by Dan Farris
Mary Ann appeared. “Hey handsome, why so sullen?”
“I just did something I’d never thought I do.”
“Did you catch a wolf having sex with a pig?”
Sean laughed. “No, silly. I turned down sex with a beautiful woman.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Earlier, apparently I banished a demon, without the help of God. That’s supposed to be impossible. Are you a demon, Mary Ann?”
“Of course not. I’m just the ghost you been screwing.”
“I don’t want you to leave me again. Whatever is happening to me, I want you around. I don’t care if you’re dead or not.”
“Okay, but you want me around even when you use the restroom? I was never too fond of the smell of doo-doo.”
Sean grinned. “You don’t have to come in the restroom with me when I do that.”
“Whew, what a relief. So, you banished that demon earlier? I see it: you don’t have that mark anymore! You really are special.”
“Come here.” Sean started kissing Mary Ann. Suddenly, something appeared in the room with them. It was very large, and its skin was blue. Its upper half resembled a man, but the lower half of its body appeared to be made of smoke. “What the Hell is that thing? Another demon?”
“No, it’s a jinn.”
“A genie? Why is a genie in my room?”
Sean stood in front of Mary Ann as the jinn slowly moved toward them. “Get behind me, Mary Ann, just get behind me!” God help us.
Just as the jinn was about to reach them, a blinding light appeared in the room, causing Sean to cover his eyes. “What’s happening? I can’t see!”
“It’s an angel,” said Mary Ann.
When the bright light disappeared, there was a very large man, much taller than Sean, dressed in a golden robe.
“You monsters never learn. Father lets you insects live, and this is how you repay the gratitude? I’m not complaining, though, I’m going to enjoy this. It’s been awhile since one of you were stupid enough to come out of The Darkness.” The jinn knocked the angel to the floor. “This is going to be fun.”
The angel quickly got up and hit the jinn several times. The jinn and the angel were moving so fast that Sean’s eyes could barely keep up. Finally, the jinn lay face-down on the floor with the angel’s foot on its back. The jinn looked up at Sean. “You… power…”
“Hey, hey, hey, who said you got last words? You want a last meal too? I think Pizza Hut is closed. Well…say hi to oblivion for me,” said the angel. Then, a beam of power appeared from the angel’s hand, and he hurled it at the jinn, destroying him.
“Thank you for saving me.”
“Are you talking to me, human? You are?”
“I told you, you’re special. You can see ghosts, demons, jinn, and even angels,” said Mary Ann.
“You’re talking about this human? He can see you too? Who are you, human?”
“I’m Sean, who are you?”
“Aadon.” Aadon stared at Sean with amazement.
“I’ve heard of humans possessing such gifts before, but I’ve never met one personally. Why would the most powerful type of jinn be after you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know anything. I can’t make sense of any of this.”
Aadon looked at Mary Ann. “You. Why are you here?”
“For the sex,” said Mary Ann.
“Mary Ann!” Yelled Sean.
“That’s impossible. Is this true, human?”
“It’s true.”
“Touch her. But let’s keep it PG.”
Sean held Mary Ann’s hand.
“I’ve never heard of anything like this. A live human able to touch a soul? The monster was after you? He said ‘power’ before I ended him. He was talking about you? This is above my paygrade.”
“Can’t you feel it? It’s something special about him. Can’t you tell?” Asked Mary Ann.
“I can’t sense anything special about him. But what I just saw and what you told me is surprising. And that’s coming from someone older than this universe.”
I can’t believe I’m talking to an angel. But I can trust him; angels are good. “You should know the whole story.” Sean proceeded to tell Aadon everything that had happened to him the past few days.
“So, can you help me? Explain why this has been happening since we summoned that demon?”
“Beats me, kid. Maybe you won a cruise to the Bahamas. I don’t have any kind of experience of dealing with anything like this. I’m going to check with the big guy and get back with you.”
“God? You mean God?!”
“Only the commanders get a face-to-face with him. I meant I’ll check with my superior. Be patient. Have sex with the dead lady until I get back.” Aadon vanished.
“This is some crazy unbelievable shit.”
Mary Ann touched Sean’s chest.
“What are you doing? After what just happened?”
“You heard the angel. Sex with the dead lady until he gets back. You wouldn’t disobey an angel, would you?”
Chapter 16-Samael
Samael stood by the many shorelines of the lake of fire, staring emotionlessly into it. To his back, stood all the kings of Hell, except for Pursan.
“What have you done with her? Where is she?” Screamed Lucifer.
“You’ll pay for this, Samael. I promise you, you’ll pay for this,” said Beelzebub.
“I warned each of you that there would be consequences for refusing my offer. I grew tired of waiting for an answer. Your companions still exist, and no harm will come to them as long as you understand something: your petty feuds are over. Each of you, and all of our brothers under your command, now answer to me. There are no more kings of Hell. Henceforth, there is one king of Hell: me. If any of you would like to challenge me, step forward. After I destroy you, I’ll destroy your companion. So, which one of you doesn’t want to exist anymore?”
