“Our time of idleness shall soon be at an end.” Hashmal breathed fire with his words and commanded every angel’s attention. “God shall divide us into groups according to our abilities and assign duties specific to our rankings. In three brillantes time God shall summon us to the atrium once more and at that time we shall learn where we rank in the hierarchy of angels”
The angels glanced at each other. Some were pleased, eager to prove themselves. Others were insecure and afraid.
“In three brillantes God shall determine every angel’s strengths. This knowledge shall assist in establishing what duties are most suitable for each of us, and where we all belong in the ranks.” Hashmal roared, forming a fireball before him.
Lilith watched him emanate flames with every word with lips fixed in a grim line. She would excel in these three brillantes as she had always done. She would prove her worth to God, as well as the other angels. She would also observe them, and the angels that surpass all others shall be primary targets for recruitment. Only the most intelligent, fastest, strongest, and most able could join her.
She would be vigilant.
Chapter 9
The Cosmos And Nature Interpretation Test
Before the brillante of the ranking ceremony had arrived God chose seven angels to keep peace and order in Floraison: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Hashmal, Raquel, Esar, and Jetrel.
Lilith and Lucifer were upset by God’s decision to exclude them but could do nothing but sulk. They resented those chosen.
“God prefers Michael, even above you, Lucifer,” Lilith said.
Lucifer sighed, trying to conceal his disappointment. “God is all knowing. He has good reason for choosing Michael to lead.”
“I believe you above all others deserved the honor.” She enjoyed flattering him. It was the quickest way to make him susceptible to her suggestions. “You are the strongest, the fastest, and the most intelligent. You have the incredible ability to manipulate energy and to track the other angels. You are the most powerful being in Floraison. God can make mistakes and He has in choosing Michael over you. Prove Him wrong.”
He glanced at her with a dim smile. “God is the most powerful being in all three realms of Heaven. Besides, I have yet to master my abilities.”
“I am certain it shant be too long until you master your abilities, and when the time comes for you to take your rightful place you shall be ready.” She smiled and walked away. Soon he would know her meaning.
She looked briefly over her shoulder at him. His eyes still focused on her. For now, excel and devastate the other angels––Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel––with your magnificence. Then they shall have no choice but to follow us.
Gabriel’s strategy to keep the angels calm while waiting for God’s ruling was to assess each angel’s psychology, personality, and knowledge of the cosmos and nature.
Gabriel excelled above other angels in these areas during God’s own catechism. Therefore, God granted him the opportunity to evaluate the angels, and he chose Esar to assist him. Esar was a strong and remarkable angel, and despite his greatness he was meek and fair. In Gabriel’s eyes, he was a living symbol of God’s justice and peace, which made him the perfect choice.
Gabriel developed the ‘Cosmos and Nature Interpretation Test’, to be conducted in the atrium. The great round, open hall served as a window that allowed the angels to view other worlds outside of Floraison. From this place they were able to observe every section of the different galaxies, stars, and planets.
The angels entered the large hall behind Gabriel and Esar. They always marveled at the immense beauty of the various worlds with their suns, moons, and stars, and at how each emanated or reflected its own colorful and dazzling luminosity.
Esar guided them to the main sitting area. The angels fell to their seats, fidgeting, chattering, and tapping their feet anticipating what the assessment would entail.
Gabriel stood before them. “The areas I shall test you on were covered in your lessons on the cosmos. One by one, you shall be called to come forward. You shall be shown a planet or a section of a galaxy or universe. After being given ample time to observe the region, I shall ask you to tell me a story involving the planet or the section of the cosmos you have seen.”
Lilith observed the angels by her side, whose taut faces and clenched jaws betrayed their anxiety.
“Tell as intricate and dramatic a story as you are able.” Gabriel handed Esar a list of the angels in the order he sought to assess them.
Esar became uneasy upon seeing the first name on the list: Lilith. She was the most beautiful and alluring being in Floraison, perhaps in all the galaxies. She was also intelligent and witty. As Esar pondered her charms, his knee joints began to bend backward.
