The aroma of the wine permeated out of the glass, assaulting Bennie’s nose. The blood-red liquid swirled around the glass, flowing into his mouth, his taste buds exploding with delight. This was what he lived for, sipping good wine and sitting with good company. Enjoying conversations, sharing ideas, getting to know each other. No better way to spend a Friday evening than at the local bar, an exotic cigar in his right hand, a glass of the most expensive wine in the other and a cheerful conversation any direction he turned.
The only thing that would top this evening was the sacrifice waiting for Bennie across the street, squirming in her metal bindings, his followers preparing the ritual. A full moon rested in the sky, signifying a new beginning was upon them all. Those that worshipped the true god, those like Bennie and his followers, knew in the morning a new world would erupt from the bowels of Hell, flowing out into the streets, flooding the world with its unholy evil. And Bennie had a front row seat to it all. Years of praying to the right god finally paying off, years of being chided by friends and loved ones, an outcast for his practices, even arrested for performing his religious rituals. But they would all see now: Bennie picked the winning side years ago, and he was ready to laugh at their tormented souls.
Scattered throughout the bar, people sat on red leather seats, laughing, drinking, having meaningless conversations. Some played the game of seduction, moving their social pieces around, trying to win over their opponent, others used the game of business, moving their pawns in front of someone’s rook to help get them a better deal. None of them had a clue what was in store for them. Tomorrow morning their lives would be meaningless, unless they were smart years ago and switched sides, leaving the conventional forms of religion behind and practicing the one true religion. Bennie doubted any of these people worshipped his god, doubted any of them worshipped any god at all. These thoughts made his wine sweeter, his cigar even more enchanting.
She entered from the south door, the leather covered door swinging shut behind her, the black dress hugging her body like a desperate lover. It took Bennie a minute to actually notice her face, her sculpted body calling his attention. Her chin was made from the finest china, her eyes penetrating his inner being, her lips kissing him without moving. Black waves of hair wisped across her back, setting the tone around her as a woman ready to dominate a man’s life; all he need do is ask. Bennie was asking.
Time stood still as he admired her beauty, took in her seduction, and desired her will. This would be an amazing opponent to play with. Downing the luxurious wine like a cheap shot of tequila, Bennie stood from the ash covered table, brushing down his velvet coat, hoping his appearance did not offend the dark angel that graced his presence. His palms sweated from anxiety, fear of possible rejection, knowing she might very well turn on him, like all the others that once called themselves his friends. No, she was different, he could smell it about her as easily as he smelt her lavender perfume floating past his nose. A smile crept across his face, the one practiced for hours in the mirror, preparing for the next sales pitch before a hectic work day, tonight preparing for the sales pitch of a man ready to seduce a mortal goddess.
He approached the woman, her dark eyes stealing his words with a simple glance. He was the king of conversation, the sultan of small talk, yet here this earthly deity stood before him, and his mouth would not work, his inner workings freezing up. This could not happen; he was a master of the craft, as much as he was a master of chess, moving the pawns into place to sacrifice them for the king. The same type of sacrifice happening within the hour to help bring in the new era, the new ruler of the world. And before him stood the woman he could share the celebration with. The two of them lying naked together, surrounded by fire and brimstone. Hellfire raining down while they made passionate love, nothing could match the sinister combination.
His courage spoke up, asking the questions a man asks, going through the motions of the game men and women have played for eons. Moving their chess pieces between one another, one taking the lead, then the other, never revealing their full moves until the last minute. A surprise win, the true goal of any chess master. The true goal of any man seducing a woman. What a better conquest on the eve of the new world than this alluring creature he was playing with. If only she knew the true predator that laid beneath his skin, if only she knew all he set up for his true master. She would fear him, loathe him, yet find him irresistible.
They made their way to the table Bennie was sitting at, sharing the bottle of wine; her demeanor showing she appreciated the expense within the bottle. She reached into the oak box beside the wine bottle, retrieving one of Bennie’s cigars. Her action intrigued him, showing him not only did she appreciate the finer things in life, but she was not afraid to take what she wanted. Their conversations jumped from small talk to dreams and desires, every answer slipping past her tender lips showing Bennie more of her inner soul. Teaching him what he needed to know to help move his pieces on the board. This game was an amazing challenge, the woman shifting her momentum of the conversation just when Bennie thought he had the upper hand, never allowing him to fully put her in check.
