Rise of the Fallen Read online

  Validus lost his grip on the railing and began to fall with Niturni, their arms still locked in a powerful grip. His arm sank into the blackness, and the icy cold instantly flowed upward into his chest. His free hand found one of the spindles of the railing just in time to stop his fall, and he hoped that it would not break.

  The jolt caused him to nearly lose his grip on Niturni. His hand slipped from Niturni’s elbow to his forearm and then to his hand. Validus fought against the cold darkness that weakened his grip with every passing moment. He strained at the pull that begged him to fall into the blackness with Niturni.

  Validus screamed and pulled upward, straining against the weight of the mighty angel below. He slipped his knee into a better position, giving him greater leverage, then fought the pain of the cold and began to lift Niturni. Inch by agonizing inch he pulled Niturni up until he could stand and get a better grip on the rail.

  He lifted Niturni until his friend’s head and torso emerged out of the blackness. He felt Niturni’s grip relax, threatening to undo all his effort in a moment. Validus risked letting go of the rail and grabbed Niturni’s forearm with his other hand. He heaved up and back with all his might until Niturni was able to get his legs underneath him. It seemed as though his strength was nearly gone.

  Finally Niturni was clear of the blackness. He crawled with great heaviness up the two visible steps and tried to stand, but he could only get his knees beneath him. His head hung low.

  Validus loosened his grip and came to his friend’s side. He put an arm across Niturni’s shoulders. “Are you all right?”

  Niturni was breathing hard and shivering uncontrollably. He lifted a heavy head, but his strength seemed to be returning. “So cold … so dark!”

  Validus looked back at the darkness, then to Niturni. “What did you see?”

  Niturni shook his head. “Utter blackness.” He looked up at Validus, and that same look was in his eyes as before, except magnified a hundred times. He grabbed Validus’s arm. “Thank you … thank you for saving me!”

  Validus nodded and helped Niturni stand. He hung on to Validus’s arm, steadying himself.

  “Had you let go, I think I would have perished forever,” Niturni said as he glanced back at the blackness. “I don’t think we should tell anyone about this place.”

  “There are no secrets kept from Elohim,” Validus said.

  “Yes, of course, but perhaps the other angels aren’t supposed to know.”

  Validus considered Niturni’s words and nodded. “Very well. Are you able to fly?”

  Niturni slowly nodded but then grabbed Validus’s arm once more. “You are … a brother.”

  Since that day, Validus thought often of the frightening encounter with the blackness. What it was, he didn’t know, but he did know that the experience had changed his relationship with Niturni. Gone was the chasm of hierarchal separation; gone was the barrier to a deep friendship. It had knit their spirits together in a bond of brotherhood, and it seemed to translate into Validus’s friendship with Persimus and Cadriel as well.

  The more time the four angels spent together, the stronger their friendship grew. They became nearly inseparable, and their bond of brotherhood brought a level of joy that few other angels seemed to experience.

  3

  SHADOWS FROM THE LIGHT

  4004 BC

  The next time Validus was called before Elohim, the encounter with the blackness of the stairway would not leave his mind.

  “My Lord, Niturni and I saw something in the outer lands of heaven that has perplexed me,” he began.

  Elohim’s gaze penetrated Validus’s soul with love. “What is it, Validus? What has troubled you?”

  Validus realized that he was indeed more troubled than perplexed. “We discovered a stairway filled with blackness. It was cold and empty. What is it, my Lord? Where does it lead, and what is below heaven?”

  The warm glow of Elohim’s smile settled his soul with peace. “Tomorrow, Lucifer will gather all the angels of heaven at the shores of the Crystal Sea. There you will see what is below heaven. Do not be troubled.”

  The words of Elohim comforted Validus. He had wondered if their discovery and encounter with the blackness might have displeased Elohim. Validus shared the words of Elohim with Niturni, and he too was greatly relieved. They looked forward to the gathering with great anticipation.

