THE FALL (Rapha Chronicles #1) (The Rapha Chronicles)

by Chana Keefer

  Adam’s acquiescence was half-hearted, “Alright! Let’s make this quick. I will still need to gather the fresh flowers you insist upon when we receive the summons.”

  Ignoring the less than optimistic attitude, Rapha began with the basics of body control required to achieve the most graceful entry into the water. When the morning was still young, Adam had perfected a virtually splashless, arching swan dive. Not content with such tame accomplishments, he rushed to increase his repertoire.

  Soon Rapha was concerned that his efforts had been too successful. From simple, graceful dives five feet above the water’s surface, Adam’s innate athleticism and penchant for thrills drove him higher to attempt twists, spirals, and flips that caused Rapha to stand at water’s edge, muscles taut for quick flight if the human’s head aimed for the rocks. How could he blame him? Rapha knew the thrill of plunging headlong into thin air.

  Yes, his primary objective of exhausting the lad was accomplished as Adam flopped to Adonai’s side that evening, calm enough to receive the Master’s wisdom; but the other goal, the one uppermost in Adam’s mind, was also fulfilled: the manchild was beautiful in flight!

  In fact, on the morning of the third day, a new set of wide eyes followed the laughing boy’s progress. Her hand never released its hold on her Creator’s. This was simply an invisible visit to view her future, but as shafts of golden morning light glimmered like liquid diamonds on the glistening body that leapt to slice the turquoise water, her heart also felt the thrill of flight. And when the young man jumped from the water to toss back dripping ribbons of black hair revealing long-lashed eyes in his handsome face, she gave Adonai’s hand an involuntary squeeze, signifying her agreement with the Creator’s assessment of His creation; it was good… very good.

  Rapha did not turn to stare—this visit was hidden from Adam—but the tutor could not ignore the pleasure flowing from his Creator. He was glad this was the female’s first glimpse of her intended. The young man was unaware of the stunning picture he made climbing to the heights, then abandoning himself to the earth’s pull. Rapha had a sneaking suspicion, due to the excited squawks and myriad bright wings, the flocks of birds in attendance were more than mere coincidence. If they had gathered for a tutorial on the laws of attraction they were not disappointed. The male displayed himself to his best advantage and the female gasped each time he dove, eyes shining with admiration.

  In the blink of an eye, the esteemed audience was gone and finally Rapha received the silent, anticipated call. In response to the shouted announcement of, “It’s time!” Adam, perched in a handstand on the highest ledge, lost focus and slipped, thwacking his head and tumbling with a splat!

  The injury was trivial, a small lump on the head, but when Rapha divulged the news of their visitors, Adam panicked. “She saw that? Great! Already I play the fool!”

  He had planned to prolong the boy’s agony but with the fatalism of youth Adam proclaimed he could “never” face her now. Rapha, pitying the mortified young man, explained the actual moment of her departure. Ah! Then! It was as if the sun rose again to honor the athletic hero. Insecurity fled, replaced by exuberance and a demand for Rapha to recall the girl’s every reaction. Luckily, since the tutor had not actually looked at her, there was not much to relate beyond the fact she had witnessed only his most dazzling dives. This brought satisfaction bordering on conceit. What was it about this human that kept him swinging between extremes?

  However, though the young man continued the shift from incessant questioning to a dazed state requiring a firm shake to bring him into the here and now, they managed to gather a brilliant bouquet of flowers with the perfect message encoded in the choice of each bloom, to complete the daintily wrought crown (the gems would be added later for their marriage ceremony) and to make Adam gloriously presentable, even fragrant, by the appointed time.

  At the final moment, when Adam was to step into the clearing in full view of the celestials and the magnificence of Adonai, the young man’s courage waned. In truth, Rapha could not blame him. The array of heaven’s court, though a fractional representation of the entire celestial realm, was daunting. Just like Rapha, their true glory was veiled, but there was no denying the undercurrent of immense power radiating among the glittering assembly.

