Nathaniel

Chapter one: The Reason in Unreasonable

He struck his shimmering sword into the hot golden sand beneath his feet and fell to one knee. “Nathaniel!” yelled Israfael as he flew over Nathaniel’s fallen silhouette and into the battlefield, but all Nathaniel could hear was the echoes of laughter that once filled his realm.

The divine realm of Hiria is divided into two cities, Eronia, the alluring city of angels, and Pirith, the city of demons, both which have been at war for ten long years. The bitter war started when the twelve noble leaders, having Melikyal as ruler of angels, and Ehobal as ruler of demons, created a sacred truce that no being of the other side shall ever cross into either cities and all shall live in peace so long the truce is never broken.

“You cannot simply expect our kind to coexist with theirs father.” Exclaimed Shenu, Ehobal’s eldest daughter, who leads the hierarchy of demons and is specialized in war tactics. “Shenu, they have agreed to stay away from us, so that our kind can live in peace and quiet.” Repiled Ehobal. “Peace and quiet? This is how you want us to live knowing that their revolting kind is one wall away father?” Yelled Shenu, giving her father a rather piercing look. Ehobal sighed taking a step closer to his daughter, “my child, why would you rather we spill blood and lose so many of our kind in a war that might never end, or even worse, might never be won?” Shenu widened her eyes, taking her father’s hands into her own, “no father, we can strike in silence, we can surprise them, they are not expecting it. Father reason with me, an attack like that means we take over everything! Hiria will be yours to rule, and even more, all beings will be under your command, even the mortals! Now what say you?” She eagerly stood there waiting to storm over to her people and start preparations. Ehobal stood there in silence looking at his daughter’s wicked grin, only to return it with a consequential stare, “I will not lose a single demon Shenu, and if you so as much attempt the slightest disruption to my decision, I shall banish you to the dark realm of Oclanem where you shall spend the rest of time.” He answered with a firm low pitch, “need I say that again?” He continued. Shenu’s grin now a frigid stare took a step back, “no, father,” she exclaimed storming out of the room.

Rather furious, Shenu made her way to the hall of Ukuria where she trained demon soldiers to combat. “Princess Shenu, you seem rather upset, could I be of your service with anything?” Asked Ezidra, general of war and Shenu’s second in command. She stood there, silent and seemingly cold, when in reality her rage could have burned down the entire realm. “We are to attack in a few hours.” She said, “attack? princess, I do not understand.” Replied Ezidra rather confused. Shenu took a composed breath in, “as you are aware my friend, Lord Ehobal has signed a truce with the angels; however, it has come to our attention that they have plans to attack soon, they wish to cease Hiria and control the mortals as well. They won’t be expecting us to have heard such news, and therefore, they won’t be expecting our secret little visit. Now, are you with me Ezidra?” He straightened his posture, “I am always with you, but I am not your friend princess.” Replied Ezidra taking one of Shenu’s hands into his own. She smiled at him and took a step forward, “we finish this, and then everything will be ours. Get the soldiers ready, we must leave at once.” Ezidra smiled and nodded before making his way to the soldiers’ training rooms.

Meanwhile, in the city of Eronia, the angels were gathered in the great hall of Angelus, feasting and celebrating the eternal peace they had just persuaded the six leaders of Pirith with. At the entrance of the hall, walked in the six heirs, all firstborns to each angelic leader, to take over the duty which has been attached to their name at birth. The six heirs were, prince Nathaniel, firstborn to king Melikyal, to whom the duty of war and battle would be assigned. Lady Nariah, firstborn to lady Rehael, to whom the duty of peace and conciliation would be assigned. Lady Valoe, firstborn to sir Azrael, to whom the duty of weapon forgery would be assigned. Sir Chamuel, firstborn to sir Metaton, to whom the duty of education and wisdom would be assigned to. Sir Enian, firstborn to Lady Caphriel, to whom the duty of magic teaching would be assigned to. Lastly, sir Rahmael, firstborn to sir Gadreel, to whom the duty of mortal affairs and protection would be assigned to.

The six leaders stood before six thrones floating over the clear floors of the hall, each holding a golden cup in their hand adorned with a single sacred stone. Each stone is a different color, reflecting the aura and power of each angel to take over authority. The leaders, each facing their successor, said in one voice, commencing the ritual, “do you, pure loved light of existence, accept your role and vow to fulfil your duty at any cost?” The heirs all took a step forward to drink the fluid of Eos, a sacred fluid that runs in the city’s waterfall containing superior strength and magic. As each successor placed their mouth on their cup and started drinking, horrifying screams were heard just outside the hall followed by Shenu’s bolting in with her cursed flamed sword.

