Answering Ascension

by Amy Proebstel

  Answering Ascension

  Book Five

  of

  The Levels of Ascension

  Amy Proebstel

  Copyright © 2018 by Cavaliers Publishing

  All rights reserved. The events, characters, and entities depicted in this book are fictional. Any resemblance or similarity to any actual events, entities, or persons, whether living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. All inquiries should be submitted to contact@cavalierspublishing.com.

  ASIN: B07BV9NX7Z Kindle Direct Publishing

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, 2018

  Website: www.LevelsofAscension.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/levelsofascension

  Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/AmyProebstel

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/aproebstel

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/amyproebstel

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/amyproebstel

  Other Books

  in

  The Levels of Ascension

  Series

  Outside Ascension

  Book One

  Inside Ascension

  Book Two

  Ascension Quest

  Book Three

  Ascension’s Call

  Book Four

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my friends and family. You all have been so supportive in helping me carve out time in our busy lives to write and encouraging me to keep going. I’ve been so inspired by all of your thoughtfulness, and I hope it shows in my writing.

  To the readers of this series, I greatly appreciate all of your kind words, amazing reviews, and support along the way. None of this would be possible without your enthusiasm for the world of Tuala.

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  People

  Places

  Time

  Definitions

  SNEAK PEEK Book 6

  About the Author

  Preface

  A PERSON’S INNATE abilities are a part of the dynamic of a society. If everyone had the same talents and abilities, then society would not be able to function properly. When everyone has their own specialty, then all can work together to meet individual needs as well as the needs of others.

  Just because one person is able to do something perceived as amazing to another person, it does not lessen the other person’s abilities. All people are created equally in the eyes of Jehoban. Some people place more importance on some abilities than on others. This could not be further from the truth where Jehoban is concerned.

  When people begin to focus on what they are good at, then they will achieve the successes which were ordained for them from the beginning of time. The journey will become more fulfilling for the individual. The person’s focus in life will become clear, and that person will live a life of contentment.

  It is the duty of the Elders to help the people to find their hidden talents and to nurture them along the way. When the people are content, then the world will be as I have ordained it to be. Please plan accordingly.

  Excerpt from the Elder’s Instructional Guide

  Chapter One

  AMANDA’S HEART STOPPED momentarily when she heard Elder Daven say that the Creator of the Universe, Jehoban, had been expecting her to visit with Him. Amanda had always thought of herself as an ordinary woman from Earth. Through the past months, years really if she were being completely honest with herself, she had discovered her life was extraordinary indeed. Now, as she sat next to her husband, Riccan, on another world, called Tuala, she was faced with the biggest challenge of her life.

  She had thought she was prepared to ask Jehoban the questions about her past which had been plaguing her, but now she was no longer certain. With panic rising in her, Amanda looked over at Riccan and immediately felt calmer. His beautiful brown eyes were full of love and trust. She reached out and grabbed his hand.

  Riccan wished he could take his wife’s place. She was so petite and still rather frail from having come out of a seven-year-long coma only eight months before. He wondered if she were strong enough, both physically and emotionally, for the interview.

  Riccan took his eyes away from his wife’s to look across the desk at his father, Elder Daven. In his capacity as Elder, he always seemed more formidable, but in actuality, he was a tall, older man with white hair and brown eyes like his own. His father was gentle, kind, and compassionate. Riccan was certain his father would not be sending Amanda to an interview which would cause her harm. He had to hold on to that belief as he asked, “When does Jehoban want to meet with her?”

  Daven turned his gaze back to the patil to continue reading the message on the screen. He answered quietly, “He said she should come as soon as possible.”

  Daven’s wife, Nena, who sat beside him during this meeting gasped and raised her tiny hands to cover her mouth. Her blue eyes got wide with concern, and she immediately looked over at Amanda to assess her reaction to the news. Suddenly she brightened and said, “This will at least give me more time to plan your wedding ceremony!”

  Amanda did not like Nena’s response to the immediate summons. In fact, now her heart began racing thinking this was an imminent interview and not just a far-in-the-future idea. Again, her husband squeezed her hand to offer comfort.

  Riccan thought of an idea which would make the interview easier and asked his father, “Does the request say Amanda is to attend the meeting alone? Would I be able to go with her?”

  “I’m sorry, Riccan, this is for Amanda, alone, to do.”

  “I guess this means we’ll have to delay our wedding ceremony, Dad,” Riccan said.

  “Why? Don’t you think I could wait until tomorrow morning to go see Jehoban?” Amanda demanded.

