by Donovan Neal
Yet while El fashioned your world, and brought creation into existence, we populated Heaven and built what thou dost see as a gift for El, to be presented when He completed creation. And whilst the Lord worked, Lucifer traveled to the high place of Aesir, the seat of the Seraphim.
"The Seraphim were a mighty race, gifted in the properties of sound and fashioned the most beautiful of instruments. They helped build the temple, you see. It was they who, before the Kortai, carved the palace and glittered Heaven's streets with gold. And of all creation, it was they who El let release music, worship, and praise into the realms, and lo, when Lucifer saw that El had not given to him beauty and praise alone, when he heard that trumpets and cornet gave sound to music that eclipsed even his own, he made a wager with Nephanos, King of the Seraphim.
"Here the seeds of temptation could be seen, but were not understood by our kind. Here Lucifer learned the ways of barter and cunning, for he wagered with Nephanos a wager of whom could eclipse the other in song. Nephanos, intrigued by the proposition that any other than his own people could surpass them in sound, commanded his people to craft a Psalm of Psalms. A ballad that would be the greatest hymn Heaven had ever known; and thus a song was crafted among the Seraphim and Angels to see who among our kind could give rise to lift all of Heaven in praise. An audition given to determine who would be Heaven's choir master and herald to El's presence, a wager that would determine whom would live in the Holy City."
"And the loser?" Enoch asked.
Argoth continued, "The loser would stand at the posts of the temple and bellow annunciation of God's holiness. Fated to shout forever and banished to live both behind and underneath the basement of Heaven. A race forever called to be as an eternal echo and a reminder of who was the greatest in Heaven.
"Thus, both Seraphim and Angels rehearsed. We were confident that we were supreme among all in worship to El. Whilst the Seraphim boasted that none could compare to them, the Ophanim stood to bear as a witness of our squabbling and were content to abide in the calling wherein they had been called. They watched as Angel and Seraphim sported in hubris.
"But Lucifer was full of guile, and neither rehearsed nor practiced but instead bartered with Camael, one of the chief Seraphim, who was adept in the construction of all manner of musical instruments and bedazzled him with light. For the Seraphim were the burning ones and were not covered in the precious gems which adorned our kind. Therefore, Lucifer took from his own flesh each of the ten gemstones which were from his skin and one thing other."
"What was it?" Enoch said.
"A Stone of Fire. In exchange for seven trumpets crafted by the Seraphim. Camael became so enamored by the gemstones' colors of light and despised his gift of sound. Coveting the gifts of light, he agreed, and an exchange of light was given in exchange for sound.
"And when time had arrived to sing, all of Heaven assembled before the mountain of God, and song was risen to El while He worked. The Seraphim's music was magnificent. Glorious. Superb. The three great races of Heaven, Ophanim, Elohim, and Seraphim, were as one. All lifted up El as was purposed. All except one person."
"Lucifer?" Enoch said.
"Aye, Lucifer," replied Argoth. "Lucifer stood laughing at all of Heaven, and everyone stopped to discover why in the whole of Heaven one angel would not sing to his master's glory. And Lucifer's words were recorded on this wise.
'What I hear is but wails,' Lucifer laughed. 'Echoes and clanging of screeches before my ears.' Lucifer then turned to Eladrin and spoke, 'Hath you Eladrin determined who amongst us is greatest in song among the Host?'
Argoth continued, "Eladrin, who in his wisdom sought to not pit brother against brother answered, 'Nay, for all of Heaven is sweet to our ears.'"
"Lucifer replied, 'Then let Heaven be silent and hear me, and let none ever compare me, nor my people to another in glory or beauty.'
"Lucifer then took the seven trumpets he had obtained from Camael, and added them to his own. When he opened his mouth to sing, none could resist the majestic sounds that sprung forth from his body. His light was as the stars that move across the golden ceiling of Heaven, and rainbows and hues of every color skipped about his body. As he played, his song enraptured even the Seraphim, for he was privy to their own instruments of worship, and the light from his skin and the tabrets and harps made everyone sway. All were bedazzled by the brightness of his glory, and his melody was sweet to every ear. Thus, when Lucifer was done, he had won all of Heaven over. Eladrin reluctantly named him the victor.
