142

 

142.  Gloria in Excelsis Deo

 

Bathed in seraphic light, Zeigfried Harknett Abaddon alighted in the center of what little remained of the Zexaron warehouse. Ten cherubs in long white robes with gold trimmings surrounded him defensively, pointing cross-shaped halberds high into the sky. Big, fluffy wings extended from their backs and trumpets lined their hips, while happy smiles graced their innocent faces.

 

Just as soon as it had opened, the sky closed back up, once more shrouding the metal ruins and the remains of the SWAT team in darkness. For only a moment, all was still, and then Zeigfried opened his mouth.

 

"You really thought you could escape the eye of the Lord?" the Apostle's visible eye scanned Grayson Lee and Edward, the latter of which was gaping in awe. "Who is that beside you?"

 

"Don't trouble yourself, Father," Grayson said quickly, as he took the opportunity to turn around and grab Edward by the neck. "Just a nuisance that I was in the process of dealing with."

"Don't even think about it, Grayson!" Zeigfried boomed, and the cherubs echoed his commandment in high-pitched voices. "Citizens of Earth are not to be tampered with, under any circumstances!"

 

Grayson revealed a wan smile and promptly dropped the exhausted Edward to the ground. "Of course. What was I thinking?"

 

"Our Metropolitans have been monitoring Earth ever since I found out the truth about you." Zeigfried's eyebrow twitched as he explained. "They picked up a breach in the fabric of Earth's dimensional makeup five minutes ago – you can hide from us no longer!"

 

"I'm sorry." Grayson bowed his head in mock reverence. "I was simply hunting Albavitreans."

 

Zeigfried's visible eye squinted. "You lie."

 

"Unfortunately, I do not," Grayson replied. "Seems there is much that falls outside the scope of the Church's eye, Father. "But that is what I am here for – to clean up loose ends."

 

"The Nephilim were exterminated." Zeigfried raised a white-gloved hand. "The Grigori bloodline was cut off!"

 

"Come now," Grayson chuckled. "I know about your little secret."

 

Despite the accusatory remark, Zeigfried remained silent and stone-faced, seemingly content to glare at Grayson with a single golden-glowing eye.

 

Likewise, Grayson did not falter. "But that isn't the matter at hand now, is it? It was most likely during my disposal of Victoria Vance's younger brother Averyl that I ruptured the makeup of your precious Earth. And I was just about to finish off her son too when you graced me with your presence."

 

This caused Zeigfried's brow to twitch. "Victoria's...son?"

 

Grayson shook his head. "Didn't know? I suppose hiding it on the one dimension you swore not to tamper with really was the smartest thing she could have done."

 

"This dimension is the wellspring of our entire universe, and must be guarded." Zeigfried raised a finger. "Its inhabitants have given up their powers as people of God in exchange for the almighty power of creation."

 

Grayson grinned. "You mean the power to dream worlds."

 

"How did you find out about that?"

"A little bird told me," the Snake hissed. "Her name was Victoria."

 

"The demonic serpent!" Zeigfried spat. "And yet you still loved her."

 

"Well, we had a common goal," Grayson said slyly. "Namely, the exploitation of Earth."

 

"The erasure of all Earthlings would be disastrous, even for you," Zeigfried spoke grimly. "These billions of minds fuel and expand our universe. They fuel our very existences!"

 

"My apologies, Father..." Grayson lowered his head. "I know I have failed you many times, and I apologize for that. I simply did not wish to trouble you with such mundane matters."

 

"Oh, to think of the many times I've had to hide the truth of your lineage from my brethren's eyes." Zeigfried shook his head. "Grayson, you have shamed me to a degree that no other being could possibly achieve. Not even angelic essence could make up for your godless blood. You truly are the Grey Son – the ultimate perversion of God's grace!"

 

Grayson extended his hands and summoned up more gold-and-green psynergy. "Then what does that say about the one who brought me into this world?"

 

"You cannot stop us, Grayson," Zeigfried raged. "You cannot stand up to pure angelic blood."

Grayson chuckled. "We'll see about that."

 

"You blasphemous cretin!" Zeigfried raised a hand and motioned to his companions. "Cherubs, restrain him at once! There must be no further violence in this dimension!"

