by Donovan Neal
Lathum looked at Ashtaroth, who stood silent, and his curiosity got the better of him and he opened his mouth to inquire of the human. “And what business might that be young dragon?”
Leto looked up irritated, but answered. “To steal, kill and destroy of course.” Now leave me, before I choose another set of eyes to see for me.”
Lathum bowed then misted out of his master’s sight.
✽✽✽
Mušḫuššu flew over the water of the Dead Sea and quickly approached the border of Israel. Spread out equidistantly from one another; were seven powerful principalities that stood as a guard to Israel’s eastern door. Their vigilance ever present: they easily saw Mušḫuššu and three of the angels quickly moved to intercept him with swords drawn.
Mušḫuššu slowly crossed the border of the two countries hovered in place and lifted his sword from its scabbard holding it high in a show of obeisance and surrender.
The three quickly surrounded him and a Malakim spoke as the mouthpiece of the Eastern gate of the land.
“You are trespassing on the Holy Land: this land in under the protection of the Chief Prince, Michael of the Kortai. You will state your purpose for this incursion of you will be destroyed.”
“Mušḫuššu bowed his head and replied, “Be not angry with this dog. For I come on behalf of my master to give the chief prince news of the Horde war that now rages. He hast given me his seal and commands me to give this message to Michael. I ask that I not be deterred in my task. For even now he may still live, and I hope to return that I too might fight by his side if need be against the plans Lucifer has unleashed upon the world.”
The Malakim looked puzzled and replied, “It has been a long time since I have seen honor among a member of the Horde. But alas, you were once such as us. I am the guard of the Eastern Gate to the land of Israel. I will permit you this courtesy in remembrance to our duty to honor the charges given us. Come with me: stay near and they will not harm you; deviate from the path with which I traverse and you will see oblivion. Am I clear herald of Marduk?”
“You are clear,” said Mušḫuššu.
“Then come for I am curious to see what would cause an angel to brave confrontation with the royal guard of the Holy People.”
Mušḫuššu turned and the four angels flew towards Jerusalem the spiritual capital of the land to see Michael.
✽✽✽
Marduk screamed at his attackers accosted him. “Luciferian dogs!” he yelled. “I will not be brought down by the likes of you!”
An angel came at him with his sword and Marduk raised his arm to block the celestial blade. The jagged edge slid as steel against his muscular arms as it ran the length of his forearm creating sparks as it did. Marduk swung his other arm and wrapped it around the neck of his adversary and twisted it until the angel's neck snapped and he dropped the limp body to the ground. Noxious fumes floated from open pores in Marduk’s body creating a toxic cloud: any encroachment to attack him made his opponent's flesh sizzle as if acid touched their skin.
Marduk roared as a legion of angels was now assembled to strike him down. His hulking and muscular frame threatened dissolution to any angel that was careless enough to attack him one on one. He raised his flanged mace up high and with his two other arms beat against his chest in defiance.
“I have fought the Lumazi! I am the prince of Babylon! A principality of the Horde and Prince over the lands of Nebuchadnezzar! Lucifer sends you to accost me only to die! Come rebels to the true cause of self-rule… come and have your reward!”
The assembled angels looked to their commander who edged them onward when above Marduk a prismatic beam of light enveloped him. Mt. Nebo suddenly stood awash in the colors
of the rainbow and reds, blues and greens, dropped as rain from the funnel which reached into the sky. A ladder had been formed and the power of it caused all who saw the celestial bridge to draw back in fear. For only the Ophanim created such passage, and a bridge meant that in moments Heaven would soon arrive.
Immediately the great cloud retracted and in its wake Michael, and five hundred warrior angels stood by their chief prince and each stood both above and surrounding Marduk with swords, hammers and spears raised to attack. Michael’s halo glowed above his head and the sword of Ophanim was unsheathed and its blades spun in gyroscopic orbit as its master belted out warning to the amassed Horde army.
