Unholy Empire: Chronicles of the Host, Vol 2: Chronicles of the Host, Book 2 (6 page)

Chronicles of the Host

Cain

Thus it was that Cain, son of A’dam, became a source of effort on the part of those who had rebelled against the Most High.

Though all of Heaven wanted the honor of shepherding Cain through the conflict, the task fell to Serus, an angel who had proven his mettle in staying fast with the Lord during the critical time of darkness in Heaven. To Serus went the mission of watching the movements of Cain and reporting on his progress through life, which to a human was very long indeed, but to an angel seemed but an instant.

The Host anticipated many such assignments as the war carried on and more and more humans populated the earth. We continued to learn more and more of the unfolding plan of the Most High God, witnessing His marvelous and excellent wisdom in dealing with the rather inconsistent humans. Though the humans were separated from Him because of their disobedience, in the heart of every angel remained the hope of the coming one who would crush the head of the serpent.

All of us understood the significance of the offerings that the humans made to the Lord, though we never understood the Lord’s pleasure in the offerings. Thus as the sons of A’dam prepared their offerings, all angels, both holy and fallen, took great interest in the proceedings. It seemed that something critical to the war hinged on the offering—something that would turn the war in a new direction…

“He rejected it,” said Cain. “He accepted your offering and didn’t even bother with mine.” Cain kicked over the offering of grains and fruit that he had brought before the Lord, spilling it onto the grass. He then sat down and wept bitterly.

Abel walked over to his brother, trying to think of the right words, the right expression of feeling. The smoke was still rising from the offering he had presented; the aroma of fat still crackling over the smoldering fire hung in the air. He glanced at the remains of Cain’s rejected offering, now scattered in the grass, and felt a deep compassion for his brother. Finally he spoke up. “I’m sorry, Cain,” Abel said, placing his hand on Cain’s shoulder. Cain pulled away from Abel’s touch.

“I don’t need your pity,” he said, looking up with tear-filled eyes. “I have been rejected and you have been accepted. It has always been that way and it always shall.”

“Cain, the Lord has no favorite between us,” Abel assured him. “I simply brought an offering that pleased Him. You remember what Father said…”

“Father’s offerings are accepted because he was the first,” Cain replied bitterly. “But why are your offerings any different from mine?”

“Because mine was done in faith, from my heart—not by the sweat of my brow. The Lord requires faith, Cain. Father told us that.”

“Father again?” Cain exploded. “Excellent advice, considering he is the one who disobeyed in the first place. If he had had faith in Eden none of this would be necessary.”

Cain looked at his brother harshly. “And what do you know about anything that requires the sweat of your brow?” he demanded. “You have always tended the flocks while I have worked the fields. It is obvious that the Lord prefers shepherds to farmers.” He scoffed. “From now on I’ll be neither shepherd nor farmer.”

“You can’t simply give up everything because you suffered a loss,” reasoned Abel. “Find out what pleases God and do that thing.”

“
How can you please a God who rejects your best effort?
” came a voice. Nan, one of Rugio’s lieutenants had finally crept into the conversation and was whispering into Cain’s mind. “
You cannot please a God who plays favorites.
”

Lucifer, Kara, and Rugio were watching the scene unfold from the side. Opposite them, and across the way, were Michael, Serus, and several holy angels. They had come down in response to Eve’s praying for her two sons following the offerings. Kara was talking to Lucifer, in hushed conversation.

“Well, Kara,” said Michael. “I see, as always, that you cannot let the humans play this out on their own.”

“We’re merely expediting the inevitable,” said Kara. “Cain has complete control. We are only suggesting, not demanding. The choice, as always, is his to make.”

“Nevertheless you are forbidden to touch him,” said Michael, his belted sword beginning to glow. “Eve is praying for her sons and we are sent here in response.”

“Things must be really extraordinary in Heaven these days,” sneered Kara. “In response to the sniveling of a distraught mother, they send an archangel accompanied by…a traitor. To do what? Keep us from touching this human? We have no need to touch him, Michael. He is destroying himself.”

Michael was disgusted with the scene as more and more demons flocked in to enjoy the spectacle. All the while Nan continued hammering away, whispering in Cain’s ears how God had rejected him in favor of his brother.

