A look of anguish visited Emok at the mention of ‘tainted’. But, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by something that had Michael tensing.
“You are the first of your kind,” Emok continued. “You are created in our image. No, in MY image, Michael! And just because I’ve become polarized does not mean I am ‘tainted’! You are not tainted! Luciel is not tainted! What you are, is SPECIAL! UNIQUE! THE VERY FIRST OF YOUR KIND!”
Emok spoke with aggression and a clenched fist. Michael tensed some more. He was afraid Emok was dangerously close to unleashing a fury that would be a danger to Celestia. Michael readied himself for a fight but maintained a façade of calm. He would rather defuse the situation before it escalated.
“So, are you saying that without your essence, I would not be the angel I am right now?” Michael asked as calmly as he could, despite the tension in his body.
“Exactly!” Emok replied.
“Well, that is where you are wrong, Emok!” Michael rebutted.
“Wrong?” Emok asked, feeling incredulous.
“You heard me!” Michael replied fiercely. “You may have given me a part of your ‘tainted’ essence, yes! I may have had an added advantage over the rest thanks to your ‘tainted’ essence. But that’s not what made me the angel I am. I am the angel I am because I worked for it. I trained hard, and I learned well. Your friends are great teachers, and we are great students. My brethren call me ‘leader’, and I assure you it’s not because of your ‘tainted’ essence!”
“I can see it taking over you already,” Emok chuckled derisively. “It’s already working its way into your very essence.”
“What do you mean?” Michael asked.
“It starts slowly at first,” Emok replied. “Never noticeable until it’s too late. And then, the arrogance, the sense of infallibility, and, my favorite, the rebellion. And you, dear spawn of mine, are the very epitome of rebellion.”
“The only one I am rebelling against is you, Emok,” Michael retorted. “You may be one of our makers. You may be of a higher dimension than this. You may be far more advanced than we are. But that certainly does not make you any better than we are. And if these are the scales you use to measure yourself and entertain your pride and give you a sense of being better than we are, then I am afraid YOU are the one who is rebelling, and YOU are the one who is corrupted not me!”
Emok’s eyes flared with a pitch-black glow as he glared at Michael. But Michael held his ground. This Shemsu was not going to bully him and if it came to it, he would take on this creature without thinking twice about it.
“How dare you speak to me as such?!” Emok exclaimed. “You dare speak against your creator like this? Do you not know I could render you extinct with the snap of my fingers?”
“And am I supposed to be afraid of your threat, creator?” Michael sneered. “I dare you! Do as you please, but rest assured, we are not going down without a fight. We are guardians, we are protectors. I am Michael, and I will give up my existence before I let harm befall my brethren or Celestia.”
And then, it happened. Michael leaped from his seat and, without knowing how he did it, he dismissed his wings and summoned them again. This time, his wings glowed brighter than his aura. He sparked the ethers into a sword and glared at Emok, daring Emok to do something stupid. Michael’s transformation caught the attention of every angel in the realm and they teleported at once towards Michael and rallied behind him. Innately, they knew this was not a drill. This was the real deal and they were as ready as they could be.
“Just say the word, Michael, and we will do what we do best!” Raphael said, and there was a chorus of affirmation from every angel as well.
To their utmost surprise, Emok rose to his feet and started applauding. He had a broad grin on his face, while every angel, including Michael, had a look of confusion on theirs.
“Excellent, Michael!” Emok said as he walked towards Michael and patted him several times on the shoulder. “Excellent!”
“What just happened?” Gabriel asked as Michael dismissed his wings and sword, much to every angel’s surprise.
“How did you do that, Michael?” Drusiliel shrieked in excitement.
“It was a test,” Uriel replied, trying to act cool in the face of everyone being distracted by Michael’s newfound ability. “For Michael and for us all.”
Every angel dismissed their weapons and some of them, like Raphael and Zukael, were disappointed. They really wanted a fight.
“I take it we passed then, huh,” Luciel chimed in, relieved to see that there would be no fighting after all.
