Years ago, the Order of Virtues waged war against God's angels. It began when the archangel Michael was summoned to a disturbance-a disturbance that soon turned into an ambush. The Order of Virtues, however, was defeated, despite their surprise attack. They were banished to Earth, where they now wander, infecting human souls with evil. Atnis Trepe is a young man back in his old neighborhood, there to take care of some family business. Soon, strange things begin to happen. Atnis feels as though he is being watched. He has terrible dreams-possibly visions, though he can't be sure. Then, he discovers a mysterious winged dagger in his coat pocket. How did it get there, and who did it belong to? Meanwhile, members of the Order of Virtues are in no way resigned to their lives on Earth. They want to challenge Heaven to another battle, but to do so, they must find the "Sword of Glory" which they believe will enable their victory. Atnis has no idea that he is the only thing standing in their way-and that soon he will become a supernatural force to be reckoned with.

The Descendant of the Order

By H. D. Doyle

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2012 H. D. Doyle
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4759-1988-2

Contents

Introduction....................................................ixChapter 1. The Descendant of the Order.........................1Chapter 2. The Fallen From Grace...............................9Chapter 3. The Present.........................................20Chapter 4. The Confrontation with the Dark.....................28Chapter 5. The Interlude.......................................37Chapter 6. An Old Friend.......................................46Chapter 7. What a Mess.........................................55Chapter 8. Framed..............................................64Chapter 9. Escape and Retribution..............................71Chapter 10. The Showdown.......................................86Chapter 11. The Sword of Glory.................................94Chapter 12. The Battle for Glory...............................102

Chapter One

The Descendant of the Order

Looking out at the sunrise there forms a beautiful horizon, which gives way to the whispers of rolling grass covering a vast landscape that rests against a cobblestoned wall. Despite the beauty of the land, the sound of war interrupts the serenity just beyond. Upon approaching a slightly opened pearled gate, two beautiful marble pillars stand with random dark and light colored blotches. A sign with funny shaped letters that make up the city's name is perched atop them. In the distance, there are sounds of metal clashing loudly and erratically like wind chimes in a breeze. Entering through the gates, bodies of warriors lying in pools of blood encompass a golden colored ground, which looked to be hand carved from golden stone. There are large squares of green grass, well kept that jut out from the huge marble buildings. The acerbic sounds of steel crashing gives a grim picture of what this battle has produced, chaos is rampant and fevered. On the winding cobblestoned streets and green patches of grass lay slain bodies, mangled from war, which have quickly colored the grass a hideous brown color.

Michael, the Arch Angel looks on in unrest from the railing of his Masters balcony; as he watches the battle for reign over his kingdom it is disturbing. Suddenly summoned, Michael turns to see a guardsman trying to hold his position against a warrior at the entrance to one of the stairwells. Michael runs hurriedly in the direction of the desperate cries for help from his comrade to offer assistance. As he gets closer to where the two men struggle, he witnesses the opposing warrior getting the upper hand on his comrade. The two wrestle as the blade is just inches from his comrade's throat. In an instant, the struggling assailant freezes, the guardsman sees his eyes widen and his mouth open slightly, exposing teeth that are grimy and chiseled. The guardsman, also frozen, looks on as the horrific events unfold in front of him. The head of the enemy suddenly and violently jerks forward, as the sword's point bursts through his forehead, leaving a gaping wound. In that moment, seconds seem like hours as the blood starts to form around the protruding steel. Michael retracts his sword slowly from the head of the enemy, and blood pours from his head like a waterfall. The enemy falls forward; his body limp from the fury Michael has just unleashed upon him. The guardsman throws the lifeless body of the enemy to the ground like used paper, and grabs Michael by his forearm. With gratitude and thankfulness, the guardsman yells, "Thank you Sir Michael". He then goes off to continue to fight for his kingdom and his Lord. As his comrade leaves, Michael looks around, astounded and yet confused. With tears in his eyes, he slowly shakes his head. Michael looks upon all the senseless deaths and calamity, which has plagued his once serene and peaceful golden city.

