by Donovan Neal
Argoth laughed, “It is wine, and the grapes taken from the fields of Elysium and mixed with the leaves of Mirabel. I am glad you enjoy it. Please let us be seated. I’m sure you have many questions you wish to ask me.”
Henel walked towards a couch and the two sat across from one another and Henel spoke, “Is it permitted to record our conversation?”
Argoth looked puzzled and asked, “Do you not have a pen and paper?”
“I do,” replied Henel. “But my recorder will be allowing me to capture the fullness of your story and for me to give you my undivided attention.”
Argoth nodded, “I understand. But you should be aware that your device will not function as you expect in my presence. I suggest if you desire to capture my words you stick to pen and paper. But you may find that after we speak, you may not desire to share my words.”
Now it was Henel’s turn to look at his interviewee puzzled, “Why not?”
“Because Henel James, the words I speak are words that are both before the fall of Lucifer, and after. They are the stuff of legend, and to those who do not understand the origins of the celestial war will not understand. Even now there are humans who despite what their eyes can see, view Yeshua as but a foreign invader. This corruption of the mind will fester and grow for a thousand years until it will be cut out by the King of Hosts. Then He will raise up all that ever was. Then shall the books be opened, but it will be too late; for those who will hear the reading thereof will be subject to the second death and thrown alive into the Lake of Fire, and then Henel James… then it will be too late.”
Henel took out his pen, clicked the top, and the point revealed from its shaft and he quickly began to scribble notes.
“I have learned that in heaven, during the final battle before the Horde was ejected, there arose in the sky a shattering. As if a glass had been cracked and all that could be seen were multiple versions of themselves fighting: multiple realities. Is this true?”
Argoth nodded, “The thing is as you say.”
Henel scribbled quickly on his notepad and continued. “If I am predestined to be here, are we not but a pawn in God’s game? Who can resist his will if He has seen and orchestrated the outcome of all things? How can any of us be judged if such were the case? There are readers on Earth who are waiting for some additional cosmic shoe to drop.”
Henel stared at the man and replied, “The words that you are about to hear have not been told to all. There are but a select few apart from the Godhead that are privy to know what I am about to impart. But El Pneuma hast allowed you access to this tome. You should know that there could be no outcome other than what you have seen. No outcome save the one you have lived. For if God had not allowed the outcome you and many of your kind despise; there would be none to despise it, for creation as you know it would no longer exist.”
Henel looked at Argoth his mouth wide open, and he leaned forward to hear more, “But what of choice? What of all the men and women that died in your war. It was Lucifer, was it not who tempted Eve to begin with? I have many readers back home who still think it unfair for God to judge them. What do you say to that?”
Argoth turned his eyes from Henel and stood and walked back to the window and peered outside to see the golden skies of heaven. He sighed then mouthed his reply.
“There were three of us. One is yet present. The other I am told by the Father that I will one day see again. We are the three which assisted in preserving our reality: the three which sacrificed so that El would not turn back creation to nothing. We who attempted to repair the breach to Eternity.
Listen well Henel son of James and understand why your existence is a gift from God. Listen because your question has been posed many times and has taken many forms. But I ask you.
What would you do if you could change the future but in doing so it always led to the same outcome?
What if you were forced to choose between two loved one's eternal destinies? What would you do?
You have asked me, ‘What is the nature of choice? Is the future predetermined?’
I was once privy to not know these answers: naïve until the Shattering… before the Breach; before one angel by the name of Lilith sought to obtain vision beyond what he was ordained to see.”
Argoth walked from his window to a serving table and poured himself a glass of wine.
He let the drink touch his lips and swirled the goblet and inhaled its aroma.
He returned to take his seat and opened his mouth to speak. “You are a creature that is moved by what he sees. While I could merely explain the Shattering, could explain the possibilities that exist with El, and perhaps quench your thirst for knowledge. I will instead let you witness history in a way none of your kind has ever before seen.”
