by Donovan Neal
Jerahmeel turned his back to his brother and groaned, "You ask a hard thing, but the Lord of House Harrada is clear in his purpose. It shall be done as thou hast commanded. But tell me..."
Michael looked at his brother in deep intent. "Say on."
"How many more of us will you let see dissolution before you see Lucifer destroyed?"
Michael's eyes grew wide. He frowned and turned to leave, knowing that at that moment, the relationship between him and his brother could not be worse.
* * *
Raziel, head of the Great Library, traveled through the burbs of Jerusalem and arrived at a home that was sealed with the royal clay seal. A seal that could only be broken by the hand of the Lumazi. Anticipating the barrier, Raziel had asked Jerahmeel to meet him at the home of Eskalion. He did not have long to wait, and he bowed in greeting to the Prince of House Harrada.
"My apologies, my Prince, but I saw no choice but to request a member of the Lumazi witness what I suspect."
"Thy report said thou didst believe Eskalion could be healed. That was all I needed to know." Jerahmeel then cracked the seal that was bonded to the door and opened it. "After you, my friend."
"My thanks, High Prince."
The door opened, and light burst into the street and through the windows. Both angels covered their eyes, for standing in the center of the room was the Holy Spirit, and the Shekinah was aglow and lit the interior.
"My King!" Jerahmeel exclaimed. Both he and Raziel immediately knelt in the presence of God.
El Pnuema motioned for them to rise and spoke, "Rise, my children." His voice reverberated as if multitudes were speaking.
Both angels stood to their feet and Jerahmeel was first to respond. "We are here to speak to Eskalion, my King. We apologize for disrupting thy work. We will return at another time."
"Nay, my son. Yet when thou doth journey, thou shalt take Eskalion with thee." A flash of light then ensued, and El Pnuema was gone. The angels shielded their eyes and when they looked again, Eskalion had entered from the back room of his home towards them.
Raziel was first to speak. "Eskalion of House Arelim, thou champion during the war, we know through scrolls that this thing called grief hath befallen thee. I bring to you one of the Lumazi, whom the Holy Spirit hath commanded to speak to thee,"
Eskalion looked upon them in silence. His eyes vacant as if his mind were elsewhere.
Jerahmeel spoke. "Thy valor during the war is known to me and to all of the Lumazi. I am on a mission to strike at the heart of Lucifer's power. He builds a forge deep within the confines of Earth and Hell. It is my charge to destroy this creation."
Eskalion addressed Jerahmeel. "And what of Talus?"
Jerahmeel was taken aback not expecting his brother to come up in conversation.
"I do not understand...what of him?" asked Jerahmeel.
Eskalion walked closer to Jerahmeel and studied his face. "Will you be going to rescue our brother from the Enemy?"
Jerahmeel frowned. "Though it grieves me to say it, I am forbidden to hamper the cause of the Hell-forge's destruction. To secure Heaven's security must take precedence over rescue of our brother. This is the direct order of the Chief Prince."
Eskalion thought on the words of Jerahmeel and spoke, "The Chief Prince is right in his judgment. You cannot sacrifice the destruction of the Hell-forge to save Talus. Yet no such prohibition hinders me. I shall find Talus. This, God by His Spirit hast commanded me, this, God by His Spirit I will do."
Jerahmeel immediately came to realize the provision of the Lord. For Michael had forbidden him to move to rescue Talus, if in doing so, it might weigh against the successful destruction of the Hell-forge. And now Eskalion stood before him, charged by the Lord Himself, to undertake what he could not. Jerahmeel smiled, and whispered, "I thank you, Lord."
Eskalion looked at Raziel, "You have been in continuous ministry to me. You and the Word of the Lord have strengthened me, and I stand returned to wholeness. You have my thanks, Grigori." Eskalion bowed, and Raziel returned his respect in kind.
"It is settled then," said Raziel. "When will you leave Heaven?"
Both Raziel, and Eskalion looked at Jerahmeel, who replied, "As soon as I can muster enough restraint to not choke the life from Iblis."
* * *
Michael approached the throne of God, his spirit heavy. There was a foreboding in every step. Each foot placed before the other was as though weights were fastened to his ankles.
