Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess (The Michael Archives Book 1)

by Robinson, C. E.

  “Please. I need to hear some good news right about now.”

  “Yes, that’s an authentic feeling. The walls are closing in. The time has finally come for judgemen...”

  Josephine jumped to her feet. “That’s it! That’s what I saw. I bet that’s who Uncle Karl is.”

  Collin stood with her. “What’s it? Who’s Uncle Karl?”

  “And it was her. I knew that must be Raphael landing on the Sea of Glass — I could just feel it.”

  She turned to Collin, green eyes twinkling. “I was pretty distressed after I figured out what I had done to you. So, I meditated upon the Sea of Glass, to see if Gabriel could show me some Truth weaving through this mess. I saw an Angel land on Edentia’s Sea of Glass.

  “Thousands of Angels land there all the time, so it was strange I was attracted to this particular one. But I could feel her heart the moment her feet touched the ground. She was so intense, so powerful and at the same time, she was deeply troubled. It’s quite unusual for a cool customer like Raphael to be troubled about anything, so I initially dismissed her identity, and figured she was just another assassin sent from Havona to whack some nightmare.

  “I figured she was carrying some really, really bizarre planet-slayer. It was clear to me this bizarre thing was the reason she was so troubled. Planet-slayers can be quite remarkable instruments — much more precise than Fire Coins. So, I wanted to take a good look at it. For all I knew, Uncle Josh and El Elyon had decided to wipe out Eden altogether, meaning Uncle Josh would have to perform the majority of his bestowals elsewhere. There has been a lot of talk about Urantia lately.

  “But when I tuned into it, I felt like I was going loony. It made no sense. I’d never seen anything like it. The more I tried to look at the thing in her backpack, the more disturbing it became — like if I continued to contemplate it, it would spin me into a real insanity. Usually. No, no, not usually. Always.” She waved her arms excitedly. “Even if I can’t see what someone is carrying, even if it’s just a blank slate because of the tight weave of their Nakshatric Blanket, it at least makes sense. But this thing was so…”

  “Here, have some more of this,” Collin said, handing her the bottle of wine. She took another big swig and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand the same way a tough-guy like Vegu-Aniel Odinero would have taken a hit off a bottle.

  “I have no idea how to even describe this thing.” Josephine gave her stomach a couple of pats and let out a solid belch. “My intellect couldn’t focus on it for more than a few seconds. It felt like my mind would break apart. So, I stopped looking with my mind and just felt it for a second. And suddenly it felt very familiar. Kind of like an old play toy that I’d misplaced. It left me feeling sad for the loss. Then I heard the name ‘Uncle Karl’ — like that made any sense.”

  Josephine plopped down. “Well, at least I am pretty sure of one thing.”

  Collin sat down in front of her. She handed him the bottle, and he took a big gulp. “And what’s that one thing? Or dare I ask?”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s her, Raphael. I can just feel she’s on her way here — flying fast, like a wicked witch from the north. And whatever Uncle Karl is, she’s bringing it to Eden. I just know it.” When she discovers what I’ve just done, she’s gonna take my head off.

  “And that’s why the walls are closing in faster now. There’s something my dad told me while we were still on Ninveth — long before he asked me if I wanted to get involved with the Smigyl thing. He told me he was considering coming to Satania ahead of Uncle Josh. Like any good child, I’m pretty good at reading my parents. I could feel he was so angry, he was about to burst.”

  “So what does this mean?”

  “Well, at this point it’s just speculation, because it still makes no sense, except that my dad, King Ayasia, has been known to occasionally do some really radical things, just to jack-around with the Overlords, if nothing else.”

  “Please, speculate.”

  “Either my dad sent Uncle Karl, or more twisted and bizarre yet, he is Uncle Karl. And he has the assassin of Havona, the Archangel Raphael, bringing him to Eden.”

  Chapter 51

  Remembering Heaven

  Everyone who now lives on planet Urantia has been embedded in this ugly war for thousands of years. So don’t get the wrong idea. There really is a heaven. And it really is more wonderful than you can imagine. Unfortunately, for many of you, there is also a Hell. And it really is more horrible than you can imagine.

