Legends of Amacia Heart of Darkness
Chapter 30: Hope in the Darkness

On the surface in the Temple of Tiamat, Dan sat once again in the communications center listening to the news from around the world over the short-wave radio. The biggest news came from the United States dealing with the catastrophic meteor storm’s aftermath. According to the accounts, the death toll ranged from ten to fifteen million with hundreds of thousands still missing, depending on who was giving the news. The infrastructure had been completely demolished in the impact zones. The southwest had been cut off from the rest of the country by the storm. Russia and China repeatedly offered their assistance in dealing with the calamity but the US President steadfastly refused their assistance. Moreover, reports continued filtering in from the Middle and Far East. The countries the US had overthrown in their perpetual War on Terror were quickly becoming quagmires, requiring more and more troops to deal with the escalating insurrectionist guerrilla attacks on the pro-American forces in those countries.

One little news item slipped by the censors about North Korea, who had begun to test the DMZ and set up state-of-the-art anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles batteries on their coast and along the DMZ. Their anti-aircraft missile launchers were top of the line and capable of knocking down B-52’s and B-1 and 2’s at forty-five thousand feet regardless of their stealth capabilities. Their anti-ship missiles were powerful enough to sink an aircraft carrier. In addition, the radar systems developed for these systems were capable of spotting cruise missiles or stealth aircraft. These systems surprised the Western governments with their sophistication, which was comparable to those the US employed. Moreover, the North Koreans made it perfectly clear that they had the right to defend themselves with all measures available to the, including the nuclear option. They insisted that they would continue to develop their nuclear program with the intent of becoming a nuclear power in order to have a deterrent against the US’s blatant imperialistic advances against those they deemed to be the largest threat. However, they declared emphatically their nuclear program, like that of Iran, would primarily be for non-military peaceful uses only if the US stopped trying to overthrow the regime. The North Koreans also declared any blockade of North Korea militarily or otherwise, or even the stopping or searching of North Korean vessels anywhere in the world would be considered an act of war. They promised any war would include the incineration of cities on the US mainland. After hearing that, Dan finally had to change the channel to Brother Paul’s broadcast.

Sighing heavily and rubbing his face with his hand, Dan tried to compose himself after hearing such terrible news abroad. “Lord, please have mercy on us,” he said softly to no one in particular. “The end is here. What’s coming next?” For several minutes, he sat there in silence, not expecting a reply of any kind. Then as he rose to leave the room, the radio suddenly went dead and the room lit up like the sun, both startling and blinding him. He fell back into his seat and shielded his eyes from the light.

“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” a voice spoke from the light.

“Who are you?” Dan asked, futilely trying to see who was speaking to him.

“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the Lord,” the voice said as the light diminished to the point that Dan could see the archangel. “You’re worried and concerned about a great many things, Dan. Do not fear what you hear. All is in the plans of the Lord. Everything transpires by His design and no one else’s. He puts it into the minds and hearts of the wicked to do His will. What you’re seeing is the beginning of the Lord’s wrath on America. They will be brought down. It must need to be, all of these things you hear and see.”

Gabriel’s appearance so weakened Dan he could do nothing but look up at the angel, asking, “Was the meteor storm the Lord’s doing?”

Gabriel’s face fell slightly as he replied, “Yes, brother. It was. When they used their dark machines against Damascus, they sealed their doom. As you no doubt saw, the machines they used against the world were destroyed first. The storm was just the beginning. The Lord is fixing to rage in His fury and the whole world is going to feel it.”

“That is so true,” Dan replied weakly. “Why did you come here?”

Gabriel walked over and touched Dan on the arm, strengthening him. “I have come to show you something you have greatly desired for some time. Come with me.” Gabriel took him by the hand and lifted him out of the chair. In an instant, they were streaking through the sky toward Argentina. Dan could hardly believe what was happening. He clung tightly to Gabriel’s hand as they plunged into the great caverns and into the Black Fortress of Amacia, passing through solid rock as if it weren’t there. By some strange coincidence, they remained invisible to all: to the people and the demon hordes that milled about the city. Gabriel took Dan to the throne room and showed him the Emperor and the Black Prince. “Behold the Black Prince,” Gabriel whispered in Dan’s ear.

Dan cringed and hid behind Gabriel when he saw the Black Prince. “Why don’t they see us?” Dan asked fearfully as the demons and people milled about them without evidently taking any notice of them at all.

