26

Docile sang a somber soft song as he walked out of his work building.

"You were the sweet little angel with the bleach blonde hair

Carin' and sharin' when I caught your stare

Thought friendship would last, but life went too fast

Confidence in the black, I didn't look back."

"Sang in choirs together and bathed me in light

Helped calm me down when I looked for a fight

You were radiant in your kindness and glow

Now I'm a dry sexless elf with nowhere to go"

"You loved me like Jesus, yes

Not caring that I wasn't the best

I wanted to be tough, but it wasn't enough

I admit I was wrong

So long."

Docile stopped as he spotted a swan princess Quartet singing a happy song.

"My World Is Shining All Around Me!

My deep joy is what surrounds me, yeah!

The light life

I feel so happy

Free of hate and strife

I love you, dad.

You can always change

You're honest

It's never the same

It's not a phase

It's not a phase

Mom, I swear it's not a phase

My World Is Shining All Around Me!

My deep joy is what surrounds me, yeah!"

Docile shrugged and continued on his way.

He stopped short.

"Holy spit," Docile gasped. "Veronica?"

"Docile," Veronica replied with a small smile.

Docile the elf stood still in his usual white work uniform, miniature rainbow grains of sand glinting among his bare feet. The ocean was a vibrant turquoise teal blue with flecks of gold on the surface. It was commonly called the Life Sea. (Rumor had it that beaches in Hell had black asphalt, red skies and blood red waters. The Dead Sea was the most popular.) Heavenly seagulls with four small white wings squawked overhead while a few dolphins leaped in graceful arcs out of the water, clicking their hellos.

Veronica was the same as Docile remembered: light blue skin and sparkling light blue eyes. Her hair was long and blonde, trailing almost past her waist. She wore a wavy white dress with gold frills and a few teal Xs and Os on it, along with golden glittery heels on her feet. A pair of white wings were folded behind her and a glowing white spiked halo hovered over her head.

The two of them stepped closer, looking into each other's eyes. It wasn't necessarily romantic, but the feeling was strong. It was the feeling of seeing an old familiar friend for the first time…and wondering if they were really there.

Veronica waved her hand in front of Docile's face. "Heaven to Docile, I'm really here."

Docile grinned sheepishly, shaking his head a bit. "I…I can't believe it. You're really here."

Without another word, the two of them embraced. In that moment, both closed their eyes, feeling the warmth and energy of the other. They heard the ambience of the waves crashing onto the shore, the seagulls and a heavenly choir of cherubs in the distance.

They parted and sat on two lounge chairs nearby. Veronica waved her hand and a sign read "Docile and Veronica: Reserved" on it.

"You didn't have to do that," Docile remarked.

"Might as well enjoy ourselves," she replied, settling down in her spot. A large teal and white umbrella appeared behind them, shielding their heads from the sun. Veronica pulled out gold sunglasses and placed them over her eyes, enjoying the summer sun. Palm trees swayed in the breeze, dropping soft coconuts that looked like pom-pom balls.

"Get out of that stuffy work uniform, won't you?" Veronica asked. She hummed a tune to a love song. Even her humming would make the hearts of humans swell with adoration and happiness if they ever heard it. But unlike the lustful succubi and sinister sirens, the cherubs sang merely to spread love and joy.

Docile, normally anxious to do his duties, merely sighed. He then revealed a small grin. "I hope you don't mean what you may be thinking." He slowly unbuttoned his white jacket, a wiggle in his eyebrow.

Veronica laughed. "Goodness no."

Docile removed his jacket, teal collar, white gloves and blue undershirt, revealing a dark teal chest with black splotches on various areas. Waving his hands over his dark blue sclera eyes, a pair of sunglasses appeared with the frames shaped like golden harps.

"My my," Veronica exclaimed playfully, "The meticulous man actually has a sense of style and suaveness. Don't make all the girls confess a bunch of new sins. They'll forget the meaning of temperance seeing your form."