As the battle continues, Michael wipes a tear from his eye, and looks out to see The Chief of the Order of Virtues, as he engages one of the soldiers. The Chief swings his sword toward the warriors armored chest plate, splintering it. The warriors chest explodes, blood and bone pour from his wound. The soldier falls to the ground with a solid thud, as his blood pools around him. Before he dies, his head rolls to one side and his eyes rest on Michael who observes from the distance.

Enraged after watching one of his men die, Michael sees another soldier approach the Chief and swings wildly at him. The Chief raises his shield and absorbs the blow. The Chief retaliates with a forward thrust to the abdomen of his foe. The warrior tries to extricate himself to keep fighting, but cannot. He loses his will and his blood all over the ground as he struggles to stay alive. The Chief retracts his sword from the fallen soldier and continues to seek out more opposition. Michael watches as another soldier charges towards the Chief; swinging his sword eye level, the Chief takes off the soldier's head just above the eyes exposing part of his brain. Not realizing the death stroke, the soldier tries to keep advancing but falls clumsily to the ground, headless. His blood spurts from the wound as if someone is squeezing it out of him.

Michael and the Chief eyes meet, and they start to run towards each other, but before Michael could engage, an opposing soldier attacks him. Gripping the handle of his weapon so tight, his hands begin to sweat, he swings the Sword towards his opponent's chest with so much strength and hatred, that he splits him in two. The enemies top half falls backward; his insides have mushroomed over his hips. The angel falls into a red heap at Michael's feet. He turns and with a look of disdain, rushes into the never-ending battle to face more of the opposition.

Michael engages another one of the Chief's men; he trembles with anger at the senseless acts of disobedience and defiance that he can hardly hold his weapon steady to prepare for the attacks that seem to keep coming. His adversary swings his sword at him; Michael grits his teeth, and frowns like a wild animal, never taking his eyes off his opponent, he deflects with his shield, retaliates with an angled strike full of rage, and catches his adversary on the collar separating him. The enemy falls to his knees grabbing the sword where it lay in him; Michael then lifts his foot, places it on the lower torso of the impaled warrior and pushes him to the ground, which relinquishes his sword from its resting place. He leaves his foe collapsed, blood flowing from his wound like an untamed river.

As the battle continues, more of the revolting soldiers are dying. The Chief and his second commander viciously slash and decapitate their foes; they make their way toward the chamber, where their Lord has retreated. Guardsmen with tridents and swords in tow try to head off the opposing soldiers, but fail in their attempts.

Bloodied and battered, the Chief of the Order of Virtues and some of his warriors breach the gates of the inner courtyard to reach the royal chamber. Michael sees them and departs hastily after them. Warriors lay dead on the ground from both sides as if placed in position to remind of what wars can produce. Some are lying with eyes affixed on a distant view, while others lay with eyes closed, some even missing! Most have been violently shredded and torn, as the sounds of metal are still clashing. The air is thick with the smell of iron and rotting corpses, a color of crimson mists over the still fighting soldiers. The color armor of the warriors is brownish with a rusted tint whereby before, it was a beautiful golden battle garb.

The Chief and some of his army enter the throne room of the Lord's chamber. The Chief is full of anxiety as he sees that there is not much fighting. He unleashes his rag tag survivors into battle and the chamber becomes active. The Lord is sitting on His throne observing the violence before Him with a few of the chamber guards in front, keeping away the opposition.

Finally making it to the royal chamber doors, Michael stops just short of the entering. He observes the Chief and one of his men as they watch a group fighting to try to gain control. The two men turn and look at Michael and begin to approach him. Michael raises his shield eye level and prepares for a frontal assault. Before Michael can prepare for his next move, he hears footsteps behind him. He takes up a crouched defensive stand, angles his body so that he can watch his rear, and maintain a visual on his front. The two men stop their approach and watch with apprehension. Michael takes a quick glance behind himself so that he would not lose eye contact with the enemy. When he realizes his own troops are upon him, he turns once again to face the Chief and his partner. Men pour into the throne room and surround Michael, partially encircling the two enemies. A feeling of comfort and relief comes over Michael as the troops at the ready await his command. More men from Michael's army pour in and the Chief's partner advances on them. Michael watches to see if the Chief makes a move. He does not as he is watching Michael, both with their weapons drawn. As Michael watches the Chief he begins to sweat more profusely, his breath shortens. He is gripping his shield strap so tight that he is making the strap itself sweat as liquid trickles down his muscular arm. He gazes at the Chief with anticipation of attack as the sound in the background slowly disappear. It is just the Chief and Michael.

