Rise of the Fallen Read online

  Dartana and his men fought like the warriors of old they were, sending a hundred Fallen to the Abyss in short order. Validus heard the commanding Fallen warrior call for reinforcements from the north. Time was short.

  Validus could see Gregan and nine of his warriors fighting for their lives through the large glass windows of the restaurant. An opening appeared in the line of the Fallen’s defenses, and Validus took it, cutting through two enemy warriors to complete the breach. Arn and Brit stayed close, refusing to leave their commander open on either side. Validus, Arn, Brit, and Dartana materialized through the window as the other warriors protected their retreat line.

  “Gregan, this way!” Validus shouted.

  “Validus!” Commander Gregan exclaimed. He reached down and wrapped the arm of one of his wounded warriors around his neck. “Follow them!” Gregan ordered to his warriors.

  Validus rushed to Gregan’s side and helped him carry the injured warrior through the glass and away from the fray as Arn, Brit, and Dartana covered their backs. Once outside, Dartana’s men protected their retreat across the street until every warrior was out of the restaurant.

  “Tell the northern units to retreat,” Validus ordered.

  Dartana sent his fastest warrior north with the message.

  “But what of the territory for the counseling center?” Gregan asked. “We’ve come too far to lose it now.”

  Validus shook his head. “I can’t get reinforcements to you in time, Commander. We will fight another day.”

  Gregan wiped his bloodied brow, defeat evident on his face.

  Once all the angel forces were recovered, the warriors tended to their wounded. Gregan shook his head as he studied the casualty reports. Grief etched lines in his face.

  “I lost too many and gained nothing. I should have been more prepared.”

  The loss of one warrior was grievous. Here on the battlefield of San Antonio, Gregan had lost fifty-two. It was a heavy burden to bear.

  “No one saw this coming,” Validus offered. “I knew that Bavot was looking for some way to protect his influence in the region and recover what he’d lost in Texas; I just didn’t think he could put this scale of a campaign together so quickly.”

  Gregan looked at Validus. “I also put you at risk, sir. You shouldn’t have come in for me.”

  Validus glared at Gregan. “And you shouldn’t have let yourself get trapped like that. I put you in command here for a reason, Gregan. Don’t let it happen again.”

  Gregan clearly felt the sting of the rebuke. “Yes sir.”

  “Commander Gregan,” a voice called from Validus’s left. Gregan’s executive officer approached. “A courier is here for Primus Commander Validus. He says it’s urgent.”

  Validus raised an eyebrow. He put a hand on Gregan’s shoulder. “We will not forget what the day has cost us, but we will learn and adapt … both of us.”

  Gregan nodded.

  “Stand firm, Commander Gregan.”

  Validus motioned for Arn and Brit to follow him. They were anxious to be on their way and have their commander safely back at headquarters in Colorado Springs. As he and his warriors turned northwest to begin their trek home, he wondered what emergency awaited him back at headquarters.

  Arn and Brit looked to their commander to see if they would fly or run, but for Validus it was always an easy choice. The dash home would be slightly longer than flying, but it would give him a few minutes to think.

  He replayed the events of the recent battle and thought of Gregan. He was a good warrior and a decent commander. In another time he might have called him a friend, but commanders had little time or room in their lives for friends. The thought reminded him of a time when that was not so—a time long ago.

  2

  FOUR FRIENDS

  4010 BC

  Validus stood on the skywalk overlooking the splendor of Zion, the city of gold in heaven. It was the abode of Elohim and millions of His holy angels. Majestic and beautiful in every way, lush gardens weaved throughout the city, softening the shimmering jeweled halls and glistening towers that rose up to the sky. Marbled walkways and gold-trimmed stairways, balconies, and verandas joined thousands of magnificent buildings. Courtyards, fountains, rivers of crystal waters, and bridges adorned the city throughout its span. And in the center of the great city was the Holy Mount, the palace of Elohim. From the mount flowed the river of heaven, which is the River of Life. Its pure blue waters meandered throughout the glorious city, eventually spilling into the Crystal Sea. Although he had nothing to compare to, Validus could imagine nothing more beautiful. It was a glimpse into the creative mind of Elohim, and it was breathtaking.

