Yesterday's End-239

The following story is fictional and is intended for an adult audience with an open mind.

It is not meant to suggest anything about the sexuality of the celebrities included in this story.

This story is fiction, meaning not real.

It's all for fun and enjoyment.

If you are under age, or it is illegal in your country, or you don't like stories about gay sex, please stop reading this immediately.

Chapter 239

An Hour Later

"Good afternoon, souls of humanity. This is Anderson Cooper and my colleague Jake Tapper, reporting to you live from a place perhaps unbelievable, yet no less real. As you have witnessed this last hour, we have all walked into a vision of godly reality, of unfathomable truth. As our cameraman, Hudson Carlisle--papal reporter and cousin of Lucas Carver-Belmont--has shown you in his sweeping panoramas these last few hours, you have seen the beauty we have walked through and that now lays before us. We are standing on perhaps holy ground, created by God himself." Anderson Cooper said, Jake Tapper standing beside him, the backdrop of the large plain behind them, Haven's video camera focused on the two men.

"We await Lucas again, the young man resting after our trek into this unbelievable world. We have been told that this feed is reaching every household in the world, the nations of this earth glued to its revealing reality.  To what lays revealed before us. The Plains of Life.  A massive plain of glowing apparitions of faith, afterlife and goodness. The greater evil showing beyond that godly vision. The vision behind all of those apparitions is beyond our imagination, lost in the glowing shadows far from us.

Lucas has stated that is the glow of the pathway to eternal life, the portal to the next dimension. To see that before us moves all of us to awed silence. I'd like Hudson to come forward, so we can talk to him about what we've seen." Jake said, motioning the cameraman forward, the young man handing his camera to Haven, the older man focusing it on the two reporters, his soulmate joining them.

"Hello, Hudson. I'm sure you're as moved as we both are on what lays before our own eyes. The glowing forms of afterlife, the godly minions of His worth." Anderson said, looking at the young man.

"It is the path Lucas has led us onto, Anderson. A path I would walk as his friend. He guides us all to the truths of our own souls, of our own faiths. He guided myself to this day, to this reality and the reality of what he's given myself. Love, life and faith." the young man said, Haven smiling at him, focusing the camera lens on his soulmate's handsome face.

"You were sent here by His Holiness, Pope Francis, to record this meeting, or battle for the world's posterity. " Jake said, the young man smiling at him.

"We are all guided here by Lucas' love. I myself was awed by his giving love, his giving soul and his guiding intuition. He has guided me to my own happiness. In the love I've been given, by him and by others. My heart would follow him to the world's end. Today it has followed him to God's opening embrace." the young man said, smiling towards Haven, the older man showing his love in his smile and brown eyes.

"What we've seen, what we're now looking at, can you make any sense out of it?" Anderson said, the young man smiling at him.

"To have faith is to take in what one's eyes see, to believe what one witnesses. I have faith in the visions I am now looking at. The spirits of the awaiting souls await the battle ahead. We three have seen eight of the nine angels of worth. I myself have fallen in love with one of those nine angels. I feel the beauty of God's love. My soul awaits His giving love." Hudson smiled, a new voice entering the conversation.

"We all do, my brother."

Hudson smiled, Lucas walking out from the tent behind Haven, walking into the scope of the camera's vision, the two reporters staring at him.

Josh, Justin and Lance, with their sons in their arms, walked out of the tent, all watching Lucas standing in front of the glowing plain.

Hudson smiled at Lucas, the young man moving, taking the camera from Haven, his arm going around him, the lens focusing on Lucas' smiling face.

"It's all so amazing, Lucas. The world has been watching the video feed of all that lays before us. It's so unfathomable!  The camera doesn't really do it justice!" Jake said, Lucas smiling at him, his hand going to the reporter's shoulder.

"Life is amazing, love is amazing, my friend. Your heart senses that, as does Anderson's. Before us stands truth, faith and life. The time is almost at hand." Lucas said, staring into the recording camera.

"The battle comes. Life and faith come. Gather those of love around you, gather your families together. Life begins anew. For that, for all of you, I give this sacrifice." he said, the reporters staring at him.

"What sacrifice, Lucas?" Anderson said, the younger man smiling.

"My sacrifice is my own. For love, nothing is more giving." he smiled, his eyes moving to everyone now walking out of the tents behind the camera, all his family and friends staring at him.

"The camera will go silent for a few minutes, the readying of the battle is at hand. Be prepared for showing faith and truth." Lucas said, the young man nodding at Hudson.

The young reporter smiled, stopping his camera.

Anderson and Jake looked at Lucas, the young man scanning the plains before him.

