Shrouded Destiny

by Richard William Bates

  Meanwhile, Susan continued to gaze off to the dark horizon. The sun had set hours ago, but the relatively flat spaces of the Indore landscape allowed her to look out over a black vista filled with countless stars. She had lifted her gaze slightly, so as not to see the horizon at all. Her field of vision beheld only an enormous star field. She allowed herself to imagine her entire world was this star field. Soon, she felt as if she were drifting weightless in space.

  With a start, she looked down and realized her body stood far below her. It was Susan's first out-of-body experience and the realization she was indeed out of body came as a shock to her, so much so she was immediately pulled back, with a thud. Her disappointment in finding herself in her body again, earthbound, was more profound than she would have expected.

  She took a deep breath and once again fixed her gaze to the heavens. This time, she left her body sooner. She drifted upward toward the stars, her soul filled with a sense of total peace. How totally free I feel! Meanwhile, below, her body stood looking out over the horizon. How odd it felt to have her consciousness divided in this way, a part of her still within her body and another part drifting up to the heavens. She had heard about out-of-body experiences, but none of what she'd heard could have prepared her for the total exhilaration of the actual event. How wonderful it felt!

  What was she to do now that she was out of her body? Was she just supposed to hover? Was she to move off somewhere? Could she? What if she wanted to be back at Serenity in the Colorado Rockies?

  As quick as thought, she was there. There was no sensation of movement, no feeling of acceleration. She was simply ... there, looking down at the cabin where she and Angelino had spent so many delightful hours. She experienced a momentary disorientation at the abrupt change of her surroundings, yet the same sense of liberation pervaded her being.

  Could she really just will herself anywhere? She thought about her old office at the NBS building in Washington. Instantly, she was there. What she saw shocked her. The interior of the office building had been devastated. Broken glass lay everywhere as did desks and file cabinets.

  Suddenly, she was back in her body in Indore again, thrown back by the emotional shock of the scene she had just witnessed. She had not been prepared for something like that. What had happened? Could she go back there? She tried, but she was too distraught and was not able to attain the proper state of consciousness.

  Susan took a deep breath to regain her composure. She closed her eyes and slowly brought herself back into a state of peacefulness and inner control. She had to go back. Something horrible had happened, not just to Angelino and the Knights, but apparently extending far beyond the confines of Israel.

  Slowly, she was able to regain the proper state and willed her astral body back to the NBS office building, this time braced for anything she might see. She wandered through the corridors of the NBS building, scarcely noticing that walls and other physical objects were no obstruction. She simply passed right through them. Throughout the entire building she saw the same destruction. Odd, she thought, there are no people here.

  She floated out the building and over the city. Everywhere she looked she saw burning buildings, automobiles engulfed in flames, smashed-out store fronts, and people sitting in dazed confusion or walking about aimlessly, zombie-like. Dead bodies lay all over. How could this have happened? Was it confined to Washington?

  Susan tried visiting another location. She put the city of New York on the screen of her consciousness and was there in the next moment. Here, too, the same scene of death and destruction lay before her like a surreal vision of horror. Was all of this real, she wondered, or am I only imagining these scenes? How can I know for certain? How thin the line was between imagination and reality, especially in this disembodied state of being.

  With great effort, she decided to return to the star-filled sky above Indore. As quickly as the desire formed, she was there, floating serenely above her own body once again. She looked toward the house and noticed Raji and Terianna watching with great concern. How forlorn they looked. What must Gregory MacArthur be going through? she wondered. After so many years of estrangement from his once-close friend, they had finally begun to breach the gulf that had separated them. Now, with cruel abruptness, Angelino had been taken from him yet again, before he had time to truly repair the damage years of enmity had woven.

  The entire world had apparently spiraled down into some vortex of anguish that left none untouched. Yet, she felt strangely unaffected, almost as if all she was seeing was not truly real. She was fully aware that not all that long ago, the Susan Morgan she had been would have been totally destroyed by what she had seen in Washington and New York, and by what had happened to the Twelve Knights in Israel.

  Israel! She had to see it for herself.

  An instant later, she hovered above the smoldering ruins of the city which had been the spiritual home of so many for so long. The destruction was total. An occasional outline of a former structure could be made out at certain points across the city, but aside from that, the entire city had been leveled. There was absolutely no way any living thing could have survived what had clearly been an enormously titanic nuclear blast.

  Over the next hour Susan traveled over Europe, the rest of the Mideast, and North America. Occasionally, she encountered a place that seemed totally untouched by the worldwide mass madness that had erupted the night before, but for the most part, the scenes she encountered were the same everywhere. The places that had been untouched tended to be small villages in remote areas, but that wasn't a hard-and-fast rule either. Many of the small communities in South and Central America had fallen prey to the same insanity that had demolished the larger cities. She made a note of the few places which were untouched. She would have to investigate their apparent invulnerability to the decimation the rest of the world had undergone. She might very well need to find refuge in such places someday.

  She finally returned to Indore and allowed her consciousness to gently settle back into her body. She immediately fell to the ground in exhaustion. Raji and Terianna came running to her aid.

  "Are you alright, dear?” Terianna said kindly, helping her to her feet.

