Realm of the Dead

by Donovan Neal

  "Weapons, my King? What weapons do I possess?"

  The Lord smiled. "Ah, my son, come. See the power given thee to serve my cause. And the Lord snatched Enoch away to a great mountain, and Enoch knew not if he was still in Heaven or on Earth. He stood next to the Lord who shone in a light as bright as the sun, and Enoch could not look upon the Lord's person for the glory that surrounded Him.

  And the Lord caused a gourd to grow from the ground. And the gourd was a stones throw to reach, and he spoke to Enoch. "If this gourd were the enemy of God, angel, and man...how wouldst destroy it?"

  "I know not, my Lord. I cannot reach it from here."

  "My son, if thou but speak the word only and say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea, and not doubt in thine heart, but believest the words that thou speakest, it shall be done unto thee. Therefore, speak to the gourd my son, and behold what can be wrought."

  Enoch then did as the Lord commanded and spoke to the gourd, "Be thou rooted up from thy place," and even as Enoch spoke, fire came from his mouth and the gourd caught flame as if sparked from within, blazed for a mere second, then crusted over into ash. The rind of what remained was black.

  "Behold, my son, I have given thee power that fire shall proceed out of thy mouth and devour thine enemies. Moreover, I have given thee power to shut Heaven that it shall not rain in the days of thy prophecy, and by thy word shall even the waters turn to blood, and I release thee to smite the Earth with plagues as oft as thou wilt for thou and Elijah shall bear witness in the Earth soon. For Lucifer shall raise up those who would speak against my Word, and ye shall trouble men until he who is sealed within the abyss is loosed. Then thou wilt take thine place among thy brethren."

  And when the Lord had finished speaking, Enoch was in his study, and the Lord continued to speak to his mind. "Now prepare thyself in thy studies for soon thou must go and bring Elijah here that Heaven might be healed. For the withering comes, and already works its work. For I must take thee out of the midst of thy brethren, who in time past rejoiced in conceit. For still the vestiges of pride haunt the Elohim, and it must be that they can no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. And when thou returnest, and captivity is made captive, then I will seal up the book, and Shiloh will come and take it from my hand, and with the opening of my book shall my judgment begin to be poured out against all those who have railed against me."

  And Enoch replied to the Lord, "My King, where is this man, Elijah, that I must go and bring him thither?"

  The Lord's voice faded and grew soft. "Go to the basement of Heaven, and there Janus shall let thee pass unto Limbo. Walk by faith and not by sight, and ye shall cross over to Aseir."

  Enoch pondered the Lord's words in his heart.

  Chapter Two

  Murmurs, Secrets and Plans

  Michael marched into the council room and found Jerahmeel waiting for him, seated quietly at the table.

  "What was that about?" Michael said. "And don't give me this foolishness that you sought to manipulate Iblis into thinking you would harm him. That was not a feint, but a true act on thy part."

  Jerahmeel rose and walked toward his brother. "I do not care about the renegade Iblis. T'was not my desire to have his ilk in Heaven from the beginning. You ordered us to rescue him and bring him forthwith. This I have done. I, on the other hand, was content to see him released from the clutches of our brother. But no, instead what did my prince decide to do? Bring a traitor to the realm immortal, to return a traitor to the kingdom, and for what? An interrogation? Hast the Chief Prince so risen in pride as our wayward brother that he thinks he, too, can presume the Lord's will? Would you in the arm of the flesh seek to accomplish...nay not accomplish, but prevent what El hath clearly destined? Did thine encounter with Eladrin teach you nothing? Or hast the halo which hovers above thy head clouded thy wisdom? You do not know what you have wrought in bringing him here, so do not purport to lecture me on my actions." Jerahmeel then moved to walk past his brother.

  Michael grabbed him by the shoulder.

  Jerahmeel spun around, twisted Michael's arm and slammed him into the table.

  Michael squirmed in discomfort.

  "Is this what we have come to?" Jerahmeel yelled. "Must our causes be won by force of arms? Do you not see the spirit which even now hovers in this very room?"

