From Heaven To Earth (The Faith of the Fallen) (20 page)

“An impressive toy, but not enough,” Erantu said, as his head settled on
top of his reformed body. He stood firm and awaited her.

She noticed Erantu had to put more effort into evading her attacks. They
missed him by centimeters. His concentration blinded him to other threats and
made it easy for the shadows of the pews around him to catch him off guard.

Four bands of shadow controlled by Riell rose from the pews around them.
Erantu’s arms and legs were fettered. He struggled feebly. Intense anger and
frustration flamed inside his eye sockets. Riell willed the shadows to swallow
him.

Her wrist spikes formed back into a shortsword, which she sheathed.

Shadows moved up Erantu’s legs and down his arms.

He laughed.

“You may hold me here but it matters not! It had already begun."

Shadow covered his head and silenced him.

Riell felt a tingle beneath her forehead.

Shrazz, hang on a sec.

What’s wrong?

Don’t worry. I’ll tell you in a second.

Fine. Don’t be long.

She strode to the door of the cathedral and looked above the top of the
door.

She flapped her wings and hovered above the doors of The Sanctuary. A
small key that matched the one in The Horse was on its frame.

She floated to the floor.

I might not be able to close that portal, but I can seal this place so
whatever comes out of it won’t have a chance in hell of getting to Earth!

She held the key near the cathedral doors and closed her eyes.

“May the light never leave you. May darkness never find you. Be safe now
my former home.” Riell felt the Archbishop struggle against her prison with all
his might.

“...For now, I must say farewell.”

The silver key burst and the doors of the cathedral glowed.

“It’s done.” She turned to her prisoner. “Goodbye you smelly bastard.”

I hope that’s enough to hold him and the rest of his lackeys. Shrazz?

She sent him a telepathic request. He would feel the same sensation she
felt earlier when he had called her.

Riell, the plan is to be executed ASAP. I’m sending you the rendezvous
point now.

An image of where Riell was to meet Shrazz flashed into her head.

Not worried about me anymore, huh?

Don’t be a whiny bitch. There’s no time. You said you were fine and I
believed you. Is there something else I should be concerned about?

Riell was silent. Shrazz could feel her resentment.

Sorry, Riell. It’s just that I miscalculated. The angel is on the move
and if we don’t get there soon there’s a chance for failure.

She took a deep, calming breath.

I understand, sir. There is one thing though.

What’s that?

Keep has turned. He is now our enemy.

What?! How did this happen?

There’s no time to explain. I’ll tell you more when I see you.
She
turned and looked at the altar.
A portal leading to Lower Limbo has opened
up in the cathedral as well.

Shit, Riell!

That’s not all.
Riell felt the bishop’s struggles grow weaker and
cease.

“At least he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon,” she said to herself.

Archbishop Erantu is here. He came from the portal apparently.
She
glared into the nearly opaque shadow bubble and jumped back when she caught
sight of Erantu’s face. His black maw grinned at her.

And you said you were fine! Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier!

I didn’t want to worry you because I knew this angel was more
important for the time being.
She walked up to the bubble and stared at him
through it. I
sealed the cathedral using the incantation Keep enchanted the
key with.

Smart thinking. That should lock the lich up tightly. Get out of there
before it seals you up too.

I have a couple more minutes.
Erantu mouthed something at Riell
and laughed.
He doesn’t seem worried about it though. I’m afraid something
is going to happen. I really have no idea how it can be any worse than what’s
going to happen if we don’t get to that angel on time, but just keep it in
mind.

“I know you can’t hear me either, but I’ll be back for you.” She mouthed
out the last five words slowly so he would understand.

The lich doubled over with laughter.

Once we get the angel he’ll be the one worrying.

You’re right.
Riell turned on her heels.

Alright, get there as soon as you can.

I’m on my way now.

Make sure you mask your aura well. We don’t want them to pick up on...

You think I’m a fledgling or something?! Jesus. that’s standard
protocol!
Riell concentrated on the image Shrazz had given her.

Alright, Riell, alright! I’ll see you there.

Shrazz was gone.

Riell sighed and opened a door of light using her Inner to take her to
the rendezvous.