“The Lord has blinded them so that I may show you these things,” Gabriel replied. “Come, we have more to see.” In an instant, they descended into the dungeons in the bowels of the fortress. In the deepest, darkest dungeon, they stopped outside a door and Gabriel said, “Prepare yourself; this isn’t going to be pretty because he’s been through hell. You may not recognize him at first because of what the Emperor has done to him.”

“What do you mean? Who’s in there?” Dan asked innocently.

“Why don’t you see for yourself?” Gabriel answered; leading Dan through the locked door as if it wasn’t there. Once in the small cell, the darkness that filled the cell fled away from Gabriel’s light.

Dan saw a Caucasian woman heavily chained on a straw bed, asleep. She was facing him and Dan instantly blushed when he saw the scandalous cup-less crotchless black leather teddy with thigh-length leather leggings on the woman. Her black hair streaked with gray was matted and tangled. Yet, as he looked at the woman, something burned within him; a spark of recognition as the woman looked incredibly familiar. “What in the world?” Dan breathed, staring at the woman as she slept. Suddenly, he started noticing scars on the chest, arms, and legs of the woman that he knew Hannibal had. Dan’s gaze snapped to Gabriel. “Gabriel: who is this woman? Why does she have the same scars Hannibal does?” he asked.

“Get closer and trust your instincts, Dan,” Gabriel stated softly. “You know who this is.”

Dan knelt down beside the bed, looking intensely at the woman, trying to ignore her humiliating state of dress. For the longest time, he stared at her, feeling that he knew her somehow. Then he saw one particular scar just above her heart and his mouth fell open. “Oh, my Lord,” he breathed, suddenly looking up at Gabriel. “Is this Hannibal?” Gabriel nodded and Dan asked, “What happened, Gabriel? How did he get here and become a woman? Surely, he didn’t do this to himself. He’s just not the type of man who would do that.”

Gabriel squatted down beside Dan and replied, “This is the Black Prince’s doing. Hannibal and Selina were caught in a trap set by a man from his past called Hades, who was his apprentice when he was a wizard of the Black Arts.”

Dan’s face fell at Hades’ name and he growled, “What? How did that rat get down here?”

“The Emperor summoned him,” Gabriel answered. “You must understand, the powers that be on the surface answer ultimately to the Emperor. Hades has been a loyal servant of the Black Prince since his youth.”

“But how did Hannibal end up like this?” Dan asked, so stunned he still couldn’t believe his eyes.

“After being captured and taken before the Emperor, the Emperor tried to break him with all manner of tortures, culminating in what you see here,” Gabriel explained. “When Hannibal couldn’t be broken, the Emperor surgically and genetically changed him into the woman you see here using the ancient technologies so he couldn’t threaten the Emperor’s plans. The Emperor mistakenly believes that Hannibal’s masculinity is the source of his power so he robbed Hannibal of it. The Emperor doesn’t realize Hannibal’s real power has been the Lord all along, not the fact he’s a man.”

Just then, Hannibal’s two guardian angels Gideon and Jarret closed in with Bannon from the darkness. “How’s he doing, Gideon?” Gabriel asked as they approached. Dan stared in wonder at the beautiful Bannon.

“He has been through hell, literally. Moreover, it came very close several times, but his faith hasn’t wavered. He has faced the Emperor down in the throne room and has experienced the alterations, the infernal sex floor, and Hell’s Kitchen. However, there’s something going on with him, though. It’s strange. He seems to have another spirit on him that we weren’t aware of who came out with Bannon when the Emperor moved his mind into that clone girl. He’s a much more powerful spirit than either me or Jarret and save our butts. If it hadn’t been for him and Bannon, we would have lost Hannibal in crucifixion rape, the doll-making, and when he saw that infernal kitchen. I know this hooded angel is one of us, but he’s purposely hiding himself and only comes out when there’s a dire need. Do you know anything about him?” Dan looked at the four angels with awe and fascination as they conversed.

“Yes,” Gabriel returned. “He’s a special guardian sent by the Lord just for Hannibal; a powerful warrior angel from Michael’s elite guard. He has been assigned to Hannibal since he was created, but only now has he been triggered into action. Do not fear him. He’ll be of great importance in dealing with the Emperor and the Black Prince at the proper time.”

“Who is he?” Jarret asked. “And how was he able to stay so completely hidden for so long?”

