* * *
Michael walked through the streets of the city, beholding misery on every corner. He happened upon his people, some stood shivering against buildings, others huddled together, holding one another in archways of business. Michael mused on his actions as Chief Prince and the power El had invested in him as the federal head of his people, for in Him all lived, and in Him, all died. Yet Michael did not succumb to sickness. It was a discipline from El, and he resisted the urge to despise the chastening of the Lord, for he recognized the Withering was but the scourge of the Lord, to Michael's and his people's profit.
But what beauty could come from such suffering? What order could arise from such chaos?
Michael was close to God, but despite his proximity, even he failed to completely understand the logic of the Almighty. He had, however, learned to trust him, and though he be slain and his people destroyed, he would follow El into oblivion, for El was hope, light, and life.
The Prince of Angels passed another shivering in the hollows of a park and reached down to sit next to him. Michael took his shivering brother in his arms and wrapped himself around his brother like a swaddling cloth, and the two huddled together as Michael rocked his fellow citizen of Heaven and comforted him with a song.
El and the Holy Ghost watched actions from afar, and how he took stock as a shepherd walking among his sheep. El smiled and He and the Holy Spirit mused amongst themselves.
"This thing is hard for us, for the cries of the people move me with compassion, even to spare. But, alas, the Chief Prince will not be moved save by the suffering of others, and with the Withering, we will at last purge the remnants of pride from the people. Never again will they see division."
El Pneuma nodded. "We take no pleasure in the suffering of our children, yet he must turn from his own way that he might live, for the hidden things, the things that are contained in the heart, are what contaminates our son and we must flush to the surface the issues of the heart within the Chief Prince lest they fester and take root and rebellion spring anew to our children's destruction."
El looked upon His child as He watched him comfort the citizens of Heaven.
"Aye, the Prince left to himself would be content to reside in self-delusion. We will strip this from him, and remove from his heart all infection from Satan."
"And when he turns from his own way?" said the Holy Spirit. "When he is abased enough to confess his sin?"
"Then..." replied El as He sat on His throne, "Then judgment will end in my own house, and Yeshua will return to unseal the books of life, and we will pour out our judgment upon the Evil One. And then, El Pneuma...then we shall know peace."
* * *
Enoch's party crossed a stone bridge. To their left emanating from the darkness, a waterfall poured from the lower pools of Heaven, cascading into the crashing darkness below. To their front, light glowed from an opening that faced them. Gabriel walked slowly over the ancient, carved bridge, careful as he watched every step.
"I appreciate your coming with me," said Enoch. "You were first among those I wanted to accompany me on this journey."
Gabriel took a step forward, "I am honored, Adamson. Of course, if you did not persist in us walking, Metatron or I could simply carry you through Limbus to Aesir."
Metatron snickered and projected his voice forward for Enoch to hear. "The human is as stubborn as any of his kind."
Enoch scrunched his face in irritation and replied. "I beg to differ, my prince. There is something to be said for having one's feet firmly on the ground."
"Perhaps," said Gabriel. "Yet it would be much faster."
Enoch replied. "I say again. I will NOT be carried. I would rather walk."
Hadriel sighed. "Aye. He is stubborn, indeed."
Gabriel laughed. "Indeed," and chuckled all the more.
Enoch leaned upon his staff and continued as they made their way across the bridge and suddenly stopped. Gabriel and the others also came to a halt.
Enoch felt his cheek.
Moisture from above fell down upon him and gently slid down the side of his face. He wiped his cheek, sniffed the liquid and recoiled from the stench. He wiped his hands on his robes and looked up. "The ceiling moves," said. Enoch.
Everyone turned their eyes upward and slow moving octopi and serpent-like bodies writhed in whispered hissing overhead.
"We have entered a nest of Zoa," said Hadriel.
Mouths of razor sharp teeth opened and closed, and from the front of the group, a large tentacled beast dropped from the ceiling and crashed onto the bridge, barring the way to cross further. The great structure groaned and creaked, and chunks of stone and dust untroubled for ages now fell from the catwalk, plummeting into the darkness below.
The Zoa raised its head like a cobra's hood, and stretched its elongated neck, baring teeth that resembled broadswords and hissed at the group, sizing the party up. Enoch backed away slowly; he slightly turned his head toward his rear that he could be heard.
"Gabriel..." Enoch whispered.
