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"PUSH THEM BACK! PUSH them back!" Jediah hollered.
The jail break turned the whole Abyss into a madhouse. Demonic prisoners scratched the walls. Angelic soldiers scattered here and there in hot pursuit, and the waves of light from their swishing and clapping wings blasted several demons to the ground.
The demons screamed louder, and their frenzy broke to a fever pitch as they tore into anyone within reach.
Jediah scowled. They were supposed to remain trembling shadows in their captivity. They were supposed to await final sentencing until the End was to begin, but the centuries they spent imprisoned one step away from the hellfires had driven them mad. Suffering a fraction of the heat to come reminded them they were to be fed to the hungry furnace. No regeneration. No healing. Always their outer shells would peel. Forever their wings would blister and char to ash. It’s no surprise they’d act like wild animals at the first chance of escape. To make matters worse, they were cherubs, and they were Apollyon’s. The power to mutate into any horrible creature, real or imagined, was theirs.
Jediah distanced himself from the frontline. Sizing up the dark masses, he clenched his fist as he searched for their loathsome leader. The monster he sought loomed large behind his teaming pawns.
Lord Apollyon dwarfed them all and possessed an energy capacity tenfold the average. He salivated and foamed at the mouth as he screamed orders for Jediah’s head. Five thousand years after the Scorpion Wars and his craving for revenge against the angel who bested him never withered.
Jediah grunted. He wasn’t about to falter to the disgraceful riff-raff under his watch. Several of his soldiers regrouped as a batch of demons turned into scorpions and assembled for a charge.
Jediah ordered his first battalion forward. "Archers at the ready!"
Angelic troops knelt before increasing numbers of scorpions and lit up their bows. They harnessed lengths of white to the string.
“Fire!”
Shafts rained like meteors and pierced many eyes, but some demons ignored the blinding stings.
Jediah kept his wings armored. Their opponents were too close for his comfort. The hardened feathers on his shoulders clinked tight together like metal plates, and his scarf that bore the symbols of his rank stayed secure beneath them.
Running towards danger with swift agility, Jediah alighted his sword and carved a path through the thickest of the horde for his troops to follow. He aimed for arms and legs and each demon he maimed he entangled in the Holy Chains—God’s exclusive gift to him for such times. Its hot links seared themselves to their victims and sapped whatever energy was left. To Jediah, the chains were weightless, but if he went by how his enemies groaned, they seemed to crush whomever they pinned to the floor.
Two energy spheres whizzed over Jediah’s head. They blasted open a clearing, and Laszio and Eran dove right into the thick of it like cannonballs in an ink pool. The intensity flaring from their shining wings forced more demons to back away.
Jediah clenched his teeth. What are those two doing?
Laszio and Eran stood back to back. Sparks sputtered from the new spheres spinning on their strands. Back and forth, right and left, they whipped and ricocheted the energy balls against all sides. They added more spheres to their bombardment. Soon they juggled four to six at a time, passing them underarm or overarm like a cycle of sunrises and sunsets.
Jediah hastened his strikes as more demons surrounded the Privates. For he knew they couldn’t keep up their barrage for long. He slipped between clashing weapons to reach them faster.
Laszio’s voice rose above the noise. “I think we might have bitten off more than we can chew, Eran!”
“You think?!?” Eran shouted. “I followed you in! Remember?”
Distracted by what he heard, Jediah barely noticed the glint of sharp talons. He ducked. The claw missed his neck but sliced his brow. He backed up and fingered the thick energy that seeped from the fresh scar.
The demon responsible smirked and puffed his chest.
Jediah shortened his sword and threw it.
The demon caught the blade by the crossguard, its tip almost nicking his chest. “Is that it?” the demon scoffed. His fingers moved. The button triggered, and the extending blade plunged into his abdomen.
Not wasting a second, Jediah rushed the screaming demon and chained him down. Then, planting his boot on his shoulder and gripping the hilt, he kicked, yanking the sword out.
An earsplitting bang shook the cave. Jediah jolted and stared at a glowing mushroom cloud that expanded to the ceiling. Laszio and Eran were spat from its plumes and sailed several yards before crashing into a safe clearing.
Jediah rolled his eyes. They attempted an energy bomb... again. They almost collapsed a tunnel last time. Then he noticed the resulting damage. Several demons, most missing half their limbs, limped and crawled away, and there laid a cleared path to Apollyon. Jediah reconsidered his thoughts. Despite their recklessness, Laszio and Eran had given him an opening. Apollyon now raged just a few feet away.
Jediah walked forward and bound his wound with his scarf. Chaining demons one by one took too long, he realized. There was only one way to finish this fight quickly, and he’d need every drop of energy he could spare.
Apollyon, the strong and proud, locked eyes with Jediah and glared.
Jediah likewise glared back. He fanned his wings, then smacked the ground again and again in challenge. Their drumming rhythm generated small bursts of ringing light.
Apollyon opened his wings and answered in kind.
At the sound, angels and demons both silenced before their leaders. Right of single combat was initiated. The crowd backed away from their champion’s war path as they walked closer towards each other and waited for the coming storm to break.
