In Exile (Archangel Jarahmael and the War to Conquer Heaven, Book III)

by John J Higgins

  Cerebriel saw that Jarahmael was unarmed. That’s really taking a risk, he thought. Jarahmael must know that Luciferael and the other rebel Angels were still looking for him. Cerebriel decided to remain invisible for now; he would fly and catch up to his friend as he got closer to the mountain.

  Then out of the corner of his eye, Cerebriel saw the black tipped wings of Sammuael appear in hot pursuit, his sword out of its scabbard, at the ready and pointed at Jarahmael.

  Chapter 32

  AN INCONVENIENT BUMP

  Sammuael could not restrain himself when he saw Jarahmael fly out of Adam and Eve’s cave. Not being able to attack while he was invisible, Sammuael slowed his body’s energy down and became solid again and flew upwards towards Jarahmael. He did not care at all if someone saw him. Finally, he had Jarahmael in his sights and was going to capture him once and for all. Luciferael and the others could focus on the hybrid child and Lillith. He wanted revenge and the glory of capturing the great fugitive Jarahmael.

  Jarahmael naturally moved quickly when he flew. He had been able to avoid being seen in the sky for many years now, and had developed a technique of flying upwards very quickly, flexing his wings in large and fast strokes that sent him to great heights. Once at altitude, he would then roll forward, pull his wings behind him and aim towards wherever he was going, descending at a speed that was just below making a sonic boom. Having done this technique for all these years, his strength was well developed and it would be difficult for anyone to keep up with him.

  Sammuael found that out quickly as he was not used to flying at great speeds, as there was little need to travel like that in the Underworld. In a few minutes Jarahmael was far above Sammuael, and try as he might he was still falling further behind.

  Suddenly, the rebel Archangel felt himself hit broadside by a heavier Cherubim. Sammuael was so focused on chasing Jarahmael that he never saw it coming, and his sword popped out of his outstretched arm as he began to tumble earthwards. Dropping now out of the sky, his sword was falling faster towards the ground, Sammuael’s wings slowing his descent just by their air displacement. By the time he caught up to his sword he was barely above the ground, just outside the Humans’ cave. With his sword in hand and now infuriated, he glared again upwards, trying to find which Cherubim had struck him, but the culprit was already gone.

  Sammuael continued to scan the sky for the Cherubim but noticed he had also lost Jarahmael and any indication as to where he was headed. He flew up to one of the clouds passing by about two thousand feet up, and landed on its fluffy white water vapored floor, looking around at the ground to see if he could find any clues as to where Jarahmael had gone.

  Luciferael appeared next to him, making himself solid and visible. “That was not necessary, Sammuael. Why did you do that? You risked the entire operation going after Jarahmael like that!”

  “Apologies, my lord. I did not want Jarahmael to get away again. We have had such few opportunities to capture him,” Sammuael said, bowing before Luciferael subserviently.

  “I want to recapture Lillith and that hybrid child as well. You have to get your personal hatred out of this until we have all three of them,” Luciferael admonished.

  “Again, I am sorry, my lord. I lost him as he ascended. I don’t know who struck me from the side other than it seemed like it was a Cherubim by the Being’s mass,” Sammuael said, rubbing his side.

  “I did not see who struck you, Sammuael, as I was focused on Jarahmael’s ascent,” Luciferael added.

  “I am so sorry we lost Jarahmael and don’t know where he was headed, my lord,” Sammuael repeated.

  “Who said we lost him and do not know where he was headed?” Luciferael responded, another of his grins erupting on his face.

  Chapter 33

  FOREBODING

  Jarahmael aimed his body at his home from far above the clouds and glided directly at the entranceway, pulling his wings slightly back to allow all the air to pass directly over his wings, not building up back pressure, which enabled him to dive faster. He would appear as a blur at best, if any Human or Simian happened to be looking up at the sky. Just above the ground he arched his back as he straightened and extended his wings, cupping the air, as he braked causing his speed to diminish.

  He touched down lightly in his entranceway, hidden from outside view by the trees, bushes and boulders that hid his cave. He walked into his home looking for Lillith and found her sitting up asleep in their bedroom.

