Original Of Angels and Man

[Sum1sgruj]

Black hills outlined the magnificent night sky, dotted with stars and stellar movement. Beneath them lied a hundred miles of vegetation, ranging from thorn brushes to pear trees as perfect as the onyx tower at the center.

Standing a thousand feet high, Lucifer stood at the top, relishing in thought as he looked down upon the land. The balcony had become his place of reflection since the day his domain was built. When the time was right, he would spread his wings and fly to the edge of the land to announce his orders.

Earth was but a dream, and was threatened by light to disturb the elegant slumber. Lucifer thought this as he paced the balcony still, trying to sum his commands into a simpler structure before flying into the sky.

Looking up, he smiled at the silver construct above him: the mirrored bell that sounded every seven years, the crux of time. Nothing exemplified time like the top of his tower, where the vanity of man ages but never dies. With one last glance, Lucifer sailed into the still air.

In short time, the vegetation grew less and less thick, and the once dim outline of the land's lower horizon grew brighter in it's red glow. With his six wings gliding the air, he eventually reached the edge. From here, Lucifer took note of the eternal fire as he always did, as if to assure himself that the fire was still burning as it had been for over six thousand years.

The plummet was many miles downward, but seemed to stretch endlessly in all cardinal directions. It wasn't the depth between, but rather the depth of the fire itself that Lucifer held in high esteem. It was but a small and shallow pit before the ages of mankind.

Reaching into his robes, Lucifer pulled out a horn in which he sounded when a meeting was to take place. And it was this specific place where the fallen Seraphim met, marked by a slight bluff reaching out from the edge of the floating land. This where the ranking angels discussed any matters at hand.

As he blew the horn, a heavy, orchestrated hum filled the endless night. Bright lights began to appear along the horizons, growing as they made way to his location. With his wings relaxed, Lucifer hovered above, awaiting the arrival of the other angels.

The first to arrive was Belias, the ranking leader of his Virtues. His glow was magnificent, but faded as their proximity shunk. The foreshadowing of Belia's nature could be seen by this, as Virtues bear no deception.

The second to show was none other than Leviathan, the exhalted leader of Lucifer's Dominions and also a Seraphim. Both him and Belias were his key angels, being both versed in the tyranny and pride of man.

Soon, others arrived- Archangels that watched over the realms to prohibit trespass, Powers that enforced the demands of Lucifer below and beyond to Earth- the numbers reached into the hundreds as they riddled the edge of the land.

With one more breath, Lucifer decended slightly and began his speech.
"Pronunced angels of the realm, there has been a disturbance in the holy lands. Many of us have witnessed a sum of archangels over those parts recently. They are trespassing, and while I aim to find out the reason for this, I need more angels to serve as overwatch."

Leviathan went towards Lucfer and gazed upon the others as he replied to the command, "All is well, angels. Lucifer will go to Heaven within the hour and inquire on this."

Lucifer interupted, "In vain you speak, Leviathan. From now on you will mind your tongue. I will do what is necessary without extra assertion."

Without waiting for Leviathan to concur, he rose higher and continued, "There is something that has obviously been ill-examined, as nobody seems to have any ideas. Even Belias is lost in theology. Archangels will be more careful, or I will take it as transgression. We are dismissed"

Lucifer's wings flew open without hesitation, and he shot into the night sky.

 

[Sum1sgruj]

Of Angels and Man <II>

"Open cell nine."
The guard glared through the looking glass as he waited for the door, looking at Nusair Hadeem as he sat at the prison bed.

The prison was a warehouse for national threats in the Middle-East. Only the worst criminals made their way though it's doors. Executions were not a common thing within it, but torture was a key element. Even the guard was sweating severely as he awaited for the cell door to open.

"Cell nine! Can someone open cell.."
Just as he was finishing his sentence, the door flung open and Nusair stood up, staring menacingly at the guard.
"Hadeem, turn around." The guard reached for his cuffs and placed them on Nusair's wrists.
With a look of dismay, the guard turned him around, "Nusair, you know it's time.. "

"Just take me to them." Nusair and the guard proceeded down the hallway and past the other segregated cells. It was always quiet, as any noise would result in more punishment.

Just past them, a set of doors awaited that would lead to the main part of the prison. After walking through, one more hall availed them, lit by windows inlaid with bars. Nusair looked out at the central courtyard through them, unable to blink at what could be his last glimpse of sunlight.

As they approached the end, the prison blossomed into a fortress. The ceiling stood well above them, helping to make obvious the prison's true face as guards stood posted at the catwalks. This was the main unit where the general population of prisoners were housed. The extreme diameter of the round fortress stirred echoes at the slightest noise, so silence was demanded to all who did not wish to suffer from the smothering conditions Nusair had just came out of. Or worse- the nail bed at the center of the structure was most iconic./

They walked to the opposite end and continued through another door, passing guards and chained prisoners being transferred around as he was. They had entered the more humane part of the prison, where prisoners only came in the event that an external interrogation squad or political representative needed them. In Nusair's case, however, he had quite a different visitor.

