When I noticed the light had finally subsided, multiple individuals were in the room. There were four others besides myself and Raphael, standing around and looking at each other just as confused as I was. Each of them was different in size, stature, and colored armor – silhouetted under the excessive light inhabiting the room. Without anyone saying a word, I came to the conclusion that I was vaguely staring at four more classification types. I just needed to figure out which was which.
The biggest one stepped forward with great bravado but Raphael wasn’t intimidated in the least, despite being smaller by a couple feet in both length and width.
“What is this?” the angel gruffed. Raphael, the only angel that wasn’t bathing in light, smiled warmly toward him and calmly peeled the big man’s fingers from his arm like a banana.
“I think you should have more respect for your mentor, Marcus.”
Wait…Marcus? A different Marcus or the one I knew?
“Who they?” he growled. “I beat you fair – why call for help?”
I studied the silhouettes of my fellow angels, the way their bodies were shaped, the way each of them stood and twitched out of nervousness or boredom. I couldn’t hold myself back. I flew at the tall lanky one with full force and tackled him backward. With a wounded cry, he caught me, and as the light Raphael summoned forth steadily declined, we recognized each other. Old friends, together again.
Cadence gave me a smirk and hugged me tight. As he let go, Farah, Alessa and Marcus all jumped in and we began hugging and patting each other on the back, congratulating and weeping, laughing and celebrating. No one could believe that we had all been given an appointment, that we had all made it to Heaven, at the same time.
It didn’t matter that I would be pushed to the background. The group was reunited, and life felt right again.
“You have all been here the entire time,” Raphael said, turning to look at us one by one. We settled down to listen to our guide. “Of course, you were blinded from each other’s presence but that’s because there is another lesson all new angels must grasp. One to be received immediately or you may never leave this room – pride will destroy you. There is nothing wrong with feeling a sense of accomplishment in one’s actions, but once they cross the line into arrogance or a grand notion of self-importance, it becomes destructive and chaotic. Mark my words. It is a roaring flame, an unquenchable thirst that cannot be satisfied. You all believed that you had knocked me down, that by your own power I had succumbed to your might, when all five of you had actually been attacking me at once. None of you knocked me down alone. It was a…team effort.”
“But, you spoke to me individually! I asked you specific questions!” Farah said. “Not that I’m complaining about working with my friends…”
“God allowed all of you to be present, but for time to stop in intervals so I could address you personally, as needed.”
Was that why he was so fast?
“Are we to work together now?” Cadence asked, wasting no time. “Or do we get to take the next tests independently?”
“Drop the idea of individuality from here on out,” Raphael stressed. “Someday there will be a place for it, but not now. Pride is counterproductive, and could even bring you to the point that you would deny or defy God’s existence. Shun the very Master who made us, fashioned us, created us. Only by working together, unified, can we please Him and achieve our purpose. Alone, you do not have the power to succeed.”
“A no would have sufficed,” Alessa muttered. Cadence tried to console her with a back rub. Marcus clamored forward.
“I do not believe this,” Marcus stated, storming toward Raphael. “I want to fight you alone - NOW!”
“Did you not hear a word I said?” Raphael seethed, his temper beginning to rise.
“I heard,” Marcus growled. “Doesn’t make it true.”
Farah stretched upward from where she stood and placed a hand on Marcus’ hip – as far as she could reach. “If we have to fall in line in order for us to stay here, then that’s what we have to do. We’re not going back to the island.”
Marcus stared down at the little one and let his chest rise in intimidation.
“Why no fight?”
“Marcus, I know we like to have fun, but we should be serious for once. We’re new here.”
“Too many words,” Marcus grunted and Farah laughed. Good old Marcus.
“God had Raphael train us,” she continued, “so he must be legitimate. What reason would he have to lie? Besides, we’ve been a family since the beginning. Why are you so against our help all of a sudden?”
“Don’t need help. I am Godhand,” Marcus said proudly, “and Godhand are the strongest there is.”
“Oh I beg to differ!” a sharp voice pierced through the air. Marcus and Farah ceased their conversation and followed our eyes to the entrance of the hall. Raphael noticeably squirmed, his eyes wavering as he began to lose his composure. His brow furrowed and his lips pursed.
“You are not to be here,” he said weakly.
And whatever stood in the doorway, laughed.
CHAPTER 5: We Will Put Them to the Test
The voice, unaccompanied by a visible being, stopped its laughter short and spoke again.
“I wanted to see how the new recruits are faring. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You are not supposed to be here,” Raphael stressed more boldly this time as the mysterious intruder stepped from the side of the entrance into view. He came in slowly, intentionally delaying his approach. Again, I felt this was someone worthy of respect, but it was a different feeling than the intuitive respect I had towards Raphael.
This being was so powerful, his angelic pressure alone began to weigh me down, increasing in burden with each step that brought him closer. I could barely make out his physical characteristics - his body boasting an impressive glow like he was a walking miniature star, building in intensity the closer he got. It was a brightness I instinctively knew that few had. And obviously, this angel was a bit different than the rest of us. His glow, angelic pressure and strength meant only one thing. This was a chief prince, a classification of angel we all knew, not from Raphael, but our database. We’d seen the name of this type of angel graffitied on walls in future cities on Earth and had come across the title in incomplete documents. This was an Archangel. An angel of the highest order.
