25
Uriel, riding a silver dragon, glided between the enemy troops of Tarans, Octopuses, and Sorvas, burning their bodies with lightning bolts. As he flew, he finally encountered a great obstacle in the form of a huge red dragon. The hellish beast floated smoothly toward the angel. Against the backdrop of the red-black dome, its body flexed and arched. The beast hurled a fireball, which Uriel avoided, flying sharply downward, crushing several gigantic hellish hyenas in the process. The silver dragon rose and flew directly under the red beast's leathery wings. It bit into its neck and tore out a chunk of flesh. A scream echoed through the abyss like an echo in the dark forest. The enormous body fell from the black heavens. The force of the fall created a massive crater, which slowly filled with black dragon blood.
As Uriel watched the falling monster, another beast attacked from behind. The roar of the angel's surprised silver friend was immense. When the archangel turned, he paled. Directly in front of him was the maw of a monstrous beast. These were the kings of the underworld. Enormous devils, several meters tall. They had incredibly soft skin that was easily pierced. Their enormous bodies were equipped with two pairs of clawed hands. Powerful eyes penetrated the skull, limiting the monster's field of vision. A massive, hooked tail wreaked havoc on battlefields, destroying literally everything in its path. Its elongated wolf jaw clamped down on the silver dragon's tail, and its powerful paws dug into its silver belly. Uriel soared into the air, intending to unleash a volley of lightning at its tormentor. His flowing golden hair gleamed like stained glass in old churches. The king dodged sharply. He suddenly lowered his large wolf head, throwing the silver dragon. A moment later, the head snapped upward, and a single horn, located in the center of its crusty forehead, cleaved the air. A chain of lightning struck the monster's head. The skull split in half. The massive body collapsed next to the shattered silver dragon. Uriel remained above, dealing fatal blows to the agile dark green spiders.
New waves of creatures continued to pour in from beyond the hills. Titans crushed the angelic armies, Drones turned bodies into acidic skeletons, and octopuses tore flesh apart en masse. From the east, a wave of red dragons and underworld kings descended. Black monks, sending down powerful waves of fire, burned the angelic troops.
The ravens of Anael's mages were released. A black cloud flew into the air like the Black Death, the destruction of the world. Hosts of night birds slashed the skies, felling the monstrous beasts. Yet even they could not resist the new arrivals, the Abyssal Dragons. They were among the first creatures imprisoned in the depths of Earth's dimensions, and with age, they grew as strong as an oak tree growing in a forest, only to return after hundreds of years. The mighty beasts longed to emerge beyond the Black Gate. They had languished for too long in this death-scorched land. Huge, dark shadows soared over the battlefields, thundering like ominous storm clouds. A small flock of Abyssal Dragons flew in from the west, from the ocean. They had crushed Michael's forces and were now heading towards the gate. Three horned heads scanned the area, searching for victims. Below the dragons, the hosts of the dead slowly marched. Thousands of skeletons and ghouls, from which pieces of rotten flesh fell.
Anael, seeing the approaching threat, dispatched squads of mages towards the falling ravens. Soon the earth boiled with powerful lightning bolts, fiery barriers, and hurricanes. Groups of mages positioned themselves every dozen meters and began firing at the winged hirelings. Some of the warriors sent waves of fire at the approaching army of the dead.
The
hall Haziel entered was vast and warm. Colorful frescoes and mosaics adorned the high walls. Beneath them, a fiery river flowed around the room. The vault was occupied by a massive dome made of thousands of small mirrors, delicately reflecting tongues of fire. On the eastern wall, on a small rise, stood the stone heart of Naamah, and next to it sat an elderly dwarf.
"So you are," he said dryly. "You remembered my name... I'm glad.
" "I'm glad too," the angel replied.
"Now you must fight me.
" "Unfortunately, I must," the angel said, feeling strange at the thought of fighting something that barely protruded from the ground.
- Then let's begin.
