The Whispers of the Fallen

by J. D. Netto

  I inflicted another cut on both of Isaac’s wrists with the dagger. As the blood flowed to the ground, my heart leapt with joy. I noticed Athalas’, Adawnas’ and Marco’s hearts had quickly accelerated.

  “Ah, this one will be a spectacular trophy.” Lucifer slowly moved closer to me. “His face shall not change, only his spirit. Isaac’s soul will linger on in the Wastelands as a Fallen Star makes his abode inside his body.” A whimsical smile beamed across Lucifer’s face.

  “Do you choose, my lord?” Adawnas asked. “The Star that will dwell in his body?”

  “No, child. That I leave up to the Fallen Rulers to decide. They command my armies and train them for battle. Even if I wanted to choose, my body lies in a place where I simply do not have the luxury of making the selection myself.”

  Isaac’s body had grown cold; his skin had a purple hue and his lips darkened.

  “He is gone,” I affirmed, touching his cold body.

  Lucifer gave a sigh of relief.

  “There are others…others that will do what he was not able to…the other four will read their books,” he said as he folded his hands. “Now, we wait.”

  Our wait wasn’t long. In a matter of seconds, Isaac’s body regained its color; his eyes opened and they were crimson. His hands trembled; his teeth clenched. I watched in awe. Beads of sweat flowed from his brow down to his neck.

  A thunderous growl escaped him as his body landed with a thud against the forest floor.

  “Mordred,” Lucifer mumbled.

  Mordred stood to his feet. “My lord, it is such irony to return to Elysium in human form. It has been a while since I’ve had a body of my own,” he said with a frightening voice. His crimson eyes would cause even the bravest men to cower in fear.

  “Finally, you stand before me in human form,” I said as the aching memories returned to me. Memories I tried so hard to forget but they had been deeply ingrained in me. I was displeased that Mordred had been the one chosen to dwell inside Isaac’s body. “We have been fighting for the blood of this young man for a long time, but he refused to shed it voluntarily.”

  Mordred scoffed. “Not to worry, Nephilin, there are others out there that will read their books and lay down their lives for the Dark One. It is only a matter of deciding the most effective move to persuade them.”

  The way he uttered the word Nephilin stirred up rage inside of me. I knew that he was one of the creators of our kind. I wondered if he had already forgotten our past together; I surely had not. It was strange to see him inside Isaac’s body. My memory still held on to his former appearance quite vividly.

  “Mordred, it really is delightful to have you standing here…your presence brings me great joy,” Lucifer said with coldness.

  “What would you have us do now, my lord?” Marco asked.

  Lucifer held up his right hand.

  “Touch it, Marco,” he said with an enticing voice. King Marco stood there, frozen and in shock. I knew little about Marco, but I was aware of his great longing for the privilege to touch the Dark One’s hand.

  “Yes, my lord,” he delightfully spoke as he stretched forth his hand. The moment their hands met, Marco let out a deafening scream, and with a brutal force he fell to the ground.

  “Even with all of your authority and power, with all the knowledge you possess”—Lucifer’s voice deepened—“you are of no use to me, but only to host the one I truly desire to see here.”

  Marco crawled pitifully from one side of the ground to the other.

  “But I aided you. I sided with you, my lord. Why are you doing this to me?” His voice was breaking; the veins in his hands were visible through his paling skin.

  “You are a mere host, Marco. The kingdoms will be destroyed not only by swords and spears, but also by the allegiance of their kings. Aloisio and Billyth were mere examples to others of what we are capable of doing.” Lucifer knelt next to Marco.

  “But I gave up my life for you,” Marco stuttered.

  Lucifer grinned maliciously.

  “Exactly, and to give up is to lose something you hold dear…king.”

  All of us present in the forest were shrouded with fear. Adawnas stood paralyzed. Athalas kept a vigil on the snake.

  “Erebos, come to me, my darling.”

  The snake swiftly slithered its body over the forest floor to encounter Lucifer. Slowly, he knelt down, his body quivering. “We have been waiting for this day since the War, but now your time has come.” He took a deep breath and smiled. “Are you hungry?” His hand gently caressed the snake’s long, dark body.