 

God's servants rushed forward, but were bathed in a shower of neon. Sanctified armor kept them safe as they were blown backwards, while Zeigfried remained unfazed. Grayson glanced down to where he had left Edward, only to find that the man was no longer anywhere to be seen.

 

"Do not forget where the key to your power lies..." Steam began to rise off the Apostle's body. "Power bestowed from God cannot possibly overcome that of his disciples!"

 

Grayson watched as golden-white fog spread through the environs, quickly bypassing his own barrier.

 

"Oh, I'm not worried about his disciples one bit," Grayson seethed. "He's the one I'm after."

 

"You must face judgment..." Zeigfried's voice boomed. "For all your lies, for all your heresies..."

 

Zeigfried vaporized his body and let the streams of fog carry him forward. Despite the volumes of psynergy that Grayson used to fortify his own barriers, Zeigfried's misty might penetrated it easily, effortlessly superseding Grayson's existence. Letting out another frustrated grunt, Grayson tapped something on the back of his head, just as Zeigfried's steam began to force its way into his nostrils and ears.

 

One of the cherubs pulled up a small trumpet from its waist and gave it a little toot.

 

"Judgment!" another cheered. "God's wrath is nigh!"

 

A soft whirring began to sound out from Grayson's head. In the next moment, Zeigfried reformed his body inside of Grayson. The priest thrust both hands out, bursting his son's body into bloody pieces. Within seconds, Grayson had been reverted to gory fragments scattered across the ground.

 

"Now!" Zeigfried commanded. "Before he reforms himself!"

 

This time, all of the cherubs trumpeted in unison. After the triumphant melody, the sky parted once more, and a pure white beam shot down from the Heavens. Zeigfried, raised both hands, basking in the almighty light as it began to burn away every last piece of his foe. Grayson fizzled and melted, despite the golden-green psynergy that attempted to regenerate him.

 

"That's one loose end tied up," Zeigfried said with a satisfied sigh, once the light began to fade. "Now we can focus all of our efforts on recovering the

 

*************

 

Daughter sat next to Vincentius on a grassy knoll. Behind them, birch trees gave way to a vast forest, while a shallow river could be seen cutting through the fields and dirt paths in the distance. The sun was in the sky, and birds chirped in the trees. When he first brought them into this dimension, they had appeared in a small farming village. There, Vince had spoken with a man who owned carrier pigeons and sent one off with a tiny letter attached to one of its feet. After a small meal of bread and porridge, the duo had put the village behind them.

 

"So, let me guess," Eden said, keeping her torso upright with her arms as she leaned back. "This is all some elaborate security measure?"

 

"The coven has taken great lengths to protect themselves from the agents of God," Vince replied. "Especially recently, as their numbers dwindle."

 

"But they're still the greatest threat to the Church?"

 

"At the moment, yes, if we're to excuse Grayson and the mishap that happened with the Guild," Vince brushed a black lock of hair out of his eyes and turned to face Eden with one of his soft smiles. "No more Albavitreans to worry about, either."

 

Eden focused in on Vince's irisless eyes. "You aren't one?"

 

Vince's smile faded. "Not exactly."

 

"Well then, what are you?" Eden quickly followed up. "You know what I am, so it seems only fair. Is this some disguise you use to stay incognito when you visit the coven?"

 

"On the contrary," Vince said, "this is my true appearance. Normally, I mask myself – not to deceive, but as a symbol of my allegiance to God."

 

A breeze rustled Eden's white abaya as her mind worked to piece together Vince's fragmented answers. "So you've always been with the Church? You never met Averyl, Victoria, Edgar, Grayson, any of them?"

 

"Never had the chance," Vince replied. "I've fully dedicated my life to serving God. And besides," he added, as he pushed himself to his feet. "I'm not much older than you are." Vince raised a finger. "Hear that?"

 

Eden quieted herself and focused on the environment. Far in the distance, she heard some rhythmic clopping.

 

"They've arrived."

 

Eden turned her head to see a trapezoidal wooden cart being led down the dirt path by two mules clad in onyx barding. Vince motioned to Eden, and they walked toward the cart as it slowly came to a stop. The mules shook themselves a bit, and a hatch on the side of the cart flew up. Out came two tall figures shrouded in black robes.

