Blinded 1.: The legend of the Blinded, #1

By ANNA TELEKI

It all started then... when in the Garden, where a fragile child heard the voice, unlike any other, when she saw the brilliance... 
Some say that neither world should ever merge... 
However, something happened within the Garden, something that changed the angels...
Would you like to hear it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unique Stories
• Release date: Jan 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215896358

Book preview

Angels in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions are supernatural spiritual beings lower than God and higher than man.

According to the Bible, angels are God's creatures and do not require any special respect. Good angels communicate God's will to people and help them. Fallen, evil angels are also known as demons or devils.

Angels are superior to humans in power and authority and are linked to them.

According to angelology, the Christian theological discipline dealing with angels, they have no gender, while Jewish tradition describes them as male... and...

...the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful.

Dream master – an entity that can be good or bad – human-like, with supernatural powers upon the imaginary world. Can lead human dreams, ideas, and wishes to take action and form in reality. Its existence is still a myth.

I.

C.F.

Extended snow-white wings, then drew them together, gleamed, and headed off into the dark, cold cave. On the damp walls, flares glowed. There was blood and running water dripping from the rocks where the young woman lay on the furs. Her lungs dragged the cold, musty air into her feverish body. Her power and her strength had come to an end. The thousands of years had exhausted her. And the enchantment which had made her whole creature mystical was fading.

''You are suffering because of your longing the angel softly murmured, crouching beside the burning, a nearly senseless body of the dream master. Gradually, he moved her silver hair aside so that he gained a better view of her suffering features. Tears of cold sweat glistened on her forehead, then flowed freely down. The warmth felt comforting. Her breathing calmed slightly as soon as she drew a deep breath. His blue eyes were filled with sorrow. He rose then turned away from her. ''You are suffering in vain. Your time is limited. The enchantments will fade... you too are living only by light, like all other creatures on this Earth, began to walk away.

After a few steps, he stopped. His cold face was surprised, then his eyes turned black before his wings jerked. He was waiting. Had he heard that right?

''Please...'' the woman breathed feverishly. The angel turned back. Diamond-clear tears rolled down the dream master's frosted cheeks from her closed eyes. Her dry lips quivered as they moved slowly. ''Ruiel..." She whispered in agony. Her hot breathing steamed before her face in the bone-chilling air. ''Ruiel, please... help me!'' Only her tears continued to flow.

The angel turned back to face her. In his black eyes, the reflection of her fever-stricken body. A fierce being, who was with him in the loneliness of his Hell. But now, this defiant, brave woman was lying broken on the furs.

She shivered faintly from the burning fever as he took her in his arms and returned to the throne. Sitting back with her in his lap. He caressed the tiny chin and bent to touch her lips. Glowing a brilliant shine of pure white, a dense flow of emerald dust glistened from Ruiel's lips when he gently licked her burning lips to force them open. A single passionate, nearly amorous touch and the silken substance ran for seconds on her throat, cutting off the flow of the cold airstream to her lungs. Her heartbeat increased, making painful reflex movements to gulp, and involuntarily returned the dream-like kiss.

A delightful radiance of warmth flooded over her, a wonderful bliss spreading gently. Spasming, tensing her muscles, she uttered a sound, a lewd breath, powerlessly dropping her head against Ruiel's arm. Wiping the dust from her chin, the angel blinked as a blush sprang up on her cheek. He looked at her with regret. At last, she stopped shivering from the fever, abruptly cuddling in closer, nestling close to the angel's heart.

Warmth and love streamed towards her in the infernal freezing depths and embraced her with such power that she refused to flee.

Ruiel closed his eyes.

''You are nothing more than a woman, Almira. A frail human being with a radiant soul.''

▼

By dawn, however, the sunlight failed to pierce so deep into the darkness, returning the sound-asleep dream master to its resting place. His hand rested on her belly. He reached close to her ear whispering.

"Your son shall be born into this darkness. Like all men, covered with blood. You shall rest him upon your belly and let his wings emerge. He will become a mighty, strong Soul. You will name him Mark because he is a warrior dedicated to God. You will raise him to love every living creature. But my sin will be inherited, along with my fate. This is the price you pay for your request. And when you look upon your son, recall a hunter as his father, the one I sent to rule the World.... the giant that detested its fate.''

This command burnt in the soul of Almira. It was only a fleeting moment. The fear of mortality and despair engulfed the dream master's human soul.

▼

And the time went by swiftly...

A painful shriek was heard in the cave of anguish as if the torture itself had given birth. Rippling the crystal clear water before Ruiel's throne against the rocks behind, when Almira cried out once more.

It resonated in the rocks like a crystal goblet on an empty toast. There was a subtle, faint tremor, and the blood on the Dreammaster's pale hands gleamed bright, dulled by the torchlight. Cautiously, she cradled the child in her arms, the newborn crinkled its little face painfully.

''Welcome, Mark...''

▼

2029.

Ruiel was unwilling to do heaven's bidding. But somehow, the Heavens were not angry. And Abaddon was curious. He went to hell five years later to find out how everything was so calm.

