The Great and Terrible

by Chris Stewart

  Ammon studied the three roads, thinking of what Samuel had told him, then chose the narrow road and began walking quickly. The road was steep and covered with a canopy of trees. Raindrops ran along the branches and collected on the leaves before falling in huge drops that he could feel through his clothes. A canyon rose up on one side and, though it was only late afternoon, the dark clouds and steep canyon walls combined to block out most of the light. The higher he climbed, the darker it got. After a sharp bend, the road straightened out and opened up from under the enormous trees, and he realized he had climbed out of the canyon and up the side of the mountain. Ahead of him, he saw a great stone castle, dark spires of black granite reaching up toward the afternoon sky. Looking upon it, he gasped, his fury building inside. Though smaller, the castle of Satan was an exact replica of the Great Capitol. Black and imposing, it mocked the design with crooked spires and twisted towers that bent to the east. It had the same windows, painted black, the same grand door, the same stairs, a statement of mean-spirited derision of all that had been left behind.

  Ammon studied the dark castle, surrounded by a great wall, then turned, looking down and beyond, following the road with his eyes. The road ran past the castle into a thick grove of trees. Above the trees, he could see the metal roofs of the buildings, a series of apartments where the new people were housed. He turned and quickly made his way down the road. Descending below the castle, the road was swallowed again in the trees, and Ammon felt an enormous sense of relief to be out of sight of the dark windows and black walls.

  Continuing along the road, he found the buildings where his brother was housed–identical steel and rock apartments that were tall and dark, with few windows and only one door. They were built so close to the road that the doors swung out on the street. A series of roads spread before him, like the spokes of a wheel. He thought again of Sam’s instructions, then chose the third road. Quickening his pace–he was growing anxious now, as a building sense of doom crept into his chest–he walked past the first five dwellings and stopped at the sixth. Stepping back, he looked up at the tall building. It was narrow but deep, and the stone walls were slippery from the rain. The rainwater dribbled down the stone, collecting along the chiseled mortar before running to the muddy street. Ammon took a deep breath, then opened the door.

  He faced a dark hallway. There was a door on his left and one on his right. A set of steep stairs wound its way up a dark and narrow stairway. He moved to the stairway and started to climb. The air seemed to grow heavier with each step he took; stale and oppressive, it took his breath away. The stairway was hot, and a shudder ran down his spine. On the second floor, two more doors greeted him. He stopped and looked up. The stairs seemed to go on forever. What kind of illusion was this? He felt so tired, so tired, exhaustion seeping into his bones. Another step, another corner. Come on, Ammon, climb! He bent his head, concentrating on moving his feet. The air grew hotter, more heavy, more oppressive and stale. He looked up again. How many floors to go? He climbed, growing weaker. Sam hadn’t warned him of this. He stopped, breathing heavily, then looked up again. Despite the exertion and the oppressive surroundings, inside he felt neither fear nor concern. In fact, he seemed to feel nothing at all. He felt completely blank, like an empty, sandy beach that has been washed smooth by a storm.

  He kept his head down. Only one flight to go. One more step, then another, his breathing heavy and slow. Rounding the corner, he looked up again.

  And there he was, waiting, an ugly smile on his face. He wore a high-collared tunic over a gray and black robe.

  “My brother,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Ammon recoiled in anger. Inside, he was sick. Had it all been for nothing? Was he already too late? “You are not my brother,” he said. “You are nothing to me.”

  “I’ve been waiting for you. I know why you are here,” Lucifer said, nodding toward a wooden door to his left. “He’s inside this room.”

  Ammon hesitated. “Luke is in there?” he asked.

  “Of course he is. Isn’t everything just like Samuel said it would be, just like that traitor, that lying and treacherous scum . . . ” Lucifer cursed violently, his eyes flashing in yellow rage. He lowered his head quickly, hiding the fury inside, then took a deep breath and lifted his head. “Yes, Luke is here. And he is waiting for you.”

  Ammon took a single step upward. “Will you let me talk to him now?”

