Collapse: Part 3

In order to gain access to hell bravery of the spirit must be rivaled by only the swiftest of feet. A doorway appears at the exact moment where the last moment of day is met with the very beginning of night, a time when neither has power over the other. You will know this brief moment by a sudden flash. Timing is of utmost importance, if you should be unfortunate enough to miss this moment you will be caught in nothingness, the place where all is created. I prepared myself for neither day nor night; I waited in the secret location where the door would appear. Suddenly, a flash, an opportunity, a doorway, I ran far and fast just as the darkness seemed to be gaining favor; the door had been opened and I made it in safely. Hell has been described in all forms from humans and angel’s alike, all of the myths have come from those who never visited. Let this be the first account from one who has walked the path. There are no signs posted to advise you of your entrance into hell, there are no creatures or beings that shuffle you through stripping you of all that you came in with. Hell has many levels as I looked from the top down towards the seemingly endless paths and staircases. I can not tell you how many levels hell has, but I can tell you that it took me three days to get to the last level. The first level was the most worrisome; there are no guides, no maps and no direction I was left to wander without knowing my purpose. There is no feeling that grips harder than the feeling of being alone, and in that very moment I was completely and utterly alone. All memory had somehow been drained, no emotion to cling to, no good feelings to usher me through. I was left in that moment with nothing but the dread of emptiness. My mind began to shut down; I forgot my reasoning behind such a magnificent journey. I stopped in my tracks and closed my eyes. As I slipped into the darkness a flash of light, the brightness of my love in that one moment pushed back the dark eternity in which I was flirting with. At times I had started to believe the emptiness to be appealing, I can now see why there is no one to advise you of your entrance, not even in hell could you find something dark enough to reside in that first level. As I made my way down the other levels I had the weight of level one lifted off of me. Hell is peaceful once you pass the first level. There is an organization down there that is not seen in heaven. I had walked by many residents of the underworld. The punished are not gruesome, they are people who failed to follow the laws of God therefore they are left to follow the complete rule of one being for eternity. Silent and obedient through force and fear. There is no rebellion; there is no mistrust because the will of each soul is locked away from the flesh of the body. Demons do exist and they are more hideous than painting can make them out to be. Demons were once humans but they are much different than the punished. Demons made their allegiance to Lucifer long before they perished on earth. They were the one’s who broke God’s most severe laws and enjoyed it. The demon had been stripped of any resemblance to a creature of God. Lucifer created a creature all his own, they were his family, his army, his pride. All beings in hell are equally loyal to Lucifer; where the lord would send his most loyal to do his will, Lucifer would send his most vicious. I was now in the level of hell where the vicious resided. Surprisingly, I passed through without incident. My white wings were in contrast to the charred ground and it was clear that I was there as a representative of heaven. I made it to the entrance of Lucifer’s chamber. There stood a man, neither punished nor demon. This man was more a product of heaven than hell. As I approached I recognized him the moment the light hit his face, the blonde curly hair and fare skin left as a reminder of his past. Malicous, the most tortured being in all of hell was ironically enough the most loved by Lucifer. His story was one of controversy and most angels would not dare bring up his name. The fall of Malicous caused even God’s most loyal of angel’s to be at odds with each other.

