The approaching sounds of working blades were supplemented by the roar of the engines. This alarmed Angela since she couldn’t confuse Koala with any other helicopter. Having looked up, she spotted a group of Navy’s Super Cobras.
“Get down! Now!” she commanded, intuitively having thrown herself to the ground.
“This is definitely the end. I‘ll die not at the hands of a brutal crowd but at the bullets of the military,” she thought. The next second they’ve opened fire. It was a revelation for her when their pursuers became the military’s target. The crowd made its last attempt to reach them through a heavy fire that failed. A group of Humvees crashed into their thinning ranks, having scattered them around, and continued to pave the way over human bodies. It took minutes to stampede them. Several groups of marines spilled out of the cars. The unit commander turned to her:
“Angela Dodson, right?”
“Yes. It’s me,” she answered hesitantly.
“We’ve got an order to deliver you to a safe place,” he smiled affably. “Please, follow us. We have little time.”
“They’re with me!” She gestured at them with her hand.
“Nothing’s said about them.”
“Without them, I’ll go nowhere!”
Without changing his expression, he ordered:
“Take them two too. Go-go-go!”
Having arrived at the port, landing on an assault boat has begun at an accelerated pace. Angela turned to take a final look at LA.
“Damn it! Look at them!”
The bodies of mediums covered in glow began to rise into the sky throughout the city. Electricity disappeared in nearby houses around them, which added to the event a greater contrast.
“We must do something. Otherwise, it’ll be too late!”
“Worry not! We’re aware of what’s going on,” he tried to calm her down, having given his voice more firmness. “Time is short, but it still exists.”
They were taken to the landing dock ship, where Andrew was left under the supervision of doctors. Angela and Midnite were transferred to Sea Knight and flew on. Twenty minutes later, they boarded the Third Fleet’s USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, where they were met by an admiral personally.
“You’re welcome to the board. I’m James Merwin. It’s just James for you. Were you treated appropriately? Good! Events are ahead of us, so immediately to the point.”
The admiral was a tempered navy of 50-55 years old. However, the years in the cases with him didn’t play any role. Having passed the entire career ladder from the junior officer to the commander of the Third Fleet, he gained trust in his person and actions among his subordinates. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and in general, looked very solid. His facial features expressed calmness that didn’t even change under the pressure of these events, confidence, and reliability. Despite the fact that he was a half-breed Demon, he, with all his appearance, disposed to himself and aroused trust.
“You’re a half-breed Demon, right?” Angela asked, having been surprised.
With a wave of a hand, he called them after him, and they went down to a cabin.
“Yes. You’re right. As you can see, there are a lot of them in the army. Having worked in the police station, didn’t you really think that there are so many more half-breed Angels than Demons in the world, did you?”
“Yes…”
“Recently, many betrayed Balthazar and went to Megan, but not me. A few years ago, when there was still no Council at all, and Balthazar decided to take possession of the Grail, he’s handed me an envelope, which should be opened only … only when two conditions are met.”
“What are these conditions?”
He poured juice for himself and Angela, as well as a drink at the request of Midnite.
“The first is the death of Balthazar, but the second …” He gathered their eyes full of curiosity, “is the death of John.”
“No, no, it cannot be …” Angela screamed, having tried to reject reality.
“I’m sorry, his spine is badly damaged. He was taken to the hospital, and his condition is assessed as serious and worsens. I can’t say I’m really sorry for John. No, definitely not. So… I’ve opened the envelope. There was a note.”
He handed it to Angela. There were a few lines:
“Find Angela Dodson. Our souls are connected. Ask her for help.”
“I’ve never read anything, stranger.”
“Angela, what did he mean when he counted on your help?”
“I … I … don’t know. After the incident with Mammon, we’ve seen each other only a few times and haven’t contacted.”
“Look deeper,” James insisted, “if he didn’t explain all the details in the note, that means there were reasons for that.”
“I think … oh no … Angela, he asks you to help him get back quicker. As a rule, it takes him several days, sometimes more. All he wants is to get around the restrictions,” Midnite added.
“Pfft! No way! Worse than Angelogeddon can only be Balthazar as a Demon on Earth. Ohhhh no! You won’t persuade me of this. I believe John, and this is exactly what he always struggled with.”
“Hah. So you don’t know …”
“Unlike other Demons, Balthazar is part of the Deal of Lucifer and the Lord. Therefore, he’ll return as a powerful, but still a half-breed Demon.”
“Gabriel will help us …” Angela frantically searched for an alternative to this venture.
“Not anymore. BWC pharm is destroyed, and nothing is known about her future fate. We were able to save some of the employees who decided to evacuate.”
“I don’t want to relive that horror again, as with Mammon.”
“Oh, there’s no need for that. Your presence will be enough. He believes you.”
