Unholy Empire: Chronicles of the Host, Vol 2: Chronicles of the Host, Book 2 (7 page)

“You certainly did,” admitted Serus. “The look on Nan’s face was unforgettable. And Lucifer didn’t look too comfortable himself.”

“I suspect that as this conflict goes on we will learn much as to the nature of the prayers of men and our part in them,” said Michael. “But one thing must truly be unsettling for Lucifer: if humans can pray a prayer of faith that moves the heart of God and causes Him to act, or if they can pray and call angels down on their behalf…”

“Then Lucifer and his party have a whole new war on their hands,” Serus said, finishing Michael’s thought. “And THAT is what is on Lucifer’s mind right now.”

Lucifer quietly watched his leadership grasping for answers. He often wondered how he was to succeed in the war with such dissolution in the ranks. He counted on Pellecus to teach the new way of things, but even the new academy Pellecus was organizing could go only so far to indoctrinate these fallen angels. Somehow he had to clear Heaven out of their minds so they could see the potential in overcoming the enemy.

Tinius’s voice finally rang above the chatter. “I don’t understand this,” he said. “Why was Michael able to rise up as he did on the strength of some ridiculous prayer?”

Pellecus could only grin at the idiotic question. “As usual, Tinius,” said Pellecus, “you miss the point. And a very dangerous point, I might add.”

The council that had convened upon Lucifer’s orders was discussing a response to the earlier events. Lucifer continued to sit back and listen to his council as they discussed, deliberated, and sometimes wandered in an attempt to explain the challenge posed by Abel’s prayer. Finally Lucifer stood to speak.

“One should never underestimate one’s enemy,” he began, “nor overestimate his own strength. It is apparent that the humans are allowed a very special grace: to call upon the Most High in their troubles. This could prove bothersome to us.” He walked about the council place, this time in a deeply wooded area on a mountainside.

“Prayer is a privilege of spiritual creatures,” snorted Tinius. “Why would the Most High pollute such an honor by allowing humans to pray?”

“Because, Tinius, humans
are
spiritual creatures,” said Pellecus, assuming his teacher role for the council. “Oh, they have the curse of death upon them now, to be sure. But they are immortal. Their bodies will return to the stuff of earth one day, according to the judgment. But their spirits will live forever.”

“In any case they can pray,” said Lucifer. “And as we witnessed, when they do it effectively and in faith, however primitively, the Most High will respond. He always was one for sentiment with humans. The point is that we find ourselves contesting this disturbing weapon.”

“And where do we begin?” asked Lenaes.

“The same place we always begin with humans,” said Lucifer. “The mind. Let them pray. Let them pray all night if they want. Faith is the critical factor. Brothers, if we can rob the humans of their ability to pray with faith, then let them pray.”

“But how can we do that?” asked Tinius.

“By cultivating another attitude that is devastating to faith,” said Lucifer.

“Which is…?” queried Tinius.

“Disobedience. While it is true that the Lord honors prayers of faith, as we witnessed today, it is also true that the Lord does not honor disobedience, which we all witnessed in Eden. Humans, while spiritual creatures, have a tendency to stray.”

“Disobedience certainly has its price,” said Rugio. The others looked at him.

“What our chief is saying,” said Pellecus, “is that God will not honor one who prays, if one is also disobedient. Let humans pray, so long as they are disobedient in their hearts. Prayer will become a meaningless expression—a pitiful call for help. They will get nowhere with the Lord; consequently Michael’s efforts will be paralyzed.”

“Yes, that is all well and good with people like Cain,” said Rugio. “He is a brute. But what about Abel? He is a man of faith
and
obedience.”

“Leave Abel to me,” said Lucifer.

Cain sat on the ground to eat. He still had much to do to prepare for the harvest of grain that was growing bountifully in the field. He took a bite of the flat bread that his mother baked every day on the rocks by the fire. He could just make out an indentation on the bread from one of Eve’s fingers. He smiled at the thought of her working the rough dough and working it into the little flat shapes that baked into this wonderful bread. He wished she were there so he could tell her that he loved her.

In the distance he heard the sound of Abel’s horn, calling the flocks in. He was glad that he and Abel had come to terms and hoped that in the future they would become better brothers—even friends. Perhaps Abel really did mean well. Things were shaping up for a good future. Perhaps the next time he made an offering to God it would be acceptable.

“There he is, Berenius,” said Kara.

“He doesn’t look to be the brute that Lucifer made him out to be,” said Berenius, looking at Cain. “He even appears quite content.”

“He’s a brute alright,” said Kara. “As are all humans ultimately. And we are to bring it out of him.”

