Rebellious 3o6n

REBELLIOUS

JESSICA FULCHER

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©

2017 JESSICA FULCHER. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/20/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-8831-8 (sc) ISBN: 978-1-5246-8829-5 (hc) ISBN: 978-1-5246-8830-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905779

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ESV Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

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

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

I dedicate this book to my precious children, , “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

PREFACE

Cristin quickly approached the Throne Room. His sandals barely made a sound on the warm golden floor. Up ahead loomed the massive entryway to the Holy Throne Room of the Most High. An enormous door guarded the entrance. The looming door stood thirty feet in height. It was carved from a single mother of pearl. Intricate patterns of inlaid jade, emeralds and other precious stones embellished it. As Cristin drew closer, the carving in the center came into view. In bold words read:

Elohim, The True Name of the Living King Master of the Heavens Creator of the New Earth

A huge, illuminated being waited for him before the door, his name Michael, High General of Elohim’s Army. A robe of fire covered his chiseled frame. His massive hand rested on a gleaming blue sword. It hung from a garnet encrusted belt that lightly hugged his waist. Michael’s very presence exhumed power and strength. Michael’s golden eyes shone in the shadows of the great door. “What news do you bring, Cristin?” His deep voice echoed off the golden walls of the entryway. “At least one-third of the Angelic Host has ed Lucifer.” “I feared as much.” Michael nodded his head. “They gather on the northern side of the Heavenly Kingdom.”

Michael sighed. Concern plagued his handsome face. He had first noticed a disturbing change in Lucifer’s demeanor two weeks prior. It happened when King Elohim announced that his newest and last creation would be made in his own image and likeness. He would call this creation Man. Man would be given the choice to love, honor, obey and commune with the Most High himself.

CHAPTER 1

The King’s robe of white light shifted, revealing his copper-toned ankles. King Elohim bent down in the fresh dirt. His skin shone bright, like bronze blazing in a crucible. No earthly eyes could stand to focus long on his illuminated form. Only his Angelic helpers seemed unaffected by his brilliance. The fascinated Angels congregated around the skies, silently observing their Maker skillfully fashion his newest creation. King Elohim slowly drove his hands down into the rich earth. The red clay crumbled beneath his fingers as he gently kneaded the ground. When happy with the consistency, he began to lovingly form a new type of being. With his bare hands the Maker expertly compacted the clay into hard bones. He arranged them in a precise order to form a framework, a skeleton. He took great care molding the odd shaped organs. Each unique organ was purposed with a specific function. The King gingerly placed the organs between and under the bony structures that would house and protect them. Elohim sat up straight, planning his next move. He touched his dirty fingers to his chin. The clay incinerated upon with his searing skin and let off a minute tendril of smoke. He dove forward once more, piling a heap of loose dirt over the clay skeleton. He patted the dirt into a hard lump. Carefully, he traced an outline of a body onto the mound with his right index finger. It served as a crude schematic. He tediously cut away the excess dirt from his etched lines. So absorbed with his project, the Creator’s intent eyes never left his work. Elohim’s breath quickened and the Angels held theirs. He smoothed the dense edges and sculpted two arms, two legs, and a torso. He spent extra time deg the intricate hands and feet. When finished with those he moved on and shaped an oval above the neck, a head. The Creator carefully constructed two ears to hear, two eyes to see, a handsome mouth to speak and eat with and a straight-bridged nose to smell and breathe with. These senses would be important tools to help the being survive on Earth.

The Maker added clay to the top of the head and fashioned it into wavy hair, short around the ears and neck, but longer on top. The hair would aid in keeping its head warm and protected. The Sculptor stroked the clay being’s cheek and rose to his feet. He meticulously inspected his work, making a few tweaks here and there. The being was perfect in form, completely symmetrical. Satisfied, Elohim put his hands on his hips and took a deep breath in. The smell of fresh dirt filled his nostrils. The sweet aroma brought a smile to his kind face. The King loved this smell. His eyes blazed with red fire and he focused them on the Angelic Host filling the skies. The Host continued to stare silently at him, eagerly awaiting his next move. Elohim kneeled down once again, bringing his face close to the statue’s face. He gently blew over his creation’s mouth and nose. The cold brown form changed into a warm olive-skinned being. The spectating Angels let out shouts of praise. Excitement filled the atmosphere. As Man took his first independent breath and opened his crystal blue eyes, every Angel came down on bended knee to worship Elohim, well, all but Lucifer that is. Michael seemed to be the only one to notice Lucifer’s act of rebellion and would never forget what he saw in his brother’s eyes that day, for it was the first time he had ever seen the seed of jealousy take root and ignite. Taking his living statue by the hand, Elohim lifted Man to his feet. In the most deeply rich and melodious voice, the Most High announced, “This is Adam, to him I give charge to rule over this land called Earth and all that live in it! I have given him life and to his life, value. I have designed a destiny far greater than that of any other creature.” A barely audible moan caught Michael’s attention. It came from his right. There stood Lucifer, his black eyes squinted and his arms folded tightly over his chest. He appeared angry. The serious Angel stared menacingly at the King. Confusion tugged at the corners of the General’s mind, certainly this occasion called for brevity and not such somberness. “Now I will finish creating this exotic Garden for Adam to live in,” announced Elohim. Michael peeled his eyes away from Lucifer and focused on the radiant King. Elohim removed two miniature trees out of his robe of light, each one the size of his small finger. He placed these two trees in the center of his verdant paradise.

He leaned down and whispered a song to them. The Angels couldn’t make out the words but cheered when the trees began to quiver and respond to the Creator’s voice. The roots grew and grabbed into the earth. The trunks and limbs multiplied in size. Their branches reached high into the sky. Adam noticed that each tree sprouted leaves and fruit unique to itself. The Tree of Life’s strong boughs reached out and up. They were covered in bright green leaves, which shimmered with iridescence as they caught the light radiating from the King. The pear-like fruit clusters adorning the tree resembled a rainbow, each individual fruit a different hue. Oh, how the King loved color. Inside each fruit, lived the organic property that could heal the body and sustain Human life forever. “Adam, this fruit from the Tree of Life is to be your main food source. It will allow you to live for eternity in communion and friendship with me, your King.” Adam nodded his head in understanding. His gaze shifted to the tallest of the divine trees, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It towered over the Garden and shimmered in the daylight, its bark made of glittering gold. Its golden branches swept over the sturdy trunk like a weeping willow and brushed the Garden floor. Its long, silver, feather-like leaves swayed in the breeze. Michael picked his way through the crowd. He stopped at the edge of the great tree’s reach and examined a leaf. He rubbed his rough finger over the leaf’s soft velvety surface. He enjoyed the soothing feel of it. King Elohim and Adam strolled over and stood at General Michael’s side. The King beckoned to Michael, giving him permission to examine his creation more closely. Fruit the size of a Human’s fist bejeweled the tree’s boughs in small groupings. Michael cupped a cluster of fruit in his large hands, each fruit a perfect orb, its color a rich, alluring red. Michael smiled as Adam bent over and sniffed the fruit in his hands. They smelled of cinnamon. A large depression sunk into the center of the golden trunk and the glyphic symbols that stood for truth, righteousness and freedom appeared over the hollow. “What is this, my King?” “It’s a portal leading to my Heavenly Throne Room.”

Elohim turned to Adam. “Only Spirits like me and the Angels can make use of this doorway. I designed it for quick access from the Heavenly Throne Room to this beautiful Garden that we shall call Pardes.”

CHAPTER 2

The Creator turned to three Angels perching in the luscious branches of the Tree of Life and instructed, “Doumbek, summon the animals, Guiro the reptiles, and Bran, the birds of the air!” The ebony-skinned Doumbek unclipped a goblet-shaped hand drum from his red belt. Beautiful hand-etched depictions of the King decorated the side of the spun copper drum. His long fingers danced lithely over the drum’s surface tapping out a slow, deep, melodic beat. Guiro produced an odd gourd-shaped instrument from inside his soft robes. It had ridges on one side and was hollow on the inside. Guiro rubbed a wooden stick along the ridges. An amplified saccade ed Doumbek’s drumbeat. Bran, with skin the color of alabaster, easily climbed to the uppermost branches of the tree. His hand gripped a small golden penny whistle. He brushed his flaming red hair out of his green eyes and raised the small flute to his lips. He gently blew. A piercing melody burst forth. The three musicians played in perfect harmony. At first, the beat was slow and rhythmic, then, it became faster and louder. An electric energy filled Pardes. The ground shook and the leaves trembled. Michael heard animal sounds in the distance. They grew louder and closer by the second. The skies of Pardes filled with birds of all different sizes and colors, each bird mimicked Bran’s whistle in a different timbre. They circled the air, blocking out the sun’s light before settling in the trees encircling the Glade. An elephant’s trumpet announced his arrival in the center of the Glade. Pairs of animals and reptiles broke through the surrounding foliage. They crowded themselves into the Garden, all with their eyes upon their Maker. The ground shook with their excitement.

Elohim raised his hand. Everyone quieted down. Even the four rivers that flowed through Pardes seemed to cease their babbling. “Adam, I have created all of these,” Elohim paused as he beheld all of his creation, “I am giving you a responsibility. I am putting you in charge over all of my Earthly creatures. You are to name and care for them all.” Adam stared dumbfounded at the Creator. The King kindly grinned. He motioned for his creation to come meet Adam. One by one, pairs of creatures stepped forth and introduced themselves to Adam. A pair of brazen elephants lumbered forward pledging him their strength, a shy pair of field mice followed offering him their ears. A majestic eagle swooped down over Adam’s head with his mate in tow, promising him their eyes. Each living creature had the ability to speak in the same tongue as Adam. Every pair of living kind presented themselves to Adam. He was overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of them all, and how could he not? It took a whole Earth day and night just to meet them all. As the sun began to rise, and ribbons of blues and oranges danced on the horizon, the last pair of creatures chose to be revealed. Adam had thought he met them all, when with his peripheral vision he detected movement in a tree he was standing close to. He peered up just in time to witness a leafy section slowly detach itself from a large overhanging branch. It slithered down the trunk of the tree in a liquid-like motion. He had no idea how long the perfectly camouflaged beast had been there, spying the introduction ceremony in stony silence. Adam’s breath caught in his throat. The beast reached the ground. It was like no other. Bright green, diamond-shaped scales covered the creature’s long body. Royal blue gaps filled the spaces between each green scale. It turned its triangular head towards Adam. Scaled eyelids slid down over two large ruby red eyes. The beast’s large mouth twisted into a grin, its lips flecked with baby blue scales. It had four muscular appendages, each accompanied with a sharp pair of ivory talons. A ridge of barb-like scales wound its way over its spinal column and down to the tip of its long tail. Each barb was green and shaped like a jagged leaf.

The twelve-foot beast reared up on its hind legs, displaying its yellowish-green underbelly. It walked towards Adam on two legs. The beast lowered his head so that he was eye-to-eye with Adam. The Reptilian stared at Man, studying him. Man held its gaze, sensing great intelligence in those black-slitted red eyes. The Reptile’s blue-flecked mouth slid apart and a silvery voice escaped over its squarish teeth, “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Adam. I am Rubeus, the first male of my kind.” “It is nice to meet you Rubeus.” Adam searched for Rubeus’ mate, “Do you not have a female?” Rubeus excitedly swished his tail through the air and exclaimed, “Man, that I do! Vipress, come forth and meet Man!” From behind the golden trunk of the Tree of Knowledge stepped a more petite and demure version of Rubeus. She shyly approached Adam, too nervous to look up. “Hello, Vipress.” “Hello, Man,” remarked Vipress, her voice smooth like honey. Her eyes weren’t red like Rubeus’, but rather a gorgeous shade of violet. She smiled and Rubeus pressed his forehead to hers in an act of love and devotion. “Elohim has given you a beautiful mate, Rubeus.” “Yes, yes, he has.” Rubeus turned and bowed to the King who had been standing off to one side of the Glade. “Thank you Creator. I am grateful.” “You’re welcome Rubeus. You can repay me by being a friend to Adam.” “My pleasure, my liege,” Rubeus humbly vowed. “Now it is time for rest,” declared Elohim. He clapped his hands and all the living creatures began to disperse back to their homes. The Angels stretched their wings, shooting into space and out of sight. Michael observed Lucifer, who with a scowl on his face, stepped into the golden portal set into the trunk of the Tree of Knowledge. He instantly vanished in a cloud of golden light.

Michael lagged behind, curious to hear what Elohim had to say to Man. Rubeus and Vipress also stayed, for after all, they each had vowed their friendship to Man. It had been the longest day of Adam’s young life. He grew weary. His belly emitted a series of strange noises. He put his hands on his stomach. Odd vibrations accompanied the loud gastric rumblings. “You are hungry.” Elohim guided him over to the tree line. “This will be a good home for you Adam. All you need is here in Pardes. Eat the fruit of the Tree of Life and you will live forever in complete vitality. But, take heed, do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This fruit will bring a curse upon you and the land.” “Yes, my King,” promised Adam. He sauntered over to the Tree of Life, and reached up to pluck a piece of fruit. There were so many colors to choose from. His fingers wrapped around a bright orange one, he pulled back and heard a snap as it detached from the stem. The branch sprung back into place. The fruit was cool to the touch and much heavier than Adam expected. He peered over his shoulder at the Creator. He sought approval. Elohim smiled and nodded his head. What love shone in the King’s fiery eyes. Adam lifted the fruit to his mouth. On instinct, he opened his lips and bit into the skin. Sweet juices escaped the fruit and washed over his taste buds. The delicious nectar cascaded over his lips and down his chin. He devoured the juicy flesh and greedily plucked another fruit from the tree. This time he chose a bright purple one. This one differed in taste from the orange one. It was meatier, but still sweet. “My goodness, they are all so delicious,” he moaned. Adam proceeded to sample all twelve of the different colored fruits ripening on the tree. It didn’t take long before Adam felt full. He ran a hand over his bulging belly, convinced he’d pop. Utterly content, his eyelids drooped. They felt so heavy. He could hardly hold them up. He rubbed his eyes. Michael and Elohim let out a chuckle. “Come child,” Elohim grasped Adam’s hand and directed him over to a patch of

soft grass, “What you are feeling is exhaustion. Your body needs rest. Lie down, close your eyes, and when you wake Rubeus will take you on a tour of Pardes.” Rubeus and Vipress climbed up to a branch that hung directly over Adam. They wanted to be close to him. Man drifted off to sleep. Michael strode over and stood next to the King. “What do you think, Michael?” It still amazed the Angel that the King in His infinite kindness and humility would ask him, a mere servant, what he thought. “Master, you already know my thoughts. I think Man is amazing. He favors you, Elohim.” “Yes, I wanted him to resemble me, and even the Angels in form. He resembles us but lacks our strength. Michael, the Angels were created to be the instruments of my will, to be my strong hands. Mankind will have a different part to play in my creation. Mankind will have more free will even though I have set Angelkind a little higher than them.” “Thank you, Elohim, for creating us. Out of love, I will revere you for all of time.” Michael bowed his head. Elohim turned to face Michael. He was taller and put his gigantic hand on the Angel’s shoulder. “Thank you, Michael. Let us go back home and let Adam rest. Meko awaits me.”

CHAPTER 3

Michael followed Elohim over to the Tree of Knowledge. The King entered the portal first. A golden light engulfed him and he instantly disappeared. Michael curiously approached the entrance of the tree. He raised his hand and brushed the golden bark. Warmth radiated from its surface. He felt life thrumming through the trunk of the tree. It was vibrant and inviting. His foot inched over the portal’s entrance. A smothering heat washed over Michael and pulled him deeper into the tree. Before he could comprehend what was happening, he was instantaneously ejected out of the heat and deposited flat on his back onto the cool crystal floor of Elohim’s Throne Room. He lay there stunned. A deep-throated chortle brought him out of his astonishment. He peered up. Lucifer stood over him; feet shoulder width apart and hands on his blue belt. Embarrassment washed over Michael. “Michael, you surely know how to make an entrance!” he laughed. He squatted down and offered Michael a helping hand. With reddened face, Michael grasped Lucifer’s forearm. Lucifer hauled him up to his sandaled feet. Michael searched his brother’s face for any traces of the derision that he saw earlier at Adam’s creation. None existed now. Lucifer’s face was relaxed and his handsome black eyes shone with mirth. He was the only Angel created with pitch black eyes. They stood in direct contrast to his head of golden hair. “Don’t be embarrassed Michael. I came flying out of that portal on my rear end.” Instantly, Michael’s embarrassment dissolved. They both shared a hearty laugh. Michael pulled Lucifer into a warm embrace. He could listen to his brother’s laugh for all of eternity. His melodious voice was mesmerizing, no Angel compared. Any word that crossed his lips sounded perfect. Many jested that he had a silver tongue.

Lucifer was the first Angel ever created by Elohim. He was an Arch Angel and in charge of music and praise. He led all of the Heavenly choirs and orchestras. No other Angel held a higher place in all of Heaven. Lucifer was smart and quick witted. Confidence draped his tall, lean frame like a robe of fine linen. The sapphire belt around his waist held a blue sword and a small golden harp, which Lucifer played expertly. In fact, he could play any instrument, but he favored the harp above all. He was also a master songwriter and a gifted conductor. There was no denying that this being of light was talented, clever and the most beautiful Angel of his kind. Michael was proud to be his friend. The King created Michael second. He was also considered an Arch Angel. There were only two. Michael served as High General to Elohim’s Heavenly Army. At the time of his creation, Elohim gave him a red stone-encrusted belt and a massive double pointed, gleaming sword. The red blade sung when Michael swung it through the air. This was the only kind of “singing” Michael excelled at. He also differed from Lucifer in that his hair was jet black and his eyes so golden they appeared to be on fire. His large frame was built to resemble a muscular tower. He was strong, flexible and quick. Although physically intimidating, he possessed a kind and generous spirit, which easily won him respect with the battalions of Angels in his charge. Organizing the Angelic ranks and making sure they worked together harmoniously to achieve Elohim’s wishes was his primary duty. Most of the Angels, perhaps reluctant to it it out loud, gravitated to the General. If any problems existed, they felt more comfortable approaching Michael versus the radiant Lucifer. This could be overwhelming considering Elohim had created millions of Angels. Elohim designed all of Angelkind with personalities and talents that varied. Each possessed superior intelligence, but were not “all knowing” like their Creator. Their magnificent bodies pulsed with power and might. They loved their King and were made to glorify and serve him in different ways. They fell into four categories: the Shishak, the Messengers, the Praise Team, and the Seraphim Guard.

Angels ionate about music filled Lucifer’s choirs and orchestras. The Praise Team performed to glorify their Maker and King. Other Angels were swift and suited as Messengers. But the vast majority of the Angels were referred to as the Shishak, the elite warriors of Heaven. The robes of the Shishak blazed with fire. Flaming swords hung from their belts. When their swords escaped their halberds, their robes burst into glistening armor. They were fierce and always ready to carry out the will of their King. It was Michael’s job to lead them. Only King Elohim led the noble Seraphim Guard. They answered to no one else. He created four of them. They praised the name and character of Elohim and served as his Royal Guard. Each had six wings and each wing was covered, front and back, with red eyes. When flapped, these wings resembled live flames of fire. That is why they were often referred to as “The Burning Ones.” One set of wings covered their bare feet, one pair kept them in flight, and one pair covered their unique faces. Each Seraphim face differed from the others, and each represented a different aspect of the King’s character. Lerosch had the face of a white lion. Bright blue fangs jutted out of his long muzzle. His lion head, like the other Seraphim, sat on an Angel body. Lerosch represented Elohim’s courage. Black fur draped the oxen face and thickly knotted muscular neck of Bos, the largest of the Seraphim. Bos represented Elohim’s strength. He flew next to his brother Aquila. Sleek golden feathers covered the face of Aquila. He had two small crimson eyes and a long, orange, razor sharp beak. Reddish orange tattoos wound their way up from his forearms to his muscular shoulders. Aquila stood for the good and righteousness of his Creator. Last, but not least, was Sāpiena. She had a heart-shaped, Human-like face, her eyes a soft green, and her lips full and deep red. Her white unblemished skin glowed against the long reddish mane that draped her thin-framed shoulders. Sāpiena represented Elohim’s perfect love. The four Seraphim beat their wings effortlessly and continuously as they forever remained in suspension over the King’s white Throne.