Coming back from dark memories, Nathaniel raised his head and removed his sword from the soft flying sand gently embracing the ends of his golden wings, he got up and stared quietly into the sky of Eronia that never turned dark. He spread his wings and flew over the ocean of angels and demons clashing swords like thunder, while still hovering in the sky, Nathaniel’s eyes hungrily searched for Shenu. He bolts in her direction, throwing the two of them in the middle of the battlefield, Shenu hurriedly holds her sword up to strike, right before Nathaniel yells, “I have a proposition.” She stood there bloodthirsty, glaring at Nathaniel. “Listen to me, I have a proposition, it shall satisfy your need and bring some peace and rest to our worlds. The leaders can sit at the grand table while the troops withdraw back.” He said, searching Shenu’s exhausted face. “Look at them, they have not stopped fighting a day, we are both losing so much, we are all tired Shenu.” Nathaniel continued. She looked around in despair, looked back at Nathaniel, and shot her hand in the air emerging a red beam of flames right into the sky. Nathaniel sighed in relief, shot his hand in the air and a beam of light filled the sky. Momentarily, at the sight of the two beams, the clanking of swords slowly receded, until nothing filled the space but utter silence and empty tired stares. With Nathaniel flying away to the hall of Thoryon, a hall centered between the two cities in which a table of twelve seats is placed divided by a shear veil of powerful magic. The veil was created using a combination of spells from both beings in which if one being crossed through it to the other side, it would be deemed to take the celestial form of that other side.

“I command my troops to return to Pirith at once, and my leaders shall follow me to Thoryon for a meeting.” Exclaimed Shenu already following Nathaniel’s trace. The soldiers standing in silence begin to fall back as the leaders make their way to the hall. Seated at the grand table, Nathaniel lays his hands firmly, “I have come up with a solution that is fair, a solution that puts end to the wasteful death of our beings.” Low murmurs emerge from both sides. “What possible solution might you come up with oh so great prince Nathaniel?” Asked Shenu mockingly, starting a faint laughter from her side. “A mortal.” Exclaimed Nathaniel with a soft sigh. Silence struck the room, as everyone stared at Nathaniel as if he were mad. “Nathaniel, how could a mortal possibly be a solution to end a war in a celestial realm that has been going on for ages?” Asked Lady Valoe. “Nathaniel you did not pull us out of battle to come say this to us now, have you?” Asked Lady Nariah. “Well Nathaniel, it seems your own kind thinks you have gone mad as well, it pleases me.” Chuckled Shenu. Nathaniel gets up from his seat, and with a high tone says, “whoever wins this war controls the humans, so why not let the nature of a human decide who should control it?” A loud laugh emerges echoing through the hall,”humans are but fragile dimmed beings who spend time from birth to death in leisure, material, and what your kind loves to call sin.” said Xorol, one of the demon leaders. “Humans can be kind, in fact many of them are, I should see why this is a terrible idea.” Replied Rahmael, angel of human protection. Sheenu extends her arm quieting the other demon leaders, “how do we settle this then Nathaniel?” She asked with a wicked smile. “We shall choose a mortal, and provide them with whatever needs and wants they have in their physical realm. Then we shall, at the very last day of their human experience, count the good deeds and the bad, whichever count exceeds, the responsible realm takes over.” Replied Nathaniel. “The only thing I have no figured yet is the means into which we shall provide those wants for the mortal, perhaps you can give us an idea Shenu.” He continued. Shenu sat silent for a minute before the wicked smile was drawn on her face again. “The mortal shall be given an enchanted book that can make any desire or wish a reality; therefore, at the last day of their life, we shall count to see if those wishes were used for good or evil. No being shall interfere with the decisions or affairs of this human, though I suppose knowing the nature of their kind, I must wish you angels good luck.” She said as she was ready to leave. Nathaniel looked at the leaders by his side, and upon their agreement he nodded to Shenu and left the hall.

