Love Unholy

"A short story that takes you to heaven, earth, and hell in a glimpse of fantasy."

I

They raise Michael the archangel, they raise him up, they raise him high like the morning sun. All the demons bow upon their Master. Archangel Michael prays in tears, his hand reaching to his holy sword, but the chain around his neck proves stronger…

"What's next, Master?" asks Melina, one of the demonesses in the darkest pits of hell.

Master Satan sighs gently. "Earth," he says. "Earth!" and laughs diabolically. Even his laughter stirs fear among the demons.

Earth was once loved by all the angels until Angel Gabriel brought a message before the Holy Altar saying that humans could become worse than demons. The angels were in shock, but when they peaked into the future, they were surprised to see a vision – a vision of humans killing and enslaving both angels and demons. "This can still change," Michael said, siding in favor of the human race. "It's just a prophecy – not fate, not reality. I trust in the love of the human race."

Since then, there are angels who doubt the humans, there are those who avoid all human beings – and, of course, there are still those who, like Michael the archangel, trust in the goodness and kindness of the human heart.

Meanwhile, on earth, all the people are busy and controlled by the modern system – a system that kills humanity and makes machines out of people. Worse, the inhabitants of earth do not even realize it. In fact, they even support the system thinking that it is helping them. Sadly, the system kills, not only the body but more especially the soul. These people have no idea that a war has broken between the Kingdom of God and the legions of Hell – and, just like on earth, Satan has the upper hand.

Noah stares at his blank canvass. He has been staring at it for minutes already but the paintbrush remains still in his hand. He lives in a small apartment, a single room filled with his works of art. He throws the brush against the wall, grabs his jacket, and walks to a nearby café. He orders his favorite combination of freshly-brewed coffee and donut, and continues to think about his next masterpiece.

Luckily, he has just sold several of his paintings a week ago, so he still has money to cover his expenses for a few more weeks. But, it is not just about the money, but art – he wants to achieve his dream of becoming a truly successful painter. He does not aspire to be famous, but he wants to paint what he calls as "True Beauty." What is this True Beauty? he wonders, his chin resting on his hand as he looks through the window.

There is a breaking news on the television, war has broken out in the Philippines. "A sudden attack was launched by China earlier this morning in the Philippine Islands, and there are many fatalities," says the reporter on television. "US and China, as well as Russia, have taken their positions." Korea remains silent for all the world knows that breaking its silence could mean tearing the world apart with its super-powered nuclear missiles.

Just then, a woman walks in the café. She wears a simple-looking dress, but her face and body make all things look exquisite and divine. Noah catches sight of her with his peripheral vision. It seems as though she is glowing, so Noah turns to see her clearly: a woman, not so extraordinary – but her eyes are deep and big and wild. Her body, not with many curves as many women want – but tightly cut, and full of desire. True Beauty he thinks to himself, might be a living flesh after all.