by Susan Reid
My heart began to jackhammer, both excitement and apprehension fighting for dominance.
“Not funny, Cam.” I admonished him as I pinched my eyes shut and held my breath.
In a split second, my feet were no longer grounded. The air around us felt like a vacuum, strong with the scent of electricity and ozone. The air pressure changed drastically. It was slightly colder and I felt a pulsing energy pressing against my flesh, making me feel dizzy as if I were—high or drunk.
It probably took no more than a span of a few seconds and Cam’s grip on me remained firm. When our feet touched ground once again, I felt my stomach fall back into place and I sucked in a deep, relieving breath since I had been literally holding it the whole time.
There were no distinct sounds but the air smelled hot to me, like burning metal and being inside of a clay oven or microwave oven set on high. Even behind my closed eyelids, everything seemed extremely bright too.
Cam leaned down to whisper to my ear. “You’re still in one piece. Open your eyes.”
XII: Interlude: Morning Stars’ Meeting Room:
His gaze alone was mortifying. It spoke volumes without him having to utter a word. The steady cadence of successive thumping was nerve-wracking. What had they done wrong this time? Who would be punished next? How? And when?
Since Baal and several others had been slain, Morning Star had been in an even more foul temperament than he had been when the girl he had been trying to claim had been killed in the mortal realm. His top soldier was gone and they knew that it only meant that rank and replacement would be put upon a new fallen in their army, maybe.
Those who had been with him the longest, still couldn’t read whether or not this meeting would be good news, bad news, or an all-out torture session for the others to behold as a lesson. With Morning Star, there was no telling.
Whatever the case was, he was not happy. That much could be felt in the heavy, oppressive dark energy that weighed upon several of his top arch demon soldiers, his necromancers, and Xyn.
His long silence left fear thick in the air and no one bothered to even speak let alone make a sound out of respect.
Sitting at the head of a long, glossed, onyx table, he appeared quite lax. Leaning back with one arm resting on the arm of his throne chair, Morning Star steadily drummed his fingers on the desk.
“There’s been a change in direction.” Morning Star finally began after a long bout of silence.
His soldiers all leaned in to pay special close attention.
“And Xyn has been the only one with any common sense to act upon it and report what has been happening right before our eyes. He’s managed to single handedly destroy quite a few worthy rebel fallen.”
The crow demon remained silent yet rapt at attention, appreciating the recognition and praise from his powerful new master.
“However, he is only one and he has his own tasks to attend, which means that since the murder of Baal, each of you will need to prove yourselves useful to me in order to remain.”
“We should destroy one of Cam`ael’s top associates too, my lord.” Och replied.
Morning Star mechanically turned his head to face Och. His expression appearing bored and stony. “And when he hunts you down and either beheads or eviscerates your cretin ass for doing so, don’t look to cower behind me.” He flatly replied.
“I only assumed that an eye for an eye was what you sought, your magnificence. It makes sense. Surely you aren’t afraid of retaliation from Cam`ael?” Och tried to reason.
Morning Star simply stared at his general calmly, without any sign or hint of annoyance or anger. His powerfully wicked gaze alone was enough to make Och nearly swallow and choke on his own tongue in regret of his words.
Then, in a swift and destructive flash of fire, acrid black and red smoke began to plume in tendrils and curls from Och’s chair. He had been reduced to nothing more than a foul, powdery mound of ashes among his burned, and now smoking clothing where he sat.
No one moved, barely breathing as their eyes gaped in fear and shock. Och had been a long-time, high level demon soldier. An expendable one at that apparently.
Morning Star neither moved nor flinched a muscle as his wicked aqua blue eyes panned the rest of the table, “Would anyone else care to take a chance at suggesting something equally senseless and insult me in the process?” he calmly asked.
Everyone eagerly shook their heads almost unanimously,
“No, no my lord!”
“Not at all Master!”
“Good.” Morning Star flatly replied as he slowly rose from his chair. He began to pace around the table slow and deliberately, making each one of his top ranking soldiers nervous.
He smiled humorously. “I don’t want to have to destroy or punish all of you today. I only planned on a few.” He began as his eyes fell upon Sihd.
Sihd stiffened, trembling in his seat beneath his massive armor and quickly shifting eye contact away from Morning Star.
“Sihd.” Morning Star spoke, stopping behind him.
Sihd jumped, nearly paralyzed with fear. “Yes, my lord?” he answered dutifully.
“You and your men will be in charge of finding and retrieving both Berith and the book that she thieved from me. If you cannot find the book, I do not want her harmed. That will be my job. If you do uncover the book, and it is damaged or missing parts in any way, think twice before even bothering to return here—is that understood?”
“Indeed, my Lord!” Sihd nodded.
“You’re dismissed.” Morning Star then said.
Sihd wasted no time rising from his seat and shuffling out quickly.
Morning Star continued his pacing and scanning of the group before him.