“Okaaaay. There’s really not much choice. So… I agree. What to do?”
The admiral and Midnite began preparations.
“You must call him, and then go to Hell, take his hand and lead him into our world.”
“Damn it! My life hasn’t prepared me for this.”
“This is still half a trouble. The main problem is how to push you into Hell after we remove John’s protection. Angels would also like to use a free medium.”
“Have a drink for courage? John always gets one.”
Angela nodded. Midnite opened a bottle of champagne and handed it to her. The preparations went without a hitch, and the cabin sank into twilight. From the lighting, there were only candles. Angela sat in a comfortable chair with armrests.
“Do I need water, a cat, and so on for the transition?”
“Not at all. Your souls are connected. Hell is always opened for you.”
“Hah! I don’t even know what to do with this gift.”
“Just call him, and the transition will happen by itself.”
“How do I recognize him?”
“You’ll feel it, not to be mistaken.”
“How to return with him?”
“Just want to. Your willingness will be enough.”
“So… I don’t recall such abilities in myself.”
“They’ve appeared after contact with Mammon. The gift is in the house. So, let’s get it started!”
She relaxed and began drinking champagne from the bottle. Midnite with the Admiral began casting spells. He signaled that she should focus on Balthazar. Midnite came up and carefully removed the bracelet from her.
“What da Hell!” Angela started glowing, having pulsated like a star. “Do it! Keep reading.”
Monotony voices plunged Angela into a trance. Every second she glowed dimmer and dimmer. “Balthazar, where are you, piece of shit? Lemme see you!” Everything around her began plunging into darkness. Having opened her eyes, she saw a blood-red landscape of Hell. Angela was on the same aircraft carrier. Having looked around, she found no one. She went up to the deck and began to explore the surroundings. Balthazar stood nearby and argued about something with Mammon.
“Hi, Angela. What are you doing here?” Mammon responded first.
“You’re two scumbags! How tired I am of you two! You’re both enrage me!”
“But …”
“I hate both of you for killing my sister and almost killing me.”
“We …” Mammon began to protest.
“Shut da fuck up! What are you staring at?” Angela held out her hand to Balthazar without hiding her disgust. “Hurry up! Follow me!”
Mammon roared as it dawned on him that he had screwed once again. Balthazar, having used his abilities, struck Mamone, from which he flew away. Immediately he ran to Angela and grabbed her hand. An unbearable pain pierced her because of such a touch. Mammon rushed in their direction, and then her finest hour came. “I wanna go back to Earth. Balthazar’s with me.” During this time, they managed to escape down to the place where the admiral’s cabin “was.”
Everything around began lightening. She closed her eyes so that the transition was smoother. All around start changing, and Balthazar’s hand burned less and less. After the sensations became human, she decided to open her eyes.
Balthazar stood before her. For the first time in her life, she saw his face radiating gratitude and satisfaction. He looked down from her embarrassed face on her hand.
“Nothing human is foreign for me,” he went up and hugged her. “Thanks. While on Earth, I completely forgot how much Mammon is oppressive and unbearable.”
Angela was surprised at this revelation.
“We’ve got some problems …”
Balthazar pulled himself together.
“I’ll take revenge! Megan isn’t a tenant! No mercy for her! She knocked out my footing: the channel and my followers.”
“The process of Angels’ transition has begun. It cannot be stopped.”
“Oh, no! This world will belong to people. For this, I’m here.”
All present looked at each other, having realized that something had changed. Something fundamentally important has happened. Balthazar cannot step on the throat of his ambition, and yet he did it.
The accelerated transition with human help put an end to the Deal between Heaven and Hell. Now, everyone is for himself.
Balthazar took a TV remote and turned on the news. The speaker excitedly talked about an unusual phenomenon that takes place in the sky over Los Angeles.
“So listen to me. We’ll have only one chance to succeed. Our plan is …”
Gabriel opened her eyes. She found herself in a transparent chamber almost completely immobilized: her arms and legs were fixed. The costume was still on her, but she was crammed full of tranquilizers to the eyeballs. Having turned her head, she saw Candy in the same glass prison.
“Well… You’re back in consciousness. You’ve been a very bad girl and acted like a fuck,” Megan had fun.
“As soon as the action of tranquilizers passes, I’ll kick your ass, bitch!”
“Nope. A-a-aaaa! They’re given by airborne droplets, but … we’re not talking about that now. I’ve saved your life so that you could see the New World by yourself before Angels send you with your friends to Hell. What’s the irony, by your former subordinates.”
Megan blurred into a sarcastic and smug smile, having taken pleasure from her reaction.
“Look around!”
She pressed something on a watch. The entire interior of the room was just a projection, and the place itself had a panoramic view. Over the city gradually rose the bodies of mediums having emitted bright glow.