Nearer and nearer, he gazed at the shadows darting across the cliffs. Much less than before. For some reason, he felt warm. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and then stopped suddenly.

The lively laughter of a child echoed in the cave. The raucous giggles of a delighted toddler.

Abaddon was aware that, coming without a command, he would not be allowed to enter hell. He watched as Almira played a game of tag with an animatedly giggling, bright-eyed little angel. The child's black curls ruffled in the cold air. His bare feet made a soft sound on the rocky ground as he ran.

The seraph's eyes latched onto his cross. The everlasting torches shone vividly on the palm-sized silver cross that hung around the child's neck. While Almira didn't sense the seraph's presence, suddenly the child stopped and sprinted behind the legs of Ruiel, who emerged from a tunnel opposite.

''What are you doing here, Abaddon? ''asked the angel firmly, gently ruffling the child's hair. Almira turned back and the seraph moved a little to the light.

''Allow me to enter," he said quietly. Ruiel laughed out loud. Leaning down to the child, he tightened the silken waistband, adjusting the turned-over cross that extended to his belly.

''To your mother! ''he said encouragingly.

Little Mark ran fast towards Almira. He glanced fearfully at the red-eyed angel in the tunnel. Almira smiled.

''No need to be afraid..." she said gently, holding the child in her arms.

''I assume that you will want to leave as well... said Ruiel gravely, sitting on the rock throne. Abaddon didn't answer.'' You know, Abaddon, only the angels that fall will come by themselves into Hell. Are you also on the verge of falling, seraph? asked the devil with a grin, but he expected no answer. He beckoned Abaddon to enter. You know the rules here. I advise you to abide strictly by every letter during your brief tenancy with us," said Ruiel, watching as the seraph made his entrance towards the light.

Little Mark was holding his mother, frightened when Almira set the child down.

''See. It s Abaddon, said the dream-master in a pleasant voice, pointing to the seraphim. Mark stared at the tall angel with serious eyes.'' You don't have to be afraid of him... smiled Almira. ''Go and present yourself nicely to him.

Abaddon's eyes calmed down. Almira was well, and seemingly happy. He couldn't imagine whatever was going on in hell. The small Mark stopped in front of him, afraid. He crouched down and held out his hand to him.

''Hey. 'I'm Abaddon,' he said quietly. The child watched his hand for a long moment, before shaking the seraph's hand.

''Hey. I'm Mark," said the child cheerfully. Do you want to play with me?''

''Certainly, said Abaddon.

All of a sudden the cursed seraph forgot he was actually in hell. The child radiated a strange and unknown tenderness and warmth. Almira smiled. Hell was a different place.

Ruiel breathed a weary sigh. Somehow, a delightful light smile emerged on his angelic face. And then in a flash, there was a burning flame in its black eyes.

The seraph got a brief inkling of the former angel's warmth, but enough for him to lose control of himself.

The game of catch was cut short as Abaddon caught Almira's arm as she ran away from him and drew the dream master into his arms.

He held her too close to him. His arms wrapped spontaneously around her slender waist,

''Keep your hands off me! sounded the dream master's voice in hell, and the air ruffled roughly.

The little Mark halted, and Abaddon, jerking to his senses, let go of Almira with a sudden surrender, raising his hands. He had forgotten the rules of hell, and most of all had forgotten everything about himself. For a moment he was excessively pleased. His angel sin swirled in his veins, and every time he glanced at Almira, he longed for more. More...

''Leave! ''The low voice of Ruiel raised a shudder in hell, dragged backward by its wings, Abaddon's entire body burned with a brimstone torment. One powerful blast, and everything darkened, then crashed against a beech tree standing at the entrance to the cave.

▼

4th of June 2033

''Almira,'' a spark of defiance flashed in her icy eyes, on her pale but beautiful, feminine face, as she heard her name. ''Why do you let your son go so far into hell? Don't you worry. He disappears too often," smiled Ruiel at the Dream Master.

''You are worried?'' asked the woman wearing a royal blue silk veil. Dust of diamonds shone as dew on her naked arms and shoulders. Her rosy red lips gracefully shaped the words. ''Am I right?''

''Down in the depths of hell, you know very well, that the blinded ones are merciless. They can't stand hallowed souls.''

The dream master grinned, brushing her silvery blond hair between her fingers, almost straight and heavy, reaching to her bottom. The light of the eternal torches flickered on her hair again, shining through it as if it had been misted with diamonds. She took languid paces towards the devil, a contented smirk on her face. Ruiel's dark, curled locks of hair dangled disturbingly in his eyes, deep, velvety, yet gleaming dark blue. His powerful, manly features were hidden behind strands of hair that jutted forward. Stepping closer to get a better look, was the angel worried?

He gently touched her chin and gazed into her icy eyes. There was no concern in Ruiel's eyes, but rather sternness.

''Every child is curious, Ruiel answered in a low but firm voice and released her chin. ''He won't learn to fly if he spends all his time in hell. Moreover, he shines all the less. Mark!

