Of Kings and Demons

by Han, George

  “The global economy is experiencing earthshaking upheavals and our continued support of the financial system is required. Our allies looked to our leadership. The burden is heavy and the challenges are daunting. However, as President Franklin Roosevelt once proclaimed, “There is nothing to fear except fear itself.”

  Walter’s speech was interrupted by another round of cheers which he acknowledged with a wave. He felt himself again, the accomplished man from the Eastern seaboard; the wise and competent Republican. To think only three days earlier, I wanted to give up all the offices and with it the dreams and sacrifice of half century. I have found the renewed faith in my destiny. Found the wings to glide to a higher plane of achievement.

  “What do we do now?” Walter asked aloud. He repeated the question and pounded the lectern with a fist.

  The crowd remained silent. “We could just sit and watch, and let someone else do the job,” he went on. “However, that is not the American way. That is not my way and it is not yours. We answer the call of destiny. We will serve this country with courage, faith and integrity. We stand proud.”

  Applause again erupted from the crowd, and Walter could see the smiles on many, including Robin. He did not look back but was sure Penelope, standing behind him, was also smiling.

  Walter Johnson acknowledged the crowd with another wave. Then he took a deep breath and spoke “And so I stand here in front of you today ready to take that pledge to serve and lead. I am ready to declare that I, Walter Edmund Johnson, will run for the presidency of the United States of America.”

  Cheers and applause drowned the lawn and everybody was soaked with euphoria and optimism. The press was busy with their pens as the cameras clicked away. Walter looked to the crowd and delivered a series of his trademark salute-style acknowledgements—the gesture of a commanding leader, and a King of Men.

  #

  Overlooking the lawn from across the street, in a park, Gwyneth and Jin sat on a branch of an overarching tree. Invisible to the mortals’ eyes, they watched the conference with intense interest.

  “He did it,” Jin said.

  Gwyneth turned to Jin and asked. “You believed that he would take up the challenge?”

  “When I left the governor’s mansion, I did not have the impression that he would,” Jin replied.

  “Like those Kings before him, courage and faith runs in his blood,” Gwyneth said and smiled.

  “I was worried he would give up,” Jin said. “I am glad he had proved me wrong.”

  “There is nothing an Angel can do to an unwilling King, and nothing a Demon could do to stop a determined King,” Gwyneth whispered. She looked skyward. “Our job is done here.”

  “I am not so sure of that,” Jin said as he looked around.

  “The end of the beginning?” Gwyneth asked.

  “Barbatos’s audacity was only their first move. I believe Lucifer will make his next move soon.”

  “Maybe they already had,” Gwyneth muttered.

  “Are you alright?”

  “What do you mean, Jin? I am healed by Lord Michael and good as I look.”

  “I mean…Barbatos. Are you fine after witnessing his demise? It has been so long since both of you see each other and this is the ending.”

  Gwyneth lowered her head for moment. She looked at Jin, expressionless.

  “My feelings for him are no longer important. The fault lines between the two domains, Heaven and Hell has been more pronounced after this battle. My relationship with Darius is no longer of consequence. We should worry about their next move.”

  J in nodded “I respect your position. Whatever your choices, I stand with you.”

  Gwyneth patted Jin on his shoulder. Their dialogue was soon interrupted by the shrill whistle of wings gliding through the air. Eugene landed on the branch.

  “Greetings.”

  “Eugene, certainly not the junior,” Jin and Gwyneth quipped in unison.

  “By God’s grace, both of you glow with victory.”

  “So do you,” Jin remarked. “Singlehandedly defeated a company of gargoyles and possessing the brilliance to summon the Custodians of Congress, you have outshone us.”

  “Nobody can outshine the warriors who defeated Lord Barbatos.”

  “The Archangel did that.”

  “That fact does not diminish your feat,” Eugene said. He was distracted and checked his surroundings.

  “Where is Maganus?”

  “He has gone to Alastair,” Jin replied

  “And where is Alastair?”

  “Iraq, Baghdad, where I heard there was crisis,” Jin answered and turned to Gwyneth. “Do you know what Maganus is up to?”

  Gwyneth locked her eyes on Jin’s, and they understood immediately. Their chemistry had been perfected after centuries of working together. Words are not always necessary.

  “Maganus cleaned up and took his body, without informing me. I had not seen it since the evening of the battle.”

  “Am I missing something here?” Eugene asked, lost in the telepathic communication of his seniors.

  “Maganus wanted to resurrect someone that died during the battle with Barbatos,” Gwyneth explained.

  Eugene lowered his head. “Such heart and grace. Always Maganus.”

  “Yes. Actually, he needed Alastair in soliciting the assistance of Azrael,” Gwyneth added.

  “Resurrection of a human will not be easy. Azrael has a strong temper,” Jin said.

  Gwyneth nodded. “His choices are limited. Only the Archangel Azrael can resurrect the dead; a body cold for more than seven hours or death under violent circumstances. He died in battle.”

  “Maganus took Mathew’s death gravely,” Jin said. “He had witnessed so much death already, lives wasted, potential ruined, and future altered.”

  “That makes Maganus, Maganus. He takes everyone, everything personally,” Eugene said.

