Realm of the Dead

by Donovan Neal

  "There are sections of the creature where none venture. Because all fear to travel through the beast without authorization from their master, Satan. Hell is not as tamed as Lucifer would have the Horde believe. She is too vast to be entirely restrained. She merely tolerates the presence of those that indwell her. If Lucifer were not able to control her with the Keys of Death and Hell, she would devour us all. I have garnered enough travel through her to know the way, but Lucifer ever changes the path to the forge, forcing the creature to alter her innards to the central bowel. There are some areas that would be easier to travel, but we would encounter much resistance."

  "Is there no other option?" Jerahmeel said, stepping gingerly.

  "We could travel areas that are not constricted by Lucifer's leash, but we risk the beast's hunger. All paths are perilous and fraught with danger."

  Jerahmeel pondered the decision when he paused.

  "Hold, do you hear that?"

  Iblis stopped his advance in the dimness. "Nay Prince, but we should not stand idle or our presence will be detected. We must keep moving."

  Jerahmeel squinted his eyes, as though narrowing them would somehow enhance his hearing. He tilted his head slightly and strained to hear. "Hmmph. Perhaps it was my imagination. You are right. We should keep mov..."

  A faint scream floated on the air.

  "I hear it," Iblis said. "It sounds like Turiel... below us. It sounds like he is in battle."

  Jerahmeel pulled two axes attached to the small of his back and exercised his authority over the cold in El's name over what little water could be evidenced in the cavern. He withdrew the heat from the cavern and slowly the temperature dropped; Iblis could see his breath, and the rivers of lava in the chamber cooled and slowed their incessant march across the floor as muffled screams continued from below.

  "If we go to his aid, we will die," said Iblis

  "And if we do not, he most assuredly will," Replied Jerahmeel. "We cannot leave him in this place. Fear not. We will find the Forge."

  Iblis nervously eyed the cavern, watching for signs that Hell had noticed a change in her internal organs. His anxiety increased with each passing second.

  Run, his mind whispered to him, his thoughts battling in silent conflict.

  Abandon the cause of the Forge. Iblis then put his hands to his temples and proceeded to rub from his mind the erosion of logical thought and the ever encroaching madness of the Withering. Iblis could feel it getting stronger. He shook himself and watched as Jerahmeel continued to summon the elemental forces of nature to his cause and watched as the lava came to a stop, and ice crystals on the walls and ceilings.

  Runnnn... the voice urged again. The floor crusted over in ice. Jerahmeel satisfied by his work slammed the hilt of his axe into the ground. Cracks creaked across the floor and wound themselves under the duo's feet until the ground collapsed with the sound of shattering glass. Jerahmeel and Iblis fell through and landed on the level below. They stood to their feet to see Eskalion and Turiel encased in flaming tendrils. Insulated in the creatures siphoning grasp, maggots crept over them. Jerahmeel instantly leaped to their defense. The Prince of Harrada touched the flaming lattice around Eskalion to freeze it and snapped the now brittle strands apart. Eskalion coughed up blood and maggots escaped his mouth, no longer protected by the warmth generated by their host's body. As they squirmed down his flesh, Iblis and Jerahmeel brushed the creatures aside and crushed them underfoot.

  Eskalion's eyes fluttered. "Turiel...trapped..."

  "We have him," said Jerahmeel. "Iblis, see to Eskalion. I will free Turiel."

  Iblis nodded and helped Eskalion to his feet while cautiously watching the floors and ceilings.

  Runnnn... his mind begged him.

  Turiel thrashed within the warm, life-sucking blanket Hell had made for the redactor, and Jerahmeel froze the tentacles and snapped them off. Turiel settled to the floor and fell into Jerahmeel's lap. Slowly, he gained his composure... just as the floor moved.

  Iblis nervously backed away from Eskalion, his eyes darting all about the room. As the two rescuers frantically moved to get the party going.

  "Jerahmeel, behind you!" Iblis screamed.

