by L. M. Roth
“‘This,’ she thought, ‘must be the Waterfall of Wisdom that we were warned of. I must not go near it, lest a drop of water splash on me.’
“Resolved to obey Dominio, she turned on her heel and started back to where she had come.
“But just then a sound arrested her ear: a lovely, silvery voice that sang a lilting air. Turning around, Chloe strained to determine the source of the music. It was calling her name, and it came from the Waterfall.
“Tiptoeing quietly closer to the fall of water, she was lulled by the lovely voice. How soothing, she thought. And how sweet…
“‘Come be refreshed, come drink of my water. Dip yourself in and your eyes will be clear. My path is good, my knowledge is pleasant, my wisdom is free to all who draw near.’
“‘Chloe, Chloe,’ the voice sang with a fearful enchantment that tempted Chloe to draw nearer.
“Chloe tried to resist, but the spell of the song had taken hold of her. Maybe, she reasoned, one drop would not harm me. Just one drop of the clear, refreshing water.
“She ventured to the Waterfall, and stood at the pool of its basin. Slowly, she dipped one toe in, and swiftly drew it back. Nothing happened. Again she dipped her toe in, but instead of drawing it back, she immersed her entire foot in the swirling water. How cool the water is, how refreshing, she thrilled.
“Boldly she stepped into the pool and splashed herself in the spray from above. Then she cupped her hands and lifted them up to the cascade. The water poured into her hands. She lowered her mouth to them and drank deeply. A great exhilaration took possession of her and she plunged into the pool, swimming like an otter, splashing and diving.
“Eventually she returned to the surface and looked around her. Somehow the colors of the flowers did not seem so bright, nor their scent so sweet. And where was the voice that had lured her to the Waterfall? The fall was silent…
“A shadow seemed to come upon Chloe, and a chill clutched at her heart. Whence came this strange and sudden sense of foreboding, of dread dogging her footsteps? Indeed, she glanced fearfully behind her, but nothing was to be seen.
“Suddenly, she wanted Tychon. It felt lonely in this forest, and fearful as well. She wished that she had not decided to roam from the garden that day…
“Quickly she ran to her home in search of Tychon. There he was, directing one of the elephants to bring down a cheetah cub that ventured too high into a tree and feared the downward journey. The elephant raised its trunk and gently curled it around the little cub and brought it safely to the ground, where its mother greeted it with a purr of relief. Her body was too heavy to bear the slender branch where it had climbed, and she hailed the elephant’s heroics with a playful slap of her tail against its stalwart hide.
“‘Tychon,’ Chloe cried out in relief. ‘Oh, Tychon!’
She ran to him and wrapping her arms around him, nestled close against him.
“‘What is the matter, Chloe?’ Tychon cried in alarm. ‘You are wet, and cold. Why are you trembling so?’
“Chloe looked up at him. So handsome, such a perfect specimen of manhood. His height and broad shoulders made her feel safe. After all, she scorned in her heart, what is there to fear in a mere spray of water? And it had been so cool and refreshing!
“She made a sudden decision.
“‘Tychon,’ she whispered in his ear. ‘I have found the most beautiful, wonderful thing! You must see it also.’
“She took his hand, and gazing up at him from under her lashes, she drew him after her into the forest…
“The Waterfall rose before them in all its sparkling beauty. But no song sang from its spray for Tychon. For the only inducement he needed was Chloe’s whisper in his ear, her laughter daring him to drink, to bathe in its pool.
“When he finally emerged, Tychon gasped as if startled from a sound sleep. He stared at Chloe, and drew away from her.
“‘What have you done, enticing me into that pool?’ he demanded. ‘For that is the very Waterfall of Wisdom that Dominio forbade us to drink from.’
“‘But, we are all right, Tychon. We have both drunk and bathed, and we are all right,’ Chloe insisted.
“‘No, we are not all right! You made me disobey Dominio. I would never have done it had you not lured me!’