  “After centuries of witnessing deaths and separation, Maganus has grown the equanimity to handle the affairs of man,” Gwyneth said. “He was a giant but in that short period, Maganus had built a bond with Mathew Springs that I found unusual but understandable. They had been through incredibly difficult challenges over just three days. We have to look to the future now.”

  “What happened to Sarah?” Jin asked.

  “I left her with her father.”

  “A deserving reunion after ten years of separation,” Jin said.

  “I hope she enjoys the moment.”

  “Has protection been arranged for her?”

  “The Bellators shall take turns watching over her.”

  “That is reassuring. The Demons will be back,” Jin warned in a grim tone.

  “We will be ready.” Gwyneth asserted as their attention returned to the lawn, where the press conference had ended and Governor Walter Johnson was busy the press.

  “We will be ready this time. Let them come.”

  Gwyneth stared into the distance with a grave silence.

  Epilogue

  “O Son of the Republic,” the woman’s voice flowed like music.

  George Washington remained on his knees.

  “My old friend,” she added.

  “Gwyneth, my trusted friend,” General Washington whispered. His clasped in deep worship. “Words fail me but my deepest joy in seeing you again.”

  “You have aged.” The White Angel murmured.

  The General broke down. “The pressures of the past few weeks have reached a breaking point.”

  “ I sensed your heart is under much duress.”

  “I have fared poorly, Gwyneth.”

  “Son of the Republic, you have done well. Do not forsake faith and give in to

  despair.”

  “I am exhausted.”

  Gwyneth smiled

  “There are tasks awaiting you in the years ahead.”

  “Years ahead?” Washington murmured. His dream of retirement on his farm at Mount Vernon had filled his mind. “You are not teasing me, Gwyneth?”
>
  The White Angel smiled as her aura of light increased. “I am not.”

  Washington blew the deep sigh of a man with the weight of new-born nation on his

  shoulders. “I cannot imagine that there are more years ahead.”

  “Have faith. Great are your achievements, my friend. You have already done humanity a great service.”

  “Great? Enemies aplenty - both within and without. I felt I failed. I wish to return to Virginia—to do what I am best at, being a farmer.” Washington pronounced.

  Gwyneth smiled. “Rest, you will get in due course. However, retirement is not your due yet.”

  General Washington’s eyes widened with disbelief. The Guardian Angel continued. “Your mission is not over. Your true destiny is about to begin.”

  “Not over?” Washington was dismayed. “After the risk of life and limb, you are not going to release me from my toils? My bones will be exposed sooner.”

  “Go gentle, George,” she said and beckoned him to sit.

  “I have been imprudent,” General Washington said and inhaled. “I ask for your forgiveness.”

  “King of Men, no man is perfect.”

  The White Angel sat next to General Washington.

  “My child, hear your destiny. Hear it as I had told you during your moments of crisis. Hear it again, now.”

  “I am too weary. The burden of a leader requires strong shoulders, which I have not.”

  Gwyneth smiled and Washington hastened to remark, “You knew about it, don’t you? The crisises, now and more to come. They were all planned by the Almighty?”

  “All the trials and tribulations are part of the process of being a King. I mentioned this to you. You have the duty to raise you men above the bigotry and selfishness that had gripped Europe.”

  “You might need a better man for the enormous mission.”

  “If you fail now the future of the entire human race is endangered.”

  Washington was stumped. “I trust you are not exaggerating.”

  “Exaggeration is a sin, George.”

  “I have no intention to accuse.”

  Gwyneth continued

  “If this nation is stillborn, then in one century and half, the entire human race will fall to the Demons. Their hordes will ferment wars and strife to strangle the growth of civilization. They will corrupt the souls of every human, and bring onto the path to darkness. Dark Ages return. You wish to see that?”

  “Gwyneth, no I cannot bear that sight.”

  “You can save humanity from these future calamities by securing the present, George.”

  The general straightened his back as strength from the knowledge of his true destiny invigorated him.

  “If you fail, humanity fails.”

  “Gwyneth, heaven forbid …”

  “You have the power to decide, George.” Gwyneth reminded him.

  George pondered him comment, his forehead crumpled. “What should I do? They want to make me king. A real monarch, a king.”

  The words earned a smile from the White Angel.

  “You are still smiling. I am as good as sitting on a bonfire.”

  Gwyneth nodded and continued. “Why did you fight this war?”

  George mulled it over. “Gwyneth, I did it for these lands, the future of these people, to liberate them from the tyranny of those imperialists. Never again to fear for their property, their children, but to have the freedom to learn and pursue the life they so desired and in God’s grace was their alienable right …”

  George Washington looked up but the White Angel had vanished. Washington ruminated, and then gently slapped his forehead. “I should be ashamed to have forgotten. For liberty of the human race, after so much bloodshed and lives lost, am I going to reverse the sacrifices made?” Washington murmured.

  He strolled to the window and studied the world outside, the calm and charm of nature. Such peace, but it could have been destroyed by the mayhem of war. Do they need another war now?

  General Washington returned to his desk, lifted his quill pen, and wrote in a forceful and furious fashion. I will lift the impasse and reverse the impending calamity.

  I must not fail humanity.

  -End of Book One-