Purgatory Dynasty: Angels Among Us

By Peter Hesketh

Since the beginning, the angels have always been there, protecting us and keeping balance in the world. They have always guarded the earth by protecting the veil, the boundary that separates the reality of the living from the realms of the afterlife. It is a sacred duty they will do anything to uphold, even live in secret among us.

In a future controlled by the oppressive hierarchy and constantly being infiltrated by supernatural forces from beyond, a group of angels work to preserve balance in a world where the helpless and weak pray for a miracle.

It is an era of trial for all beings, the era of a purgatory dynasty.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984532299

Peter Hesketh

Peter Hesketh was born in New York 1986, but he grew up outside the United States in Panama city, Panama. Upon finishing high school in 2004, he began College at Stetson University in Florida where he developed a talent for creative writing. Now he resides in Daytona Beach Florida.

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Purgatory Dynasty: Angels Among Us

Peter Hesketh

Copyright © 2018 by Peter Hesketh.

ISBN:      Softcover          978-1-9845-3230-5

                eBook                978-1-9845-3229-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/04/2018

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 The Angiris Council

Chapter 2 Behemoth

Chapter 3 The Witch and the Dream

Chapter 4 Tim Albern

Chapter 5 Death visits the Man with no Name

Chapter 6 Tim and Meg learn to carry Justice

Chapter 7 Raphael goes to School

Chapter 8 Introducing Haniel

Chapter 9 Time to speed up the training

Chapter 10 Introducing Michael’s Team

Chapter 11 Guardian Angel Training Camp

Chapter 12 Death Interrogates the Souls of the Dead

Chapter 13 Uriel’s Private Investigation

Chapter 14 And so we begin the march to War

Chapter 15 The first Human Grim Reaper of Earth

Chapter 16 Guardian Angels and Guardian Humans

Chapter 17 The Angel of War vs. the Fallen Angel

Chapter 18 What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been

Chapter 19 A vision of things to come

Epilogue

A novel by Peter Hesketh-Angels that secretly live among us due to the weakening of the barrier that separates Earth from the realms of the afterlife

• Michael aspect of Courage

• Gabriel aspect of justice

• Raphael aspect of kindness and healing.

• Uriel pious and vengeful, but she does have a soft spot

• Azriel aspect of death, leader of the four horsemen

• Raziel aspect of mysteries and secrets

• Haniel aspect of joy and good fortune

Gabriel’s Students

• Tim Albern

• Meg Joyner

• Eric Sebastian

Raphael’s Students

• Alejandro Piston

• Miguela Guevada

Michael’s Students

• Tyler

• Mishi

• Julie

• Rich

Uriel’s Students

• Clifford

• Leland

Haniel’s Student

• Emily Green

Special Note from the Author

I spent my whole life growing up on exciting stories; from classic literature, to graphic novels, to television dramas, to role playing video games.

So when I wanted to write a story of my own I wanted to try with an original idea, I’m quite proud of what this idea turned into and the amount of hard work, effort, and concentration it took to bring it to life.

PROLOGUE

I T WAS A hot summer night in the city as a car drove down one of the main streets; its driver sat in deep thought, a cigarette in his hand and the other hand on the steering wheel. He didn’t enjoy smoking, didn’t encourage others to take up the habit, and would not hesitate to break the nose of the person who would try offering it to children. But it helped calm his nerves and it played a role in making sure humans did not suspecthis true identity. The summer breeze blew in through the open car window and the driver let it embrace him, for this breeze carried a message that only his kind could hear the veil is weakening in the neighborhood between Palm Street and Mason Avenue. I’m on my way said the driver, as he turned down the road towards his destination. He breathed in the smoke one last time and as he burned it out in the ashtray, Gabriel, Archangel of Justice, set out on his mission as a man.

