Chapter 1

Part 4: Hell on Earth

Chapter 1

Both Matius and Lemionas look at each other as the snow continues to fall in the graveyard. “So…what’s the first step?” Matius questions. “First, you must be able to control your body. To do that you must be balanced”, Lemionas replies. “To start your training I will take you to a suitable place”, he states approaching Matius placing his hand on his shoulder. “Now this might feel strange”, Lemionas explains closing his eyes. Matius then looks in surprise as a wind starts to gather around his feet. His cloak starts blowing in the wind, snow circling them. Before Matius can reply both disappear from the graveyard to who knows where.

On a large vast lake wind starts gather as Matius and Lemionas reappear. Matius takes several steps forwards noticing the large lake, light shinning on the calm water. In confusion Matius turns back to Lemionas. “Where are we?” Matius questions. “We are in the wildlands, near to where heaven is”, Lemionas replies. “I don’t understand why a lake?”, Matius questions. Lemionas walks ahead dipping his hand into the water. “The angels of heaven train best when their surroundings are not distracting to them. This lake of calm and silence is the best place to begin” Matius watches Lemionas rise back up. “Are you talking about the water?”, Matius questions as Lemionas walks around him. “Water is calm, free flowing and peaceful, just like us angels. It’s the perfect place to gain balance of yourself. Like those of hell you are rash in your words without thought. You need to find inner calm”.
  “So what do I need to do first?”, Matius questions looking out to the lake. “First I want you to walk to the centre of the lake”, Lemionas replies. Matius looks in confusion, “walk to the centre of the lake? How am I supposed to do that?.. It’s water”. Lemionas closes his eyes sighing to himself walking onto the water in demonstration.  “I’m surprised that they didn’t teach you these things during the academy”, Lemionas criticising hell. His footsteps send ripples across the lake, colliding with one another. “To be able to walk onto the lake you must feel the lake. It’s surface the water, it’s calmness try to become one with it”.

Matius looks at Lemionas before he walks towards the water, looking at it nervously. “Don’t be nervous”, Lemionas reassures sensing his tension, “Just try to feel out the feeling of the water”. Matius looks back at the water again, lowering his foot into it. He presses his foot gently into the water as it tickles his foot, sending ripples. Closing his eyes Matius imagines the water, flowing down rivers, water which makes the oceans and seas. Finally Matius’s foot settles onto the water, confident Matius brings his other foot into the lake resting on the surface.
  Lemionas watches pleased as Matius walks further onto the lake, “Well done I knew you could do it. You just needed confidence”. Lemionas using his magic creates two large balls of water from the lake, swirling in his hands. “Now I want you to reach your hands out and take control of these balls”. Lemionas using his magic sends the balls of water over to Matius. He reaches towards the balls uneasily gripping them. “So what do I do with these?” Matius questions looking at the balls of water circling in both his hands. “You need to keep control of the balls”, Lemionas replies, “make sure you maintain their shape and your own balance” Matius nods in understanding, looking at both balls.

The lake suddenly starts rippling as Matius starts to move uncontrollably. “Keep your balance!!” Lemionas shouts watching Matius. One of the balls loses water , catching Matius off guard. Suddenly he loses balance falling into the lake. Lemionas closes his eyes, sighing to himself. Lemionas walks over to the edge as Matius swims to the shore. “How an I keep my balance when the surface keeps moving?!”, Matius demands. “I never said it would be easy”, Lemionas replies,  “It will take time now do it again” Again Matius goes to the centre of the lake again holding the two new orbs of water, “try closing your eyes, concentrate on what’s around you!”, Lemionas shouts. Matius closes his eyes once more feeling the water rippling around his feet, he then tries focusing on his hands holding the balls of water.  Again the water starts to ripple on the surface, this time however Matius keeps his composure. Lemionas watching in satisfaction, “Good now that you have control over yourself. The first part of training is done”.
  “So what’s the next test?” Matius questions watching Lemionas walk towards the lake.  “It’s simple, here let me show you” Matius walks off the lake approaching Lemionas. Then Lemionas grips Matius’s shoulder before transporting both from the lake.