“Chloe gasped as Tychon stomped off to the garden. She followed him in panic and rage, as he pouted and refused to speak to her.
“Just then they heard a familiar voice calling their names. But where before the voice had filled them with joy, the sound now filled their hearts with dread and despair. They glanced at one another, then each ran quickly and hid behind a tree.
“‘Tychon, Chloe,’ Dominio called in His voice like a bell of bronze. ‘Where are you, children?’
“Each knew that they hid in vain, for Dominio’s all-seeing eyes would find their hiding places. Reluctantly, fearfully, they came out into the clearing.
“‘What have you done?’ Dominio asked them in the saddest tone that anyone ever uttered. All of the despair of the world could be heard in that one simple question.
“‘You disobeyed Me,’ He mourned. ‘I gave you everything, and you disobeyed Me.’
“‘It was that woman You gave me,’ Tychon answered. ‘She deceived me into drinking from the Waterfall and bathing in its pool.’
“Chloe made an indignant sound toward Tychon’s direction. She turned to Dominio.
“‘But it was the Waterfall,’ she insisted. ‘It sang to me, ever so sweetly, and I was lured to it.’
“‘The Waterfall did not sing to you, Chloe. The source of the song was as wicked as the wisdom it pretends to give. Indeed, the source of all evil comes from the same spring.’
“Chloe was at a loss for a reply to this statement. For a moment she sought for something to say. But Dominio was not yet finished.
“‘Leon!’ He thundered. ‘Come here, Leon. Show yourself.’
“A ray of light seemed to come from the ground to their left. It glowed brightly, then a figure formed in the midst of it. A figure of dazzling beauty, yet one that caused their hearts to beat rapidly in fear.
“The creature that stood before them was truly impressive. It was taller than Tychon, clothed in multi-colored raiment, had two massive wings of white feathers, and the most beautiful face that could ever be imagined. It was a curious face, its features of neither a masculine or feminine cast. Indeed, it could have been that of a young woman or a boy not yet grown. Yet every feature was perfect and seemed to radiate a sweet purity.
“‘Did I hear my name called?’ the creature snarled in a mocking tone. ‘It has been many years since I have heard my name uttered by that voice.’
“‘Silence!’ Dominio roared. ‘I did not summon you to listen to your insolence.’
“The creature visibly quaked and blinked its eyes. Then it appeared to recover its bravado.
“‘I summoned you,’ Dominio continued, ‘so that My children could look with their own eyes on the face of their enemy; the very creature who rebelled against Me and opposed My Kingdom. The very creature who deceived one-third of My host into daring to lift arms against My throne. The very creature whom I defeated and cast out of Heaven.’
“The creature hardened its mouth and its eyes smoldered as Dominio recounted its history. Clearly it remembered also, and the memories were not pleasant ones.
“Dominio turned back to Tychon and Chloe.
“‘My children, for thus you were, it grieves Me to have to include you in the ranks of Leon’s rebels. For you listened to his voice inciting you to rebel against My command. By doing so you have chosen to obey him, and therefore you have forfeited My favor and your own dominion of the Earth I created you to rule.
“‘You will not reign now, but you will slave to bring forth crops from the ground. For this day you are expelled from the place of perfection which I provided for you, where everything was freely given to you. Henceforth, you must provide for yourselves, because you have rejected Me.’
“Tychon and Chloe hung their heads in grief and shame. What a heavy penalty for one dip in a Waterfall, they thought. Yet, they had disobeyed. But there was worse to come.
“‘And because you have rejected Me and My rule, there is no longer to be found a place for you in My Kingdom. For I would have given you life everlasting in Paradise, but you would have none of it. So, from dust you came, and to dust you shall return.’
“Dominio turned to Leon, who openly gloated at the pronouncement of doom upon Tychon and Chloe.
“‘As for you, Leon, the day when you can deceive is drawing to an end. For though My children have been deceived and disobeyed Me, yet I will never despair of winning the hearts of their children and their children’s children back to Me. And now, be gone from My sight!’