  Tendrils of flame lowered from the ceiling and openings appeared on the floor, as eyes upon eyes looked upon the group and noted that angel flesh walked freely within the cavern.

  Jerahmeel took his axes and twirled them over his head, swishing the air, cutting the approaching tendrils into pieces.

  "RUN!" Iblis screamed.

  The eyes that followed them turned red and the march of one-eyed cells with teeth now turned to pursue them. Hell was conscious of them now, and she would not let them escape. Iblis pressed hard, flying through an exit, and Eskalion and Turiel quickly followed with Jerahmeel bringing up the rear. Through each corridor, more eyes seeped out of the walls, and lengthy tendrils extended themselves to capture the intestinal quarry.

  Iblis turned left, and when he did Turiel spoke, "No, turn right. I remember this from Hell's tomes."

  Iblis paused, in a quandary. "But if we go that way we will surely run into the patrols of the Horde."

  Turiel was insistent, "Turn left, now!"

  Iblis noted that the march of red eyes had multiplied and Hell now followed their scent with dogged persistence. Desirous to be anywhere but where they were, Iblis and Jerahmeel looked into each other's eyes, and in that moment, Jerahmeel knew the Iblis who had earlier helped the cause of Heaven was no more, for the Withering had taken its hold. Iblis' eyes bulged, fearful of the march of the centipedes of fire, and with the look of a madman, sheered off to the right.

  "Iblis!" screamed Eskalion.

  "Let him go. The Withering has him," said Jerahmeel. "Let's get out of here – quickly now."

  The group headed left as Turiel instructed, and Jerahmeel looked back to see Iblis slip into the dark.

  * * *

  Camael called Sherkanim to him and spoke. "Are the Elohim packed and settled to return under the mountain?"

  "Aye, my king. They are prepared to be escorted to the edge of the Mist Gate."

  "Good. To show my benevolence, you will give them this token. Place it in the sack's mouth of Gabriel."

  Camael handed his lieutenant a long box wrapped in ancient Issi cloth, and within it, unbeknownst to Sherkanim, was one of the seven trumpets of judgment from Camael's inner chamber. Sherkanim received the box and awaited further instructions.

  "Now go to and fill their sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and give them fire from thy hand for it will keep the Zoa at bay."

  And Sherkanim bowed to his lord and did as instructed. As soon as the morning was light, the angels were sent away and when had gone a half day's journey out of the city, and not yet far off, Camael said unto his steward, "Go up. Follow after the Elohim, and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? Why hast thou taken the token of El's covenant between me and thee? And whereby El had given to settle dispute between our peoples? Ye have done a great evil in so doing."

  And the steward overtook them, and spake unto them these same words, and they said unto him, "Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing. Behold, that which is in our sacks' mouths. We brought nothing into the realm other than what was ours, and we take only that which we have by permission. How then should we steal out of thy lord's house, and especially the token of covenant between our people?" And Gabriel said unto Camael's steward, "With whomsoever of thy servants it is found, let him die, and the other be my lord's bondmen."

  The steward replied, "Let it be according to thy words; and may ye be found blameless,"

  Then Metatron and Gabriel speedily took down their sacks to the ground and opened them. And the steward searched, beginning with Metatron, and when nothing was found he searched the belongings of Gabriel, and the box, covered in Issi cloth, was discovered and Camael's servant opened the box and a trumpet of judgmen
t was found therein.

  Then the two angels rent their clothes and wondered aloud how such a thing could be, and Sherkanim noted that the box was the gift from the king and he spoke on this wise: "Surely there must be some mistake, for these men hath been honorable and true in their dealings."

  The king's steward replied, "My orders are clear. My king requires the return of these to face judgment, and as first in the king's guard, thy duty is also clear."

  Sherkanim was troubled by the words, and could not argue his duty. He turned and took Metatron and Gabriel into custody, and escorted them back to the city. Gabriel and his brother came to Camael's house, for he was yet there, and they fell before him on the ground, and Camael said unto them, "What deed is this that ye have done? Know ye not that such as I can certainly divine?"