  “Wake up Lillith!” Jarahmael called out to her.

  She slowly opened her eyes, still appearing very sleepy to Jarahmael. “Are you alright, Lillith?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am fine,” she replied automatically. “What time is it?”

  “It’s a little past midday,” the Archangel answered as he leaned down and kissed her. “I thought you may like to come with me and the boys up to the snow covered mountaintop. It’s a great way to stay cool,” he answered. He looked at her and noticed that she still seemed to be in a daze. “Come on Lillith, it may do you good to come outside.”

  “You promise to never leave me?” she asked, suddenly becoming more aware.

  “Of course, Lillith. I searched all over for you the last time. I will never leave you, and if you ever did get lost, I will find you once again. I promise!” Jarahmael said as he reached down and gave her a kiss.

  He never tired of looking at her. She was one of the Almighty’s most beautiful creatures. He did not know why she was becoming more withdrawn of late; he thought raising Enoch was becoming easier as the boy was growing. Perhaps it was her longing for her existence back in the Garden of Eden, but this area of the Earth was beautiful in its own right.

  Lillith kissed him back and surprised him when she embraced him, holding on like she would never let go. They stayed like that until he leaned his head back and smiled at her, looking deep in her eyes.

  “I want to make you happy, what else can I do for you?” he asked. He could smell her hair and loved how she felt up against his body. But they would not have time to make love again.

  “Nothing, my Archangel,” she answered. “I have just had feelings of foreboding and I don’t know why. I want to stay safe and secure here in our home.”

  “Come with me, Lillith. I have three boys who are waiting on us,” Jarahmael said, moving her around to his back so he could fly back to Adam and Eve’s cave.

  He carried her to the entranceway to their home and looked up as he was ready to push himself upwards and fly off with Lillith on his back. Then he saw Angels flying down out of the clouds in the distance heading precisely in his direction. They have found me! his thoughts screamed at him. Are they also looking for Enoch and Lillith? They must have followed me here!

  Jarahmael went into a protective mode, spun around, placed Lillith back in the cave and motioned for her to get further back inside.

  “Hide Lillith!” he whispered. “I will make the cave invisible. Don’t move until I get back!”

  He slid off to the side and called out “Verto Invisible” and the opening to the cave disappeared, hidden in the camouflage of the trees and shrubbery in front. Lillith would be safe for now, concealed within the mountain. But he knew that Enoch would be vulnerable in the cave of Adam and Eve without any protection.

  He did not have his weapons on him, and he also knew that none of the Humans where he had left his weapons would be capable of fighting these Angels. They were the most skilled of the rebel Cherubim warriors, by the looks of them!

  With no time to waste, he turned himself invisible and took off upwards so he could figure out how best to deal with these attacking Angels.

  Chapter 34

  ANOTHER RUSE

  Luciferael motioned for Sammuael to follow him and ascended up into the clouds where Glabolas’ Cherubim were concealed.

  After they landed in the cloud Sammuael asked, “Where did Jarahmael go, my lord?”

  “He headed over towards that mountain to the east,” Luciferael s
aid as he pointed in that direction. It’s the one off to the side of the snow caps, a good portion of it facing Adam and Eve’s cave.

  Luciferael motioned over to Glabolas to come join the two Archangels.

  “See that mountain over there? I want you to take your full legion and aim for that mountain. I want you to stay visible and with full weaponry in attack stance.”

  “Yes, my lord,” the Cherubim responded without hesitation.

  “We are going to do a full assault on that mountain?” Sammuael asked, now smiling broadly. “Finally, we will get that traitor Jarahmael!”

  “No, not yet!” Luciferael responded. “You need to be more patient, Sammuael!”

  “What is the purpose of a full on assault then, my lord? Are we just parading around in the skies here?” Sammuael asked, disappointed yet again.

