Jarahmael smiled warmly at Abrackus. “Thank you for your loyalty to the Almighty. All who serve with me feel the same way. I know that your Order prefers to stay within your own level of Heaven. But I ask you to all come with me as we move up into the Heavens. Unless Luciferael is completely conquered or surrenders in the battles below on the Earth, he will most likely return with a large, well trained and experienced army of rebel Angels. I may not be able to get back to you in the Second Heaven if you remain. He may also fight strongly to keep you from joining us, as he knows the potential power that your Order contains.”
“I understand,” answered Abrackus, “I will have my Potentates follow you.”
“That's wonderful, Abrackus. Please prepare them to leave as soon as possible and join us as we move up in the Heavens. First, I need to take my armed Angels and see how much resistance there will be in the Third Heaven. Once I clear it of the rebel Angels I will have you and your Order join us!”
Jarahmael flew back over to where Cerebriel and the Cherubim were hovering. He also spoke briefly with Gaardrael of the First Heaven. Gaardrael then spoke with his other Guardian Angels and had them join Abrackus.
Cerebriel took Jarahmael aside and said, “I discovered something that may be helpful to us, something Faumiel and I developed in the storm clouds over the pyramid in Occidentus, when we were waiting to come join the rest of you.”
“What was that, Cerebriel? We need all the help we can get!”
“We developed a method to use electricity and turn it into lightning bolts,” Cerebriel added.
“You mean those flashes of light that started occurring on the Earth from those storm clouds?” Jarahmael said, growing excited that they may have a new weapon at their disposal.
“Yes, precisely. By moving our own light energy at the right frequency we can generate and aim them.”
“That's incredible, Cerebriel. Can you teach the rest of us how to use them?”
“I am not sure they will work in the Seven Heavens, I know it works on the Earth. If I try to teach anyone, we will most likely bring the sound of thunder along with them. A sound not heard in the Heavens before, my lord.”
“True, that would surely give our position away and provide Luciferael with notice that we are moving up ahead of him, or at least something is.” Jarahmael nodded in agreement.
“What I think I can do though. . . is I may be able to transfer some of my motor memory to you if you touch my shoulder. I taught Faumiel the technique that way, and he taught Dubriel. It took them a few times though before they were able to control it.”
“Certainly worth a try,” Jarahmael answered. “If it works we can teach all of the Angels in our group!”
Looking around they saw an outcropping of clouds glowing white against the red skies of the Third Heaven.
“Let’s land over here and you can try to absorb the memory,” Cerebriel said as he pointed and headed towards the clouds.
Jarahmael followed and landed in front of his friend. He reached out with both arms and touched Cerebriel's shoulders as Cerebriel altered his light wavelengths to build up the energy to send off a lightning strike. Then at the last moment, Cerebriel stopped building up energy, in order to prevent any lightning bolt from emanating out of him.
“Did you feel it?” asked Cerebriel as Jarahmael disengaged from holding onto the other Angel's shoulders and stepped back.
“Yes, I believe so. It has a lot of energy when you do that. I am not sure that I could aim the energy though,” Jarahmael answered as he composed himself.
“That's why it does take a bit of practice,” Cerebriel responded. “Would you like to try to alter your wavelengths and let me see if it feels right to me?” Cerebriel asked.
“Yes, that would be helpful!” answered Jarahmael.
This time Cerebriel reached out and grabbed Jarahmael's shoulders as Jarahmael altered his light energy wavelength.
Cerebriel watched Jarahmael closely as the energy built up and waited for Jarahmael to stop himself.
But Jarahmael did not have that level of control over the altered wavelengths, and it was only by quick thinking on Cerebriel's part that Jarahmael did not shoot out a lightning bolt. Cerebriel quickly moved his arms up and through Jarahmael's arms, reversing the hold. Now Cerebriel's arms were on Jarahmael's shoulders and Cerebriel moved forward a bit more and was able to absorb Jarahmael's energy, so quickly that all that could be seen was a quick spark between them.