  Lucifer lifted his palms in an expression of peace. “How could I stop you? If you want to talk to him, there’s not a thing I can do. If he chooses to go with you, that’s his decision, not mine. Luke has his agency; all of my followers do. I can’t force them to come here, and I can’t force them to stay. I only have the power to persuade them. I can’t force anything. And even if I could, I wouldn’t coerce anyone, for I am much better, much stronger when they want to stay.”

  Ammon took another step forward. Only three steps to go. The Deceiver stepped back, moving out of his way. The stairs were very narrow, and Ammon would have to press against him as he passed on the stairs.

  Lucifer lifted his hand and pointed again. “Go. Luke is in there,” he said.

  Ammon took another step; then Lucifer moved back into his way. “Before I let you in,” he said softly, “I just wish you would listen to me. I’m begging you, Ammon, for Luke, for Elizabeth, for the sake of the others!”

  The shadows seemed to shift as he spoke, casting his face in a different light. Looking at him now, he seemed so incredibly sincere, his face handsome, truthful and kind. Ammon felt almost as if he were talking to an old friend. Satan smiled. “It’s only me,” he said, dripping with charisma. It was a beautiful show. And though Ammon knew it was showtime, that none of this was real, it was still so inviting, so enticing, so real.

  He took a deep breath, wanting to sit down and rest. And while he was resting, he would listen to him. It only seemed fair to hear his point of view.

  But he shook his head to clear it. “I’ve heard it already,” he said wearily, mustering as much conviction in his voice as he could. “There is nothing more you could say.”

  Lucifer stared down, a look of hurt on his face. Then suddenly, almost instantly, he moved down the step next to Ammon, a movement of shadow so quick it was little more than a flicker of light. He brushed up beside him, literally right in his face, his breath hot on his cheek, his black cape swirling around Ammon’s knees. “I want to tell you something,” he whispered in Ammon’s ear. “Listen to me, brother. Listen to what I have to say.

  “There is so much I can give you. So much you could have! Imagine untold worlds, galaxies, and stars, and they go on forever, from beginning to end. Imagine worlds and kingdoms, princes and kings, warriors and soldiers, princesses and queens, and all of them, Ammon, will be under your control, worlds without number, power beyond your dreams! Every fantasy, every whim, every lust or ambition, every desire, no matter how grand or depraved–imagine anything you could wish for, and I will give it to you! Anything you can dream of, any human or thing, any taste, touch, or feel–all the wealth in the universe, I would share it with you. Imagine every law or power, every theory of fairness or eternal principle, every law or commandment to be at your control! Imagine the power to impose a hundred million slaves at your whim, every wish you conceive of being immediately fulfilled. Come with me, Ammon, and I will give you all this and more. And it will be yours forever. It will never end! Come with me, work with me, do what I say, follow my commandments, and I will give this to you! And all I ask is you believe me and do what I say.”

  Ammon felt his knees quiver at the feel of Lucifer’s touch. The Deceiver put his cold arms around him, and Ammon’s heart seemed to withdraw in his chest, beating wildly, as if trying to flee. A sudden sensation came over him at the touch of Lucifer’s hand, and his mind seemed to open, as if he could see everything! Everything he had promised was brought to his eyes. Every glory and power, every sensation and desire–it all lay before him, like a
table finely spread, running from his feet to the never-ending stars. The pull was so powerful it drew at his soul, pulling him, drawing him, grabbing his heart. He struggled to withdraw, but he seemed helpless to move.

  Yes, he could have it. And why not? Why not now?

  He reached out to touch it, but the vision withdrew. “Not yet,” Lucifer whispered again in his ear. “You must say the words before I’ll give it to you. You must pledge to me, Ammon . . . ”

  The vision opened again.

  Everything he had ever wanted was waiting for him. Ammon closed his eyes and swallowed against the terrible battle inside. His heart raced again, and he wondered if he would survive. He couldn’t speak, he couldn’t think, and he was overcome with despair. A deep blackness fell upon him, and he thought he might be destroyed. Could he live through this cold touch? Was it over for him?

  And he wanted it so, be it right or wrong. He wanted this vision, and he wanted it now. He swallowed again, then slowly opened his eyes.