Anxious to escape their watchful wings, Lucifer directed Michael towards the Throne Room exit. “Michael, what do you think about the King’s new creation?” “I think Adam is amazing. I look forward to witnessing him mature and grow.” “You don’t find it irritating in the least bit that he gets to help rule the new Earth?” Lucifer growled. His eyes narrowed and lines formed above his brow. “He is even given free will!” Michael was flabbergasted. How could he question Elohim’s purpose for Man? Who was Lucifer to think he was better than anyone else? Michael grabbed Lucifer’s arm and spun him around. He peered into Lucifer’s inky black eyes. “Don’t forget your place Lucifer. We are servants of the High King, created by him and for him. He has given us the gift of immortality and I will not listen to you question his motives.” “Get your hands off of me,” snarled Lucifer through gritted teeth. Michael released him and Lucifer stood erect and tilted his chin up. Boldly he claimed, “I am the first of our kind, more splendid than all others. Don’t you forget your place, Michael.” With that, Lucifer spun around and haughtily strutted down the corridor. Michael was totally confounded. Never had he heard such talk and witnessed such hatred before. Michael knew only love, loyalty and honor. What was happening to Lucifer? An unsettling feeling ravaged his gut. Michael needed to speak to the King, but he was gone, out touring the Heavenly Gardens with his son, Prince Mekoddishkem.

CHAPTER 4

Adam savored the warmth of the sun on his face and chest. Cool blades of grass from his soft bed tickled his back. He lay there enjoying the contrast in sensations before daring to open his eyes. His eyelids slid open and his blue eyes came into sharp focus. Rubeus and Vipress’ large frames hung directly over him from a branch above. They intently held him in their reptilian stares, patiently waiting for him to rise from his slumber. Adam slowly sat up. His scaly guardians descended from their barky perch. “Did you sleep well?” asked Vipress while sidling up next to Man. Adam found the heat radiating off of her green armor fascinating. He reached out and gently touched her side. She turned her long neck and curiously fixed her violet eyes on him. He ran his hand over her scales. They were so smooth and soft. His fingers danced over the leaf-like edges of the sharp barbs that ran down her spine and tail. They were hard and sharp. The barbs reminded him of the leaves that hung on the trees; they were much stiffer of course. What an amazing creature he thought to himself. “Do I meet your approval?” Vipress laughed. Adam blushed, suddenly embarrassed. He pulled his hand away from her tail. His face pulsated with an uncomfortable heat, he felt unsure of himself. “Why does my face feel so hot?” Rubeus and Vipress both wheezed with laughter. Adam had no idea why they were laughing at him. Rubeus chuckled, “Let’s get you something to eat. After that, I thought we could spend today exploring Pardes and then tomorrow we can help you get down to work. You have a lot of creatures to name and care for.”

CHAPTER 5

“Come Father, let’s tour the Kingdom. I’ve made some changes and would like your advice on the Western Realm’s foundation.” The King sat upon his glorious Throne and smiled at his greatest treasure, Prince Mekoddishkem. Most called him Meko for short. He was Elohim’s first creation and his only child. King Elohim was a Spirit and the only one of his kind. Out of loneliness he decided to take part of his heart and create from it a beautiful son. The King loved his son and treasured Meko’s love and company above all. They shared a wonderfully close relationship. Meko, like his father, excelled at creating. Elohim had given him the great chore of building their Heavenly Realm while the King concentrated on creating the Earth and all of its vast inhabitants. A brilliant engineer and architect, Meko designed the Heavenly Realm with awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur. Using the Throne Room as the center of the Kingdom, Meko split the Realm into four sections: the Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern Cities or Realms. Each section was separated by a river that originated from one central spring. The spring bubbled up from under King Elohim’s Throne. “I love nothing more than spending time with you, son,” remarked the King, a bit loudly so he could be heard over the gurgling waters. “But, I doubt you need my advice on the foundation. You have done a marvelous job creating our home.” The King pushed off of the marble armrest and followed Meko down the long stairway. He glimpsed back at his Throne. It was spectacular. Meko had chiseled it from a solid white block of marble. He intricately carved the back so it resembled a huge white sunburst with its stony rays reaching high into the air. In the center of the Throne’s back, was carved a sky chart of the Milky Way

Galaxy. Meko used rare multicolored jewels to represent the stars and planets. When Elohim wasn’t sitting on his Throne, the illuminated planets and stars slowly moved in orbit like a picture show. The Throne’s tall back cascaded down to a white velvet cushion. Peals of thunder rang forth from this seat. They echoed off the golden walls of the room. The white Throne sat on a giant pyramid-like pedestal made of pure diamond. This pedestal reached twenty feet in height. Thirty steps led up the Northern face of it. Elohim peered straight through the crystal clear pedestal and regarded the geyser of water boiling up from under it. Located at the bottom of the diamond pyramid’s corners were large filigreed openings where the spring water spilled forth in four opposite directions through depressions in the Throne Room’s crystal floor. The waterways led out through openings in the Throne Room walls and spread out into the surrounding cities. Elohim and Meko reached the Throne Room’s floor. Meko trailed through one of the little streams. His sandals left wet footprints on the translucent crystal floor. The floor was in the shape of a giant discus. Four football fields could easily fit onto it. The crystal floor refracted the bright light emanating from the King. The crystal split the light and dispersed it into a spectrum of extraordinary colors. The Throne Room floor burst into a rainbow of bejeweled hues. The colors constantly shifted and flowed like the dancing of the Aurora Borealis as the King stepped across it. Light reflected off the two great trees growing behind the Throne. These trees were exact replicas of the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. They appeared in Heaven at the same time as Elohim planted them in the Garden of Pardes. In Heaven, they were fused together, their roots straddled and dipped into the waters that flowed out from under the Throne. At the base of the trunk stood the golden indentation that served as the portal to Pardes. The coned trees could grow as high as they liked for the Throne Room had no ceiling. Its roof was space itself. Walls of thick gold, imbedded with patterns of precious stones, surrounded the royal chamber. Four gigantic entryways led into the Holy Throne Room. They all faced in a

different direction. The enormous pearl doors loomed thirty feet high. The Northern Door opened by itself to let the King and Meko exit through. The Shishak warriors guarding the door bowed deeply as they ed by. The Royals stepped out onto the golden terrace encircling the outer walls of the Throne Room. Tiers of gleaming stairs descended from the terrace. The stairs fed into four separate paths. These four paths led into the four Realms that comprised the Heavenly Kingdom. Prince Meko chose the golden footpath that led to the Northern Realm. “I thought we were touring the Western Realm today?” questioned his father. “I want to take the long way.” Something weighed on Meko’s mind. His father knew he’d tell him in good time. The patient King took in the beautiful scenery. Evergreens the colors of emerald and jade decorated the Northern Realm. The region consisted of four hundred and ninety thousand square miles of lush forest, basically, the same size of a modern day Peru. It was green perfection. Golden footpaths wound aimlessly around the Northern forest like gold thread on a green tapestry. Every so often, shallow brooks of bubbling water would casually intersect these paths. Mount Majestic towered over them. It stood two hundred and fifty thousand feet in height. Its snow-capped tip gleamed like a diamond reflecting the sun. Elohim studied it. Some days he loved nothing more than perching himself atop this peak, observing the comings and goings of his Kingdom. A pinecone crunched under the King’s large heel. Speckled throughout this conifer region, were the mighty Eviggrønn, giant red-barked pine trees. These trees were so tall that most were over four hundred feet in height. Their thick trunks were so wide that it would take at least twenty-three large Human men, holding hands, to reach around just one of these massive trees. Each Eviggrønn’s taproots penetrated deep into the nutrient rich soil, lapping up hundreds of gallons of water per day. The smaller peripheral roots branched off of the taproots and reached out, intertwining and fusing with the root systems of neighboring trees, similar to a network. This helped create structure and strength for the towering giants. Meko designed the Eviggrønn to transform the morning fog into extra water.

Moisture would condense on the underside of the branches and drip down to the forest floor quenching the thirst of the giant trees. The constant dripping formed a melodic sound track. The branches swayed in time to the music of the forest floor. Woody, reddish-brown pinecones tipped the mature Eviggrønn’s branches. Every twenty years the pinecones would drop to the ground, and spill out seeds the size of a pinhead. “Only you, Meko, would think to create these huge giants out of something so small.” The Prince reached out and touched one of the trees, as if to pet it. The Eviggrønn’s bark was two feet in thickness, impenetrable. Around the bases of these trees, fibrous shelves protruded out of the trunks; they encircled and emerged up the trees like spiral staircases. These staircases spanned two-thirds of the trees’ lengths. They led into large dry hollows naturally formed into the trees’ trunks. These beautiful alcoves glowed with a soft, pulsating, golden light, produced from the velvety phosphoric moss covering the walls. The light showered the Northern Angels who chose to inhabit these quiet spaces. Meko recognized this tree in particular. It was home to the High General, Michael. Michael enjoyed the tranquility of the Northern Realm and chose to call this region his home. He especially enjoyed sitting in his warm woody apartment peering upon Mt. Majestic and listening to the Rivers that bordered the Realms. He was not here right now, but he occupied the Prince’s thoughts. It was no coincidence that Meko chose this route. “Father, there is an ugliness brewing in the mind and heart of your servant Lucifer. I know you can sense it too. Why, even Michael has recognized it and found it disturbing.” The King continued on, skirting a babbling brook trickling over the footpath’s edges. “Yes, I, like you, am aware of Lucifer’s struggle.” Meko waited for his father to go on but he did not.

They strolled through the Northern Realm in silence, only breaking it to offer an occasional greeting to the handsome folk who resided here. The Northern Angelic residents wore shining white robes, cinched at the waist with garnet studded belts. Tucked into jeweled scabbards that hung from their belts were red flaming swords. The color of an Angel’s belt and sword represented where they resided. For instance, the Eastern Realm’s inhabitants wore blue belts with shining blue swords and the Southerners donned green. When Meko finished creating the Western Realm, the Angels wanting to live there will vote and choose which color belts and swords they would like to wear. The Prince and the King navigated there way towards the Western Kingdom. They sauntered over the rocky foundation and discussed the soil formations Meko would soon lay over the rock in preparation for his Gardens. They both agreed upon a formula and inspected the foundation. “Father, I would like to tour your new Garden, Pardes, with you. I’d also like to speak with the Human.” “Very soon, Meko.” The King picked up a jagged rock. “You can be of assistance during my next act of creation.”

CHAPTER 6

Adam nourished his body with the fruit from the Tree of Life. The fruit was so sweet and juicy. He wove a bag from some vines and a large banana leaf. He plucked fruit off of some low lying branches and placed them in the makeshift sling. He would save these for later in case they got hungry. Rubeus and Vipress wanted to take him exploring in Pardes today. He slung the vine strap over his broad shoulder and neck in preparation. Rubeus and Vipress stood at the edge of the Glade patiently waiting for Adam. Man inched his way over to them. Rubeus slowly pushed back a large elephant ear leaf, revealing a footpath that led away from the two great trees. Adam smelled the flowery aromas wafting up around him. “Are you ready?” asked Rubeus, glancing over his scaly shoulder. It felt like he had swallowed butterflies for breakfast. Adam took a deep breath. He grabbed hold of Vipress’ sharp-clawed hand and took a step forward into the unknown. The footpath was made up of green grass that grew to Adam’s ankles. The path was wide enough for Adam and Vipress to walk together side by side. Rubeus led the way. They often had to pause to push away humongous flowers blocking their path. Some of the blooms quadrupled the size of Rubeus’ head. The flowers emitted intoxicating perfumes. Each type of flower had its own signature scent. Various kinds of small birds, whose wings beat so fast that they created a blur, drank nectar from the centers of these behemoth flowers. Sometimes they would stop what they were doing and whiz around Adam’s head humming greetings in his ears. He laughed as they tickled the sides of his neck with their wings. He loved these sweet birds and declared right then and there to call them Humming Birds. “Good choice,” remarked Vipress. She carefully studied a butterfly perched on

her long, green talon. “Adam, climb on my back. I want to show you something,” suggested Rubeus as he crouched down. Adam climbed high upon on his neck, careful not to get too close to the sharp reptilian barbs. Rubeus stood up straight. He ambled over to the trunk of a tall tree. The weight of Adam didn’t slow him down one bit. He scaled the tree with ease and athletic grace. Branches groaned and snapped under Rubeus’ weight. Adam chuckled nervously. The unperturbed reptile didn’t stop until he reached the very top of the tree. “Look, Adam!” Adam peered out from behind Rubeus’ elongated neck. A breathtaking view greeted him. He was filled with absolute awe. He could see the whole Garden from this height. He craned his head from left to right and back again. The Garden floor looked like a puffy green cloud. Thousands of trees, varying in height and thickness, were packed tightly together. Beyond the trees, Man could just make out the four rivers that bordered and separated the Garden from the Wild. Adam whispered, “It’s…” “Amazing?” squeaked a small voice to the right of Adam’s ear. Startled, both Rubeus and Adam turned their heads in unison. A small golden-furred monkey, the size of Adam’s foot, dangled from a branch near Man’s head. His long tail wrapped around a branch, and his tiny hands clutched a small orange fruit. A shockingly blue furry mask surrounded his sparkling black eyes, his miniature nose, and his now smiling lips. Adam recognized him from the introduction ceremony, but couldn’t his name. Thankfully, Rubeus inquired, “And what is your name, kind sir?” “I’m Cerco,” replied the teensy primate, sinking his white teeth into the orange skin of his lunch. “And I am Kandti, his loveable mate,” laughed a golden blur whirling through the upper branches like a tiny gymnast. “It’s nice to see you both, again,” Adam’s eyes tried to focus on the projectile known as Kandti.

Rubeus barely stammered, “A pleasure,” when his jaws snapped shut. Kandti had jumped atop his snout. The dragon’s rigid brows shot up in surprise. Giggling, she kissed Rubeus between his eyes and leapt to her mate’s side. Cerco kindly handed her the little orange fruit. She smiled and affectionately blew him a kiss. The sweet gesture between this minute pair of monkeys melted Adam’s heart. They shared such a close bond thought Adam, just like Rubeus and Vipress. Man often noticed that his green-scaled friends had a special connection with one another. They only had to gaze into each other’s eyes to know what the other one was thinking. Adam couldn’t help but wonder why Elohim had not created him a mate. Sure, he had Rubeus and Vipress for companionship, but he still felt lonely. He felt like he was missing a part of himself.

CHAPTER 7

Michael debated with himself, should he seek out and disturb Elohim or should he just wait? He paced along the sapphire paths of the gargantuan rain forest that dominated the Southern Realm; a tropical paradise of densely packed trees so tall that it would take a single drop of water ten minutes to reach the ground from its uppermost branches. Michael liked to walk here. It differed from the Northern Realm he called home, but it was nonetheless spectacular, and calming. No wonder his feet led him this way. Slim, vine-covered trunks grew six hundred feet into the air where their branches and foliage horizontally emerged out, lending each tree an umbrella-like quality. The thick top branches were covered in green and yellow leaves shaped like spear tips. Here, a harmless symbiotic relationship existed with the trees and the enormous Bromeliãn. The Bromeliãn were gigantic blooming air plants. Their short roots anchored them to the trees’ branches while their rubbery leaves busily gathered moisture and nutrients from the surrounding air above the green-leafed canopy layer of the forest. Each Bromeliãn consisted of multiple large, broad, flat leaf bases that curved up, creating a cup-like design. The shortest leaves were at least ten feet in length. Each red, rubbery petal swept upward and ended in a deep purple point. These petals overlapped one another, leaving a hollow space in the middle, perfect for an Angel to reside in. Bright yellow specks dotted some of these red leaves, and all gave off a faint perfume similar to cloves. Michael could sparsely enjoy the beauty of his surroundings. The matter of Lucifer’s thoughts greatly troubled the Angelic General. Lucifer was the first of Angelkind. He was revered. He was blessed with wonderful gifts. He was beautiful. Why couldn’t the Son of the Morning just be happy with that? Thoughtlessly, Michael leapt into the air and crashed through the lush leafy canopy. A flock of frightened birds screeched and took flight. Michael felt a pang of guilt. He didn’t mean to scare these little beauties. The birds were one of

the main reasons he enjoyed coming here, for the forest resonated with the songs of these tiny exotic birds. Beautiful melodies of praise to their Maker slipped ed their brilliant orange beaks. Their bodies were clothed in red and yellow phosphorescent feathers. Strings of black feathers adorned their necks. Michael often thought they resembled gleaming jewels. They flew among the upper levels of the forest serenading the green-belted, emerald-bladed Angels of this region with song and good cheer. He needed all the cheer he could get. The confused General decided to wait until he saw Elohim and would casually discuss the matter with him then.

CHAPTER 8

A glow radiated from the golden trunk of the Tree of Knowledge, announcing the arrival of the King. Elohim emerged from the Tree’s depression with a smile on his face, eagerly awaiting a visit with his newest creation. The Master Creator entered the Glade, all of his feathered, furred and scaled friends in the Glade’s vicinity rushed forth to greet their King. “Hello, my lovelies,” the Creator laughed as they tried to talk to him all at once. “Hold on, hold on. One at a time. I want to hear all about your day.” “Father, Adam named us ‘deer,” voiced an energetic doe. She was so excited, her hooves barely touched the grass as she bounced around the Glade in a circle. “He did, did he now?” asked the King. “He sure did! He said I was so ‘dear’ to his heart, that he would have to name me deer!” “Then what a perfect name for you, my deer.” Elohim listened patiently to all of his creatures. They told him about their day and revealed the names Adam had chosen for them. It amused the Creator to hear them tell their tales like he had no clue what had taken place in their lives. Elohim knew everything. It was hard to explain, but he could see through the eyes, listen to the thoughts, and feel the emotions of all of his creations. It amazed him that none of them ever seemed to realize that, even the Angelic Host whom he shared so much of his knowledge and wisdom with. Meko was the only one who understood, because he was an actual part of Elohim himself. “Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me,” itted the King. “I enjoyed our time together but now I wish to visit with Adam.” The creatures filled the air with heartfelt goodbyes. They loved the Master

Creator. They would love nothing more than to bask in his presence for all of eternity. Elohim headed eastward. He knew Adam was at the River, he could quickly vanish and materialize there, but he was in no rush. He casually strolled through the Garden enjoying the sights and smells of his creation. In the late afternoon the flowers’ blooms would close in preparation for a night’s sleep, but as Elohim ed by they all came to attention and opened wide in adoration of their Maker. Florid fragrances enveloped the King. “All is well.” He grinned.

