The Third Heaven Series Boxed Set: Books (1-3)

by Donovan Neal

  "Are these your fallen brethren?" asked Enoch.

  "Aye," said Argoth. "They are but shells of their former glory. Lucifer commands them now and he hast unleashed them as a scourge upon your people. They are less than angelkind but yet far more powerful than Adamkin. We call them Daemons, for they feed and possess thy people to supply Hell's villi. If not, the creature would quickly turn on both angel and man alike. Lucifer now satiates the creature with your people's spirits."

  "What is Hell?" asked Enoch.

  Argoth waved his hand, and an image of the living mountain showed across all walls, and Enoch watched as the record of the creature displayed the anger of the living God. Anger that created a living realm to consume alive beings of such power that they would forever experience eternal life apart from the God of Heaven. A life of fire, pain, and darkness.

  Enoch continued to look at the image and watched as Methuselah and his men prayed to the God of Heaven, and their prayers were as vapors that penetrated the realms, and El moved in the Earth mightily when his people prayed. But where there were no intercessor, Lucifer, and his armies were left to unleash all manner of destruction.

  "The Almighty walks with thee," said Argoth. "You are the first of your kind to see the realm immortal. The, first of all, humans to bask in the glory that is Heaven. Yet I must admit that it is…” he paused, considering his words, “…unsettling to see El move in such a manner toward your people. Yet we obey Him in all things. Even the protection of thy kind."

  Enoch turned to Argoth and said, "So you watch? That is all your people do?"

  "Yes,” said Argoth.

  "There is not much use to watching. To act when one sees injustice——that is noble. What you do has no glory in it."

  Argoth scowled at him, angered over the impudence of Enoch to tell him that his work was of no worth. Then remembered that Enoch was but a man and limited in his understanding.

  "You think that to record the moments of all things is of no consequence? To evidence Lucifer’s obliteration of the image of God in the Earth is of no worth? For all play their part in El's plan. Even you. For the time will come when people will call on the name of the Lord and it will be as if He hears them not. But lo, the Almighty hast moved times and seasons that people might be born. He has lifted detail after detail that your progeny would exist. To deviate from His plan would cause whole generations of men to never be birthed. He has foreseen all peoples and moves even now that generations to come would be of such faith that a door would be made for El to directly intervene. But none yet carries the power to hold the Almighty. But there is one of the daughters of Eve that shall give birth to Shiloh. And when God walks the earth, men will know, and the Kingdom of God will be restored to your kind, then we will have a beachhead to foul the purposes of the enemy.

  "El will bring nations to rise and others to fall—all that One might come. For in the fullness of time, He shall bring life again to all, and there will be recompense for the deeds done. We record Adamson for the day when the records must be read and the images shown. That no man might say, 'see, how then doest He find fault? And who hast resisted His will?' For even we do not fully understand the power He hast given thee as Clayborn, but He is faithful that has promised. But the soul that sinneth it shall surely die."

  Enoch bowed. "I apologize. I meant no offense," he said, then held his peace on the matter.

  "Come,” said Argoth. "I will see you to your quarters, for you must rest before you may begin to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom."

  "Rest?" questioned Enoch. “Will I be tested in some manner that I will be fatigued?"

  "No," said Argoth. "Yet El hast charged me to train you in the mysteries of the Kingdom that you might have the knowledge to learn what must be learned. For you shall stand as Grigori for thy people, and as lampstand before the Lord - intercessor for thy kind."

  Enoch replied, “Nay, if I am to stand as a light before the Lord, then let me be lit now. There shall be time enough for resting. Let us commence with my instruction."

  "I have bidden thee rest, would you not yield to my suggestion? If you cannot hear angels, what hope have thee to hear from God?"

  Enoch laughed. "Angels are the creatures that tempted man, and angels were the first to rise against God himself. What stock should I put in an angel's judgment when ye yourselves stand a third judged?"

  Argoth winced when he heard this, for though he was angry over the insolence of Enoch, he could not find fault with his words. "You seek to be tested, so then come, for thy first test awaits you."