They were both pushed back by the energy exchange, and Jarahmael's glow had diminished while Cerebriel’s had grown stronger.
“You needed to stop generating energy, Jarahmael!” Cerebriel warned him.
“I was trying, but I could not stop it, it felt so increasingly invigorating,” Jarahmael said in a weakened voice.
“I understand Jarahmael, I was only able to control it better because I have more experience with it,” Cerebriel said still glowing from the burst of additional energy he absorbed.
“I can tell that it’s a powerful weapon,” Jarahmael said. “But in regards to teaching the others, on second thought, I don't think we can take the chance on teaching the others the technique as we are ascending in front of Luciferael. If I, as an Archangel, had trouble controlling it, I can't imagine that the Guardian Angels would be able to, and if they made a mistake it would give away our position.”
“Agreed, my lord Jarahmael. We also don't want the rebel Angels to learn the technique either.” Cerebriel added.
“Thank you for showing it to me!” Jarahmael said as he was getting himself ready to fly, his energy beginning to return, and strong enough now to move his wings again. “We still have a long way to go, my friend.”
Cerebriel and Jarahmael then flew upwards with the Cherubim following. They passed through the entrance into the Third Heaven unchallenged, and headed towards the cloud mountains that were off to the west. The logical place for captive loyal Angels to be housed was around the main complex where Annabael held meetings with her engineering Principalities.
As they slipped over one of the ridges they could see a small contingent of rebel Dominion Angels in their red tunics outside the main meeting hall. The loyal Cherubim and Jarahmael were much better fighters than the Dominions were. Most Dominions were used to simply giving commands to the Principalities, which left their physical skills and prowess with much to be desired. Jarahmael took on the lead Dominion and defeated him by using his sword, while Cerebriel and the Cherubim overran the other Dominion guards. Within a few minutes the tables were turned, the loyal Principalities were now freed and the Dominions were now captives.
“Jarahmael, do you want to house these rebel Dominions here or do you want to take them with us?” asked Faumiel as he watched his Cherubim bind the Dominions.
Jarahmael thought about it for a moment and then said, “Let's send the rebel captives ahead of us. I don't want Luciferael to refill his ranks as he moves back up through the Heavens. Nor do I want him to know that we exist at the moment. Have some of our loyal Principalities that were just released arm themselves with the Dominions’ weapons, and take these prisoners up into the Seventh Heaven. Tell them to stay out of sight, we don’t want them seen by the rebel Angel guards remaining in the upper heavens. They can place the prisoners in Sammuael's mansion there. He won't be needing his mansion for himself anytime soon,” he said as he tapped the Crystal Prism he had under his tunic reassuringly.
Chapter 41
REVERSAL
Luciferael was surrounded by his Archangels, Beelzebael, Mephistophael, Mammonael and Suriel as he broke through the cloud cover and headed upwards towards the entrance back into the First Heaven. His rebel army was able to hold back the flank attacks by Gabriel’s and Uriel's loyal Angels long enough for him to escape. Luciferael and his entourage turned around the upper reserves of rebel Angels and told them to retreat as they themselves whisked past. His whole attack force folded up on itself as they fled upwards through the Earth's skies.
As Luciferael passed through the gateway into the First Heaven, he turned around and ordered the other half of Damiel's legion who had been left in reserve to be prepared to fight back Gabriel's and Uriel's legions. Damiel's legion commander, a Cherubim who was particularly loyal to Damiel, noticed that neither Damiel nor the rest of his legion was coming back up with the other rebel Angels. And the rebel Angels that were coming back up were now in a full panicked retreat. They were not stopping and reforming in the First Heaven at all, but heading straight up towards the gateway into the Second Heaven. The Cherubim commander was concerned that if the loyal legions pursued their counterattack from the Earth below, what was left of Damiel's legion would be unable to stop the loyal Angels from gaining control of the entrance between the Earth and the First Heaven and if the loyal Angels were able to get into the First Heaven quickly enough, they could defeat the rebel army before it succeeded in retreating into the Second Heaven.