Malicous was one of God’s most loved angel’s, he was within grasp of even Lucifer’s standing with God. Right before his fall from grace, Lucifer became an outspoken critic to God’s rule; he convinced many angels’ that God needed to listen more to what he suggested. Lucifer began to preach of imbalance in heaven and the need for a restoration in power. Lucifer considered Malicous his closest friend so it was no surprise that Malicous was the first angel that Lucifer tried to recruit in overthrowing God. Many times would Lucifer try to recruit Malicous and many times would malicious deny him. Malicous became tortured for he knew that it was only his Love for God that kept him from joining with his friend. The more Malicous listened to Lucifer’s passionate preaching the more he could not deny that his beliefs were with Lucifer. One night Lucifer told Malicous that he was going to attack the palace of God and asked Malicous one last time. Malicous told Lucifer that he would make his decision by morning. Lucifer agreed and Malicous was left to decide. Malicous would quiet his mind by busying his hands. All that night hammering was heard from Malicous’ home, all night steel hit into wood until it all stopped. By morning Malicous had made his decision. Lucifer entered the room where he saw a giant wooden contraption. Finding his friend’s headless body removed from all thought and senses it was clear that his decision had been made. An axe which was to cut down tree was used to cut out ideals. In a note addressed to Lucifer, Malicous spoke of loyalty of heart and loyalty of mind. Both sides had a right within his body but none of which could conquer his soul. Both parties battling within, causing such a stir that he needed to silence it all. With the contraption he quieted all within. After the fall of Lucifer God cast all fallen angels into hell. When it came to Malicous many angel’s insisted that he be cast back into nothingness where he would await another purpose. God’s forgiveness is great but the betrayal that he had experienced was greater. God placed head onto body and threw Malicious into hell. The lord found that Malicous’ betrayal was in his cowardice not to decide. As a reminder of Malicous’ betrayal, God introduced the contraption to man so that they may punish all traitors.

There I stood, face to face with the sorrowful Malicious. His body blocking the doorway to the one who had the answers I was looking for. I explained to Malicious my need to talk to his master and respectfully he led me to Lucifer’s chamber. I entered the chamber where I was to find the truth to my questions. I prepared myself for the cunning serpents tongue. Lucifer entered in all his brilliance, a rather remarkable being, angelic in form. He carried himself with dignity and treated me with respect. The conversation was far from a battle between good and evil. I demanded answers from him regarding the demise of love on earth. Without one second between my words and my breath he responded to me. He spoke of the balance between heaven and hell and how each had a hand in the human’s everyday life. Just as God introduced certain tools to the humans so did he, I believe he called it a fair fight for all the souls of humanity. It is the ability for humans to decide on their own terms which makes the fate of humanity undecided. The pact of the ages he called it, an agreement between himself and the almighty. He explained to me that there is communication between heaven and hell and that both agreed to give man the right to choose their path. Of course each side could help to sway the decisions of man. When God introduced love to the humans, Lucifer introduced lust, When Lucifer introduced temptation, God introduced trust and when God introduced Peace, Lucifer introduced war. These were all things that originally sprang from heaven but God had control of them until Lucifer was cast into hell and once he began his fall he dragged down with him all those things that helped fuel his quest for power. This, he explained was the game that god created and that through the pact, he was made to play along. He told me that Free will is an ally when the humans choose what god sees as right, but when they choose a darker path it is seen as unfair. I was told that I was acting like a spoiled little boy and that he should not be blamed for what were the humans God given right. I told Lucifer that I knew about the whisperers who were sent to the bedside of humans to sway their minds while deep in sleep and he countered with the fact that I was sent to earth to enforce love. With each point I made he countered with what seemed to be a more powerful explanation. In that moment my anger begged me to draw my sword but my reason advised me to leave. I left just as I had entered, without answers. As I passed Malicious I noticed a room. A room in which I heard the clanging of metal, I looked into the room and observed demons fitting armor and weapons being forged from the hardened molten lava. I made haste out of that dark place. It was clear that I would not find truth in a world built by deceit and trickery.

I returned to St. Peter to advise him of what I had seen. St. Peter told me that he believed that Lucifer was going to use the weakened state of love to attack heaven. How could one defend without loyalty? How could one defend without trust? How could one defend without passion? All of these things are the basis of love and if love was dying on earth it was truly dying in heaven. Lucifer’s key to opening the gates of heaven was the destruction of love. He would find his adversary by daybreak!



Chapter 4:

After struggling with what had been discussed, I was awakened with the feeling of a new purpose. Normally I would fight to keep the warmth of Psyche by my side for as long as possible. Normally I would hold on to the only good memories of love I had left, but on that day I quickly entered Gods palace without even a blown kiss in her direction. My battle had begun on that magnificent day.