“What about Pursan? He’s not here, and he’s the most powerful amongst us,” said Berith.
“Unlike the rest of you, Pursan the bookkeeper was smart enough not to get attached to a companion in this forsaken place. Send a message to him. Either he submits like each of you to my rule, or he will be destroyed. There is no alternative.
“Another thing: I know each of you have spies everywhere, even in Heaven. If I find out that any of you alerted Heaven to my plans, that will be the end of you and your companion.”
All the kings nodded in compliance.
I was right. They truly love them, like I loved Zethera.
“Lucifer, you told me about a place that exists on Earth: The Darkness. Is there anything else you want to tell me about this place? Anything that can help us in our attack on Heaven?”
“I’ve told you everything about The Darkness.”
“He’s lying. You imbecile, you may not care about Hime like we care about our companions, but your stupidity will not cause their downfall! Did he tell you about the jinn?” Asked Salikethal.
“He did not.” Samael walked over to Lucifer and punched him in the face, causing Lucifer to fall to the ground.
“Your lies have cost us everything before. If you ever lie to me again, it will be the last time you ever utter words. That goes for each of you. Tell me about this jinn.”
“When Father decided to make his pets, the humans, his power touched Earth unlike the other planets in this space,” said Salikethal. “As an unintended effect, a race of monsters, called the jinn, were created, born of fire and smoke. They looked to Father for guidance, but he only shunned them. Though, he wasn’t entirely without sentiment for his creation. He didn’t kill a single one of them until they tried to interfere with his pets. Then, he decreed if they ever interfered with the humans, they would be destroyed. They inhabit The Darkness.”
“Are they powerful? How many of them are there?”
“They have some power. Much stronger than humans, but no match for us. When they first were created, they were nume
rous in numbers. Now, they’re nearly extinct. Lucifer and our brothers under his control have nearly destroyed all of them,” said Salikethal.
“Why?”
“For sport,” said Salikethal.
“Capture the remaining and bring them to me. They may prove useful.
“Before you go: why can’t I teleport in this place?”
“Our powers are limited here, even yours. It’s one of the reasons why Father cast us down here,” said Salikethal.
“Leave me, and if any of our brothers want to challenge me after you tell them who their new king is, I’ll be waiting here.” Soon, Father, you will fall. Soon.
Chapter 17-Rebecca
Rebecca was walking in her fields when Alfred returned. It’s time.
She greeted Alfred with a smile. “I thought you’d be gone longer. Was your mission successful?”
“Another sordid affair, but yes, I took care of the king’s business. Ready to get back to your studies?”
“I don’t feel like learning right now; let’s go in the house.” The two entered Rebecca’s house.
“So, what do you what to do? Eat, drink, music, television?”
Rebecca bit her lower lip and grabbed Alfred’s hand and began walking to her bedroom.
“Rebecca, what are you doing? Did you want to talk? Let’s go to the living room then.”
Rebecca kissed Alfred. “No more talking, okay?”
“Okay.” They continued to the bedroom, where Rebecca pushed Alfred onto the bed, and they made love.
After they finished making love, they lay in Rebecca’s bed. Alfred couldn’t take his eyes off Rebecca.
“That was your first time, huh? Might as well be mine too; haven’t done it in about a hundred years. How was it?”
“It was amazing. Everything I thought it would be and more. What made you do that?”
“Would you like for me to tell you the truth or the lie?”
“Tell me the lie.”
“I still had feelings for David, after all this time. After everything that he did to me. I had to see if he still had a hold on me before I got with anyone else. Before I got with my dear friend Alfred. He doesn’t; I saw him, and I felt nothing. He’s right where he belongs now.”
“That’s why you had sex with me? Tell me the truth.”
“The truth is that I had to see if you really loved me. You’d only have sex with me if you really love me. Now I know.”
“Yes, you do. But do you really love me?”
“I love what you’ve allowed me to see. I broke Essie’s advice; she warned me not to fall in love with you.”
“I’ve allowed you to see everything.”
“No, you haven’t… King Pursan.”
Pursan had a gaping jaw and his eyes started to blink. “How long have you known?”
“I told you I could always tell when you’re lying. I figured it out a while ago. Decades ago, in fact.”
“No human has ever figured it out. To them, I’m still just Alfred. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why do you think I haven’t wanted to see Hell or see anyone else since Essie? If I had, you may have left. I got the chance to spend alone time with the most powerful being in Hell, with my king. Only a fool wouldn’t seize that, and I’m no fool.”
“But now you know the truth. Aren’t you afraid I’ll leave?”
“No. We just had sex. You love me; you’re not going anywhere.”
Pursan grinned. “No, I’m not.” Pursan kissed Rebecca, and they made love again.
“So many questions I want to ask you.”
“Ask away; I’m yours to command.”
“First, why the ruse? Why create Alfred?”
“Alfred gives me the opportunity to get to know my human subjects.”
“Why does that matter to you? The other kings don’t treat their humans the way you do, except for their companions. What’s the advantage to you? Why not put all of us in chains and fire? Or put us in our own personal nightmares?”
