The Third Heaven: The Rise of Fallen Stars Page 14

  “He is Alpha and Omega; let all the heavens praise him!” said Talus.

  Heaven erupted in applause. Cloven feet pounded the streets of gold and the tremors rumbled to the top of the temple steps. The power and gentleness of El represented in the making of each Arelim.

  Sariel immediately followed his brother and wore his standard of purple. His race of Centaurs and Pegasi leapt, galloped, and raised their fists high into the air. Then Sariel hoisted his sigil into the air and addressed the people. “We praise the Lord according to his righteousness: sing praises to the Lord most high! All hail El Elyon, the Most High God!”

  In response, all Heaven shouted the same. “All hail El Elyon, the Most High God!”

  The Princes representing El’s Power had started the procession, and the princes who symbolized El’s knowledge followed. Jerahmeel, Lord Prince of all Harada, stepped onto the platform and spoke.

  “Blessed be the Lord God almighty. How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”

  “Blessed be the name of the Lord!” All shouted once.

  “Blessed be the name of the Lord!” They shouted again.

  Jerahmeel took the purple flag that bore the symbol of God's knowledge and his people and waved it in a circle for all to see. His linen robes of indigo and mauve glistened in the light. Amethysts and sapphires adorned his staff, which he held high aloft in the air.

  The congregation of the sons of God roared. Heaven became as a stadium cheering in jubilation and convulsed in praise.

  Jerahmeel took his place beside his brother Sariel. Raphael was next to come into view. His dark purple robes etched in gold with the Elomic words for wisdom, dignity, nobility, and creativity. He hovered and waved his hands. Immediately his inkhorn, stylus, and tome of record can into view, and Raphael spoke. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him, for the word of God is quick and powerful, it divides asunder soul and spirit. It is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart. He is Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End. For He spoke and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. All hail the living word!”

  “All hail the living word!” the crowd roared.

  Raphael stretched forth his hand and said, “Let the invisible thing be clearly seen!

  For nothing is hidden from his sight!”

  Suddenly the sky of Heaven teemed with Grigori. Like specters they emerged; thousands upon thousands of books filled Heaven’s air. Pens and inkhorns moved on their own recording all that transpired. Like ghostly stenographers, nothing escaped the Grigori’s notice and with the voice of one man, they that rarely speak spoke. “El watches over his word to perform it. All hail the living word!”

  Heaven celebrated, applause filled the air, and the Arelim broke out in a spontaneous militaristic cadence.

  “Power and Glory and Honor to God!” They stomped in the emporium, and their precision made the ground shake with thunder. One by one Harrada, Arelim, and the rest of the host of Heaven chanted in pandemonium at the cacophony of praise of all creation’s Elohim. Their mantras muted the chants of even the mighty Seraphim.

  Raphael took his place on the dais, and Gabriel entered.

  The cherub had a boyish look; his blonde hair sparkled, and his robes scarlet representing the color of conquest and royalty. He stood for all the species of Malakim and represented the omnipresence of God. His were the messengers of Heaven, and like the Grigori, they spanned the universe and ran the vision and word of El to the four corners of existence.

  The Malakim were the only species allowed to create Ladders from Heaven to specific points in creation. They could move instantly between the realms, and there was nowhere they could not reach.

  Gabriel held the standard of the Malakim: a pruning hook in his hand, the blade and handle encrusted wholly in ruby. He raised it high for all to see. The light of the crimson sprayed out like blood, and he spoke. “Bless the Lord, ye his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearken unto the voice of his word. Bless the Lord!”

  Roars of adulation rang throughout the emporium. Angels began to throw strips of parchment. Various Malakim took their staffs and struck the ground fiercely, and crimson sparks rocketed into the air and dispersed into flowers of orange and yellow hues.

  Gabriel, like those before him settled into position and Michael strode into the podium and Heaven exploded as they chanted his name.

  “Builder of Heaven!”

  “Hail Archon of Zion!”

  “Michael! Michael!”

  Michael waved and held his peace, his cheeks flushed, embarrassed to receive such praise. I am but a servant to El, who am I that I should receive such adulation? He thought to himself.

  Michael bowed his head in acknowledgement to the citizenry and lifted the standard of scarlet as his brother Gabriel had before him, and once more Heaven thundered approval.

  The archangel of Heaven lifted his hands and motioned to quiet the excited crowd. He looked over the populous and was moved with compassion; these were all his people and friends. Harrada, Kortai, Grigori–– they all–– like him were servants of El.

  Overcome by the privilege of serving so great a people and selected by El to do him honor in Heaven was simply too much, and the spirit of worship befell him. All of Heaven grew quiet, watched, and listened intently as Michael bowed his head and sang aloud.

  Praise Jehovah — Lord God Almighty.

  Praise Jehovah — Everlasting King

  We praise your name.

  We praise your name

  Lord Jehovah we praise you.

  Praise Jehovah –– in his entire splendor

  Praise Jehovah in all his majesty

  We praise your name

  We praise you.

