The Third Heaven: The Rise of Fallen Stars Read online

  “Michael, I present to you Athamas. He is the ward I have assigned to you and has been faithful in all his doings.”

  Michael nodded in respect and Athamas bowed in return.

  “You may return to your duties,” said Raphael.

  Upon command, Athamas disappeared from sight and continued transcribing.

  Michael cocked his head and turned to look at Raphael. “So let me understand this; when that thing in the other room was about to attack me…”

  “Athamas was documenting yes.”

  “Ok, at some point you and I really have to sit down and talk more about this job you and your people are assigned to do.”

  Raphael laughed. “I just wanted you to notice what I saw when Lucifer was with El and why I am even more concerned than you could possibly know.

  "Show present status of Lucifer Draco. Reveal assigned Grigori,” commanded Raphael.

  The ceiling fluctuated and showed an image of Lucifer in discussion with El in the throne room. Lucifer appeared pleading before El for Apollyon.

  Michael strained to see if anyone else was in the throne room apart from the norm.

  “Lucifer’s Grigori is not with him.” Michael remarked.

  “Indeed. This record is from the Virtues within the throne room,” replied Raphael.

  “Is it normal for a Grigori to leave his charge?

  “A Grigori never leaves the side of his charge, Michael –– never.”

  Michael looked at Lucifer and listened to his entreaty for Apollyon’s freedom. He studied him carefully.

  Raphael looked Michael squarely in the eye and took him gently by his shoulders. “Be careful around him Michael –– just be careful.”

  Michael laughed. “Lucifer would never harm me. I trust him as much as I trust you. I’m sure this is nothing.” Michael turned to leave.

  Raphael watched his brother depart.

  I hope you are right Michael –– I just hope you are right.

  ********************

  Lucifer bowed to his Lord and gave his report on the construction of the Garden of Eden.

  “Lord, I have completed my charge and am greatly disturbed to hear of Apollyon’s actions.”

  “Abaddon was warned,” said the Lord. “He had ears but did not hear. His eyes beheld yet they did not perceive. His ears waxed gross, and he became dull of hearing. His eyes he did close, lest at any time he should see, and understand that he might be converted. Do you understand this my son?”

  “Lord, I do not understand why you have made this prison. Was Apollyon so far removed that there was no hope for him?”

  “My son, your natures are such that once thou hast made the decision, to depart from thy design; then you may never be restored. Thou and thy kind are taken from the Kiln. You are a living stone of fire and ministers of flame. Thou art not clay.”

  "You are as the paintings in the Gallery of Issi; if defaced, the canvas is irrevocably spoiled. It cannot be recreated or restored. Thou art as the salt in the earth, but if the salt has lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?

  When Apollyon thus changed his name and sigil, he determined that he would not live in a realm where I was his Lord. He would run amok, destroy without purpose, without remorse, and in time destroy himself. Thus, I created a realm in my mercy to allow for even his existence, a habitation made unique to him.”

  “But Lord, surely you could have erased him from creation! He is too dangerous to keep even imprisoned in Hell!”

  “That Lucifer is not my spirit. To obliterate him is not my way, for with purpose was he created and thus shall still, an illustration to all: that mine will shall not be thwarted. Hell is the most merciful answer I may give to all that would choose to live apart from me. Do you understand this my son?”

  Lucifer pondered the Lord's words for a moment and spoke. “May I see him Lord?”

  The creator of Heaven and Earth looked lovingly upon his first created, the first of all Kilnborn.

  “Your love for Abaddon is laudable. His choices were his own; the Apollyon you knew is forever lost. Only Abaddon remains. His actions were wrought of pain and anguish. He is now self-injurious and destructive to those around him. Grieve him if you must. Yet before thy brethren, thou shalt not mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. For I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.”

  Lucifer held his peace on the subject and continued to bow face down to the Lord.

  Michael suddenly walked into the throne room and knelt before his King.

  “My Lord, Charon has traversed Hell and was seen stationed at the opening of Hell's gate.”