“Ganik, I want you and Mephisto to oversee the training, recruiting and preparation of all the dark divines that have already sworn allegiance to me. Gather, influence, and entice as many more as you see fit. That may take a while because I want you to hit every land upon the Earth first, and you may utilize every demon soldier available if needed, so get to it. Do not report until I ask for one.”
“Yes, Master!” They both saluted as they rose and quickly left the room without hesitation.
“My gorgeous, dependable Zara. Your task is actually quite easy and should be fun. It will begin at the college that Starling used to attend. There, you will find another chosen. You know what to do— and remember, not a drop of blood spilt. I don’t know why this never donned on me before. He was a very close friend of hers while she was mortal. Allow him to come willingly and then bring him to me. I have big plans for him.” Morning Star smiled.
“Consider it done, my lord.” She smirked with a loyal bow of her head and then she was gone.
Then there were two left. They were his elite soldiers and he had an even greater task for them, for it would be difficult and challenging at best.
“I’m setting the divine one that we’ve had for quite some time now, free. She’s been cooperative for the most part in the last few days and I’m keeping my word. She’s going to prove quite useful to me still, so keep an eye on her. You two will also be in charge of bringing me Edanai, even if that means taking out Rahab, which you will have to do, but not until I give the word,” Morning Star glanced at Xyn this time.
“I want you to keep an eye out for Cam’ael and Starling. However, use extreme caution in apprehending Starling. She is quite deadly and will offer much resistance as well as putting up a challenging fight. I do not want her harmed in any way. Her essence does not surprise me but it must be contained as soon as possible. Once I have her, Cam`ael will come willingly and I want no one to stop him.” Morning Star informed.
Xyn silently gave a perceptible nod of his hood. A few crows flapped about excitedly, cawing as they swarmed into a tornado of black wings and feathers beneath the long, black robe, and he finally disappeared altogether.
Morning Star paused and waited, finally turning to the last one left. His new, single, right-hand soldier. He
was the one who had worked in sync with Baal for so long, and now he would have all the duties and responsibilities placed upon his shoulders singly.
“Ammon,” Morning Star said, returning to his throne chair at the head of the table but not sitting just yet.
“Yes, Lord?” Ammon sat straight at attention, already confused at why his Lord would not want his life-long rival and arch-nemesis, Cam`ael, stopped before reaching him.
“Ensure that the rifts all over the world, between this realm and the human world are open and ready. Slowly have the voids and shades begin infiltration at even the slightest hints of doubt, hate, and deception, and be ready at the first signs of any large scale
catastrophic disaster. Most importantly, do no forget where all of our initial targets lie.” Morning Star then said softly.
Ammon nodded and then quirked a brow inquisitively. “Even now? I’m not sure I quite understand, my lord. We currently outnumber all of them, angels and divine warriors combined.” He
asked, regretting it instantly as his eyes cut to the remaining pile of ash that still smoked where Och had been sitting. He shifted, wishing to take back his reply but to his surprise, Morning Star didn’t react the way he had thought he would.
“Always anticipate the unlikely,” Morning Star lamented, “We must be ready to move. Call it a hunch.” he finally sat back down with a smirk. “I’m leaving you in charge of all of my children and the others. My purpose will be complete once Starling is in my possession. I’ll be expecting Cam`ael then.” He then said.
Ammon was speechless, gaping at his long-time Master because he now understood what he was preparing for and what it would mean.
“Baal was a fool. I could have intervened to save him but his conceit clouded his judgment. Never underestimate Cam`ael or any of those in his legion, let alone those irksome warriors. It deals a great blow to our army but we will compensate and prevail. Xyn will be able to handle what’s left of his dwindling group. Now,” Morning Star inhaled as if perusing his own thoughts and fancies. “Let’s see, after that meeting I could certainly use some enlightening entertainment of my own to take off the edge. Bring me two female virgins, one male, some soul infused wine with a plate of rare steak and liver, a large screen television with videos of that television show that I really like, and a six of the biggest serpents we have.” He grinned diabolically at Ammon.
XIII. Cam`ael
The look on her face was of utter astonishment. I knew this would definitely be one of the planets that would take her breath away. Though it was completely uninhabited by any living creature, it was nonetheless a most spectacular sight to behold, minus the extreme and mounting heat. The heat waves bending from the gemstone encrusted earth created a mirage of both water and prisms of multi-colored, fractal light.
The entire planet was a giant ball of different grades, weights, and colors of what humans and several other races of beings called, Rhodium, iridium, black opals, palladium, raw diamonds, and many other colored, pure gemstones. Actually, the gems and stones here were far more pure and valuable than the stones of Earth and many other planets. This unnamed planet was one of the hardest to find and get to for many beings, so the value of just a few chips was immeasurable.
Starling gasped in wonder as she took in all the sparkling stalactites, stalagmites, large boulders, and the tips of the vast forest below made up of precious stone columns; all full of shiny, twinkling, bizarre rock formations. Rivers of magma and oil bubbled and churned, branching out like macabre, spidery fingers across the landscape. Even the red and white sand glittered under a mirage of water beneath the light of the three suns facing the north.