"Shut up," Docile replied with a smile, sitting on the chair next to hers. "You know I've never been into any kind of sexual stuff. Plus it's forbidden."

"Not if it's for procreation and in the name of the Father," Veronica mentioned. "Unlike sinners in Hell, we are free to enjoy ourselves."

"But I don't want any kids yet," Docile said. "I have work. Plus…there's been a lot going on."

After a few moments, both of them stared at each other and said simultaneously, "There's something I need to tell you."

Both erupted into giggles.

"You first," said Veronica.

"No, you," said Docile.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors, Angel, Demon?"

"How does that work?" Docile asked.

"Scissors cut paper, paper covers rock, rock crushes scissors, angel beats demon, demon eats cock…erm, rock…"

Docile raised an eyebrow and made a hissing noise. "No, no, no, too confusing. You go first."

"Okay," Veronica said. She turned to him. "I…I really have missed you. I've been traveling around Heaven, often singing with my older sister, Kiva."

Docile grimaced. "Kiva's your sister?"

"Yeah," said Veronica with a roll of her eyes and a look of annoyance. "She's always been the self-righteous one. We're both types of cherubs and are known for our singing and fame. But Kiva wants to take her fame to a new level. She's gotten more attention than I have, and she's basking in it! No one seems to care about what she has planned. As for me…well, nothing special really. I've been going on tour for a while, making new friends and trying to spread goodness to everyone. Not always easy but it's still fun!"

She conjured up a white shirt that read:

"Veronica's Heaven Tour!

March 12 2021: Holy City, Humility.

March 19 2021: La Jophiella, Patience.

March 26 2021: Rapheal, Temperance.

April 2 2021: Donor City, Chasity.

April 9 2021: Ab-sin-ance, Chasity.

April 16 2021: Fidemville, Faith.

April 23 2021: Duty, Diligence.

Oct 28 2021: Fredrick, Maryland."

Veronica continued. "I haven't seen you since…well…"

"Since I joined the Exorcists via my parents' request many years ago? Yeah…"

Docile twiddled his thumbs. "I still regret that decision. I thought it would be a good way to get my foot in the door instead of doing all those mundane jobs all the time. I eventually got fired from it and after that…well, let me tell you what it was like first…"

Docile still remembered training in the air with harpoons, spears, swords, shields and sometimes rifles decorated with Christian fish and crosses glowing in white. Although he had been a newbie, he had adapted fast. Docile had placed the gray horned smiling mask over his head, instantly growing taller and becoming stronger after pressing a button. Dark wings and a strong suit materialized over his body to fit him perfectly, artificial limbs merging with his own. Through the mask, he could see data, suit stats and heat signatures of all living things around him. There were also messages and a high definition view of his surroundings.

"We do this every year for the greater good," Archangel Michael had said to them as they got ready to fly through the portal. Michael paced back and forth in front of the Exorcists standing at attention. Docile nervously gripped his harpoon.

"This holy crusade is one you have practiced many months for. Now the time has come to embark into the unknown with your brothers and sisters-in arms. Our job is to rid the population of evildoers as much as we can, so our citizens can feel secure and safe. It is our hope that Hell will eventually face its destruction and no more threat to our heavenly nation may loom upon us."

He continued with more fervor. "As the angels of death, you shall make your enemies fall and bring justice and righteousness to our land! The murderers, rapists, and heathens of your past will know their fate too late. Your ancestors will have peace and closure, knowing the evil will be cleansed for good. Songs of victory will be in your name. May your faith fly you forward! May the Lord's Light illuminate your path! And may God be with you."

They all saluted and made the signs of the cross over their hearts as Michael waved his hand.

The portal opened, revealing a hole of black and crimson.

Docile flew through the portal, instantly seeing a red sky and being hit with a nasty odor. It was the odor of garbage, sulphur, smoke and pollution all in one.

"So this is what Hell is like," he thought.

