The Third Heaven : Apocalypse of Kings Read online

  “These Christians praise a being who sits in judgment over us; us, who have crawled into the light of science and self-sufficiency. We are humanity, and I tell you we need no one to teach us, to guide us and most certainly rule over us. No, I tell you… we will be free!”

  Leto looked upon his captivated audience probingly staring each onlooker in the eye. “No longer will this Hell burn to fire our suffering.” Leto then repeatedly pointed hard at his chest. “No, I pledge to you I will destroy this creation! Like the Nazi gas chambers of old it exists to burn us as refuse. But we will not serve and burn within!”

  “I,” said Leto still pointing again at his chest, “Am Chancellor, Leto Alexander, elected leader of the Europa, and now Secretary General of the United Nations and I speak for all those of the people of the Earth who will fight to be free. I will not serve this God… this Abomination! For we, now have found the power of life over death and we refuse to burn in this Hell. I pledge to free all those trapped in this demonic prison and pledge to bring them back alive. Imagine the possibility of seeing your loved ones again. And I promise you; you will see your loved ones again!

  For I will ascend into Heaven!

  I will exalt our throne above the stars of this false God!

  And we shall war with these creatures and the hand that moves them! And when their king is defeated I will sit as mankind’s representative upon the throne of this enemy that sits in the northern sky.

  And together, humanity shall rise, and with your help: you shall watch as I tower with you above the heights of the clouds.

  And when we are done; we all shall no longer know the fear of Death and you shall watch as I dethrone him from his egotistical perch: and humanity… humanity shall be the servant of none!”

  The Parliament chambers erupted in applause and cheers of defiance to the enemies of humanity as hundreds of the ambassadors and representatives rose to their feet in defiant jubilance over Leto’s words. Leto lifted his hands in salute to humanity and worldwide all airwaves carried the image of the beast, and his voice echoed across all radio frequencies; from the international space station, to the corners of the jungles of the Amazon. Mankind was united in their submission to Leto and his vision of freedom from death.

  And Lucifer the prince of the power of the air watched it all as he smiled invisibly” floating over and behind the podium of his only begotten son. Pride that his son’s words oscillated across the airwaves and cables of the world’s communication lines. Echoing words so very similar to his own when he raised the armies of Heaven to smash the gates of the palace of God.

  Pride because like the works of his Father: his son would now do.

  ✽✽✽

  Ashtaroth watched as the leaders of men scurried to their respective nations. Leto’s words had provoked them. Lucifer had ingeniously used the humans themselves to reveal angelic kind: making void El’s articles of war. Elohim of the host were now free to show themselves; for the humans had given Lucifer a foothold that they may at his command display themselves. Ashtaroth smiled at his Lord’s plan, ruminating to himself. Soon we will once again be objects of worship. Soon the humans will know their true place in the universe is to service us.

  Ashtaroth made his way into his Lord’s chambers; for he was called to attend his master to facilitate the meeting between himself and Marduk principality of the empires of Persia and Babylon. Ashtaroth remembered Lucifer’s mandate to the archon to raise up a counterfeit to the true worshipers of Christ to heart. So Marduk created the Mohammedans to compete with the waves of Christ's disciples overrunning the earth. And Marduk was adept in his task for at long last the Mohammedans had grown through the ages where they were set to eclipse even the Christians in influence over man’s ideas of God. Marduk had imprinted deep within all the followers of Mohammad a desire for a caliphate. Many of the horde admired Marduk for he rivaled Lucifer in influence. Some whispered that it was he who should be the leader of the Horde. Marduk cunningly had distanced himself from such ideas and wisely fled attempts to eclipse his master as he knew jealousy would stir Lucifer to seek his destruction. Nevertheless, Marduk became increasingly powerful. He knew it was only a matter of time until open war broke out between his Lord and he: for there could only be one master, one leader who the Horde accepted and obeyed… only one God. And Ashtaroth knew Lucifer would never see any but himself in such a position. Ashtaroth shook himself from his ruminations and pushed back concerns over having the two in such proximity to each other. Ashtaroth wondered to himself as he entered his master’s presence what schemes his lord would use to destroy his upstart rival.

  “Greetings God-king,” said Ashtaroth. “I am here as commanded.”

  Lucifer floated above the chair with which his son would sit as head of the United Nations and smiled. “Ever timely my friend. Come, we have much to discuss.”

  Ashtaroth bowed then sat on the floor as was his custom when Lucifer floated over him. “My liege Marduk is reportedly soon to arrive. Also, your son Leto will be here shortly as bidden.”

  Lucifer looked off into the distance as if he did not hear his adjutant. He then looked into Ashtaroth’s eyes and then averted his. “You know Ashtaroth, that my Grigori hath shown me that this is the last generation. They have even seen me enter Heaven. They claim to have seen this planet burn and my horde run amok over this world. Nevertheless, there is a darkness they cannot see past. Though they see many victories before me they cannot yet see the end. It is still too far into the future even for them.” Lucifer sighed as if in resignation. “El and I always spar in the shadows of free will and amidst the corridors of possibility. In the space between the tick and the tock and between the blinking of the eye do I contest His will. I know the end is coming. Soon Ashtaroth—soon I will see the end of the Enslaver to our kind or I will see my own demise. But of a surety—I feel within the depths of my being that the end finally draws nigh.”