"Yes, Enoch?" Gabriel's eyes fixated on the Zoa before them, its legs slowly coiling in preparation to lunge.
"Carry me."
Gabriel raised his eyebrow and gave a knowing smirk and Enoch turned his back to the creature and sprinted into Gabriel's waiting arms.
The Zoa roared and charged, galloping toward the group to devour its prey, but the trio of angels leaped off the bridge and took flight.
Zoa fell from the ceiling in droves. Roars filled the cavern as all around them the creatures sprang to life as bats disturbed.
Gabriel, Metatron, and Hadriel ducked and weaved through falling Zoa, zig-zagging and twisting between the elephantine creatures. Enoch, huddled in the strong arms of Gabriel, shouted, "Fellows...behind you!"
Metatron looked to his rear and saw a great flying octopi rise from the darkness, and those that fell from the ceiling sprouted wings and took flight after the party.
"Ugh, the creatures can fly! Go swiftly now!" Metatron yelled.
Metatron led the way and spied a group of stalactites that draped from the ceiling. "Gabriel, through there," he said.
Gabriel nodded and dived around the columns of limestone and cadmium which hung from the cavern beams. The three angels dodged and swerved to avoid being plastered against the great stone teeth that dangled from the cavern's roof.
The Zoa quickly closed upon the trio with giant wings, snapping at Hadriel who took up the rear. He weaved around a stalactite and the beast, unable to move as deftly, smashed into the protruding rock, exploding the great barrier into pieces. The creature roared in pain and fell into the darkness below, crashing against walls. Its guttural cries ascending from the deep.
A flock of the creatures still trailed them. Unmoved by a member of the pack's fall, continued as a swarm of flying, tentacled teeth, each one snapping with spear-like beaks to seize their fleeing prey.
Through caves and falling waters from above, the angels flew in a phalanx formation, and Metatron shouted to Gabriel, "There is a light ahead! Go to, and we shall swing around and keep them from you!"
"But what about you?" Gabriel shouted back.
"Take refuge near the light in the distance and we will find you!"
Enoch cried out, "Whatever your plan, hurry, for they are closing!"
Hadriel nodded to Metatron, who acknowledged his peer's purpose. Metatron then drew his sword and with a Zoa flying in tow, he flew to a stalactite where he placed his sword in the rock and flew roundabout the downward pointed spire, turning to face the multitude of flapping teeth and propelled himself headlong into the flock. The angel moved with the swiftness of his kind, and opening the pores of his flesh, he shouted a battle cry. Powerful, unrestricted vocal chords created a conical force of sound that echoed and traveled through the cavern before him, bursting the eardrums of some Zoa and scattering the flock. Stalactites shattered and exploded in all directions, large chunks of which fell, crushing the creature's skulls and sending them careening into the void below. The shards spread out as rocky shrapnel and injured others, causing the flock to slow. Pressing his attack, Metatron fell upon those that had stalked him, and the hunters now became the prey. His sword sliced jaws, necks, and wings of the creatures as each roared in agony and plunged into the darkness below.
Hadriel's attack was more subtle as he misted and as a creature flew through him. He re-solidified atop the monster's back and buried his daggers deep into the flying arms of the beast. As a man reins a horse, Hadriel pulled the animal to fly under his control and turned it sweeping back against its own kind.
The flock dispersed in confusion as Hadriel made the beast attack. Snapping at wings and legs, and swinging one captive Zoa into another, Hadriel kept his body close against the creature's back, as he knocked several of the creatures out of the air. Tugging hard against makeshift reins, forcing the Zoa into a loop. He flew the monster next to Metatron, who with his swords and bare hands sliced and pummeled the snapping beasts out of the sky.
Scores of the creatures sundered before them as hewn tentacles flew through the air and greenish blood misted onto each angel. Zoas fell from the cavern skies and tumbled to the void below. The beasts then turned on themselves and attacked those that were injured. Each snap into another's flesh brought with it the scent of more blood until the flock was a cacophony turned on itself, and the whole, a mass of teeming, cannibalistic bat-like creatures falling, hissing and screaming.
Hadriel released his mount, crashing it into another Zoa, and misted. With one backward glance over a job well done, Hadriel and Metatron moved to rejoin Gabriel and Enoch.
Gabriel stood in a lighted cavern where an ancient bridge once spanned. He set Enoch down and watched as his brethren returned to them. Metatron lighted softly to the ground and Hadriel deftly fell next to his brethren and solidified.