"A moment's breath before the shining light. So begins the time of faith and renewal." he said, the young man moving, walking up to his soulmates, they and their children staring at him.

His family surrounded Lucas, all eyes on the young man staring at his soulmates.

"It is time, my loves. Time to give all to have all." Lucas said, Josh staring at him.

"We will all be beside you, Lucky." he said, Lucas smiled, kissing each of the three on their lips, then his two sons.

"Your love is in my heart, as is my family's. That is enough to give me strength on the path I alone must walk." he smiled, little Joshy smiling at him.

"You's with us forevers, Daddy." he said, Lucas smiling, kissing both boys on their foreheads.

"My love never ends, my sons." he smiled, his eyes meeting all of his friends and family.

"We're all coming with you, Luke. We stand by your love." Finn said, Lucas smiling at his best friend.

"Your love I cherish, Finnegan. I have had it always. And I didn't have to bang you to get it."

Finn blushed, others laughing, the young man smiling at Lucas.

"I would have gladly given even that to have your love always, Lukey." he said, Lucas winking at him.

"I might take you up on that later, Finny. You're filled with angel love. You'd be damn fine."

Finn laughed, his arm around his angelic wife, Skyler smiling at Lucas.

"We nine stand ready, Lucas. We follow Colton and you." she said, Lucas smiling, a small girl walking up to him, Lucas kneeling, Rosa Sharon climbing into his arms.

"Jophiel is correct, Lucas. We stand ready to follow Colton and you." she smiled, Lucas smiling and kissing her lips.

"Nine angels of godly worth. The world's going to be so amazed." he said, the girl smiling, Colton walking up to the two, Lucas setting Rosa Sharon down, Colton wrapping his arms around the taller man.

"Here at the end, Dad, I feel so loved. I feel the greatness of what you've given me." he said, Lucas smiling, kissing his lips, Colton's soulmates staring at the young man with love.

"I've only given you what you deserved, Colt. Their love, and your family's love. The world's going to honor you for your courage and love."
Colton smiled, nodding his head.

"I have the courage to do what must be done."

Lucas smiled, staring at the red stone now hanging from Colton's neck.

"Their love will find its truth. Walk in courage, our Bowman." Lucas said, Colton returning to his soulmates, their arms going around him.

Adam walked up to Lucas, the young man smiling at him.

"I am ready, Luke. For anything you need." he said, Lucas smiling at him.

"I only need your love, Adam. That I already have, as do others."
The man nodded, Lucas smiling and kissing his lips.

"Confidant of love, friend of life. I am ready. I shall be but a moment. Time is all we have." Lucas said, the young man moving, walking back into the tent from which he'd come.

Josh, Lance and Justin traded looks, their boys smiling up at them.

"Daddy going to surprise." Justy said, giggling.

Lucas' families walked up to the three men, Tristan's green pools meeting Josh's blue.

"My son is focused, Josh. I feel his magic deeply now in my soul. I feel his love even more." he said, his hand going to Josh's shoulder.

"I feel something more." Hudson said, all eyes moving to the young reporter, the young man moving his camera back to the plain, its lens opening, the day's sunny sky suddenly filling with a surprising sight.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Pope Francis stood on the altar, the church filled with people, all their eyes on the large video screen in front of the pontiff.

The man's hands were crossed in faith, having been staring at the images all had seen for the last hour, the screen now blank.

"He walks with God's light, he walks with His truth. It begins, children of faith. Our Lord takes up the task of evil's fate. His messenger prepares us for His divine love." The pontiff said, going to his knees, the congregation following him, all eyes on the now blank screen.

"Blessed are we to witness this battle of good and evil coming forward. Blessed is our Messenger to take up our faith. Go with God, go with all our faith, young soul of life. We stand ready to witness His love." The man said, crossing himself, the church echoing the faithful's belief.

"Blessed is our Messenger! Go with God, Lucas!" They all shouted, all raising their hands to God.

The pope's face was covered in tears, looking back at the congregation, the older man rising to his feet, looking out onto the masses, all eyes upon him.

"A few short weeks ago, this young man appeared before myself and before the ten of faith, the Fingers of God's Hands as we were so named. We had gathered together in secrecy in the chapel of St. Pricilla's catacombs in Rome. That young man appeared before us, a vision of his true self. He talked with us, the ten of faith. We all felt his love and magic within our soul. Upon his parting with us he gave us something more. The truth of what you are to see today, the truth of what he is and represents. Prepare, children of faith, for a vision of God's love. Before our eyes we shall now see the truth of our own souls, of His own life."

The man turned, staring up at the video screen, the screen now coming back to life.

All eyes in the church and around the world saw an unbelievable site.

