Morning Stars Chapter 1 & 2
The Way of the Eternal Dove
Chronicles of the
Children of Destiny
Volume One
'Morning Stars'
By
Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly
Copyright 6178 SC
Prologue
Before the beginning God planned. He planned something special, something new, something he had not done before. He planned to create.
For all eternity he had been alone. Throughout that span he had done nothing - there was nothing or no one else for him to interact with. Instead he had simply existed, and in that existence he had perfect peace. He knew himself, understood himself and rested in perfect harmony with himself. However within his mind dwelt infinity, and throughout eternity he contemplated infinity.
At some point in those contemplations something new came to him - it came to him as his mind investigated the concept of mathematics. Concepts had no tangible substance yet existed in the mind, and mathematics was one of the concepts that God delighted in. Its axioms were true - its laws complete and absolute, and within this concept something new came to him as he thought of the basic building blocks of mathematics in relation to himself.
He existed as one - there was no one with him. However within the laws of mathematics one and one made two. That is where the idea was born. What if there existed besides himself something else, something more than the God who was one. His infinite mind considered the possibilities - ‘what else could exist apart from him? How would it come into existence? What would it be like?’ And that is where the plan began.
Part One
“Innocence”
Chapter One – Michael of Eternity
Awareness. The first thing that Michael could remember was awareness. Before then he had not existed, and from that point on he had. But his very first memories were simply of being aware of his own existence. What he now called light came very soon afterwards. And as that light flooded over him he began to perceive something within it. Something which he had no words at the time to describe, but which he now sang to and praised as the Glory of God.
Within that Glory Michael had felt goodness and love. And something else - a force. A force that at once was filled with infinite peace and gentleness yet, at the same time, strong and powerful beyond imagining. It was then that Michael learned to fear God.
In those early times, everything was new. God, he soon found out, was his creator. And more than that, his Father and teacher. God taught him many things, but mostly about the plan that he had. Soon he had what God called his brothers and sisters. They were like him in many ways, and different in many others. Each was unique. Each had their own thoughts, plans and, from what God had told him, their own destiny. Michael had his own destiny as well - one that continually unfolded as he lived out his life.
At 10 years of age, Michael had been alone. Not yet had there come forth any other of the Seraphim community – the Seraphim being his angelic brothers and sisters. God had been his companion and friend – his teacher, mentor and father. God did share with him that he would one day have family – and that family would come into being on the day of Michael’s 12th birthday. His Father had shared with him the name for what would be his new brother – Gabriel. Michael liked the name. It was different to his and sounded original.
He, as he usually had done in the previous 10 years, spent most of his time exploring the world. His father had called it ‘The Realm of Eternity’. He had also called it by a specific name, Zaphora, which he had asked Michael not to share with the brothers and sisters to come until a much later date.
Michael had been born in the ‘Garden of Zaphora’. The Garden was the place where Michael ate most of the food that he needed to live on. All sorts of fruits and vegetables grew in the Garden. The Dwarrow fruit was quite tasty. Michael also particularly enjoyed the ‘Melit’ fruit, which was very light and refreshing. It was also very easy to squish down and drink, like water, so Michael had called the juice of the Melit fruit ‘Melit Water’.
In the Garden were special trees as well. The tree Michael was most cautious about was the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. His father had warned him not to partake of the fruit of this tree. ‘Not until you are of mature age and mind do I want you to partake of that fruit. If you do in fact partake of the fruit before that time, you may find ideas in your mind, thoughts which may challenge you – thoughts which, my dear son, you may not in fact like at all.’
Michael had trusted his Father and taken him at his word. At the age of 7, having understood the concept of years by that time, he had decided in his mind that for at least 1000 years he would not partake of the fruit. After that, though, he may consider it. He would ask his Father’s permission then – but then, and only then.
The other fruit which his Father asked him to partake of every birthday was the ‘tree of life’. Simply by eating this fruit his Father had said he granted him ongoing life. He had told him that he did not have to eat the fruit if he did not want to – that he would not force that upon him. But he had also said that, after a long and great time, if Michael failed to eventually eat of the fruit, he would in fact die. Michael did not really understand what ‘death’ was supposed to mean, however his father had explained that the fruits and vegetables that his son had in fact eaten were, in a way, now dead. ‘In the life I gave them, they no longer exist. However this was always my intent. For you my son, if you fail to partake of the tree of life for a long and great time, you will eventually meet their fate. This choice, though, is in your hands. Over that choice you are sovereign.’ His Father had gone on to explain that in their youth, the community of what would be his Seraphim brothers and sisters were to partake of the fruit every new year, which was Michael’s birthday. But, at a later date, depending on the way certain things developed, which his Father would not share with him, they would only really need to partake of the fruit every century. And eventually, once they had built up enough of their own spirit, only once every millennia.
Michael had queried wether this would go on forever, the time increasing between how often they would need to partake of the fruit. His father had spoken to him very seriously then, and told him that, eventually, once every million years would likely suffice. To go beyond that, into great numbers, he had explained that he did not think that his children would be able to eventually cope with the things life threw at them. But he did have one thing to say which had frightened Michael in a way. ‘It is possible, my son, to live without ever partaking of the fruit after a certain point in time. But you will have to be well trained and strong in the reality – the principle – of life. And all that is contained therein. If you actually sought that, and persisted passionately, vibrantly and with an eternal commitment – you perhaps could achieve this truth – this reality. But the fruit I have given is designed and intended to make it easier to live, without you having to struggle to that type of existence under your own strength. The fruit will be there eternally. It will always be available, and should you ever be struggling in a decision to go your own way, which I do not disapprove of, but advise caution, you are always most welcome to partake of the fruit. It is a gift of life I have provided for you. It has no cost, nor ever will – except that, in a sense, there is a cost in partaking of the fruit for your spirit. And that cost is your pride.’
