Exile of Lucifer

by D. Brian Shafer

  glaring at Pellecus. "However, I do agree with you that Day Six

  grows burdensome. I wish He would get on with it and finish the

  work." He looked at the others and added, "When His work on

  earth ends, mine will begin. Glorious days ahead, brothers!"

  Lucifer led the group through a path already worn by the

  newly created beasts of the field. They surveyed the animals,

  amazed by the variety. "Notice that they are paired off," said

  Lucifer. "Like every other living thing on this world, these crea-

  tures are blessed with the ability of reproducing after their own

  198 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  kind. Quite an imaginative way of filling the planet, hmm? The

  creatures themselves become procreators."

  "The Most High was wise in that He didn't allow angels the

  ability to reproduce themselves," said Pellecus humorously. "It

  would be difficult to imagine two Michaels for example! Or two

  Lucifers..."

  "There is only one Lucifer," said Lucifer, smiling. "That is

  quite sufficient!"

  "And a good thing--else we would have two angels wishing

  to be named steward!" Tinius added.

  Lucifer looked at him coldly. "I only serve those who would have

  me named steward Tinius--I do not serve myself in this matter!"

  "Of course, lord," said Tinius sheepishly.

  "At any rate," continued Pellecus, "the Lord has decreed that

  these animals shall fill the earth. What a mind our Lord has. Such

  an imaginative mind! Look at them!"

  Pellecus pointed to a group of gazelles gracefully bounding

  through a meadow, while nearby a lioness was playing with a cub.

  The sound of an elephant trumpeting in the distance added to

  earth's music. "Such a wide array of creatures," Pellecus went on.

  "A marvelous mind to be sure!"

  "Marvelous indeed," admitted Lucifer. "But what good is a

  mind which is stagnant and closed to change? True, the Creation

  demonstrates the capacity of our Lord to think great, imaginative

  thoughts." An eagle soared lazily overhead and Lucifer watched it

  for a moment or two. "But I do the same when I compose a worship

  service, do I not? Yet my mind is ever evolving. Our Lord's mind

  remains fixed. This is precisely the point that you were making

  with the wisdom angels at the Academy, dear Pellecus! Such a pity

  we must come up against such a mind!"

  "If I may digress, dear prince," said Tinius, "I must congratu-

  late you on your boldness in dealing with Michael. Your meetings

  with him seem to have soothed his curiosities."

  "As I said, Tinius, the best way to deal with your opponent is

  to deal with your opponent!" He laughed. "However, I only met

  with him the one time. Just prior to Kara and the Council barging

  "Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?" 199

  in and demanding I take the stewardship of earth." He looked at

  the two angels, smiling. "Michael's look was priceless!"

  "I speak of the more recent occasion," said Tinius. "Just before

  the debate."

  "I have no idea what you are talking about, Tinius," snapped

  Lucifer. "I haven't seen or spoken to Michael since the meeting to

  which I refer. Except of course when he interrupted that splendid

  scene Pellecus caused at the Academy!"

  "That is odd," Tinius responded. "Michael was at your door

  prior to the debate. Serus allowed him in."

  "Serus never mentioned to me that Michael came to call," said

  Lucifer, confused and a little angry. "How do you know this?"

  "I saw him myself," said Tinius. "I was on my way to the

  debate and observed Michael at your door. Serus looked quite agi-

  tated and quickly ushered him in. I naturally thought you were

  inside."

  "I was not," said Lucifer. "I was in the Academy talking with

  Kara at the time." Lucifer's aura began to manifest around him. "So

  Michael spoke with Serus..." Lucifer's eyes now gave off a bluish

  glow as he became more and more agitated. He looked at Pellecus

  and Tinius.

  "Where is Serus?" he almost whispered.

  ----------------

  Serus was thinking about the conversation he had had with

  Michael. As he wandered through Lucifer's great house he won-

  dered if he had not made a critical mistake. Surely word would get

  back to Lucifer that he had spoken with the archangel. A fear

  gripped Serus as he contemplated the confrontation with Lucifer--

  most likely in front of the entire Council. He wished he had never

  contacted Michael. And still...

  He entered the room where the Council of Worship met. The

  room seemed strangely quiet given the usual activity that tran-

  spired here. He looked at the large table that served as the focus of

  strategy. It was from here that Lucifer had launched his bid for

  becoming earth's ruler. Serus began to circle the table, placing his

  200 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  hand upon the chairs that seated the more prominent members of

  the group. As he did so he thought of those angels and how their

  destinies were bound to Lucifer's.

  Here sits the wisdom angel Tinius: reserved, careful, often

  doubtful. But quite clever. He smiled as he thought of Tinius' ever-

  present misgivings which Lucifer always artfully dealt with. Tinius

  was always prepared to raise questions though backed off defend-

  ing the issues he raised. However, his ambitious nature tied him

  closely to Lucifer.