The Plains of Life

The sky was filled with blackness, a thousand stars shining for all to see.
In the middle of the day, the night's sky showed to all.

In the sky's center, above the glowing light of the amassed souls, one single star shone brightly, its size dwarfing all others surrounding it.

The amassed glowing souls were on their knees, looking upwards at the shining star.

"If you're all seeing this, it's beyond amazing! The sky is now dark as midnight, stars gleaming at us, one sole star shining brighter than all. Is this the star of faith so long ago seen at Jesus' birth? Is this a sign of God's design?" Anderson said, staring up as everyone else was.

"It is the light of God. Our time is here."

Everyone turned, as did Hudson, his camera focused.

Lucas stood in front of the tent, everyone surprised at his attire.

The young man stood in only a small pair of black trunk briefs, his body showing to all.

His muscular frame was covered in ancient symbols, their black ink almost glowing.

His green eyes were softly glowing, a soft sheen of sweat covering his face.

His long blond hair showed a dampness as if he'd been swimming.

"I go to life, I go to faith. Gather the clans of faith, my angelic brethren. Evil comes. The tears of God's love must flow." he said, the young man smiling at everyone.

In an instant he disappeared.

Everyone looked surprised, a new sound coming from below them.

Hudson focused his camera on the plain, his eyes widening with all the others.

Lucas was now on the plains, walking towards the glowing masses of lost souls.

They as one rose to their feet, their eyes upon him.

All on the cliff could hear a soft sound of weeping and sobbing coming from the glowing apparitions.

"He walks into God's hands. All from the veil feel the love walking towards them. I feel it more now within my own soul. His love is all love." Francesca said, Emerson's arms going around his tearing wife.

Everyone watched below, the world taking in the coming battle.

The glowing masses seemed to step back, a long aisle now opening between their middle, a path for Lucas to walk forward.

He walked through them, his green eyes looking on both sides, souls staring at him, some weeping, some sobbing, some bowing with showing worship and love.

For five minutes he walked through the glowing masses, the young man silent, his green pools softly glowing, now looking forward.

"Lucas is walking through the center of the lost souls of eternity. He walks towards evil." Jake softly said, he and Anderson watching the plains below, Hudson capturing every moment for the world to witness.

The star above the plains seemed to radiate a soft light, the whole plains seen by everyone.

Lucas came to the last of the glowing lost souls, walking out onto the empty plain between their goodness and the evilness ahead.

He looked forward at their atrocious forms, their vileness showing in their red glowing presence.

He turned, looking back at the glowing white forms of goodness.

"Children of His love. Faithful of His soul. You stand upon the cusp of eternity, your long paths of soul-searching and redemption now ended. A final path you all must walk. I would and will walk that path for all of you. I take on the destiny of all souls, of all hearts of goodness. I seek only to end this for all, to give us all the greatness of His love. This was always my choice. He gave me the hopes and dreams of all of you. I have rectified all that I must. Love echoes through my family, my soulmates and my brethren. With that love and yours I can walk that path of ending truth."

The white souls began to weep louder, voices echoing on the night's air.

"Not for us, Lucas! Not alone for us Messenger! We shall fight with you!" They cried, Lucas smiling at them all.

"Love saves all, I give as I was asked to give!" Lucas smiled, the black ink markings on his body suddenly glowing white.

:"Come forth, my brethren! The clan needs your guiding light! Come forth Bowman! Guide your arrows to their end!" Lucas screamed, the young man turning and running towards the evil apparitions before him across the empty field.

While this was happening, above on the cliff looking over the plains, eight visions of angelic beauty began to change, everyone looking at them as they walked forward, their soulmates following.

Colton stared into Jonathan's blue eyes, then Hemi's and Haras' brown, the four staring at him with love.

"It's time, my loves." he said, each kissing each of their lips.

The other angels upon the cliff were kissed by their soulmates, Adam staring at Pierce with love.

"Be careful, my love." he said, Usher kissing Pierce as well.

Finn's lips were on Skyler's changed form, their blue eyes meeting.

"I love you, Sky. I'll be at your side in a moment's danger." he said, Skyler smiling at him.

"Your love is in my heart, my darling. It's enough to keep me safe."

Finn smiled, watching the other angels kissed by their soulmates.

Jake had taken Husdon's camera, scanning around at the winged apparition before him.

Hudson was in Haven's arms, the two kissing deeply.

"I've just found you, my love. Please be careful." he said in tears as they broke their kiss.

"I love you, Hudson. God will keep me safe until I return to your arms."

Felix and Sheila were kissing, their child between them.

They broke their kiss, the baby gurgling up at him, smiling.

"Baba, Dada!" she softly said, Sheila looking surprised, Felix smiling at his daughter, kissing her forehead.

