The Third Heaven Series Boxed Set: Books (1-3)

by Donovan Neal

  All the elders nodded in submission and slowly took their leave, all while Lucifer held the head of Abraxis, and when all were gone save he and Charon, he spoke.

  "Come curator of Death. Let us go and teach Adam that Death and Hell are a thing to be feared."

  *********************

  Gabriel searched for his brother and found him in the foundry hammering away on an anvil. Michael had authorized the creation of armaments to outfit the Legions to do battle against the schemes of Lucifer and Ares his minister of war. Steam and the sparks of Heaven—forged steel clanged in his ears and Gabriel stood next to Michael spoke.

  "Jerahmeel hast told me of your encounter with Argoth. So does my brother sulk behind the stroke of hammer to steel?"

  Michael continued hammering and did not look upon his brother. "Gabriel I am not in the mood to hear thy words, nor comment of my ascension to Chief Prince."

  "Ah...," said Gabriel. "But ascension is the goal of Lucifer. It is the burden now of Argoth, and for thee."

  Michael hammered and spoke aloud over the sounds of folded steel, "I did not ask for such a mantle." Sweat dripped from Michael's brow and his muscles flexed as he pounded on the anvil. Gabriel admired the already completed swords and shields that hung on the armory walls and spoke.

  "The mantle of power given as Chief Prince is a title that is both honor and burden. For with it one must carry the secret of the Almighty. With it, faith in his purpose must be absolute. I know of none other in all of Heaven who can be trusted to lead us in battle when it comes."

  Michael wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed, "You flatter me, but there are many others who can lead the forces of Heaven. I am content to build her."

  Gabriel nodded. "Many that are worthy—perhaps. But Chief Prince can only come from Lumazi. You are still Lumazi. We are the seven spirits of God and stand before his presence. There is but one of us who can take on this task as is the order of all things.

  "Seven amongst thousands times ten thousands. And of the seven, one is lost in grief, and still battles himself, and will not be made whole. Another though wise, cannot leave his station for he is in command of the guard of heaven and holds the key to the Abyss. Our newest members have not the perspective to understand our brother, nor the mind to which he will move against us. Though they both possess great power they have a zeal but not according to knowledge."

  "Argoth has command of the legions," said Michael. "He is in command."

  "Aye," said Gabriel. “Argoth is in command, yet Argoth thinks of himself more highly than he ought to think though humbled by our brother's actions. He hast neither led forces into battle, he is quick to judge, slow to hear, and believes that his sight alone gives him title to command others."

  Michael looked away and continued his hammering at the blade he carefully fashioned. Sparks flew as the blade submitted to the strike of his powerful arm. The smell of iron filled the room, and Michael stopped his pounding and looked at his brother and spoke. "There is yet one who is wise, and pure of heart who in all of our battles hast not deviated to the left nor right of honor. You speak of others and yet neglect thyself. I would follow thee into battle. What say you?"

  Gabriel laughed, "It is not I who El hast chosen to lead the forces of Heaven. I am content with my station. And though if need be I would command the armies of God. I am not best for the task. El hast given each of us our talents or would you bury in the ground that which El holds dear?"

  When Gabriel spoke, Michael's heart was pricked. For he had not considered that his actions would diminish El's will. Yet retort still lingered over him as a fog and he replied.

  "I have sheathed the blade of Ophanim. I do not wish to wield it again."

  Gabriel nodded, "Understood, but it is not with blades that we will bring Lucifer low." He placed his hands on Michael's broad shoulder and looked him in the eye. "Nor will heaven forged steel bring war to a close. But it will be because of faith, hope, and love...the greatest of which shall be love." Gabriel then looked intently at his brother and asked, "Do you love the people Michael?"

  "You know that I love them," he said.

  "Then are they not worthy of sound leadership? War is of vital importance to the state. No sovereign can lightly enter therein. You are loath to fight, yet when cause came to stand against the wiles of the Devil. You braved Hell itself, destroyed the birthplace of angels, and fought the Dragon until he bled fire. All to see the will of El be done."

