Okay, back to the story. Satan is looking around, rather confused. He's just fallen from Heaven and he hasn't adjusted to his new environment. It's hot and there's a darkness everywhere. He notices his first mate, Beelzebub. Satan tells Beelzebub that he doesn't look like anyone he saw in Heaven. Apparently, the fallen angels had a makeover. Satan explains how he and fellow angels fought God and lost. Although they lost, there is still hope. Beelzebub says that he feels a little trepidation about their current situation. He says that the only reason they still feel alive is so that they can fully experience the punishment of God. Satan doesn't seem too fazed by Beelzebub's pessimistic attitude. He says that their goal is to now be evil. If God does something good, they'll try to mess everything up. Satan tells his PIC (partner in crime) they should move to a close plain and think about how to fight another war with God. As Satan moves toward the plain, the narrator offers us a moment to describe our antagonist. Satan is huge, bigger than giants in ancient mythology. He can fly, as well. Beelzebub follows him to the plain. Satan says this place isn't too shabby. He wants to be far away from God. They aren't BFFs anymore. He proposes that his companions and fellow evil warriors meet together and hash out a new plan. Satan goes to the shore of the burning lake and called the other fallen angels. They come to their leader. Satan goes on a tirade about how they lost. He tells them to come together. The angels line up in squadrons like they're in an arm. There's a bunch of them. The leaders of the squadrons call Satan their "great commander." These leaders will become pagan gods that the Israelites worshipped in the Old Testament. The first is Moloch (like in Anne Rice's book!). He is covered in blood. He convinced Solomon (Old Testament king) to build a temple for him. The next is Chemos. The Israelites, after they escaped Egypt, starting worshipping him. Here comes Baalim and Ashtaroth. They are representative of Middle East deities. Astoreth is next. She was worshipped by Phoenician virgins. Next is Thammuz, Dagon, and Rimmon. Egyptian gods, Isis, Osiris, and Orus, show up, too. The last to arrive is Belial. There are a ton of other fallen angels present, as well. Other demons and devils are there, and they look a little downtrodden. Satan tells them that there is hope. He gives a speech, and unfurls a flag. Once they see the flag, the soldiers go nuts. They start marching, and congregate in front of Satan. Satan towers over his army. He tries to talk to his soldiers three times, but cries. What a baby. Finally, he says that he never would have guessed that such a great army would have lost. He says don't worry, we got this, still. They'll fight God, but in a different way. They have to be craftier, though. Satan finishes, and the army head toward a volcano. They eventually make a large temple, with statues, pillars, and a gold roof. They call it Pandemonium, and everyone goes in to have a council.
Book II: Satan starts this book by sitting on his throne. He addresses his followers, saying that he hopes they will regain Heaven. They now have to discuss the best way to fight God. He asks if war or being sneaky is better. Moloch says he wants war. Belial doesn't want outright war because Heaven is on lockdown and almost impenetrable. He says God is going to figure out whatever they're doing, so they might as well just face their fate. Mammon says that it's impossible to defeat God. They should be happy in Hell because at least they're free. The other fallen angels like what he's saying; they're not up for another war. Building a domain in Hell isn't so bad. Beelzebub says have an empire in Hell is foolish; God will take what they build. There will never be peace. He tells them he's heard through the grapevine that God is building a new world, and suggests they check it out. He remarks that they might be able to exterminate mankind. Everyone thinks this the best plan so far. Beelzebub then asks who is brave enough to check out earth. No one raises his hand. Satan says that Hell is a strong prison. It's tough to get out of. When you do get out, you have to deal with a permeating darkness. He then says that he wouldn't be a good leader if he didn't volunteer to go check out the world. He tells his minions to make Hell home for them while he's out. The fallen angels gain more respect for their leader. The highest-ranking angels leave Pandemonium with Satan. The leaders go hang out in Hell while Satan gets ready to leave. Satan heads toward the gates of Hell, which are tough and surrounded by fire. There are three gates: brass, iron, and adamantine. There are two creatures at the gates. One is a female from the head to waist. The waist down she's snake-like. Around her waist are hell hounds. The other shapeless figure is dark and black. He is introduced as 666. Satan isn't afraid of them. The male, black, blob thing asks Satan if he's going to start another war. This guy thinks he's in charge, while Satan isn't having any of that. The female steps in. She asks Satan why he's about to kill his son (whhhhat?). Satan is as confused as you might be. She tells him that during the planning process of Satan's revolt, she sprung from the left side of his head. She is Sin. Satan had sex with his daughter, Sin, and left her pregnant. She gave birth to shapeless dude, Death. Death raped Sin (his mother), and they made the hell hounds around her waist. Gross. Satan tells Sin that he's going to check out God's new world, and that Sin and Death can hang out there whenever they want. Sin says she's not supposed to open the gates; God's orders. But, she thinks, why keep the gates sealed for God when Satan is her dad? So she opens them. Satan steps into Chaos. He flies away. He gets to Chao's throne. Satan tells Chaos that he's trying to find the borders of Heaven. Chaos knows who Satan is. He points Satan in the direction of earth. He sees the earth hanging from that golden chain. He flies that way, full of revenge.
Book III: Milton tells us about this light coming from Heaven. It's God's first offspring. The speaker is now going to talk about Heaven since he's spent two books talking about Hell. God is in Heaven, looking down at his angels, Adam and Even, and at Satan. His Son (not named Jesus yet) sits at his right. God describes Satan's evil ways to His Son. He knows Satan's plans. He even knows about him seducing mankind, and that he will succeed. Everyone has a choice (freewill, folks). If people didn't have a choice, their reverence for God wouldn't mean anything. God says predestination doesn't exist. But, good thing for man, since he was deceived, he'll get a chance for redemption. Satan and his crew won't get anything. God's Son responds. He praises God's declaration regarding man's grace, because it isn't possible for Satan to win. God says, yo, you're right. Some men will be saved, but not because of their will but because of His grace. God says everyone has the opportunity to receive his Grace. What about sin? They can't fix all of the sin in the world unless someone turns mortal and dies for their sins. Think anyone raises their hand to volunteer? Heaven is silent for a minute. No one really wants to sacrifice, and all would have been lost for mankind, but JC (not named yet) stands up. He says he'll do it. He knows he'll be sacrificing lot, but he knows he won't really die. He'll rise from the dead, defeat Satan and even death, and take hold of Hell. Then, he'll come back to Heaven. God is pretty thankful for His Son's sacrifice, because without him, man would have been done. God's Son won't be disrespected by being turned to a man. He will be made the ruler of the universe. God says that there will be a Last Judgment when the Son will send some people to Heaven and others to Hell. After the Last Judgment, Hell is closed off, earth is burned, and a new Heaven and earth will be made. All of Heaven loves the sound of that. The angels bow down to God and His Son. All the while, Satan comes out of Chaos and into the earth. Satan gets himself to the sun. He checks out his surroundings. He sees an angel lounging about. Satan turns into a Cherub. The angel is Uriel, one of the seven angels who stand closest to God's throne. Satan says he wants to inspect God's new creation. He asks which planet man is one. Uriel, who doesn't know this Cherub is Satan, points to the Garden of Eden. Satan thanks him then heads to earth.
Pretty exciting so far, right? Books IV-VI tomorrow!
Cassy
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