  Lucifer looked at Michael confused. “Charon?” Lucifer said.

  “Did not Jerahmeel inform you?” asked Michael.

  “Nay, our brother seemed more interested in my scolding of Ashtaroth and the damage done to my home than informing me of anything on this wise. Again, what — who is this ‘Charon’ that you speak of?”

  The Lord interrupted. “Charon is my voice in Hell. He executes my will. He guards Hell that none my leave and none may pass.”

  Lucifer continued to look perplexed. “He? Then he is an Elohim? If he is Elohim, then he was made in the Kiln?”

  “That is correct my son,” said the Lord.

  “I was under the impression my Lord, that aside from thyself no Elohim was formed without my presence in the Kiln; that I over all Elohim walk within the Stones of Fire. Have I been stripped of my title of Chief Prince?”

  “Nay my son. Thou art first among thy brethren, and I repent not in that decision. Yet you were absent seeing to the charge of the Garden of Eden. A garden that thou wast most determined to see done. Therefore, another was chosen to stand by my side.”

  “Forgive me Lord, and I pray that thou not be angry with thine servant. Who was selected to walk in my stead?”

  “Your brother Michael stood as proxy for thee.”

  “Michael? But Lord, none other than myself hast ever walked in the Kiln …”

  El looked upon Lucifer and spoke gently but firmly. “Lucifer, I do thee no wrong. Didst not thou agree with me to walk when I walked in the Kiln? Take what is thine and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good?”

  Lucifer held his tongue, and rose to leave, but El stopped him.

  “Gather all thy brethren to the emporium. For the day draws to a close, and I must announce my plans. You will herald my presence.”

  “And the garden Lord?” said Lucifer.

  “Yes, what of it my son?”

  “You said that it was reserved for your greatest creation. I would like to have the attendants of mine house prepare to move my palace to Earth.”

  The Lord paused and studied Lucifer. “I see.”

  “My Lord?” said Lucifer.

  “Lucifer, the garden is not for you my son, but for he who shall follow thy kind and who shall hold deed to Earth and be given my image and likeness. He shall be called; ‘Man’. He shall be made a little lower than the angels yet crowned with glory. Thou and thy brother art first to hear. As it is my will that the first be last and that the last shall be first.”

  Lucifer replied. ”But sire…”

  Michael raised himself from the ground and took Lucifer by the arm to go with him and spoke to the Lord. “Thy will be done,” said Michael.

  Michael tugged on Lucifer to follow. He reluctantly turned to leave and then spoke. “Thy will be done,” said Lucifer.

  Lucifer followed with little enthusiasm and walked out with Michael to the hallway of the temple as the throne room doors closed behind them.

  Lucifer and Michael walked further to the edge of the temple doors where nothing but the booming chant of the Seraphim echoed. Lucifer noted that no one was looking, grabbed Michael by his arm, and spoke. “Never again cut me off when I address El. I am Chief Prince. You are not. How
dare you presume to interrupt me! Do you think because you hast set foot upon the Stones of Fire that you have now surpassed me?”

  Michael bowed his head in submission. “My apologies brother; El had spoken. He would neither add nor take away from that which had been said — to say more…”

  His teeth clenched, Lucifer walked closer to Michael and glared at him. His grip on Michael’s arm tightened, and for several moments he looked deeply into Michael’s eyes, and Michael’s face contorted from the discomfort.

  “Lucifer, you are hurting me!”

  Lucifer thought to speak, but slowly the features of his face softened. He released Michael’s arm and spoke. “I––I am sorry brother. Please charge this not to my account.”

  Michael massaged his arm, now sore from Lucifer’s grip. “Of course, I would not see you rebuked by El.”

  “Indeed — come,” said Lucifer. "Preparations must be made for El’s announcement.”

  “What would you have me do?” asked Michael.

  “I need you to gather the other princes, and I will usher a call to assemble everyone shortly.”

  “But Lucifer, did not El say that you were to….”

  “Michael, do you plan to supplant me as Chief Prince?”

