CHAPTER 5: We Will Put Them to the Test
The voice, unaccompanied by a visible being, stopped its laughter short and spoke again.
“I wanted to see how the new recruits are faring. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You are not supposed to be here,” Raphael stressed more boldly this time as the mysterious intruder stepped from the side of the entrance into view. He came in slowly, intentionally delaying his approach. Again, I felt this was someone worthy of respect, but it was a different feeling than the intuitive respect I had towards Raphael.
This being was so powerful, his angelic pressure alone began to weigh me down, increasing in burden with each step that brought him closer. I could barely make out his physical characteristics - his body boasting an impressive glow like he was a walking miniature star, building in intensity the closer he got. It was a brightness I instinctively knew that few had. And obviously, this angel was a bit different than the rest of us. His glow, angelic pressure and strength meant only one thing. This was a chief prince, a classification of angel we all knew, not from Raphael, but our database. We’d seen the name of this type of angel graffitied on walls in future cities on Earth and had come across the title in incomplete documents. This was an Archangel. An angel of the highest order.
“I have a test for them,” he said slyly.
“No,” Raphael said flatly, but the intruder’s aura lit up as he almost smiled in amusement.
“I don’t remember asking for your permission.”
“Imagine if they get hurt. What then?”
“They can live forever. So what if they’re out of commission for a spell?”
“I don’t like your games,” Raphael stressed through grit teeth. “I think you should leave.”
“I think you should know your place, Raphael.”
“You forget, I am an angel just like you.”
The mysterious angel looked him up and down, as sunspots erupted simultaneously over his solar body. He chuckled again.
“Yes, we are – though even Heaven appears to have its princes…and paupers.”
“Your charm is as appealing as ever, I see,” Raphael quipped, unscathed by the intruder’s scorn.
“Oh come now, Raphael. You have always been too sensitive. I was just joking around and you take it so seriously.”
“It’s hard to tell with you.”
“Maybe that’s why I was left in charge – because God needed an angel that is able to comprehend orders. He doesn’t have time for someone who is unable to discern one’s spirit and speech, taking guesses at what his master told him like an ill-trained dog.”
“Contrary to what you might think, you aren’t that hard to figure out.”
“We will see if these young ones agree with that statement…Young ones!” he bellowed, the boom in his voice echoing like a cannon down the hall. “Welcome to Heaven! I am sure by now you are eager to spread your little wings and see the universe God has created. I do not blame you, for I too once stood nervously in your place. However, I quickly learned that there is more to this habitation than friendly races to the nearest dwarf star and irrelevant swims through the cosmos. We are created for a purpose, and that purpose is not play. We have been intricately designed to ensure that Heaven is tended to, and runs smoothly in God’s absence-”
“But God is everywhere,” I spoke abruptly. The kindling sun turned to me and nearly burst into flames.
“SILENCE!” he quaked as my colleagues gasped in reverence and fear, collapsing to the floor. I was immediately forced down to one knee and unwillingly bent my head low, quailing under his thunderous voice. I had never felt such trepidation. I cowered beneath him, shivering – begging him internally to never use that crippling tone again. The walking star’s light had nearly come to the point of explosion, but now he dimmed it a little for my sake - so I would not be consumed by his might. He chuckled from within, a haunting song that burrowed deep into my mind.
“Of course God is everywhere, little one,” he cooed as he placed a comforting…hand, I think, on my hair, “but you speak out of turn and out of ignorance. You need to be enlightened about current events.”
“Lysander is correct in the context in which he spoke,” Raphael said. “God is everywhere, even now. As we speak, He is watching us…watching you.”
“My dear Raphael,” the star spoke softly. “One shouldn’t offer their opinion when plagued with a condition such as yours. If you are unable to interpret primitive body language and banter, it is best to keep your simple analysis of matters internally, before you embarrass yourself.”
Raphael opened his mouth to respond with a comeback, but decided to keep his words to himself, letting the stranger continue his barrage of insults.
