PREFACE
The year 2020 was unique in many respects for the entire world. It made us all think and imagine of things to make the world better and forget the negativity. That is exactly what we did. Being close friends, we took our time and aimed it into our creativity. Birthed from an idea of Toi's ten plus years ago. While the kernel of that idea sat and simmered for many years, 2019 we put our heads together to make it a reality. We felt that an epic story such as ours needed to be told. Although we were inspired by, Dante's Inferno, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and many other stories such as those, as well as the Bible itself, there is nothing like our story out there. We just want to thank all those tales that we mentioned for getting the gears going and all of you readers for bringing Gates of Divinity to life.
Al Lytle Toi Blasier
THE NINE CIRCLES OF HELL
EMPTINESS
TEMPEST
TEARS
TOIL
SLAUGHTER
INDUSTRY
DELIGHT
MALEBOLGE
PANDEMONIUM
Prologue
“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
“I will not be denied my throne above the stars!” Lucifer proclaimed to Shamayim.
“Do not do this, Lucifer. You know what will happen.” Michael warned from behind him. Lucifer remained defiant and stood his ground.
Lucifer suddenly ignited into flames and fell from Shamayim like a lightning streak. His scream of pain pierced all of creation and echoed for all to feel and hear.
“Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So, I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So, I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.”
Lucifer crashes into Sagun like a meteor, creating a crater around him. He was on his knees and his body and wings continued to smolder. His body appeared to be charred with cracks of cinders coursing throughout. The ground beneath him shook violently and majestic gates of iron and steel rose before him. Once erected, Lucifer witnesses an angel glide down from Sagun’s sky and perch atop the gates. “Welcome to your new home, brother.” Anahel stated caustically. Lucifer gazes at him intensely and states defiantly “You have no power over me, Anahel.”“Perhaps, but once our Father judges you, there’s a nice little lake in here for you to spend eternity in, Lucifer.” Anahel sneered. “NO!” Lucifer growls and uses his wings to raise himself back up to his feet. He then leaps into the air and flies away from Anahel and the gates of hell. “You will be back, brother, I promise.” Anahel says under his own breath.
‘Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.”
1
All of Heaven was a battlefield, angels and fallen angels were savagely cutting each other down. The brilliant light of Heaven dimmed by the countless celestial combatants blanketing the entire sky in combat as well as on Heaven’s terrain. Eviscerated celestial bodies littered the heavenly arena like leaves during the autumn season. Amid it all, both sides fought passionately for what they believed to be righteous. The angels fought with grace and stoic precision, while their counterparts “The Fallen”, fought with raw savagery.
Archangel Raphael cast his healing powers onto one of the angels that had fallen in battle, but it was too late. His injuries were too severe. He took a step back and looked up to the sky and observed that the multitude of bodies falling from the sky looked like the ash from a volcanic eruption. His thoughts were quickly interrupted as a body fell before him and a Fallen was in pursuit to deliver a killing blow. Raphael reacted instinctively and severed the Fallen into two halves with his sword. Deep down inside it brought Raphael tremendous grief knowing that the Fallen were once his brethren as well. “Oh brother, how you have all fallen…” he whispered somberly. He reached down and began healing the angel that had just crashed in front of him.
In the great banquet hall of the Palace of the MorningStar, in the circle of Pandemonium, two figures were seated at the table holding each other in contempt. “I don’t understand why Lucifer would not want his Grand General by his side on the battlefield!” Satanachia griped. “How about you just shut up and eat this feast that I have prepared.” Lucifuge Rofocale chastised. “How can you think about food during a time like this?” Satanachia inquired. “We are not a part of this war, not to mention, we do not even have the means to get to the gates. We do not have wings, you simpleton! That is why it’s an angel affair because they can fly out of here unlike us. So, put a sock in it and be done with this obsession!” Lucifuge Rofocale asserted. “I hate you, you dumb goat!” Satanachia exclaimed under his breath. “What was that?” Lucifuge Rofocale demanded. “Never mind. Nothing.” Satanachia mumbled. Then, The Grand General had an epiphany. Asteroth was participating in the war, but he left his dragon in Hell. “Satanachia, what are you thinking?” Lucifuge Rofocale interrogated. “Don’t worry about it. This does not involve you, nor your silly little hat.” Satanachia stated flatly. “You will start showing me some respect, Grand General! I am the Prime Minister, and I will not tolerate your insolence any longer!” Lucifuge Rofocale proclaimed. Satanachia ignored him and rose out of his seat and began heading for the exit. Lucifuge Rofocale sprang up and seized him by the upper arm. Satanachia instantly reacted by backhanding him to floor. Without pause, he continued to exit the palace. “Beelzebub will be hearing about this!” Lucifuge Rofocale called out desperately.
Satanachia headed straight for Asteroth’s dragon. He made his presence known to the beast as a formality and then mounted it. Once the two understood each other, he rode the dragon all the way to the gates of Hell, where the beast would go no further. He dismounted and leapt onto the gate and began to climb it to the top. He perched at the finial and reveled in the sights before