  At the appointed time, the entire host of heaven gathered around the Crystal Sea. Validus, Niturni, Cadriel, and Persimus stood together. The sea was as still as glass, reflecting the beauty of the sky and the images of millions of angels. Ben Elohim, the Son of God, descended from the Holy Mount and hovered over the middle of the sea. From the first to the last, all looked on with great anticipation as their Creator lifted His hands.

  “Behold!”

  In an instant, the sea turned to utter blackness, and the angels stepped back from the abyss of darkness, startled.

  “It’s the same blackness, Niturni, like the stairway,” Validus whispered.

  Niturni reached down to touch it, but before he could, Ben Elohim stretched out His hand, and the blackness faded away to an image of beginnings. The sea became a portal through which the angels could view the hand of God as He began to create another realm.

  A formless orb of watery darkness appeared first. Then from the Holy Mount, Ruach Elohim, the Spirit of God, flowed across Zion and fell through the darkness and onto the orb. He hovered over the face of the waters until the voice of God echoed across both realms.

  “Let there be light.”

  The brilliant light of Elohim filled the realm below, and the angels marveled.

  Validus was filled with awe and wonder and also a holy fear as he watched the power of Elohim transform the blackness below into a realm of enchanted beauty.

  Each day for six days, the angels gathered at the Crystal Sea and watched as Elohim brought the creation of the Middle Realm into existence. Elohim called the misty blue orb Earth and filled it with seas, mountains, valleys, plants, animals, and every wondrous thing imaginable. In the seam between the two realms, He reached out His hands and dusted the vast space with innumerable stars, all testifying to His power and His glory.

  And then near the end of the sixth day, Validus watched as Ben Elohim stretched forth His hand once more and formed the crown of His creation, man.

  As the man rose up from the dust of the earth, Persimus the compassionate leaned toward Validus and whispered, “Last does not mean least, my friend.”

  The words crushed him with goodness. He looked over his shoulder at Persimus with tears in his eyes. They were words he would cherish and cling to forever.

  Elohim paused and then added the jewel to the crown of His new realm. From the man He took a rib and formed a masterpiece, and the man called her woman.

  When Ben Elohim finished His work, the indescribable beauty and wonder of His creation so filled Validus with joy that he could not contain the shouts that rose up in him. Millions of angels lifted their voices in unison to shout and sing praises to Elohim as they gazed at the new realm and the life within it. It was a majestic work of love.

  “Lucifer, Michael, Gabriel … come and see,” Ben Elohim offered. The three archangels rose up and followed Elohim down into the universe of man.

  Not long after the creation of the new realm, most of the One Hundred were allowed to visit the place called Earth. The stories they told left Validus pondering the wonders of God’s handiwork. He wondered if he would ever be allowed to experience it himself. Besides the stairway near the great mountain that he and Niturni had found, Elohim formed another and called it the Mesopotamian Stairway. It was much closer to Zion and the preferred way of passage from heaven to earth.

  Many cycles later, Validus walked through the Garden of the Dove in the fourth sector of Zion. He was to meet Niturni there, but as he approached his friend, two of the One Hundred were talking with him.

  Unsure whether to approach or not, Validus decided to d
ivert to another path. Lost in thought about the glory of Elohim’s creation, he meandered to an ivory bench and sat down. At first the voices of Niturni and his companions were too soft to hear, but then Validus heard words that unsettled him.

  “It is possible. Lucifer has said so.”

  “How can it be?”

  “You need to come and hear him yourself, see if he doesn’t convince you. He can rise above Elohim … and so can we.”

  Validus’s blood turned cold. Fear and anger mingled in his heart. Had he misheard?

  He stood and walked through the trees and onto the path where Niturni and the other two stood. He was now just twenty feet away. As one, all three angels turned and glared at him, testifying to the unthinkable.

  These were powerful angels, and he was the last and least, but anger swelled within him. He walked toward Niturni.

  “What have you heard?” the one named Hadron demanded. Icy eyes glared and muscles twitched in the mighty being.

  “When did heaven become a place of forbidden whispers?” Validus dared to retort. He looked at his friend. “What’s going on, Niturni?”