  —Goddess Dorothy

  The Celestial Waters of the Master Spirit, within the Thicypher realm en route from Uversa to Edentia

  The Archangel Raphael continued to fall through space, through the vast open realm between Uversa, the capital city of the Super Universe Orvonton and the Local Universe known as Nebadon.

  It had been only two days before her departure from Uversa that she learned the exact location and nature of her mission. She had to keep reminding herself that El Elyon was the mission’s ultimate author, acting through King Joshua. For Raphael, nothing more need be said.

  Her thoughts wandered back to her arrival on Orvonton, the equivalent of five Oceania L2 years before the wedding.

  Truthfully, the first few days were a little awkward. She had never met the happy couple in question, though she knew the parents of the bride and some of her siblings quite well. During the buildup to most weddings, guests would share stories about the bride and groom. Raphael had no such stories to tell and considering the happy event, no one would have been particularly interested in Raphael’s stories about covert missions to some distant system of planets where she chopped the head off some Nephilim slated for assassination.

  But Raphael was good at building things and was glad when the heavy construction projects began. She spent her time holding up samples of fabric for others to examine, steadying ladders, retrieving tools, hammering nails, and running errands. She stayed far away from decorating since that was not her forte.

  She really came to enjoy herself, and as the years flew past, she renewed old relationships and made numerous new friends. She spent most of her time with Goddess Dorothy.

  On the final days leading up to the wedding, as more and more guests arrived, she secretly hoped the party would never end.

  When the Creator Son transport craft arrived in perfect silence, no one had any difficulty hearing the herald’s announcement. “Announcing the arrival of the Divine Twins of Nebadon, King Joshua and Queen Magdalene. The parents of the bride.” The sound roared forth from the Bull of Heaven himself. Raphael recognized that booming voice immediately. It was her friend Mac, Machiventa Melchizedek.

  Now, I’ll really have some fun, she thought as she stretched on her tiptoes to see Mac jump down from the driver’s seat, a broad grin plastered across his face. The pavement rumbled when his massive, dark green body hit the ground.

  Raphael swiftly made her way through the throng of individuals lining the glistening, multi-colored carpet that led from the landing platform to the receiving hall. It was one of the advantages of having so many billions of years of training as an assassin — she could slip through crowds without anyone noticing. By the time she reached the front, Mac was already opening the hatch to the magnificent Creator Son transport craft.

  “King Joshua and Princess Salenia,” Machiventa boomed. King Joshua stepped forward with his daughter on his left arm. Raphael scanned the jubilant crowd — Seraphim, Artisans, Melchizedeks, Gods, and Goddesses — all found a respectful knee.

  Joshua glowed with a golden Celestial Radiance so bright that many had to avert their gaze. But Raphael could not look away. He wore a simple crown and plain, neutral-colored raiment — nothing like the massive golden jewel-encrusted headdresses and elaborate robes Lakshmi or Smigyl wore.

  Even with his simplicity, Raphael thought he was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. Raphael had been through Nebadon numerous times, but the last time she had seen King Joshua personally was after t
he Chicxulub Fiasco. That had been a real genetic disaster from which Urantia had yet to recover. According to the Life Carriers, Urantia would never fully recover.

  After the fiasco, none of Nebadon’s royal family was very pleased with her. Even Sipheria had refused to see her afterward. Only Mac gave her any comfort, primarily because anything that upset Smigyl was fine with him.

  At the time of the Chicxulub Fiasco, Raphael had just won her fourth star but worked undercover on Urantia, displaying the rank of a simple Seraphim. Now she wore a fifth star and was a full Supernaphim, the highest rank within the Seraphic Choir — the very definition of what an Archangel was supposed to be.

  With the additional clarity that each progression in rank brought, she saw ever deeper into the Celestial and Morontial Realms. The more closely she looked at King Joshua, the Michael Son of Nebadon, the more she realized just how perfect he really was.

