Celestial Crisis

by Leo E. Ndelle

  There were nods and approval from the crowd and the Shemsus.

  “Did you give him this speech?” Obok asked Lunok telepathically.

  “No,” Lunok replied telepathically. “He is speaking from his heart.”

  “A true leader, indeed,” Obok affirmed admirably. “We did well.”

  “We were flawless,” Lunok agreed.

  “Flawless?” Obok mocked. “That is a new one from you, my friend. But I agree. We were flawless indeed.”

  Obok wanted to add ‘not flawless enough’ referring to Emok’s unwelcome stunt with Michael and Luciel. But he decided not to ruin the moment and kept his thoughts to himself.

  “We are the first group of angels to be spawned in Celestia,” Michael added. “But from this moment, our angelic status changes.”

  A golden band formed on his right wrist as soon as he said this. Gold bands appeared and hovered in front of each angel at the same time.

  “From this moment on, I declare that we, the first batch of angels to be spawned from the Zarark, be called ‘archangels’,” Michael continued. “The golden bands in front of you will distinguish us from other angels and only by special merit will any other angel be promoted to the status of archangel. Please, wear your band on your dominant wrist.”

  The angels were excited to wear their bracelets. Some already had theirs on even before Michael asked them to put them on. They raised their dominant wrists to their faces and admired their bracelets. It was a great feeling to be a part of a higher rank of angels. First, there were murmurs of excitement before more cheering and applause followed. The Shemsus were more than impressed with Michael and joined in the applause. Michael made a fist in the air with his band-bearing hand, and the angels did the same with theirs.

  “I pledge, with my existence,” Michael bellowed in a thunderous voice, “to defend the Realm of Celestia, to the very end, from all threats and dangers. I pledge, with my existence, to defend my brothers and sisters, to the very end, from all threats and dangers. I pledge to serve, to guide and to lead you all with justice, kindness and most of all, with love! Now, archangels, do you pledge with me?” Michael asked.

  “YES WE DO!” the archangels replied.

  “Archangels, do you pledge with me?” Michael asked again.

  “YES WE DO!” the archangels replied even louder and more firmly.

  “I said, archangels, DO… YOU… PLEDGE… WITH… ME?!” Michael called out even louder and more firmly.

  “YES… WE… DO…!” the archangels replied in kind.

  Michael made another golden bracelet form on his left wrist, and as soon as it appeared on his left wrist, the two golden bracelets glowed with a bright, golden glow. The rest of the archangels’ bracelets also glowed. They cheered as Michael summoned his wings and glided towards them. Hugs and pats on the shoulders and back came from everywhere. Michael cheered and chanted with them. Uriel hugged him tightly and beamed.

  “I’m so proud of you, my dear friend,” she said.

  “I’m honored to have you as my dearest friend, Uriel,” Michael replied.

  “We’ll catch up later,” Uriel said and took his face in her hands. “For now, savor the moment!”

  Michael smiled and winked at her. He turned around and met Luciel’s eyes. There was nothing else to say as she kissed him passionately on the lips and melted into his arms. Then, the archangels started having a spur-of-the-moment celebration while the Shemsus prepared for departure. As they were about to leave, they realized something was amiss.

  “Where did Emok go?” Mashok asked telepathically.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  DEPARTURE

  “I’LL FETCH HIM,” Lunok replied and teleported away.

  Lunok was sure Emok would not do anything as stupid as to run away. He pulled up a thorough five-dimensional scan of the dimension and ran a trace on Emok’s esoteric signature. There was a ping, but it was not localized, meaning Emok had raised his vibrational frequency above that of Lemuria, most likely to that of a Shemsu. Lunok dismissed the five-dimensional hologram and switched to Shemsu vibrational frequency and locked on to Emok’s location. He then teleported to Emok.

  “What are they going to do to me?” Emok asked dispassionately.

  His stare was blank and distant as if he was staring through Lunok.

  “I do not know, Emok,” Lunok replied honestly. “This is a first for me.”