Gabriel smiled and said, “Jarret, Jarret. Don’t fret about that. All will be revealed in due time. Right now, he hasn’t been allowed to fully reveal himself. He has only shown himself enough to move the plan along and keep Hannibal from falling again. Trust the Lord. This spirit was sent by the Lord Himself to empower Hannibal. When the time his right, he’ll manifest himself fully and to the Lord’s glory.”

Jarret was humbled and replied, “All right. I didn’t mean to be nosy. It’s just disconcerting to be so close to such a powerful war angel and not know it.”

Gabriel smiled and patted Jarret on the shoulder, saying, “It’s understandable. Bannon, how is he taking to his new status as a woman?”

“As Gideon said,” Bannon replied, “It was close, but he’s coming around and integrating himself now. With the help of Selina, Izanami, their guardians, and us, Hannibal has successfully transitioned to a female identity without losing his core male identity, which has been safely secured deep inside his mind.”

“Excuse me,” Dan said as he looked at Hannibal. “I’m feeling like a fly on the wall here. What in heaven’s name is going on here and why am I here? To see my friend turned into a woman because he pissed off the Black Prince. If that was the case, I’d rather not have known.”

Gabriel’s face turned serious and he scolded Dan, saying, “Oh, you of little faith; this wasn’t to show Hannibal’s vulnerability, nor your inability to do anything about it. You were brought here for the same reason we came here: to observe and bring hope into this darkness.” Gabriel turned to Gideon, Jarret, and Bannon, and ordered, “Cover us.” Gideon, Jarret, and Bannon took up positions and covered them with their wings as Gabriel reached out, touching Hanna on the shoulder. “Hanna. Hanna, wake up,” he called out softly.

Hanna immediately stirred and pushed herself up into a sitting position. With a yawn, she blinked a couple of times, and then rubbed her eyes, trying to get the sleep out of them so she could focus. A few moments later, her eyes came into focus and she saw the room lit up like a lamp. Gabriel sat squatting down in front of her with Dan kneeling next to her bed. She cocked her head slightly and said, “It can’t be. I’m still dreaming.” Slapping herself, she looked again and saw the same thing.

“No, Hanna. You aren’t dreaming. We’re here,” Gabriel stated softly.

Hanna looked at Dan and asked, “Dan? What in heaven’s name are you doing here?”

“Hannibal, is that really you?” Dan asked, blushing.

Hanna suddenly understood that Dan really was kneeling next to her and she was more than half-naked in front of him. She blushed deeply, sighing while trying to cover her bare breasts and groin with her arms and hands. “I’m afraid it is, Dan,” she stated, “You have caught me at a very bad time.”

“No kidding,” Dan replied, numbed with astonishment. “Are you really a woman now?”

“Don’t you believe your own eyes?” Hanna replied, lowering her arms when it became apparent that she couldn’t hide her nudity from Dan. “I was mutated by the Emperor in his attempt to neutralize me. But inside, I still the same person.”

“Why did Gabriel call you Hanna?” Dan asked.

“Because Hanna is who I am now,” Hanna replied. “I had to become a new person when the Emperor placed this curse on me. Think of it this way. As a man, I am Hannibal. As a woman, I am Hanna. We’re still the same person...just one part is my male part, and the other is my female part. I can see that you are still confused.”

“I can’t help it,” Dan said, staring at Hanna. “When you left Tiamat, you were a man. Now you’re a woman because of this Emperor. What am I supposed to believe?”

“Believe your heart,” Hanna stated, touching Dan on the shoulder with her chained hand. “You know me better than any man alive, save maybe Harry. We’ve been best friends for decades. This is just a major curve ball thrown at me that even I didn’t anticipate. Male or female, I’m still Hannibal inside. I hope to at some point reverse this curse and return to being the man the Lord originally made me.”

Dan looked deep into Hanna’s eyes and finally realized Hanna was really Hannibal when he saw Hannibal’s facial structure buried in Hanna’s face. Tears started dripping and he put his arms around Hanna in a loving embrace. Only when Dan felt Hanna’s supple breasts pushing against his chest did he truly comprehend that Hannibal had been forcibly changed into a woman. “I’m so sorry, Hannibal. I was so freaked when I saw you like this that I couldn’t understand. You didn’t do this on purpose, did you?”