Gerald had watched the humans for so long his eyes felt lidless. After he
followed Feit for a bit to make her nervous, Gerald had decided to come to The
Park and relax. It used to be a place of solace, but now it only reminded him
of what was in danger.

An elderly man on a bench near the edge of the pond prepared to cast a
line and fish. A young couple sat on a bench on the other side of the pond and
spoke sweetly to one another. The boy pulled the girl in for a kiss.

As the lips of the young couple met the elderly man smiled, averted his
eyes and paid attention to his fishing. He knew young love required isolation
from nagging parents and worldly distractions. Only then could it have a chance
to germinate, blossom and mature. For a brief moment the impassible clouds
released a moonbeam upon the limpid waters of the pond, before the sky tore it
from earth once again.

Gerald wished that he had not abused his life on Earth. He could have
stayed with Eliza, and known what love was really like. He hoped in the end he
would still have that chance.

“Damnit, Drean, where are you?”

This might be completely useless but I’ll try to sense him again.

“No, nothing.” Gerald stood.

He turned and walked down a trail, away from the scene of harmony and
back into reality. He thought of nothing, and because his head granted him
silence he heard quiet footsteps behind him. He whirled about.

Drean was walking down the trail behind him.

Drean, whew.

Gerald ran his fingers through his hair.

He looks so solemn. I think... I think he’s ready. Let’s hope so.

Drean blinked and did a double-take.

“Gerald?!”

“Ha! Yes, indeed. Surprised to see me?”

“No... I followed your aura here. I just wasn’t sure if it was you or
not. So I crept up to get a closer look. Your appearance has changed
drastically.”

“Yeah and I got a new pair too.” Gerald gave Drean a sly smile as Drean
looked him over.

“A pair? Of what?” Drean asked.

“Wings, of course! What were you thinking of?!” Gerald threw his jacket
off in a triumphant flourish and spread his soft black wings.

“Gerald!!” Drean said, reprimanding him.

“Oh right... not out here.” Gerald looked disappointed. He had wanted to
instill at least a little bit of awe in Drean.

“Well, how did it happen?” Drean asked.

“How did what happen?” Gerald’s wings camouflaged as he folded them. He
gingerly slid back into his jacket.

“Your transformation!”

“Oh!” Gerald motioned for Drean to follow him down a path that led them
deeper into The Park.

“You don’t want to hear about that. Very depressing story.”

Annoyance pulled Drean’s mouth and gaze to the right. Gerald chuckled at
his frustration.

“I’m just concerned.”

“Walk with me, Drean.” Gerald gestured down a path that would lead them
deeper into the park.

“Have you ever been to a park before?” Gerald asked.

“No. Is this one?” Drean looked up into the trees around him. Branches
provided a canopy for the trail.

“Yeah, how could you guess?”

“I think I’ve seen one in one of Riell’s movies. It was smaller though
and the forest was not this dense.”

“Ah, right. How are you two doing?” Gerald asked.

“Well enough. Look Gerald... the reason why I inquired about your sudden
change is because of a very tragic and disturbing event.” Drean’s voice
quivered as he brought up the subject.

“What’s that?”

“God has been murdered.” Drean looked at the ground and fought back his
tears.

Gerald fell silent. His heart pounded in his chest. He stopped and closed
his eyes.

That explains everything. God wouldn’t have given me back my divinity
so soon... much less his trust.
Gerald tightened his fists at this
realization.
I should have known!

“How, how... do you know this for sure?” His voice shook as he spoke.

“I felt it. I am connected to Him as His creation.”

Gerald nodded. He knew why he couldn’t have felt it. His separation from
God desensitized his connection with Him completely.

“I couldn’t tell you when it happened,” Drean said. “For some reason time
has been skewed in upper limbo where Riell keeps residence.”

“Then that answers two of my questions... When you think it happened and
why there have been time lapses,” Gerald said, he loosened his hands and shook
them out.

“I’ve spoken with this new ‘God,’” Drean continued.

“So, there is a new one then,” Gerald said.

“He’s callous. There was demand and fear in his voice,” Drean said.