* * * * *
He sat in front of the Sellawon, the name he had given to the river, watching it cascade along in its merry trill of life and love. He was 11 now, but it was the cold time of the year, and he was shivering occasionally, watching the river flow along and noticing some frozen ice by the edge of the river. Naturally he preferred summer and in winter usually stayed in the safety of the garden which seemed somewhat warmer than the rest of Zaphora at that time of the year, something Michael was unable to explain. Lunch time was approaching soon and he would likely go off looking for food, even flying to the garden if necessary. He usually came to the Sellawon every day to drink water, but often would just make do on the melit water which was a close approximation. But he had to cleanse his body every now and then and he somehow knew that only pure river water could cleanse it for the best. He stood up from the bank and walked down, picking up a stick, and sat at the edge of the river. He poked the stick into the ice, making holes, gradually making one big hole. It was entertaining enough, and he had done it often enough, but it made him happy and gave him something to do. He was feeling a little thirsty not having drunk today, so got down on his stomach and drank the ice cold water from the hole. Half an hour later, his body starting to shiver, he knew it was time to make his way back to the garden. He needed shelter from the cold and he had now drunk enough.
Landing back at the garden which was near the middle of Zaphora, he gradually made his way towards his usual hang out place, grabbing some pieces of fruit as he walked along, munching on them happily. He sat down in the middle of his clearing, noticing the warmth instantly, and then lied down on his back, staring up at the sky. Life had been like this for as long as he could remember, ever since his birth, right here in this clearing. It was as if he had gradually become aware of himself and then, just as suddenly, embraced the love and power of his father. And then he had been here, in the clearing.
That had been over 11 years ago and now, as his 12th birthday approached, something he was greatly anticipating drew near – the birth of his first brother Gabriel. He did not really know what Gabriel would be like but his father assured him he would be like himself in many ways, but unique in many others. But he would indeed be his special brother. And then more after that, apparently, until a certain number had been reached. He did not know what that number would be, but waited patiently.
He slept a lot in his youth and dreamt strange dreams. Dreams of clouds turning all sorts of colours and mountains getting bigger and smaller and water fountains gushing from the tops of them, and then ice patterns would form in his dreams, going through an endless parade of strange shapes he did not recognize. They were some of his dreams but he had many types, all from his life here in Zaphora. He finished off eating the piece of fruit, thought about getting some Dwarrow, but decided against it. Maybe later on for dinner. Time for rocks, he thought to himself.
Rocks was a game he had invented in which he tossed rocks, one first, then two at a time and so on, into the air to see the biggest number he could throw up and then catch. His record was still five but he was sure he would get to six one day. It was just a matter of perseverance.
He picked up his collection of river rocks, all smooth, which he had collected from the Sellawon and began juggling a few of them first of all. And then he started his game. He threw the first rock up, making sure it went high enough to satisfy his own sense of rules for the game, and caught it easily. This was followed by two, which he again managed, and then three which he was lucky to get. But he failed at four which meant he had to start again.
He played rocks for quite a while, not managing to get past three that day, but it was fun to do and kept him busy. Soon, though, he would go to his fort and do some more work on it. Michael’s fort was near the edge of the garden and made up of rocks and wood branches. It was his own little abode which he had started building at about 2 and it had gradually gotten bigger. It collapsed once when he was 7, but he had since rebuilt it.
Walking along to the fort on the southern side of the garden, he listened as the winter wind blew in the trees. Looking at the grey clouds in the sky he felt it might rain soon, and being in the fort would be a good idea if rain came today.
He arrived at the fort and looked it over. It was twice as tall as him, with two levels, and about a trees length across. Pretty impressive he thought to himself. He thought briefly about gathering some more rocks to work on the extension he had been planning, but noticing the droplets of rain starting, he quickly climbed inside the fort and raked same of his leaves over him. Listening to the rain as it hit the roof of the fort, some drops splashing on him, he was happy to be warm and safe inside his domain. It would be good to share this with Gabriel – to show him what he had built. They could have lots of fun and adventures together, he thought to himself. It would be great when his brother arrived. But for now he was alone, apart from his father who spoke to him often at nights, and snuggling down in the leaves as the rain pounded the roof of the tiny little hut, Michael was at peace and happy with everything in his beautiful little world.
* * * * *
He woke. The rain had stopped and it was late afternoon. Time for gathering some more rocks. He climbed out of the fort and looked it over. The extension he planned was on the southern side to make a permanent bedroom, one he wanted to make, if possible, full-proof from the rain. He had gathered all of the rocks in the immediate vicinity and often brought some from the Sellawon were many were to be found. But he decided to head a little south today and see if he could find any. He could only carry one big rock at a time, and it took him ages to collect all the rocks, but he had nothing else to do and really wanted to complete his fort. After walking for a while he spotted a small outcropping of some rocks and picking one up started flying back to the fort. He put the rock in the growing pile he had been working on and now flew back. He did this for a couple of hours, heaving over 2 dozen rocks, before finally getting hungry and going off looking for some Dwarrow. He found some in the garden, tore it open and started eating. It was a basic vegetable his father had told him, but it was good enough to eat.
He worked on his fort all the rest of that winter and the following spring as well and when he had finally completed the extension just a few days before his 12th birthday he knew he had something special to share with Gabriel.
As the day approached and it got to the evening before his 12th birthday, God spoke to him that night.
‘DEAR SON. GABRIEL IS READY NOW. I HAVE TOLD HIM ALL ABOUT YOU AND HE REALLY WANTS TO MEET YOU. BE AT PEACE WITH YOUR NEW BROTHER.’ Those words made Michael smile and while he tried to stay up all night to wait for his new brother, sleep eventually claimed him and he drifted of with dreams of rocks and dwarrow and climbing mountains.
* * * * *
“Come on Gab. Let’s fly.” They took off, headed from the Garden in the early morning light, racing one of their usual races each morning to the Sellawon. Usually, because he was still a bit bigger, despite Gabriel having grown a lot, Michael won. But occasionally Gabriel put in the extra effort and came first. Today was close though.
