Rising Darkness by D. Brian Shafer Read Free Book Online Page B

is aware,” he said.
    High above the ground, dangling from a small window, was a red cord that cascaded down about 20 feet.
    “Rahab,” said Michael quietly.

C HAPTER 4
“How can a man sin against God on the heels of a great victory?”
    “Shout! The Lord your God has given you this city!”
    Upon Joshua’s command, the men at arms who surrounded Jericho began shouting with all their might. The priests accompanying them blew on their trumpets—and a great noise filled the city.
    Khasis and what was left of his demon attachment were filled with panic as they saw thousands of the Host descending upon the city. What was left of his troop scattered like dust and only he remained fixed—preferring to stay in Jericho in defiance.
    The Host slammed into the walls, hitting them with their great swords. The men on the walls were still laughing at Joshua’s men, making jokes about the concert they were enjoying. Some of them blew trumpets back in mockery.
    Suddenly the walls began to shift and the men who stood upon them became silent. They looked about themselves in disbelief as first one, and then another section of the walls gave way with a great crash. Scores of men fell with the walls and were killed by the great stones.
    As the walls continued collapsing, Joshua gave the command for the Israelites to attack. Joshua’s men poured through the great cloud of dust that had engulfed the once proud city, and began killing the defenders. Panic had set in completely, as the people of Jericho fled in every direction, trying to escape the vengeance of the Lord.
    Here and there, devils and angels were locked in battle, swords flashing and curses being uttered. Khasis knew he was defeated, but he and his few remaining defenders determined to face their former brethren from Heaven head-on. Khasis brought his sword down hard on Sangius, one of Michael’s chief aides, who had led the Host into Jericho.
    Sangius yelped in pain and swung back with his own sword, clipping Khasis on the shoulder. Khasis grinned and brought his sword down once more, narrowly missing Sangius’s head. Then, over Sangius’s shoulder he saw the red cord dangling from Rahab’s window, and he growled and lunged in that direction. He swung at Sangius with his sword as he flew toward the harlot’s home, narrowly missing him once more. Sangius could only watch him for a second before he was engulfed by several more of the enemy, including a captain of Jericho’s evil host.
    “I will at least see that traitor Rahab dead,” said Khasis in a rage to his aides, his reddish aura manifesting in uncontrolled anger.
    Several demon spirits accompanied him with enraged anticipation of what Khasis would do to Rahab. Inside her home, Rahab waited and prayed to the God of Joshua for herself and her family who had managed to find shelter with her.
    Khasis and his devils burst into the room. There was only one holy angel guarding her, and Khasis immediately ordered his warriors to distract him. They immediately set upon the guardian, who fought them off valiantly. Even so, they forced him away from Rahab so Khasis might be able to approach her unhindered. He grinned and lifted his sword high. Her guardian watched, unable to get to her in time to help.
    The crash of Michael’s sword against the sword of Khasis was so loud that every angel in the region heard it. Khasis’s sword spun out into the heavenlies, and he reeled and turned, cursing Michael, whose sword was lifted high for another blow. Khasis shrieked and vanished, as did every other enemy angel with him.
    Rahab’s guardian watched as Joshua’s two spies, who had promised Rahab that she would be spared, entered the room and placed her under their protection. Outside, as Rahab and her family were escorted to Joshua, the last remnants of resistance were killed by the Israelites. Every man, woman, and child of Jericho was put to death as the Lord had ordered.
    One of Joshua’s generals, the one who had been