“I have a test for them,” he said slyly.
“No,” Raphael said flatly, but the intruder’s aura lit up as he almost smiled in amusement.
“I don’t remember asking for your permission.”
“Imagine if they get hurt. What then?”
“They can live forever. So what if they’re out of commission for a spell?”
“I don’t like your games,” Raphael stressed through grit teeth. “I think you should leave.”
“I think you should know your place, Raphael.”
“You forget, I am an angel just like you.”
The mysterious angel looked him up and down, as sunspots erupted simultaneously over his solar body. He chuckled again.
“Yes, we are – though even Heaven appears to have its princes…and paupers.”
“Your charm is as appealing as ever, I see,” Raphael quipped, unscathed by the intruder’s scorn.
“Oh come now, Raphael. You have always been too sensitive. I was just joking around and you take it so seriously.”
“It’s hard to tell with you.”
“Maybe that’s why I was left in charge – because God needed an angel that is able to comprehend orders. He doesn’t have time for someone who is unable to discern one’s spirit and speech, taking guesses at what his master told him like an ill-trained dog.”
“Contrary to what you might think, you aren’t that hard to figure out.”
“We will see if these young ones agree with that statement…Young ones!” he bellowed, the boom in his voice echoing like a cannon down the hall. “Welcome to Heaven! I am sure by now you are eag
er to spread your little wings and see the universe God has created. I do not blame you, for I too once stood nervously in your place. However, I quickly learned that there is more to this habitation than friendly races to the nearest dwarf star and irrelevant swims through the cosmos. We are created for a purpose, and that purpose is not play. We have been intricately designed to ensure that Heaven is tended to, and runs smoothly in God’s absence-”
“But God is everywhere,” I spoke abruptly. The kindling sun turned to me and nearly burst into flames.
“SILENCE!” he quaked as my colleagues gasped in reverence and fear, collapsing to the floor. I was immediately forced down to one knee and unwillingly bent my head low, quailing under his thunderous voice. I had never felt such trepidation. I cowered beneath him, shivering – begging him internally to never use that crippling tone again. The walking star’s light had nearly come to the point of explosion, but now he dimmed it a little for my sake - so I would not be consumed by his might. He chuckled from within, a haunting song that burrowed deep into my mind.
“Of course God is everywhere, little one,” he cooed as he placed a comforting…hand, I think, on my hair, “but you speak out of turn and out of ignorance. You need to be enlightened about current events.”
“Lysander is correct in the context in which he spoke,” Raphael said. “God is everywhere, even now. As we speak, He is watching us…watching you.”
“My dear Raphael,” the star spoke softly. “One shouldn’t offer their opinion when plagued with a condition such as yours. If you are unable to interpret primitive body language and banter, it is best to keep your simple analysis of matters internally, before you embarrass yourself.”
Raphael opened his mouth to respond with a comeback, but decided to keep his words to himself, letting the stranger continue his barrage of insults.
“Really, you should get that retardation of yours looked at,” the glowing intruder stated coldly, but Raphael didn’t budge as we slowly climbed to our feet, sensing that the danger had burned out for now. The star continued his conversation with us as he stared at Raphael’s unmoving composure.
“Young ones, I have a proposition for you - one that you will find most appealing, though it comes with a prerequisite.”
“What is it?” Marcus asked bravely as the star faced us in the blink of an eye. I cringed behind Cadence, shielding myself from any future flares.
“First I would like to know your names,” he said in a haunting, wavering voice that could only have been intentional.
“Marcus,” the Godhand said proudly, puffing out his chest in declaration.
“My name is Cadence. Classification, Guard.” He said it like he was answering roll call in the military.
“Farah. I am a Faithful,” she said, doing her best to sound formidable.
“I’m Alessa,” the fourth of our group squeaked out, strangely quiet. Surely Raphael’s words couldn’t have humbled her that much. “I’m a Glory.”
I stared at her in awe. A Glory…an angel that could talk to God directly. I had to admit I was jealous of her designation. Was this the cause of her silence and newfound meekness? Was she continuously in conversation with God, asking Him questions and receiving orders? As soon as I had the opportunity, I would ask her all about it.
“And you are Lysander,” the star finished before I could claim my turn. Though it was impossible for me to be thirsty, I found myself gulping involuntarily.
“Yes,” I replied meekly. “I’m a, um, a Messenger.”
“An interesting mix of talent – I’m looking forward to your future performances. But first, I want all of you to know that should you pass a test of mine, you will each have the opportunity to join a special group of angels. This elite group is composed of angels that serve God the most, with all reverence. I lead this group exclusively into His presence and we praise…my Lord, we praise like no other. The fire under our feet, the dance in our flight, the bellowing of our souls – none can worship like we.”