“You all were outstanding,” Emok addressed everyone. “You rallied behind your leader and your leader was ready to defend you all and this realm, even if it meant going against me. He knew he did not stand a chance against me, and yet, he still stood his ground. Absolutely remarkable.”
“Return to training, everyone,” Michael ordered and teleported away with his brethren to continue training with them.
Emok did put up a good show. Michael was confident beyond a doubt that Emok was serious about destroying his home and exterminating his brethren. Be that as it may, Michael knew what he saw in Emok’s eyes was not a show. Not only could he see it, he could feel it. Emok had become heavily polarized, and it seemed as if Emok had already picked a side. In those eyes, Michael could see one thing only: darkness. And as Michael trained with Samael, he could not help but wonder if that would also be his outcome eventually.
Meanwhile, Obok and Lunok observed everything from a distance.
“Why did you not stop Emok?!” Obok asked in a telepathic, frantic tone of voice. “He really was going to destroy them all!”
“He intended to, but he would not have,” Lunok replied telepathically. “Emok cannot handle the five of us at once, and there would have been no haven in all of Creation for him had he gone through with it. He knows that, and that keeps him in check.”
“You gamble too much with Emok,” Obok rebutted. “I say we hand him immediately to The Council.”
“We will do that when our task is complete, Obok,” Lunok said firmly. “If we take Emok away now, it will instill fear into the hearts of these creatures. They will no longer see us as friends. They will see us as dominators, who can bring about their destruction at any moment. Right now, they have pledged their unwavering support for Michael. He is their guide and stronghold. It must remain that way for now.”
“I am glad you say ‘for now’,” Obok snorted.
“We still have to ascertain the levels of Michael’s and Luciel’s polarizations,” Lunok said. “But to do that, we must, first of all, see how The Council handles Emok. Emok is the reason for Michael’s and Luciel’s polarization, which may be different from the polarization of other creatures in other realms. The angels are still so young and can most likely be saved.”
“Are you saying that Emok cannot be saved?” Obok asked a question he already knew the answer to.
“What we need is a contingency plan, something we have never done before,” Lunok explained, choosing not to answer Lunok’s question.
“And this is where Uriel comes in,” Obok spoke almost cynically.
“Yes, this is where Uriel comes in,” Lunok replied.
“Your faith in her is mind-boggling, I must admit,” Obok mocked.
“My faith in her is the only thing that could prevent The Council from issuing an eradication order,” Lunok reminded Obok. “Unless that is what you prefer.”
Obok had to admit that Lunok was right. Lunok wanted to protect these creatures from the possibility of total eradication. It was not that an eradication order would look bad on the team’s repertoire. These creatures were his/her babies, and he/she had no intention of losing them to some order from The Council, just because two of the creatures were ‘defective’ and ‘stood a chance of polluting the rest of their kind’. Obok leaned back and closed his eyes, feeling grateful that Lunok had not lost his wisdom despite this unpl
anned turn of events with Emok, Michael, and Luciel.
“I am with you on Uriel,” Obok assured Lunok.
“I never had a doubt, brother,” Lunok replied.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
RIGHT OF PASSAGE
“ARE YOU READY for your next lesson, Michael?” Lunok asked.
“In what, Lunok?” Michael asked.
“The Spawn Sanctuary,” Lunok replied.
“I am,” Michael replied.
Michael stood up from his seat as it disappeared into the floor. Together, they teleported to the Spawn Sanctuary.
“Do you remember your first moments here, Michael?” Lunok asked.
“I remember,” Michael replied.
Angel and Shemsu stared at the Spawn Sanctuary in silence. Michael flexed his shoulders, summoned his wings and flapped them twice. He was still the only angel who could summon and dismiss his wings at will.
“I remember how confused and curious I was,” Michael said. “You were all staring and smiling at me. I didn’t know what to do. I knew innately that you all meant no harm and that helped a lot. Then Mashok walked over to me and touched my face.” Michael chuckled. “She could not contain her excitement.”
