At that moment, Tara’s face flashed into his mind and his love for her drove him forward. He dived lower and took a path between structures. This put slightly more ground between him and his attackers, but not much. He flew as though his life depended on it and it did. Again they drew closer to him and three of the fastest spirits pawed at him, slowing both him and them just a little, but enabling another five other pursuers to close in on Caleb. At this juncture he began to fear, and as he did so he was almost taken.
In Caleb’s very moment of personal despair however, he caught sight of something unusual in the distance. He couldn’t quite make it out, but whatever it was certainly cast an extraordinary amount of light for that region of the Kingdom. Seeing this gave him strength and he surged forward just enough to put a metre between himself and the eight who had been just centimetres from him. He dived lower then rose higher, veering ever so slightly to the left and then back to the right. This gave him another metre, as he started to comprehend just what it was he’d seen.
It was a vast company of spirits, hovering in a straight line that seemed to stretch endlessly from east to west. Each spirit in the line was brilliantly white and, as he approached, he recognised many of them. They were the Sons of the Morning and many more of his strongest brothers. Caleb saw Michael, who shone the brightest, with Samuel at his right hand, shining almost as brilliantly, and headed directly for them. As this vast force came more clearly into view, many of the pursuers from each of Lucifer’s divisions halted. Those closest to Caleb however, were so focused on their prey that they didn’t comprehend the gathering light until they were almost upon it. As Caleb arrived at the line of defence, it opened just enough to swallow him and then closed tight.
His eight closest pursuers saw the impending danger so late that they only just managed to stop directly in front of Michael and Samuel, before turning on their heels and retreating to the safety of their comrades. The rest of Lucifer’s divisions had halted quite a distance from Michael’s line of defence, as the line was a very imposing sight, particularly for those who preferred an absence of light. There they waited, not knowing what to do.
Lucifer, arriving at their rear, and seeing his army stationary, gleefully assumed that Caleb had been apprehended and that they were awaiting his command, before tearing his soul to pieces. He wove amongst the divisions, trying to get to the front to pinpoint precisely where Caleb was being held. Once he had worked his way to the very front however, he was stunned to see the defensive line that had brought his forces to a halt. If he was honest about the first emotion that he felt, upon seeing this sight, then he would need to confess that it was fear. To see what appeared to be an immovable force of brilliantly white spirits was imposing. Although wicked spirits had difficulty in discerning the bright countenance of an individual spirit, collectively the brilliant lustre of that line was impossible to miss.
As Lucifer looked from east to west, it appeared as though his divisions were almost certainly outnumbered. This was not the way he liked to operate. He far preferred it when it was sixty thousand to one. At this juncture, those hoping to observe the battle arrived at the rear, and rose higher, in an attempt to get a better vantage point. Considering what he should do next, Lucifer thought of the soul that Michael and his forces were protecting, and all of the damage that Caleb had done to his cause. As he did so, the rage began to burn within him. This emotion overpowered the first and he was just about to screech insults, and order his band of cowards to attack, when he caught sight of one of the fiercest spirits in fourth division.
The spirit was one of those that looked most intent on destroying him, on that fateful day when he had just managed to find a scapegoat in Antim. Suddenly he shrank at the thought of attempting to force sixty thousand brutes to do something entirely against their will. Wisely, he decided that he had best choose his battles, and ordered a retreat, much to the relief of each member of his six divisions, and to the disgust of most of the observers, who had become degraded enough to be looking forward to a good fight.
70 a true friend
For us to fully comprehend the reason for Caleb’s sudden change of heart, and the circumstances surrounding his rescue, it is necessary to step back a week or so in time. While Ethan visited with Mother and Father, Michael had awaited his return, all the while pondering how best to combat Lucifer. As he did so, his mind turned to his old friend Caleb, and he sorrowed to think that he had allowed himself to become entangled in this evil to even the least degree.
It occurred to him, as he waded through this sorrow, that the time had come for him to confront Caleb directly about his involvement in Lucifer’s plan, the time for the vote being almost at hand. He thought of Ethan, and it occurred to him that Ethan may be able to assist in persuading Caleb to turn from evil. He was concerned however, about the emotional state of his new friend. He was aware that Ethan was still very brittle, and that he had suffered much in relating his experiences to him. Michael suspected that meeting with their parents would also be extremely draining. Asking Ethan to confess a third time to Caleb might be more pain than he would be able to bear in his weakened state.
After much reflection, Michael resolved that he would probably have to visit Caleb alone. Nevertheless, he decided that he would wait for Ethan so as to let him know where he was going. Shortly afterwards, Ethan returned and Michael was surprised by the vigour of his roommate. He literally skipped into the room, and for the first time since he had met him, there was a look of hope and determination in his eyes.
‘Michael, I’ve heard all that I needed to hear!’ he exclaimed. ‘Father and Mother have told me that there is hope for me.’
‘That is wonderful news Ethan, I’m so happy for you!’ replied Michael.
‘Please don’t misunderstand me Michael, I am still impure and have much to repent of. Father and Mother gave me the stern rebuke that I deserved, but then they warmed my soul by assuring me that I could progress and be made clean,’ recounted Ethan.
