The Sloth of Heaven, page 35
part #2 of The Fallen Angels Series
The future was uncertain but new and exciting. Whole new prospects had opened up before her. Already much of her nation’s powers had been handed back to her and similar actions had occurred in China. Both she and her husband were rapidly gaining supreme power over more than one and a half billion people. And their numbers were only going to grow.
Tomorrow China would invade Taiwan reclaiming what had been lost. The Middle Kingdom would be reunited.
With the Middle Kingdom complete and the Empire of the Rising Sun once again spreading as a united force their neighbours had much to fear. Already their military forces were combining and forming a united military task force. There was no one to match Japan’s technological military power- except South Korea and they were the very first in the firing line. The world would not have recovered from the shock of China’s invasion of Taiwan before South Korea was fighting for its freedom. China would sweep in around the back through the faded remains of North Korea while Japan dealt the frontal assault.
They would not be expecting a combined attack. North Korea would easily be annexed in the process. With their power secured in the region, they could turn their eyes wherever they pleased. China had some issues it wished to deal with inside its own borders, primarily Tibet’s continual pleas for freedom. But Tibet, like the rest of the world, would quickly discover that the United Nations could no longer function as a world peacekeeper or make anyone toe the line anymore.
Great Britain had invaded Ireland, shocking the entire free world. It was an unprecedented assault, there had been no provocation, no prior interest or warning and it had gone completely smoothly. Of course, that had a great deal to do with Brigid and the Fae favouring Victoria. To suddenly have an army of over a billion, what an incredible boon for Britain’s imperial interests. Following within the next few days had been the willing annexation of Canada and New Zealand and the forced annexation of Australia. Britain had now annexed four independent nations, one with military force and one with magical force. The world waited with bated breath for Britain’s next move.
But eyes had also turned to America and its sudden and extremely violent civil war. There were no doubts that the Heradmantium Empire would conquer the United Christian States and the remaining states. Already Hera’s reach was spreading into Mexico, complicating the wars. Two separate countries had suddenly become embroiled in each other’s internal affairs by a dawning empire eating them both up.
Then there was the Middle East to consider. The Dragon Network of satellites (Japan and South Korea’s collaborative network, easily the best in the world) had revealed some shocking images. In the south of the ruins of Iraq there now stood a towering ziggurat surrounded by a newly sprawling city. But it was what had been photographed coming out of the ziggurat and nearby cities that had been truly shocking. Whole legions of gold skeletons and the walking dead marching upon neighbouring city-states. Their conquests had been savage and merciless. Too many of the images she had pushed away sickened.
Thankfully unlike Brigid or Hera, Ereshkigal had not thought to block satellites from spying on her. Then again, perhaps she didn’t know, Iraq did not have the technology to match the Surviving World. She wasn’t sure if Hera knew either, but much of her territory was hidden beneath extensive cloud banks and storms. As for Britain, well, all satellite images came back blurry and out of focus not matter what was tried. It would seem no one would be able to spy on them.
But there were other images that marked the presence of Gods and other Divine. Several Scandinavian cities had dropped off the grid after strange electrical pulses had knocked out their networks. Images of those cities had come back dark, their contents would appear to have been blocked by Hel. But there was concern spreading through Norway and Sweden over these strange electrical pulses. Any investigations into the cities that had dropped off the networks had never been successful. Denmark was still reeling over the appearance of Jörmungandr, though it appeared they didn’t know who or what he was. They had been terrified by the appearance of a colossal sea serpent bearing down on their city. Nor had they been comforted by Hel’s presence.
The fears in Scandinavia were justified especially after every church and mosque had burned to the ground in extremely violent firestorms. Wild tales of spirits, Demons and the dead clogged Scandinavian news report, social websites and their intelligence services. They were terrified and the governments had no idea what to do.
But there was also another intelligence that had been gathered for Izanami, for which she had been most thankful. The presence of the Temptress Sisters had been discovered in Amsterdam, Paris, Pattaya and Heraklion. None seemed to be aiming for a subtle approach. Heraklion had been rocked by earthquakes when the Palace of Knossos had suddenly repaired itself. The conquest of Heraklion had not been silenced either. Whichever sister resided there had been most foolish in summoning the Lilin. Amsterdam was in the midst of yet more riots as the capital turned back many of its conservative measures that had tightened over the years. But despite this, tourism was flourishing again, bringing in much-needed wealth to the city. The Fallen Angel that lived there was also using her powers to turn back the extensive flooding that had damaged so much for the city for decades. As for Thailand, its party cities were partying harder than ever. But beneath that veneer of carefree partying was a cunning movement destroying the Angels’ might. And as for Paris, there had been riots, abductions and murders. A great deal of people had been found murdered, apparently used in ritualistic sacrifice. Despite their different approaches, there was a clear pattern among the sister’s actions. Every church and mosque had been ‘accidently’ burnt down and key religious figures and conservative politicians had gone missing.
