Grand Angel

Chapter 49: Occupied State

Ash-Shaytān was walking through the fields that continued to be worked endlessly by the Humans.

The Red had left them clouded in pure darkness. Barely able to see so much as a foot in front of them.

They were unable to see Ash-Shaytān's twitching eyes or face. His trembling hands shrouded by shadow, allowing the other Humans to not know of their great leader suffering from mental and physical exhaustion.

Ash-Shaytān stopped in his tracks, a small amount of dust and dirt kicking up as he did.

He reached his frail hand out, a small fire appearing from thin air.

It very quickly grew larger and brighter, making more and more of the darkness disappear. Bright orange and yellow are washing over people more and more. Turning the entire field into a light show.

The Humans all looked frail and weak. Living skeletons barely covered in flesh.

Their all black eyes had been turned into pale white orbs of nothingness. Teeth barely hanging onto gums and thin hair preparing to blow off of their heads. Their skin was all faded and a gray, ghoulish tone.

One turned to stare at Ash-Shaytān, letting out an airy breath.

"Adapa?" Ash-Shaytān asked.

He continued to stare blindly, his head misshapen from an expanded brain. He couldn't even speak due to how weak he was.

Ash-Shaytān reached his free hand out, softly gripping his head.

"Gifted with intelligence, and yet no way to show it. Quite the sad fate if you ask me. I guess I must rid you of your burden. Show you the mercy that my Father would never give you." Ash-Shaytān said softly.

Adapa had a look of confusion on his face, as if his mind was unable to comprehend what was happening.

Ash-Shaytān continued to keep his hand around Adapa's head, who suddenly began to fade away into dust.

Dust that flew away in the cool wind washing over the barren wasteland.

Ash-Shaytān once again stood alone as the fire became larger.

The sky was beginning to fade.

The dark clouds of blackness shifting and fading into more subtle hues.

Ash-Shaytān looked up in order to watch, a smile coming across his face.

The ground became slightly more illuminated, revealing even more of the ghoulish bodies spread all across the land.

Silhouettes of buildings against black darkness in the distance, creating a black horizon every direction he looked.

Plants and fruits and vegetables all withered weeds of thin branches and little else.

Ash-Shaytān closed his eyes.

Black rain began to fall, growing more and more intense in seconds until it was a full downpour.

Red lightning shot across the sky as Ash-Shaytān let the water run down his body. He ran his hands through his long and thin hair, his face suddenly deaged and looking young and refreshed. His hair grew thicker and cleaner as his skin covering his body all fixed itself back to a normal looking figure.

The Red came high over the horizon, bathing everything in the intense light.

Revealing a massive expanse with tall buildings, monuments, temples, and statues. All made of hardened rock crafted and changed by hand.

"Welcome back! It is glorious to witness your return!" Ash-Shaytān shouted loud and proud with his arms outstretched and a manic look on his face.