  Without prompt or sign, Elohim throughout the realm joined him in worship. Trancelike the host of Heaven lifted their voices, the harmonies of a thousand angels –– no ten times, ten thousand, thousand: melodiously echoed throughout creation.

  Their notes of beatific reverence sailed, and their praise vaulted to every star, every mote of dust, and to every lily and robin, and all of Heaven and Earth swayed to worship at the choral inspiration of one cherub.

  As extemporaneously as it had begun, the song slowed until nothing but the soft melody of a single voice sang.

  Michael’s head was bowed, his palms outstretched and his arms rose high crying while tears of appreciation glistened from his face. Softly he closed the worship with one verse that was sympathetic of all. “…we praise you.”

  He finished singing and with those words, Michael quietly moved aside to take his place with his brethren.

  Heaven was lost deep in communion, euphoric and awash in the afterglow of worship; and no one––not even El himself: wanted to progress further.

  ********************

  Who but the Chief Prince may lead Heaven in song? The impudence! Lucifer looked upon the residents of Heaven and rage swelled up within him like a tumor.

  Now I must wait to come before the people.

  His own procession, now an afterthought to all, diminished because of the worship that Michael had unleashed.

  If I advance now, I will break the spirit moving upon the congregation. My presence would seem as an intrusion, yet the longer this persists, the less my own entrance will command glory.

  Lucifer folded his hands and his eyes narrowed with malice. His breath raced as the ruminations of his mind caused increased malignance towards Michael, and the scene which he was helpless to stop, unfolded before him.

  This was supposed to be MY moment of glory! Thoughts raced through Lucifer’s mind.

  Circumvented. Dishonored.

  Emotions of anger and offence churned within him and Lucifer — consumed in his thoughts of self-martyrdom did not see his master motion for him to advance.

  “Lucifer.”
said El.

  My glory I will not give to another!

  “Lucifer.” El spoke again,

  Lucifer awoke from his daydreamed flagellation of Michael.

  “Yes, my Lord?”

  “Lucifer, you may proceed my son.”

  “Yes Lord. I apologize.”

  Michael and the other princes looked back at their brother curious as to the delay. Raphael whispered to his brother, “Lucifer, is everything well?”

  Lucifer smiled. “Aye, brother, I just desired to stay in the thralls of worship.”

  Raphael smiled and replied. “Ah of course. It can be difficult to return to one's senses once lost in communion.”

  Indeed. Lucifer thought.

  Lucifer walked towards the podium and uncloaked before all of Heaven. Free of his robes, light raced to embrace him and enshroud his perfectly formed body. His skin when not a living mirror was bronze-like with tints of red: and to look upon him was to desire him.

  Lucifer arched his back and flexed his muscles, and his twelve flowing wings extracted to cover the entire rostrum.

  He rose into the air and with each flap and movement; the veins of his white tentacled wings chimed in the wind.

  He positioned his scales to open up his porous flesh that he might both absorb and reflect all light simultaneously; and as a newborn sun, the mighty cherub illuminated the entire emporium.

  El had not even entered the lectern to address the people, but Lucifer’s visage was so bright that it was difficult to look at him. Elohim across the city covered their eyes as the colors of Lucifer’s bioluminescent flesh radiated in patterns of gold, blue, and scarlet.

  He breathed in the warm air of Heaven, his vocal cords and tabrets in his body animated, and music poured from his body. The sound of cornet and flute rang into the air, and Lucifer’s voice thundered and made vibrate the golden street below. Each member within earshot felt the bass of his pronouncement as a physical force upon their own chest.

  Lucifer was perfect in representing all the power, beauty, and wisdom of all Elohim at once, but his strength was not resident in the meager demonstration of his physical qualities.

  Lucifer’s physical prowess could easily rival the majority of Heaven; however, his true power was in his ability to mesmerize and blind any who might even look upon him.

  His power to reflect light could penetrate and cause blindness even with one’s eyes closed. He could bend light to project a visage so real that one would question reality itself.

  His voice so potent it could split the ground if he chose. His sway of suggestion was virtually without resistance, for he could modulate his voice to compel one to praise, and enraptured by his voice one would immediately desire him to speak more.

  Between the assault of one's senses in sight and sound, he could bring any to their knees. He did not need to touch an adversary, for most could not even approach him. He represented the cumulative of all Elomic power, wisdom, and beauty.

  He was perfect in all his ways.

  Lucifer then annunciated the entrance of the King.

  “Glory and honor and majesty belong to God Most High! Power and praise blessed be the name of the Lord! From everlasting to everlasting. All hail the King!”

  The Lord God of Heaven then entered; concealed by the clouds of living smoke and the Shekinah that surrounded him. His visage was yet somehow clear. Bathed in light and heat, He walked to address his people and all of Heaven, and those who saw from waypoints while they remained on duty in their respective areas of the universe bowed, and prostrated themselves before the Most High God.

  Lucifer became even brighter as El entered his presence and waves of light and heat pulsated in all directions: sparks of lightning arched and jumped across the emporium, and seven thunders echoed from the clouds in the sky.

  “Holy, Holy, Holy!”

