Enmity

by Paul J Fowler

  Then Adam’s face hardened to a fierce and determined countenance.

  “But I do not believe that day is at hand. Though I long for it. For now, if we must be God’s hand of judgment against the Serpent’s children, so be it!” Adam stated and then asked for Eve to speak.

  “Enoch had a dream. He was shown a serpent desiring to steal an overlooked egg. The snake waited, blending into the sand and grass as God has given some reptiles the ability to do. A rooster then fought with the serpent. Within minutes of the dream being shared, Seth made intercession for Lyssa and Jathan,” Eve stated.

  “Now, child, tell your brothers what you have told Adam tonight,” Eve spoke and helped Enoch to rise.

  “Like Father Adam, I have seen the tarnished stars in a vision. They have moved about the earth and are assigned to certain regions and cities, inhabiting the heavenlies over these places. Each area ruled by the strongest among them. These princes then gather a group of lesser stars to serve them,” Enoch explained.

  Enoch cleared his throat, paused awkwardly, then looked back to his mother. Baraka handed him a cup of water. He smiled gratefully and for a moment, looked like an innocent eight-year-old child. After a sip of water, his serious demeanor returned.

  “But it was our Prince, Michael, that drew these boundaries, it was not by the dark angels’ choice. The Watchers have also claimed earthly territories for themselves and their offspring. They busy themselves offering hidden knowledge to men in exchange for blood and worship,” Enoch spoke with confidence and calm before Adam’s council.

  Now Enoch’s young face grew even more grave.

  “The Almighty is angry with the Watchers and their offspring. Their lights are dim beside HIS heavenly messengers. In the vision, an angel told me ‘Be at peace, the One God’s messengers are also at work in the earth.’”

  Enoch went on to relate seeing these lights flashing upward and downward from the heavens to Earth and back again. Their brilliant light made the tarnished stars seem yellow and dim. Everyone in the room listened intently to the young prophet.

  “The Serpent himself wants an arm of flesh in the earth,” Enoch explained. “He wants to dominate in both the air above and within the physical realm.”

  “Then the Angel spoke to me and instructed me to remember a message for Adam. Suddenly, I saw three images. First, an aged king with a golden crown. Second, I saw three gold crowns, when cast down these crowns were shattered and revealed to be clay covered in gold paint. Third, I saw a crown made of stone. Adam and Seth must pursue their enemy when this crown is seen. One of the Host will meet you there with a message from the One God.” Enoch finished speaking and stood watching the other faces in the circle.

  Then Enoch yawned, rubbed his eyes, and turned to his father, Jerod.

  “I don’t usually stay up this late,” Enoch informed his father.

  “That is true, you do not. Thank you, Enoch. Would you like to sit with Mother Eve, child?” Jerod replied with a smile, motioning to Eve.

  Eve sat beside Adam and welcomed the boy into her lap. Enoch put his head on her shoulder. Content now, he listened as the council continued.

  “Did the Fallen you fought camouflage itself, Seth?” Kenan asked.

  “Yes, it was truly unseen until it left the water to abduct Lyssa. Just as Enoch’s dream related,” Seth stated. “I believe it had waited all day, partially submerged where the water pools at the bend. Hidden by a log and some rocks in the river. Its partner served to distract our eyes to the plains beyond the river, also at the ready to aid in their escape.”

  This began a lengthy discussion where Adam reviewed the characteristic of these specific fallen beings against others they had faced. These trespassers held mostly human form, were winged, and possessed other supernatural powers; telepathic arousal of paralyzing fear, and the ability to camouflage itself. The capability to communicate without words to its fellow hunter was a great asset and indicative of a higher-ranked angel. It spoke, was intelligent, and knew Seth belonged to Adam’s people. This troubled Adam as it caused him to believe his people’s daughters had explicitly been targeted for abduction.

  Adam understood long ago that there were many different ranks and types of angels. He surmised that when the Serpent’s followers were cast to the earth, their abilities and forms were degraded, having lost access to their divine nature. Now debased, some of their host had lost the ability to move between the spirit realm and the natural realm and were locked in a material form. Adam called these fallen angels Earthbound. Seth had killed a significant number of them in the First Purge.

  Cast from heaven, some Fallen were driven insane by grief, monstrous in both appearance and actions. Many, however, were devious and quite intelligent. A few had even blended amongst the men of Cain. The most powerful among the Fallen, the Princes, retained their heavenly abilities and masqueraded as gods coming from the sky to aid mankind in exchange for worship and blood sacrifice.

  “The Serpent’s children take many forms,” Adam stated, as he had many times, then added, “But only the Watchers have dared to take wives.”

  “I fear that these winged trespassers serve a Watcher Prince. One we dare not face without angelic aid. For this reason, I must go with you, Seth,” Adam concluded. “They seek our superior bloodline to breed their Nephilim children. Only a prince among them would be so arrogant as to target us.”

  “Agreed, but perhaps it’s only a small nest of similar rank,” Seth pondered aloud, mostly for Ahavva and Eve’s sakes. His wife forced a smile at his words, knowing he said them for her comfort.

