Sympathy For The Devil (798 hits)
Category: UberMadness! EntryRating: 2 on 4 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Pentameter (View user info) at 2005-08-09 05:26:12 EDT
This post was an official UberMadness! entry. Click here to view the original matchup.
In the beginning, God woke up in the middle of a black void. He sat up, rubbed His eyes and wished that He weren't by himself. Almost instantly, an angel the size of a hummingbird began to fly around God's head.
God giggled and said, "You're funny."
The angel looked deeply into His eyes and said, "You are The Artist. This is your palate. Color it as you see fit."
With the wonder of a child, God began creating. In one blink of His eyes, the entire Kingdom of Heaven was built around Him. Walls grew from nothingness, halls stretched out for eternity, streams bubbled and fountains sprung up from the void. His Chamber of Creation, the Garden of Stars and the Great Hall all appeared simply from His thoughts.
But He was still alone. He talked to the angel, but it was nothing but an outward expression of His mind, and He grew tired of wandering through the darkness.
Inside of God's Chamber of Creation sat a machine that was built to create beings much like Himself. For a moment, He stared at it and thought about what kind of creature He could make to keep Him company. He thought of the sweetness of the tiny angel, and decided that He would create an entire choir to help Him fashion the universe.
God stood in front of the machine, and began to move His hands. The sound of thunder shook the room, and lightning flashed over the open ceiling. Wind blew His hair away from His face, and His eyes flashed with intelligence. When God moved His hands away, a tiny baby levitated over the top of the pedestal. He walked behind His first child and gave him twelve wings.
With His right hand, God lifted the child up from the pedestal and breathed into his mouth, not knowing what to expect. Would the child survive? Creation was still new to Him and He was filled with fear. After a few moments of shuddering and shivering, the child opened his black eyes and stretched out his wings.
"Beliar," God said with wide eyes.
Beliar cooed and smiled, but he did not say a word. God looked at him and said, "Go ahead, speak!"
He opened his mouth, but no words came.
"Speak to me, my first seraphim."
As God held Beliar in His arms, He began to cry, and when His teardrops touched Beliar's tongue, the words flowed from him like water from many streams.
God finally had a companion, and He was filled with ecstasy. He pulled a hair from Beliar's head and placed it inside a gilded box.
Within days, Beliar had grown to be seventeen feet tall and had nearly as much knowledge as his father about creation. His blonde hair was long and curly, and muscle nearly tore through his flesh. Beliar's most notable trait was his face, which was ruddy, pock-marked and dark, and set off by two deep black eyes with no pupils, making him look very frightening. His wings were his only saving feature, as they were crystalline and reflected every color of the rainbow and beyond.
The first time he saw himself was in the fountain that God had built in the Garden of Stars, and he shuddered at his own reflection. He did not speak, but God saw the agony in his eyes.
Oftentimes, Beliar would place God on his shoulder, and they would pass through the wispy halls having deep conversations. On one particular day, God said, "I think I would like to make more brothers for you."
"Anything you desire is best," Beliar said as he lifted God from his shoulder and placed him on the ground.
"Beliar, you are my first son, and have been with me practically from the beginning. You can speak your mind."
"I have nothing to say, Father," Beliar said.
"I sense hesitation in your voice."
Beliar shifted his eyes to the floor and said, "I do not want to lose my place with you."
"I have made you unique. I have given you the power to think and make choices, and I will not grace the others with that gift," God said.
"Thank you, Father."
"I have something for you," God said.
He led Beliar into one of the Great Rooms and revealed a cloak spun of gold and silver, then said, "On this cloak, you can wear all of your brethren. They will cling to you and honor you as My First Lieutenant."
Beliar's eyes were lit with joy as he lifted it from the pedestal and threw it around his shoulders. The cloak danced with many colors as light reflected from his wings across the rich fabric, and he could not help but smile.
After moving to the Chamber of Creation, God began to create the other Seraphim, His highest choir of angels. First came Michael, then Seraphiel, Jehoel, Uriel, Kemuel, Metatron, and finally, Nathanael. After their creation, they were led into a room to take up the weapons that God had forged specifically for each of them on the day that the Kingdom of Heaven came to be.
