The army stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a force out of time, with horseback riders, modern tanks, and everything in between. So too, were the troops a mix of people: trained soldiers stood among average people. At the head of the army was the Antichrist, the human who had turned on his species in a doomed attempt to challenge Yahweh. He sat on a black horse, proud and defiant, and his shadow seemed a bit too large, a bit too dark behind him.
Unbeknownst to the army, the away team had embedded themselves near the front of the host, in a position with a clear line of sight to the Antichrist—and Lucifer, influencing his actions from within in the Immaterial. While the two were together, Lucifer would be able to heal any assassination attempts on the Antichrist, while shielded from any attacks himself. The team’s mission was to take the shot against Lucifer as soon as he was brought into the physical world. No one looked twice at them, one more heavily armed group was nothing here.
"I can't believe he's turned this many people to this. Don't they know what's coming?" Canaanite remarked.
“It’s Yahweh. He’s influencing them, pushing them to follow the Antichrist. Yahweh needs an enemy for His prophecy, so He’s making sure he gets it.”
“That, and the Antichrist has better PR than us," Job muttered. “These people must be itchin’ for revenge against Big G, all the Antichrist had to do was say he could give it to ‘em.”
“Let them distract Him. I’ll take the advantage,” Eve put in.
The army marched towards Jerusalem, where the Antichrist claimed was the lynchpin for his conquest. At the Kidron Valley, Jesus would come out to do battle, and there his army would give him his revenge.
“People of the nations!” called the Antichrist. “The time has come for us to have our revenge on this so-called God and his people! And when he is defeated, I shall reign as the true king of this world!”
“Doesn’t he ever shut up? He’s been making these boasts since we started.”
“Fits the expectations. Lucifer’s sin was pride—don’t expect him to drop it anytime soon.”
At last the army arrived at the Valley. The Antichrist’s horse came to a halt, and he turned to address the assembly. Before he could, though, there was a voice from heaven.
IT IS DONE!
“Shit! We’re running out of time—Yahweh’s set to destroy them any minute now!”The assembly began to scream, as lightning and thunder began to crack across the sky. The Antichrist’s voice could barely be heard over the commotion, calling out. “My loyal subjects! Do not fear this Christ. For my power shall protect you, as I assume my rightful place on his throne!”
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
At that moment, there was light.
A blaze of pure white light came from the heavens, brighter than the noonday sun. There was a deafening crack of thunder, and the clouds seemed to roll back like a scroll. When it cleared, there was a horse with a gleaming white coat, before the open Gates of Heaven above. On it sat Jesus Christ, incarnate again as the Word of God.
“We have visual! He’s here!” Eve called.
“I see Him. Is everyone in position?
The Antichrist faltered for a moment, a brief lapse in certainty, before the utterly self-assured smirk returned to his face. “It is time, my subjects! CHA—”
SERVANTS OF THE EVIL ONE, came the voice of Jesus. It rang out like a bell across the assembly, unmistakable and unmissable. YOU HAVE TURNED FROM ME AND MY FATHER. As His Word traveled over the army, there came the sound of screams and gasps, with several falling to the ground with blood dripping from their ears.
“Damn it! We were supposed to have more time—we need the other guy to make an appearance, fast.”
“At the rate things are going, he isn’t going to before Yahweh’s attack. You’re going to have to lure Lucifer out into the open.”
Jesus’ mount galloped down to Earth, as though running on smooth land. He came to a halt some feet away from the Antichrist.
“And exactly how do you suggest we trick the Prince of Lies?”Canaanite stepped forward. “I’ve got an idea, but it’ll have to be me. If this doesn’t work…” She took a breath. “I suggest you all convert fast. I’ll look up at you when you do.”
Canaanite looked up at Jesus. Her family had taught her since she was young about His love. The events of the last 7 years had clarified what that meant. If this was His love, she would have no part of it. She steeled her nerves, and thought of the horrors she had seen as she put on her facade, looking to all present as a perfectly devoted subject of the Antichrist. “You cannot harm us. Our lord will shield us from you,” putting as much contempt as she could muster into the last word.
The Antichrist’s grin could not have been wider. He approached Canaanite, and placed a hand on her shoulder, who fought the urge to stiffen. “Yes, my subject, yes.”
Jesus turned his eyes on the Antichrist, gaze filled with fury.
YOU HAVE TURNED MY LOYAL CHILDREN AGAINST ME. LUCIFER, LEAVE THIS MAN.
At once the Antichrist’s shadow seemed to shrink to its proper size. He blinked for a moment, and suddenly reeled back, away from the wrath of Jesus. There was a sharp crack, and an angel appeared where the Antichrist had stood, glowing with brilliant light.
At last Lucifer, the ancient serpent, stood in his angelic form before Jesus, the Risen King. As the ancient enemies faced each other, Humanity’s last hope took their positions.
EVIL ONE. YOU WERE BELOVED IN MY SIGHT, BLESSED ABOVE ALL MY ANGELS. YET THERE WAS PRIDE WITHIN YOU, AND I CAST YOU OUT. FOR ALL YOUR DAYS ON EARTH, YOU HAVE DECEIVED MY CHILDREN—
“NOW!”
Canaanite hurled herself to the side just as Eve’s rifle went off.
Lucifer fell to the ground, golden ichor spilling from the wound in his head.
The King of Kings turned at once to the shooter. Every member of the team held the breath that might well be their last. He pointed a finger at them, preparing to speak a Word that would condemn them for their usurpation of Divine justice...