The Return of the Watchers (Armageddon Rising Book 1) (35 page)

              One hundred years after their arrival, a small gathering of Angels observed their children partaking in sport amongst themselves.                            “Let none say the sons of Shemikhazah are lacking in strength!” Barak’el proclaimed after having witnessed Ohya and Ahya, his two gigantic offspring, wrestle with each other.                                                                        “Nor are they lacking in appetite,” Ar’tekif bemoaned. Indeed, the two alone had stripped the land in that area of Havilah bare of all that it could produce, forcing many of the humans who dwelled there to relocate north to Cush. There were thirty nine giants in the land of Havilah; the remaining thirteen thousand claimed their own territories across the lands farther east and to the north.                                                                                                  The air was thick and foul where they stood amidst a raised plateau overlooking the valley that stretched many miles north. The sky was overcast with dark clouds, a display which seemed to portend the events about to unfold. Behind the group was a large mountain named Chesed, an antithetical title considering what was contained within. Cut into the mountainside was an enormous channel secured by a barrier made of light, behind which an opaque silhouette outlined a living creature of extraordinary proportions. Loud, guttural sounds mixed with the thundering of the creature against the mountain walls could be heard coming from behind the barrier.                                                                                    The group drew their attention to the stirring from within and all eyes were on Tur'el as he stood to address them.                                                         “This day, brothers, we have cause to celebrate the creation of a marvelous wonder; a creature unlike any seen on this Earth save perhaps  Leviathan. A magnificent beast indeed; the strength of its limbs greater than one hundred of the strongest who walk the Earth presently. Its claws are able to rend solid granite and its jaws can crush metal as if made of chaff. The skin of this beast is an impenetrable armor save for weapons of Magick or high form. Iron he treats as straw, and bronze a rotten wood. Observe the creation of Asa'el my friends; behold the mighty Vorath!”               The barrier was removed and the enormous creature was led out of its confinement. Tur'el flew on top of its back, gently stroking its neck. It would not be an understatement to say the sound of thunder was as a whisper compared to the deafening roar of the beast, shaking the ground and bones of all for miles around. Its footprint was thirty nine feet long and it stood just over three hundred fifty feet high. Its skin was a thick and scaly armor, with a yellowish green hue to it resembling a type of metal between bronze and gold. It walked on four legs that were studded at the joint with sharp protrusions, and the ground quaked with each step, creating a small pressure wave of air. Its massive tail, several hundred feet in length, moved side to side, proudly displaying the spiked bulbous end which was quite proficient at crushing solid earth. The assembled group of watchers looked upon the creature with awe as it extended it wings to their full breadth- over three thousand feet!                                                                       “It appears as the ones found on Reniel, does it not, my friends?” Zohari'el asked.                                                                                                                 “In truth it does, only this specimen dwarfs those creatures. I wonder, does it possess the gift of flame?” Barak’el inquired.                             “How does it gain nutrients? It does not appear to be equipped with teeth necessary for consumption of flesh,” Ar’tekif asked.                                          “That is correct,” Asa'el said as he slowly rose from his meditations and approached the group. “It consumes Earth and rock, and gains nutrients from the air and sunlight, through its wings.”                             They peered in his direction as he was looking up at Tur'el, who had walked the beast onto the ground below the plateau. Each step the creature took was an earthshaking, thunderous boom that generated copious amounts of dust and dirt. The immediate area had almost zero visibility which was made worse from the tornado-like winds generated by its wings  as Tur'el coaxed it into flight out into the vast open plain.               “How did you create such a terrifying creature?” Kokav'el asked, trembling inside at the thought of it under the control of Asa'el.                            “The internal structure required modification  in order to allow for survival in this atmosphere. Those modifications increased its girth, stat
ure, and longevity. Indeed, it is an even match for Leviathan, mayhap  its superior. It should serve my purpose well this day. Brothers, I would be remiss if I did not give a demonstration of Vorath's capabilities,” Asa'el stated with a smile. “Fly to Ephrim in Nod, Tur'el. Show the sons of Cain who opposed us the wages of their ignorance!”                                                          The group looked at each other and whispered quietly amongst themselves, some with excitement, others with grave concern. Tur'el soared high above the horizon towards their quarry some twenty miles away. Most of the watchers had taken flight themselves to witness the spectacle of this dark force in action. Its ominous roar was heard off in the distance and appeared as a dark cloud moving rapidly towards the hapless town.                                                                                                                                             Within a minute it arrived and immediately began to render the town to ash and slag with its breath, which was unlike any fire seen on Earth. The flames themselves were violet-purple in color, and the fumes created from the gasses that ignited the sulfurous flame were a poison in the air to all who were not felled directly by the intense heat it generated. The screams of the humans could scarcely be heard above the roar of the beast which made quick work of the town. The watchers who followed to observe the spectacle were quite impressed with the might of the beast and praised the skill of Asa'el for recreating this destroyer on Earth.                             Word of the devastation that took place in Ephrim quickly spread to the other neighboring towns, and it was not long thereafter that an assembly of humans arrived, offering up their treasures and trinkets as a peace offering to the watchers, swearing fealty in return for safety. Indeed, Asa'el had a mighty weapon to exert control, which the other watchers took note of. They in turn began to concoct all variety and manner of alien creatures in order to avoid being subjected to the rule of their brother.