They each had six wings instead of twelve, their skin and eyes were lighter and they appeared younger than Beliar. Each one of them was born with the ability to speak, and within moments, they were fully grown and able to function physically on the level that Beliar did. All of the newly created Seraphim immediately recognized Beliar as their superior.
He studied each one of them, and took notice to the beauty that they were inherently born with. Their bodies were sculpted with precision, and they moved with grace. As he stood amongst his brothers, he felt an awkwardness that he was not aware of before.
When God was finished creating the Seraphs, he moved on to the Cherubim, the Thrones, the Dominations, the Virtues, the Powers, the Principalities, the Archangels and finally the Angels. These groups became the Nine Celestial Powers, each ruled by a set of angels, some of them princes in more than one group.
Beliar was a prince over all groups, and the millions of angels adored him for his courage, valor and knowledge. When God called His first court, Beliar was seated at His left hand, and served as His bodyguard and confidant. As the angels dispersed from the Holy Throne Room, God noticed that Beliar was wrought with despair. He smiled and the corners around His teal eyes softened. He said, "You were the first being I ever created, and I made you unique. I told you that the others would not be like you."
"It is obvious that we are very different," he said.
"That is what makes you special."
"Call it what you will," Beliar said.
God turned His back to Beliar and said, "I think you should join your brethren."
"I only wish to be alone, Father," he said.
God was silent.
***************
The Kingdom of Heaven had been built, but there were many renegade angels who did not appreciate the sanctuary that God had fashioned. At first, there were small pockets of warring angels, and Beliar, Gabriel and Michael were always sent to dispatch the renegades. Beliar, with his gleaming scythe, and Gabriel and Michael, with their fiery swords, were known throughout the Heavens as "God's Enforcers."
The Kingdom of Man was on the horizon, and all of the angels were called forth to help God in his Supreme Plan. God did not make one decision without first counseling with Beliar. As God discussed his plans about creating humans, Beliar paced around the Holy Throne Room, his cloak dusting along the floor.
"What is wrong?" God asked.
"Continue on with your plan. I'm curious to see what purpose you have for creating thinking beasts."
"I do not need a reason. This is part of the fashion of my Kingdom," God stated.
Beliar looked at Him with empty eyes. Although he was supposed to be integral to God's planning and decision making, it seemed as though God was listening to him less and less. He put his head down and then said, "Tell me what is in your fashion."
"Do you doubt me, Beliar?"
"I do not doubt you. I just do not understand."
"I spoke to Gabriel about this and would like to know what you think as well. Please, let me finish," God said before taking a deep breath and continuing with his thoughts.
Beliar's soul was washed in betrayal, and he knew that God saw his displeasure, but he did not try to hide his feelings. The more that God spoke, the sadder Beliar became, and before God could finish, he stormed out into the Great Hall.
Gabriel was standing in the Courtyard practicing his swordplay when he saw Beliar hurrying through the Great Hall.
"Beliar?"
"Gabriel." he said as he tried to avoid him.
"What has made you this way?" Gabriel asked with concern.
He slouched down on the ground and let his hair cover his face, and did not speak. Gabriel kneeled down next to him and asked again, "What has happened to you? Are you in pain?"
"I will be fine," Beliar said.
"I do not wish to see you this way. Please, let me help you," Gabriel stated.
"No, I need to find Uzziel and Turel," Beliar said, and with that, rose to his feet and continued on through the Great Hall. As soon as Beliar was out of sight, Gabriel ran into the Holy Throne Room, eager to tell God what he had just seen.
"Turel, I hear footsteps," Uzziel said.
Both Uzziel and Turel hid inside the Garden of Stars, waiting to see who was approaching them. When Beliar stepped into the dome of light, Turel quickly jumped up and said, "What took you so long?"
Beliar, struggling for breath, stated, "I was busy listening to Him."
"Oh, was He droning on about His 'Great Plan?'" Turel said.
"Of course. What else would He be doing?" Uzziel stated.
"What is this all about?" Beliar asked.
"It is time for a change," Uzziel stated coldly.
Beliar sat on one of the stars and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Some of us have been talking, and we have decided that we would like to leave," Turel said.