  Ashtaroth stood stunned at his master’s words. For in all of his days never had he heard his lord speculate on the possibility of his own defeat. Ashtaroth timidly broached the subject with his king.

  “My king,” said Ashtaroth; his voice quivering. “Lucifer, it is a dangerous game that you play with the Almighty. For surely His wrath will be kindled with the Abomination you have created. Moreover, will He not be moved to see this world destroyed?”

  Lucifer smirked, “Fear not Astarte, for the man will serve as a shield for us. We will let him go before us in our war. They are but pawns in the battle that must inevitably come. We will with mankind whittle the strength of Heaven and decimate her ranks: for I will provoke and stoke El’s wrath. And will harden man’s heart such that El will in judgment consume his beloved Clayborn. For the hand of El himself will remove the human pestilence for us, and the humans will break as waves against the dam that is the Host; so that in the end… all that remains is us. El will do my bidding for me. For like Balaam of old I have cast a stumbling block before mankind and will show him how to sin that will expose Adamson to El’s judgment. And believe me Astarte—judgment will come and the decimation will be glorious to behold!”

  Ashtaroth clapped his hands in glee. “It will be a glorious day my Lord to see the virus that is man wiped clean from the planet; but what of your human son? Surely he will not stand idle whilst you allow the Almighty to lay waste to his home?”

  Lucifer smiled, “He is but a pup. He will serve. The life of the flesh is in the blood. It is my blood that courses through him…that empowers him. He will bow like the rest. Or like so many before him… he will die.”

  A knock came on the door and the strong bloated figure that was Marduk made his way into the room. The fat principality looked briefly upon Ashtaroth to acknowledge his presence then sneered in irritation. The angel then straightened himself cocked his head to his side and spoke with disdain to the chief adversary of God. “Your lackey gave word that you have summoned me Chief Prince. I have come as bidden.”

  Lucifer looke
d over Marduk and smiled. “My… lackey?” he said. Slowly and looking down he repeated himself as if to make sure he heard the angel clearly. “My… lackey.”

  Lucifer nodded his head as if in understanding.

  “Tell me Marduk, for I am not one to deal in subtleties when my authority is challenged. Do you think you are not my lackey? Pray-tell do you think that in your service to me that you are somehow different than this one here?” The melodious tenor of Lucifer’s voice floated over the air. Cajoling Marduk to give a reason the he might behead him where he stood.

  Marduk’s eyes narrowed and he spoke in cautious reply. “We all serve he who has fought for our right to self-rule. I am ever the servant of that cause and he who leads it.”

  Lucifer smiled knowingly that Marduk had skillfully evaded his question. “Well spoken. Your answer will suffice for now.”

  He then stared at his archon and continued, “Until it does not. And you should be careful to know Marduk that your response draws us perilously closer to the time…that it does not.”

  Marduk laughed, “I mean no offense my liege. But since you desire to dispense with formalities; know that I am thine to command…until I am not.”

  Lucifer chuckled, “Well said. But the question remains: if thou be the servant of thy liege then bow the knee and pledge fealty to me and my son. And all shall be well. Or have we entered the time where division would live within my own house? For he that does not honor the son cannot possibly claim to honor me. And your insolence to deny him passage through your lands has brought grave dishonor to my house. Thus tell me Marduk…”

  Lucifer inched closer to his adversary and his voice grew lower in tonal quality and his visage glimmered in impressive displays of color that shimmered and ran up and down his arms, wings and legs. “Are you for me or for my adversaries?” Slowly, Lucifer unsheathed a newly furbished Sword of Malice and its green hue contrasted against the prismatic display that echoed off of his skin.

  Marduk looked at the blade and a smile curled over his lips. He looked Lucifer in the eye and replied. “Your son is a whelp who thinks of himself above his station. I will not bow the knee to this abomination. Nor will you raise arms against me as I command enough of the Host and influence over the affairs of men that to destroy me would tear at your own cause and flesh. No Lucifer. I serve the cause of self-rule. Thus to that cause I need not be commanded, but willingly submit. And know for now that my submission is indeed to you. But to this false-man, this abominable Clayborn you have sired—he I will never submit to: for he is not Kilnborn, not forged from the Stones of Fire. He is but a patchwork of mud and clay. I will yield only to a celestial worthy to rule. To that you have my word, and to that I will stand true: for there is only one above myself that I will yield to. And I stand before him now. If such does not suffice, then let dissolution be my end and provoke the war we both know would come with my death. But before you do Light-bringer know I have yielded myself to only two in existence. One stands on the throne of Heaven and has cast me out. The other has bled God. But know of a surety, I will never yield to a third.”

  Marduk then approached Satan and took Lucifer’s hand to bring the Sword of Malice to his throat. “I know you Light-bringer. I do not think your pride for power extends to anything beyond yourself even to this human whelp you call “son.” On this belief I will wager my life. But if I am wrong… if my words run counter to that which we both know to be true: then strike me down where I stand.”