Chapter Two: Too Good to be True

She could feel the warm sun on her cheeks, the soft sand beneath her feet and the sound of the ocean accompanied by a soft breeze. What a beautiful paradise it looks like, thought Sophia, as she made her way to the soft waves before her. Upon her feet barely touching the water, she could hear a faint sound in the background, but what was it, surely sounds familiar… oh it is only the alarm clock, thought Sophia. The alarm clock!! Sophia soon opened her eyes and fell off the bed, for it is only another regular Tuesday, and she has to be on her way to work. She runs off to put her uniform on and makes her way to “Quartz Cafe” where she has been working for seven years now. Sophia opens the cafe, starts brewing the coffee and setting the pastry display to start receiving morning customers.

“Morning dearest” a familiar sound came through the door, with Sophia’s back to the door she smiled softly and answered, “good morning Mrs. Dowl, I’ll have your breakfast ready in no time.” She approaches the old lady with a cup of green tea and a butter croissant and serves her table. “Oh Sophia, you always remember what I like.” Said Mrs. Dowl while gently patting Sophia on her hand. Sophia returns a gentle smile just as Eloise, her coworker, make her way into the cafe. “Morning Sophia, I was wondering if you could stay later today in the Cafe for an afternoon shift.” She exclaimed, “Eloise, I have been working here for seven years, have I worked anything other than a morning shift?” Chuckled Sophia. “No, no you actually have not… why have you not?” asked Eloise seemingly confused.

After her shift was over, Sophia made her way to the bus stop and took the 111 like she did everyday, but no one ever really knew where she went, for where could someone possibly go every single day around exactly the same time?

Sophia returned home that evening, and upon opening the door, found her cat sitting at the apartment window tapping it rather curiously. “Cleo, get down from there you silly cat,” said Sophia as she carried the cat down to the floor and went to make herself some tea. Strangely enough, Cleo was back at the window, tapping it again and strangely meowing. “Cleo, seriously there is nothing out there, even if there were a thief, you’d be the most valuable thing to take from this entire place,” said Sophia while attempting to move Cleo again, until she noticed something sitting at the edge of the window. She opened the window to take a closer look, “is that a…” exclaimed Sophia with a confused face, “a book?” She continued as she grabbed the little black book and took it inside.

The book had nothing special to it, a regular leather black cover with no title. She opens the book, but to her surprise it is entirely empty, a blank book with blank pages. Sophia opens the cover, and on the very first page it says “ask me for anything” handwritten in blank ink. Sophia takes a good stare at the page and bursts into uncontrollable laughing, “oh thank you Mr. Black Book sir, would you be so kind to make my tea for me then?” She continued laughing as she sets the book aside and makes way into her kitchen, only to freeze in utter terror, for there was a steaming hot cup of tea waiting for her on the kitchen counter.

Sophia froze for a good few minutes staring at the tea cup on her counter before she could say or think anything. “I did not make this cup of tea, it must have been Cleo…wait, cats cannot make tea, but then neither can books.” Sophia started pacing back and forth in her kitchen until she froze for a second and went back to the book, “it cannot be” she thought to herself. “Okay, alright, give me ten dollars,” she said and started to look around her, but nothing… “I knew it was the cat who made the tea,” she said while closing the book, only to scream at the discovery of a ten dollar bill between her palm and the cover of the book. “What is happening to me?” She thought, as she grabbed the phone to call her boss and excuse herself from work the next day, saying she was not feeling well. The next day, Sophia made her way in the morning to her closest friend’s house Sarah, ‘Sophia you look like you’ve seen a ghost, are you alright?” Asked Sarah wile looking worriedly at her friend. “You need to see this” said Sophia while grabbing the black book for her bag. She opens the cover and says, “give me ten dollars,” then looks back at Sarah who is now looking more concerned than Ever, gesturing her to wait. Sophia closes the book and checks her hand to find a ten dollar bill sitting there, “Oh…wait, did that just…?” asked Sarah is astonishment, “Yes, Sarah, yes!” Replied Sophia with a confused grin on her face.

“So you’re telling me that you’ve found a book, mysteriously on your window edge, that can make any wish come true?” Asked Sarah watching Sophia silently nod. “Alright, what have you asked of it so far?” She eagerly asked again. “Well, ten dollars, twenty actually now.” Replied Sophia hesitantly, “that’s it?” asked Sarah shocked, “well no, no… I also asked for tea.” Answered Sophia with a joking smile. “Oh Sophia come on, you’ve lived in struggle your entire life and you’ve found a magic book, only to ask for twenty bucks and…tea?” Exclaimed Sarah. “My love, you change your life with it, be happy, pamper yourself.” She continued while giving Sophia an embrace. “Oh my, it’s already 1 O’clock, you know I have to catch the bus.” Said Sophia hurriedly. “I know love, we’ll catch up later.”