  Next to Tinius, opposite Lucifer at the head of the table sits the

  esteemed Pellecus. The brilliant and bitter Pellecus had helped

  Lucifer fashion a philosophical impetus for their movement. He

  was shrewd, ambitious and, where the Academy was concerned,

  vengeful. Serus moved behind the chair and looked down the table

  to Lucifer's chair. The chair seemed filled with Lucifer's com-

  manding presence. These two were skilled at manipulating the dis-

  cussion between them to a desired outcome.

  The next seat was reserved for Lenaes, the Keeper of the Light,

  a symbolic office granted him by the Most High. Lenaes was

  shrewd, reserved and calculating. Lenaes rarely spoke up in Coun-

  cil, but was probably one of the more dedicated angels in the move-

  ment. It was Lenaes who would become Lucifer's liaison to the

  court of Heaven one day--the embassy from earth.

  The final wisdom angel was Belor, whose title Angel of Light

  bore with it the responsibility to teach accurately the truths of the

  Most High. Belor had long since departed from teaching and, like

  Pellecus, dreamed of the time when he could put to rest the notions

  of Crispin and the other arrogant angels, whose preferred teaching

  had driven him and Pellecus out of the Academy.

  The next four chairs were reserved for the worship angels

  Drachon, Fineo, Sar and the recently chaired Berenius, who took

  over Sangius' position. Of the four, Berenius was by far the most

  cunning. Alert, daring and articulate, Berenius was a rising star in

  Lucifer's world and his future in the new regime was assured. Dra-

  chon and Fineo were bou
nd to Lucifer for their love of praise and

  saw themselves in exalted roles on earth as leaders in the worship

  "Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?" 201

  there. Sar was something of an outsider whose desire for promi-

  nence in Heaven found refuge in Lucifer's world.

  Serus moved to the final four chairs which hosted the warring

  branch of the Council: Rugio, Vel, Prian and Nathan. Led by Rugio,

  who commanded the Legion of the Fiery Host, these angels repre-

  sented Lucifer's strength in terms of the ability to wage war. Rugio

  was brutal, strong and loyal, but also tended to be headstrong and

  impetuous. His warrior charges Vel, Prian and Nathan blindly took

  their orders from him and together they represented a large num-

  ber of warrior angels who were drifting to this adventurous cause.

  Finally Serus came to Lucifer's chair. Slightly larger than the

  others, it was from this seat that the lord of a few opposed the Lord

  of all. Serus suddenly found the entire idea amusing. Was it really

  from this position that all Heaven was to quake? He felt both proud

  and ashamed of his master: proud, because of the boldness and

  brashness which seemed to be carrying Lucifer to a sure steward-

  ship of earth; ashamed because in his heart he knew Lucifer was

  wrong.

  He thought of the many conversations which had taken place

  in this very room; of things seditious and secretive; of things per-

  verse and presumptuous; of things arrogant and abasing. He could

  see Lucifer, self-assured as ever, discussing disturbing issues in

  such a manner that by the time he was finished any angel might

  hold with him.

  He could envision Pellecus affirming Lucifer's dialog with

  philosophical jargon and nonsensical angelic logic which, by the

  conclusion of the meeting, seemed to make perfect sense.

  He also thought of poor Sangius, who had opposed Lucifer,

  and was disgraced by being removed from the Council and having

  his name besmirched at the Temple by angels acting on Lucifer's

  orders.

  As these thoughts flooded his mind, Serus also thought of the

  words which Michael had spoken to him: how the Lord was always

  ready to receive one who was truly prepared to turn to Him. Hadn't

  Sangius recently recovered his joy? If Sangius could recover his

  name and fellowship among the Host, could not Serus? Yet there

  202 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  was a hesitation, a doubt which gnawed at Serus, and which ham-

  mered away at him accusing him of his unworthiness to serve the

  Most High. He was in too deeply with Lucifer and must now see it

  through to the end--not because he wanted to, but because he felt

  he deserved the same fate as Lucifer.

  Serus had already secretly taken the position that Lucifer

  could not possibly prevail. At best he would be completely over-

  whelmed by Michael; at worst he would be completely destroyed.

  He glanced again at the chairs and thought of how each of these

  prominent angels might one day become a byword for rebellion.

  He tossed his own name in the mix as well. Serus was certainly not

  prominent, but he was as guilty as the rest.

  He walked over to the large window from which Lucifer often

  brooded. The Temple looked glorious as usual, sparkling in the dis-

  tance. If there were only a way that led back to that place of fel-

  lowship with the Most High he would certainly take it. His eyes fell

  casually to a chart on a side table that was a map of the Kingdom.

  He picked it up and lost himself for a moment as he surveyed the

  layout of Heaven.

