Augur of Shadows

by Jacob Rundle

  “Millennia?” Henri barely got a single word out of his mouth.

  “However, you are required to be visited by me. You are fortunate in that your destiny has been presented to you. Many of your fellow humans spend their lives searching for meaning in their lives,” the light explained.

  “Wait…you mean to tell me that I should feel honored?” Henri didn’t care who was speaking.

  “Yes. You are correct. It is unfortunate, but it is your way. The destiny that lay upon your feet is not an easy one. The path will be filled with much disappointment, loss and death. You will have to make many difficult decisions. Decisions you will despise. The world will see you one way, and you must remember your goal.” Henri had thoughts to express to the voice, but he knew deep down that it was futile.

  “How is this fair? Why am I burdened with this destiny?” Henri wanted to fight with the mysterious omnipotence.

  “Child, we do not choose our destiny. You can either follow your path to fulfill your destiny, or you can choose not to complete it. It’s your choice.” Henri held back his laughter at the idea of having a choice.

  “No one would choose this destiny!” he barked at the light.

  “Yes, either way, you will have to deal with the consequences of your actions. The actions and decisions that you will have to make are unknown - even to me,” it dictated, leaving Henri lost for words again.

  “Consequences? What do you mean?” Henri had no desire to listen to it any longer.

  “Child, there are always adverse effects with every decision. Whether the decision benefits you or not, there will always be consequences. That is how the universe works.” The light glistened brighter, starting to take shape.

  The celestial light formed a being out of pure light, amazing anyone who saw it. Henri felt a shift in the air when the light created an outline. The light turned into a fair-skinned, middle-aged man. Henri didn’t see a single imperfection. He appeared to have skin of pure marble.

  “You do have wings!” Henri couldn’t believe the elegant design of his heavenly wings. They weren’t simple cherub style. They were well-designed, beautifully patterned feathers; feathers made of pure stained-glass and silk.

  “Who are you?” Henri was in awe of his presence.

  “Child, you know who I am,” the heavenly man decreed.

  The identity of the spirit was familiar to Henri, and he pondered his identity, and it became a little clearer to him. Forcing him to relax, the answer came to him.

  “Metatron!” Henri blurted without hesitation, and he noticed that his nervousness increased.

  “See, child, you do know who I am,” Metatron sang throughout the church.

  He stood looking at Metatron in admiration, and his presence erased what Henri wanted to say. The ancient’s words were enormous, wise and powerful. Henri’s ability to pay attention wavered because the sheer presence of Metatron made every inch of his being vibrated with an intensity so strong that not even an earthquake could compare to his power.

  The sight of Metatron was of a man floating above the ground, held up by the gusts of wind his angelic feathers created.

  “Henri, I am here to ensure that you are on the path that you are meant to walk, given the decision that you make.”

  Henri didn’t like the attention Metatron was giving him. “What decision have I made?” He tried to play dumb, but he couldn’t fool an actual angel.

  “Whether you follow your destiny or not…” Metatron seemed to have all the patience in the world while Henri was completely out.

  “Wait, I have to choose right now?” Henri asked.

  “It would be in your best interest that you do so.” Metatron examined the interior of the room, waiting for Henri’s decision.

  “Huh?” Henri couldn’t make such a decision right now, on the spot like this.

  “Henri, allow me to tell you something that might help you make a decision.” Metatron glided towards him.

  His wings emitted a powerful celestial glow, and his feathers danced in the wind. Metatron’s presence was so immense that one’s attention would easily become fixated on the silk cloth that covered his body.

  “Henri, now is the time that you know what has happened. You know what your path would entail. Because the Old Ones are coming, and you must be prepared.” Even Metatron seemed to visibly shiver at the thought of the Old Ones.

  “I know. The Ancestors have told me about them. How am I to stop creatures that not even a supreme being can stop? I don’t see how it is possible,” Henri cried, reeling from the pressure of the situation and the presence of such a force.