The Chief lets out a loud shrilled noise as he rushes toward Michael and swings his battle-axe. Michael thinks if he steps back, decapitation is certain, so quickly he raises his shield, rolls his shoulder, and turns his head away from the attack. His shield absorbs the brutal strike and his body shakes violently. Michael thinks his arm is broken from the vicious attack, but it is not. He sees the eyes of his adversary and believes he means to end him quickly so he can move on. Michael glances quickly from side to side checking the position of the other enemy, only to find the Lords army has subdued him. Michael believes that the Chief is much stronger than he is but then reminds himself that he is the leader of the army of his Lord and begins to summon all of his strength. He knows that if he loses, the realm he inhabits will no longer be peaceful and serene, all the created will be for not, and terror will rule and mischief will be the way of the land. Michael sees the Chief rear for another strike and positions himself to move and try to counter. As the strike approaches, Michael deflects the blow with his shield and swings his sword, narrowly missing the head of the Chief with his own strike. Both soldiers regain themselves and face off again. Michael circles slowly about his adversary to try to get the advantage. The Chief realizes the tactic and strikes at Michael. The blow is once again absorbed and again shakes Michael's body violently. Now growing more and more concerned over his engagement with his enemy, Michael begins to rethink his tactics. He looks in the direction of his Lord, as he seeks silent confirmation. The Lord nods his head in approval of his warrior to proceed as Michael looks back towards the Chief. He sarcastically tells Michael that His Lord is not fighting with him and decides to strike. Michael ducks and simultaneously rolls on the floor. Michael regains his composure and strikes at the Chief to give him a taste of his own power on his shield. He sees the Chief absorb the blow and stumble backward. With confidence brewing up by the ounce, Michael strikes repeatedly in rapid succession seeing his adversary back away with every blow, the Chief loses his footing because of the slamming blow and falls to the ground. As he is falling, Michael rushes toward him, slaps the shield from his hand, throws his shield on the arm of the Chief that holds his battle-axe and steps on it to trap movement from his weapon. Michael points his sword at the throat of the Chief and thinks to himself that he could end all the turmoil caused by this one being and everything could go back to peace and harmony if he runs his sword through. The Chief grabs and squeezes the blade of Michael's sword with his free hand and moves it from his throat, blood streams down his arm from the razor sharp edge, and tries to fight him off. One of Michael's troops, Uriel, comes over and grabs the arm of the Chief. Michael pulls on the sword's hilt and a winged-blade emerges. He kneels down and holds the point of the dagger on his throat, penetrating his skin, causing blood to flow from the side of his neck. As Michael is over his enemy ready to take his life, the Lord tells Michael to have mercy and orders for the Chief and his remaining rebels restrained. Michael looks toward his Lord with utter disappointment and fury. Michael returns his hateful gaze to the Chief and reluctantly releases his grip and watches his men gather up the enemy. Michael, quivering with raw anger, whispers something to the Chief before releasing him, retrieves his sword and replaces the Winged Dagger. He then returns to the side of his Lord. Michael's soldiers collect the Chief and take his weapons.

As the battle is ending, the Lord has the Chief brought before him to answer to crimes against his kingdom. The Chief explains that he will not kneel before man because he is superior in both strength and divinity. Furthermore, man was created out of an image of which was not his. The Chief believed he and his followers were mistreated. He felt that His Lord betrayed him, that he had to love man as he love his Lord. This was something that the Chief was not going to do. He was the highest-ranking officer in the city and told his Lord that the son of fire will not bow to the son of clay. After the Lord hears the Chief, His decision was exact and swift. He announced that all involved with the Chief be expelled from his city of gold and never to return. Realizing the severity of this decision, the Chief vows to one day create his own realm that will rival his Lords. In fact, he will try to steal souls of the son of clay so that one day he will have such a vast army that he will overtake the city of gold and enslave or kill his former Lord and all that are with Him.