“With that, Leon vanished from view. And Tychon and Chloe began the long, slow journey from their perfect utopia, into a hostile world.
“For they were hunted by the Astra, that horde of fallen spirits who had sided with Leon in The Great Rebellion. They could appear in any form they chose, and they gloated over the Fall of Man.
“For the creature that had been destined to be the glory bearers of Dominio’s image had fallen indeed. The minds whose thoughts had once been good and pure now devised plots of evil as jealousy and envy of one another invaded their hearts. They who were intended to live in peace and rule the Earth now wrought war and sought to enslave one another.
“Where once they roamed freely in a garden, they now erected walls in fear of their neighbor. The worship that had once been for Dominio alone was now given to whatever deity of their own invention could be devised to serve their basest desires.
“All of this did Dominio observe from His Heavenly throne.
“His creation, once the joy of His heart, the reflection of His image, had become an object of ridicule by their enemy the Astra, and had sunk into ignobility.
“Dominio grieved over His children, as tenderly as any mother who has lost a child. His creation had rejected Him, yet He could not let her go.
“As a lover who still yearns for one who has spurned Him, He sought to woo His creation back to Himself. Over the course of many long years He found a man here or a woman there who truly sought Him and loved Him. But most treated Him as a suitor they toyed with, coming to Him with a need, then running after other lovers once that prayer was answered.
“And yet, Dominio longed for reconciliation with His creation. He pined for the days when He had fellowship with Tychon and Chloe before their fall. If only He could find a way to change their hearts and make them His again. To this end He set out to find a way.”
Chapter XXXI
The Champion
Here Xenon paused in his narrative and searched the faces of his audience. They looked back at him enthralled, waiting with eagerness for his next words.
“Go on,” Felix urged. “What happens next?”
“Tell us, tell us!” Fanchon breathed, her eyes glowing with excitement.
Xenon glanced at Marcus, whose earlier skepticism was replaced by a thoughtful look, as if he pondered on the words Xenon had spoken. Dag and Cort said nothing, yet looked at him expectantly. Kyrene’s eyes glistened as she smiled encouragingly at Xenon.
“It is here, I think, where Alexandros enters the picture,” she commented, with a nod at Xenon.
“Yes, yes, it is here,” Xenon pronounced and bowed his head in reverence. For a moment he seemed lost in thought, or as if he needed to pause to reflect before telling the rest of the tale.
“Go on,” Felix begged.
Xenon collected himself and smiled with a fatherly affection at the little group.
“Dominio, as I said, grieved over what His creation had become. Their very hearts had fallen when they disobeyed, and in giving their allegiance to Leon by following his enticement, they opened themselves up to every evil influence.
“As the years went by there were some who openly sought out the Astra in order to gain power over others, to control them to do their bidding. They exchanged their God-given authority and power to rule for a lie. For they gained no true power from the Astra, but instead became their puppets, the figureheads they used to gain control of the earth and further corrupt Dominio’s creation.
“Because they fell from grace, they could not enter Heaven after death. For Dominio is holy and evil is forbidden to enter His court. And His children had rejected His rule, so how could they enter His Kingdom, the place of His abode, and share it with Him? Yet He earnestly longed to have His children about Him, as any parent would.
“But to do so, He needed to find a way. How to blot out their crime of rebellion so they could dwell in His Kingdom forever? How to reconcile them to Himself, so they could receive the inheritance destined for them since the foundation of the world?
“If only he could find some way for their hearts to be restored from the loss of innocence, to turn back from corruption, and to be transformed back to the divine nature it was intended to have.
“And here, Alexandros stepped forth. Alexandros was the Son of Dominio, holy, sinless, and divine. Long had He watched His Father grieve over His creation, and for the love He bore Him, yearned to see His heart at rest.
“‘I will go, Father. Send Me, and I will bear their punishment for them and take their place in death. Then you can know the joy of reunion with many children, and not just fellowship with one Son,’ Alexandros implored.