  All the paths lead to the Temple eventually, should one desire to

  make the journey, came a thought. He lay the map down and started

  to walk away when suddenly something deep inside him repeated

  the phrase. This time he looked around certain that someone in the

  room had spoken the words, but realized that the voice he was

  hearing was from within. A sensation suddenly stirred with him--

  something ancient, something sacred, something that he had not

  felt in a very long time. He could barely recognize it, yet it was

  quite distinct. It hearkened back to a different time, a happier time,

  a joyful time. It was the unmistakable presence of the Holy One.

  ----------------

  "Serus!" boomed Lucifer. "Serus!"

  No answer.

  Lucifer glared at Pellecus and Tinius who had followed him

  back to Heaven after their discussion on earth. They looked at each

  other and said nothing.

  "Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?" 203

  "I am astonished that he is not here!" Lucifer growled. His

  aura was so bright that the room was filled with bluish light, cast-

  ing an icy pallor on everything. "I will see him serve in the remotest

  part of this universe!" he bellowed. "SERUS!"

  "Perhaps he is simply at worship," offered Tinius.

  "Serus? At worship?" Lucifer laughed. "He worships here.

  No, I believe he is with Michael. Serus is the one angel in Heaven

  who could damage me. And now he is with the one angel in Heav-

  en who could disrupt all of my plans? I have been betrayed!"

  "My lord, until you speak with Serus you cannot possibly

  make that assumption," said Pellecus. "If he did speak with

  Michael, better to court him than punish him."

  Lucifer thought about Pellecus's words for a moment. The

  blue aura began to subside as Lucifer calmed down. "I quite agree,"

  he finally said. "I'll deal with him in my own way." Lucifer paced

  the room thinking. "Serus is easily swayed. Better to hold him close

  and offer him something than put him out where he cannot be

  trusted."

  As he spoke those words the door opened and Serus ambled

  in. Pellecus and Tinius stepped out of the room and met Serus com-

  ing in. He carried with him a large scroll. When he saw Pellecus

  and Tinius he knew immediately that Lucifer was in the house and

  his casual attitude deserted him. Pellecus motioned in the next

  rooms and said, "He's in there." Tinius simply smirked at him.

  Lucifer had by now completely regained his composure, real-

  izing that in dealing with Serus a soft answer would yield much

  greater benefit. He asked Serus to sit down--a first in their rela-

  tionship. Serus began to sit in a side chair but Lucifer motioned him

  to the table.

  "No, no, Serus," said Lucifer. "Here, at the table."

  "The Council table?" asked Serus meekly.

  "Of course," said Lucifer. "After all, you aspire to sit on this

  Council one day, do you not?"

  "I have always thought about that," admitted Serus.

  "Excellent," said Lucifer. "What have you there?"

  204 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  Serus held out the scroll he was carrying. "I borrowed this

  from the Academy library. Polias recommended it as a good source

  on the creation of the angels."

  "Well," said Lucifer in an impressed tone, "you are certainly

  ambitious, Serus."

  "I simply wish to be informed," Serus said guardedly. He was


  not at all accustomed to being treated with such cordiality.

  "Don't we all?" said Lucifer, concealing his contempt for

  Serus. "Pellecus! Tinius! Come in here, please!"

  Pellecus immediately recognized the scroll as he came into the

  room and took his place at the table. "Ah, the Creation Chronicles,"

  he said. "Quite an interesting summation of the creation of Heav-

  en's citizens, Serus. Wouldn't you agree?"

  "I haven't read them yet," Serus answered. "But, yes, the cre-

  ation of the angels is quite fascinating to me." He watched Tinius

  take his usual position. They all looked at Lucifer, his hands folded

  in front of him.

  "There is, as you are aware, another creation occurring,"

  Lucifer began. "Perhaps you will read about it one day as well. We

  just returned from earth, Serus." He indicated the other two angels.

  "Pellecus, Tinius and myself have come to a vital conclusion: The

  Lord will soon finish His marvelous work there. Afterwards, things

  should become very interesting in Heaven and on earth."

  "Yes indeed," Serus concurred. He looked at Pellecus and

  Tinius who remained impassive. Serus remained quite wary.

  "Indeed," repeated Lucifer, looking with compassionate eyes

  at Serus. "I'm sure you are aware, Serus, that great events are about

  to take place in the Kingdom. Wonderful events which are much

  bigger than you or I. Some of the Host are prepared for them, and

  some are not. But in either case there are set in motion plans which

  cannot be altered--either by an angel or archangel." He looked into

  Serus deeply. "Plans which include you, dear Serus."

  Serus looked at Lucifer. For the first time Lucifer was address-

  ing him as something of an equal--not on his own level to be

  sure--but as an insider; as one who is close to the situation. It felt

  "Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?" 205

  good. Serus looked at Pellecus, who nodded in agreement with