  Michael pushed against Jerahmeel and lifted himself into the air. The Sword of Ophanim roared to life and whirled about him. On mental command, a blade flew towards Jerahmeel and stopped short of his brother's throat, only centimeters away from fatal injury.

  Jerahmeel stood his ground, unmoved, and stared at Michael. "You are the Chief Prince. I would surrender to dissolution if thou didst command it; nevertheless, you have erred in bringing Iblis here. But, alas, the deed is done. I do not wish to fight you. Yet I submit a request for thine consideration."

  Michael's breathing was heavy; his chest rose and fell while celestial adrenaline pumped through him. The muscles in his face gradually softened at his brother's words, and he spoke. "It is not meant that we should be at odds. A member of the Lumazi seeks petition. So be it. Speak what is on thy mind," Michael said. The Sword of Ophanim then sheathed itself.

  Jerahmeel nodded. "For many days I have searched as to the whereabouts of our brother, Talus, to know if he were taken from this life, but, if it were so, Lucifer would have assuredly sent word gloating of his demise."

  Michael nodded. "Agreed. Say on."

  Jerahmeel continued, "I have consulted with Argoth and his people to surmise a plan of search and rescue..."

  Michael interrupted his brother, excited, "Have you found Talus? Where is he?"

  Jerahmeel frowned. "Aye, I have cause to believe, and Argoth concurs..."

  "Concurs to what?" Michael said. "Speak! Where is he?"

  Jerahmeel paused and took a deep breath before he replied, "We believe he is in Hell."

  Michael slumped in a chair with drooping shoulders. "I...Talus..."Michael's voice began to break, and he covered his face with his hands. "Leave me," he commanded.

  Jerahmeel bowed, turned and left his brother to his musings.

  * * *

  Yeshua took Peter, James and John and went up into a mountain to pray, and as He prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and beams of light burst through the fabric of His raiment and He became white, glistening in the whitest of lights. The three disciples covered their eyes. When Yeshua rose and ceased from praying, there appeared before Him two men in white raiment, and each bowed before the Lord as He spoke to them.

  "Thou art summoned from Heaven to me, Elijah, for thou must prepare the Seraph for Enoch's and Gabriel's arrival, for it is my will that all Seraph, Ophanim, and Elohim become one, even as I and my Father are one, for the time of the Seraph King hath been found wanting and his season to turn hath ended. When Enoch comes to thee, thou shalt go to the heavenly city, for I have commanded him to seek healing for the Schism, for when I return after the resurrection, then the Father will have me unseal the book."

  Elijah looked at both his Lord and the three terrified men who stood but a few paces behind Yeshua cowering in fear. He smiled as he glanced at them, then replied to the Lord, "It shall be done, Master. I find much guile in the Seraphim King, but I will do as bidden and await Enoch per thy word. But what of thee? For thou has come down and hath drawn Moses from Paradise. His absence will not go unnoticed. The Enemy doth not know thou wilt pour out your soul unto death. His desire for thy destruction blinds him to thy plan to bear our sin and justify thy people."

  Moses' brow furrowed, confused that he stood before his king, "My Lord, is it now the time of reckoning? If so, why do I stand by thy side while my people still abide in the realm of the dead?"

  Yeshua shook his head. "No, my son. The time is not yet nigh, for I must yet be brought as a lamb to the slaughter, but soon I will come to thee. Go and tell thy brethren that I come shortly to take them to my Father's house."

 
; Moses bowed. "We await thy arrival, my King. Even now the Evil One lashes thy servant, Talus, and his screams echo across the gulf. The King of Darkness devises invention to cross the chasm. He stands consumed by his desire to break the angel, destroy thy light on Earth and overrun Paradise. Yet we know he shall not prevail. We stand ready and await the promise of thy coming."

  Yeshua nodded. "Soon, Moses, withdrawing thy spirit will surely move the Usurper's hand to action, and his pride will turn itself loose upon his own head that he will seek to strike the Almighty through me. But know that I must first make space for the Gentiles to come to salvation, and when their time is fulfilled, then we shall bring him low. Yet I must first be taken from prison and from judgment and cut off from this generation in Jerusalem. Now go thy way until I come for thee."