Fire rose from the walls, rising to the massive dome. Immense heat flooded the hall. The flames crept up to the glass ceiling and, as one, a thick, fiery sheaf fell directly onto the seated old man. A cry of victory echoed through the hall like a madman's laughter. The dwarf's skin began to expand, and his clothes tore into dozens of pieces. A constantly growing, horny skin emerged from beneath his hairy body. His face lengthened, and curved spines slowly emerged from within. Massive olive horns grew on his forehead, twisted in various directions like seaside trees, buffeted by constant winds. His body grew and writhed in the flames. His crocodile-like jaw opened wide, revealing a horny, toothless beak. His torso grew and became covered with greenish scales, incredibly durable. Its back was covered with delicate bony plates, extending lengthwise to a short, cleaver-like tail. The beast stood on its hind legs and raised its front legs, demonstrating its strength. The flames subsided as suddenly as they had appeared. The warmth vanished as if on the coldest night. Terrified, Haziel stood motionless, waiting for the green monster's first step. The guard galloped toward the angel. Its paws, armed with blunt but thick claws, made an odd grinding sound as they touched the concrete floor. The delicate slime covering its body dripped onto the floor, creating disgusting dark green stains. The old man, resembling a mighty alligator, opened his beak and leaped at the angel. Haziel unfurled his black wings and took to the air with ease. Here, another surprise awaited him. The creature, flying beneath the angel, flung its cleaver-like tail upward, intending to cut the angel in half. Haziel drew his sword and barely blocked the blow. He held the fiery sword close to his face. The incredible force of the reptilian tail pressed against its blade. Suddenly, the angel was enveloped in a black mist. The cleaver flew through it, scattering a small dark curtain. A moment later, the angel reappeared in the same spot. Satisfied with his successful teleportation, he smiled with red eyes. The furious guard turned and, beak open, launched himself into the attack again. This time, however, dozens of black hooks shot from his mouth, ready to tear through the delicate flesh. Rows of tentacles emerged from beneath the bony plates on his back. The angel avoided some of the hook-like projectiles with a delicate sideways movement. However, one of them painfully pierced his arm. Drops of blood flew upward in slow motion and fell to the floor. The painful hooks were nearly impossible to remove. With a swift slash of his sword, the black angel severed the chain holding him and then flew towards the dome. Small, painful, curved blades were still stuck in his hand. The pain was excruciating and made it impossible to concentrate. Suddenly, tentacles shot out at the angel. With quick, agile maneuvers, he dodged them. He landed on the floor, a considerable distance from the monster. His stance inspired respect and awe.Crouched, with one arm extended farther forward, he waited… His spread wings evoked the most terrifying legends of soul snatchers. Burning eyes bored into the monster. Suddenly, like lightning, the angel rose. His wings flashed like a black scepter of death. The angel's hand shot upward. At the same time, the monster's body rose and, thrust upward with force, crashed against the glass dome. Black blood flooded the hall. The Guardian fell. Haziel knew he couldn't give his rival time to recover. He gained speed. He ran along the walls of the hall, gaining as much speed as possible. Suddenly, he took to the air, and the gust of his wings ignited the greedy flames of a fiery river. Haziel rose into the dome and plummeted downward at deadly speed. As he flew, he drew his flaming sword and, with an outstretched arm, he hurtled toward the Guardian.
The force of the impact was immense. Dust filled the hall. The boom tore off sections of the wall in places. The floor sank several meters. The cracked walls stared down at the dead body of the guard.
Suddenly, his form began to shift and return to its former shape. A moment later, the guard stood before him, unharmed.
"You defeated me," he said. "You destroyed my temple," he added, looking around the room. "You are indeed great.
" "It is an honor for me," the angel said.
"Yes, I know... but it's not over yet... here you have Naamah's heart. Time moves much slower than there. You have lost much, and you will lose even more. I have lost," the old man said, then stepped into the fiery river. His body was surrounded by damned tongues of red fire. No pain, no scream. Haziel, heart in hand, waited for the gate to open.