The seven bowls of fire blazed atop the steps of gold and crystal. The Virtues wafted about, and the rainbow that arched over the throne bathed the two Arelim angels in prismatic color as they spread their wings over God, for El was clothed in unapproachable light and sat quietly on the throne.
Michael knelt before his King, his head bowed. "My Lord, I come in consult, for I have returned a member of the Fallen to Heaven. The renegade, Iblis, hath I sanctioned rescue. Rescued, that I perchance might discern Lucifer's plans and curtail his strategy. This I have done without seeking first my King and his righteousness. Two of the Lumazi on missions....one to destroy the false kiln Lucifer seeks to raise within the bowels of Hell itself, and the other to accompany Enoch across the expanse of Limbo to see Enoch safely to the shores of Aesir, and to consult with the other human you have brought to Heaven.
"Now my Lord, are these actions to my Lord's will? For wisdom resides in thee and I would not throw away my brethren to failure."
El sat quietly looking at His Son. The brightness of His person receded, and the image of an aged man of many years then stepped down from the throne. God placed his hand under Michael's chin and lifted his head, gently leading him to his feet and spoke.
"A certain man had many sons, but of his household, two stood apart. Both were loved beyond measure, and the glory in store for them was beyond imagination. Nothing would he have withheld from them, yet the older, not willing to abide by his father's will, became angered, and whilst enraged sought means to usurp his father's rule. Judged for his act of betrayal, he was thrown into outer darkness, forever dead to his father. Judged to lament in the wailing and gnashing of teeth."
Michael's eyes darted to the floor as his head nodded, unsure if he truly desired to hear the rest of the story; nevertheless, queried the Lord. "And the other son?"
"The other son," said the Lord. "Was also beloved of his father and was lifted to be first among his house. In self-will, he also sought to obtain through wisdom what could only come from the father, and though well-meaning, his heart was not corrupt. However, he exposed his entire house to ruin. Now, my High Prince, I ask thee, what meaneth this parable, and of whom do I speak?"
Michael's heart was smitten, for he knew that the Lord spoke of him and his brother, Lucifer. He collapsed to his knees and tears surged forth. "It is I, my King, and I am bowed in sorrow. Forgive me, my Lord. In my own wisdom, I have made thy work of none effect. For I have sinned against thee and I beg thy pardon." Michael continued with his head bowed and hands outstretched on the floor. "I beseech thee, Heavenly Father, do away with the iniquity of thy servant for I have done very foolishly."
And the Lord said unto Michael, "Thy sin is forgiven and thy iniquity is removed; nevertheless, thou hast greatly sinned in this thing for thou hast called good that which I hast called evil, thou hast put darkness for light, and light for darkness. And in thine own wisdom, thou hast recalled that which I have exiled. Behold now, the sum of thy choices as thou hast wrought folly and unleashed contagion in the realm. Thy people will suffer greatly because of thine actions."
Michael lifted his hands in an appeal to the Lord and cried out. "My Lord, I beg thee, have mercy, as they are but lambs...sheep who have followed their wayward shepherd."
And the Lord spoke unto Michael, "I cannot turn my face from this thing. For before the people, thou hast wrought folly in obedience to my name. Therefore, I offer three things. Choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. Choose thou either cure of the plague and th
y people made whole, but the loss of thine free will, or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, overtaken by the sword of thy enemies, or three days the Withering throughout all the coasts of Heaven. Now, therefore, advise thyself, what word shall I bring to pass in judgment?"
And Michael said unto the Lord, "I am in a great strait. Let me, I pray, fall into the hands of the Lord, for very great are thy mercies, but let me not fall into the hands of Satan, nor would I surrender the Host to be as the beasts of the field."
The Lord nodded his head and replied, "The Chief Prince hath spoken, let the thing then be done."
Immediately, a fog rose from the ground, from the exterior of the mountain of God into the burbs round about the Heavenly city. And the Shekinah that covered the whole of Heaven withdrew to cover naught but the mountain of God. And when the presence of the living God was withdrawn, a dense, greenish, noxious fog saturated the grounds of Heaven.
And the people knew something was wrong, for El's warmth, light and presence could not be felt. Panic slowly ensued, as the last time the environment of Heaven changed, war was not far behind.