  Lucifer flew to the Lord and with his expansive wings he perched himself above the throne. He hovered above the mercy seat, and took his role as the anointed cherub that covered and affixed himself to the throne. Ophanim flew to the left and right of El, and the most High God spoke.

  “Host of Heaven, on this the sixth of days; we will declare a thing never before heard. Much has gone into preparing Earth to be abode to him whom the Lord would delight to honor. Lucifer, our faithful servant hath overseen its preparation and has completed the task according to our will.

  Thine court was entreated as to what honor we should bestow. In their wisdom, they spoke, and we have hearkened according to all their word. We have thus made a garden of such beauty to house as palace for he whom our soul would love.

  Therefore, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over the cattle and over all the Earth and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth.”

  The Lord God then moved suddenly and instantly to the Earth, and all of Heaven saw him, but somehow, he still stood within the lectern. The angels watched as El placed his hands in the garden that Lucifer had prepared and formed a man from the dust of the ground.

  Like the many times of formation in the Kiln, he shaped and cut away and molded until bone was formed. Carefully El made hands, arms, and two legs, and he fashioned sinew and placed flesh upon the man.

  Man lay motionless and still, and El neither gave it wings that it might fly nor did he fashion the man’s flesh after the flesh of Elohim, but a light brown thin layer of porous soft tissue did he weave as skin.

  El knelt over to his new creation and breathed within its nostrils the breath of Life: and the man became a living soul. Heaven looked on in astonishment, and everyone erupted in a horde of cheers.

  Lucifer looked upon the man silently from atop the throne of the Most High. He glared scornfully upon this new rival in bitter silence.

  Chapter Five

  Murmur Not Among Yourselves

  Day Six

  Lucifer watched from atop the throne and looked on in spite as the mud creature El had named ‘man’ stood and reached up to embrace the King of the Universe. El hugged the man and then softly kissed him on his forehead.

  Lucifer looked down upon the legions of Elohim before him perched from a vantage point that none other but he possessed. Gazing from the Third Heaven into the totality of all realms Lucifer eyed his people; watching as they celebrated in adulation over El’s creation of the man.

  Lucifer beamed approvingly at them who were as countless as the stars. Then he eyed the man and saw his frailty and the fawning that El spent upon his new creation. Contempt grew as pus within him, and his thoughts teemed with bile towards his maker. Lucifer noted that the people applauded a creature that neither flew nor possessed the power of Arelim, the voice of the Draco, but was made from the dust of the Earth. When he saw the man and his own people cheering in senseless applause, Lucifer noted that none thought for themselves.

  A multitude of bleating sheep you are: huddled and flocked together. Like the wheat fields on Earth, as chaff carried aloft with the breeze. Ah, my people, alas thou art blind to the truth, nor do you perceive, but lost in the mesmerizing bask of worship to El. If only thou might see what I see. Then would you be loosed from His chain.

  Lucifer marveled at their docility: the Elohim simply obeyed, never questioned, and now they stood baying in applause at a creature beneath them in beauty.

  Is this how El sees us?

  Lucifer basked in his perch above the throne. All of creation seemed as a quilt spread out before him and all realities appeared at once. He reveled in the sense of knowledge. It was intoxicating.

  Swallowed in his pride, Lucifer looked upon the people: proud that he alone could see the truth that they truly were all slaves to the whims of the Almighty. Sadness began to flood over him. Sadness that El had created a source of labor to carry out his dictates, sad that his people were relegated to serve this ‘greatest creation’. Angry that El would in his selfishness hold back such knowledge. Lucife
r then looked upon El and despised him. His countenance changed towards his maker while he questioned the goodness of God and ruminated with thought after thought in his mind until one seeded itself above all others. I will be God.

  Lucifer continued to look upon El, and El’s continued fawning over the man gnawed at him.

  Lucifer then looked upon the man. He was indeed beautiful: soft not hard like the diamond and scales of himself. The man however was limited, mortal even.

  Lucifer’s mind reeled with unbelief and disgust. Surely, El would not turn over such a realm as Earth over to a creature, which was of mud and clay. No true King should behave in such a way! This — this is the creature that should bear El’s image and likeness?

  Lucifer looked upon El, and the form that he had despised for so long revealed itself to him. He attempted to rid himself of the image, yet the vision would not cease. Like a persistent apparition, he saw El through the veil of fog.

  The servant looked upon his master and disgust began to fill him. This represents El’s true form?

  All of Heaven watched as God personally created two trees from the rich soil: one that released the knowledge of good and evil and a companion tree of eternal life. Each was set within the midst of the garden. The Lord then gave the man instructions concerning the trees and of what he could eat.

  Then the Lord God brought every beast of the field and every fowl of the air unto Adam to see what he would call them, and whatsoever Adam called every living creature that was the name thereof.

  Adam then gave names to all cattle, to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field.

  Lucifer became incensed.

  Adam bestowed on every creature a name, and with each act of naming: God further sealed man’s dominion over them. For Heaven's code states that he who names a thing defines and administers the thing. Lucifer observed as man steadily and with little effort gave each creature a name, which defined it.

  The Lord saw that there was no mate for the Adam and said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.”