AND ANGELS WEEP

Aarseth rode his mighty steed through the twisted forest of Zeohl under the cover of dense fog. The only sounds were of the hammering of the stallion’s hooves and the howls of wolves.
Uriel followed as best he could, his brother at-arms charging recklessly ahead. The moonlight vaguely shone through the black mist, the wolves of Zeohl growling as they pressed on.
" Brother, should we not slow our advance? The enemy might be privy to our position." Uriel asked.
" Bah! I care not for the minions of that accursed bastard! To the Realm of Death with his underlings! Ride on brother! Gorgoroth must die!" Aarseth bellowed, pulling the reigns on his steed harder.
Uriel frowned in displeasure. The forest of Zeohl gripped him with fear, fear that he cared not to admit. His heart weighed heavy with concern for Aarseth. The mage Obadiah warned the brothers of letting their emotions cloud their judgment. Aarseth dismissed his counsel and donned his armor setting off for Gorgoroths tower of madness. Heimduul Tower was ancient even to the Eldars of Aluric, its walls said to drive men mad and take the souls of the weak. Uriel could understand his hasty reaction, Aarseths daughter and wife were murdered. Sacrificed to the Demons of Varg- the Black Prince, Lord of the Realm of Death. Gorgoroth was his keeper, his warlord here in the lands of Ahmirez.
Reaching the forests end, they dismounted and armed themselves.
Aarseth carried his massive battle-axe, thrice blessed by the High Priests of Ahmirez and imbued with spells of strength by Obadiah.
Uriel had only his bronze shield and scimitar. Both wore the armor of their forefathers; Crimson leather lined with silver and braced with steel plating, and wore the traditional leather quilt of the Gladius Honoris. They wore no helmets, so the enemy knew who came to slay them.
" From here on brother, we walk the dread lands of Varg. Be strong, let your faith in battle carry you to victory. Fear no man, demon or beast, you are a warrior of the Halls of Aluric. Show no mercy to the fiends of Varg!" He crossed his arms in salute to Uriel and strode ahead of his brother. Uriel looked back at the forest of Zeohl, its tangled mess of nightmarish trees seemed nothing compared to the horrors that lay ahead. Had Aarseth waited but a mere hour they would have had the entire Legion of Aluric at their side. Too late for that. Battle would soon be upon them and only death would satisfy his brothers thirst for vengeance.
The rocky path to Heimduul Tower was narrow and dark. Numerous caverns and tunnels ran along side it and the people of Ahmirez whispered of monstrosities from beyond the comprehension of mortals. Yet the brothers trekked on, climbing the black stairs towards the throne of Gorgoroth. They leaped from step to step. Ignoring the lesser goblins and swatting down the winged demonettes as they swooped low.
Aarseths axe was smeared with the filthy blood of the goblins as they headed into the archway that lead into the Towers pavilion.
" At the ready Uriel, here they will strike. " he said pointing to the central area directly in front of the entrance.
" I am ready brother." Uriel said banging his sword on his shield.
Together they went, side by side. Two warriors of the Halls of Aluric, sons to the Lords of Ahmirez. Walking into the perpetual horror that was Heimduul Tower, abode of Gorgoroth, the Keeper of Death. Insane laughter, the screams of wicked creatures and the putrid smell of burning flesh cut the cold air. Aarseth motioned for Uriel to make for the Tower door. Uriel wasted no time springing to his feet. Aarseth was about to follow suit when he was hammered to the floor. He rolled on his side, and kicked out at whatever had assailed him. Even in the gloom Aarseth could see the grotesque beast that loomed above him. It had no eyes, its massive jaws sporting fantastic glistening fangs. Its body covered in strange pattern of scales and thick coarse hair. Its jug-ears were pierced numerous times and where its eyes should have been intricate tattoos of accursed scriptures sat instead.
Uriel charged to Aarseth, hoping to give distraction to the beast. Instead, his feet flew out from beneath him and he too slammed into the rocky earth. Uriel swung out his sword in a deathly arc, taking the arm of the creature that blocked his path. It shrieked in pain but attacked again. Aarseth was on his feet, dodging the huge monster and striking his massive body to no avail.