  “The nature of the threat will be revealed soon. If we face something greater, we will return to the city. We can better face a prince or an army of Nephilim here,” Adam smiled, pausing to look at the young patriarch asleep in his wife’s arms. “Like Enoch here, I need sleep. Let us adjourn.”

  The boy had stayed with them for most of the discussion. But Enoch was now happily asleep in Eve’s arms. His head was buried in her shoulder, his body motionless and peaceful.

  The group of men and women in Adam’s home gathered close together, arms around the shoulders of those closest to them. Seepha got up from her sleeping mat and joined the group, pressing her shoulder against Adam’s leg.

  Enosh prayed.

  “Lord, deliver us from evil. Let your throne be glorified in righteousness and justice. Against those more powerful than ourselves, let your angels go before us. Remember your remnant, the people of Adam, Seth, and Enosh,” Enosh concluded his simple prayer and Adam’s family returned to their homes or duties.

  Chapter Ten

  The Armory

  “The Lord has opened His armory and brought out the weapons of his wrath...”

  Jeremiah 50:2

  “Your body is here, but your mind is already far away from me,” Ahavva said, her head resting on Seth’s chest. “Your thoughts are fixed on purpose, yes?”

  “Yes. You know my mind all too well,” Seth replied. He was mentally rehearsing their impending trek based on the Fallen’s escape path. Alternately, Seth was check-listing weapons and supplies in his head. He knew Mica would have all the necessary provisions and arms in place, but Seth could not help himself.

  “But my heart is here, it never leaves you,” Seth said softly.

  “Well said, Husband!” Ahavva’s face brightened at his words. “Perhaps you envy Enosh’s gift of speech in vain.”

  The council had gone late into the evening. Leera and Eleeza awoke when they returned home. Seth stayed with them in their room until they slept again. He would leave before they awoke.

  “I love the sentiment of your words, but take your heart with you,” Ahavva declared softly. “It is your heart that makes you strong, it longs to return here to your family and to me. Your heart will bring you back to me. Your shepherd’s heart, gentle and fierce...” Ahavva said as she listened t
o his heart beating within his chest.

  They savored their last moments alone. Seth had slept little that night. But at least he had the comfort of her nearness. The sound they both anticipated was heard as the third-hour chime softly rang from the fourth tower. One last embrace and the warmth of her body left him as he rose, dressed, and left his home for the Armory.

  Ahavva would meet him at the Fourth Tower Gate in a few minutes. Seth left his home, praying quietly. He noticed Jathan at the end of their street. Together they headed for the center of town. Soon they climbed the steps that provided access to the third level of the city. Seth was pleased that Jathan did not appear fearful or apprehensive.

  “I forget that I was probably your age when I hunted the first time,” Seth said to Jathan as they walked.

  “When was the first time you saw one, A Fallen?” Jathan asked.

  “Mother killed one, in the cave where we slept. I was just a boy. Father was farming nearby, two Earthbound attacked him while one went for us,” Seth recalled matter-of-factly.

  Jathan absorbed the words in horror. Even more so as the story continued.

  “I think it planned to defile her, not caring her children were present. But he underestimated Mother. I attacked as best I could. It broke my jaw, and I passed out. I remember it was grabbing Ahavva as I lost consciousness, probably planning to flee with her. When I awoke, it was dead on the floor; mother’s broken staff run straight through his body. Father was there, injured and covered in blood. Ahavva was crying, Mother and Father were yelling and arguing with each other. We left that cave, moved on again...”

  Seth stopped walking and looked Jathan in the eyes.

  “The Serpent is evil. His children are evil. Never forget what they are capable of,” Seth explained.

  Jathan slowly nodded his head as he tried to comprehend the depth of malice they would soon face. Seth struggled to find more words to explain their enemy but could not. Then he smiled and placed his hand on Jathan’s shoulder.

  “My brave little brother! You faced your enemy and struck him. Soon more will be demanded of you. You have been trained well, just stay close to me,” Seth said softly as they resumed walking to the armory.

  The dim light hid the blush on Jathan’s face. Any compliment from his brother was cherished by Jathan. As Seth was their people’s champion, Jathan had admired his older sibling his entire life.

  The Armory and a training field were located on the west side of the city where the cliffs and the first wall met. The third level began the last line of defense in the event the city walls were breached. Food supplies, water, and weapons would be available in the caves. Har Shalem was designed well, a testament to the skills of Adam and Kenan.

  The sons of Adam soon made their way across the city. As the nearly five-hundred-year-old warrior and his twenty-year-old brother neared the gates of the well-lit training yard, a cheerful voice thundered through the night air.

  “My Chieftain!” Mahalalel roared as he ran from the gates to greet them.

  As Mahalalel neared them, he jumped into the air, playfully attempting to tackle Seth. The men locked arms, trading wrestling holds until Seth skillfully placed a headlock on Mahalalel. The captain of the guard could not escape Seth’s hold and proceeded to comically feign passing out, making embellished choking sounds. Mica had been waiting at the gate and was now laughing at the antics, and Jathan laughed with them. The two warriors embraced forcefully and began walking towards the armory entrance.

  “I needed that laugh. Thank you, Captain,” Seth said, his mood lifted by their play.