CHAPTER 9

The Eastern Realm was four hundred and ninety thousand square miles of the most luscious, rolling grasslands and crystal clear lakes ever created. The soft, green grass provided a backdrop for every colored wild flower imaginable. One could easily identify an Easterner merely from the flowery scent that clung to their robes. The Eastern Realm smelled divine! In the midst of the flowered fields, Meko had created pebble-like paths made from millions of blue glittering sapphires. These dazzling walkways swept over the flowery fields and hugged the shores of the vast Caribbean-blue lakes. In the center of each lake, large crystal structures emerged. They resembled gigantic frozen water fountains. Off of the tip of each crystallized water spray, hung a glass-like teardrop. The teardrops were strong and could easily house two to three Angels comfortably. Each individual lake contained one of these towering tree-like structures with hundreds of crystal teardrop homes swinging from the edges of its branches like drops of morning dew. The Eastern Angels delighted in gazing out through the walls and floors of their translucent homes upon the finery of the fields and the mesmerizing movements of the softly glowing aquatic creatures swimming below them. The fishes inhabiting the lakes were all different sizes and shapes. They feasted upon the bioluminescent bacteria congregating near the bottoms of these deep pools of water. The fishes’ translucid bellies glowed with the various shades of the bacterium’s colors. Tonight, music filled the evening air. Lucifer lay on his back humming a new tune. He rolled to his stomach and grabbed a pencil. He jotted down the musical notes of a new song he was composing. He paused and inspected the lake below through his home’s crystal clear floor. Lucifer’s teardrop house hung low to the water’s surface. He stared for a few minutes at the shiny-scaled fish casually

propelling themselves through their aquatic home. The water swirled with color. What a splendid light show. There was nothing more beautiful than this lake, well, beside himself, of course. He examined his reflection in the water. His black eyes gleamed with the light reflecting off of the lake. A tendril of blond hair fell across his forehead. The corners of his thin lips curled into a smile. Lucifer turned his head slightly so he could study his profile. He thought himself to be the most magnificent being alive. While appraising the golden highlights of his blonde locks, his image became distorted in the mirror of the water’s surface. Irritated, he glanced up. A herd of Messenger Angels raced through the field surrounding his lake. They were loud and breathed heavily. How dare they destroy the peaceful ambiance of his Kingdom. He hated when these inferiors trampled upon his sanctuary. With knitted brow, Lucifer scrutinized a brown blur whizzing over the grass line like a comet. It quickly shot twenty feet into the air while twirling like a tornado. It came to a complete and sudden stop. There, suspended in mid air, by two giant wings, flew Gabriel, High Messenger of Elohim’s Messengers. Gabriel tucked his thumbs into his red belt. He closely inspected the progress of his Messengers. They whipped by below him. His voice boomed as he called out jovial encouragements. “Elohim’s tortoises move quicker than you lot! Pick up the pace,” bellowed Gabriel. His brown, unblemished skin stretched over a tall athletic frame. His taut muscles rippled with every movement. He was a living rocket, a machine, designed by Elohim to be the fastest Angel alive. “Today, he’ll be my lunch,” breathed Lucifer. The fair-headed Angel bolted out of his teardrop home. He landed on the shoreline with such force that he had to bend his knees and reach out his hands to steady himself. The Son of the Morning stood up and puffed out his chest. “Gabriel! I’m tired of you and your errand boys disturbing my work,” he yelled, with clenched fists at his side. Lucifer caught Gabriel’s attention. Gabriel grinned sheepishly and glided down

to the ground. He faced Lucifer. The last of his Messengers ed by in a hurry. Gabriel put his hands up in defense and chortled, “My apologies, Lucifer.” Lucifer looked down as the last remaining petal of a flower fell from its stalk onto his bare foot. His lips formed a frown. He raised his chin to glare into the soft brown eyes of his adversary. “It’s okay, we have ed through now. And those ‘errand boys’ are the King’s Messengers, the Messengers to which he has made me responsible for.” Lucifer froze in anger. As of late, it was becoming increasingly bothersome when Angels didn’t cow down to him, and this was no exception. He whispered, “Do you know who I am?” Gabriel’s dark eyebrows shot up. He stood silently, wondering whether the Angel before him was jesting. “I am the first of our kind! I have the most important job. I am the head of worship and praise,” his blonde locks shook as he continued on. “I am composing, how dare you interrupt that!” Lines formed at the corners of Gabriel’s eyes as he began to shake with mirth. Lucifer had to be kidding. Was he serious? Exasperated, Lucifer threw his hands in the air. He was about to give the Angel a verbal brow beating when Gabriel crouched into a low bow. Lucifer crossed his arms over his chest and found himself deeply satisfied. So, imagine Lucifer’s great shock when he, Son of the Morning, heard the voice of Prince Meko, Son of the King, come wafting over his shoulder. “Lucifer, with love you were created, and with love you are to treat others,” Prince Meko spoke softly. A startled Lucifer immediately genuflected on bended knee, his face red with embarrassment. “Yes, my Lord,” he stammered, totally stunned. Prince Meko turned to Gabriel and instructed him to rise.

“Gabriel, please invite the residents of Heaven to Pardes. My Father is about to create something amazing.”

CHAPTER 10

Elohim casually strolled through the Garden of Pardes. The trees and plants created a makeshift path for his large frame by gently moving aside. The King traveled east towards the great Hiddekell River, one of the four great rivers located in Pardes. He breathed in the flowery scents. Often, he stopped to laugh at the precious antics of the animals as they romped and played. The King meandered on until the trees became sparse and the voices of the animals gave way to the sounds of rushing water. He stood on the sandy bank and smiled with pleasure at the scene unfolding on the opposite embankment. Rubeus and Adam ran at full speed toward the edge of a cliff. They leapt off of the steep, rocky, cliff face. With whoops of mirth and laughter they hit the water and plummeted into the depths below. Water splashed high up into the air, darkening the stony cliff face. On a warm, colossal-sized rock laid Vipress basking in the late afternoon sun. The gray boulder peeked out of the cool water rushing by. Her eyelids were half closed and her green-scaled tail lazily flicked water from side to side. Rubeus and Adam ascended to the water’s surface. A pair of chattering porpoises surrounded them. Adam took a big breath in and whooped, “That was outrageous!” He felt so alive. Rubeus chuckled. A porpoise sidled up to Adam. Man took hold of its dorsal fin. The silver-skinned mammal gave him a thrilling ride through the water. It dove deep into the watery depths, forcing Adam to hold his breath. Adam’s lungs began to burn. The porpoise propelled upwards, breaking through the river’s surface and exploding into the air. Adam yelled. They came crashing down into the river. Elohim decided to them. He stepped out upon the river. Each time his bare foot came into with the water, the clear liquid under it froze instantly, creating a steppingstone. Water life drew close to him. Creatures surrounded his feet as he walked out to the rock on which Vipress lounged upon. She lifted her head. He drew nearer. Seeing her King, she crouched low into a bow.

“My King,” she beamed. Elohim climbed up onto the rock and sat down next to her. He cradled her head in his hand. His massive hand gently slid down her neck. She purred. Elohim drew her near for a hug. She nuzzled her face in his neck. Vipress reeled with joy. She loved the way her Master smelled. His scent was sweet and clean. “Hello, my dear. Having fun?” “Yes, my Lord. We were just taking a break.” “I hear you all have been very busy. Thank you for assisting Adam in naming my creation.” She raised her head quickly, her violet eyes opening wide. Her barbs bristled upward, she exclaimed, “It’s been my great pleasure. We have been having such a delightful time.” Her head turned in the direction of Adam and Rubeus who had now noticed Elohim’s presence. Rubeus sliced through the water like a crocodile towards the rock. Man hitched a ride from his generous porpoise playmates. “It’s such a big job. It will take us ages,” itted Vipress. “Perhaps, I can rustle you up some more help.” The porpoises deposited their fare upon the solid rock. Rubeus climbed up after Adam and plopped down next to him. “Elohim, Adam gave us a name,” squeaked Septemia, the female porpoise. Her bulging belly, filled with new life, kept her from getting close to the rock’s edge. She so wanted to put her round nose in Elohim’s hand like her mate Neo was doing. “He’s called us dolphins,” beamed Neo. He slid back into the water next to Septemia. Smiling, the King leaned over the edge and patted the pregnant dolphin’s smooth gray head. “I named them that because of that large fin on their dorsal side,” stated Adam. He scoped the Creator’s face for signs of approval.

“A fine name, Adam.” Elohim put his hand on his shoulder and then turned to the petite dolphin. “Septemia, are you ready to be a mother? Your child will be born very soon.” Septemia ducked her head down shyly and whispered, “I’m a bit anxious, my Lord. I don’t know what to expect.” “Peace, my sweet,” soothed the King, kindly tickling her chin. “You will be an excellent Momma.” Adam was confused. With brow raised he regarded Rubeus and questioned, “Momma?” Vipress answered for Rubeus, “Momma is another name for Mother. It is a name for a female that has a baby.” “Baby?” Vipress looked to her mate for help. Rubeus answered, “Adam, a baby is a miniature version of a mature female or male. It has to be cared for by its parents until it grows up and can take care of itself.” With a, “Huh!” Adam rolled to his belly, intentionally scooting his upper half off of the rock’s edge. He studied Septemia carefully. “Why in Pardes, are you looking at me like that?” “Is this where you are growing it?” asked Adam. He gently prodded at her abdomen with his finger. “Growing it? IT! My child is not an IT!” barked the Momma-to-be. Her eyes narrowed and her jaw locked. She slapped her right flipper down, splashing Adam in the face. Neo’s eyes widened and his jaw hung open. He had never seen this side of his normally quiet and demure wife. “And to think, I patiently taught you to swim,” she fumed, bobbing her head up and down. Vipress’ barbs instantly rose. A hiss escaped her mouth. She did not like anyone messing with her friend.

Recognizing that Adam was in a precarious situation, Elohim pulled him back onto the rock by his shoulder. In a very calm and soothing tone he spoke, “Septemia, Adam doesn’t know any better. He is younger than you and is still learning. He had no intention of being rude and hurting your feelings.” The King put his arm around Adam’s shoulders and Vipress encircled Man’s waist with her tail. Adam stammered an apology to the irate porpoise. Septemia’s pink face gradually returned to its previous state of gray. “I’m also sorry. I don’t know what got into me. I think I should go,” mumbled the embarrassed porpoise. She bade farewell and swam off quickly. A still-in-shock Neo slowly submerged himself and swam off unhurriedly in the same direction as the pregnant porpoise. The King turned his head and caught the bewildered expressions of the rock’s residents. Their eyes were as large as teacups. It struck him as humorous and he began to laugh. The laughter became quite contagious. The Master Creator suggested they return to shore.

CHAPTER 11

Gabriel’s brown eyes focused on the Eviggrønn before him. It was the tallest in the Northern Region, it’s trunk massive in comparison to the other trees surrounding it. Michael resided in the hollow at the very top. Gabriel’s feet crunched on the footpath’s golden flakes. He neared the tree. An Angel came into view. Cristin sat on the trunk’s woody staircase, about fifteen feet up in the air. The Angel whittled a bird out of an old branch. “Greetings, Gabriel. How fare you?” Crispin didn’t bother to glance up. Gabriel reached the staircase and propped a foot on one of the stairs. “Pretty good and you?” “Surprised.” “Surprised? At what?” “You. You are usually rushing around like a strong wind, why so slow?” Crispin fixated his crystal blue eyes upon the dark Angel poised below. Gabriel smiled and shrugged his muscular shoulders, “Just taking my time so I could think a little. Is Michael home?” “He is,” answered the fair-headed Shishak. He tucked his knife into a sheath hanging from his red belt. He stood so Gabriel could by him easily on the narrow winding staircase. Crispin was a Shishak warrior, Captain and Aide to Michael. He was shorter than Gabriel by at least two feet but more powerful and muscular. His chest and shoulders were twice the size of Gabriel’s. He was a fantastic swordsman and excelled at hand-to-hand combat. Gabriel racked his mind to if he had ever seen the serious Captain smile. No, definitely not.

Gabriel clasped forearms with Crispin as he ed him on the stairs. He told him of Prince Meko’s request for all to Elohim for a special event in Pardes. Crispin nodded, crouched low and shot up into the sky. Gabriel turned on the speed and accelerated up the steep staircase in less than a second. The lithe Angel knocked on the bark surrounding the hollow’s entrance. “Come in,” a deep voice welcomed.

CHAPTER 12

Like a father giving a piggyback ride to his small son, so Elohim carried Adam. Adam peeked over Elohim’s large shoulder as he plodded across the clear surface of the river. Man observed Rubeus and Vipress swimming under the King’s feet. They darted back and forth, over and under each other in a mesmerizing, synchronized dance. When the King reached the shore he squatted down and deposited his enger on the damp sand. They made their way to the center of the Garden along a footpath bordered with verdant vegetation. Adam scanned the Garden for his playful dragons, but they had fallen behind and he could no longer spot them. Now would be a good time to take advantage of the privacy and speak with the King about something that had been weighing on his mind. Adam cleared his throat and inquired, “My King, why am I all alone? Alone?” Elohim raised his hands and turned in a circle, motioning to all the life that filled the Garden around them. Adam shook his head from side to side. “No, I mean why don’t I have a mate, a Human female to spend my life with? Every where I look, I see a male and a female.” Elohim paused for a moment. “I want you to have a special someone to share your days with, Adam.” He tenderly brushed Adam’s wet hair out of his eyes. “I didn’t create your female yet, because I wanted you to appreciate her, to know how incomplete you are without her.” Adam’s eyes became moist and a lump formed in his throat. The Creator put into

words exactly how he was feeling…incomplete. “You’ll make me someone special?” he asked. The kind King smiled. He tilted his head in the direction of the Glade. “Come. I shall create.”

CHAPTER 13

“Come in,” boomed Michael. Gabriel crossed over the threshold of the Eviggrønn’s hollow, ducking to keep his head from hitting the top of the doorway. He found Michael sitting crosslegged in the middle of his home. The General’s large broadsword sat upon his knees. Methodically he polished it with a fistful of gold phosphorescent moss. He regarded his close friend, “Have a seat, Gabriel.” “Don’t mind if I do.” Gabriel pulled out a three-legged stool from under the table. He set it in front of Michael and sat down. “Prince Meko wants the Angelic Host to report to Pardes.” “Sounds important. I’m surprised that you came yourself, Gabriel.” Michael held his sword up. He inspected it carefully. The moss lent the metallic blade a pulsing red glow. The jewels in its pommel shone in the throbbing light. “I wanted to talk to you about something that just went down on the Eastside,” confided Gabriel. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He clasped his hands together tightly. He sighed, “It involves Lucifer.” “Lucifer?” Michael’s curiosity instantly piqued. “I’ll fill you in on the way to Pardes.”

CHAPTER 14

Filled with excitement, Adam could barely contain himself. He ran circles around Elohim, wishing the King would walk faster. He raced twenty yards ahead of Elohim, rounded a sharp curve and stopped so he could catch his breath. He bent over and put his hands on his knees. Some rustling leaves caught Adam’s attention. He peered upwards. Above him loomed a large overhanging branch. Two golden monkeys stared down at him from their leafy vestige. They were sharing a spiky purple fruit. “Ah, Cerco and Kandti. How are my little furry friends?” “Stupendous! What are you up too?” quizzed Cerco. Adam was about to respond when Kandti screamed. She threw the purple fruit straight up into the air. Cerco stared in her direction. His eyes widened in fear. He grabbed her arm and tugged her off the branch. They landed on Adam’s head and shoulders, chattering all the while. “What is the matter?” Alarmed, Adam studied the tree but couldn’t find anything out of the norm. He tried to quiet the monkeys. “You can’t see them?” shouted Kandti as she pointed up at the tree. “No, who?” He stared up into the branches, completely bewildered. Elohim came around the bend. As he approached the tree, Adam saw Angels. Adam saw a whole bunch of Angels. They were suspended throughout the tree. The white clad Angels calmly gazed upon Man and his friends. The Angels were so large, so intimidating, even with their warm smiles. Adam scampered to Elohim’s side and pointed at the tree. “Those are my beloved Angels. I created them before I created this world. They help me and I love them. They live with me in my Heavenly home.”

“Heaven, can I visit you there?” “No child, we are Spirits, and only Spiritkind can live in my Realm.” “Oh,” responded Adam sadly. “Father, how come your Angels weren’t visible to me until you came closer?” The King looked up at the tree and then down again at Adam. “Angels can’t be seen by Human eyes unless they want to be seen, or unless they are in my presence. The animals can see them because I created them differently.” “Are there usually so many of them here in Pardes?” “Not usually, they are here to witness the creation of your new mate.” “New mate!” exclaimed Rubeus and Vipress in unison. They had just sauntered up, right in time to hear the good news. Elohim grinned. He ed by Adam, and sauntered into the Glade. Man glanced upward into the tree. The Angels were invisible again. “Are they still there?” whispered Adam to the little monkeys perched on his shoulder. “They sure are, and are they ever so giant,” whistled Kandti. “I wonder why you can’t see them?” She leaned forward and pulled his lower eyelid down. She poked at his eyeball. “Are these things broken or something?” He jumped back and swatted her tiny hand away. “No,” chortled Adam, pushing her back onto his shoulder. The small group entered the Glade. Adam was shocked to see so many of the Angelic Host there. They were everywhere, perched in trees and suspended throughout the air in stadium fashion. Never had he seen so many illuminated beings. Elohim’s home must be huge. King Elohim was standing in the center of the grassy outcropping. He spoke to another person. This being was too large to be an Angel, but not quite as tall as Elohim. The King stopped speaking, and turned to Adam.

“Adam, come here and meet my son, Prince Meko.”

CHAPTER 15

Lucifer fumed. How could Elohim create another Human to rule this land? This land should be his. Humans. Humankind stood for weakness. He could easily break Man in two, if he wanted. And why in Heaven’s name was Michael and Gabriel starring at him like that. Michael and his tall dark friend were the last of Angelkind to arrive in the Glade. They entered through the Throne Room Portal and had been studying Lucifer carefully. The Son of the Morning stood atop a gray boulder at the edge of the Glade. The Errand Boy and the General positioned themselves opposite him, close to the trunk of the Tree of Knowledge. Their unwanted attention made the blonde beauty bristle. He wondered if Prince Meko had ordered them to watch him. His face flushed red with embarrassment at the memory of Meko chastising him for disciplining Gabriel. Who did the Prince and King think they were? How could they create him to be the first of Angelkind and then boss him around like a nobody? Lucifer couldn’t help but snarl.

CHAPTER 16

Adam would have been afraid if not for the love that shone in the fiery eyes of the Prince. They were the same eyes of his father, Elohim. Man approached the Prince in the middle of the Glade and bowed low. Meko took him by the shoulder and helped him stand up. “Ah, Adam. Are you excited? This evening you will have a mate to share the rest of your life with.” “Yes, I am.” Adam stammered, “I hope she likes me.” The Glade erupted in laughter. “I don’t think you have anything to fear,” whispered Meko confidentially. “Adam, come to my side. It is now time to begin,” instructed the Master Creator. Elohim starred into Adam’s eyes. Without looking away, the King called to Lucifer. “Lucifer, please play a soothing tune.” Michael noted Lucifer’s every movement. Lucifer’s hand inched to his sword’s handle. It hovered there for a split second before moving on to unclasp the small harp from his sapphire-laden belt. The blonde Angel raised the hem of his robe slightly and sat down on the cold boulder. His fingers worked over the chords of the harp. The instrument itself glowed with a pale golden light. A beautiful soft melody filled the Glade. It relaxed the rapt crowd. Michael witnessed the severe expression on Lucifer’s face fade away as the firstborn of Angelkind lost himself in his work. Lucifer’s countenance became peaceful and calm. The Angelic General felt himself relaxing as well; perhaps his concern for Lucifer was unwarranted. Elohim told Adam to lie down in the center of the Glade. Everyone looked on with excitement and anticipation. Man laid down on the soft long grass. The King kneeled at his side and sang a lullaby in sync with Lucifer’s tune.

“Come to me all who weep, And feel the love that’s ever deep; For my stores are ever full. Feel the peace, so wonderful. Trust in me and you will see That there’s a rest That’s only best When safe in my refuge You will seek A sleep that’s so ever deep.”

