Tail of the Dragon

by Timothy Reihm

  Chapter 25

  'Here, let me help,' Gadreel said and reached for the ornate object.

  Ariel was trying to attach his choir pendant into a slot in the middle of the seal that adorned the front of his new breastplate. At the ceremony, marking the end of their second year, they had received this important component of their armor. It was a symbolic addition to their wardrobe, meant to teach them to guard their hearts, but it was also quite beautiful, fitting over their robes like a vest of embroidered gold and platinum, and representing to others what they had accomplished at the academy thus far.

  ‘You are trying it the wrong way. The facets face out. Here, let me show you.’ Gadreel took his friend’s deep green jewel, turned it over, and snapped it into place.

  ‘Thanks for your help.’

  ‘I just want to make sure you look good for all your fans,’ Gadreel said, winking. He enjoyed the discomfort his friend's newfound fame gave him. Ever since ‘the kick,’ arella, congratulating him on the improbable shot and propelling the Aralim Choir bocket team to victory, often stopped Ariel. Despite Gadreel being the best player and going undefeated for the entire season, Ariel was getting a lion’s share of the credit. Of course, it had also produced a fair amount of controversy. Although the accusation about him cheating was dismissed due to a lack of evidence, the rumors still proliferated, and Ariel had received more than a few pointed looks on campus.

  'So where is Araton taking you?' Gadreel asked.

  'We are meeting a group at some place on the north side of the city. He said the food is fantastic. And he told me he wanted to talk to me about my post-academic plans.'

  'Sounds like a recruitment dinner to me. I bet he found out how great at transformation you are and wants to claim you early,' Gadreel said.

  Ariel put on a guise of wounded pride.

  'That's just plain mean,' he said.

  Transformation was proving to be particularly challenging, but he understood how important the module was. Appearing as beings of blinding light, oftentimes much larger than the native species on worlds where they were stationed, created problems in serving indigenous populations. So they were learning to alter their appearance at will.

  This was possible due to their cellular composition. Most multicellular organisms were comprised of a variety of cell types serving specific functions. Arella, on the other hand, were composed of just one type. These particular cells were extremely versatile and more durable than those possessed by other creatures. Hence, arella could withstand more extreme environments, a necessity given their diverse roles throughout the universe. This was due to the fact that angelic cells acted as both dissipators and aggregators of energy. Whereas a common carbon-based cell would be instantly destroyed if exposed to extreme outputs or absences of energy, an arellian cell, or haematid, automatically passed through excess energy levels or absorbed and retained energy, depending on the environment.

  The ability to absorb ambient energy allowed haematid to take on the characteristics of virtually any element, be it gas, liquid or solid. The cells mirrored the composition of other objects, without losing their intrinsic qualities. The key to this transformation was being able to correctly understand whatever you were trying to imitate. It was frustrating how quickly Gadreel had developed the skill.

  'I don't understand how you make it look so easy,' Ariel said.

  'Make what look easy?' Gadreel replied and disappeared from view.

  'Gadreel, I can still see your aura.'

  'I know. I hope I learn how to mask that at our meeting tonight,' he said.

  ‘Last time I am going to mention this, but is there any way I can talk you out of going? I have a bad feeling about this.’

  Ariel had repeatedly tried to change his mind about the meetings, without success. His friend's lack of trust bothered him. Ariel encouraged Gabriel to stay in the group, but the minute he had mentioned attending, his friend objected. How weak did Ariel think he was?

  ‘Ariel, seriously, I will be fine. Now, will you please drop it.’

  Gadreel reappeared by the door.

  'I'm going to walk over toward the Cherubim Estate. I need to relax and meditate a bit before the meeting. Say hello to Araton.'

  'Be careful, please,' Ariel said seriously.