  Argoth then took Enoch to the door of the Hall of Annals, and there he spoke.

  “To enter the sacred Hall and be as Grigori for thy people, you must be as I, and walk the path that I must walk. For within the hall are the secret things of God. If you can make it to the door across this void, then you might gain access to its secrets, and your mind will be ready to receive instruction. Do you accept this challenge?"

  Enoch looked at the door. There was nothing but squared titles on all the floors; the room seemed immense and he could make that across from him was an outline of a door. "All I have to do is make it across and touch the door and it will open to me?"

  "Aye,” replied Argoth."

  Enoch nodded, "Then let us begin."

  “There is one thing before you begin,” cautioned Argoth. “Above you are the Zoa. As long as you remain behind this line, you cannot be harmed. However, the moment you seek to enter the room they will fall upon you if you fail to cross the barrier beyond." Argoth smirked, then continued, "Now you may begin."

  Enoch looked across the hallway. There were four nondescript squares off to a side and eight squares deep. At the end was a door with a handle, presumably opened only upon stepping on the correct sequence of squares. He looked above him and saw suspended from the ceiling dozens of creatures with tentacles, each barely perceptible to the eye. What he did see, however, was that each one was filled with eyes. Their jaws were in their belly and they walked with tentacles on the rafters of the hallway, ready to drop on the unsuspecting. They quietly hissed and slithered along the ceiling.

  Enoch looked back at Argoth. "And these creatures...what purpose do they serve?"

  The angel replied, "They protect the secret things of God."

  Enoch nodded and proceeded to cross the floor, walking confidently into the middle square. A Zoa dropped to the floor behind him as he continued his pace unabated. Turning neither to the left nor to the right, Enoch continued as more Zoa dropped behind him and began to move to follow him.

  Argoth raised his eyebrow and bit his lip, in wonderment if El would hold him responsible for the human's death.

  Enoch continued his fixed march towards the door ahead of him, walking without concern for the squares the lay before him. A Zoa dropped ahead of him and opened its mouth and raised its tentacles as if it might grip the intruder. Those to his rear had not closed the distance to him. Enoch, unmoved, walked coolly towards the Zoa. Its mouth was open, dripping spittle, and the group's collective hiss now echoed across the corridor. Argoth looked on in terror, for the Zoe now had touched the man, and the angel knew that within moments Adamson would be devoured.

  Enoch touched the Zoa's snout and it roared but did not move away, and Enoch spoke.

  "You are in my way, servant of God. El himself bids me come. My purpose is to learn the secrets therein. We are kindred, for I am also the guardian of that which is within. I am Zoa, and you shall let me pass."

  The Zoa surrounded Enoch and looked at him for a moment. The beast before him sniffed him, and spittle oozed over Enoch's shoulder as the creature snorted in his face. Slowly the circle of monsters that surrounded him opened to reveal the door ahead.

  "Thank you," said Enoch. He walked forward between them as they towered over him, and reached to turn the handle and walked inside. Enoch turned back to look at Argoth, annoyed.

  "Are you coming?"

  Argoth looked on in wonderment his
mouth open, his eyes blinked repeatedly and simply stared.

  *********************

  Argoth released Enoch to Jerahmeel's supervision, and Jerahmeel showed Enoch the capital, from the royal palace to the suburbs to the blast furnaces of the armories of Heaven. They walked and came upon Michael and Gabriel sparring, and stopped to observe.

  Michael arched his back, spreading his wings wide. He unsheathed the sword of Ophanim and spoke to his brother. "I am ready."

  Gabriel looked at Michael. "Are you sure about this?"

  Michael paused and then said, "Yes, I must be ready when the next battle comes. I know not what Lucifer will bring, and I know my eye cannot hold mercy to spare him if we engage. Attack me."

  Gabriel launched into his offensive. His staff in hand, he disappeared from Michael's view, and immediately attacked from Michael's rear. Before he could react, Gabriel smote him in the back of his head and Michael landed hard in the dirt.