  “Do you really want to put Jehoban on hold while you do something of your own? When Jehoban requests an interview as soon as possible, you stop whatever you’re doing and go. We have to trust that He knows what is best for you, Amanda. Besides, we were already married on Earth, the one here in Tuala is just a formality for Tualan custom.”

  “I know,” Amanda sighed, “I guess I’m just trying to delay the inevitable. When do you want to leave?”

  Riccan stood up and pulled Amanda up by the hand he was still holding and replied, “Right now. The telepod awaits us outside.”

  Nena rushed around the desk and pulled Amanda into an embrace as she said, “I promise you, everything will be okay. I’m sorry if my reaction startled you, I was just surprised at the quick timing. Jehoban is good, and you’ll get all of your questions answered.” She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed Amanda on the cheek before turning back to take her
own husband’s hand.

  Daven had stood up by then and said, “We’ll walk out with the both of you.” They were quiet for a few paces before Daven asked his son, “Do you have the proper coordinates for landing on Acaim?”

  “Yes, I’ve been there many times, remember?” Riccan had visited his grandparents on Jehoban’s island frequently until the time of their deaths several anons before. He had a very clear mental image of the landing square even though his telepod was equipped with the newest technology for auto-pilot navigation. It never hurt to use the mental telepathy as backup when operating a telepod.

  Riccan’s parents remained on the back terrace balcony and said goodbye. Riccan leaned in to kiss his mother’s cheek and said, “Don’t get any ideas for the wedding, Mom. Just because it’s going to be delayed does not mean we want it to be elaborate. We want a simple family affair. Promise me you’ll remember that.”

  “I promise,” she said with a slight frown. Her son knew her too well, and now she could not plead ignorance to his wishes. She watched him turn and walk away with his new wife.

  Riccan and Amanda descended the flagstone steps down to the grand lawn. Amanda stared ahead at the waiting telepod. It was a marvel of engineering, both designed and built by Riccan. It was a racing red exterior color, which was unusual for the air transportation on Tuala. Amanda liked it because it stood out and practically screamed it was different.

  As they got closer, Riccan activated the remote to open the large folding door on the side. They moved up the ramp and through the passenger section of the craft to their seats in the cockpit. Amanda sat in the right seat and fastened her seat belt harness. She looked out the front window to see both of Riccan’s parents, her in-laws now, were waving farewell. Amanda forced a smile on her face and waved back.

  Riccan sat down in the left-hand seat, fastened his seat belt, and palmed the door closed by using the button on the control panel. Riccan began the telepod’s start-up procedures. He touched the plascreen to turn it on, and then he activated the telepod’s crystal drive. The vessel rose several inches above the ground soundlessly and hovered in place until Riccan was able to verify each green light on the screen.

  He switched screens to be able to enter the course they would be traveling. He typed in the coordinates and pressed enter. Immediately, the course was locked and loaded. With a nod of readiness to Amanda, Riccan pressed the button on the screen to begin the teleportation to Acaim.

  Three seconds later they appeared over a flat, grassy field mere inches above the ground. Riccan issued all of the shutdown procedures and unfastened his belt. He turned to Amanda and asked, “Are you ready?”

  “No, but it appears I don’t have much choice, now does it?” Amanda asked crossly. She did not know why she was taking out her fear on Riccan. He was probably the most supportive person she had ever met. As her husband of one whole day, he definitely did not deserve the sharp side of her tongue. “I’m sorry, Riccan. That wasn’t fair of me to take this out on you. I appreciate your offer to stand by my side throughout.”

  “You’ll do fine. I’m sure of it. Besides, Jehoban is an amazing man. Just think, in only a few hours, you’ll have the answers to all of your questions. Don’t you think that will be worth the fear you’re feeling right now?”

  “Yes.” Amanda smiled at Riccan’s attempt to see the bright side of the interview. “Let’s get this over with before my heart bursts from the adrenaline of fear.”

  Riccan palmed open the side door and gestured for her to precede him out of the telepod.

  Amanda swiftly unfastened her belt and got out of her seat. She could not get over the feeling that she was going to meet her executioner. In a way, it would be true because the life she had known thus far was not one of reality but just a dream. She hoped she would find out the truth about her history from the best source possible. Jehoban seemed to be the best answer for everything in her life.

  Amanda walked down the ramp and stood on the grass. She had only taken two steps before she stopped, turned around, and waited for Riccan to close the side door. She had decided she would keep Riccan as close as possible for as long as possible. Maybe he would even be invited to the interview once Jehoban saw how desperately she needed the support.

  Together they walked across the grassy landing field toward a gated area. The closer they got to it, the details became clearer. The gate was unlike anything Amanda had ever seen. It almost looked as though it were made from a single, enormous pearl. She turned and looked questioningly at Riccan.