  Validus was still glowing from his time with Elohim, clinging to each moment he had been with the Holy One. There were so many aspects of Elohim that Validus could not fathom—the unsearchable depth of His wisdom, power, holiness, creativity, and most of all, His love. One God, yet choosing to reveal Himself in three ways—Elohim HaAv, God the Father; Ben Elohim, the Son of God; and Ruach Elohim, the Spirit of God. The name Elohim allowed for plurality within the Godhead, and it was this name that was easiest for most angels to use.

  In heaven, Validus was surrounded by the grandeur of the King, and yet as the moments of the day wore on, he could not deny one emotion that tugged at his joy—Validus was lonely. Not for Elohim, but for the additional companionship that many other angels seemed to find in each other.

  There was order in the perfection of heaven. Not the rigid, monotonous order of rows and columns, but the beautiful and intricate order of form and function. Validus saw it in the veins of a leaf, the flow of the river, the structure of a great hall, and the hierarchy of the angels, Elohim’s beings of holy service.

  Within that order, Validus was the tip of the leaf, the final turn of the river, and the last stone of the hall, for of all the millions of angels Elohim had created, he was the last. He fought the notion of self-pity, but it was there. There was no other angel lower—he was the last and the least, and he felt alone.

  Validus suppressed his thoughts and fell from the skywalk, allowing his speed to build perhaps faster than he should have before spreading his wings and catching the pillow of air that lifted him up from his fall. He skirted past two of the tallest towers and found himself drawn once more to the shores of the Crystal Sea.

  He set down in his favorite place, a secluded cove with arching trees, white sand, and brilliant flowers that spilled their fragrance into the still air. He walked along the shore and loved the feeling of the sand pushing back against his feet. He sat on a massive stone that jutted out over the water and seemed out of place in the order of the cove. Validus liked this stone.

  His mind turned to his duties for the upcoming cycle but then slowly slipped away to the question that lingered in his mind. What is my purpose? he wondered.

  “Your name is Validus, isn’t it?”

  Validus turned, then jumped to his feet. A mighty angel from the One Hundred, the first and most powerful of all angels Elohim had created, had approached him. Theirs was the duty of leadership and administration. Had Validus missed a duty cycle?

  “Yes sir. How can I serve you?”

  The angel folded his wings and smiled. He shook his head. “That’s not why I’m here.” He took a couple of steps to cover the ground between them and offered his arm. “My name is Niturni.”

  Validus hesitated. He knew the angel’s name. Everyone knew the names of the One Hundred. The first was Lucifer, then Michael, then Gabriel, then Uriel, then Raphael, then Jorill … Validus knew them all. All mighty, all revered.

  He slowly took the angel’s arm in greeting.

  Niturni’s smile didn’t fade. His piercing blue eyes were warm and friendly. Dark wavy hair transitioned to a meticulously trimmed, close-cropped beard. His grip was solid, strong. He seemed so much more than Validus felt.

  Niturni’s grip softened, then loosened. He gazed across the cove to the other side. “I’ve seen you here often
. This must be a favorite place for you.”

  Validus followed his gaze. “Yes sir. It is a place that comforts me.”

  “Don’t call me sir. I’m a friend.”

  “Yes si—” Validus felt silly, but Niturni didn’t seem to notice. “Yes.”

  “It’s beautiful here.” Niturni looked back at Validus. “I and two others are going to hear the singers’ concert in the Great Hall. Why don’t you join us?”

  Why would one of the One Hundred offer such a thing to the last? Validus guarded himself against reading too much into the invitation. “I would enjoy that. Thank you. Shall I meet you there?”

  Niturni smiled again. “How about you join us now?”

  His wings spread wide, and once again Validus felt small yet encouraged. Could he find friendship with an angel of the One Hundred? He quelled his hopes.

