Major did the same.
The man fixed him with a look that the major couldn’t fathom. Nervousness maybe? A hint of fear? “You’re afraid,” said the Major. It was a statement. “What are you afraid of?”
His companion considered his reply carefully. “My name is Arbatel,” he said.” My function is to reveal why you are here. The reason you are here is over the next ridge. Please do not speak further until I tell you. I need to have all my awareness focused on our safety.” With that he nudged his mount who started to move slowly forwards. The major followed him.
As they reached the top of the ridge the sky ahead of them darkened and the lush vegetation began to thin out. As they continued the sun dimmed further and the ground became blackened, as if a forest fire had recently torched the land. Finally they stopped.
“This is the very edge of Heaven,” Arbatel whispered. “This is where good and evil meet. Not far from here, dark forces are mustering their armies. This is a place where the good must be very cautious. There are depraved spirits here whoring for souls.”
“Hell?” exclaimed the major.
Arbatel held his finger up to his lips. “Quiet. There is great danger here.” Suddenly the ground shook violently. The major’s horse reared up, throwing him to the ground. As he tried to get to his feet he saw the earth split open in front of him, the tear venting incredible heat. He held his hands up to his face to protect himself. As he did so he felt something hit him hard and fast. Winded, he fell back to the ground. In that moment his experience took over. He rolled over twice concentrating not on his assailant but on getting his breath back. By the time he’d rolled the second time he was virtually recovered. He saw a flash of metal and heard an unearthly shriek. Instinctively he came up, lethally fast. His fist, hard as a rock, connected with flesh. A moment later he was on his feet. His opponent was rolling in the dust, clutching his chest in pain. The major hesitated for only a moment as he registered what had attacked him. A second later he fell on the demon, using the full weight of his body to drive his elbow into its throat. Only when the twitching stopped did he ease the pressure.
A scream of fury behind him made him turn his head. In that moment Arbatel leapt between the major and the charging demon. A brilliant light surrounded the major’s companion. He thrust his arms wide and the t-shirted, denim clad guide was no more. In his place, with magnificent wings fully extended, stood an angel. “Be gone,” he shouted. Stopping dead in its tracks the monster cowered down, spitting venom at the apparition before him. Arbatel took a step forwards and the demon turned tail and ran.
The major looked down at his slain adversary. It was the most obscene thing he’d ever seen. Humanoid, yet squat and heavily muscled, the naked beast lay twisted on the scorched ground. The demon’s yellow eyes stared back at his killer seemingly watching him even in death. Arbatel’s voice startled him. “Don’t get eye contact. Even in death these creatures are dangerous.” He stepped in front of the soldier, blocking his view. The major could have sworn he was taller. Naked, save for a brilliant white loincloth, Arbatel stared intently at his companion and folded his wings behind him. Incredibly, the major laughed. “Yep, you’re a real angel all right. No doubt about that.”
Arbatel gave him a look that was unfathomable. “You’re just like I imagined an angel would look,” the major continued.
“I know,” the man said and started to walk back to his mount. The Major followed.
“The reason I’m in Heaven,’ the major said. “You said it was in this place. Was this what it was all about? I don’t understand.”
The Angel shook his head and turned around, “No Major. This was just a sample. You see there’s a war in Heaven.”
The soldier’s vision wavered slightly. He blinked to
The man fixed him with a look that the major couldn’t fathom. Nervousness maybe? A hint of fear? “You’re afraid,” said the Major. It was a statement. “What are you afraid of?”
His companion considered his reply carefully. “My name is Arbatel,” he said.” My function is to reveal why you are here. The reason you are here is over the next ridge. Please do not speak further until I tell you. I need to have all my awareness focused on our safety.” With that he nudged his mount who started to move slowly forwards. The major followed him.
As they reached the top of the ridge the sky ahead of them darkened and the lush vegetation began to thin out. As they continued the sun dimmed further and the ground became blackened, as if a forest fire had recently torched the land. Finally they stopped.
“This is the very edge of Heaven,” Arbatel whispered. “This is where good and evil meet. Not far from here, dark forces are mustering their armies. This is a place where the good must be very cautious. There are depraved spirits here whoring for souls.”
“Hell?” exclaimed the major.
Arbatel held his finger up to his lips. “Quiet. There is great danger here.” Suddenly the ground shook violently. The major’s horse reared up, throwing him to the ground. As he tried to get to his feet he saw the earth split open in front of him, the tear venting incredible heat. He held his hands up to his face to protect himself. As he did so he felt something hit him hard and fast. Winded, he fell back to the ground. In that moment his experience took over. He rolled over twice concentrating not on his assailant but on getting his breath back. By the time he’d rolled the second time he was virtually recovered. He saw a flash of metal and heard an unearthly shriek. Instinctively he came up, lethally fast. His fist, hard as a rock, connected with flesh. A moment later he was on his feet. His opponent was rolling in the dust, clutching his chest in pain. The major hesitated for only a moment as he registered what had attacked him. A second later he fell on the demon, using the full weight of his body to drive his elbow into its throat. Only when the twitching stopped did he ease the pressure.
A scream of fury behind him made him turn his head. In that moment Arbatel leapt between the major and the charging demon. A brilliant light surrounded the major’s companion. He thrust his arms wide and the t-shirted, denim clad guide was no more. In his place, with magnificent wings fully extended, stood an angel. “Be gone,” he shouted. Stopping dead in its tracks the monster cowered down, spitting venom at the apparition before him. Arbatel took a step forwards and the demon turned tail and ran.
The major looked down at his slain adversary. It was the most obscene thing he’d ever seen. Humanoid, yet squat and heavily muscled, the naked beast lay twisted on the scorched ground. The demon’s yellow eyes stared back at his killer seemingly watching him even in death. Arbatel’s voice startled him. “Don’t get eye contact. Even in death these creatures are dangerous.” He stepped in front of the soldier, blocking his view. The major could have sworn he was taller. Naked, save for a brilliant white loincloth, Arbatel stared intently at his companion and folded his wings behind him. Incredibly, the major laughed. “Yep, you’re a real angel all right. No doubt about that.”
Arbatel gave him a look that was unfathomable. “You’re just like I imagined an angel would look,” the major continued.
“I know,” the man said and started to walk back to his mount. The Major followed.
“The reason I’m in Heaven,’ the major said. “You said it was in this place. Was this what it was all about? I don’t understand.”
The Angel shook his head and turned around, “No Major. This was just a sample. You see there’s a war in Heaven.”
The soldier’s vision wavered slightly. He blinked to
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