“Really, you should get that retardation of yours looked at,” the glowing intruder stated coldly, but Raphael didn’t budge as we slowly climbed to our feet, sensing that the danger had burned out for now. The star continued his conversation with us as he stared at Raphael’s unmoving composure.
“Young ones, I have a proposition for you - one that you will find most appealing, though it comes with a prerequisite.”
“What is it?” Marcus asked bravely as the star faced us in the blink of an eye. I cringed behind Cadence, shielding myself from any future flares.
“First I would like to know your names,” he said in a haunting, wavering voice that could only have been intentional.
“Marcus,” the Godhand said proudly, puffing out his chest in declaration.
“My name is Cadence. Classification, Guard.” He said it like he was answering roll call in the military.
“Farah. I am a Faithful,” she said, doing her best to sound formidable.
“I’m Alessa,” the fourth of our group squeaked out, strangely quiet. Surely Raphael’s words couldn’t have humbled her that much. “I’m a Glory.”
I stared at her in awe. A Glory…an angel that could talk to God directly. I had to admit I was jealous of her designation. Was this the cause of her silence and newfound meekness? Was she continuously in conversation with God, asking Him questions and receiving orders? As soon as I had the opportunity, I would ask her all about it.
“And you are Lysander,” the star finished before I could claim my turn. Though it was impossible for me to be thirsty, I found myself gulping involuntarily.
“Yes,” I replied meekly. “I’m a, um, a Messenger.”
“An interesting mix of talent – I’m looking forward to your future performances. But first, I want all of you to know that should you pass a test of mine, you will each have the opportunity to join a special group of angels. This elite group is composed of angels that serve God the most, with all reverence. I lead this group exclusively into His presence and we praise…my Lord, we praise like no other. The fire under our feet, the dance in our flight, the bellowing of our souls – none can worship like we.”
I was already intrigued, and based on the awe-struck, jaw-dropping faces around me, the rest of the group was too. On the island, being in God’s presence was all we could think about, even when we weren’t speaking about it. And our second encounter only whet the appetite. To have the opportunity to be in God’s presence again – multiple times…and to praise Him with all we could muster? What an opportunity…but the star had said his group exclusively met with God, meaning – that if we didn’t get in, there was no telling when we would be enveloped in His magnificence again. Maybe that was why Raphael, even now, stood frigid and unimpressed – it was possible he had attempted the test and failed, forced to now live out his time in Heaven telling others about an experience he would no longer enjoy.
That could not be me.
“Of course,” he confirmed, “not everyone, like my good friend Raphael here, has the commitment and drive required, so like any true and faithful servant, you must be tested. How does that sound?”
“Whenever you’re ready,” I found myself saying, my cowardice dissipating with every syllable that poured out fr
om my mouth.
“Good,” he shone brighter in approval. “Then we will begin immediately. I am bringing in a specifically chosen angel to test your might. He will give me a report regardless of the outcome, that will either approve or deny your membership. Should you win, I will find you. If you fail, well…I hear Raphael is looking for employees in his daycare.”
The star smiled wide for Raphael who refused to acknowledge his comments, and then vanished, his flight so fast that for a second an afterimage remained in his stead. Raphael unfolded his arms and addressed us urgently as we saw another mysterious angel appear – the star’s proctor no doubt – enter the hall.
“Do not listen to his words,” Raphael advised. “They are poison, smooth to go down but fatal to your being. Stay away from his ‘club’.”
“We are not you,” Marcus said flatly, staring past Raphael toward the proctor striding toward us. Raphael cast his eyes to the side and hardened his jaw, but once more he chose to keep his mouth shut. Marcus didn’t notice this at all.
“Are these the young ones?” the new stranger asked Raphael, who only nodded in answer. This stranger was not glowing like the other so we could see what he looked like. From what I devised, he was more than likely a Glory due to his average height, slender body, and silver armor with purple streaks. Alessa’s armor may have been primarily purple, and a little different than the angel’s who just walked in, but I thought it was safe to assume that specific colors were coordinated with the classifications - a knowledge which was essential to triumphing in our upcoming test.
The angel had a bored look on his face, his long hair flowing well past his shoulders and over sections of his face. He didn’t even bother to move it when it got in the way. His blasé attitude said it all - he was not impressed with our ensemble.