The words sung lay heavily on Adam’s eyelids. He closed them and fell into a deep sleep. The King stopped singing but Lucifer’s tune played on. With his forefinger the Master Creator outlined the angle of Adam’s lower right rib cage. “Open,” he demanded. Adam’s olive-toned skin split apart, revealing the whiteness of bone that lay beneath. Using his thumb and forefinger like tweezers, he pinched the twelfth rib. “Detach,” he spoke. A loud, wet pop rang out, followed by a loud thump. The thump was Cerco falling off of Vipress’ shoulder. He had fainted. Elohim transferred the white curved bone to his left hand and placed his right over the open surgical wound. “Close.” Muscle and skin wove itself together. A silver crescent-shaped scar lined Adam’s right rib cage. How curious, thought Michael, why leave a scar? Elohim could have easily left no trace of the surgery on Adam’s skin. The King laid the bloodied bone in the grass, right next to the sleeping Man. The Master Creator sang a new song. This time it was a song of growth. In it he

divulged the secrets of the cell. He slowly shaped the air with his hands. Sinew and tissue attached itself to the rib bone. The spectators’ excited chatter filled the Glade. Undeterred by the babble, the King kept on singing, kept on shaping. Layering and weaving, a Woman took shape. Upon completion, Elohim ended his song. A gorgeous creature, flawless in shape, lay there next to Adam. She quietly slept. Creamy bronze skin stretched over her beautiful and shapely body. A silky mane of long wavy hair, light brown in color with delicate golden highlights, covered her upper torso. Elohim glanced over his shoulder at Meko. Meko took his cue and moved to Adam’s side. He bent down and whispered, “Adam, it is time.” Man stirred. “Come now, Adam. Your mate awaits.” Adam opened his eyes and groggily studied the Prince. Meko held out a helping hand. Adam grasped his hand and let the Prince pull him up into a sitting position. “Where is she?” “Right next to you,” answered the King kindly. Adam cocked his head to the right. Every being in the Glade heard his gasp.

CHAPTER 17

Lucifer heard the others babble in amazement. He stopped strumming his harp and set it down. He stood up on the boulder so he could better view the new Human. What is everyone oohing and ahhing about? These Humans are vile. They are nothing like Angelkind, nothing like me. So naked. So frail. So dull. A scowl formed on his face. “Ugh, another Human to rule a world that should be mine.” The Prince sat Adam up. The inferior being examined its mate lying next to him. It was flabbergasted. How detestable. Just like a Human. Lucifer shook his head in wonder. What does Elohim see in these creatures?

CHAPTER 18

Michael’s smile turned to a frown when he caught a glimpse of the scowl adorning Lucifer’s once handsome face. He stood atop a boulder at the edge of the Glade looking down on everyone, both figuratively and literally. What has gotten into him? I’m definitely going to have to speak with the King about this. Michael heard Man gasp out loud. He turned his attention back to Adam. The young Human was so excited. The General’s heart melted. What a privilege to watch this endearing event unfold. Elohim bent down and whispered in the female’s ear, “Awake.” Immediately, her beautiful eyes opened. Her soft, brown, gold-flecked eyes gazed up at Elohim. “Hello, my sweet,” greeted the Father. “My King.” She instantly knew her Creator. “I have someone here for you,” he confided. Elohim slid his left hand behind her shoulders and sat her up. He took her hand, and set it in Adam’s. She lifted her gaze and found a pair of sparkling blue eyes starring back at her. She smiled. Michael wanted to feel joy for the couple, but a worrisome doom-like feeling tore at his gut. “Lucifer you better straighten up, or I’m going to do it for you.”

CHAPTER 19

Adam had never seen anything so beautiful. His mate was lovely in form. Her golden brown eyes gazed at him. Eyes framed by lids heavily laden with black lash. She smiled. His heart practically beat out of his chest. He would love her forever. Elohim said something, but he couldn’t make it out. Adam was too busy studying her face. He wanted to know her features by heart. Elohim’s voice broke through, “Adam, this is Eve. Your mate.” Man pried his eyes off of her to focus on the King. “I designed her to be your helpmate. It is your job to care for and protect her.” The King paused, “Can you do that?” “Yes,” Adam huskily answered. “I’ll spend my life trying to please her.” “Stand,” uttered the King. Man stood and reached down to assist his mate. She was shorter than him and preciously petite. He found her immensely pleasing. “Adam, with great love comes great sacrifice. I created Eve from part of you. I removed a bone, one of your ribs, and used it to form your mate. Whenever you see this scar,” Elohim pointed to Man’s ribcage, “you will that she is a part of you and that you are to love her like yourself.” Adam’s fingertips brushed over the fresh scar. He nodded his head. “I will.” “Eve, you will be called Woman, since you are a part of Man. You will be Mother to all of Mankind. It is your purpose to aid Man, to love him, to respect him, and to care for him.”

“Do you agree to do this?” “I do,” spoke the most beautiful voice Adam had ever heard. She regarded him with such affection. “Then I pronounce you, Man and Woman. You are a pair. Care for each other and the creation that I put in your charge,” shouted the King. He raised his hands and everyone cheered, well, all except Lucifer.

CHAPTER 20

Eight days had ed since the creation of Eve. Every morning and some evenings, Elohim would disappear via his golden portal and walk in Pardes with Adam and Eve. He spent hours teaching them about his plant life and the animals that he entrusted into their care. Sometimes, Michael followed Elohim. He enjoyed listening to the Father’s teachings. Adam and Eve were curious creatures and capable of great understanding. Michael was often impressed with Adam and Eve’s questions. He adored the little Humans. They were sweet and endearing. I’d spend more time here among them, in the Garden, if I didn’t feel like I had to keep an eye on Lucifer. Michael was glum. He still hadn’t had a minute alone with the King to discuss the matter of Lucifer. He hoped to do so tonight, before the concert. Every month, the Heavenly choirs and musicians amassed to put on a great concert for the King. All of Spiritkind attended these amazing performances. They were a feast for the senses. Elohim sung the young couple to sleep. The King stood to make his departure. This was the opportunity Michael had been waiting for. The General quickly stepped into the King’s path. “Yes, General?” The King was not surprised. Michael approached him. “Care to share with me what is on your mind?” “My King,” Michael bowed his head slightly, eager to share his burden. “My concerns are with Lucifer.” Elohim stopped walking and made eye with the General. “Proceed.” “I have noticed a change in his demeanor, and I am not alone in this. Gabriel has seen it too.” Michael placed his hands on the pommel of his sheathed sword.

“Elohim, he has this darkness about him. I just don’t know how to describe it.” “A darkness about the Son of the Morning, eh?” Elohim smiled and clapped Michael on the shoulder. Michael frowned. He did not find the situation humorous. The King noticed Michael’s frustration. Elohim sighed and and his face fell. The light emanating from Elohim dimmed. “Michael, Lucifer has a choice to make. I know you do not understand the thoughts that war in his head, but you are correct in classifying these thoughts as ‘dark.’ He has to choose which thoughts to entertain. Thoughts lend way to beliefs, and beliefs to actions. Thoughts are so powerful; that is why it is important to think upon truth.” “Truth?” “Yes, truth. As of late, Lucifer’s thoughts have been centered on himself, on how he sees himself and on what he thinks he deserves. There are terrible consequences when one abandons the purpose set for him or her by their Creator.” Michael was confused. Thoughts? Actions? Purposes? Consequences? Had the King known about Lucifer all this time? “Why can’t you just tell him what to choose?” questioned the Angel. “Why would I do that, Michael? I create because I want to share my love, and I hope to be loved in return. Not because I make that creation love me, but because they choose to love me. Lucifer feels that he has no choice in the matter; that, my friend, is a mistruth.” Michael finally understood. His heart welled with pride that this amazing King loved him and called him “friend.” He felt blessed that his King and Maker would stop and take time to explain what truth is. “I love you, Father. Thank you.” “And I love you. Now, let us go to the concert.”

CHAPTER 21

All of SpiritKind gathered in the gigantic Throne Room. The resplendent Elohim sat on his white marble Throne. White light radiated from the King, so bright, that no one could detect the four Seraphim hovering thirty feet above his Throne. The light refracted off of the crystal floor dousing the Angelic spectators in a spectrum of colors. The Messengers and Shishak congregated all around the Throne Room floor. They eagerly awaited the start of the concert. Prince Meko stood to the right of Elohim’s Throne. Michael positioned himself at the bottom of the diamond stairs that led up to the Throne. All was quiet except for the Seraphim’s beating wings and the gurgling of the living waters that flowed from beneath the seated King. Michael thought about the conversation he had had with the Creator back in Pardes. Elohim was so wise. The General had so much to learn. The General crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest. He wondered how he could help Lucifer. The spectators around him wondered when the production would start.

CHAPTER 22

Lucifer was usually so calm before a performance, but tonight, his heart raced. He was nervous. He had spent so many tedious hours secretly devising his plan, if he succeeded it would change everything. His thoughts distracted him. Doumbek, his lead percussionist, flew before him. He cleared his voice, “Sir, we are waiting for your signal.” The drummer anxiously repositioned the copper hand drum and tucked it under his arm. He wondered if he should say more since the Arch Angel failed to respond. “We should have started thirty minutes ago.” Lucifer scowled, “Yes, I know. Get back to your station.” He turned his attention to his inferiors. All eyes were on him. He liked it that way. He took out a whistle from the fold of his pristine golden robes and blew once, signaling the orchestra to begin their descent. The Angels stationed themselves atop the golden circular walls of the Throne Room. They set up their instruments and began their introduction. Lucifer blew the little whistle twice, alerting the Angelic choir. They sang while positioning themselves above the orchestra in tier formation. Thousands of Angels masterfully harmonized with one another, the sound awe-inspiring. Lucifer blew the whistle three times. He and the dancers entered into a nosedive for the Great Entrance Door. If everything commenced according to plan, this would be his last performance.

CHAPTER 23

The orchestra and choirs were in full force. All eyes were on the Great Entrance awaiting Lucifer’s debut. Michael peered up at the Throne. The King’s expression confused him. His usually cheerful countenance was now serious and downcast. The Great Throne Room Door flew open. The dancers came stomping through to a fast paced, upbeat melody. The Angelic spectators made a wide path for them. Michael turned his attention to the dancers. Where is Lucifer? He usually leads the procession. Typically, he’d walk in before two long lines of dancers. They’d approach the Throne and then fan out around it. Lucifer would direct his orchestra and choir from the bottom of the Throne’s staircase. But this time, Lucifer was nowhere in sight. Michael’s gut twisted into a knot. He had a terrible feeling. This performance was going to be very different. His biceps tightened and his right hand fingered his sword. The crowd continued to part for the mass of gyrating Angels making their way towards the center of the room. They danced in a tight circle, pivoting around the center like a hurricane does around the eye of the storm. The hurricane was coming closer. The music got louder, the rhythm more intoxicating. The Throne Room buzzed with energy. The circling dancers twirled like whirling dervishes, faster and faster, keeping in step with the orchestra’s accelerating ensemble. Michael instinctually drew his flaming sword out of its garnet encrusted sheath. His flaming robe instantly transformed into blood-red armor. A breastplate, hard as titanium, formed over his chest and back like a corset. A sunburst shaped indentation adorned its front. The insignia signified Michael as High General. Ruby red arm braces and greaves appeared over his huge forearms and shins. The General’s gaze never left the approaching storm. The Angelic dancers were a blur. Their sandaled feet hovered above the ground. The General’s breath quickened as the hurricane closed in on him, three feet

away, two feet away, one foot away. The drummers smashed down on their instruments, dramatically ending their first act. The choir shut their mouths and the dancers slid down to their knees, frozen. As their knees hit the crystal floor, Lucifer shot up from the center. Twirling like a golden tornado, he ascended thirty feet into the air. The blue steel in his hands left a trail of blue light. He stopped himself with a strong flap of his powerful wings. The Seraphim Guard stationed above the King hissed in disapproval. Michael readied his weapon. He didn’t like that Lucifer had swapped his white robe for a golden one and his harp for a sword. The Son of the Morning held his sword up, “Fellow Angelkind, for far too long we have given our all to a King who is less than deserving. Why serve a Master who doesn’t respect us?” Lucifer turned in a circle. He wanted all of the Angels surrounding the Throne to see his face. “He creates a world but gives it to Humankind, an inferior race. Follow me, and I will not only give you Earth but Heaven too!” An infuriated Michael widened his stance. He gripped his sword in both hands. His eyes scanned the room. The Shishak were paralyzed with shock. The choir and orchestra pulled flaming swords out of their robes. It resembled a light show. “What say you?” hollered the golden Angel. The walls shook as over a quarter of the Angels yelled in unison, pledging allegiance to Lucifer’s cause. The Son of the Morning sneered ruefully, and in the blink of an eye, dove for Elohim. His sapphire blade pointed directly at the King’s big heart.

CHAPTER 24

“Rubeus, Rubeus? Pay attention to me!” demanded the perplexed green beauty. “What is wrong with you?” Vipress grew increasingly concerned about her mate. Over the last week she had noticed Rubeus becoming increasingly distant. High above they perched on a large golden limb. The Tree of Knowledge’s silver leaves hid them. Rubeus lay on the branch with his legs tucked under him. His arms dangled carelessly over the edges. His green head hung forlornly against the tree. His focus concentrated solely on Adam and Eve below in the Glade. Eve sat cross-legged in the grass. She delicately wove flowers into the mane of a lion whose head completely dominated her lap. She busily chatted away to Adam while he painstakingly removed a splinter from a lioness’ paw. Rubeus studied them. Laughter wafted up to the feathery boughs of the Tree. Rubeus heaved a sigh of sadness. “Rubeus, please answer me.” Vipress yanked on Rubeus’ tail playfully. He growled. She swatted him. He dragged his head sideways, his scales noisily scraped against the bark of the tree. Rubeus stared into her violet eyes. She chastised, “Be happy for our Adam. Everyone deserves a mate to share their life with.” Vipress wasn’t so sure her life partner agreed with her. Rubeus lifted his head off the branch, “I want him to be happy, but he spends so much time with her that he hardly has any time for me.” “Rubeus, my love, Eve is a delightful creature. If you went down there and spent some time with her you’d see that. I think you’re being silly.” She pointed a gleaming white talon at him. He shamefully looked away.

She gently cupped his scaly chin in her paw and pulled his head toward hers. “How do you think Adam felt when he had to share you with me?” His expression softened as he swam in those violet eyes. He sighed, “What did I do to deserve you?” He kissed her blue speckled lips. “Come, let us the others. Adam still hasn’t gotten that splinter out and I think these could make quick work of it.” Vipress held up her sharp thin claws.

CHAPTER 25

The General didn’t have time to note the hatred adorning Lucifer’s face. He reacted quickly to protect his King. Michael used his powerful legs and wings to eject himself high into the air. With all of his might he swung his red sword with great precision. He had to stop Lucifer from burying that blue blade into Elohim’s chest. The two swords met with a loud clash. Michael’s blade shattered into a million pieces under the force of the collision, pelting his face with glowing red fragments and sending him whirling into the side of the white marble Throne. His head and back bounced off the solid surface and he slid half way down the Throne’s steps. Lucifer had been so focused on his target that Michael caught him completely unaware. The impact pushed him backward, knocking his sapphire blade out of his hand. The weapon clanged off the Throne Room floor. He attempted to lunge for it but the Seraphim Guard descended upon him. Sāpiena reached Lucifer first. She entwined her long white fingers in his blonde hair and tugged him backward, hard enough to stop him in midair. Sāpiena’s red hair flared out above her. She screamed, “Blasphemy!” Lucifer’s legs swung out wildly. Aquila raced through the air and caught Lucifer’s feet. “Fool!” escaped past Aquila’s orange beak. The two Seraphim played tug of war with Lucifer. His hands clawed at Sāpiena’s fingers, desperately trying to free her grasp from his golden hair. She smiled cruelly as his efforts went unrewarded. One of Lucifer’s feet came loose from Aquila’s grasp. He let out a sharp breath and kicked the Seraphim in his feathered temple. “Humph!” Aquila’s head spun to the side. Golden feathers stood out from the side of his face at odd angles.

“Deceiver!” bellowed Bos, the oxen-faced Seraphim. He fell from the heights like a five hundred ton bomb. As he approached Lucifer he twisted to his back and jammed his flexed elbow into Lucifer’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him and driving him to the Throne Room floor. Bos and the Son of the Morning crashed forcefully into one of the shallow streams that flowed out from under the Throne. They drenched all the Angels fighting in the vicinity. Lucifer couldn’t breathe with the Angelic ox on top of him. His left arm was pinned. With his right he reached up and clawed at Bos’ ear. His fingers grabbed onto the gold hoop earring Bos wore. He tugged hard and ripped it from the hairy lobe. The Seraphim wailed in pain. He clutched his ear and rolled off of Lucifer. The Son of the Morning quickly turned over and got to his knees. He aimed to flee but saw his sword a yard away. He flung himself at it. His wet robes sent him into a slide on the crystal floor’s surface. His fingers touched cold metal. He was about to wrap his hand around his sword’s hilt when he was suddenly engulfed in a loud moist roar. His damp golden locks flew back from his face under the sheer vocal force. Lerosch, the lion-faced Seraphim, was upon him. He grabbed Lucifer up with his huge muscular arms and squeezed. His head felt like it’d pop right off. He bent his head forward and bit Lerosch’s forearm. The Seraphim’s skin tasted like coal and it gagged him. Lerosch loosened his grip and roared in outrage. Taking advantage, Lucifer ducked and turned, freeing himself of the Seraphim’s grasp. He grabbed his sword and rolled to the right. He started to stand when Michael, High General of Elohim’s Army, generously donated a swift kick to his sternum. Lucifer stumbled back into Lerosch’s broad chest. In the blink of an eye, Lerosch spun him around and sank his bright blue fangs into the flesh of his beautiful face. Michael heard Lucifer’s skin tear as Lerosch pushed him away. Lucifer fell to his knees, bright red blood oozed from the rips in his face. Michael grabbed the sapphire sword from Lucifer’s weak grasp. Surprisingly, the blade felt much like his own, just the right weight and balance. He spun it around like a baton. Blue arcs of light hung in the air. Lucifer knelt haphazardly on the floor. His shoulders slumped. His left eyelid was torn and it sagged over his eye. The right side of his face drooped downward, damaged by Lerosch’s ferocious bite. Illuminated blotches of sticky red blood marred his torn robe. He started to giggle. His giggle turned into a

hearty guffaw. Lucifer fell to his right side and rolled to his back. Michael thought him insane. The General pointed the tip of the sword at his throat. But still Lucifer laughed on. “What will you do, Brother?” rasped Lucifer in a haughty voice. “Will you slay The Son of the Morning, the first of our kind?” In anger, Michael pressed the sword an inch deeper into the flesh of Lucifer’s throat. His skin puckered around the blade. “Coward,” hissed Lucifer. “You, are not my ‘Kind!” spat the General. Michael was determined to plunge the sword into Lucifer. A warm grasp stopped him. A large shining hand rested on his forearm. Michael looked up into the flawless face of Prince Meko. Meko shook his head slightly and turned his gaze towards his father’s grandiose Throne. Michael followed his gaze. King Elohim stood. “Enough!” he commanded in a thunderous voice. The sound reverberated off of the Throne Room walls. His royal white robes emanated more light than Michael had ever seen before. It was blinding. The fighting all around Michael ceased. Many of the Angels shielded their eyes. The Seraphim returned to their places above Elohim. The King’s eyes were red like fire. His face strained with righteous anger and indignation. “Lucifer you have brought contempt into my Kingdom! Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty and you let your splendor corrupt your wisdom. You are guilty of the sin of pride and covetousness.” Elohim pointed his index finger at Lucifer. “You refuse to be grateful for all that I have given you.” “Now, you will remove yourself from my presence.” Elohim surveyed the vast expanse of his Throne Room. “Any that wish to follow you may do so as well. I am a generous King, and to prove so, I will grant Angelkind twenty four hours to decide if they want to sides with this despicable servant.” Prince Meko gently took the blue sword from Michael’s hand. Meko bent down

and tugged Lucifer up by the collar of his torn golden robes. He spun him around to face the King. Elohim stared at the rebellious Angel. “Lucifer, I strip you of your titles. I strip you of your honor. I strip you of your responsibilities. You are the lowest in my eyes.” Lucifer just sneered, the hands at his sides curled into fists. “Get out you evil devil. Get out now!” And with that, a rushing force of wind spewed out of his mouth, ejecting Lucifer and his followers out of the Throne Room and into the surrounding Kingdom. Elohim closed his mouth. The wind immediately ceased. Not one of his obedient servants was affected by the gust, not even one strand of their hair stood out of place. The King stilled himself. His light faded back to its’ usual brilliance. He searched the room. His fiery eyes settled on Michael. “Michael, approach my Throne.” Michael’s wet sandals sloshed on the crystal floor. His foot accidentally hit into the red fragments of his sword and sent them skidding across the floor. He paused for a moment. He liked that sword. The King gave it to him at the time of Michael’s creation. The General knelt down at the base of the Throne stairs. He bowed his head. In a display of respect and love for their Maker, every Angel in the room followed suit. Prince Meko climbed the steps and stood at the right side of his father. “You may stand,” voiced the King. All of Angelkind stood at attention. “To all who proved your love and devotion, I thank you.” He paused. “An evil has festered in Lucifer’s heart and has spread to your brethren. Even now, he still plans to wage war against me.” “General Michael, you are now my only Arch Angel. I want you to lead the Shishak and throw out of my Kingdom all those who rebel against me. You will cast them out into the Wilds of the Earth!” “I will, my King,” promised Michael. His right fist knocked on his plated armor, slightly above his heart. All remaining Spiritkind knocked on their chests, creating a large cacophony of sound.