  Michael looked at Lucifer with a look of confusion on his face. “What do you mean?” He asked.

  “Do you challenge me as Chief Prince? Only the first of the Kilnborn has ever walked on the Stones of Fire. You must know that I will not abdicate Michael. I will not yield as Chief Prince.”

  Michael bowed in obeisance. “Nay brother, I have no desire for thy throne.”

  “Would mine own brother raise arms against me? Would thou besiege me as Apollyon?”

  Michael knelt and took his brother's hand to kiss it. “As the Lord liveth, El called me into the Kiln. Thy throne I do not desire brother.”

  Lucifer looked upon his younger brother. His eyes studied him. Lucifer’s thoughts reflected on his work with Michael when they labored together to lay the chief cornerstone of Heaven. How Michael had assisted him in the construction of his own palatial estate, and his face softened.

  “Rise brother, for I sense no taint of Apollyon’s treachery in you. I apologize.”

  “Lucifer, you are my beloved. We have been with each other from the beginning. Never could we be at odds.”

  Lucifer rubbed the shoulder of his brother and embraced him. “We have not spent enough time together lately. We must rectify that. I miss you.”

  “As do I,” said Michael. “As do I.”

  “Michael, I must first do something before I herald the Lord. Please gather our brethren while I attend to this matter.”

  “Of course, I’ll see you in say––an hour?”

  “That should be fine. I will see you at the temple doors upon my return.”

  Michael opened the doors in front of them and stepped through; Lucifer followed and suspiciously eyed Michael as he flew off from the steps to assemble his brethren.

  Lucifer turned, looked straight ahead, and saw the newly formed mountain of seething heat and flame. He adjusted his flesh to the light waves that emanated from El that allowed daylight to exist in Heaven. His pores soaked in the light and saturated themselves; they swallowed the light around him. Lucifer with a thought; changed his skin and light wrapped around him to conceal and camouflage him from all eyes. Only a small distortion would give his presence away as he effectively became a mirror that reflected all that surrounded him. Lucifer took his cloak off and placed it out of sight near a ledge of steps.

  Unencumbered, he flew into the sky of Heaven. His twelve wings propelled him both with swiftness and with ease. He moved towards Hell determined to see this ‘Charon’.

  His thoughts raced within him. Man! Who is this 'man' that El wouldst be mindful of him? Have I spent my time and labor only to grow a garden for a new species? A thing that would be crowned with glory he said! His ‘greatest creation’ that is what he called it!

  I was the one that suggested that, this, this thing be given, El’s image and likeness! Yet El knew! He knew, and Michael… he let Michael assist in the creation of Elohim! Who but the Chief Prince walks within the Kiln?

  Lucifer saw the croppy outgrowth and the dark figure standing tall with an onyx scythe. Hell’s maw was clearly a tunnel that went deep within the mountain. The whole area bristled with heat. Living stalagmite-like teeth barred all that would dare seek entry.

  Lucifer would speak with Apollyon. He lowered himself to the ground and stood in front of the giant creature. It stood 10 cubits tall, and its face was as the skull of a stallion.

  Lucifer looked on in curiosity at the abomination El and Michael had created. Its arms were powerful and looked like hammers. Black, ashy, tattered vestments covered its body, and chains dangled from underneath its robes. It was then Lucifer realized it possessed none of the regality that all Elohim possessed. Lucifer was disgusted.

  Such a creature should not even exist.

  Lucifer was invisible and thought it easy to slip around it and the earthen teeth of the maw to the fires within. Lucifer moved to the left of the guard towards the caves opening.

  The creature moved to block his path.

  Lucifer undeterred, moved to his right to go around.

  The creature moved with a swiftness that defied its size; again to deny him access. Its gaze fixed straight forward as it stood.

  Perhaps this ruse is not necessary. Lucifer thought to himself.

  Lucifer retracted his porous flesh within himself and stood revealed to Charon.