27
Twenty-six months have passed since Haziel left for the North Pole. For about two months, Earth has been peaceful. The earthquakes stopped, and the water began to recede from the flooded cities. Yet no one forgot the victims of this catastrophe. The populations of Japan and North America were buried forever underwater. Russia, hoping for rebirth, searched its ruins for the millions of fire victims. The area resembled hell. The scorched earth revealed the remnants of what had once been Siberia. Cultural ruins scattered across the world, destroyed like matchsticks. No one knows what happened to the Great Wall of China, how long the Eiffel Tower burned, or perhaps to what depth the Queen of Great Britain's castle had sunk. All were grateful, however, that the greatest nightmare had come to an end. The earth would never be the same again, even if, in time, it revealed the lands it had submerged.
28
heads of the abyssal dragon surrounded Angel, seated atop the black beast. Backed against the wall, he was the only thing separating the monster from the path outward. Powerful, ominous jaws glared menacingly at Angel. All around, as if from the ground, other abyssal beasts rose. Five dragons, ready to devour Anael and carve their way to freedom, stood before him. Their powerful heads writhed and entwined. Suddenly, the angel hurled a powerful storm toward them, unleashing it above the dragons.
The gate was about two hundred meters wide. It was fenced with a magnetic field, with several squads of mages patrolling the area around the entrance. It was a strong enough barrier, but not insurmountable. Dragons and larger beasts would easily be able to open the gate. Other creatures would have to launch a massive attack. That's why it was so important to keep the enemy army away from the gate. The stunned, furious dragons struggled amidst the lightning bolts. Ariel appeared from the north. His mighty lion grabbed the beasts' throats and tore at the petrified tissues. The two dragons remained free, sensing the taste of freedom. Six heads, staring at the archangel, greedily lapped up the air of freedom.
"Remove the field," Anael yelled.
The astonished angels obeyed. The angel disappeared through the gate, followed by two abyssal dragons. A moment later, the field was restored. Ariel dispatched the remaining warriors using his black sword and the enormous jaws of his lion-beast. Suddenly, he noticed that, about three hundred meters away, an army of Battering Rams was charging toward the gate. He drew his sword and howled. Hundreds of mighty wolves leaped from behind the nearby hills and pounced on the bison beasts, tearing chunks of flesh from their enormous, hairy bodies. Among the Battering Rams roamed humanoid, slimy monsters with bodies covered with writhing snouts, enormous mantises with huge jaws and prehensile tails, enormous bison with scaly skin, armies of cyclops and rock monsters, wraiths with horned heads resembling bats, gigantic larvae, and Black Riders—huge, dark lizards moving on hundreds of blades. Possessing an incredibly extensible and viscous jaw filled with flaming tongues, their backs were an army of sorts. From each torso sprouted powerful claws, similar to those of enormous crabs. This, combined with hundreds of legs equipped with razor-sharp blades, made them highly dangerous opponents.
Hell knew no limits in the creation of hideous and terrifying creatures, which thrived in the dark, scorching climate and murderous shadows.
Anael soared vertically upward, pursued by the monstrous, toothed heads of dragons. Avoiding the flames, he sped swiftly between the icy walls of the North Pole's underground. Far above, he could already see a long, bright line. It was the exit to the surface. The monsters from Hell were getting closer, snapping their teeth, trying to reach Anael's dragon's black tail. The yellow light glowed ever brighter. The cold air squeezed with iron arms, preventing breath. Icy rocks shifted madly. With surgical precision, the dragons avoided the frozen fragments jutting out from the glaciers and raced towards freedom. An ingenious plan to eliminate the intruders formed in Anael's mind. The chance was slim, but a chance nonetheless. He accelerated to tremendous speeds and increased the distance between himself and the ravenous stone maws. Suddenly, with the speed of a machine gun bullet, he shot above the surface like hot water in a geyser. The world at the Pole was completely different from what he remembered. The dark sky was heated by the scorching, muted glow of the sun. Black storm clouds raced, dispensing lightning bolts like death to the restless victims of evil. He quickly braked and turned the dragon headfirst. The graveyard cries of approaching monsters rose from the cave. Just a moment. Fear was a beautiful, intensifying feeling.
