The Archangel Jophiel and William Travis (God Wish Chronicles Book 1)

by A. Joseph

  For during his stay in Inchora everyone goes to the Trial of Self and this is during the Festival of Hope.

  “Thank you again damned one,” Lunasul bowed again.

  “No, thank you wise man,” Paul said.

  „Your story brought the best opportunity for me for my plans," he said to himself as he left Lunasul to prepare the slaughter of Inchorans in what would be a massacre than a festival.

  CHAPTER 18

  THE FESTIVAL OF HOPE

  People are busy decorating their mosaic glass bottles as William and John passed by.

  “Is everybody included in this Festival of Hope?” William asked.

  “Not everyone, only those who volunteered. Inchorans are not forced to participate in the Festival William. They willingly volunteer for they believe in its purpose,” John said as he inspects one of the bottles of a young girl and gives his sign of approval.

  “Do you think I"d pass the Trial of Self uncle?” William asked.

  “I believe you would, but remember that the Trial of Self is not about passing or failing. It"s about knowing yourself,” John said. “Focus on knowing more about yourself.”

  “I fear I might fail,” William said.

  “Whatever happens during the trial, if you come out with a better knowledge of yourself, then it has been a success,” John said as he gave William an apple from a small girl giving fruits from her basket.

  “I wish it had not been me, that I could just live a normal life like the children and families here who are just volunteering for the Festival,” William said as he gave the apple to a boy making his bottle. He cannot seem to eat worrying about the test.

  “Some people wish they had the same opportunity as you do now to achieve The God Wish. We all wish for things that we do not have - for simpler things when we are at a difficult crossroad, for simplicity when everything goes grand and for grandeur when everything is simple. It"s natural for humans to wish for things they don"t have or opportunities that don"t come,” John said helping a small girl with her bottle.

  “But when in doubt William just keep moving forward, take that small step and take it one step at a time. It"s not about being the fastest to reach the goal. It"s about making that journey and learning from it even if the goal is unclear.” As they both walk towards Eden.

  “Didn"t" you enjoy the things that you learned here in Inchora? The friends that you"ve known? The moments you"ve experienced and the things that you"ve seen?” John asked.

  “I do, and I am really happy to have been here. It"s just that I fear I might fail,” William said as tears build up in his eyes.

  He does not want to fail the hopes of his parents who died that he might live and succeed.

  “Life is not measured by our success and failures William,” John said wiping William"s tears.

  “It is about the moments we"ve shared with people, the things that we"ve learned, and the people that we cared and loved,” John said smiling as they enter Eden.

  “And you all expect me to achieve the God"s wish,” William replied crying even more.

  “No we do not. I for one do not expect you to. But I wish for you to go to the journey - to enjoy every moment of it, to visit places, to know a lot of people. Because I know after this journey you"d be a better person - a good man,” John said hugging him.

  THE FESTIVAL OF HOPE

  “Would you forgive me then if I fail?” William asked. “I forgive you now and for any other fault or failure you might make in the future. So do not concern yourself about failing just learn from every experience,” John said holding William"s shoulders and looking straight at him.

  “Whatever happens, know that Inchora is your home and you can always go back here and we will accept you with open arms, proud of whatever you have achieved.”

  “Thank you uncle,” William said.

  “Now don"t be sad, just enjoy and learn from what will happen in the trial,” John said as they continued walking towards the edge of the field and William saw that the field is actually in a high land and they are now in the edge of a cliff.

  “Is that where the festival will happen?” William asked pointing to a land on the far horizon where the grass ends and the desert sand starts.

  “Indeed and it is just a week of travel from here but as you can see someday all that our eyes can see from this cliff can be lush green grass filled with trees and animals,” John replied. “If we never stop doing the festival we can bring hopes to reality,” John said pointing to the small trees that are now growing at the horizon.

  “If we don"t stop trying miracles will happen William. Never stop trying, for even small steps and simple acts can produce great miracles,” he said to him with a smile.

  “I won"t uncle,” William replied looking at the horizon.

  “We"ll be there at the border meeting you at the end of your Trial of Self,” John said. “Just do your best, believe and trust yourself, and everything will be fine.”

  “I will uncle,” William said looking at the horizon.

  CHAPTER 19

  DARK CLOUDS

  It was just past midnight and the sky was sparkling with stars as the cave opened and out came a group of men holding dark clay pots. Behind them was Paul clothed in dark Ardan clothing blending with the sand and stones in the darkness of the night. He ordered the men to throw the clay pots and as it broke it spilled black water like oil and immediately it was set on fire by the archdemon Hismael who appeared beside Paul. As the black water evaporated to the air it formed dark clouds that enveloped almost the whole sky above them covering the stars.

  “Are all the men ready?” Paul said to Sau behind him. “Just waiting for your command damned one,” Sau replied.

  “Then let"s bring wrath to Inchora,” as Paul walked and the dark clouds above moved with him.

  Sau gave the signal to the men behind him as he started to follow Paul. A number of Ardans came out of the cave with small round clay pots in their belt and holding out metal spears.