  Michael turned then continued hammering on his anvil. Gabriel looked at him and spoke. "A third of heaven's children hath been torn away, and will you leave to another to build what only God hast elected that you construct?"

  Michael stopped hammering, turned to look at Gabriel and spoke, "You think by not assuming the role of Chief Prince. I have opened Heaven to further bloodshed?"

  Gabriel spoke, "As you saith."

  Michael winced, "But I did not ask for this burden. It was not my wish to be elevated so. I am but a servant to El."

  Gabriel replied, "And it is because you have served with honor that El would see you lifted that you might be a servant to all. Would you frustrate the purpose of God?"

  Michael looked at his brother in anger. "Would you label me Adversary as our brother?"

  Gabriel did not hesitate to respond, "Would you frustrate the purposes of God?" he asked again.

  "I am not Lucifer!" Michael roared and he flung the hammer across the armory.

  "Exactly," said Gabriel. "And that is why you must lead."

  Michael was quiet for a moment. "If I assume the title of Chief Prince then I must die," Michael said, "For El hast spoken."

  Gabriel was quick to reply, "Then you shall die."

  "I..," Michael hesitated then bowed his head to commune with the Lord in prayer. "El hear me. If I might still accept the title given, then I yield myself for trial. I repent. For I now see that thy gift was despised in my eyes. Yet if forgiveness yet remains, allow thy servant even now to earn what once was freely offered, that I might serve thee in all things."

  Immediately a light shown over Michael and Gabriel.

  "Come up hither," said a voice. And the two disappeared from view and emerged in the throne room and stood before the Genesis of Creation, the Lord God himself. Michael and Gabriel then knelt before their king.

  "I have heard thy prayer and have granted thee thy petition. You will seek Eladrin. He will judge thee as worthy. But lo, if you go. You will surely die."

  "As you command," Michael said.

  Gabriel asked the father, "Who will lead in his absence Lord?"

  El looked upon them both. "Argoth shall lead the legions. But the title of Chief Prince shall not be his to hold. Steward to the legions shall he be until thou hast returned."

  Michael and Gabriel nodded in acknowledgment.

  "My Lord when am I to seek Eladrin?" Michael asked.

  "Rise, and go to the Hall of Annals. There you will meet Argoth and Enoch, and Argoth shall prepare thee for what thou must do."

  Michael and Gabriel rose then turned from the Lord and left to find Argoth. As they walked towards the Hall of Annals, Michael spoke. "There is a favor I must ask of thee."

  "Say on," said Gabriel.

  "There is a charge given me by the Lord. A charge whilst away I cannot monitor. I pray that you will stand in my stead to see to its completion. There are two others who are aware of this mission, Argoth, and Jerahmeel; they also can help if need be in the cause."

  Gabriel smiled, "The thing will be done. What is thy charge?"

  Michael replied, "I need thee to watch over the blood of a maiden who is not yet. Her name is Mary and El hast revealed she shall birth Shiloh."

  *********************

  Michael and Gabriel arrived at the Hall of Annals and found Jerahmeel and Argoth already notified by the Lord and prepared to receive them.

  "Michael it pleases me that you have taken up the cause to assume the mantle of leadership. Surely, Heaven's fou
ndations will stand secure when you sit in your place among the Lumazi," said Argoth.

  Michael laughed, "The last time we spoke you basically told me to get out. Am I now to understand that you would see me be Chief Prince?"

  "It was always my task too but speak the truth in love. For we are one body fitly joined and compacted so that every joint supplieth. Yes, my prince, I desire to see you assume your station so that I can fully function within my own."

  Michael looked upon Argoth surprised, sighed, and then spoke, "You then have my thanks, in prompting me to fulfill the will of El in all things, and now, I must ask you questions that I might have hope of success."

  Argoth replied, "Say on."

  "Hast anyone ever attempted to climb the mount?" Michael asked.