Iblis sat in his cell, and his mind grew darker with the retracting of the presence of the Lord. He watched as the color in the very air muted with each passing second. Vibrant and multicolored walls slowly faded in luster and dulled in appearance until the prisoner of war sat quietly and frowned, for he understood what was happening better than most.
The Withering had come.
Chapter Six
“To boldly go…”
Michael ordered his teams to assemble in the Hall of Annals. At his summons, the two groups had come to be dispatched with their final orders.
Argoth looked upon the projecting walls and noted the dense fog that hovered over the ground of Heaven. Angels sought not to touch it because it reeked. The Virtues could be seen round about the mountain but extended no further, and the Seraphim cried out through the mist, HOLY! HOLY! HOLY!
Michael walked into the Hall of Annals and the two assembled teams followed. He paused to view the projections of panic that overtook the people. Most huddled in their homes, not knowing what the fog was or why it rose from the ground.
Argoth motioned to Michael and waved his hands to allow his leader to see the topography of the city of Heaven.
"I have received a report from thy Grigori, Athamas. He says a judgment hath befallen us. I pray El might have mercy upon the people as thou hast asked."
Michael frowned, his face saddened. "We can but hope that these three days will move quickly and restoration will befall us. As of now, there seems to be no ill effect that I can surmise."
The two teams looked on, and Enoch released his own thoughts on the matter. "If God hath said it, then the thing is true. It shall surely come to pass. We must be on our way for I must be about my Lord's business. Let us see that we are all about it as well."
Gabriel, who stood behind him, nodded. "Agreed. We can do nothing but see to that which is set before us; let us be about the task at hand."
"Very well," said Argoth. The Chief of Eyes waved his hand and when he did, he spoke. "Reveal the Gates of Limbus, and let these see the Realm of Choices."
Immediately, the room obeyed, and flashes of light gave way to greys and hues of smoke. A fog entered the Hall, and a rocky crag-face with a door materialized, and next to the door stood an angel armed with a sword. Like a Grigori, he floated, yet hovered with four wings.
The weapon had a black hilt and belched forth a long, blue, flaming blade of white crystal steeped in fire. The opaque guardian blocked the door's entryway, yet he faded between plumes of smoke showing two faces, each one facing opposite the other. One was white with black eyes, and the other black with white eyes. Each set of eyes stared, as though studying wonders afar off.
Argoth then spoke, "Our brother, Janus, awaits you at the gates."
Enoch started to walk through the portal Argoth had made, and the Head of House Grigori stepped in front of the human.
"Know that I consider thee my friend, even a prince among us. And who knows that perhaps a day shall come when thou shalt even judge angels. For it is not oft that I meet someone to challenge me so. Thou art translated of the Lord. You have done me honor these many days. Now go to, for God hath commanded thee to seek the Seraphim. May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from another, and His hand bring our paths to cross once more."
When Argoth had said his peace, he moved from obstructing Enoch's path.
Enoch smiled, then bowed his head in humble appreciation and looked over his shoulder to Gabriel.
Metatron, Hadriel and the rest of the quartet followed him through the portal and disappeared into the rift.
Michael then motioned Jerahmeel to his side, and the Lord of House Harrada walked to his brother and bowed. Michael placed his hands on his brother's shoulders and spoke. "A season ago, I once told our brother that his orders were to return to me. He hath been remiss in this regard. When you find him, remind him that I take issue with this lapse of judgment."
Jerahmeel's mouth fell open, his now bulging eyes growing wide above his smile. "Then I am free to see to our brother's wellbeing?"
Michael turned and walked away, then spoke aloud for all to hear. "Argoth, send the Head of House Harrada to the doorsteps of Hell. Jerahmeel, see that the message we have for Lucifer is understood. And yes, recoup our brother home."
Jerahmeel nodded. As Argoth prepared a portal to the realm below, a tear strolled down his cheek and he spoke to himself. "By God's grace, I will see the thing done." He turned toward his group, and Michael watched as his brother's team portaled away.
While Michael stared after his departing friends, Argoth turned his attention to a recorded image of an angel's body lying on the streets of gold. "Michael, come here and look at this," Argoth said.