Gabriel nudged him. “Esar, your legs.”
Noticing his uncanny way of standing, Lilith and several other angels giggled.
Esar realized what he was doing and straightened his limbs. Several parts of his body were double-jointed and could bend and flex beyond the capacity of the other angels.
“Li-leeth!” Esar’s voice cracked, and his face reddened. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Ll-lilith, p-please ca-come f-for-forr-ward!” He closed his eyes and took a breath. “Lilith, come forward please!”
Esar watched with an expression of admiration as she rose from her seat. Her walk was loose-hipped and relaxed, with a slight sway. She proceeded to him, beaming at him and Gabriel.
“I am ready to do what is asked of me.” She gazed into Esar’s dark brown eyes; like deep space, they twinkled with mystery and surprise. He shivered and began to wiggle his ears and pull his fingers far backward.
All of a sudden, his cranium shifted into the head of a lovebird. To the unrestrained laughter of the angels, he chirped a love song.
Once again, Esar’s head morphed. This time, into the head of a koi fish boasting a heart-shaped mark on its forehead. Lilith backed away, her hand covering her mouth in amazement, but she could not help chuckling.
Gabriel grabbed Esar’s forearm. He leaned and whispered in his ear, “Remain calm. Get a hold of yourself.”
He closed his round fish eyes and took a deep breath. He changed once more, becoming himself again. His face turned bright red when he realized everyone was staring and laughing. He lowered his gaze as Lilith approached him. She passed her hand through his curly black hair.
“I find what you do amazing,” Lilith whispered in his ear. “When you gain control of your shifting, no one shall find it amusing any longer. Everyone shall have to admit your ability is worthy of merit.”
Esar was captivated by her words.
Gabriel took her by the hand and guided her to the center of the platform. “You may tell your story from here. Every angel in the atrium shall hear it.”
“I thought only you would hear my tale.” Lilith scanned the audience. There were so many. Michael was amongst them.
“No, we shall all listen. You have our undivided attention.” Gabriel gestured with his arm to the audience.
So they wanted to hear a story, did they? Well, she would convey to them a tale they would never forget. Her narrative would awaken secret desires, and they would come to long for things they were missing. Doubts would bloom in their minds.
“Thanda-Garam is a small planet but an interesting one,” Gabriel told her. “This is the planet you shall feature in your story. It is a terrestrial planet with extreme climatic regions. There are areas of extreme heat with many active volcanoes, and lava flows far and wide. There are areas of extreme cold where most things are covered in ice, and robust winds rush from icy mountain tops at hurricane speeds.”
“I am familiar with this planet. It is one of my favorites.” Lilith smiled. “I am most fond of the side blanketed by snow and ice—it is quite beautiful. I have observed the planet for long periods and have learned a lot from its inhabitants.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow at her last statement. What could Lilith wish to learn from t
he inhabitants of Thanda-Garam that she could not learn in Floraison from God?
“I would enjoy telling you a story about this planet,” Lilith said.
“I am glad you find this planet fascinating. It shall make for an interesting narrative. I highly anticipate your story.”
Lilith grinned and twirled her hair. How could she relate this story in the most traumatizing way possible, in order to sow seeds of doubt and rebellion against God’s laws? Should she fret about what telling a provocative tale would reveal of her? What was Gabriel evaluating?
Gabriel, Cam, and Raquel and so many others would form a bad opinion of her despite the story she told. She shrugged. She would enjoy narrating her fable and implanting seeds of uncertainty and yearning in their self-righteous minds.
She had noticed the lingering gazes between Raquel and Dagon. Cam was far too fond of giving orders and governing the other angels. Esar stared at her when he thought she was not looking.
And Gabriel––ah, Gabriel––could Beelzebub be right about you? She would make them think of possibilities––things that could be if they rebelled against a God that imposes cruel rulings on His creations.
She nodded and Gabriel and Esar took their seats.
