Divine Hope

by Jo O'Neil

  Chapter Twenty Five

  The Battle

  I didn’t get the opportunity to ask any more questions before God unceremoniously catapulted me from heaven back to Mr. Harpers study; although I must say my return journey was nowhere as frightening or painful as my outward bound trip via the abyss.

  It was quite surreal though, as everything was exactly as I had left it, including pre-abyss me who was sitting opposite Molly, whereas post-abyss me was standing by the furthest window from the door observing the conversation taking place between Molly and pre-abyss me. I was just trying to decide how to realign my-selves when the commotion I had heard in the garden prior to my abyss adventure erupted at the same time Mr. Harper entered. I took this as my cue to depart.

  As I vanished into my magenta orb in supersonic time, my two-selves flawlessly merged with each other somewhere between the study and the garden.

  The raised voices were coming from four armed MI6 operatives, unmistakably so given their classically black suited uniforms and crisp white shirts. They were closing in on Ryan who had dodged between the large conifer trees which dressed the outskirts of the Harpers rear garden. With their guns pointed threateningly in Ryan’s direction, I intuitively sensed the agent’s decision to open fire, at what they perceived to be their rogue colleague, hung delicately in the balance.

  God had warned me I needed to intervene in order to save Ryan.

  Blessed with the ability to invent my best ideas while under pressure, a resource I called on frequently during the many court appearances I preformed in front of judges and life-altering-decision-jury-makers, I calmly dematerialised behind the enemy and assertively stated, ‘The traitor went this way.’

  The operatives swung around as I pointed with a white cuffed, black suited arm to the evergreen maze which sat in the centre of the immaculately kept, award winning, designed garden. Without flinching, I glanced downwards and inwardly delighted at Archangel Jophiel’s ingeniousness; although this emotion would not have been read by my four male contemporaries. Mirroring the same attire as the faces I now held captive, I started to run towards my decoy, confident the foe would follow me.

  ‘He must have doubled back on us,’ one of them shouted as four pairs of feet thundered after me on the carefully manicured lawn.

  As soon as I entered the shelter of the labyrinth I orbed straight to Ryan. Dressed in the clothes I was wearing when he scaled the Harpers garden wall, I grabbed Ryan’s arm and didn’t let go until I had pulled him to safety on the other side of the wall at our rendezvous spot. My luck held as Hope was already pacing the pavement as she waited for Ryan and me to return.

  ‘It’s absolute lunacy,’ she ranted. ‘I didn’t dare allow myself to be seen. Have you seen the gun power those suits have pointed at my parents?’ She didn’t stop to draw breath. ‘It’s an outrage. Who do they think they are? Naturally, Daddy will sue for false imprisonment. Poor Mummy . . .’

  ‘Hope!’ I grabbed her upper arms and shook her into submission. ‘We need to get out of here. It’s the only way to rescue your parents, Hope.’

  She considered what I had said. Then addressing me in a much calmer voice she asked. ‘You have a plan?’

  ‘God is directing me. We need to get out of here now and preferably fast.’ I huffed. ‘If only I had taken my car keys from Molly we could have made our escape in my Merc which is at the front gate.’

  ‘We don’t need keys; I’ll hot wire your car,’ Ryan informed me as he turned on his heels and raced towards the entrance.

  ‘Do you know what you’re doing? Don’t you dare damage my car,’ I warned as I fled after him. ‘I wish Molly was here.’

  I directed my plea to heaven as I stopped inches from Ryan whose face communicated he meant business. Even though it was broad daylight, a star twinkled brilliantly down and reflected off the high black gates which pulled my gaze to the figure ambling down the drive, swinging a briefcase in hand. My spirits soared as I realised it was Molly.

  ‘Hold it, Ryan,’ I shouted. ‘Molly’s on her way back.’

  He frozen just before he was able to jam some device he had on his person between my driver’s side front window and the door panel while I pounced on a confused looking Molly as she walked through the gates. Immediately, I commandeered my keys only to have Ryan confiscate them directly out of my hand as I opened my driver’s door.