“Not by any stretch of the imagination,” Hanna replied, returning the embrace. “This change was forced upon me by the Emperor. Yet, I’m replaceing it strangely invigorating. It’s as if a piece me has finally been allowed to wake up. I’m seeing the world from a completely new perspective that I never contemplated before. Still, I’d much rather be my old self. By the way, whose idea was it to bring you down here into this pit to see me in such a demeaning state?”

“It’s demeaning only if you let it be,” Gabriel corrected. “Remember, the Lord allowed this to happen because of your hidden sins and the need for you to see and experience certain things and places to purge your soul.”

“I know,” Hanna murmured. “My own arrogance, sinfulness, and forgetfulness brought this on me, so I don’t resist this chastisement.”

“Very good,” Gabriel chimed pleasantly. “You’re starting to learn and accept your position in the Lord’s plan. Don’t ever doubt Him, yourself, or your brothers and sisters.”

“Good words I plan on living by from now on,” Hanna replied. Turning to Dan, she asked again, “So Dan, tell me again whose brilliant idea was it to bring you to this pit?”

“It was Gabriel’s idea,” Dan replied, becoming more comfortable with Hanna being Hannibal as a woman. “I was listening to the news in the comm. room and when I got a belly full of the bad news, I turned on Brother Paul. After listening to him for a few minutes and stewing over what the news had said, I went to get up, wondering if we’d ever see you again. That’s when Gabriel showed up.”

Hanna looked at Dan with a loving, grateful look and then lurched forward, throwing her chained arms around Dan, who did likewise. “I thought I was never going to see any of you again,” Hanna cried. “Surely, the Lord is gracious and good.”

“Me too,” Dan replied, choked with emotion and feeling very strange hugging a female Hannibal, “Me too. You’ve been gone for so long. We miss your deeply. How much longer will this take? Do you know if you’ll ever return to normal?”

Hanna shook her head sadly, replying, “I just don’t know, Dan. This has been a nightmare for me that I can’t seem to wake from. But if the Lord doesn’t do something drastic here pretty quick, I’m dead...literally. I’m to be executed in the Arena today by the Emperor’s order, but now that I see you and Gabriel here, my hope is rising from the abyss it was lost in and I feel much better about my chances of getting out of here. Apparently, there’s a prophecy down here that’s foretold everything that’s happened to me, including this blasted forced sex change. That prophecy also says I escape the Emperor, so I must believe I’ll escape death...though I don’t know how it will happen.”

“You can’t be serious,” Dan balked. “This Emperor is really going to execute you?”

“Not if the prophecies of this land are true,” Hanna replied. “I’m in a position now where I have no choice but to believe. It’s my only option, otherwise I’ll die. Why do you think the Emperor has me chained in this dungeon like this? This is his version of Death Row, but I can safely say this cell is paradise compared to some of the things I’m seen and endured at that beast’s hands.”

“What do you mean?” Dan asked.

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers for,” Hanna returned serious as an executioner while sitting down. “You don’t want to know what’s happened to me. The answer is so heinous it will haunt you for all time. Besides, I’m still dealing with the trauma of the tortures that bastard put me through. It’s...just too gruesome and heinous to burden your pure soul with such evil.”

Seeing the tears rising in Hanna’s eyes, Dan sat beside her on the straw bed and put his arm around her. “In that case, I’ll not ask,” Dan stated. “It must really be bad to make you cry like this. I’m sorry I asked.”

Hanna leaned into Dan’s embrace, putting her chained arm around him. “Thank you, Dan,” she replied softly. “Maybe at some point I’ll be able to open up about it, but right now is not the time. I have to remained focused and believe that the Lord will rescue me from this death sentence.”

“I’m sure he will,” Dan stated, looking at Gabriel. “Right, Gabriel?”

“If it’s His will, yes,” Gabriel stated.

“But you’ll not tell us if that’s so, right?” Hanna asked. “Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a trial of my faith.”

“That’s true, Hanna,” Gabriel replied. “Just believe and you will see the Lord’s wonders.”

“Amen,” Hanna chimed. “By the very fact that Gabriel brought you here to see me, Dan, I’m confident that this is not my end; not yet anyway. Somehow, some way, the Lord will deliver me from this nightmare and I’ll come for you like I promised. We must believe and pray for this mighty miracle.”

“You have our prayers, Hanna,” Dan declared. “I promise.”

