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| The Rise of Antioch |
Antioch returns to his throne in Hades, gathering Reapers and sorcery to hunt Obadiah once and for all. With the help of a freed witch, he plots to walk the mortal world undetected — and destroy the Chosen from within. Scroll to the read the episode below »
Antioch, the Angel of Death, flew deep into the bowels of Hades. Around him echoed the moans, groans, and screams of the damned. He ignored them, descending farther into the earth’s core, to the place he called home.
He landed, then descended a fiery staircase. At the bottom, a battalion of Reapers stood erect on either side of the aisle. With the authority of a king and the stride of a conqueror, he approached the throne and took his seat.
Four Hell Hounds sat at his feet—one for each cardinal direction. Two of his wives, Atena and Mira, stood silently at either side.
As he took the throne, Antioch's form began to shift. His human shape twisted into something monstrous—his eyes turned black as coal, his skin burned fiery red. He grew to twenty feet in height. A golden crown, studded with rubies, topazes, and diamonds, materialized on his head. From his skull curled two massive horns.
He looked down at the Reapers.
Bolobar knelt before him, bowing low as he offered a scorched scroll. "My Lord, Purzar is no more. He was killed by Luk-el."
"Purzar knew the risk," Antioch said without emotion. He turned his gaze to the circle of Spiritualists—Astrologers, Seers, and Priests.
"What about Obadiah? Can you tell me where he is? We’ve finally found the list of the Chosen Ones. We cannot allow our plan to fall apart now. Have you found him?"
Bolobar trembled. The Master did not tolerate failure. "My Lord... there is no sign of Obadiah."
"Just as I suspected." Antioch’s tone darkened. "I am certain now—we can’t find him or his nephew because God has shielded them. We must locate them. And remove them."
"My Lord, Obadiah hasn’t been seen or heard from in twelve years. He is no threat,” Bolobar offered.
"Don’t be an idiot!" Antioch roared. "He always has a plan—always raising up so-called spirit-filled Chosen Ones to spread their false gospel of faith and forgiveness. And the people believe it. I should know—many of them work for me. In the end, they will all serve me."
"Hail Antioch!" the Reapers cried. "Hail Antioch!"
Antioch shifted into human form. He walked calmly to Bolobar—and without a word, set him ablaze.
Bolobar's screams filled the chamber. None dared to move. Antioch returned to his throne, watching impassively as his general burned.
"Fire out." At his command, the flames vanished.
Bolobar rose slowly. Smoke curled from his scorched body. Still, he knelt.
Antioch stepped forward, addressing his soldiers. "I will not tolerate failure. We face threats—Obadiah and the Chosen Ones. Let Bolobar’s pain remind you: fail me, and you’ll share his fate."
"Yes, My Lord!" the Reapers shouted.
Bolobar, still smoldering, spoke again. "My Lord... there may be a way to find them."
Antioch raised a brow. "Speak."
"The sorceress Isis. She's still locked in the fiery dungeon."
Antioch turned. "What about her?"
"She casts powerful locator spells," said Belezar, the Head Seer, his voice trembling. "Her magic is unmatched."
Antioch narrowed his eyes. "Isn’t that why I have you? Choose your next words carefully, Belezar. They may cost you your head."
Belezar swallowed. "Her spells have brought down entire kingdoms."
A murmur rippled through the court.
"Silence!" Antioch thundered, slamming his scepter.
Belezar bowed deeply. "With her magic, we once located the Ark of the Covenant."
Antioch straightened, eyes gleaming. "This changes everything. Bring her to me."
"At once, my Lord," Bolobar said, limping off.
___Twenty minutes later, Bolobar returned, dragging a faceless, charcoal-skinned creature crawling on all fours. Shackles bound her hands and feet. Claws protruded from her fingers. A long tail slithered behind her. The stench of burning flesh filled the chamber.
Bolobar forced her to kneel.
"Kneel before your Master!"
Antioch inhaled deeply. "The smell of burning flesh… it stimulates me."
The Hell Hounds barked wildly.
"Heel!"
Silence fell once again.
"I suppose you wonder why you’re here," Antioch said.
"Yes, My Lord. It has been over two hundred years since I entered your dungeon," she rasped.
"Would you like to be free?"
She didn’t answer.
"When you first arrived, I offered you power. A place by my side. You refused."
"You are King," she answered. "What does the King require of me?"
"A locator spell."
She straightened. "Who do you seek, my Lord?"
"Obadiah the Jumper."
Her eyes widened. "I know him. We crossed paths three hundred years ago. I was sent to locate a Catholic priest. Obadiah arrived before the soldiers could reach him. They vanished into thin air. Later, I learned what he was—a Nephilim. A Jumper. He passes through time."
"He’s a thorn in my side. And I want him removed."
"That may not be so easy, My Lord. He bears God’s favor. He cannot die unless God wills it."
The court stirred again.
"Silence!" Antioch roared.
Belezar stepped forward. "How do you know this?"
"Before I was burned at the stake, God came to me in a dream. He foretold my death. He said that because I had harmed one of His angels, I would be hunted down and executed. He told me that only He holds life and death in His hands."
"I do not want excuses," Antioch growled.
"I speak only the truth."
"And the boy? The child of Kristiel? My seers can’t locate him."
"It is the same with him."
Lucifer’s fury rose. "There must be a way!"
"There is a rumbling in the afterworld," Isis said. "Obadiah lives among the humans."
Antioch’s eyes glinted. "What do you need to find him?"
"Something that belonged to him. Or the boy. He is without wings. Now is the time to strike."
The court gasped.
"Obadiah is wingless?"
"Yes. He walks among men."
Belezar spoke again, cautiously.
"Even so, he may still be protected."
"He is," Isis said. "But he is vulnerable."
Antioch grinned. "I have a piece of his wing. From twelve years ago."
"It will suffice," she said.
"Bolobar, prepare the troops. Once we know his location, we strike."
"My Lord, may I speak?" Isis asked.
Gasps filled the chamber. Bolobar drew his sword.
"Wait," Antioch said. "Speak. Choose your words carefully."
"Why not walk among the humans? Live among them. Plan your strike. Choose the moment. Control the game."
"I cannot dwell in the natural world for long. I am cursed."
"But what if I can change that?"
Antioch turned slowly. "You claim there is a way?"
"Yes. I can allow you to live as a human—not briefly, but for as long as you wish."
He scoffed. "I can already do that. For a time."
"I can extend it. You and your men can dwell among them. No mortal will know your true nature."
"Angels will still sense me."
"Yes. But the humans won’t. You’ll be invisible to them."
"Go on, sorceress."
"I will craft a spell to locate Obadiah and the Chosen Ones. And you’ll find them while living among them."
Antioch turned to Bolobar. "Escort the Seers to the furnace. Let a few hours of burning teach them usefulness."
"My Lord!" Belezar cried. "Have mercy! I brought her to you!"
Antioch ignored him.
He returned to Isis. "Before we begin, I will reward your loyalty."
He touched her face. The blackened skin crumbled to ash.
Isis gasped, brushing her restored face. She stood in the firelit court, naked. Her long red hair covered her. She didn’t care. She was free.
"You are indeed a lovely woman," Antioch said. "Athena," he called to one of his mistresses, "Dress her in garments fit for my queen."
"Yes, My Lord," Athena said, eyeing Isis with disdain.
Antioch turned to the sorceress. "Isis, I will do all that you say. But if you fail, I’ll throw you back into the furnace— and the flames will burn your soul forever.
"Isis smile faltered. She nodded. "Yes, My Lord. I understand."
TO BE CONTINUED…
🔙 Next, in Episode 6: The Summons
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