“Hear me members of the Horde. I have come for the words of Marduk: to hear his claims. He may not be accosted and is under the protection of the Host. Defy this command and know that I call Heaven and Earth against you that you will surely die. Give way to the command of Heaven or give way to her wrath! But by my command or by my sword thou shalt surely give way!”
Thousands of angelic adversaries ceased when they saw Michael the chief prince. Many immediately retreated. Others circled the entourage assessing this new development wondering how they might press their attack.
Michael cocked his head to the side at those that still thought they might attack and spoke. “Foolish you have become in your service to your king. Ever learning yet never coming into the knowledge of the truth. Have you so foolishly lost the fear of Heaven and of her Host?”
Michael then looked to one of his lieutenants and nodded. The Malakim angel raised his spear and flung the weapon towards the nearest enemy. It changed in mid-flight and turned into a serpent. And when it reached its target, it slammed itself against the face of Michael’s foe and it was as a snake coiled around the face. The angel fell plummeting to the ground attempting in vain to remove the beast from his head. Falling into the ground a dust cloud was raised as the angel fell before those that stood in abeyance still eying the scene. The body of the angel jerked in several uncontrolled spasms and then ceased to move. The coiled snake then unwound itself from the face of its prey: sprouted wings and then lifted itself into the air and returned to the hand of Michael’s lieutenant.
All then looked upon the angel whose stone was dark and where there was once a face there was no more; for nothing but a skull remained and snippets of flesh.
Michael then roared to those still eying the corpse and said, “Disperse! I command you!”
Immediately thousands broke rank and the physical sky responded in kind and clouds which had earlier coalesced above Mt. Nebo dispersed and clear skies were all that remained.
Marduk laughed. “I see my herald has done well. You honor me Chief Prince.”
Michael turned to look at Marduk. He unfolded his fist and within it he held the signet ring of Marduk. He flung the angelic jewelry to the angel and Marduk snatched it from the air and placed the ring upon his finger.
“I did not breach the borders of Jordan for pleasantries principality of nothing.” said Michael. “And yes Mušḫuššu has delivered your message. Thus in honor of Heaven’s traditions I have come. Speak your peace.”
Marduk nodded, “Very well, know that I have accepted the fate of Heaven, and yea even that of Lucifer himself. I realize that I am dead and that my every breath is on borrowed time. I have accepted that soon my time must come. But you must know that though we be at odds you and I are united in this one thing: the Abomination must be destroyed. You know of him of course?”
“Michael nodded, “Yea, the human Leto. I have assessed him, and he is not a threat.”
Marduk laughed, “Then you have assessed wrong Chief Prince. For he is the tip of the Hordes spear, that will in your arrogance; pierce Heaven. He is the ultimate expression of Satan’s hate against the Father, and if ye are wise you would have him killed.”
Michael harrumphed “Perhaps what you say is true. Nevertheless, the life of the Nephilim is not in my hands to take: such decisions are for the Father to decide. For now, my eye is not set against his life. Should as you say, he do the impossible and breach the shores of Heaven: I will gladly seek the spawn of Satan’s death. Surely this concern for a Nephilim is not why you would draw me from Israel’s defense. Present thy petition a
nd be off with you.”
“Very well, said Marduk. “I request the Abomination’s life or at least non-interference of thy hand to take it.”
Michael looked intrigued at Marduk and the swords which swirled around him settled from seven blades and merged slowly into one. Michael looked at Marduk with both caution and intrigue. “Speak thy peace,” he said. “For I will hear thee on this matter.”
✽✽✽
Leto turned over his desk, and it went flying across the room. Papers, pens and objects smashed into the office door and walls.
“Michael has come you say?” Leto threw a paper weight through the office window and the force shattered it. “That angel has interfered with my plans for the last time.” Leto growled. “Ashtaroth take me to my father now.”