"And where exactly would you go?" Beliar asked as he began to laugh.
"Anywhere but here," Uzziel said.
"You can't do that," Beliar said.
Turel clenched his teeth as he approached Belair, then asked, "And why not? Would it offend your precious God?"
"It does not make much sense." Beliar said.
"Well, there was also talk of changing our situation with force," Turel said.
With a blank look on his face, Beliar asked, "And how do you plan on doing that? Do you think you can destroy God?"
"We can destroy anything we want," Uzziel said.
"I want no part in this," Beliar said.
"We need you. You are amongst the strongest of angels, and your involvement in our plan in crucial," Turel said.
Beliar stood up, stretched his wings and let out a deep sigh. He said, "You have no idea what you are about to do," as he began to walk away from them.
When he approached the gateway to the Garden, Uzziel and Turel stood in his way. Uzziel grabbed his arm and said, "You have no idea what will happen to you if you do not join us."
"That is a chance I'm willing to take," he said as he removed Uzziel's hand from his arm.
Uzziel's eyes became wide and his wings shot out from his back, fully strained. His hand was ready on his flaming sword. Turel placed his hand on Uzziel's shoulder and said, "Not now."
Beliar pushed his way through his brothers and was walking down the Great Hall lost in his thoughts when God appeared in front of him. Immediately, he put his head down, and when God asked him where he was going, Beliar did not answer.
***************
Although God was hesitant to begin building His Kingdom of Men without Beliar by His side, He knew the time was right to initiate the creation of the world. God had sent many angels in search of Beliar, but none could find him. It seemed that He had disappeared, and God expected Beliar to do this, but He knew he would return.
First, He created the Earth and it was cast in darkness. He said, "Let there be light."
And there was.
The newly created world teemed with animals and fish, and the ocean was filled with water and the land was rich and fruitful. When the world was beautiful and perfect and exactly as He saw fit, He moved on to the final piece of his puzzle.
The creation of man.
In His left hand sat the box which contained Beliar's hair, the one that He had pulled from his head the moment he came to life. He bent down, packed dirt over the hair and spoke holy words that instantly brought the man he called Adam into being. After Adam named all of the creatures God had just created, God put him to sleep, removed one of his ribs, and created Eve.
All the while, Beliar was in the Garden of Eden, waiting.
When God saw him standing amongst the endless field of flowers, He cried, "Beliar, why are you here?"
Beliar replied, "I wanted to be alone."
"How did you find this place?" He asked.
"I was watching you the whole time. Did you create these humans from despair the same way that you created me?" he asked.
God was surprised, and said, "What do you mean?"
"When you made me, your heart was sad and your tears poured anguish into my veins. I was born of your misery," Beliar stated.
"Is this why you left me?" God asked.
"I left you because I was tired of standing out amongst the others. I am no Michael, or Gabriel, or Metatron."
"You were not meant to be. Do you not see that you are greater than them? Do you not understand that you are the beginning?"
"I am worthless," Beliar stated as he took wing.
When he arrived at the mouth of Hell, Uzziel and Turel were waiting for him, along with other angels who had fallen during the Great War.
"What happened?" Uzziel asked.
"Nothing. Leave me alone," Beliar said as he descended down the spiral staircase.
The stony walls in the pit of Hell were cold to the touch, and Beliar ran his hands over them as he went deeper into the abyss. In the entire construct of Hell, the reflection of Beliar's mind was evident. The lonely halls, the empty pits and the fires that shot from each crack were created by the sadness that Beliar had felt his entire existence. His home was in the deepest level, as far away from the rest of the world as he could be.
When he sat in his throne, the image of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden played on his mind. He thought of their beauty and innocence, and his heart shivered with loneliness as he realized they were now first in his Father's eyes. Memories of the other angels assaulted his psyche, and he remembered how God confided in Gabriel about the Kingdom of Man. Beliar leaned over slowly, and his eyes shot full of tears. The darkness that had lain dormant in his heart for eons poured from his eyes in the form of demons, and within seconds, Hell overflowed with foul, hate-filled beasts.
Uncontrollably, his wings began to flap and the walls of his abode were instantly covered in ice. When Uzziel approached him, he nearly froze to the stairs, not only from the cold wind produced by Beliar's wings, but also from fear.