Uriel charged the one armed beast using his shield, pinning it up against the archway wall. It lashed out but He stabbed it again and again, its nauseating blood spilling to the ground. It crumbled to the floor and Uriel ran to aid Aarseth. The sheer size of the monster would drive lesser men insane. It was three grown men tall and four wide. It swung a huge club-no doubt a tree trunk, at Aarseth. The battle hardened warrior anticipated its every move though, dodging and side stepping its thunderous blows. Aarseth eventually ducked underneath the beast and climbed his backside, hanging on to his viscous scales and mangy fur. The beast shook violently, desperately trying to be rid of Aarseth. Uriel slashed at the beasts arms and legs, careful not to be hit by the gigantic club.
" To the Realm of Death with you fiend!" Aarseth howled his rage, bringing down his axe into the beasts hideously huge skull.
The pungent, vile blood spewed like a geyser but still the monster fought on. It howled its fury and began to glow in the darkness.
" Aarseth!, cried Uriel," Strike his eyeless face! It has to be its source of power!"
Aarseth said nothing, grinding his teeth and grunting to stay atop the monsters shoulders. Meanwhile armored goblins of various sizes rushed out the Tower door, wailing under the moonlight.
Uriel turned and rose his sword to the his new foes.
" For transgressions against the peoples of Ahmirez, you of the Orcish know death better than any…..make your peace with Varg, prepare to die!"
The goblin mob screamed their war cries as Uriel charged at them, his sword swinging true, sending the first three goblins heads sailing over the rest. He blocked their axes and machetes, spinning and leaping, stabbing and hacking. Within two minutes of brutal close combat, none stood. Uriel turned to see Aarseth, smashing his axe into the beasts tattooed forehead.
The beasts head exploded. Pure dark energy escaping, its evil blood shooting in every direction. Aarseth somersaulted off the dying beast. Uriel stood amid the pile of dead goblins, his armor and sword a bloody, black mess. Chunks of Orcish flesh hung from his shield as well.
Aarseth rose up and swaggered over to Uriel. They clasped forearms in the tradition of the Gladius Honoris, signifying the victory over their enemy.
" Bah! Is this all you have Gorgoroth! Come down from your pedestal so I may butcher you like the dog you are!" Aarseth cursed raising his mighty battle-axe.
" Aye brother, either something is amiss or he is no much for the warriors of Aluric!" Uriel chimed in.
They entered the Tower of Heimduul. Its winding staircase glowed a sickly emerald and smelt of rotting corpses. Long dead bodies hung from chains and faces of tortured souls moaned in agony from the walls itself. Cries of pain and anguish filled the Tower with uncanny loathing and despair. Shadow-beasts slithered up and down the walls hissing their hatred. Uriel could not fathom what demonic brutalities lay in wait above the final staircase.



Aarseth said nothing. His face was like steel and his mood had turned all the more grim. When a goblin, demonette or other vile creature happened upon them, Aarseth killed them without mercy, reveling in the slaughter. A dark fire burned in his eyes, one that Uriel had never seen; and worried about.
They entered the throne room of Gorgoroth in silence. He sat; arms hanging lucid at his sides, the torches gave little light to the chamber, but their enemy’s eyes glowed a red menace. He stirred not. Spirits gathered around him, strange sigils were painted before him in semi circle, and black candles wavered. He was indeed a fearful being to stand against, his pallid skin cloaked by his black and gold armor, his crown shimmering in a perverse manner.
" Gorgoroth!" Aarseth shouted at the top of his lungs." I, Aarseth have come to claim my justice, my revenge! You filth, shall see not the sun rise this day! You took all I loved in this world, now I send you to meet your wretched master Varg….may he rend you from now until the Doom of the Stars!" He boomed, raising his axe in preparation for battle.
A deep hideous laughter began to emanate from where the sorcerer warlord sat. He began to rise, the space around him swirling, barely containing the powers of the Death Realm.