Argoth then walked towards Henel and extended his hand. “Come with me Henel son of James. Come and learn.”
Henel stood to his feet and reached to touch Argoth's hand, and when he did they were gone in a flash of light.
Chapter Three
Henel’s eyes adjusted to his surroundings, and he noted all about him was white. It was a white that was as encompassing as if a blizzard had cloaked itself in sheets of chalk, and laced in snow.
He lifted his hands to his eyes to protect them from the shimmering glimmer that blinded him and he called out, “Argoth?”
“I am here Adamson. Fear not.”
“Where are you?” replied Henel.
“Rescind to the examination of the Chief of Eyes subject: Lilith,” said Argoth.
Immediately the room burst into color and flashes of yellows, reds, and blues covered the ceilings, walls, and floors. Henel could barely make out the images, as the walls colors slowed then stopped to reveal a figure of an angel who was seated with his legs and body floating in a lotus position. Images slowly rose from the floor and the walls inched to reveal a diorama of persons and four angels stood before him. Henel’s eyes narrowed, and he pointed to the third figure.
“This person here is you. Who are the rest of these men?” asked Henel.
Argoth spoke, “They are my friends; each a spirit of knowledge and wisdom who all vied to lead this great house: Lilith, Raphael, Janus, and of course myself. There were four selected all given honor to lead House Grigori. But only one could be given the God-sight. Only one could become Chief of Eyes. We all had passed our tests. But there was yet still one trial that would eliminate all but one. And it was this test that determined who would be given the God- sight.”
Argoth then commanded aloud, “Advance to the testing.”
The images changed and Henel watched as all four angels were now seated in the lotus position. Each closed their eyes and immediately clouds lowered themselves to the ground and billowed until nothing but a dense fog hovered over and around the angels. The four angels mouthed silent prayers and white wisps of vapor moved and swirled in eddies. Puffs of living smoke then entered the mouths of all four: each angel inhaled and all opened their eyes and lightning crackled from their pupils.
Then one as the son of man but having wings materialized in front of the four and his person was as a dove yet also that of an eagle and he spoke and when he spoke the words were like waves that crashed upon the shore.
Henel immediately felt the instinct to bow, and Argoth knowing the vision was but a projection nevertheless understood the sentiment and did not dissuade the man to kneel in showing this act of respect. Argoth then decided to support the man’s token of worship towards El Pneuma and also kneeled.
“Though four stand before me; only one shall be head. Nebula now searches thee. Who breath of my breath dost thou desire to show my secrets, and to whom will I appoint to lead this great house?”
Henel realized that what he saw was but a recreation and set himself to his feet. He eyed Argoth who also stood and spoke, “When did this take place and what is happening to you?”
Argoth looked on as he watched himself and his peers in the visual display. Janus physically shook and b
oth watched as Janus coughed up puffs of smoke and Nebula emerged from his nostrils and the billowy figure spoke. “This is not the one.”
Three now continued unabated and with gritted teeth. All jerked their heads back as El Pneuma looked on stoically, awaiting word from Nebula. Argoth watched as the younger version of himself screamed out in pain.
“ARRRRRGGHHH!”
Immediately a puff of smoke exited from his nostrils and the wavy image of a man could be heard to mouth the words. “This one here… we will watch.”
Argoth and Henel watched the remaining two Grigori continue in their spasms, and each turned their heads and their eyes darted back and forth as men who were in a deep REM sleep. They both gazed upwards as if they watched something. Raphael then settled, and a smile stretched across his face and he smiled and spoke aloud. “Mine eyes are thine Lord. Thy will be done.”
Lilith also then spoke aloud screaming, “No! NO! NOOO!!!” His head then immediately jerked forward and a billow of smoke exited his nostrils and spoke to El Pneuma. “This one’s song is his owns.”
