Strangers in Paradise

PrologueThe smothering, fiery furnace of Hell… He struggled as he climbed up the ragged rocks of his prison, his hands bleeding, his large, glossy wings frayed and torn. The dark shadows surrounded him, the soot and flames smothering him, but he kept climbing until he saw only a pinpoint of light. His breath sounded loud in the confined area, but he was encouraged, so he kept climbing. And finally, he was there. Out of the misery of his confinement. From there he entered realm after realm of Hell’s kingdom until he reached Sheol. He battled the flames of perdition, confronted the ugly creatures that dwelt there, and cut them down with his sword until he finally reached the murky darkness where Hecate, the old witch, lived. Bursting into her hut, he was wild with fear. When he saw the old woman hovering over a fire, he ran over to her and yelled, “I need your help, old woman!” “Who are you?” she shot back. “I am Adamas, better known as The Black Knight” he said, his breathing heavy and labored. “I am in rebellion against Satan.” “In rebellion? Why?” “When I learned that he had lied to me and the other angels on the day of his revolt against God, I amassed an army against him. We stormed his bunker, demanding that he release us, but he took many of us captive and imprisoned us, trying to force us to bow down and worship him.” Adamas gritted his teeth in anger. “I will die before I give that monster my reverence!” “If you were imprisoned how did you escape?” “I defeated the guard, and now I need your help in escaping the underworld, or I will die.” “But what can I do to help you? And why would I? If Satan found out it would mean death for me as well.” “There is no one alive who knows my whereabouts. I have traveled through the shadows, and killed those who have come up against me, so if you keep your mouth shut, old woman, he’ll never know. All I need from you is to show me where the vortex is.” “You seek to pass into another dimension? How do you know you won’t encounter even worse there?” “Worse than Hell? Are you mad?” “All right, but how do you know it will be a world in which you can live?” “You’ll make sure with your magic. I don’t care where it is. A desert. In any time. Any place. But it must be as far away from Hell as I can get.” “That’s a big order. I’m not sure—” “Listen, you old soothsayer,” he said, grabbing the front of her garment and jerking her forward. “If you don’t die at Satan’s hands, you will surely die at my own!” His forceful actions put a look of fear on her face. “All right,” she growled. “I will do as you say, but only because I have no choice.” “We are wasting time.” “Listen closely,” she said, her voice low and secretive. “I know where you can get lost, to disappear among a people. It’s Earth’s third dimension. There are all kinds there. The poorest of the poor, or the richest of the rich—and many of them live in the New City.” “I know Earth, but I know nothing of a New City.” “Earth is different today. There are cities, towns. People everywhere. Blinking lights, machines with brains. It is one of the largest and the wickedest cities on the planet. There is night and day, the weather is cold or hot, and sometimes water falls from the sky. There are holy people there as well as sinners. Some will seek to cheat you out of what you have while others will be kind. They differ in looks only slightly, so you must be wise enough to tell the good from the bad. There is much to learn. Everything from the language to the exchange of money, and so much more. It won’t be easy, but if you want this badly enough, you will learn.” “Get on with it, old woman!” “Be still and listen to me!” She hissed. “I have to warn you. When you go through the vortex everything about you will change. When you get on the other side, you will become vulnerable to the things around you. Your feelings will rise and lower as does the tide. You will feel irritation sometimes, happiness at other times. You’ll face hunger, and your body will become tired, so it won’t be easy. You’ll begin to age. Your bones will ache—” “Why are you telling me this, old woman?” “To prepare you. You will be living in that world as a human being. It’ll be different than anything you’ve ever faced. And one very important thing—Satan is there as well as his demons. He wanders to and fro over the earth causing calamity. He will not appear physically, but his influence on those that live there can be deadly, and he can use them to hurt you.” “Is there no escape?” “Only through redemption.” “Redemption…I…” “You’ll learn. Now, come to the map on the table.” Adamas walked over and looked down at it. “I can’t read this. It’s nothing but squiggly lines.” “It is simple. We are here,” she said, putting her clawed finger down on a large red X. She began moving it along a dark black line until she reached a large red V and said, “This is where the vortex is.” “But I would have to travel through the Pit. You know what that means. There will be fearful howling and gnashing of teeth. Screams, burning flesh, weeping, and wailing. This is what I’m trying to avoid. Isn’t there another path?” “There is no other path,” she hissed. “Do you want this or not?” “All right, but you’d better not be leading me into a trap, old woman.” “The only trap is your stupidity.” He grabbed the old woman’s hair, jerked her head backward, and gazed hard into her eyes, his voice soft and threatening. “The only reason I let you speak to me in such a way is because I need you. You’d better pray hard if I find that this is one of your tricks.” “Your enemy is Satan, not me. Just do as I say and you’ll be free of this place.” “Then stop all your insane jabbering and get busy with your spells,” he growled and watched her as she made a small fire in her