  “I must return to the armory. Father and Father Adam are still reviewing our heavy weapons. We lit the yard for you. Loran and Lethan are there. You have a few minutes to prepare,” Mahalalel stated.

  The Captain of their army knew Seth liked to stretch his muscles and weapons-train before a hunt.

  “Jathan, join us in the yard after Mica outfits you,” Seth instructed before jogging into the yard towards Loran and Lethan.

  Jathan had never seen Mica dressed in armor but recalled that all the Sethites are trained to fight.

  As Mica motioned for Jathan to follow him, he walked towards a long, rough-hewn wooden table. Jathan followed but could not help but watch Seth as he entered the field and began to prepare. His much older brother started by stretching his limbs, which quickly transitioned into a repetition of defensive moves and their appropriate, responsive attack.

  “I trained with him many times. But I’ve never seen him in battle until yesterday. He moves like a panther,” Jathan said to Mica.

  “And then he is completely still. Watching like a hawk from above,” Mica said. “And just as quickly, stillness is replaced by a storm of ferocity. He has perfected his form over centuries of practice.”

  They watched as Seth transitioned from an open hand combat form, drawing the war club from his shoulder sling. The smooth white shaft of the weapon reflected the firelight in the yard, drawing a stark contrast to the glossy black head of the club. Seth practiced different strokes, using both hands or one, switching hands often and changing the length of grip as well. Presently Loran stepped in and began trading blows and practicing parries with his father.

  “I have counted at least seven ways he holds that club, without repetition - regarding left or right,” Mica said mesmerized as he watched Seth work.

  “You really like to count things, don’t you Mica?” Jathan offered with a smile.

  “I really do. I simply can’t help it,” Mica said, still transfixed at the motion of the club.

  “My father Kenan has restored the grip a few times, but even he can’t figure out how Adam set the stone in the shaft. And my father is a genius craftsman. There is no weapon like it,” Mica stated. “Father once surmised the weapon was made from one substance, both shaft and head, only colored differently.”

  “What is it made from then? The shaft cannot be wood,” Jathan queried.

  “Adam once said the shaft is the tusk of an extinct beast,” Mica replied. “The stone shines like obsidian or perhaps volcanic glass. It is harder than both, though. Adam once said he harvested the stone from a great rock that fell from the sky. I could not determine if he was joking or not.”

  “My father has a strange sense of humor,” Jathan stated in agreement. “Does Seth ever use a sword?”

  “Yes, though he usually prefers the war club. He says it gives him more options. When he uses a sword, he usually fights with one in each hand.” Mica replied. “Adam and Seth have seen weapons evolve from sticks and rocks to iron swords.”

  “What does Father prefer? How does he fight?” Jathan asked, suddenly conscious that like Seth, he had never seen Adam in battle.

  To Jathan, Adam was mostly warm and loving. A disciplinarian to be sure, and undeniably eccentric. He had never actually considered his father fighting and killing. Though he knew Adam had shed blood, Jathan realized his personal encounter with evil was causing him to comprehend his brother and father in a new way.

  “If Seth is a panther, Adam must be a bull elephant. When he chooses to fight, Adam is brutal and forceful, always moving forward. They are both hawks though, watchful and patient when choosing to unleash their attack,” Mica said, then after thinking a moment, he added. “Like Seth, Adam prefers an older style of weapon, usually gloved fists or battle staff. Though Adam began using a war hammer when the Nephilim became numerous.”

  Mica moved back towards the table, his eyes leaving Seth energetically at work in the training yard. Jathan lingered a moment, both admiring Seth’s smooth expertise and pondering the reality of facing a giant. He had only heard stories about the Nephilim and never seen one. Mica spoke nonchalantly about them. Jathan decided to focus on the moment. Otherwise, he knew his head would begin spinning as he pondered the dangers of the world outside their city.

  As Jathan joined Mica, he
noticed two young horses tethered to a rail just inside the gate. Bags were fixed upon the horses containing dried fruits and roasted grain and other foods. In addition to provisions, Jathan could see extra spears and javelins, spare swords, two extra bows, and bundles of arrows. One large shield was fitted upon each horse as well.

  “Here, Jathan put these on,” Mica said, offering Jathan a variety of armor and other gear.

  Jathan placed the chest armor over his linen tunic first, followed by bracers for forearm protection and heftier sandals than those he was wearing. Jathan admired the craftsmanship and fit of the footwear. They had a thick, textured sole and were held in place by adjustable buckles. Jathan welcomed their excellence, knowing they would be hiking and running over a variety of terrain.

  The breastplate was the kind the Lions wore, Seth and Mahalalel’s elite warriors. Guards and heavy infantry each wore a bulkier design. Jathan had never worn this design. He was impressed by its lightweight design and the ease of movement. A combination of metal studs or thin plates of steel were fixed into the dark leather in critical spots, but they did not impair motion in any way. Wide, reinforced leather strips covered the waist and groin, falling from the chest armor like a short skirt, bound at the waist with a heavy belt. Only Adam and Seth wore leggings and boots. The remaining hunters, whose tunics and armor covered their groins and upper thighs, wore sandals and leather from knee to ankle.