  Adam stopped, staring at the path he was to tread through these amazing beings. In a hoarse whisper he said, “Couldn’t we do this some other way, perhaps a private meeting by the lake?”

  “This is what Adonai has decreed.”

  “But it’s hard enough trying not to do anything foolish in front of her; now there’s a crowd of angels as well?”

  “Maybe your fear of appearing foolish is the very reason Adonai laid this path at your feet.” Rapha plumbed the depths of his experience for the proper words. “To achieve your desire, you must first conquer your fear. To conquer fear, Adonai must be your only focus. Thus you are no longer a slave to fear; you achieve your desire, and gain freedom from your greatest weakness. This is why Adonai’s path leads through hardship. As you draw closer to your heavenly Father, the heart’s desire aligns with Him. It is when you try to circumvent the narrow path that aims for His heart that desire becomes destructive.” There. Rapha smiled, grateful for wisdom to share with his pupil in the hour of need.

  Adam’s gaze was fixed on the brightest spot straight ahead, the flower-strewn expanse where Adonai awaited him. “So is she standing behind Him? I don’t see her.” The boy turned to Rapha, “Oh. Did you say something?”

  Rapha had to chuckle. So much for imparting wisdom. But, since Adam was giving him a split second’s attention, Rapha added, “Just keep your eyes fixed on Adonai.”

  Relief flooded Adam’s features. He turned toward the assembly, locked eyes with his Creator—and took on the countenance of a king.

  When every eye turned to view the first ruler of Adonai’s new age, it seemed the boy grew in stature. Even to Rapha who was familiar with the many facets of the boy’s personality, a new serenity and purpose suffused Adam’s countenance. He was no longer simply the energetic, irrepressible manchild. A quiet strength flowed from him along with something more, something intangible but as real as the trees that leaned close, reaching toward him as if recognizing his destiny. Finally, when Rapha tore his eyes from the boy, he discovered the source of this elusive substance. Favor from the Most High flowed toward Adam, crowning the boy with majesty. Adam’s body was at all times encased with radiance but now that steady glow was lit from within as well, an answering glory fanned to dazzling brilliance that left no doubt—this was Adonai’s anointed. Through this joining of earth and heaven, age-old prophecies would come to pass.

  With all eyes on the young man, Rapha almost missed it—a nagging hatred that clashed with the purity of the moment—but it was there, a veiled stench borne on the fragrant breeze. Lucifer, too, was in attendance. Rapha shoved the hateful thought aside. Nothing should tarnish this moment.

  Adam continued down the long corridor, eyes fixed on his goal. In the young face, no trace of fear remained. In fact, the expression in his eyes spoke so clearly of absolute love and trust that Rapha felt an unexpected lump in his throat. Radiating with Adonai’s love, the boy was breathtaking. The angel felt a wave of awe to be chosen to influence such a remarkable being.

  Then Adam stood before the throne. When he knelt and bowed his face to the ground, the glorious assembly followed suit.

  “Rise, my son,” the compassionate voice poured out like mighty waters, “what is your desire?”

  “You know my deepest thoughts, O Adonai. I desire my mate, she who would remain by my side, who would govern with me; she who would be made complete by joining her life to mine even as I am completed by joining my life to hers. She who would be the deepest expression on this earth of your lovingkindness toward me.”

  Rapha’s brow raised as the boy’s eloquence flowed. Had Adam composed that heartfelt speech when he tossed and turned so long into the night?

  But that
question was forgotten as someone appeared beside the Father, one who shone so bright it seemed a separate ray of light was emanating from the Lord’s essence. A lithe form with hair like windswept clouds on a starry night came into focus, clothed in shimmering threads of light spun finer than a spider’s web.

  The most striking feature was her eyes. Rapha discerned a keen intelligence and inquisitive nature that overcame her shyness as she peered back at her spectators. However, it was evident she was seeking him.

  When she saw the manchild, a smile lit her features that made even Rapha, the creature of light positioned farthest from this tender meeting, burn brighter—as something deep inside, some care-encrusted core, melted.