And then there was Africa, the Blighted Continent, the Great Wastes, the Forgotten Lands, the Worlds’ Cesspool, the Cradle of Pestilence, whatever it was called it was a place of death and misery. Except for South Africa, Morocco and the Egyptian Territories, it was a backwater of despair and loss. Its history was one of repeated failure.
When the Colonial powers had moved out of Africa and returned power and sovereignty to the various nations of Africa, it had been a new era. Time for the continent that had birthed Humanity to no longer just be a cradle but to meet the other continents on equal ground. But it turned out to be little more than a pipe dream. Slowly the new power of Africa had crumbled beneath crippling racial divides. Only a handful of countries had consistently retained power and been able to meet the world on its stage. During the latter half of the 20th century, many of the countries had crumbled and divided, continuing well into the 21st century. Then economic powers had started taking an interest in Africa. Europe, America and China had all put solid investments into Africa for its raw resources. During such time many of the countries had managed to have some semblance of order but once the resources ran dry and the economic powers had left they had once again fallen into anarchy.
South Africa despite its crippling racial divides, inequalities and out of control crime had managed to compound its power and weather the crumbling of its neighbours. Egypt had slowly strengthened under a dictatorship before erupting into riots. Its history was peppered with uprisings and riots for the next several decades. But despite this or perhaps because of this it had remained economically strong and an attractive investment for many of the global powers. It was once again under a dictatorship but this time its influence had spread beyond its borders. For the most part, the world had turned a blind eye because it brought stability to the region. Morocco had remained fairly stable despite its neighbours’ uprisings and collapses.
But now there was once again unrest within Egypt but this time, it was religious and political. The hand of the ancient Egyptian Pantheon was clear to see. The Pyramids and Sphinx were as new as the day they had been built, as were many other temples. The Ankh symbol had appeared all over Egypt and there was a mounting presence of a Priesthood once again. The dictator had been assassinated and now his surviving wife was squaring off against the remaining generals.
Something was also happening within South Africa, the energy signals that implied a Divine presence had peaked sharply. There was of yet to be any other signs. There was also a continuing presence in Central Africa, a region that even compared to the rest of Africa had become suddenly and extremely violent. There was no known reason why the desolate area had suddenly become so volatile.
There had been other noted signatures across the globe but no other noticeable repercussions of Divine action. It was likely that Israel and Jordan were still suffering from Hell blowing up but the satellites could not pierce the smoke clouds around the Dead Sea to investigate.
Compared to the rest of the world the East had been fairly quiet and peaceful, but from tomorrow, the world would remember to fear the bite of the Dragon and grow wary of its hunger.
Chapter 23
A fierce wind blew, shaking trees violently and pushing people in every direction. It changed and swirled around, little eddies of air becoming visible as they filled with leaves and dirt. Ships groaned at their moorings as the sea was whipped up into a frenzy. Buildings groaned ominously and those of lesser quality had their roofs ripped off or were blown over. And through it all, little streams of black were seen moving in the air. Strange shadows danced across the shaded and sunlit areas with no bias, dancing around people and buildings before moving on in their bizarre dance.
Above it all, black clouds blotted out the sun from horizon to horizon, swirling violently as spears of sunlight streamed down onto the land and sea in a kaleidoscope of nauseating intensity. Buildings seemed to sway or go blurry as though there were several images on top of each other. But most frighteningly for people were their shadows. Instead of looking like the elongated versions of their own actions, people’s shadows were twisting and contorting as though they were in agony. Silent screams came from gaping mouths, arms were flung wide or up to defend themselves. People stared in horror as their shadows fell to their knees, hugged themselves or simply collapsed. Some shadows even reached towards their source.
Lights flashed up in the cloud bank, a bright and shifting sunburst.
A deep voice rolled across South Africa, heard by everyone within its borders. Behold for an Angel of Heaven has descended to this land. But fear my gaze and fear my wrath for I am the Angel of Death and I am without mercy. It is by my decree that you will seek admission into the Covenant of the British Empire and accept my full, supreme rule. As I am aware mortals think themselves independent and free of Divine Intervention there will be a cost for failing to obey my actions. For every day my demands are not met a hundred thousand souls will be reaped to serve me.
Black shadows flashed across the billowing light and then there was the sound of violent thunder. In its wake, the only sound was a soft exhale of breath.
Today the reaping tithe has been taken and will continue to be taken until my demands are met.
All across South Africa people died, to the exact count of a hundred thousand, no more, no less. Their glowing spirits were clearly seen rising into the sunburst before it and the black clouds it shone down from faded away leaving behind the usual grey sky. But left behind were a hundred thousand corpses with gaping mouths, opened in screams, their lips and the inside of their mouths black as night. Capillary thin black trails radiated out from their mouths about an inch in every direction. Their eyes were open and staring, their pupils disturbingly changed into the shape of a scythe. Their hands were rigidly grasped in torment, reaching upwards even though rigor mortis had not had the time to set in.