  He returned Niturni’s smile. “Sure.”

  They flew to the Court of the Herald, then walked onto a terrace that overlooked the river of heaven. Other angels passed by, and Validus wondered at their thoughts. Niturni led him to two angels leaning against the golden rail of the terrace.

  “Cadriel, Persimus, this is Validus. He is joining us for the concert.”

  Persimus smiled and Cadriel nodded. Cadriel seemed to be the serious one of the three, but of all the angels Validus had seen, his beauty was nearly unmatched. Dark golden shoulder-length hair framed a perfect face of symmetry. Hazel-green eyes seemed to pierce through Validus. Although he was not of the One Hundred, it seemed as though he should have been. The other angel, Persimus, had pale-blue eyes that were tender, a narrow face, sand-colored hair, and a clean chin. His gaze was warm and friendly.

  Secretly Validus dubbed them Niturni the mighty, Cadriel the beautiful, and Persimus the compassionate. And for himself, Validus the least.

  “Glad you’re with us,” Persimus offered. “Why don’t we eat, then go? I think the hall will be full before long.”

  They entered Symphonic Hall, a theater of perfect acoustical design, and found excellent seats among the fourteen thousand other angels attending the concert. The music of the singers was superb, and Validus enjoyed attending with the three other angels. They seemed at ease with him, which encouraged him greatly.

  Over the course of the next few cycles, Validus spent more time with his new friends, although he often felt like he was tagging along. That diminished with time, but he never could completely free himself from the feeling.

  It was evident that there was a kindred bond between Persimus and Cadriel. Something in their spirits connected in a way that Validus didn’t understand. It was subtle, and he wondered if Niturni saw it. Niturni’s offer of friendship to Validus was genuine, but Validus could never quite forget the millions of degrees of hierarchal separation between them.

  One day, that changed.

  Validus met with Niturni, Persimus, and Cadriel near the Hall of Ages, the one place angels were forbidden to enter. Niturni had called them there.

  “So what are we doing here?” Cadriel asked.

  Niturni’s gaze was not on the hall but on the outer lands beyond the city. “I think we should explore heaven,” he said, sweeping his hand across the vastness of the lands beyond Zion.

  “We have,” Persimus replied.

  Niturni looked back at the three of them. “Validus hasn’t, and besides, we only ventured a small distance from Zion. Haven’t you wondered what else Elohim has created out there? Think of the wondrous places we found so close to us. What lies beyond?”

  “I’m up for it,” Validus offered. “It’s not forbidden,” he added.

  At that, Cadriel and Persimus acquiesced.

  Niturni looked pleased as he spread his wings. “What are we waiting for?”

  He launched into the air, more thrilled than Validus had ever seen him outside of the worship of Elohim.

  Validus, Persimus, and Cadriel followed Niturni into the outer lands, exploring mountains, canyons, valleys, and great seas, all jewels of grandeur in their uniqueness. Each discovery seemed to fuel Niturni’s thirst for more.

  “There seems to be no end,” Persimus said as they stood atop a knoll overlooking the most beautiful, lush green valley Validus had ever seen. The gentle curve of the horizon seemed to indicate the sphere of heaven Elohim had mentioned once before.

  Niturni stretched out his arms. “It’s invigorating, isn’t it?”

  Cadriel stood with his arms crossed. “Yes, it is, but my duty cycle is soon, and we are far from home. It’s time to return.”

  Niturni turned; disappointment shadowed his countenance. “Come, just a bit further. Who knows what might lie just beyond this valley.”

  Cadriel shook his head. “I’m sorry, Niturni. I must go.” Cadriel shot a glance toward Persimus, then launched into the air and made for Zion.

  “We can explore more another time,” Persimus said, then flew to catch up with Cadriel.

  “Will you abandon me too?” Niturni asked.

  Validus was hungry but still willing. “Lead on.”

