Episode 14: Paradise Lost

“Must we all die? “whispered Michael as he steps out of his Black car. In a blink of an eye everything around him has been changed completely and horrifically. His dark visions of hell is no match to the horrific state of Manila tonight. Desolate. Dark. Reeks of death and sulfur. “The bitch is awake damn it!” thought Michael as he sprints towards the Hospital gate. He silently mourns for the people consumed by this hell on earth. By the fire and brimstone that fell from the sky. By the malevolent forces summoned by this dark awakening. He can’t help but to think how futile it is to prevent death. Why must we resist? Why must we fight when all hopes are yet to be shattered again? This insurmountable force that we mere humans cannot fight of? Why must we try and fail miserably?

Because you can..

Michael stops. He has heard this voice before. Years have tarnished his memory but not this voice. It’s the voice that has brought him back to the world of the living from that fateful night. The night that has determined his role in the upcoming battle He turns to look at the mysterious voice. Atop the brick wall flanked by two angel statues stood a hooded figure. Tall, commanding, even scary. The creature has two magnificent set of wings. The first being the largest, stretch at least 3 meters long. The second, shorter set of wings point slightly downward, as if preparing for flight. Combined, the wings mimic the shape of butterfly wings but the properties of the wings are that like no animal of flight in the world. it’s as if they are made of silver, shiny, metallic, silver. The creature flexes it’s shoulders, it’s wings making a loud, clanking sound similar to that of a machine.

“Do not be discouraged, “whispered the hooded creature as he disembarks from the wall he was standing at. He starts to walk towards the still stunned Michael. “You humans” commented the creature as he touches Michaels face. His hand was soft, even human. “Do you not understand? Evil must be created. Cultivated. The scourge of your kind has always been your own daughters. Born of your pride and your lust for the unreachable.” Remarked the apparent angel as he pace back and forth in front of Michael. Anyone would either be swayed to life or thrown to insanity with the quality of this creature’s voice.

“What are you doing here messenger? “Inquired the dejected Michael. His anger betraying his voice. “Why you ask? To bear a message of course!” bemused the messenger as he stops and faces Michael. “He wants you to know,” started the messenger as he points a finger towards the sky, “that not all hope is lost. This is the reason why he has you. As pissed off as he might be with your pathetic race he still instilled a savior among them in the form of you.” Stated the messenger.

“I know what I must do. I do not need his help.”

“Yes! The arrogance that has befallen man before!” mocked the messenger. “You are a man still, even if age has not tarnished your body through your core you are still one of them. That is why it must be you that is to be tasked with this mission. Because you humans have the luxury of choice.

Michael starts to walk towards the hospital gate, passing the angel as he hurries to the entrance.

“as you enter the depths of her power be reminded that she is still human. Frail, killable, and with freewill. You are not the only one that survived her holocaust. Humans still walk this world of hers. The capitulary requirements of her “ascension”” stated the messenger as his hands depict quotation marks. “Kill her before 12 midnight and you are saved. Fail, then your hopes for your precious humanity is lost to the abyss. Be warned though. Her mind is enough to destroy anyone. And her conviction is that of the highest powers. She has opened the door to the village below so imagine how strong she really is right now. She is flanked by the guards of hell. The Lion of Pride, the Leopard of Deceit, and the Mother Wolf of Suffering. Getting to her would be no easy task. But until she remains human, she CAN be dealt with. That is the message. May your strength of character not fail you “

“I won’t fail” replied Michael as he enters the hospital grounds completely turning his back to the angel. “sic transit Gloria mundi Mikael!” Yelled the angel to Michael. “sic transit Gloria mundi!”

“why do you even care for this arrogant fools?” questioned the angel as he races his head, letting the hood fall off and revealing his angelic features. In a flash the angel flies off to the sky creating a strong gust of wind on his wake.

Michael sprints towards the Hospital entrance. Realizing that time is one of the many things that are not on his side, he hurries to the front door. He looks up to the sky to see the dark clouds engulfing the manila skyline. With every flash of lightning he could see faint shadows of large, hideous flying creatures circling around the clouds. “Dragons of the apocalypse huh?” whispered Michael as he stops in front of the hospital door. “You do know how to start a party… baby sister.”