Gerald thought for a moment.
If all this is true we have to get to
Hell. This God is probably weak at the moment, but I’m sure He has enough power
to concoct a plan to retrieve the stream for Himself. If he had enough power to
make me whole then...

“Gerald,” Drean interrupted Gerald’s thoughts. “Can I trust you?”

“Yes! Of course!” Gerald tried to smile reassuringly.

“It’s just, I think He got to Keep,” Drean said.

“Dejanto... I hope you’re wrong about that. For our sakes.” Gerald shook
his head at this.

“I’m aware he’s a versatile warrior and his powers have grown since he
has been reinstated by the new God,” Drean said.

Drean saw Gerald’s face blanch from fear, and then he laughed.

“Haha! There’s no way you could make such a comparison. You’ve never seen
the geezer in action!”

“It doesn’t matter. I sensed it the first time we were at the bar,
remember?”

Gerald’s eyes widened. “I don’t remember that,” he said.

“Yes, I did. And you told me that he was a devout follower of God. Riell
informed me that he was a paladin.”

“You... you know nothing about Dejanto! You were probably just drunk.”

“Whatever you say, Gerald. I felt it, and I felt the difference in his
aura when I was at The Horse earlier tonight.”

“So you saw him,” Gerald said.

“No, he hid himself somehow.”

Gerald placed both his hands in his pockets and looked down at the gravel
path as he walked.

“...and I’ve felt him around me ever since I left.”

I
don’t feel a thing, but that’s probably because I’m still looking
for the old Keep,
Gerald thought. “Stay cool, don’t act like you know he’s
there. Just walk with me,” Gerald said in a low voice.

Drean kept his eyes forward and walked as if he were completely
confident.

“So, Drean why have you sought my council this evening?” Gerald said in a
loud, overbearing voice.

Gerald glanced at Drean and saw his disgusted face.

Right, cool. Sorry Drean.

“I came to tell you that I’m prepared. I have my reason.”

How can he keep his voice so normal under these circumstances? Damn
it, take your own advice, Gerald.

“So you think you’ve got your reason, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Well let’s hear it.”

Drean was quiet for a moment. What he was going to say was not easy for
him, especially when he knew Dejanto was around, and he did not know if
Gerald’s transformation had affected his loyalties.

“Gerald, stop.” Drean walked closer to him.

“Huh?” Gerald stepped back away from him.

“Before I tell you I want to make sure...” Drean reached out to touch
him.

“You still don’t trust me? Drean I don’t know what to say to you.”

“Please, Gerald try to understand what I’ve been through.” Gerald’s
reaction made him regret even questioning him in the first place.

This kid’s right, I’m being way too edgy,
Gerald thought.

“Alright, Drean. What do you want me to do?”

“Just stand right there.” Drean stepped closer to him again and placed
his hands on his head. “You might want to close your eyes.”

“You’re not getting naked or anything are you?” Gerald smirked and closed
his eyes.

“No. But your mind will be.”

“What!” Gerald’s eyes snapped open.

“It was... meant to be a joke.”

“...You need to work on that.” Gerald closed his eyes again.

“Ok try to remember the night you transformed.”

“Ok. I’m ready.”

“Try to relax.” Drean concentrated on Gerald’s thoughts. He tried to
delve into them like Riell had done with him and watch them as if they were a
movie.

Drean’s eyes flashed brilliantly.

Heh, now I know why he wanted my eyes clo...

Gerald’s thoughts slipped from him, and his vision blurred to black.
Drean had entered his mind.

He felt Gerald dying in the alleyway, saw him frighten the young couple
that passed by him, and his body numbed as Gerald’s spirit left his body.

Gerald’s excitement became Drean’s as he purged Lawrence’s soul, but the
elation quickly twisted into regret and then despair. Drean cried himself
because of the emotional intensity.

Gerald slammed into the building.

Drean felt Gerald slipping: the heat of life left him and death’s chill
wrapped itself around him.

Suffocating warmth thawed him. When he took his final breath, scalding
air, as if it had vented from the mantles of Earth, filled him and restored
him. When the heat simmered down Drean recognized the warmth, God. Tears of
happiness fell from his eyes.