They flew quickly, keeping an eye on each other, lunging and diving when necessary and as they reached their destination Gabriel dived and just touched ground before Michael.
They were puffing and Michael patted his brother on the back and said ‘Well done, Gab. You have done it again.’
‘Thanks Mikie.’
And then, for the first time in his life, Michael was spoken to by his third brother, who had just appeared. ‘So you two are Michael and Gabriel, huh?’
Michael turned, stunned and looked at the dark figure. ‘Raphael?’
‘You guessed it,’ responded his new brother. Michael and Gabriel ran over, hugged Raphael and started smiling at him.
‘I knew you were due soon,’ said Michael. ‘But God wouldn’t give me the exact date.
‘Well, here I am,’ responded Raphael.
They played for the rest of the day and finally, after a long tour of the garden, all three went to sleep in Michael’s fort. The children of destiny were starting to grow and soon, very soon, more would come forth.
* * * * *
‘Go on. I dare you,’ said Saruviel to Michael. The other 5 angels watched cautiously, wondering if Michael would take on the dare.
‘But, with my wings tied I could fall and injure myself. It’s too dangerous, Saruviel.’
‘Someone’s got to do it, Mikie. And you’re the eldest.’
‘Why does anyone have to do it at all?’ asked Raguel.
‘We need to set records. Soon the rest of the 70 will be here and we need bragging rights on them. Otherwise they will not respect the oldest 7 enough.’
‘Does that matter?’ asked Phanuel.
‘7 is the key number,’ responded Saruviel. ‘The 7 Archangels of Glory. How about that.’
Michael conceded, allowed Uriel to finish tying his wings together, and started the climb to the top. They were near the top of Mt Zadar anyway, on a ledge, near the difficult part, and Saruviel had laid down the challenge. Michael had finally accepted, and it was on. Naturally, he made it. He’d had many years climbing and was good at it now, and when the others standing at the summit watched him get there they congratulated him.
‘Well done, Michael,’ said Saruviel. ‘That is the standard firstborn needs to set.’
Michael nodded, breathing heavily, unsurprised by those words. They were so like the 7th angel, so like him, and the expectations on perfection he had of all of them. But he was not disappointed now, not really. He’d made it and indeed they would have bragging rights and, perhaps, as Saruviel claimed, a sense of authority. Only time would tell.
* * * * *
He was embarrassed. Daniel the Seraphim, 45th born of the male Seraphim of the Realm of Eternity, was most embarrassed. Meludiel had blushed strongly and pushed him away, telling him what he had done was not appropriate, and now he was embarrassed. Daniel had had a crush on Meludiel for so long now, as long as he could practically remember. And with Zaphon nearing completion he had found her doing some carving of the woodwork under Elenniel’s tutelage, told her he liked her and kissed her quickly on the cheek, but she had quickly pulled back, almost in horror to his great disappointment. And now he was duly embarrassed.
Later on, at dinner, Meludiel had approached him to explain her perspective and told Daniel that she didn’t feel that way towards him. Daniel had listened, ashamed, but understood then that she didn’t love him. And he would have to accept that, which he had, but his heart still hurt. He hadn’t won her, and probably never would, but that was part of life. And sitting on the grass at the northern edge of the nearly completed haven of eternity, Zaphon keep, Daniel looked up at heaven at father and said, ‘Why is my heart as such, father? Why is my heart as such?’
* * * * *
Rocks. They played a lot of rocks. Michael loved that. Saruviel thought it was oh, so, bloody gay. Lame as hell. Gabriel didn't care.
But they were getting older, somewhat now, and life had changed. There were 140 of them. Seraphim of God. The firstborn children of God, and Father loved them. And the old man visited, once or twice, who looked weird. They didn't know who he was, but he had a long beard, as he called it, on his face. And he said he was the father of the torah, and that he loved them. But he didn't tell them his name, and then he was gone. But he visited occasionally, the old man, and said he loved them.
* * * * *
Meludiel was an intelligent angel, but Daniel had a huge crush on her anyway. Daniel was called the idiot amongs the Seraphim angels, but Ambriel always defended him. He wasn't stupid. He just had an uncommon habit of making a fool of himself. And then, when Zaphon was being built, he made a huge blunder with the girl who was his crush, Meludiel, and fretted for years afterwards.
'Get over it,' said Ariel, to her twin Daniel.
'Get over what?' asked Daniel.
'Get over Meludiel. You will only end up with me in the end anyway.'
'You wish,' said Daniel.
'No. Not really,' said Ariel. 'Of every single Seraphim brother of mine, you are 100% the last on the list, Believe me, the last buddy. Even that maniac Saruviel is preferable to a schmuck like you.'
'What's a schmuck?' asked Daniel.
Ariel looked guilty. 'Nothing. Michael and Gabriel use the word a little. Your just too stupid to know what it means.'
'I know,' said Daniel glumly, looking downwards.
Ariel took pity on her brother, looked at him with love, and sat down next to him.
'Look, silly. One day. It may be at the end of eternity, and knowing my luck probably will be. But one day, even doofus Daniel will grow up and start acting like a man.'
'What's a man?' asked Daniel naively.
'Brother,' said Ariel, looking away.
* * * * *
And then the old man showed up and talked with Gabriel. 'You have a long and winding destiny, son of mine. Watch Michael. You two are tragically competitive in the end. He will best you at every corner, in the end, if he can. He's like that. But, with maturity, you will grow to love each other.
'Yes, father,' said Gabriel instinctively.
And God smiled.
* * * * *
'Look, Daniel. Face it. In the end Ambriel will never budge from his beloved twin. As gay as that may be, Ambriel is just like that. His twin is his all. No matter what you say or do, she will always choose Ambriel in the end.'
Daniel refused to be consoled.
'So how about giving me a go, you know. Your sis. Your bestie. The only one who really, deep, deep, down, cares for you the most.'