Luciferael and his rebel Archangels were only able to stop the rebel Angels’ rout at the gateway between the First and Second Heavens. It was difficult turning his legions around and making them form anything that had the semblance of a controlled army. Uriel's and Gabriel's loyal Angel legions broke through the gateway into the First Heaven and held their ground. They began setting themselves up within the lower grounds of the First Heaven, preparing themselves to move into the skies and push the counterattack further against Luciferael's legions hovering above them. It wasn't long until Ariel's and Raphael's legions came up through the gateway themselves, more than doubling the number of loyal Angels facing Luciferael's army.
Frustrated and not to be outdone, Luciferael ordered his legions to attack before all of the loyal forces could be lined up and coordinated. Beelzebael and Luciferael came down and attacked from the eastern sky, while Mammonael came from the southern sky and Suriel came with his legions from the western sky. Mephistophael headed straight toward the gateway where the loyal Angels were pouring through in an effort to plug up the hole that was allowing all these reinforcements to enter.
Luciferael and his forces were able to hold back the counterattack by the loyal Angels but could not push the loyal Angels back out of the First Heaven and into the Earth’s skies below. They were stalemated for a good amount of time, the fighting intense between the armies. Luciferael figured if he could keep the loyal Angels confined to the First Heaven he could force them back out of the Heavens once they tired. They were not as seasoned as his warrior Angels.
Then from the east, where the Garden of Eden was located, Luciferael heard a trumpet sound and saw a whole other legion of loyal Angels coming to flank his position, this legion led by the Archangel Michael himself. He could see Michael's Angels still pouring out of the pyramid over there. Michael must have come up through the pyramid from the Earth below, something that Luciferael had not even considered. Nor did he even think it was possible to get through the pyramids so quickly — Michael and his loyal Angels had been attacking Luciferael’s army’s center from below just a short time ago. Now he had to fend off a flank attack because of that oversight.
Looking about, Luciferael knew that if Michael's army hit Beelzebael's legion from the east they would begin to crumble again and he would face another rout or perhaps be forced to surrender or flee if the panic spread to the other legions. It could be even worse if Michael and his legions got above him and squeezed the rebel Angels between the forces of the loyal Angels.
As much as he hated to do it, Luciferael gave the order to retreat rather than wait to be overrun. He gave orders for his whole army to head into the Second Heaven and set up defenses in the gateway before the loyal Angels could take full advantage of his retreat. Michael's loyal Angel army continued to swarm into the First Heaven, and kept the pressure on the rebels.
Luciferael's legions entered the Second Heaven and he immediately had his rebel Dominion and Principalities begin working on defenses.
Beelzebael came up to Luciferael and said, “It’s too quiet here, my lord. Have you noticed that there are no Potentates here? It looks like they have all left.”
“I hope the majority of them had not been captured along with Damiel and his half legion. I watched Damiel chase after Ariel's legion and then Raphael's legion fall in behind and surround Damiel. There was not anything I could do to assist him, he had gone so far away from my own legions. Nor could I see how many of the Potentates he had with him,” replied Luciferael.
“The good thing is that the Potentates can't actually fight on their own, my lord,” said Beelzebael.
“Yes, but the loyal Angels could also use them as an energy source like I have done in the past. Especially in clearing out obstacles placed in front of them, which we may have to do ourselves at this point,” Luciferael added.
“If they weren't captured, where would they have gone?” Beelzebael asked.
“Upwards in the Heavens most likely. We will catch up to them for sure once we get back to the Seventh Heaven,” Luciferael said, as he looked down into the First Heaven, expecting the loyal Angels to attack again.
Luciferael saw the loyal Angels descending back to the surface of the First Heaven and begin to set up camp.