“Do you like my work?”
“Whore! You’ve betrayed me!”
“Nope, you’ve ceased to be a leader. I outgrew you, and here is my result.”
“Nevertheless, Angels cannot cross, can they?”
“It’s a little misunderstanding. All because of this asshole John. Some details always fall out of order. Fucking John!”
“What about him?”
“His spine was damaged after the explosion. He’ll not last a day.”
As if in confirmation of her words, mediums rose a little higher.
“Damn! I’ll kill you for John,” Candy’s face was full of rage.
“Keep tracking of events online,” the interior of the room appeared again. “I’ll be right back.”
“After a series of terrorist attacks that plunged Los Angeles into chaos, the police are pulling their units into the city from all over the State. The police departments of Arizona and Oregon send their reinforcements too. Most of the victims have been placed in Saint Antonio Hospital. Among them is the well-known exorcist John Constantine. Doctors describe his condition as critical.” It was a direct broadcast where the reporter interviewed the head of the police department.
Gabriel stopped listening to him.
“Is this really the end?” Candy asked doomly.
“I don’t know. When John is alive, there’s hope. We must struggle.”
“But how?”
“I’ll come up with something.”
“We must take control of Constantine,” he made a lot of mistakes, and their name is a legion, but yesterday he passed the Trials, actually becoming the Lord. John didn’t become immortal, but so far, his will is enough to restrain the Angels.
“So why don’t they just kill him?” Midnite dazed. “This is an obvious solution to the problem.”
“I dunno. Probably, something’s gone wrong. My abilities don’t give me the opportunity to look into the hospital and find out what’s going on there. We must take it by storm.”
“Any luck to infiltrate the building?”
“They turned the hospital into a truly fortified area.”
“The president has just introduced a state of emergency, but we need martial law; otherwise, many army officers will simply refuse to obey an order or begin sabotaging our actions.”
“Connect me with Mr. President.”
The admiral requested a video call to the Presidential Administration. The minutes of waiting dragged on inexorably long. Balthazar paced the cabin, having tried to moderate his impatience. A picture appeared on the screen. Mr. President was clearly concerned about what was happening, being emphasized with restraint at the same time.
“Good day, Mr. President,” Balthazar turned to him.
“Is it a statement?”
“Rather wish.”
“Greetings. Do you know that you’re dead?”
“It’s true.”
“… but you’re on the flagship of the Third Fleet.”
“Let me clarify the situation a bit. I’m Balthazar. I’m a Demon… Was… Is… and always will be.” From the president’s face, it was clear that he didn’t believe in this baloney. “All that John Constantine said is true.”
“It’s nonsense!”
Instead of answering, Balthazar’s hands began to burn in flames.
“And yet, Mr. President, you have to accept the reality.”
“I’ve been elected by people to serve them.”
“You’ve been voted by people, half-breed Angels, half-breed Demons, and even me. You were chosen to protect America according to the Constitution.”
“Let’s say. What are you getting at? What’s actually happening there?”
“Thousands of years ago, the Deal has been made between Heaven and Hell, and half-breeds came to Earth to influence people. I’ve been chosen from Demons, Gabriel, from Angels. Everything was running pretty well until recently… Until John Constantine was born. He was able to stop Gabriel and me several years ago from the desire of Mammon to get into our world. After this, several years passed, during which the Angels were able to convince the Lord that humanity has greatly messed up. He’s given clearance to their coming to Earth. All of these mediums that you see in the sky of Los Angeles will be sacrificed and become gates for Angels to our world.”
“It’s shit!” Some advisers screamed. “Why are we listening to all this nonsense?” half-breed Angels from the president’s entourage protested.
Balthazar sent a telepathic signal, and his charges began to shoot them, having given seriousness to his words and decisiveness of his actions.
“Holy fuck!”
“Time’s running out, Mr. President. When they come to our world, they’ll bring Angelogeddon and dictatorship for survivors. We must take control of the hospital and make sure that John Constantine is safe.”
“He’s guarded by the police departments of three states there.”
“They’re all led by Megan. I hope you have already heard about her. She’s a part of the problem. We must introduce martial law and begin the assault. This is our last hope. If the state of Constantine is true, then tomorrow will not come to America.”
“Let it be,” the President squinted at the bodies of his assistants, who were turned into dust after silver bullets. At that moment, his face read how his worldview was struggling with what he was seeing. “If the half-breed, as you say, Angels in the army decide to stop you?”
“Don’t worry about this. Historically, the army, finance, and media are almost completely under our control. Mr. President, we’re waiting for your Appeal to the Nation, and sign the Document immediately.”
“What will You do?”
