Aekhem

IV

"Well done!" a voice deep in the darkness said "Bravo!"

Dulpnaer didn't turn to look, he knew he had been there all the time standing in the darkness, and even if there were not any shadows he would have created them. He felt a chill crawling behind him on his back and moving all the way to the tip of his wings. Unwillingly, he fell on his knees, facing him without looking at his fire red eyes.

"Master, if I knew you were coming, I would have prepared a dignifying welcome, worthy of your presence" Dulpnaer said in a servile voice.

"Shut up!. Don't waste my time with useless flattery. Get up!" Liknal made a gesture and Dulpnaer regain his will.

He got off his knees and still facing him without looking at him.

It was not as he couldn't it was out of fear. Fear of Liknal's stare made him feel; rage, hate, lust, destruction, chaos. Dulpnaer knew he felt all of that and looking at Liknal's eyes could bring it out and the result could end up in a feeling of a need to kill and destroy.

"We must hurry, Aekhem is hurt and therefore; weak. There are two with him but if they reach Yorkar there will be more. You must get to them, kill his friends and get the prison's location" Liknal ordered.

"Master, Yorkar is a myth, it does not exist ..." he felt his head being pushed inside his skull by an invisible giant sledge hammer, he couldn't finish his sentence.

"Do you dare to question what I have said?. Yorkar does exist you imbecile. Mankind Protectors. They are the Chaos Warriors. Why do you think we cannot dominate the inferior race?. Do you think human could do it all by themselves if they didn't have protectors?. Do you assume that by not intervening directly with humans was enough for them to make it? Do you actually think that by sending Messengers helped by Aekhem while growing and developing was enough to help them make it?. Of course not!. Behind all of your good intentions without help but only of one renegade hybrid bastard, behind all of that are the Yorkars. Always helping humankind, regardless of Messengers, Aekhem and good intentions. They control the chaos that I cannot impose. When I'm certain their destruction is imminent, a "miracle" as they call it, happens. Always to their favor. Do you believe they can actually make it on their own?"

The words were as strong outside as inside. The intense pain ended as Liknal finished his speech.

"Master, I will end Aekhem's friends lives, then I will obtain the prison's location from him and then I will finish him myself, he has existed long enough. And when I am done with him I will personally deal with the Yorkars" he was almost gasping as he spoke.

"Listen to what I am saying to you. You will do exactly as I have ordered you. Do not take initiative. Idiots like yourself that think or think they can think, are the ones responsible for me losing the war and that shall not happen again, ever. What I am offering you is more than you deserve. You will free Tusuer and bring him before me. None of you have what Tusuer has and he is the only one capable of getting this part of my plan done. I will give you the Celestial, the Earth and the humans belong to me. I will deal with the Yorkars in time, my time. Let's say that will keep me amused for a few millenniums. Any deviation from this plan and I will take the Celestial and Earth and that is something you do not want to see happening. That is how it will be done and I am not asking for your opinion, I am ordering you to get it done" Liknal was enjoying this moment and Dulpnaer knew.

Dulpnaer's plans were exactly the opposite from Liknal's. He would free Tusuer and Tusuer would take Liknal's place. Tusuer would never allow a fallen, defeated, coward and treacherous Angel to control everything and decide over everything and everybody. Tusuer would get rid of Liknal's apparent courage. He still remembered how Liknal kneeled before the council, asking for forgiveness and blaming others for his act of rebellion. He still remembered how all the Angels with him were crying and begging when they were casted away.

All those miserable Angels did not deserve the Council's forgiveness, they should have been eliminated. But with their wisdom and unlimited love towards their brothers all they got as punishment was to be cast away and banned from the

Celestial forever.

Time had made Liknal stronger, he had developed powers that he'd never seen in any Angel, and his strength grew as humans hate and ambition grew.

"Master" he said diligently "I will do exactly as you ask of me to do. Please, release me. My head, I cannot see, too much pain, please, I beg of you" almost fainting.

Liknal released him of the mental pressure he had on top of his head.

Dulpnaer walked slowly, weak and still in pain towards the big door.

There were thousands of Angels waiting to find out what was happening inside but did not dare to go in. Kohnets orders were precise and clear.

"Brother, Kohnet has confessed and has asked me to be part of a group to free Tusuer and take over the Celestial" he waited until the crowds stop asking him all kinds of questions, which he did not answer "Of course, I have refused such atrocity and act of rebellion against all of us. When I told him I was going to let the Council know about his plan he felt threatened and attack me. Fortunately, this two guards were with me and in trying to stop him, he was eliminated, he's gone now. He fought knowing I would never allow such rebellion, not again, not while I am in charge".

There was yelling, threats, a lot of them clearly say they did not or could not believe what Dulpnaer was saying, a few pulled their swords out ready to fight but when the two guards confirmed what Dulpnaer was saying happened exactly as he said it.

Reluctantly, they put their swords away, and still did not believe what they were told but if two or more confirmed it there was nothing they could do.

A lot of them flew out of the Celestial in discontent.

Dulpnaer started talking about his plans now and he was accepted by the ones left.

Liknal was listening to everything from the room behind the door, his eyes started to fade away into the darkness.

Not only humans, but the Celestial will be his as well. He was sure of that now.

A fetid odor was left floating in the air after he disappearedin smoke, dust and ashes.2