Drean released Gerald’s mind from his grip. He cried for his Father, for
Gerald and for shame of not trusting him.

“I’m sorry. I had to know,” he said.

“Kid... I just hope you trust me now,” Gerald said. Sweat covered him.

“I do...” Drean began.

“Just promise me you’ll never do that again,” Gerald interrupted. “Having
to remember that is enough without having to feel it a second time. Get a hold
of yourself, Drean.”

“I know. I’m sorry I’m so emotional. It was just good to feel close to
Father again.”

“So it was... God then?”

“Yes it was.”

Gerald smiled and tears slid down his cheeks.

“That makes me happier than I’ve felt in a long time.”

Drean and Gerald had come to a large clearing in the forest: a
playground.

“Love is my reason, Gerald. I want to have the freedom to love, and I
want everyone to have that freedom. Humans, angels, demons, everyone in
between. We should all have the right to live. I think our Father would be
pleased if we could make that happen.”

“That sounds like a good enough reason to me.” Gerald smiled and held out
his hand to Drean who just stared at it, lost in his emotions. “But I don’t
know how God will feel about that.”

Gerald took one of Drean’s hands, held it and patted Drean’s shoulder
with the other.

“I know. But I don’t think he would have sent me here if he did not want
drastic changes to occur. I don’t know how it will be possible to change
anything. But we have to try. We have to,” Drean said.

“Now there. It’s done,” Gerald said. He tried to embrace Drean.

“You don’t understand, Gerald...” Drean pulled away. “Knowing that you’re
on my side makes it even harder.”

“Why?”

“...Because of what’s going to happen to you.”

Drean could feel Riell and Shrazz’s presence near them and grew anxious.

Gerald narrowed his eyes. He sensed them too but only their power.
Wait,
one of them is Riell. What does she have to do with this?
Gerald
concentrated on the other power to try to identify it.

No, it’s not Dejanto.

“What’s going to happen, angel?” he said when he could not place the
foreign energy. Drean didn’t reply. “Damnit!” Gerald shook Drean by his
shoulders forcefully. “Spill it! Now!”

“Shrazz. He’s after you. He was after me but... I’m sorry!”

“Drean just get out of here. Now,” he said.

Drean hesitated.

“The decoy won’t work if you’re here! Go!” Gerald whispered.

Drean broke into a run and was out of sight.

Damn he’s fast.
Gerald closed his eyes and tried to place where
the aura was. It was so ominous that it seemed like it was all around him.

“Gerald, I presume?” Shrazz’s deep voice, rich with confidence tore
Gerald from his thoughts. He opened his eyes.

Shrazz stood against a metal tetherball pole in the playground ahead of
him dressed in his white formal attire, red cape and medals sleeve.

“Yeah.” Gerald sighed. “That’s me.”

Shrazz walked to Gerald with a wide grin on his face and extended a hand
to him.

“Shrazz.”

Gerald shook Shrazz’s hand.

“Wish we could have met on better terms,” Gerald said.

“Believe me...” Shrazz chuckled as he released Gerald’s hand, “the
circumstances couldn’t be any better. Not for me.”

“You haven’t gotten me yet.” Gerald rotated his arms around in a circle,
stretched and shook his muscles out.

Shrazz snapped his cape from his white jacket and threw it almost with disdain
on the ground behind him. He tossed his jacket aside in the same manner. The
medals pinned on his sleeve jingled in the air and clanged when they hit the
ground.

Gerald regarded Shrazz with confusion.

“Man, if I were you I would take better care of my clothes.”

“None of that matters, angel.” Shrazz waved a dismissive hand at his
discarded garments. “This battle is the culmination of everything I’ve hoped to
become.”

Gerald heard footsteps behind him.

“Riell,” said Gerald. “Glad you could make it to the party.”

Riell stood behind him expressionless.

I’m not sure if I should wish luck to either of them
she thought.
I
wonder if Drean told Gerald about this.

“I’m sitting this one out, angel. I’m just here to make sure the battle
doesn’t attract any unwanted attention,” she said.

That would explain why he’s so calm right now. Or maybe he just knows
that Shrazz doesn’t have any kind of chance against him,
she thought.