  Peter then drew close to the three shining men who stood before him, shooing away attempts by James and John to remain silent. "Master, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

  And while he yet spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them all and a voice boomed out of the cloud. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him."

  Peter lowered his head in fear, and when he looked again, none but Yeshua stood in their presence, and the three blinked their eyes repeatedly, confounded as Yeshua was no more masked in light and Moses and Elijah were gone.

  Each wondered to themselves if they had hallucinated.

  Yeshua started making his way down the mountain, and the three disciples followed. Knowing the thoughts of their hearts, Yeshua looked upon them and spoke.

  "Tell the vision to no man until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead."

  * * *

  Talus's head hung heavy as his body ached from the tearing of muscle and wounds now ripped open. Lacerations streaked across his back, and his lanky body swayed in the tentacled arms of Hell's clutches. His eyelids fluttered, and there stood Lucifer staring at him coldly.

  Lucifer noticed his brother's fatigued gaze and spoke, "How are thou feeling, brother, hanging suspended within the very creation El hast made to destroy us? To restrain all those whose will counters His own. However, know that this abomination is not of my making, and to prove my goodwill...behold, my benevolence."

  Lucifer touched the keys of Death and Hell that draped around his neck. He waved a hand, and the tendrils that suspended Talus from the ceiling lowered and laid him gently on the ground at Lucifer's feet. Each glowing and fleshly limb lifted back into the ceiling, eyes that lined the bowel of Hell retracted into the creatures' fleshly folds and its teeth rescinded into volcanic gums.

  Talus coughed as he staggered to his feet. His voice, hoarse from screaming, croaked. "I am relieved to be free from the clutches of the beast. As much as it pains me to say it...you have my thanks."

  Lucifer smiled. "You are welcome," he said, walking toward the back of the cavern and reaching to touch the flesh of Hell. He gazed upon its skin as its flesh pulsed.

  "The beast is ever restless, ever hungry, and always ready to consume. It is living lust. A blight on the universe. Yet a blight unleashed upon our kind by our Father. A Father..." Lucifer harrumphed, "A father who cannot stomach the rise of the son."

  Talus laughed, "El did not place me here, Satan. You did."

  Lucifer skimmed his hand inches from the fleshly wall of Hell. Parasitic worms moved within the beast's skin, burrowing ceaselessly within fallen angels and unrighteous men. "No, Talus, I did not bring you here. El is the Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and the End. Above all creation. Only I have covered the mercy seat. Only I have seen a glimpse of what El sees, and His vision encompasses all possibilities, for there are no contingencies, surprises or changes of mind with El. He is the All-Existent One. Even this I know. Therefore, He must have always known what would befall thee. I am but a vessel created for destruction." Lucifer turned from the wall and looked at Talus. "You, however...it remains to be seen what plans El would have for thee."

  Talus weighed his words. "El is all knowing, yes, but He does not limit my will to serve. I choose to give my God worship and praise for He is worthy to be praised."

  "Worthy to be praised..." Lucifer nodded, then turned back towards the wall. He touched the locket of keys around his neck and reached to touch the skin of Hell. The parasitic and fiery membrane recoiled from his approaching touch. Lucifer then placed his hand firmly on the creature and his hand sizzled as smoke lifted at its touch. A moan echoed throughout the cavern, and both looked around as the interior of the creature spasmed.

  "Call-sit-sa-chu," Lucifer said in the ancient tongue of angels, which means "Open their minds."

  The walls of the creature immediately turned opaque and the interior of the bowel displayed all the kingdoms of the world as the beast played for its tamer, and the memories of past lives now swallowed in Hell's folds for eternity. Human and angelic prisoners now separated forever from the presence of God. Men and women of every tribe and nation, howling at the knowledge of this aching regret. Regret...a seasoning that fueled the wailing and gnashing of teeth. Images of defeat, war, and lust saturated the room as billions of thoughts from digested angels and men were now open for Lucifer and Talus to see.

  "This," Lucifer said, waving his hands, "is the legacy of El! Behold, the residue of our cause to rebel against him. Our failure to rule ourselves apart from him. Tell me, is such a thing so terrible, Talus, to be self-ruled? Is it not a creature's right to live in accordance with one's own desires and dictates?"

