Gabriel's Armada

Chapter 9: Thaddeus

Teres, the Underground City.

Gabriel was resting in what passed as a room in the Celestial Hosts' barracks, which was nothing more than a hastily built and sparsely furnished house with only twenty rooms.

“I can't believe I'm staying in such a deplorable place.” Gabriel lamented bitterly.

While he was on earth, he never stayed in any room that wasn't built to his specifications; a presidential suite.

“It's not that bad.” His roommate, a thin man with a nice bone structure said.

Gabriel neglected to answer him. His roommate, Thaddeus was just a little too enthusiastic about everything.

“You don't always have to be a glass-half full person,” Gabriel grumbled under his breath.

Thaddeus left his cot which creaked when he stood up and ran over to Gabriel's side.

“Gabriel, I've never been in contact with someone from earth,” Thaddeus said, “Is it true what we hear about earth?”

Gabriel wished he hadn't spoken out loud in the first place.

“What do you hear about earth?” Gabriel asked in his most uninterested voice, hoping Thaddeus would take a hint and leave him be.

Sadly, Thaddeus didn't and continued, “We hear earth is a world of iniquities, where people commit all sorts of heinous sins and are foolish enough to question the existence of the Afterlife.”

Gabriel glared at Thaddeus, “Foolish? Do you blame them for doubting the existence of this place when you people do nothing to help them in their times of need?”

Thaddeus raised his hands placatingly, “I'm sorry if I offended you but how do you people on earth expect us to help when we have our hands full trying to defeat Beelzebub?”

“So you mean to tell me you've been fighting against Beelzebub for ages?” Gabriel queried disbelievingly.

“Yes, we have. Beelzebub has had a grudge against us since the beginning of time. And this is a two-way street. Why didn't people from earth join us to fight Beelzebub?” Thaddeus asked.

“Now you're just being absurd,” Gabriel proclaimed, “It's your duty to protect people of the earth from any evil.”

“Which we're doing by fighting Beelzebub.” Thaddeus explained.

Gabriel shook his head, “That's not enough.”

“How? Beelzebub is the most evil being in all the realms.” Thaddeus supplied.

“That's what you think,” Gabriel muttered bitterly, “On earth, we have many humans who have committed inhuman acts that make Beelzebub look like an angel.”

Thaddeus snorted in disbelief, “I find that hard to believe.”

“Well, there's Adolf Hitler and—”

Gabriel was interrupted by a cleared throat. The two men looked up and saw Dina leaning at the door of their room.

“General!” Thaddeus shouted as he stood up and saluted Dina.

Gabriel who wasn't feeling as gracious, didn't move an inch.

“As you were,” Dina waved at Thaddeus and raised her eyebrows at Gabriel.

“What do you want?” Gabriel asked as impolitely as he could manage, noting the way Dina's hair beautifully reflected the dim lighting of the room.

“That's no way to talk to the general!” Thaddeus admonished, alarmed.

“It's okay, Thaddeus.” Dina said, smiling to reassure him, “Well, the other cadets are taking a class on battle planning and strategy. Why aren't you two there?”

Thaddeus' mouth hung open, “Great heavens! I lost track of time!”

Kneeling before Dina, he closed his eyes and said solemnly, “But that is no excuse. I shall welcome any punishment meted out on me and gladly atone for my offence.”

Dina placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “Rise, Thaddeus. You shall not be punished today, but ensure you don't repeat it.”

Thaddeus jumped up and went to his side of the room where he kept his stationery. He hurriedly picked up a quail, an inkpot and a bundle of scrolls and rushed out, leaving only Dina and Gabriel in the room.

Dina walked over to where Gabriel was and folding her arms, she said with a look of disapproval on her face.

“What?” Gabriel asked, closing his eyes so he wouldn't see the scowl marring her beautiful face.

“No remorse?” Dina asked.

“For what?” Gabriel retorted.

“For missing classes.” Dina replied.

“When you start combat training, you know where to find me. Until then, leave me be.” Gabriel dismissed.

Dina sighed angrily, her wings ruffling, “Gabriel, contrary to what you believe, combat training isn't everything you need to become a soldier. Learning battle strategy is very important too, especially for you.”

“Look, stop bothering me.” Gabriel said and turned his back on Dina.

Next thing he knew, he was flat on his back with Dina straddling him. She gripped his neck tightly.

Gabriel was so shocked, he could only stare at Dina's murderous expression, wondering if one could die a second time, and where he would go if he did.

“Look here, Gabriel! I don't care if you're the one the prophecy spoke of, you will undergo the necessary training and accord me the respect I deserve as your commanding officer.”

“Get off me,” Gabriel managed to murmur.

Dina remained where she was for a few seconds, before she took pity on Gabriel and decided to dismount.

She spread her immaculate wings and descended gracefully to the floor. Righting her hair which had become dishevelled from the wind she displaced, she walked to the door.

“Stop testing me, Gabriel. My patience wears thin.”

* * *

Hell.

Gabriella woke up with a start, inhaling and exhaling deeply. She had just woken up from the most horrible dream, where she'd been stabbed to death by Roger, that stupid thug.

“Thank God,” Gabriella said, when she felt her abdomen and didn't see any blood on her hands.

“I wouldn't do that,” A voice said from behind, startling her.

Gabriella swerved her head so fast, she had whiplash. For the first time, she took in her surroundings. She seemed to be in some sort of palace, with ornate furniture, and walls that looked to be made of gold.

“There's no way this is all real.” Gabriella soliloquized. Turning further, she saw two people. One was a very handsome man, with blond hair and a clean-cut look, who was dressed in a purple robe that looked like what overlord would wear.

The other person wore a hooded cape that shielded his face. For some reason, the hooded figure gave Gabriella the chills.

“Who are you?” Gabriella asked as she stood up.

“Me?” The blond croaked angrily, “Do you not know who I am?”

“Sorry,” Gabriella shrugged, thinking he wasn't as handsome when he was furious, “am I supposed to know you?”

“I am Beelzebub! Prince of darkness! Of course, you should know me!” Beelzebub replied, stomping his feet.

Gabriella took two steps back in fear, “You're the devil?”

“Now we are getting somewhere,” Beelzebub replied with a satisfied smile.

“God save me!” Gabriella said, crossing herself frantically.

“If God wanted to save you, he wouldn't have let that i***t stab you,” Beelzebub sniped, “Unlike what you humans believe, my father doesn't always answer when you call. In fact, he's big on letting you handle your problems on your own.”

Gabriella took some steps backwards before the weight of Beelzebub's words hit her.

“Wait,” she said, astonishment overshadowing her fear, “Do you mean to say I'm dead?”

“Yes,” Beelzebub replied impatiently.

“If I'm dead, where the hell am I?” Gabriella asked, pulling at her hair.

Beelzebub chuckled, “You're in hell.”