My task on that day was to create a love bond between two very important people who would have an affect on humanity in years to come. I readied the vials of euphoria and charged into the situation with the ferocity of one warrior battling an army. My task was complete, my task was successful. After making the love bond work I quickly rushed home to tell Psyche the good news. My heart pounding with excitement as I opened the gate, my mouth smiling as I ran into the courtyard and finally my anger overpowering all other emotions as I found her there. The courtyard in which we planted pomegranate trees became the same courtyard in which sword was planted into the flesh which helped me grow. The brilliance of the midday sun could not compete with the crimson shadow cast by her murder. A cry, a yell, a shriek, I was quickly thrown into a new life purpose. Anger was now the cause of my blindness. The gleaming beams of Blue trickled from my eyes replaced by the red of her murder. A murder from cold steel, cold steel undoubtedly forged from a fiery source.

Her loss was too much to bear; I could not see how I would continue without her by my side. All reason and purpose of life had abandoned me the moment she stopped breathing. I tried to do what I was created for but could not bring myself to give the humans something so precious. How could I when all they did was take advantage? It was not fair that they were able to experience something that was stolen from me. Many nights I would spend with Nathaniel. Emptiness followed me everywhere I walked, even when I allowed my wings to take me far away she was not more than two feet from me. Bitterness was beginning to take hold of me and I did not care. Nathaniel never loved; he told me that he did not believe there could be any room to love another when loyal to God. He almost went as far as telling me that I had turned on God for loving Psyche so much. For this I pitied Nathaniel. There is no greater feeling than that of two lovers. Looking into the eyes of another and understanding that your purpose is connected to theirs. I believed this to be the only time that God would allow us to see our purpose, whether on intentional or by accident I am not certain. Nathaniel asked me to describe the feeling of love for someone other than God. I explained to him the beauty of being in the moment and the cruelty of losing it. Love has now become my curse. The warmth you feel from being wrapped in it, like a thick blanket when snow has settled on tree tops. Eventually the blanket begins to rip and tear from wrapping it so tight around you; clutching and gripping so tight until only a shred of fabric is left to remind you of the comfort you once felt. You become even colder because you once felt the warmth of that one simple emotion. My warmth had been replaced by the coldness of her murder. I pitied Nathaniel for never experiencing love and Nathaniel pitied me for allowing myself to be overcome by my love for her. Nathaniel described the ingredients of love as an unbalanced mixture. Nathaniel told me that sometimes he believed love to be a concoction mixed up in Lucifer’s laboratory. A violent potion made up of one part Heaven and two parts Hell, in this moment I agreed.

I mourned my love for 4 months which in comparison to the depth of my loss of her was no time at all. My purpose had been changed and I needed to focus on my new calling. My anger and vengeance were to purge my system of weakness. My plans required me to be a warrior. Revenge would be my guide back down to the slayer of my love. I mourned the death of my love one last time and then I mourned what would surely be the death of my innocence.

I made my way back to St. Peter. I brought with me the sword that had started me on my new path. I had hoped he would verify the origins in which I was already most certain. St. Peter held up the sword, a straight blade with a deep red ruby sunset in the center, the side guard formed two mountains, one on each side of the sun. The handle was an arrow pointing downward. The sword was one in which I knew from a long time ago, a sword in which I was sure my sword had clashed with before St. Peter stood at the gate. St. Peter told me that the sword was named “The morning star”, the sword in which Lucifer himself carried into battle when he was one of God’s most loved angel’s. The history of this instrument is filled with the blood of the innocent. I will make sure to end the curse of such a horrific blade.

I needed to make sure that my anger would not alert any of the angel’s to my ultimate plans. Those that I would involve would be loyal to me and no other. Nathaniel was naturally the first that I spoke to. I told him that I intended on slaying Lucifer for what he had done to my dear Psyche. Nathaniel immediately agreed and suggested a few key angels’ who would help infiltrate hell.

Within a short amount of time we were able to assemble 20 angel’s who promised their allegiance to me. It was understood that our actions were to be of the utmost secrecy. My intentions were to plan and execute the attack on hell as quickly as possible without God finding out. I was surprised at how easily Nathaniel agreed to help me considering his loyalty to God. For this I was certain that Nathaniel was my most trusted friend. Nathaniel was a master crafter so he was able to forge weaponry and armor in no more than two days. Within 3 days of the initial plan we were ready.