 

Eden glanced at Vince, who looked perfectly calm. "That was rather prompt."

 

"Couldn't keep such illustrious guests waiting, now could we?" a gravelly voice replied as its owner removed the hood. The man was bald, with a black mustache and goatee. "I am Urbain," he addressed Eden, "and this is Alma. It is an honor to meet you, daughter of God."

 

Eden's eyes widened, and she glared at Vince. "You told them who I am?!"

 

Alma, the second cloaked figure, took off her hood to reveal the face of a middle-aged woman with short black hair. "Do not fear, Eden," she said. "We've been dying to meet you."

 

Vince raised his eyebrows and gestured at the two. "I would never attempt to deceive the great Frake Urbain and Aradia Alma. I only hope this partnership proves to be a fruitful one."

 

"We know you still keep a great many things from us, Vin." A mischievous smirk rose on Alma's full lips as she spoke. "But only a fool would ever show his entire hand. A calculating mind is just as laudable a trait as a powerful one, as far as I'm concerned."

 

"Indeed," Urbain smiled with a nod, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on Eden. "Now, is it true what this pseudo-Nephilim says? Do you hate your father? Do you hate God?"

 

Eden was taken aback by the sudden question, but her face remained firm. Memories of her moments in the Supernal Chapel – Zeigfried, Grayson, and the Seneschal reflected in her mind.

 

"Yes," she replied. "I think I do."

 

"Well then," Urbain said with a jovial laugh. "Let us shed the blood of his servants together."

 

"Skin every last one of those pigs..." Alma murmured, as if she was on the verge of bubbling up with laugher. "Free this universe of its cancer."

 

Urbain raised his pale hands up, revealing the upside-down crosses that had been tattooed on his wrists. "Oh, what unholy miracle has placed this child within our hands?"

 

"Wait," Eden said, raising one of her own hands. "I'm not going anywhere just yet. I want to know...I understand you oppose the Church, and god. Who do you worship, then?"

 

"Satan," Urbain replied with a comfortable firmness.

"A cautious soul," Alma's eyes flashed. "I like her more and more with every moment. We worship Lucifer, the celestial being who chose not to follow the one known as 'God' and his tyrannical ways. He turned away from ignorance, and sought truth in place of the holy, law in place of the sacred."

 

"Light blinds," Urbain added. "It overwhelms people with its brilliance and splendor. It's only in true darkness that one can see what is right in front of them – all that really matters."

 

"We will not request you to pledge your allegiance to Lucifer," Alma said. "As long as you bear hatred toward God, you are an ally of ours."

 

"And if you ever betray us," Urbain said with a chuckle, "we will not hesitate to kill you."

 

Vince cleared his throat. "Now, now... Remember, as I wrote in my epistle, Eden's primary goal in visiting today is to get a glimpse at the other side. For all we know, she may end up deciding to form her own faction – I'm sure it wouldn't be much of a challenge, considering her power. Is that understood?"

 

Urbain and Alma glanced at each other and chuckled.

 

"Of course." Alma spun around, rippling her black robes as she moved back to the cart. "In that case, there's no point in wasting any more time here. We shall return to the coven at once."

"There's still one thing I don't understand," Eden muttered, as she turned her eyes from the two devil-worshippers back to Vince. "What's in this for you?"

 

"I told you already," Vince said with the utmost warmth. "I'm fond of you, Eden, and sympathetic to your struggle. I just want to do whatever I can to help you blossom into whatever you want to be."

 

*

 

Eden, Vince, Urbain, and Alma sat two-and-two in the cramped cart as it ricketed across the countryside. The latter of the two were silent for most of the ride, each content to focus on tomes they procured from their pockets, while Vince slightly raised the shutter so that the and Eden could take in the rolling hills and forests. Eventually, the cart reached olive-colored marshlands shrouded by a great number of towering trees. The mules braved the swamp only for a bit until they reached the mouth of a cave.

 

"Welcome to the Cathedral of Satan." Urbain said, as the cart started to turn down the steep slope that led into the darkness. "Within, the Almighty One will grant you clarity, pleasure, and most importantly... freedom."