Bennie looked at the clock, the hour flying by now, the moment of truth slowly rising to the occasion. He wanted to tell her what he had planned, what he did for his master, the true nature of his inner soul, but the time was not right, he needed her to fall deeper into his spell. He leaned forward on his elbows, telling her a funny anecdote, something to make those last few minutes pass faster, when suddenly shock threw him back in his seat: her foot, her bare foot, traveling up his pant leg toward his crotch.
Check and mate. Inside he knew it was over, she not only conceded to his will, his charismatic performance, but she was starting a new game between them. Chess can be played on any level, from seduction to fornication, both a game, pieces moving, players showing their strategy, but always that one surprise locked behind their eyes. He wanted her, needed her, and he knew he had the last strategy that would surely win her for eternity.
Grabbing her hand, Bennie walked her out of the bar, passing patrons enjoying their last night on this plane. He briskly walked the two of them into the cold air that floated outside, their footsteps the only sounds on the deserted streets. The quiet night air a pretext of what was to come, as if the people of the world knew tonight was the last night the wrong god would control the mortal realm. His destination was not far, just across the road: a small building, a red glow filtering out behind the black painted windows. He looked back at his trophy, the queen to his king, saw wonder in her eyes, the excitement of mystery and adventure pulsating in her face. Yes, she was his from now until the end of time.
They busted through the door into an empty, decrepit hallway, litter and dead rats strewn about the cracked floor. Chanting echoed against the walls, the direction of where it came from difficult to figure out, making it sound like the walls themselves were chanting. The smell of death and decay wafted past them, escaping into the night air. Bennie looked at her face, wanting to see fear, distrust, but not. Instead she was filled with excitement and intrigue, this was what she lived for, going where she should not, knowing what she could not; these thoughts fascinated Bennie even more. This woman was sent to him by his lord, thanking Bennie for all he did to help his lord enter this realm, she had to be. A smile spread further across his face as Bennie pulled the woman indoors, navigating their way through the multitude of passages in the building, the chanting getting louder with each turn, the smell of death growing stronger.
Before them stood the door, behind it the final piece on the chessboard. He squeezed her hand with anticipation, knowing after this moment she would be catapulted into this arms, then his bed, and finally his soul. Keeping his eyes closed like a small boy on his birthday, Bennie opened the door, the chanting flooding out into their ears. He opened his eyes, turned to look at his vixen of mystery and excitement, and his smile of triumph was replaced with a look of defeat. The flaming sword shot through his gut, splitting his body in two, his torso flying into the sacrificial chamber, his legs falling to the cracked, littered floor.
The wings behind the angel’s back spread, their snowy white essence contrasting with the black dress she wore. The seductive smile that played across her face was gone, in its stead a look of determination and urgency. She flew into the room, her flaming sword slicing through the disciples, cutting some in mid-chant, others cut down trying to make a rush for the sacrifice, the poor innocent strapped to the table. Bennie watched her as his life slipped away, admired her grace, the ease with which she disposed of his loyal followers, those that gave up everything to help bring their lord to power. No human could move so effortlessly, the sword an extension of her arm performing a choreographed ballet for her god.
After watching her dispatch his followers with the ease of a man killing a line of ants, Bennie watched the angel swoop down upon the altar, her sword swiftly cutting the girl loose, the flames melting the metal wires. Her feather draped wings wrapped around the victim, sheltering her from any further harm, and then flew them out of the unholy room, the angel taking a last victorious look at Bennie.
Tears ran down Bennie’s face. Everything he lived for was gone, destroyed in a final play by God. His own vanity and pride had made him blind. The woman never had an interest in him, she was just another player of chess, showing her last surprise at the end of the game. Checkmate, she won, his lord would once again face defeat at the hands of God. Bennie was left to his final thoughts, reminiscing of good wine and a great game of chess before finding his soul descending to hell.