Hardly any beings ever ventured here and if they did they didn’t stay very long. We wouldn’t either. The heat was unlike any other place, past the surface of the actual sun itself. No life could be sustained on this planet whatsoever, regardless of the many pools of boiling water scattered across the unpredictable landscape.
I produced three small pouches, similar to the one she carried her portal gems in.
“This is…incredible.” She marveled.
“I know and we don’t have much time. The heat will become beyond bearable in a matter of minutes.”
She looked up at me quizzically as I handed her the pouches. She took them from me questioningly. “It’s already intense. One sun is bad enough.” She breathed, fanning her face.
Sweat was already beginning to bead across her forehead and above her upper lip, and a rivulet streamed slowly down her temple. I moved faster. This climate was toxic and way too hot for her. I wouldn’t have even brought her here at all but I wanted her to have a chance to see with her own eyes, one of the millions of phenomenal planets that no human has been able to see let alone knows exists.
“I know. There’s constant sunlight to the third power here. Your boots will eventually melt into the ground, literally.”
“I’m pretty sure my bare feet wouldn’t last more than a second after that either. It’s like being inside a furnace or fireplace.”
“They’d be pulpy burned stumps before you know it.”
She scrunched up her face and lifted up each foot, checking out the soles of her black laced up boots. “I believe you. So, what are these for?” She held up the pouches.
I nodded my head for her to follow me.
Scoping a few trunks of diamonds and rhodium, I moved in between them, and created a wide canopy of shade above her using magic.
“Open the first bag and hold it right here.” I pointed to a trunk of shiny, green, purplish black metal.
She was still perplexed but she did and I wasted no time slamming my fist into it with all my strength.
The rock shook and cracked as chunks instantly broke away, falling into both the pouch and onto the obsidian streaked ground around her feet.
Her mouth fell, I assumed because she was impressed with what I had done.
“Turn the pouch inside out and use it as a glove to grab those on the ground before they get too hot.” I pointed. Then, I sought out a black opal trunk next, and proceeded to do the same thing.
We had managed to gather quite a few different stones and metals before the heat nearly cooked us. We were both drenched in sweat, so it was definitely time to go.
“You just demolished several trunks of pure diamond, dark metal, opal, and solid silver…with your bare fists.” Starling pointed at my hands incredulously, looking for some sort of bruising or torn flesh.
I flexed my unscathed hands. “I know. A pickaxe would have worked better and faster. I’ll remember to conjure one up next time since I’ve managed to impress you already.” I winked at her, “Again, hold onto me tightly.”
One of my favorite past-times, as well as Edanai’s and Rahab’s, was dimension or planet hopping. Something no human has ever known or will ever experience…while human anyway. Of course, I’d never take Starling to any of the raunchier cesspools of fleshly pleasures, or any of the dangerous, carnivorous creature infested places. There were many of those out there too. I secured her against me and then we were off to our next destination.
~~~~****~~~~
Starling took in a deep breath once we landed, tickled by the sudden pop of atmospheric pressure. She immediately began to smile as she opened her eyes.
“Is that barbecue?” She asked with excitement as she eagerly panned the landscape.
“Something like that.” I grinned.
She glanced up at me. “Where are we?” She was looking at the entrance of a small hidden city, built below the flat of orange and yellow sand that made up the earth’s floor. The street down below teemed with activity and music but was clearly devoid of any voices and laughter.
Starling’s brows furrowed. “What are these beings? And why aren’t any of them speaking?”
“They’re Luminae. Their delicate, nearly see-through skin is why they live underground. They aren’t able to withstand ultraviolet rays for very long. The sunlight here remains constant fo
r several years and then it goes dormant for several afterwards, leaving perpetual moonlight. When that happens, they return to their homes above ground to ready crops, livestock and stuff like that before the next phase. Their food supply is actually fed by the power of their moons rather than sunlight, believe it or not.”
She was definitely impressed by the extent of my knowledge.
“They can hear but they choose to only speak telepathically, in the same way that we as fallen do—and of course, you and I now.”
“You can’t speak to them that way?” She inquired.
“No. We don’t have any kind of similar wavelength or link. Their language is only known and shared among each other. Gestures and facial expressions are very easily read and interpreted here, so communication with other beings isn’t really an issue. Some gestures and symbols are universal no matter where you are or what language you speak.”
Starling was fascinated, listening intently to all that I explained to her and at the same time, observing the new beings that were in turn, observing her with keen, welcoming interest.
I continued to give her a quick rundown on them, “These beings have existed for a very, very long time. They’ve remained undetected by much of the other universe because they keep to themselves. If they had a means of transportation to other worlds, I’m pretty sure that they’d attempt to visit Earth first—like many other beings have been doing for a while now. They are one of the few docile and peace loving races in the entire universe. That’s hard to find anywhere these days.” I told her.
“So, they won’t be hostile being that we’re different and crashing in on their city?”
I shook my head no. “They actually welcome visitors of all types.” I grabbed her hand and we walked hand in hand down the firm, dirt-carved road that led into the heart of the underground city.