"Goodbye, my angel. Daddy will be right back." he smiled, Sheila kissing him again.

Gideon was in Nick and Gio's arms, the three kissing, their eyes locked on each other as they broke their kisses.

"I love you, my two angels." Gideon said, the two men smiling.

"Love you back, our greater angel." Gio said, Nick smiling.

Cardinal Santiago was hugged by his old friends Tristan and Lewis, the minister wiping his eyes.

"Go with God, Frederick." he said, Fredrick smiling and patting his shoulder.

"God charges me, Lewis. He charges us all with His love." he said, Tristan hugging both his old friends to him, Jacques rubbing Lewis' back.

Alain was in Harry's arms, the two kissing deeply, breaking their kiss.

"Forever, Azrael." Alain softly said, Harry kissing his lips again.

"Forever, my Jibrail." he smiled.

Rosa Sharon smiled at everyone, the young girl's form changing, she and the other seven walking up to Colton, the young man standing with his soulmates.

She smiled, Meresankh's angelic form now showing, seven other angels surrounding her.

"It's time, Colton. Lucas calls us forth to guide the forces." Jibrail said, Meresankh smiling at her brother, Colton nodding, the bow appearing instantly in his hand.

A sudden sound sounded from above in the starlit darkness, a form descending from the heavens.

"It is time, Bowman." Azrael said, the angel setting down in front of his angelic brethren.

Jake and Anderson looked shocked, the camera focused on the new angel standing before them.

"I am ready, Azrael. And you almost were late." Colton said, the handsome angel smiling at him, his breastplate gleaming in the starlight.

"The moment is at hand, my brethren. We go to God's destiny." he said, Meresankh smiling at him.

"Lead us to life, Colton. We all follow the Bowman." she said, Colton nodding, his form suddenly glowing, everyone surrounding him backing up in surprise.

Colton's clothes changed, a silver suit of shining armor covering his breast and head.

Upon the center of the silver helmet he wore was emblazoned a violet star, a golden star in its center softly glowing.

"I am the Bowman, I carry the arrows of His faith. Let us rid the earth of that which destroys us." he said, the young man moving forward, nine angels of worth taking to the sky, Colton running down onto the plains.

Behind him, families joined, all watching their soulmates flying and running to destiny.

Haven's camera was taking in destiny.

On the plain between the glowing goodness and the advancing evil a solitary man was running, his body a glowing form of destiny.

Lucas stared at the oncoming vileness, decaying forms of evil and hate moving towards him.

The golden ring on his finger was pulsating, the magic within him coming alive.

He stopped suddenly, halfway between the gathering masses.

He turned, looking behind him, seeing the glowing masses now dividing into battalions, nine angels flying above them.

A solitary figure was running towards Lucas, Lucas seeing Colton's gleaming truth, the bow in his hand, a silver arrow in its chamber.

Lucas raised his hand, a sudden light moving upwards, hitting the distant star, its form widening, its brightness almost blinding.

"Stop, children of fate!" he yelled, the masses before him stopping, all staring at Lucas, the angels landing before them.

Colton stopped, staring at Lucas, the young man in the distance.

"Love surrounds us, life fills us. I stand as I am asked to stand. I do what must be done." Lucas said, everyone hearing his voice, it echoing across the plains.

Lucas lowered his hand, the lighted star above him pulsating, the young man turning and now looking at the evil still advancing towards him.

"Come to destiny, Kurucu! Come to its end!" he yelled, the evil masses stopping.

Out of its center walked a vision of hatred and evil.

All eyes were upon a cloaked form, the monster walking out of the mass.

It stood before Lucas, five hundred yards separating them.

Its hood fell from its hidden face, an ancient face of evil and hatred staring at him.

Hudson's camera zoomed in on the apparition, the world taking in its evilness.

"You are a fool, Lucas. You stand between me and my destiny. Finally I can end your life." The large form said, two black eyes of evil staring at him.

"Thrice you have tried to destroy my family, to capture all of them. Today, that hatred ends. The truth comes." Lucas said, his head turning towards his family, all those on the cliff staring towards him.

"Love is nothing without truth, without faith and without sacrifice. I love you all." he said, his voice carrying upwards.
Josh, Justin and Lance all stared at their soulmate, a soft smile showing on his handsome face.

"Time and love are all we have." Lucas said, the young man turning, running forward.

Above him, the star seemed to explode, its whiteness descending downward, hitting Lucas.

Everyone on the cliff and on the plains felt the instant rush of air coming off the light, all falling to their knees.

Josh raised himself, staring at the spot where Lucas had stood.

The young man was gone.

Colton, standing in front of the glowing masses, stared with shock at the spot where Lucas had stood.