“General, I give you full charge of my Army.” He looked over at Prince Meko. Prince Meko stepped forward. He raised Lucifer’s blue sword. It’s bluish glow intensified. The sword slowly floated above Meko’s head. Meko sang to it, lowly, so no one could hear the words except for the Prince and the King. The sword rotated in the air. Meko sang on. His words changed and morphed the sword. Its’ brilliance changed in color, and the blade tip split into two, giving it a sharp horned appearance. The Prince finished singing. The weapon returned to Meko’s outstretched hands. “Come and take this Michael, you have earned it,” offered Meko with uncharacteristic seriousness. Michael flew to within feet of the Prince and graciously reached for the blade. The sapphire encrusted hilt of the blue sword smoldered red. He returned to his position before the Throne’s steps. “Try it out Michael. I made a few adjustments,” ordered Prince Meko with a sly grin. Everyone gave the General a wide berth. Michael examined the sword carefully. Red and blue arcs of electricity circulated up and down the blue blade. Michael was impressed. The sword was perfectly balanced and felt fantastic in his hands. He liked it better than his first. He widened his stance and started to go through his daily sword exercises. The deadly weapon left trails of red and blue light in the air. He jabbed at an imaginary foe and was pleasantly surprised. Two flaming whip-like projections emerged from the sword’s tip. They were long, electric and dangerous. Michael smiled and stood straight. Instantly the whips receded back into the blade with a jerk of his hand. The crowd verbalized their pleasure. He bowed. “Thank you Prince Meko. Your workmanship is spectacular.” Prince Meko stepped back into place and King Elohim spoke, “General, go now and prepare for war.”

CHAPTER 26

Lucifer slapped Bran’s hand away from his face. The pale Angel tried to dab at his wounds with a clean cloth. Lucifer was displeased with the outcome of his planned coup. But he found immense pleasure in the number of Angels that had decided to follow him. In fact, Angels were still straggling in, casting down their shackles and rebelling against the tyrant King. Who knows, maybe there’d be more. Angelkind still had twenty more hours left to declare their allegiance. The Rebels set up camp in the Northern Realm amongst the rocky crags of Mt. Majestic. Lucifer sat on a large boulder, his face gruesomely damaged from Lerosch’s white-furred muzzle. It enraged him that he was not only defeated and stripped of authority, but that he was hideous looking. His beauty eternally gone, Lucifer was now left with a sagging eyelid and a forever frown on the left corner of his mouth. “Cursed Seraphim Guard,” he whispered venomously. The dark-skinned Doumbek flew up the rocky precipice and ed his master atop the cold gray boulder. He handed Lucifer a clean white robe. “Here you go, my liege.” “Hmmm, thank you, Doumbek,” perturbed that his golden robe, the one he had fashioned himself, had been torn to pieces. He changed with painstaking care. “It is necessary we form an ingenious battle plan. I will not lose again!” He threw the soiled robe down the side of the boulder. “Doumbek, find all of the Rebel Shishak and gather them together. I would like to talk to them and devise a plan. Also, find me a sword.” Doumbek nodded his head in agreement and bolted across the ravine. He entered

a cave nestled into the side of the Mountain’s face. The Rebels congregated there. “This is going to be a long day,” sighed Doumbek. It sickened him to think of the battle that would ensue against Elohim’s forces. Elohim had the majority of the Shishak and the Messengers on his side. But it was too late to change his mind now, he made his choice and Lucifer was it. And where was he going to find a sword?

CHAPTER 27

In the quiet Entryway, Captain Cristin delivered his news to the General. “At least one-third of the Angelic Host has ed Lucifer.” “I feared as much,” itted Michael grimly. His shoulders tensed. His square jaws tightened with concern. “They gather on the Northern side of the Heavenly Kingdom.” Michael played over the events that had led up to this moment in his head. In twenty hours, if Lucifer chose not to concede, the Angels would go to war. Michael was not afraid of war, on the contrary, he was created for it, but he despised the idea of crushing his fellow Angelkind. It surprised him that even one Angel could swallow Lucifer’s psychotic philosophy and follow his cause. Captain Cristin interrupted his thoughts. “What is our plan of action, Sir?” “Where in the North do they reside?” “Lucifer and his Rebels hide in the crags of Mount Majestic. They tried to convene in the nests of the Eviggrønn, but were easily uprooted by our C Battalion and pushed towards the Mount.” “Well done, Cristin. Follow me.” Michael gestured to the right. They proceeded eastward along the filigreed terrace and stopped before a large circular etching in the golden wall. A ring of precious multicolored stones was imbedded into the wall’s circular border. Michael touched a series of them. A faint scraping sound echoed from within. The etching swirled and retracted into the wall leaving a large entryway into the War Room. Only a handful of Spiritkind knew the secret access code. General Michael and Captain Cristin stepped through the doorway.

Inside the large room waited Gabriel, Captain Yong, and Captain Chazaq. They sat around a large, circular, golden table. Gabriel’s lithe fingers tapped a melody on the table’s smooth pearl surface. Michael approached the table. The two Captains stood to attention. They pressed their fists over their armored hearts in salute. Gabriel didn’t bother to stand. He remained seated, greeting Michael with an informal wave of his hand. “Hiya, Michael,” greeted the congenial Gabriel. The humble General didn’t mind in the least. He nodded in Gabriel’s direction. Cristin glared at Gabriel. “Please, at ease, friends,” spoke Michael. He gestured for the Captains to sit. He pulled out a heavy chair and sat down at the table. The Captains followed suit. Michael shifted in his chair to get comfortable. He took off his bejeweled belt and scabbard and laid them on the tabletop. The War Room table was no ordinary piece of furniture. Etched into its pearly surface was a three-dimensional replica of the Heavenly Realms. As the Heavenly Kingdom changed and grew so did the tabletop. A small figurine, depicting Lucifer, perched on Mt. Majestic. Replicas of the loyal Shishak battalions were strategically placed all over the tabletop. The General poured over the map, sometimes moving battalions into superior strategic locations. Messengers hurried in and rushed out with news from the surrounding Realms. They talked strategies and painstakingly reviewed their plans. After a few hours, Captain Yong cleared his throat, “General, the odds are clearly in our favor. We have the majority on our side.” The light-skinned Yong frowned and clasped his hands on the table in front of him. The Captain was average in height and slight in stature, but his tactical skills were exceptional. Michael valued his cautious wisdom, and skills. Yong brushed back a loose strand of his jet-black hair. It had escaped the torn piece of blue fabric that held his long hair in a ponytail. His foot bumped into the helmet of bright blue light sitting at his feet. “There have been no more to desert Elohim in the last hour.” Captain Yong’s

thick eyelids squinted down over his bright black eyes. “I think this bodes well for us.” He was ever so serious, although that was typical for Captain Yong. Captain Yong adjusted the blue samurai sword that hung at his waist. He wielded it with great speed and deadly accuracy. The blade was long, slender and it curved upwards in a small arc. When fighting, he gripped the long dark hilt with both hands. Michael noticed some residual specks of glowing red blood still clung to the blade’s tip, evidence that the Captain and his C Battalion had met resistance while trying to push back the horde of Rebels from the Eviggrønn. Michael didn’t envy the Angel who had battled Yong. The Captain’s fighting posture was mesmerizing, acrobatic, smooth and flawless. He was definitely a formidable opponent. “It will be two against one, the odds in our favor,” informed Captain Chazaq. He pointed to the Northern Realm on the map. “The Rebels will take a stand at the Mountain, fighting from the crags and fog covered heights. That will be their only chance.” His tan right hand formed a fist and he slammed it on the table. “Out in the open we would crush them in minutes!” Gabriel slumped forward, his elbows on the table. He cradled his head in his hands. “I almost feel sorry for them.”

CHAPTER 28

Lucifer snickered. Things were better than they had first seemed. The Shishak who ed his cause were small in number but had proven themselves invaluable in planning the battle. They helped Lucifer devise strategies in which they would pick off the forces of Elohim while using the cover of the Mountain’s terrain for protection. On the west side of Mount Majestic existed a large green Valley called Fatum. Sheer cliffs surrounded the great Valley on three sides. It could only be accessed from the outside by a narrow rocky entrance. A stream of icy cold water ran down from the Mountain’s heights and divided the Valley in two. Lucifer, under the advice of the Rebel Shishak, split up his troops and stationed them in the crags and caves up around the Valley floor. There they’d be protected from attacks above and they could push boulders down on their enemies below, perfect guerilla warfare. Now, all he needed was a way to lure the enemy to the Valley of Fatum. He bit his lower lip and unconsciously fingered the hilt of his new, less than spectacular, sword. It was a pathetic specimen when compared to his original sword. He tightened his grip around the stubby hilt and inspected the short thick blade. It pulsed weakly with a bland green light. Unimpressive. He had no idea where Doumbek found it. He probably scavenged it from some dead Angel. He didn’t care. The only care that consumed him was burying the stubby blade into Michael’s big soft heart. Lucifer sat upright. That was it! He would pull on the General’s sappy heartstrings. His only weakness was kindness. In no way would Michael choose to harm anyone if there was another way. He yelled for Doumbek.

CHAPTER 29

General Michael spent hours strategizing and tweaking his battle plan. He left the War Room and stationed himself in the hollow of a huge Eviggrønn. Cristin fashioned it into a makeshift control center. It was comfortable and quiet. He had dispensed all of his Captains out into the field. Only Gabriel remained by his side. They rested in simple chairs overlooking a large window facing Mount Majestic. What a beautiful view, one that would soon be marred by the stains of battle. “, that time Cristin, Chazaq, you and I raced down the side of that Mountain? It was the only time anyone came close to ever beating me,” jested Gabriel. “Chazaq was close on your heels if I correctly.” “He only got that close because he grabbed a hold of the back of my robe without me knowing. I pulled him the whole way. Sad thing is, I didn’t even realize it until I had crossed the finish line.” They both laughed heartily. The three Angels were Michael’s closest brothers. He had a strong bond with Lucifer too, but nothing like these three. He attended each of their creations and took them under his protective wing. They were his little brothers. “And you, Michael, the great Arch Angel, General of Elohim’s Army, allowed him to get away with it.” “Who do you think gave Chazaq the idea?” “Very noble. The ever-honorable Michael. Sheesh. Everyone knows Chazaq is your favorite anyway,” Gabriel teased. Michael grimaced. There was some truth to Gabriel’s statement. Chazaq was the

youngest and Michael viewed him as his baby brother. He couldn’t help but adore him. Chazaq’s magnetic personality insured it. The young Angel’s humor mirrored Gabriel’s, his courage Cristin’s, his tenacity and good will Michael’s and as for his spunk, well, that was his own. A weak knock came from the entrance. Michael and Gabriel turned to see a thin waif-like Messenger standing in the doorway. “Come in, Meika,” encouraged Gabriel. Meika was one of Gabriel’s fastest. She cleared her voice, “Sirs, one of Lucifer’s Angels is here. He has a message for the General. Shall we bring him in?” Gabriel glanced at Michael. Michael nodded. “Yes, please do so, Meika,” urged Gabriel gently. Michael stood. He pulled his sword from his sheath. He held the hilt with his right hand and cradled the blade in the crook of his left arm. He didn’t trust Lucifer or his “Messenger.” The dirty trick in the Throne Room proved just how low Lucifer would sink. Meika and a Shishak guard escorted the tarnished Doumbek through the doorway. His robe was torn and he had a swollen area on his right cheek. Despite his disheveled appearance, he stood upright and proud. He held no sword but wielded a light brown scroll sealed with blue wax and stamped with Lucifer’s emblem, the rising sun. He held it out to the General who coolly inspected him. Michael made no move to retrieve the message. He just stared. Doumbek’s outstretched hand trembled, betraying his proud, courageous veneer. Gabriel snorted, stepped forward and ripped the scroll from Doumbek’s hand. He shot Lucifer’s Messenger a dirty look and turned on his heels. He strode to the General’s side. He broke Lucifer’s seal. The wax fell to the floor. He unrolled the scroll slowly and regarded Michael. Michael consented. Gabriel read the letter out loud, “Michael, it is difficult to ignore that our forces are inferior to yours, and that we will likely face devastating casualties in the approaching war. I would like to discuss the of our surrender. Please meet me alone and unarmed at the Valley of Fatum. I shall do the same. Humbly Yours, Lucifer.”

This is surely a trap. Michael knew there was no way Lucifer would concede. But what if some of the Rebels realized that they had made a mistake and wished to repent and surrender? Could Michael risk putting their lives in danger? He stood very still weighing his next move. Doumbek nervously croaked, “Your answer, Michael?” “Hmmm, I have to take this to my King.” As if on cue, a soft white light filled the dark interior of the Eviggrønn followed by a loud crack and a blinding explosion of silvery light. It forced Doumbek to his knees and pushed Gabriel against the far wall. Michael froze in place. He couldn’t move a muscle. “What do you wish to bring to me?” echoed the voice of Elohim in Michael’s head. Michael tried to speak but he couldn’t move his mouth, not even his tongue. “Use your thoughts to speak to me, Michael.” “My King, Lucifer wishes to meet in the Valley of Fatum to discuss the of his surrender.” “And you believe him to be trustworthy?” asked the King, his voice booming in Michael’s mind. His head felt like it would explode. “No, I do not.” The General’s pulse quickened. “But I do not wish to harm any of those who want to be forgiven and return to the right side. If there was just a chance…” Elohim interrupted, “Michael, calm yourself. Not a one who has ed Lucifer wishes to change sides. I know their minds and their hearts. The minute they ed Lucifer their hearts hardened and they became calloused. An evil entered into them, an evil that has set them apart from us. I never wanted this. This was not the kind of existence I wanted for them. This existence will be fraught with sadness. They have chosen to live set apart, incomplete, ungracious and malcontent.” A long pause followed. “It saddens me so, but do not be deceived by the guile Lucifer. Your instinct is correct. This is most certainly a trap. Reverse it. Devise a plan that will backfire on him!” Immediately the bright light vanished and with it Elohim’s presence in Michael’s head.

Stunned, Gabriel slid down the wall onto the floor. His mind raced trying to figure out what had just occurred. With rump on floor and eyes wide opened he questioned, “What was that?” “That, was our answer, Gabriel. And as for you,” Michael rounded on Doumbek, “tell your Master that I will meet him in Fatum at the twenty fourth hour and will be relieved to hear the of his surrender.” Doumbek lowered his head subserviently, his knees stung from where the strange light had pushed him down to the hard wood floor. He tried to stand but his legs felt like gelatin. He stumbled forward, towards Michael. The General quickly snatched him up by the wings. He spun with Doumbek and pitched him out of the Eviggrønn’s doorway. Snap! The branches of a neighboring pine split apart when Doumbek made with them. He fell to the ground. He winced with pain as he righted himself. He slowly limped off with tufts of feathers missing from his wings. Michael brushed the feathers off of his hands and scrutinized Doumbek from the hollow of the Eviggrønn. “Taking out the trash, Michael?” quizzed Gabriel, drenched in sarcasm. “That felt good,” itted Michael rather sheepishly. He turned to Gabriel and clasped his shoulder. “Friend, I need you to take a message to my Captains.”

CHAPTER 30

Lucifer sat on a cold gray boulder located at the base of the Mountain in the Valley of Fatum. It was time. He was the bait in his own sticky trap. An unusual calmness washed over him. His prey would be Michael. He couldn’t be more thrilled to destroy the overly righteous loser. A cold stream flowed beside him. It made its way through the Valley and out near the narrow rocky entrance. This is where Michael would enter. It’d be too risky for the General to fly down into the Valley. Michael wouldn’t dare expose himself to those lurking in the crags of the Mountain. He was too smart for that. No, this is where his trap had to be sprung. Lucifer stationed his forces up around the Valley floor, hidden by rocky precipices. The Rebels armed themselves with sharp swords and heavy boulders. If need be, they could push down the rock and crush their enemies below. A smile formed at the corners of Lucifer’s mouth as he thought of the stream running red with the blood of Elohim’s forces. A large figure appeared at the entrance, interrupting his daydream. Finally, the show was about to start. Lucifer’s smile broadened but he quickly wiped it off, after all, he was trying to portray “humility.”

CHAPTER 31

Michael too was doing his best to appear “casual.” He didn’t want to alert Lucifer that he was onto him. He kept his face ive and made his way into the Valley. His sandals crunched on the pebbles surrounding the streambed. He stayed close to the water. His giant ivory wings concealed a cross bow fitted with special rigging. He needed the noise of the stream to cover any sound that would be made when he’d draw his weapon. Lucifer’s message clearly stated that both Angels would meet alone and unarmed. Yeah, right. Stealth and speed were going to count for everything in reversing this trap. Lucifer appeared to be alone, sitting on a rock at the edge of the Valley. He poorly concealed a condescending smirk. The hulking General couldn’t wait to wipe it off of his marred face. The rest of his Rebels were doing a fine job of hiding themselves. He failed to see a one, until a dark shadow shifted behind the waterfall’s cascade. It skulked directly behind Lucifer. Michael squinted. It looked to be a lone figure holding something long. If it were Michael on that rock he’d probably have someone with a bow behind him. He took a deep breath in, readying to react at a moments notice. He stopped fifteen feet in front of the fiendish Angel. “Good day, Michael.” “It’s always a good day when peace is on the horizon.” The feathers on Michael’s wings rose slightly in anticipation. “So, let’s discuss the of your surrender.” Lucifer raised his hands, palms out. “Oh, no, perhaps you’ve misunderstood. I am not the one surrendering.” He chuckled. A narrow line of drool escaped the corner of his deformed mouth. “Oh? Then who is?” Michael’s wings came up further and inched forward. His feathers brushed

against his shoulders. He widened his stance and distributed his weight on the balls of his feet. He prepared to move fast. “Do you dare believe that even one of my numbers would regret choosing me as their High King?” scoffed Lucifer. The General remained silent, ever at the ready. Lucifer pointed at Michael and cried, “Fool!” This must have been the signal for the hidden Rebel archer. He fired his arrow at Michael’s chest. A spray erupted on the surface of the waterfall. Michael’s left hand shot up. He pivoted to the left and grabbed the enemy’s arrow right out of the air. His right wing rushed forward, pushing the loaded crossbow into his right hand. He immediately pulled the trigger, firing an arrow deep into Lucifer’s right shoulder. The arrow forcefully erupted through his shoulder and exited out his back. Inertia sent him spinning over the edge of the boulder. He landed in the stream. Michael tugged on the golden wire attached to the arrow. Four bladelike hooks emerged from the tip of the specialized arrow. The unfolded blades made a grappling hook. Their spiky barbs sunk deep into the flesh of Lucifer’s back. His eyes widened. He screamed in agony and arched his back. He desperately tried to claw the arrow out of his shoulder. Like a fish on a hook, he thrashed around in the water. Michael spun around and raced at top speed in the opposite direction of the fallen Angel. He held on tightly to the crossbow. A strong golden cord attached the crossbow to the arrow imbedded in Lucifer’s shoulder. Michael pulled with all his might, straining against Lucifer’s weight. He had to make it to the Valley’s entrance.