  “It’s not like that at all, my dear Sammuael,” Luciferael said, putting his arm around his most trusted Archangel. Then Luciferael turned to look at Glabolas and said, “I want you to then take your legion and turn to the left and go over to the next set of mountains and hide in the valley below them, out of sight.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Glabolas added, “May I ask why, my lord?” as both he and Sammuael again looked puzzled.

  “It’s simple, really, and all part of my plan,” Luciferael answered, smiling because he knew his plan would be effective. “I want to get all three of them: Jarahmael, Lillith, and the hybrid child. At the moment, I think they are separated out in a couple places in this area, but not together. I intend to have Jarahmael collect all of them into one spot for us, then we can grab them all in one shot.”

  “And you think this broken off attack will accomplish that, my lord?” Sammuael asked.

  “Yes, and it will serve another purpose. Jarahmael will most likely move all three of them to his home, which is somewhere on that mountain, the one you will look like you will attack. He will use the things he knows to use. I had found Lillith in a hidden hallway in Jarahmael’s palace in the Seventh Heaven. I am assuming he still has the same ability to hide things in plain site by turning then invisible or cloaking them in a mirror image.”

  “But if you force him to do that we still won’t find them!” Sammuael insisted.

  Luciferael ignored the comment and continued, “And we also know that the loyal Angels are around here in force. But they are concealed and hidden or just invisible. I don’t want to capture these three only to be counterattacked by the loyal Angels and have the captives taken from us. By making such a bold move, the loyal Angels will most likely appear themselves and we can divert them off to the other mountain ranges, making them search for us. After the loyal Angels appear in pursuit of your legion, Glabolas, lead your warriors over that mountain over there, and hide in the valley. Then carry out the maneuvers I described to you earlier. While the loyal Angels are busy there, Sammuael and I will double back where we can scour the mountain. And I have a secret weapon that will show us where Jarahmael and his family are hiding. Just watch, you will see.”

  Chapter 35

  ADAM SURPRISES

  Jarahmael remained invisible as he flew through the sky headed over towards Adam and Eve’s cave. He had left his weapons and Enoch there in the care of the Humans. As he flew over, he wondered how long it would take Luciferael’s rebel forces to find all three of them, and if he could get to his weapons in time to protect them. He would be far outnumbered and was not sure he could win, but he did know there was no way he could fight back effectively without his weapons. If he had any chance of taking on the larger force and protecting his family, he would have to rely on his stealth and cunning.

  He could see the rebel Cherubim flying above him, magnificent yet frightening in their assault formation headed towards his cave. In stark contrast he watched the Simians below him as they became frightened and ran disorganized for cover, deathly afraid of the power of the rebel Angels.

  As Jarahmael approached the opening into Adam and Eve’s cave, he could see that Adam had returned to the cave. Eve and the three boys were all watching the rebel Angels moving off in the distance. Jarahmael landed behind some rocks before he turned himself visible, he did not want Adam and Eve or the boys to know he had the ability to become invisible.

  He greeted the group of them standing there and then turned to watch the rebel Angels along with them.

  “Looks like there is trouble brewing,” Jarahmael said aloud as he turned.

  “Yes, are the Angels going to war?” Adam asked.

  “Can’t tell a lot of the time, Adam. Looks more like formation flying to me, though,” Jarahmael answered, not telling Adam that he did think it could be preliminary maneuvers before another war. He did not want to frighten him.

  “I have never seen anything like that,” Adam said, then turned to Eve for her response. She shrugged her shoulders to indicate she didn’t know either.

  “I had better get my weapons,” Jarahmael said as he walked into the cave. He then said to Enoch and the two Human boys as he passed by them, “Sorry boys, but the mountaintops will have to wait for another day.”

  The boys just nodded their heads in agreement, as they were focused on the movements of the rebel Cherubim legion off in the far distance.

  As Jarahmael put on his swords and spears with the few pieces of armor he would wear, he noticed Adam walk further back in the cave and emerge with a walking staff that had some Angelic writing along its side.

  He was getting ready to ask Adam about the staff, as he had not seen it before in the cave or in Adam’s hands before.

