Heaven and Hell (68 page)

“I didn’t think I’d be back here this soon,” Serena said, looking around nervously.

“With any luck we won’t be here that long,” replied Chris, walking toward the arch.

“I don’t think luck has anything to do with it,” said Serena, walking by his side.

The archway in no way appeared unusual. It was not the end of a tunnel of light, not a corridor pulsing with energy, the background of the plains, and the distant mountains beyond, could clearly be seen through it. It looked like a relic of the past, a monument to the futility of those who had turned their backs on the Creator of the universe.

Serena looked up to see an inscription etched deeply into the stone along the top of the arch. She recognized the symbols as those associated with the ancient angelic language. She was far from being an expert in that language, yet the inscription was simple enough to translate. “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here,” she said.

“Dante was actually here,” gasped Chris, “at least in spirit. He spoke of seeing this inscription at the very gates of Hell.”

Johann was the next to disembark. He held the powerful rifle in his hand, the one that had ripped a demon to shreds during the battle. “What now?” he asked, looking around to verify that they were alone.

“Now? Now we wait,” Chris said.

Their wait was short. Scarcely a minute passed before a dark portal, perhaps 10 feet in diameter, appeared about 30 feet away from where Chris and Serena stood. It was like a doorway into nowhere. Through it emerged an entourage of perhaps a dozen demons accompanied by satan himself. The portal dissolved behind them. Satan scanned the humans before him with interest.

“I’ve missed you, Serena,” he said, a smile on his face. “I’m so glad that you’ve decided to return to the fold.” He paused for effect. “Or is it that you didn’t have a choice? And look, you’ve brought some friends along with you. This is indeed a surprise, so unexpected.”

Satan crossed his arms and turned his attention to Chris. “Well, who do we have here? Why, I do believe it is your husband. Could it be that even in Heaven he somehow remembered you? How very interesting. Surely you must realize that this wench is no longer your wife, she is my property, to do with as I see fit. No one escapes my domain, no, not even one. Did you truly believe that you could cheat me of a soul? If you did, you were very much mistaken.”

Throughout satan’s ravings, Chris and Johann stood in silence. Their countenance bore no trace of emotion. They were not afraid of this braggart, for they knew that he would not be the one to decide their fate this day. Hopefully, the last word would be theirs.

“Young man, if you truly wish to be with Serena throughout eternity, I think I can accommodate you. Yes, I think that we can find a place in Hell for
both
of you. The question is where. Should you be made to suffer apart, denied each other’s company throughout all eternity, or should you endure a common fate, each doomed to watch the one you love in excruciating torment, unable to intervene, and eventually coming to despise them? Interesting question, is it not? Well, we have plenty of time to decide that, don’t we? Perhaps after you are all properly attired, I can arrange for each of you to receive a special tour of my domain, as I did for Serena. Yes, that would give me time to prepare a place for all of you, an ordeal most appropriate for your crime. Yes, that is what I shall do.”

“Are you quite finished?” Chris asked.

“Not nearly,” laughed satan. “I have all eternity, and so do you. The difference is that my role shall be that of the master and yours that of slaves. You will suffer for my amusement.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Chris said, his tone absolutely calm.

Again satan laughed and his entire entourage with him. “You are in my realm now, young human. You and your friends are no longer protected by the hand of God, not here. When you crossed into my domain, you gave up those rights. Here you are no better than any other damned soul—here you belong to me.”

This time it was Chris’s turn to laugh.

“Not very likely. I have listened with much patience to your ranting. Now you will hear my terms, there are only two. One—you shall renounce any claims you have on Serena and trouble her no more. As long as she leaves you in peace, you shall do the same. Two—you shall make peace with Abaddon and his fellow dark angels. You shall grant them their own homeland within the bounds of Hell and trouble them no more. They, in turn, will be obliged to not interfere in your affairs.”

Satan looked at Chris dubiously. His rage was mounting, though he managed to keep it in check. How dare this human dictate terms to the prince of Hell? This being was as stupid as he was bold. “I see…and what if I choose to reject your terms? What is it that you shall do?”

Chris smiled, further angering satan. “Something very simple, really. My colleagues and I shall conduct a most interesting scientific experiment. We shall determine if a so-called immortal being can survive being reduced to vaporized atoms and having those atoms scattered over approximately five hundred square miles.”

“Excuse me,” interjected Johann, “you are underestimating the device. It would be more like
eight
hundred square miles. The energy released would, after all, be three hundred and ninety one megatons, plus or minus two percent.”

Chris turned to Johann and bowed ever so slightly. “Excuse me, professor, I stand corrected.”

Now satan was furious. “What are you talking about, human?!”

“Oh, excuse me,” Chris said, turning back to the enraged monarch. “I was speaking of a breach in the core of a temporal capacitor. It takes a lot of energy to punch a wormhole from Heaven into outer darkness and push this baby through, yes indeed. Even you lack the pure power to accomplish a feat of such magnitude. Fortunately, we don’t. Tell me, do you think you could survive a blast that would remove this entire peninsula from the map of Hell, and change the face of this entire planet?”

Satan glared at Chris. “You expect me to believe that?”

“It doesn’t matter what you believe,” said Nick, stepping from the Spirit. “It happens to be true. I built it. I should know.”

“Our proposal is completely reasonable,” said Chris, “far more reasonable than the alternative. Still, it’s your decision. If you choose the alternative…well, that’s your choice. In that case, there will no longer be a prince of darkness to rule Hell. I have more than a few reasons to see you wiped from existence. Go ahead, make my day.” Chris smiled; he had always wanted to use that famous old movie line.