  Enoch looked at Michael as the angel dusted himself off, and whispered to Jerahmeel. "He is your preferred leader? He was just bested in combat by one of lower rank. How then should he be the leader of the Hosts of God?"

  Jerahmeel smiled at him and said, "Michael is not our desired leader because he is strong. He is neither unqualified to be leader because he is weak, as you understand weakness. He is leader because he has been chosen by El. The way of Heaven is not to elect, appoint, or to select our leaders. El is our leader. He determines among us who shall lead us. He has selected Michael; so then because we value the decision of El, we will when he is ready, give to Michael all that we have, all of our knowledge, all of our skill, all of our strength, that we might fulfill the command of El when Michael gives it. Therefore, we train him, that he might exceed us. He studies at our feet that he might learn from us and we from him. So that when El gives command, Michael might look upon the Host of Heaven and choose from among us who best may assist in executing the cause of El. Only he, who would serve all, can lead all. This is the way of Heaven. Do you understand this, Enoch?"

  Enoch looked upon Michael as Gabriel pulled him to his feet, and replied. "I'd still rather have a leader who doesn't get knocked down as much." Enoch grimaced as he watched Michael take another blow to the skull.

  Jerahmeel nodded and replied, "Yet it is sometimes necessary for a leader to take a good blow to the head."

  Away in the throne room of God, El looked past form and shadow to see His sons spar with one another. He watched as Michael struggled to compensate for Gabriel's speed and spoke. "Jerahmeel prophecies of things to come and knows it not,” said El.

  Yeshua smiled. "Father do you think that I need a blow to the head?"

  El grinned. "No, but of a surety, Mary will want to take a swipe at you, especially when you cannot be found."

  Yeshua looked into the future and saw how His destined mother would scold Him when she and Joseph could not find Him, and He smiled. "She will indeed." The Trinity continued to watch as the two angels sparred with one another.

  Gabriel lifted Michael from off his rear.

  "Remind me to never engage you in battle," Michael said, his chest heaving from exertion.

  Gabriel smiled.

  Michael rose to his feet and shook himself raised his sword and shouted, "Again!"

  Immediately Gabriel disappeared from view and Michael launched into the air, and with his thoughts commanded the sword of Ophanim to split, and the sword obeyed. Gyroscopically, the seven swords moved about him, and Michael could feel Gabriel's presence to his flank and set himself to face his brother. Sword clashed with staff, and a bright light engulfed the two, as the staff was made from Cadmium and smelted by the hand of God. Then the staff split and Gabriel held two staffs in his hand, and Michael attacked his brother who blocked and repelled sword after sword. He leaped over Michael, who spun to follow with the swords. Faster the blades pursued him, and when Gabriel turned to his left a sword was there when he moved to his right a sword was there. Each angel moved in what seemed a deadly choreographed waltz, and the clang of steel against cadmium was thunderous, for Michael was as seven attackers against Gabriel. Michael moved to corner Gabriel against a stone wall, causing his brother to retreat. Their sparring caught the attention of those roundabout and many flew to the square to watch them spar.

  Michael and Gabriel ducked and weaved and deflected staff and sword, and cheers rung out from the now-gathered throng. But the two were oblivious, and Michael motioned for a sword to open a way that Gabriel might find passage, for Gabriel defended himself against Michael’s onslaught but could not attack in kind for the number of the blades that swished and moved about him. Gabriel saw that a blade had ascended to open a path of travel, he feigned to rise through the opening but instead flung his baton at Michael and hit him squarely in the head and knocked his brother flat on his back. Immediately the swords fell to the ground and Gabriel jumped over his brother and stood over him.

  "Do you yield?” Gabriel asked.

  Michael shook himself and rubbed his forehead. "Aye, I yield."

  Gabriel reached down, lifted Michael from the ground, and spoke to the newly assembled crowd.

  "What error did the Prince make in tactics?"

  All looked at one another, but none replied. Each shrugged their shoulders until Michael himself broke the silence.

  "In battle, there can be no quarter given. There can be no hope for escape."