  “But are you not curious?” Emok asked in a monotone.

  “Does it matter?” Lunok replied flatly.

  “I enjoy the feeling of expectation,” Emok continued as if talking to himself. “The rush of not knowing what’s to come but knowing something is coming!”

  “And since when did you start having these… um… rushes?” Lunok asked.

  “Since very recently,” Emok replied.

  “Do you think it’s the polarization?” Lunok asked.

  His question was foolish but he did not care.

  “I don’t think there’s hope for me,” Emok ignored Lunok’s question.

  Lunok was taken aback by Emok’s bluntness.

  “What do you mean, Emok?” Lunok asked inching towards Emok.

  “I mean the darkness is winning,” Emok replied flatly.

  Lunok nodded. What could he say to that? He sympathized with his friend’s situation, even though he did not understand what his friend was going through. He planned on fighting for his friend, to seek a solution for this ‘darkness’ that was consuming the very essence of his friend. But was his hope pointless? If his friend had already given up and surrendered to this entity, then was it worth it for him, Lunok, to do anything about it, beyond handing his friend over to The Council? Lunok heaved his shoulders. He felt a sense of urgency that beckoned him to take Emok away to The Council quickly, without antagonizing Emok.

  “You say the darkness is winning,” Lunok said. “But it has not yet won. So, there is still hope after all.”

  “Your argument is logical,” Emok replied. “Weak, but logical. However, it will take more than logic to address this…” Emok trailed off.

  “This what?” Lunok prompted.

  “This remarkably powerful energy,” Emok said.

  He raised his eyes and met Lunok’s. Lunok’s lips parted in shock. He caught a glimpse of what that ‘darkness’ was in those glowing black orbs that used to be his friend’s eyes and readied himself for the worst.

  “Maybe it’s an entity… Or maybe it was always there, within me… a part of me, lying dormant and now… it’s awake and alive!”

  Emok shook his head and heaved his shoulders in resignation.

  “Or maybe The Council will know better,” Lunok offered. “Maybe they have something in the database-”

  “There’s nothing in the database, Lunok!” Emok erupted in frustration. “I checked already. Both collective and the hidden databases.”

  “Wait! Did you say ‘hidden’ databases?” Lunok asked.

  “Yes, my friend,” Emok affirmed. “Hidden and more hidden than you can ever imagine!”

  “But everything is supposed to be shared and made public,” Lunok spoke barely above a whisper.

  Lunok was in so much shock that he did not think to ask how Emok knew about the hidden databases and how he could access them. Maybe Emok was giving him false information. But to what end? What did Emok stand to gain from using false tongue. False tongue… something that was also alien to the Shemsus. The darkness really is winning, Lunok thought.

  “Yes, everything is supposed to be shared with everyone and made available to the public,” Emok confirmed. “And that makes me wonder what else they could be hiding from us.”

  “I’m sure The Council has an explanation for this,” Lunok argued.

  “Oh, I’m sure that they do have an explanation for this secrecy and most of all, the dishonesty!” Emok seethed.

  “Calm down, Emok,” Lunok spoke soothingly. “When we return, we can ask them more about the hidden databases and why the
secrecy.”

  “And what makes you think even I care?” Emok snorted.

  “I thought you just implied that a moment ago,” Lunok said, sarcastically.

  “You should work on your listening skills, Lunok,” Emok retorted. “I said I wonder WHAT ELSE they’re hiding in those secret databases.”

  “Is that not the same thing?” Lunok asked feeling a little confused.

  “No!” Emok spat. “You want to know WHY the secrecy and I say I don’t care about the WHY. I care about the WHAT ELSE!”

  Lunok shook his head in exasperation. Emok was becoming more erratic by the moment. As much as Lunok wanted to just whisk Emok to The Council, it was best for him to stay calm and not risk a Shemsu going all out in this corner of Creation. So rather than continue playing the game of semantics with Emok, Lunok decided to return to the task at hand.