  Hadron stepped toward Validus. He lowered his chin and began to lift his hands, but Niturni stepped between them.

  “It’s all right, Hadron. Validus can be trusted. We are friends.”

  Validus stared back, wondering what Hadron had intended to do.

  Hadron’s glare didn’t leave him. “Mind your tongue, angel,” he said, then nodded for the other angel to follow him out of the garden.

  Validus watched them for a moment, confused, angry, afraid. “What—” he began, but Niturni interrupted.

  “Don’t mind them, Validus. All is well. Lucifer is calling a special meeting of the One Hundred after the last cycle. That’s all.” He grabbed Validus’s shoulder and spun him around to walk with him. Validus stayed silent. “Really, Validus, it’s nothing to be concerned about.”

  But he was.

  “I’ve been there.” Niturni gripped the rail of the Mesopotamian Stairway with both hands as he looked down at the serene blue orb called Earth.

  “What’s it like?”

  Niturni turned and looked at Validus. He seemed mightier than ever, determined, almost strategic. “It’s hard to describe. It’s … sensual. More solid and yet softer. Down there we are invisible, powerful. I want to go back.”

  Validus looked at his friend. For a long time their friendship had tightened and become kindred-like, similar to Persimus and Cadriel’s. But recently Niturni seemed different, and Validus couldn’t understand why. Niturni’s visit to earth had changed him. Validus wasn’t sure he liked it.

  Validus looked down at the peaceful orb as it hung in the space beneath heaven. Somehow the creation of this new realm changed the order of life in heaven. He broke from the enchanted view.

  “What do you say we explore the outer lands again? Let’s see what new thing we might discover.”

  Niturni smiled in a way Validus had never seen. “What do you say we explore earth and see what new thing we might discover there?”

  “Are we allowed?”

  Niturni’s silence was answer enough.

  Validus frowned. He squared off with his friend. “What’s going on, Niturni? Ever since that last meeting with the One Hundred you’ve been different.”

  Niturni’s eyes narrowed—he stepped closer to Validus. Somehow it made Validus uncomfortable. “Lucifer is gathering angels. He knows things no one else does, and he has power no one else does. An archangel that brilliant and that powerful doesn’t make mistakes, Validus.”

  Validus swallowed. “Gathering angels? For what?”

  “For a new order of life, of power and position. You should understand that.”

  Validus felt the barb in his words. Something broke in that moment. Though he didn’t show it, his soul crumbled. But the pain of a broken friendship was quickly overshadowed by the dawning reality of what Niturni was implying.

  Validus’s heart began to race. He backed away, horrified at the thoughts that filled his mind. He spun away and took flight back to Zion.

  “Wait, Validus,” Niturni called.

  Validus flew as fast as he could, but Niturni quickly caught up with him.

  “Brother, stop. Listen to me!”

  Validus dived, trying to escape Niturni and the thoughts that hung on him like heavy chains. He skimmed dangerously close to trees and hills, but Niturni was relentless in his pursuit. Validus’s wings beat harder and faster, the tips touching the waters of the Crystal Sea as he passed over, desperately trying to reach the borders of Zion.

  What is happening? he cried out in his soul. Unthinkable things were filling his mind. Elohim, where are You?

  “Stop!” Niturni yelled with the authority of one of the One Hundred.

  Validus looked up just in time to see Niturni diving at him. He tried to dodge, but the mighty angel was too quick and crafty. He grabbed Validus from behind with an arm locked around his neck. The heavy weight and encumbered wings sent them falling to the shore. They hit the surface of the sea, and water filled the air around them in a spray of white and blue jeweled droplets.

  Validus struggled against Niturni’s grip. They had fallen just a few feet from shore, and Niturni lifted Validus to his feet, his grip from behind solid and overpowering. He whispered in Validus’s ear as Validus tried to peel the powerful grip of Niturni’s arm from his neck. Both angels were breathing hard, water glistening as it fell from their bodies and wings.

  “Stop, my friend. I beg of you, stop and listen to me!”