  Gabriel looked at his brother with admiration and bowed. "Thou hast spoken wisely. For you were able to press me into a corner with my back against the wall. To cede that position robbed thee of victory. Lucifer would do more than hit you on the forehead if you engage him again."

  Michael's brow grew tense in remembrance of his battle with his brother. "Lucifer would have had my head."

  Gabriel nodded. "He would indeed."

  Suddenly a sound as of a great bell rang from the mountain of God, and its chimes called all to take note. For the tower bells had not been rung since before the war, when Lucifer had last arrived in Heaven. All turned to see who would go to the mountain of God, yet none dared to go, as it was the summons of the chief prince. All looked at Michael, and he lowered his head. "I am not chief prince." A dispatcher then came from the palace and landed in front of Michael, exhausted, and spoke.

  "My Lord, you are summoned to El's presence. El hast charge for thee."

  Gabriel looked at him and smiled.

  "Don't even say it," said Michael.

  "I told you so," said Gabriel.

  Michael sighed, then lifted himself into the sky and turned toward the mountain of God. He loved the feel of the wind against his face as he soared along. It was not long before he landed in the presence of the Seraphim. Immediately, they boomed into their chant of HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, and Michael walked past the burning ones onto the crystal stairs and through the linen curtains into the Holy of Holies, where the Virtues floated about the room. Michael stopped to see the Lord standing, and round about the throne were vials and stars. Each star was a Son of Adam yet to be born, and the Lord plucked a star and when its light went out, another appeared, and the Lord took each star and placed it within the vials, and the vials glowed from the stars that shown within.

  And all three persons of the Godhead were visible, and they talked with one another and the words spoken were as the sound of waters upon the shore.

  "There will be many that will die if we commit to his salvation," said the Holy Spirit.

  Yeshua immediately spoke. "Yes, but many shall live to life eternal. Though all paths lead to our glory, not all will restore the man and Creation to wholeness."

  "Kenosis," said El. "It is Creation’s only hope."

  The Holy Spirit then spoke. "There is still time Yeshua to reconsider—are you sure you?"

  Yeshua looked at both El and the Holy Spirit and spoke. "I will submit to the Kenosis. Prepare thou me a body that I might go down."

  El nodded to Yeshua then turned to Michael. "Hail, young prince."<
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  Yeshua smiled at Michael then he and the Holy Spirit vanished and there was but one that sat on the throne and He looked at Michael. Michael bowed, then spoke.

  "My Lord, I am here as summoned."

  The Lord El then raised His hands and Michael lifted from the ground and floated under the Lord's power. God took the vials and powered them over Michael's head and the contents flowed down even from the crown of Michael's head onto the skirts of his garments. The liquid glowed like silver and faces of men and the images of people were within the liquid, and when all the vials were poured, there was yet one vial and one star that remained.

  "Look into the star," said the Lord, "What do you see?"

  Michael strained to see into the light and made out the features of a daughter of Eve, a young woman few in years and with dark hair.

  “I see a young maiden of the line of Eve, my King."

  "Thou hast seen well." The Lord then stepped down, and gently lowered Michael to the floor. Michael then prostrated himself face down on the ground. The Lord stood over him and lifted his head. Michael stared upon the Lord, and El spoke. And when El spoke, the Virtues spoke with him. The cherubim, which were perched above the Mercy Seat, also spread their wings over the throne, and loosed their tongues and spoke in a trance as El released a psalm into Michael's ears.

  "Mary shall be Mother to Shiloh;

  From misery shall spring forth joy.

  With lashes to the back of the innocent,

  Shall Lucifer be destroyed.

  The blood of Shiloh shall be spilled,

  Forsaken to cry and plea.

  His blood shall he wash sin away,

  Accursed to make men free."

  Michael listened as El’s words traveled through the air. Michael saw the melody of the living God's voice waft across the room and visible echoes floated higher until His words were out of sight. He thought about the woman he saw and spoke to the Lord. "The young woman, who is she?"

  "Her name is Mary," replied the Lord. "And she is thy charge."

  *********************