Even now, in this foreign land, the fight continues against the Trydentiums, the seekers of the shadow, filling their own with darkness and death, as they seek to destroy the gifts in us all.
And, although the battle for me was won and I was called home, never to have experienced a natural death, the fight here for you, the only battle that matters, continues.
I told Steven that as I was on the pinnacle that overlooked the final battle, I was also shown something. The cloud that carried me on top of this pinnacle completely engulfed me. Inside the cloud, I was shown every moment I’d spent on this earth. It was a life I once called a waste, convinced it would have been better had I not been born. If only I knew how wrong I was.
I lost my focus as a father, a husband and family man to everything else.
I was determined to be better than my neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family, and I had to be the first to get it. If I desired an item, food, or woman, I was going to have it. And I schemed and lied to get whatever it was. All at the cost of hurting others, and losing my precious family.
My reward was to have my name mentioned, and get the praises of others, a pat on the back, and a fully satisfied ego to blanket my own insecurities. I truly missed this mark.
My purpose here, this life, wasn’t to obtain great wealth, material things, or overindulgences, as I had always been taught. Nor was it about being the smartest or the fastest, the strongest or the fittest. Being tall or skinny or popular never had anything to do with it. It was never about that, or me; it was all a mirage.
Inside the cloud, I discovered the more I took, the less I had in the end. My legacy, which I had built my entire life here, never was. I looked down at my two hands, these very hands I’d put to work so hard for me, and I reflected on what I have done with them and I found them empty. It was never about taking, but to give.
Now, I know what the reason for life is. It’s so, we can give it.
This beautiful and unique gift, given only to me in all of creation, breathed by God. And throughout my journey here, every person I talked to, every hand I shook, and anyone’s eyes I looked into, who saw my gift, also received it. I realized I was reenergizing others with this gift since my first step.
Every day, my life played a crucial role in helping others, so they could do the same in return.
And the path I blazed here was only because of the direction and choice I made in that grey wasteland.
It was Rel, my first guardian angel, who told me the right way from the beginning. Now I know what Rel was referring to when he told me, that day, that I was on the way back. I traveled back home, to my roots.
I challenged and called on this God to show himself to me, and he answered. This God I searched for, and sought outwardly, was always within me. It wasn’t God who hurt my daughter, nor did he take everything away from me. He never took my dad; my dad has given his gift and his mission was complete. And now, it’s this gift Steven, I give to you.
Steven held his head low knowing what that meant.
I also told him, all of my human errors, my flaws, and my many shameful mistakes, were all absorbed with this gift. Everywhere I went, and everyone I encountered, I was guarded. At my lowest and darkest times, even as I tried to end it all, I was never alone. Everyone, from the heavyset woman speaking gibberish at the post office, to Que, the nurse at the hospital, the little native Lipan Apache boy, and Max Jr. were all purposely placed in my path.
I was unknowingly entertaining my angelic brothers and sisters, the Lytenials, all along. In another realm, they had been relentlessly fighting the darkness of the Trydentiums behind the scenes. It was they who guided me, with subtle words and simple misdirection to ensure I was safe, and I remained heading in the direction that only I was sent to travel.
While in the cloud, I also saw the article I had always laughed at. It was the story of the toddler who fell out of a twelve-story window. I discover that the toddler was me. And it was Rel, my original guardian angel, who caught me. This was something my father always knew.
I told Steven there was one last thing I saw on this pinnacle. I was immediately taken back as a young boy, as I walked back from the corner store with my dad. I was so happy to relive that moment again. I could feel my dad’s hand as I held it tight, while eating a push-up ice cream in the other hand.
I recalled that when I looked up at my dad, I was only able to see his partial smile through the bright sunlight.
This time, I saw something more. As I looked up, the sunlight began to fade away, and I noticed there was someone else there with us that day. Confused, I looked up at my dad, who smiled and nodded as he patted my head. My dad then turned to the other person and smiled.
I looked, and there walking with us next to my dad, was Max’s father, Maximino Sr., with his gray trademark fedora hat with a dove’s feather. Max Sr. gave a nod to my father., He smiled and gave me a wink. Max Sr. then turned and waved at another small boy, who was sitting on the steps next to us as we walked by.
That little boy, Steven, was you. It was your father’s barber shop we would always pass every week. That day, you were sitting on the front steps, eating your ice cream, as you smiled and waved back.
Now I know why both of our dads would always smile and wave at each other. They knew as we passed, we strengthened and filled each other.
In the end, when the meaning of faith finally became real to me, everything reset. I no longer needed to see these things naturally. I have felt and seen from within. This is what has decided the outcome of my battle for my mission.