"Coward! Come back here! Kill them all!" The monster said, raising his arm, the mass behind him moving forward.

The monster moved back into the mass of evil, the horde, Colton's keen eyes saw the monster of evil walking up onto a small knoll to the left of the gathered evil, standing above his evil hordes.

"Kill them all! Destroy their souls!" he shouted, the mass moving forward.

Nine angels took to the sky again, followed by advancing battalions of lost glowing souls.

Above on the cliff, Lucas' family saw the advancing sides about to collide.

The camera took in the beginning of a battle of good against evil.

Forgotten Truths

Lucas opened his violet pools, staring around at the room he stood in.

Before him stood a golden throne, a golden sarcophagus standing behind it.

He scanned the stone room he stood in, seeing the treasures laying in the troughs surrounding the stone pathways.

"Why here?" he softly said, looking at the golden throne.

"For destiny, for truth."

Lucas turned, staring at one of the shadowed passageways, a solitary figure walking out of its darkness, cloaked and hooded in black.

"Who are you?" he said, his voice echoing in the large silent room.

Two hands of masculine strength came out of the robe's folds, moving upwards, pushing its hood backwards.

Lucas stared into a handsome young face, a masculine face of etched beauty, his blue eyes like blue oceans.

"Kurucu? The real Kurucu?" Lucas said, the man's head nodding.

"Yes, Lucas. I am Kurucu." he said, walking down the stone path before him, stopping before Lucas on the platform before the golden throne.

"Meresankh spoke of your blue eyes, Kurucu. She understated their glowing love." Lucas said, the man smiling at him.

"Her love echoes in my soul, Lucas." he said, Lucas nodding, looking around.

"Why am I here? I should be on the field of battle to give my sacrifice." he said, the man smiling.

"You give a sacrifice in your love and your life, Lucas. The Bowman has things in hand." he said, the young man moving, walking up to the throne, sitting down on its velvet seat, staring out at the surrounding treasures, gleaming golden shapes shining off the trough walls.

"I sit in my throne room of egotism, of vanity and narcissism, Lucas. It is a place I should never have created." The young king said, his eyes lowering.

Lucas moved, standing in front of the young man, their eyes meeting.

"You saved a lot of goodness against evil only to lose it to it farther down the path." he said, the young king nodding.

"Yes, Lucas. I thought to protect that goodness from evil's searching need. In the end I couldn't stop it. It consumed me and the goodness." The man said, Lucas nodding.

"But your loving soul never gave up the fight, Kurucu. You followed life and destiny, guiding the path to create myself."

The young king nodded, staring at the young man's handsome face.

"You are not what I expected, Lucas. You are more than I created." he said, Lucas smiling at him.

"I am only myself, Kurucu. As you are yourself. An amazing, magical self." Lucas said, the young king smiling.

"Meresankh always said my beauty was in my magic, hers was in her love. How I miss her." he said, Lucas leaning forward, patting the young man's arm.

"You are more than a king, Kurucu. You are a man who loved and was loved." he said, the young king nodding.

"I loved her then, I love her now." he said, Lucas smiling.

"It's a wonderful feeling, Kurucu." he said, the young man smiling more.

"Why am I here, Kurucu?" Lucas said, the young man rising from his seat, walking down the path in front of him slowly, Lucas turning and following him.

The man stopped and turned, staring down into the golden trough in front of him.

"I have felt him within the treasures, Lucas. Your ancestor's love echoes in these walls. I never wanted that for him, for any of them. They are all sealed within their pacts with evil. I would give all to see that destiny righted." he said, Lucas' hand tentatively going to the young man's shoulder.

"You formed this path I walked upon to see that destiny end, Kurucu. I have your magic and I have your love within me." Lucas said, the man turning and staring into Lucas' violet pools.

"I have created more, Lucas. You are more than the destiny I created. God creates all." The young king said, leaning down, picking up something from the trough, Lucas staring at what lay within his hands.

Their eyes met again, Lucas seeing a tear within his blue pools.

"Forgive me, Lucas. For what I forced you into, for what I guided you to do." The young king said, Lucas' arms going around him.

"There is no forgiveness in love, Kuri." Lucas said, the young king looking surprised.

"Meresankh's love name for me. How did you know?" he softly said, Lucas smiling at him.

"I have you in my heart, Kuri. I feel all your past, and your love." Lucas said, the young man smiling at him.

"I've created more than I've bargained for. I hope she sees that." he said, Lucas moving forward, his lips meeting the young king's.

"God creates all. I think you now sense that. I'll make it right, my ancestor." Lucas said, the young king smiling.

"They're going to be amazed. As will you, Lucas. The path ends for all."

