Realm of the Dead

by Donovan Neal

  And in the midst of such a sight the powerful cadence of "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" bellowed from the Seraphim.

  Nephanos, while awed at the site, was careful to maintain his duty, not ceasing his repetition in the midst of his own wonderment.

  Michael bowed before God, and he, like all his kind, shuttered his ears to protect them from the booming roar of the Seraphim. However, Enoch and Elijah advanced forward in faith toward the humanoid quartet of fire that spoke. Both men's chest cavities pulsated from the sound of the celestial voices. Closer they came.

  Nephanos and those assembled watched on bended knee as two humans ascended the great stairs. El stood silently as His presence ejected light, radiation, and other phantasms impossible to describe. His form was humanoid, yet within the interior of His presence were stars and galaxies that moved within His person.

  "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" the refrain came once more.

  Visible waves of disturbed air traveled past Enoch and Elijah, pounding them due to their proximity. The two stood before Nephanos as he glared at them whilst he roared El's holiness. The men's hair flailed behind them from the exhaust of his roaring breath.

  Nevertheless, the two men stood their ground, standing between all of Heaven's represented children. Michael, Chief Prince of the Elohim behind them, and Eladrin, the chief of his people hovering at their side, while four Seraphim, each burning in fire and ash, bellowed out El's divine nature.

  And as if on cue with the annunciation of the Seraph's shout, Enoch and Elijah stomped their feet in an aggressive militaristic pace and shouted back to the Seraphim. "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!"

  Visible waves traveled from them as their voices matched the volume and tenor of the mighty Seraphim. Nephanos, himself, was surprised by the power of the small humans' vocalizations. His own flame now wisped from the two men's shouts directed at him. And all Heaven took note of the two men, for it would be said later in the Grigoric Chronicles that great swords of fire came from the mouths of the two witnesses. Enoch and Elijah continued in their synchronized roar with the Seraphim, and the temple shook from their combined chants.

  Nephanos raised his eyes in surprise for none had ever joined them in worship on this wise, and the King of the Burning Ones noted from a side glance that El smiled at the two humans.

  And Michael, seeing Enoch and Elijah stand in front of the towering men of fire, raised himself from bended knee and stood to join them. He planted himself like steel and pulled down his inner eardrum's walls to feel the full volume of the Burning Ones' voices, and immediately was assaulted by the overwhelming booming that accosted his ears. Fighting the pain, he staggered for a moment and touched Enoch's shoulder for balance. Michael could feel the weight of the Seraphim's voice push him to the ground. Resisting the urge to cover his ears and denying his automatic reflexes to close his inner ear, Michael let the sound flood his being, inhaled, and belted out with all his might worship to the King of Angels known as El.

  "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" he roared.

  His pentameter now joined the chorus that was Enoch's, Elijah's and the Burning Ones.' Gabriel and Metatron watched as their leader stood unmoved by the powerful thundering that befell him, each unclear how Enoch and Elijah could even survive, yet survive they did. And without prompt, Gabriel and Metatron released their fear and joined Michael's side.

  Eladrin also took note that the three celestial races of Heaven stood before El in majestic declaration of His holiness and his four faces joined in singing the triple mantra now roared by all.

  "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" they all roared. The refrain so powerful that the golden glass street beneath them began to crack and buckle. Sherkanim, last of the entourage, watched as the three celestial kings of Heaven sung in militaristic chants and praise to the King of All and the King's Guard knew by revelation that before him lived the true Seraphim king of his people – Nephanos. He, too, then joined the group as HOLY, HOLY, HOLY echoed in busting penetrative waves of thunder through sky and rock.

  And all of Heaven took note. For from the Malakim armies that filled the sky to the angels that quivered beneath the Withering, praise rang out in heaven. A praise that spoke but three words: "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" A praise that lifted the eyes and ears on every street. Praise that caused sick angels to rise to their feet to sing God's glory despite their affliction. Praise that made the windows of the Hall of Annals crack, for everywhere throughout the land and this side of the mountain of God, the Withering could be seen, and the visible waves of the chant of Heaven's children caused the cloud of sin to retreat, and it evaporated under the onslaught of the echo of holiness that traveled across every house of Heaven for the chant was strong and it radiated into the basement of Heaven itself.