  With an assertive calmness that warned me not to argue he instructed, ‘I’ll drive.’

  I darted to the other side of my car and pushed Hope into the back seat so I could take my place next to Ryan. Before I had the chance, Molly shouted, ‘Hey wait for me.’

  ‘It’s too dangerous, Molly.’ I looked at her with genuine concern. ‘I’m so very sorry. I can’t allow you to come because I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you.’

  ‘Serena, if you think I’m going to leave you in danger and not attempt to help, think again. That’s not what friends do and you know it.’

  I gave her a suspicious look.

  ‘If our positions were reversed, Serena, there’s no way you would leave me to face evil alone.’

  I reflected on her words. Pushing the front passenger seat forward once again, I commanded, ‘OK, get in quickly, Molls.’

  Ryan sped away before MI6 realised our escape tactic and had the opportunity to tail us, as I fed our destination into my inbuilt car satellite navigation system.

  ‘Where are we going?’ Ryan asked.

  I didn’t directly answer him as I was still miffed he’d ripped my car keys from my grasp. Instead I turned to Hope.

  ‘Hope, please send a text to Caldwell Hart telling him to meet us with his brothers and his grandfather at Stonehenge directly once they have landed.’

  She nodded her compliance, although she paused before she hit the first key as my words registered with her.

  ‘Caldwell’s grandfather is dead, Serena. I’ve seen his portrait hanging with the other important past MI6 Leaders in the headquarters boardroom.’

  ‘Hope, please just send the text. I promise once we are within the sanctuary of the stones I will explain everything.’

  Traffic had been heavy, and thus slow in London; although we made up time on open country roads and arrived at Stonehenge a respectable two hours after leaving Hope’s parents’ house.

  We had an hour to spare before the busy tourist attraction closed for the evening, which gave me ample opportunity to enlighten my three travel companions on God’s plan. I chose a spot where the stones were visible. Sitting down with my charges, I blindly put my faith in God that I would find the right words to apologise to Hope and Ryan and ask not only for their forgiveness, but their retrospective permission to tell Molly everything.

  I took a deep breath, braced myself, and began.

  ‘Ryan, I owe you an apology. I also owe you one, Hope.’

  Neither spoke so I continued.

  ‘Ryan, without first asking for your consent I told Molly about your predicament.’

  His eyes, which were more rested than when I had first met him, showed wariness; although he didn’t interrupt me so I carried on.

  ‘I would trust Molly with my life.’

  ‘Thank you, Serena,’ my friend responded as she placed her hand on my forearm.

  I turned to smile at her before returning to lock gazes with Ryan. ‘Still, I shouldn’t have disclosed your story without first checking you were OK with me doing so, or not as the case maybe. Hope, the same is true for you.’

  ‘WHAT! You told Molly, office-gossip-extraordinaire my secret?! SERENA! Only two people outside of the British Secret Service knew, and I wasn’t concerned at their discretion since my parents have been privy to, and have protected my secret my entire life. I wasn’t even at all anxious at confiding in the Metropolitan Police or the British Secret Service, in which I include Ryan, even given his unfortunate circumstance, since they are bound by a code of confidentiality. But,
I wasn’t banking on your betrayal. You’re a servant of God’s, for goodness sakes. How dare you break my trust?’ she ranted in her disappointed fury.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Hope.’

  ‘Hope,’ Molly interceded. ‘I don’t know if this helps any, but I promise not to breathe a word.’

  Hope shot her an unconvinced look.

  ‘I know I have a reputation as a blabber mouth. Rightly or wrongly I only gossip about trivia. As my best friend, Serena knows if she confines in me I will not break her trust,’ Molly finished.