He towered before the men of Aluric. He unsheathed his massive jeweled sword. Electricity and fire ran up and down its blade, the blade screamed as he swung it in deadly arcs. Still he said nothing.
" So, you have nothing to say then fiend? So be it, my brother and I will take your head and leave your carcass to the wolves of Zeohl!" Uriel proclaimed.
Gorgoroth laughed again, the echo deafening the warriors. The Tower of Heimduul began to quake and the torches blew out one by one in rapid succession. Only the black candles at the sorcerers feet still burned. Uriel felt the fear that he felt in the forest take him and could not help but feel paralyzed.
" Vile human pigs!" Gorgoroth screamed. His voice deep,hollow and piercing all at once.
" I am the Keeper of Death! None oppose my doings! I am the Guardian of the Realm of Varg, who is Lord of the Dead Lands, Prince of Hell, son of Belial. I, Gorgoroth, creator of the Circle of Snakes! I spill the blood of anyone I choose, kill as I please! I have destroyed hundreds of kingdoms and obliterated men greater than your feeble Aluric. I shall drink your souls and your blood shall I bathe in at dawn!"
Gorgoroth’s body tremored as his power surged into him.
Aarseth sneered and began the Gladius Honris Prayer of Faith.
Uriel was too frightened to do anything but repeat the words."Strength, honor, might. Aluric gave us will to fight. None shall stand against the Halls of Light!"
With that said, Aarseth’s battle-axe caught fire, the magic within ignited to fight the demon within Gorgoroth. Uriel was still in shock though, he stood immobile as Aarseth charged at Gorgoroth, the true nature of the beast exposed at last as their weapons met in the clamor of battle. Gorgoroth had long black horns that curved inward, almost resembling tusks. His long raven-mane was pulled into a top knot and his crown was made of human skulls and decadent gems.
They fought long and hard. The Tower shaking all the while, Uriel only watching, frozen in horror. Aarseth fought with the hatred of grieving husband-the rage of father at loss. He scrambled back and forth, avoiding the blasphemous blade of Gorgoroth.
He hacked at his nemesis, ripping his flesh but never drawing blood. Frustrated he jumped at him, they both slammed to the stone floor, Aarseth struggling to keep from vomiting from the power surrounding the sorcerer.
Aarseth howled his hatred for him, pummeling his face with his fists, as both of their weapons lay at their feet.
Gorgoroth hissed and flung him across the chamber by his evil will alone. He crashed into the marble walls, his bones crushing in an instant.
Aarseth lay broken and bloody, unable to continue the fight. Gorgoroth stood above him.
" Aeons have passed since a mortal has laid hands on me, centuries since I have enjoyed the thrill of battle. You amused me son of the Ahmirez. Like your whore wife and bitch child though, amusement is all you are. Your death matters not in the cosmic war, just as your life mattered not. Your blood is mine and your souls shall wander the Realm of Death until Varg devours you forever!
The cosmos know my face, the masters of Light fear me and Angels weep when they hear my name!"
Aarseth shed a single tear as Gorgoroth cleaved him in two.
Uriel screamed in horror. The sorcerer warlord turned to him and hissed.
" You, you shall tell of this weakling. Tell the tale of Aarseth and how I reaped his soul! He fought well, you, coward, shall spread my fear for your life is forfeit to me."
Gorgoroth marched toward Uriel cackling in a devilish manner.
Uriel cried too. He cried for his brother, he cried for himself. Knowing he could not destroy Gorgoroth and ashamed at his lack of courage, Uriel raised his sword to the demon in front of him and said;
" Spin your own webs of fear. I came ready to die by the sword and so I shall. May my forefathers forgive me and welcome me into Vaulhaulios and the Halls of Light! That I may fight alongside Aarseth in the Dead Lands, so we may defeat you in death at least!"
He spat on Gorgoroth and Uriel of Ahmirez, warrior of the Halls of Aluric took his own life.



This story written October 18,2006,
In about four hours, inspired by tons of heavy metal music, fantasy and horror comics and books and my twisted imagination.