“Because she was the one who added the wings to your design,” Lunok said. “She was the one who made you as beautiful as you are right now.”
“I owe her more than just a ‘Thank you!’ then,” Michael said with a smile and turned to face the Spawn Sanctuary.
It was his first visit here since he was spawned and he was sure that no other angel had been here as well.
“So,” Lunok said firmly. “Do you know why we are here?”
Michael gave it some thought before eventually shaking his head.
“I do not,” Michael replied.
“As you already know, this is where you and your brethren are spawned,” Lunok said. “Right now, there are just a few thousand of you. Your numbers need to increase and significantly, too.”
Lunok used telekinesis to open the door to the sanctuary. He stepped inside and beckoned at Michael, who followed him inside the Spawn Sanctuary.
The sanctuary was a lot bigger on the inside than on the outside. The ceiling seemed to extend ad infinitum. It was the first time Michael paid any attention to the interior. He marveled at the architecture and design of the building. The sanctuary buzzed with a life of its own. As Michael looked on, the murals on the walls and columns moved and morphed around in mesmerizing patterns.
Lunok gave Michael an esoteric scan. Michael’s esoteric signature was syncing with that of the Spawn Sanctuary, sealing his position as supreme leader of the Realm of Celestia. Lunok was pleased and relieved. He did not want to go through the trouble of searching for another leader, given the fact that Michael’s essence bore a tinge of a tainted Shemsu’s essence.
“You seem to be at home in here,” Lunok said.
“It feels like home,” Michael agreed.
“Then I believe we made the right choice,” Lunok added. “Are you ready for your next big task?” He asked Michael.
“Yes, I am,” Michael replied.
“Follow me!” Lunok said and teleported away.
Michael followed Lunok’s teleportation trail and found himself in a separate chamber; the location of the Zarark. Michael felt the energy radiating from this inner chamber and was seized by a sense of awe and reverence. He stood there, thoughtless and motionless. He was grateful for the opportunity to be there. He relished in the silence, in the peace, in the energy, and in the life-force from the Zarark. Lunok observed, and Lunok was delighted.
“You will have to learn how to spawn your kind,” Lunok said. “Only you will be able to do this. In case you are no longer around, the sanctuary will select someone worthy of this duty.”
“I understand,” Michael affirmed.
“Good,” Lunok said. “Do not worry about designs. We have already created a design template and the Zarark has allowed us to upload this template into its essence. So all you will have to do is spawn as many of your brothers and sisters as you deem appropriate.”
“Thank you, Lunok,” Michael said.
Michael paused for a moment before turning around to face Lunok.
“Thank you for everything,” Michael added.
Michael had a feeling this was the final phase of his training, meaning Team ELOHIM was getting ready to leave. They, the angels, would be on their own.
“You do not have to thank me, Michael,” Lunok replied with a smile. “This is what we do. It has been a great honor working with you and your brethren.”
“I know,” Michael said. “But you, and your team, have trained us very well. On behalf of all the angels, I say again thank you so much for everything!”
Lunok noticed that Michael said ‘your team’. Very observant this one is, Lunok thought. He nodded, and both creatures clasped forearms.
“Well, our work here is done, and we will be returning to our realm soon,” Lunok said. “The Realm of Celestia is now in your hands, Michael. I trust you, and your future team, will take great care of your realm and look out for the rest of Lemuria.”
“With our very existences!” Michael replied with confidence.
“Excellent!” Lunok said. “And now, we return to the fold.”
They teleported back to the main podium and found, to Michael’s surprise, that the angels had gathered together on the lower section of the main podium while the rest of Team ELOHIM stayed at the top of the portion. When Lunok and Michael appeared, there was loud cheering from the angels and smiles from Team ELOHIM. Michael was pleasantly surprised, but Lunok already knew this was waiting for him. As the angels cheered on, Hikok addressed Michael.
“Are you ready for your rights of passage?” Hikok asked.