She touched his hair, and stroked it, and she looked at him and loved him. He would grow up, one day. And he was a handsome angel. Good looking, and, despite his awkward youth, was very decent in his heart. A good soft heart. Meek. Like Ambriel, but different. A gentle man. And she would insult him forever, for he thoroughly deserved it, the faithless beast. But she would love him forever as well. Never tell him, though. But love him none-the-less.
* * * * *
Gabriel picked up the rock from Michael's desk. It was the victory rock when they had last had a competition, a long time ago.
'What are you doing with that?' asked Michael.
'Just looking,' said Gabriel.
'I won fair and square,' said Michael. 'And the century isn't up yet, so there is no new competition yet.'
'I know, I know,' said Gabriel, and put the rock down.
He sat in front of Michael's desk in Zaphon, the heart of eternity, the haven of eternity as it was known, and looked at his brother making notes about the work they were now doing. It had been recent, the building of Zaphon, only a few years earlier completed, and Michael was overseer of Zaphon, the number one guy, and ran things. And they used papyrus and quills with ink now, and had a growing library of scrolls, Brindabel running the library, and even scholars like Davriel, who seemed to know so much. Lastborn was really smart, everyone knew that. And Cimbrel - genius at numbers. Everyone knew that as well.
'You know. The old man. I think I know who he really is.'
'He's God,' said Michael.
'Yes,' said Gabriel surprised. 'How did you know?'
'We have been talking. Some of us about him. Davriel said it was probably God.
'Oh,' said Gabriel.
'Yep,' said Michael.
'I see.' Gabriel looked at the rock in his hand. They already knew. No great surprise.
When Gabriel left Michael thought on it. The old man. Well. Probably God. But when he came the second time, he looked different. Quite different. The hair was shorter, and he looked - less old. Less wrinkled. But, in the end, they had no real proof. It was God. Or it was just the old man. Just an old man. Just an old man.
And later that same year the old man came one last time, and said to them.
'I love you, children of mine. But I must go now. For you must grow up, and trials are coming very soon. But I will be there - forever. Your heart will always remember. You, though, will forget me in time. Not long from now. I will be gone from you, but I will return one day, though it will be as if you had never known me before anyway. But I will always be there, watching, loving you. Dear Children. Dear, dear Children of Destiny.'
And the old man went, then, and, indeed, in time he went from their memories, and was just an old man in there hearts, comforting them in their dreams, which vanished when the night was gone.
Chapter Two – Evening Stars
The first thing the Angel Saruviel remembered was darkness. Infinite darkness. And therein he dwelt, and therein he found his peace, and therein he found his absolution. And then, after darkness, a strange thing. Light. And an Angel called Gabriel shone his love upon him, and kissed him a brotherly kiss, and there they were, running around, playing rocks, and having the time of their lives.
‘We’re not the bloody Morning Stars, ok, Kantriel. We’re the Evening Stars. Right, Daraqel.’
Daraqel shrugged. Saruviel decided everything these days, didn’t he.
‘Morning Stars suck, anyway,’ said Devuel. ‘Especially Aquariel. Calls herself ‘Morning Star’ herself. Bright blessed Gabriel’s loving and devoted twin. Thinks she is glory, and not Gloryel. She’s hot, though. Gloryel. I like her.’
‘Get your mind out of the gutter,’ responded Saruviel with a glare. ‘She likes me, after all. She tells me all the time. That I am nice and serious, and that I am a responsible young angel. I’m older than her, but she calls me a responsible young angel.’
Daraqel and Kantriel sniggered at Saruviel’s joke.
‘Nah. She likes me,’ responded Devuel. ‘Luladiel tells me so. Says she looks at me when we are at Michael’s fort. Says she thinks I’m cute.’
‘Cute?’ queried Saruviel. ‘I suppose. If someone whose face resembles a bottom looks cute.’
Daraqel and Kantriel grinned again.
‘Good one, Sar,’ said Daraqel.
Saruviel grinned, while Devuel gave him the finger.
‘If there is anyone Gloryel likes, its obviously me,’ put in Semambarel suddenly.
‘Dream on,’ replied Saruviel. ‘You have the charms of Michael on a good day. And he is as boring as they bloody get.’
‘Likes to think he rules us,’ put in Devuel, picking a berry from a tree and eating it.
‘He doesn’t,’ said Saruviel flatly. ‘The old man does. The father. He tells me who he is. Ok. I know who he is.’
‘Who?’ asked Daraqel?’
‘Yeh, who?’ queried Kantriel.
Saruviel smiled at them, and was about to boast out his knowledge, but kept his lip.
‘Well, never you mind. Ok. I’m seventhborn. And it’s my private knowledge.’
‘You’re a shmuck,’ said Devuel.
‘Saruviel’s a shmuck,’ said Kantriel, teasing.
Saruviel grabbed his younger brother, and the rest of the afternoon they wrestled away, as the light gradually diminished throughout the Realm of Eternity, another glorious day for the children of the Living God.
* * * * *
‘Michael. You are good and responsible,’ said Elenniel.
‘Yes, Michael,’ said Meludiel. ‘You are the bravest of us.’
Daniel looked at Meludiel say that. He was instantly jealous.
‘I’m the strongest, though,’ said Yaramiel.
‘I can take ya,’ said Abraqel,’ and the two of them fell to a wrestling contest, as some of the Seraphim of Eternity gathered around to watch them and laugh.
The 140 angels were mostly there, at the fort of Michael, living their young lives, in Zaphora. It was not yet known as Zaphora, but the Realm of Eternity, but one day it would be. They were young. Still so very young, living innocently in the world God had created for them, eating at the garden, running around, now in tunics which had been made from cotton which had been made into thread. Of course, they knew each other’s nakedness well, but innocence knew no concerns of any thoughts of anything other than childful play. Besides, the equipment, as it where, for that mysterious act of procreation was not yet part of the children of God. One day it would be, but not yet.
