Rise of the Fallen (15 page)

He lifted his hand to the center of the map and swiped across Bavot’s name, causing it to vanish. As his finger traced each letter, the darkened name of Niturni appeared. Apollyon had changed the names of many of his angels, but the name of Niturni he let remain, for it meant “heart of fire.”

Validus stared at the name on the map. He didn’t need to analyze the demon’s abilities—he knew them all too well. Niturni was brilliant, and Malak was no match for him. This was the worst of times for Validus to abandon his post as commander of the North American continent. He clenched his fist.

“I know this makes your command even more difficult, sir,” Malak said, “but—”

“No, Malak.” Validus turned abruptly to face his second in command. “This makes
your
command more difficult.”

Malak tilted his head and squinted at Validus.

“Hulan,” Validus called, “I want the regional commanders and the entire staff assembled for a briefing ASAP.”

“Yes sir.”

Hulan disappeared with two other warriors through the western wall of the church sanctuary.

“What’s going on, Commander?” Malak’s concern showed in his countenance, but his voice was steady and sure.

Validus looked at him, measuring him against the adversary he would soon be facing. “You’ll find out soon enough. Come, I want to bring you up to speed on a few things before the other commanders arrive.”

Thirty minutes later Validus stood before his regional commanders, twelve powerful warriors, each a veteran of four thousand years and charged to protect
and preserve the saints of Elohim in their mission to disciple and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ on the North American continent. They had gathered in the large conference room of the church where there was room for only thirteen chairs. The rest of the command staff stood along the far wall.

Validus looked into the eyes of each of his commanders, knowing that the days ahead would be difficult. The prophecies were nearly all fulfilled. The days were drawing to an end, but before they did, there would be many battles for the souls of humanity. He searched for the right words.

“Fellow warriors, effective immediately, Commander Malak is the commander of all North American continental forces.”

“What?” one of the commanders exclaimed. Others expressed astonishment too, but Validus held up his hand.

“I have been reassigned.”

“Why, Commander? Have you been transferred to Europe to fight Bavot?” one of the regional commanders asked. “Doesn’t General Brandt know that we need you here no matter what is happening in Europe?”

Validus stared at his men until they all fell silent. He didn’t know how to respond. They would all eventually find out and, to a man, would suspect demotion. He couldn’t remember anything he had ever experienced being more humiliating than this moment right now.

He had won the respect of all of his commanders, but there were three who would not be upset at his departure. In command there were always some who disagreed with policy and tactics. In spite of that, however, every commander followed orders once his petitions were heard.

Validus chose to ignore the question about why he was leaving.

“I have the utmost confidence in Commander Malak and his ability to lead our forces here. You will afford him the same respect and support that you gave me.” He paused and scanned the room. “The days ahead will be extremely challenging, and the new commander of the Fallen is as cunning and intelligent as I have ever encountered.”

He leaned forward, placing his hands on the dark-cherry-stained table. “Men … if ever we needed to be confident in the ways of Elohim, it is now. The valiant shall fight and the courageous not fear, for great is our God!”

“Great is our God!” thirty deep voices echoed.

Validus lifted himself up and stood straight, his face as stolid as flint. “I
will help transition command for the next few weeks, but your orders will come from Commander Malak. Any questions?”

“What is your new command, sir?” Commander Ruchart from region nine asked.

Validus considered his conversation with the guardian, Tren, and decided that the fewer who knew, the better. “For now I’m not at liberty to say, but if any of you have knowledge of unusual Fallen activity, especially in the central regions, I need to know immediately.” He scanned the chiseled faces of his handpicked commanders. Each one had unique abilities and skills, well suited to the challenge that lay in the years to come.

“It’s been an honor serving with you.” Validus turned and nodded to Malak, and it was done.

Four thousand years of battle and command experience pushed aside for one man. Validus thought of General Danick and wondered if it would be different if he were still in command.

13
 

2348 BC

“We saw you through the portal!” Persimus’s eyes were wide with excitement. “Explain.”

Validus shook his head. “I don’t know what to say. I thought I was to be rebuked or worse, and then …” He looked at Persimus, then lowered his head. “I felt … foolish and out of place, like it should have been an angel mightier than I.” He glanced up at his friend.

Persimus was smiling from ear to ear. He wrapped an arm around Validus’s shoulders and pulled him into a walk toward the gardens. “You didn’t look foolish. You looked valiant! And you encouraged us all.”

Validus smiled sheepishly. He had never been chosen for such a noble task.

“We weren’t allowed to see the judgment of the Fallen. Where did you take them?” Persimus asked.

“
They are chained to the bottom of the Euphrates
 … or what will be the Euphrates when the waters recede.”

“But how can they survive? Water burns and kills them.” Persimus looked perplexed.