  Niturni’s smile returned. He launched, spiraling upward first and then swooping down at a dizzying speed into the valley, skimming trees and rocks. Validus tried to follow, but it was difficult. They journeyed farther and farther into the outer lands until Validus began to wonder if they would find their way back to Zion. The expanse of heaven was indeed vast.

  Niturni led them to the top of a great mountain that seemed strangely familiar.

  “I feel as though I know this mountain,” Validus said.

  Niturni looked back from where they had flown.

  “Yes. It is odd.”

  Validus scanned the horizon, straining to see the distant features of the lands. Then his eyes caught the glimmer. “Look, Niturni, it must be Zion!”

  Niturni looked and saw it too. “The sphere of heaven … This is the mountain in the distance we can see from the skywalk. We’ve circumnavigated heaven!”

  Validus felt a sense of relief and satisfaction. The journey back would have been very long, and he was beginning to miss the comfort of their familiar city.

  They dived and skimmed the jagged edges of the mountain walls, exchanging lead in a game of chase. Validus enjoyed the challenge of it. Niturni seemed to as well. Near the base of the mountain, they arrested their descent and flew above beautiful forested foothills, turning toward Zion. Validus swished past Niturni, taking a turn at lead. He dodged downward between two groves of trees.

  “Wait!” Validus heard Niturni cry out.

  Validus pitched up, allowing his wings to capture a full load of still air. He slowed and turned to see Niturni hovering above a narrow clearing in the trees below.

  Validus flew toward him. “What is it?”

  Except for the sustaining beat of his wings, Niturni seemed frozen, unable to break his gaze from something below. Validus joined him.

  There was no need for Niturni to point. Below them was a structure as out of place as a stone among manna. The two angels gently descended, caution and apprehension building the closer they came to it.

  They set down a safe distance away.

  “What is it?” Validus asked again.

  “It looks like a stairway leading … down.”

  Validus gawked at the structure. Six ivory columns surrounded a railed marble stairway. Two steps went downward, then disappeared into blackness as thick as water.

  “What is down?” Validus asked.

  Niturni looked at Validus for the first time. Bewilderment clouded his face, an expression Validus had never seen in the mighty angel. If the One Hundred didn’t know, it was a mystery indeed.

  Niturni turned his gaze back to the stairway and approached. He held on to the rail and stepped down onto the first step. Shivers skittered up and down Validus’s spine. Something didn’t seem right.

  “I don’t think we should—”

  But before he could finish, Niturni stepped down onto the second step. Validus came closer and grabbed th
e railing. Niturni reached down to touch the blackness.

  “Don’t—” Validus started again, but who was he to tell one of the One Hundred what to do?

  Niturni’s hand disappeared into the blackness. He yanked it back up, his hand seemingly unharmed. “It’s cold … very cold.”

  “Why is it here?” Validus asked.

  “I don’t know,” Niturni said, then reached his hand down once more. This time he reached until his hand seemed to hit something solid—the next step. He pulled his hand back and prepared to step downward with his foot.

  “This doesn’t feel right, Niturni. Please don’t do that.”

  Niturni looked up. Validus knew that look. It was the same look he had seen just a while ago when Niturni had wanted him to join in exploring heaven further.

  “Come, grab my hand and hold on to me. I want to see.”

  Validus felt his stomach churn, and he began to tremble. What was this new feeling?

  He grabbed Niturni’s arm at the elbow, and the two angels gripped tightly to each other. Validus held on to the rail and stepped down onto the two visible steps as Niturni carefully stepped one … two … three steps down into the blackness. Validus felt Niturni shiver.

  “Come up, Niturni. That’s far enough.”

  “I want to see. Hang on.”

  Validus knelt as Niturni lowered himself farther and farther, until his face was just above the blackness. He glanced up at Validus. Something more than curiosity lit up his face, but Validus didn’t know what to call it.

  Then Niturni sank his face into the blackness.

  At that very moment it was as if the steps Niturni had been standing on dissolved, and he fell. Validus screamed as Niturni disappeared into the blackness.