They had adventures, each and every day, and Gabriel had gone on about a message from God, who had called each of them his precious Morning Stars. And he liked it when they sang together, the Morning Stars. When they sang as a group, lovely songs of life, and praise. And he loved them each, oh so very dearly. And he treasured them. And he delighted in them. And they were all united. And they were all at peace.
And then there was Saruviel.
Michael wondered about Saruviel, occasionally. He was a different type of brother, Sar. A lot more, well. Well, serious. Like he felt he was the real firstborn in a way, and somehow the real and most responsible one of them. Weird that. That was not true. Michael was number one. He had always known that. Of course, he loved Saruviel, and they played around together from time to time, but now, with all 140 angels born, groups had begun forming. Little cliques, were certain angels seemed to connect more strongly with certain others, and that was, apparently, the way of things.
Like Azrael and Cosadriel. They fought each other tooth and nail, constantly. Always arguing, always boasting, but the love was always apparent as well. Like a rivalry which would last for all time. And perhaps even longer. He loved watching those two go at it, and their twins would stand idly by, used to the shenanigans, used to the rivalry.
There were many such groups, and Saruviel had one also. Him and Kantriel and Daraqel especially, with the predictable Devuel always there, and Semambarel half the time as well.
And then there was Daniel, who kept to himself, the shy one, but seemed to get along with Kantriel a little bit. He puzzled on Daniel. Different sort of an angel. Quiet. Shy. Like he hadn’t quite connected with the rest of the angels yet. Just like him.
Of course, he and Gabriel and Raphael ran things, and they were the tightest group of all.
And, of course, Ambriel. The love bug himself. He could never live without the little guy, smiling at him, asking endless question after question, and the constant concern for every angel in the family.
It was a good group, the Morning Stars of God. And they would always be that, he supposed. Together. Living at peace with each other. Happy and at play. Forever, naturally. Or so he believed.
* * * * *
‘What’s this?’ Kantriel asked Saruviel.
‘The New Order,’ replied the seventhborn of the angels.
‘The New Order? 50 Male Angels. You first. There’s no Michael on it. A whole lot of angels are not on it.’
‘Followers of Michael. The hard core. I cut them out.’
‘Why?’
‘Coz they suck,’ replied Saruviel. ‘Besides, I’ll re-add them to the list later on. When I have proved my point.’
Kantriel studied the list for a while longer and nodded. ‘Ok. I’ll go with you on it.’
‘On what?’ asked Daraqel, sitting down. Kantriel handed him the papyrus.
‘The New Order,’ said Daraqel. ‘But there is only 50 of them? And no Michael.’
‘Nor his crew,’ said Kantriel.
Daraqel handed it back to Kantrie. ‘Yeh. Alright. If you say so Saruviel.’
‘Yes. Yes I do, young brother. Yes I do.’
‘Can I have a look?’ asked Semambarel.
Kantriel handed him the list. It read:
The Seraphim Males of Eternity
1. Saruviel
2. Sariel
3. Bantriel
4. Cimbrel
5. Dameriel
6. Valandriel
7. Loquiel
8. Cosadriel
9. Kelkuriel
10. Gamrayel
11. Semambarel
12. Jontel
13. Yaramiel
14. Mistrel
15. Matrel
16. Kantriel
17. Daraqel
18. Simonuel
19. Azrael
20. Jerahmeel
21. Devuel
22. Zadennuel
23. Jamenuel
24. Talutiel
25. Phindwel
26. Remriddel
27. Roshael
28. Kalenuel
29. Gandel
30. Talzudiel
31. Sosteriel
32. Daniel
33. Radrukiel
34. Sadurael
35. Abraqel
36. Pendrael
37. Fazuel
38. Wendel
39. Berakiel
40. Ulantriel
41. Judayliel
42. Desdrael
43. Othaniel
44. Queriel
45. Zakiel
46. Saziel
47. Adruel
48. Halyudiel
49. Samael
50. Zashadiel
‘What about the rest?’ asked Semambarel innocently.
‘I’ll add them back in later. When they have learned their lesson,’ responded Saruviel.
‘Fine,’ said Semambarel a bit nervously, but didn’t object either. Saruviel’s new order. Forever onwards, he supposed. Well, ok. Why not. Why not.
* * * * *
Daniel was a shy angel. He didn’t get along with the group very well, but his twin, Ariel, talked with him from time to time and reminded him he was loved. He liked all the angels, but didn’t think Michael was a very good choice for firstborn. He was showy. He dressed himself with an attitude of ‘I know everything and I am the superior one, and sucked up compliments constantly and thought himself worthy of them. He thought him an idol the angels worshipped, usurping God’s place in the scheme of things, and trying to be an authority when he should leave people alone to live their own lives and not put up with the whims of an angel only focused on ‘being cool’ about things. Like he was something special. He talked with Ariel about this and she nodded to him. ‘But we like to flatter Michael anyway. We love, remember. Who cares. Life goes on. Michael will get over his superiority complex one day.’
‘At least Saruviel has a brain about it,’ responded Daniel. ‘He has authority naturally in him, and wields it well keeping people in line when they listen to him. More imagination as well. Michael’s sucks in comparison.’
‘Then go join Saruviel then,’ she replied.
‘No. No thanks in the end. In the end, I think, he is a bit arrogant as well, and probably has something coming to him from God. In a million years, or something.’
‘What’s a year?’ she asked innocently.
‘The old man talked about it with me. A measurement of a unit of days. Count off the same number of days time and again, each being a year.’
‘Oh,’ said Ariel. ‘An interesting idea.’
‘God tells me lots of things,’ said Daniel.
‘The old man isn’t God. He just represents him.’
‘Mmmm,’ said Daniel. ‘Probably. I am not sure, though, in the end if he is really that, though. God. Despite claiming to be to me.’
‘Oh, you have doubts about him.’
