An Unholy Redemption Chapter 7.2 continued

“Arghh,” Lucifer took hold of his head as the wound on his head began to burn intensely as if remembering some ancient incident. “Don’t worry, it will pass.” Jeremiah was holding him and Daniel was writing excitedly in his book. As the pain subsided, Jeremiah continued.

“With his enemy at his feet, and feeling all powerful after the light had entered him, the Master of the West returned to his tribe and announced that he was now the leader of both east and west. He ordered that the tribe from the east was to obey his new laws and accept him as their new leader. With his newfound power, he went around performing miracles and fooling people with powerful signs and words. Anyone opposing him was to be burnt alive.

Joshua and his family fled both tribes and went to seek solace in the wildness of the desert. On the fortieth day, at high noon, a light shone from the sky and then shot into the desert ground below where the Master of the East had been buried. In an instant he was bought back to life. Confused, he staggered towards the place of his tribe and fell to his knees at the sight which greeted him. His beloved people had been thrown onto a pit of fire. His land was laid to waste and a dark cloud hung in the sky. ‘Why!’ he screamed to the sky, and the wound on his head began to bleed, the blood rolling down his forehead, entering his eyes. The more he screamed, the redder his eyes became, and it was as if time had stood still when anger overcame his sorrows. The blood stopped flowing, but his eyes remained like rubies shining in the sunlight. He picked himself up and made his way back to the ruined altar. He knelt and summoned the light from above. It is said that the light granted him everything he wished for to avenge himself and his people. He asked for power of the lion. He wanted its absolute strength, courage, ferocity and demeanour to rule like a king. He no longer wanted feelings of mercy or love, only vengeance. Finally, he wanted a sword and wings to easily enable him to destroy all humanity. All of this was granted and as the sky started to turn a crimson red, wings grew from his back and a sword emerged from the sand at his feet. It was adorned in gold and silver on the handle and the end of the handle was fashioned in the shape of a lion’s head. Its eyes were inlaid with rubies. The radiance of his aura burnt like a fire all around him and as he held the sword, the blood which ran through his fingers started to merge with the handle and the lion’s head. He swore an oath, ‘May my blood and this sword be as one until I have destroyed all my enemies and my work is done’. It was then he turned to the resting places of the bones of his two murdered high priests.

With his sword pointing to each, he recited ancient words to bring them back to life, not as humans, but as two fanged beasts fit only for revenge and devouring human flesh. Their chains rattled around their necks; they were bound by the power of the sword and had to obey and protect its owner. It was then that earth’s darkest days began. He took hold of the chains from the beasts in one hand and held the sword aloft with the other one. He took flight and the beasts ran on the ground below. Fire from his sword burnt anyone who got in his way. The beasts tore to pieces any human in their path, and it was not long before a river of blood ran over the sands and smoke rose to meet the darkest of skies. It was said that he and the beasts would not rest until he had found the man from the west who had bought an end to everything he had believed in. He made a throne on earth, vowing to kill mankind for an eternity with his beasts by his side where he would sit until mankind had been wiped off the face of earth. Being full of hate and revenge, he soon began to forget about the light from above which had given him his power. He hated everything and wanted to destroy anything that was not in his control.” Jeremiah stopped his story and gave a curious look at Lucifer as if trying to assess his reaction.

“Do you know why we should be telling you this Luther? Do you know of this story? And do you know his name or …” Jeremiah took a deep breath before asking the question he had wanted to ask all his life, “… are you the one our scriptures are talking about?”

Lucifer looked at this frail old man whose eyes were full of hope.

“No, I don’t think I’m the one you’re looking for.” He gave them all a look to try and convince them of his words, “If I were I wouldn’t remember a month ago, let alone thousands of years. Besides all this talk of men flying with wings, men turning into beasts, lights from above, all nonsense.” He started laughing. “Have any of you seen angels? Where did you come up with such an elaborate story anyway?” Jeremiah recoiled in his seat as hope retreated from his very being.

“I don’t understand, all the signs are there. It felt so right. Are you sure?”