"The Seraphim were wroth for Camael had betrayed their cause and trafficked sound for light and trinkets for his birthright. Thus, Nephanos ordered his people away from the realm of Jerusalem, as agreed, forever hidden behind the veil of sound. The king then appointed four to never leave the temple they had carved for El and to forever pronounce his holiness. They would serve forever as a reminder that the Seraphim sang honorably, yet angel-kind had trafficked in collusion to obtain gain, so the whole of the Seraphim then disappeared beneath the mountain and have not since been seen.
"Therefore, those four roar HOLY, HOLY, HOLY as a reminder that one may never enter the presence of God with duplicity nor guile. To honor one's word and a reminder to all of El's majesty.
"And when the Godhead had completed their work on the second day, El returned to see that one of His creations was not present to celebrate and He asked His sons what was it that they talked about whilst he was away. All held their peace, knowing they had contested over who would be the greatest and that Lucifer had caused strife among his brethren over who might be first.
"Therefore, the Lord took the seven trumpets Lucifer had received in trade and cursed them. He returned them to the Seraphim and honored their wish to remain behind the veil until offense had been forgiven, with warning that on the day that they and the trumpets next entered His sight, He would, with the seven trumpets merchandised, unleash His wrath upon the works of His son.
"El then lifted the Ophanim above the skies and marked them to control the times and seasons, and to come when bidden. Giving them order to guard the mountain that the Seraphim gifted Him, and forbade angel-kind to ascend to the upper reaches of Heaven, nor could any, save the Lumazi, enter the mountain of God unless summoned that He might keep the way to the door of the Seraphim's land. Thus, God separated the three, and marked their boundaries, and set us as Grigori to watch our brethren until the end. For it is written in the annals of our people, that when Jerusalem falls from Heaven, there shall be no more schism between the Heavens, and El will have all worship at His feet as one."
"And the stone of fire?" Enoch said.
"El let Nephanos keep the stone as a reminder that to traffic in wisdom apart from El brings consequence. A memorial to understand what doth it profit to gain the whole of Heaven, yet lose one's purpose, and to never acquire in the flesh what should only be attempted at the Lord's will. God then made Nephanos a crown and attached the stone to it as a diadem. He withdrew from it all power so that it became nothing more than a glittering trinket, a reminder to never sacrifice one's birthright."
Enoch fell into a chair stunned, his eyes repeatedly blinking as he rubbed his forehead, attempting to take in all that was told him.
Argoth looked at him as the seconds passed. "Of a surety, Michael would not be pleased if he knew I shared our past with thee."
Enoch looked at Argoth and replied, "I have learned that thy people have a saying...'There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid that shall not be made known.' I perceive that God would have me journey. Now I realize there is little that thy people can still teach me."
Argoth blushed in anger, "Dost thou think because thou hast knowledge of my people in this way that you are above instruction? Hast thy knowledge of our past puffed thee up?"
Enoch stood up to leave and for a moment did not answer. He paused as he approached the library doors and turned to speak over his shoulder. "Pride does not animate my words, Chief of Eyes. For
I see that I have abased myself beyond measure, for angels are truly more powerful, and the gifts and knowledge thou possess are indeed beyond my own, yet in this one thing are we the same. You are not immune to pride nor foolishness. In this, your people and my own are no different. For I perceive that all have the choice to be self-ruled or ruled by the God I serve. Positions are meaningless when thy very breath is a gift from the Almighty. In this, thy people have lacked understanding...in this, thou hast erred, for thy proximity to God hath blinded thee to think thou art superior, yea even to one another. Yet all of us are nothing more than the benevolent thoughts of our King. Your people do not know this. My people will teach you this."
Argoth stood speechless and watched Enoch exit the room.
Chapter Three
Complicity
Iblis paced his room and felt his faculties diminishing. Erratic thoughts raced through his mind. He could feel the encroachment of the Withering eat at him. He had seen it before. The slow demise of rational thought. The inability to focus. He thought himself immune to its effects but realized that was not so. He pulled his hands from his robes to view them. The tremors were more pronounced now. He quickly tucked them back into his robes.