They were almost there. Anticipation and dread both poured into Nusair's mind. This was the day his fate would be decided.
"Here we are, Nusair", the guard halted at the door to their right, awaiting confirmation from the guard inside to enter, "You've always been straight by me. I wish you well. Asalamalakum"
These words could not appease him before the door opened, recycling the anxiety he tried so hard to extinguish. This is the will of Allah.

"Sit down, Hadeem." The man at the center, between two escorts, was Judge Sahad, an esteemed authority on inter-terrorist activities within the Iraqi Tribunal. "As you very well have known by now, this is where we decide what we do next with you. It seems at long last we conclude this madness with the right assertion"

Nusair continued to look straight ahead, ignoring the judge's vague statements. The only thing that interested him was the decision.

"What should we do with you? Tie you to the firing post, or stone you by the public's discretion? How do you want to die Hadeem?"
Sahad looked into Nusairs eyes with great speculation,
"Or do you want to live?"

Nusair's gaze met his as he spoke the words, "A joke to stir the irony, no less. You judges never fail to surprise me."

"Some have wanted your head for years. And now it is by the guillotine, ready to be sanctioned. What you have been doing has shaken the foundations of Islamic law, despite whatever good intentions you have claimed. You have desecrated many with this blasphemy" Sahad spoke violently as he directed his escorts to leave the room.

"How long have you posed this front? Do you really think that someone such as I doesn't know the extremist influence in your own court? You wouldn't know what I was trying to accomplish if I told you. I will go to my death bearing no shame." Nusair raised his chin and continued to stare at Sahad.

"Hmph, spoken like one of them, and you declare you are different." Sahad rose from his chair, "The nature between the Tribunal and the extremists is quite different then you may think. Judge Siad was executed immediately after we found evidence of his disloyal involvement with them. Yesterday., There is much you do not know, otherwise you and every other dissident would not have such an unflattering view of us."

Nusair grinned, "And it goes both ways."

Sahad rose from the table and spoke one last time before exiting the room, "With your plight? We will see. Your life will be spared today, Hadeem. We have other plans for you.."

 

[Sum1sgruj]

Of Angels and Man <III>

The sky was darkening as Victor sat on the beach, trying to keep true the statements he had made about not returning for duty. The CIA had no jurisdiction on him anymore- his last endeavor was concluded as unreachable and he had no plans to do any more favors since. The mission almost killed him, twice, and to no avail. One look at his son was all it took for a resignation.

He stood up, giving the horizon one last stare before returning to the beach house that stood behind the shore. His wife was in town along with his son, which gave him only one idea- whiskey.
The first room from the front door was the den, complete with all the tropical intrigues a beach house should have, along with a wide window that gazed upon the ocean. Ironically, this room was rarely used except for when company graced it.
Victor went to the bar in the room parallel to the den and poured his glass. He never was one for rum or any tropical spirits, which his wife grieved about when they vacationed, as it didn't fit the 'atmosphere'.
He smiled at this thought as he edged away from the bar and toward the bedroom on the opposite end of the house. No place calmed his nerves like the Caribbean. This was the only time he could relax without involuntary caution.
Service will do it to you_

The bedroom was extravegant, almost splitting away from the rest of the house. Besides the outdated waterbed at the center, the rest of the room was modern bliss. Black walls complimented the colorful portraits that riddled it, and the furniture was glossy and etched in marble. The mirror made the room look twice as big, and the war medals beneath it merited the owner.
Victor stared at them before looking into the mirror. His service in the Army Rangers was tokened by the brass and silver that riddled the dresser. He always asked himself the same question his wife asked- why have them here, in a place of forgetfulness?
He couldn't admit even to himself a lingering pride, despite the resolutions.

Staring at his reflection, he exmained his balding head. Forty years old and already he was transforming.
Service will do that to_
But his agility was still highly capable. Victor was a prime sight of a soldier.
Or ex-soldier.,

Stepping away from the dresser, he heard a knock at the door. The only thing that came to mind was Erin, his wife's Carribean friend who neighbored their beach house. She would come by time and time again for company, or perhaps just to share a few words as she strolled down the shore.
Victor put his now empty glass on the table as he passed the bar, proceeding to the front.
Looking through the window, he saw Erin in her bikini, tanned and vibrant as always. Although, he noticed a concerned expression on her face.
He approached and then opened the, letting the sound of the ocean pour through the house.

"Hey, Erin. She's out right now, I figure you'd be with her."Victor motioned for to come in as he spoke.
Erin only stood their however, seemingly troubled about something.

"Are you okay?", Victor started to wonder.

"I'm sorry, Victor", she spoke.

Just then, she was shoved aside by two men in ski masks and Victor suddenly crashed to the floor. Windows broke open as more men surged in, all while he struggled with them to fight back.
It lasted less then a minute. Victor pucnhed one man down and got up, only to be thrown unto the porch. As he cursed and swung, a man in a business suit came from the side and tazed him.
Victor was soon incapacitated on his deck.

The well dressed man rallied everyone as he strolled off the premises. "Get him to the van, head straight for the airport. Don't screw this up, gentlemen. We're expected in Damascus by morning."