  Gadreel walked the pathway out through the front gate of the estate, to the main boulevard leading westward toward the academy and the Cherubim Estate. He was excited to attend his first meeting. He imagined the wonderful new skills he was to learn. It seemed that all of the skills they were taught in class were so simple. He was anxious to be confronted with new challenges and opportunities. As he rounded the corner he saw an approaching chariot carrying his friends.

  When they arrived at Azazel's estate, the number of vehicles parked outside surprised Gadreel. He had imagined a small group, like the one they had seen on their covert trip during first year, but the numbers had increased dramatically. Could this honestly be a secret anymore?

  They stepped through the front door, and Gadreel followed his friends through the house and out into the back yard. Gabriel led him up to his former instructor and waited while he finished speaking to another student before tapping Azazel on the shoulder and introducing Gadreel.

  ‘Ah, we have a lion of Aralim among us at last,’ Azazel said, offering him his forearm in greeting.

  ‘Yes sir,’ he replied. ‘Nice to see you again. Thank you for inviting me to your estate.’

  ‘You are certainly welcome. I would like to talk to you after we finish up, but now I need to get things started.'

  Azazel turned and walked onto the porch, raised his hand for quiet and addressed the group.

  ‘I first want to introduce the newest arella to join the group. Gadreel, would you step forward?’

  Gadreel did as asked and looked around the group at the dozens of eyes peering at him. He recognized a few, but most of the faces were new to him.

  ‘I hope you have been practicing those transformation exercises I introduced last time. Tonight I want to discuss the uses of this ability and some of the alterations you can make to such a power. As I am sure you have been told, transformation is an extremely beneficial power for angels who dwell among many of the unique creations throughout the universe. It is very helpful to look like the subjects we are working with, as many of them would be unable to withstand a glimpse of us as we normally appear.’

  ‘As most of you know, but for the benefit of our new friends I will repeat, there are often additional uses for our powers that are not popular with many of the trainers at the academy. This holds true for transformation as well. While our influence can be exerted in other worlds using just words, you may face events in the future where the stubbornness of some of the creations is too great. We may perceive that following a certain course will lead to a poor outcome, but what do we do if they will not listen? Do we let them continue down a path towards ruin? Of course not.'

  ‘That is where the art of possession comes in. While I am strictly prevented from showing you such a power, there is no harm in letting you know it does exist and sharing some of the benefits of learning this. In possession, you do not simply become the image of some alien race, but actually take over control of a specific individual.’

  At this point, Gabriel interrupted. ‘Sir, are you saying that we can take over the body of another creation?’

  ‘That is exactly what I am saying. I would like to say that I have never actually used this ability. However, given the right circumstances, it could be a useful tool, since it gives access to things like memory and thoughts, which are hidden from us in our natural form. With this knowledge, and using the influence of the one possessed on others around them, you could have far greater ability to control the destiny of the universe and prevent its ruin.’

  ‘Sir, this seems to oppose the basic right of free will that all the Kings’ creations are given. If we take a being over to act in accord with our own will, they have lost their freedom to ac
t as they wish.’

  ‘Gabriel, is this any different then what Ruach does? Do you not agree that he works in each of us to do the will of the Kings? Possession is the job description of the Spirit King. As his representatives, it is my belief that we may act in a similar way to protect the universe from harm.’

  ‘Sir, this seems like an unsteady balance. You are comparing us to the three Kings, and we are not worthy of such comparison. Ruach may work in each of us, but that does not take away our free will.’

  ‘Ah, Gabriel, I do appreciate our weekly debates. May I ask, do you truly believe you have complete and unopposed free will? You have been instructed not to partake of yayin, for example, and you listen. If you had free will, wouldn’t it be up to you if you wanted to drink or not? Can you, a wingless telmid, leave the confines of this world to travel the universe without a chaperone? If, upon graduation, you decide to forgo the responsibility of being a representative, and say, play bocket every day for eternity, would that be permissible? What I am saying to you all today is that this overused term, free will, is wildly misunderstood. As arella, we have a free will, as long as that will is in accordance with that of the three Kings. I have completely accepted this. But I also accept that subjects under our control must accept the same thing, which is that they have free will as long as it is in accordance with their own good.’