A tense deathly silence fell over the group of protagonists. It was satan’s move. For a moment, perhaps for the first time in a millennium, he was unsure about what to do. He stared into this bold human’s eyes. Eyes nearly as cold as his, returned his gaze. Was he bluffing? Satan knew well the love of humans for games of chance. He had lured so many of them to their doom through that compulsion. Try as he might, he couldn’t read this human.

Should he play it safe, agree to this human’s terms, or call his bluff? Could this human really do what he claimed? He couldn’t ignore that possibility. No, it was against his nature to make a pact with these loathsome beings. “An admirable attempt, young man, however I must decline your generous offer. You shall surrender to me, you and your entire party. You are a part of my realm now, and you shall be for all eternity.”

Chris’s heart sank, though he did his best not to show it. His bluff had been called. Yes, he had anticipated this possibility, though he had prayed that it would not come to this. Now he had to make good on his threat. He dared do nothing less.

He turned toward Nick to see the detonator in his hand, his thumb on the trigger. There was no doubt in his mind that Nick would push the button if the situation forced it.

Chris turned and faced satan. He had one more card to play. “I would be doing the human race a great favor by removing you utterly from the face of existence. The universe would be a far better place without you. Still, I will give you one last opportunity to reconsider. Is that your final word?”

“It is,” said satan, a growing evil smile on his face. “You were a fool to think that I would fall prey to your lies.”

This was it. Chris looked to his wife. She returned his gaze and nodded in agreement to the decision he had already made. Simultaneously they reached out and took one another’s hands. Whatever would happen now would most certainly be better than what satan had in store for them. Chris turned toward Nick—it was time.

But Nick was focused on the portal to their left. The barren scenery beyond the great arch had taken on a rippling aspect. Suddenly it vanished, giving way to a deep swirling vortex. There was movement beyond, someone or something was approaching the threshold. The vortex vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and a figure dressed in white stood upon the rocky plains.

“It’s You!” cursed satan, in a snarling tone. “What business do you have in my realm, Nazarene?”

“The Father’s business,” said Jesus, stepping toward the tense gathering.

“I have grown much stronger than I was the last time you dared to set forth in my realm,” said the devil. “You would find me a considerable adversary.”

“Hold your peace, satan,” said Jesus, His tone surprisingly calm. “Your time is coming, but that appointed hour is not yet. You shall depart from my sight.”

“But these humans are mine!” roared the devil. “They are in my realm. You cannot take them from me!”

“You have only that which the Father gives you,” replied Jesus, advancing several more steps, “not all that you desire. Now, go.” The words of Jesus remained calm, yet undeniably firm. Satan had to obey.

“I shall yield to your will this time, Nazarene,” the devil hissed angrily, “but I assure you that my day of retribution is coming.”

Jesus did not respond to satan’s threatening tone, yet his eyes never left him.

A moment later the dark portal materialized, and satan and his minions retreated within. The portal vanished.

Jesus turned to Nick and Johann. “It will not be necessary to destroy your ship. I have come here on behalf of our Father. The two of you should not be in this place, it is not meant for God’s children to journey here. It is His wish that you depart at once and never return to this realm of outer darkness. His loving hand is upon you, and your return journey will be a safe one.”

“But Lord, what about Chris and Serena,” objected Nick. “We can’t just leave them here.”

“You must,” replied Jesus, “The path of these two shall not be the same as yours. Now, go in peace my friends.”

There was nothing more to be said. Johann walked to the reunited couple; they all embraced.

“I pray that our paths cross again,” said Johann, trying his best to smile. “The two of you have taught me much about love and devotion. May God bless you, both of you.”

With those words he walked toward Nick and the Spirit.

“It has been a pleasure to have known you,” said Nick, standing there stoically. “I pray that you shall find happiness, wherever you may go.”

Nick and Johann stepped into the Spirit, the hatchway closed and vanished. Jesus, Chris, and Serena stood on the rocky plain as the craft rose almost without sound into the dusty brown sky. Within a minute it had vanished from sight.

Jesus turned to the loving couple who stood arm in arm. “The time has come for us to part company,” He announced.

“Has the Father come to a decision about Serena?” asked Chris, his voice faltering and uncertain.

“He has,” confirmed Jesus. “I only wish that He could have decided in your favor, but such is not the case.” Jesus focused upon Serena. “You decided not to accept the path to salvation that I offered you. For this reason, you have no place in Heaven. I am sorry.”

“But what about the new world I saw in Johann’s study?” objected Chris. “Why couldn’t she be sent there?”

Jesus shook his head. “It’s just not possible, Chris. That world, and the others you saw, are hidden worlds. They are not ready for humankind. That world you speak of is the new Earth. God has held it in trust until the day that humanity will be ready for it. There too is the new Heaven. It awaits the day when humankind shall shake off all remnants of their old nature.

“On that day, they shall become like unto the angels, celestial beings, not terrestrial ones. Yet, that day is still afar off. The third world, the one of pure fire, is that which awaits satan and his angels following the final judgment. All of these worlds are beyond your reach for the moment.”

“What about Abaddon and the other dark angels,” asked Serena. “Surely they don’t deserve the same fate as satan and his angels. They’re nothing like them.”

“They are in the hands of the Father,” replied Jesus. “I cannot tell you what fate awaits them, but it lies along a different path from that of satan and his followers, that much I can tell you.”

“And what about us,” objected Chris.

“You too have a destiny, both of you. It is the Father’s wish to send each of you to the place where you belong. Things must be set right. Chris, God loves you, you are His son, but you cannot continue to act so irresponsibly. You must learn to live within the limits of His will, to always seek His council. The end times draw very near, nearer than you might imagine, and we must remain committed to Him who has done so much for us.”