by Eric Black
“You’re in control of your own destiny. So what will it be? Do you want to die here today or will you take back your own life?”
Juan read Miguel’s face and knew the seed that had been planted.
Juan pressed in further, “If you want revenge, make it against those who wronged you much worse than Diego.”
Juan pointed to the distance where Antonio stood. “Antonio knew of this as well, yet posed as your friend. Kill Antonio and the Nephilim cannot enter the garden. Kill Antonio and you’ll have your revenge.”
Juan watched Miguel’s face, studying him to gauge his belief.
Rephaim equally waited for Miguel to make his decision. He would not hesitate to kill him but would also not attempt to sway Miguel’s verdict.
A cloud of doubt crossed Miguel’s face. “Even if I wanted to kill Antonio, I couldn’t reach him before they killed me.”
“We’ll guard your way to Antonio.” Juan called out to his men and they formed circle around Miguel.
“If you want him dead, why don’t you just kill him?” Miguel asked.
“I wish it was that simple. It has to be you. Our Death Circle will move with you inside. Once we reach Antonio, kill him.”
Miguel looked at Rephaim’s raised sword. He elevated his own to mirror the men that surrounded him.
Rephaim reacted immediately, rushing towards a fleeing Miguel. The Nephilim joined in charging the circle of swords. Since they outnumbered their opponent, their tactic was to use size and strength to enter the circle and kill Miguel.
Once Miguel was dead, they would invite Antonio to join them.
The swords of Juan’s men did not make the task easy and the Nephilim were repelled during the initial charge. Two were killed in that first attack.
More were killed with each wave as Juan and his men moved progressively towards Antonio.
Antonio watched the circle gather around Miguel. In the village of the Men of Nod, he had joined Juan in that same Death Circle facing his Calusa brothers. They had been brave that day – fighting like damned souls being dragged to the netherworld – only this time he was not certain that Juan would achieve victory.
Prior to this moment, he had been able to foresee everything: the battle had played out on the blood-soaked field just as it had played out in his mind. But now his foresight faded and he was uncertain. It was a feeling that Antonio had not encountered in some time but now the sensation returned; and Antonio welcomed it.
As they approached, he in turn walked towards them. He considered what came next. He alone had the ability to end what was occurring.
He knew the answer but was reluctant. For good or bad, he knew that decision would end the battle. He watched the bodies of the Nephilim fall as the Death Circle approached.
Juan eyed Antonio warily as they neared. His thoughts were on Antonio when from the corner of his eye, came movement. He turned and saw Rephaim running towards them with a spear.
Juan had quick reflexes but a spear was difficult to dodge. He twisted but was not able to move out of the way of the hurled javelin. The spear reached him and passed through him, leaving him unharmed.
His mouth had just begun to grow a taunting smile when he heard a grunt. He turned and saw the spear embedded in Miguel’s chest. He then realized he was not the target. He watched as the blood flowed from Miguel’s skewered body.
Moments later, Miguel’s corpse lay a pile of dead flesh at Juan’s feet.
Now it was Rephaim’s turn to mock Juan. “Come, Antonio,” Rephaim said stepping towards Antonio. “The time has come.”
“Yes,” Antonio replied, “it’s time.”
The fight left Juan’s men and the Nephilim moved in. Rephaim gestured for Antonio to follow him, taking the first step towards the gate. He turned around to gloat and was surprised that Antonio did not follow. “Antonio,” he repeated, “the time is now.”
Antonio looked at his old friends. He cared deeply about each of them and was saddened at the thought of what must come next. But the decision had been made.
Without speaking, he drew his large hunting knife. Looking at his friends once more, he drove the knife into his chest with both hands. He angled the knife such that the blade tilted upward and penetrated his heart. He looked at Rephaim once more before falling lifeless to the ground.
Rephaim opened his mouth to spew hatred but a cry of pain from one of the Nephilim stopped his words. All eyes moved to him and they saw that Cherubim had returned.
Cherubim’s sword flamed as he cut through the Nephilim. The other Nephilim tried to retreat but Cherubim took the life from them as they ran. Soon, only Rephaim remained.
Rephaim turned towards Cherubim. He could feel the heat from the sword as Cherubim approached…and took his head. Cherubim reciprocated the deaths of the Men of Nod and followed suit by relieving the heads from the bodies of the Nephilim.
For the first time since creation, the Men of Nod and the Nephilim were no more.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The priest was mesmerized. He had countless questions yet at that moment, none came to his mind. Finally, the most natural of questions came, “What came next?”
“Cherubim showed us where creation began,” Diego answered.
The priest almost felt blasphemous asking the next question. “What’s it like?”
“It would easier if I showed you.”
“You can take me there?”
“It wouldn’t be safe right now,” Juan interrupted. “We don’t know where the Watchers might be. They’re looking for Enoch and that’s where he’ll be.”
“Enoch lives in the original part of the garden? I thought he was at the Throne of God to speak as His Voice.”
Diego smiled. “Did it not occur to you that the original part of the garden and Heaven are one in the same?”