The demon lord’s shadow towered over Jediah. Apollyon extended his massive sword. “You’re free to bow out now, little captain. Surely, we can negotiate my troop’s peaceful dispersion.”
Jediah scowled. “You assume too much of yourself. God used us to defeat you once. We’ll do it again. There is nothing to negotiate.”
Apollyon sneered. “So be it.” His sword swung down with thunderous wake.
Jediah sidestepped. Apollyon rushed another flurry of attacks, but none touched him. For his practiced mind digested the seconds. He read every little motion in Apollyon's arms, and his own blade, though a mere toothpick in comparison, proved sturdier than its meager size. Both their edges screeched sparks as Jediah deflected the blows, yet his sword never chipped.
Mounting cheers and jeers rang from the crowd.
Frustrated, Apollyon changed form. Jediah soon found himself evading pinchers, a stinger, and the multi-jointed legs of a great black scorpion.
Jediah unfurled his wings and flew up. He straddled the hideous arachnid's back and struck, but the blade failed to scratch the oiled exoskeleton. With an air-cutting hiss, a poison tipped stinger whipped and tore his sleeve. Fearing the next strike, Jediah jumped off and clapped his wings behind himself, but Apollyon's foreleg breezed right through the light waves and pinned him down.
The angels hushed.
In the corner of his eye, Jediah spotted the stinger aimed for his neck. Desperate, he reversed his sword grip and swung above his head. The blade found soft tissue and shored the sinews connecting Apollyon’s knee joint.
Apollyon howled. Vibrant red spurted from the lacerated leg.
This time, the demons hushed.
Returned to his normal form, Apollyon clutched the severed stump while the amputated arm fizzled out of existence. Apollyon’s eyes burned red. He hammered his blade into the floor. Broken rocks hurtled everywhere, but Jediah avoided them with ease.
The demon paled as his fleeting energy bled out. More glowing red gel dripped from the gaping wound, and with ragged panting, he crumbled to his knees.
Jediah lengthened his back. Focusing his energy, he let his eyes ignite white, and the Holy Chains sparked link by link in his hand. He rocketed forward.
Apollyon scrambled too late. Jediah strapped his arms and legs together, then strangled his neck with a final yard. Then he shouted in a terrifying, righteous tone. "By right of single combat, you, Apollyon, forfeit yourself and your armies! And in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, I lock you and your hoards away until the end of the age! And you’re never getting out!"
Jediah opened his wings to full span and stretched them upward. He could feel the energy climbing up their roots. Prismed colors filtered out each feather in dazzling splendor, and just as his wingtips touched, the intensifying light merged into a piercing star.
The chains brightened. The dark pools dotted throughout the Abyss stirred, and their waters flowed upward, filling the ceiling.
Apollyon and all his demons squirmed and squealed as gold crept up their feet, consuming their legs and then their torsos. Then, as soon as it engulfed their faces, they dissolved into particles that were sucked into the opened pits. Apollyon’s remains were banished behind two immense doors that slammed shut. His roars rumbled behind them, but the clanks of heavy locks soundly defied his threat.
Jediah relinquished the fire in his eyes. His troops erupted in shouts of praise and ‘Hallelujahs’, but he couldn't shake off the wariness that lingered in his mind. How’d he get out in the first place?
***
Laszio fumbled to his feet, too dizzy and exhilarated to stand straight. He grabbed a stalagmite to steady himself. “Well, that was a rush, wouldn’t you say, Eran?” After no reply, Laszio turned to see his partner purposely staring at the opposite wall. Laszio sighed. He could practically hear Eran’s thoughts scrutinizing. He always scrutinized during his sour moods. Laszio nudged Eran. “Hey.”
Eran jerked away, refusing to look at his smile.
Rolling his eyes, Laszio gave him a good-natured swat to the arm. "Oh, come on."
“No, I’m not ‘coming on’,” Eran argued.
Laszio shrugged. “It didn’t go that bad.”
“You nearly blew us up.” Eran snapped around. His eyes churned a darker grey. “I theorized a long time ago that no energy bomb was controllable enough for close combat. But you went and did it anyway.”
Laszio cringed. “Well, now we don’t have to guess. Now we know.”
Eran shook his head. “Next time, please let me do the thinking. All right?”
"Oh, ye of little faith."
“Oh, ye of little sense.”
Shaking his head, Laszio leaned into Eran. “Hey, I’m sorry I messed up the plan, but you gotta admit. That was an impressive explosion, which technically means it worked, and do you recall who thought it up?”
Eran gave a pointed look. “Stop.”
“You.”
“Please, stop.”
“For what? Giving you credit for succeeding?”
The corners of Eran’s lips lifted slightly, but he covered it under his hand. “I don’t think Captain Jediah was pleased with it.”
Laszio waved a dismissive hand. “You mean for inventing a crowd clearing blast? Oh, yes. He’s hopping mad now.”
Eran released a light chuckle.
“Ah-ha! There you are. It’s about time.” Laszio folded his arms and relaxed his wings. Their softened plumes caressed his sore back. "What would you do without me, brother?"
"Find a parrot. I hear you’ve got a lot in common."