“I’ve fought shoulder to shoulder with Lucifer in the Hell Independence War for the right to exist even when there was no mention of people. I’m a warrior first, and only then a diplomat and a media tycoon. I’ll lead the ground operation. The battle will be tight; our soldiers will need support.”
The communication session has ended.
“Do you think he’s going to listen to you?”
“He has not much choice. Being the President is a great responsibility to the people, and the American one also means to be responsible for the whole world. Fate loves only determined leaders.
A few minutes later, TV channels warned people by a message that the President would make an Appeal to the Nation shortly. An operator informed the admiral that martial law had been imposed, so they got “free hands,” after which he looked questioningly at Balthazar.
“Let’s get started, guys!”
“We’re with you. I want to be sure that everything will be okay with John.”
“Okay …” Balthazar didn’t need them anymore, but he still couldn’t figure out why to kill them for.
“Go to the command deck!”
Mammon couldn’t believe that Balthazar had betrayed him. Despite the fact that lately, he felt too independent, his betrayal was the last straw.
He’s been haunted by a thought of what if John was right, and this is exactly the chance that he can get only once? He wanted to share his thoughts with someone, but this would be clearly perceived as a manifestation of weakness. He could find a place for himself. He called for Lucifer, but there was no answer. He repeated the call several more times with the same result. Usually, this used to be enough for the father to respond.
Mammon reached places where he usually works or spends time, but he was nowhere to be found. This happened extremely rarely or almost never. Lucifer’s assistants told him that he didn’t say anything and left no orders. He was pierced by the thought: “I’m in charge now! The weasel John knew something!”
At his request, Lucifer’s Inner Circle was assembled immediately.
“Today, I’ll give you freedom: freedom from fetters and stupid obligations. Lucifer is gone. I’m the lord of Hell now. I’ll cancel the truce with Heaven. I’ll personally lead the Legions …” then he added. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now it came!”
The present supported him with approving roars. Many were not satisfied with the current state of affairs. The Deal was needed in order to force the Lord to recognize Lucifer as equal and to let Hell exist, but those times have long sunk into oblivion. Lucifer artificially restrained their aspirations, by right of the strongest, to change the balance of power. That’s driven them crazy – all who, until this day, disputed his right to power ended badly. Everything except Mammon … in their eyes, it was a win-win option because Lucifer wouldn’t kill his only son, even a naughty one.
“Do you realize that when Lucifer returns, you’ll lose power?”
“Perhaps, but … he won’t be able to playback. No matter how strong he’s, but without Legions support, he’s nothing … he’s just another fallen Angel.”
The arguments sounded very convinced. Mammon ordered to prepare and wait for his command. Archdemons flew away to gather the Legions and organize the command structure.
The programs of all TV channels have been interrupted for the President’s Appeal.
“Dear fellow citizens. We’ve been attacked. During the day, a series of terrible events took place in Los Angeles: from a series of terrorist attacks to street fights. Providing the State of Emergency didn’t lead to the expected results. A group of people led by Megan continues to rock the situation, which resulted in an assault on BWC pharm and clashes with the military. I’ve decided to impose Martial Law. Third Fleet admiral James Merwin has been assigned as the Head of the Military Administration. Please keep calm and obey the administration’s orders. God bless America!”
After a few seconds, the admiral appeared on the screen with his appeal.
“We’ve been informed that the Head of the State Police Department entered into a conspiracy with Megan in order to conduct some experiments with people whom we call mediums. Their bodies, soaring in the air that you can see all over Los Angeles. From this moment on, all state and communal services pass under control of the military. Within five minutes, we’re waiting for confirmation of your readiness to assist in resolving this situation. Non-submission will be counted as a direct threat to state integrity and involvement in terrorist organizations. Keep calm and have a good one!”
Megan immediately called the doctors from the hospital.
“How much longer will this asshole live?”
“About an hour… Two will be maximum.”
She ended the call and called to Heads of the Police Departments of Arizona and Oregon.
“Within two hours, everything will be over. We need to hold out.”
“It’ll be a massacre.”
“We must. Mediums, although trained, won’t be able to stay in conjugation for so long. If they get to John, they’ll extend his life for at least half a day, and then … then all our efforts will go to waste.”
“Fuck! Just kill him!” He shouted.
“He’s passed the Trial. Violent death is likely to unleash the full potential of his will. Then everything will definitely be lost.”
“Likely? Don’t you know for sure?”
“Don’t shout at me! I’ve got no idea! Damn John! The living cannot pass the Trial. In the entire history of Heaven, only a few dead prophets have been able to pass several stages of it.”
“How about him?”
“He’s passed ‘em all.”
“Oh shit! The risks are really high. We’ll give them a fight they want. After all, Heaven is destined for us.”
“So be it.”
“The Marine Corps revealed a desire to take part in the operation and go under our command. USAF and Army sided with the Military Administration and declared their neutrality,” an operator reported to the admiral.