“My name is Rufus, and I will be your proctor,” he yawned. “This test will determine if you are worthy of my leader’s inner circle. It is simple – I will give you exactly thirty minutes to strategize - after which, I will attack the five of you with everything I have. Bring my angelic pressure to a critical state, which I promise is no small feat, and you will have passed. If I bring all of you to a critical state individually, to the point in which you are indisposed, you fail. Are there any questions?”
The group remained silent as I tugged on Cadence’s sleeve, signifying I might have a plan. He nodded in response and I waited for Rufus to sound the bell.
“You get thirty minutes – and in Heaven, a half hour will seem like seconds. Use it wisely. Your tactical planning starts…now.”
The five of us flew into a huddled circle about seven yards away from Rufus to plan. Cadence spoke up for me before I could muster up any courage.
“Lysander here has a plan,” he said approvingly, “and we should hear him out first.”
“Why?” Marcus responded. Being designated a Godhand was getting to his head but Cadence defended me.
“Because we can’t just go out swinging. If Rufus was sent to fight five angels, whether we’re experienced or not, he must have some background in fighting groups by himself - not to mention we have no clue what his abilities are. Remember, all he has to do is place each of us in a critical state. That may sound like the odds are in our favor, but they will quickly diminish as we lose members one by one. We have to think about this.”
“Why?” Marcus replied again, as if he hadn’t heard a word Cadence had said. Cadence gave him a disgusted ‘Are you serious?’ look as Alessa spoke up.
“I’m with Marcus on this one. I don’t see the point of planning when we can all attack him at once.”
“If it was as simple as an all-out assault,” Cadence commented, “we wouldn’t have been given thirty minutes. It doesn’t matter if we have a group, we can’t let arrogance or pride get in the way. Recall Raphael’s words.”
“I’m not really too excited about Raphael’s lessons right now,” Alessa said disapprovingly. Cadence began to rub his forehead in frustration.
“Listen guys,” I finally squeaked. “We can do this. The key is figuring out what his weakness is.”
“And how are you the authority figure all of a sudden?”
“Because I’m a Messenger – it’s part of my repertoire. I’m not that strong spiritually, but I have a tactical mind. If we devise a plan, we won’t have to fight any harder than we have to.”
“Let’s hear him out,” Farah chimed in, and the group shifted their full attention on me. I didn’t dare betray their trust.
“Okay, first of all, I figured out he is a Glory based upon the nearly exact mirror image of Alessa’s armor. The only difference is that the color purple is less accentuated. So Alessa, please tell us what your specialty is.”
Alessa fidgeted nervously as she was now in the spotlight, but Marcus grunted and nodded and that seemed to calm her down. Maybe it was some kind of ooga booga way of encouragement.
“The Glory are the only angels with a direct line to God Himself,” she said proudly, her voice overflowing with joy. “We are not skilled in either offense or defense, but we can still hold our own in battle. However, if we come up against a particularly hard opponent or situation, we can call on God and ask for His help in settling the matter. At that point, it doesn’t matter who or what we are facing.”
“So it’s chance,” I said flatly. Alessa scowled and poked a very threatening index finger at my breastplate.
“It is not chance,” she said firmly. “We connect to God Himself every single time.”
“But He’s not a summon,” I stated. “He’s not a genie you just call on when you need Him. He’s not a pet. He’s almighty God, and your explanation of the Glory proves it. You specifically said that you ‘ask for His help’ meaning – He doesn’t have to comply. Maybe you get to talk to Him every time, and He’s more likely to help you – because of your class ability. Either way, He probably won’t help you every single time – which gives us some valuable insight. It means that Rufus’s strength will not be above Marcus’s nor will his defense be above…uh, who has defense?”
“What makes you think someone specializes in defense?” Farah asked but Cadence raised a hand in the air.
“I’m a Guard,” he said militaristically. “It’s what I do. I take hits.”
“That’s hilarious,” Alessa said. “You take hits? You?” Alessa made a point of looking up and down Cadence’s lanky limbs.