Lucas smiled, the young king handing Lucas the item he held in his hand, Lucas taking it, feeling the instant love flowing through him.

"Of course!" he said, the young man smiling.

"Time is on your side, Lucas. They all will see that. Until the end." The young king smiled, lightly laughing, the man moving forward, diving into the golden trough in front of him.

It instantly turned to a golden pond, the light in the room slowly fading, Lucas smiling, his violet pools turning green, the chamber around him filling with the sound of rushing water.

On The Plains Of Life

The masses collided, goodness attacking evil.

Angels flew above them, their hands flying, rays of destruction flowing from their magic, evil forms consumed by the light.

Colton moved forward, a white bubble of goodness suddenly enveloping him, evil monsters burned by its light when touching it.

Lucas had been right.
Colton was the safest of them all, protected by his destiny.

His blue pools were locked on one monster standing above the others.

He raised his bow, aiming at the apparition standing upon the knoll in the center of the evil.

The silver arrow in its bolt shot forward, heading for its target.

At the last moment a vile monster hit Colton's side moving his aim at the last second.

The arrow hit its target, lodging in the monster's left shoulder, the monster screaming, a soft white light leaking from the arrow hole.

The standing monster glared at Colton's distant form, its hand pulling out the arrow, the arrow disintegrating in his hand.

It roared, picking up a lance a minion handed him, the monster throwing the lance, it hitting Colton's protected chest, disintegrating as well.

Colton was knocked backwards, landing on his ass, the young man regaining his feet, putting another arrow in his crossbow.

He looked around, seeing lost souls of goodness destroying evil forms, some of the evil destroying the good.

He aimed his bow again, a second arrow flying forward, aimed for the monster's chest.

At the last moment a minion of evil walked in front of its master, the arrow lodging between the form's rotting eyes.

The monster glared at its dead minion, the form dissolving in a white burning light.

The monster's hand moved forward, a red flash of brightness rushing forward, heading for Colton.

Colton closed his eyes, the red light hitting him squarely in his chest, the young man propelled backwards through many lost souls, a lot upended, Colton landing on his back, the wind knocked out of him.

He lay dazed, a form coming over him.

He stared up into two blue eyes, Azrael staring down at him, kneeling at his side.

"For goodness he gives all. I am sorry. I didn't realize the truth." the angel said, Colton seeing soft tears in his blue eyes.

A new voice thundered across the plains.

"Enough!"

A white light radiated from the center of the plain, knocking everyone--good and evil--down.

It pulsated for a moment, then moved upwards, a new star shining in the starlit heavens.

Where the light had been stood a lone figure.

Lucas stood in the middle of the battle, the young man's body now smooth and muscular, his hair its original black.

"This ends. By sacrifices given, by love shown." he said, his violet pools meeting Colton's blue pools of love.

"Their love is stronger than everything. Unite it, Bowman." Lucas said, the young man rushing forward, heading straight for the monster standing upon the knoll.

"No, Lucas! You're only yourself!" Colton screamed, realizing the truth.

The young man gained his feet, raising his bow, fighting to get the last silver arrow he had into the bolt.

Lucas moved forward, rushing through the minions of evil, reaching the knoll, the monster screaming at him.

"Come, fool! I'm going to enjoy this!" It screamed, its hand coming from behind its back just as Lucas engulfed it.

Lucas gasped, feeling the blade as it pushed into his chest, the knife in the monster's hand now embedded in his chest.

The angels screamed, Azrael lowering his tearing eyes.

On the cliff above, Justin and Lance lowered their tearing eyes, enveloping a stunned Josh in their arms, Lucas' mothers sobbing in their husbands' arms, their grandchildren in their arms.

Josh stared at his soulmate, watching the young man fall at the monster's feet, a laugh of total meanness echoing across the plains.

The world saw a giving soul perish under evil.

Colton's heart clenched in his chest, the young man falling to his knees, a sob echoing across the plains, the silence of the world hearing its hurting soul.

"No, Lucas! Why?! Why?!" he sobbed, the young man feeling a hand going to his shoulder.

"For the world's love, Colton. For all our love." Azrael said, the angel helping Colton to his feet, the bow still in his hands.

"Look to your courage, look to his love. Your destiny is at hand, as is mine." the angel said, the two men surrounded now by the other tearing angels, Colton looking towards Lucas' still form, evil towering over it.

"He was a fool! I'll devour the world now! Starting with you, fool!" the monster on the knoll screamed, Colton's mind filling with a voice he'd heard only moments before.

"Their love is stronger than everything. Unite it, my loving Bowman, my son!"

Colton's hand went to his throat, latching onto the chain hanging there, breaking it.