  Adam stood unmoving, his face turned away from Rapha’s vantage point, but he must have looked stunned because Adonai prompted, “Do not forget to breathe, son.”

  A wave of chuckles flowed through the crowd and Adam, as if released from a spell, remembered the gifts he bore. “Um… oh! These are for you,” he stepped up and placed the enormous bouquet into her arms. Suddenly eloquence returned. “They were the most beautiful things in the garden… until now.”

  Rapha would not have thought it possible but, at the young man’s words, the womanchild glowed brighter and her smile grew even more dazzling. She said nothing (later Rapha was to realize how unusual this was). However, her expression communicated more than the most lyrical poem.

  When Adam put a hand to his chest where his life’s rhythm was felt most strongly, and then held his palm toward her, she copied the movement and fitted her hand to his. As they stood, unified by the light of Adonai, it was as if the observers no longer existed. There was only Adonai, the man and the woman, an interwoven cord of three, the Maker’s plan for their future. Rapha could not foresee, in that moment brimming with promise, the horrible path required for that promise to be fulfilled.

  Adam’s voice cracked a bit as he broke the silence, “So, what do I call you?”

  “Adam,” Adonai answered with a hint of a smile in His voice, “we are leaving that up to you.”

  Again, Adam’s face betrayed uncertainty but after a moment’s pause he said, “Then, officially, I will call you ‘Woman’ because you were drawn forth from me. Will that do?” He addressed the girl.

  She smiled and brought his hand to her heart. “I was taken from your side but now, I will never leave it.”

  A murmur of approval swept the crowd.

  Rapha walked toward the throne, the dainty, golden circlet shining in his hands. The memory of that slow walk was to remain so clear even thousands of years later. As he was swept up in the overflow of their gratitude toward Adonai, Rapha felt—there was no other way to describe it—younger.

  Adam’s hands shook as he took the crown and reached to place it on her gleaming head. Her crown for him was heavier but still simple, an interwoven circle of three golden vines that slipped down on his forehead, as yet a bit large for his brow.

  Then Adonai spoke. “These tokens are a testament to the authority I bestow. If you feel unprepared to rule… good: I am here to instruct and guide you and these faithful of the celestial host are vessels of My knowledge as well. In this place, the one thing you need—wisdom—is ripe for the taking.”

  Then He addressed the assembly, “This man and woman are the first fruits of this new age. Honor them as my anointed ones. Stand with them and protect them. Their welfare affects all life and through their offspring all creation is restored.”

  Again the Maker addressed the young man and woman who continued to sneak glances at each other. “Today, you are betrothed. You see in each other the promise of future fulfillment. You will grow and learn together. Then, when you are prepared to rule, the two shall become one flesh. Until then you will learn of your calling to lay down your own lives to ensure the welfare of all things, from the least to the greatest. Abide in Me and your joy shall be secure.”

  Then the young man and woman turned toward the assembly and the entire valley broke into celebration. Chattering birds took flight, large mammals trumpeted and roared, smaller creatures scampered and shrieked in a joyous symphony.

  In the midst of this celebration, the piercing light of Adonai lit upon Lucifer, crouching atop a carved pillar like an eager bird of prey. With a hiss, the fallen angel disappeared.

  Chapter Eight

  It Is Good

  Rapha is staring with unseeing eyes toward distant fires and sounds of chaos. How he has wished through thousands of painful years he could have stopped time to hold them in that place of innocence. All too soon the purity of those days was a golden phantom to taunt him with what might have been.

  Although—he cannot help but smile—they did have good times.

  With the addition of the female, Adam’s education took flight. Her appetite for learning was voracious and her curiosity was unrelenting. Oh the hundreds of questions she asked every day!

  “Why do we have to eat and you don’t?” “What makes the honeybee want to sip from the flowers when he could fly over the hills and see so much more?” “How do the stars stay up in the sky?” “How high would I have to fly to touch them?” “Have you ever touched them?” “Why don’t we have a tail to help us climb trees?” “Where does the sun go at night?”

