Book 2 Chapter 6

Jirjin Nightside brushed the dust from his hands as he inspected the final touches on the new section of River Hallow’s town wall. The damage from Tyler and Marcus’ fight had been extensive, and the work to rebuild the town had been nonstop. With so many townsfolk dead, progress was painfully slow.

“I hope we get supplies soon,” Jirjin muttered, running a calloused hand through his beard. “You’re probably laughing right now, Lucas.” He chuckled softly. It had been Father Lucas who first gave Jirjin and his band of raiders a second chance, a home. The irony wasn’t lost on him: a former bandit who once raided River Hallow, now acting as its mayor.

“Don’t you ever smile?” a voice called out from behind.

Jirjin turned and saw Melissa Shadelyn riding toward him on horseback. “I will if you’re about to tell me the trip was successful,” he replied.

Melissa looked over her shoulder toward the road behind her. “We’ve got fifty of Stennor’s guards and enough supplies to last the next few months.”

Jirjin let out a deep, relieved breath. A rare smile cracked across his face. “Outstanding, Nightingale. Any trouble with our good friend Cormir?”

Melissa laughed as she dismounted. “He walked right into my trap, just like you said,” she said, leading her horse toward the stable. “Any word from Rhaine?”

Jirjin shook his head as he followed her. “Sadly, not yet. And before you ask—no news about Orion either.”

Melissa nodded, though concern darkened her features. She had fought alongside Orion when Marcus threatened Stennor. In a desperate attempt to save him, she had expelled a piece of the Annihilation Seed that Marcus carried and transferred it into Orion. “Thanks for keeping an ear out, Jirjin,” she said softly.

“If Father Lucas were here, he’d probably say, ‘Everything happens as the Creator wills it,’” Jirjin replied, watching as the guards and supply wagons began rolling into town.

“Don’t tell me you’re getting religious on me now,” Melissa teased.

Jirjin laughed. “Nonsense. But I won’t lie, River Hallow doesn’t feel the same without Lucas.” A smirk tugged at his lips. “I know, we’ll get the paperwork signed and open a new church, The Church of the Nightingale.”

Melissa rolled her eyes. “Cormir already proposed that. Speaking of Cormir…” she narrowed her eyes, “Is it true you still keep a ledger from when you two were pirates?”

Jirjin winked. “I may have forgotten where I put it. But Cormir doesn’t need to know that.”

---

In the climactic fight between the Usher, Marcus Obsidian, and the Harbinger, Tyler Langston, Marcus thrust his weapon into both their bodies, killing them. In Tyler's final moments, he made eye contact with the little girl, Elle, whom he had always hated as a “worthless brat” and with his last breath, locked eyes with her from afar and raised his middle finger.

Tyler felt the insane chaos that had made him who he was slip away with the light in his eyes. He felt his soul fall out of him. Soon, darkness crept in and overtook him. Tyler was startled awake by a blinding light. As he looked around, he discovered he was lying on a soft, fluffy cloud. A mixture of gold and white filled the sky. Nervously, Tyler got to his feet, half-expecting to fall through at any moment. “You have to be kidding me,” he said.

Off in the distance, Tyler saw a line of people extending from a gate made of gold. He took a step forward and was surprised when the cloud stayed firm under his feet. He took another step again, the cloud supported him. Narrowing his eyes, Tyler suddenly started running. The cloud stayed beneath him. He continued running alongside the long line. The golden gates quickly drew closer.

Tyler stopped just before the gate and looked at one of the many people near the front.

“Mind if I cut in?”

“By all means, my brother,” the man in line said with a smile. “We are all going to Paradise, where we will be worshipping the Creator for the rest of days.”

"I hate to break it to you, but the Creator doesn't care… " Tyler began, before a golden metal band suddenly appeared over his mouth. Shocked, he tried to pry it off when a voice echoed from beyond the gate.

"Silence, Tyler. You will not corrupt any of those who are here."

Tyler had no choice but to wait for his turn. Slowly, the line inched forward, feet shuffling one by one. Each person who stood before the gate had their life replayed before them. People of all nations made up the line. Tyler stood in confusion as he observed people from distant lands, places where there was no chance they would have ever met, all standing in front of the same gate.