  “There are a lot of marvelous sights to behold here, Amanda. This pearl gate is just the first of many wonders.” He put his arm around her waist and continued walking through the gate.

  Amanda reached out and touched the pearl surface to satisfy her curiosity. It was definitely real and not just a painted surface. Her curiosity was aroused, and she actually found herself looking forward to seeing the next wonder. She did not have to wait long. The walls of the grand palace were made of a translucent blue stone. Again, Amanda touched the surface to see what it would feel like. The stone was warm from the sunlight and smooth as glass. She wondered how it had been put together so seamlessly until she laughed at her folly.

  “What’s so funny?” Riccan asked with a smile on his lips. He was glad to see his wife had begun to relax.

  “I was just wondering about how perfectly this wall was put together. Of course, it would be perfect if Jehoban made it. I’m assuming He did make everything here,” she replied as she gestured with her hand to encompass everything they could see.

  “You’re right. Nothing here was made by man. All of it is the perfect creation of Jehoban,” Riccan agreed with her. “We’re going in the door just up there,” he said as he pointed to a gold colored door.

  When Riccan reached forward to open the door, Amanda realized it was not just gold colored; it was real, solid gold. There were intricate designs carved into the surface of innumerable animals, trees, people, and even telepods. Amanda thought it seemed like a utopian type scene. Her fingers again touched the surface and could find no flaw.

  Just inside the door were two teenaged girls. They turned to face the visitors and Amanda could see they were actually identical twins. They were around fifteen or sixteen anons old, with long, blonde hair, blue eyes, and the same height as Amanda. They both smiled, and the one on the left spoke, “Welcome to Acaim. We’ll be taking you to see Jehoban. Riccan, will you please wait in the waiting area. We’ll bring her back here when she’s done with her interview.” She pointed to an area with a small fountain and several places to sit for Riccan to make himself feel at home.

  It was clearly a dismissal. Riccan smiled at the two girls. He leaned down and kissed Amanda on the cheek before saying, “I’ll go count fish until you return.”

  Amanda smiled at her husband’s lame attempt at humor and replied, “I hope I won’t be long.”

  “No bother, take your time. This place is very beautiful.” He walked away to go check out the area he had never seen before.

  “Right this way, Amanda,” the other girl spoke for the first time.

  Amanda could not help but think these girls would be what her daughters would look like when they got older. She was fascinated by them and their level of confidence. She took strength from their easy ways. Finally, she asked, “How did you know our names?”

  “Jehoban told us you two had arrived. He instructed us to greet you both and bring you alone to see Him,” the first girl answered. “We don’t have too much farther to go. You need not be worried about the meeting. Jehoban is very excited to finally meet you.”

  “What did He mean by saying He had been expecting me? We only just decided to try to meet with Him,” Amanda asked in confusion as she reviewed the original invitation mentally.

  “Our timing is not the same as His. He knows all things which were, are, and will ever be,” the second girl seemed to recite the phrases from memory.

  “Right,” Amanda
said with a tinge of awe.

  They continued down several grand hallways where the walls were seamless and beautiful in their perfection. Amanda saw several alcoves set with plush furniture for intimate conversations. She began to wonder what type of room she was being led to when they arrived at their destination.

  The girls each opened one of the two doors to the grand chamber. Amanda was not sure if she were to enter ahead of them or to wait to be guided. She hesitated and looked from one identical face to the other.

  “Go ahead and enter, we will be following you,” the first girl replied.

  Amanda took a hesitant step forward and then another. She looked around the room hastily to find anybody, but the room was empty of any occupants. She turned back to the girls, who were literally one step behind her, and asked, “Are you sure this is the room?”

  The girls both smiled and nodded.

  Amanda looked back ahead and almost missed a step as she now saw an older but very handsome gentleman seated at a small table which had not been there mere moments before. She did not want to seem impolite, so she stretched out her hand when she got close and introduced herself. “Hi, I’m Amanda. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”

  The man with the kind eyes smiled and took her hand in His own warm ones. Instead of shaking it He just held it in a comforting way. “The pleasure is mine, Amanda Stel. Please be seated.” He turned to the two girls and said, “Thank you for bringing Amanda to me. Please take a seat at the table as well. I’d like you to witness this meeting as a teaching tool.”

  For once, the girls looked flustered. Amanda hid a small smile to see she was not the only one to be in awe of this man. They sat next to one another across the table from Amanda. For some reason, Amanda felt comfort knowing she would not be left alone with the all-powerful Jehoban.

  “Please sit down right here,” Jehoban requested as He pulled a plush chair out for Amanda to be seated.