  “No, please!” Marco screamed in fear and torment.

  “It must be done!” Lucifer shouted. Marcos’ deafening screams intensified as he trembled. I could hear his heart beat; it pounded as the snake approached him. I heard the snake’s heart beating at a normal pace. Erebos’ body tightened its grasp around Marco.

  As soon as its body had taken Marcos’, the snake’s yellow eyes met its victim’s horrified gaze. Erebos’ mouth opened and released small flickers of ghoulish light. The lights floated around Marco’s head and entered his skull through his ears and nose.

  “My lord, no! Please.” These were Marco’s last words before Erebos viciously sunk its vile fangs deep into his neck.

  “Drink,” Lucifer ordered Erebos.

  Blood dripped from its mouth as Erebos sucked out Marco’s blood. He was unconscious; his arms and head dangled unrestrained.

  “This was much unexpected, my lord,” Athalas uttered in a faltering tone.

  Lucifer let out a hideous laugh.

  “I do not doubt your heart, Athalas, but your concern is superfluous. One’s servant should not tell his master what is right and wrong.”

  When my gaze returned to Marco, Erebos was no longer gripping him. I searched around but he was nowhere to be seen.

  “Erebos is no longer here, Nephele,” Mordred whispered in my ear. I turned to face him. “It has taken over Marco’s body.”

  To my surprise, Marco’s body slowly regained its color, changing from pale to an olive tint. Even the garments he wore brightened. His teeth clattered against one another; his chin trembled.

  Marco’s body movements came to an abrupt stop. Lucifer gazed at the stilled body, waiting for a sign of movement.

  “Nephele, long have I waited for this moment,” Marco said in a sharp voice. There was a low hiss at the end of every word he spoke.

  “I beg your pardon,” I said.

  “To see you through human eyes is mesmerizing. The beauty you carry is truly breathtaking,” he said as he lifted himself from the ground with his hands. His gaze was tender and beguiling.

  “Erebos, we have much to do,” Lucifer said in a broken voice.

  I looked at the others and realized that they seemed as surprised as I was.

  “You have been away for far too long. There is much to be done!” Lucifer added.

  “Welcome, Erebos,” Mordred said with a sly grin.

  “How rude of me…introductions…” Lucifer slowly stretched forth his skeletal hands, pointing at each one of us. “This is Athalas, Adawnas, and this is Nephele.”

  Erebos nodded.

  Why had Lucifer kept us in the dark about Erebos? I had been so faithful and loyal to him. Why would he choose not to mention his plans to me?

  “My lord, why did you not mention your intentions with Marco? Having knowledge of your plans would have meant a great deal to us all,” I said, fearful of his reaction.

  Lucifer moved in my direction, his disfigured face set on me. When he reached arm’s-length, he gave me a kind smile.

  “Tell me, Nephele…Am I not kind to you?” His eyes pierced me to the core.

  “Yes, my lord,” I said as I lowered my head in respect.

  “Do you believe I am a good master to you and your kind?” The breeze caused his garments to move gently.

  “Yes…my lord…” Deep inside, I regretted questioning him, but a part of me felt slighted. It seemed as
though I was not worthy of his trust.

  “Very well, if I believe that it is necessary for you to know any of my plans or strategies—I will be kind enough to tell you. Otherwise, simply obey and do not waste time concerning yourself with an empty soul.”

  With his hand, he reached for my face, gently touching it. My heart discerned not if it should fear him, or embrace the attention he was now giving me.

  “I must go back now…my spirit cannot be out of my body for this long. Until the books are opened and read, my powers will still be limited. I have called you five to carry out my will.” He looked intently at every one of us. “Of all the servants that I have that roam this earth, I have chosen you to carry out my bidding.” Lucifer gave a halfhearted smile. My heart throbbed with joy. To serve the Dark One in his time of need was an honor, my life’s purpose.

  “Adawnas, assist Nephele—help her in battle.” Adawnas bowed her head slowly. “Much rests on the both of you.”

  “Athalas, Death is still at your command, correct?”