"Now," Anael shouted in a steely voice.
Shining black spears sprouted from his hands. He released them with tremendous force towards the cave. The black dragon threw back its head and, falling into the abyss, spewed a vast mass of fire towards its opponents. The flying black spears nailed the dragons' heads to the icy walls, and the fire burned the trembling entrails. Anael plunged back into the darkness of the ice temple.
29
A few months ago, when the wildness and fear of Earth, its unbridled power, were still present, Tom and Teresa lived in a small hotel. Normally a luxurious resort, it was now merely a shelter for dozens of escapees. They had no money, but Tom received a place in exchange for medical care for the hotel manager's son. This beautiful town was Furstenfeld. Located near the borders with Hungary and Slovenia, it was enchanting. It lay at the foot of the Steiermark Mountains in central Austria. The resort was situated on one of the gentle and gentle slopes. The motel was fortunate not to be destroyed by the powerful hailstorm. Tom and Teresa, lying in their tiny single room, made plans and dreamed of peace. They remembered with sadness their angelic helper. This faith helped them survive the worst. The woman's hands healed, and Tom's body was free of casts and bandages. Sad, tired, and terrified by the new day, they refused to give up and tried to spread this thought to others. It was easier for them… they knew. Therefore, they decided they couldn't abandon the unaware to their fate. From other people's accounts and the very weak radio, they learned more information… South America, with the exception of a fragment in the south, is intact. Violent storms have devastated the cities of Brazil and Argentina. The waters of the Caribbean and Sargasso Seas flooded Cuba, driving its inhabitants into the embrace of Dagon… Panama will never see the light of day again… Powerful storms have attacked from Gibraltar and are sweeping along Upper Guinea. Dust storms are expected to reach their strongest in centuries… A powerful earthquake swept from Pretoria in southern Africa to the Nubian Desert in the north of the continent… They listened with horror to the news of subsequent disasters and the situation at dawn… The collapse of Antarctica… The flooded Netherlands… Northern Poland, parts of Germany, and France. In Spain, the last food supplies are burning… Powerful storms wiped out Ankara, and Turkey also lost supplies… In Russia, fires spread to St. Petersburg after Vyatka… In China, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, acts of cannibalism are again escalating… Baku is flooded by a wave of water several meters high, Australia is under the rule of hail… The press and radio broadcast programs about peaceful and brutal social behavior. Cannibalism, stoning, and public executions, in the face of devastating famine, opposed humanitarian aid, the rescue of children and animals, and respect for life. Tom lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and began to speak.
"You know what the worst part is," he began .
"Yes?" Teresa asked.
"What hurts me most is that the food warehouses are either destroyed, hidden and accessible only to a select few, or people steal them and carry off the contents.
" "It annoys me too. Especially yesterday, when they said four huge food warehouses burned down in Madrid.
" "Sometimes I wonder if it's really that bad
." "With what?" Teresa asked, slightly frowning.
"With all the hunger. After all, we managed
." "Honey, we were lucky... that's all. Don't you remember the photos in the newspapers? Burning fields, destroyed corn and potatoes, plantations of other vegetables collapsed. Farms and pastures destroyed.
" "Yes, I remember, but it's hard for me to believe it affected the entire world. What's happening down there? I wonder where Haziel is now.
" "I'm sure he's okay," Teresa consoled herself. She got up from the small chair and went to the window. "A wonderful view. I've always wanted to visit Austria. A wonderful country." These mountains, the greenery…it's just a shame the sky is constantly dark. She turned towards the bed. “Tom?
” “Yes?
” “Why the Carpathians?