  Jarahmael was cut short in his question when three rebel Cherubim guards landed at the entrance to the cave and began to move inside, causing Eve and the boys to scatter. Jarahmael was still slinging his weapons over his shoulders when he saw Adam come charging out of the back of the cave. Adam pointed his staff at each of the rebel Cherubim in turn and one by one they were destroyed by the flash of a lightning bolt that came out of its end.

  Delighted and impressed, Jarahmael walked over to Adam and said, “Thank you, Adam, for your help. Where did you get that staff? And learn how to use it?”

  “From the Almighty Himself during the days of us being in the Garden of Eden,” Adam replied. “At the time I did not appreciate what it can do. It has many powers other than what you have just seen,” he said proudly.

  “And you used it well, Adam. I was going to bring Enoch along with me for his safety from these rebel Angels. But having seen how you are so good with your staff, I think he may be safer here with you, at least for now. Would you mind taking care of him until I am able to return?”

  “Absolutely, my lord Jarahmael. My family and I are deeply indebted to you. We would not have been able to survive on this planet without your assistance, both in the past and in the present. It would be an honor to take care of Enoch and make sure he is safe.”

  “Thank you Adam and thank you Eve.” Jarahmael then kneeled down next to Enoch and said, “I will be back in a little while. Stay here and obey Adam and Eve.” He then kissed Enoch on his forehead and then stood up as he prepared to leave the cave.

  Adam pointed the staff at the formation of rebel Angels off in the distance. “Looks like they are changing direction over there. Must be headed somewhere else.” Then Adam looked Jarahmael in the eye and winked.

  Jarahmael wondered if Adam had known where he lived with Lillith and Enoch all along. Adam clearly pointed out the place where the rebel Angels turned, it was right in front of Jarahmael’s cave. Why would the rebel Angels not fly straight in and search for the entrance into his cave? He would never learn the answers standing here so he moved forward and replied to Adam “Well, I need to follow them wherever they go! I will return soon!”

  Chapter 36

  AN EXCEPTION

  Michael and Raphael flew over to Cerebriel as soon as they saw the rebel legion of Cherubim appear over the Earth’s skies.

  “What is going on there?” Michael asked out loud, di
stracted by what he was witnessing.

  “I don’t know, lord Michael. Looks like the rebel Angels are in formation to attack something, but all I can see standing before them are mountains.”

  “Why would they be attacking a mountain?” asked Raphael.

  “Certainly makes little sense,” added Cerebriel. “Unless they think they have some new information of Jarahmael or his family’s whereabouts. . . now that would make sense.”

  “Has anyone seen Jarahmael today?” Michael asked.

  Both Raphael and Cerebriel shook their heads no to indicate that they had not seen the Archangel.

  Cerebriel did not reveal that he had seen and protected his friend from Sammuael earlier; he was not going to tell Michael and cause the loyal Angels as well as the rebel Angels to pursue his friend simultaneously. Not if he could help it.

  Michael continued watching this formation of rebel Cherubim Angels flying with impunity across the Earth’s skies and he was growing angrier by the moment. “Who do Luciferael and his minions think they are? This is the Almighty’s Earth and not Luciferael’s any longer. Assemble your legions and let us prepare to attack them.”

  “What about non-interference, my lord Michael?” Cerebriel asked, watching for any change in Michael.

  “This will not be interference with the Humans, Cerebriel, this will be protecting our Earth and Heavens. We do not have time for you to argue yet again about the terrible outcome for Jarahmael. Let us proceed as I have commanded!”

  Cerebriel lowered his head to hide the smile of happiness that appeared on his face, glad that they would be assisting Jarahmael, even if it was unintentional and responded, “Yes, my lord Michael, as you command.”

  Upon Cerebriel’s command, the legions of the Almighty became visible and filled a large section of the sky. The loyal Angels now flew rapidly towards the legion of rebel Cherubim, with Michael at the head of the V-shaped formation. The rebel Cherubim shifted direction and headed over a different range of mountains than their original heading. Accordingly, the legions of loyal Angels shifted their own direction to catch up with the rebels. After a few moments they did catch up with them, just as the rebel Cherubim were disappearing over the top of the mountain range.