  Susan felt woozy and wobbly, but she managed to say, “Yes, I'm fine. Help me inside. I want to tell you what I have just seen."

  A few moments later, Susan was sitting on a soft chair in the house, as the others gathered around her. Even Maribella had put her own grief on hold for the moment, to tend to Susan.

  "I have just been out of body,” she finally said, after taking a drink of the tea Terianna had brought to her.

  MacArthur asked, “What do you mean, out of body?"

  "She has been on what the American Indians call a ‘vision quest,’ of sorts,” Raji explained.

  "I don't understand,” MacArthur said, somewhat exasperated.

  "Gregory,” Susan smiled kindly at him, taking his hand in hers. “I'm not sure I understand it myself. All the while you saw me standing there, I was journeying all over the world. My consciousness left my body and I was able to go anywhere I wanted, just by thinking of where I wanted to be. It was amazing."

  She described the scenes of destruction she had seen virtually all over the world.

  "Raji, how do I know whether what I saw was real? How do I know it was not all in my imagination?"

  "Susan,” Raji frowned, “You disappoint me. Do you not yet understand the true nature of the imagination?"

  "Yes, Raji, forgive me,” Susan was properly chastised. “I had forgotten. Imagination is not make-believe, but the potential from which all reality is formed.” She looked up at him. “It was real."

  Raji nodded. “Yes. Very real, I'm afraid. We have been getting reports of these very same events all day. The anti-Christ has made his move, now that Angelino and the others are no longer around to stop him."

  "Good, God,” MacArthur gasped. “Surely all is lost."

  "No!” Susan said forcefully. “Gregory, that isn't so. I
don't know how, but we are going to win. The anti-Christ will never win as long as I am alive."

  "Don't you think he knows you feel that way, Susan?” MacArthur countered. “He will destroy you as well. He has proven he has the power to do so."

  Susan smiled at the Pope with kindness. “Gregory, my life is not his to take. He cannot destroy me. No matter what he does, he cannot destroy me!” She thumped her chest defiantly, “What I am does not belong to him. The essence of who I am is mine alone."

  "That is all well and good for books and poetry, Susan. We are dealing with hard reality now. He just destroyed most of the entire world in one night. Of what importance are you, in comparison to the whole world, that you should somehow escape his wrath?"

  "I'm sorry you are not able to see what I know, Gregory. I can't explain it, but I know we cannot have come this far only to be defeated now. We must find a way. We cannot let Angelino and the others to have lived and died in vain."

  "My sweet child,” the Pope said kindly. “Your faith is a miracle in itself. You almost make me believe again."

  "Then perhaps we have hope after all, Gregory,” she winked at him.

  "Tell me something, Susan,” he grew serious. “How are you able to take Angelino's death so easily?"

  "What makes you think I have taken it easily?"

  "You entire attitude. It's almost cavalier. I don't understand it."

  She considered this for a long time before answering. “Gregory, have you ever just known something without knowing how you knew it? I mean, known it down to the very core of your being, at a level where there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever?"

  He shook his head. “I have never been fortunate enough to have that experience, I'm afraid."

  "Remember how Father Angelino would always say, ‘Things are not always as they appear to be?’”

  "I sure do. I wanted to knock him out at one time, I heard that so many times."

  "But don't you see, Gregory, he's right. I got another lesson in that tonight. He told me once if I didn't remember anything else, to always remember that. He thought it was important enough to make that specific point."

  "So what are you saying?"

  "I don't know exactly. But it comforts me somehow. I just know there is a solution to all of this. We just haven't seen it yet. Things are not always as they appear to be. Look at Jesus. We simply assumed because we had cloned his body we had also cloned his soul, his essence. The fact he had no soul only occurred to very few people. Ironically, that charlatan, Armand Mathias, was one of the few, yet he was so blinded by his single-minded dogma that once Jesus appeared, he either forgot or hasn't stopped to consider his own legitimate concerns. It's pretty funny he has become Jesus’ biggest lackey."

  MacArthur had to laugh at that. Susan reassured him.

  "Hang in there, Gregory. We aren't beaten until we think we are. That's simply not an option."

  "You shame me with your strength, my dear. Angelino was wise to see your greatness."

  "We're all in this together, Gregory,” she smiled, kindly. “If you will please excuse me, I wish to do some more astral traveling for a little while. There is much I need to learn about."

  The Pope rose and stepped outside into the darkness. It was difficult to reconcile the peacefulness of his current surroundings with the chaos Susan had just recounted to them. The aching emptiness that had become a part of him seemed to consume him more and more these days. How he envied Susan her certainty and resolve. He had possessed those things once himself, only to find them constructed upon a foundation of shifting sand ... a complete life dedicated to an institution which served the agents of God's sworn enemy, the anti-Christ. His heart felt like it would burst in agony every time he contemplated the path he had chosen.