  And Janus beheld the realm of choices and looked into the mirrored doorway to the underworld of Limbus, and when he did so, the echoes of El's holiness caused the great seals of glass to crack, and from it seeped the Mists. But the sound of "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" marched onward in advancing waves that saturated all of Limbo.

  The basement of Heaven rumbled and Cadmime beams stretched against the echo under Heaven's belly. The sound of "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" strode forth in repetitive echoes, creating oscillating waves that sheered at the bedrock of Heaven. Torsional forces rocketed the bridges and trampled ancient columns into dust as the chant marched as an undampened rhythmic force. A tunneling fury carved a lighted path through the mountain of God, blasted through rock and exited into the flaming land of Aseir.

  Fires from the burning plains back-drafted through the newly created tunnels, jetted under the streets of gold and made them glow. Plumes of sweet smelling smoke wafted into the sky as the people of fire were no longer cut off from the temple of God. Their fires ignited the whole of Heaven with a fire that did not burn, and all watched the transformation that took place before them, awed by the power of God. Awed as the ever-present echo of "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" was now not just the clarion call of four Seraphim, but of all citizens in Heaven.

  The Virtues then floated from the temple and lifted to meet the living clouds of heaven. Cumulus billows of music wondered at Heaven's new croon and rumbled to join the curious chorus of Heaven.

  The Virtues spoke in the language of scent and rose as colored mists to communicate the words "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!" through fragrance to their cousins, the living clouds, The clouds interpreted their essence and themselves burst into song uttering holiness to the Lord.

  And God spoke to the whole that sung and his words were on this wise. "As I have torn the veil of division between mankind and God, so too now witness reconciliation between all people."

  And when the Lord uttered those words, the electric screen that hovered above the living clouds illuminated, for all to see. It crackled, arcing voltage in all directions, flickered then fizzled away into nothing. A static charge filled the air, and the eyes of those who were previously below the screen looked up to see glittering remnants of pinpoint lights floating as fireflies throughout the land.

  Suddenly, Ophanim fell from the sky, descending from the Aerie, moving like lightning, forward and backward and side to side. They darted about the city and explored the formerly forbidden regions that angels had called home, and the Lord smiled, for all His children were now amassed at His feet, and all of Heaven had now become one.

  And whilst Heaven was in celebration, and her children in praise and rejoicing for the unity of spirit, echoes of angel-speak pelted the sky. The voice of the exiled Prince of Darkness was recognized, and dark mutterings floated as black filmy oil and settled on the ground behind Enoch and Elijah, then pooled to create a circular well of darkness.

  Laughter and echoes of laughter emanated from the whirlpool that formed behind them. The vortex of obsidian caught fire and the golden glass bricks of Heaven fell into the blazing sinkhole. When the smoke cleared, three great octopi-like tendrils of flame and brimstone shot through the hole and suctioned themselves onto the streets, and the hiss of steam and the maggots of Hell bored through like termi
tes, and the floor of heaven was transparent that all might see below.

  Gasps and outrage traveled through the city while Malakim warriors flying overhead struggled to control their steeds as they bucked and neighed at the fires and screams below.

  For Yeshua stood suspended over Talus, and the two were draped as morsels to be consumed over the lattice of teeth that was Hell's gaping mouth.

  * * *

  Lucifer's challenge filled the air.

  "It is time, Yeshua, for why doth the life of God cower in the valley of the shadow of death and conceal thyself amidst the righteous dead? It is time to complete the task for which thou hast come. For hast thou not said that the Son of Man came not but to give His life for many? Or doth thy words mean nothing? Come out Begotten of El! Come out and face the decision that YOU have made!"

  King David looked upon his Lord, knowing what He would do, and said, "Do not do it, my Lord. I beg thee."

  But Yeshua just smiled and lifted Himself from bended knee.

  "Behold, Lucifer, the culmination of your schemes."