Only a little while longer, he thought. I only need to hold on until El heals me. Surely He will see my works of repentance and bring relief.
Iblis paced back and forth in his room. Was Heaven aware that he carried the Withering? He remembered how it affected his master, Marduk, and how it had driven the principality mad. His powers and faculties caused him to drive Babylon into superstition and magic. Even Lucifer had to take pause and send Zeus to curtail his grossness, lest he draw the ire of Heaven, but it was too late. Babylon was no more, and the nation that Lucifer used to destroy Israel was obliterated by El's wrath. For Babylon was broken against Grecia, and Marduk had fled into hiding.
A "click" sound came from the cell door and Iblis stopped in his ruminations. "Ahh dinner," he said.
Two guards entered. One held a key and a chain while the other entered the room with a tray of manna leaf and warmed shill, a type of sweetened water.
"I am famished. It is amazing to me that you are so faithful in your duties. I thank you."
The guard with the tray placed it on the desk in the room and spoke, "Do not speak to me, traitor. If I had my way, I would run you through with my sword."
Iblis looked upon him with surprise and frowned in offense. "Me? Traitor? Have you not heard of the information that I have shared with Michael and the Lumazi about Lucifer's schemes?" Iblis walked towards the guards with open arms gesturing for an embrace.
The solider backed away warily. "Do not presume to touch me unless you care to join your brothers in oblivion."
Iblis stopped, smiled, and then proceeded to return to his table to eat his meal.
The guard also turned and started to cough. He covered his mouth, surprised that he found himself coughing even the more. He looked upon Iblis, scowled, and walked past his partner, hacking. His comrade closed the door and locked it behind him.
Iblis sat down to eat his plate of manna leaf, listening to a guard outside his door asking the other if he was alright. Still chewing his food, he glanced to where the tray wielding guard had started hacking and noticed specks of blue blood on the floor. He paused, then continued to chew his food, and spoke aloud with food in his mouth. "You really ought to have someone take a look at that cough."
A hard "BANG" slammed against the door as though someone had pounded their fist against it.
Iblis smiled at his own wit and continued smacking on his food.
* * *
Enoch walked into the war room where Michael, Metatron, Gabriel, and Azaziel conferred with one another. He did not abide by protocol or excuse himself for interrupting. "Chief Prince, I would have words with thee," he said.
All looked at him and then looked at Michael.
Michael replied. "We are in session, Enoch. Please wait for us to adjourn and I shall see to thee then." Michael then went back to speaking to his brethren, expecting Enoch to leave.
Enoch walked further into the room and stood at the head of the table opposite him. "No, Michael. I would speak to thee now."
Michael rolled his eyes.
Enoch, seeing his agitation spoke, "Of course, I could take my cause directly to El before I leave for the land of the Seraphim to retrieve the other man who now resides in Heaven. However, I would very much like to speak to thee first to know what possible dangers I might encounter as I cross Limbo underneath the mountain."
Michael looked at his brethren.
Gabriel nodded to Metatron and spoke. "The Candlestick of the Lord seeks the mind of the Chief Prince. We will resume at thy convenience, Michael."
Both Metatron and Gabriel rose and excused themselves while Gabriel closed the door to allow for the duo's privacy.
"Enoch, it is not protocol to disrupt the Lumazi when we are in session. Hath not Argoth taught thee anyth..."
Enoch interrupted him. "At this moment, Michael, your protocols do not interest me. What I am interested in is knowing where were you when Lucifer trafficked with Nephanos and tricked him. I know what Lucifer did. I want to know if you knew what Lucifer did?"
Michael was silent, caught off guard by Enoch's knowledge. He paced with bowed head and closed eyes to reflect on events long past. His brow furrowed, and still he did not look Enoch in the eye.
Enoch studied his body language, then sighed. "Your silence speaks. It would seem Argoth is not the only one with secrets. Very well, Chief Prince, keep thy secrets to thyself but beware that thy sin will find you out. Know that I am given a word from El and that I am to retrieve a man residing in Heaven and bring him to you. For what cause, I do not know, but El's word is as a fire shut up in my bones, and I am moved at the command of our God. You will help me in this thing as I will need a guide to journey with me."