“Dominio was delighted by the selfless love in Alexandros that prompted this suggestion. Yet, He knew that a separation from this beloved Son would be necessitated by the very solution the problem required. The plan was discussed and resolved, and at the appropriate time, Dominio sent forth his Son, Alexandros.
“For a champion Alexandros was. For He lived on this Earth, and dwelled among us, lived as one of us, tried and tested, yet committed no sin. He went about us, sharing the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven, and did many miracles. He made known to us our Heavenly Father, and revealed the laws of His Kingdom, which is not of this world.
“But in the end, He was betrayed by one close to Him, and turned over to His enemies. For Alexandros had many enemies, as do all who desire to do what is right. How He stepped on the toes of those who did not like His words!
“For there were some who flattered themselves that they were righteous men because they outwardly did no wrong. But they failed to see that it was their heart and mind that was their true enemy. For out of the heart proceeds lies, hatred, malice, lust and all uncleanness. And if the heart is wrong, the actions mean nothing.
“The day came when Alexandros was turned over to His enemies. They beat Him, mocked Him, and in the end put Him to death. What a dark day that was indeed! The very skies seemed in mourning, as a mighty storm loosed upon the earth a torrent of rain, and the clouds were lit up with bolts of lightning as thunder shook the ground.
“With many tears and tender hearts was Alexandros laid to rest, in a tomb cut from the rock. His followers went into hiding, lest they be likewise persecuted and put to death. Like lost sheep without a shepherd they huddled among themselves, and took comfort from each other.
“But on the third day after the execution, a woman named Metis went to the tomb to mourn. Two soldiers had been set to keep sentinel at the grave, for the enemies of Alexandros feared Him in death even more than they had in life, and all were stunned at the events which followed. A flash of light was seen around the rock at the mouth of the tomb. It became clear that the light originated from inside the tomb. Then, with a noise like thunder the boulder was rolled away to reveal the interior of the tomb.
“It was empty.
“The only object to be seen was a set of grave clothes. The body was gone!
“Suddenly they became aware that they were not alone. Alexandros stood before them, His hands stretched out to them, a tender smile lit His face.
“‘Master!’ Metis cried in joy as she bowed before Him.
“
‘All is well, Metis,’ Alexandros assured her. ‘For Dominio has raised Me from the dead, and I will soon be reunited with Him. For I gave my life for those who wish to be reconciled with Dominio; I bore their punishment for their treason against Him, and as I have been raised never to die again, so also will they be resurrected after death to share eternity with Dominio. But there is more.’
“Alexandros then related to Metis that while His body lay in the tomb, His Spirit had descended to Hades, and there He fought it out with Leon and took back the Keys of Death and Hell, and as the true Champion of the Lord, He placed His foot upon the neck of His foe. He had won for Man the inheritance to rule their own hearts, and take back what their enemy had stolen from them. This could be realized by receiving the very Spirit of Dominio, who would transform their hearts and teach them God’s ways.
“Then Alexandros gathered His followers together one last time and gave them His parting words.
“‘Go into all the world,’ He told them, ‘and spread the Kingdom of Heaven, and share the love of Dominio and His reconciliation to all mankind. And when I am ascended you will receive power from on high through the Spirit of Dominio to transform your hearts, and to aid you in your task.’
“Then a cloud descended from Heaven and covered Alexandros, and rose higher and higher until it could be seen no more. And when it had risen, so had Alexandros. Those who witnessed it sat for some time; not a word was spoken among them, as each marveled at the holiness of the moment.
“And, then, as they stood rooted to that spot, a mighty wind fell on them from Heaven. They felt a great awe and a holy fear grip them, as the wind forced the air from their lungs, and breathing became difficult. Suddenly, a great joy seized them all, and with it a surge of power, and they rushed into the streets of the city.
“To their astonishment, all was still: there was no sign of a great wind, and the citizens went about their usual business. But the Alexandrians were about to change the city and it would never be the same again.”