  "No," said Argoth. "The Ophanim keep all at bay. No one but the chief prince hast ever been to the top. Atop the mountain, there are not even Grigori who know what lies beyond. It is as the Maelstrom, and El has not given me sight to see what lies upon."

  "How then do I find the nest of Eladrin?" Michael asked.

  Argoth reached into a drawer and pulled out a glass jar. Within it contained a scroll that shimmered in the light, flickering as if the parchment struggled to remain in this realm of existence. The glass jar was sealed and Michael began to turn the golden cap to reach inside when Argoth prevented him.

  "No! The thing can only be opened in the presence of the Ophanim. Go to where the Ophanim protect the mount and when they descend upon you for laying foot on Holy ground. You may open it then, and only then."

  Enoch looked at Michael spoke, "I will go with you as I desire to see what God will not share with angels."

  "No Adamson, your place is to attend to your studies here with me," said Argoth.

  Enoch put his hands on his hips and looked at Argoth, "I'm sorry, but did you elevate to Godhood and I was not informed? Am I a pet to be looked after? I will go where I see fit I am not a prisoner in Heaven.”

  Argoth sighed, "You are a stubborn man, very well then, be it upon thine own head."

  Michael looked at Enoch with his eyes raised, "If I take you Adamson, you will slow me down."

  Enoch looked at Michael undeterred and replied, "Then you shall be slowed down." Enoch walked away to quickly gather a clutch of supplies.

  Jerahmeel laughed, "I like this human!"

  Michael turned to Jerahmeel and whispered into his ear. "I need you and Gabriel to take up my charge in my absence. See to the maiden's welfare, and secure her blood."

  Jerahmeel nodded. "We shall see the thing done. Fear not, she is your charge and it will be you who shall see to her protection. You just make sure of your return to see to it."

  Michael smiled, hugged his brother in a long embrace, then let him go and spoke to Enoch.

  "Come we need to get underway."

  The two then left the Hall and proceeded to the mount of God.

  *********************

  Talus walked to the Great Library. The building had burn marks over sections, and portions where the roof had collapsed when the Godstones had fallen from the sky. Grigori attendants moved with haste to restore the building. Kortai workers also coordinated with them and the Library's renovations were coming along swiftly. Talus went to the desk for inquiry.

  "Greetings,” he said. “Who presides as Lord Keeper of the Library now?"

  The angel behind the desk replied. "It is an honor high prince. The Sephiroth has not yet voiced who is yet to command the Library. We expect a decision soon my Lord. In the meantime might I direct you to Raziel he stands as the angel of Knowledge and hast been standing in Hariph's stead until bidden, he is the last of the order not killed by the renegade Lilith."

  "Take me to him," commanded Talus.

  "This way my Lord."

  The attendant motioned Talus to step behind the counter and two entered into a back chamber. Opening the wooden door, the attendant bowed and gestured Talus to enter. "Chief Keeper I present—"

  "I am not the Chief Keeper Lathaniel; I am but a humble servant to our Lord El."

  "My apologies Raziel, I meant no disrespect. Prince Talus, Raziel steward of the Library." The angel bowed and turned to leave the two alone to converse.

  Raziel also bowed as was custom, then spoke. "Prince Talus, how might I serve you?"

  "I seek information on the word—"

  "Golem...yes I know high prince. I expected you to come."

  Talus stood stupefied. "How,...how could you have known?"

  Raziel smiled. "I am Grigori, and Grigori watch High Prince. There is little that we do not know, and even glimpses of the future are available to us. Your Grigori is ever present with you. And what one of us knows, we all know."

  Talus cringed at the thought then spoke. "And what of thy fallen brethren? Do they also know?"

  "Alas, no my prince. The Fallen are severed from the collective. They only know what was before the Descension, and what they are able to collect and share with one another now. Yet they may still infer, and some among them even possess the sight to see glimpses into the future."

