by J Moon
Josephine looked down at her friend. She was out cold. “Ida get up!” she called frantically. Josephine dropped to her knees, just as blood trickled out of the back of Ida’s head. She felt numb all over with horror, as if she were lying at the icy bottom of a lake.
Again she was pulled off of her feet. Still she continued to kick and scream. “Let go of me damn it!” She kicked both shoes off her feet, and continued to bite and scream.
Finally, the men threw her into the trunk and she landed headfirst with a thud. Like a rag doll, the rest of her body was folded in on top of her, and the trunk slammed shut.
The engine roared and the silver Ghost pulled off into the night, leaving Ida alone on the curb.
Chapter Thirty-Three
When the archangel stirred awake, he found himself bound by chains and dangling mid-air, his head hovered over the floor. Gabe’s shoulders ached in pain like nothing he had ever experienced before, while his head throbbed as he rocked back and forth.
Gabe looked around, it was hard to see being hung upside down in the dark, yet still he familiarized himself with the room as best as he could. Grey walls surrounded him, and there were no sounds coming from outside the door. His nostrils flared as he took in the scent of the room, the air was damp and stale. There was no sunlight or any signs of a window.
All of the clues lead him to believe he was being held in a bunker. Whoever brought him here used a powerful summoning spell. Gabe would meet them soon enough. First, he had to free himself of the chains.
His wrists were bound to his back, he rubbed them against the chains, and yes indeed his smartwatch was still there.
“Activate laser,” He commanded the SMITE matrix.
“Activate laser,” an inner voice repeated. His smartwatch illuminated, and a bright neon laser shot out of the face of his smartwatch and sliced through his chains.
Gabe freed his hands then he removed the chains wrapped around his arms, they started to fall, but quickly the archangel clasped them, and lowered them to the floor quietly.
He didn’t want whoever summoned him to be alarmed of his actions. With his upper body freed, he pointed his smartwatch to his legs which were strung up, and with a soft drop he fell to the floor.
As he collected the chains that held him, the archangel began to tread slowly towards the door. It was dead quiet. This made Gabe anxious as he expected danger to come at him at any moment.
Gabe now only had to push gently, and the door was open. He listened, his ears pricked like a German shepherd, then he carefully poked his head out. An empty corridor yawned back at him. Gabe slipped out of the door, and crept into a brightly lit hallway.
The abundance of light stung his eyes as he crept out of the darkness. Gabe followed along to the right of the path all the way down and round a corner to a heavy door which was cracked open.
Gabe reached for the handle and heard a click by his right ear. Without turning around, he could feel the cold metal pointed at him. The man on Gabe’s right was only a few inches away with the gun armed and ready to empty into the archangel’s skull.
“How did you get out?” A raspy voice asked.
Gabe kept silent as he raised his hands. Before the man could blink, he bent his arm, wrestled the gun away from him, and maneuvered behind. Now the archangel was pointing at the man. With an elbow he silenced him.
Slowly he armed the pistol and looking down he noted the man was in full army gear. Oh great, the military. How they were able to use such a powerful summoning spell, he didn’t know, but he intended to find out.
Gabe walked down the narrow lane. He peaked around the corner and saw Langston, Josephine, Zora, and Dr. Miracle being held by a tall gentleman in black, holding a gun. Gabe was overjoyed to see them.
Even still, more questions came to him. Who would summon him and what would they need with his comrades? Gabe crept along and inched through the door. It was only one gentleman there watching them, but he was bent over something that looked like a map.
Gabe focused on the offered neck of the guard who was bent over the map. He took one long leaping step into the room, and came down like lightning across the man’s neck. With a resounding thud the man’s face hit the table top, bounced up and he fell out on the floor.
“Thank the Lord!” Josephine shouted.
Gabe wrestled the keys from the man who was collapsed on the floor.
Langston joined Zora towards the cell. “I’ve never been so glad to see you archangel.”
“What happened? How did we all get here?” Gabe asked.