              Dissension eventually formed within the ranks of the Elohim and they gradually separated themselves across the landscape to avoid interaction and strengthen their sovereignty. It came to pass that many of the watchers began to feel guilt and regret for their actions and what they had wrought on the planet. They had borne witness to the fruits of their actions firsthand; their offspring used the sorceries and magicks taught to them to wage war against each other in an effort to achieve supremacy. This was in addition to the humans who also fought against one another. Many humans were captured and used as livestock in order to feed the appetites of the giants and their offspring, as well as their unnatural creations. Cries went up to the Heavens for all the bloodshed the Earth was drenched in.                                                                                                                Several decades passed until the five Satans called an assembly of the leaders of the Watchers to discuss the predicament they were faced with. The word of the meeting went out, and in short order they had all found themselves together again where it had begun, many years ago, atop Mount Hermon. Only now they were gathered inside of a small pyramid, comprised of granite slabs cut out and assembled by their children who had recently finished constructing the pyramids in several parts of Egypt as well. It was aptly named Shin’ar, land of the watchers.                                            Many of those who arrived were not on good terms with one another; territorial disputes had emerged over time between the offspring of the leaders or those who followed under their rule, which resulted in bloodshed and wars between them. The watchers had lost most of their light and their flesh had become ashen in color, a consequence of their fall from grace.                                                                                                                               None save the two leaders and the five Satans were aware of the purpose of the meeting; however, most were receptive to the idea and had little doubt amongst them as to the true nature of this gathering.  Shemikhazah, one of the two who had led their kind to Earth, was the first to speak.                                                                                                                               “It pleases me to see all of you again, and as such I am reminded of a time when the sons of Elohim banded together under lighter sentiments to sing the praises of the Ancient of Days. Alas, that time has passed, as we have all cast off our heavenly mantle to live as the sons of Adam.

              “My brothers, it is clear to me as it should be to you that this undertaking was unwise from the outset. The children of The Creator were never meant to bind to the flesh of the daughters of Eve. Human spirits are weakly developed and as such, an insufficient match to that of our own. For this and more we have wrought terrible destruction upon the Earth and upon ourselves. I, like many of you have suffered great sorrow from the loss of several of my children at the hands of others.”                                           Several amongst those gathered stood upright in anger and defiance. Asa'el calmed them down and Shemikhazah continued. “It is not unknown to me that my sons are responsible for the loss of your children as well. I accept responsibility for their sins and humbly beg your forgiveness in turn. Brothers, we face unprecedented calamity, which you all have undoubtedly discerned yourselves. This planet cannot sustain our offspring and will surely perish if we fail to act. Gadreel shall explain the rest.”                                                                                                                                            A tall figure stood up, almost nine feet, with skin completely ashen colored and covered in sigils which could be seen through his golden robes.                                                                                                                                            His eyes still shone brightly, illuminated seemingly from behind, the last vestige of his celestial heritage. As one of the accusers, his heavenly task was to bring to light the imperfection in souls; to allow for closer scrutiny and examination of those who decided if a soul was to advance or decline. He was a master of speech and beguiler; on this occasion his oratorical skills would be put to the test.                                          “My brothers, I come before you today to speak of the coming calamity that will befall all of you should you fail to act. You have lived amongst the mortals for some time now, and in that span we have observed the result of your interference with mankind. Shemikhazah has spoken truly when he remarked upon the folly of taking humans for the purpose of bonding with them; the offspring of that union have been a grotesque mixing of our pure celestial essence with that of lower life forms spiritually undeveloped. Yet what is done cannot be undone. Mankind is thoroughly corrupted.