  Talus rubbed the wounds on his arms where he was shackled. "You are wise, Lucifer, but in thy wisdom, you have become foolish. El is as the air we breathe. He is the bread of life. There is no existence apart from Him. Thou canst no more extinguish His rule than thou canst sever the beating heart within thee. To do so is to invite self-destruction, and what Father would stand idly by and watch His children destroy His own house?"

  Lucifer smiled, amused. "You truly love Him? After all that you have seen? All that you have witnessed?"

  Talus did not hesitant to reply. "In Him I live and move and have my being."

  Lucifer then raised his hands to the projected images that surrounded them in the very walls of Hell's flesh. "This is the result of your love. Behold the love of our Father! And this love that thou speak of...what kind of love doth not rescue a son from such distress as what befalls you now? What love, Talus?" Spittle slid down Lucifer's mouth and saliva spewed as he cursed.

  "Do you not see the suffering...the selfishness of our Father? I will fight Him, Talus. I will fight Him to my last breath. From the depths of the abyss, I will spit at Him. From the circuit of the universe and back will I bar Him. I will NEVER...ever forgive Him!" Lucifer looked at Talus through crazed eyes, then darted his eyes to the ground, ceasing his tirade, knowing perhaps he had said too much.

  Talus looked sadly upon his brother and shook his head. "So the spite of a spoiled child who cannot ascend to grasp what his Father hast denied him, is what this hast come to?" Talus then walked over to his brother and stood before him. The two siblings stared at one another...the weak against the strong, the famished against the sated. Gaunt eyes from the head of House Arelim looked deep into those of a brother he once admired. "I pity you."

  Satan's face contorted, and his features became hard. He slapped Talus across the face, knocking him to the ground. Talus coughed up blood and attempted to rise, but Lucifer placed his foot on his brother's neck and pushed him down. "You are Talus, High Prince of House Arelim. Lumazi in honor among the seven spirits that stand before the throne of God. You will pledge your allegiance to me, or I swear by both Heaven and Earth, that I will invent means of torture for thee beyond even the imagination of El who has crafted a creature that consumes angelic flesh. You will choose, Talus of House Arelim...and you will do this now."

  Talus stared into his brother's haggard face, and while he did so, he beheld the Heavens part and he sa
w the Lord seated high upon His throne, and El sat smiling at him. The look He conveyed was one of pride, as a Father might give to a son, and as quickly as the scene flooded his eyes, the moment ceased. The features of Hell once more filled his sight, and the digestion of men and angels and their screaming wails filled his ears. Talus of House Arelim then gazed into the piercing cold eyes of his brother and spoke in coughing, sarcastic wit.

  "Do you think that I am careful to answer thee? These pleasantries of yours will never sway my allegiance from God for El is my King and my Creator. He alone is Alpha and Omega and worthy to be praised. If El chooses, He is able to deliver me from this furnace of affliction, but if not, false king, be it known unto thee that I will never bow down and worship thee."

  Lucifer nodded. "So be it. Let it then be upon thine own head and know that from this day forward, you shall enjoy no privilege of rank or title. No privilege of person. From this moment forward you are nothing to me."

  The Prince of Darkness raised his hands to summon Hell's tendrils. As they snaked down like living vines, rotted teeth once again appeared on the floor. Flesh-eating worms slid down the fiery tentacles that lifted Talus high into the ceiling, into the salivating mouth of Hell. And the creature stuffed him into the membranes of her acidic flesh.

  Talus's screams and muffled wails emanated throughout the room as the living tissue fed upon him.

  Lucifer looked on as Hell fed upon his squirming brother. He spat on the floor, then turned away from his brother's screaming torment; his dark flowing robes cut through the air as he walked away and left his sibling to his fate.

  * * *

  Iblis paced about his cell. Like a caged animal he circled the confines of his jail, fuming over his treatment since his arrival in Heaven. He sighed. I have sided to be self-ruled. To live a life apart from El. This is but my recompense. How then can I turn Heaven's ear to hear my petition?

  The door lock clicked and the glowing figure of Michael, the Chief Prince, stepped in with two guards at his side.