fireplace and set a bowl of cold water beside it. She then took a piece of Venus metal, sprinkled it with powdered musk, and lay it carefully in a deep, round ladle. As she held it up over the fire, the magical flames leaped up and embraced the ladle as she hissed out an incantation. “I am Hecate, witch of ancient lore, “I lift this plea to the creator of Earth’s dusty floor. “Deliver this imperiled soul to Earth’s clandestine dust, “By way of liquid Venus, and powdered grains of musk. “Hark unto my words from moon to moon and sun to sun, “And by the law of three times three—let it be done!” The two of them watched until the metal melted in the heat. When it was finished, the old witch poured it into the cold water where it took shape and hardened. As soon as it was ready, she reached in, brought it out, and studied the shape. “Danger follows you into the new world,” she whispered. “Beware of an enemy whose kisses are sweeter than wine. His sting is deadly.” She laid the bit of Venus metal in his hand and closed his fingers over it. “Take it, and when you get to the Styx River—” “Why the Styx?” “It winds around Hell nine times. Your spell was three times three, which is nine. Now, throw it in, and do not leave until you see a snake of winding smoke lift from its surface. From that moment on, you will have as much protection as I can give you.” “What do you mean? You sound as if you’re limited.” “You have to remember that Satan’s power is stronger than mine. One other thing. Beware of Cerberus, the Hound of Hell. He will sniff out your scent and pursue you, but when the spell begins to work, he will lie down and whimper like a baby. Now, go swiftly. Let nothing stop you.” Adamas clasped his fist tight, the witch’s homemade charm in his hand. “If this is successful, may you be rewarded for helping me.” “Go! Quickly! Take my chariot. It will get you there much quicker.” He turned and ran out, jumped into the chariot, and sped into the murky darkness on his way to his destination. * * * * “Adamas is gone?” Duke Alloces shouted from lounging in his hot tub. “What do you mean, gone?” “I mean he’s escaped.” The Duke lunged forward, and glared at the assassin. “My God, X-Tilla, you have to get him back! Do you hear? You have to get him back!” “But, sire, we’ve searched everywhere.” “Then search again. I don’t care what it takes,” the Duke said, jumping out of his steaming bath and wrapping a towel around his waist. “X-Tilla, if you fail at this, you’ll have undone all the good you’ve accomplished so far. Be sure that when you find him, slay him on the spot! And keep this in mind. If you’re successful at this, it will be your greatest feat yet. Satan will have a banquet in your honor. He will lead a parade down the streets of Hell with the body of Adamas gored through by a spear for everyone to see. Imagine! The Black Knight dead! It will be the death that will make you the most feared assassin in Hell.” “But, sire, he’s—” “I don’t want to hear it!” the Duke shouted. “He’s got to be somewhere. Uncover that rebel angel’s lair and kill him!” “I can only think of one place he could be.” The Duke whirled around and looked at X-Tilla. “Where?” “He may be heading for the vortex. To find it, he would need the services of the old witch, Hecate. It makes perfect sense. He needs a place to hide, and the vortex could provide that for him.” “Remind me again of the depth of his sin.” “He’s been saying that on the day of the revolt in heaven that Satan lied to the angels and they were tricked into taking the wrong path. Since then, he has been going about gathering an army and preaching his message to the masses. To shut him up, he was accosted and jailed for rebellion, but the jail couldn’t hold him. I don’t know where he went from there, but if he has the vortex in mind, he would need the old witch’s help to free him from this realm so he could escape to another dimension.” “Another dimension?” “Yes. If he’s successful, it’s my guess that he will be entering the Earth’s third dimension, and live in the New City.” “How do you know so much about it?” “Because it is my job to know.” “You mentioned the New City. What is that?” “It is one of the largest and most sin-ridden cities on the planet. It is a place he can get lost in, making our job of finding him almost impossible.” “He shouldn’t be too hard to spot.” “That is true as long as he has his wings, but when he enters into Earth’s dimension, his image will be altered, and he will become a s****l creature like all other men that live there.” “Adamas among humans? Impossible.” “It would seem so, but remember, sire, Adamas is no fool. He must know that a change in his looks would be beneficial at this point. Disguised as a mortal man he could live there indefinitely with no one ever knowing who he really is. There are many life-threatening escape routes out of Hell, and believe me, Adamas has probably considered them all. I’m sure he knows that the vortex is the best way to go, so I implore you to give me leave to find him and cut him down, because if he goes through the life-altering vortex, he is lost to us.” Alloces looked angry. “Be gone, then, but he will not get far. Living in the outside world, where he must intermingle with humans goes against all the rules of Hell.” “Rules don’t mean a thing to him, sire. Like all angels, he was created with a free will, and if he chooses to go to Earth, or anywhere else, there’s no rule that can stop him.” “Adamas living on Earth? The mere thought is utterly ridiculous! How long has he been gone?” “I came to you as soon as I learned of it, sire. He has only just left.” “Go, X-Tilla! Ride as fast as the wind, and find him!” * * * * The four winds swirled with fury as Adamas traveled in the witch’s chariot as fast as the huffing