” “My ancestors came from there. They were Vlachs
.” “Yes?” Teresa said excitedly. “Or maybe you're a descendant of Dracula.” She smiled coquettishly.
“Of course,” Tom added. “And now I'm dragging you across half the continent to the castle to drink your blood.” He laughed.
“Think about it, we'll soon be in the center of the world of horror, a place where superstitions are eternal and cemeteries frighten with screaming black crosses.”
“Yes… but we'll be here for a while longer…”
A
long time had passed since the old man entered the river full of flames. Yet no gates opened. The angel still saw the body and its intact fragments. He wondered how long a body could burn. A week had probably passed. On Earth, much, much longer. The last tissues were gradually being consumed by the flames. Suddenly, a soft hum crept into the angel's ears. He turned his head with joy and saw the mirrored dome opening. Bright light flooded into the hall, filling it to the brim. The angel took heart and, with a slight fear, soared upwards. Light surrounded him. Haziel knew that this was the moment when something extraordinary would be taken from him. Curiosity burned inside like a blast furnace, and fear froze it like a harsh winter. Golden light enveloped him, only to turn into impenetrable darkness a moment later. The angel stood in a vast, dark tunnel; at its end, a light burned. Haziel ran towards it. As he approached, a dark, iron grate blocked his path, and from the tunnel walls, the angel's terrifying voice came.
"If you are going to the world of the living, through a tunnel of darkness, you will be deprived of something precious to you." A thunderous sound echoed in the tunnel .
"Yes... please, I'm ready. There's little time left. I feel the beast will soon emerge through the gate." The angel screamed. "I have to close it, I have to—" Let me in.
" "So it's good you were dead, you're alive... Let it be.
" The gate opened, and the angel marched to the end of the tunnel...
Snow everywhere. The angel found himself inside a cold, icy cave. When he emerged, a bitter wind slammed into his face. Suddenly, he felt very cold. His body weakened, and his sight and hearing deteriorated. The frightened angel glanced back in disbelief. His wings disappeared from his back.
"No!!!" He screamed. "Is it possible? The angel had ceased to be an angel, and if he wasn't, it meant he had become—
" "Human," Haziel choked out. Tears streamed down his blue, frozen face. Shivers gripped his body and held him tight in his clenched, steel fists...
31
The 36 months since Haziel's departure had passed very slowly and ponderously. For a year, Earth had been the planet we all remember. A beautiful, joyful blue. The water had receded from the flooded lands, and new life was developing in the scorched earth. The damage was slowly being repaired. A few months ago, at the turn of June and July, Teresa reached their dream destination of Romania. They set off from Austria on foot. The car had to be exchanged for food and money in Ostrava a few weeks earlier. Exhausted, they reached Hungary. They camped for several days on a platform in Zalaegerszeg, hoping that at least some trains would run. However, this was not to be. This was the twenty-third month of underground fighting. The earth would tremble with fear and pain for another month. Exhausted, they hitchhiked on their journey, hoping for the understanding of the presumably weary drivers. Finally, they managed to reach Sarkad, a small town near the Romanian border. From there, they set off on foot westward toward Oradea, Romania, and then onward toward the Carpathians. In the heart of these magnificent mountains lay the picturesque and dark town of Vatra Dornei. Somewhere there, the abandoned house of Tom's great-grandparents awaited them. The road became increasingly difficult and unbearable. The constant fear of further earthquakes haunted them. More and more, refugees could be seen arriving. Everyone hoped to find peace in a new world… The twenty-fourth month. Peace descended, settling gently and rustling softly. Euphoria tore at hearts. The earthquakes ceased, the storms vanished, the smoke revealed a beautiful, joyful, and pure sun. Tom and Teresa had found the town they longed for. It was old and awe-inspiring. Wooden churches rose from the hills. Winding, uphill roads led to old cemeteries. Their house had been abandoned for five years, since Tom's brother had left for France. In a letter Tom received a few years ago, he read that Fryderyk wanted to transfer the estate to him because he was fleeing abroad to seek true love. Tom thought with a smile. He was a carefree man indeed. The estate was small, but beautiful
, with a view of enormous mountain ranges. I liked the new apartment; they were happy, enjoying every moment, yet worried about the angel they had once met.
