Stairway to Heaven

By Alex Stevens

Corporal Jack Graven should be dead. Murdered by a vengeful angel at his own father's funeral, Jack is resurrected and returns to life carrying a terrible secret: he is the Archangel Gabriel reincarnated.

Jack's not the only one

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alex Stevens
• Release date: Oct 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781735177854

Alex Stevens

Alex Stevens is a Marine Corps Veteran with two deployments and a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Interdisciplinary Studies program, a unique undergraduate degree that caters to students with various interests of study. He is also an advent traveler and philosophy enthusiast who has spent a lifetime studying religions, with a focus on Non-denominational Christianity. Alex spends most of his time going for walks, spending time with loved ones, and when the juices are flowing, writing. Fantasy fiction is his great escape from the mundane and he likes to create fantastical realities that are blended with non-fictional people, places, and events.

Book preview

Title1

Copyright © 2022 Alex Stevens

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-7351778-5-4 E-Book

ISBN: 978-1-7351778-3-0 Paperback

ISBN: 978-1-7351778-4-7 Hardcover

Contents

Author’s Note

Part 1: Lie In Our Graves

Prologue: Gotta Knock a Little Harder

Chapter 1: Bittersweet Symphony

Chapter 2: Ragoo

Chapter 3: Extreme Ways

Chapter 4: It Was a Sin

Part 2: The Real Folk Blues

Chapter 5: In Your Atmosphere

Chapter 6: Oceans

Chapter 7: Tighten Up

Part 3: This is Gospel

Chapter 8: War Pigs

Chapter 9: Easy on Me

Chapter 10: Tank!

Epilogue: Bartender

Author’s Bio

Author’s Note

Stairway to Heaven is my own spin on a mixture of two of my favorite stories: Cowboy Bebop and a story my father once told me concerning the fall of angels. I would again like to thank Adam Hamilton for all of his assistance with helping me write this book, as his input was instrumental to turning out another novel of what I hope is excellent caliber. I’d also like to thank my good friend, Bradly Hackworth, for his input as well. Once again, I’d like to thank God and my family, and a special thank you to my fiancée for supporting me throughout this process. But my greatest thanks goes to you, the reader, my supporter… Thank you for choosing this novel. I hope it is everything you hoped it would be and more.

Part 1

Lie In Our Graves

Prologue

Gotta Knock a Little Harder

The Devil’s Own

October 31, 2015

Is this real? I wondered.

Echoes of the sharp cackling of crows reverberated through my ears, bouncing from the infinite rows of colorful headstones as they fled cawing from the deserted graveyard. The image of the dark angel’s twilight eyes and lustrous black hair hypnotized me as I reclined in my lavishly comfortable wheelchair. A shadow of death, he enveloped me in darkness as I caught the briefest glance of an oddly familiar face. A voice sounded in my ear that seemed as light as the air he manipulated with his set of pitch-black wings.

Remember, Gabriel, he whispered.

My eyes failed to register movement, but sudden unbearable pain exploded from my chest, forcing me to collapse to the ground. The ominous dark-winged figure took flight once again, disappearing as suddenly as his unexpected assault.

I laid there in agony for what seemed to be an eternity, realizing at the same moment eternity was only relative to time itself. As this thought began to consume me whole, the pain slowly receded from the corners of my mind and was instead replaced by memories of those I had known during my life as Jack Graven. First was Lee Graven, the elderly Chinese man who had taken me in, a father I would eventually bury. Next was Ivan, the brother I’d known as Tyler Graven. Through years of tutelage he would mold me into a warrior, and eventually be consumed by a black blade he had called Shade, the Black Muramasa. Richard appeared next, the immortal ebony slave master who had sculpted a young, bruised, and beaten boy into one of the deadliest men on the face of the earth. Then Diana, Commanding Officer of Marine Special Operations Command, the woman who had dedicated her efforts crafting boys into men. Finally, Jin, my retainer and closest friend, who had watched over me every moment of my life since the day we had met. I loved these people, and I was at peace knowing these cherished memories of them would be my final thoughts. I heard the call then, one last time, and its name was death.

Finally, darkness.

*  *  *

I floated in a thick sea of pitch-black, void of anything within the realm of human perception. I could feel the oscillating waves of this vacant sea, and slowly came to the realization that I emitted no breath. I could sense no remnants of a body whatsoever, but simply existed within a sea of everlasting darkness. Seconds turned to minutes, hours into days. Weeks to months, and months to years. I spent an eternity swirling in darkness, sensing the subtle shift of my nonexistence bobbing like a gulley in a calm sea. As I eventually began to succumb to an undeniable fate of eternal darkness I glimpsed a pin prick of light, something so small it would’ve almost been a trick of the darkness, yet undeniable as the only light to pierce the veil of vast blackness in years. It swelled with every wave, approaching closer by the millisecond. As it reached me, I realized that the light was emitted from a single man, one I almost mistook for Tyler. Both appeared to be strikingly similar, as this man exhibited long white hair that fell past his waist. As he neared, though, I glimpsed his features more closely. They possessed a childlike innocence that Tyler had never been afforded in this lifetime. And red eyes.