Lilith took a deep breath and smiled at the angels sitting before her and proceeded to narrate her story.
Chapter 10
Storytelling
Once upon a time on the planet Thanda-Garam, there were two kingdoms. The Kingdom of Kokin on the ice-covered side of the planet in the land of Nihar, and the Kingdom of Aag on the smoldering side of the planet in the land of Arathi. Separating these two kingdoms was a vast, roaring river called Jal. The only way to cross the river was to go over the Bandhutva Bridge. The forefathers of the present kings built the Bandhutva Bridge many centuries ago in an attempt to keep an alliance between the two kingdoms that had once been enemies. No one from the Kingdom of Kokin or the Kingdom of Aag had crossed the Bandhutva Bridge in a hundred years. The two nations preferred to remain on their own side of the Jal River.
The Arathians considered Nihar too cold and creepy a place, with its pink skies, icy castles, and endless snow. The Niharians deemed Arathi too menacing a place, with its huge lava-spewing volcanoes, fire-breathing animals, and magma lakes. Thus, the inhabitants of each kingdom remained isolated.
One day King Agnimukha of the Kingdom of Aag in Arathi summoned his faithful minister Rama to his royal chambers.
“How may I be of service to you, my king?” Rama asked.
“There is an important issue I need to discuss with both you and my son. Meet me here in an hour’s time and be sure prince Kamal is with you.”
Minister Rama bowed his head and departed, never showing the king his back.
An hour later, Minister Rama entered the king’s chambers, accompanied by Prince Kamal. King Agnimukha sat on his bed. He was dying. The excessive volcanic ash and gas emissions had affected his health.
The land of Arathi was changing. The massive volcanoes were taking control of the land and atmosphere. The temperature was becoming too hot and the air toxic. Many of the older inhabitants of Arathi had fallen sick, and many more had perished. Minister Rama and the royal family were aware something must be done soon, or there would no longer be a Kingdom of Aag.
“We must venture to the land of Nihar to the Kingdom of Kokin,” the king began. “I shall send a message to King Dhaval requesting an audience.”
“No, Father, if he accepts, it could be to set a trap! Besides, you are far too sick to go on such a voyage. Why not invite him here instead?”
“It is far easier for us to survive their climate than it is for them to survive ours. King Dhaval would never come here. Besides, we do not wish for any Niharian to see the state of our once powerful kingdom,” the king told his son between coughs.
“So why meet at all?” Prince Kamal wore an annoyed grimace. “Why should we risk our lives?”
“Be calm, my spirited son,” King Agnimukha said. “You shall soon be king. It is time we traveled across the Bandhutva Bridge and saw with our own eyes what is transpiring in our neighboring kingdom. Perhaps we may learn something from those who were once our enemies.”
He wheezed and coughed. Prince Kamal placed his hand on his father’s shoulder and squeezed gently.
Minister Rama stepped forward, bowed, and lowered his head. “If I may, Your Majesty?”
“Please say what is on your mind, Minister. Your wise advice is always appreciated.” King Agnimukha suffered a coughing fit. Prince Kamal handed his father a piece of cloth to wipe the blood he had just expelled.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Rama said. “I have heard from my spies that soon Princess Manju shall take the crown as Queen of Kokin. It would be to our advantage if we created an alliance with her now. The land of Arathi is surely becoming a fiery wasteland, and soon no living thing shall be able to survive here. We need new lands to rule.”
“And how do you suggest we take their lands?” Prince Kamal cocked his head.
“You, my prince, are the key.” Rama smiled at the handsome young prince. “It is spoken that Princess Manju is beautiful and pure. And you, my prince, are quite handsome, charming, and experienced in the arts of desire.”
Minister Rama and King Agnimukha exchanged devious smiles.
“Are you suggesting that I travel to the land of Nihar and seduce the Princess of Kokin?”