“Rights of what?” Michael asked, not knowing what Hikok meant by that.
“Passage, Michael,” Hikok replied. “Your graduation ceremony!”
“Oh,” Michael grinned. “Yes, I am. We are all graduating, right?” he asked.
“Indeed,” Hikok replied. “Lunok,” Hikok gestured towards Lunok. “If you do not mind.”
“Thank you, Hikok,” Lunok said and stepped forward to begin his speech.
“As you may know already,” he began, “our task in the Realm of Celestia, is complete. And, as such, we must leave.”
There were scattered murmurs of sadness across the fold, as was expected. During their stay, the team had bonded with the angels, and they had formed wonderful relationships with one another. The angels were aware their makers would be leaving them eventually, but that did not stop them from becoming attached to their makers. Team ELOHIM, on the other hand, had not become attached. They were too accustomed to similar situations to become attached. So leaving was never a hard thing for them. Occasionally, they would go back and visit some of their assignments; but only with The Council’s blessing. The Realm of Celestia and the angels were one of their finest works yet, and Team ELOHIM was very proud of their achievement.
“I understand the sadness, but I assure you it is for the better. If we stay, we will hamper your growth and evolution and your realm may lose its purity. Even though we leave you to your realm, we leave with the confidence and peace of mind that you are more than capable of taking care of yourselves. We have given you the best we can give, that is commensurate with this dimension. You are the best there is in your dimension, and other dimensions will benefit greatly from you and your service.”
Lunok then turned and gestured towards Michael.
“To my right,” Lunok continued, “is your leader extraordinaire!”
There was loud cheering from every angel. Michael smiled as he waved back at them. He caught Uriel’s eye in the crowd, and she winked at him. Standing next to Uriel was Luciel, and she blew Michael a kiss. Michael winked and blew a kiss back in both their directions. He could have sworn he heard Luciel giggle above the thunderous cheering from his brethren. She was so cute, which was not surprising. Lo
ve would do that to most angels.
“Yes, indeed,” Lunok continued and the cheering died down. “Michael is a most remarkable leader. I trust that under his leadership, and most of all with your support, the Realm of Celestia will only become stronger, better and more evolved as the cycles come and go! I strongly urge you all to work with him and stand by him as he will do the same for you!”
“I PLEDGE MY EXISTENCE TO THAT!” an angel called out.
“Me too!” said another.
“You can count on me, Michael!” another angel chimed.
Other angels followed and this continued until all the angels started chanting ‘I PLEDGE! I PLEDGE! I PLEDGE!’ in unison. Michael was overwhelmed with pride and honor. Lunok raised his hand, and the chanting gradually died down. He then turned towards Michael.
“Michael?” Lunok said.
“Yes, Lunok,” Michael replied.
“Do you have anything to say?” Lunok asked.
Michael nodded and stepped forward. The cheering resumed and took a new crescendo. Michael let it ride for a moment before raising his right hand in the air. Silence swept through the crowd.
“Brothers and sisters!” Michael began. “Makers and friends!” he added as he addressed Team ELOHIM. “Thank you all for this moment.”
He paused for a moment. The brief silence was as intense as it was powerful.
“This is a moment of happiness and sadness for us all, for obvious reasons,” Michael said. “But we are grateful for this moment because, in this moment, we realize how far we have come, how great our makers have been to us, and how much further we can take ourselves, Celestia and all the realms in Lemuria. In this moment, we are going through our rights of passage. It is a great milestone and we will use this milestone to propel ourselves to even greater milestones.”
There was thunderous applause from the angels and the Shemsu.
“We are guardians!” Michael continued. “Protectors! Safe-keepers! But our numbers are small. As such, our next logical move will be to increase our numbers significantly and come up with a plan to transfer unto our younglings the very lessons that our makers and friends have imparted unto us. We will design a system through which we will maintain order and harmony amongst ourselves. We’ll develop strategies that will enable us to execute our purpose unconditionally and without prejudice.”
Celestial Crisis Page 9