"Hardy-har-har." Laszio bumped Eran as his best friend laughed, but then he caught sight of their captain.
Jediah’s hardened eyes narrowed ahead as he passed. The scarf wrapped around his brow showed a damp gold splotch that expanded.
The two quieted and stood at attention. “Well,” Laszio muttered. “I guess Captain might be a little ticked.”
Jediah marched toward Apollyon's prison doors, where its chief gatekeeper, Kikeona, fidgeted. "Sergeant," he addressed.
The soldier jerked himself into a stiff posture. “Yes, sir?”
"What happened? How did they get out?"
Laszio cringed for Kikeona, who mumbled a few words before answering. “I don’t know, sir.”
"What do you mean you don’t know?" Jediah pressed.
"Well, sir. I was standing here. Then somebody must have knocked me out, because... I don’t know..."
Jediah rubbed his eyes and planted a hand on his hip. “Did no one else see what happened?”
“No, sir,” everyone replied.
Jediah snapped around. “Sounds like a lot of eyes doing nothing!”
Laszio’s heart sickened for disappointing his captain.
After a few silent seconds, Jediah's glare softened. He sighed and shook his head. “Well, sounds like we might have an infiltrator on our hands. Those of you still able, I want a wide sweep of the area and a new patrol to guard the exit tunnel. Nobody leaves the Abyss until we figure this out. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.” A dozen angels spread out.
Letting out a sigh, Laszio rubbed his neck and turned to Eran. “There now. He wasn’t upset about the bomb, so this could have gone worse.”
Boom!
A huge dust cloud kicked up at the entrance.
"Figures," Eran muttered.
Laszio raised his hands in defense. “Hey, it wasn’t us this time.”
Jediah ran towards the source of the ruckus. “Secure the entrance!”
Laszio and Eran joined the ranks closest to the dirt cloud that concealed the exit tunnel. A silhouette hacked and coughed behind the dust curtain.
Jediah stepped closer, brandishing his sword. "Who are you? State your name and business."
"Wow," the stranger sputtered. "You all could use a duster in here."
"Answer the question!" Jediah pressed.
A messenger angel stumbled out. Brown powder coated his blonde curls. He batted dirt off his uniform and didn't notice Jediah's sword until its point jutted under his chin. “Whoa. Whoa.” He raised his hands in surrender. “Easy there, Sampson. I'm on your side.”
Laszio cocked an eyebrow. This odd angel didn’t seem so much terrified as mildly surprised.
With sword still poised, Jediah balked at this messenger’s behavior. "Uh... It's not Sampson. It’s Jediah."
“Okay, perfect!” the messenger replied. “Just the angel I wanted to see.” His large eyes soaked in the surroundings. “So, this is the Abyss, huh? It's bigger than I imagined. Very roomy.”
Upon hearing Jediah sigh and sheath his weapon, Laszio lowered his sticks and fastened them to his belt.
Jediah folded his wings. "You, um, came to deliver a message then?" he said in a softer tone.
“Yes.” The messenger nabbed the satchel fastened to his side and dug into it. "And might I just say, it is a real honor and pleasure meeting you, Captain. God’s work through you during the Scorpion Wars was really inspiring."
Laszio never before saw his captain’s cheeks go so pink. He chuckled under his breath as Jediah shifted on his feet and cleared his throat. "Um... well... thanks."
The messenger paused his search to bow. "I’m Akela, by the way. At yours and the Almighty’s service."
Now in control of himself, Jediah’s expression went blank. “Wonderful. Do or don’t you have a message for me?”
Akela cringed. “It’s in here somewhere. It’s just...somewhere.”
Laszio whispered in Eran’s ear. "Do you think he’s always this clueless or only after he crashes?"
Jediah shot him a warning look.
Laszio’s throat tightened. Further ashamed, he clamped his mouth shut.
Shaking his head and turning back to Akela, Jediah pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did you, by any chance, lose it?"
“Don’t be silly,” Akela replied with sudden vehemence. “It’s in here. I know it.” His skinny wings vibrated. “Drat. It’s too easy to lose things in here.”
Jediah sighed, but this time he smiled. Stepping forward, he patted Akela’s shoulder. “How about you come with me? I can offer you a place to sit while you look.”
Akela’s eyebrows raised. “Oh, that’d be wonderful. Much obliged.”
Nodding, Jediah pressed a hand to Akela’s back, ushering him onward. “I also should apologize for our less than cordial greeting. You caught us at a bad time.”
"A bad time?" Akela’s eyes circled the crowd in concern. “What sort of bad time?”
"A bad time." Eran answered in his usual matter-of-fact way.
Jediah aimed another glare at Eran, and Eran bowed his head in apology. Relaxing his furrowed brow, Jediah spoke to Akela. “Won't you come with me, please?” He gestured for him to follow. “Show’s over, everyone! I want that half resting and that half scouting."
The soldiers saluted and dispersed.
Laszio watched Jediah lead Akela on the graveled path; the smallest one that curved around the far wall to the captain's quarters. He almost laughed again at how Akela followed close like a puppy seeking attention. Quite the character, that one.