  “I see your point,” Lunok said.

  “And now you patronize me!” Emok burst out.

  “Why are you behaving like this, Emok?” Lunok asked as calmly as he could. “I am your friend. Do you at least remember that?”

  “I… I…” Emok stammered.

  Lunok ran a quick esoteric scan on Emok. Emok’s signatures were spiking significantly. Lunok was ready to summon a shield to contain Emok, if it came to that. But then, Emok’s blank stare returned and his signature outputs began stabilizing. Lunok relaxed but stayed alert.

  “I… I…” Emok tried again but could not seem to formulate the words.

  Emok met Lunok’s eyes again and Lunok was relieved the darkness was no longer there. He relaxed completely and beckoned at Emok.

  “It’s okay, Emok,” Lunok said. “I am your friend. You do remember that, don’t you?”

  “I… I remember,” Emok replied weakly.

  Emok stood up and took an even weaker step towards Lunok.

  “Lunok… I remember... my friend…”

  Lunok ran another esoteric scan on Emok. Everything seemed normal. He watched as Emok took one weak step after another towards him. He extended a hand, encouraging Emok to come closer. Emok was weaker than normal. So Lunok infused Emok with some of his Shemsu energy and Emok regained more of his energy.

  “Thank you, my friend,” Emok said gratefully.

  “We must return and bid an official farewell to the angels,” Lunok said.

  “Archangels, you mean,” Emok corrected his friend and smiled.

  “Oh, so you were there during the promotion,” Lunok chuckled.

  “Of course, I was,” Emok replied. “I only left when the celebration started.”

  “So you didn’t miss anything then,” Lunok said.

  “If you say so,” Emok replied.

  Together, they lowered their vibrational frequencies to resonate with that of Lemuria and teleported away to join the team. Lunok assured the team that Emok was doing well enough for them not to worry. The archangels had split into little groups and were chatting the rest of the moments away. Izok apprised Lunok and Emok of what transpired during their absence, which was nothing important; just a bunch of archangels celebrating away. But it was a very entertaining site to see, regardless. Lunok was satisfied and took a quick look at the database before deciding it was time to bid the archangels farewell.

  And so Team ELOHIM walked among the archangels one final time to say their goodbyes. There was pressing of hands, clasping of forearms and hugs. Mashok was more involved in saying her goodbyes than the rest of her team. Maybe it was because this was her first assignment, or maybe it was because she was more attached to the archangels than the rest of her team was.

  Emok walked up to Luciel and smiled at her. She returned his smile, more out of politeness than anything else.

  “So,” Emok said, “We’re leaving. Are you excited for our departure?”

  It was a weak attempt at humor, but Luciel preferred to pay it no mind.

  “I am sad to see you go,” Luciel replied. “But at the same time, I am excited about our independence. I am looking forward to us handling ourselves.”

  “Very good,” Emok remarked. “I am excited for you and your brethren too. But most of all, I am excited for you.”

  “Why so?” Luciel asked.

  “Because of your potential,” Emok replied.

  “Potential for what?” Luciel asked, feeling a little confused. “I don’t think I understand what you’re trying to say.”

  “Your potential to achieve a lot more than what you envision for yourself,” Emok explained. “Do you remember our conversation a while back?”

  “Yes, I do,” Luciel replied as she put together the pieces in her head. “But honestly, I still don’t understand the point you were trying to make.”

  “Good, because the moment will come when you’ll remember my words and their meaning will no longer elude you,” Emok said. “Remember that, sometimes, when you cannot get what you want, you just have to go ahead and take it. Especially if you feel that ‘something’ is rightfully yours. Your limitations are all psychological and the only difference between the two of you is conceptual.”

  Emok then extended a hand towards Luciel. Luciel hesitated for a moment before extending a hand of her own. Emok smiled at the confused expression on her face. Shemsu and archangel shook hands and bid each other farewell. Emok then moved over to where Michael was chatting with some other archangels.