After hearing the Chief, the Lord signals for His guards to escort the Chief out of His presence and to assemble all that participated against him. The Chief struggles to free himself as they drag him outside with his followers. Michael hears the screams of the Chief as they fade away out of the throne room. He turns and follows to oversee that there will be no more fighting of any sort.

Once the Chief and his followers are ready to receive their punishment, the Lord comes onto His balcony and gives a slight lecture of the annals of war and the repercussions it provides. After concluding, He releases them from the city of gold by casting them out, sending them streaking to the realm below, where the son of clay dwells. The Lord turns and walks out of sight and Michael takes up position on the balcony to look out over the city.

After about nine days, the casting out of the traitors ends. Michael is in the courtyard overseeing chores run by the locals. He sees two of the royal guard approaching him and watches them right up to where he is standing

"Our Lord summons you to his chamber sir ...,"

Michael agrees and follows the guards. Once at the chamber, Michael asks his Lord if He needed anything. The Lord standing over by his balcony with his back turned, His hands folded behind, tells Michael to develop a plan that would call for peace throughout the land. He is to use any method he deems necessary to complete this task. Michael thinks to himself that the worst is already over and that there is no need to avert another attempt. He speaks out and assures his Lord that nothing will happen because of the lessons taught from history. Nevertheless, the Lord tells him that he knows that there is no worry here. He was talking about Earth. Michael with a puzzled look shakes his head slowly and hangs it down slightly, his eyes catching the marble floor's erratic pattern almost forming a clouded sky. As he raises his head, he asks how that would be possible from this realm. The Lord tells him that he is to create a watch group that would be the buffer for peace and harmony in His land. Michael is obedient and does not ask any more questions, as he knows what is at stake. The Lord suggests that the Sword of Glory and the Winged Dagger go to Earth with him. Michael agrees and leaves immediately to carry out his orders.

Once Michael arrives on Earth, he seeks out devoted followers who know of his Lord. He sees how things have already gone awry after the Chief and his army arrived. Michael knows the strength of man will not be enough to stop the Chief and his supernatural forces. He knows that in order to be successful, his group must be able to recognize this special kind of enemy and deal with them accordingly.

Entering a canvas colored tent in the middle of the desert in Bethsaida, Michael begins to educate some followers of tribes that were faithful to the lord Michael serves. He meets with a man, Simon Cephas and others chosen to form the first Watchers Order of Peace; he explains that he is leaving his divine sword and dagger to help battle the angels that have fallen from grace. While he is talking to the chosen, Michael sees a woman with an infant and a few more women around approach Saint Peter. He tells his wife with child to take Rubinia and the others back and that he will tend to her shortly. She, her son and the others leave. Afterwards, Michael continues with his instruction, he demonstrates the power of the weapon and warns of the cunningness of the enemy. He instructs that if they were to acquire the sword, then there would surely be chaos. In order to make it difficult for the fallen angels, Michael hides the sword somewhere and gives one of the Chosen a special locket and chain that will lead the user to its location. He also scribbles on a piece of parchment, an incantation to invoke the power of the sword, and gives it to one of the leaders of the Chosen. Therefore, no one person has all the pieces in case the fallen should ever gain control. Michael then gives the Winged Dagger to Saint Peter and tells him that without this, nothing will awaken the Sword of Glory. Peter accepts the artifact and vows to keep it hidden from all that are seeking it. Michael then reassures that everyone understands the severity of what is at stake should the wrong hands obtain these items and the serious effects it can cause. Michael then turns and leaves, never heard from until needed.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Descendant of the Orderby H. D. Doyle Copyright © 2012 by H. D. Doyle. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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