บท 50: Awaken - Part 1

The world within Malique's mind is a desolate and foreboding place, shrouded in an impenetrable veil of darkness. It's a vast expanse of murky water that extends as far as the eye can see, ankle-deep and treacherous. The air is heavy with a sense of dampness, and the only sound is the echoing drip of water falling from somewhere high above.

The water seems to have a life of its own, swirling and shifting in the darkness, the ripples creating an eerie effect on the otherwise still surface. The walls around this place are indiscernible, an endless void of blackness.

The sense of hopelessness and despair is almost palpable, threatening to engulf anyone who enters. The darkness is all-encompassing, pressing in from all sides, a suffocating presence that could easily trap one forever.

It's unclear how Malique could end up in such a place, but those who do would have to face the weight of their thoughts and fears. Every step forward would feel like wading through quicksand, the water weighing down on the soul. There's no way to know how long Malique has been trapped in this mind, but leaving would require an immense amount of willpower and determination.

As Malique wades through the murky waters of his shattered mind, the weight of despair pressing down on him, he suddenly sees a figure emerging from the darkness. It's Lucifer, the Archdemon, but something is different about him. His body is covered in wounds, and his eyes glint with fierce determination.

Without a word, Lucifer steps forward, shielding Malique from an unseen threat. But then, as if from nowhere, Archangel Gabriel appears, his eyes blazing with fury. In a flash of light, he cuts Lucifer in half, and Malique watches in horror as the Archdemon's body falls to the ground, lifeless.

The shock of the moment hits Malique like a bolt of lightning, and he cowers in fear as Gabriel's figure charges towards him. But as the figure comes into contact with Malique, it suddenly disappears, leaving him alone in the darkness once again.

Malique trembles as he tries to process what has just happened. He realizes that he has seen this same event before, in real life. He remembers the feeling of helplessness as he watched Lucifer sacrifice himself to save his own life. He also remembers the rage and betrayal he felt when he found out that Gabriel had been the true villain, responsible for much of the suffering in their world.

But as Malique thinks back on those memories, something inside him breaks. The weight of despair is too much to bear, and he collapses to the ground, feeling utterly defeated. He had thought that he could overcome this shattered mind, but now he realizes that it is a hopeless task.

He lies there for what feels like hours, the darkness closing in around him. He is alone, utterly alone, with no hope of escape. The despair threatens to consume him completely, and he wonders if this is how it will end, lost in his shattered mind, forever.

As Malique lies on the ground, consumed by despair, he suddenly hears a voice calling out to him. It is God, and the voice fills him with both awe and fear.

"Why do you give up, Malique?" God's voice is serious, almost challenging. "Do you think that I am a liar? Have you forgotten all that I have done for you, for all of creation? Or have you thought that I am dead?"

"I... I don't know," he stammers. Malique feels a twinge of shame. He knows that God is right, but he cannot help feeling overwhelmed by the darkness that surrounds him. "I feel so lost, so alone. I don't know how to go on."

"Malique," God's voice is stern but also filled with love. "You must remember that you are never truly alone. Even in the darkest moments, I am with you. I am always here, waiting for you to reach out to me."

"I... I will try," Malique says, his voice barely above a whisper. He feels a glimmer of hope. He knows that God is right, but he had forgotten amid his despair. "I will try to have faith in you, to trust in your plan."

"That is all I ask," God replies, His voice soothing. "Remember, Malique, that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. You are never truly alone."

With that, the voice fades away, leaving Malique alone with his thoughts. He lies there for a few moments, letting God's words sink in. He realizes that he has been so focused on his pain and suffering that he has forgotten the most important thing of all: his faith in God. Yet as he lies there, he feels a mix of fear and disbelief. He has heard God's voice, but he cannot bring himself to fully believe it.

"Why?" he whispers to the darkness. "Why did you let this happen? Why did you let Lucifer die? And all the others... why did you let them die too?"

"Malique, my servant, I cannot interfere with the choices that others make. I have given them free will, the same trait humans possess. And they must choose their path." He doesn't expect an answer, but to his surprise, God replies.

"But why?" Malique cries out, his voice filled with anger and frustration. "Why do you allow so much pain and suffering in the world? If you are truly all-powerful, why don't you do something about it?"

"Malique, do not question my wisdom," God's voice is stern. "I have a plan for all things, even the darkest moments. Trust in me, and have faith that everything will work out as it should."

"I... I don't know if I can," Malique is silent for a moment, unsure of what to say. He feels a mixture of emotions: anger, fear, sadness, and confusion. But he finally admits. "It's just... it's all so much. How can I believe in something I can't even see?"

"Malique, do not be afraid," God's voice is gentle now, soothing. "Remember that I am with you always, even in the darkest moments. Have faith in me, and I will guide you through the storm."

Malique doesn't know what to say. He feels overwhelmed by all of the emotions, the confusion, the doubt. But as he lies there in the darkness, he feels a small spark of hope flicker within him. He doesn't know where it will lead him, or what will happen next, but for the first time in a long time, he feels that he is not alone.

Malique's mind begins to clear, and his surroundings become more vivid. The broken hall materializes before him, the darkness giving way to a dim light that casts eerie shadows across the walls. He looks around, taking in the scene before him. The corpse of Lucifer lies in front of him, a gruesome sight that makes Malique's stomach turn.

But there is something else that catches his eye. Archangel Michael, one of the most powerful angels in Heaven, is pinned to the wall with a sharp pole planted in his chest. Malique feels a surge of anger and sadness as he sees the once-mighty archangel reduced to this state.

Malique takes a step forward but stops as a figure appears in front of him. It is Gabriel, the archangel who had betrayed them all. Malique feels a twinge of fear, but it quickly fades as he looks at Gabriel. He no longer knows the word or meaning of fear. As if he was just born anew, nothing in the afterworld can delude him anymore.

"What sense is there in giving up, Malique? Do you truly believe that this is the end?" Gabriel's voice booms through the broken hall. "You are nothing without purpose, Malique. And now, your purpose is to die."

Gabriel lunges forward, his hand forming a spear of pure energy, crackling with power. But as he swings it towards Malique, the tip of the spear is stopped abruptly by an invisible force field that appears out of nowhere. Malique feels a surge of energy course through his body as he undergoes a sudden transformation.

His wings expand to their full span, radiating a blinding light that fills the broken hall. The force field around him pulses with energy, pushing Gabriel back and throwing him off balance. Malique raises his hand towards Gabriel, and a bolt of lightning shoots forth, striking Gabriel's sword and sending it flying out of his grasp.

"What's happening to me?" Malique mutters to himself, feeling the power coursing through his veins.

"A gift, my servant," God's voice reverberates inside Malique's mind. Thanks to that, Malique cannot help but strike a beautiful smile. "Now, be My sword and alter reality."

Gabriel growls in frustration, reaching out to summon another weapon. But before he can, the invisible shield suddenly burst and a blast of energy erupts, knocking Gabriel back and sending him further back crashing into the wall.

[Thud!]