Chapter 3: Secrets Revealed

Sophia makes her way out the front door of her newly purchased mansion, wearing a breathtaking sequin night dress and heads to her car where the chauffeur opens the door for her. She walks with Sarah to the front door of a club where she is let in apart from the long waiting line, looking absolutely dazzling, all eyes feasted on her entrance. Sophia is just then gently patted on the shoulder, she looks back to find a tall, sharp looking attractive man standing before her. “Oh my” she said with a faint voice, “pardon?” said the man, “oh hi, I said.” Replied Sophia nervously. “Would you like to dance?” He asked, Sophia looked back at Sarah, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she chuckled. Before she even knew it, Sophia was slow dancing with a stranger in the middle of dance club, gazing into his eyes, their hands touching so gently. “I’m Sophia,” she said with a gentle smile, “And I’m Eli,” he replied returning the same gentle smile.

Sophia opens her eyes the next morning to a gentle touch on her cheek, she smiles gently at the sight of Eli beside her, but her eyes suddenly gaze wide open and she jumps out of bed to get dressed. “What it is? What’s wrong? Did I do something to bother you?” Exclaimed Eli utterly confused. “What? No, no it’s just 1:30 already and I must leave, I’m so late,” answered Sophia seemingly so disturbed as she hurriedly ran out through the door. Eli, left confused and worried, decided to follow her, driving behind her until she reached her destination. Sophia gets out of the car and runs into the “Davidson Institution for Mental Health”, followed by appalled Eli into the hallways until she goes into one of the rooms. Eli approaches the side of the door and finds Sophia kneeling down on one foot beside a wheelchair with a young lady in it. “I’m so sorry I’m late my love, I’ve missed you so much,” she said while grabbing the young girl’s hand and kissing it. The young lady doesn’t say anything, only squeezes on Sophia’s hand, staring out the window. Sophia bows her head down and weeps quietly.

On her way out, Eli waits in front of her car, Sophia approaches him quietly and before she can say anything, he reaches out and embraces her warmly. Sitting on a park bench, Sophia looks at Eli sadly, “she’s my sister, my younger and only one.” She says faintly. Eli grabs her hand, “whenever you are ready.” he says reassuringly. “we had a really bad childhood, our father was an alcoholic and sometimes he would lose his temper. One day he was so angry, he hit Ava so hard on her back, they thought he got the spine, but she simply fell into shock and stopped talking, until it’s like she ceased to exist.” Said Sophia with tears running down her face as she lay her head on Eli’s shoulder.

Back in Pirith, Shenu sits on her throne staring at the dark mountains across her view. “Your highness, a word.” says one of the serving demons. Shenu nods in her usual stiffness, “the book has landed with a mortal, your highness, and I believe you’d be pleased that you were right.” He excitedly exclaimed, Shenu’s gaze widened, “tell me more Obal,” she eagerly stated. “The mortal comes from a dark history your highness, her childhood stained with pain and agony. Abuse, poverty, lack of affection, the human knows no light in her life.” He said smiling, “then she will fill her life with all she lacked, only some time until I rule every thing that breathes and not that exists.” Exclaimed Shenu with a confident smile.

“Nathaniel, what are we to do.” Asked Nariah worriedly, I’m starting to fear your decisions might not work in our favor.” She continued. “Worry not Nariah, she has much light and love within her.” He answered, “Yes but, what good is it if she does not choose them, she has known a great deal of darkness, and now the sibling. She hasn’t even tried using the book to heal her sister, and what happens when she finds that such magic does not work?” Exclaimed Nariah worriedly, “Lady Nariah, we have chosen the way of the universe, and I am sure that it shall work the way it must, whether we believe it to be our right way or not. Just remember, there is no light without darkness.”

Chapter 4: Mysterious Ways

She could feel the warm sun on her cheeks, the soft sand beneath her feet and the sound of the ocean accompanied by a soft breeze. What a beautiful paradise it looks like, thought Sophia, as she made her way to the soft waves before her. Wanting to put her foot in the water, a dark hand emerges from between the waves and tries to grab her. Sophia wakes up panting and screaming, waking Eli up who in turns hold her right away. “Sophia, you’ve been having nightmares for months now, and you’ve been so down lately, why is that?” He asks feeling rather upset. Sophia doesn’t say anything and lays back down with tears shedding down her face, only to get back up and leave the room. The next morning, she finds herself standing in front of a peculiar little store called “Madame Lily’s Store”, she walks in reluctantly to be met with a young beautiful woman, white skin, black hair and rosy lips, smiling gently at Sophia. “Come in, follow me.” Said the woman with a rather caring but firm tone. “What do you have in that bag?” Asked the lady, Sophia, appalled reaches in and gives the woman the book.