“It’s not a surprise,” he said. “You’ve been abusing me ever since I met you. Maybe God sent you my way to prepare me for this.”
“Then I guess a thank you is in order.”
Cadence rolled his eyes as Farah placed a hand over Alessa’s mouth.
“Lysander, can you please continue? I’m actually curious to hear more. I’m impressed!”
“Okay,” I nodded, trying to downplay Farah’s compliment. “If Cadence is a Guard, then that means Rufus will not have his level of defense. Isn’t this better than blindly going in to face him?”
“Still no plan,” Marcus grunted, rolling his eyes. Alessa nodded in agreement.
“Well,” I started, hoping the words would just flow on their own, “I’m sure he’ll expect Marcus to go out first because he’s our powerhouse, so we have to save him for absolute last. We have to be sure Marcus will connect his strike before we send him in or we’ll just lose our advantage. I’m thinking we do this…”
Even as I spoke, I couldn’t believe what I was doing - planning strategy with my friends, teaming up with four other classifications of angels, ready to overcome a test to get the prize of being in God’s presence forever. I had only been taken from the island, what, minutes ago? Hours? There was no telling what I would learn in the next few days, weeks, even years. God did not waste time training us for the future, and I hoped our future was connected to Him.
Invigorated by the prospects, I detailed my plan as carefully and simply as possible; knowing that it would be detrimental if the test began before I finished explaining
it entirely. I had already relayed most of it to the group when Rufus raised a hand in the air and yelled out an unraveling “TIME’S UP! LET’S BEGIN!”
Rufus was serious about his time limit for as soon as the word “begin” left his lips, he was halfway across the room, swinging his right arm toward Cadence. Until Marcus, the only real threat to him stepped in; he would work on our Guard, chipping his “shield.” But as I watched Cadence defend himself the best he could, I realized that I had no time to dwell on what the others were doing. I had to trust that they would carry out the plan I outlined while I continued to watch for any potential problems. I had to stay focused – stay alert. If I was ever to show the group that I contributed, it was now. I would not fail them.
I focused harder as I watched Rufus’s fist hit Cadence’s shield a couple times. It didn’t matter that Cadence was the “armored tank.” Rufus would eventually get a critical hit in.
So far, our Guard was carrying out his job adequately, dodging the little he could and taking the rest, but his angelic armor and pressure were also noticeably diminishing before our very eyes - his frame becoming more rag doll-like with each surpassing blow. As Marcus waited patiently next to me, and Farah flew around the room like an irritating housefly, Alessa prayed. I had saved her role for last because I knew there was no guarantee her contribution would help, but we had to cover all our bases.
So, following my advice, she prayed for the Lord to grant Farah more strength.
Because I had figured out something.
See, God was omnipotent, meaning He knew everything about the past, present and future. And He wouldn’t grant a ridiculous request that would significantly alter His plans or the balance of His creations’ lives. A prayer to simply knock out Rufus was unlikely to work, as we would probably rely on the same prayer in the future, and God wanted us to learn for ourselves, not rely on Him like a crutch to fight every battle for us. The fact that we were all pulled away from His magnificence, our first memory, was proof of that. The key word was “learn” – which, knocking out Rufus effortlessly, wouldn’t help us do. So I would save the big prayers for a more pressing occasion.
This time, I would stick to something a little more economical – in short, give Farah great strength. Rufus was obviously keeping an eye on Marcus like a hawk, but Farah? He barely batted an eyelash. So Alessa prayed, and whether our request would be granted or not, our plan would work.
For not only did we have Alessa’s prayer, but Farah also had a score to settle. Small, petite, squeaky in voice and cuddly in stature – she was a walking underestimation. For what she lacked in base strength, defense and strategy – she made up for in faith. Simple, illogical, old-fashioned faith. She had guts, and grit, and more resolve to rush into battle than the rest of us combined. She didn’t care what the odds were – her God was greater than them, and surely, He would give her the tools she needed to win…
Cadence was swaying now, taking one hit too many, and Alessa had finished praying. I sent her in to help Cadence, knowing full well her combat skills were as average as his. It didn’t matter, for the grand finale was upon us. I charged in.
