The theme is angels as a variant in the World of Darkness. This and similar angel stories of mine present angels and their relationship to Man, God, demons, and each other in a much more dark and cynical perspective, common to modern gothic themes, than is typical for the subject. Thus it has something in common with books like Good Omens, films like the Prophecy, and games like In Nomine. Therefore it might not be suitable or enjoyable for those with strong convictions and beliefs about angels. - This story is part of an ongoing chronicle at my web site (see profile) using a shared character. If you would like to contribute to this particular character's chronicle, please stop by. And of course, any helpful hints and critques are most appreciated. - Cheers, Sol.

Prelude

"And the smoke of their torment
ascendeth up for ever and ever: and
they have no rest day nor night who
worship the beast and his image, and
whosoever receivith the mark of his
name."
Revelation 14:11

Racing down from heaven, the eloha Vyar knew he was upon the world when he felt his body feed upon the dry fabric of the weeds on the ground, setting them afire. He grew to gigantic proportion before stepping out of the fire, a semblance of Man. His appearance startled the apes who had gathered to fight the fire. That he had burned their crops was the least of their worries now. He who would one day wear one of their man-names as his own, he now came to deliver to them his charges, which were: fire, sorrow, destruction, and yes, death.

Vyar brandished his chain of fire and sweeping it like a scythe, he felled any assembled apes who rushed to defend their homes. He felt no pity for them, slaying them as he came upon them. Though Vyar did not consider himself a warrior among the elohim, he had been called upon to do a warrior's task and so he applied himself with diligence. Many of the apes tried to flee, females and cubs alike. He made no distinctions, slaying swiftly, piteously, until many were dead. The rest, seeing that they could not escape, bowed to him, begging for their lives. They offered him suppliance, as if he were a god. Their faith washed over him, empowering him. For a brief moment, he felt the power of worship and understood something of the sick sweetness that these creatures could give to those they tempted. Their suppliance had fueled other gods than the One and misguided prayers, such as these wretches tried to give to him now, such could be a powerful weapon in the hands of those who would abuse it. The Enemy was one such.

These apes had tried to pray both to the One and the Dark Prince who led the Fallen. Few had remained faithful. Unknowing to them, their prayers were tainted and had told the Captains of the Host about this duplicity, hence Vyar's arrival. The War of Wrath was not going well for the Faithful and though the Fallen had been cast from the heavens, they had found new refuge in the corporeal realm. Mankind was fast falling under their sway. It was time for harsh measures and a reminder that the apes were created by a jealous God who would share their obeisance with no others. Now the elohim came, not as teachers and guides, but as retribution.

"Do not pray to me. Cast down your idols and offer your prayers to the One, to whom I am only a servant. Offer him newborn lambs and the pick of your crops. Choose amongst you then priests to whom I will teach the Word of the One and how to enforce Heaven's laws."

Some of the apes fell to grief, howling over those Vyar had slain, shedding water from their eyes to fall like salty dew upon the burnt and broken bodies. He was not one who cared for the apes, one way or another. Like many of the elohim, he had been surprised to find that these animals had been chosen to be the first among the One's children, even over the elohim. And, when coming to the corporeal world, now having to wear a skin like theirs to exist within the Symphony, Vyar had felt at first some repugnance. But he did not resent them the way that some elohim did. Gazing at them in this way, Vyar felt some sense of pity for them. He wished another had been sent to do this task. He was a Throne, an Ofanim, higher than many of the elohim. Yet, so many had fallen now in the War that all choirs were expected to do their part without hesitation, and to do more besides.

Bereaving over his slain child, the leader of the village came forth, trying to swallow his pain. Vyar had spared this one old ape, knowing that if he reformed himself, most of the others in the village would do likewise. Apes were a very versatile, yet very predictable and ignoble animal, all too easy to sway. This man, calling himself Sheth, asked Vyar to intercede with the One for forgiveness. But his mind, instead of offering this thought with the fervent focus required, seemed too distracted by his slain cub. Vyar was told that this man had many such cubs. Perhaps this had been his favorite.

"Sheth, do you offer tears for your son, when a messenger of the One God stands before you? Bury your son and bring me another, one of your older sons, so that I may instruct you both in the ways of the ritual of sacrifice that you seem to have forgotten."

"I have no other sons," the man wailed, as if fearing this revelation would draw more wrath and death from Vyar.

Vyar gave this some consideration. Many of the apes now fought alongside the Fallen. They had become wicked and depraved, inconsiderate and defiant. Their faith and arms, as well as some songs taught to them by the Fallen, had made them potent enemies now in the War of Wrath. Their punishment would be great. It was even rumoured that the One planned to destroy all of Mankind save a few chosen in order to make it again, a salvaged seed to renew the World to be more pure and unsullied by the lies of the Enemy.

"Do you have no faithful sons? Do all serve the enemy?"

"I have no sons," was all Sheth would say, his body quivering with suppressed emotions.

"Then let us bury your remaining son in the manner I shall describe to you. You will use this ritual henceforward." Even in death, the apes would offer faith to the One through such rituals. In return, those souls who followed the correct way would rise to Heaven, blessed even above all but the highest of the elohim, to see the face of God.

Vyar followed Sheth and others bearing the dead to the place where the apes disposed of corpses. Vyar noted there a bloody altar, ringed by skulls and severed heads. Dried masses of what had once been human hearts lay piled alongside. Seeing this obvious ritual to the Enemy caused some measure of ire to awaken in Vyar. The apes were so uncaring that they spilled the blood of their own with abandon.

"Destroy this evil thing and we will cleanse it together." The place was an infernal link to Evil. Strange that it was unguarded. But such places were sadly so common that the Enemy neither feared nor cared if He should loose a few back to Heaven's grace. Sheth gave the order for the altar's destruction. However, when Vyar noticed Sheth caressing one of the skulls, he brandished his chain. "How dare you! Your repentance is obviously false! Your punishment will serve as notice to the others of what false worship brings!" Vyar's voice was that of doom.

Sheth screamed out. "Forgive me! This one was once my son. I only thought to give him a good burial so that his soul might also be saved, freeing him from the demons that surely torment him now.

"This was your son?" Vyar lowered his chain. He didn't want to appear indecisive, but he had not been appraised of this information. He looked at the other skulls. "How many of these were your sons?"

"All, Lord Angel." the old man choked, confusing Vyar with a choir of lower station.

"How was this done?"

"The demons demanded that I offer all my children but one in token of my allegiance. Had I not done so, our entire village would have been razed. I prayed that God would deliver us, but not until this day has he shown us his divine mercy by... by sending you, Lord Angel." He shook as he said this. " My last child, my son, the Lord above has seen fit to take today."

Vyar hadn't known this. His taking of the old man's last offspring would purely a matter of chance. He had been told, had assumed that the old man's prolific nature in youth had given him many sons and daughters. Had Vyar known, he might have...

"With pleading eyes, the old man looked up to Vyar, daring his eyes to try and comprehend the fiery glory before him. "Tell me, if we do as you say, will my children at least know peace from torment in the hereafter?"

But Vyar didn't answer him. God had grown quiet since the rebellion, speaking only through the eloha who served as his Voice. Would faith free this man's children from the clutch of demons? Truthfully, Vyar did not know.

story by Solanio