“Who gave this to you?” Asked Lily, “no one, it appeared in my home one day.” Answered Sophia. Lily examines the book then looks worriedly at Sophia, “have you been feeling, unhappy lately love?” Asked Lily, “terribly madame, I have been having nightmares, I cry all the time, it feels as if…” “as if the world around you is dying.” Interrupted Lily. “Sophia, what you have in your possession is called a judgement book.” She continued, “a what?” Asked Sophia, “every period of time, the world ends as we know it, and that comes from battles that don’t happen here with us, but in the spiritual court of existence. You have been chosen Sophia, to save the world from dying a much terrible death.” Said Lily. “Me? Chosen? How could I possibly save anyone, I cannot save myself.” Exclaimed Sophia angrily. “You have had this book for how long now, what have you done with it? When was the last time you used it for someone other than yourself child?” Asked Lily smiling at Sophia who’s eyes widen. “I asked it over and over to heal my sister, it wouldn’t, all it does is bring money, material, but nothing important.” she yelled out. “ You cannot be foolish enough to think you mess with free will, or such consequences of the universe my dear, whatever deeds you do, happen through you, because of you and to you. All you are experiencing now is but the crops you have watered; however, you can and must water others. Now you must leave, you know what to do.” Said Lily, signaling to Sophia to leave.

Sophia leaves the store, stares blankly at the street and makes way to her sister, upon arriving, she sits on the floor beside Ava, “Ava, if you could right now have a chance at a normal life, would you take it?” Asked Sophia with tears running down her face. Ava squeezed Sophia’s hand and for the first time in years turned her eyeball towards her sister. Sophia, both shocked but happy, kisses Ava repeatedly, “I’m so sorry I’ve been so blind Ava.”

At the Hall of Thoryon, the twelve leaders of both realms are gathered at the table. “So Nathaniel, it seems the demons will have to rule eventually, you should not have placed such a bet on such creatures.” Said Shenu wickedly; however, only met with a smile from Nathaniel and the angels. “Why do you smile so foolishly? Certainly I’d like to be entertained as well.” She exclaimed angrily.

Rahmael, the angel of human affairs, stands up and speaks so fondly, “the human has found the light from within the dark.” Before he could finish, Shenu interrupted, “you know Rahmael, I always thought you a fool, but not to this extent. The girl could solve world hunger and still not pay her deeds back, her soul fell into darkness and sin and fed on it like a starving child.” Nathaniel invited Rahmael to be seated, “in both realms we are taught the worldly values of all, and therefore we all know that there is a supreme deed above all that can never be met, measured or valued. That Shenu, would be?” Asked Nathaniel. ‘Oh please Nathaniel, sacrificing oneself for another, yes, but it doesn’t apply here and not in this…” Shenu suddenly fell silent, staring at Nathaniel in terror.

Sophia’s last wish on the book reads as follows, “take my health, put into my sister’s body, give me her pain, and I shall live whatever I have left of my days in her place.” Said Nathaniel, “she has also left quite the decent life for Ava. I believe under the laws of our divine realm, the angels are in favor to rule all realms as well as the physical realm of the mortals.” Exclaimed Nathaniel happily.

She could feel the warm sun on her cheeks, the soft sand beneath her feet and the sound of the ocean accompanied by a soft breeze. What a beautiful paradise it looks like, thought Sophia, as she made her way to the soft waves before her. She puts her feet close the water and is welcomed by gentle waves glistening around her, the echoes of laughter filled the skies and she was surrounded by warmth and beauty.

Back in Eronia, the angels are preparing for the celebration and uniting the divine realms under one law of love and light. The angels are all gathered in the city facing the veil that separates the demons in Pirith, who must also attend from their city to swear their peace and loyalty to the new rulers. Nathaniel’s eyes meets Shenu’s, who in turn nods silently to him, and as the six angel leaders are celebrated new leaders of the world, Ehobal approaches Shenu and whispers, “We’ve done it, we can reverse the magic of the veil now.” Shenu’s grin grows wide as she watches Nathaniel wave in pride to the crowd.