SWNOVELS Chapter Knowing One's Place
The shot’s echo filled the entire room. The might of the hand cannon rattled Xathaniel’s eardrums as blood oozed from the outside. For a moment, the fallen angel heard nothing but sharp ringing noises. As the noises lessened, the Nephilim let out a defiant huff and glared at his pupil and king. Lucifer put away his gun and returned with a stare of his own.
“Rupturing my eardrums, my lord? That is a first,” quipped Xathaniel. Lucifer was not in the mood for jokes. Not today.
“I gave you an order not to interfere with the angel and to let him be. Now, you have made time an enemy for us and an ally for him,” stated Lucifer. He turned his back and returned once again to his throne.
“When my spy has caught up with him and his party, you will have little to fear,” said Xathaniel.
“When has become now, Xathaniel. Did you honestly think you could cover up such a delicate operation and have the gall to lie to my face? Not to mention that in your quest to kill Michael, you have unknowingly begun creating a myth surrounding him. A warrior of hope. Hope that could bring about unity. A concerning thought.” Xathaniel wanted to lash out at the kong, but he held back his tongue.
“My spies have reported that in Berlin alone, there are whispers of his actions, and in time such whispers could spark relief in other than the strength and security of the army of darkness and that my teacher is something I cannot have.” Lucifers began to glow a deep red, signaling his fury. Centering himself, the ruler of hell asked his teacher to summon Zarakoth from the British Isles. Before Xathnaiel could respond, Lucifer told him he knew about that other secret. Growling under his breath, Xathnaeil bit the top of his finger and drew a blood circle next to him. He then began to recite a spell in demonic tongue, and soon the blood circle began to glow. For instance, a being emerged covered in blood, and two fallen angels could see a clear outline of the wings and a tail. After a moment, the blood began to drip off the being until it formed a blood puddle at the person’s feet. Blinking his eyes a few times, Zarakoth wondered why he was summoned to hell.
“My lord Lucifer, what is this summoning?” barked the dragon king.
“You tell me, Zarakoth,” quipped Lucifer. The dragon king turned to his right and saw Xathaniel. He saw the expression on the Nephilim’s face and turned immediately back to the king.
“My lord, it was all Xathaniels doing. He contacted me about his plan. He-” rambled Zarakoth. Lucifer raised a hand to him.
“Spare me your excuses, dragon. I do not need them. But tell me, is it not true that your men were the first to contact the angel in question?”
“Yes,” said Zarakoth.
“Then why did you not report directly to me? Or do you not care about what Brightstar says? How do you put it?” exclaimed Lucifer. The dragon king tried to shield himself from the fallen angels piercing glare. Sighing heavily, Lifcier reclined back in his throne and pierced his brow.
“Well, gentlemen, how do we rectify this situation?” questioned Lucifer. Xathaniel calmly approached his king and spoke.
“My lord, their destination is the Vatican. According to my spy, Azrael’s fabled armor and sword are housed underneath the Holy City. If Michael recovers such a powerful artifact, he will gather more to his side and cause. Allow us to send an army to deal with them once and for all,” said Xathaniel. Lucifer debated the outcome of this situation. For several years, the Vatican was a thorn in his agenda. It is the one part of human resistance still left in the Italian peninsula that actively defines his rule. He could kill two birds with one stone if he sent an army there. However, if he failed, he would risk falling and losing status with the other dukes and princes of hell. Thus, he formulated a plan in his head.
“Very well, Xathaniel. You will have your army.” He then turned to Zarakoth.
“Zarakoth, gather a force and march on the Vatican. Find and kill Michael and those with him and recover the artifact for me. This is my decree.”
“Why not burn the entire peninsula?” questioned Zarakoth.
“We need a statement, not a manifesto. The Holy City will be enough,” stated Lucifer. The two beings bowed before their king, yet Lucifer stopped them with a final warning as they were about to leave.
“Xathaniel, I am giving you this opportunity to account for your failure. You brought this upon yourself, and you alone will bear the responsibility. If you succeed, I will overlook this act of deception. However, failure will find you explaining why to a far less patient audience,” exclaimed Lucifer. The Nephilim looked to meet Lucifer, and the two locked eyes again. Xathaniel’s brown eyes suddenly turned slightly yellowish-orange, and his skin turned grey. His features also began to change as well. Lucifer was taken somewhat aback by the sight. As Xathaniel spoke, his voice was more profound, and all could hear the darkness coming from him.
“I will not fail,” replied Xathaniel.