Validus cringed as he remembered the demons’ screams when he and the other angels plunged them into the waters. “Michael said that dissolution was taken from them, that they are being reserved for the judgment of the End of Days.” Validus stopped. Persimus looked at his friend. “Can you imagine the rage of General Tarsis on the earth after such torment?” Validus shook his head as he thought of the evil Tarsis would unleash on the unprotected.

“Yes, I don’t think I need to see that.” Persimus urged them into the garden where their thoughts could be turned to something less gruesome.

As they walked, both became solemn. Validus saw Persimus look toward Mount Simcha, and he put an arm around Persimus’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

Persimus stopped and faced Validus, his eyes wet with sorrow. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen him.” Persimus tried to smile. “Who knows how long it will be now.”

Validus nodded and didn’t know how to console him.

“One of us has become an enemy, another dissolved to Mount Simcha,” Persimus said. “What will become of us, Validus?”

“I don’t know. But I do know that I’m grateful for your friendship no matter what happens.”

This time, Persimus’s smile was genuine. “And I am grateful for you.”

He held up a hand, and Validus grabbed it.

In the days following the Purge, there was much conjecture over what would happen next. It seemed that all of the future of humanity was being rewritten.

The angels had heard that Apollyon was furious with the judgment and demise of his warriors on earth. With constant protest and petition, a new accord had been determined, the Noahidic Accord. Validus struggled to understand why Elohim even listened to the evil accusations of Apollyon, but he determined that it had something to do with the lives of the eight living humans afloat on the ark.

As stated in the new accord, three hundred thousand angels and three hundred thousand Fallen, the second generation of warriors, would be sent to earth once the waters of the Purge receded. It was to be a new beginning for earth and a new beginning for the warriors. All but four angel warriors had been dissolved to Mount Simcha, and all but four of the Fallen had been cast into the Abyss.

At the appointed time, all the angels of the Upper Realm gathered in the Court of Presentation to hear the words of Michael. The archangel stood on a raised marble-and-gold platform in the center of the court. On the edge of the court beneath the shadow of the Holy Mount, Gabriel stood with three messenger angels to his left and three to his right.

Michael gazed across the assembly of the holy servants of Elohim. “We
have witnessed the purging of evil from the face of the earth. The mighty hand of Elohim has moved in judgment against the Fallen and their pernicious ways. Today we are also witness to the beginning of a new dawn and a new hope for humanity.”

The archangel paused and looked toward Mount Simcha. “Many of our brothers have fallen in battle to bring this second life to humanity. By the sovereign will of Elohim, we must prepare to implement the Plan. Do not be deceived. Our enemy will fight harder, longer, more viciously, and more ruthlessly than the first generation of demons. Prepare your hearts lest you become complacent in your duty and lest we make the sacrifice of our brothers to no avail. The Genesis Accord dictated the statutes of their war. It will once again dictate ours as well. But in addition to the Genesis Accord, the following statutes will also be enforced:

“This is the Noahidic Accord, and all angels of both realms of the Warrior, Guardian, and Vexer-Possessor Orders will be governed by these statutes.” Michael paused as he scanned the multitude of angels. “Hear the names of the second generation of angel warriors given the noble task of protecting the righteous upon the earth.”

Gabriel flew to Michael and handed him a book. The archangel opened it and began to read.

“Yilron, Gibliot, Natham, Ru …”

Validus listened with great anticipation, and Persimus stood silently beside him. The names were being read in order of creation, and Validus would have to wait. Hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands were added to the list of second-generation warriors, and Validus counted each one.

“Wilsung, Trininden, Persimus, Orsong …”

Validus felt the gaze of his friend. He didn’t know whether to congratulate him or console him, so he stared onward at Michael, ever counting. Persimus stayed silently beside him as the names continued to be called until only one name remained, and one more was yet to be chosen.

“Validus.”

The book was closed, and the future of the three hundred thousand angel warriors was determined. Of the angels who remained, guardian angels would be chosen and their numbers would be increased as the population of humanity increased.

Validus had mixed feelings, for he had watched the plight of the children of humanity because of the sins of their parents and despaired for them. He could sense the heart of Elohim toward the children and understood why He had created the Guardian Order and rejoiced in it. It would be a highly esteemed order of angels because their charges would be the most vulnerable of God’s creation. Validus could think of no position more noble than that.

But he also knew that he would not be well suited for the task. His sense of justice would invariably get him into trouble. No, serving as a warrior, facing the swords of the Fallen outright, was where he belonged, even if he only lasted one day.

What Validus didn’t understand was why Persimus had been chosen as a
warrior and not as a guardian, or better yet, to remain as a servant in the holy city of Zion. Inwardly he feared for his tender-hearted companion. He resolved to do everything possible to protect him if he could.

“Well, my friend,” Persimus said, “are you satisfied?”

“I will not be satisfied until Apollyon and every last one of his angels are cast into the lake of fire … including Niturni.”

Persimus turned to face Validus. Sadness hung on his face and in his eyes. “Do you still think of him of ten?”