“Not so much,” Balthazar grimaced.
“But at least something. Let me bring you up to speed. Aircraft and destroyers will take care of the hospital surroundings and approaches, but it’s not possible to use rocket weapons there.”
“What about helicopters?”
“There are stingers. During the first phase of missile strikes, we’ll cut off the hospital from suitable reinforcements, set up roadblocks. Helicopters will be most useful there. During the second one, we’ll carefully cut off all the enemy clusters on the outer perimeter, forming a surrounding. According to our estimates, you’ll already be at the approaches to the hospital.”
“Our losses?”
“Will be up to 30 percent killed and wounded.”
“It’s a lot … let’s raze the city to the ground?” Balthazar suggested.
“What the heck!” Angela protested. “Go to Hell, to your friend Mammon and ground each other as much as you want, but don’t dare touch my city, you fucking half-breed shit!” Angela screamed.
Balthazar laughed. He was amused by the reaction of the angry Angela. Actually, for this, he left her so that she could back him off when he goes out of control.
“… The third stage for us is the final one. We’ll attack mediums.”
“Are they invulnerable or not?” Midnite showed curiosity.
“That’s right, but not for long. We look forward to a psychological effect that they’ll start panicking, feeling besieged. This may affect the stability of their connection with Angels.”
“… then they’ll fall to the ground and die,” Angela added.
“Yes, you’re right. We’ve killed and wounded more than two hundred people just to save the three of you. This is the battlefield. We had plenty of time to try to prevent this, but if you sell the cow, you sell her milk.”
The admiral turned to the subordinates and began to give out orders. Operators set about identifying and capturing targets. Balthazar, without saying a word, went to the deck to the helicopter. Angela and Midnite hurried after him.
When something may go wrong, it’ll certainly happen. It’s been two long years… Everything has been running perfectly smoothly until Balthazar pulled John into the game, but even after that, she was happy with everything. She could clean up Rick with John’s hands, but … John wouldn’t be John if he hadn’t added a fly in the ointment.
Admiral’s reaction indicated that Balthazar had figured out how to return and take control of the operation. A bright flash made her turn around: mediums underwent rocket fire. The shock wave scattered cars and destroyed buildings, but mediums remained invulnerable, only slightly “lowered.”
After John arrived at the hospital, Megan’s people were immediately assigned to him to make sure that John wouldn’t linger in this world. It would seem that the moment to end him had come, but the unpredictable happened: no one but ordinary people could enter his ward. This was immediately reported to her.
The situation was critical: John is alive, the admiral is shelling mediums, and the Angels can’t go to Earth. Having found out that Balthazar is planning to storm the hospital, she became furious.
“What da fuck is going on?! Damage!”
Having recovered after the shock, the former determination returned to her. She sent a request to contact Raguel. To her surprise, everything went much faster than usual, but this time Michael and Raphael appeared in front of her. Without waiting for him to say something, she took her word.
“So listen to me carefully! I’ve worked hard for this score, so I won’t let John and Balthazar ruin everything! Looks like all this is kinda funny for you?! You think you’re gonna decide when to come on Earth: today, tomorrow, or in a couple of thousand years, but… I don’t have a couple of thousand years!!!” She screamed at them. “Do you even understand what you’ve done?”
“We…”
“Shut da fuck up! We must act, not talk!”
She was furious.
“John has been sweet-talking you, and you were glad to play this game until Gabriel rescued him. It was required from you a little, but you’ve screwed up.”
Megan swung her fist on the table.
“Balthazar’s going for him, but we still have a chance … the last chance. I’m going to kill John. I don’t care that, unlike Rick, I won’t go to Heaven. Damn it all… I don’t even know what’s going on after his death, but I want to end this asshole once and for all. I won’t let him put everything to dust.”
Michael nodded his head approvingly.
“We’ll give you everything you need. Act!”
Mammon looked around the army: it was endless. He renewed himself, too, by changing his hipster casual clothes to the armor of his father. The present noticed that it fit him very well.
“Our time has come! Angels made their choice. Do they want to rule on Earth? Let it be, but we’ll run Heaven. Brothers, follow me! Today we change the world!”
He took out the original of the Deal and rubbed it into powder. Portals began to open throughout Hell, having transferred Mammon’s forces to the front line. The effect of surprise played a role; the leading edge of the angelic defense was crushed in the blink of an eye. Such actions took the Archangels by amazement. They were sure that Lucifer wouldn’t break his promises, but the scouts reported that his son led the army. Mammon moved at an accelerated pace through the “exclusion zone,” having met only chaotic resistance on his way: the costs of maintaining the channels of interaction between Angels and mediums were felt. Having assessed their chances, the Archangels unanimously decided to temporarily cede the “disputed territories,” having focused all efforts on protecting Heaven’s outer perimeter, having formed a single energy barrier.