  ‘It’s true,’ I looked from Hope to Ryan. ‘Molly is an office gossip, but she has never betrayed a confidence when I’ve told her the importance of keeping it secret, and I’ve never stressed a confidence must be kept as I did when I trusted Molly with your clandestine affairs. I know that doesn’t alter the fact I’ve been disloyal to you both, and I’ve no right to ask you to trust me. But trust me you must. Otherwise, I don’t see how we can defeat the evil which as I speak is on its way here to meet us and return you both to your rightful lives.’ I spoke with as much sincerity as I could muster. As I finished, I tentatively viewed their expressions trying to read which way they would react.

  Ryan was the first to speak. As he uttered his first syllable, I prayed I was going to like what he said.

  ‘If you trust Molly, Serena, then that endorsement is good enough for me.’

  ‘Thank you, Ryan,’ I said with relief, although I still held my breath as I awaited Hope’s decision. She made me wait longer than I would have liked.

  After weighing everything up she answered, ‘I still don’t like it. But I reason I shouldn’t have expected loyalty given our history, Serena, and I suppose I really don’t have a choice in trusting you. But, Molly,’ she turned to directly face her. ‘If you ever breathe a word . . .

  ‘I won’t, Hope. I promise.’

  ‘Now, Serena, it’s time you told us exactly what is going on,’ Hope demanded in the same defensive tone she’d chastised me with.

  ‘The Hart brothers’ dead grandfather is somehow tangled up with the Devil. His link to our world is through his portrait.’

  Hope gasped at this news, and then with a degree of hyperactivity she bellowed, ‘The package on the flight over to New York . . .’

  ‘Yes, that was Cain Caldwell Fagan Hart’s portrait, Hope. He comes and goes through this portal as he pleases, infecting our world with Lucifer’s poisonous orders which he instructs his grandsons to carry out. This can’t be allowed to continue. For that reason, God has entrusted me to defeat them, although as of yet I don’t know how he expects me to achieve this.

  ‘I should have already given you this option, my only defense is I somehow feel it’s important you’re all here to help me defeat the evil that awaits us. Nevertheless, if you think it is too dangerous and you would rather bail, now is the time to do so,’ I said moderately matter-of-factly.

  ‘Not a chance. I’m in this with you, Serena, to the very end, regardless of the consequences. The Devil doesn’t frighten me,’ Molly expressed exuberantly.

  Ryan laughed and said, ‘Molly, I couldn’t have put that any better. Count me in too, Serena.’

  That just left Hope, who all eyes were on.

  ‘If the only way to free my parents is to defeat the Devil, so be it. I’m not leaving until I know they are safe.’

  With the confessions dealt with, everyone informed and the last visitor gone from the spiritual site, the time had come for us to put God’s plan into action. The four of us stole into the ancient stone circle where I was Divinely directed to reach into the pockets of the robe God had blessed me with, which I had unwittingly changed back into, although oddly I wore it over my jeans and my magenta Archangel Jophiel designed shirt instead of my white angelic gown. I pulled out a crystal of brilliant translucent white. As I held it up to marvel at its beauty, an angel much larger than the Archangels I had encountered appeared to us.

  ‘I am Seraphina, the angel who protects the sacred teachings of Stonehenge. You have invited evil to my domain, Serena Olivia Unity Lewis, an act I would normally deny. However, our loving Father consents to this match between good and evil, and He has requested I support you in the triumphant that must be yours, for if you fail mankind will follow.’

  Hope and Molly both took a sharp in-breath at this knowledge I had inadvertently kept from my charges. If Ryan was affected, he did a good job at concealing it. As for me; it wasn’t as if I was becoming dispassionate at the news. It’s just I had heard the survival of mankind rested on my shoulders so many times, I was accustomed to the enormity and responsibility of the task.

  ‘Thank you, Seraphina,’ I said as I bowed to our hostess.

  My two female companions stood gawping at the blonde, long haired goddess who floated around the stones as she completed an entire lap of the circle with a grace which defied her immense statue. The white satin robes she wore fluttered lazily around her in the gentle breeze which refreshed the blue and sarsen stones.