Michael turned from eying the portal where his brethren had just left and walked towards Argoth who pointed at an image of the angel.
"We have a problem," the Grigori said.
Michael beheld the image of a bloodied body, exposed skin festered with blistered pustules that had burst, and the glow of his kilnstone shown no more. The angel did not move when called, nor stir when handled by those surrounding him.
"It cannot be!" Michael said. The Chief Prince stared at the corpse, and nothing could prepare him for the realization before his eyes. Somehow, the immortality of his kind was stripped, and an angel now lay dead in the street.
* * *
Lucifer watched the minions of his making swelter within the bowels of Hell. Each carried carrion and fragments of their brethren's Kilnstones into the fires of the Forge. All former members of House Kortai, each now mindless automatons of labor that built weapons of mass destruction to unleash against the righteous dead. Weapons able to be flung across the gulf and obliterate what little light existed in the underworld of the righteous dead.
Weapons designed by Lucifer's war-master Ares, and his commander of the region, Zeus, stood talking with Ashtaroth when Lucifer approached.
"Report of thy stewardship?" Lucifer said.
"My Lord, I seek permission to track the traitor, Iblis," Zeus said. "I have reason to believe Jerahmeel travels with him," Zeus smirked and then grinned at his lord. "I would be most pleased to extend your hospitality to your brother, and bid my former master hello."
Lucifer smiled. "As always, my friend, thou hast perceived you lord's will. Go and see to our desire."
Zeus bowed and turned to walk away.
"One thing," Lucifer said.
Zeus turned. "My King?"
"Leave enough of my brother intact that I too might enjoy some sport."
A broad grin painted Zeus' face. "As you command, my king."
Lucifer turned to the others. "Ashtaroth, Ares, how soon will the Forge be ready to be unleashed upon Moses and his kin?"
"The Kortai have encountered a problem, my Lord," Ashtaroth said. "Talus' spirit hath not yet been b
roken and his resistance to thy will is strong. Hell hath yet to convert his Kilnstone. At this rate of consumption, it will be some time before the beast consumes enough of his essence to manufacture the Cadmium thou desirest."
Lucifer scowled. "Hath not these many decades been long enough? Must I further sully my hands to expedite that which my adjutant hath been assigned?"
Ashtaroth bowed his head in fear. "My apologies, master, but we cannot move faster beyond that which El hast allowed the creature to move. You hath made God bleed, so I appeal to thee, mighty one. Guide us in our attempts to please thee. What would you have us do?"
Lucifer smiled. "Because thou hast asked for wisdom, wisdom will I grant thee; observe my machinations and you will see the will of Talus broken. Follow."
Lucifer strode across pools of lava and into an adjacent room. Ares cast an eye to the wasting bodies of Elohim that still clung to life within a creature that consumed them alive. Ashtaroth followed his master and Ares trailed behind. Entering the chamber, Lucifer beheld the dangling Prince of House Arelim – Talus. Ashtaroth remembered his battle with Talus, remembered how he had entrapped the Prince to ignite war. For Ashtaroth was the spark that was used to set Heaven ablaze...the tinder that caused the explosive wrath of God to banish a third of His children from Heaven.
Ashtaroth wore a sneer as he mocked him. "He who hath moved stars now languishes as a cadaver before my face." Ashtaroth spat on him.
Lucifer smiled. "Indeed, stare at him, for here my plan to smite the Almighty begins once more with a prince he hath surrendered into my hand. What foolishness doth the God of Heaven work to once again bring me what I need to complete His own destruction? Watch and learn, Ashtaroth, for when I am done, if thou be worthy, I may make thee ruler over House Arelim."
Ashtaroth smiled, "You do me honor, my King."
Lucifer touched the locket of his neck and Hell groaned as though awakened from slumber. Ashtaroth watched as Hell's tendrils slowly released Talus, who fell to the ground as a lump of flesh. Talus groaned in pain, shivering as the maggots of Hell did their work from the inside of the angel's body---eating him alive. Lucifer smiled at his helpless captive and spoke, "I recall the day you once told me Ashtaroth that Talus did not believe I was about to overthrow the Father. What message dost thou have for him now?"