Angela, Midnite, and Balthazar’s group were on the assault boat and headed for the shore. Having listened to the recommendations, they’ve changed their clothes to equipment. Balthazar limited himself just by a communication headset and two Glocks with several clips for them. Their silence was interrupted by sounds of fired tomahawks and the roar of fighters flying over them.
“It has begun,” Angela said into the group’s voice channel.
“Yes. This is it. I see you’re the new one. Many of us have already visited the Gulf twice.”
Several columns of reinforcements going towards the hospital, being consisted mainly of SWAT, were caught by the military fire on their way from Oregon and Arizona. These decisive actions had to return to “reality” the police superintendents of neighboring states. They immediately and sharply criticized the actions of the military but at the same time agreed not to interfere, nevertheless having transferred control over the already arrived groups to Los Angeles police instead of the Administration.
The desired result has been achieved. For doubting half-breeds, this has become a marker of the fact that you need to stand aside and “stay cool.”
The next missile package was aimed at localizing the hospital defenders. All objects and communications located on the side of the adjacent highways were burned out, having become just smoking remains. Alas, such a strategy couldn’t be used in the city. Lack of time didn’t allow Balthazar forces to strike from the highway side. At the same time, the Administration reported through the media that all civilians should leave the hospital area and areas with mediums nearby asap. All strike forces focused on two streets leading from the west and southwest to the hospital.
The MRAPs and Humvees were paving the way with city streets with virtually no resistance. One of the soldiers from Balthazar’s group was a human, so he didn’t fully understand what this man in a suit did here and why he didn’t even have the minimum sufficient equipment. During the trip, he managed to annoy everyone because of these questions on the voice channel.
“Extend your hand,” Balthazar decided to clarify.
He hesitated but still complied with the request. Balthazar touched it, having shared only a fraction of sufferings that he could expect in Hell. It was enough for him to jump back with his whole body, having clutched into the seat.
“What the hell are you?”
Angela laughed.
“You’re welcome.”
“If you run badly in this world, it’ll become your everyday life.”
Beeman was watching doings with undisguised interest. Chas quickly found him.
“Beeman, friend, you know … we must help … Well, you know… if there’s at least a ghostly chance to save people, I’m ready to try it,” Chas fussed.
“This is where our stay here will end. It’ll be a one-way ticket,” Beeman said judiciously but with a touch of bitterness.
“I’m ready to go. I don’t want my family to be killed during the invasion.”
Mammon prepared the forces for a long siege. He had no particular illusions about its complexity. According to the reports of his military advisers, this could take forever or more, but even saving the result in the form as it now brought him to a completely different level of power and influence.
Minor Beeman’s manipulations were enough to disable the external perimeter protection. Mammon couldn’t believe his eyes. “Who’s this John Constantine? Why does everything happen the way he wants?” He immediately dispatched a reconnaissance group to make sure that there were no traps prepared for them.
Balthazar’s group came under heavy fire. Further advancement in transport has become impossible. The road ahead was completely barricaded by cars, concrete blocks, and rubbish. The military, having broken into groups, began to clean the buildings and knock out SWAT from firing positions. Having occupied nearby constructions, the military started a counter-sniper fight.
“That’s it!” Megan felt the overwhelming power given by the Archangels. Her will was enough to change the reality and course of history. Having seen that several buildings were already captured by the military, she blew them together with defenders. After Mammon’s invasion, Angels were forced to transfer a part of their forces to defend the perimeter, which led to the fact that mediums ceased to glow as brightly as before.
She instructed Short Way and Suicide Channel to use the fanatics to the maximum, having interfered with any organized advance of the military. In turn, James thwarted all her attempts to get reinforcements from the side of the highways while still grinding them on the approaches.
Having given all orders, she headed to the hospital.
“Sir, at such a pace, we’ll free the hospital in half a day.”
“Goddamn it!” Balthazar swore. “We have less than an hour. Help me to break through with my group.”
He looked at a plan of the building’s communications on a tablet. After checking the data, he ordered:
“We’ll enter here. There’s a staff room on the north side,” then he turned on the voice channel and told the admiral. “Crush them from the southwest.”
Having avoided shootings, the group headed for the small extension building that allowed to reach elevators. The flash from the explosion of a police helicopter after a rocket hit stopped them for a moment.
“Follow me! Go, go!” Balthazar commanded.
Constantine lay in bed, almost completely immobilized. His pupils ran over a TV screen with the silent broadcast. Every explosion, thousands of dead, the destruction of several blocks, deaths of Gabriel and Balthazar only kindled a fire of despair. The idea that he didn’t fulfill his mission to protect people was burning him from the inside, having taken away the remaining strength. From a feeling of rolling hopelessness and losing strength, he lost consciousness. Having returned, John saw that he wasn’t alone in the ward. A nurse, having checked his eyes, answered someone on the phone: “Not more than an hour.” This time there were two more people in the room. They were the Lord and Lucifer sitting on the chairs for visitors.
