At World's End

by Alice Montrose

Prologue

The Lord sat upon His throne and He watched the mortal world as He had done forever. He saw civilizations rise and fall, other gods rising to take His place. Yet He said nothing. Finally the Earth crumbled, only to rise again in the new Dark Ages of humanity. He sighed once more, but He said and did nothing.

But then a man came who shook the entire world known, so gruesome in his hatred and in his power that even the Heavens were contaminated with fear of him. And this man was called Desirus.

Desirus decided that there was no place for any other god but him, and began shaping all religions in his own ways, using them to master those whom he had enslaved, using necromancy and destruction as his tools.

One day, the Lord finally decided that it was time to do something against this man. And He called upon His legions of angels, to go on Earth and defeat this Desirus and show the world His Glory. And as the angels tried to descend, they found they could not. For the world had forgotten them, as it had forgotten the Almighty Lord. And without belief, there would be no power, and no way to interfere with the mortal world.

He was pained by this, for He was considered all-powerful and all-knowing. And mourning for the loss of humanity, which He had created in his image, he sat upon his throne and became silent.

The Legions of the Sky were at a loss about what to do, but finally He spoke. He summoned the most powerful of His creations, the Archangels, in front of Him. And He told them, "Of you, my most powerful children, one must descend upon Earth. For though humanity no longer believes in Heaven and angels, some still believe in the virtues you, my archangels, represent. Of you, which will go to earth and deliver this man Desirus to Justice?"

All backed down in fear, safe for one. Michael, the one He loved now above all, spoke, "I will go, my Lord, and show the unfaithful Your Glory. And I will restore faith by slaying this man in Your name."

"Oh, My beloved child," He shook His head sadly, "of all, you will be the one who has to leave Me. For in order to accomplish this task you take upon yourself, you will have to give your own life. And there will be no return if you fail."

But Michael looked up at him, golden hair a halo around his face, and he sang a hymn of love and praise. And he shined in the Heavenly Light as he replied, "I will do whatever I am required to do, my Lord, for Your Glory and Triumph."

So the archangel donned his precious armour of light, which he had not worn since the Heavenly War had ended eons ago, and the mantle of glory that marked him as the highest ranking in the Heavenly Legions. And thus he descended on Earth, as the messenger of Battle and War, to see his Creator's will be done, going straight to Desirus' palace.

It was a building of incredible wealth, and the man who had styled himself as God stood in his throne hall surrounded by his advisers and necromancers and magicians. At the sight of the glorious being, Desirus demanded who he was and what he wanted. Speaking boldly, Michael told him that the hour of judgement for his deeds had come, and that he was there to deliver him, in the name of the Lord Almighty, Creator of the World and Ruler of Heavens and Earth.

The man laughed, declaring he was the only god there was. "You, who claim to have come from one who stands higher than me," he spoke cruelly, "shall know the wrath of the true and only God of Earth!"

Desirus summoned his armies and his necromancers to do battle with the one calling himself ‘an angel'. Many of his soldiers perished in this task, but Desirus cared little for the life of his subjects. Through trickery and evil magics, he finally managed to capture Michael, and the archangel was dragged before Desirus' throne in chains.

The man looked down at the most brave and loved of all angels, and grinned viciously. "You have witnessed my power, and now you will be an example to all my people, and to those who dare oppose me. There is no other god except me, and the world shall see this clearly, and worship me eternally. For I am the Dark Lord and I have made Earth my kingdom."

Desirus ordered Michael to be put in a cage placed on the highest tower of his castle, exposed to the forces of nature. There the angel would be kept, and word was sent throughout the world that there was no other ruler, for even this unknown ‘Lord of Heavens' was powerless in front of Desirus.

In Heaven, the Lord cried bitter tears for his child and what he would have to endure.

To Be Continued