“Thank you,” Hanna replied, giving Dan a gentle squeeze with her arm. “Okay now, what’s the news from the surface? I suspect that may be part of why Gabriel brought you here. Something’s going on up there I need to know about, isn’t it?”

“That’s correct,” Gabriel stated. “Go ahead, Dan. Tell her.”

“A meteor storm of biblical proportions rained giant rocks from the sky a couple of days ago from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico in a six hundred mile wide swath. It destroyed everything along that line, including the HAARP and SWRI facilities,” Dan said grimly. “All that’s left in the impact zones are smoldering ruins.”

Hanna’s mouth hung open and replied after a few stunned moments, “You’re kidding? Where did it come from and how big were the pieces?”

Dan looked down and said, “The chunks ranged from softball size up to a quarter of a mile across. The swarm came from a point on Planet X’s approach. It apparently disturbed some pretty big stuff on the way in. Right now, that monster’s on the other side of the solar system just passing inside Jupiter’s orbit.”

Hanna let her shoulders slump as she sighed heavily, trying to put a face on the extremity of what Dan was telling her. “How bad was it?” she asked softly.

“Every major city from Fairbanks to the Texas Gulf Coast received moderate to severe damage from the storm. Fairbanks and Juneau are gone as are half of Seattle and Tacoma. Denver was pulverized as were Kansas and Oklahoma cities. Three big chunks erased the Dallas /Fort Worth metroplex when they fell. Half of Houston is gone with the Johnson’s space center. The reports are from ten to fifteen million dead with almost a million still missing. They’re obviously hiding the casualty count just like they are in the Middle East,” Dan reported grimly.

Tears welled up in Hanna’s eyes again as she said, “So it has begun. America’s soul is being required. That’s just the beginning. Before it’s over, the whole of America will be destroyed from off the face of the Earth like Amacia was. They have blasphemed the Lord one time too many.”

“You’re so right,” Dan said. “The political and military situation isn’t much better either. The war on the Muslim Alliances has turned into a quagmire. Syria is now in the cross hairs of the US President as he’s sending three carrier battle groups from the Atlantic Fleet into the Mediterranean. The Ukraine has become a very volatile region since the Russians annexed Crimea after a US-backed coup deposed the pro-Russian president of Ukraine. The Russians have massed on the Ukrainian border and are waiting while the US President keeps slapping at them with ever-increasing sanctions over the Crimean situation. Moreover, pro-Russian separatists in south and east Ukraine are now in a full-scale civil war with the US-backed fascist government in Kiev. It’s as about as bad as it can get short of the use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons, which I don’t put past any of those sons of bitches.

“Adding fuel to the fire, North Korea has begun testing the DMZ as well as putting up state-of-the-art air and sea defenses comparable to any the US has, which surprised the thunder out of the US officials. The North Koreans expect an attack any day now and warned that a blockade or even the stopping and searching of any of their ships on the high seas would be considered an act of war, which would be nuclear in scope that would incinerate cities on the US mainland. The Chinese have massed their troops and fleet for a sacking of Taiwan and the Russians are apparently supplying the Muslim Alliance with equipment if you can believe US propaganda. And that’s just what’s going on today. Needless to say, the scene topside is very volatile.”

“It sounds like that bastard Zeus has been very busy,” Hanna said grimly. “With the exception of the storm, everything you just told me fits in with the plan to bring America down. In fact, the storm may actually assist their cause. Watch them closely, Dan. But don’t be dismayed by what you hear or see. You’re impervious in the Temple...in the secret place of the Almighty. Let the heathen rage and the wicked imagine a vain thing.” Hanna looked into Dan’s face and a smile crept across her face. “God, it’s good to see you, Dan. I’ve missed you.”

Dan reached out, resting his hand on Hanna’s knee saying, “Same here. It’s good to know that you are still in one piece, even though it isn’t the same piece you left Tiamat with. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Hanna looked him in the eye and said without hesitation, “Like I said, earlier, pray. Your prayers and the prayers of everyone at the Temple are very helpful. They help guys like Gabriel here do their jobs much more efficiently.”

“Done,” Dan replied enthusiastically. “We’ll pray for all of you.”

Hanna smiled slightly, saying, “Thank you, Dan. You’re a true friend, especially since you have seen me like this and still accept me.”

“How could I not,” Dan replied. “We’re brothers and friends; though it seems a bit superfluous calling you a brother while you’re looking like that. What do I call you, sister?”