Docile soon learned that he was very wrong about those in Hell being red skinned vicious horned monsters wanting to corrupt all they saw. As he flew through the smog and the downtrodden meshed up buildings, he heard the discordance of screams. The Exorcists swooped down and started jabbing at the screaming denizens below. He could see traces of humanity and lots of fear in their eyes. The demons appeared strange, but they ran from the Exorcists like prey animals scrambling for their lives. He had been stunned that the Exorcists had mercilessly slaughtered everyone…even hounds, children and infants with no remorse. It had directly gone against "thou shall not kill," thus questioning everything Docile had been led to believe.

What was worse, however, was the fact that saints were killing sinners; former human was fighting former human. With psychotic glee, the Exorcists tore demons limb from limb, some dragging out their suffering. One demon was torn in two, while another was chopped into pieces, blood and viscera spraying in every direction.

Some of his comrades let out mechanical devious laughs and taunts: "See that sinner scum explode!" "Die, devilish fiend!" "In the name of our Savior and all that is good!" "Our Heavenly kingdom shall reign forever!" "Come on, rookie elf! You'll get left behind!"

Of course, Docile did get left behind…after a demonic cat had led him to an abandoned theater where he almost met his end from a gang. After he was rescued and taken to a hospital in Heaven, he was instantly fired by Kiva.

"After being ridiculed and shunned away, I joined a few choirs and even performed with my siblings Mia and Tia at the circus. I then decided to make E.L.F." Docile explained to Veronica, after telling his story of being an Exorcist.

"Whoa, you've been through a lot," she mentioned. "I heard that Kiva got arrested on Earth, right?"

"Yes. She wanted to bring a new Genesis to Earth."

"Brings me back to what I need to tell you. Verosika…I mean Kiva's escaped and has gone back to Hell…I mean Heaven!"

"Wait, what?" Docile stared in confusion. "You're saying Kiva escaped?! How do you know?"

"Archangel Gabriel sent the message. Kiva and her cherub crew are back…and apparently they're searching for you."

Docile shivered inwardly.

"Are you scared?" she asked.

"No, just…concerned."

"I'll be here to support you as much as I can. Just…please don't leave me again."

"Okay."

"Do your parents still chide you for your choices?"

"Sometimes. I've always wanted to be involved in theater and freedom but they never listen. So to help others and rebel a little, I formed E.L.F. to help heal humans. I want to show to everyone in Heaven that God really is good. It's just that many angels in both Heavens have corrupted the system, turning Heaven into some elite club that only a few can enter. Everyone else is damned to Hell for the smallest errors."

Veronica stared in approval, brushing her long hair back. "Very impressive that you managed to keep hold of your business for so long."

Docile lowered his sunglasses, his eyes showing concern. "With Kiva coming back, I don't know how long it'll last. I've traveled to other worlds at least three or four times now in the past week or so. I'm surprised I haven't been caught yet. Michael did let me off with a warning but I think it's because he knows I'm trying hard. I'm one of few willing to travel to other worlds to try and do what's right. But…"

Veronica put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But what?"

"I d-don't want to go down there forever."

His elf ears drooped as he spilled out one of his primal fears. "I think it's only a matter of time. I couldn't even save them. C.H.E.R.U.B. They're already doomed. I can't forgive myself."

"You have to be careful, Docile," she said. "Forgiveness is a valuable process, not easy. Remember what Jesus taught us. It's hard to forgive others but you also have to forgive yourself. This may be hard to hear, but you can't save everyone. Maybe…not everyone deserves to be saved."

A brief silence.

"I want to, though," Docile confessed, tears forming. "It's my duty…our duty to ensure life, liberty and everlasting happiness for everyone. This is paradise for Saint Peter's sake!"