“God does love you more, doesn’t He?” said Cain, looking up at his younger brother. “Even though I am the firstborn, He loves you more.”

“Cain, please,” pleaded Abel. “That is not true. God loves you…”

“It is true!” said Cain, almost screaming. Cain stood up and leaned against a tree. “Your offering is still being accepted,” he said, pointing to the smoldering remains of Abel’s firstling. “I really think I hate you, my brother.”

Abel was taken aback by Cain’s words. Never had he seen Cain so vehement in his anger towards him. He had grown up with Cain and was used to his occasional bursts of anger. But this was something deeper—something that had to be dampened. Abel could only begin to pray to the Lord on behalf of his angry brother. He prayed silently:

“Most High God. You are the Lord who made Heaven and earth. You have accepted my offering and now I come to ask You to hear this plea. Lord, my God, help Cain to understand that You love him. Help him to grow in love of You. And whatever the enemy of my father might be attempting, I ask You to war for us, Lord, for we cannot fight him alone. War after my father’s enemy and cause him to release Cain from his grip, for I see something unholy here.”

Suddenly Michael’s sword became a brilliant blue light. Lucifer watched intently as the others with him jumped back. The archangel lunged at Nan, sword drawn. Nan shrieked and disappeared into the sky, many of the demons scattering with him. Michael looked around with fierce eyes of protection. Rugio began stepping forward as if to fight but Lucifer stopped him.

“Interesting move, archangel,” said Lucifer. “But not quite fair. None of us are to interfere with human choice, remember?”

“Unless a human chooses to pray a prayer of faith, Lucifer. I was compelled by the Most High to act—as is any assigned angel.”

“But who prayed? Eve? She can hardly pray so bold a prayer as to release your authority here.”

Michael smiled. “Abel prayed for his brother,” he said. “You forget, Lucifer, that you can only try to
influence
the minds of men. You cannot know their minds—or know what they are thinking. Abel prayed to the Most High and I was instantly released to help him. Incidentally, it was a marvelous prayer.”

Lucifer seethed as Cain began to recover from his anger. Cain stood up and began to talk calmly with Abel. Before long they embraced each other and left the place. “I’m sorry, Abel,” said Cain. “I know the Lord loves me. And I don’t hate you. I sometimes let my temper get the better of me.”

“Next offering we’ll do together,” said Abel, as they walked off. The two groups of angels silently stared at one another for a moment. Finally Lucifer spoke up.

“Well done, Michael. It seems men
can
call on the Most High and cause you to act. It seems you have two masters now—God
and
the dirty humans.” He walked over to Michael. “But you have taught me an important lesson today about this war. Next time I will be equally prepared.”

Michael looked coldly into Lucifer’s eyes for a few seconds and then disappeared. Kara turned to Lucifer with a look of concern. “I had rather hoped that Rugio would make a better effort of it,” he said, watching Rugio speak with Nan over Lucifer’s shoulder. “I suppose there will be other chances. Still, I might have tried something a bit more convincing.”

“More convincing than your present approach, I hope,” Lucifer said slyly.

Serus remained behind on Michael’s orders to keep watch on the situation. He stood alone, looking at Lucifer, to whom he had once pledged loyalty. Snickering began to fill the air as Rugio and some of the other demons began harassing their former ally.

“Well, Serus,” said Lucifer. “I have often wondered what my words would be to you when ever we met again.”

Serus remained silent, ignoring Lucifer’s comments.

“Tell me, Serus,” said Kara. “How does it feel to be a traitor?”

Serus laughed. “You should know that, Kara. You betrayed so many.”

“Well done, Serus,” said Lucifer with an astonished tone. “You have become bold since we parted company. You would never have been so brash as to speak to one of my highest officers in such terms when you were in my service.”

“That is because I am in the light now,” said Serus. “I am free.”

“No you’re not, my misguided friend,” said Lucifer. “You have exchanged one prison for another. You were worthless to me but I could have made you great. Now you are apprenticed to an archangel who will never share glory with you.”