"Are you alright?" Gabriel said.
Metatron nodded. "Aye, no worse for wear."
"Nevertheless, let us be watchful," Hadriel said. "For the area in the mountain of God that separates the Halls of Annals must somehow connect to this place."
"Perhaps," said Gabriel. "There are many things that El hath done in times past that is not known to us. The Zoa protect the secret things. And behold, what hath been more secreted away than the path to Aesir? While El's sovereign will allow us to roam this place, it is yet rife with danger. Nevertheless, we have arrived at the gate of Aesir. Behold."
Gabriel motioned his hand, and behind him, a barrier of visible sound could be both seen and heard. Glowing waves emanated from a golden portal, and through the waves, golden skies where creatures of flames could be seen flying beyond the rim.
Enoch smiled, "Finally, we are here. I think I can walk again."
Gabriel grinned. "Of course, Adamson."
The group breathed a collective sigh of relief and studied the portal. Enoch then stretched out his hand to touch it.
"No, wait!" Metatron pushed Enoch aside. He looked upon the portal, and changed his flesh to reveal the pores and living organs that created sound, and when he did so, he released various notes to everyone's hearing.
"What are you doing?" Enoch said.
"If you had touched the barrier, it would have brought you to dissolution. Watch."
Metatron motioned everyone back and tossed a pebble against the barrier. Nothing happened. He smiled. "Now watch." He unsheathed his sword, still stained with the blood of Zoa, and inserted the tip of the blade into the barrier. The steel forged blade sizzled and the blood boiled away as a foul stench and hiss of steam filled the area.
"I thank you," said Enoch.
"You art most welcome. The barrier is one of sound. I believe I can match its frequency and cancel it out. Since El told you to travel to this land, I trust He will protect for the Seraph abide in a land of sweltering fire and heat."
Enoch swallowed hard. "Proceed," he said.
Gabriel raised a hand. "Wait. Although Enoch is here because El hath commanded him, El did not indicate we will be welcomed. We will most assuredly not be. We cannot provoke the Schism further after we enter."
Hadriel chuckled. "We are merely trespassing into their land and violating the terms El hath set forth for our kind. What can possibly go wrong?"
Enoch sighed. "I could not have made it this far without your help. I suspect I will not make it further without it as well, yet I cannot ask you to risk war with the Seraphim, and am content to journey alone if need be."
Gabriel replied. "Michael charged me to see to your success, and to do all in my might to bring healing and reconciliation to our people. I believe El would have thee be the catalyst to that end. I cannot see to that end if I do not abide with thee. Moreover, we have left the capital under siege by the Withering. No, Adamson. We are with thee and we will see what the end will be."
All looked at Enoch, who was quick to reply. "Then we go forward. Metatron, bring down the seal."
Metatron turned to the golden barrier and sung in various pitches and tones. The sound took the color of visible floating notes that emanated from his body. The notes changed in red and blues and hues of yellows and gold. Each one ascended toward the barrier and impacted, and illuminated all the more through pulsing hues of purple, blue and grey.
"It's not working..."
The barrier suddenly lurched forward, and a flash ensued. Enoch and the party stepped back as the seal expanded and reached out to them.
"Keep trying!" Enoch said. "Do not give up."
"The Seraph are powerful in the ways of sound..."
"Keep trying!" Enoch shouted.
Metatron sang and the notes once again floated against the barrier. Each sound slammed into the barrier and it changed colors from grey to yellow and slowly back to gold, and the barrier slowly began contracting in on itself.
"It's working," Enoch said.
Metatron continued in his musical lock picking, and the barrier gave way and turned into turquoise and then melted into green. When it turned emerald green, the barrier shattered, and the blast wave knocked the party down.
Immediately, an overbearing dry swelter reached out to withdraw the very moisture from their lips. Enoch stood and slowly walked into the opening. Gabriel, Metatron and the rest of the group followed, beaming with smiles, relieved that they had made their way through Limbo unscathed.
Enoch turned to face his friends and smile, but a surprising yelp from Hadriel drew his attention. Enoch's eyes spread wide and his face seeped with horror and grief. Gabriel and Metatron turned to look in concerned confusion.
Hadriel had been torn asunder, and a Zoa had the bowels of their comrade as spittle from its mouth, eying them next to attack.