“You’re two pieces of crap. I hate you!..”
Lucifer only grinned.
“… Because you treat people like pawns in your games. Both of you make our life unbearable.”
“It’ll stop bothering you soon,” the Lord said. “You’ve made a lot of mistakes… Your pride will destroy people, John Constantine.”
“So, you would’ve made a mistake if you hadn’t foreseen this. People must gain freedom from your manipulations.”
Each word was given to him with difficulty and took away his last energy.
“Yes, I have made. You’ve turned out to be a mistake. I’ve miscalculated, alas. We both know that Angels won’t harm, but only on one condition, John Constantine, if people can overcome their pride. It’s impossible. So, their coming will be your epitaph.”
“Billions of human lives are the price of your decision!” John gathered all his determination into a fist. “While I’m alive, I’ll not allow this!”
“That’s why we’re here. This world is mired in vices, and it’s doomed. It’s not surprising that you came to its defense. You’ve gone through all the Trials without even suspecting that the price of a mistake is the destruction of your soul,” the Lord clapped his hands. “You, John Constantine, the rare shit. While you’re alive, Angels cannot enter this world. You’re right. Your will doesn’t allow them.”
The weaker his body became, the more ghostly a barrier seemed between two worlds, having shown the coup arranged by Mammon. John grinned.
“The boy has matured. At least someone’s following my advice.”
Lucifer screamed. Having got up sharply, he threw a chair through an armored window. The chair bounced and rolled down the floor with a rumbling noise.
“What the problem bringer you are, John Constantine! You can’t even die as an average person.”
Lucifer wanted to tear him apart with his bare hands, but John didn’t allow this. He grimaced and adjusted his suit.
“Let the people who you protect kill you.”
There have been heard the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and human screams in the building.
Balthazar’s group got a fire contact immediately after appearing in the hospital. After a minor skirmish, they occupied the hall, having provided control of the elevators.
“You three, go with me. They know who I’m. A very warm welcome awaits us.”
“Wait! We’re in!” Angela protested.
“There are the Lord and Lucifer. Just one look at them will be enough for both of you to die. Guard the hall. Megan will show up here soon.”
Balthazar called for two swords, which fell into his hands. From their touches, he began to be covered in flames. Having got ready, he headed for the elevator. After coming into it with his assistants, he pressed the fourteenth floor. Having approached, they looked at each other, and one of them pulled out a check from a flash grenade. The defenders were absolutely not interested in the collateral losses, so they boldly used fragmentation grenades. As a result, one of them didn’t manage to get out of the elevator and received several injuries. A moment later, he was finished off with silver bullets. By the will of Balthazar, the corridor began to plunge into darkness. Having given the command to cover him, he rushed into battle.
The appearance of Megan wasn’t long in coming. The locked entrance doors flew with shards in the hall from a directional explosion of unprecedented power.
“Hello, kittens. It’s time to die!”
The glowing bow has appeared in Megan’s hands. Thanks to her new abilities, she was able to capture all the targets and then proceeded to the systematic execution of the defenders. Despite the return fire, she easily avoided hits, having become transparent when needed. Those single bullets that have been able to hit didn’t cause any harm… but there was no escape from her arrows. They passed through objects, walls, and any obstacles. One of the wounded defenders wanted to use explosives but immediately got two arrows in the head and fell down.
“I’ve got a date with John! If you excuse me…” having mocked, she turned to Midnite and Angela and went to the elevator. In the doorway appeared her assault group.
“No way!” Knives appeared in Midnite’s hands. Angela took out a gun and stood ready.
“Well then …” Three arrows pierced Angela, having nailed her to the wall.
“Angela! No!” Midnite screamed. “Where did such power come from?” He asked without hiding astonishment.
“Archangels have decided that it is time to end with handicap gaming. Now, no one can stop me.”
“Only over my dead body!”
“It’s possible. As you wish…” Midnite’s skills allowed him to dodge arrows quite successfully. “It’s evident it wasn’t for nothing the half-breeds have chosen you as an arbiter. They are banally afraid of you.”
She caught him on the counterflow and threw, having crushed into the wall.
“I won’t let…”
The first arrow pierced his throat.
“Enough talks. We both know that every second counts.”
Having got in the elevator with several guards, Megan chose the floor and stuck two more arrows in his heart in the end, having finished him.
“That is what makes me different from loser Rick. I always finish the enemies.”
