sound as the noose tightened, and tried to prise the throttling fingers from his throat.
Nimbus fumbled for the glove, his last hope. Maybe it had unforseen powers, unleashed when it was worn. Azazel raised Jam slowly off the ground, his feet dangling awkwardly.
“Where is my book?”
Over Azazel’s shoulder, Nimbus had an awful view of Jam’s bulging eyes. The skin on his face turned a mottled purple and one hand scratched helplessly at his occluded windpipe. The other flapped impotently at Nimbus, begging.
“Gglll,” Jam gagged.
Nimbus winced and pulled himself up on all fours to commence an interminable crawl forwards. His jaw felt ripped from its hinges and was not repairing regardless of his efforts. Azazel must have cursed the wound. Jam contorted ferociously, his arm waving with renewed vigour.
“Gglll!” he sputtered.
He attempted to communicate. Nimbus stopped, the seconds slowing as he focused his attention to a pinpoint. What in the Seven Virtues was he trying to say? Nimbus squinted up at him. Jam’s head started to loll weakly, his tongue protruding. His eyes rolled back in his head and Nimbus believed he’d lost the fight to survive. But Jam’s death did not serve Azazel’s purpose. He dropped the limp youth contemptuously.
“We will repeat that process until you yield the Book!”
Jam convulsed in the dust, greedily pulling air. Azazel levelled a harsh kick at Jam’s ribs and Nimbus heard the bones crack. Unbowed, Jam grasped his midriff, rolled over and valiantly hoisted himself up on one hand. He stared meaningfully at Nimbus.
“Glove,” he whispered so quietly Nimbus strained to hear him.
“What!” Azazel incorrectly interpreted Jam’s word as a confession on the Book’s whereabouts. “T
ELL ME!”
Nimbus rolled the glove into a ball and as covertly as possible, flicked it to the ground in front of Jam, who adeptly reached out to grab it and conceal it within a fist. He winked at Nimbus and mouthed ‘stay’.
“Never!” Jam turned back to Azazel and yelled rebelliously.
Azazel’s wrath ignited, his hatred rippling out in waves. “You will wish for death!” He hauled Jam roughly to his feet and yanked his crippled form down the track towards the edges of the Ethereal Realm. Nimbus painfully lurched upright and stumbled after them.
***
Chapter Fourteen
The Horn of the Host