Chapter 5:

I stood at the spot where the doorway would appear. On my hip was “serenity”, on my back the cursed sword was strapped and behind me stood my 20 loyal angel’s; Nathaniel, Sebastian, Marcus, Robert, William, Jessica, Deborah, Jason, Ezra, Chiang, Lucas, Darrin, Miguel, Ana, Thomas, Phillip, Tyler, Martin, Justin and Evelyn. Each Angel was fully capable of slaying demons but I was not sure if each one would be able to survive the battle within them selves. We placed dark cloaks over our white wings and waited for the flash to usher us in. Daylights reign was over and with that I ordered my secret group through. 21 of us rushed ahead toward the doorway. The darkness of night at our backs trying to suck us into nothingness. With each step taken an increasing amount of panic was felt from the group, I knew that all of us would not make it through. I turned back to see the fall of my first angel, Marcus faded into nothingness and then followed Phillip. Both begged for help before they were swallowed into the abyss. The doorway began to close as my third angel Sebastian jumped through. Sebastian’s right arm was caught in the darkness and it pulled on him, I heard his tendons being ripped I watched as skin was stripped from bone. Sebastian gripped the doorway and with the strength of just his left hand he defeated the darkness pulling him self through. The doorway slammed shut leaving the darkness a small victory, one in which Sebastian knew only to be his right arm. Sebastian dusted himself off and grinned as he knew himself to be the ultimate victor. I was undoubtedly certain that Sebastian was not going to allow any other part of him to fall into darkness.

21 of us began and we were down to 19 before even entering the first level. We were now at the first level, a level in which more would be lost. No shield could repel the attack on the spirit. No sword could strike the emptiness that penetrates the mind, 19 angels turned to 1. Even with a great army you are left to battle alone in level one. I was not affected by the horror being that I had been put through the test previously. Most made it only 3 to 5 steps before freezing in place. I was forced to be a spectator in each of their personal battles. I noticed that Nathaniel had quickly regained his senses. It was obvious that Nathaniel was as powerful in spirit as he was in strength. Hours passed as I stared at each frozen angel. I urged Nathaniel to offer each angel encouragement. We had no influence on any of them; they were unresponsive through touch and words. I felt comfort when I would hear a weep or a scream because I knew that they were still fighting. I feared for all of those who fell silent. The quality of angel’s I had by my side was in doubt as my angel infiltrators stood like cursed statues. Sebastian screamed so loud I feared that Lucifer himself would hear it down in his chamber, his scream so loud he frightened the emptiness away and awoke. Jessica cried as if she was reliving a loss and within that thought she was given strength. Deborah was silent for hours but suddenly smiled and awoke from her trance like state; her victory merely took one quick thought to snap her out of hours of torture. William’s hand moved and clutched his chest as if opening his heart and with that motion he held up three fingers to his face and awoke. Slowly my angel’s had been battling back the temptation of solitude. For the next 8 hours I would watch as 9 of the 18 awoke. Chiang, Ana, Martin, Robert, Darrin, Lucas, Miguel, Tyler and Jason were all left behind as reminders of the power that the first level possessed.

We continued down through each level, trying to keep the loss of the 11 off of our minds. Focus was essential in the challenge ahead. The heaviness of the cursed sword weighed down on my back as we traveled. Our trip downward was unchallenged as we blended in most successfully. Dark cloaks covered our identities as we moved onward until we finally reached the last level. Nathaniel followed me towards Lucifer’s chamber as the remainder of the angel’s caused a diversion by exposing their true identities. I hid in the darkness of a crevice that was just before Malicous’ room. Nathaniel blended in on the opposite side of me. It was in that dark place where I heard the first warning of our invasion. Hisses, howls and screams were heard. From the foul walls poured out creatures that had been hidden from all. I remained still as one of these beasts slipped out of the wall. I will never forget the sight of them. They were no taller than 3 feet in height, black armor plated skin that trickled with what seemed to be some sort of lubricant, blood red eyes and a long tail that cracked like a whip with each step taken. These beasts stood upright although their long arms dragged on the floor due to the weight of the massive claws they were forced to carry. I remained still as I watched what seemed to be 30 of these beasts slide out of the walls. Each one pushed out like hell itself had given birth before my very eyes. Imprisoned and hidden as if Lucifer himself was embarrassed or afraid of these creations. Hell’s rejected children were now called upon, they were known only as the Furies. I remained silent and allowed them to slip past, heading towards a battle in which I was responsible for. It was at that moment that I almost began to pray to the almighty so that he could keep the angels safe but I quickly realized that he might find out my plans. I stepped out of the crevice and told Nathaniel to remain hidden. I requested that he guard the archway and not allow any beast to enter.