In a vast area with snow and blizzard winds. Suddenly both Matius and Lemionas appear, Matius dropping to his feet. Immediatly Matius starts to shiver looking towards Lemionas.“Now this test is about survival, being adaptable to the environment and those around it”, Lemionas states. “Just where is this place?”, Matius questions breathing heavily looking around the scene deep in snow, visibility poor “You and those in hell are aware of the wildlands of the desert, close to your hom. For us the wildlands near us are moutains, snow and ice” The wind continues to blow making Matius shiver. “Why didn’t we know about this before!?”, he questions grimacing in the cold. “Because no one survives when they come here”, Lemionas announces, “The beasts, the environment no one is prepared for it”. “So what must I do?”, Matius questions looking out to the vast wilderness.
  Lemionas looks around the before pointing out towards a silhouette of a mountain in the distance, “I want you to climb it… reach the top” Matius looks upwards before quickly facing Lemionas bemused. “H... How do you expect me to climb that?!” ,Matius demands in anger. “Simple I will give you these garments”, Lemionas replies tossing over furred clothing and a knife to Matius, “They will offer you some protection from the cold. As for the beasts... well you’ll have to use your survival instincts for them”. Matius laughs out in sarcasm. “Is that it?” Matius shouts in anger, “how do you expect me to go out there?!” . “Angels have come here and survived in these conditions, “Lemionas replies disappointed by his reaction,  “I’m sure you can to. Now if you don’t have any questions I’ll meet you at the top”. Before Matius can reply Lemionas suddenly disappears leaving Matius alone with the cold icy winds. Shivering to himself Matisu trudges his way through the snow towards the mountain peak.

Matius continues to walk through the artic conditions breathing heavily, treading through the snow, the wind howling past his ears. Using a stick as support he hoists himself up, as the land starts to steepen. The visibility starts to worsen desperately trying to see through the snow. Up ahead he notices something motionless in the deep snow, it’s fur barely visible to the moving wind. Curious Matius moves towards it seeing a beast with it’s neck slashed, it’s fur damp from the blood. Realising its dead Matius kneels into the snow, moving his hand gently against its fur. With an idea Matius takes out his knife from his waist and starts cutting through the fur. With the fur cut he ties it around his legs feet and hands for comfort and warmth. He looks back down at the now skinned beast thankful as he continues his way up.
  Trudging through more snow Matius looks upwards, realising he’s getting closer. He pushes onwards until he reaches a cavern offering some warmth from the wind. Without hesitation he walks inside, rubbing his hands together breathing out puffs of air. He looks back outside once more before venturing deeper into the cavern.

Inside Matius notices many Stalactite and Stalagmites in the cavern, on the roofing and walls there are crystals imbedded into the surface. In wonder Matius continues walking up through the cavern, surprised how large it. He continues walking noticing several dead creatures of sort scattered on the floor, somewhat worried. Matius kneels down investigating, unaware of movement behind him. He then dresses his finger into the dried blood working out it’s age. “Several hours ago”, Matius utters to himself as something drops down behind him, eyes gleaming. Matius suddenly feels the breath from the furred beast behind him, spinning around in defence unsheathing his knife.
  The furred beast looks at Matius with intent it’s teeth bare, behind it several others of it’s pack move into position leaping from the surroundings. Matius starts to back away before bursting into a run as the pack gives chase.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reaching the top Matius collapses onto the snow relieved, the wind howling all around him. “So you made it, I thought you would”, A voice proclaims.  Matius raises himself up seeing Lemionas smiling. “I thought you could do it, although I did think you’d get here quicker”, Lemionas explains. “Well I was…held up”, Matius replies in the wind, “fighting these…these animals. Lemionas looks at Matius noticing a large tooth and new fur hanging from his waist. “Yes so it seems you have been”, Lemionas replies, ”It’s good that you’re using your environment to help you. In a fight, being oblivious to advantages could very well cost you your life”. Matius looks at Lemionas realising something, “how did you get up here so quick?”  Angel elites have come here for training and several have become legends because of it. I myself have gone travelling in these parts of the wildlands, it helps me mentally and physically.
  Matius looks frustrated, “Okay so what do we do?” he demands. Lemionas turns to Matius, “Now that you are ready we will go try and get help for earth”. Matius snaps back at him, “Why can’t I attack him now?. It’s what you trained me for right?”. Lemionas looks back in frustration, “Look! I know how you feel, but charging in headfirst will get you killed. What we need to do is plan and prepare for what’s to come”. Matius turns to Lemionas, “so… what’s the plan?” somewhat frustrated. “We will go to heaven in a week’s time”, Lemionas states, “The Angelic Council are the only ones we can talk to, and the only one’s who can help with this situation. But for now we will wait until that time comes, when a week has passed meet me on the beach South from here”. 