  And she was forever digging. The girl had an innate curiosity about hidden things; the roots of flowers and trees, rocks under soil, little creatures that lived beneath logs and small, quick beings that thrived in the dark quiet of cool caverns.

  On the surface, Adam appeared to attend more than ever to his studies, but actually he was distracted. As her finger traced the words on the scrolls, Adam nudged closer so her hair brushed his cheek. As they stood pondering the path of the moon that rose even though the sun was yet high in the sky, Adam’s attention wandered. With a grin, Rapha grasped the young man’s head, turning it toward a lunar view once again.

  Rapha was their constant tutor and chaperone but he knew his angelic approval was no longer the one most coveted by Adam. Now the young man was spurred on by a driving competition with the female. Her admiration, next to that of Adonai, was his most treasured reward. Each of the young humans had their strengths; he excelled in narrative detail while she was able to grasp deeper meaning behind a story; he was the faster swimmer and runner but she had the greater stamina; she was the one the animals sought for comfort while Adam was prized for rambunctious play; but they each strove to improve where the other excelled. She inspired his former unenthusiastic study of things that grew out of the ground while he encouraged her interest in the cosmos.

  Rapha was fascinated by their complementary personalities. She had a gentling influence on the boy when he desired to test his physical limits since she was sure to attempt whatever he did; and he made her laugh when she tended to take herself too seriously. It was a perfect blend, with each encouraging the other toward balance and wholeness. It gave them vulnerability and strength, helping Rapha understand why Adonai would take the risk of making two separate beings so interdependent. In fact, it even caused him to question if the angels’ wholeness could be viewed as weakness in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps if Lucifer had been a bit vulnerable, his pride might not have been his undoing?

  Their discussions about history became fascinating. The two humans brought fresh perspective to tales experienced and re-told by Rapha for millennia.

  But sometimes the discussion hit a little too close to danger for Rapha’s comfort. The memory of their inquisitive young faces as the angel attempted to describe how his physiognomy differed from theirs was so clear the conversation could have taken place yesterday. That day the young humans had raced up their favorite summit to join the angel by the clear mountain stream for another history lesson. Usually the climb helped to curb some of their energetic nature but this time she had won the race and Adam was accusing her of foul play. The interchange was creating anything but a teachable moment.

  “You just don’t want to admit I beat you fair
and square,” she laughed, tossing her hair back from flushed cheeks.

  “You cheated!” Adam stated. In truth, he was too stirred by her flashing eyes and smile to even care about the race. “You tripped and I slowed to help you. If you hadn’t let go of that branch at the perfect moment to knock me down—”

  “There! You admit it!” She poked Adam’s shoulder. “You were already losing or you would not have seen me trip.”

  “I was being chivalrous by letting you keep up,” he returned the poke.

  “Besides, it just goes to show what Rapha says, ‘the race doesn’t always go to the merely swift,’” she paraphrased liberally to goad him. “Strategy is more important than might.”

  “So you admit you cheated!” He leaned into her face, inhaling the scent of honeysuckle and herbed oils.

  “I never said that!” her hand had been trailing in the stream in preparation for a drink, but she decided on a better use. With a flick of her fingers the water splashed in his face, transforming the smug expression as excitement lit his handsome features. In an instant the splash had turned into a full-blown water free-for-all.

  It was both amusing and alarming to view the sexual tension between the young man and woman when they still had no real grasp of where it was leading. No stretching of Rapha’s angelic emotional probing was necessary to recognize the obvious. If left to their own devices, this innocent tussle would follow the natural course of the lions’ wrestling match.

  One of his most important directives was to prevent such an occurrence until Adonai proclaimed the proper time, therefore Rapha placed himself between the youthful combatants, breaking the inevitable force that drew the ocean to the shore. He was rewarded for his efforts by becoming their mutual target. He endured the soaking for a moment, then shut down the assault by summoning a strong wave that swept them both off their feet.