  “Yes, my lord,” Athalas responded.

  “Use this gift wisely. Do not be foolish with your authority. Even though your soul belongs to me, you still have a human body. Humans are prone to act foolishly, even frivolously,” Lucifer said as he moved promptly toward Erebos.

  “Now you, Erebos…” he said in a low, ominous voice. “Infiltrate the kingdoms of this world. Deceive all the kings and the rulers…make them blind to all truth.” Lucifer stretched forth his right hand.

  “Now you, Mordred, you are special, the father of the first Nephilin.” As Lucifer spoke, his eyes widened. “You already know what to do: hunt down the other three. Bring them to me alive and unspoiled.” His face closed in on Mordred. “It would have been a delight to have Isaac shed his blood willingly, but to see his body in your possession brings me great satisfaction.”

  Mordred smiled.

  “It is my pleasure to seek out the remaining three chosen ones. I will do whatever it takes to persuade them to offer up their blood for your cause, my lord.”

  Like dust scattered by the wind, Lucifer’s body slowly disintegrated; swiftly turning into a mere shadow.

  “None of you have the luxury of failing. The kingdoms must all be ready when the armies move in from the Abyss. The humans must become demoralized, even more inept than they already are. Keep them away from the truth of the Creator. Do not underestimate our enemies…I have known them since the dawn of the universe and I have seen their battle tactics. The Creator is no fool when it comes to war.” His voice was breaking up as his disengaged body vanished. “Now, I go back to my resting place until I am strong enough to visit you again. I will return when you least expect me.”

  As soon as he was finished speaking, Lucifer disappeared into thin air.

  XVI

  Dark Woods Forest was silent. I glanced behind me to see that my four traveling companions were quiet, deep in thought. For a while, I gazed at the snow-covered trees as I breathed in the crisp air that lingered in the atmosphere.

  “I must be off,” Athalas stated. “I must go to Justicia and speak to the other Council members there.”

  Without a sound, Erebos came alongside Athalas. “I will accompany you,” he said malevolently.

  Athalas looked at him with apparent disapproval of the idea.

  “Why is it you feel the need to join me?” he asked curiously.

  “Given you are the commander of Death and I was called to deceive the kings, it seems befitting that we work together,” he responded with a beguiling grin on his face.

  “That is not a bad idea,” Mordred added. “As a matter of fact, I think we should keep a close eye on this one, Erebos. One never knows what plans may be lurking inside his head. He sold his soul to Lucifer, but he still has a human body.”

  Athalas jumped up immediately and stood face to face with Mordred.

  “I can guarantee that my loyalty lies with the Dark One.” Athalas reacted in defiance. His face was flushed with blood, and the bluish-purple veins on his neck had stiffened, giving him a disfigured appearance.

  “Enough!” I yelled as my eyes met Athalas’. With my powers, I flung his body against a tree. I inflicted pain on his body.

  “Need I remind you of what I am capable of, Athalas?” My patience had grown short.

  “No…please…the pain…stop…” he begged.

  “The moment I release you from my grip, you and Erebos will take off to Justicia and you will both find a way to work together. Agreed?” He nodded in compliance with my painful suggestion.

  My cravings were satisfied to see Athalas in this feeble state; it always energized my depravity to watch this groveling swine brought to his knees. Despite his claims of loyalty to the Dark One, I could never imagine myself being fond of a human, let alone to trust one.

  His body wracked with pain, Athalas slowly raised himself and stood upright, his face looking completely distraught.

  “Are we ready?” Erebos asked, looking smug with a deceptive smile on his face.

  Athalas shamefully acquiesced.

  “Erebos, send messengers with reports of all of the plans you devise,” Mordred commanded. Erebos gave a nod of affirmation, then he and Athalas disappeared, vanishing into thin air.

  Silence lingered. Adawnas remained motionless.

  “Where is Corbin?” Mordred asked me.

  My breath faltered at the sound of his voice. I tried to remain strong in his presence but our past was still too vivid for me. The fact he behaved as if nothing had ever happened between us enraged me; I was livid.