Raphael continued to smile, and he laughed. “The sound is sweet my king, and thy sights wondrous to behold. Who am I that I might gaze upon such things and hear of such wondrous things?”
“Nebula?” said El Pneuma.
The wisp of humanoid clouds that were outside of Raphael spoke, “This one sings in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs making melody in his heart. He… he will not release us.”
El Pneuma cracked a smile. “He will be a fine leader of his house. Sing with him Nebula and show him what he must see.”
Multiple cloud formations then hovered around Raphael and replied as one, “As you croon my king.”
Henel stood and he and Argoth watched as his projected image and that of Janus, stared at Raphael, while Lilith continued to cough and the angel let loose the matter of inquiry in his heart. “So Raphael has been chosen?”
The two Grigori nodded.
Janus replied, “It is a good thing. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead.”
Argoth mimicked the reply, and as he did, Henel noted that the real Argoth mouthed in unison with his projection and replied. “He is my friend. He will now be our Prince.”
Henel watched Argoth closely and while he had seen many an angel display different emotions from time to time he had yet to see any shed a tear as Argoth began to do.
“Argoth?” Henel spoke. “Are you OK?”
The Chief of Eyes wiped a tear from his eye and nodded. “This was when the end began. Here was when the events your people know were set into motion.”
Henel looked at him with a puzzled look and replied, “I do not understand?”
Argoth turned from looking at the images and turned to face Henel and replied, “Here, Henel James was reality as you know it, set to change. Here was when a choice was made.” He then eyed Henel to return his gaze back to the images. And both Henel and Argoth watched as Nebula was finally released from Raphael’s internal croon and Lilith spoke to his newly appointed prince. “With your permission Raphael, I would speak with Nebula and seek an understanding of what I saw.”
Raphael nodded. “Permission granted but do not tarry. There is much I must impart, and I have foreseen that you are to watch over the Chief Prince himself: an honor indeed!”
Lilith nodded and smiled. “That is an honor. I will not be long.”
Janus, Argoth and Raphael walked from the top of the roof and entered a door that took them below, while Henel and Argoth continued to watch Lilith. Argoth frowned and a scowling look came over him and he spoke. “Here Henel James was eternity shattered.”
Lilith then voiced himself to Nebula who still floated in the form of a humanoid fog.
“Great Nebula, I wish to sing a song… I would know the fullness of where the Trance would take me.”
“Are you not content Lilith of House Grigori to know the future already given thee? For were you not taken as far as you were willing to see? Be careful to seek more knowledge of that which is to come. Is it not enough to walk by faith and not by sight? Is not the knowledge El hast given thee sufficient? For the future is fraught with many paths. Some lead to El and others… others to a darker place.”
Lilith nodded, “I accept the responsibility for that which I will see. I commit to cradle the knowledge given and to be a good steward of its truths.”
Nebula floated over Lilith and the living cloud looked above him and stared at him for a moment. “You know not that your future wavers even as we speak. Be not anxious to know more. Press me and I will surely show thee. But know that doing so comes with a high price. For you, and yea even all of Heaven.”
“I have been warned and am clear. Now show me.”
Lilith crossed his legs, placing each foot on its opposing thigh. He slowed his breathing and expanded his chest to inhale Heaven’s air. Silently he opened his mind to not just see the present but enter the realm of God’s allowed possibilities.
The stars slowly faded, followed by the vision of his surroundings into blackness, and all that remained was the movement of galaxies and mirrors of universes reflected back at him.
Deeper he moved into a meditative state and quieted himself in an attempt to attune to the mind of God; to quicken himself to the presence of the Almighty. And commune with He who filled all things, past present and future.
The Shekinah began to emanate over the angel and crackles of electricity arced over him. Slowly Nebula the living cloud lowered over Lilith—singing.
“Who croons the song of the future? Who sings the song of Eternity today?” said Nebula.