  As Seraphina once again settled directly in front of me she imparted her knowledge of the crystal I had pulled out of my cloak.

  ‘You hold in your hand selenite. The selenite crystal helps one clearly connect with the Divine by opening and clearing the seventh chakra known as the crown chakra.

  ‘When the crown chakra is balanced, one understands the complexities of God’s Universe, yet these intricacies become simplified and thus less daunting.

  ‘When one is in contact with selenite, conscious awareness of one’s inner truth is apparent, and one knows for maybe the first time in one’s human existence that one is not truly mind or body but pure spiritual essence created lovingly by God Almighty. This gives meaning to the human experience and reminds the soul of the service it came to earth to deliver to enhance its growth and bath God in love; for there is nothing more the Almighty loves than when a spirit is joyously serving another, for the benefits to the Universe are immeasurable.

  ‘Selenite is a gift from God and so too is the promise of the immense power it bestows on the righteousness.’

  Molly, a chakra believer and a crystal convert soaked up Seraphina’s words. When the guardian of Stonehenge had finished imparting her wisdom to us, Molly tentatively asked, ‘Is it OK if I hold the selenite?’ She timidly looked from Seraphina to me with expectancy on her face.

  ‘There is no need for you to touch the selenite, Molly, for Serena will enclose you all in a selenite grid of protection. In selenites loving embrace you will feel all that God has promised.’

  ‘I will,’ I said at the same time Molly delighted, ‘You know my name.’

  ‘God knows all of His children, Molly, and He was truly gracious to pass on this knowledge to me so that I could identify you.’ Turning to address me, Seraphina said, ‘Serena, look in your cloak. In total you will find four groups of four selenite wands, times four.’

  I did as I was instructed.

  ‘You need to use the crystal wands to form a grid of Divine protection. Four is the angelic number and incorporates the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit connected with the Angels. If you place the selenite crystals on the ground, point to point, Mother Earth will further energise them adding to their already colossal strength. Once the crystal grid is in place, we will combine our individual power by sealing the grid with a prayer.

  ‘Selenite is truly a force to be reckoned with, especially so when placed in the magical circle which forms this ancient site of Stonehenge, so the four of you will be more than well placed to challenge Lucifer.’

  ‘Lucky I came along after all,’ Molly informed us with renewed confidence. When no one asked her to explain further, she cued herself. ‘Why would I conclude such a thing you might wonder? Well obviously my presence brings our number to four. Didn’t you hear, Seraphina?’ Molly looked at the imposing angel, waiting to be corrected if she’d misunderstood. ‘Four is a Godly number.’

  ‘So it is, Molly. W
e are most honoured you’ve accompanied us. Now, help me with this grid, would you?’ I cosseted her.

  With Seraphina’s guidance, Ryan, Hope, Molly, and I worked together to carefully position the crystals to form a grid.

  ‘Perfect,’ Seraphina praised us. Please stand in the middle of the grid, form a circle by linking hands, and repeat meaningfully after me, “We thank you, Lord for bestowing your Divine protection on the selenite grid and blessing us with a selenite shield when we stand among the crystals. Thank you for allowing the love and peace within this holy area to penetrate all those who seek its refuge. Within this ancient monument we honour your work and seek compassion for those who are not able to see your shining light. Amen.”’

  As we spoke the profound words of the prayer, my honorary angelic halo emitted my magenta aura which connected with Seraphina’s white glow to immerse the selenite grid, and all who resided within, in a pink blanket of hope, peace, and love. When the prayer was finished silence fell, although my aura remained powerful, so much so it sent us all into a meditative trance. Somewhere within the daydream we had all entered Seraphina bid us farewell.

  We were kept safe and protected in the trance until dawn, when the first rays of the sun shone brightly on to the prehistoric stones breaking the spell. I rose to my feet, my aura still flooding the selenite grid, and directed my three warriors to do the same.

  ‘It is time,’ I told them. ‘The Harts will be entering Stonehenge imminently. No matter what happens you must stay within the power of the grid, and you must stay sheltered behind me.’