As he finally reached his destination, he noticed it wasn’t quiet; there were a lot of people wandering around the streets. This was a poor neighborhood and the people in it found solace by socializing at night, having barbecues, drinking beer and playing poker. The children were already indoors and the ones that were not, which were very few, stayed within the watchful gaze of their mothers as they played. The College kids that didn’t live on campus were also out and about either looking for some fun or the unlikely event of finding a member of the opposite sex to keep them company. Gabriel parked his car on the side of the street and began looking around; some people noticed him as he got out but eventually went back to what they were doing. Not surprisingly, in his current form he looked like a man, the kind of man that you don’t want to pick a fight with, not because he’s a brute or a thug but because he is a tough looking man. Gabriel always got a laugh when he saw himself in a mirror; he looked like a stereotypical New York detective from those old television shows. Gabriel had a tough guy look, the kind that inspires people not to go around causing trouble throughout the community.

Gabriel could sense the spot where the veil was starting to tear; he could also smell the vermin that were gathering to prey upon the energies should the veil rip open completely. Gabriel stopped in front of the apartment where it was located, he touched the doorknob and it opened despite being locked. Inside he found an entire gaggle of imps, pointy eared, potbellied cretins, with small vicious looking pointy teeth. They were all clustered around what can only be described as a shimmering ripple in the air. The imps were startled when Gabriel came into the apartment, then they started to glare and bare their teeth at him.

Step away from the Tear and surrender or so help me I will strike you all down and reduce the lot of you to ashes! The fattest among the Imps stepped forward, he looked ridiculous with his sunglasses, bling around his neck, and he was wearing a biker jacket. The leader of the imps pointed at Gabriel and said he is just one we are many!

The imps that were inside started swarming out screeching and cackling like the maddening creatures they were. Gabriel risked a glance at the barrier he had just set up so the humans wouldn’t be able to see what was going on. There must have been at least twenty imps, all of them had blackish purple skin or greenish yellow. They were all dressed like members of street gangs, custom made jeans, chain belts, scarves, bandannas, and bling around their necks.

This was going to be easy, Gabriel manifested his scythe out of thin air and with a single swing over half the imps were reduced to ashes before they realized what happened. An angel! screamed the remaining imps as they started running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off. Good grief! They didn’t even realize what I was… Stupid pitiful creatures.ENOUGH! shouted Gabriel in his commanding voice of authority, a voice and tone that was clearly beyond human. The imps all huddled in a corner shivering in fear and as Gabriel approached them they huddled even more. You know you’re not supposed to be here Gabriel said, his voice softened. We hungry, we feed on tear and open up portal to Heaven realms we feed in the afterlife. Your kind does not belong in Heaven Gabriel said as he approached the tear, it was weakening badly, shadowy light was gathering around it and the ripples were becoming violent. Gabriel placed his hand on the tear and with the power of heaven he healed it so that it would not weaken for several months at least. The ripples disappeared and so did the light, it was almost as if nothing was ever there. Several men entered the apartment, or they appeared to be men for these people were angels from Gabriel’s department. Gabriel turned to his colleagues these imps have surrendered, take them into custody and finish patching up the veil. We still have more work to do; official story the owner of this place got sick and had to move away for his health. One of the men said excellent cover story my lord, it shall be done. You cant do this! Shouted the Fat Imp, change is coming and our time is now! We shall be rulers!

Almost forgot about him, Gabriel thought as he walked up to the fat Imp that was already in handcuffs and was being dragged away. What you looking at Pigeon?! the fat imp said. Pigeon was a very rude insult to call and Angel. Gabriel lowered himself to the fat imps level and looked in the eyes and started to smile. The Fat imp looked frightened, as he should because Gabriel punched him in the face so hard he knocked out the vicious little monster’s teeth. The angel that was dragging him away picked up the fat imp and flung him over his shoulder like a burlap sack. Gabriel stepped outside and looked around, the humans were starting to turn in for the night; none of them had noticed what had just happened. Gabriel looked at the barrier he had set up, it blocked out sight and sound so the humans didn’t notice what was going on. The night is still young and there is still work to do Gabriel said to himself as he headed back to his car and drove off.