“Yes,” Hanna replied. “Sister is perfectly okay since by the Lord’s will I’m now a sister physically. But regardless of what I am on the outside, you’ll always be my brother and friend, Dan.”

“Well, sister it is then,” Dan declared, “at least until you figure out how to change back to what you were. Would you mind if I tell you something?”

Hanna patted Dan on the hand. “Sure, Dan; what is it?” she asked.

Dan blushed and tucked his head looking away from Hanna. “I don’t know how to say this, but you look really good as a woman. I mean…,” he stated hesitantly.

Hanna put her index finger to Dan’s mouth, silencing his fumbling tongue. Turning his head with her other hand so she could look him in the eye, she said, “Why thank you, Dan. What a nice thing to say in light of the circumstances, though it probably has a lot to do with this humiliating teddy I have on. I’d never wear this thing openly as a woman by choice, nor would I like to see it worn openly by a woman if I were a man. The only place a garment such as this should be worn is in an intimate setting between a husband and wife. It’s not the sort of thing to be seen in public wearing. It’s way too revealing and naughty.”

“I agree,” Dan stated. “It could very well be that, but it makes you look so hot. I can’t help but be attracted to you seeing you like this. You’re actually emanating a strong, sensual presence I can’t ignore.”

Hanna chuckled and leaned back on her arms, pushing her chest out and crossing her legs. “Is that so?” Hanna replied with a sultry smile. “Maybe it’s Selina’s influence that’s making me so appealing or it could just be this naughty teddy like I said. I can’t be sure which it is because I’m really just a little girl when it comes to this sort of thing.”

“Hanna,” Gabriel intruded with a slightly condescending tone. “It’s not wise to flirt with Dan like this. Remember why you’re here.”

Hanna’s face fell as she sat up straight. “Sorry, Dan,” she apologized. “I just couldn’t help myself when you said I was hot. That’s the kind of thing women love to hear and I didn’t mind it at all.”

“It’s okay,” Dan replied, patting Hanna on the knee. “I kind of triggered that myself, but I had to be honest with you. I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’re beautiful as a woman.”

Hanna kissed Dan on the cheek. “Thank you, Dan,” she replied. “I appreciate that. It makes my plight a bit more bearable knowing that you accept what’s happened to me.”

“You’re welcome,” Dan answered. “Besides, you’re probably right about that outfit tempting me. If you had a choice, what would you prefer?”

“Anything that covers my breasts and groin,” Hanna declared. “Having everything hanging out for all to see is not my idea of fun. It’s right down humiliating. But I must admit this thing I have on is very sensual and soft. It feels good against my skin.” She sighed deeply, putting her hands in her lap.

“What is it?” Dan asked. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m just thinking about Selina and the rest of the sisters in the Harem,” Hanna murmured. “They’re clad just as scandalously as I am…sometimes worse. They’re kept in a state of constant humiliation and tension by what they wear or don’t wear. This teddy is one of the more modest outfits they’re forced to wear at the Emperor’s order.”

Dan’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “You’re kidding?” he asked.

“I wish I were,” Hanna stated. “You can’t imagine the physical, mental, and sexual abuse they take, but I can because I’ve been there. I was submitted to the worst of that abuse as the Emperor tried to break me. Dan, you must pray for them too. They need your prayers more than I do. Many have known nothing but terror and abuse at the hands of the Emperor and his devilish mechanisms.”

“They have it,” Dan insisted. “I can see you’re worried about them as much as you’re worried about Selina. You say she’s there with them?”

“Yes,” Hanna stated. “The women of the Harem have accepted her as a sister, just as they accepted me as a sister when I was taken there right after being mutated by the Emperor. You can’t image the beauty I saw in the Harem. All of them are so very beautiful, but that beauty has been scarred by the vile depravities of the Emperor. The clothes are just one level of torture and control he has over them. Think of the most humiliating way a woman can be dressed and you will replace it in the Harem. Some of those outfits I would not wish on anyone because of the discomfort and pain they cause; anyone except the Emperor himself.”

Dan thought for a moment and his face twisted in disgust. “That’s vile,” he stated. “Are some of them forced to go without clothes?”