  “You can give me anything?” he asked.

  “Anything!” Lucifer cried.

  “Anything I ask for?”

  “Anything you desire!”

  “Can you give me love?” Ammon asked him. “Can you take away my sins? Can you give me salvation? Are you willing to die for me? Can you give me the love of my family and the love of my friends? Can you promise me anything besides what you have shown me here? Can you give me the love of my Father, or my older brother, Jehovah, the Christ?”

  Lucifer stepped back, a look of rage on his face. “Worship me!” he commanded.

  Ammon turned away, his legs weak, his arms so heavy they drooped like dead weights at his side. “You have nothing to offer,” he said in a quiet voice. “Now get out of my way. I came for my brother Luke.”

  Lucifer shrieked with such a fury that it pierced Ammon’s ears. “Let me show you what I’ll give you!” he screamed in a rage. “Let me show you, Ammon, what I’ve got in store for you!”

  Another vision opened, and Ammon gasped in heart-wrenching fear. In an instant he saw all the horrors of the world, all the pain and ambition, all the murders and fraud, the torture, the abuse, the manipulation and lies, the broken families and disappointments, the fatherless children and mothers with empty arms. He saw the blood, death, and horror Lucifer would rain on the earth. He gasped and stepped back, a look of shock and fear in his eyes.

  Lucifer watched, then stepped toward him, cursing as he moved. Thrusting a finger, he sneered in Ammon’s face. “I will find you,” he promised. “I will remember this day. I will find you and curse you when you go down to earth. I will turn every rock and obstacle in your way. If you won’t join me in hell, I will bring hell to you. I may not win, but I promise I will make you infinitely miserable. Who knows what I plan? I may curse you with disease, take the lives of your children, or kill others you love. I may arrange a crippling accident to break your precious body in two, make you poor, make you fail, make you depressed and alone, cause you heartbreak and misery. So many things I can do!

  “So remember this day, Ammon, and even if you can’t, I will remember you. And I curse you now, Ammon, for not following me. But I will get even, I will have the last word. I will create a special hell and bring it to you.”

  Lucifer sputtered and cursed, then fell silent, his eyes burning like a dying fire on a cold winter night. Then he thrust his face toward Ammon and sneered once again. “I will never forget you!” he cried as he cursed.

  Ammon stared at him, unflinching. “Perhaps you will do those things,” he replied, his voice calm and peaceful, his eyes bright and alive. He took a step toward him, completely unafraid anymore. “Do what you will. I don’t fear you now. I understand, can’t you see that? I know what you can and can’t do to me now.

  “You can tempt me, desert me, or cause me great pain; you can create a dark world that may cause me to fear; you can rule your world with blood and terror, that’s true.

  “But you can’t win. And I know that. Weak as I am, with my imperfections and sins, even with all of my failings, I am stronger than you.

  “I will soon have a body. And I have my agency now. I will increase in my faith and knowledge and power. I am not perfect, but I will be, and there’s not a thing you can do! I will become like the Father if I follow the Son. You are powerless to stop me. You can threaten and tempt and whisper lies in my ear, but you can’t stop me, Satan; I see that so clearly now! I can stop myself, yes, but only if I follow you.

  “And I reject your temptations. I reject your whispered lies. I reject you, Lucifer, and your entire plan. You have no power to control me. I am in control of myself. And try as you might, you won’t control me on earth. We will defeat you in heaven, and we will defeat you on earth. Here, or the earth, it doesn’t matter; I am always stronger than you.”

  Ammon stopped and took a breath, squared his shoulders, and smiled.

  A sudden chill seemed to sweep from the rafters as Lucifer took a step back. He screamed out in rage, lifting his arms to the skies. He cursed and he ranted, shrieking in frustration and fear, then shook his fist to the heavens and suddenly disappeared.

  Ammon stood in the shadows, weak, but without fear. Time passed, but slowly, as he gathered himself. He realized he was crying, his cheeks wet with tears. How long he stood there in the stairway, he didn’t know, but after a time he gained strength enough to push himself up the stairs. He lifted one foot, then the other, until he reached the last stair. Turning, he moved toward the wooden door.