  Joshua beamed a light-hearted, fatherly smile as he escorted his daughter, Salenia. Salenia was giddy with bliss, waving to friend after friend as she bounced along, occasionally letting go of her father’s arm to pull a dear girlfriend from her knee to give her a big hug and kiss.

  King Joshua glided along the carpet giving gentle, polite, subtle nods to various individuals he recognized. When his gaze blanketed Raphael, she felt just like a Silly Little Seraphif with a crush, her heart stopping in mid-beat. She remembered why he was called The King of the Angels — that one Creator Son whose heart was so perfect that all Angels loved him instantly. He gave a courteous nod and a smile — well, at least Raphael hoped it was a smile for her — at least it was not a frown.

  “Queen Magdalene and Gabriel. The Mother Spirit of Nebadon and our Bright Morning Star.”

  By the time Raphael pried her eyes from Joshua, she came back to reality and remembered that he already had a wife. Raphael turned to see that wonderful woman and their eldest son walking down the reception carpet. Gabriel was looking straight ahead, wearing a relaxed smile, glancing neither right nor left.

  Queen Magdalene was radiant, a rainbow of Celestial Lights sparkling off her like a fountain of jewels flowing from the Heavens above. Her beautiful, golden face was full of graciousness, and like her husband, she was giving subtle nods of recognition to the wedding guests as she walked past. Behind her gracious smile, Raphael thought she saw something unusual in the Queen’s eyes.

  Queen Magdalene found Raphael among the other guests. Raphael swallowed hard at what she comprehended, what lay behind those eyes. Bubbling under that beautiful face and kind smile was anger. Raphael’s mind tried to calculate all the reasons why a Goddess such as Queen Magdalene might be angry. Considering the disturbances that Lord Smigyl and the other Overlords created, it did not take much imagination to find a reason.

  The thought crossed Raphael’s mind that Magdalene might be mad at her, but when Magdalene saw Raphael, her universally gracious smile grew into a genuinely friendly expression. The Goddess’ gesture was subtle, but Raphael knew she wanted her to stand.

  “Oh, Rai. I’m so glad you could be here,” Magdalene whispered while she placed a comforting hand on Raphael’s back, and then gave her a delicate kiss on the cheek.

  “Thank you, my Queen,” Raphael said, having no idea why she said ‘my’ Queen instead of ‘Your Majesty’, which would have been more appropriate for someone who was not a member of Nebadon’s Royal Court.

  “There will be plenty of time for us to speak with one another after the wedding. Will you be available?” Queen Magdalene’s voice was kind and genuine, but Raphael could see the fire burning underneath her multi-colored, jewel-like eyes.

  “Yes, of course, my Queen. I am here to serve.” Raphael again found her knee.

  “See, I told ya one day you’d be on your knees in front of me.”

  Raphael stood up and stared down the Bull of Heaven. She could not stop herself from melting into a smile. With her right fist, she gave her chest two quick thumps. Mac returned the same warrior’s gesture of greeting.

  Raphael felt a change in the air and glanced to her left. Standing there in full battle regalia were Uriel, Brett Oethra, and Staci Camael. Uriel was Queen Magdalene’s primary bodyguard, and Brett and Staci were Mac’s and Gabriel’s bodyguards respectively. There they stood, hands resting comfortably on the hilt of their swords, all three sharing the same relaxed posture, all three with the same focused intensity.

  Like any good bodyguard, they did not see individuals; they only saw intent. It made her think of Michelle, her Josie’s bodyguard. A small smile came to Raphael’s face. For if there was any one thing in the Creation that Raphael loved and admired, it was a good bodyguard.

  “Hello, Rai.”

  Raphael sucked in a breath. She had not noticed Sipheria’s small frame behind Mac’s massive green body, although it made sense that it would be Machiventa Melchizedek escorting Lady Sipheria down the carpet.