Ashtaroth bowed and he looked at Lathum. The misted angel then took his pen and drew with it a door in the air. A portal then opened the edges of which glowed and when it did it led to the general assembly Hall of the United Nations in New York.
“My young prince, know that if you do this…” said Ashtaroth. “You will remove the cover Lucifer has placed over you. I cannot predict how the master will react. Nor can I cover your absence of presence if you do this. The humans will know that you are in league with angelic powers.”
Leto still breathed heavily from his flipping the desk over in his wrath and nodded. “Understood; accompany me, for if father wills, I would have him come down now to deal with Michael.”
“Where you lead I will follow young prince,” said Ashtaroth.
Suddenly men burst through the door: military police with guns and rifles raised. Several generals and the head of security piled in and a general shouted. “Sir are you alright we heard a commotion.”
Leto nodded. “I am fine gentlemen. But it would seem that I must leave for a moment. Be not alarmed I will return shortly.”
Immediately the chief of Leto Alexander’s security detail who stood outside the ready room lifted his wrist to his mouth and whispered into his intercom, “Dragon one is leaving prepare the carriage.”
“That will not be necessary,” said Leto. He then waved all the men down, pulled his suit jacket down, straightened his tie and began to walk around the debris littered on the office floor towards them.
The men and a few of the generals looked at their commander confused; then equally in awestruck wonderment as Leto Alexander walked towards them; then suddenly disappeared from their sight.
✽✽✽
Michael sighed deeply, tilted his head back and closed his eyes; placing his hands on his hips and spoke. “I grow tired fat one and await your words Marduk.”
Marduk laughed, “Very well Kortai, if you have an ear to hear; then hear carefully what I say unto you… you have been misled. You are aware of the God-stones destruction when your armies invaded Hades and routed the Horde?
“Yes,” replied Michael. “The gem was used by the Adversary to create a false kiln. It was destroyed when the Lord led captivity captive. What of it?”
“Ah, but chief prince: the gem was not destroyed. It was merely fractured: its parts scattered hither and thither. We both know a gem such as that can never truly be destroyed. For they are the stuff of creation themselves… flakes of God’s power. Surely even you know this? But into three fragments the stone shattered. The largest piece is in possession of Lucifer himself; the other, given to the Abomination Leto. The third Lucifer has searched for and has finally found: yea it sleeps even in the underworld yet also abides deep in the earth… phased between the two realities of Hades and the natural realm. Its physical form abides in Israel. And is the final piece needed to reactivate the God-stone’s song.
Michael frowned and his face turned ashen-white and pallid. “What you say cannot possibly be true. There is nothing to show that a God-stone sings in the Earth. How can such a thing be? You lie! You lie!” Michael’s sword unsheathed from its scabbard and it pointed in Marduk’s direction.
The principality raised his hands in abeyance. “Nay, great prince. My words are true. And I know the location of the stone. A location within the domain you are charged to protect. I had always wondered why El made you protector over Israel. Why you were the archangel assigned to guard El’s people. For many years I had conjectured; had thought El’s covenant with the Jews placed them as a priority for protection. And while this is true, I have learned that El is a master of guile and ruse. Thus, I have come to a greater understanding that El’s ways are so beyond our ways: that what we consider guile and ruse is simply El’s ability to think beyond our own limited thinking: to see all possibilities at once. I come to realize that I was a fool to leave Heaven: I know this. But my path cannot be changed. Hence in the absence of my and mine brethren’s return; self-rule is the best path for our people. But Lucifer… Lucifer has fallen away even from this. I thought I followed a being who would champion this cause. But nay, he merely champions the cause that sees him as ultimate ruler and the usurper of God.”