“Michael shares the glory with no angel,” responded Serus. “He gives all of it to the Most High. So you see there is none to share.”

“I will one day settle accounts with both of you,” said Rugio, who was becoming increasingly angry. His reddish aura was beginning to manifest. “On my terms.”

“That will be interesting,” said Serus. “I’m sure Michael looks forward to that day.” He then departed to keep watch over the human family.

“How I hate that angel,” Rugio said, remembering bitterly the day that Serus had helped Michael escape Rugio’s trap.

“Forget about Serus,” said Lucifer. “We have a much more severe problem to deal with.” He turned to Kara. “Call the council together immediately. We must take action.” Kara nodded and was about to leave when Lucifer stopped him.

“Kara, despite your obvious appetite to become embroiled in this matter, I have a special assignment for you,” Lucifer said, putting his hand on the former elder’s shoulder. “I am removing Rugio from Cain. I know your ambition has made you eager to get into the game. Rugio is useful when force is necessary. But I need something…”

“Subtle?” offered Kara.

“Yes,” said Lucifer. “And final.”

“I am at your command,” said Kara proudly.

The two walked on together as Lucifer continued. “Cain must be continually encouraged in his wreckless anger,” he began. “It is our only hope in overcoming prayers such as Abel is capable of. In spite of this disappointing reconciliation between the two of them, you must compel him with everything in you to remain embittered toward Abel. I want a wedge driven between them so that Cain will become poisoned permanently.”

Kara grinned. “I will not disappoint you.”

“I am also sending along a very promising angel, who will become your assistant from this point on.” Lucifer laughed. “You, Kara, will plow the heart and mind of this tiller of the soil, and this angel I have in mind shall plant the seeds of his destruction.”

“Who is this angel in whom you place such confidence?” asked Kara.

“You recall Berenius,” said Lucifer. “He caused quite an uproar at the Academy of the Host—asked too many intelligent questions.”

“Oh yes,” said Kara. “He was one of Pellecus’s favorites at the Academy. He specialized in teacher baiting as I remember.”

“Yes, well, I’m leading him in a new specialty now,” replied Lucifer.

“Really, and what is that?” asked Kara.

“Murder.”

C
HAPTER
4

“Let humans pray, so long as they are disobedient in their hearts.”

Serus sat next to Eve as she stirred the evening fire. She and A’dam had discussed the events surrounding their sons’ offerings and were trying to determine the best course to take. She felt badly for Cain, but was buoyed by Abel’s report of the reconciliation that had occurred between the two brothers shortly afterwards.

Abel joined his mother near the fire and put his head on her shoulder, resting there. Eve looked at her husband, who smiled at her across the fire. She loved moments like this, when the family seemed together and safe—especially in the uncertain world they had made for themselves. Even Cain, who was bringing in more wood for the fire, seemed uncharacteristically good-humored. It would be a good night.

As Serus enjoyed the fellowship of the family, he thought about his own situation. How things had changed for him! While serving Lucifer in Heaven, he had been made to separate himself from the fellowship of the other angels. Now he knew of the power and importance of such community—especially when devoted to the will and purposes of the Most High God.

“Enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, Michael,” said Serus, looking at the archangel who entered the camp. “I was thinking back to how I once was so lost in Lucifer’s world. I thank the Most High every day that I saw the true nature of things before it was too late.”

“I only wish these poor creatures had,” said Michael, indicating the family around the fire. “Things could have been so different for them.” The two angels sat for a moment in silence.

“Michael, what will be Lucifer’s next course?” Serus finally said, looking at the archangel to whom he was now apprenticed.

“Actually, Serus, I was going to ask that of you,” answered Michael. “You knew Lucifer better than any of us. What would you suspect is going on in his mind?”

“To be sure the most significant thing that happened today was how you overcame Nan so strongly,” said Serus. “I too felt Abel’s prayer—but it wasn’t directed at me. I mean, I wasn’t compelled to act upon it for some reason.”

“Serus, I can only say that as Abel prayed I sensed something building inside of me until suddenly I was released and knew exactly what must be done. It was as if the Most High Himself gave me an order upon the conclusion of that prayer. I was empowered from on high to act and I did.”