 

The cart came to a stop deeper within the cave, and the four stepped out into a torchlit corridor. Echoes of chanting from down below trickled through the dark blue stone.

 

"Evening mass has begun," Urbain commented. "Let us make haste."

 

They moved down a winding stairway cut into the stone and came out in an open cavity that featured a balcony supported by stone pillars. On sides of the distant walls hung paintings of winged beasts, horned goats, and smitten angels. Suspended by ornamental golden chains in the center was a large work that featured a pale woman in a thin black dress with long black hair and irisless pupils.

 

Eden was so surprised by what she saw that she stopped walking altogether.

 

"Spy something interesting?" Vince asked, eyes ever on her.

 

"That painting of the woman in black." Eden pointed. "Who is that?"

 

"Queen Lilith," Alma answered. "Proto-mother of all Nephilim, the ones we also call Albavitreans, the destroyers of all that is righteous and sacred. She and her followers led crusades against the Malachim, God's legion of celestial creatures. She was a wise, wicked, powerful queen."

 

The group walked through the cavity, and then down a corridor with many openings until they reached the red carpet that led into the sanctuary. Red velvet curtains gave way to black walls and dark bronze pillars. In the center stood a group of people, some robed, some naked and painted in blood, while a tall, bearded man in a red robe read from a book. Behind him, a pentagram with a horned goat decorated the wall, lined with candles and jewels.

 

A woman to the side of the bearded man tossed out wafers into the pews, which participants stomped, or urinated on. Many a hand held a chalice of wine, and incense smoke rose from every corner. All the while, the priest in red continued speaking in a booming voice.

 

"Domine Satanus, exaudi meam!" he cried, then tossed a turnip into a bubbling green cauldron. "Et clamor meus ad Te veniat! Dominus Inferus vobiscum!"

 

"Et cum tuo!" the crowd called back through cackles.

 

It was then that Eden's eyes drifted to the altar in the center of the room. A young, naked girl had been strapped to a dais. She was writhing and squirming along with each chant, moaning in a way that Eden couldn't tell was from pain or pleasure.

 

Dread filled Eden's heart yet again, and sweat began to pour down her body. Then, she saw what lay next to the girl: a carved-up dead infant. Dried blood and viscera caked the pedestal on which the tiny corpse lay. Grotesque and inhuman, the scene summoned up a profound horror from deep within her – one that made her want to turn and run. But despite the unbridled perversion and carnality that surrounded her, Eden stood her ground and instead stared up at Vince.

 

"Gloria Deo Domino Inferi, et in terra vita hominibus fortibus!" the priest shouted out, then set down his scripture and ran to the young girl, upon which he began showering her breasts with kisses.

 

"I should have known," Eden said, glaring up at her raven-haired guide. "It doesn't matter where I go, or who I meet. There's no such thing as a safe place in this world, is there?"

 

Vince slowly turned his head to the side and shrugged. "It all depends on who you ally yourself with, I would say."

 

"Laudmaus Te!" the crowd cheered. "Benedicamus Te!"

 

"You've seen both sides now," Vince said. "The lives of those who ally themselves with God, and those who revel in defying Him. Now that you have this knowledge, Eden, there's no turning back. You can either ally yourselves with one of the sides, or make enemies of both of them..." Vince chuckled. "But I think you've already experienced firsthand what happens to groups who make that mistake."

 

"Adoramus Te! glorificamus Te!"

 

Eden's heart felt frozen in her throat, but her ears rang too loud for her to think any more. Without being able to process what was happening around her, she stood paralyzed, hearing the mad sounds pound through her brain like dirge drums.

 

"Gratias agimus!" The bearded man at last pulled his face away from the writhing girl. "Tibi propter magnam potentiam Tuam!"

 

"Domine Satanus!" Urbain shouted, as he dashed toward the center in order to join in.

 

"Rex Infernus!" Alma called out in a commanding voice, as she slowly walked behind him.

 

"Imperator omnipotens!" Vince roared, outstretching his arms to the orgy. "Gloria in Excelsis Satanas!"

Next: Search for Sanctuary