  “He…he is taking care of some affairs…” I gasped.

  “I want him to go along with me to track down one of the missing book-bearers—Ballard Radley,” he said as he turned back to look in the direction of Aloisio.

  “He…he is in Justicia with the other Council—”

  “Insolent fool,” he cut me off. “Do not think the fact you became a Nephilin gives you knowledge of the extent of the powers and abilities of the Fallen,” he said sharply. As he spoke, he placed his right hand over his chest and breathed in deeply. The moment he exhaled, shining lights came out of his mouth along with sounds of drums playing that moved in sync with the lights. Like fireflies, the lights danced in midair.

  “Whispering Lights,” I mumbled.

  “Lights, I order you to call upon Corbin. Tell him we must search for the book-bearer, Ballard Radley,” he commanded the lights, which dispersed at the sound of his final words. A gentle breeze followed.

  “You are becoming a loyal servant to me, aren’t you? I remember when you were still a human girl. I could not take my eyes off you as you pranced around the forest on that day,” he said as he walked around me. “You looked at me, not knowing I was a Fallen Star. I had to have you…. You took me to your village to care for me, thinking I was ill. I watched you as your gut expanded abnormally in a matter of hours. Your reaction to the damage you had brought upon humanity was gratifying to me. You do know it was because you fell that we were able to get the other women, right? You were the one that opened the door to us all.”

  I stared at him in disgust.

  “I wonder why the Dark One allowed you to live and ordered all the other Fallen Stars to kill the other women they had slept with after they had their baby Nephilins. Who knows…maybe you would’ve made a great Shadow,” he wondered aloud with a sadistic twist. “All the other women did a great job as Nephilins. I wonder if the memories of their days as humans still linger in their minds even after they became Shadows.”

  I was at a loss for words when I heard him say this. I felt a cold chill run through me, the memory of my vivid past haunting me.

  “How dare you?” I said, repulsed by his arrogance. “Do you think just because the Fallen Rulers appointed you to take over Isaac’s body that you can say whatever you want? I wasn’t destroyed because I found favor before the Dark One’s eyes. I was spared because he saw courage in me.”

 
He let out a malefic cackle.

  “Oh, please. Nephele, you are a mere puppet. Do you really think he has a spot in his so-called ‘heart’ for Nephilins? The Dark One only cares about his servants as long as they are of use to him. Make him rely on you to do all he wants and he will surely never be rid of you. Can he without doubt rely on you?”

  To have my weaknesses exposed and to be in the presence of one that knew me so well caused me to feel vulnerable. I turned my back on him so his eyes couldn’t meet mine.

  “You know, it is a pleasure to be by your side again, Mordred. The strategy of the Dark One placing the three of us to work together is ingenious,” I said. I felt as if a knife was thrust into my throat as these words flowed from my mouth. I knew that somehow I was going to have to overcome my painful memories and find a way to work peacefully alongside Mordred, even if it meant the death of me. I needed to prove to the Dark One that I was worthy of his full trust.

  Adawnas approached us. “I do find our alliance to be one of our strengths. Like Erebos said, we must be united in order to fulfill the Dark One’s wishes.”

  “And this coming from the one that not too long ago believed in a redemption for her kind from the Creator…so insightful,” Mordred replied with a flippant sarcasm.

  Adawnas remained quiet. She turned her gaze to me.

  “Where are the book-bearers?” she asked.

  “Last we heard they were spotted close to the Court of Many Meetings—near the cathedral in Aloisio,” I responded.

  “It is time to head back to Aloisio. We must find all of them. We need to capture them and convince them to shed their blood and read the books. Lucifer’s body needs to be awakened.” Mordred’s voice faded into whispers along with his body. He returned to a shapeless dark shadow. At an amazing speed, the shadow surrounded us and in a matter of seconds we were transported to Aloisio, standing in front of the walls. The gates were destroyed and lay flat on the muddy ground. Screams of torment were a delight to my senses as we walked through Aloisio’s streets. The Shadows were destroying everything in their path; some cast their bodies in the burning flames that had overtaken homes and buildings, causing massive explosions.