“Good bye my friend. Goodbye my loved one. Master took your life, but your heart will always belong to me!”

It was a terrible prise our Master wanted us to pay - the Dark Rite. And us - his obedient slaves - we could not disobey. He promised riches of wisdom, money, power… but all I’ve got now… is this. THIS! This is HELL!!!

“Gregory…”

A tear rolled down my cheek and fell silently into a paddle of crimson- blood of my beloved one spilled across the floor. His beautiful body once vibrant and alive even under a veil of his ever impenetrable sadness now pale, breathless. His wrists cut open. He lays in the center of a pentagram - dead.

“Gregory…”

Maybe a whole eternity but maybe a mere moments ago - I can’t tell - his lips moved for the last time. Whether he wanted me to know that he loves me too… or maybe just to take the last gasp of air. I will never know.

“For you, Gregory…”

I gulped a big portion from the bottle of Jack Daniels. The lights from black candles placed on the floor in the shape of a five-pointed star (for the ritual) began to dance in front of my eyes, shifted and smudged… and faded away as I fell into semi conscious alcoholic haze.

“Is this darkness forever now” - I asked myself. Only darkness was in front of me.

...

“But he’s not dead.” - Suddenly I heard a strong voice speaking to me as if descending toward me from above. I looked and felt as if my eyes opened for the first time! As if they were never truly open before.

“Nobody ever dies.” - The voice spoke again, and I saw a strong man descending in a ray of light. A light as strong as thousand Suns dressed in pure gold, but it wasn’t burning my eyes. The man was as beautiful and strong as Samson. His eyes burned with fire of love and a glow of kindness. And his long curly hair was made of pure silk of the most beautiful shade of brown I had ever seen.

“Are you God?” - I asked, stunned.

“No. Ha-ha-ha!” - he laughed - “You silly boy.” His laughter was open and strong yet sweetly kind. He came closer and scratched his strong muscular hand toward me.

“I am nathaniel. Your guardian angel.” - He smiled kindly.

I didn’t know what to say. I remembered how strongly I was devoted to Satan. But now, after I realized all his disgusting lies, facing the beautiful angel I was ashamed. My cheeks flushed with red.

“And… and I am… Doomseeker66… I mean… Peter. Peter Gabriel. Sir.” Dazed and confused I really didn't know what to say.

“I know, who you are, Peter” - he smiled - “Come on, boy, get on your feet. I have something to show you.”

I hesitated for few moments but then started to slowly move my hand toward him.

“Holy shit! - I thought- I’m going to touch a real angel!”

A smile appeared on my face now illuminated by Nathaniel’s warm light. He was so close to me - I could inhale his heavenly breath, pure as a silver shine, fresh as a string water… filling me with life, with joy…

“But what is it!?”

I jerked my hand back.

“Blood!” It was covered with blood. Smeared elbow-high.. Gregory!

I turned around. His limp body laying on a cold concrete floor of my ancestor’s house basement... It was still real!.. “It’s me! It was me who killed him! I could stop it. He had doubts… After all, I loved him! And now… he’s gone. Murderer… It’s all my fault! I’m a murderer!” I’ve hidden my face in my palms.

“Listen to me boy!’ - Nathaniel’s voice rolled like thunder. Pale of fear I faced him.

“I’ve been sent here to help you!” - the thousand suns turned as bright as a million. A pair of magnificent white wings spread from behind angels wide back and surrounded me with an impenetrable wall.

“And I will!” - he continued - ”As there is redemption for everyone!” He gazed at me probingly. Petrified I couldn’t move under his mighty gaze.

“I only need to know. - he stretched his hand toward me - Will you follow?”