Doctor Miracle grabbed the bars of the cell, “Those barbarians threw us in here like a pack of jackals. It’s all rather rudimentary quite frankly.”
The archangel took the keys into his hands and became impatient to figure which was which. Gabe produced the smart watch from his side. “Stand back,” he commanded. Coolly, unhurriedly, he adjusted the face of his smartwatch. With a jolting blast he popped the gates of the cell open.
Langston was the first to hop out. “Archangel do you have the slightest clue as to our location.”
Gabe shook his head. “I wish I had an answer for you, Langston, but truth is I don't have a clue.”
Zora smacked his chest. “Then how the hell are you going to get us out?”
“I’ll get us out,” Gabe said confidently. “Be quiet and stay close to me. I’m going to get us out of here but first I need to find answers.”
All in a single line they walked out of the room, and crept down the hall. Just ahead of them were two more gentlemen. Gabe hid against the wall, and signaled for the others to do the same.
The two gentlemen talked for a brief moment then continued their path. Suddenly two more came and stood watch outside. This office was being protected, and the archangel was expecting for whoever to be in charge to be behind the door. Time was of the essence, and the archangel was not in the mood to play games.
Confidently he popped out around the corner. He whistled to get their attention. As soon as both soldiers darted their eyes towards him, he shot the one to the left in the head, and the one on the right in the leg. Josephine shrieked beside him as the soldier crumbled to the wall holding his leg. Gabe snatched him with his gun still pointed.
Without looking over to Langston he said, “Grab his gun.”
Langston looked at him like he was crazy, “Who me?”
“Yes.”
“I’m a writer not a fighter.”
Gabe stiffened his upper lip. “Grab it.”
Langston did as told while Gabriel positioned the soldier as a human shield. “Open the door,” he commanded.
Colonel Brown looked up as Lt. Johnson came into his office against his will. Behind him came a tall and rugged looking gentleman wearing an incredibly dapper suit.
“Well it took you long enough,” Colonel Brown said. “I figured you would’ve escaped twenty minutes ago.”
Gabe was not amused in the slightest bit. “You yanked me down from Heaven. You’ve captured my friends, and you’ve jeopardized my mission. Give me a reason why I shouldn’t smite you right now.”
Colonel Brown curled his lips into a grin. “Because you wouldn’t know where your precious Ark is.” Satisfied with himself Colonel Brown took a breath before he said. “And besides we are on the same side.”
Cynicism gathered at the corners of Gabe’s mouth. “You could’ve fooled me with the lying, stealing, rounding us all up and hanging me from the ceiling in chains.”
Colonel Brown whirled from his chair and stood up. “I’m sorry about that archangel but we couldn’t be too sure. We didn’t know until this afternoon whether you were aiding Uriel or not.”
“Explain. Who are you people?” Gabe asked as he looked around.
“We call ourselves the Shepherds. Defenders of humanity, and guides for the Sons of light. We train and protect the Anointed.”
“If you truly are guides for the Sons of light… you wouldn’t be summoning and trapping an a
rchangel?”
Colonel Brown was caught off guard, to the point he had to stammer for an answer. He walked around his desk, “It was a precaution. Like I said we didn’t know if you could be trusted. We tried to do the same for the other one, Uriel, but it seems according to one of my associates the black rune has granted her magical protection.”
Gabe focused on the man, not saying a word.
“It was your kind who brought that ticking bomb here. That staff.”
He was talking about Uriel. How did he know, Gabe wondered to himself?
“And what about us?” Zora spoke up. “Did you have to snatch us up like we were some hoodlums off the street?”
“You were all seen aiding the archangel, and we didn’t know of your intentions.”
Gabriel casted a sidelong glance at the Colonel. “Are you anointed?”
“No,” Colonel Brown answered in a tight voice. “But we have a few of them…. ah yes. You of course met Benjamin.”
“We had,” Betty Tate corrected as she entered the room. She stood in between both men and looked over at the archangel, her green eyes sharp as they searched his. “I am the last one.”