Gabriel

Nine Million Years Ago

Piercing bright rays of light flooded the colorful chamber and splayed across my enormous bed, waking the three of us. Two of the suns had risen, and most immortals found it impossible to sleep with such intruding light. Fortunately, the third sun had yet to rise, which would have made it unpleasant to rest much longer in bed. I didn’t recall the names of the women beside me, as was true for most, but the curves of their succulent bodies and the motion of them would be forever etched into my memory. I stretched quietly, the two snuggling further into my arms among the lavishly decorated quarters we occupied. The lovely maidens smelled of beauty and wealth, as they were inhabitants of the high courts. This being so, courtly gossip was the first sound to touch my ears.

They say the Warden of the East is too fearful of being reset. He’s become paranoid, and no longer warrants the position, the woman to my right began.

He wouldn’t be the first immortal fearful of being reset. How dreadful would it be to lose the entirety of your memories? It’s the same as being reborn. I bet he’s worried because of the rumors of Raphael being reset, and no one seems to know who’s to blame. What warrior could’ve even toppled the Sudom? The strongest immortal. Reset. And Uriel’s definitely far removed from his prime. He’s not exactly Michael. I heard Michael prevented an uprising in the Outer Reaches without even lifting his sword.

Shaddai was most pleased, the other woman offered.

Shaddai is always pleased with Michael, as is Yeshua. There’s a rumor that the two of you are good friends, Gabriel.

I myself am a pariah of the courts, and for good reason, I answered. To acknowledge that I have friends in the court would be terrible gossip indeed, but it is true that I am fond of a few lords.

I did my best to hide my smile. I had fought countless battles beside both Yeshua and Michael and viewed them as brothers more than friends. I had even fought alongside Raphael, and news of his passing troubled me deeply. I wondered if my teacher knew.

You’d be a lord yourself if you challenged Uriel for Warden of the East already, the woman to my right continued. Everyone knows you’d emerge victorious. Some say you could even challenge Michael for Warden of the West. That’s why the courts hold you in such contempt, because you won’t take office. They all believe you to be lazy.

A feral smile erupted from my face, and I couldn’t help but burst into maniacal laughter.

She has no idea how right she is! I thought.

Both Michael and Yeshua had told me the same.

I have my wine and women. I’ll leave the courts to more fervent minds.

I allowed my grief for the fallen to pass and grinned again silently at the thought of Michael and Yeshua in their official posts. Fighting fueled the blood coursing through my veins, and we had silenced numerous uprisings together. Leave the bureaucracy to the others; I’ll keep the battles and women. Still, imagining both Michael and Yeshua in their official posts widened my grin. They were the finest warriors in all the kingdoms, and they were both forced to reside over the courts with soft words. This might be fitting for Yeshua, but never for Michael. Yeshua could traverse both worlds with ease and possessed a grace that was undeniably godly. Michael, however, would most likely rather take an arrow to the knee than preside over matters in the West. Still, when they claimed their places as Wardens of the North and West they sealed their fates as officials. I would never allow myself to operate in such trifling positions.

Shaddai is calling a summons, the woman to my left chimed in.

A summons! the other woman exclaimed, jolting upright. When? I’ll need to make my way to the capital immediately.

Every lord and lady is expected to be in attendance, she exclaimed, nudging me with an elbow. I assume you will be absent.

You’ve assumed correctly, I responded. I’ve no business in North Heaven.

Gabriel stays in West Heaven unless he’s off to the Outer Reaches to reset disgruntled immortals, but Yeshua will be there for certain. How I wonder what it would be like to spend just one night in his chambers.

Unfortunately, no one enters his chambers nor Shaddai’s. Those two don’t indulge in the flesh of others, unlike this one, she said, nudging me again.

I’m ready to indulge in the flesh of others at this very moment, actually, I announced as I kissed one’s neck, then the other’s.

Violent pounding suddenly erupted from the door, interrupting our privacy.

Lord Gabriel! Koga’s muffled voice emerged from the other side.

I’m no lord, Koga. And whatever it is, tell Michael I’m occupied at the moment. I’ll be with him shortly.

It isn’t Michael, my lord. This message is from Shaddai, and it’s addressed to Lord Gabriel, Official Warden of the East, voice of Shaddai.

