Deep in his underground bunker, he could feel the rumbling of the explosions
caused by the American bombing right into his bones. Oh, how he cursed the
Americans and their high-tech weapons of doom. They had finally come into
his adopted homeland and did the unthinkable; they had toppled his Taliban
allies and aided the northern alliance in taking over the country. Even
now, the remainder of his Al Quaeda forces were fighting a losing battle,
and he knew his days were numbered. The only thing Osama bin Laden had left
was to pray for a miracle, and wonder how he could've so underestimated
America's resolve.
"Allah... Oh, Infinitly Merciful Allah... How could this be? How could you
have taken your favor away from my faithful warriors, and favored the
infidels?"
"Allah works in infinite ways, my friend... And I should know."
Osama leapt up at the sound of that voice and turned to look at a figure
stepping out of the hallway's shadows and into his own inner sanctum. A
figure clad in the traditional robes of an Islamic Scholar, with a pair of
white, flowing wings serving as a cape. The figure pushed back its cowl to
reveal its face, which resembled that of a short-beared man, of unprecise,
yet unmistakingly Arabic origins. Osama instantly recognized his face and
fell to his knees again.
"Lord Khalid... At last... Praise Allah, you've returned to aid me... "
Khalid simply looked down at the terrorist, his face remaining emotionless,
his gaze staring deep into the man's heart, seeing his emotional state
concerning his current situation: the american invasion, the Taliban's fall
from power, the dismantling of his training camps in Afghanistan...
...And now, Khalid noticed, Osama was feeling confusion at the realization
that Khlaid had done nothing to aid him since the September 11 bombings. A
confusion that was turning into indignation even as he watched. Judging
from Osama's current emotional state, Klahid chose his words carefully for
the appropriate response:
"Yes, you're thinking correctly. I haven't come here to aid you, but to
witness your inevitable destruction."
Osama rose from his kneeling position and yelled at the angel: "WHY!? Have
I not done as you willed me to do? Have I not forged an army of retribution
against the faithless Americans? Have I not fought hard to avenge the
suffering of our people? And now you abandon us!?"
Khalid shook his head and simply walked around Osama, looking about the
sanctuary chamber as he spoke. "Yes, yes you have. You've even surpassed my
expectations last September, Osama. I can only assume Hell's infiltration
into the ranks of Al Quaeda has had positive effects, for once..."
Osama was shocked by that comment. The forces of Iblis, infiltrating his
loyal forces? The mere thought was unbelivable. But the Archangel
continued before he could respond: "...But overall, the aftershocks of
September 11 have had more positive effects then negative ones. Especially
in America." He turned to look at the Terrorist leader and smiled. "It's
ironic, really... in attempting to shatter the spirit and resolve of
America, the attacks have had for effect to reunify a divided nation,
dragging them out of self-destructive apathy, restoring their faith, not
only in God and Heaven, but also the beliefs of their forefathers and the
ideals of their nation."
Khalid stepped closer, looking the now stunned man in the face, and
continued: "It's regrettable that so many innocent people had to die, but
their sacrifice has not been in vain. America is now more open to God's
forces then ever, as men and women all over the land have turned ever more
to their priests, rabbis and mullahs for guidance and comfort."
Osama finally shook himself from his shock and frowned. "How... How can you
celebrate for our enemies!? How can you rejoice at the thought that those
infidels turn from Islam so?"
Khalid's eyes suddenly burned a bright white, causing the terrorist to
stagger back as the Elohite's voice became more pronounced... "I am not the
Archangel of Islam, bin Laden, although I favor that path most of all. I am
the Archangel of Faith... of Faith in God, and as such is my duty to ensure
that all People of the Book are faithful, be they of Abraham's tribes,
Christ's disciples, or followers of Muhammed's teachings. And, although
America's are not Heavenly inspired in and of themselves, they do promote
the ways of Heaven's teachings through the freedoms they promote..."
Osama simply fell to his knees in disbelief. "But... but... What of
Afghanistan? What of the land of the Faithful? What is to become of us?"
Khalid looked at him and smiled again, this time with the smile of a teacher
reassuring a pupil. "The People of Afghanistan are celebrating their
newfound freedom from the Taliban, Osama. The Taliban were tyrants who
oppressed their nation and harmed anyone not upholding their extremist
views. Sadly, they were a necessary evil, for this region to begin
welcoming a more liberal and open regime..."
"You see, attacking America has caused its people to truly awaken to the
plight of the people here in the Middle East. They have begun learning
about Islam and its followers, if only to understand the truth of
Muhammad's teachings and of the people of the Arab world. And with their
renewed commitment to ending tyranny and suffering, America is certain to
influence positive changes in the Middle East. All thanks to you..."
Osama blinked. "You... You mean you used me? ...Everything I have done, it
was for nothing?"
Khalid shook his head, looking a bit sad. "No, not for nothing... Although
I must confessed, I did mislead you as to the true goals of your
organisation's actions. But rest assured, you have indeed served Allah
well..."
Osama swallowed and looked up, a little hopeful. "Then... I have earned my
place in Heaven? I have fulfilled my destiny?"
Khalid simply nodded. "Yes... As I've learned from the angels of Destiny,
your dark fate was to plunge the earth into World War Three, which would've
spread ruination throughout the Middle East as it raged. As you know,
however, your Destiny was to spark the end of the misery of the people of
Islam... And I suspect that things will will change for the better for Islam
in the decades to come..."
Khalid then sighed and looked down at Osama "...But I'm afraid I have yet
another sacrifice to ask of you, my friend..."
Osama's hopes suddenly fell. "What? What more do you want me to give?"
Khalid looked him in the eyes. "Heaven is not only for the followers of
Islam, Osama. It is for all those who have achieved the Destiny Allah
intended for them. But nevertheless, there are some appearances that need
to be maintained... And having a terrorist leader in heaven would cause
much controversy..."
Osama now looked fearful of what was next to come, as Khalid took a large
dagger from his robe, and grabbed him by the neck, holding him tightly as he
held up the blade. "This Dagger was specially made to cleave the human soul
apart, scattering its Forces throughout the Symphony, bringing about final
Soul Death... I'm sorry, Osama, but this is for the greater good..."
And before Osama could break away, Khalid stabbed him in the chest
repeatedly. The man felt his soul being torn to shreds with each new thrust
of the dagger, falling to his knees as the Archangel continued. As his
Forces abandonned him, his last thoughts were for his wife and children,
begging Allah to watch over them, to his followers, praising them for their
loyalty even in defeat, to the people whom he had killed, begging their
forgivness for his actions, and finally to Allah, committing what was left
of his soul to the one above...
Khalid slowly rose from the soulless corpse, holding it's last force in his
free hand, then looking up and hearing another rumbling. "That next
bombardment should be enough to pierce through the cavern walls and
incinerate your corpse, Osama... But fear not, you have not died in vain."
He released the Force into the symphony, then returned the dagger to his
cloak and returned to Heaven as the cavern complex was destroyed, erasing
every last trace of Khalid's presence there...
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