The priest did not have an answer. He had often wondered where exactly Heaven existed but had no idea it was actually a place that could be reached without death. The surrealism of the moment placed fear in his heart. He didn’t understand all that was being presented to him and the eternal nature of it all terrified him.
He was used to guarding the secret of the Ark of the Covenant and reaching into his soul to commune with God to learn more of his faith but all of that had become routine. He realized now the nature of what was occurring and how the ancient prophets must have felt.
Since he couldn’t grasp the moment, he used a defense mechanism and redirected the conversation. “How would the Watchers gain access to that part of the garden? I thought it was forbidden to them.”
Juan explained, “Inside the Ark is the Rod of Moses’ brother – Aaron. The rod itself looks no different than any other rod: the wood is dark with age and is stained with the blood of animals and men; the shaft is twisted and rough to the touch.
“What makes the rod unique, however, is the wood from which the rod was created. The first man received the rod upon his expulsion from the garden as a reminder of his downfall. It is made from a branch of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.”
The priest was dumbfounded and his face portrayed the emotion. He had guarded the Ark for decades and had no idea such an item was within.
Juan understood his astonishment but continued, “The rod was passed down through the years – through Enoch, Abraham, and finally to Jethro, the father in-law of Moses. To protect the rod, Jethro buried the rod in the ground. He knew that hidden on the rod was the name of God and only to those who were worthy would the name be revealed.
“Moses visited Jethro and read the name of God aloud, even though the rod was buried under the earth. Because Moses showed he was a man favored by God, he was granted the rod by Jethro who also offered his daughter in marriage. Moses accepted both.
“Moses knew the name of God because God spoke it to him. Otherwise he couldn’t have known as the rod is unadorned and the only location where name can be revealed is at the site of creation.
“Through the name of Go
d, access to the original part of the garden is granted. Once inside, the Watchers can use Enoch to claim the Throne of God.”
The priest was silent as he thought on what that would mean. “Can we stop them?”
Diego answered, “We’re going to try. Enoch said we need to seek out the Book of Jubilees. Well, we have the book. Hopefully you can help us decipher what to do next.”
The priest swallowed hard. “So this falls on me?”
“It falls on all of us,” Juan replied. “You are one of us now.”
“And who are we?”
“Enoch calls us the Keepers of the Fountain. A strange title but an interesting one. We are here to protect the garden, just as the Men of Nod did for eons.”
“What happened to your other men? Where is Eduardo?”
Juan smiled at the mention of Eduardo. “There are five others and Eduardo is one of them. We have been placed throughout time as we are needed.”
“Time? What does that mean?”
“There is much you do not know about our universe. Time is merely a location. Plus, do you really think this is the only planet that God created for man?”
“But the scriptures do not speak of other worlds.”
“Do they not? Did God not say let us make mankind in our image?” Diego asked.
“I was always under the impression that he was speaking of his Holy Trinity,” the priest answered.
“One could see it that way, or one could see it for what it is – other people on other planets.”
“And what does God mean by us and our then?”
“Each planet has its own version of God.” The priest was speechless. Diego helped him by continuing, “It’s the same God, only in different forms. Do you think God can appear in three forms to us on Earth and not appear in other forms to people of other worlds?”
The priest was not able to answer.
Juan diffused the moment. “Why don’t I tell you of the original part of the garden and what we found there?”
The priest nodded numbly and Juan narrated:
After the beheading of the Nephilim, Cherubim drove his sword into the ground. As he did, the flame from his sword began to augment. The heat intensified until his sword was white with flame (any other sword would have melted).
Then, a burst erupted from the sword. It was as if a star imploded and then reversed to discharge light in all directions. The brilliant light blinded Juan and his men. They braced for the heat to roast them in their skin but it did not come. In the time it took them to blink, the light was gone and the sword extinguished.
As the dark spots cleared from Juan’s eyes, he saw the sword again without flame and admired its simple beauty. Small ornate designs were formed within the metal; one could say the pattern resembled the entire universe. Juan found himself staring at the blade, mesmerized. He was brought back by a hand on his shoulder and saw Diego.
“They’re gone,” Diego whispered.
At first Juan was not sure who Diego meant. Then, he looked down at where Antonio had lain. His body was gone. Juan looked around the field and saw that they were alone with Cherubim. The bodies of the Nephilim and the Men of Nod were also gone.
“Where’s Antonio’s body?” Juan challenged.
Cherubim stood calmly, unflinching. “Come with me.”
Juan balked at Cherubim’s unexpected answer. The anger he felt was replaced by confusion. He looked at Diego and Diego shrugged.
Cherubim turned and walked towards the gateway, not looking back to see if Juan was following. Then, Cherubim walked through the gateway and disappeared into the darkness beyond.
All looked to Juan for direction. They had been charged to protect the garden and now they hoped to learn more of that garden. Juan led them inside and found that Cherubim waited for them. “What you seek is inside.”
“What do we seek?”
“Did you not just ask me a question?”
“What do you mean? I asked about Antonio… wait, you mean Antonio is inside?”
Cherubim nodded, “As are the Men of Nod.”