  Validus hesitated, then slowly relaxed. There was nothing he could do. He had never been forced to do something like this before. His blood boiled with frustration. He felt defenseless, unprepared. Whatever happened this day, he vowed it would never happen again. A new spirit was born within him.

  “I’m going to let go,” Niturni said. “Promise me you will stay and listen.”

  Validus didn’t promise, nor did he respond. He waited until Niturni’s grip loosened and dropped. Then he turned and glared at Niturni, demorphing his wings so he could better fight if need be.

  “I called you friend,” he said through heavy breaths.

  Niturni winced. “I am your friend, Validus, and I’m trying to offer you something amazing.”

  Validus huffed and walked toward the shore, only now realizing that he had fallen near his favorite cove. Niturni followed close behind him.

  “Join me, Validus. Come with me and join the legions of angels that are aligning with Lucifer.”

  Validus turned and grabbed Niturni’s drenched robe at the chest. “And what of Michael and of Gabriel? Have they”—Validus could hardly say the word—“rebelled against Elohim too?”

  The two angels stood face to face, just inches away from each other. Validus looked deep into the penetrating blue eyes of his friend, but the window into Niturni’s soul was closing.

  “They are fools. Lucifer claims that we can be like God Himself if we want.” Niturni smiled as he thought of it.

  Validus released his grip on Niturni’s robe and turned away, disgusted by Niturni’s words of treason. He walked two paces away, covering his face with his hands. Sadness overwhelmed his soul.

  “No. No, Niturni.” He turned back to his friend and pleaded with him. “Don’t listen to him. It cannot be. To turn against Elohim … it … it … is unfathomable.”

  “He turned, and what has happened to him?” Niturni looked straight into Validus’s eyes. “Nothing. In fact, he is more powerful than he was before.”

  Validus watched Niturni’s pale-blue eyes darken to a dull gray, then to black. Validus swallowed and stepped back. Niturni smiled in a way that frightened Validus.

  “What’s happening to you, Niturni? You look different.”

  “I feel different. It’s wonderful!” Niturni looked up to the sky and held his hands in the air. “Join me, brother, and together we will rule heaven and earth with Lucifer!”

&
nbsp; “Stop, Niturni … stop now before it’s too late!”

  Niturni laughed and spread his wings, now dark and gray. “Join us, Validus! The time has come! There’s room in our realm for even the least of the angels!” His wings pounded the air as his words cut deeply into Validus’s heart. Niturni’s scowling laughter lingered behind to taunt Validus as he flew away.

  Validus fell to his knees. What horror had come to heaven? What abominable, unthinkable horror had filled the hearts of Elohim’s holy angels?

  The sky darkened, and at first Validus thought it was just the cloud of his despair, but it was much more than that—much, much more. Overhead, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of dark-winged angels filled the skies above Zion.

  Terror filled Validus. Had they all followed Lucifer?

  Validus did not take flight for fear of being attacked. He ran. He ran as he had never run before. The push of the ground seemed the only unchangeable thing in heaven, and it gave him a shred of comfort. He ran with the speed of a panther to the borders of Zion, hoping, pleading that he was not alone. What of Cadriel, of Persimus? Had they turned too? Would he be alone?

  He entered the city and searched its streets in desperation. Near the terrace that overlooked the River of Life, an angel looked up at the exodus of darkness. Validus ran to him and grabbed him.

  “What’s happening?” he pleaded.

  The angel lowered his gaze, numb with sadness. His eyes brimmed with water … the first tears of heaven.

  “Look, Lucifer leads them.” The angel pointed upward.

  Validus looked up, and through the swarm of exiting angels he could see the powerful, dark form of the mightiest of all angels hovering … commanding … leading the revolt against Elohim. Validus wanted to hide. He had always felt a fearful respect of Elohim’s most powerful angel, but now he felt a fear that was different. It was dark, ominous, and dreadful.

  Validus ran, searching for Cadriel and Persimus. The farther he ran into the city, the more he dared to hope for his friends, for he saw more and more angels untouched by Lucifer’s plot.