  Had Ronald known? No, he couldn't have. Timothy I was completely dedicated to the Church and its goals. He feared the Council deeply, but he never questioned its authority. He had reveled in the glory of the papacy and had enjoyed the power and privilege the office brought with it. MacArthur acknowledged to himself, with a sharp twinge of shame, that he, too, had succumbed to those same worldly comforts and the ego gratification that went with them. Gradually, he was coming to grips with the fact that by serving his lower self he had been catering to the forces of darkness all along, while deluding himself it had been God he was serving. Tears of remorse filled his eyes.

  "Angelino, my old friend, I wish you were here so I could tell you, you were right after all,” he said quietly.

  He dropped to his knees and wept, while saying a prayer imploring God's forgiveness. It was the first prayer he had ever uttered which truly came from the depths of his own heart. Now, perhaps too late, he finally understood the difference between prayer spoken out of duty, and prayer which reflected the soul.

  * * * *

  THE DOMAIN OF the anti-Christ came into its own when Jesus emerged from the bunker in France. He had reverted to his previous human form. The people, numb and emotionally demolished, were once again filled with hope when they saw the reassuring figure of Jesus walk down the street.

  "Look! It's Jesus!” someone shouted out. At once, the mood of the people nearby transformed from despair to joy. They swarmed around him in a euphoric mass, everyone reaching out to touch him, pressing in on him in a massive swarm of humanity.

  Jesus smiled, waving to them, shaking the hands of those who could reach him. Behind him trailed the rest of the Council members, clearly delighted at the magnetic affect Jesus had on the crowd.

  They pushed their way through slowly. As the crowd grew larger in his wake, the giddy joy of the people seemed to grow exponentially. People's eyes grew glazed with worshipful devotion. Jesus would save them all. He would take care of them. Everything would be okay now.

  The crowd followed Jesus until he came upon a small mountain of rubble. He climbed up it, turned to face the people, and raised his arms out from his side. A thunderous cheer echoed across the city in a wave. The anti-Christ turned slowly so those who had gathered behind him could see him. As he did, the cheers grew louder still.

  Finally, he raised his hands to quiet the crowd. Gradually, the cheers subsided and the people stood in rapt attention, straining to hear the words of wisdom he was about to impart.

  "Good people of Paris,” he said in flawless French. “Do not despair, for I am here.” Roars of approval erupted and cascaded through the crowd. “We have much work to do together. The evil forces responsible for the destruction and devastation you see before you will not triumph. My Father has sent me to lead you and the nations of the world into an era of wonder ... a true Golden Age is about to dawn. From the ashes of this once-great city shall rise an even greater and illustrious metropolis. All shall live in peace and prosperity."

  Again he was interrupted by cheers.

  "This Golden Age cannot come without sacrifice, however. You have all lost everything, or almost everything. Those of you who have possessions and wealth remaining will be asked to share with those less fortunate. All will be called upon to assist in the great rebuilding of the social and economic structure. No longer will the moneychangers be allowed to oppress those upon whose back their wealth was created. Those who toil in labor will be given their just rewards. But all of this will come in time, for we must all work together to raise this great city once more, this time more glorious than ever.

  "It will take some time before we can establish the global communications necessary to link all the nations of the world together. I must travel across the world to guide all my children in the making of this great new age. In my absence, the great Gerard de Charny shall govern all of Europe."

  A roar of approval swept through the crowd. They were honored to be led by the hero of France himself. How Jesus must love them. De Charny stepped forward and bowed in acknowledgment, a smile of great pleasure spread across his face. Jesus allowed him his moment of glory.

  "Monsieur de Charny is my true disciple, and as such, you will honor and ob
ey him as you would me."

  Cries of Viva de Charny! filled the air.

  Jesus gestured toward a familiar building in the distance, still burning brightly.

  "It may seem as if some of the great treasures of France have been lost. The Louvre burns as we speak. Many great works of art are lost forever. But I say unto you, you must not mourn this loss but rather celebrate it. The past is dead. The old world is to be built anew. There can be no looking back to a time in which inequality brought riches only to the few. You have been duped into believing that by housing such treasures in museums and galleries you somehow share in their ownership. In your hearts, you have always known this to be a lie, yet you were powerless to challenge those with the power to force which lie upon you. Within the flames you see consuming the past lies the purification of your nation's soul.” His voice rose dramatically, “If all cannot own these treasures, then none shall own them."

  Wild cheers burst forth once again but a few of the upper class dispersed throughout the crowd frowned. As Jesus’ gaze fell upon them, they masked their faces with smiles and joined in the cheering with the others. Jesus’ stare grew hard and he made sure each of the reluctant knew he recognized them as enemies.

  He again gestured for silence and the people obeyed immediately.

  "You will find it hard to believe, but there will some among you who will not share in our vision."

  The people responded with bitter catcalls and boos.

  "Please. Please, my children,” Jesus said imploringly. “I know this is hard to believe and even harder to accept. I know how often your fondest dreams have been thwarted by those who selfishly seek to put themselves above the good of all. I promise you these instruments of evil shall not be allowed to succeed. My Father will smite them down with brutal and efficient might. The first law of our new order is all who would seek to work against us shall not be allowed to live. Only a people united with one mind, one heart, and one purpose can bring about our Golden Age. Those who think they know better than My Father what is best for his children will be shown no mercy. You, my children, shall enjoy my protection and my love."