He watched as worshipers of warring faiths, believers with deeply contrasting philosophies and theologies, star-worshipers, followers of the Creator, and even those who had no faith at all waited together in the same line.

"Even though you have repented for your past sins, as it is logged here..." a being said. The figure stood on a pedestal behind a massive book. His hair shimmered like golden strands, and his skin radiated with a gentle glow. What disturbed Tyler was the absence of eyes, the being had smooth skin where eyes should have been, as if they had never existed. "By the rules of your faith, you deserve damnation. So be it." The being waved his hand, and the cloud beneath the young man’s feet vanished.

"No! Wait!" the young man screamed as he plummeted below, out of Tyler’s sight.

In unison, everyone in line took a step forward. "Jeremy Mux," the being said, turning the page, "You have sinned all your life. But by your religion, it states that you accepted your savior. You shall enter."

An old man cheered joyfully as the angel stepped down from the platform, a silver halo in his hands.

Without another word, a silver collar appeared around Jeremy’s neck. The man on the pedestal resumed his place and spoke, “You may enter now.”

The golden gates opened, and Jeremy walked through, vanishing into the light. It was Tyler’s turn.

“Tyler Langston,” the man announced.

Tyler tried to respond, but the gold band was still sealed over his mouth. With a wave of the man’s hand, it vanished.

“Wait, who are you?” Tyler asked.

“I am Belfane. I am the Eyes of Judgment,” the being replied, flipping through the pages of the great book. “You are the Harbinger of Annihilation. Why are you here?”

“I was wondering that myself, to be honest. Even I know this has to be a mistake,” Tyler said, glancing around in disbelief.

After a pause, Belfane said, “You may enter. You are needed inside.” He gestured toward the gates, and they slowly opened.

Tyler blinked. “Me? I’m needed?” he muttered as the cloud beneath him began to drift forward. “Silver’s not really my color, so we can skip the whole collar thing.”

But the gates opened regardless, and Tyler was carried through. What lay beyond stunned him.

The paradise he had imagined was nowhere to be found.

The man who had entered before him, the one granted entry with a silver halo. He was now on his hands and knees. A golden chain connected his collar to the person ahead of him. They were now links in an endless human chain. As far as Tyler could see, souls were forced into servitude and obedience. People toiled endlessly, carrying stones to an infinite wall that was never complete. Winged beings. “Angels,” Tyler guessed, hovered nearby. Their sacred robes were frayed and torn. Their wings drooped. They looked weary, exhausted. “Well, isn’t this something,” Tyler said, still taking it all in.

A voice rang out from above. “The Architect of Atrocities. Your mere presence here is an insult.”

Tyler looked up as an angel descended beside him.

Tyler grinned. “First off, that is definitely going to be my new title—Architect of Atrocities,” he said, clearly pleased with himself. After a moment of gloating, he added, “I’m not the one who let me in here. Even I know that’s pretty messed up.” He looked the angel up and down, sizing him up.

“You’re a lot less radiant than I expected. What’s your name, my dim friend?”

The angel’s once-fair features were fractured. His skin, once as flawless as porcelain, was now marred by the stains of doubt and regret.

“I am Tabrious,” he said, voice dry. “One of the guardians of Paradise.” He paused, curling his mouth as he tried to wet his cracked lips. “You are needed, Tyler Langston.”

Tyler couldn't help himself, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and held it out. “You might want to wet this down,” he said, mimicking the dabbing motion on his own mouth. “You seem a bit... chapped. Belfane at the gate said the same thing. What happened here? And why does Paradise need my help? Last I checked, we weren’t exactly on the same team.”

Tabrious ignored the offered cloth. “Bereshit warned this would happen. That when mortals were given Free Will, they would eventually destroy everything.”

Tyler burst out laughing. “Wait, wait, wait…” he said between gasps, trying to catch his breath.

“All this time I’ve been trying to bring Annihilation to the world, and you’re telling me they’ve been doing it to themselves? On their own? They caused all this?” He doubled over, cackling. “Oh, please, kind one. Please enlighten me, how did they screw up Paradise? What could I possibly do that hasn’t already been done?”

Tabrious’s expression didn’t change. “We need you to commit one more atrocity,” he said.

Tyler tilted his head, curiosity overtaking amusement. “You have my attention.”

Tabrious met his gaze.

“We need you to save Paradise."