I was already intrigued, and based on the awe-struck, jaw-dropping faces around me, the rest of the group was too. On the island, being in God’s presence was all we could think about, even when we weren’t speaking about it. And our second encounter only whet the appetite. To have the opportunity to be in God’s presence again – multiple times…and to praise Him with all we could muster? What an opportunity…but the star had said his group exclusively met with God, meaning – that if we didn’t get in, there was no telling when we would be enveloped in His magnificence again. Maybe that was why Raphael, even now, stood frigid and unimpressed – it was possible he had attempted the test and failed, forced to now live out his time in Heaven telling others about an experience he would no longer enjoy.
That could not be me.
“Of course,” he confirmed, “not everyone, like my good friend Raphael here, has the commitment and drive required, so like any true and faithful servant, you must be tested. How does that sound?”
“Whenever you’re ready,” I found myself saying, my cowardice dissipating with every syllable that poured out from my mouth.
“Good,” he shone brighter in approval. “Then we will begin immediately. I am bringing in a specifically chosen angel to test your might. He will give me a report regardless of the outcome, that will either approve or deny your membership. Should you win, I will find you. If you fail, well…I hear Raphael is looking for employees in his daycare.”
The star smiled wide for Raphael who refused to acknowledge his comments, and then vanished, his flight so fast that for a second an afterimage remained in his stead. Raphael unfolded his arms and addressed us urgently as we saw another mysterious angel appear – the star’s proctor no doubt – enter the hall.
“Do not listen to his words,” Raphael advised. “They are poison, smooth to go down but fatal to your being. Stay away from his ‘club’.”
“We are not you,” Marcus said flatly, staring past Raphael toward the proctor striding toward us. Raphael cast his eyes to the side and hardened his jaw, but once more he chose to keep his mouth shut. Marcus didn’t notice this at all.
“Are these the young ones?” the new stranger asked Raphael, who only nodded in answer. This stranger was not glowing like the other so we could see what he looked like. From what I devised, he was more than likely a Glory due to his average height, slender body, and silver armor with purple streaks. Alessa’s armor may have been primarily purple, and a little different than the angel’s who just walked in, but I thought it was safe to assume that specific colors were coordinated with the classifications - a knowledge which was essential to triumphing in our upcoming test.
The angel had a bored look on his face, his long hair flowing well past his shoulders and over sections of his face. He didn’t even bother to move it when it got in the way. His blasé attitude said it all - he was not impressed with our ensemble.
“My name is Rufus, and I will be your proctor,” he yawned. “This test will determine if you are worthy of my leader’s inner circle. It is simple – I will give you exactly thirty minutes to strategize - after which, I will attack the five of you with everything I have. Bring my angelic pressure to a critical state, which I promise is no small feat, and you will have passed. If I bring all of you to a critical state individually, to the point in which you are indisposed, you fail. Are there any questions?”
The group remained silent as I tugged on Cadence’s sleeve, signifying I might have a plan. He nodded in response and I waited for Rufus to sound the bell.
“You get thirty minutes – and in Heaven, a half hour will seem like seconds. Use it wisely. Your tactical planning starts…now.”
The five of us flew into a huddled circle about seven yards away from Rufus to plan. Cadence spoke up for me before I could muster up any courage.
“Lysander here has a plan,” he said approvingly, “and we should hear him out first.”
“Why?” Marcus responded. Being designated a Godhand was getting t
o his head but Cadence defended me.
“Because we can’t just go out swinging. If Rufus was sent to fight five angels, whether we’re experienced or not, he must have some background in fighting groups by himself - not to mention we have no clue what his abilities are. Remember, all he has to do is place each of us in a critical state. That may sound like the odds are in our favor, but they will quickly diminish as we lose members one by one. We have to think about this.”
“Why?” Marcus replied again, as if he hadn’t heard a word Cadence had said. Cadence gave him a disgusted ‘Are you serious?’ look as Alessa spoke up.
“I’m with Marcus on this one. I don’t see the point of planning when we can all attack him at once.”
“If it was as simple as an all-out assault,” Cadence commented, “we wouldn’t have been given thirty minutes. It doesn’t matter if we have a group, we can’t let arrogance or pride get in the way. Recall Raphael’s words.”
“I’m not really too excited about Raphael’s lessons right now,” Alessa said disapprovingly. Cadence began to rub his forehead in frustration.
“Listen guys,” I finally squeaked. “We can do this. The key is figuring out what his weakness is.”
“And how are you the authority figure all of a sudden?”
“Because I’m a Messenger – it’s part of my repertoire. I’m not that strong spiritually, but I have a tactical mind. If we devise a plan, we won’t have to fight any harder than we have to.”
“Let’s hear him out,” Farah chimed in, and the group shifted their full attention on me. I didn’t dare betray their trust.
“Okay, first of all, I figured out he is a Glory based upon the nearly exact mirror image of Alessa’s armor. The only difference is that the color purple is less accentuated. So Alessa, please tell us what your specialty is.”
The Works of Julius St. Clair - 2017 Edition (Includes 3 full novels and more) Page 67