After my journey here, I looked down with my father from above, just as in my vision, and upon the oil rig, I could again see everything. I saw Tiana holding my little girl, Taylor, crying as she mourned my parting. Tiana reflected all the memories we shared together during my time here, and the positive mark I left behind. She was greatly saddened. For the first time since the car accident, I heard my little girl suddenly speak.
“It’s okay, Momma, I saw Daddy go to heaven on a cloud, just like he told me,” Taylor said.
Shocked, Tiana screamed in happiness, as tears of hurt and sorrow turned to joy. She replied, “Yes, honey, that’s right. That’s right.” She held her tight, and thanked God.
That’s when I saw my heavenly Father motion with his hand, and sent a friend to them, a dove. Instantly, they were at peace and my little Taylor’s arm was healed and she hugged Tiana. Taylor hugged Tiana in her arms.
Tiana headed over to my mother’s, and told her of this miracle. Tiana also revealed to my mother another miracle. Tiana told my mother she was pregnant with my son, Caleb Jr. I looked at my mother and she looked up at me and smiled. They grieved no more. They understood my journey here was finished, and now their journey with Taylor and my son, carry’s on.
With watery eyes, Steven asked, “So you’re leaving? This is goodbye?” I replied, “Not goodbye. Even though our assignment here is finished, another is assigned after.”
I told Steven that the two brother gods, both of them determined to take claim to the world, remained, as their time was not yet.
And, throughout the darkness that surrounds us every day, no matter what may be going on around us here in this world, know that the Lytenials, guardians of light and truth, our brethren, are with you, always. As long as our friend, this dove of white, remains here, the spirit of peace and protection will follow.
We will continue our fight, to protect the only thing here that matters, the precious gift that has been given to us, the gift of life.
I felt a surge through Steven Riley’s spirit. He looked up with a fire in eyes and his fists grew large and began to light up.
“The pain you carry, to all who hurt and suffer, and to those who are left feeling empty and abandoned, I have been sent here to bring this message: I’m Caleb John McCray from the Lytenial tree-line, Embaixador from my Father in heaven, and you are not alone. Throughout this journey, until each one of our mission here completes, w
e will all have a story to tell.
This was my story. What will be yours?”
Epilogue
“It was the day I discovered it, and I will tell it …”
- Steven Riley
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angles unawares.”
-Hebrews 13:2
Acknowledgments
To the loves of my life, my children Kyra, Kalynn, Camden, Marcus Jaden, and Brenden, thank you for never giving up on me. My parents Marcus and Katherine, who instilled in me to believe all things are possible. To my brother Jason, and my sister Kristen “Sauce Queen” who has always reminded me of who I really am when I would forget. My late great grandfather John Frank, my “Avô” who also inspired this story. Last but not least Emily, who never let me put the pen down. Thank you all. During the many dips and valleys in the journey of this book, it was the love and belief of all my family and friends throughout the years which has given me the strength to ignite the flame, which is inside us all, to accomplish my dream.
And, thanks again to my family and friends for allowing me to portray them in this story. Trust me, Caleb thanks you too.
Kids... Daddy really did it, finally. = D
From the Author
Throughout life I realized most of the time, we focus on the negative image painted around us. Although, initially we feel to act on the negative, I found it was the positive to have the greater impact. This changed my perception on everything and even those around me, so I was determined to portray exactly that through- out my travels and in this writing.
-Even the smallest positive gesture in a world surrounded in
darkness, will always reflect a light.
No matter our differences in views or beliefs, no matter how our perception may be in this world, no one can deny the value and impact of our lives to each other. I hope this reminder and message of this story has brought as much joy as I have found in writing it.
-Do what you know to do at this exact moment that will get you on the right path going forward.
Stay the path. -Marcus John
Marcus John Beltran, best known as a father of five. He was born in 29 palms, Marine Corps base and raised in Point Loma, CA. and now resides in Fort Worth, TX. Prior to his debut novel, Embaixador, he was a banking analyst, he also was actively involved in a young adult focus group encouraging others to awaken the passion and divinity within. A devoted father by day and creator by night. Currently, he’s turning the page, to the next chapter, of life.
Glossary
Embaixador: A Portuguese word for ambassador.
Ambassador: An important individual from a foreign land representing his or her own land, and who is officially accepted in this position by that land.
Index
(Portuguese word or phrase to English)
Mestre de Batalha: Battle master.
Cães demoníacos: Demon dogs.
Estrondo: Boom.
Rapaz Bonito: Pretty boy.
Trazem: Bring it.
Morte ao traidor: Death to the traitor.
Mate Eles: Kill them.
Ele nao e’ um Mestre de Batalha: He is not the battle master.
Pare ele agora: Stop him now.
Ceifador: Reaper.
Ceifeira: Witch reaper.
Arco de Betalha: Battle arc.
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