  And Gabriel said, "What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak or how shall we make our innocence known? The Lord God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants, and behold, we are my lord's servants,"

  And Camael said, "God forbid that I should do so, but he in whose hand the cup was found shall surely die, and the other shall be my servant for such a grave trespass as to incite war between our peoples and to dishonor the name of El by robbing El's token to our folk."

  And when Metatron heard those words, he became wroth, for without cause were they accused and he knew in his heart that they were innocent. The head of house Draco unsheathed his sword in the presence of the King of the Seraphim, and immediately Sherkanim and the king's guard subdued him, and Gabriel pleaded with him to stand down, saying on this wise:

  "Wouldst thou unleash the trumpet's powers against us, that our people be ground to dust? We must bear this thing, for it is thankworthy if we for conscience sake towards God endure grief and suffer wrongfully. We shall take this patiently for this would be acceptable to God. El sees all and He will vindicate us."

  And Camael was wroth that weapons were raised in his presence and rose to his feet. "Behold what thou hast done, and still I show my restraint in destroying thy people. You, who have trespassed into the forbidden realm. You who were received kindly and even sent on thy way unharmed. And now what is this, that even as the Burning hath shown us, that Elohim have lowered themselves once more to steal and raise false indignations, thou darest to raise arms in mine own house? Verily, I say unto you that for this, you will at three days hence be set afire with the same flames that ignited the Kiln and thou shalt surely die. Take them away!"

  And Sherkanim obeyed with lowered eyes, saddened that all hope seemed lost and that his people would yet stay concealed behind the mountain. Saddened that he must personally see to the death of two honorable angels, and he slowly began to suspect the actions of his own king.

  * * *

  Azaziel and his band of angels watched as the guards led Yeshua to the house of Annas, one of two high priests recognized by the people.

  "This is a travesty!" an angelic soldier said. "Are we just supposed to stand here and do nothing? It is an outrage!"

  "Hold your tongue!" said Azaziel. "Annas is speaking."

  Annas paced before Yeshua, then encircled Him, eying Him up and down. A smugness came over his face.

  "Dost thou you understand why you are here?" said the high priest said.

  Yeshua spoke not a word.

  "Silence? It matters not. Because you see, Nazarene I happen to remember you. Oh yes, for it was during my time as high priest prior to my son-in-law, Caiaphas that you drove out the money changers from the temple. I must admit you created quite a stir that day and caused me many a problem. And now – now, here you stand before me. How befitting." The former high priest smiled as he continued his wolfish pace around Yeshua, examining him.

  "I have heard thou doth raise men who would defy the laws of our people, and that you teach others to no more honor the faith of our fathers. Moreover, that we ought not to even keep the laws of our fathers! Some say thou dost set thyself even above Moses. Is this true?"

  Yeshua sighed, "I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? Ask them which heard me what I have said unto them."

  And when He had spoken, one of the officers which stood by the Lord struck Yeshua with the palm of his hand, saying, "Answerest thou the high priest so?"

  A hundred angels winced, drew swords and raised their weapons to unleash death on those who participated in the travesty, but Azaziel raised an arm and shouted, "Stand down this moment! The Lord's words were clear...we do not interfere." The angel guard gruffed in frustration.

  Yeshua recovered from the blow and lifted His head to speak. "If I have spoken evil, then bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?"

  Annas grew frustrated, "I have heard enough! I see He holds no regard to the office before Him. Very well. Take Him to Caiaphas and tell him our concerns are warranted. The Sanhedrin will, by this time no doubt, be assembled and prepared to try Him." Annas then had Him bound and delivered unto his son-in-law, Caiaphas the high priest.

  The guards marched Yeshua to Caiaphas as directed, and thirty members of the Sanhedrin assembled with him – the highest religious authority in the land.

  Khorset spoke to Azaziel, "Grigori scouts state that there are but twenty-three members needed. Why so many?"