The nine angels stared at him, Colton wrapping a red stone around the end of the silver arrow in his bow.

"For their love, for his sacrifice, love gives all!" he screamed, aiming his last arrow.

It flew from its bolt, a monster heading off the knoll straight for Colton, the arrow moving between them.

It hit the monster dead center in its chest, the plains filling with a white light that consumed the monster, Heritas screaming as the light engulfed him, his form changing, monsters of evil showing, then disintegrating in the light.

The light flew forward, hitting every minion of evil on the plains, each consumed by the light, disappearing instantly.

The light rose, flying through the night, disappearing in all directions.

Colton stood, the light around him instantly disappearing.

On the cliff above them, four men moved, as did others, all running down the hill.

Eight of the nine angels went to their knees, sobs coming out of all of them, their wings disappearing.

In moments they were surrounded by their soulmates, Meresankh rising to her feet, walking up to Colton, the young woman changing into a small girl, her arms wrapping around Colton, the young man surrounded now by his soulmates.

"Why, Colton! Why did he sacrifice all! Dad's gone!" she cried, Colton picking her up in his arms, his eyes drawn to the small knoll, Lucas still form laying upon it, the area surrounding it scarred with the black scars of evil's destroyed forms.

Azrael stood in front of Colton, the angel's wings moving behind him, the angel flying forward, landing on the small knoll, kneeling at Lucas's side, staring into the man's lifeless eyes, his fingers slowly closing the young man's violet pools.

"I wanted to look upon your eyes of love, Lucas. Here, at the end of all things. You have denied me love." the angel said, a soft sob coming from him.

Josh, Justin and Lance moved forward from beside their families, the two standing in front of the knoll.

"My Lucas, my Lucky. Why? Why? Why?!" Josh sobbed, Justin and Lance surrounding him.

Hudson was in tears, his arms around Haven, Jake at their side, the reporter manning the camera, Anderson standing beside him, his eyes also filled with tears.

"He gave all, so we could have all. Evil is destroyed." Anderson said, His eyes looking at the dead man laying on the knoll.

The angel kneeling beside the dead man rose to his feet, his white wings expanding behind him.

"I am Azrael, a winged seraphim of God's kingdom. Before me stands my brothers, the seraphim of His golden order. We each are charged with a duty to His love." the angel said, eight other angels nodding, their wings again spread, the eight walking forward, kneeling before Azrael and the still form of Lucas.

Finn stared at Sklyer, the angel Jophiel now rising to her feet.

"I am Jophiel, I am the Beauty Of God, the expeller of all those who act against God. Behold the riddance of evil's domain." she said, the young woman moving her hands, all the black scarred land around them suddenly returning to a field of grassy greenery.

"Evil perishes from God's domains." she said, bowing her head.

Alain rose to his feet, staring around at everyone.

"I am Jibrail, servant of God's design. I am the warrior of God's angelic host. To many I am known as Gabriel, God's trusted angel. I am here as a friend to those who gave all. I bow to his greatness." the black angel said, bowing his tearful eyes towards Lucas.

Felix rose to his feet, staring at Azrael before him.

"I am Raphael, a servant of God. I am the healer of all souls, angelic or human. " the young doctor said, looking around, his hands moving.

The forms of lost souls of goodness that lay upon the grounds where they died began to rise, everyone's eyes widening, glowing souls now alive and staring at the kneeling angels, other souls surrounding them.

"I would give my soul to heal this lost soul. That is for God's grace, even I cannot do that. He gave so much." Felix said, lowering his tearing eyes.

Gideon rose from his knees, his two soulmates staring at him with tearful love.

"I am Israfil, the angel of God's heavenly choir. I trumpet the love of God to echo in all souls of man." Gideon said, a golden trumpet now appearing in his hand, the young lawyer raising it to his lips, a melancholy tune blaring across the plains, everyone hearing the lamenting sadness in its trumpeting echoes.

"God's choir cannot sing on such a day of loss. Evil can't stand against this man's giving soul." Gideon said, lowering his vanishing trumpet, the man's eyes filled with tears.

Pierce rose to his feet, looking at Azrael before him.

"I am Mikail, a warrior in God's eternal army. Today Lucas robbed me of a greater victory, denying all of us our own pain. He is of God's love. I have his love with my soul for eternity. Go to God, our Messenger!" he said, his hand going to his chest, saluting the fallen man, his eyes filled with tears, Adam and Usher staring at him with love.

Haven rose to his feet, his eyes meeting Hudson's grey pools, then all those surrounding them.

"I am Mallik, a servant of God's love. Before me lies the greatest soul I have ever known. He saved myself from Hell, he saved all of us from evil's destruction. He was God's greatest champion. I bow to his giving soul." the older man said, lowering his tearing eyes.