  “Child, your destiny requires you to face the darkest depths of your soul. You will have to place your faith in yourself and the others. It is true that these beings came before us all. We do not have much information on them. We do not have an answer for you. We do know that you and the other three individuals, whose destinies are intertwined, are meant to stop them.” Metatron’s words hit home for Henri.

  “What happens if I fail?” Henri flinched at the notion of failure. The thought diminished his spirit.

  “I shall show you, my child,” Metatron replied. He placed his index finger on Henri’s forehead. Henri was scared at the thought of what he was about to be shown. He remembered what happened last time someone showed him the future.

  Metatron uttered words from an unfamiliar tongue, and Henri felt the rush of electricity flow through his body. He felt the wind pick up in the room, making every hair on Henri’s body stand. Currents flushed his hands and feet, and he closed his eyes, knowing what was about to happen.

  CHAPTER 15

  Suddenly, Henri opened his eyes, and he saw that he had returned to the one place that he didn’t want to see again. He was in the once vibrant New York City, and no one was in sight. Henri shook his head in denial. In his mind, he heard the screams of Father Stevenson while also having a horrid image flash in his mind of his death. Henri hated Metatron for sending him to the future.

  “Why are you screaming? They will hear you.” Henri heard a girl’s voice. He slowly turned to see who it was.

  “Oh…it’s you. You’re Abbie.” Henri couldn’t believe that he was standing in front of the girl that started it all.

  “How do you know my name?” Abbie scanned the area for an exit in case she needed to flee.

  “You were in my dream the other night. I saw you and your mother. Where is she?” Henri looked to see where Trish was.

  “We got separated, and they stole her from me. They were chasing us, and I fell down. I haven’t been able to find her. I am getting scared because it’s been days since I lost her.” Abbie dropped to the ground and curled up in a ball, crying for her mother.

  “I will help you find her, Abbie. I promise.” Henri could feel Abbie’s pain and angst.

  “Thank you.” She sobbed, wiping the rainfall of tears from her eyes.

  Staring at Abbie’s tears, Henri hoped that he could help her. He didn’t like the sight of seeing a young girl cry. He walked over to her, and he helped her up from the ground. He stood in the center of nowhere, screaming for Metatron to answer him.

  “Child, I am with you right now. I threw you into the future. This isn’t a vision of yours.” Metatron soothed Henri’s concerns, but he was cryptic about his motives.

  “Another premonition? What am I supposed to do here?” Henri was getting tired of these otherworldly beings throwing him here and there.

  “You play out the visit. Remember, Henri, if you get hurt here, you get hurt back in your true time.” Henri never thought of his safety in a projection, making him worry more about his well-being this trip.

  “Thanks. Metatron. That is really reassuring,” Henri answered. Following orders from Metatron, Henri returned his attention to Abbie and the surroundings. He felt a palpable weight in the air. The scent of burnt tar ran throughout the atmosphere while abandoned cars lay strewn across the streets.

  “Okay, Abbie. Where was the
last place you saw your mother?” Henri wanted to start looking for Trish; he didn’t know how long he had.

  “We were both at Central Park when we heard the bombs go off, and the planes were flying overhead.” Abbie tried to explain what happened, but her mental scars were still too fresh.

  “Bombs? Airplanes?” Henri didn’t remember seeing any planes in his dream.

  “Where have you been? Everyone knows what happened,” Abbie remarked.

  “Oh, I am sorry. My name is Henri. It’s nice to meet you,” Henri responded.

  “Henri, where have you been hiding? Under a rock? Don’t you know what has been happening?” Abbie asked.

  “Um…I don’t know what is happening, Abbie. Can you catch me up?” Henri knew that is was one of the reasons why Metatron placed him in the future.

