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  "El then lifted the Ophanim above the skies and marked them to control the times and seasons, and to come when bidden. Giving them order to guard the mountain that the Seraphim gifted Him, and forbade angel-kind to ascend to the upper reaches of Heaven, nor could any, save the Lumazi, enter the mountain of God unless summoned that He might keep the way to the door of the Seraphim's land. Thus, God separated the three, and marked their boundaries, and set us as Grigori to watch our brethren until the end. For it is written in the annals of our people, that when Jerusalem falls from Heaven, there shall be no more schism between the Heavens, and El will have all worship at His feet as one."

  "And the stone of fire?" Enoch said.

  "El let Nephanos keep the stone as a reminder that to traffic in wisdom apart from El brings consequence. A memorial to understand what doth it profit to gain the whole of Heaven, yet lose one's purpose, and to never acquire in the flesh what should only be attempted at the Lord's will. God then made Nephanos a crown and attached the stone to it as a diadem. He withdrew from it all power so that it became nothing more than a glittering trinket, a reminder to never sacrifice one's birthright."

  Enoch fell into a chair stunned, his eyes repeatedly blinking as he rubbed his forehead, attempting to take in all that was told him.

  Argoth looked at him as the seconds passed. "Of a surety, Michael would not be pleased if he knew I shared our past with thee."

  Enoch looked at Argoth and replied, "I have learned that thy people have a saying...'There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid that shall not be made known.' I perceive that God would have me journey. Now I realize there is little that thy people can still teach me."

  Argoth blushed in anger, "Dost thou think because thou hast knowledge of my people in this way that you are above instruction? Hast thy knowledge of our past puffed thee up?"

  Enoch stood up to leave and for a moment did not answer. He paused as he approached the library doors and turned to speak over his shoulder. "Pride does not animate my words, Chief of Eyes. For I see that I have abased myself beyond measure, for angels are truly more powerful, and the gifts and knowledge thou possess are indeed beyond my own, yet in this one thing are we the same. You are not immune to pride nor foolishness. In this, your people and my own are no different. For I perceive that all have the choice to be self-ruled or ruled by the God I serve. Positions are meaningless when thy very breath is a gift from the Almighty. In this, thy people have lacked understanding...in this, thou hast erred, for thy proximity to God hath blinded thee to think thou art superior, yea even to one another. Yet all of us are nothing more than the benevolent thoughts of our King. Your people do not know this. My people will teach you this."

  Argoth stood speechless and watched Enoch exit the room.

  Chapter Three

  Complicity

  Iblis paced his room and felt his faculties diminishing. Erratic thoughts raced through his mind. He could feel the encroachment of the Withering eat at him. He had seen it before. The slow demise of rational thought. The inability to focus. He thought himself immune to its effects but realized that was not so. He pulled his hands from his robes to view them. The tremors were more pronounced now. He quickly tucked them back into his robes.

  Only a little while longer, he thought. I only need to hold on until El heals me. Surely He will see my works of repentance and bring relief.

  Iblis paced back and forth in his room. Was Heaven aware that he carried the Withering? He remembered how it affected his master, Marduk, and how it had driven the principality mad. His powers and faculties caused him to drive Babylon into superstition and magic. Even Lucifer had to take pause and send Zeus to curtail his grossness, lest he draw the ire of Heaven, but it was too late. Babylon was no more, and the nation that Lucifer used to destroy Israel was obliterated by El's wrath. For Babylon was broken against Grecia, and Marduk had fled into hiding.

  A "click" sound came from the cell door and Iblis stopped in his ruminations. "Ahh dinner," he said.

  Two guards entered. One held a key and a chain while the other entered the room with a tray of manna leaf and warmed shill, a type of sweetened water.

  "I am famished. It is amazing to me that you are so faithful in your duties. I thank you."

  The guard with the tray placed it on the desk in the room and spoke, "Do not speak to me, traitor. If I had my way, I would run you through with my sword."