Ruiel stood up and called to the disheveled, dark-haired child. From afar he rushed barefoot toward the angel. Wiping his small, blood-stained hands in the black silk wrapped around his waist, his emerald, innocent eyes gleamed with love. Making a little child giggle, he embraced the tall angel's legs.

Ruiel smiled. Uncontrollable, celestial Love radiated from the smeared and bloody-handed child. He patted the little child's head and bent down to him.

''Belt yourself properly!'' he gently tightened the loose silk around the child's waist. ''With what have you played, to make you all bloody?'' he asked in a pleasant tone, looking at his hands, bloodied from the fabric. But the child feared to answer... ''Show me your wings!'' Without a word, the child obeyed, revealing on his naked little back the two silver-white wings covered with fluffy feathers. With angelic black eyes, he gazed at Ruiel. In vain, of course. ''You don't have light, Ruiel frowned. He caressed the small wings. Compared to his, these were so small and frail. A child angel's feeble wings. You can't fly now, and you keep them hidden too much. Now, I'm going to pluck these little feathers!''

''Mum!" cried the child, frightened, while Almira voiced her helpless cry:

''Don't do it, please!''

No, of course not! replied Ruiel ruthlessly, grabbing the base of the small wings and plucking out the silver feathers wrathfully.

A cry of a child's wail, unheard before, resounded through the hell. Little Mark was unable to escape the firm grip. From his black beady eyes, the crimson teardrops streamed achingly on his white face. Tightly, hugging his mother, he yelped with each peck. Without effort, Ruiel plucked out the feathers that never before saw sunlight. Now only a couple were left at the wing bases. In the most delicate spot. A final whine and the job was done.

Little Mark collapsed limply against his mother. His tiny, naked feet quivered on the stone.

Weeping, Almira held her son, who had lost his weak glow.

Ruiel was satisfied with the sight. The child's wings ached so fiercely that there was not a drop of strength remaining to hide the naked, bloody display they presented. He heaved a sigh.

''This child was born from the darkness of hell. Here down deep, he can't learn to fly.'' He glanced at Almira, standing with the child in her arms. ''In a few years, he'll be better.'' And the angel turned his back on the woman. Snow-white, shining, diamond-edged feathers glittered on his vast wings. ''Get Abaddon to come and take your son to Earth and teach him how to fly.''

Almira's teary eyes grew wide and trembling, and she exclaimed:

''Abaddon!'' She didn't have to think twice. Happy to be able to release her son on Earth. Into a world that her child's eyes have never beheld nor his senses imagined. Finally to step into the world of the light.

After some minutes a loud whistling noise followed, a flapping sound of wings from one of the dark tunnels. As the Seraph approached, Ruiel gazed at her, looking smaller.

With serious black eyes, Abaddon peered at the tortured wings of the little boy. Shaking with tears, Almira hugged him tightly. Only seven years old, the child didn't glow as he had a few years ago when his mother hung his cross over his neck.

''Ruiel... turned to him. Why?" asked the angel, bewildered. Though he also knew very well that at some point, before a child becomes a full-grown angel, it sheds the soft filial feathers. It is true, that this is a much more gradual phenomenon, which takes years if not decades or even centuries while the feathers are exchanged. But the process demands exposure to sunlight.

A wicked smile crossed Ruiel's face, and he moved closer to Almira, with nowhere to retreat. She was backed into a corner. Ruiel caressed Mark's tousled black hair. He wiped the tears of blood from the little boy's slumbering face with his big fingers.

For a while, take him far from here Ruiel added, flashing light of long-forgotten fondness in his blue eyes. ''Near to Heaven,'' he said, and then wiped away Almira's clear tears. ''This is a child born to reign. But only when he has witnessed everything will he know how to become great. He will only be able to shine if his wings are touched by the light of the sun," and then he lifted the child from Almira's arms and gave it to Abaddon. ''The powers inherited from his mother will soon show themselves. Then he will be able to return here on his own. Keep him safe until then.''

''Strange to hear you say that" Abaddon hugged the child. Ruiel's smile hid a stern fatherly one.

''He is not human. In his soul, only a faint grain of dust was left to mimic a man.''

''Protect him," Almira gently and joyfully kissed her sleeping son's cheek.

The Seraph regarded her smiling face with wonder as if she had breathed a sigh of relief. Turning his back on hell, he took the child from there, and carefully laid the sleeping boy on his stomach, barely winged and sleeping.

▼

Mark has woken up in the mountains inside a cottage. Scents that he had never felt before caught his nose. Fresh scents of woods, meadows, and blossoms wafted in the cold mountain breeze. There were strange noises from all directions. A strong blast of wind creaked and rustled in the age-old cottage.

Climbing off the worn mattress he suddenly sensed softness beneath his bare soles. His black curls limped as he curiously ran against the window in his little white kilt. He was amazed to discover that the cold glass warmed rapidly under his small hands.

Behind the glass it was bright. He squinted for a long time as his black eyes accustomed themselves. Wordlessly, he looked