  Lunasul looked at the top of the cave seeing his fellow Ardans walking to what may be their death blinded by their greed to have a better life even if it means the death of others. Tears rolled down his eyes as he saw their spears and knew that the metals were corrupted by the blood of the damned one and he knows they are carrying corrupted Aqua in those clay pots.

  DARK CLOUDS

  He knew his story of the Festival of Hope became information to Paul and now the festival would be no more and instead war would reign between Arda and Inchora.

  “What is this cloud above us?” Sau asked.

  “It"s the corrupted Aqua that I made into clouds. It would follow us until we reach the Border of Dreams where we would unleash its rain bringing death upon all living things,” Paul replied.

  It would be a long journey and it would consume much of his strength but he needed to summon it now to serve as a cover for the long journey across the scorching desert.

  „I can regain his strength while the Ardans fight for me," he said to himself.

  “Tell the men to stay within the clouds to conserve their strength,” he ordered Sau.

  “Is there anything else?” Sau asked.

  “Bring to me as well three of the weakest men you have, for I would need to consume their strength that I may keep this cloud for the long journey. Their sacrifices will serve our purpose,” Paul replied.

  “As you wish damned one,” Sau said.

  „This will be a long journey, one that he might not be able to return to," he said to himself.

  But for his family that they might have a better life he"d sacrifice everything even his life, as he goes back to find the three weakest men to sacrifice.

  CHAPTER 20

  THE TRIAL OF SELF

  As the day breaks the sunlight pierced the sky illuminating a path before a multitude of Inchorans with their bright multicolored dress and glass bottles waiting for this moment that will start their journey. Seeing the light, the men in front rang t
he wooden chimes as they all started walking following the lighted path to the west – to the border of dreams.

  The men carry with them twisted wooden sticks with a bag of cloth at the end carrying the food for everybody while the younger ones and the women carry the glass mosaic bottles with Aqua. A group of children are beside them saying their wishes and hopes for their journey. Their families and friends also wish them well for their Trial of Self. The children started to walk towards their trial as well when the morning sunflowers bloomed as soon as the sunlight touched them showing the path for them to follow.

  “Do you think he"ll succeed?” Sella asked John as they lead the multitude of volunteers towards the Border of Dreams.

  “I don"t know. No one can predict the trial or the future but you have taught and prepared him well for this trial,” John replied.

  “And you have been a great guardian,” Sella replied. “But what if he fails?” Sella asked worried about what William will experience in his Trial of Self.

  “His life is not a prophecy and as much as I wish that he will be the one to accomplish The God Wish and to see it happen in my lifetime would make me happy and proud. But he is my nephew above all else and I will accept him whether he succeeds or fails,” John replied.

  “He is lucky to have you,” Sella said holding his hand. “And I am lucky to have him and to have you,” John replied as he kisses her cheek.

  “I fear this festival will be different,” Sella whispered.

  “I do too, but we must take courage and believe in this festival because if we let fear get the best of us then what awaits us will just be tragedy,” John replied with a heavy heart.

  “We will survive this together,” Sella said kissing John.

  “Thank you, let"s hope for the best,” John said as they continued walking followed by the joyous cheers of the Inchoran volunteers behind them.

  Meanwhile the children reached their destination as in front of them stood a thick arch of trees with flowery vines covering the entrance. It was both enchanting and mysterious that sent shivers in each of them.

  “This is where we separate ways,” Matthew said.

  “I wish you all the best,” William replied. “Let"s see each other again after the trial.”

  “I"ll look for you immediately after the trial and don"t forget to tell me the story of your trial!” Matthew said.

  “I won"t forget,” William said holding out his hand as Matthew held it firm and shook it as a sign of their promise.

  “Brothers…always,” they both said.

  One by one the children entered the vines and soon Matthew entered as well followed by William. As soon as William entered he saw in front of him a cottage.

  It was an old wooden cottage with a large wooden door that is almost covered by the vines creeping around it and on the pillars. It seemed to be really old but the doors and pillars are still strong. This house was well built and it had the sign of Aqua at the top of the door just like the cottage of Uncle John.

  Going inside he saw that it was large with several rooms. It was plain without any furniture or pictures in the walls but it felt like home just like how the cottage in the woods feels whenever they take their vacation there.

  Suddenly images of a family appeared in front of him, a mother and father attending to their seven children of four boys and three girls. The eldest seems to be the tallest boy attending to the needs of his brothers and sisters together with what seems to be the eldest daughter. While the mother was carrying in her arms a baby boy and the father had a young girl and boy in his lap. It was an ordinary scene of a family and this was a really happy family - a good one.

  The image changed to show his father and mother and him as a small boy playing and laughing. He remembered it was their first vacation in the wooden cabin in the woods. It was one of the best vacations he ever had as tears rolled down his eyes. How he miss his mother and father so much right now. William walked near the image touching the face of his mom but his hand just passed through and the image faded like smoke. He dropped to his knees crying even more remembering their last memories in that cabin.