Haziel emerged from the cave, frozen. Tears slowly froze to his pale face. A terrible cold filled his lungs and, along with the blood, flowed into his heart. The former angel, clutching Naamach's heart beneath his black cloak, walked toward the visible dais. He climbed a gentle hill. The view was beautiful. The cracked pole stretched as far as the eye could see. Wide furrows decorated the landscape, and from their depths erupted a terrifying cold. Haziel approached the crystal, gazed out at the sun-drenched land, and placed the heart in the vessel. Suddenly, the stone began to move. Its strange tremors resembled a post-mortem spasm. The heart cracked, and a small golden serpent crawled from the gap. The sun was setting. The rising moon watched the golden reptile with its silver eye. Suddenly, the earth shook, and the serpent's body began to melt, leaving behind golden crystals.
"Run, run..." He recalled the guard's words. Haziel plunged into the night. He ran frantically, barely avoiding the newly formed fiery fissures. He ran toward his destiny, toward life or death. Suddenly, a powerful explosion from the earth's core knocked him off his feet. Losing consciousness, he slowly froze, cloaked in night.
Although
the land had calmed down over a year ago, terrifying battles still raged here. The Black Gate was the southernmost point. Beyond that, there was only the path to Earth. Flanking the gate were towering mountains, merging with the dome of the sky and creating an impenetrable vault. Groups of fighting armies scattered across the earth like newly released birds. Groups of black riders slashed at delicate flesh and massive armor with their claws. Their powerful, flaming tongues pierced heads hidden beneath their helmets. Flocks of battering rams crushed infantry formations. The larvae devoured the immobilized victims and the mantises pierced their hearts with their powerful pincers.
Flying above the herd of monks, Uriel hurled lightning bolts, which were effectively deflected by the cloaked troops. Ariel flew in from the other side with a detachment of animals. A pack of wolves pounced on the black beasts, eagles snatched their enemies and tore them apart, flinging them into the air. The cavalry, led by Uriel, crushed the stunned monks under their hooves. Gabriel, Michael, and Zachariel, along with their detachments, flew towards the writhing, damp Maws and Bloodlings that were roaming the gate. Gabriel's steed lay with its severed head near other remains, massacred by the Sorwy. Gabriel, gliding low, flew into the thick of the fighting, pirouetting in midair, slashing at the approaching slimy Maws. Michael and Zachariel also charged in with detachments armed with spears, their blades covered with traces of fresh mucus and blood from the Maws and Bloodlings. However, the approaching hosts of the Underkings tipped the scales of victory in the enemy's favor. Uriel, Ariel, and Anael were pinned to the gate by thousands of new monsters. Flying Abyssal Dragons burned their enemies, and Black Riders devoured the still-warm bodies. New armies of enormous dragons appeared time and again against the backdrop of a black dome, clogged with massive spiderwebs, on which writhed monstrous creatures. They hung upside down, feeding on hunted and cocooned victims. Cassiel's archers were attacked by an army of ghouls and drones. Burning acid seeped into mouths, burned eyes, and devoured entrails. Hell took on a new dimension of suffering. A new power of fear reigned in this damned land, where even the smallest pebble evoked a sense of dread. The red sphere, constantly hanging against the backdrop of the enormous, enclosed dome, darkened. Resembling a great tomb, Death was everywhere, tangible as the pain of torn arms or a singed face. Black monks, surrounded by a blazing ring, shot at flying eagles and black panthers, reducing them to dust. Mighty, scaly devils burned and crushed each approaching army. New forces continued to arrive from the hills to the east and from the burning ocean to the west. Backed against the wall by thousands of Ariel dragons, Anael and Uriel continued to fight, bringing down one mighty head after another on the fallen earth. Powerful waves of fire, lightning, and the majestic slashes of thousands of swords defied the enemy armies.