horses would carry him. His eyes bore into the murky mists until he at last was riding the edge of the River Styx. Even here at the edge of Hell, he could hear the tormented cries of those who were trapped in the Lake of Fire. Trying to ignore the horrible sounds, he reined in his horse, took the charm from his pocket, and while standing on a tall rock, he pulled his arm backward, and then with a mighty heave, he threw the charm forward into the black water. Just then Cerberus, the hellhound that guarded the river, began running toward him to attack, but the moment the charm hit the water, and a snake of magical smoke rose into the air, the hound suddenly stopped, and his growl turned to a whimper. That was all the proof Adamas needed. With a feeling of relief, he turned and jumped back into the chariot and shot out of there like a bat out of hell. Before long, he saw the vortex in the distance ahead, and with renewed energy, he lashed his horse’s backs and headed toward it as fast as he could. The demons of Hades fought him with bolts of lightning that lit up the murky darkness. Not letting it slow him down, he surged ahead, getting closer and closer, zooming so fast the chariot could only be discerned as a streak of color to the naked eye. While traveling faster than the wind across the fiery rocks and planes, the chariot sped along the highways and byways of Hell’s most dangerous surfaces, the shimmering vortex getting closer and closer. It sparkled with many colors, and he began to hear the rise and fall of voices coming from the other world. Feeling encouraged, he continued until he looked up ahead and saw something that caused fear such as he’d never known. Firestorms, wind, and thunder began buffeting him about, almost forcing him off the burning path. He tried to slow down to find another path around what he saw, but he was traveling so fast, he couldn’t make a sharp turn without putting himself in danger. He finally realized he could do nothing but face the horror he saw before him, so he bravely lifted his shield against the balls of fire that came to him from every direction while he turned this way and that. Suddenly he noticed that the fireballs were setting small fires in his chariot, so between dodging the fireballs, driving his chariot, and trying to stamp out the flames, he barely managed to stay on the road. Even though electrical storms were raging all about him, he heard another chariot behind him and looked back to see X-Tilla’s Chariot of Fire gaining on him. It was an awesome sight. Fire leaped from the wheels of the chariot as it bore down upon him. Inside, he saw the assassin’s dark, mountainous figure at the reins, determination to overtake him in his ugly, monstrous face. With desperate fear churning inside him, Adamas yelled to his horses as he cracked a whip over their backsides. “H-a-a-w!” Just then he heard a sizzling sound and saw a burning bolt of lightning had struck his chariot. Making a split decision, he dove out of the moving target, almost at the mouth of the portal. * * * * X-Tilla tugged on the reins with all the strength he had. He was close behind, but when the vortex came into view, he saw that Adamas had already jumped out of his burning chariot and was running toward it. He quickly reined in his horses, jumped out, and began chasing his enemy on foot. Adamas was several yards from the vortex when he stopped and turned. “It’s too late, X-Tilla. You’ll never take me now. All I have to do in jump in, and I’m gone.” “You’ll never make it,” X-Tilla growled, lifting his sword for action. “En garde!” Adamas quickly pulled his sword from its sheath and held it up threateningly. “You have me at a disadvantage. I have lost my shield, and my armor is destroyed.” “You have your wits. Let’s see what you can do with them.” “Very well,” Adamas said as he held the tip of his blade up between his eyes and shouted, “En garde!” X-Tilla laughed. “This is going to be child’s play.” Moving quickly, X-Tilla came at him with a thrust and parry, forcing Adamas to defend himself. Unafraid, Adamas lunged forward into a clash of steel that lasted for several minutes. X-Tilla finally retreated and jumped upon a rock. While X-Tilla was getting his bearings, Adamas ran toward the vortex until he finally threw his sword down and shouted, “Good-bye, X-Tilla!” With that, he dove into the vortex, and he was gone. He felt himself turning head over heel, dancing flames, spinning darkness, light, shadow whirling around him. He had been falling for hours it seemed when he caught a glimpse of a woodland floor, unbroken, moist and cold under a blanket of frosted leaves. After a few moments he splashed into frigid water right up to his chest, the wind knocked from his lungs. After wiping the splashes of dirty water away, he squinted upward. The night sky was the only assurance that he was still alive, but despite that, there was no helping the sick feeling inside his stomach. Adamas had disappeared from in front of X-Tilla’s eyes so suddenly that he couldn’t believe it, and fear of what Satan would do to him when he found out, flooded him. He would fall from his exalted stature as master assassin and be imprisoned for the rest of his existence. He couldn’t let it happen. He couldn’t. No matter what it took he had to follow Adamas into the dangerous world he had tumbled into and bring him back. Making his decision, he quickly threw down his shield and sword, ran toward the vortex, and followed Adamas into the undercurrent. But just before X-Tilla surrendered to the life-altering changes, he shouted out to Adamas one last warning. “We will meet again, Adamas, and like the giant bird, I will rise from the ashes of Hell and live again. Watch for me. I will come to you as the great bird—Phoenix!”