It knew no boundaries, no limits. It was completely unbiased in its reaping. Black, white and all the colours in between, male, female, old, young and even newborn babies had all been reaped. New parents cried in disbelief as they held the mouth-blackened corpse of their babies, their pudgy little arms reaching up. It knew no social class or distinction, the poor, the rich and unemployed were all gathered. Even the ranks of the government were affected. All over the country a deathly fear took a grip. Why had this happened? How had this happened? Could it be stopped or prevented? But most of all people cursed the merciless Angel of Death, who had taken their loved ones.
“Sit there and do not even think about moving until Mrs Elliot calls you in” snarled Miss Little. He smiled at her and her face reddened in anger. Served the dumb cunt right. She stormed off out of the office. He sat there gloating in his triumph, it was about fucking time. Now he was finally going to be free of these fuckers and this fucking school.
“Come in” came a voice from the door next to him.
He took his time getting up and sauntering into the room. While he was glad to be here and she would know it, he was still going to keep her waiting. Dumb cunt deserved it.
Eve Elliot watched Jonas Briarsmith saunter into her office. As usual, he was not in proper uniform, he wore a baseball cap on backwards, he smelled of cigarette smoke and she also detected a hint of marijuana as well. Her nostrils flared in distaste at the smells. Once upon a time, she had felt pity for him and students like him. Troubled children from troubled homes, useless parents who should never have bred and who had given their children the worst start in life. That pity had barely lasted two years into her teaching career. Now she felt a special hatred for him and his kind, as many teachers came to harbour after suffering years of disturbed lessons, abuse and violence from these horrible students.
The problem was in the public education system it was almost impossible to get rid of them, after all, where else would they go? And every child had the right to an education. Those useless and bleeding-heart bureaucrats could do with some time down in the trenches to see what it was actually like teaching these psychotic brats. It was a long and slow process to get rid of these trouble makers, until now. The newest Imperial Decrees were being heartily well received in the public education sector. Many others weren’t happy but teachers and principals were delighted.
“Now, Jonas, once again I find you in my office. Last time you were here I told you explicitly that the next time you were in here, you would be facing expulsion. And what have you done to Miss Little? You deliberately poured hydrochloric acid all over her hand! You could have seriously injured her, and need I remind you that such an incident will have to be taken to the police and you will be facing charges of grievous bodily harm.” Thank God that schools only ever used dilute chemicals in the science labs. No, not God, she shouldn’t be thanking him.
“Dumb cunt deserved it. She took off my hat.”
She contained a shudder, children like these only ever saw the world through their own and highly distorted vision. “Hats are not to be worn inside classrooms, Jonas, you are well aware of that.” He was aware of a great many things, but not this wonderful trump card. Oh, the satisfaction.
“In light of your recent actions, Jonas, I have no choice but to expel you from this school.”
He sat there and smiled at her. Oh, she was going to enjoy wiping that smile off his face. Right on time Fiona and Angeline walked into the office.
Jonas glanced over as the two women walked in and glanced away, before quickly turning back. One of them had the biggest set of tits on her. He wanted to motorboat the shit out of them.
Eve watched the little brat’s attention fly straight to Fiona’s breasts, which despite her red military coat were still noticeably large. The little fool had no idea what the red uniform meant.
Both of them came to stand either side of Jonas. Angeline looked cool and composed in her white officer’s uniform. Her grey hair tied up in a severe bun and her face devoid of any emotion, but Eve knew the pleasure she hid beneath that exterior. She too had been a high school teacher. Fiona, on the other hand, wore the red uniform, the colour for Mages and Fae in the Imperial Forces. Of which she was both, a Werewolf and mage. The red coat reached to her ankles, where they half hide her black boots. Gold and white embellishments gave the uniform a look reminiscent of the old Redcoats of the First British Empire. Her hair was allowed to be unbound, an exception for the Were.
Eve smiled as she turned back to look at Jonas, who was still busy staring at Fiona’s breasts. “Now I very much doubt that you have paid attention to recent current affairs or the recent changes brought about by the Empress and her Imperial Decrees.” His sullen glare came back to her, but now she didn’t hide the satisfied smile and she saw a flash of concern cross his face before he tried to hide it again.
“I’ll take your silence as a no. Since the rapid militarization of our nation and empire, there have been some decrees about national service and also in regards to education. Every citizen will submit to national service and usually, the minimum age is having finished school. With some exceptions.” Oh, how she smiled now “Children excluded or expelled from schools will enter straight into national service and will complete in excess of the usual national service, finishing at the same time as their age group. It is the express concern of the Empress to reinstate the propriety of our nation. All those deemed unable to meet that, in your case your behaviour and schooling, will be re-educated and trained until they become a functioning and useful member of society.” She had the meaning of this Imperial Decree memorised by heart. It was currently her favourite thing to say and she was saying it a lot.
“You fucking dumb cunt, I ain't doing shit” he jumped up yelling. Eve sat back and smiled in satisfaction as Fiona grabbed him. Angeline started to read the formal decree which Eve had summarised in her own words. He started to swear and yell even more. Fiona, who wasn't often noted for her patience, clobbered him across the face with a loud and satisfying smack. “Sit down and shut up! You do not speak to a superior officer like that!” she yelled in his face. He started to yell again and tried to punch her, she clobbered him again.