Lemionas grips Matius’s shoulder once more teleporting both of the wildlands arriving back on earth, outside matius’s hideout. “Now I will return to heaven and ask for an audience with the council, in the meantime I want you to not get into trouble”, Lemionas asks, “Don’t get involved In human issues, I need you strong for what’s ahead”. Matius gives a nod of understanding as Lemionas takes several steps back as wind gathers around him. “I will see you in a week!”, Lemionas shouts as the wind starts to pick up. Matius watches Lemionas disappear before looking to his hideout, walking inside relieved.
  As the days pass Matius remains in his abandoned home, away from unwanted eyes. He can’t help but think of the future, he was going to get revenge at last but at what cost? Matius wakes up once more realising six days have passed, looking up to the sun high above. At night Matius uneasily lifts himself from his chair before flying into the air. Matius flies above the building at night, their lights gleaming brilliantly in the night. Matius gives a smile, the wind going past his wings. He continues flying going past countryside, seeing nothing but patches of fields and the odd car lights going along the road.  After several hours Matius looks up ahead seeing the sea in the distance closing in on his destination
 After several more hours Matius, comes closer to the sea, hearing the sound of the seagulls and the waves gently crashing again the cliffs. Down below Matius notices the beach disserted, his destination in sight he swerves down to the beach.  He lands on the sand, hearing the crashing of the waves. He looks out to sea watching the waves crashing gently going back and forth.

“So you arrived”

Matius turns around casually seeing Lemionas behind him, walking to him. “I’m glad you’ve come”, Lemionas replies. The sound of waves crashing behind them. “But why meet here?” Matius asks in confusion, “there’s nothing here”. Turning to the sea. Lemionas gives a smile walking ahead of Matius going towards the sea, “Did you know that we have a means of coming here, from heaven?” Matius looks in confusion as Lemionas starts walks into the sea. “Are you saying there is a way to get to heaven, through earth?”, Matius questions,  “Surely you could teleport there?”. Lemionas continues walking into the sea, the water reaching his feet foaming. “Yes I could”, Lemionas replies, “however I’m taking you to heaven with me. Which is why we must go this way”. Lemionas stops walking looking ahead into the sea, raising his arms in the air. From his hand a spark of blue light goes ahead, shimmering above the water. The blue light then pauses in the air before disappearing into the waves. Suddenly blue light shines from down below catching Matius’s attention.
   With the spell done Lemionas ventures deeper into the sea, sand sticking to his feet. Matius watches on as Lemionas takes more steps forward as the water parts, allowing Lemionas to walk further. Lemionas remains untouched by the water as it flows past him now in waist depth. “This way is perhaps the most common of us angels to travel, through the calmness and purity of water. For heaven is home to much water and beauty”,  Lemionas utters the water now head height. He ventures deeper, fish look at him in panic swimming away. He then reaches a stone like tablet with angelic symbols etched into it. Smiling to himself Lemionas turns around looking to where Matius would be. “Come on Matius!”. Lemionas assures from deep in the sea.

Matius looks at Lemionas in madness before looking at the water and sand by his feet. Cautiously he walks slowly in the path of the untouched sand. He continues walking deeper, looking at the water by both his sides in fascination. He watches the fish swim past as he walks towards Lemionas. “Matius you need to hurry up, can’t keep this up forever!”, Lemionas shouts out. Matius then quickens the pace, more fish swimming past him.  “That’s it! You’re nearly there!”, Lemionas shouts out giving encouragement. Matius reaches the stone tablet, as Lemionas pats Matius on the back. With Matius safe the waves close up around them both, now encircled with a wall of water. “Now comes the next part”, utters Lemionas.
   Lemionas places his hand on the tablet urging Matius to do the same. “now Matius close your eyes with me, become one as the shadows”, Lemionas utters. Matius shuts his eyes, seeing nothing but blackness. Wind suddenly starts to move around him, blowing in his face. The wind then gets stronger; he can hear his cape flapping in the background. Matius’s eyes start to shake, in irritation. “Whatever you do Matius, Don’t open your eyes!”, Lemionas exclaims... The wind suddenly starts to calm down till there is nothing but silence. “You can open your eyes now”, Lemionas instructs. Matius slowly opens his eyes in complete new surroundings.

“Welcome to heaven”