  Iblis looked upon him with surprise and frowned in offense. "Me? Traitor? Have you not heard of the information that I have shared with Michael and the Lumazi about Lucifer's schemes?" Iblis walked towards the guards with open arms gesturing for an embrace.

  The solider backed away warily. "Do not presume to touch me unless you care to join your brothers in oblivion."

  Iblis stopped, smiled, and then proceeded to return to his table to eat his meal.

  The guard also turned and started to cough. He covered his mouth, surprised that he found himself coughing even the more. He looked upon Iblis, scowled, and walked past his partner, hacking. His comrade closed the door and locked it behind him.

  Iblis sat down to eat his plate of manna leaf, listening to a guard outside his door asking the other if he was alright. Still chewing his food, he glanced to where the tray wielding guard had started hacking and noticed specks of blue blood on the floor. He paused, then continued to chew his food, and spoke aloud with food in his mouth. "You really ought to have someone take a look at that cough."

  A hard "BANG" slammed against the door as though someone had pounded their fist against it.

  Iblis smiled at his own wit and continued smacking on his food.

  * * *

  Enoch walked into the war room where Michael, Metatron, Gabriel, and Azaziel conferred with one another. He did not abide by protocol or excuse himself for interrupting. "Chief Prince, I would have words with thee," he said.

  All looked at him and then looked at Michael.

  Michael replied. "We are in session, Enoch. Please wait for us to adjourn and I shall see to thee then." Michael then went back to speaking to his brethren, expecting Enoch to leave.

  Enoch walked further into the room and stood at the head of the table opposite him. "No, Michael. I would speak to thee now."

  Michael rolled his eyes.

  Enoch, seeing his agitation spoke, "Of course, I could take my cause directly to El before I leave for the land of the Seraphim to retrieve the other man who now resides in Heaven. However, I would very much like to speak to thee first to know what possible dangers I might encounter as I cross Limbo underneath the mountain."

  Michael looked at his brethren.

  Gabriel nodded to Metatron and spoke. "The Candlestick of the Lord seeks the mind of the Chief Prince. We will resume at thy convenience, Michael."

  Both Metatron and Gabriel rose and excused themselves while Gabriel closed the door to allow for the duo's privacy.

  "Enoch, it is not protocol to disrupt the Lumazi when we are in session. Hath not Argoth taught thee anyth..."

  Enoch interrupted him. "At this moment, Michael, your protocols do not interest me. What I am interested in is knowing where were you when Lucifer trafficked with Nephanos and tricked him. I know what Lucifer did. I want to know if you knew what Lucifer did?"

  Michael was silent, caught off guard by Enoch's knowledge. He paced with bowed head and closed eyes to reflect on events long past. His brow furrowed, and still he did not look Enoch in the eye.

  Enoch studied his body language, then sighed. "Your silence speaks. It would seem Argoth is not the only one with secrets. Very well, Chief Prince, keep thy secrets to thyself but beware that thy sin will find you out. Know that I am given a word from El and that I am to retrieve a man residing in Heaven and bring him to you. For what cause, I do not know, but El's word is as a fire shut up in my bones, and I am moved at the command of our God. You will help me in this thing as I will need a guide to journey with me."

  Michael then raised his
head and looked at Enoch. His eyes grew wide in questioning wonderment. "El hath given order to visit Nephanos? I have not seen him sinc..."

  "Since the Schism, yes, I know. Thy history hath shown me that not once, but twice, thy brother hath been instrumental in sowing discord among the brethren."

  Michael shook his head. "You do not understand, Enoch, for a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their contentions are like the bars of a castle."

  "What I know, Michael, is that war exists. That Talus lies either dead or a prisoner of war. What I know is that you hold prisoner an enemy of the crown, and why, pray tell, wouldst thou bring a member of the fallen to Heaven if you will not follow through with what is in thy mind? I perceive that El desires reconciliation, not retribution, and He moves towards the restoration of all things. For even now, Yeshua moves within the Earth to accomplish this, and I but follow the example of our King, who at this moment wrestles against the darkness in human flesh. Battling to undo the acts of thy brother, for is it not for this purpose that the Son of God hast manifested that He might destroy the works of the Devil? You are the head of thy people. Go to Nephanos. Confess this great sin against his people and bring healing to both thy people for I have studied thy forces. Although you outnumber Lucifer, he controls such principalities and powers as to put the legions of Heaven in stalemate. Would not the Ophanim and Seraphim be his undoing if all united in his undoing?"