  “It started six months ago. The date was March 12th, 2034. The sun was shining all throughout the City. I was on my way to Central Park when a giant black hole appeared in the sky. The black hole looked like someone had torn the sky into two pieces. All the clouds surrounding the hole turned black and purple, and the winds picked up as though a hurricane appeared. All that I heard was the trembling of thunder followed by flashes of lightning. I have never seen a storm like that one in my life. The weather acted as if Mother Earth decided to take a day off, and no one was monitoring it. The earth rumbled with anger, and buildings fell to the ground,”

  As Abbie explained what happened, Henri gasped. “Abbie, what year is it?”

  “It’s 2034,” she answered mockingly. Henri couldn’t conceive the idea that Metatron had placed him sixteen years into the future. “2034?”

  “Yeah, that is what I said.” Abbie clearly thought Henri had lost his marbles.

  “Abbie, I am sorry,” Henri mustered up the only words he could articulate.

  “Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything, Henri.” Abbie realized that he truly wasn’t there the day of their arrival.

  “Well, I was part of the solution,” Henri shamefully admitted.

  “The worst part of the day came minutes later after the hole appeared. Shooting stars started to fall from the sky, and the shooting stars were creatures from somewhere. No one knew what they were. Any remaining news channels reported on the events, but many of the broadcasting towers and companies were destroyed in the initial earthquakes. The sight of these creatures was scarier than any horror film. No one survived. They ate anyone they caught. Many people died that day.” Abbie dropped her head in remembrance of the ones who were lost.

  “Abbie, you don’t have to continue if it is too painful,” Henri assured her, patting her on her back.

  “No, I am fine. I have this really strong feeling that you need to know this story.” She couldn’t explain why, but she knew that Henri had a purpose.

  “Okay, go on.” Henri gave her his full attention. He wanted to stop the story, so he could contact Metatron, but Henri knew that it was a long shot.

  “These creatures captured and killed everyone. They didn’t think twice about it. I have nightmares of them every night. They rival the screams from your nightmares. When you hear their cry, your soul shutters.” Her sobs deepened, and Henri’s heart sank deep into his chest.

  “You have no idea of what they look like?” Henri wanted to know the identity of the creatures that were determined to annihilate the planet.

  “Oh, I, unfortunately, do know what they look like. I caught sight of the creatures when I was running from them. If you think of the creatures from the deepest part of your nightmares, and you think of a demonic presence, only then will you be closer to what they are. They are taller than most humans yet faster than anything I have ever seen. They can even walk through walls.” Abbie saw Henri’s expression, and she ceased the conversation. She didn’t think that he would make it through any more of the talk.

  “They can walk through walls? What do you mean, Abbie?” Henri had another flash of the night in the church with Tim and the shadowy figure.

  “They can literally walk through a wall without causing damage to the wall itself. It is almost like they can deconstruct their bodies before walking through to the other side. I don’t know how else to explain it to you.” Abbie tried to continue with the conversation, but her anxiety flared. Henri knew that he had pushed her too far.

  Henri had no words for her. He felt stupid for not having at least some words of wisdom for her, but he wanted her to know that he was serious about helping her find her mom.

  Henri suddenly noticed that he no longer heard the crackling of the surrounding fires. He looked to see if the fires were still burning when he saw the flames were frozen. He quickly spun around to make sure that Abbie was all right, but he saw that her body wasn’t moving. She was frozen in the position she had put herself into during their conversation.

  “What the…” Henri was confused, and he fought his inner desire to panic.

  He walked over to her, and he waved his hand in her face to see if he could snap her out of it, but she didn’t respond to his test.

  “Abbie?” Henri’s instincts were on fire. His entire body felt excitable, and in his head rang an inaudible sound as he became light-headed. He no longer comprehended where he was, or what he was doing.

  “Child…” Henri heard through his disorientation.

  “Metatron?” He knew only of one person who could do this to him; the angel of cryptic was how Henri saw him.