  Ryan began to protest.

  Holding up a firm hand to signal for him to stop I said, ‘Ryan, I understand you and your family vowed to protect me. You’ve fulfilled your obligation. Now, please allow God to protect you through me.’

  He nodded his compliance and fell back into line.

  We waited for the Harts. I even visualised them walking into the circle accompanied by Lucifer himself. Imagines of horns, a red long spiky tail, and a pitch folk in long fingernail hands plagued me, but still I held my position and anticipated my fate with the knowledge that I had God Almighty watching my back.

  The first we knew of their arrival was the shock which replicated an earthquake wave as it vibrated through the ground. My eyes, which shot to the stones that had stood centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ, half expected to see the ancient monument cracked and tumbling, but it remained firmly unaffected. And then I saw the cause of the tremors; flying out of the copse of trees which lay to the south of our position was a red dragon. Four unevenly proportioned heads, each with two terrifying jet black horns, merged into one thickset body, complete with a very long, thick, spiky tail.

  ‘Have courage, Serena,’ A.M.’s saintly voice reverberated in my head as the dragon circled us overhead.

  ‘I will,’ I silently answered.

  ‘Dragons are not impossible to defeat. Remember I successfully fought Lucifer when he turned into dragon form,’ A.M. tried to sooth me.

  I didn’t find A.M.’s words as comforting as I’m sure he’d meant them to be, after all, I could hardly compare myself to God’s warrior. However, as the monster landed in the circle of Stonehenge and the selenite grid shot a warning spark of white light beyond my magenta aura to keep the dragon from advancing forward, my faith was strengthen which allowed me to turn my attention to the ordeal that faced me.

  The creature looked momentarily stunned at the audacity of the selenite’s attack.

  Regaining full composure, the largest of the four heads locked gazes with me and boomed in Mr. Hart seniors voice, ‘Serena Olivia Unity Lewis, I see we underestimated God’s purpose for you.’

  For a fleeting moment I was dazed.

  Shaking myself back to full awareness, only to struggle to keep my composure as I registered the recognisable features of the Hart brothers in the other three dragon heads, I somehow managed to calmly, yet with authority, respond, ‘In the fairness of honest disclosure, I think it is only right I inform you, I’m surprised at the hold Lucifer has over the Hart family, particularly you, Fagan.’ I looked directly into the burning orange eyes of the smallest head and noted an almost abashed expression. My allies kept stony silence behind me, although I could imagine the disbelief they must be experiencing.

  ‘You must know this fight is futile, Ms. Lewis,’ Mr. Hart senior spoke again. ‘Lucifer is not in the business of losing. However, he can be merciful. Surrender yourself and Scott and we will let the other two go.’

  ‘And I, Mr. Hart, am not in the business of negotiating with neither the Devil, nor his henchmen, so I thank you for your offer, but the answer is a resounding, NO.’

  Fury flickered across the red face.

  ‘Then you must reap the consequences,’ Mr Hart roared as fire shot from his flaring nostrils.

  Hope and Molly both screamed, unnecessarily as it so happened as the flames didn’t touch us. Instead they hit the wall my magenta aura had formed at the crystal grid boundary and rebounded, scorching the scaly forehead of their initiator along with further sparks from the selenite crystal wands. Mr. Hart roared in potentially both anger and pain, but refrained from shooting any further fireballs our way.

  ‘Now, I do believe it’s my move, Mr. Hart.’

  Without the slightest flicker in my aura, I removed the mediation scroll Archangel Raguel had given me, remembering the Archangel had said I would need to “counsel a colleague in crisis”, which I had done when I read Hope the counselling scroll, and “mediate to protect mankind.”