What!? I yelled, bolting upright.

You’ve been made Edom, the woman to my right snickered. We’ve bedded a proper lord, then.

It can’t be. There was no challenge made.

Shaddai makes no mistakes, and his word is law. You are Warden of the East now.

Koga! Ready the men! We ride for the capital. I’m nipping this in the bud. There’s been a terrible misunderstanding.

I don’t think so, my lord, the girl to my left mused. They seemed to take much delight in a personally catastrophic situation. May we join you on your ride, then?

But of course, I replied dryly, the feeling of sudden upheaval gnawing away at my stomach.

*  *  *

On the healthiest of horses, North Heaven was a three days ride from West Heaven. I traveled with my thirty men, and my two newly acquainted companions. As they were ladies, of course, our pace was slowed to accommodate for comfort versus efficiency, but the trade off, however, was quite rewarding most nights. We came upon the city on the fifth day as the third sun began to cast its last lights on North Heaven’s western walls.

The novelty of traveling had long faded from my mind. I had traversed the plains of every kingdom, and more of the Outer Reaches than any other immortal. I had waged more battles than any other immortal as well. If there was a conflict, my warriors and I were at the very tip of the spear.

I had begun my fighting days as a mercenary, waging wars in South Heaven’s Outer Reaches to quickly make a name for myself. After years of operating alone in various mercenary groups, my fame spread through the kingdoms, and I was eventually taken in and trained by one of Heaven’s mightiest generals. Soon men traveled from far and wide to train under my tutelage, and I amassed a small following of the fiercest warriors witnessed in the last hundred years. Both Wardens of the North and West had privately requested I fight alongside them in the Outer Reaches, and I did so eagerly, but never would I have imagined becoming a Warden. The title was unwanted, thus the reason I determinedly set out for North Heaven to correct the unforeseen event.

We were met at the city gates by several hundred immortals on horseback who were led by an old friend.

I was informed you slowed your pace. I’ve been sitting at these gates for two days awaiting your arrival, Michael claimed as he rode forward.

Michael’s long black hair instantly gave him away in any crowd. It was longer than Yeshua’s, even, and I often wondered how he managed to wage battles without the velvet mane impeding. His piercing eyes shone purple and blue, and the clothing he donned matched the colorful swirls of twilight in his gaze. His face held a constant look of contempt, but I knew him well enough to trust his kindness.

I don’t imagine I have any business coming to the summons at all. I doubt you have anything to do with this? I suggested, embracing his forearm in my palm.

Michael squeezed my forearm as well in a solid embrace while shaking his head.

I’ve nothing to do with it, but the news has spread like a raging wildfire. You’ve inherited political enemies already and haven’t even been officially awarded the position yet.

There is no award for the position. The only way to proclaim the title is to defeat the preceding Warden in combat. These are the laws, and I’ve come to squash this misunderstanding.

Shaddai misunderstands nothing, and his laws are law. You are now Warden of the East, my friend, and it is long overdue. Come. We will ride together. Ladies, I believe your lovers would be in favor of you entering the city absent our presence.

And give up the chance to be seen amongst not one, but two Wardens?

Sadly, I must insist, Michael commanded.

Very well, then. Come, Genevieve.

The ladies rode ahead of us, and as entertaining as our brief interaction had been, relief flooded my veins.

You’re never far from a battle or bodice, are you, Gabriel? Michael teased.

We all have our talents, Michael. How have the days treated you?

You will soon see. The life of a Warden is quite tiresome. I was glad when I received word of the summons.

Is it true? The rumors concerning the summons? Raphael was reset?

I fear it’s worse than simply that. There’s news of trouble in the South.

South Heaven? Impossible.

Quite possible. Haven’t you heard? Lucifer has disappeared. He’s been absent four moon spans, and hordes of exiles, rebels, and traitors have amassed among the Outer Reaches.

This is certainly newsworthy! How have I not?

Before Raphael was reset, he ruled over South Heaven as if it were his own kingdom. It’s no wonder no one spoke of unsettling events. An army horde at the gates is reason enough to break your silence, especially with both Sudom and his favored general absent.

I’m glad I’ve arrived, then. I will see what has become of my teacher for myself.

Michael and I entered the gates of the marvelous city, followed by our men. Spectators gathered to witness the new Warden of the East and renowned Warden of the West. Women, children, and men swarmed the streets around us, cheering as we proceeded through the capital. I gazed at the children and wondered which poor, reset immortal souls inhabited their bodies. Even most of the adults seemed less than a million years old. More than a few faces were stern and unyielding, but most were filled with big eyes and wide smiles.