  “Child, this is what is to come. All the death and destruction will come to pass if one does not take action. The Old Ones will come to your world. There is no preventing them from coming. They will rip their way through the cosmos to get to you, and they know of you, Henri. The important question is whether or not you will stand up against them. There is an artifact in the heavens that may have the answer.” Metatron materialized in front of Henri, leaving him mind blown.

  “Heaven?” Henri wanted nothing to do with a religious war.

  “Yes.” Metatron created an image in Henri’s mind. Henri couldn’t believe that the place existed.

  “I’m sorry, Metatron, but I am not going to get involved in a holy war.” Henri bit his lip so that he’d stop talking.

  “This isn’t a holy war. Child, there is so much you don’t understand of the universe. Religion is a human concept. I am here because the fate of everyone in the cosmos is at stake,” Metatron dictated angrily. Henri was shocked to see an angel show such emotion.

  “Okay… okay. What is this artifact now?” Henri desperately wanted to change the subject to cater to Metatron.

  “It is an artifact that existed even before the creation of our universe,” Metatron surmised.

  “So, you are telling me that you don’t even know anything about the artifact?” Henri asked sarcastically.

  “You are correct. I don’t know what secrets it contains.” Henri didn’t like Metatron’s response.

  Henri stared at the writer of destinies in amazement and confusion. He began thinking that if one of the higher-up angels didn’t know anything of this relic… He had a horrible feeling.

  “You, humans. You are so dramatic. You put such division in when it comes to religion. You condemn others who practice a religion different from your own. This is why there is a failsafe for humanity.” Henri saw Metatron struggle with maintaining his composure.

  “What are you talking about? I thought that you, angels, were here for us? I thought you were here to protect us and to love us and all that bologna?” Henri knew it was dumb to get into an argument with an angel, but he didn’t care.

  “We are here to keep order. And order is what I will keep.” Metatron took a stance against Henri’s arrogance and lack of respect.

  “So, can you tell me anything about this artifact?” Henri diverted the conversation so Metatron didn’t smite him.

  “There isn’t much I can say about the artifact. I also have superiors.” Metatron shocked Henri with the notion that an angel had a boss.

  “Superio
rs?” Henri was surprised. He remembered reading that Metatron had a high ranking in the angelic world.

  “Yes, I too have superiors,” Metatron continued.

  “Okay. Who has seen the artifact?” Henri understood Metatron’s objective.

  “I have,” Metatron carefully answered Henri’s question.

  “Then you know what it is and what it can do?” Henri sensed a speck of hope.

  “I saw it in its purest form. Other than that, I do not know.” Henri realized something about angels. They also didn’t have an all-knowing superpower.

  “So, you don’t even know if this thing will be helpful or not?” Henri was holding on to his sense of hope, fighting his self-doubt.

  “I do not know, child. It was sealed away eons ago.” Metatron transported them to a place of unknown origin to Henri.

  He gathered his bearings once again, thinking that the place resembled some kind of void. “How do we unseal it?” He desperately needed to know.

  “Seals? What are those? The only way that I know of to even get close to the artifact is to break open the four gateways,” Metatron explained to Henri.

  “I have been told about consequences. What are the consequences of opening these gateways?” Henri clenched his fists, waiting for an answer.

  “Yes. There are consequences for everything. Opening the gateways will bring forth unfavorable events, yet the alternative is far worse.” Metatron couldn’t handle the image conjured by such an occasion.

  “Why would I want to be a part of such a horrific action?” He gestured toward his lack of understanding the benefits of causing what appeared to be an apocalypse.

  “Because it is the only thing the heavens know to do, Henri. These creatures pre-date every single entity and event known in entirety. Now is the time that all deities, angels, spirits, and humans alike are to come together to stop them. Unfortunately, the task of the universe’s survival is in your hands.” Metatron saw Henri’s reaction, and he wished that he had another way.

  “Metatron, I can’t bring forth the apocalypse. How does causing the end of the world help defeat the Old Ones?” Henri defeated his paralysis, and he walked in circles, hoping to gather a new route.