  Michael shook his head as his face contorted in uncertainty. "Enoch, the Ophanim sit atop the mountain and do not interfere in the causes of angel-kind. And the Seraphim..."

  Enoch cut him off. "El was wise to separate thee and diminish the root of bitterness thy actions have caused. To leave the contagion that He had foreseen, to just your people alone. For I can but imagine what might have been unleashed if Lucifer snarled both the Seraphim and the Ophanim in his cause.

  "You hide behind protocol and are stymied in thy attention to El's commands. Thou, who has resided within His presence from the foundation of my world, yet for all thy might and knowledge you have zeal, but not according to knowledge. El hath not made me a candlestick for only my people, but also as a flickering light even to thee. I will do what thou are want to do, and will seek reconciliation between thy people. I will also do what I am bidden and bring Elijah as commanded. You will help me in this thing or you will not. But the word of the Lord shall abide forever."

  Michael sighed. "I cannot go to the land of Aseir. It is forbidden. Yet this one thing I will do to aid thee: I will send Gabriel and Metatron as an escort. Gabriel will hopefully be received, for he is both Malakim and mouthpiece as the oracle of God. Metatron might serve as an ambassador of the Draco whose House was cause to the Schism. Wilt this suffice?" Michael then began to cough as though something were lodged in his throat.

  Enoch turned and said, "It will do." And he left the Chief Prince who continued to cough uncontrollably.

  Michael covered his mouth, and when he removed his hand from his mouth, specks of blood covered his palms.

  * * *

  Enoch left the mountain of God and entered the stables of the Malakim gryphons.

  Gabriel stood grooming one of the steeds. Each creature was covered in golden feathers, part eagle, part lion. Their great wings spanned over twenty hand-breadths. Iron-like beaks could rip through steel. When fully armored, terror filled the eyes of combatants, whether angelic or human.

  Enoch reached for a pouch of Cora leaf, and with an open hand, fed it to the creature that Gabriel groomed. As it ate, Enoch slowly began to stroke its mane.

  Magnificent, is he not?" Gabriel said.

  "He is indeed a marvel of bone and sinew. From whence do they come, and how are they tamed by your people?"

  "When Heaven was young, El gave us dominion. The gryphons live in the land of Aesir with the Seraphim. Nathaniel, of the house Malakim, was first to encounter the great gryphon, Cabal. Nathaniel tried to tame him, but without success. Then one day, Nathaniel fell near the cliffs into the Abyss. Cabal saw him and braved the Abyssal winds and swept him from its clutches. The two immediately established a bond. We have since learned that they are intelligent beyond measure, and Cabal was so taken at Nathaniel's attempts to tame him, that he allowed him to ride him. Since then, all messengers use them as steeds to communicate to the rest of the realm. All messengers are sent with a gryphon by their side. And when summoned by this horn created by one of the greatest artisans of the Seraphim, they all will return to the spot of summoning."

  Enoch continued to stroke the soft mane of the beast and it cooed at his touch. He turned to Gabriel. "Do you know why I have come?"

  "We have not had the opportunity to get to know one another since your arrival in Heaven, but thy words are open to my ears. No, I do not know why you are here, but if thy request is within my power to grant, it shall be yours."

  Surprised at Gabriel's response, Enoch said, "Thou dost not know my request and yet thou dost answer so?"

  "Knowledge is not needed to give an answer as I only need know the one who makes the request. El hast personally lifted you on high and hast brought you into His presence. I have been told that you have withstood Death face to face, and that you have traveled without fear to the top of the Mountain of God and witnessed Michael's trials to become Chief Prince. But most of all, Candle of God, you are the friend of God, and thus a friend to me. How may the house of Malakim serve thee?"