  And when Christ had spoken, He walked to the edge of the gulf that separated the realms of the righteous and unrighteous dead and stepped into the void, and when He did so, He floated, walking across the gulf toward Hades. Lucifer watched as He approached, smiling as Yeshua landed on the shore and walked up to Satan. The Son of God then spoke.

  "You have bid me come, child, and here now I stand."

  Lucifer drew closer until they were arm's length from one another, and he spoke through gritted teeth.

  "Thou hast robbed me of what is mine and scolded me for aspiring to be nothing more than You." The Deceiver's face turned livid with rage. "I have from eternities past done nothing but love thee, and with an everlasting love did I faithfully serve, and yet thou didst strip from me the inheritance that a father owes a son."

  Lucifer paused and moved within inches of Yeshua's face.

  "Know that my scorn for thee is strong, and my hate as an eternal fire, for look where we have come, You and I, to stand face to face in the abominable creation that THOU hast designed to bring our kind to heel. Know that I will never forgive You! Never cease in my hunger for thy demise! And know that when I am done, I shall destroy the glory that You so covet from the memory of creation. This I promise, Lord Yeshua, and this I do swear."

  Yeshua looked upon Lucifer with sadness in His face and shook His head.

  "Thou wilt find thy end within a lake of fire, and all that thou desire will be as ash within thy mouth. Have I not told thee twice and yet say now again? What thou doest, do quickly?"

  Lucifer's face contorted, and his breathing quickened as he gritted his teeth and shouted in explosive rage, backhanding the Son of God across His cheek.

  "Take Him to the Forge and hang Him next to my brother."

  Ares and Ashtaroth then took Yeshua by each arm and settled Him onto a platform next to where Talus hung, and placed Him near the entrance of the completed Hellforge. Then Lucifer spoke.

  "Now, El. Now, after millennia on this wretched world, cast out by thine own hand. Now I shall have my vengeance. Thou hast denied me my throne, robbed me of my station, exiled me to this mote, and to what end? Only to see Thyself made bond slave to the filth that is mankind. Yet thou didst see fit to deny me a place at Thy side. And now, Godking, now you will serve as bond-slave to me. Within the depths of this creature shalt Thou minister to me. Within the kingdom of Hell wilt thy spirit reside, and thy memory, Son of God...thy memory shall be snuffed out in all the Earth. For if I can cross the gulf of death with the heartstone of an angel, behold me cross the Heavens with the Son of the Living God!"

  Immediately, Lucifer lifted his hands in triumph and he recited in the ancient tongue the words to cause Hell to obey, and the beast hearkened to her master and extended her tendrils to take hold of the Son of God, and the creature stretched forth her hands, wrapping flaming coils around the True Vine.

  Yeshua stood suspended over Talus and the two were draped as morsels over the lattice of teeth that was Hell's gaping mouth. A bridge of fire then shot from the bowels of Hell and punctured the dimensions that separated the Heavens from one another. The space between the realms rolled back and opened so that one might pass through a funnel of Hellfire that latched itself onto the foundation of Heaven. The citizens of Heaven beheld a great rift that appeared on the floor of the heavenly city, and all of Heaven could see the Lord Yeshua and Talus shackled and lifted up within Hell.

  And lo, the furnace of Hell, the power of God, and Talus's own heartstone ignited the Forge and Lucifer's eyes widened in gleeful anticipation as the stones he had placed within them slowly sprang to life. A tremor rumbled through the realms of both Heaven and Hell, and the song that came from the stones was familiar to but three in Creation...Lucifer, Michael, and God. For it was the rhythmic chant of a reignited Stone of Fire that sang the yearning chorus to its maker, a chant that yearned "to be."

  And Lucifer pranced in jubilation, for his scheme to ignite life through the theft of God's own power was in that moment made real.

  Talus screamed, for the energy that flowed through him was more than he could endure, and his flesh began to show lacerations across his face and chest as the virtue of Yeshua's own life crackled through Talus' frail body.

  The Godhead stood to His feet, and the three kings of the celestial hosts and all of Heaven gazed into the Realm of the Dead. Yeshua and Talus hung within the beast, captive in the flaming web that was its tendrils.