‘That is terrific! Did they give you any counsel as to what you need to do in order to progress?’ inquired Michael, seeking to turn the mind of his pupil to the job at hand.
‘Yes, I need to do those things that I should have been doing all along. I need to learn the virtues, and put them into practice. I need to select, and study, other disciplines that will assist me, and also enable me to assist others, both here and during my mortal life. Through Father and Mother’s plan I can be made clean, and they have granted me extra time to prepare, by allowing me to be born on earth in the last days,’ said Ethan sternly, as if he was counselling himself.
‘Alright then, I am here to help you Ethan. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like, and when you decide to move, it is my preference that you remain close at hand so that I can continue to work with you, and so that you can continue to be influenced by the many wonderful brothers and sisters who live in this area,’ said Michael.
‘Thank you Michael, there is nothing I want more,’ Ethan said soberly.
‘Now Ethan, I would like to stay and chat with you some more about this exciting news, but there is some urgent business that I must attend to. Once I’ve attended to this matter, I’ll return and we can talk more,’ said Michael, in a manner so serious that it concerned Ethan.
‘Do you mind me asking what it is you need to do, Michael?’ enquired the student.
‘There is a good friend of mine who appears to have allowed himself to be caught in Lucifer’s web. After hearing your revelations, I feel it my duty to try and reclaim him.'
Michael spoke quietly but with a determination that was self-evident.
‘Surely Michael, I could assist you in this task!’ exclaimed Ethan with excitement, regaining the same vigour with which he had just burst into Michael’s abode.
‘I did think of that Ethan, but I’m concerned that you have already suffered too much in the short space of time since you arrived,’ responded Michael.
‘I’m fin
e, and surely deeds such as these are exactly what I need to do as part of the process of redeeming myself.’
Michael paused thoughtfully before responding.
‘Ethan, I don’t think that any of us can truly redeem ourselves; I believe we might need assistance on that front, but I do know what you are saying. I agree that any rectification work that we can participate in, once we have done wrong, is a very important part of the repentance process,’ Michael conceded.
‘For that reason, I’m more than happy for you to come, if you have strength, but on one condition.’
‘Name it,’ responded the pupil, visibly excited and already moving towards the exit of Michael’s home in his enthusiasm.
‘The condition is that you allow me to speak first, while you wait out of sight. I’ll assess Caleb’s disposition and will call for you only if I think that there is a possibility that he might soften.'
Michael had outlined his terms clearly and his new roommate accepted them keenly. Within moments they both departed for Caleb’s abode in the hope that he would be there, as a discussion such as this was best conducted in private.
71 grave matters
As luck would have it, they did find Caleb alone in his abode, and Ethan waited out of sight as was agreed.
‘Michael, how are you?’ asked Caleb, greeting his guest as he walked to the entry of his home to meet him.
Despite being friendly enough, Caleb stood at the entry and did not invite him in, as he didn’t really want a detailed discussion with Michael at this juncture. Michael sensed this and was assertive in response.
‘Very well thank you Caleb, may I come in?’
Caleb consented and the two of them moved inside.
Upon entering, Michael sensed that Caleb was in a troubled state, and he was. The conflict within his soul was immense. He still loved Mother and Father dearly, and it pained him to do wrong by them. Implicitly he understood that any support he gave to Lucifer’s plan was rebellion against his parents. Despite this, he felt that he must provide Tara with a surer passage through mortality.
Although he was sensitive to the condition of his friend, Michael did not mix words and moved immediately into the crucial subject at hand.
‘Caleb, I’m here today because I’m very concerned for the welfare of your soul. I believe that you are being deceived into thinking that there is some sort of viable alternative to our parents' plan.’
‘Who told you that?’ asked Caleb defensively. He was shocked by the amount that Michael seemed to know, and also by his direct approach.
‘It is evident from your countenance. All those who associate themselves with the rebel plan are losing some of their lustre. Indeed, those who are heavily involved have become very dark.'
Caleb thought of Lucifer and recognised that this observation was true.
‘I don’t understand, Caleb. Why would you think to consider a proposal from anyone other than our parents?’ asked Michael genuinely.
‘That is right Michael, you wouldn’t understand,’ responded Caleb coldly.
‘Try me,’ replied his friend.
Caleb knew that this would be dangerous ground for him. He knew that there were so many reasons why he should reject Lucifer’s plan, but his love and concern for Tara kept him continually rebutting them in his mind. He suspected that Michael would structure these arguments even more persuasively than he could do so himself, and he feared that he would be persuaded from doing all that he could to assist his love.
‘No Michael, I’ve made up my mind. I’m well aware of all that you will say, for I have considered it, and for me the alternate plan is viable and reduces many of the risks of mortality,’ answered Caleb.
‘How?’ asked Michael, looking for some way to get Caleb to truly share his thoughts. Something that was essential if he was to reason with him.