CHAPTER 1

The Angiris Council

B ROTHERS AND SISTERS! I call this meeting of the Angiris Council to order! said Michael leader of the Archangels stationed on Earth. Michael was the archangel of courage, during the dark ages and the crusades many human Knights viewed Michael as a symbol of everything they should aspire to, and thus he was the most famous of all the archangels. Gabriel had nothing but pure respect for Michael as he addressed everyone in the main office room of their headquarters on Earth. Even in human form Michael looked fierce with his broad shoulders, his muscular arms and chest, and his long blonde hair that he kept tied in a pony tail. The office was large and full of so many artifacts and items of magical power, properly organized and cataloged to the point where it should be considered a museum. There were many angels of many classes present in the room Most were in human form, men and women dressed as interns and office workers. There was a Throne hovering above the room, Thrones were the only angels that were not humanoid in appearance. They resembled these large round grayish blue discs with over a dozen eyes covering the surface and large feather wings coming out of the back that reminded Gabriel of a helicopter. Thrones had the ability to see everything in the universe and the Creator was kind enough to send one down to Earth to help the angels locate the tears in the veil. This Thrones name was named Junipiel and Gabriel considered him rather irritating when he spoke as he seemed to enjoy asking asinine rhetorical questions.

Sitting beneath the Throne was Casiel, the smartest angel in all of heaven and one of the cherubim angels. Casiel had the head of a bearded bronze colored dragon, and large black dragon wings, he was wearing purple and green patterned robes and had a large hookah pipe in his mouth the he was puffing on. Next to Casiel sat Zadkiel, one of the virtue angels, he embodied mercy, forgiveness and freedom. Unlike Casiel Zadikiel was in human form and was wearing business pants a buttoned shirt that was open around the collar, and lace less black shoes. He had long brown messy hair and was wearing squared glasses. He seemed rather annoyed by the smoke coming from Casiel’s pipe.

Gabriel could see Uriel in her human form; she was in charge of covering up all occurrences so the humans don’t find out about them and modifying the memories of all human witness so they don’t remember seeing anything unusual. As a special bonus, if any members of organized crime tried bribing her like they did to other police officers, she would not hesitateto punch them in the face, before arresting them.

Next to her sat Raphael, aspect of kindnessand healing, his human formwas that of an African American, in the human world he operated under the guise of a doctor. He lived for healing the sick, the injured, the crippled, the physically ill, and even the mentally ill although there was a limit to just how much mental illness he could heal and then knowing when the darkness had devoured the mind. had nothing but great respect for Raphaeland considered him one of his closest friends. Still beneath the face of a doctor was the heart of a spear wielding warrior; the stories of Raphael’s battle with the monstrous Leviathan and his alliance with the great wise behemoth were the stuff of legends. Gabriel wished he could have been there fighting the serpentine Leviathan alongside Raphael and watched his brother plunge his spear through the monstrous serpents head.

Across the room sat the Angel of death, Azriel, the grim reaper and leader of the four horsemen, the only angel on the council that Gabriel did not like, and did not trust. Azrielalso was in human form, black pants, and a closed leather jacket with a hood that was raised over his head so we couldn’t see the top of his face. He held a very large scythe in his right hand that if you looked at it too long you could hear the screams of those who died in wars, in pain, and in loneliness. To his side sat his brother Razieltheangel of mysteries and secrets. Raziel was in his angelic form and it was quite different from most other angels as his skin had a bluish gray color to it, large ropey muscles covered his body even though he was quite short for an angel, he was at least 5 feet tall. He wore a loin cloth around his waist, no shoes on his feet, he wore these thick leather gloves that made his fingers look like talons as they had these sharp edges stick out of the fingertips, his raven wings had been shredded in a great battle long ago and they hung limply from his back. He had a new set of wings of a magical nature above the old shredded ones, they wisped in the air and they looked more like smoke then wings. Raziel had long black hair and he wore a scarf over his jaw that made his face difficult to make out. Rumor has it that Raziel’s jaw had been smashed to pieces in a battle against the Nephilim centuries ago and he refused to let Raphael heal it.

Next to the two reaper angels stood the Archangel Haniel. Gabriel saw Haniel as one of his oldest friends; she was the Archangel of energy, positivity, and luck. Whenever humans were depressed or felt lost she would send her energy to them to help them overcome their doubts and show them the way. Oddly enough she was dressed as a chef in her human form; she had short blonde hair and hazel colored eyes, her chef jacket and Torque were so clean and white.