The two angels walked over toward Cain and began circling him. Kara kept a careful watch for any of Michael’s angels as they steadily brought the circle in closer to Cain. Whispering as they walked, Kara began feeding thoughts into Cain’s mind, hoping one would attach itself.

Cain caught himself thinking back to the previous day’s events. Abel was very generous to offer that they build an altar together next time. He was fortunate to have so understanding a brother as not to shame him. Still Abel had been a bit smug the way he remarked that Cain was not a man of faith. “I am a man of faith,” Cain reasoned. Just because he expressed it differently didn’t mean he had no regard for the Lord.

After all, Cain was the firstborn —his rightful place of authority superceded Abel’s and always would. Yet Abel found himself accepted and Cain the firstborn was rejected. Maybe Abel knew all along that the fruit of the ground would be rejected, and wanted to make the firstborn son look foolish. Abel always did have a smug attitude—especially in things regarding the Lord.

Kara smiled as he sensed Cain’s anger beginning to well up. He continued to pummel Cain with accusations about his brother, whispering into his mind how Abel was secretly enjoying Cain’s embarrassment. Berenius encouraged Kara in his relentless attack. Finally Cain stood up and cursed out loud.

“Excellent, my lord,” said Berenius. “In a moment I’ll begin to work on him.”

“Abel has always been an obstacle to me,” Cain said aloud. He threw a rock at one of his melons, breaking it open.

“Aha!” said Berenius. “There is the door for me, Kara. He said it himself—the obstacle must be removed! If this doesn’t lead to murder I’ll be a holy angel!”

Kara stepped back as Berenius moved in close to Cain, taking hold of his broad shoulders and whispering into his ear: “Abel will always be an obstacle. You will never be honored as long as he is permitted to run amuck and ruin your life. He tricked you, you know. He knew your offering would be rejected…”

Cain’s face was growing reddish-purple as he thought about his brother allowing him to be made a fool of. “He knew,” Cain muttered under his breath. Berenius looked at Kara and smirked, and continued the assault.

“You foul spirits,” came a voice. “Is there no end to your deception?”

Kara turned to see Michael, with Serus and Gabriel standing behind him.

“No prayers this time, archangel?” Kara asked. “Pity. Berenius is doing a marvelous job inciting this creature to a rather poor decision.”

Michael’s instincts were to move in and crush this spectacle immediately. But, and Kara was correct, without the prayers that gave him consent to act, or without special instruction from the Most High, he could only watch. Kara found it delicious.

“And you, Serus, were given charge over this man?” Kara continued. “How dreadful that you will soon have blood on your hands.”

Serus glared at Kara.

“I think we’ve made quite a bit of progress,” said Berenius, backing away from Cain. “Just a little more and he will be choosing. These creatures can only take so much suggestion before their small minds are drowned in what appears to be the only choice available to them.”

Cain’s face was contorted and angry. He began walking away from the field. Berenius followed. As they neared the edge of the field Berenius suddenly lurched forward and fell to the ground as if pinned there. He was shrieking violently, and then suddenly still and quiet. The other angels watched in confused horror.

“
Cain
,” came a Voice.

Kara also fell to the ground, paralyzed with fear. Michael, Gabriel, and Serus, fearing the Voice in a different way, bowed in humble adoration of their God.

“
Cain
.”

Cain turned to see a bright light all around him. He could barely make out the figure of a man inside the intense brilliance. Berenius could only lie still, unable to make a sound even if he wanted to.

“
Why are you angry?
” said the Lord.

Cain was so frightened that he could not even speak. He stood in shock, shielding his eyes from the bright light.

“
Why is your face so downcast? Don’t you see that if you do what is right and proper, you also will be accepted? But I must warn you, that if you do not do what is right, sin already is lying at your feet, ready to strike at you!
”

Upon these words Berenius was picked up by an overwhelming force and thrown down at Cain’s feet. He struggled but again became immobile and speechless.

“
The sin at your feet desires to have you—to deceive you and cause you to stumble. But you must master it.
”

Cain looked down, afraid to look further at the Lord’s figure in the light. Had he been able, he would have seen a squirming Berenius directly in front of him. “You must master it, Cain, or it will master you.”

Suddenly the light was gone and the voice disappeared. Berenius left with a shriek and disappeared into the earth. Kara protested, “Unfair! Unfair!” and quickly vanished. Michael, Gabriel, and Serus were alone with Cain, hoping that he would consider the Lord’s words to Him.

“Will he relent?” asked Serus. “Or did Berenius plant the seed too deeply?”

“I hope for all humans that he will choose well,” said Gabriel. “But we have seen in the past how well humans choose.”