And I saw Rufus smile, because he thought he had us figured out. His eyes locked on Marcus behind me – the hulking angel bumbling like a rhinoceros, picking up momentum and staggering like a train beyond its threshold. Rufus dug deep within his angelic pressure and swatted both Alessa and Cadence away with a casual fling of his arm and met me head on. We were meaningless to him now for he was confident that his victory would be secured in Marcus’s defeat. I stopped and stepped to the side, letting the rhinoceros charge ahead, his muscles rippling with raw energy, his animalistic nature taking over, a war cry fueling him forward.
Rufus laughed heartily over the thrill of battle as he rushed ahead to reach Marcus, and Marcus, the powerhouse, did the one thing no one would expect a Godhand to do – he held back, and folded. Rufus’s expression was priceless as his eyes swelled – Marcus now rolling into the shape of a ball and tumbling past his attack. But we couldn’t give Rufus time to recover from the surprise now, could we?
With impeccable timing, Farah buzzed in front of Rufus’s lunging fist, dodged it with a hummingbird shuffle, reared back with her tiny body, and delivered a fist full of angelic pressure, releasing every ounce she could muster from within, and hopefully an extra boost from Alessa’s prayer and the Almighty Himself.
Rufus shrieked in pain as he clutched his face in blistering agony, and Farah puffed out a mini sigh - half flying, half collapsing backward from sheer exertion. I caught her and held her in my arms as I screamed out for someone with enough energy to put Rufus down.
And Marcus answered the call.
Still unharmed and crackling with power, he stomped over to Rufus, and pulled his hands away from his injured face. Seeing the end before me, I might have asked for Marcus to go easy on Rufus, but he had carried out his part in the plan so well, and he had been so patient – I let him do his thing the Marcus way.
With hands pulled away, and cries still escaping his lips, Rufus didn’t see – and only barely felt Marcus’s tree of an arm slam into his countenance, sending him flying across the hall and literally into the floor. Rufus’s limp body twitched for a moment and then rested.
We were contemplative while we picked ourselves up, replaying the feat we had just accomplished. I let Farah back into the air, wondering how it had all gone so perfectly. Marcus was frowning because he had only gotten to swing one arm and Alessa and Cadence were laughing over their respective exhaustion. I did my very best not to cheer prematurely, waiting for confirmation that Rufus was indeed finished.
And then the clapping began, only one set of hands, but still ever so resounding and satisfying amidst the gigantic hall, and when we saw the source, we were invigorated, feeling alive and united as a family, forever bonded as a group that could never be broken. Raphael clapped fervently and only stopped when we heard Rufus groan. Raphael was vigilant as we clamored over to Rufus’s limp body, inspecting his spiritual state. He only had one eye open, and the way his mouth moved, it was like his throat was parched, and his lips dry.
“How?” Rufus muttered, his head moving side to side deliriously.
“You didn’t take us seriously, while we refused to underestimate you,” Cadence replied. Rufus squinted in misunderstanding.
“I should have won. You’re…so young.”
“Maybe you should’ve,” I said back to him, “but you forgot something. God is our Creator, and He doesn’t fashion things haphazardly. We were all established for His will and none of us are to be belittled. We didn’t prove our strength when we beat you. We simply showed that all of God’s creations can reveal his. ”
“Lysander,” he coughed. “Yes, I see that now…I apologize…for being so aggressive. It should have been a test, and nothing more.”
“So your group,” I inquired, “the one that serves God beyond measure. Does this mean we’re in?”
“Our leader…probably knows of your victory. He’ll contact you soon, I’m sure…but if he doesn’t show, inquire about him…all of Heaven’s host knows who he is.”
“Then in that case, I’ll need to know his name.”
“It’s Lucifer,” Rufus said as a disturbing, rejuvenating smile crept upon his lips. The very mention of this name was restoring his lost energy.
“Thank you,” I replied. “We’ll be waiting for him.”
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The Works of Julius St. Clair (Novel Samplers) Page 14