"Beliar?" he shouted.
"Get out of here now!" Beliar commanded.
Uzziel quickly flew to the front gate and grabbed onto Turel as he tried to catch his breath.
"What...what is going on?" Turel shouted.
"It's Beliar!" Uzziel said.
"Is that where the demons came from?" Turel asked.
"Yes, they were pouring from his eyes."
Turel smiled and said, "Now, this is our kingdom."
He pushed Uzziel from his path and hurried into Beliar's chamber, where he fell to his knees and shouted, "You are the only one I will honor, my Dark Prince."
Tongues of blue fire burned around him as he said, "Now every being shall know my pain."
Beliar slowly ascended the stairs and emerged into the world for the first time as the Dark Prince. The only thing on his mind was getting back into the Garden of Eden.
****************
"So, tell me, what is it like to know that you were wrought from the same being as me?" Beliar asked.
"All creatures contain good and evil, even me," Jesus stated.
"Ah yes, but which side are you on?" he asked.
"I am on the side of righteousness and justice," Jesus said.
The heat of the desert made Jesus stumble through the sand, and Beliar laughed each time he faltered.
"Did you know that I used to be your Father's highest lieutenant?" he asked.
"I know all about you, devil."
"You should not call me names," Beliar said, "We are one in the same."
"You are worthless. Your name even means 'worthless.'" Jesus said.
"Then you are worthless as well," he said as he swooped down on Jesus' head.
"Go from here, demon!" He shouted.
"Tell me, are you lonely?" Beliar asked.
Jesus continued to walk in silence.
"So you are. You know how it feels to be rejected. You know how it feels to be angry, sad and tossed aside."
Jesus stopped and said, "I do."
"Then you know what it is like to be me," Beliar stated.
"I could never be like you," He said.
"Oh no? Did you not become angry enough in the Temple to smash the goods and shout at the money-changers?"
"That was foolish of me," Jesus said.
"Foolish, maybe, but at the same time, at that moment, you were me. Anytime any creature feels anguish, despair or loneliness, I am with them. I am them and they are me."
"That is why you are the greatest threat to humanity," Jesus said, "And that is why I must destroy you."
"I cannot be destroyed. There is nothing, human or divine, that can stop me. All of you pour your anger and sadness into me, and that is where I draw all of my power from."
"Is that what you believe?"
"It is what I know," Beliar said as he leaned in close to Jesus' face.
Sweat poured from Jesus' brow as he stared the devil in the eye. He trembled in fear at the awesome power that surrounded the ugly demon.
"I'm getting to you. You realize who I am and what I'm made of," Beliar said.
"My Father will protect me," Jesus said.
"Yes, our Father will."
"Do you think I will come with you?" Jesus asked.
"If you were smart, you would. I will love you more than Him. I will honor you more than Him, because I know what it means to be cast aside, to be made different. Those are things he cannot begin to grasp."
Jesus looked at him with understanding eyes and continued on his way.
At the end of the forty days, Beliar was defeated by God's will.
************
Inside Beliar's chamber, he perched on the back of his throne. Tears endlessly fell from his eyes, and think clots of blood ran from his lips. The ice covered walls were speckled with the faces of a million sinners, all prisoners of wretchedness. Their sadness and despair was what brought them to the only being that could even begin to embrace the anguish that they felt.
Beliar. The Dark Prince. The Devil.
The King of Sadness.
*All angel names and facts taken from "A Dictionary of Angels, Including the Fallen Angels" by Gustav Davidson.
Descriptions of Hell taken from "The Inferno" by Dante.
User Reviews
Submitted by Alter (user info) at 2007-09-26 20:58:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No, Comment.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-11-18 18:43:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
BEDAZZLED - the original one, with Dudley Moore
Submitted by Phallic_Cymbals (user info) at 2005-11-01 09:10:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Pentameter (user info) at 2005-10-31 10:33:42 (#)
Ranking: 2
Best matchup ever.
It was an honor.
______________
Yeh that was fucking intense.
Submitted by DonkeyOnTheEdge (user info) at 2005-10-29 10:12:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I liked this one a lot. Write a book. Make it so.