“Yes,” Hanna replied. “Some wear ropes in place of clothes; ropes tied in such a manner that it’s painful and keeps them under constant sexual tension. Others have strap playsuit outfits that are no better. Some have teddies like this one, while others have various humiliating bras, panties, or thongs. There’s not a stitch of what we would classify as normal clothing among them anywhere. And to top it all off, each one of them have shackles, manacles, and a collar just like I have; but, most of them are not chained. However, they can be chained at a moment’s notice if they misbehave. I know Selina is chained to one of the main pillars in the Harem. I was chained beside her until they gassed us to remove me from the Harem. So you see...they really need your prayers.”

“Oh, man,” Dan breathed. He looked at Gabriel asking, “Is this true?”

“It is, Dan,” Gabriel stated bluntly. “Their world is hell on earth and subject to the deepest depravities and evil the Black Prince can conjure from his abysmal imagination. He takes these women and violates them physically and mentally with his machines, and sometimes doing it himself in an effort to defile and destroy what the Lord has made. They need your prayers, as Hanna says. They’re damned through no sin of their own. However, that’s about to change. The Lord is moving in this darkness to rescue those damned by no fault of their own. Hanna’s presence in this place is a sign that the Lord’s will is moving.”

“I believe you and I’ll get everyone praying for them,” Dan declared. “How many are prisoners in this Harem?”

“About fifty, I think,” Hanna reported. “But there are many more being defiled on the torture floors. Because of the terrible abuse I took there, I couldn’t tell how many there were. Do you know, Gabriel?”

“Another sixty-five women teeter on the edge of eternity on the sex floor,” Gabriel stated. “And a hundred and fifty men and women wait in the pens outside of Hell’s Kitchen to be processed as food stuffs.”

“Sex floor…Hell’s Kitchen, what’s that?” Dan asked, not sure if he wanted to know the answer.

“It’s why I told you not to ask questions you didn’t want answers to,” Hanna said bluntly. “It’s the heart of the Emperor’s darkness where the grossest, vilest, most depraved and diabolical acts are committed against humanity.” After a pause, Hanna blurted out, “The sex floor is just that...a place where the most heinous sexual tortures take place as the Emperor tries to break the spirits of his rebellious female prisoners. You have no concept of what takes place there. It’s best you not know…just understand that there are sixty-five women there as I speak being ravished and violated by the Emperor’s machines in every way imaginable. No man is allowed in there other than the Emperor and a few handfuls of faceless androids that move the women from one torture mechanism to another. No man except the Emperor himself is allowed to rape on the sex floor. That’s done by his sadistic machines.”

Dan’s face fell with shock and dismay. “You’re right,” he admitted. “That’s more information than I wanted to know. But regardless, we shall pray for them too and those outside this Hell’s Kitchen Gabriel speak of.”

“Thank you,” Hanna stated with great relief in her voice. “I really appreciate it. I was burned badly by the evil that continually torments them, making me one of them. They’re my sisters and deserve better than the hell they replace themselves in. If I had my way, I’d liberate every one of them this instant and destroy that infernal place.”

“You may yet get that chance,” Gabriel stated with a wry smile. “The Lord will not let such a selfless prayer go unanswered.”

“I hope so,” Hanna stated. “It’s something that’s long overdue. Those poor women have suffered enough.”

“Indeed,” Gabriel agreed.

Dan sighed and looked at Hanna in her leather teddy. “Do you want to touch the teddy?” Hanna asked, sensing his desire.

“Yeah,” Dan admitted, “...just to feel it if it doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable.”

Hanna grabbed Dan’s hand and placed it gently on her belly so he could touch the teddy. “Feel it, Dan. Other than it not covering me adequately, it’s actually a nice garment…so soft and sensual. In a strange, weird way, it makes me feel beautiful. Maybe it’s my feminine side showing.”

“Wow, it’s so soft,” Dan murmured, feeling around Hanna’s belly and sides. “I didn’t think leather could be this soft.”

“Me neither,” Hanna stated. “It’s very comfortable…humiliating, but comfortable. I don’t know if you’d be able to replace this kind of leather on the surface, but it would be worth looking into. I’m sure the girls at the Temple would love something like this, but a bit more modest.”

“You think?” Dan asked with a raised eyebrow as he stopped stroking the teddy.

“Yeah,” Hanna replied. “It seems being condemned to a life as a woman has allowed me to understand how they think and what they like. Women love clothes that make them feel attractive and desirable. That much I’ve been able to figure out so far. Trust me...your wife would love something like this that’s a bit more tasteful.”

“You’re right,” Dan agreed. “I’ll talk to my wife and see if she would like something like that.”