CHAPTER 32

Captain Chazaq peered through a small silver telescope. He whispered comforting words to his warhorse, Nar, who tired of standing still. The restless animal sidestepped to the left, shaking the chariot and blurring Chazaq’s vision. “Calm yourself, Nar,” the Captain cooed. The red horse shook his head and rattled his bridle. Chazaq spent many hours tenderly caring for and training Nar. He was the mightiest horse in all of Heaven. “Any second now. Get ready,” whispered Chazaq to Captain Cristin. Cristin stood directly behind Chazaq in the war chariot. The giant horse pawed at the air with his front hooves. They were positioned at an extremely high altitude, hidden by the mists and fog of the Mountain. The golden wheels of the chariot sat on a precipice of rock near the Mountain’s peak. Nar, himself, floated on thin air. Heaven’s warhorses had no wings because they didn’t need them. They were comprised of living air; yet, they were solid to the touch. Chazaq watched and waited. He was extremely grateful for his telescope. On the day he was created, Elohim gave it to him as a present. It allowed the to see through anything, even rock. The King had placed the beautiful telescope, covered in tiny sparkling rocks, into his hands and confided, “Chazaq, you will be a revealer of truth in the face of darkness.” He had always wondered what that meant. Chazaq twisted the shiny tube in his large hands, adjusting the lenses and increasing the magnification so he could peer through the clouds and the Mountain. The Valley came into view. He watched for Michael’s signal. He held his breath as he witnessed his General dodge an arrow, and impale Lucifer with his own. It was time. He quickly slipped his telescope into a loop on his jade belt and retrieved his horn. He put it up to his lips and blew a shrill note, signaling the two battalions hiding on the opposite side of the mount to start their assault.

Nar threw his head to the side and reared up on his hind legs. His mane and tail erupted into bright orange and red flames. Chazaq threw the horn over the side of the chariot. “Hold on,” he shouted. Cristin took his advice and gripped the sides of the sleek chariot. Chazaq flicked the reins and the flaming horse dove straight down. The chariot violently tossed about. They rode on the air, parallel to the mountainous terrain. Chazaq’s curly black hair flew out of his honey-colored eyes. His face was aglow with excitement. Yes, he was bred for this. The Mountain thundered, rumbled, and quaked as Battalions C and D crashed their swords into the face of the Mountain, trying to force Lucifer’s rebels out of their hiding places by bringing the Mountain down around them. The chariot driver strained against the reins, expertly guiding Nar as they dodged the falling rock. Screams of those being crushed under the weight of the quaking Mount filled the air. The captains ignored them, focused on their mission. The Valley floor rushed up at Chazaq. He tugged on the reins and Nar pulled up out of his steep decline. They soared over the thrashing Lucifer and caught up to Michael. Sensing Cristin’s approach, Michael threw the crossbow upwards. Cristin grabbed it out of the air with his left hand and strengthened his right hand’s grip on the chariot’s metallic rim. Nar raced towards the Valley’s entrance. The line hooked to Lucifer drew taught. Cristin’s shoulder was nearly wrenched out of its socket. But still, he held on. The force yanked Lucifer out of the stream and pulled him up through the air. The Rebel leader was in total shock. His hands frantically grabbed at the cord attached to him. He hurled toward the Valley’s entrance. Michael reached out and caught Lucifer’s foot as he whizzed by. Nar dragged the chariot, Lucifer and the General through the air at an alarming speed. The narrow Valley entrance drew nigh. The entryway’s rocks scraped along the chariot’s right side. Chazaq winced. Sparks shot up around them. The rocks left deep scars in the chariot’s side. Cristin hung over the left side of the chariot in relative safety but Lucifer and the General weren’t so fortunate. They both crashed into the jagged surfaces of the rock. Lucifer’s head and shoulder came into with the hard wall. He lost consciousness. Michael’s golden greave

ripped off of his right shin and bounced to the ground. His exposed leg glanced off of a jutting boulder. His olive flesh tore away, exposing bone. General Michael clenched his teeth and struggled to keep his grip on Lucifer’s ankle. Just when he thought he could hold on no longer, the chariot burst out of the Valley entrance amid sparks, dust, and rocky debris. Chazaq directed Nar over to the edge of some adjacent Eviggrønn. He pulled hard on the reins and the fiery horse dug his heels into the soft ground. His chest heaved from the exertion. The chariot rolled to a halt. The wheels and the two trailing Angels left a pitted trail through the fallen pine needles. Lucifer lay face down on the ground, his body motionless. Michael let go of Lucifer’s heel and rolled to his back. The deafening sounds of battle surrounded him. Elohim’s B Battalion dropped out of the clouds, clashing with the Rebels who had escaped the cascading rock. Michael rolled to his hands and knees. He tried to stand but an agonizing pain shot through his right leg forcing him back to the ground. Sweat formed on his brow and upper lip. He took a steadying breath. His golden eyes examined the extent of his wound. His calf muscle lay torn and jagged. Bits of white bone peeked through. “General,” boomed Chazaq, “are you well?” He stepped around Cristin and made his way to the back of the chariot. “Considering you and Nar were trying to kill me, I am not too bad,” winced Michael. He gazed up at Chazaq. Chazaq’s hands moved to his hips. He smiled. “If Nar and I were trying to kill you then you would….” The amusement on his face was replaced with a look of surprise. He sputtered, and stared at the large blade exiting the gap in his armor. Chazaq’s shaking hands moved to the weapon’s tip sticking out of his side. An iron-like odor scented the air. “No!” shouted Michael. Chazaq’s knees gave out. He slid off the blue blade and fell to the ground. Cristin stood behind him, holding a bloodied sword. Michael was in shock.

A coldness surrounded Cristin. He wiped his sword on his thigh and laughed wickedly. “Michael, did you think I would want to stand in your shadow forever? I, yes, I, am now High General of my own army!” He stepped over Chazaq’s body and strode to Lucifer’s side. “A Captain, I shall be no longer.” He bent down and rolled Lucifer onto his back. “I’m glad that I found out about your ‘change in plans’ at the last minute. If I hadn’t talked Wong into letting me replace him in the back of that chariot things may have turned out quite differently.” He bent down and shook Lucifer. The Son of the Morning made no response. He drug Lucifer away from Michael. Anger pulsed through Michael’s veins. He pushed himself off of the ground, bearing all of his weight on his left leg. His wings flared out to the sides. It aided his balance. He drew his sword. “Get away from him,” threatened the General menacingly. “No need for that, Michael.” Cristin confessed, “I was told to leave you alive. Lucifer wants you all for himself.” He hauled the unconscious Lucifer up and draped him over his shoulders. Michael sneered. “And what makes him think that we are worthy adversaries, eh, traitor?” The General spun his sword in a circular motion, and squatted on his good leg in preparation to push off and cross the gap of ground between them. An unexpected pair of feuding Angels crashed down between Michael and Cristin. The ground shook, spraying earth and grass high into the sky. Michael shielded his eyes from the debris. When he opened them Cristin had already disappeared with Lucifer. “No!”

Before him fought an Angelic soldier with a ginger-haired Rebel. Michael knew the Rebel. His name was Bran, a musician. The Shishak soldier needed no assistance. He easily disarmed the fair-skinned Bran with a swish of his sword. The enemy’s weapon fell at Michael’s feet. Michael picked it up and threw it at Bran’s heart like a dagger. Bran let out a loud rush of air and fell to the ground. No one would hear his penny whistle again. He limped over to Chazaq, grabbed a hold of his back armor and rolled him over. There was a glowing pool of sticky crimson blood covering his chest. “Chazaq!” groaned Michael. He tried to stem the bleeding with fail. The Captain’s eyelids fluttered. He was still alive. Barely. He coughed and spewed a mist of blood on Michael’s neck. “Brother,” he rasped. His hand weakly clambered to his belt. He slid his telescope out and brought it up to his chest. “For truth,” he coughed. Michael put his hand over his brother’s hand. He nodded his head. “For truth,” echoed the General. His heart saddened. The golden glow in Chazaq’s skin started to ebb and wane. First, the light left his extremities, and then his face. It gathered over his chest. The golden orb of light arose from Chazaq’s body and hovered in the air, inches from the General’s face. Michael felt the light’s warmth on his face. Curiously, his gaze followed the light. It took off and zipped around Nar’s ears. The horse shook his head and stomped his feet. The glowing ball then rose and drifted through the air, southwards, towards the Throne Room. Other glowing orbs ed Chazaq’s. All headed in the same direction. Michael looked down to say goodbye to his fallen friend and realized his body was gone. He picked up the telescope and tucked it into his belt. He carefully stood, his sword in hand. “General, may I be of service,” questioned the young Shishak.

With a powerful flap of his wings, Michael hoisted himself through the air and landed at Nar’s side. He brought his sword down on the tethering connecting Nar to the chariot. He tore the hem of his undergarment and tied it tightly around his calf. He mounted Nar. “Find Gabriel and tell him to send word to the rest of Elohim’s Army that Cristin is no longer to be trusted.” The soldier acknowledged the order and saluted. Michael nudged the horse with his left heel. Nar leapt upward to the fray.

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Cristin found a safe spot in the Northern Wood and deposited Lucifer on a patch of soft moss growing by the river. After removing the barbed arrowhead, he washed the dried blood away from Lucifer’s injured shoulder. The arrow had left a gaping hole. It needed to be dressed. Cristin plucked some of the moss from the ground and stuffed it into the wound. The moss had healing properties and would help staunch the bleeding. He tore some of his linen uniform away and made it into a makeshift bandage. While he worked, Cristin thought about how good it felt revealing to Michael that he was no longer a Captain, but High General of the new regime. The look of shock and betrayal on his face was priceless. He needed to get Lucifer up and running. Then they could see to winning this battle. He splashed some cool stream water on Lucifer’s disfigured face. Cristin grimaced. It was hard to believe that this used to be the fairest Angel in all of Heaven. Lucifer’s eyelids, even the droopy one, began to flutter open. He inhaled sharply. His eyes settled on his new general. “Cristin, where are we?” he rattled. Cristin lent Lucifer a hand and pulled him up into a sitting position. “We are in the Northern Realm, not too far from the Valley of Fatum. Michael pulled a nasty trick.” Lucifer raised a hand, “Yes, yes, I that. How did I black out?” “You hit your head on a rock while we were exiting the Valley.” “And how did my vile brother fair?”

Cristin shrugged his shoulders. “Other than a case of injured pride? He incurred a minor leg wound.” Lucifer rubbed his head. “Alright. Give me a minute to get my wits about me and then we will be off. I want to finish Michael; then, we’ll take down Elohim as planned.”

CHAPTER 34

The General twisted his fingers into Nar’s fiery mane. He unsheathed his blazing weapon with his right hand and dug his heels into Nar’s sides. The animal vaulted up off the ground. The warhorse feverishly climbed through the air, bying the Mountain’s peak in mere seconds. Michael and Nar had barely exited the clouds when three Rebels flew towards them in fierce attack. Michael swung his sword in a wide arc, knocking the heads off of the first two Rebels in one giant swing. He quickly skewered the third Rebel’s heart with his sharp blade. A spray of glowing crimson spurted out of the enemy’s back. Michael tugged his sword free from the Rebel’s damaged chest. Wanting better maneuverability, Michael stood atop of Nar. He pushed off of the beast’s muscular back and somersaulted through the air. He caught himself with a flap of his mighty white wings and observed his surroundings quickly. The fighting was intense. It pleased the General to see the Shishak pairing off and working together as teams to smite their enemy. Just like he taught them. An armored team of two shot past him in hot pursuit of a frightened Rebel wielding a broad sword, one of the Shishak flew above the Rebel and grabbed his wing, spinning him out of control and into the flight path of the other Shishak. The Angel pierced the Rebel with his jagged edged sword. Dying, the Rebel burst into yellow light. Michael heard a sound behind him and instinctively jabbed his sword backwards. The sneaking offender let out a small yelp and dropped his green sword. He slid off of the General’s blade and fell down through the clouds. Michael could faintly detect the Rebel’s body dissipating into light. Six Rebels descended from above. Michael recognized them as former Shishak. “Traitors.” The mere sight of them repulsed him. Once again he felt the sting of Cristin’s

betrayal. His blood boiled. The General went on the defensive. He flew away from them at a considerable speed. He glimpsed back to make sure the Rebels were pursuing him. They were. He promptly changed course by looping upwards, one hundred and eighty degrees. When his back was parallel with the ground, he rolled sideways. Now the General was flying in the opposite direction, towards his attackers, stomach parallel to the ground, and approximately three feet above the Rebels. It was time for the prey to become the predator. The Rebels were going too fast to stop. Michael held his sword down, tip pointing to the ground. The sharp blade split two of the leading Rebels completely in half. They shattered apart in explosions of light. The edge of Michael’s blade glanced off of the third’s neck. The Rebel screeched. His hands gripped his neck. He desperately tried to staunch the bleeding. He fell back. The General lost sight of him. Michael somersaulted over the fourth and fifth Rebels and drove his sword down into the back of the sixth Rebel. He screamed and went thrashing down through the air. Michael grinned. “And then there were two.” Michael hovered in the air, waiting for the two unharmed Rebels to stop and engage him. One was a large hulking blonde. Michael knew him well. His name was Sven. He had been a Shishak. Michael was the one who taught him how to fight. Sven glared at the General and took a fighting stance. He had blood smeared on his breastplate; no doubt, it belonged to one of the General’s own. It angered the Arch Angel that his fellow brother would turn on him and Elohim. I need to get this anger into check and focus. He took a deep cleansing breath. His wings beat in a rhythmic procession. Time slowed for Michael. Droplets of red blood dripped from the General’s blade, he counted them out loud. “One.” His knees came up slightly, the left a little higher than the right. “Two.”

The General flexed his left arm into a defensive position, hand close to his face. Sven’s glare broke for an instant, revealing uncertainty. The blonde oaf lowered his green sword a few inches and cautiously inspected the Arch Angel. Michael’s counting made him nervous. The General carefully observed the other Rebel accompanying Sven. He was way too clumsy with his sword to be a Shishak deserter, and too daft to be afraid. He flew slowly towards Michael whereas Sven cautiously waited. “Three.” Michael crouched. He was at the ready. “Four.” He calculated the weight and height of the approaching enemy. “Five.” The inexperienced Rebel entered into his protective circle, which was an imaginary bubble that emanated from his center and extended out one foot past his feathery wings. “No one enters the bubble.” Michael jabbed his sword into the Rebel’s abdomen. He immediately retracted his blade and brought his sword back to its original position. He was so fast. The Rebel didn’t even notice that he had been wounded. A bloodstain spread on the injured Angel’s robe. The fool came closer. He dove at Michael with his clean virgin blade. Michael knocked the enemy’s sword away with the guard on his left forearm and moved into him, plunging his weapon deep into the Rebel’s abdomen. He freed his sword. The wounded Rebel crumpled like a rag doll and fell into the mists below. Michael peered into Sven’s eyes. Sven glared back, but didn’t budge. Michael was going to have to make the first move. Michael flapped his wings and rushed at the blonde Rebel. Clang! Blue sparks erupted into the air as Michael’s sword collided with Sven’s emerald blade. The force behind Michael’s swing was enormous. Sven’s grasp momentarily loosened on the short hilt of his thick blade. Michael noticed the triangular

pommel of Sven’s sword. It had once bore the spear tip insignia of the Shishak on it, but now crude gashes covered the pommel from where Sven had tried to erase the symbol. Michael pushed Sven back a couple of feet. “I’m going to erase you like the Shishak symbol on your sword,” Michael calmly informed. Sven swallowed hard. He regrouped and corrected his stance. He had sparred multiple times with Michael, but had never beaten him. Fear clutched at his mind. Sven wondered if he should run or fight. He never had the chance to decide. Michael was on him in a quick flurry of moves. A lightening quick thrust to Sven’s right shoulder severed the plexus of nerves rendering his grip helpless. He dropped his sword. It shocked Sven that Michael had beaten him so quickly. Every sparring session had lasted way longer than this. The General answered him as if he had been reading his thoughts. “Yes, I always held back,” and with that he slashed off Sven’s wings in two quick moves. The Rebel fell to his doom.

CHAPTER 35

The rough cold rocks pressed into Lucifer’s hands. Dry crusty blood stained his blonde hair and the side of his face. He brushed some of it away from his left brow. The flecks of blood crumbled under his fingertips. He and Cristin hugged the side of the broken Mountain. Perched in the heights, they checked the progress of the battle. Clanging metal, battle cries, and shrieks of despair filled the air. Lucifer ground his teeth in frustration. He had hoped his Rebel forces would have faired better. They acquired heavy losses. If he didn’t act quickly and initiate the next part of his plan, all would be lost. He scanned the sky for Michael. His black eyes spotted the shining General. Of course, The High General of the Shishak was showing off again. He just filleted the wings off one of his poor unsuspecting followers. Pathetic. “Go Cristin. Hurry! Initiate the next phase. Leave Michael to me.” Lucifer was strong but Cristin had his doubts whether Lucifer could defeat Michael in hand-to-hand combat. Cristin thought fast for he had a lot riding on this. They had to win. “It would be my honor to take out Michael for you, my Liege. He is beneath you,” cooed General Cristin. Lucifer loved hearing “My Liege” uttered to him. He would have given in easily to his newly appointed General’s wishes, but this target was his and his alone. He fixated his black eyes on Cristin and raised his chin in a haughty manner. “Go Cristin, Michael is mine.” Cristin groaned and took off into the air. He traveled away from the fighting, towards the South. Cristin didn’t understand. He lacked the brains to see the big picture. That’s why he would never amount to anything higher than a Captain or a General. Cristin was a follower, not a leader like himself. If Lucifer didn’t

remain in the battle, Michael would surely become suspicious. It was imperative that he keep Michael and the Shishak distracted from his secret plan. Lucifer’s heart skipped a beat as he envisioned himself seated on the white marble Throne. This was so worth the pain and disfigurement. The Son of the Morning climbed higher and reached the Mountain peak. He balanced there for a moment and crouched low in preparation for attack. Michael’s back was turned to him. Now! Lucifer leapt off the rock’s surface with his borrowed sword drawn and pointed at the gap in the General’s armor. Michael’s attention was on Sven. Sven’s arms waved erratically as he fell through the Mountain’s mist. A Rebel from fifty meters above threw a knife at the General’s head. Out of the corner of his eye he detected it. He snatched it right out of the air before it could lodge into his eyebrow. One handedly, he spun the knife around in his palm and prepared to lodge it right back when he caught glimpse of a reflection in the knife’s blade. He immediately swung his body sideways in self-defense. Lucifer’s blade missed but his body slammed into Michael’s side like a meteor. They both careened through the air as they grappled with one another. A Rebel horn blew.