"Unfortunately," Veronica began, "There are things that even the Lord cannot comprehend. The cycle of good and evil has been going on since the dawn of existence. Without the communities of all these different worlds working together…I don't think anything will ever change. The centuries-old system is designed for most humans to go to Hell and eventually perish by our kind. After humanity dies off in hundreds of years, Heaven will be the only world standing. And God's review of his treasured creation will be complete. It gives the Exorcists jobs to do and keeps Hell in line via fear. Also, with humanity searching for eternal life and happiness thanks to C.H.E.R.U.B. and guardian angels appearing on Earth, their selfishness and stupidity naturally drags them down. The ultimate test of will and time."

"But surely God and Jesus can help us! They have to! They'd never let humans fail at their own games."

"No one really knows. Maybe God is too busy," she said. "And perhaps He wants all of us to help ourselves. Angels, demons, humans…we're all different yet not completely. He wants to see how we can collaborate together."

"Not very well in the grand scheme of things," Docile admitted. "That's what I have loved about you, Veronica. You are not afraid to speak your mind when you have to, just like me. It takes lots of courage to do so in such a pacifist society. You have a unique perspective that's not present by many shallow sugarcoated denizens in Heaven. They get too wrapped up in their pleasures and pursuits to fully know what's really going on. Not to mention humanity probably doesn't even know that demons exist!"

"They will eventually, if not already," Veronica said. "And when they do, they'll be quite terrified."

"I only hope we can help them before it's too late."

"Same here, God willing."

The two angels sat together in thoughtful tranquility as the world passed them by. What if Heaven, Earth and even Hell denizens were all just brainwashed sheep in the grand order of things?

Finally Veronica stood up. "It was so wonderful to see you again in person," she said. "Even though it wasn't planned."

"Fate brought us together," Docile said, standing up too.

"Unfortunately, I gotta get back to my home in Chasity. I'm supposed to perform for a stuffy sex abstinence group and also a feminism empowerment group. Guess my music reaches a whole bunch of people. Pray that my sister doesn't show up."

"I wish you the best of luck," Docile said. "I hope to see you soon."

Veronica kissed Docile on the forehead and made a cross sign on his forehead. "Please don't do anything reckless. May God be with you."

"May God be with you," Docile repeated the gesture. They folded their hands in prayer before going their separate ways.

0 0 0

The nightmares haunted Docile that night. He dreamt that he was being chased by a bunch of hungry figures. One of them was a laughing clown reminiscent of Bio-Rizz. His teeth were sharp and his evil laughter echoed in his ears. His eyes were empty black holes, his body burning in green flame.

"Does anybody love you, Docileeeee?" he sang, emphasizing an "e" sound. "A prude. A loser. Docileeee!"

Docile kept running as distorted carnival music blared around him. Metal black tentacles squeezed painfully around his chest and arms, pinning him in place. He felt himself being turned around and exposed by watching glowing eyes. He kept seeing spiral swirls and blinking stripes every which way.

Free again, Docile saw ghostly white figures of Kiva, Veronica and his mother stand in the darkness. They stared accusingly at him as disfigured flying sheep played bloodstained instruments in the background.

"You're nothing but an incompetent failure," Kiva remarked. "You call yourself a citizen of Heaven…your cowardly nature shouldn't even be seen on our front steps!"

"You will always be alone," Veronica said in a low cold voice. "A clown. An impoverished fool. Searching for a dream that will never come true."

"An imp would be a better son than you," his parents said, as they stepped forward.

"No stop it!" Docile screamed. "That's not true!"

He pushed past them, assaulted by their taunts and jeers.

Hurrying along, he felt himself drop and land on asphalt. He stood up and spotted Tirred, Timmid and Sunna. They all stood with their arms crossed, wearing glaring expressions.

"You did this!" Tirred spat at him, mentioning to E.L.F. headquarters…or what was left of it. Flames licked and consumed the exterior, smoke turning the sky black. Several pieces of burning debris crumbled to the ground.

Timmid was bawling, hands covering her face. "You're a monster!"

"No!"

Docile's bones turned cold as Sunna stared at him with pure unusual hatred.

