New Gehenna

He scrambled through the palace, his heart beating in a calm rhythm, despite the news.

He had contact with his god’s person of interest. His feet squelched off of the blood carpets, doing little to divert his focus. The normally disturbing defense was in the back of his mind. There were far more important things afoot than Seraphim’s blood.

The vision still swam fresh in his mind.

A Seal holder in the process of dreaming with an AI.

He matched the description his god described. The one she wanted the most. He had no small amounts of envy at the attention this blond infidel received.

He clicked the dagger back in its sheath. He wasn’t the only one who knew. At the time. The rest of the cult were lying in their own blood. It had taken that much to catch another dreaming, but their usefulness had ended with the dreamfast.

He smiled behind his lion’s mask, all too pleased with himself. They would have all done the same to him, he was just more clever about it.

“Nothing will stand in the way of my god’s love.”

He ran onward, deeper into the bowels of the palace.

“What did you find?”

A voice from behind gave him pause. He ignored it, focusing onward.

A bright light gathered to his left. Another was trailing beside him. He gave a quick glance, spotting the golden haired, one armed angel. It was Azazel. He looked different since his imprisonment. He was surprised the insane angel was free.

“Do you understand what you’re doing? I can help.”

“Begone from here, disgraced angel. I have news only for Lucifer!”

“That’s what I thought.”

The angel rushed in front of him, halting him with a hand. He drew his bloodied dagger free.

“You will not keep me from her!”

The angel held up his lone hand in a gesture of peace.

“You will tell Lucifer and she will reward you. And you will expire. By telling me, I will be doing you a favor.”

“By stealing my glory? Don’t you have a cell to occupy?”

The angel smiled back at him.

“Her love and favor is wasted on you, don’t you know? You won’t survive it. I will. By giving me the information, I’ll repay you. Glory will be yours, even if it is eclipsed by god herself.”

He laughed at the angel. He was more wretched and pathetic than he remembered. The new glorious form was ironic in many ways.

“This is mine. Her glory is mine.”

And then the angel did something surprising. He stepped aside, gesturing with a hand for him to pass.

“As you wish. I was only trying to protect you, do you understand? Think back to what I said when she shows you her favor. Remember my words: I told you so.”

“I won’t.”

And he left, rushing past the angel.

Pathetic. A twice fallen angel. Disgusting to see something so perfect fail so terribly.

He entered the throne room, getting a running start before leaping and sliding into a kneeling position.

“Mm? One of my chosen? Why are you here?”

He looked up, seeing the massive throne of yellow crystal. A slight mistake and he’d adorn it alongside the thousands of other faithful ones.

“My god. I have news. A Seal holder.”

Straight to the point. He heard her adjust her seat. He could feel the heat of her stare.

He glanced up, seeing her intense eyes of blue, her golden hair streaming down to the floor like rivers.

“Speak.”

He knew if he hesitated, his blood would paint the walls.

“I envisioned a Seal holder. The one you dub the Prince.”

She shifted in her chair, her mask dropping slightly to reveal hunger, desire, and bloodthirst.

“Where?”

“Sculptor’s way, They’ve just begun their journey through. I know not their destination.”

She stood up, sauntering down her throne. She towered over him. He took in her curvaceous legs, her swaying hips, her-

“Do you like what you see, Clay?”

That wasn’t his name, but he forgot the insult. Desire burned inside of him. He needed her glory, He needed to know her. He needed to die for her. He was hers and she was his. Their glory would be everlasting.

“Sculptor’s way? Fascinating. You’ve done well, Ajal.”

Again, that wasn’t his name. He took no offense because he had her favor.

“Thank you, my god of all.”

“And I am a merciful and generous god. You will be rewarded.”

“It is beyond an honor. I will accept it with pride.”

“Oh, you will accept it, my love, Claeg. Make no mistake.”

Wrong name again. She arched her eyebrow suggestively.

“I’ll be your Jezebel.”

She bent over, impossibly flexible and balanced, down beside his ear. She paused, whispering with heat.

“And you’ll be my Ahab.”