  The scenery changed and the house is now filled with teenagers and adults. But William can recognize that it was the same family he saw before with the seven children and their parents. The father gathered everyone to the dining table to tell them of his plan to travel to find the answers to his questions and to learn more things beyond their land.

  William realized this to be the story of Adam and his family and this was their home and he is seeing the events that happened at that time. He can see the sadness in the eyes of the children and especially on Eve. Suddenly, the image changed again and he saw his father in the same dining table he now regularly eats at the cottage of his uncle in Inchora. He was with a younger brother and he knew it was his Uncle John and another girl who he thinks to be his Aunt Rachel. There was also an old but strong man with his wife sitting beside him. He recognized them as his grandfather and grandmother from the pictures at the mountain cabin. So this is what his father"s family looked like. How he wished he got to know his aunt, grandfather and grandmother as well. His father was telling them his decision to leave Inchora and travel to the other enlightened cities and he can see the sadness in their eyes as well.

  He was now brought to several more different scenes as he saw the journey of Adam how he struggled in the first days of his journey, lonely and alone. How he was sometimes at the brink of death from hunger. How he was exposed to a lot of danger but was able to survive it all. He was grateful for the experience and all that he has learned. Thankful for the new places and things he saw and most especially all the people he got to meet and the friends he had.

  He then saw his father travelling to almost the same places but the scenery is more modern than the journey of Adam since he used several means of transportation and even flew most of the time using his angel. The places they went looks very similar. He believed it to be the enlightened cities from the similar landmarks even if the time and people are very different. Each enlightened city was well taken care of through the years keeping the same structures and important landmarks.

  Although, his father met more people and had more friends, Adam"s journey was very similar. At the end of their journey Adam may have achieved only a cherub while his father achieved four archangels but both had the same feel in them. Both were thankful of their journey and what they have learned.

  The scene changed again this time showing a boy he does not recognize but was cheered by the people around him shouting his name. His name was Paul Geo. Scenes changed showing how the boy grew up to be wise and good. Soon he became a guide of this enlightened city Sylva that William already saw from the scenes earlier.

  This Paul had two archangels and one angel as he took the role of being the guide. Unlike Adam and his father, Paul did not leave the city and stayed there all his life from birth to becoming a guide. He was loved by the people and he can see that he was a good guide like his Uncle John, as scenes changed to show how the community developed in his guidance. He soon had a wife and three sons who grew through the years to be as wise and good as their father. The eldest son had a daughter who grew to be a prodigy excelling in school and in relating with all the people.

  William recognized it was his mother when she was still young, for she was as vibrant and beautiful even at a young age. His mother younger than he is now was able to summon already an archangel and the sons of Paul decided that it should be her to succeed as the guide instead of them. His grandfather being the eldest of the three sons gave up all his rights to be the guide of Sylva and gave his support to her daughter Sarah. Paul was reluctant at first to break the tradition but he was proud also of his granddaughter and agreed on it. His mother grew to become a lady of grace and wisdom.

  Then the scene changed with Sarah now a lady declining her grandfather Paul"s request to become the next guide and decided to travel the world instead - to learn more things, meet
new people and see the other enlightened cities. It broke the heart of Paul and he cast her out of the city for not accepting her duty as the next guide. Her father and uncles were against it but nobody was able to change Paul"s decision as the guide. It broke her mother"s heart as well and left the place against her will in tears.

  The scene changed again to what seems to be another enlightened city called Igris and William saw his mother and father. This might have been their first meeting that Uncle John told him. He saw how both fell in love with each other. And from that moment all the scenes showed them together as they traveled to the other enlightened cities gaining their angels and archangels and finally settling down to live an ordinary life among the regular people in the visual world away from the enlightened cities. He saw the day he was born and how happy they were as tears rolled down his eyes seeing them so happy to have him.

  The scene faded as William fell to the floor again crying. He miss them so much that he never got to say sorry for being a brat when they decided to have the summer in the mountains than in the beach. He never got to say how much he loves them that they died even before he could hug them. How he wish he could see them one more time. How he wish they are beside him to help him in this trial.

  As darkness enveloped the whole area another scene appeared before him and he recognized it as Paul. He is filled with anger upon hearing the news of how his granddaughter neglecting her duty is now even living in the visual world. As days passed by William saw how anger consumed Paul that he started to destroy the city with his demands and orders.

  The three sons and the whole of Sylva was left with no other choice but to cast out Paul and his grandfather was forced to succeed as the next guide in the absence of his mother. He saw how Paul vowed to punish his mother, as he searched where they live and upon knowing where they live sent hired men to kill them. His parents were left with no other choice but to transfer from place to place. He never knew why they transferred much when he was still very young and now he knew the reason. He saw them live in Inchora when he has just a year old seeing his grandmother was sick. He then saw Paul being in Inchora asking for forgiveness to his mother and staying with them as he plans to kill them when the opportunity strikes. During the death of his grandmother came the opportunity and when Paul was about to kill his parents his uncle and grandfather was able to save them and Paul was banished out of Inchora.