by Donovan Neal
Enoch waved as he passed angels along the street. Most flew, but a few walked and ran. Heaven was indescribably beautiful. Serene even. It was difficult to imagine a day when the streets ran blue with angelic blood, but time operated differently here. In Heaven, events on Earth played out in seconds and hours. He had watched from the Hall of Annals whole kingdoms rise and fall. He knew his family was long dead, and yet he was the only man in Heaven. Why was that?
Enoch climbed the crystal stairs to the great golden doors of the temple. He opened them and the boom of the Seraphim rushed over his eardrums and roared throughout the city. The Seraphim stared at him, as though ready to ignite him in flames. Each of the four chanted saying nothing but 'the chant'. Nothing but the repeated refrain of HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! THE LORD, THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! Why were there but four at the gate? He would have to ask Argoth later. He walked past them and into the outer court of the temple of God. The majestic structure was built into the mountain of God. Attendants scurried everywhere, each in ministry to the God of the universe. There was a hustle to the palace, a hub of activity as each carried out the bidding of the Lord.
Perhaps he shouldn't bother El, but they had spent so little time together since his arrival. El seemed preoccupied with the events on Earth and the sending of Yeshua below. "No," he said to himself. "I will not bother El."
"And when, pray tell, my friend, did you think I would be less consumed with the affairs of the universe?" El whispered into his mind.
Enoch smiled. "Forgiveness Lord. Who am I to waste my Lord's time with questions and company?"
Enoch felt himself disappear and reappear before the throne. He bowed and immediately the Virtues hovered to perfume him. Argoth was also present in the room and listened as the Lord spoke. "Soon my son, the Book of Seals will be complete, for the last seal is almost ready to be strapped upon the tome," El said.
Argoth smiled and nodded to the Lord. "Very good, my Lord. For when it is complete, then all Heaven will know that the end hath come, and our journey as Grigori will end."
Argoth bowed and backed away from the throne, passed Enoch, acknowledged him, then turned to leave El's presence.
The Lord then turned to His manservant. "Enoch I am ever watchful over the affairs of all things. The meditation of thine heart and the words of thy mouth are acceptable in my sight, but know that I am everywhere, and at all times, from the beginning unto the end of the age. Thou canst not encumber me nor waste my time, my son, for I AM that I AM. I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Speak my son, and be relieved of thy questions."
Enoch rose from his knees and replied, "My King, thou hast said that I am to fight angels."
The Lord nodded.
"Yet your children fly whilst I lay encumbered to the ground. How am I to be a witness for thee when I cannot even jump high enough to smite my foe?"
The Lord laughed. "Ahh my son, thou dost fail to recognize the lesson to be learned from your sparring. What hast thy schoolmaster said thus far?"
"Kalien hast said that the weapons of my warfare are not carnal."
"Indeed, they are not. For they are mighty through me to pull down strongholds, to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. And when thine obedience is fulfilled, thou wilt be ready to revenge all disobedience."
Enoch looked upon the Lord, frustrated. "Forgive me, my King, but what thou sayest is above me. This thing you say is more than I can understand."
The Lord frowned. "Who hath made thine mouth, and stitched thy mind? Can I create thought yet fail to give understanding? Can I assign a task and not see the thing be done?"
Enoch prostrated himself on the floor. "Be not angry with thy servant. There is nothing that cannot be done if ye are the potter and I am the clay."
The Lord spoke in reply, "Thou hast answered rightly. Behold the meaning to thy sparring. Has thou been able to defeat Kalien in combat?"
"Nay, my King. He is too strong and too fast, and his ability to fly leaves me vulnerable to attack."
"Well said. What then hast thou determined after seventy bouts with him?"
"He cannot be defeated in the manner in which I have attacked him. Nor is it in my power to do so."
El smiled. "Again, thou hast spoken rightly. What else hast thou perceived in thy sparring with his kind?"
"That each is as different as the snow in design. Each has a gifting of power. They can at will armor themselves to withstand attack, whereas my flesh has no such attribute. I am vulnerable."
El smiled the more. "Yet was not thine frailty in existence when thou marched with sword drawn to smite down Charon? With what weapon then didst thou command Death itself to stop that the vengeance of God would be made to heel?"
Enoch thought hard on the question and stroked his chin in contemplation. "I had faith in my God that a sword swung in faith could bring down Death itself and stop the march of mortality. That a mere creature, no matter how powerful, could not stand against me if the Creator walked with me. That all things that are named in Heaven above, and in the Earth and under the Earth, must give way to my God."
El nodded. "Now go, and know that thou art never vulnerable if I am thy sword and thy shield. For, you are more powerful in me than thou would ever know, and have not I given thee weapons to fight, both in this realm and the one below?"
"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."