  Azaziel looked at the assembly. "No doubt, these are they who already oppose the Lord, and the seated must be extra members now stacked against Him. This is but a formality." Azaziel pointed at the entrances to the building and round about. "Take up positions to the north and south wing. Make a perimeter so the Horde knows we will destroy them if they breach it."

  Khorset bowed. "As you command, Lumazi."

  Azaziel eyed the men and listened as they began their deliberations. Yeshua stood before them with hands tied behind His back, resigned, somber, steadily gazing upon those who would sit in judgment over God. Next to Yeshua stood the Chief temple guard and he proceeded to announce the court.

  "Before you, High Priest stands Yeshua of Nazareth. He hath stood before thy father-in-law, and wast sent here for judgment. These are gathered to bring testimony of His guilt, and we submit this man's innocence to your wisdom."

  "Call your witnesses," the Chief Priest said.

  The temple priest then paraded witness after witness who spoke. One after another was brought in and spoke about how Yeshua declared this or was seen doing that. But with each witness, others countered or even denied what previous witnesses had said. Caiaphas wrung his hands and paced while members of the council grumbled that perhaps this was not a good idea, while others whispered concerns that the Pharisees would object to their desire to simply condemn Him and be done with it. After a parade of false witnesses that lacked sufficient testimony to condemn Him, a frustrated and tired Caiaphas spoke.

  "Have you no other witnesses to bring before this counsel?" he quipped.

  The temple guards led two men into the assembly and the place was astir. Caiaphas called for order. "What testimony dost thou bring?" he said to the trembling man.

  He straightened and spoke with authority, pointing at Yeshua. "This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days."

  A ripple of murmurs stirred the congregation.

  "Order! Order!" Caiaphas said.

  The other fellow nodded in agreement. "It is true. I also heard Him say He is able to destroy the temple."

  The council erupted in gasps and whispers.

  "Does He think to upturn the fathers?" one said.

  "He is a Roman sympathizer!" said another. "This place is the dwelling place of God. How dare He!"

  But Yeshua stood mute before them all and stared at Azaziel, who stood next to the High Priest with a hand on his sword, ready to cut him down if the Son of God gave the smallest nod.

  Azaziel fidgeted as he watched and thought to himself. The fools had no concept of who stands before them. The crowd stirred to further agita
tion.

  "This is not good Lord...not good at all," Azaziel said to the Lord.

  Yeshua stood silent.

  The High Priest silenced the raucous crowd, and peered into the Son of God's eyes and spoke. "Answerest thou nothing against which these witnesses speak against thee?"

  Yeshua continued to hold his peace. And the High Priest answered and said unto him, "I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God."

  When the High Priest invoked God, Yeshua looked up and met the mortal's eyes. "Thou hast said. Nevertheless, I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven."

  Caiaphas's eyes grew wide with rage as scarlet crept up his neck and over his face. The veins in his temple bulged as he rent his clothes in a frenzy, shouting, "He hath spoken blasphemy! Out of His own mouth hath He condemned Himself. What further need have we of witnesses?"

  Dozens nodded, and the crowd roared. Caiaphas continued. "Thou who doth stand as wisdom and guide for our people, behold, ye have heard His blasphemy with thine own ears. What think ye?"

  "He is guilty of death! Death! Death! Death!" they chanted while pumping their arms.

  Azaziel and his angels unsheathed their swords, churning in rage toward the humans, but Yeshua lifted His head and inhaled hard, signaling them to stand down. All looked to Azaziel and stood round about in anxious tension, churning in rage towards the humans. Yeshua then smiled, and when He did so, members of the lower council of the Sanhedrin came down from their seated places and one by one walked past Yeshua. Some spit in His face, others buffeted Him; and those angered the most smote Him with the palms of their hands, mocking Him. "Prophesy unto us, thou Christ. Who was it that smote thee?"

  Azaziel and his comrades cringed, but stood silently as the guards led Yeshua away until the whole of the Sanhedrin could assemble. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led Him into their council.