‘He thinks to highly of Michael. The Spirit of God says to me it’s not the same in eternity, later on. When things are resolved. When the truth is known. A new order will arise, when a correction of illusions has been made.’
‘The Spirit of God?’ she asked him.
‘A technical term for who God really is. The big voice. Not this Jehovah fellow.’
‘Jehovah? You and your big words, Daniel. You are always too technical. Lighten up.’
He looked softly at her, and walked away. He didn’t like being rebuked, and sulked for ages when his brothers and sisters had a go at him.
Ariel watched him go. She’d done that before. Had a go at him. She knew it wasn’t right. The others did it as well. Teased Daniel. Seemed everyone liked to do that. Tease Daniel. Probably, she should know better. Probably.
* * * * *
Kantriel surveyed the plane. Right in the centre of the Realm, a plane, roughly circular, fit for a grand and great home.
‘It shall be called Zaphon,’ declared Michael confidently to the crowd. ‘It shall be our home, our eternal abode, our eternal rest, of joy and peace. Yet, first, according to the word of God, we must make things – tools and such – to construct what he calls a ‘Keep’. And therein we shall find our salvation.’
Kantriel made the first axe, and Saruviel the first saw, Michael designed the first hammer, and Gabriel made nails. Many long, many short. Yaramiel and Abraqel worked with rock and, soon, they were making a trial go of an abode north of the plane. It looked ok when finished, but father told them they would now be challenged to excellence, and when it was torn down, they had been fitted with proper work clothes by the ‘Tailors’ amongst them, the quality of their tools improved greatly, and plans drawn up for the design of the keep. It would take a long time, was all they were told, the building of Zaphon, but they took to the task and, in the late afternoons, when they drank from the Sellawon, or ate from the fruit of the gardens, they would gaze on the unfolding Zaphon keep and know they had worked a triumph.
And then, lo and behold, it was complete. And then, lo and behold, it was done.
And the angels had built themselves a home.
* * * * *
‘You really don’t know who God is at all. Now you say its Jehovah again. Make up your mind Daniel.’
‘I’m. Uncertain,’ he finally responded to Ariel’s point.
‘Just like you,’ she responded. ‘Come on. God is God. Just the way it is. Get on with your life. Leave stupid questions alone.’
‘I guess so,’ responded the uncertain Daniel the Seraphim, but the question still puzzled him.
Later on that year, the year Zaphon had been built, Daniel spied Meludiel alone in the lower dining room. He looked at her, and he wasn’t sure if she noticed him, but he looked at her, fascinated yet again by her beauty, and coveted her heart. But then he rebuked himself yet again, left the room, and went down to the Sellawon. Meludiel would never like him. She would always be faithful to Ambriel. He would never impress her. But still he looked, and still he ogled, but acting on that impulse. Well he would never do that, would he? Would he?
* * * * *
Saruviel sat there, in the darkness, alone, nobody else around, thinking to himself, alone, nobody there, alone – quiet. Quiet.
He was in the cellar of Zaphon keep, sitting in a lounge chair, on the northern wall of the large cellar, a candle he had brought down with him steadily burning away, doing nothing at all but just sitting there, lost in thought. Hand on chin, resting in the seat, thinking.
‘In the end, when all the hurly burly had come and gone, and they’d had all their celebrations, and built all their marvellous abodes. In the end when they’d had all their romances, and made all their wonderful friendship clubs and had all their loves. In the end, when they’d designed every invention capable of and bragged and boasted about being Angels of Glory. In the end, when it was all said and done, and they’d done everything they were capable of doing, what then? And really, what was the point? What was the point?
It felt like, in a strange way, that life was meaningless at that point. Like it was chase after the wind. Like it served no great purpose and that after you had achieved all your glory, fear God and obey him, and that was all that mattered in the end anyway.
And then, in the end, why serve God? If life was that predictable, that mundane, that according to plan, why serve God at all? Perhaps he was just a bit boring in the end. And perhaps he just made the angels conform to his whims for his own pleasure, for his own sense of glory and accomplishment. Perhaps he didn’t really care at all, and just had made them for his good pleasure. Perhaps that was what it was all about.
But that wasn’t fair. They deserved better than that. The angels of glory, they deserved much better than that – than being mere ‘play things’ for the cosmic creator.
And suddenly he was annoyed, and suddenly he was angry, and suddenly he was pissed off.
But he kept his anger to himself, and he kept his thoughts to himself, and he thought on the evening stars, and he thought on the truth he knew.
And time would tell of what would be.
* * * * *
‘The operation is ready to go,’ said Kantriel, his face covered in black ash, wearing khaki clothes like the rest of them, all garbed up in ‘Evening Stars Elite’ uniforms.
‘Ready?’ queried Saruviel to all the Evening Stars surrounding Zaphon. ‘ATTACK!’
And in they moved, like death shadows, bags full of pooey laundry and, one by one, while the angels slept, dropped the pooey whites onto the faces of the sleeping Seraphim.
All around Zaphon, for the next half an hour, outbursts of ‘Pooo, what’s the stink,’ as one by one the Evening Stars heard shocked yells of ‘What the heck!’ and so on.
Eventually, Michael in the lead, they all appeared downstairs in the main lobby outside of the dining room. And there, on the lounge chairs, sat the evening stars, smirking at each other, and looking oh so not innocent.
‘Are you guys responsible for this?’ Michael asked them instantly, holding a shitty sheet.
‘We’ve been playing bush games,’ responded Kantriel. ‘What, you couldn’t hold it in?’
‘Very funny,’ said Gabriel. Daniel strolled up, then, from out of the keep, not having been affected by the situation.
‘Was this you Daniel?’ they all asked him, looking at the innocent Seraphim.
‘It was Daniel,’ some of them started yelling, perhaps too nervous to accuse Saruviel and his crew.
Daniel looked on, and suddenly burst into tears, and ran out the way he had come, Ariel quickly running after him.