Suddenly, the gates creaked. Silence… all the creatures in the abyss, as one, gazed at the dark abyss and the surrounding mountains.
“It has begun,” Anael shouted. “Haziel has completed the task.”
- Finally - Gabriel sighed - Who had already doubted the success of the angel's mission many times.
Furious roars erupted from the monsters' jaws. This sound would shake the abyss to the very core of Hell. The monks' black habits began to burn, revealing the bodies of powerful devils condemned to this terrible place. Their long, rotting red-and-black arms hurled waves of air at the angels. Suddenly, swords and axes appeared in their hands. The army of devils began their massacre in a frenzied rage, trying to reach the gates of the Black Gate. Another tremor, this time stronger. The dome began to collapse, and the sides of the walls slid together. The abyssal
dragons, raging, destroyed everything in sight, no longer distinguishing between allies and enemies. They surged forward like gigantic storm clouds. Like coffins sinking into the depths of the earth, like larvae persistently striving for their one desired goal: survival.
"Retreat," Ariel shouted, piercing the throat of the King of the Underworld.
"Retreat," other voices echoed, so that the information could reach all the angels. "Quickly, we can't do it, there are thousands of them—retreat," came the voices everywhere.
Ariel, standing at the gate, saw clouds of black, white, and gold angels approaching. They retreated, still trying to fight to strike a blow against their enemy. However, some of them also fell victim to the frenzied monsters. The magnetic field was broken. The angels left the place in a hurry, followed by the frenzied beasts. Thousands of creatures fled upwards through the frosty corridor, the same one Anael had once used to escape from the dragons of the abyss. Hundreds of thousands of creatures flew upwards. But some fell victim to pursuing enemies who had managed to get through the gate, or were crushed by falling ice fragments. The hole was being filled, and its walls were narrowing, fusing together. Some angels had already risen to the surface and protected their emerging brethren. The gap was becoming narrower. The angels had to accelerate to escape before they were crushed. However, the increased speed made it difficult to avoid the falling ice boulders. Gabriel and Cassiel were the last of the archangels in the cave. They increased their speed and, like master acrobats, dodged falling cave fragments and the dragon and devil heads that flew past. The lizards rapidly scaled the cold walls, climbing upward with deadly precision. Many angels didn't make it to the gate in time, and few made it through. The vastness, too, was crushed in the closing jaws of the icy walls. Gabriel and Cassiel leaped from the cave just as it closed its steel hands on thousands of victims. Gabriel held two wounded angels in his arms, whom he had managed to catch. The gate was closed. Along with the angels, several beasts flew from the jaws of the earth: Abyssal Dragons, Underworld Kings, and a group of Black Monks. Their speed was equally great, and now they stood in the place they had longed for. However, the angels' advantage on earth was clear, and they now dictated the terms. The surrounded, furious beasts tried to defend themselves, but were quickly slain by the larger forces. Joy reigned among the hosts. Suddenly, Ariel noticed a small black figure lying in the snow. He flew to it, lifted it into his arms, and said,
"It's Haziel." The archangels crowded around the angel and stared at the terribly cold figure.
"He's alive," Anael said... but...
"Yes... he's no longer one of us, he's human," Ariel said. "Quickly, let's help him... he sacrificed himself for us. Without him, we wouldn't have made it.
" "Yes, let's take him to safety." The angels moved toward the sky as twinkling stars, symbols of freedom and happiness paid for with immense suffering. Only Ariel stayed with Haziel so as not to arouse suspicion. He lifted him into his arms and flew into the cold air. Flying away in the moonlight ,
he saw a shattered crystal and scattered golden dust, soaking like blood into snowflakes.