  “I am Chief Prince Lucifer Draco, Son of the Morning Star. I walk on the very stones from which thou wast created. Move aside that I might have words with thy prisoner.”

  Charon neither acknowledged Lucifer's presence nor moved; and silence filled the heated air.

  “I shall repeat myself this one last time. Move aside for the High Prince. Or thou shalt be moved.” Lucifer said.

  Charon gave no response and continued to stare straight ahead.

  Lucifer irritated at the snub and slight in protocol attempted to shove him aside that he might pass.

  Charon’s face looked down at the archangel, and from underneath his cloak metal chains moved to swiftly coil themselves around Lucifer’s hands and legs.

  Lucifer surprised, but more offended that he might be touched, struggled to escape the manacles of iron.

  Yet Charon’s grip was sure, and the sentinel of Hell tightened his hold around Lucifer’s wrists and ankles.

  “How dare…”

  Charon lifted the cherub into the air as if to study him from all sides and then slammed him on his back hard into the ground.

  Lucifer felt a rush of pain wash over him from the sharp craggy rock that cut and scraped at him.

  Charon towered over him as a mantis might devour its prey.

  Lucifer now pinned to the ground; attempted to lift himself with his great wings, but the weight of Charon was too much to overcome.

  Charon lowered his face to look upon his quarry. His skeletal face bowed within inches of touching the Chief Prince. Charon sniffed Lucifer as if to catch his scent.

  Lucifer turned his face to the side; for Charon’s pungent breath suffocated him.

  “Release me! I command you!” Lucifer screamed, and the ground shook from the vibrations of the bass in his voice.

  With a snort, Charon raised his powerful cloven legs and lifted Lucifer from the ground.

  Charon looked upon him as a corpse might look upon the living.

  “Dost thou know whom thou hast handled? I am first borne of the Kiln. I will see you remanded for this outrage! I command you to release me!”

  Charon used one if his tentacles to grab his onyx staff and slammed it firmly into the ground. Lava bubbled up from the black soil beneath, as blood might ooze from a wound. Slowly Charon turned Lucifer’s body that he could see, and with his staff began to carve words into the ground.

  If thou enter — you
may not return.

  Slowly and gently, Charon released Lucifer, stepped away from the Chief Prince and bowed.

  The realization struck Lucifer that Charon sought to do him no harm but only to protect him.

  “So I am to understand that if I were to enter I would not be allowed to exit?’

  The cowled figure nodded.

  “Very well then, creature. If thou did not unhand me, my wrath would thou hast incurred. I am he who has walked on the very stones that created thee. If I were to grace your presence again and my commands are not obeyed, know that your ruin will not be far behind.”

  Charon stood mute before the Chief Prince, unmoved.

  “This is not over,” said Lucifer.

  Lucifer turned to walk away and enveloped himself as a chameleon might camouflage into its background. Lucifer lifted into the sky to return to the mountain of God and ruminated on what had happened.

  This shall not stand.

  ********************

  “Lucifer is all prepared,” said El.

  “Yes Most High. All of Heaven hath assembled themselves. Those stationed throughout creation hath received sight into the realm to see the emporium as thou hast commanded.”

  “Well done my good and faithful servant, well done. Go, for the day draws quickly to a close.”

  “Yes, my Lord.”

  El commanded the Ophanim and they lifted the throne. Slowly the doors of the throne room opened and the power of the Seraphim’s voices boomed into the emporium. The procession of the royal court began. The Seraphim moved first and like giant golems, they made the ground quake before them. The colossi marched towards the front of the temple and the attendants of the palace opened the doors, and cheers and celebratory music could be heard from outside. The air filled with shouts of praise and melody and Elohim began to sing in harmony with the Seraphim.

  The royal court followed in rank: each in his assigned order within the procession. From the youngest to the eldest they came. Talus entered first bearing the angelic standard of the Arelim. He raised the flag of his sigil, and the sapphire light bathed the emporium in a soothing tranquil blue. There were great cheers as he showed himself. Talus waved to the crowd, and they roared their approval.