              “Your children are a plague upon the Earth, as well are their offspring. The secrets revealed to their kind were another severe sin against Elohim, as was having them sacrifice to demon-kind. As a result of these actions, there can be no doubt that judgement awaits you. I have learned on good authority that severe punishment has been handed down, to be carried out by Rapha’el.”                                                                                      Shock and terror fell upon many of their faces.                                           “What do you speak of, Gadreel?” Shimsh’el asked.                                          “Oh, what is this look of surprise that I see amongst all of you? Come now, did you really think that abandoning your station and producing these works would earn favor with Elohim? Surely you have felt your grace leave, and seen your appearance change. Your beauty is tarnished, your light dimmed. This was a foregone conclusion. Heaven no longer responds to your prayers, does it not? Wages must be paid for your many sins.” The words of Gadreel struck a mighty blow; the weight of shame cast their heads low.                                                                                                   “There may yet be a way to avoid the impending calamity,” he said, with a crafty look. They listened intently as Gadreel cast a spell, showing another dimension apart from the one in which they stood.              “My father has found refuge here and currently rules over his followers who were cast out alongside him long ago. He has promised safety and refuge for you there, provided you all swear fealty to him. Considering the predicament you are facing, it appears to be a profitable outcome, does it not?”                                                                                                   “Chanoch the scribe, send for him,” Tami'el said.                                          “Yes, let Chanoch intercede on our behalf,” Sahr'el said with fear in his voice.                                                                                                                “Consider carefully, brothers, as time is running out for you. Do not waste what precious little remains consulting with humans. This offer shall not remain open long,” Gadreel replied, somewhat sullen.             

              One of the Watchers sitting in the back spoke up. “I myself have witnessed a vision concerning a coming destruction of Earth; however, I am unable to ascertain the time of its arrival,” Kokav'el said with a dour look.                                                                                                                                            “My son, Mahway, has also had a vision- a most unusual one of a tablet with many names submersed in water  and all names save three were remaining on the tablet. I have a foreboding feeling of what it portends,” Barak'el added.                                                                                    “Chanoch has found favor with Elohim; he will be granted an audience and may petition for us all,” Hermoni said anxiously.                             Fear, trembling, and panic began to take over their assembly and they unanimously decided the best course of action was to send for the wise man known as Chanoch, leaving Gadreel and the others to depart in frustration.                                                                                                                               Word arrived at the village where Chanoch, also known as Enoch, lived, and he was brought before the council of Watchers. Now Enoch was an upright human, seventh in the line of Adam and well known throughout the land as one who walked with Elohim. Even though he was hidden from the world at this time, the Watchers were able to discern his whereabouts and he answered their call.                                                                        Several days later he arrived at the base of the mountain where the Watchers gathered to speak with him. The man stood upright before the imposing group, and at two hundred forty years he was still young in his days, for mankind had a much greater lifespan in those days.                            It was Asa'el who spoke for the group.                                                        “O Chanoch, you who have favor with Heaven: Go before the lord and arbitrate on our behalf that we might find forgiveness for our sins. Draw a petition and read it in the presence of Elohim,” he pleaded                            “Who am I that I should plead the cause of Angels before the lord?Why do the Watchers not bring their petition themselves?” Enoch asked.              Dani'el, a leader of a small group of Watchers living in the South, spoke up. “Heaven no longer responds to our prayers. Our plight is dire, will you not help?”                                                                                                                 Enoch paused for some time, looking over the faces of what remained; a dim reminder of the once lofty position they had held amongst the stars. All were silent as he took a deep breath before addressing their request.                                                                                                                               “The gravity of your situation is known unto me as well. It therefore shall be as you ask. I will return when I have received word from Elohim,” he said, leaning upon his staff. They stood up with trepidation, wondering what was to be their fate.                                                                                    After writing out the message the Watchers wanted him to speak on their behalf, Enoch returned to his hidden dwelling and fasted until the following day, spending the entire time in solemn prayer. Afterwards, he journeyed out to the wilderness and sat down at the waters of Dan, in the land southwest of Hermon, reading the petition of their requests till he fell asleep.