Malicous stood with his back turned towards me. I slowly unsheathed my sword so that I would not alarm him. The tip of my sword just inches from his back ready to deliver a fatal blow. I hesitated and could not bring myself to strike him down even though I felt as if he knew that I was standing behind him. Was it possible that Malicous embraced his own demise? I stood frozen for a few moments until he slowly turned towards me. Malicous was unaffected by my presence. I demanded that he move away from the entrance of his master and of course he did not move one step in any direction. My sword now moving upward towards his neck began to shake ever so slightly. Malicous did not look upon me with fear or anger, he just looked me in the eyes and smiled. His hands clasped the tip of my sword to stop it from shaking. I told Malicous that I had come to strike down Lucifer and that he should not attempt to intervene. Malicous told me that it was clear what my intentions were but even more telling was my uncertainty. I explained to him that I was most certain in what had to be done and that I would strike him down if he tried to get in the way. Malicous told me that my blade spoke the truth about my feelings; he told me that the sword of one who is true and just would not shake in such a manner as mine did at that moment. A sword that sways to and fro does so because the mind in which it is controlled by is unstable with questions of right and wrong. He asked me if I felt that my quest was one of a just warrior in which I quickly explained to him that my quest was born from an unjust act. Malicous’ response was not spoken through words. His response was sharp and precise slicing into my arm. I pulled my arm back exposing a dagger in his right hand. A lunge towards me and a miss, I spun around and without effort my cloak was removed exposing my wings. The length and height of the room would work to my advantage. He threw down the dagger and pulled out his sword. I went in for what seemed to be a clear strike and he countered. Our swords began to dance together in a most magnificent display of respect and admiration. When all others would have wished the beautiful music to cease, we two were enthralled in the melodic chimes of swordplay. The music would stop only when fatal blow allowed. I begged Malicous to lay down his sword and he begged the same of me. Our swords kissed flesh on multiple occasions but not passionate enough to seduce the other to lie down. Blood trickled from our wounds and quenched the thirst of the charred ground. Malicous swiped his sword low forcing me to jump back. My wings spread open gliding me backwards as Malicous charged forward. I spun around causing my wings to block his view from my sword and from between my feathery wings a fatal blow. There before me the most noble Malicous prepared for his journey back into the nothingness, a place in which he had hoped to one day return. His final moments were spent fixated on the cursed sword strapped to my back. His final breath dedicated to uttering the word “impossible”.

I rushed into Lucifer’s chamber and immediately reached back and pulled the cursed sword that weighed so heavily upon me. I looked around the room and could not find Lucifer, I took one step and then another, my eyes constantly scanning the room. Where was the slayer of my love? The room grew cold, a stark contrast from the stifling heat I felt all throughout my journey. I knew he was close. Suddenly, a smell of sulfur and just to the right of me a figure appeared from a yellow fog. I attempted to turn my sword in the direction of the figure but I was too slow, a blade was pressed against my neck. A voice in which I knew to be that of Lucifer’s asked me to state my business. I advised him that I was there to strike him down with his own sword, “The morning star”. The voice only uttered the same word that Malicous did before passing back into nothingness, “Impossible”. Lucifer’s left hand held my sword hand up as he admired the sword. Lucifer told me that he was far too skilled to be beaten by me and that even if I proved I was a greater swordsman it would be impossible to strike him down with his own sword. Anger filled my heart pumping hatred to every part of my body, with my left hand I reached around and pushed him back. The cursed sword swung around and attempted to silence the forked tongue. The cursed sword met Lucifer’s between both of our strategically placed bodies. My eyes widened as I looked down upon the two swords. Lucifer looked at me and smiled. He once again uttered the word impossible and laughed. I could not believe what I had seen. There before me stood two twins, brothers, embroiled in a cold embrace. Both swords identical in appearance save one major difference. Lucifer asked me to put down my sword so that we could discuss the unfolding situation. I reluctantly agreed.