  ‘Sir, I respect you, but wholeheartedly disagree. First, the difference between the guidance of Ruach and the possession you speak of is that we must volunteer, must choose, to be filled, or possessed, as you would say. What you hint at doesn’t seem to require permission, but seems more like invasion. Secondly, we do have complete free will. I have the freedom to do all of the things you said, but choose not to in order to be the best representative I can be. I can drink yayin. I simply choose not to; not because I was told not to, but because I do not want to cloud my judgment. I can play bocket forever, but will not because I would miss out on all the incredible experiences that are possible for a servant of the Kings. As far as leaving the confines of this world; you are right in that I have not acquired the ability to do so yet, but if there is one place in the universe that I am to be confined, let it be here.’

  Gadreel had never seen his friend so passionate about anything and couldn't help but admire his composure. He had disagreed with an authority figure, yet done so with the utmost respect and eloquence. He looked around the group to see if others were as impressed as he, but saw looks that hinted more of annoyance than admiration. Gabriel surely noticed this as well, but he did not hesitate.

  ‘Gabriel, I am not here to argue the nuances of free will. Yes, we have it, however limited. My point is that in the same degree it is limited with us, we may choose to limit it on worlds we are trying to help. Possession is a last resort power, yet it remains a power. I am not suggesting you use it, but there is certainly no harm in letting you know the possibilities your powers hold.'

  The meeting was less eventful after the discussion had ended. Azazel gave a few pointers on transformation and answered a number of questions. As the group began to break up, he caught Gadreel by the arm and pulled him aside.

  ‘Ah, Gadreel, I am glad I found you before you left. Interesting meeting?’

  ‘Oh yes sir. Very interesting. I learned more tonight than I did in class all week. And the discussions are very thought provoking.’

  ‘Yes, I do enjoy Gabriel’s weekly arguments. A bit naive, but enjoyable. I do hope you choose to visit with us again. I remembered you from your first year and was always hopeful you would choose to join your friends.’

  ‘Sir, if I may ask, why did you never invite me before?’

  ‘I respected you in class, Gadreel. You are a quick learner and have the highest potential. You also seem trustworthy. But you are very close with your friend. Ariel, isn't it? I did not get this same impression of him. I assumed he would not see our meetings as helpful, but harmful or potentially dangerous. Let me say that it is not without risk that we discuss these things. There are some opposed to discussing controversial subjects. But I believe it is important for you to learn to think on your own, and that is my only goal. I serve the same Kings as you, and have done so for a millennium with all of my heart, but I also feel that you do the best service as free thinkers and not mere robots.’

  ‘Sir, Ariel is a great friend and an even better arella.’

  ‘So he would not object to the things that we do and discuss here?’

  Gadreel did not have to think about the question for long. If there was anyone he knew as well as himself, it was his friend, and that friend would object. Strongly. No, Ariel would not appreciate the discussions, and since he was still trying to perfect the basic powers, the advanced applications would be useless to him.

  ‘You are likely right, sir. Ariel would probably be happier studying at home.’

  ‘Well I hope that you are not and will join us in the future.’

  ‘I will sir. I assure you of that.’

  ‘Well, until that next time.’

  ‘Bye sir.’

  Later that night, as he lay on his pallet, he replayed the events of the evening. It was such a relief to realize the tyrannous activities Ariel feared were just a wise old angel helping younger arella develop. Azazel was merely developing critical thinking, not training a mutinous army. He thought about the discussion Gabriel had reacted to so passionately. He had many questions about the Kings, the origin of the universe and world he inhabited, but this question about free will was a new and fascinating concept. Did free will exist or was it an illusion? He knew what Ariel would say, but wasn’t sure how he viewed it. He resolved he would not argue with Ariel about the matter. He didn’t want any further trouble between him and his best friend. He would have to find someone else to discuss these matters with.