But Michael glared at the confident Saruviel. He knew who it was. And Saruviel would get his come uppance one day. You could count on that.
* * * * *
‘Nobody likes me,’ said Daniel miserably. But Ariel held him in her arms, and rocked him gently. They were there half the night, sitting next to a Zaphon porch, Daniel feeling sad, and Ariel rocking him and singing softly to him. She told him stories and adventures and said to him that life and eternity would go on forever and see millions, perhaps billions of different places and adventures for each of them, and they would have countless friends and intimates before, at the end of it all, they would find each other again, and then, when all was said and done, Daniel Would love Ariel and Ariel would Love Daniel, and that would be that.
And Daniel fell asleep in Ariel’s arms, and she watched his eye movements, and wondered what strange dreams he would have, and she loved him with all her heart. With all her heart.
* * * * *
‘One day you will have to grow up, though. If you want to be firstborn.’
Saruviel acknowledged the words of the old man. ‘But, even that? What’s the point? Of it all?’
‘You. You will have to figure that out for yourself. It’s in your heart,’ and the old man patted Saruviel on the back, and wandered away, and Saruviel sat there, on eastern porch of Zaphon, thinking about life. It was sunny at the moment, and the angels were mostly around there at the moment, celebrating Daniel’s birthday. Ariel was seated next to him all day, and after the stunt they pulled recently, Saruviel knew what was coming to Daniel. He got up, went inside, and soon returned with the sealed package.
He weaved through the crowd, and sat down next to Daniel.
‘Ho, its Saruviel,’ said Michael to everyone. ‘Does he have a great gift for Daniel?’
‘Let’s see, Saruviel,’ said all the angels in unison.
Saruviel looked at Daniel. ‘You know, you’re a pretty special guy, Danny. When it all comes right down to it. We want you in the Evening Stars, and we promise to behave a bit better about it all.’
And Saruviel undid the package, and revealed an Evening Stars Elite uniform, which Daniel put on, and it fitted perfectly.
Daniel smiled, and Ariel beamed at him all day long.
And, from the corner of the celebration, the old man looked on, and also smiled at Daniel, and said to himself. ‘An Evening Star? When all is said and done? Very well then. His glory shall certainly be challenging because of it.’
And the Spirit of God said in the throneroom of Zaphon ‘AMEN!’.
* * * * *
Saruviel and Devuel were at Michael’s fort. ‘They don’t come here much, anymore. Since Zaphon’s been built,’ said Devuel casually.
‘Life moves on,’ responded Saruviel, digging into the dirt at his feet.
‘Yeh. Who knows where we will be in a million years, huh?’
‘Ruling trillions,’ responded Saruviel.
‘Very funny. There are only 140 of us,’ responded Devuel.
‘You think that is the way it will always be?’ queried Saruviel, looking directly at his younger Evening Star brother.
‘I don’t know. Won’t it?’
Saruviel just looked at him and continued digging.
A distance away Semambarel and Kantriel and Daraqel were all playing around, throwing pine cones at each other, acting like idiots. Saruviel gave them a glance, but continued what he was doing.
‘More angels?’ asked Devuel, curious.
‘Sure, why not?’ responded Saruviel. ‘You think God is satisfied with just 140 of us? He wants unlimited numbers, probably, in the end. A neverending supply.’
‘And how do you know this?’
‘It’s what he’s raising us for,’ responded the all-knowing Saruviel.
‘Maybe he’s made others already,’ thought Devuel out loud.
‘Maybe,’ said Saruviel.
‘Fuck. It would be intense if we had other brothers and sisters. People he hasn’t talked to us about.’
‘Out there,’ said Saruviel, pointing. ‘Out there. It must go on forever. It just has to. If there was a real end to it, what lies beyond that?’
‘Dunno,’ responded Devuel.
‘Just that. God hasn’t worked there yet. But he will. I am certain of it. And it’s our destiny to be part of it.’
‘Our destiny?’ queried Devuel.
‘Our Destiny,’ confirmed Saruviel.
Devuel just looked at his brother, considering his thoughts. Just like Saruviel. To meditate on the heavy shit in life. Just like him.
Suddenly a pine comb hit Saruviel on the head, and the three others bore down on them, and another of the Evening Stars famous wrestling sessions began, a tight fought contest, for they were reasonably well matched. And the spirit of God observed some of the more memorable cussing this little group had portrayed so far, and even though he raised an occasional eyelid, he let it be. Such were the Evening Stars of God. And how could he ever really complain?
* * * * *
Daniel and Kantriel were on the northern edge of the Realm, near the Rim. The Rim was the edge of the Realm of Eternity, the realm being roughly circular in shape. You couldn’t really transverse the rim, though, as everyone knew. If you flew out beyond it you would go only so far, and while you would keep on flying and might feel like you were, if you looked back at the realm you would notice you were not getting any further away. A very strange design of God, which had always puzzled the angels, Daniel especially.
‘Meludiel will never like you,’ said Kantriel, to a subject Daniel had gingerly raised. Of all the angels, it was usually Kantriel who Daniel seemed to be able to get along with a little, although he had been interested in making friends with Valandriel for a long time, but who always seemed to be doing this or that.
‘Your right. I know. She likes Ambriel too much.’
‘What do you expect? Their twins?’
‘But she doesn’t hang around him very much,’ responded Daniel.
‘You know how girls are,’ said Kantriel. ‘Shantriel doesn’t even talk to me at all hardly, but she’s my twin, and occasionally I see her looking at me. She doesn’t like the Evening Stars thing, though. Upsets her. Wants me to be a Morning Star.’
‘An Evening Star is more interesting,’ responded Daniel. ‘But sometimes I feel I am different type of Star entirely.’
‘Yeh. The poo Star,’ said Kantriel, grinning.
‘And you’re the Shit Star,’ replied Daniel, and grabbed his brother, as they wrestled away for a while.