Colonel Brown turned to his left, “This is one of my top agents. Betty Tate.”
The archangel admired her beauty, she was tall, pale with a heart shaped face and perfectly coiled hair. She looked straight out of a noir movie. Gabe’s lips twitched into a smile.
Betty Tate held out her hand, “It’s nice to meet you Gabriel. I foresaw you coming a few months back as well as a disturbing prophecy.”
Colonel Brown cut in, “Betty is a powerful psychic. One of a kind as a matter of fact.”
“I’m also able to astral project.” Betty added with a smile.
The archangel smiled. “Well aren’t you a talented one?”
Betty fought hard not to blush. Although she knew the archangel didn’t draw the blade she still held him accountable for Benjamin’s death.
Gabe became filled with excitement. “This is perfect because I need to know if Nia is still alive.”
“Ah the other girl,” Colonel Brown noted. “Most likely she is. They have her because she’s essential to operation Heaven Reign.”
Gabe frowned, “Heaven Reign?”
Colonial Brown slapped a file on his desk, “That’s what they are calling it archangel. It’s their assault on Heaven. They want to use the girl to part the gates of Heaven.”
“Dear God!” Dr. Miracle exclaimed in terror. He took two steps towards the Colonel to further explain. “For the Demons to re-enter the gates of Heaven could have more dire consequences than just a simple attack against the angels. They were thrown out of Heaven by the Creator. For them to re-enter would be to prove the Creator infallible…. that act itself could undo existence.”
Langston stepped forward as he spoke up, “Instead of kidnapping us you should be focused on stopping this before it all happens.” Langston shuddered at the thought of what could happen to Nia while she was in the hands of the League. He looked eye level at the archangel as he said, “We can’t leave her with those monsters.”
Gabe put a comforting hand on Langston’s shoulder. He set his jaw hard and said, “Trust me I won’t.”
Colonel Brown put a fist on the desk, “Trust me son there are plans being put into motion now as we speak.” The Colonel stepped out from his desk. “And there is more.”
Gabe turned his head. The archangel wondered to himself how worse could things possibly get. “Go ahead with it then.”
“Not only do they intend to pry open the gates of Heaven they also want to send up reinforcements. They have been building an army.”
Gabe nodded, “I know. We found the missing black men at their facility.”
All this time, as the men talked Zora examined the map in front of them. “That’s the old cola factory…. where you said you fought them last night.”
Gabe felt the Shepherds around him tense. Colonel Brown looked over at Betty, and Gabe noticed that there was something odd, something he couldn’t quite pick up.
Rather smugly Colonial Brown continued, “Yes our intelligence discovered that is their headquarters recently. They turned the factory into stronghold, but they were there for another reason. Buried on the grounds of the factory is the Seal of Dethlazar also known as the Ascension Key.”
“Colonel what is it?” Zora asked.
Dr. Miracle spoke up before the Colonel could. “It’s a machine made from the seal that allows one to ascend into Heaven. They will use it to gain access to the Heavenly plane once the gates open.”
Gabe became petrified at the thought, “SMITE would be rendered defenseless.”
“Exactly!” Betty added.
“That’s why we have no other choice archangel but to end this travesty once and for all.” Colonel Brown started as he looked at them all. “Tonight we will send a team of trained soldiers to detonate a bomb there.”
“A bomb?” Zora repeated. “But what about Nia? Isn’t she supposed to be held in there with them?”
Colonel Brown cleared his throat. He stood uncomfortably, rocking, as he shot a straight no chaser look towards Zora. “Ma’am we didn’t expect for her to be there, but the risks far outweigh the possibilities of casualties.”
Langston was in disbelief to what he was hearing. “The risks outweigh the casualties?” he repeated very pissed. “Colonel there are other innocent men in that factory too. Good men. Men with families who have been looking for them.”