Meresankh rose from her knees, her white wings spread behind her.

"I am Meresankh, angel of God's divinity.  I am the angel of youth, vitality and awareness. A giving soul to echo through all of yours. Lighten your hearts this day. His love can never die. It echoes in all our souls." she smiled, her hands opening, a small white dove flying upwards, the sky suddenly brightening, thousands of white doves flying everywhere.

"They fly to all our souls. The world awakens to truth." she smiled, folding her hands in front of her.

Father Santiago rose to his feet, staring around at everyone, smiling at Meresankh.

"Well said, Meresankh. His love can never die. I am Ridwan, angelic soul of God's intent. I am the guardian of the gates of Heaven. Before all of us in the distance that gate stands." he said, everyone looking behind the knoll, a soft shadowy brightness showing off in the distance.

"It is time, children of devoted love. Today he welcomes you all into His kingdom. Go to His love." the older angel said, the glowing masses behind them suddenly moving.

Everyone surrounding the angels stared at the moving masses, seeing so many smiles on all their glowing faces, the mass moving as one walking off towards the distance, the light there seemingly brightening, all of them fading into its brightness.

"All souls deserve heaven, all souls of goodness and faith. It is time, my brethren. He of the greatest love deserves so much more." Father Santiago said, bowing to the motionless man on the knoll, Azrael rising from his kneeling position, staring out at everyone, his blue eyes meeting Josh's tearful blue.

"He was always more than we saw, Joshua. To you, he was the heart of your soul. He still lays there and will always be there. We as a nation mourn the loss he so easily gave. Even I cannot fathom why. That is for God's path to show." the angel said, his wings widening behind him, a soft glow of white light surrounding him.

"I am Azrael, God's highest angel. I stand for one side of life, I stand for one side of truth." he said, his soft blue eyes glowing brightly.

"Each of you one day shall look upon myself again. I am Azrael, the forgotten one. I am the Angel of Death. I guide all to their eternal salvation." the angel said, leaning down and picking up Lucas in his arms, the angel's face now covered in tears.

"I was always destined for this path, for this fate. I would give all my lives to not do this. It is an honor I do not deserve. Weep with joy, mankind. Today God takes his Messenger on his true path. The path of your salvation. Rejoice in the future of all of you. Go with God's love." the angel said, the star above them radiating, the angel rising from the knoll, carrying Lucas with him, heading for the light off in the distance.

The other eight angels watched, Azrael disappearing in the distant light.

"Go to God, Lucas. You gave us life." Reverend Sanders said, kneeling on the grassy plain, everyone joining him.

The star above them faded, its light disappearing, the night's sky turning to light, the time of day its true self.

Everyone surrounded their soulmates, all eyes on the fading light off in the distance.

Hudson turned his camera, staring into its lens.

"He gave all so we could have a lifetime of goodness and faith. God has him now. We have each other. Go with God everyone."

The camera turned off, Hudson wrapping his arms around Haven, the older man kissing his lips.

The eight angels were surrounded by their soulmates, their wings disappearing.

Josh felt Justin's and Lance's arms around him, Tristan and Savannah walking up to them.

"My son, my son's gone." Tristan sobbed, Josh's hand going to his shoulder.

"He's not gone, Dad. I feel him in my soul, that has to mean something." he said, his eyes filled with tears.

Joshy and Justy climbed out of their grandparents' arms, both climbing into Josh's arms.

"Daddy comes backs, Papa. His wuv's enough." Little Justy said, those around him crying.

Lance wiped his eyes, the man pulling out Lucas' watch from his pocket, opening it and seeing the time was still only two o'clock in the afternoon.

"Let's go back to Kurucu's Haven, everyone. I'm agreeing with my son. Lucas is coming back. Only time will show that." he said, wiping his eyes, his arms going around Josh and Justin, the family walking back towards the cliffs.

Everyone followed, all looking back towards the now dying light off in the distance.

A few moments later a solitary figure stood upon the small knoll, two large golden wings spreading behind him.

"For life, for love, Time heals all."*

End of Chapter 239

Well, what do you think?

Was that a battle for the ages?

Evil has been destroyed, goodness gone to Heaven's embrace.

And Lucas?

Is he now in Heaven?

What of the golden winged apparition?

Who the hell is he?

And what of Kurucu and his golden domain?

A lot of unanswered questions.

I've given you a year to delve into all the possibilities.

Or was I just lazy?  lol.

Onward we go.

I'll try to get on a better schedule.

I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year.

Hopefully things will get back to more like normal.

Cheers, Angel.

Email: music-fan-1@hotmail.com