‘Michael, I appreciate your concern but I have considered both plans very carefully and I’ve made my choice. You are free to make your own choice, and I will not seek to persuade you either way. Equally, I request that you respect my agency and leave.’
Caleb’s response had all the rigidity of a mind that was entirely made up. Michael’s heart sank and he left Caleb’s abode greatly discouraged.
As Caleb watched Michael leave there was just one thing troubling him. With a little internal conversation one can ordinarily persuade oneself in the way that they would like to go, however the imagery of the mind doesn’t always play ball. At precisely the moment of Caleb’s greatest resolve, as he forcibly asked his friend to leave, an unauthorised image had flashed into his mind. That rogue image was not imagination, or a mirage, rather it was a replay. Indeed, it was a replay of the sneer that he had caught upon Lucifer’s face in his very first rebel meeting. Were it not for that image, of Lucifer appearing to take great pleasure in his discomfort, he may have felt more comfortable with his decision.
When Michael exited, Ethan could tell at a glance that things had not gone well.
‘Would he not accept what you said?’ he asked his teacher.
‘No Ethan, he would not hear any of it,’ replied Michael quietly.
‘Do you not think that I could’ve helped?’ asked Ethan.
‘No I don’t, Ethan. It is clear to me that he has been entirely deceived by Lucifer and I fear for the eternal welfare of his soul.’
As they walked slowly away, Ethan reasoned with his friend.
‘Michael, if he has already chosen Lucifer’s plan, and his condemnation appears sure, what have we to lose in going back there one more time? There might be something that I can say that will persuade him. If there isn’t then the situation will be no worse than it is now.’
The argument made complete sense but Michael had one reservation.
‘Ethan, I’m concerned that he will not react well to my return, and that you will be exposed to unpleasantness that you do not need as you try to heal,’ said Michael, who, as always, was more concerned for another than he was for himself.
Ethan was thoughtful for a moment and then spoke.
‘Michael, you need to understand that for the first time in a very long time a few things are becoming clear to me. With every passing minute I become more aware that the entire reason for my decline is that, for thousands of years, I have spent every moment thinking of myself. I now realise that to become the opposite of what I am I need to take the opposite approach. Whereas before I thought of myself, now I must think of others. The old Ethan would not offer to help another, the new Ethan must. The old Ethan would be overly concerned about the personal consequences of such a conflict, the new Ethan must not. Please Michael, let us go back and give this one more try.’
Michael understood that his student was entirely correct and was learning quickly. He couldn’t argue against his logic, and consented.
A few minutes later, Michael and Ethan stood apprehensively at Caleb’s entry and waited. As Caleb approached he saw Michael and opened his mouth to speak words that were going to be anything but pleasant, but just before the words escaped him, he caught sight of Ethan. Caleb was absolutely stunned to see Michael standing in the company of one who clearly should have been his enemy, if his companion’s countenance was anything to judge by. Michael sensed that Ethan’s person had had quite an effect on Caleb and sought to capitalise.
‘Caleb, this is Ethan. Until recently he was a member of Lucifer’s army. He can tell you much about the true nature of Lucifer’s plan.’
A look of resignation came over Caleb’s face and he motioned for them to enter. Once they were inside Caleb sought to know more.
‘When you say that you were in Lucifer’s army, what was your role?’ he asked.
‘I was in a unit called fourth division and we were in training to conduct attacks on other spirits,’ replied Ethan.
‘You say you were in training, does that mean that you never witnessed an attack?’ asked Caleb, hoping that Ethan may lack absolute proof.
‘No, I did witness one a
ttack upon a spirit called Sturd. It was fearsome to behold and I don’t believe that he will ever recover. I also saw another spirit, by the name of Snab, who had endured many attacks, and it was quite clear that he would not recover from his experiences either,’ explained Ethan truthfully.
‘Was Lucifer aware of these attacks?’ asked Caleb quietly.
‘I know that he was aware of the attacks on Snab, and in the case of Sturd he ordered the attack, and also participated in it. He was furious with Sturd because his division had been defeated by Michael and the Sons of the Morning.’
Upon hearing this response Caleb took a seat, and as he did so his look of resignation deepened. His voice softened further as he asked his next question.
‘What made you leave this army, Ethan?’
‘Within each training unit, one spirit is selected to endure attacks from the rest of his division, in order to allow them to develop their skills. I was selected for that position, and was tricked into thinking that it was a great honour by the two generals in command of Lucifer’s army. On the night before my first attack, I overheard both of the generals and Lucifer joking about how gullible I was. They appeared to find it very amusing that I would never recover from the impending attacks.’
Although the shade of Ethan’s countenance may have called into question his integrity, and the general accuracy of his account, it was very clear to Caleb that he was speaking the truth. The hurt that Ethan felt as a result of this betrayal was very fresh, and tears ran down his face as he rendered the account. For the next half hour, Ethan gave Caleb a completely accurate account of all that he knew about Lucifer and his plan. Occasionally Michael spoke to provide his observations, and to point out his experiences with first division. Eventually, once they were confident that Caleb had changed his mind about which plan to support, Michael left, taking his roommate with him.
Premortal Page 28