Gabriel's Armada

Chapter 4: The Figure

Gabriel couldn't believe his ears. He looked at Dina dumbfoundedly, “What did you just say?”

Dina looked at Zachariah, who placed a hand on her shoulder and said in a soothing voice, “He has to know.”

Dina cleared her throat and began to speak, “Long ago, the two kingdoms of the Afterlife existed in a state of— let's say, cold peace. We minded our business and those in Hell minded theirs. All of a sudden, Beelzebub ascended the throne of hell and being a non-comformist, he threw away all the treaties and declared a fulllll-on war on Heaven.

At the beginning of the war, we received a prophecy which said, "The heavens shall suffer a mighty loss in this celestial war unless he intervenes".”

Gabriel laughed mirthlessly, “And what makes you sure it's me?”

Zachariah answered immediately, “That's not the end of the prophecy. It goes on to say that the one shall bear the name Gabriel.”

Gabriel gave the man an incredulous look, “Look, I don't understand what's up with you guys but on earth, Gabriel is a very common name. In fact, it's got female variants too. I'm pretty sure your prophecy wasn't talking about me.”

“I think so, too.” Dina concurred, sneering, “You're not exactly savior material.”

“Hey!” Gabriel shouted, annoyed by her words. He secretly wondered why her words got under his skin when he was usually thick-skinned.

“But why else would he be here in Teres? It's the Most High's way of leading him to us.” Zachariah said, trying his best to convince them.

“No. I went to the outpost to give them the news of Empyrean's fall and I saw demons were attacking the outpost. I was able to save the both of them.” Dina explained with a shrug.

Gabriel glared at Dina, wondering why she was painting him as a loser, “You know what? I think maybe I am the savior of the angels.”

James sighed, “And what made you change your mind so soon?”

“Because I want to prove to some doubting Thomases that I'm capable of—” Gabriel scratched his head, at a loss for words before he continued, “Doing whatever it is the prophecy said I would do.”

Dina barked out a short laugh, “This is a joke. Obviously, he is an imposter. Someone who happened to be at the right place, at the right time.”

“I don't believe in coincidences.” Zachariah countered, “I know everything happens for a reason.”

Dina folded her arms and looked away, “I'm not going to waste my time with this buffon.”

“Who are you calling a buffon?” Gabriel asked, incensed.

“This is what Ariel fought for, what he died for.” Zachariah said quietly to Dina, ignoring Gabriel.

Dina cast her gaze to the dirt floor for a few moments before she looked up, “Fine. For Ariel. I'll give him a chance. But when he flops, I'll definitely tell you I told you so.”

“I won't flop.” Gabriel asserted confidently, although deep within him, he wondered frantically what he was letting himself into.

“That's a matter of opinion.” Dina baited him.

Gabriel scowled, annoyed. No matter how hot she was, Dina had no right to speak to him in that manner. He was Gabriel Sinator after all.

“When do I start?” He asked defiantly.

Zachariah gave a huge smile that showed off his pearly white teeth and clapped his hand joyfully, “Good. Good.”

Facing Gabriel, he said, “We have to get you ready for your mission. Dina here, is the best fighter we have in our army. She'll teach you how to fight and command an army.”

Gabriel smirked. Yes, he thought, it was only fitting that a Sinator would command an army, the Sinators were born to rule. He would show Dina how capable he was, he vowed.

* * *

Beelzebub looked at his generals with equal parts disappointment and annoyance. The demons were prostrated before his throne and muttering unintelligiblely.

It was nice to know that he could make demons who slaughtered children without an ounce of remorse feel such a tremendous amount of trepidation.

He touched his blond hair which was packed in a sleek ponytail and adjusted his black-as-night robes which deeply offset his pale skin.

He looked at his reflection in the walls of his chamber which were made of mirrors and smiled, thinking of what a handsome devil he was.

Remembering what he had to do, he cleared his throat and began calmly, “Look at you, Thalak, Sikic and Ziba; my fiercest generals. Just the three of you can defeat hosts of angels.”

The three generals reared their ugly demon heads and smiled.

“But I tell you to execute one simple task, just one. I tell you to kill some i***t who doesn't know his way around the Afterlife, and you fail!” Beelzebub's voice rose an octave and a vein appeared on his forehead.

“Your immortal Deviousness,” Thalak began, “We tried our best. We didn't know General Dina was going to be there!”

“You didn't know?!” Beelzebub roared as he descended from his throne. He went to were the demons cowered and began to kick them violently.

“You. Are. Generals. You. Are. Supposed. To. Take. Every. Scenario. Into. Account.” He said forcefully, accentuating each word with a powerful swing of his leg. The demons shrieked in pain and begged for mercy.

When he was exhausted, he stepped away from them and looked at his mirrored walls.

“Holy Hell!” Beelzebub shrieked when he saw his reflection. Strands of hair had been pulled out of his ponytail, he had worked up a sweat and his robes were not aligned anymore.

“Look what you have done to me.” He shouted at the generals who slowly crept away from him, “What should I do with the incompetent lot of you?”

“Have them drawn and quartered, they're nothing but a good waste of space.” A deep voice said.

Beelzebub turned and saw a male figure in a hooded robe that obstructed anyone from seeing his face.

“So nice of you to join us.” Beelzebub snapped, expecting an apology.

“I had something to take care of.” The figure said nonchalantly with a shrug.

“Have you forgotten you work for me?” Beelzebub asked, forgetting about his generals. There was nothing Beelzebub hated more than people not being afraid of him.

“I haven't forgotten I work for you and why I work for you.” The figure said, standing his ground.

“We have to act fast and kill Gabriel,” The figure continued, “Before he reaches his full potential, which he quickly will, under the tutelage of General Dina.”

“Dina this, Dina that. I am tired of hearing of this General Dina!” Beelzebub replied.

“But she's good. And the angels will start training Gabriel soon, if they haven't already started. That's how desperate they are.” The figure replied.

Beelzebub considered the man's words and was happy he had the man on his team. And to think he'd almost rejected the man's offer. Who would have known he was such a dark horse?

“Well, I already know the problem. What I need is a solution. How do we kill Gabriel?” Beelzebub asked as he went back to sit on his throne.

“Just leave it to me.” The figure said. Beelzebub could tell he was smiling by his voice.

“Don't fail me. You'll regret it.” Beelzebub threatened.

“Have I ever failed you?” The figure asked coolly.

“Not once.” Beelzebub replied truthfully.

“I won't start now.” The figure said, bowing slightly before he left.

The three generals gave him envious looks as they awaited their fate.