CHAPTER 36

Rubeus was polite but the doe-eyed Eve vexed him. Adam’s attention was on her alone. Rubeus’ barbs bristled. It bothered Rubeus that Vipress liked her so much. He couldn’t understand it. Vipress was usually so level headed. He observed from the outskirts of the group as his beautiful mate easily removed a splinter from the paw of a lioness. Everyone cheered when she succeeded. Adam scooted over to Eve’s side and threw an arm around her. She kissed him. Adam caressed her bronze cheek. Rubeus turned away in disgust. “Sheesh, do that in private,” he growled quietly. Vipress’ words rushed back to him. Ok, ok, be nice. Give her a chance. He took a deep breath in. He turned back towards the group. He nervously clicked his sharp talons over his rough scales. “Adam. Uh, excuse me, Adam?” Adam broke away from Eve. His attention fell on Rubeus. “Oh, hi Rubeus. I didn’t realize you were there.” No kidding, thought Rubeus. “Adam, I was thinking that it might be fun for us guys to go cliff diving at the river again. It was so much fun last time and…” Adam interrupted, “It was fun but can we do it another time? I promised Eve that I would help her this afternoon.” The brush off hurt Rubeus’ feelings. “Another time then,” he replied and backed out of the Glade into the surrounding foliage. He refused to make eye with anyone on the way out for fear that

they may know the pain of his rejection.

CHAPTER 37

Cristin flew low and fast like a comet towards the center of the Kingdom. It surprised him that he hadn’t encountered more opposition. Cristin easily cut down the few soldiers who had tried to stop him. He swooped low and silently landed in a cluster of Eviggrønn at the southernmost edge of the Northern Realm. Cristin stilled himself, training his attention on his surroundings. Plip. Plip. Water droplets fell from the towering branches and exploded on the pine-needled floor. A low crunch from behind made Cristin jerk his head to the side and grab for his sword. “Is it time?” questioned Doumbek, stepping out from behind a gigantic tree trunk. Cristin relaxed. “It is,” he replied, “Where are our soldiers?” Clumps of the forest floor started to tremble and shake. Twenty warriors climbed out from their hiding places. They gathered around their General. Bits of the forest still clung to their armor and hair. Cristin nodded his head in approval. All twenty of these Rebels were ex-Shishak and purposely set-aside for this covert mission. They were fierce and formidable. “This way,” beckoned Doumbek. He turned, carefully winding his way into an area of thick foliage. Cristin and his Rebels followed. From the protection of the dense greenery they spied the gold, filigreed staircases. These stairs led up to the terraces that surrounded the Throne Room. It astonished Cristin that only a handful of guards were positioned throughout the terraces. They would have to take them out quickly while rushing the Throne Room. He signaled for the Rebels to fan out. They followed his orders and positioned themselves around the center of the Kingdom, being sure to stay concealed.

Doumbek stayed by Cristin’s side; after all, he was a musician not a fighter. Cristin gave them ten minutes to get into place. He tapped Doumbek on the shoulder. The dark Angel reached into a satchel tied to his red belt. He pulled out a small copper hand drum. This wasn’t what he wanted. He threw it to the ground when he saw the etched depictions of the King on it. He reached in again and came out with a large horn. Cristin crouched into a sprinter’s starting position. Doumbek brought the horn’s mouthpiece up to his lips. He took a deep breath in and forcefully let it out. A loud resonating note burst forth and rang throughout the Heavenly Kingdom.

CHAPTER 38

Michael and Lucifer careened across the sky. They lost altitude as they wrestled through the air. Lucifer locked his arms around Michael’s waist. He crushed the bottom half of Michael’s ribcage. Michael couldn’t breathe. He slammed the jeweled pommel of his sword into Lucifer’s temple. Lucifer’s grip loosened. The General flexed his giant biceps and broke Lucifer’s embrace. Michael clobbered Lucifer’s face with his fist. The hilt of the knife served like brass knuckles. Lucifer’s eyebrow split open. The force knocked him backwards. Both Angels righted themselves in the air. Twenty feet of space separated them. Michael flung the knife in Lucifer’s direction. The malevolent Angel lunged to the right, narrowly missing the blade. It thrilled him that Michael had missed. That feeling vanished in an instant when he heard a thud sound behind him. Lucifer glanced over his shoulder. Michael’s knife protruded from a Rebel’s forehead. The Rebel had tried to come to Lucifer’s aid. The Son of the Morning growled with anger. “Thought you had gone and hidden yourself,” smirked Michael. “And let you have all the fun?” slurred Lucifer through his misshapen mouth. A second Rebel horn blew. Lucifer giggled. Unease gripped Michael. The Rebels broke away from the fighting. They scampered off towards the Throne Room. “Wong!” shouted Michael, “Chase down those Rebels. Don’t allow them to get to the Throne Room.” Captain Wong nodded his head and cut down two escaping Rebels with one swing of his samurai sword. He started regrouping the scattered Shishak. Michael turned his attention back to the demented Angel before him.

“Will your treachery never end?” Michael glared at Lucifer. Both had swords drawn. The Son of the Morning waved his back and forth as if he could keep Michael from going anywhere. Lucifer rushed forward and jabbed his blade at Michael. The General swiftly dipped his shoulder and turned slightly to the left. He kicked Lucifer so hard that he left a sandal-sized dent in his white breastplate. Lucifer dropped a few feet in altitude. He caught himself with a few flaps of his dirtied wings. No way is this vermin going to get the best of me, thought Lucifer. Michael advanced on him. “Submit, now.” “And then what? You’ll let me live and grovel for forgiveness at the feet of Elohim?” Lucifer turned his head to the right and spat. Michael thrust his sword at Lucifer. Lucifer blocked it, two hands on the hilt of his sword. Michael let loose a punch with his left hand, once again breaking open Lucifer’s cheek. Lucifer raised his forearm to his cheekbone. His face throbbed with pain. Perhaps, Michael was a bit superior to him when it came to fighting. Surely, it was because he practiced every day. Lucifer had better things to do with his time. He knew from the second horn blast that Cristin had advanced on the Throne Room. His plan to distract Michael had worked. Now if he could break away from Michael, and make it to the Throne Room, Cristin could lend him a hand in smiting this nuisance of a general. Lucifer swung his sword wildly at Michael who easily parried the attacks. Lucifer faked a jab. Michael offensively leaned back to elude the blade. When he did so, Lucifer turned and flew away. Southward he absconded. He flew as fast as he could. Michael shook his head. What a loser. He beat his wings forcefully and gave chase. Using the air currents to his favor, Michael easily overtook Lucifer. He flew over him and grabbed his gnarled wings. Michael twisted completely over and lodged the Rebel leader through the air. Lucifer spun out of control and off course. His wings flailed about. He came crashing down through three glass-orbed living quarters before landing in one of the Eastern lakes. Shards of glass slashed up his beautiful wings. His blood clouded the water red. The Son of the Morning was disoriented. He couldn’t tell which way to the surface.

Michael had mixed feelings. Should he go after Lucifer or race to the Throne Room? He had to decide quickly. “General, are you alright?” It was Captain Wong. Half of his face was covered in dry blood. “Yes, Captain. Push for the Throne Room. Protect our King. I’m going after Lucifer.” Wong clapped his hand over his Asian-plated breast armor and continued on towards the Throne. Michael dove down into the cool water. It felt good on his injured leg. He opened his eyes in the water, it was so clear, he could see for meters around him. A school of frightened fish rushed by him. The writhing Lucifer attempted to reach the surface. Michael calmly swam towards him. He reached up and grasped Lucifer’s ankle. The vile Angel kicked at Michael with his free foot. Michael pulled him down deeper. He wrapped his right arm around Lucifer’s throat and squeezed. The Son of the Morning raked at the General’s forearm. The General ignored him. Michael scissor kicked to the surface, propelling his enemy along with him. They surfaced. Michael dragged Lucifer to the shore. Lucifer kept tripping as Michael yanked him along. The General roughly pushed Lucifer down to his knees and prepared to break his neck. “Stop,” whispered a voice in Michael’s head. He hesitated. “Stop, Michael. Not yet. Bring him to me.” It was the voice of Elohim. He removed his arm from Lucifer’s neck. The villainous Angel gasped. His hands shot up to his throat. Michael jerked Lucifer up. “Come, you have an appointment with the King.”

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General Cristin led the charge. He raced out of the thicket leaving a wake of light in his path. His feet sailed up the golden stairs. His sword sliced through a sluggish Shishak guard positioned on the first tier of the balcony. The dead warrior fractured into a million pieces of golden light. Ah, that felt good. Powerful. He soared to the next tier. Cristin easily disarmed and killed another guard. The newly appointed Rebel General and his companions operated with such speed and deadly efficiency that only a few muffled screams escaped the scattered guards’ lips. Cristin’s company congregated in the shadow of the Great Throne Room Door. It was time. Cristin raised a fist in the air. Doumbek saw the signal from the safety of the forest. The musician again raised the shiny horn to his lips and blew. Cristin and his gang of Rebels stormed through the door with weapons at the ready. They had barely ed the threshold when a warm blinding light enveloped them.

CHAPTER 40

Michael’s powerful wings sliced through the air. He needed to get to Elohim’s Throne Room as fast as he could. Lucifer slowed him down. He dragged him along by his blood-caked hair. Not exactly aerodynamic. The Son of the Morning clutched the General’s wrist. He spat curses at him. Michael ignored him. Within minutes the Angelic duo arrived in the center of the Kingdom. Michael landed next to Gabriel and Captain Wong. Both stood on one of the tiered terraces below the towering Great Throne Room Door. Michael handed over Lucifer to Captain Wong. He gave Lucifer’s blade to Gabriel for safekeeping. Wong glared at Lucifer with profound distaste. Michael surveyed the area. Shishak and Messengers flooded the stairs, terraces and areas surrounding the Throne Room. They looked rough, but at least they were alive. The General didn’t see any Rebels. Where were they? “I want a status report, Captain Wong.” “General, most of the Rebels are dead. Many were slain as they broke away after the second trumpet call. Those that didn’t die surrendered here when the majority of our forces arrived. They are being held in that field behind those trees.” Wong pointed his blue gauntlet towards a line of trees in the background. Michael glanced in that direction. “Good work, Wong.” He rushed up the steps to the Throne Room Door. The Captain followed him. “Elohim and the Prince are well?” His question was met with silence. Michael stopped and turned abruptly. He eyed Captain Wong. The quiet Captain appeared perplexed. He refused to make eye ; instead, he stared solemnly at the Shishak insignia on Michael’s chest. “Sir, I do not know,” itted the flabbergasted Captain. Wong’s eyebrows

furrowed. “The Great Door is ajar but it is sealed with an impenetrable light. The three other doors are locked. We are trying to open them as we speak.” The confounded General frowned. “A light?” He bounded up the remaining stairs. Reaching the highest terrace, a sea of Shishak parted for him. He marched up to the doorway. The thirty foot pearl door stood ajar just like Wong had said. A blinding white light emanated through the entranceway. Michael shielded his eyes with his left forearm and tried to trudge through. It was like a wall of rubber. He pushed and strained but could not . Michael called for Gabriel to bring the prisoner. The crowd parted once again. Up limped Lucifer, his head held high in defiance. Gabriel followed behind him holding the tip of Lucifer’s sword at the monstrous Angel’s back. The Shishak shot the Rebel dirty looks as he ed by. Lucifer didn’t care. “Is this part of your cursed doing?” questioned the General. He waved his hand toward the light, “What is this?” Lucifer’s deformed mouth curled into half a sneer. He didn’t know, but he sure wasn’t going to tell Michael that. Let the fool figure it out for himself he thought. Gabriel pressed the blade deeper into the notch between Lucifer’s wings. The Rebel grunted and uncharacteristically refused to say anything. Michael nodded his head towards Wong. Captain Wong unleashed a roundhouse kick, landing his foot square on Lucifer’s jaw. It rendered him unconscious. Two Shishak warriors caught him before he hit the floor. Michael turned and thought for a moment. Logically, it would be impossible for Lucifer to create something like this. It had to be Elohim or Prince Meko. The General edged closer to the light. “My King, we are at an ime. Please help us,” he whispered. Instantly, the bright light dimmed and transformed into a golden glittery haze. Michael drew his sword. He cautiously entered the Throne Room, followed by Captain Wong, Gabriel, and two regiments of protective Shishak. They slowly worked their way into the gigantic room. The fog-like haze rendered it difficult to see very far. It was like entering a dream world. Suspended in the golden haze

hung twenty-one Rebels, frozen in place and situated throughout the room. Their arms and legs were spread out. Their hands still gripped their weaponry as they rotated slowly in the air. Thunderous booms echoed throughout the room. They rocked the walls and shook the crystal floor. Michael studied the petrified Rebels as he worked his way deeper into the room. Unconcealed fear shone in their fixated stares. He ed by the traitor, Cristin, and stopped to glare at him. Chazaq’s blood still stained his sword. “Approach,” reverberated the deep voice of King Elohim. Instantaneously, the haze cleared. The General raised his eyes. His heart was overjoyed to see his King alive and well and seated upon his Throne. Prince Meko stood to the right of his Father. He was solemn and sad. The General dropped to bended knee. His Army followed suit. “My King, praise your holy name.” worshipped Michael. Gabriel and the Shishak mimicked him. A crack of lightning came down and hit the Throne Room floor. It was so hot the four streams emerging from the corners of the Throne began to steam. King Elohim stood and started to descend the diamond staircase. He stopped midway. Prince Meko did not move. The four Seraphim watched from above. “My faithful arise.” Michael and the rest rose to humbly stand before their King. Elohim’s voice echoed around the Throne Room and the Heavenly Realms. “Lucifer and his kind have lost this battle. It was insanity to think they could go against their Maker. I hold this World in my hands.” He lifted his arms and all of the captive Rebels appeared on bended knee around the room. Most of the Rebel force had been destroyed, but still thousands remained. The Rebels strained against the invisible force tethering them down to the cold crystal floor. Elohim descended three more steps. “Around this great room remains the essence of fallen faithful Angelkind. Their light will never go out, they will stay here with me until the war is over. Yes, it pains me to tell you that this is just the

beginning. The rift that Lucifer has caused is great. The consequences will be numerous and devastating for both the sides of good and evil.” Elohim loudly beckoned, “Come!” A large cloud of white light developed at his feet. “These are the dead Rebellious. Since they are Spirits their light cannot die. But as punishment they will have to endure a cruel curse for all of eternity.” On cue, Prince Meko stepped in front of the marble Throne. He whispered, so low no one could hear his words, not even the Seraphim perched above him. The fire in his eyes flashed from a reddish orange to a bluish white glow. The Kingdom started to shake and quake. With a loud crack, the Western Realm fell and broke away from the rest of the Kingdom. Meko’s lips kept moving. The borders crumbled and fell away. Prince Meko threw his hands up and brought them down in a chopping motion. A great explosion sounded. The Western Realm imploded upon itself, leaving a vast black hole in the middle of it. The shaking waned and an eerie silence filled the void. Elohim spoke to the cloud of light at his feet. “Forever, you will live in torment and seclusion.” The King pointed to the West. “Away with you!” The cloud rushed out of the Throne Room and gathered over the black hole, it hovered there for a moment before its light was devoured with a loud creaking moan. “Now.” The King pointed in front of him. An invisible force lifted Lucifer away from his Shishak Guard and carried him towards the center of the room. Lucifer had already regained consciousness. He struggled against Elohim’s force but to no avail. Lucifer was laid castrate on the floor in front of the Throne’s staircase. He could not move. “Lucifer, this is the closest you will ever come to my Throne. This Kingdom will no longer be your home. You and your kind will now be set apart,” promised King Elohim. Lerosch and Bos carried down a large chalice of fire and set it before the King. Bluish-orange flames licked up and over the sides of the silver chalice. The chalice hovered in the air in front of the King. The two solemn Seraphim returned to their places above the Throne. The air stunk of sulfur. “You, agents of darkness, will no longer bear my image.”

Elohim blew on the flames. The fire roared, leapt up and spilled over the brim of the chalice. The blaze engulfed Lucifer and his Rebel Army. The Rebels screamed in excruciating pain. Elohim quit blowing on the fire and the searing blaze subsided. Wisps of smoke rose from the charred bodies. The screams subsided into agonizing moans. The bodies of the Rebels were burned and disfigured hideously. The stench of burnt hair and feathers permeated the room. Elohim released the force he was using to hold the Rebels in place. Their naked bodies lay distorted and twisted in agony on the floor. Their once majestic wings were now featherless, leathery and batlike. Tight skin stretched taut over their long wing bones, disgusting and freaklike. “You are now set apart.” Elohim took no pleasure in this. He descended a few more feet and stared at the Son of the Morning, his eyes like blazing fire. “Lucifer, I now give you a new name. It is Satan. It means adversary. You are my enemy, foe to goodness, and deceiver of the faithful. Be gone with you. I cast you out into the Wilds of Earth. Consider you and the rest of your Rebels purged from my Kingdom.” “General, throw them out.” Michael turned to his regiments, “Shishak, fall out.” He grabbed Lucifer up by his arm. His skin felt hot and sticky. Michael led him over to the portal located in the center of the golden barked Tree growing behind Elohim’s Throne. “Here, take them through the Garden and out into the Wilds,” barked the General. He stood to the side of the portal. A long line of Shishak escorted their crispy prisoners out of Elohim’s Kingdom. Satan stood listlessly by Michael’s side. They were the last to through the Tree’s doorway. The portal deposited them into Pardes. Flecks of golden vapor clung to their skin. Captain Wong and Cristin waited for them beside the Tree of Knowledge. The rest of the Shishak had already gone ahead to release their prisoners into the refuge of the Wilds. Michael took in his surroundings. It was beautiful and sunny here, untouched by the darkness that had occurred in his home Realm. Two small monkeys, Cerco and Kandti, chatted noisily at them. They hopped through the branches of a

nearby tree clearly chastising the Angels for disrupting their play. Michael’s grip tightened around Lucifer’s elbow. “Come, General, let’s be rid of these fools.” The words had barely left Captain Wong’s lips, when Cristin spun like a top. He grabbed the blue hilt of Wong’s samurai sword and pulled it out of the scabbard positioned between the Captain’s shoulder blades. Cristin knocked Wong down by delivering a hard kick to to his lower back. The dark headed Angel crashed down to his knees, back arched. Michael wrapped his hand around the blood-red hilt of his double-bladed sword. He drew it out at the speed of light and began to cross the Glade. Cristin swung his stolen blade at Wong’s head. Thankfully, his thick azure helmet absorbed most of the force. Unconscious, Wong fell forward into the grass. The traitor didn’t have time to finish the Captain off. Michael was upon him. Cristin swung his sword at Michael. Michael deflected the blow with the crimson brace he wore on his left wrist. The General engaged the traitor in heavy combat. They clashed together in the heat of battle. Sparks flew from their swords. Michael was taller. It was easier for him to master Cristin in swordplay. Cristin lost ground. He needed to get to higher terrain. He spotted a boulder at the Glade’s edge. He retreated towards the patch of high grass hiding the boulder’s foundation. Michael easily deduced Cristin’s plan by reading his body language and following the movement of his eyes, those crystal blue eyes. Strange, Cristin no longer resembled his former self. His skin was pale, tight and scarred. His blonde hair incinerated. His ears, so burned and disfigured, resembled small horns. He appeared so different, yet those eyes, they remained the same. Those eyes frantically sought higher ground. The sinister Rebel waited for a pause to grant him the chance to reach safety. The wise General would give it to him. Michael pretended to stumble over a clump of tall grass. Cristin couldn’t believe his luck. He stretched out his ugly wings and leapt up. He landed high on the boulder’s craggy surface. Safety. He smiled prematurely. Cristin mockingly peered into Michael’s gold eyes. The General appeared calm and collected. It irked the Rebel. He expected his superior change in position to strike fear in Michael. Surely, this would tip the scales in Cristin’s favor. The General, eyes locked with Cristin’s, slowly shook his head from side to side. “Tsk. Tsk”

He flicked his right wrist. Two arcs of blue electricity ejected out of the tips of Michael’s double-bladed sword, they stretched twenty feet in length. He was deeply satisfied when the traitor’s smug expression changed to one of fear. The General flicked his wrist again. The whips of energy jumped and snapped. Cristin turned to escape. He thrust his wings outward trying to eject himself into the air. Michael swung his sword arm in a large arc. The electrified tendrils whipped through the air and crackled as they cut cleanly through Cristin’s midsection. The traitor exploded into a ball of fiery light. Embers of red and orange flitted down through the air. Michael’s hand brushed against the small telescope tucked into his armor. “That’s for Chazaq.” Michael’s attention returned to the Tree of Knowledge. Lucifer was long gone. No surprise there. He retrieved Wong’s sword from the boulder. Cristin had dropped it upon combustion. He hurried to Captain Wong’s side. He was still unconscious. Michael carefully removed Wong’s blue helmet and examined it. A large black groove marred the side of it. He set it down and gently lifted his friend up into his arms. Michael carried him over to the Tree. He laid him down on the portal’s threshold. Michael stepped back. The golden haze stirred. It emerged forth in a cloud, settling over Wong’s entire body. It hesitated there a second before lazily retracting back into the portal. It took Wong along with it. Back to business, thought Michael. He scanned the trees for those two little bluefaced monkeys. Surely they had seen which way the Rebel leader had gone. He found them peeking out from behind a large branch high up in the Tree of Life.