The assistants looked at each other and nodded. The smell of Balthazar drove her crazy. Nobody could send him twice in two days to Hell, but since the Deal ceased to exist, his expulsion would be final.
The guards entirely consisted of fearless half-breeds. Balthazar was paving the way for John’s ward, having spared no effort cutting everyone he could reach. The sound of the elevator that started working made him turn around. The panel showed that it was going on the first floor.
“Megan!” It became obvious that the defenders are dead, and nothing will stop her.
Balthazar looked around at the result of his work: the corridor was littered with charred bodies. Having hidden the swords and adjusted the suit, he entered the room.
The weaker John felt, the brighter the mediums became, and their bodies rose higher. Having entered the final stage of the transition, darkness reigned on the street, having added contrast to them.
Balthazar’s face has mirrored several flashes from the rocket explosions. Aircraft continued to shell mediums, having tried to delay the transition. He looked at Lucifer and the Lord comfortably sitting in armchairs, then his gaze moved to John.
“John Constantine, what have we done?!” Balthazar said doomly, having seen his condition, as well as these two “guests.”
“Shit,” a tear rolled down his cheek.
Balthazar was watching on his own how this world was dying. For those thousands of years that he spent on Earth, for the first time, he has experienced an unprecedented feeling: love for this world. He’s got two choices: watch the unavoidable or try to change something. A few years ago, he wanted to give it to Mammon, but now he’s ready to go to the end to save it.
“As the supreme ArchDemon, I’m sacrificing myself so that John Constantine lives.”
The Lord and Lucifer, having screamed “No!” jumped up from their seats. Having said this, Balthazar touched John’s hand and cut his own veins.
A life force began to flood John like an avalanche. He looked in the mirror as Angels pulled Balthazar to Heaven to crucify him at the city gates.
“Curse me, John! Now!”
John got out of bed. The spine was intact; there was no pain. He uttered a few curses, after which the background picture with Balthazar changed from Heaven to Hell.
“Damn it!” Megan rushed into the room. She immediately began to shoot John, having sent him arrow after arrow. All of them were dissolved in his glow. Having pulled out a knife, she tried to stick it in the chest with the same success. She even tried to beat him with her fists but quickly weakened and sat down on the floor, having been full of despair.
“He’s made him invulnerable. Of all the thousands of wrong paths, he’s chosen the only correct one.”
John’s will in the new body was enough to reverse the transition process, after which he turned to the seated.
“People are not your puppets. As long as I’m alive, I’ll not allow you to realize your plan.”
“As long as you’re alive, John,” the Lord answered.
“Only while you’re alive,” Lucifer emphasized the first word. “I’ve got huge patience, John Constantine. I’ve already realized that when dealing with you I should not look for easy ways.”
The Lord has disappeared. Lucifer came to Megan.
“Let’s go to the knackery, blown horse. He wrapped her long hair in his fist and pulled it along.”
“I hate you, Jooooooohn,” she screamed, having tried to cling to at least something on the floor, after which she disappeared with Lucifer.
John leaned towards Balthazar’s ash and picked up a keychain with the logo of SBC Broadcasting & Entertainment. He went out into the corridor and headed for the exit. His will and desire to change everything for the better was enough for the dead to be resurrected around him and the wounded to be healed.
Having gone down, he first approached Midnite and helped him. He immediately understood everything without words. Then he rushed to Angela.
“Get up! Time to go! We’ve not finished on Earth.”
“What? How? I’ve been dead! How did you do this, Jooooohn?” and after a pause, added, “Thanks …”
Having headed for the street, John levitated even without noticing this. Having recovered from what they’ve seen, all the participants of the skirmish followed him. Having gone out into the street, he ‘walked’ past the barricades and crashed cars. In an instant, it became clear to everyone that this was the end of the nightmare. Mediums almost ceased to glow and fell slowly to the ground.
John walked down the street for the first time, having felt this world as one, and noticed that people bow their heads before him in reverence. Since the end of Megan, Gabriel, and Candy have gained freedom. Having seen everything, they knew exactly where to look for him. Having reached the place with the help of Gabriel’s abilities, they found him leaving the store with a just-bought bottle of soda.
The first who hugged him was Candy. Having spoken very emotionally, she moved to Angela and Midnite.
“I see you’ve changed, John Constantine,” Gabriel smiled mysteriously, having stopped a few steps away from him.
“Yeah… now the shoes don’t wear out.”
“Ha-ha-ha, Jooohn! Do you even understand who you’re now?”
“I’m a human, Gab. Nothing changed.”
“You know … you’re right. That’s why you’ve won,” she continued to smile.
“Come to me …” She waited for these words most of all in life. She wanted to be a weak, small, and defenseless girl.
“John, the holiday won’t last forever. I’ve activated a suit. It’ll kill me in a few days,” she buried her nose in his chest.