Lilith replied, “I am Lilith of house Grigori and stand to accept the mantle of Eye of the Lord. Grant me sight to see the end of all things. Sight to behold what lies ahead.”
The white vapor formed a mouth of froth that moved and replied, “Why doth thou seek to know. Is not the knowledge given thee knowledge enough? And with what song do you bring this day that thou may again strum to the hymn of God?”
Lilith prostrated himself to the floor and replied, “I would know the state of things to come. To see what the end may be. If ye deem me worthy, open the fog of the future I pray thee; that if El permits: I might see what lies beyond the shroud that has been called Time.”
The cloud then lifted over Argoth and spoke.
“You do not seek to see with the eyes of God. Nay you have asked not for the God-sight but thine own. Nevertheless, El hast approved thy sight, that you might have thy desire so that He may test thee. You are granted sight, but if thou see, you shall be seen in the end for what thou art. Doest thou having been warned still desire this sight?”
“I do,” replied Lilith.
The cloud sighed and said, “Then, behold the things that will come.”
The living cloud then moved into Lilith’s mouth. The color of the angel’s eyes changed from yellow to a purplish hue. His body violently jerked back, and he was lifted into the air with his arms extended.
Lilith hovered on his back: he was now a captive in the Trance. His eyes were closed, and they moved as if he was in rem sleep and the Grigori beheld the future: overtaken in the images.
Images of the present flashed before Lilith's eyes, images of his newly assigned charge Lucifer. The Grigori watched as Michael the head of all Kortai swirled in the maelstrom, flailing as he was held fast in the grip of the Abyss as Lucifer summoned a ladder and rescued him from its grasp.
Hazy images swirled from the scene to show a stygian mountain that rose from the depths of Heaven’s fertile earth. A mount that belched fire and lava and Lilith watched in horror as the mountain consumed an angel… an Arelim that screamed as it was ingested alive. Once more the clouds of the future became thick and Lilith beheld that Lucifer himself walked through the colon of a great beast of volcanic rock and ash, watched as he summoned a ladder that landed him and a captured angel to the now young earth.
He watched as angels assembled in the gleaming city o
f Jerusalem and accusations against El flew from the mouths of his angelic brethren over the creation of another species. Indictments of El seeped from murmuring and discontented angelic lips. Lilith watched as Lucifer stood in the midst of the celestial assembly and with fists raised high in anger and with vocalizations that inspired those who listened. He declared that he would ascend to the heights of the clouds and trumpeted he would be like the Most High God.
Lilith’s mind tried to assess the images that flashed before his mind’s eye and his spirit was overwhelmed with all that he saw. His heart raced, and he began to cough and his body jerked over his unbelieving response to sights that marched in his vision.
Raphael entered back to the rooftop and noted that Lilith was still enveloped in the God-sight: his body convulsed from his in the trance. The newly appointed Chief of Eyes observed the goings on before him and lifted his voice to Nebula who enveloped Lilith in his cumulus grasp.
“Nebula, release him! He cannot take the sight!” yelled Raphael.
Nebula answered as a voice whispers on the wind. “Nay, prince of God, for the Spirit of the Lord commands it. He will see what he will see and shall not be released before. For his eyes are not satisfied with seeing.”
Lilith then let out a blood-curdling scream.
His body began to contort as if a force was twisting his limbs from his body and Raphael reached out to touch him and Argoth who stood by his side grabbed him. “Do it not! Lest you be taken by the cloud to sight unknown. His eyes are his own!”
Raphael lurched from his friend's grip and pointed at Lilith who once more let out a harrowing scream.
“But the Sight… his vision is ripping him apart!”
Lilith heaved and gagged as if he was choking. Nevertheless, Nebula stayed within the angel’s lungs consuming the oxygen that Lilith needed to obtain the Sight and remain in the Trance.
Flashing images of war and battles that saw the destruction of the heavenly city assaulted Lilith’s mind, pyroclastic stones of fire projected from the Kiln.