CHAPTER 41

Lucifer crashed through the Garden of Pardes. He had taken full advantage of Michael’s inattentiveness. He pushed an elephant leaf aside. His wing snagged on a low-lying branch. He unhooked himself. He stayed off the footpaths and didn’t dare risk flying above the tree line for fear of being spotted. He tripped over the root of a tree and cursed out loud. Laughter drifted through the foliage. He froze. Two Humans emerged from behind a large bush covered with purple flowers. He breathed a sigh of relief. They were alone and couldn’t see him unless he wished it so. “Adam, stop laughing at me!” “I can’t help it,” chuckled Adam. He plucked a large lavender flower from a nearby bush. Adam delicately placed it behind Eve’s ear. The orchid-like flower complemented the golden highlights of her honey-hued hair. “Seriously, I think hippopotamus is a perfectly fine name.” Adam guffawed at the mention of ‘hippopotamus.’ Exasperated, Eve stomped her bare foot. He placated her. “You, are precious my love.” He bent and kissed her bronze forehead. She stared into his blue eyes and relaxed. A broad grin formed on her lovely mouth. “Okay, hippopiccalamolopalus it is,” consented Adam with his palms held outwards. “Hippopotamus!” giggled Eve. “Ugh!” She took him by the hand and made for the center of Pardes. “Come, I’m hungry.”

Lucifer hated them and their simple, stupid ways. They were so weak and inferior. How could Elohim love them so much? He turned to continue on his way when an idea, a wonderful, devious, brilliant idea planted itself in his twisted mind. He may have failed at plunging a sword in Elohim’s heart but he knew just how to step all over it. He’d harm those feeble children of his. He followed the Human couple at a safe distance back to the Glade where he had just escaped. The Humans had no clue. Lucifer doubted Michael would be in the Glade. He’d likely be out in the Garden searching for him. Lucifer knew that eventually he’d be caught, but hopefully, he had a little more time to do some damage. Adam and Eve wound their way through the lush green Garden. Lucifer cringed every time they laughed and kissed. Disgusting creatures. The Humans broke through the undergrowth and entered the Glade. Lucifer hung back and climbed a tall tree from which he spied the young couple. He hid himself behind a thick clump of leaves. He wrapped his wings around himself and waited. Two large reptiles ed the Humans. They were tall, proud creatures. An iridescent sheen shimmered over their bodies as the sun’s light hit their scales. He recognized them. Rubeus and Vipress. He curiously spied Vipress engaging in a friendly conversation with Adam and Eve, while Rubeus completely avoided them by sticking to the outer edges of the Glade. Rubeus refused to make eye with any of them. Lucifer smiled coyly. He knew what brewed in that scaly green heart. His plan evolved. Rubeus skirted over to the Tree of Life and gingerly plucked a supple fruit from its limbs. He examined his reflection in the fruit’s shiny green skin. What’s this, pride? Lucifer leaned forward an inch. This got better and better. Rubeus traipsed through the brush and masterfully leapt into the tree Lucifer had concealed himself in. Lucifer held his breath and froze. He refused to give away his position. The Humans couldn’t see him but an in tune animal could easily sense his presence. Fortunately, Rubeus never detected him. The green dragon was too deep in thought to notice the mischievous leader. The reptile settled on a branch just below Lucifer. The barbed Rubeus sprawled out. His legs and arms hung loosely off the branch. He rested his scaly triangular head down. A rumbly growl escaped his blue-flecked lips. The disfigured Angel reeled with delight.

Determined to bend Rubeus to his will Lucifer focused on the jealousy, pride and anger brewing in the reptilian’s heart. The Rebel wanted to touch it, to be one with it. Lucifer reached out his scarred hand and was shocked when a force pulled him directly into the scaled beast. It was like entering a portal. He felt confined, as if he wore a robe two sizes too small. He sat up on the branch and inspected himself. He was wearing the skin of Rubeus. Incredible. He held up a hand and ired his sharp, ivory talons. Would his voice be his own? Lucifer tried it out. “Hello,” he croaked. Lucifer cleared his throat and tried again, “Hello.” His voice mimicked the giant reptile. “Oh, this is going to be fun,” he throatily confessed. Vipress searched the center of the Garden. “Rubeus, Rubeus.” Lucifer refused to answer. He hunkered down low to the branch, concealed by its leaves. “Where is he?” wondered the anxious Vipress out loud. “He probably went to cool himself in the river. You know how he loves to go for an evening swim,” assured Adam. He hated seeing his friend worried. “Yes, you’re right. I’m going to try and catch up with him,” decided Vipress. She glanced over her shoulder giving the Humans a halfhearted smile goodbye. She left the Glade on the main footpath. The Humans were left all alone. The scaly Lucifer waited a few minutes more before quietly climbing down from his perch. This would be the pivotal moment. Could he play this off? He exited the green vegetation. Adam and Eve sat at the bottom of the Tree of Life happily munching on some multicolored fruit. Boring. “Rubeus. Friend, where have you been? Vipress has gone to the river in search of you,” exclaimed Adam upon seeing his friend. Eve nodded her head in agreement.

“Oh, has she?” cooed the puppeteer. “I’ll be sure to meet her, but first I think I will have a quick bite to eat. I’ve been out walking and am famished.” Eve held out a pear shaped fruit for Lucifer to take. It was bright orange and her absolute favorite. Lucifer shook Rubeus’ head from side to side. “Well, isn’t that generous of you, Eve; but I’m more interested in trying something newer and a bit more exciting?” He strolled over to the golden-barked willow and plucked one of the round red fruits from its silvery-feathered boughs. “Rubeus! Wait, what are you doing?” questioned Adam. He stood up in a panic. Eve followed suit. “We are forbidden to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil,” stammered Eve. “Hmmm, who told you that?” quizzed Lucifer. “Why, Elohim himself,” answered Eve, “He said if we did we’d be cursed and surely die.” Her eyes became large. Adam agreed with his wife. Lucifer turned his back slightly on the couple. “You will not surely die, will you? I’m pretty sure the King told you that because he knew if you ate this,” he held up the plump fruit, “your mind would be opened and you’d be just as smart as your Maker.” He spun around and locked onto Eve’s doe-like eyes. “Can you imagine the good you could do with all of that knowledge?” Eve and Adam stood there speechless. They contemplated the accuracy of his statement. Eve stepped forward. “Rubeus, are you sure?” Lucifer held the shiny red orb out to her. She hesitated, then quickly grabbed it up. She cautiously spied the fruit. Eve glanced back at Adam. He did nothing to stop her. She brought the fruit up to her mouth and bit into its crisp skin. Juice flowed down her chin. Her eyes brightened. It was truly delicious. She moaned in pleasure. Eve handed the rest of the fruit to Adam.

“Here, try this, my love. It tastes wonderfully.” Adam cradled the fruit in both of his hands. It seemed harmless. He ate the rest of its flesh. It was pleasing, but he didn’t feel any smarter. “Eve, do you feel wiser?” Lines formed on her brow. She thought hard. “No, but, I do feel different. I feel… embarrassed.” “Embarrassed?” Adam felt that way too. So preoccupied with his thoughts, Adam failed to notice the huge grin forming on Rubeus’ face. “I think it’s because we’re naked, Adam.” Eve did her best to cover her private parts with her hands. She hid behind the trunk of a large tree. Lucifer laughed cruelly. “You’re right!” Adam jumped behind a bush. He didn’t want anyone to see him. “What have you done Rubeus?” Lucifer doubled over with laughter. Tears ran from his eyes. He grabbed his sides. Eve wailed, “He’s mad!” “Yes. Mad. And now, even,” Lucifer ruthlessly pointed out. He casually sauntered off, wondering what other misery he could cause before being found out.

CHAPTER 42

Elohim exited the portal. The Humans had eaten from the Tree of Knowledge. Disappointed with their poor choice he came to address them. The Glade was empty. He entered upon the main pathway and traveled thirty feet before coming to a complete stop. He waited. As if on cue, three Angels came crashing down through the green treetops. They landed on the forest floor accompanied by a shower of leaves and flowers. Michael, Gabriel, and a hulking Shishak warrior named Seko bowed in respect. “My Lord, Lucifer has escaped. He’s somewhere here in Pardes,” reported the General. His shoulders were tense and he appeared tired. He was covered in dry blood and grit. Elohim waved his hand. “It’s alright, General. I know where he is and what he has done. Come with me.” The Angels followed their Maker. They met Vipress along their journey. She bowed her beautiful head and greeted the King. “Elohim, have you seen my beloved, Rubeus? I’ve been searching for him.” He noticed her concern. Elohim took pity on her. “Come with us, young one,” he spoke tenderly. He put his large hand on her head. A feeling of warmth came over her. It was calming. “Take heart,” he told her. They hiked through the growth together and came upon a large fig tree. Elohim stopped and called out, “Adam, where are you?” A few seconds lapsed before Adam answered, “I am here.” Adam crept out from behind a wide tree trunk. Eve timidly ed her partner. They had roughly sewn together fig leaves and fashioned them into makeshift clothing.

“We were hiding.” “Why?” inquired the Maker. “We were afraid and embarrassed because of our nakedness,” itted Eve in barely a whisper. “Who told you that you were naked?” Adam and Eve quietly stared at their feet. “Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Adam pointed at Eve, “The Woman you made, she gave me some of the tree’s fruit and I ate it!” Eve’s face turned bright red. “Eve, what have you done?” Eve fearfully shrugged her shoulders and raised her hands, “Rubeus, the reptile, deceived me and I ate it!” “No! Certainly not.” interjected Vipress. Michael couldn’t tell if Elohim was furious or sick with grief, but he definitely looked grim. Elohim demanded, “Satan! Come forth.” His white robe of fire flared red. The Angels stepped away to protect themselves from the heat. A howling wind roared through the Garden. A small tornado approached from afar. The trees shook and leaves fell from their branches. The tornado diminished as it neared the group. It spat a large green reptile at the King’s feet. Elohim waved a hand and the miniature tornado disappeared. The rattled trees stood still once again. The General eyed Rubeus with disdain. The creature rose to his knees. What was this? The General studied the reptile’s form. Michael spotted the gnarled outline of Lucifer inside Rubeus’ body.

Gabriel must have seen the same thing for he exclaimed, “Impossible!” Lucifer’s despicable giggle creepily tumbled out of Rubeus’ mouth. The hairs on the Humans’ arms rose. Vipress tried to run to her mate. Seko held her back, completely unsettled by what he observed. Elohim spoke to the body shared by two, “Cursed are you, Satan, above all others. Your darkness knows no bounds. Come out of him right now!” Lucifer tried to resist but he was forced to obey. His form started to materialize as he separated his consciousness from Rubeus’. Michael drew his sword and held it at Lucifer’s neck. “The damage has already been wrought, Elohim,” growled Lucifer. “Your precious creation has been tainted by disobedience, by evil, by me. You can not rectify this, ever.” Lucifer flinched as Michael pushed the tip of his blade deeper into his neck, but he continued on his rampage, “I’ve shamed you. I’ve shamed them.” He sneered, “Their souls, their very nature, have been stained.” The General beseeched Elohim with imploring eyes. He begged to receive the approval to smite this vile creature. The signal never came, instead the Maker ordered, “Quiet, foul spirit.” Lucifer tried to answer but failed. His mouth was sealed shut. He glowered at the King. Elohim’s gaze settled on Rubeus. “Rubeus, cursed are you among all beasts. Because of the negative, evil thoughts you harbored in your heart, you gave Satan a foothold, a doorway in. Through you, a great rift has formed between my beloved creation and myself. I now bring a rift between you and your beloved.” “Maker, no!” howled Rubeus. He clutched his chest. He turned to Vipress. Vipress’ legs began to give out beneath her. Seko held her up. “Vipress, by no wrong doing of your own, your mate has aided in bringing a curse upon this world. As his punishment you will no longer him. You and all animal kind will transform into primitive creatures, driven by instinct alone.”

Confused, she tore her gaze from Elohim and peered into Rubeus’ red eyes. “Vipress,” Rubeus cried. He fell to the ground in utter horror, his beloved changed before his very eyes. Vipress’ violet eyes dilated and darkened. Her body quivered, her arms morphed into flippers. Gills formed on the sides of her elongated neck. She doubled in size and Seko dropped her and moved away. Rubeus called out to her, “My love. My love.” Vipress’ legs intertwined with one another and formed a fin, far larger than any whale’s. Her beautiful green scales turned a dark shade of emerald green. They thickened till they became hard like steel. “What are you doing to her?” screamed Rubeus. Terrified, Eve buried her head in Adam’s chest. Elohim answered Rubeus. “Vipress is in no pain. She does not know you. She will be separate from you. Vipress is now a leviathan, a sea creature. You will live on land and never glimpse her again.” He clapped his large hands and Vipress disappeared into thin air. She was now a beast of the sea, and to the sea she was safely deposited. Rubeus howled. Elohim pointed at Rubeus, “From now on Rubeus, you will crawl on your stomach and choke on the dust of the ground. Hatred has formed between you and the Woman. Hatred will brew between your offspring and hers. He will step on your head, and you will strike at his ankle.” Rubeus let out a high pitch cry, “No! Please, pleassssss.” His words turned into a hissing sound. His square white teeth became long, venomous, and fanglike. His blue tongue began to elongate and fork. It darted in and out between pin-like teeth. He no longer spoke clearly. He fell to his side. His arms and legs shrank away until they were nonexistent. Rubeus’ ribs started to crack out loud and retract. His green-scaled body

narrowed and lengthened. The barbs adorning the ridge of his back and tail broke off as he thrashed on the ground. It sounded like shattering glass. In despair, Adam fell to his knees. Eve tried to comfort him. Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Rubeus, how I have brought harm to you,” whispered Adam in shocked disarray. The transformation was complete. Rubeus lay very still, coiled in the trodden grass. “You will now be called Snāche, due to the ache you have created in my heart.” Rubeus lifted his head and focused his ruby red eyes on Elohim. The black slits of his eyes narrowed and lengthened. “Go out into the Wilds, you are no longer welcome here,” commanded Elohim. Rubeus gradually unwound himself. His elastic-like skin moved in waves as his muscles propelled himself forwards. He slithered off into the brush. Adam and Eve would never see him again. To Eve, Elohim accused, “What pain you have caused. Now, I will increase the pains of your childbirth.” She hugged herself and shuddered. Elohim stepped closer to the Humans. “Adam, you listened to Eve and disobeyed my order. By your wrongdoing, you have changed your nature. An evil has crept into your hearts. You are no longer the perfect creatures I meant you to be.” “Unfortunately, this selfish desire to do wrong will be ed along to your children and your children’s children.” Elohim examined the greenery around him. “Look, even the ground is cursed because of you.” He held up a newly formed vine, it strangled a lavender orchid plant. The vine harbored large blue thorns. Thorns had never before existed. The King sighed. Wickedness marred his beautiful creation. He let go of the thorn and addressed Adam. “You can no longer live in the Garden of Pardes. If you

continue to abide here you’d be tempted to eat from the Tree of Life and then you’d live forever. This cannot be, for the wages of sin is death.” Elohim put his hands behind his back. “You will go into the Wilds. Adam, you will have to farm the land. You will work the ground until the day you die, then, you will be buried in the ground. From the dust you came, and to the dust you will return.” The Humans hung their heads in shame. Eve sobbed openly. Adam’s eyes moistened with grief. He put an arm around his wife’s shoulders. She leaned in to him. “We are sorry, Maker, so very, very sorry.” “So am I.” “Seko, escort the Humans out of the Garden. It is your duty to stand guard so that no one may enter here,” “Yes, my King,” responded Seko respectfully. Seko moved close to the Humans and held out an arm, “Come, please.” His eyes were kind, and his voice gentle. He felt terrible for the young couple. The Humans turned and moped off. Seko escorted them along the footpath to the eastern part of the Garden where Pardes bordered the Wild Lands. Elohim spoke to Michael, “Take Satan and release him into the Wilds. His time has not yet come.” Disappointed, the General sheathed his sword. The King lowered his face close to Lucifer’s. “Know this Satan, the war has just begun, and I know how it will end. I hold the future in my hands. You will wreak havoc on this world, but by my own sacrifice, I will reclaim it. I will decimate you and you will your fallen brothers imprisoned in a pit of despair for all of eternity.” Elohim’s fiery gaze locked with Lucifer’s black eyes. The King’s eyes

prophetically altered giving Satan a glimpse of his doomed future. Lucifer screamed in horror as he watched how the last battle would end. He saw himself, defeated, being thrown into a pit of blue fire, the fire that never dies. He recalled what Elohim’s fiery blast felt like in the Throne Room and his body shook with fear. Michael grabbed Lucifer by the back of his neck and lifted him over his head. Lucifer barely noticed. He still quaked from the images he had just seen. Michael leapt into the air, using Lucifer as a shield to protect his own body as he smashed up through Pardes’ treetops. Branches cracked and splintered. Pain forced Lucifer back to the present. Gabriel stayed with Elohim. “Consider yourself fortunate, Lucifer, for I want nothing more than to crush your skull into a million pieces,” spat Michael into the demon’s charred ear. The General flew to an overgrown wood, miles outside of Pardes’ borders. He landed forcefully, leaving a large crater in the ground. He stood and let go of his heinous cargo. Lucifer’s legs wobbled and he fell to his knees. He balanced himself and slowly stood. Lucifer backed away from Michael and sinisterly growled, “Oh, how I will delight in making the inhabitants of this world suffer. I will rob their hope, steal their joy, and destroy their inheritance. I will take as many as I can to the pit alongside me.” “Why don’t you take this?” Michael punched Lucifer in the face. He landed on his back and held his hand to his mouth. A warm, red, glow ebbed through his fingers. He sat himself up. Blood smeared his teeth and lips. “Do you not believe me, Michael?” he bated. The General shrugged, “I believe you will try, Lucifer. You’ve succeeded in creating a rift, but know that I will always be standing in the gap between goodness and your evil. I will stand against you at every turn.” Michael pointed to his own golden eye, “I’ll be watching you, Satan.”

He left Lucifer sitting in a pile of dirt and took the long way home. He zipped through the Cosmos and bathed in the light of the stars. A little rest and then he’d start preparing the Shishak for the next chapter. A grin formed on his lips, he didn’t want any of this, but he was definitely going to enjoy seeing Lucifer thrown into that fiery pit.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)