Rise of the Fallen Read Online Free Page B

no one else does, and he has power no one else does. An archangel that brilliant and that powerful doesn’t make mistakes, Validus.”
    Validus swallowed. “Gathering angels? For what?”
    “For a new order of life, of power and position. You should understand that.”
    Validus felt the barb in his words. Something broke in that moment. Though he didn’t show it, his soul crumbled. But the pain of a broken friendship was quickly overshadowed by the dawning reality of what Niturni was implying.
    Validus’s heart began to race. He backed away, horrified at the thoughts that filled his mind. He spun away and took flight back to Zion.
    “Wait, Validus,” Niturni called.
    Validus flew as fast as he could, but Niturni quickly caught up with him.
    “Brother, stop. Listen to me!”
    Validus dived, trying to escape Niturni and the thoughts that hung on him like heavy chains. He skimmed dangerously close to trees and hills, but Niturni was relentless in his pursuit. Validus’s wings beat harder and faster, the tips touching the waters of the Crystal Sea as he passed over, desperately trying to reach the borders of Zion.
    What is happening?
he cried out in his soul. Unthinkable things were filling his mind.
Elohim, where are You?
    “Stop!” Niturni yelled with the authority of one of the One Hundred.
    Validus looked up just in time to see Niturni diving at him. He tried to dodge, but the mighty angel was too quick and crafty. He grabbed Validus from behind with an arm locked around his neck. The heavy weight and encumbered wings sent them falling to the shore. They hit the surface of the sea, and water filled the air around them in a spray of white and blue jeweled droplets.
    Validus struggled against Niturni’s grip. They had fallen just a few feet from shore, and Niturni lifted Validus to his feet, his grip from behind solid and overpowering. He whispered in Validus’s ear as Validus tried to peel thepowerful grip of Niturni’s arm from his neck. Both angels were breathing hard, water glistening as it fell from their bodies and wings.
    “Stop, my friend. I beg of you, stop and listen to me!”
    Validus hesitated, then slowly relaxed. There was nothing he could do. He had never been forced to do something like this before. His blood boiled with frustration. He felt defenseless, unprepared. Whatever happened this day, he vowed it would never happen again. A new spirit was born within him.
    “I’m going to let go,” Niturni said. “Promise me you will stay and listen.”
    Validus didn’t promise, nor did he respond. He waited until Niturni’s grip loosened and dropped. Then he turned and glared at Niturni, demorphing his wings so he could better fight if need be.
    “I called you friend,” he said through heavy breaths.
    Niturni winced. “I am your friend, Validus, and I’m trying to offer you something amazing.”
    Validus huffed and walked toward the shore, only now realizing that he had fallen near his favorite cove. Niturni followed close behind him.
    “Join me, Validus. Come with me and join the legions of angels that are aligning with Lucifer.”
    Validus turned and grabbed Niturni’s drenched robe at the chest. “And what of Michael and of Gabriel? Have they”—Validus could hardly say the word—“rebelled against Elohim too?”
    The two angels stood face to face, just inches away from each other. Validus looked deep into the penetrating blue eyes of his friend, but the window into Niturni’s soul was closing.
    “They are fools. Lucifer claims that we can be like God Himself if we want.” Niturni smiled as he thought of it.
    Validus released his grip on Niturni’s robe and turned away, disgusted by Niturni’s words of treason. He walked two paces away, covering his face with his hands. Sadness overwhelmed his soul.
    “No. No, Niturni.” He turned back to his friend and pleaded with him. “Don’t listen to him. It cannot be. To turn against Elohim … it … it … is