“With all due respect. This is war,” Colonel Brown stated factually. “Those cyborgs are preparing an army that could very easily decimate this city in a few hours let alone a state. So if a few innocent people have to die to save millions then that is a risk I am willing to take.” He said with no shame.
“My God!” Dr. Miracle exclaimed. “You are a sick man.”
Josephine tugged at Gabe’s shoulder. The archangel had become unusually quiet, and this unnerved her because she was used to him taking charge of a dire situation. “Gabe are you hearing this?”
Gabe looked outwards. His face was blank. “Yes.”
“And,” she pressed further.
At that moment he knew he needed to ascend back to SMITE headquarters to warn them of the impending danger. “I have to warn the others at SMITE headquarters. A big fight is heading their way.” He said to Josephine. In a haste he looked over to Colonel, “You need to break the spell keeping me anchored here.”
“My people didn’t perform the spell it was Dr. Miracle.”
Gabe was on Dr. Miracle instantly, practically jacking him up. “Break the spell now!”
“I can’t,” Dr. Miracle muttered. “The one they had me use will last a few hours.”
Gabe wanted to curse. “We will not last a few hours!”
“I have another way to phone home. Where is The Ark?”
“We brought it to our facility. It’s parked outside. Smith!” Colonel Brown called with a snap of his fingers.
Gabe turned towards the door, “Good. I need to let the others know what’s coming?”
“There is no time archangel,” Colonel Brown declared.
Gabe turned around, “What do you mean?”
“We have to strike them now. We still don’t know when they plan to launch their attack.” Colonel turned to his lieutenant. “Gather all the troops and ready them for a full attack.” He turned to Betty, “Start scrying we need to find out if the League is on the move and where to intercept them.”
“Now wait a minute,” Gabe said, there was an unexpected note of authority in his voice. “You people are about to get yourselves killed. I don’t care who you think you are. Just a bunch of silly men ordering around lost kids. You will lead these men to their death.”
“But sir,” Colonel Brown started.
“Shut up!” Gabe declared as he paced.
The archangel wondered to himself how he would prevent this catastrophe. This mission was proving to be one of his mos
t difficult and trying adventures. Human emotions were plaguing him, the fear, the doubt, and despair. He had to lead these men or risk losing them all along with millions of others. Finally, it came to him. Gabe stopped pacing and sat himself on the corner of Colonel Brown’s desk.
Gabe turned to Betty, “Sweet heart do what he says and start scrying. Dr. Miracle I need a way to deactivate that ascension key. That would be lovely thank you.” He hopped off the desk as he felt a surge of brilliancy flow through him. “The League is a large tactical army. We have to keep them surrounded and scrambling. If you want your men to do something, then order them to just keep the League cyborgs distracted. Otherwise to engage them directly would be leading them to their death.”
He started pacing like a madman. “Also the only way they can attempt to pry open the gates of Heaven will be on hallowed ground or a holy gate. I need to know the history of this area. Have your people look up any locations that’s consecrated.”
With no one noticing, Gabe had taken over as command of the Shepherds. They all listened intently to his commands. “I hope to keep everyone here alive. I act on the will of the Creator. Surely he would cover us with his grace and we will win the battle. Now I have to leave. The agents of SMITE must be ready.”
Gabe walked towards the group, and they parted out of his way, almost reverently.
“But what about us? You can’t just leave us here.” Josephine spoke up.
Gabe turned around and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Stay with them. All of you. You are safer with them.”
“We can’t let you do this alone,” said Josephine.
The archangel held up a hand to quiet them. He raked them all with a sad sullen look in his eyes that said he was sound in his decision. “Those who are true believers know we are truly never alone.” Gabe said as he stared back at Josephine. The glint in her eyes told him she was not amused. With those last words, he walked out of the office and headed towards The Ark.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Nia rushed to her father on the floor, and shook him. The situation was becoming too real, and the danger intense. What would the archangel do? She had to save herself and her father. He was her everything, and the only thing she cherished in her life. Her stomach twisted into knots at the thought of harm coming to her father due to her actions or inactions.