  Sipheria dropped Mac’s arm and approached Raphael. Mac turned to speak to a couple of tall Artisans with rich lime-green skin. In a standard friendly Seraphic greeting, Raphael and Sipheria put their right palm on the other’s left shoulder, then exchanged kisses on each other’s cheek. There had been several communications between these two and a few brief in-person meetings in conjunction with Sipheria organizing various missions for Raphael, but those encounters had been strictly formal.

  Quite frequently, Sipheria had been in a pretty foul mood — at times appearing quite worried, even sad — and understandably so, considering what the Overlords did to her Sisters of Mercy.

  Considering how upset Sipheria was after Urantia’s genetic fiasco, not to mention the unorthodox affair that had developed between Raphael and a Silly Little Seraphif by the name of Sophi, she was quite happy that Sipheria still considered her a trusted friend.

  “Maybe we could sit together during the banquet tonight,” Sipheria offered. “There are some special guests I would like you to meet.”

  “That would be wonderful, sister. I look forward to it.”

  As Sipheria glided away, Raphael looked back to Mac as he talked with the two tall green Artisans. Raphael cocked her head, looking at them intensely. Funny, she thought. Have they been here all this time? Raphael had already scanned the area around her as she always did, but she could not recall seeing them.

  Mac turned back toward Raphael, his face beaming, his hand wrapped around the waist of the female Artisan who was holding the male Artisan’s hand. The Artisans’ expressions were strangely unreadable.

  Raphael glanced at Sipheria and then back to Mac and the two Artisans, then back to Sipheria. There was something about King Joshua’s Archangel of Compassion that Raphael had always found deeply attractive — a rich glowing skin the color of milk, with just a touch of butter stirred in — thick black hair that flowed a sensible distance down her back. She was so genuine, so good.

  Mac gave Raphael a parting smile, a subtle nod, and then continued his solo march down the carpet. As Raphael watched them walk away, it struck her just how much she had missed Mac and Sipheria. Her eyes scanned farther down the carpet and saw King Joshua and Queen Magdalene standing arm-in-arm speaking to Goddess Dorothy. She remembered how much she had always enjoyed the company of Nebadon’s Royal Family. Indeed, she had missed all of Nebadon.

  “Hello Rai.” Raphael jerked at hearing her nickname. She turned to face the male Artisan. Strangely enough, Raphael had again completely forgotten about these two. Obviously, they had continued to just stand there while she had been distracted. She remembered Mac had been talking to them, but then she had completely forgotten about both of them, as if they had somehow fallen out of the Celestial realm.

  “If you have time now, maybe we could talk before the reception banquet.” Raphael reflexively nodded, as a child would accept a father’s suggestion.

  Raphael felt the subtlest wave of emotion touch her heart. She glanced back down the carpet and saw Sipheria looking at her. She knew the delicate wave of emotion was comin
g from Sipheria’s heart. It felt good — gentle and warm — good, gentle, and warm just like Sipheria.

  Sipheria raised her right hand and casually ran her fingers through her hair. Most anyone else would not have noticed the gesture or would have simply waved it off for what it appeared — Sipheria running her fingers through her hair. However, Raphael saw something else.

  As her hand came up and moved across the right side of her head, her fingers made several quick sets of motions, along with subtle changes in her expression. Contained within those motions was a precise set of signals from the battle language they developed millions of years ago. They had developed the language for the purpose of private communications, long before the arrival of the Adam and Eve of Eden and Smigyl’s subsequent Declaration of Liberty.

  Sipheria and Raphael had refined the language and kept it fresh, using it regularly in their correspondence. Had anyone intercepted a letter, all they would have found were multiple drawings of different individuals with various expressions, body poses, and hands and fingers in different orientations.

  Good. These are the two I wanted you to meet, Sipheria signaled Raphael, and then disappeared into the reception hall.

  “Yes, of course, I would be happy to speak with you,” Raphael replied, now understanding that this must be something important, probably having to do with her upcoming mission. They were probably part of a team that Raphael was to lead. I wonder why Sipheria didn’t introduce us when she was here. If I couldn’t see them when they were right in front of me, I guess it makes sense that Sipheria couldn’t see them either. But how did Mac notice them right away?