“Because even the weakest may prove useful. Even the wicked may prove useful.”
“What good can I serve? How could a foul-mouthed whore ever prove useful to King Pursan?”
“You were touched by God with a gift.”
“I don’t have a problem sleeping anymore.”
“But you did, when you were alive. By getting to know you, in a way, I’m getting a better understanding of God, my Father. There is value in that. Besides, you are so much more than what you were when you arrived.”
“How did you end up in Hell?”
“What I told you about Alfred is true, with some small distortions. My father made some of us to conquer; I was not one of those. In Heaven, I was an errand boy. There is a pyramid in Heaven, and I was on the bottom of it. I joined my brothers in rebellion because I saw opportunity.”
“You knew you would lose?”
“I calculated it. I knew that after defeat, my fallen brothers would question the ones who led us to rebel in the first place. I assumed that Lucifer and the other commanders would be challenged for leadership. I knew that would allow the smallest of us to rise.”
“You rebelled against God for power?”
“We were made in his image, as were humans. We all inherited our lust of power from our father.”
“It’s always power. Why do you love me? Hell is full of women. Billions. You could have anyone you want.”
“I don’t want anyone. I love you. I’m not going to give you a cliché list. I just do, and that’s it.”
“Will you always love me?”
“Forever.”
“We’ll see. As you always say, we have all the time in the world. “Where is your palace? I want to see it.”
“I have no palace.”
“You’re king and you have no palace?”
“I don’t want to appear to place myself higher than the others.”
There was a knock on the door. “Who could that be?” Asked Rebecca.
“Let’s go find out. I hate interruptions. No one is supposed to bother us. No one.”
Pursan opened the door, and there stood a man with short hair. He was very lean, and Rebecca could tell from her studies that he was dressed like an ancient Roman general.
“Sire, I hate to bother you, but it’s urgent,” said the man.
“Come in, Agrippa, and tell me what’s so important that it couldn’t wait.” The Agrippa? The great Roman general?
“Thank you, sire,” said Agrippa as he shut the door behind him. “You were right about Samael. He has kidnapped the companions of the other kings and has forced them to submit.”
“Commanders. So predictable. Let me guess: unless I submit too, the other kings will send their army to invade my territory?”
“Yes. They demand a response immediately.”
“Go and assemble the rest of my war council and tell them to meet me in your lands. And Agrippa, I mean the human council.” Agrippa nodded and left.
“I take it your war council is composed of other exceptional people like Agrippa?”
“Yes, I have two war councils. Though there is only one Agrippa.”
“One human council and one demon Council? Why?”
“Because it’s good to have alternative viewpoints. Demons may yield enormous power, but humans see things differently.”
“Why meet with your human council first?”
“Because I trust them much more than my demons. The humans need me more.”
“I understand.”
“What do you think I should do about Samael? Should I submit?”
“If everything that you taught me is correct, then Samael is one of the strongest beings in existence. He’s second only to God. And even without him, if all the other kings invade, you won’t stand a chance. What exactly does he want from you?”
“He wants to invade Heaven. He wants to see God suffer and Heaven destroyed.”
“That’s madness! War on God? Didn’t Luc
ifer try that long ago and lose? God can’t be defeated.”
“I’m not so sure about that. According to Samael, nearly all of the angels in Heaven have joined him, including several commanders. If that’s true, the odds are in his favor.”
“But that doesn’t matter, does it? God is all-powerful.”
“Is he? Why do you think Lucifer rebelled the first time?”
“Pride.”
“True, but he thought he could win. With Samael leading the majority of angels and demons, Heaven’s victory is not assured. But, still, Father is God for a reason. I think he’ll find a way to win. He always does.”
“On Earth, they teach us that God is all-powerful. But then again, they taught us that demons are hideous and Hell is all torment. You’re beautiful, and I couldn’t be happier. Why does Samael want to destroy Heaven? Why would the majority of angels join him?”
“If I ever lost you, if someone ever took you from me… I’ll do everything in my power to destroy them. That’s why Samael and my other brothers are angry: God took their beloved from them.”
“It appears you have no choice….at least on the surface. Why don’t you pretend to submit to Samael? Tell him your army is at his disposal, and wait for an opportunity to turn against him and the other kings.”
“My thoughts exactly. And I want to show you something else that may be useful for us.”
“Us?”
Pursan kissed Rebecca.
“Yes, us. I told you, I love you. I want you to meet someone. Rahab, show yourself.”
Suddenly, Rahab appeared before them. He wore a dark robe, his eyes were pitch black, and parts of his skin was missing, revealing his bones. He kneeled before Pursan.
“Rebecca, this is Rahab. My personal guard.”
“Has he been here this entire time?”
“Yes, he never leaves my side. No one, not even other demons, can see or sense his presence but me.”
“Did he watch us…you know?”
“No… he closed his eyes and looked away.”
“King Pursan, what am I going to do with you?”
“Love me forever, I hope. No more secrets, I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that. So how does one become the personal guard to the most powerful being in Hell?”