  Talus scrunched his brow and his eyes narrowed, "Does Michael know of this?"

  "The High Prince is made aware of the state of creation and given updates as to the movements of the Fallen. Yet you asked about Golem. Come hither and see."

  Talus moved closer and Raziel picked up a tome and set it on the pedestal that he might see. "Is this where Raphael died?" asked Talus.

  Raziel stopped and bowed his head. "I will miss the words of his script in my heart. His pen moved with song" Talus nodded in agreement.

  "Behold my Lord the Golem." An image appeared in the air from the book, and Talus observed an angel. It stood motionless as if awaiting command. It did not blink and its breathing was barely perceptible. "This my prince is Golem, it stands mute until acted upon by another. To be a Golem is to be stuck in a state that one cannot move past. A Golem my Prince is someone who is in denial of the truth."

  Talus looked intently at the creature. "This is an angel, how did he come to be in this state, and moreover what can be done to help him?"

  The turning of Eskalion into Golem occurred when Prince Michael rescued him from the creature Minos. His Grigori holds record to his history. Would you care to see it?"

  Talus nodded, wondering if he should continue further.

  Raziel removed another tome and it sprang to Life.

  The two angels watched as the angel Eskalion battled several angels who had caused rebellion in heaven. Eskalion was strong in battle and three of the fallen were upon him and also attempted to strike down another angel who was giving medical aid to one who held to the cause of El.

  Eskalion intervened by stomping into the earth and the might was such that waves of concussive force emanated from the ground and disrupted time, that all who opposed him were lifted into the air and tumbled defenseless in a form of stasis. Eskalion then lifted a glaive he had taken from a fallen foe, and with three swift strokes cut asunder the three attackers. Their bodies fell in severed pieces to the ground. Eskalion saw the blood on his blade, the stream of blue that flowed from the bodies he had cut. He raised his hands and cried out in anguish for the lives he had taken.

  "Image off," commanded Raziel.

  "Why did you stop the reading?" Talus asked.

  "My prince forgive me...it is not needful to know the rest of Eskalion's pain to understand what has happened."

  Talus became angry, "Would you presume to tell me what I need?" He hast done nothing that many of us during the war was want to do. He took up arms to defend. To protect and fight for the cause of El." There is nothing to see here but what billions have themselves done. Therefore, you will show me. How did he become this Golem?"

  Raziel sighed, "As you wish my prince. Advance to the breaking of Eskalion."

  Immediately the image continued and Eskalion was in his bed, and he held his pillow behind his head in an attempt to cover his ears. "Be quiet!" he shouted. "
No!" He spoke aloud to himself. He swiped at the air as if beating back enemies. Yet none was seen save Eskalion alone in his bed.

  Talus looked down disturbed. "Hast the angel lost his mind? What is this that I behold?"

  Raziel said nothing but merely pointed his finger to the image before them. Talus returned his eyes to the floating picture of an angel's bout with apparitions in his mind. Violently Eskalion moved his hands over his head as he rocked back and forth. "I did not kill! I...I...El... they would not stop...I had too...,” and he broke down and cried in his bed.

  "What plagues him?" Talus asked.

  "All of us have had to adjust to the loss of our brethren. To make sense of having to strike down those who earlier were our kin. Now a third of Heaven stands to us lost. We have studied this thing and have called it grief my Prince. An emotion named by El that many now experience. An emotion El works even now to comfort, ease and to console. All must walk the path to wholeness again, and all have done so differently. Eskalion was eventually captured and confined to Tartarus, digested within the flesh that was Minos. He pushed against his brethren trapped within to breath, to fight for escape; forced to climb atop the bodies of his own countrymen that he himself might live. All while other were crushed underfoot. Lucifer's penitentiary was without mercy, for the prisoners within were digested alive, whilst they clambered over one another to stay away from the acids that consumed them. Until Prince Michael rescued him, and Charon defeated Minos he was lost to the dark that was this torture of angelic death. And the fear of death to an immortal will drive him mad.