In the middle of room there was an archway that allowed the angels to see through the veil into heavenly realm of Araboth where the celestial courts were held. Though, only three Seraphim angels could be seen through the archway connecting this world with the realms of heaven. The rest of the court in heaven was not present.

There was the Seraphim Angel Sandolphon who wore heavy gold plated armor; his wings are made of fire the blazed with the brightness of the sun. Sandalphon is the Chief of all guardian angels on Earth and one of heavens most sworn protectors. Sandalphon’s face was not visible as he wore a spike metal helm that completely covered his face, but two bright shining eyes could be seen through the visors of his helm. Next to Sandalphon stood SeraphimCamael, Camael was also one of the four horsemen along with Azriel as he embodied War. As the archangel of War Camael was officially High General of Heaven’s Military force. He watched over the conflicts and the wars that mankind has engaged in throughout history as conflict helped the humans become stronger while teaching them the importance of why they should have peace. Camael also wore plated armor but it was more worn and carried the scars and marks of all the battle its face as well as the wrath of time. Camael wore a red tunic over his armor and a green hood over his head, his hair was long and silver colored and his face had good strong features though they could not be described as handsome.

Finally there was the Archangel of time, the scribe Metatron who sat between his brothers his wings were made of feathers but they had a blue glowing light around them. His face was old and bearded, and there was a huge scar from a terrible war covering the left side. Despite his elderly appearance large thick muscles could be seen on his arms just outside of his sleeves. It is said that when Lucifer began his rebellion and attempted to steal the throne Metatron beat him to it and delivered a massive punch powerful enough to hurl the corrupted Archangel halfway across Heaven. He was the one who called this council to order and he rose ready to speak, his voice carried the weight of millennia and the experience of age tempered by the acceptance of change.

Brothers and sisters, I thank you all for coming as does our Father who watches over us from his blessed realm, he trusts us to carry on his work of protecting mankind until they are ready, of keeping the demons and the vile old ones in check, and making sure the ancient spirits continue to strengthen and teach the world through their… mystical ways. Oddly no angel ever understood why the spirits in the world did what they did, but it was known they had good intentions and only sought to protect the works of the Maker. Metatron continued I have called you here because a great change is about to come followed by trial and difficulty. The Maker has ordered most of us to return to heaven and the veil is growing weaker!"

The room exploded in total chaos as so many angels protested what many of them considered an unreasonable command. We cannot just leave! protested Sandalphon Our duty is to protect the veil from tearing itself; if it truly has grown weak we need to stay here more than ever! Indeed! protested Camael We abandon our post and demons, fallen angels, dark ones, and witches will try to exploit the veil and rip open a realm into the purgatory realms. The realms of purgatory will spill into the realm of mankind, we cannot take this risk said noble Michael who thought only of humanity’s well-being. Turning towards Camael, Michael said Most witches are no longer a threat, my brother Gabriel does a good job on ensuring witches make a decent living that does not allow them to inflict harm upon humans. Gabriel wouldn’t say the living witches under his jurisdiction were living a decent lifestyle, it was very indecent, but that’s what they enjoyed about it.

SILENCE!!! shouted Metatron; the force of his voice was unnatural but soon all the angels in the room went very quiet and waited for their council man to speak again. Metatron cleared his throat and said we are not leaving immediately and some of you will be staying long enough to train mankind to continue carrying out our charge. The room once again erupted into anarchy, angels were entrusted to watch over and protect humans as was dictated by the Creator; but that didn’t mean they were happy about it. When the Creator established the law about protecting humanity, Lucy and his followers went into open rebellion along with the failed discarded races now referred to as demons. It was a terrible war that neither side won; and then there was another war caused by rogue angels that got a little too close to humans, intimately close, and that union resulted in the birth of the Nephilim. The Nephilim were a race of powerful giants, half human and half angel, they possessed frightening strength and some of them wielded terrible magic, they bred serpents in order to create dragons and they enslaved humans and set out on world conquest. Gabriel shuddered when he thought about that disaster, he was the one that led Heaven to victory in that war.