“Look,” Lucifer angrily spoke. “I think it’s utter nonsense and whoever first made up this story was a complete madman.” Seeing Jeremiah’s exhaustion, James continued with the story. “During this mass extermination on the earth, Joshua and his family escaped the wrath of the angel flying above. Our ancient texts tell us that the night before the end, an angel from God visited him in a dream and told him to take his family away from the desert to escape a terrible thing that was going to take place in the morning. The angel told him that because he had observed the light from above, a special gift would be bestowed upon him. He would see and know things not of this world. He was also informed that by acquiring this gift there would be a price to pay. In the morning, whilst invisible and under the protection from the light from above, he would have to observe and record what happened that awful day. After it had been done it was his duty and responsibility to keep the memory of that day alive. He would do this by making his way with his family across the oceans to new continents and new civilisations untouched by the disaster in the west and the avenging angel of the east. It was then he was to tell his wife and children of what had happened, and in turn, they had to tell their children in secrecy. Eventually, they formed secret meeting places and acted out what happened that day in ritual which you will see this evening. They did this from generation to generation, waiting for a time to come when all the signs would be in place for a reawakening and finally he and the world would know his true name. Jeremiah here is the last of Joshua’s ancestors still alive.”

“I’m sorry you’ve had a wasted journey,” Lucifer said. “I’m only a mere mortal who’s received a bump on the head. Luckily I think the light from above was shining on me and protecting me like Joshua, what say you?”

James sat back in his chair angrily.

“So you find all this funny do you?”

“Well, yes I do actually. I don’t believe in anything and I think you’re all crazy. All I want to do is get back home.” As he was speaking to James, Lucifer spotted Daniel whispering into Jeremiah’s ear, causing Jeremiah to lift an eyebrow. “Luther,” Jeremiah said, “I know you may not believe us, but will you please do us the honour of attending our meeting this evening? You may not be the ‘one’ we’re looking for, but you are a strong omen and it feels right you should be a part of it.”

“I protest Jeremiah,” James said. “Are you going to allow him into our ceremony when all he’s done is laughed and mocked us? Lots of rich, wealthy and wise men would give anything to see what he will see tonight.”

“Enough! James you might be the master in charge of knowledge, but I’m the last blood relative of the knowledge. Luther will be coming tonight, that’s the end.” James bowed his head in respect of Jeremiah’s decision. “I do hope you will be there Luther.”

Lucifer said nothing and with a look of contempt, turned his back on them to stare out of the

window. “Well, I think that’s our signal to leave. David!” Jeremiah called out to David who waited with his wife in the kitchen. The corridor door swung open. “Are you all done?” he asked with a smile, which soon turned into an anxious look when he noticed Lucifer’s back turned against his three guests. “I guess so,” James said abruptly, “see you tonight David. Thank you for the tea.” James turned and left the room, not saying another word to Lucifer. Daniel and David helped Jeremiah from his chair and escorted him to the door. Lucifer again felt someone’s eyes watching him and slowly turned his head to see Jeremiah looking at him with a look of small hope. “You must remember who you are,” Jeremiah said. “I will not die without knowing. Please attend tonight.”

Again Lucifer turned to the window, but this time not with a look of contempt but one of fearful curiosity, like somehow he knew that the old man was right. Outside, whilst escorting Jeremiah to the car where James had already made himself comfortable, Daniel spoke to his elder. “You know Jeremiah, you know the scriptures more than anyone, but we have to remember that we can’t force its words to be true. The prophecy itself has to do that. All we are here for is to read the signs and make the path ready for the one.”

“I know Daniel, forgive an old fool and his impatience, but I just need to know. Maybe the ritual tonight will help him remember if he is the one.”

“Maybe,” Daniel said sympathetically as he fastened his seatbelt and looked at Lucifer standing at the window. “Maybe.” Lucifer watched as the car with the three strange men drove off. Stupid fools, how could they know of my existence? I am a fallen angel, the most evil and powerful of all of God’s enemies. My knowledge has no limits and is beyond human comprehension. Admittedly, I did have two beasts acting as guards over my power and sword, and they were my servants when I was flying around conquering nations. But they have never been human, well at least I can’t remember them being human. And who were those men from the east and west they spoke about? It must be a story made up in order to attract new members and their money.