Ariel felt sad. He was flying with a man who was freezing to death, a former converted angel. He was looking for a suitable place for him. Finally, he decided to take him to the recently rebuilt Holy Trinity Hospital in Victoria. The great affection he felt for Haziel kept the archangel thinking. He thought about friendship, fear, courage. He soared high in the sky among the stars. He watched cities slowly rebuild. Forests grow anew. The angel slowly regained consciousness…
Epilogue
20 years later.
1
A psychiatric hospital in… In southern Finland. A locked ward. Small, barred windows let in pale moonlight. The screech of a lock and a heavy sliding door. A beautiful young doctor enters the dark room with a stack of psychotropic medications and a smile on her red lips.
"Good evening," she said sweetly
. "What year is it?" asked a sad and frightened voice.
"The same one as yesterday, 2005.
" "That's impossible... It's been twenty-one years..." said a voice from the shadows.
"Don't start... give yourself a chance to recover.
" "But I'm healthy," the voice shouted
. "Yes?" the irritated woman asked, surprised. "Calling yourself an angel doesn't make things any better."
The man stepped out of the shadows and stood in the glow of a small lamp the woman had lit. His face was old and bruised. His hands were swollen from IV drips, and his eyes were dark circles. Yet their glint remembered the old, wonderful times.
"I... I was an angel and became human... For you...!!! Please kill me, I don't want to be here anymore, I want to become an angel again... where is Tom, where is Teresa... Help..." the man sobbed... I thought you would help me... I didn't know Earth was so... so sad. "
We're helping you...
" "No!!!" the man screamed. "Why am I here?" No… don't you understand?... Let me out. I want to feel the wind, I want to feel the sun, I want to enjoy life.
- You're dangerous… this split… remember? When we took you from the hospital in Vanstroten… they were afraid of you. -
No!!!, This is a lie… what did you do to me?
- Nothing… we're treating you. It's a disease, a problem, and we're eliminating it.
The man's cries rose high up to the vaulted walls.
- And the catastrophe on Earth, and the war.
- There was no catastrophe.
- What?
- Tom and what's-her-name-Teresa weren't there either. We checked. - The woman looked into the man's frightened eyes.
- How so?
- There's no Viktoria either… such a city doesn't exist. We're still in Diakorenkind, south of Vanstroten. Tears
like peas dripped onto the man's hands. His swollen eyes squeezed shut and burned.
- I'm sorry to say that.
"Why are they so evil?" asked a voice hidden in the warm, velvety shadow of the massive chamber. Somewhere in the distance, soft, beautiful music played. Rocking the world like a cradle.
"I don't know... another dozen years and our friend will join us again... yes... someone is already waiting for him here." "
People are strange. Sometimes they inflict pain, others for their own pleasure
." "You're right... but you forgot one thing.
" "Yes?
" "Sometimes they don't have to be people at all..."
3
Beautiful Doctor. She administered the patient's medication and left. In the corridor, Jan accosted her. A younger colleague from work. Today they were guarding the closed ward together.
"Hi, listen, I know you mean well, but lying won't help... he's suffering.
" "What, am I supposed to confirm his sick illusions? This guy doesn't have anyone, he's dangerous." We have to take drastic measures
. "Yes, but it's 2025. The cataclysms weren't his idea, and if he really is...
" "Nonsense, the more he doubts it, the better." A moment of silence, then the woman began to speak again. "
I'll tell you something... I really like you, and I want you to know why I'm doing this. It gives me pleasure to see you cry, to see you suffer, I hate him, just like this whole hospital and all these wrecks... people, they're just meat... just like you and others. A bunch of worms have spread across the world like viruses.
" "What... What are you talking about, how could you?
" "Don't think I'm bad, I just hate this place. Now leave me alone and focus on yourself. "
"Go to hell... you idiot.
" "As you wish..." She smiled, her eyes flashing like red crystals. In the glow of the flickering lamps, her shadow momentarily transformed into a massive winged beast with twisted horns and long talons. The woman turned and looked wildly around the grimy walls, only to disappear into the depths of the shimmering, ominous corridors.
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