“Looks like the loyals are going to rest for the night,” Luciferael said. “Gives us time to continue to build our defenses here, pass the order along.”
As Luciferael looked down upon the loyal Angel army that was spread out before him, he observed that now he was the one who was outnumbered. And somehow the loyal Angels had acquired access to real weapons. Luciferael realized that he was, for the first time, not only outnumbered but was facing a well-armed foe.
Luciferael was in trouble and he knew it.
Chapter 42
HOMECOMING
Lillith had gone to the Garden of Eden early in the day after leaving Luciferael and Beelzebael to fight their battle to conquer the Earth. She flew directly to the pyramid and noticed that its entrance had been walled up in her absence. She would have to get Luciferael to assign some of his rebel Angels to re-open the pyramid. She had wanted to begin working immediately on modifying the structure into her new home using rebel Dominions and Principalities. Looking around, she could not find a single one. Luciferael's attack plans had taken all available rebel Angels and put them in his legions. Lillith knew that Luciferael was totally focused on finishing this war and that she would only anger him if she bothered him about the details of making her a new home.
She had not slept much the night before because of Luciferael's lovemaking and she was feeling tired. Taking flight again using her new Angel wings, she flew over to the stream where she had first met Jarahmael, still hoping he would appear. She still had a feeling, that despite Luciferael claiming he was gone, that he was somewhere near to her.
If only Jarahmael was with her: she missed the happiness he had freely given her. Luciferael did not make her feel the same way. What if Jarahmael was really alive and the rebel Angels were wrong? A cold shiver passed through her and then her face flushed. If Jarahmael had not perished what would he do or feel about her involvement with Luciferael? She still could not make sense out of whether Jarahmael was an enemy or friend of Luciferael from what she had overheard in the rebel Angel’s discussions about him. Had he betrayed the Almighty, and if Jarahmael did, was she still bound to her promise to the Almighty? Did the promise to do the Almighty’s bidding mean anything at all, now that He was gone?
These questions were too great for her to think about, much less resolve. She decided that it may be a good idea to take a nap, maybe sleep would give her some clearer answers. She would at least be able to think better.
Luciferael was gone at least for the time being. Although he had said it would not take long to defeat the loyal Angels, she had no idea how long it would take. But he was so confident she did believe him that it would be over, once and for all, before the end of the day. She flew over the hut that she had shared with Adam. Looking inside, she realized that h
er former bed was the most comfortable thing in the Garden of Eden. She went inside the hut and lay down on it and fell fast asleep a short time later.
She did not awaken until it was almost sunset, when she rolled over her wings. She decided to gather some food and walked out of the hut in order to do so. When she looked up at the sky she saw the last remnants of Luciferael's army retreating into the Second Heaven with the loyal Angels’ army following closely behind. The loyal army was much larger than she expected; from her perspective, it actually looked larger than Luciferael's army. It certainly did not look like it would be an easy conquest for any other army to defeat.
She returned immediately to the hut. What have I seen? she wondered. Once again, she did not know what to do. Once this rebellion started, it had wreaked havoc on her life as well as the Heavens and the Earth. From what she could see, the rebel Angel army that Luciferael claimed would have an easy victory was retreating back into the Heavens and abandoning her here in Eden. Now it was Luciferael and his other Archangels that left her. But this time she had wings so she could fly herself. She thought about trying to catch up with them as they retreated upwards into the Heavens but thought better of it. She could be trapped again up in the Heavens. And as she thought about it, she wanted to stay here in the middle of the Garden of Eden, abandoned or not. Besides, she could always visit the Earth below. This truly was where she was the most comfortable. Even Jarahmael's palace would just be a sorrowful place for her. Something terrible had to have happened to Jarahmael, he never would have left her alone so long up in his palace if he had been able.
In Rebellion (Archangel Jarahmael and the War to Conquer Heaven, Book II) Page 23