  Michael clutched his sword, looking in panic at El and said, "Release me, Lord! I beg you, release me now!"

  But El shook His head no. Eying all and quiet.

  Michael's eyes narrowed and his muscles tensed in nervous anticipation of a command to spring into action.

  Hell expanded herself as they watched, for the beast had tasted the flesh of both men and angels. From her entire existence, she had suckled the milk of angelic hate and nursed at the breast of men's sins, waxing fat. She grew, sprawling ever deeper into the depths of the Earth, and now under the command of Lucifer, the creature had now breached the third heaven.

  And the bridge which Lucifer created to span the gulf to Paradise, completed its self-replicating march to reach the other side. Lucifer laughed as David and all his kin backed away from the edge of the gulf as it was now spanned. Hell no longer compartmentalized between the righteous and unrighteous dead. For in that moment, there was no Hades--no Paradise. Just the expansive and encroaching territory that would be the Kingdom of Satan, powered by the captive Son of God now suspended in the fiery new Kiln of the Devil's making.

  Yeshua screamed out in pain, for in that moment captivity itself was held captive by the love of God. The whole of celestial existence anchored by the outstretched limbs of the Word Made Flesh...God, who had surrendered to the devices of evil, that He might fill all things. The God of creation, who in the person of Yeshua, now suffered the penalty of sinful man. The second death.

  The thing was incomprehensible to the citizens of Heaven for the Ophanim could not understand it, nor could angels comprehend the plan of God. The daemons in the underworld cheered for after a millennia stuck in the wasteland that was 'Time' they now had hope that they might return home...as conquerors.

  Michael looked at Gabriel, who mirrored his nervousness and looked back at the Lord who stood, still eying the events below.

  "Now, Lord?" Michael said, his eyes pleading to do something, anything but stand idle.

  Again the Lord shook His head no as He listened to the echoes of His only begotten Son's screams.

  The cries of the Word Made Flesh wafted along the celestial winds and split the ears of the spiritual realm, but it was as music to the ears of Satan. Music he had longed many days to hear. An orchestral chorus of the gnashing of teeth, the moans of defeated enemies, and the beautiful cries of the living God who had exiled him in judgment.

  Smiling, Lucifer looked at Zeus and spoke. "Go to. Take my armies acro
ss the gulf and bring those wayward spirits of El's to heel."

  Zeus returned his lord's smile, nodded and stepped away from the pedestal where his master stood and waved the assembled legions to march across the Cadmime Bridge.

  And so they did.

  An armada of daemons and angels who on command proceeded to cross the scaffold of darkness that Lucifer had created.

  A bridge now buttressed by the very power of God. Their marching made the realm to quake and their cadence, the ground to tremble.

  David, Moses and various ones calmed those who saw the encroaching army and spoke. "Have faith. Our God is with us!"

  Lucifer then looked up to Yeshua and shouted at his Creator. "I have been having sport with Talus, and I would much like to add thee as a player to our game." Lucifer then waved his hand and four flashing lights appeared in front of both the head of house Arelim and Yeshua.

  "Yeshua, I have asked thine child, Talus, to tell me how many lights he sees. He is, of course, most stubborn. Yet, I think he is now ready to give me the answer I desire. But before I pose this question to him once more, and before I give his heart to Hell forever, I would give thee the chance to save his life. And if thou answerest correctly, I will release him and all the rabble of Paradise. This will I offer if ye but call me Lord and worship me as God. All this will I give thee if thou but answereth the simplest of questions. If thou be the Son of God – how many lights do you see?"

  Lucifer brashly posed his question that all who saw from Heaven might hear.

  For in the tick-tock that marked the passing of time – as Heaven's fate hung in the balance and; whilst daemonic armies marched across the gulf on a mission to slaughter in a second death, the righteous dead, Creation waited with bated breath for Yeshua's answer to the Devil's question.

  And Yeshua His body convulsing and glistening with sweat, wracked in excruciating pain. Endured by His own choosing the eternal punishment reserved by the Father for those separated from God---the second death. Looked down in both agony and smirking triumph and replied, "Oh, foolish child. Know ye not that I AM the Light of the World?"