"You were never my dad," she hissed. "I didn't need you then and I don't need you ever again!"

Sunna took out white adoption papers and promptly tore them up with her claws. Docile tried to stop her, but his hand brushed right through her. On and on the shredding continued until the bits of white paper fell like snow onto the ground. Sunna stomped on the remaining pieces before trotting away.

"Sunna, wait!" Docile cried, racing after her. But she soon grew farther away until his world filled with smoke.

"Come and catch us!" cried a shrill voice. A blur darted by him, then another. Evil cackling rang out as bite marks appeared on his body.

"Catch us if you can, elf man!" sang a figure. It was the face of Erebos. He held a flaming sword in one hand. Devvin held a spiked club and Dammna appeared behind him and burned his ears with a curling iron. Docile shrieked in terror as the Diablos came at him again. Docile felt his body turn to lead as the devils burned him, bit, hit and scratched in a ferocious frenzy. His blood turned red, black and golden as it erupted from him. Docile finally fell down Erebos' mouth, struggling to breathe.

Docile was briefly back at Samael's palace but Samael wasn't present. Instead, another elf stood with a rifle in his hand, standing before a carnage of corpses that littered the room. The corpses used to belong to the royal Ars Goetia demons. One of them was the main owl Stolas, his eyes blank, a bullet hole in his head.

"Docile," Soother said in a calm drawl, not looking at him. "Don't you ever wish you could be something more? Living a life of no respect, in constant poverty and fear of being alone. No self-respecting elf should have to go through that. As Blitzo is part succubi, you're part cherub. You have superior skill."

"Soother, this madness has to end. I already said…"

Soother turned to face Docile, his teal face a snake's face.

"We could've done great things. You should've joined me when you had the chance. Now to finish my mission."

The snake snapped at Docile several times as he laughed in triumph. Docile plummeted again.

Docile landed at Heaven's golden capital building, the Angelorium (opposite of Pandemonium). Above him and surrounding him was a council of stern white faced angels with golden eyes, paste-white faces and blonde hair, wearing elaborate robes. Some of the angels took on ethereal shapes and stars and galaxies. Others looked like many-eyed aliens with slender metallic eyeless faces and bendy bodies. Standing at a podium wearing a large white top hat was God himself, appearing as a large eye. He read aloud Docile's sins for all to hear.

"Disobeying Heaven's rules about world-traveling. Sneaking out without permission. Almost destroying all worlds. Sympathizing with demon-kind. How do you plead, Docile?"

"Not guilty!" Docile cried. There was a murmur of disagreement and disgust.

"Has the heavenly jury reached a verdict?" He mentioned to angels with gravel heads.

"We have, my Lord. On the account for the aforementioned offences, we find the defendant guilty."

"No, I'm not guilty! Listen!" Docile pleaded.

But his words feel on deaf ears as two strong angels grabbed him by the arms and carried him out the door. He struggled in vain. "Let me go!"

"I sentence you to eternal damnation for your crimes," He said.

"Stop! Stop! Let go of me!" Docile called.

"Okay," said one of the angels carrying him toward the edge. "We'll do just that!"

Docile was soon thrown harshly into the air, rapidly falling, falling, falling. The clouds vanished above him, while darkness and a red sky appeared. Docile screamed as both his wings caught on fire and crumbled away into ash. As he landed in a lake of fire, he felt himself drowning. Exorcists leered above him, tossing spears down toward him as he hastily tried to dodge. An angelic sword nearly missed his head as it landed in front of him and impaled a rock.

A black mirror appeared in front of him and Docile could see his terrified expression. "I am forgotten," was written in blood. A moment later, the reflected face shifted and turned red and white. Long curved striped horns grew and his ears vanished. His eyes and teeth turned yellow. He was soon looking at the face of an imp…an imp that was coping his every move! The imp in the mirror smiled sinisterly with golden teeth and said,

"Welcome to Hell, fucker. Enjoy your stay."

Docile woke up in a cold panting sweat.