“You, my son, are a master of rhetoric and deception, as your mother once was.” The King chuckled between gasps. “Surely it would not be too great a feat for you to entice an innocent—not with your vast experience with the female gender. With the Queen of Kokin devoted to you, my son, the Kingdom of Kokin shall be ours to rule.”
“You have taken many to your bed, my prince,” Minister Rama said. “Your sexual prowess is praised in all four corners of Arathi.”
“No task is too great for my kingdom. I shall make myself ready for the journey.” The prince beamed. “And with your permission, Father, I wish to take Minister Rama along as counsel.”
“Yes, my son, take all that is needed.”
“Minister, you shall make the arrangements for our journey.”
“Yes, my prince, I shall begin at once.”
*
“Your Majesty, I have information from our neighboring kingdom,” Minister Pratap said. “Arathian guards were seen marching across the Bandhutva Bridge headed our way.”
“Truly?” King Dhaval asked with an incredulous expression. “After decades of silence, King Agnimukha chooses now to be provocative? Is he dying?”
The King’s daughter who stood a few feet away giggled.
“I do not know, Your Highness.” The minister snickered.
“Send my Elite Guards to intercept them before they cross the midway point of the bridge,” King Dhaval ordered the minister. Princess Manju gasped and stared wide-eyed at her father.
The minister hurried to carry out the king’s orders.
The princess rushed to the king, sat by his side, and held his arm.
“Do not fear, my sweet daughter. All shall be fine.” The king caressed his daughter, his face etched with apprehension.
Minister Pratap gave the guards their orders. The young guards glanced at each other, their eyes glistening with trepidation. They had heard descriptions of the red and black lands of Arathi, with its lakes of fire and balls of lava erupting from the mouths of volcanoes. They also had heard accounts of Niharian soldiers who crossed the bridge to Arathi, only to be thrown into pits of molten fire to burn in slow agony. Despite their fears, the brave guards embarked on the nine-mile hike across the bridge to learn why Arathian soldiers marched toward Nihar.
As they neared the midpoint of the bridge, the guards began to experience the heat emitted from Arathi. Their bodies were soaked in sweat, and they began to feel faint and unsteady. A large cloud of smoke appeared before them. Afraid and unable to see past it, they halted.
As they stared at t
he gray fog, an intimidating Arathian dressed in a black and red hooded cloak stepped out of it. He was accompanied by a group of guards bearing weapons. The hooded cape worn by the chief Arathian cast eerie shadows on his bony face, frightening the young Niharian guards as he approached them.
“Do not come any closer!” The head Niharian guard yelled in a stern voice.
Minister Rama, his face hidden in the shadows of his cape, asked, “Do you mean to intercept our crossing of the Bandhutva Bridge?”
“We mean no harm or disrespect.” The guard gulped and stared at the minister. “We are following orders to learn why you march toward our lands.”
“I am Minister Rama. No one in the Kingdom of Aag is closer to King Agnimukha, with the exception of his son, Prince Kamal. I am here to deliver a message to King Dhaval from King Agnimukha.”
The sentinel had heard countless tales of Minister Rama and his deeds. He stepped forward without displaying fear. “Very well, deliver it then, and I shall convey it to my king.”
Minister Rama arched a sly brow, but he admired the young guard’s courage. “Splendid, I shall deliver King Agnimukha’s message to you then. My king would like an audience with your king. We shall return for King Dhaval’s answer in two days’ time.”
“I shall deliver the message to King Dhaval. Now if that is all, I suggest you and your cohorts return to Arathi.”
Minister Rama nodded, wearing a sinister smile that chilled the head guard’s bones even in the intense heat. Then Rama gestured to his men to turn around and thus, they initiated their return to Arathi.
The Niharian guards watched as their rivals marched toward the Kingdom of Aag. When the Arathians were far enough away, they too filed away to the opposite side of the bridge toward Nihar.
Later that night, Minister Pratap returned to deliver the message from King Agnimukha to King Dhaval.
“It seems that King Agnimukha would like an audience with Your Highness.” The minister raised his brow.
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