A war unlike any other had been fought between heavens and its allies and the Nephilim and their ambitions, the angels won at a great cost that still haunts many of them to this day. It was so easy to blame humans for that catastrophe, andworse, it caused many angels to see the folly and foolishness that comes with love. The maker created a law that strictly forbids any angel from ever directly intervening in the affairs of mankind unless they were ordered by the maker himself. In the end angels have been watching humans for so long through good times and bad times, many of them have seen the cruel evils human were capable of and came to believe the Creator was wasting his time, others believed humans were capable of becoming something better. But there were other angels, Gabriel included, who believed that it doesn’t matter what opinion they have about humans, the Creator wanted them protected and that was that. Still, the idea of humans being entrusted to protect the veil: Gabriel shook his head in shock as he was unable to understand what the boss was thinking. Metatron took a deep breath and that’s when Gabriel realized the ancient angel had used breath of contemplation, a spell triggered by a simple function of the body that causes all those nearby to suddenly contemplate and reflect on the past so they don’t just erupt into a protesting mob. The old buzzard is tired and does not want to hear everyone else squawking thought Gabriel. Metatron then spoke If the Creator believes now is the time for us to guide humanity into the next step then it’s time for us to get to work. The elderly angel flapped his wings and said meeting adjourned and was gone in a flash of light. Many of the angels around the room flapped their wings once and they were gone in a flash of light, only the angels in human form were left.

Michael spoke first well I suppose that leaves us the task of looking for students among the humans, but I think I know where to start he said as he wiped his glasses. Uriel looked over at the angel of love and kindness no one said anything about students. You’re thinking about recruiting kids from your school, isn’t that right Mr. School teacher. Michael smiled I do enjoy working in a human school and being a teacher. I know that college can sometimes be a rough environment but I truly believe there are some nobles souls we can bring into the fold. What about you, miss police officer? You planning on asking some of your trustworthy co-workers. Uriel sighed, I’ve got orders from the boss to maintain my position, I’m not going to be training any human at all but I can recommend some for you if you need help finding the right ones for the job. What about you Raphael? The angel in the form of a doctor smiled I think I’m just going to go to an outside source for help An outside source? asked Gabriel Who are you talking about? Raphael answered an old friend of mine, you’ve met him before. With that said, a flash of light surrounded Raphael and he was gone. Gabriel could not fathom whom the doctor was talking about as Gabriel had met lots of beings throughout his eternal life. Still he trusted Raphael’s judgment and chose to use the wait and see approach.

I suppose I will need to find a student said Azriel. Gabriel had to stop himself from falling over in shock and stared at the grim reaper you intend to train humans to do the things you do?! Azriel responded in defense I intend to train a reaper, and I only need to train one; someone who can maintain the status quo. Don’t believe me, ask the boss. And with a mocking smear and a flash of shadow the angel of death was gone. His assistant Raziel still remained, the archangel of secrets made a polite bow and vanished in a flash of shadow to follow his commander. Gabriel thought about how to find the right humans for the job and then the idea just came to him If you will all excuse me, I’m going to go get a drink.

Meanwhile in another part of the city a man had entered the Hierarchy tower carrying a strange device. The Hierarchy tower was the main base of operation of the current government that controlled this city. There were two security officers waiting at the main entrance with an x-ray machine for all luggage and carry-on’s. The oldest security officer approached the man with his strange device and said Excuse me sir, but we need to see your ID and you must submit this thing you are carrying for a quick scan.

The security officer looked at the object in the man’s hands, it was an odd hexagonal mechanical contraption that looked like it had been built from a very old type of metal. The suspicious man glared at the security guard and then reached into his pocket and pulled out his ID and handed it to the security guard. The security guard examined the name on the ID and then his face went pale and he broke out in a cold sweat as he recognized the name on the ID.

Mr. Rognon, Spencer Rognon! I am so sorry sir, I did not recognize you because it had been such a long shift and it’s very late the guard said as he desperately sought to placate this man. Spencer Rognon simply grinned, a grin that reminded both security guards of a caged wolf smiling as its favorite meat was being brought to it. You two are officially on probation, report to the Hierarchy foundry outside the city first thing tomorrow morning.

Both security guards cringed in fear at the mention of the foundry, it was often