“But how is that possible?” Juan asked. “I saw them die.”
“This is a place of life. I did not say they were the same. I merely said they were inside.”
Cherubim had their interest and attention. He led them down an endless path that ran deeper into the garden. After several hours, they stopped. “You will stay here tonight. In the morning, we will continue our journey. Tomorrow, many of your questions will be answered. You will see your old friends as well.”
Juan and his men discerned that a fire greeted them and above the fire, a suspended pot gave whiff of an aromatic stew. The aroma welcomed them and drained the battle-weariness from their spent bodies. They relaxed around the fire, eating and amusing themselves with stories told at the expense of others. Afterwards, they stretched out on the surrounding field of soft grass and watched the moon until they drifted to sleep.
The next morning, Juan found Diego asleep next to the coals of the previous evening’s fire. He was careful not to wake him, as were the rest of the men as they woke and joined Juan by the fire. Finally, as the sun grew over the horizon, Juan saw that Diego’s eyes were open.
“How are you?” Juan asked.
“How do I look?” Diego replied.
Juan looked at Diego for a moment before answering, “You look terrible.”
“That’s what warfare does, my friend. But I can tell you I don’t feel terrible. It was best sleep I’ve ever had.” He ate breakfast before asking the obvious question, “Has Cherubim come?”
“No, he has not.”
“He was waiting for me,” Diego said. “And he need wait no longer. I’m ready to continue.”
He rose and went to the stream to wash his face. When he returned, he saw Cherubim sitting next to Juan on a log near the fire.
Cherubim waited patiently as the men collected themselves and gathered around. Diego was the final man of the group to join Cherubim. “You are ready?” Cherubim asked.
Each man replied with, “Aye.”
Cherubim rose without further words and rejoined the path. The path had been dark as they walked the previous day but now sunlight lit the path. Finally, they reached the end of the forest into a clearing. In the center was a vast wooden hall.
“It’s here that I must leave you,” Cherubim said. “You will see me again when I’m required. You need only to summon me.” He turned and the seven men watched him walk away.
When they could see him no more, they turned back to the Great Hall. The doorway was twenty feet wide and thirty feet tall and the thick door was decorated with carved symbols and words. Some of the symbols and words they recognized but many were outlandish and looked unlike anything they had seen.
The carvings on the door were very ornate and they seemed to tell of the creation of the world. This story began at the bottom right hand corner of the door and moved to the left and then up. At the very top of the door, each of their names was carved.
“Should we knock?” Eduardo asked.
“I would venture to guess that we are expected,” Juan answered.
Diego stepped forward and pushed on the door. He did not know whether the heavy door would stand firm or if it would swing open. To his surprise, as he placed his hand on the door, his engraved name burned white. That white spread outward, slowly covering the door. Soon, the door itself was lit with the brilliant sallow light.
The men covered their eyes to shield them. After only a moment, the light was extinguished and the men opened their eyes to find that the door frame was empty. The door that had barred their way was no more and they peered into the large hole of the doorframe into the darkness beyond.
Juan led the way into the obscurity and as he placed his second foot onto the stone floor, the hall ignited in luminosity. The illumination surprised them and they instinctively placed their hands on their swords. They moved past the false alarm and walked deeper inside.
The
y saw that they were in a cavernous room where the ceiling rose fifty feet above them. Natural light emanated from the ceiling but they could not see any windows. The room itself was nearly three hundred feet long and the far part of the room was shrouded in shadows despite the lighting.
As they came closer to that side of the room, shapes began to appear within the shadows. They noticed that a dais appeared. Upon the dais sat a simple chair and in that chair sat a man. They could not see his face but his hair was white and his beard long. Two men stood next to him but their faces were hidden as well.
They reached the foot of the dais and the two faces revealed Antonio and Abuelo. Both smiled warmly and stepped off the dais to embrace their friends.
After the cheerful reunion, Abuelo turned and motioned towards the dais, “This is Enoch.”
Eduardo’s eyes widened. “The Voice of God.”
Enoch smiled. “I am called that, yes. And you are the Keepers of the Fountain. Are you familiar with that name?”
The men started to shake their heads but then a vision came upon their minds. The vision showed them the role they would play in humanity. It only lasted a moment but in that moment all was explained. They saw the world as it would be if they failed. They also saw the world for what it was and why they must protect the garden. The men of the world would always seek the garden and they must be the gatekeepers.
“Each of you now knows what’s expected. Does each of you assume this responsibility willingly?” Each man nodded in response. “Very well,” said Enoch smiling, “Juan, you will return to the village of the Men of Nod. From this point forward it shall be your village. You will keep the fountain.”
Enoch then turned and looked directly at Diego. “Diego, you will not return to the village.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your role will be different. You will go back to Ethiopia. There are many secrets in that land and you are to be their keeper. In fact, I have plans for all of you. The rest of you will stay here with me for a time. Now you must say goodbye.”
Juan felt as though he should ask some questions but the vision he had been given had revealed all to him. His visit was brief but in that time, he learned more than he had his entire life – including his time with the Men of Nod.