Lucifer told me that I needed to understand the history of his existence before I learned about his sword. I was told of the real reason behind his revolt, a revolt that led to his banishment from heaven. He explained to me that the story of his betrayal is that of fantasy and was used by God to strike fear so that he could control all. Lucifer told me that before man was placed on earth he was tested in heaven. He was with God when God was deciding on what the human’s role would play. God took much love and care in creating humans and began to discuss the possibility of eliminating angels from heaven. God began to feel that Earth was where Angel’s should reside and their knowledge of his work would be erased from memory. God planned to place the soul of an angel into human form but Lucifer advised against it. Lucifer begged God from one side of his mouth while he denounced his decision from the other. Lucifer saw the imperfections in man and could not bring himself to allow the perfection of Angelic form to be encapsulated into that of a human. Lucifer felt that humans could be corrupted which would lead to the destruction of heaven. Lucifer begged God to rethink his idea but God did not listen. It was only after he used all reason that he was forced to do something drastic. Lucifer began to disclose God’s plan to some angels. Eventually he was able to produce an army who were against God’s plan. Lucifer met with his Generals in a cave to the east of heaven, this cave was known as the crystal cave. Lucifer explained to me that this cave was special. The crystals formed in such a way that they bounced all sounds down into the dark abyss away from the opening of the cave, away from God’s ear. Many secret meetings were held and the plans to overthrow God were almost complete. One night, one of Lucifer’s whispers bounced downward throughout the cave until it escaped through a tiny unseen crack in the caves wall. Once the whisper escaped the cave it made its way to God’s ear. This was enough for God to plan his defense and eventually defeated Lucifer and his army of fallen Angels. Due to his actions, Lucifer and his army were thrust into hell. Lucifer explained that it was shortly after his fall that God introduced the first two Humans to earth. Lucifer was certain that if these two Humans could succeed in forming a bond that all angels would be subjected to the transformation into human flesh. For the good of all angels Lucifer made it his mission to prove God wrong, he would show God that humans were corruptible and so began the battle for Adam and Eve. After Lucifer proved to God that Adam and Eve were prone to being corrupt, God’s plans were put on hold. God decided that as long as Lucifer existed heaven was vulnerable. Angel’s remained on heavenly ground to protect the kingdom and humans were forced to stay on earth with their imperfections. The pact of the ages began between heaven and hell and still remains to this very day, each side competing for mankind.

Lucifer told me the history of his sword. He did not deny the fact that the sword had in fact been one of violence and betrayal; many angels were slain by “The morning star” during the battle of heaven. Lucifer told me that there were never twin swords and that the sword that he held in his hand was in fact his beloved sword, “The morning star”. How could I believe anything that the ruler of hell said? For some reason I allowed Lucifer to continue. Lucifer explained to me that when he was cast out of heaven and thrown into hell he took with him many of heaven’s belongings. Most important to him was his beloved sword. He held his sword up against mine and told me that I had a most wonderful replica. Both swords measured exact in width, height and weight. Both swords crafted with amazing detail, an arrow pointing downward from the handle, side guards that had a mountain on each side and even the center of the handle had a sunset. It was within the sunset that the difference was evident. Lucifer explained to me that his sword did in fact have a ruby sunset while he was in heaven but when he was thrown into hell; his sword fell into lava causing the ruby to turn to ash. Lucifer placed his hand on my shoulder and told me that the sword responsible for my love’s murder was created in heaven. The details of the sword were that of heavenly accounts and apparently not even God knew of the transformation that took place on its travel to hell.