“You do that,” Hanna replied, patting Dan on the cheek. “I know if I ever get out of this and get my old body back, I’d definitely have a talk with Selina about these clothes. I know she’s has developed a thing for them because of being in the Harem. Gabriel, do you have any idea what became of Selina? For some reason, my link with her has been damped to the point that I can’t even tell whether she is alive or not. Is she still alive?”

Gabriel looked at Hanna and nodded, saying, “Yes, she is. She’s still locked away in the Emperor’s Harem with the other women, though they are very agitated right now because you were taken from them.”

Hanna sighed and smiled. “Thank you. I really needed to know that,” she stated. “It puts my mind at ease knowing that she’s alive and that the other women are worried about me. It means they truly care for me.”

“You’re welcome, Hanna,” Gabriel replied. “The Lord said it was okay to let you know about Selina. You deserved to know that much.”

“I appreciate that,” Hanna murmured. “It had begun to bother me not knowing.”

“I know,” Gabriel said with a sober smile. “But time is running out. We must finish here quickly before we are spotted.”

“Okay,” Hanna stated as she looked at Dan. A deep, troubled sigh escaped her lips. “Can I ask one thing of you before you go, Dan?” she asked softly.

“Of course,” Dan replied.

“Give me a big hug,” Hanna replied, “...and a kiss goodbye. It may be the last friendly contact I ever have with anyone.” She stood up with the chains draped around her as Gabriel stood, stepping back.

Dan looked at Gabriel, who nodded. Dan took Hanna into his arms and embraced her warmly and tightly. He found he liked the feel of Hanna against him. “Is this good?” he asked Hanna, who held him just as tightly as she laid her head on his shoulder.

“Yes, my friend,” Hanna whispered. “Just know I love you, Dan, as a brother and friend and have always loved you.” She looked Dan in the eye and before he could react, Hanna kissed him gently on the lips. It wasn’t passionate...just a loving parting kiss of a friend. “Thank you, Dan,” she murmured, letting him go as a shocked look crossed his face.

Dan touched his lips as a puzzled look crossed his face. “You’re welcome,” he whispered. “Why did you kiss me on the lips, Hannibal?”

“Because I’m not Hannibal,” Hanna reminded him. “I’m Hanna…his female counterpart. I’m a girl whether I want to admit it or not and I need to act like one. Besides, a kiss on the lips is how close friends always part. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay,” Dan replied, smiling as he finally accepted that Hannibal was truly Hanna. “I don’t mind. Did Selina teach you to kiss like that?”

Hanna smiled and winked. “Selina taught me that kind of kiss long before I became caught up in this nightmare,” she declared. “Besides, it felt nice to kiss you like that; friends?” She held out her hand and Dan shook it.

“Friends,” Dan replied. “I sincerely pray you replace a way to get back to your old self and escape this pit.” He paused a moment and then added, “Something just occurred to me, Hanna. Who should I tell about your condition; you know...you’re being forcibly turned into a woman?”

“Tell Brother Paul only,” Hanna replied. “He would most likely already know about it, but let the others think I’m still a man, which in a way I still am. I’m a man trapped inside my own altered body. I must believe that at some point, the Lord will show me how to reverse these changes.”

“Okay,” Dan answered. “That seems logical. I can do that.”

“Good,” Hanna stated, “Remember what you’ve seen and heard here. Tell them everything except for this.” She gestured to her body. “They just wouldn’t understand. Lord willing by time we meet again, I’ll be my old cheery self again.”

“I will,” Dan said strongly.

“Okay, time to go, Dan,” Gabriel ordered. “Be at peace, Hanna. The Lord is with you and Hannibal always. He’ll show you the way out of this situation. Just have faith and believe.” In a flash of light, Dan, Gabriel, and Hanna’s three guardian angels vanished leaving her in utter blackness. She sighed and smiled. The visit had strengthened and revived her. She wept softly as she groped her way back to the bed and sat down, so happy that the Lord hadn’t abandoned her in the pit.

In moments, Dan found himself back in the communications room in the chair he had been sitting in when Gabriel came. He smiled pleasantly as he thought of what had happened. He then happened to glance at the clock and his joy turned to wonder and amazement when he realized that he’d been gone only a minute. “My God in heaven; what a wonder you are,” he breathed with awe. After a few moments, he bolted from his chair and ran off to inform Brother Paul over the phone about what transpired.