‘If I’m the Shit Star, there must be a Piss Star,’ said Kantriel, smiling.
‘That’s Daraqel,’ smiled Daniel.
‘Which makes Saruviel your Pee Star,’ replied Kantriel, a huge grin on his face.
‘Then what is Semambarel?’ asked Daniel.
‘The Vomit star,’ suggested Kantriel.
‘Which makes Devuel the Puke Star,’ finished Daniel, and they started laughing.
‘But your both idiot stars,’ said Ariel, who had snuck up on them and been watching them quietly.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Kantriel. ‘She’s the bitch star.’
‘Kantriel!’ scolded Ariel. ‘A lovely way to talk about your sister,’ but she softened on him.
‘What’s Ambriel?’ asked Daniel.
‘The Gay Star,’ replied Ariel, and all three of them burst out laughing.
‘And Michael?’ asked Daniel.
‘The Dork Star,’ said Devuel.
And one by one, by the Sellawon, for the rest of the afternoon, the group of three little angels proceeded to mock the entire heavenly host, granting them quite rude and disturbing titles of eternal Star Glory. And God reminded himself to write the entire list down, despite the vulgar, and quite shocking, display of onomatic brilliance from the 3 little devils.
* * * * *
'Gabriel. Dear brother. Can I have a word?'
Gabriel turned to the voice. It was Saruviel.
'Yes, Saruviel. How can I help you?'
'You speak with God. Of course, we all do, but I find that he seems to confide in you most of all, these days especially.'
Gabriel almost blushed. What Saruviel had said was somewhat true, now, he had noticed. While Michael had always been the firstborn and chief advocate from their Father from 'Eternity's Haven', were God in the throneroom was known to summon Michael often and speak with him, instructing him on what he should tell the angels, in recent times it had been Gabriel more and more so which had been chosen for this role. And quite apparently that had been noticed.
'Well, thanks Sarry. What do you want me to ask him?'
'Its not so much a request, but an inquiry. An inquiry on, how shall we put it, permissions.'
Gabriel was puzzled. Permissions? What was Saruviel driving at.
'What sort of permissions?' inquired Gabriel.
'Exactly just that,' replied Saruviel. 'I wish to know, how can I put it, our freedoms. What are the liberties we are allowed here in Eternity? What can we do? What can we get away with?'
'Get away with?' responded Gabriel a little concerned. 'You want to get away with something?'
'You misunderstand me,' responded Saruviel. 'I'm not trying to get away with anything at all. Far be it for the seventhborn of God to wish to cause disharmony in the community. I just wish to know the kind of behaviours we can perhaps practice, even perhaps a little casually, without drawing concern from God. What does he tolerate?'
'Well, he has always tolerated quite a bit,' responded Gabriel. 'God loves us. You know that. Why such a strange question?'
'Good to know what you think,' responded Saruviel, even a little sharply. 'But I'd like to hear God's opinion on the subject. If that is ok, mind you. You don't mind asking, do you?'
'Uh, no. No, sure,' replied Gabriel. 'Its a strange question, personally, as we are really just supposed to behave ourselves and get along. But if you wish to know the limits of our playfulness, sure. I will ask him for you.'
'Thanks,' replied Saruviel. 'Very gracious of you. Look, I'll check back with you in a few days, if that's ok.'
'Sure,' responded Gabriel.
Saruviel nodded, looked at his brother cautiously for a moment, and smiled. 'Well, I'll be seeing you. And thanks. I look forward to the answer. Seeya.'
Saruviel turned and left and, as Gabriel watched him go, he puzzled for a moment on the strange question but then, his thoughts returned to what he was doing, turned and continued on with his busy day.
* * * * *
'What was his answer then?' asked Kantriel.
'Officially, the Father of Glory loves all his children and their playful hearts. But there are limits in behaviour, and Torah answers such dilemmas. Nothing more was said,' responded Saruviel.
'Torah doesn't restrict us much,' said Daraqel, of the tightknit group of 3.
'Oh, it has ideas,' responded Saruviel. 'He does not tolerate all that we might think to do. There are words in their which have shades of judgement.'
'Judgement?' asked Kantriel. 'What the heck is that?'
'The rulings of God,' said Saruviel soberly. 'And that is what I fear quite strongly. That God will have his rulings upon us and that, in truth, we are not as free as we might imagine.'
'So what?' queried Kantriel, who was now munching on their lunch meal.
'Yeh, what's the big issue?' said Daraqel, in response.
Saruviel looked upon his two younger Seraphim brothers. They did not, yet, have quite the imagination that he had hoped for.
'In the accomplishing of glory, sometimes rules need to be bent,' said Saruviel.
'Ooh, bend the rules,' grinned Kantriel.
'Suffer the judgement of God,' said Daraqel dramatically.
'Indeed,' replied Saruviel, who said nothing more, as they continued on with their meal.
* * * * *
Ambriel was the 60th born of the Seraphim of Eternity, who worked with Raphael and Loquiel and others to bring harmony to the lives of God's children. He was a ministering angel, an angel of great love and, under Raphael, worked faithfully and tirelessly to bring peace and harmony to the community of God's angels. Today he was busy enough, and then Raphael made a request of him.
'Ambs.'
'Yes, Raphael,' responded Ambriel, looking up at his bigger brother.
'I have a task for you. A request from God, actually. Saruviel. He wants you to take a bit of an interest in him for a while. Chat with him. Hang around a bit. See if all is well with him.'
'Sure,' smiled Ambriel warmly. 'I'd love to do that.'
'Good. Thanks,' said Raphael, and returned to what he was doing.
Ambriel was happy. He loved all his brothers and sisters, and Saruviel as well. And it delighted him that God had given him this special task to watch over Saruviel. He wouldn't let him down, and would be careful and quiet and monitor Saruviel and report to Raphael whatever was happening. A good time to spend some quality time with his older brother, he thought happily to himself, as he returned to his task at hand and got on with his day.