“But alas I digress, the God-stone Michael of the Kortai, is in Jerusalem itself. Buried just below the foundations of the work of mine own hands. For a long time have I labored under Lucifer’s leash. Long have I done the bidding of my master. And I was excellent in all my doings. For my charge Michael of the Kortai was to raise a people: a people who would supplant the world. For my master’s strategy was to sow tares throughout all that El would plant. And what such a tare could he better sow than to raise a people whose belief in El rivals that of his own people: yea, even to fanaticism? And Lucifer, knowing after his defeat… knowing upon Christ’s resurrection he could not return to Jerusalem to succor the remnants of what might allow him to ascend to grasp the ankles of God; devised a scheme. So he planted a tare. A jealous and contentious people who would joust with the Jews over all things religious… a people who would strive in envy over all things that is owed the firstborn, but given to another. Brethren of Abraham: Ishmaelite’s in both body and spirit who would never yield to anything less than the Jews destruction and to their own elevation as the true children of God.
So I cultivated the spirit of Ishmael: cultivated this spirit that it would grow in a people so contentious that they would stake a claim to every shrine and monument, and locale that rightly belonged to God’s own people. And Lucifer in his guile would use this strife to mask the true prize. The prize which even now you do not understand is almost within his grasp to unearth.
While the most powerful of angels’ stands helpless to interfere: all because you value the Clayborn and El’s articles of war. And it is this value; your inflexible deference to obey El unquestioningly in all things; that has brought us to this place, you and I: a place where I now stand seeking petition: from my sworn enemy.”
Michael was wide-eyed but silent and he took in the enormity of Marduk’s words. “The Godstone… in Jerusalem itself? You claim you know exactly where it is but what do you seek in exchange for its location?”
“I ask for naught but the absence of your meddling in the Abomination's assassination.”
Michael was taken aback. “I care nothing for the death of the half-breed. His life is neither mine to give or take save at El’s word. Nevertheless, is he not the human leader set up amongst your ranks? Why would you seek his death?”
Marduk nodded, “There are two things I care for Michael, and while I despise you. I despise even more the thought of the Abomination leading angelic kind. I did not leave my first estate that this mongrel might lead me. I will see him dead before I allow him to grace the gates of Heaven. He cannot be allowed to live. Lucifer has twice now raised a species that if unchecked could mayhap supplant both angel and man. His experimentation to bypass the design of God has accelerated the curse of sin among the humans and the Withering amongst our own kind. This cannot be allowed to be. This creature… there is something about him: something hidden. I fear he will be the undoing of us all. The Nephilim must be destroyed before he holds a reunified Godstone. Thus, I ask the
chief prince of angels to confirm once more. Will you interfere with my plan to kill the Anti-Christ?”
Michael pondered the curious nature of his request and replied, “I care naught for Horde leadership. You have my leave to pursue this action. Now tell me—where is the location of the God-stone?”
Marduk snickered, “In the safest place in all the Earth. A place none would dare to disturb lest war break out and Yeshua himself be moved to interfere. Beneath the foundation of a Temple raised in purpose to cover Lucifer’s scheme and erected to sow the most insidious tare in the Holy Land.”
Michael’s eyes narrowed, and he realized that even now Israel was considering joining the Commonwealth of Nations. His brow furrowed as he looked down at the ground contemplating Marduk’s words and his mind turned in anxiety until the history of Israel flooded him and the realization of the stone's location became immediately crystal clear. “In El’s name no!”
Marduk chuckled, “Yes, I can see that you understand… good. What you fear is true; for your precious God-stone Michael of the Kortai lies beneath the Dome on the Rock.”
Michael turned his head towards the holy city and spoke to Marduk. “You will submit to restraint and come with me. Resist and you will be cut down where you stand.”
The archangel then set his face towards Jerusalem and launched himself into the sky.
✽✽✽
Leto Alexander materialized unto the emerald green carpet of the United Nations general assembly room. Following him through the portal was Ashtaroth and Lathum.
The portal flashed then sealed behind the trio and various occupants of the room stood up and pointed to the spectacle. Gasps and screams could be heard from the room as the two beings that stood to Leto’s left and right were clearly not human. One floated, and the other had wings. Several security guards ran into the room with weapons drawn.