  “Hello Michael,” Emok greeted.

  “Hello Emok,” Michael replied in kind.

  “I assume you’ve been wondering whether or not I was being serious, during our last chat?” Emok asked.

  “For a moment, yes,” Michael replied flatly. “But I didn’t care about it later.”

  “Fair enough,” Emok conceded. “On the other hand, it was great to know what you’re open to doing when it comes to protecting your brethren and Celestia. Great speech too, I must add. It flowed smoothly-”

  “What do you want with me, Emok?” Michael cut him off. “You’re trying to have this conversation with me for a reason.”

  “All straight-to-the-point, are you not, Michael,” Emok tried to lighten the tone a little but failed woefully.

  “I find myself doubting the integrity of your words and actions lately, that’s all,” Michael replied, almost apologetically.

  Regardless of his sentiments towards Emok, he thought it would have been better to stay his rudeness.

  “Understandable,” Emok said and heaved his shoulders. “Well, I just wanted to have a small chat with you before I bid you farewell, Michael. Unless, of course, you are opposed to that?”

  “No, I am not,” Michael replied, and tried to relax a little. “It is a great idea, especially given the fact that I will not see you and the team again.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Michael,” Emok agreed and extended a hand.

  Michael took it in a firm grip. Shemsu and archangel shook hands. Emok turned around to leave but then stopped abruptly and raised a finger in the air as if he had just remembered something important.

  “Just one last thing,” Emok said, turning around to face Michael.

  He took a moment to appreciate the confused look on Michael’s face.

  “If ever you find yourself having strong internal conflicts,” Emok continued, “Go with your instincts. They will never lead you astray.”

  And with those words, Emok smiled, turned around and teleported back to meet his team.

  Lunok found Uriel with a small group of archangels. He walked over to the group and greeted everyone. They greeted him back.

  “May I have a moment with you, Uriel?” Lunok asked, and Uriel obliged.

  The pair stepped away from the group.

  “So, are you excited about your independence?” Lunok asked.

  “Yes, I am,” Uriel replied with a smile. “Still so much to do, though.”

  “Yes, there is; but like I said earlier, I trust you all to be able to take care of yourselves,” Lunok said. “My word of advice to you: watch out for your leader. Th
ere may come a moment when he would require great counsel and trust, and there is none other amongst your kind who is wiser than you are.”

  “I have already pledged my support to him to the very end,” Uriel said. “I’ll certainly do everything in my power to protect and guide him.”

  “I am very pleased to hear that,” Lunok said. “Usually, we do not return to our assignments, unless under very extenuating circumstances. But, should you ever feel like you need some outside help, I will only be a thought away. Okay?”

  “Okay, Lunok,” Uriel agreed. “And thank you again for everything. I don’t mean it in a bad way, but I hope I never need your help.”

  She grinned, and Lunok grinned in return. Shemsu and archangel hugged each other and Lunok bid her farewell before returning to the rest of his team.

  The archangels waved their goodbyes at their makers one final time before their makers increased their vibrational frequencies and teleported away from their sights. That moment marked the Realm of Celestia’s independence. Team ELOHIM arrived in Asah, and instead of Emok going alone to face The Council as was the custom, Lunok went with him. When they arrived, The Council was waiting for them already. Lunok stepped forward to address The Council and report Emok’s situation, but Salok raised her hand in the air.

  “No need for formalities, Lunok. We’re already aware of the situation and you did well to bring him here immediately,” she said and turned her attention towards Emok.

  Salok’s eyes bore into Emok’s and Lunok’s, causing Emok and Lunok to take an involuntary step backwards. There was something about the way she stared at them that made them react as such.

  “And as for you, Emok,” she glared, “we have something very special for Shemsus who try to access secret databases without permission!”

  Emok and Lunok turned to look at each other and then back at Salok. So there have been others… like Emok before? Lunok thought. And for the first time in their existences, both Lunok and Emok felt a sensation they had never felt before: fear!