  Pushing the door open, he stepped into the dark room.

  But the small room was empty. And no one was there. He searched frantically, running into the back rooms. The apartment was empty, and there were no windows or doors.

  Then he heard the dark laugh from someplace far, far away. “I lied to you,” Lucifer screamed, his voice echoing up from below. “I lied to you, Ammon. Your brother isn’t there.

  “You can’t find him. You’ll never find him. He is gone! It’s too late! You have lost–he is mine now–and there’s not a thing you can do. He is angry and bitter and under my control. I have him! He’s my angel! And he will be cast out with me. He will be with me, little Ammon; he will be with me on earth. He will be trying to destroy you, along with my other angels of darkness.

  “So be ready for us, Ammon! Because we are coming for you.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Ammon fell to his knees, sick with depression and defeat. He had tried. He had failed. Lucifer had won. Even though they had warned him, he had failed his brother still.

  “No!” he cried in frustration and grief. He felt his heart breaking, a tearing pain in his chest. “No, Luke, come back! I love you!” he cried. “Don’t go with him, Luke. If you can hear my voice, please come back to me.”

  But there was no answer, only the darkness and gloom. Deadly silence. Ammon dropped his head to his knees and cried into his hands. “Luke, we were brothers. We were brothers!” he cried.

  Then he felt a warm touch on the top of his head. A sudden light filled the darkness, and he felt instantly warm. “I, too, am your brother,” he heard his Savior say.

  Ammon lifted his head to see Jehovah there. He was kneeling beside him, one arm on his shoulder, one hand on his head. “I, too, am your brother,” he repeated again.

  A sudden surge of relief chased the pain and darkness away, the dark sense of failure fleeing away from the light. The weight seemed to lift from his shoulders as if it were turned into air. He felt a warm sense of peace, like he was waking from a terrible dream.

  “Do you remember my promise?” the Savior asked tenderly.

  Ammon couldn’t answer for a moment, then sputtered, “Yes, Lord, I do.”

  “What did I tell you, Ammon?”

  “You promised you would not leave me comfortless, that you would come for me.”

  “Because I am your brother.”

  “I know, Lord, I know . . . ”

  “But I am also Luke’s br
other,” the Savior then said.

  Ammon buried his face shamefully. “And I know that you love him,” he cried miserably. “And I tried to reach him, but I got here too late. And now he is gone. Lucifer claims he is with him. And what now can I do, Lord? I’ve done all I know how to do. You gave me this responsibility, and I have failed you both.”

  Jehovah squeezed his shoulder, and Ammon glanced up to see a familiar look in his eyes. “Will you go to him, Lord?” Ammon begged. “Will you talk to him, please.”

  “I already have,” Jehovah answered. “I talked with him last night.”

  Ammon looked around, dejected. Then why wasn’t Luke there? “And what did you say to him, Lord?” he asked quietly.

  “We talked about the only things that really matter in life.”

  Ammon looked confused. He did not understand. He moved over and leaned against the dark wall. His oldest brother knelt beside him and tried to explain. “Listen to me, Ammon,” Jehovah began, “everyone–you, Elizabeth, all your brothers and sisters–you have to ask yourselves this question. What is greater inside you, your love or your fear? Do you believe that I love you? Will you trust me enough to follow the Father’s plan, despite the uncertainty for the future and the chance you might fail? Will you trust me enough to take a single step into the dark? Do you believe me when I tell you that I will take hold of your hand? Do you love me, Ammon? That is all that matters anymore. Do you love me more than these? Do you love me more than anything else?”

  “But you know I love you!”

  “Yes, I know that you do. You have proven that, Ammon. And I am so proud of you.”

  Ammon glanced around the empty room once again. “But what about Luke? If you asked him these questions, tell me, what did he say?”

  Jehovah rose up, his face shining warmly. “Why don’t I let him tell you?” he said with a smile.

  The door slowly opened, and Luke stepped into the room. He took three steps forward, paused, and lowered his head. “I’m so sorry,” he said softly as he stared into Ammon’s eyes.