  Enoch paused, somewhat stunned at the accolade. "You give me great honor, High Prince. Are you aware that a second man resides in the realm of Heaven?"

  Gabriel looked at him with surprise. "Really? No, the chief prince hath not made this thing known. Who...how didst you come to such knowledge?"

  "The Lord, Himself, revealed it. The second man does not reside in the city."

  "Where then does the man lay his head?"

  Enoch paused, then replied, "The word of the Lord hast come to me, and I am to embark through Limbo and travel to the land of Aesir. I would ask that you travel with me."

  Gabriel's eyes widened, and his face quickly sobered. "There is little in the universe that would cause an angel fear. Limbo is such a place." Gabriel paused, and Enoch waited. Gabriel's eyes followed his strokes as he brushed the gryphon. "Nevertheless, if my companionship is needful, then I shall see thee safe to the shores of Aesir."

  Enoch bowed. "You hast my thanks, Gabriel. There is yet another I must ask to make the journey with us."

  Gabriel nodded. "That is wise. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Who will you ask to make the journey with us?"

  "Metatron of house Draco. I intend to move in the ministry of reconciliation between the house of Lucifer and the Seraphim. Perhaps with Metatron as head of his house, the Burning Ones will accept us?"

  Gabriel stroked his chin. "Perhaps...or they might remember the house that was responsible for the Schism and destroy us, and this mission could be for naught."

  "Are you always this positive?" Enoch replied.

  Gabriel laughed. "Nay, but I must admit Jerahmeel has perhaps rubbed off on me."

  Enoch smiled. "I think he has, but before I leave thee, I have yet another question."

  "Say on."

  "The Lord hath made mention that the Withering comes. What is it?"

  Gabriel dropped the grooming brush and grabbed Enoch by his shoulders. "Are you sure that the Lord mentioned this?"

  "Aye," said Enoch.

  Gabriel frowned and his face turned hard. He turned from Enoch and strode away in long steps.

  "Wait!" Enoch said. "What is wrong? What is it? What is the Withering?"

  Gabriel stopped and turned to face him. "It is the plague, and it is Death."

  Chapter Four

  The Withering

  Asb'el loved the freedom to destroy. For five years now he had made his home within a human host named Jabin, and seeing that mankind was rife with sin, the laws of Heaven opened Jabin to the evil of the Horde. So Asb'el invited others to tak
e up residence within the house. And the daemon became great in the country of the Gadarenes and made his host live amongst the tombs.

  Asb'el reveled in the sensations he could experience through Jabin and continuously tormented him.

  Jabin knew something alien lived within. Wishing to rid himself from the presence that spoke to his mind, he cut himself with stones in vain attempts that he might silence the voices and block the images in his head that the creatures gave him. Jabin beheld visions of Heaven and Hell, and great battles between creatures of power. All screamed for relief, for their kilnstones were taken away and they lamented over their bodiless forms, always hungry, always lusting for expression in the earth.

  They showed him the centuries of human sacrifice and debauchery in continual bombardment. For years did they do this thing, until Jabin was finally driven mad. In vain, he tried to tell family and friends and reached out in an attempt to make them understand. With ink and scrolls, he drew pictures of his visions and each picture pointed to a skeletal mare of a creature that the whisperers in his mind called Charon and an angelic renegade by the name of Lucifer. Thus, Jabin screamed, his mind held captive by beings he could not understand. Screams of their plight woke him in the night, and visions of unearthly creatures plagued him throughout the day. His mind held hostage to memories that were not his own.

  When Jabin happened upon the locals, voices told him every evil deed they had done, every hidden secret, and the madman spoke with a tongue not his own, and he screamed men's secret sins as they neared him. Thus, Jabin became a man shunned and marked as a witch.

  Despite the attempts of family and friends to help, they had reached their capacity to support him. In desperation, they drove him away.

  He found himself a home among the buried dead. Only in the midst of dead men's graves did he find some solace, but the voices continued even there and thus he screamed nightly among the tombs.