He felt his desire ignite. He needed her now. That fool Azazel tried to divide him from his love.

A hand gently palmed his chin, raising him to his feet.

“This way, my love. I can see what you truly desire.”

She grasped his hand, spinning and leading him away.

“Me.”

She sauntered down the hall, taking a single step for his four, like a mother leading a child.

“You’ve done well, my Mallory. How did you do it?”

Wrong name, but it was fine. She was fine. He felt the words tumbling from his mouth. He stared into her eyes, seeing the mask of a mother’s love.

“My cult- we dreamfasted together, amplifying our-”

“-Fascinating, where are the others?” she waved away his story.

He averted his gaze. She would frown upon his misdeed. Although it could be argued it was self defense. He was defending himself against their future inevitable betrayal.

“I was the only survivor.”

She stared down at the dagger at his hip, cocking an eyebrow. He went silent, staring ahead.

“A shame, really. I would have enjoyed you all.”

“Regardless, my lady, we have another Seal Holder for your protection.”

She halted, turning to stare intensely at him. Her hand crushed his own, threatening to reduce it to bloody meat. Her eyes went wide with instant rage.

“We?”

“You, my god. You have another Seal Holder, my mistress.”

“That’s better. We must all do our part. Seal Holders are precious for my plans. My desires.”

“As you will, my lady.”

She stared straight ahead, continuing their journey. The massive golden lion doors within site.

“What do you love most about me, Alvah?”

That wasn’t his name, but he bit his tongue, focusing on her question.

“Your mercy.”

Lucifer’s silver-bell laugh rang out.

“I can respect those that lie, but you earn nothing for lying poorly. It’s my legs you love. You’ll love in between them even more.”

He nodded. She was correct. Due to her height, her toned and perfect legs went on for eternity. And it was the anticipation of what was coming that burned within him.

She halted at the lion doors. He felt a fear sprout upon seeing the terrifying faces. The eyes were looking at him. Judging him. The sixty foot gates stood sentinel to all.

“Have you been to Abaddon?”

He shook his head, his voice silenced by worry.

“Do not fear, You’ve earned a permanent place.”

She moved in front of the doors, standing near the mane and jaws. A perfect ten by eight segment of the wall shifted inward, allowing entry.

She walked in first, swaying her hips with a suggestive saunter. He followed behind, entranced by her display. Her long hair streamed down like a cape, obscuring what he wished he could fully witness.

He stepped inside, his eyes adjusted to the new sight.

Heavenly clouds floating along an infinite sky. On the horizon was a floating palace of ivory and gold.

She gestured to him to come closer. He stood at the edge of the entrance, staring down into the abyssal hellscape beneath heaven.

“Welcome to Abaddon, my love. Enjoy your new home.”

He stared up, catching her eyes. She squatted down, gently pinching the lion’s mask from his face. She stared passionately into his eyes. She slowly moved in, her luscious lips parting seductively.

“Be mine, Jabez.”

He paused, unable to contain it.

“My lady, my god of all, highest of highest. My name is Wilhem.”

She pulled back, her brow furrowing, her eyes igniting with subdued anger. Her mouth pursed, as the grinding of teeth rang out.

“You contradict me. The god of all. The princess of peace and lord of lords. The fix to this dying universe. I’m glad I discovered where your loyalties lie.”

“My lady, my god, I didn’t mean anything-”

“-Goodbye Campbell. Such a waste.”

He blinked curiously at her. His stomach dropped. He looked into the eyes of madness.

“My lady- m-my name’s not Cambpell-”

She gave a gentle push. He tumbled over the edge, down into the abyss of hell. His mind panicked. This had to be a mistake. Lucifer loved him. He heard the laughter from above as he fell. Wilhem screamed. Fear gripped him as he pinwheeled all the way down.

His thoughts turned back to Azazel’s offer. It didn’t sound so bad anymore.

I told you so.

All he could hear was the rushing of wind and the mad laughter of his god.

It had to be a test. She couldn’t do this to him. He sacrificed so much to get here. It couldn’t end this way.

The rushing lake of fire met him.