  Lucifer’s hand clenched his sword tightly; its blade mere centimeters away from the throat of Marduk. Ashtaroth swallowed hard, for he had never heard such words spoken towards his master by anyone in the Horde. He nervously watched as the duo stood silent before each other.

  Lucifer then burst out and laughed out loud. His voice waltzed lyrically through the air.

  Lucifer’s hands loosed over his sword's hilt and he slid the partially exposed blade back into its leather scabbard. “You are wise Marduk. You are indeed worthy to rule Babylon. I will pardon this slight this time. But my long-suffering and generosity will not be extended to you a second. Be it known that when my son comes through the land, he will be given the courtesy due as a representative of me. He is my son and commands in my name. Fail to do me this honor and know that although dissolution to you will indeed do me harm… there is a level of pain I am willing to endure even to the complete destruction of the Horde itself to secure my ends. For I am God and beside me there can be none other.”

  “Now be privy to know what my plans are for the region you command. Know and be my will in Persia to see the thing done.”

  Marduk bowed his head in acknowledgment. “I will see that the Nephilim has access as you command. But if I might be so bold to ask what is within my territory that it turns the eye of the God-king?”

  Lucifer turned his back to the angelic archon of the Horde and spoke in reply.

  “I have found the whereabouts of a God-stone that was ejected from the Kiln. Imagine Marduk… a Godstone. Here on this planet and it has been under our noses since the beginning and in the most ostentatious of places. None other than in Israel buried beneath the Temple Mount.”

  Marduk gasped and replied. “No!”

  Lucifer nodded, “And you will assist me to raze this shrine to the ground that my son may secure me the full stone, and in time I will build upon that rock my church such that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, for it is my intent to erect a statue to demonstrate my power over life and death to all mankind.”

  Marduk stood stupefied. “You desire me to influence the Mohammedan’s to destroy their own shrine? Know ye not that the lower ranking angels will be enraged. You speak of peace yet incite open war! With what token would you show me to escalate such a level of disruption in our ranks? With what proof do I have that what you say about the God-stone is even real?”

  Lucifer frowned, turned to face his upstart rival and replied. “I offer you your life. You require no token to obey. Command has been given, and I will not be questioned.”

  Ashtaroth coughed to gather his master’s attention and when Lucifer turned to look at his adjutant. Ashtaroth’s eyes looked upon his master pleadingly to reconsider his position.

  Lucifer smirked and said, “It would seem that my friend Ashtaroth thinks I should offer thee an olive branch: very well. Let it not be said that I am unreasonable. Lucifer then opened his robes and pulled from within a shard of the Kilnstone for Marduk to see. It pulsated as a beating human heart and hummed. The air visibly moved as sonic vibrations emanated from the rock.

  “See here Marduk and behold the remnants of our birth. This is but a shard and yet even this small fragment sings the song of creation. Behold the ability to create a new heaven and a new earth. Look upon it and tremble.”

  Marduk’s eyes widened, and he backed away in fear. “It is true then… a Godstone!” Marduk shook his head in disbelief and astonishment. “Lucifer you tamper with the flakes of the Almighty himself. How is it that we are not destroyed by its sound?”

  Lucifer smiled, “I exert great strength to contain its power. No other save my son can even wield it. Only the Firstborn of angels can generate the negating sound frequency to keep the stone from destroying all life around it. Yet even I must recuperate, thus when I rest I must cease from canceling its power. Its song of fury is then unleashed, and the ground heaves its displeasure and volcanic eruptions burst forth from the earth. Every century or so I go to a hovel to lay my head: a place that I desire through natural calamity to overturn. And in the midst of the storm I rest whilst the stone brings upheaval to the world of men and moves mankind to germinate in the field I have just sowed; for despair and the turning away from God are ripe when men suffer… but enough of what gives me pleasure.” Lucifer paused as he ceased to ruminate on his past hand in the destruction of civilizations and spoke.

  “Let my words turn to you. I give you Marduk both my warning and my pledge that I would hate to travel to your lands an
d remove your candlestick and all those that follow you from my gracious protection. Take the Mohammedan’s for example. They resist me. But my patience has expired. For they have impeded me despite your assurances that they would come to claim me as their God. Alas, like El I too must in time take a rest. And it is time that I once more enter into my rest. Perchance, I may recess in Persia at your house?”

  Marduk’s eyes glimmered understanding he was under threat, and he watched as Lucifer took the fragment of the God-stone and tucked it firmly within his robes.

  Marduk stared at the stone and cautiously spoke, “And when I have removed all obstacles and have set you to receive the stone—what then Lucifer? What then will you do?”

  Lucifer smiled and walked towards one of the greatest principalities the Horde had ever known, this angel who some thought a potential rival to him. He placed his hands on his shoulders, gently massaged the trapezoid muscles of his angelic peer, and then whispered into his ear.

  “I will give the stone to my son. And with it he will use it to destroy those who would stand against us. How does this strike you Marduk?”