  Believing the mediation scroll was for Fagan Hart, I looked into the confused eyes of the youngest Hart while I read verbatim, ‘“God, the Creator of all that is, all that has ever been before, and all that will ever be, loves you, Fagan Hart. You are a holy child of God, Fagan Hart, and as such you have God’s ability to be loving and merciful, for our Father knows no bounds to His love and His mercy. God promises you, if you live your life in love and mercy regardless of the actions of others, you will be rewarded on earth and in heaven, Fagan Hart.”’

  Mr. Hart senior snorted.

  Unperturbed I said, ‘I haven’t finished. Caldwell and Cain, the same is so for you. God loves you and He will forgive your past transgressions if you renounce Lucifer,’ I said for good measure.

  Then to ensure I covered all bases, I fished three of the laminated, handy pocket size leaflets from my cloak and flung them with pinpoint accuracy so they landed directly in front of the brothers. With bated breath I waited for their response.

  Although it felt like much longer, it was actually only a matter of seconds before the relatively small dragon head burst into a puff of smoke and threw out the human body of Fagan Hart.

  ‘I’m sorry, Grandfather. I’ve chosen to follow God. I’ve had enough of the dark side. If the truth be told I never wanted to follow Lucifer in the first place. I only did it to try and make you proud of me. I now accept no matter what I do you will never be proud of my accomplishments,’ the smart suited figure of Fagan Hart spoke as the now three headed dragon towered over him.

  ‘Proud of you! Why you sniveling little mummy’s boy,’ Mr. Hart sneered.

  But before he could throw any further disparages in his youngest grandson’s direction, Fagan roared as loud as any dragon, ‘DON’T YOU DARE BRING MY MOTHER INTO THIS!!!’

  ‘I will do as I dam well please, and I will not have anyone, least of all a sniveling little mummy’s boy, dictate my behaviour,’ Mr. Hart retorted superiorly.

  In a tyrannical rage Fagan drew his standard issue MI6 firearm from the holster which was concealed under his jacket, all the while shouting, ‘I TOLD YOU, DO NOT BRING MY MOTHER . . .’

  But before he could finish his sentence, his grandfather plunged his head low to attack Fagan.

  I screamed for Fagan to join the safety of our grid, confident the selenite would admit him after he’d relinquished his evil ways. As I stood firm, unwilling to break my
aura which was adding its protection to the three in my charge, I witnessed firsthand the power of God’s love.

  Archangel Raguel had told me God had created every soul on the foundation of the counselling and mediation scrolls, therefore, the soul would remember even if the human mind was not ready to hear the loving messages of the scrolls. Yet in spite of my faith, which had been magnified during my honorary angelic experience, I wasn’t expecting what happened next.

  Cain and Caldwell, unwilling to allow their grandfather to barbeque their younger brother, pulled backwards, initiating the involuntary rise of Mr. Hart’s dragon head just as a blaze of fire poured out from his nostrils. The inferno, which was intended for Fagan, ricocheted off my aura back to its origin. Due to the ferocity of Mr. Hart’s attack, the flames, together with a firework display the selenite grid had conjured in retaliation, engulfed the dragon in a fire fit for hell.

  Blood curdling screams erupted before Seraphina swept in and banished the flames that threatened Stonehenge with a beat of her huge, and therefore, powerful wings. Fagan, who had ignored my offer of sanctuary, and who had dived to retrieve one of the laminated copies of the mediation scroll, was swept upwards into one of the stones that completed Stonehenge by the gale force wind created by Seraphina’s wing beat. He bounced off the boulder like a rubber ball and landed at its base in a motionless crumpled heap with the copy of the scroll in his hand. In front of him lay the charred bodies of his two brothers and that of his grandfather.

  Having fulfilled her quest to keep Stonehenge safe, Seraphina vanished once more. As I hesitated on whether to break our grid and go to aid Fagan, Archangel Azrael appeared in a beam of white light. He collected the three Hart brothers leaving their grandfather to the black hooded figure that manifested from the ground, as if by some invisible underground lift. With their respective souls, Archangel Azrael orbed heaven bound, whereas Mr. Hart seniors being of death headed back down to hell, and I guessed a rather furious Lucifer.