CHAPTER 2

Days have gone by since they last talked or spoke about the incident in the court room. But he waited, patiently, like a dog waiting for their master. He waited. Not with eagerness. Something within him wished the High Lord would forget about him. He had prayed silently for everything to return to normal. He was among the Lowliest. He was born to be insignificant. Violence was not part of his being. The true Judge had made him and his brothers to be simple. They were simple creatures and not some weapon of doom.

He turned to the other side of the wall, but this time, holding out his wrist to the bright light on the ceiling. The branding on his hands was still strange. His search in the Library of light had been futile, until Storm, his brother, had told him not to waste his time. The markings on his wrist were written in human's language. They were written for humans. Yes, that was what the Champion of death entails. You kill humans and make the dark hole full.

I can't do this. No, I can't.

Thunder heaved, trying to remain calm. The feeling in his stomach was beginning to make a strange bubble. Even though he would not visit the Orector for another five human days, he hated it whenever the bubble begins to form. It always leaves him with a hazy and foggy visions. And he hated himself when that happens. If only the Faithful were here. Perhaps the True Judge would have prevented, Lord Ruin, from ascending to the place of high lord. None of this would have happened. The father of lies and the departed would not have obtained the key to destroy. But now, everything being the way they were, has brought nothing but sadness to everyone.

"Is anyone home?"

Thunder lifted his head to the voice of the new comer. The blue opal that ran from the side of its waist to its legs, made Thunder stood from his bed, in awe. This was no ordinary creature. It was the High Lord's Queen. Its skin was almost like a jelly and held one of the most brilliant colors in the multiverse. The color of the rainbow.

"Greetings" Thunder bowed.

The Queen ignored him. It walked towards the landings and picked up a chalice from the wine rack. And without permission, it filled the cup with some of the fine wine from goodness spring.

"How ironic," The Queen said as it took the first sip, "Even the Departed still needs the wine of the Faithful, to stay alive. The True Judge is indeed just and fair in all his ways. Blessed be his name."

"Blessed be his name" Thunder raised his brow as he repeated the words reluctantly. Since the fall, he has never seen or heard a Departed, call the True Judge, just and fair. Not openly though. And not from the Queen.

The way she held her posture reminded Thunder of some humans, living in a castle. She was not just the apple of Lord Ruin's eyes, but also the daughter of Hades, god of the underworld, and heir to the Grand throne of Limbo.

"What brings your majesty here?"

"Get over it," The Queen rolled her smoky eyes, "you know I hate titles."

"Before you became Queen, yes." Thunder nodded.

The True Judge had created them together. And at a time, they had been best of friends, until evil was found in the Queen and the rest of the Departed.

"I still do." The Queen said as it returned the Chalice to the rack. "And you know that,"

"Well," Thunder shrugged, "Still haven't said why you are here."

There was silence as the Queen stared blankly towards the window. There was no sun, or moon or stars. Yet the light that blaze the entire place was warm and gave a peace that's so alluring. No one knows the source, but there was a time when most creatures believe the source of light to be from the True Judge himself. But after the fall, no one knows. Some even said that the acolyte Angels were the ones bearing the living light. It was hard to say. And the Departed are too busy making their plans for the great war to care about the light source. Not even the scholars among them was diving into the topic. They have a greater purpose, or mission as they always put it.

"It fits you perfectly" The Queen said, returning her attention to the room.

Thunder rubbed his wrist. For the passing moment, speaking with the Queen had made him forget all about the markings and the High Lord's madness.

"I came to make sure the rumors were true." The Queen added.

"Rumors, among the Departed?" Thunder shook his head, "I've known the departed with many things, but spreading rumor Is not one of them."

"You are right there. The tales alone is not the reason I am here."

There was something about the way she had said those words. Something strange and…

"I hope it has nothing to do with me?"

"That's the point," The Queen laughed and walked towards him, "I was glad when I heard that Lord Ruin choose you as his weapon. It means we are going to do things differently."

"We? I don't understand."

"Let me explain," The Queen said and cupped his face into her hands. Her eyes were beautiful. Almost like the garden of the Living den. They sparkled with strength too. But underneath them, lies a darkness and hate that Thunder has never seen before in a Departed.

"Annihilating everyone in the Universe and Multiverse is not the will of the True Judge."

"Huh" Thunder gently nudged her hands away, "The last time I checked, you are a Departed. And not just any Departed. The Queen of all creatures and the mistress of Pain. When did you start concerning yourself with the will of the, True Judge?"

"Don't judge me," The Queen heaved, "It's not every day one has to seat and plan their actions. Not with the father of Lies whispering in your ears though. I used to be what one called, the Queen of Happiness. But now…"

Thunder laughed.

"And the father of lies used to be an Acolyte. The most beautiful Angel with the finest tone."

"You really don't understand, do you?"

"Not until I see the angle you are coming from."

"I do not regret my actions. In case you are wondering. I am not even a Departed yet. The True Judge still use me among the Human race. So I am not lost. Not until I give in to the wills of the Father of Lies."

The Queen held gaze with him, and for a time, thunder thought he was going to get lost in those beautiful smoky eyes.

"Here," The Queen said and wrapped something into his hands.

"By the heavens," Thunder exclaimed when he saw the blue pages, "Sandos. The book of Death. How did you get it? Why is it here?"

"One question at a time." The queen smiled despite the tension that was beginning to hang in the air, "I am the High Lord's Queen, remember?"

"But that…"

Thunder broke off when a bright light began to swell about the queen. It dazzles all around her like some fine dust particles, from her head to her feet until her features could barely be seen. It didn't last long though, and was gone immediately as it was formed.

"By the heavens" Thunder exclaimed and fell on his knees, in awe and with great respect.

The Queen had transformed. The beak in her nose and the fine husk of yellow and blue were all gone. What stood in front of him was one of the most beautiful thing he had ever seen since the fall. It was his old friend. Angel Happiness. Its winds were spread out behind. Same old beauty he admired a long time ago.

"Hello T." The angel smiled

"How can this be?"

"Get over it," The Angel said.

Her presence also brightened some of the darkness in the room. Such beauty has never been seen since the fall. Angels are rare to see too. And yet, here was one of the finest in the whole heavens.

"I have been undercover all these while. Taking the name of my other side and acting as the Queen of the creatures, was the best I could do to retrieve that."

She pointed to the blue scroll in Thunders hands.

"But it belongs to the High Lord."

"No, T. It belongs to the Angel of Death, and the father of lies stole it for himself."

"Because he wanted the power of Death for himself too" Thunder nodded. The piece was beginning to make a better picture. If the book had been stolen from the Angel of Death, that explains the reason why the human world has been subjected to Death since the fall. The human race had forfeited their birthright. They have sold their mantle to the Father of Lies. And now he wants all of them to perish with the Departed as well.

"You must travel to Earthen. You must help the humans fight."

"But, I can't. I am the Champion of the High Lord and…"

"Go" Happiness shouted and drew out its burning sword.

That was when Thunder saw the Black vest creatures that came running into the room. Blazing in their hands were the red chains of bondage and the sword of impurity. These creatures were the Garrison of the High court. The best in the kingdom.

"Go now." Happiness shouted again as it engaged the first Garrison.

Thunder did not wait to be reminded again. He turned towards the Orector, whispering the secret words as he ran. The bright light welcomed him almost immediately, but before it engulfed him, he felt something hot, like an arrow of Wickedness, piecing his side.

"You will die before you get to Earthen," The Garrison that had shot the arrow said, but thunder did not hear.

His mind was already dark

He was going to die…