Michael then raised his head and looked at Enoch. His eyes grew wide in questioning wonderment. "El hath given order to visit Nephanos? I have not seen him sinc..."
"Since the Schism, yes, I know. Thy history hath shown me that not once, but twice, thy brother hath been instrumental in sowing discord among the brethren."
Michael shook his head. "You do not understand, Enoch, for a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their contentions are like the bars of a castle."
"What I know, Michael, is that war exists. That Talus lies either dead or a prisoner of war. What I know is that you hold prisoner an enemy of the crown, and why, pray tell, wouldst thou bring a member of the fallen to Heaven if you will not follow through with what is in thy mind? I perceive that El desires reconciliation, not retribution, and He moves towards the restoration of all things. For even now, Yeshua moves within the Earth to accomplish this, and I but follow the example of our King, who at this moment wrestles against the darkness in human flesh. Battling to undo the acts of thy brother, for is it not for this purpose that the Son of God hast manifested that He might destroy the works of the Devil? You are the head of thy people. Go to Nephanos. Confess this great sin against his people and bring healing to both thy people for I have studied thy forces. Although you outnumber Lucifer, he controls such principalities and powers as to put the legions of Heaven in stalemate. Would not the Ophanim and Seraphim be his undoing if all united?"
Michael shook his head as his face contorted in uncertainty. "Enoch, the Ophanim sit atop the mountain and do not interfere in the causes of angel-kind. And the Seraphim..."
Enoch cut him off. "El was wise to separate thee and diminish the root of bitterness thy actions have caused. To leave the contagion that He had foreseen, to just your people alone. For I can but imagine what might have been unleashed if Lucifer snared both the Seraphim and the Ophanim in his cause.
"You hide behind protocol and are stymied in thy attention to El's commands. Thou, who has resided within His presence from the foundation of my world, yet for all thy might and kn
owledge you have zeal, but not according to knowledge. El hath not made me a candlestick for only my people, but also as a flickering light even to thee. I will do what thou are want to do, and will seek reconciliation between thy people. I will also do what I am bidden and bring Elijah as commanded. You will help me in this thing or you will not. But the word of the Lord shall abide forever."
Michael sighed. "I cannot go to the land of Aseir. It is forbidden. Yet this one thing I will do to aid thee: I will send Gabriel and Metatron as an escort. Gabriel will hopefully be received, for he is both Malakim and mouthpiece as the oracle of God. Metatron might serve as an ambassador of the Draco whose House was cause to the Schism. Wilt this suffice?" Michael then began to cough as though something were lodged in his throat.
Enoch turned and said, "It will do." And he left the Chief Prince who continued to cough uncontrollably.
Michael covered his mouth, and when he removed his hand from his mouth, specks of blood covered his palms.
* * *
Enoch left the mountain of God and entered the stables of the Malakim gryphons.
Gabriel stood grooming one of the steeds. Each creature was covered in golden feathers, part eagle, part lion. Their great wings spanned over twenty hand-breadths. Iron-like beaks could rip through steel. When fully armored, terror filled the eyes of combatants, whether angelic or human.
Enoch reached for a pouch of Cora leaf, and with an open hand, fed it to the creature that Gabriel groomed. As it ate, Enoch slowly began to stroke its mane.
Magnificent, is he not?" Gabriel said.
"He is indeed a marvel of bone and sinew. From whence do they come, and how are they tamed by your people?"
"When Heaven was young, El gave us dominion. The gryphons live in the land of Aesir with the Seraphim. Nathaniel, of the house Malakim, was first to encounter the great gryphon, Cabal. Nathaniel tried to tame him, but without success. Then one day, Nathaniel fell near the cliffs into the Abyss. Cabal saw him and braved the Abyssal winds and swept him from its clutches. The two immediately established a bond. We have since learned that they are intelligent beyond measure, and Cabal was so taken at Nathaniel's attempts to tame him, that he allowed him to ride him. Since then, all messengers use them as steeds to communicate to the rest of the realm. All messengers are sent with a gryphon by their side. And when summoned by this horn created by one of the greatest artisans of the Seraphim, they all will return to the spot of summoning."