Chronicles of the

Children of Destiny

APOCRYPHA

by

Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly

Copyright 6176 SC

The Complete Versions of the Chronicles of the Children of Destiny

(The Following Apocrypha contains tales from the various versions of the Chronicles of the Children of Destiny)

COTCOD - Standard Version (Everyone)

COTCOD - Catholic Version (Gabriel)

COTCOD - Christian Version

COTCOD - Watchtower Version (Saruviel)

COTCOD - Muslim Version

COTCOD - Bahai Version

COTCOD - Jewish Version (Michael)

COTCOD - Noahide Version (Callodyn)

COTCOD - Pagan Version (Daniel)

COTCOD - Scientologist Version

COTCOD - Celestine Version

COTCOD - Eckist Version

COTCOD - Mormon Version

COTCOD - Pentecostal Version (Jesus)

COTCOD - Deist Version

COTCOD - Torah-Only Version (Ambriel)

COTCOD - Samaritan Version (Davriel)

APOCRYPHA

1. The Diabolical Wisdom of Daniel the Dictaphorious Know It All

2. Daniel at 3 O Clock on Saturday Afternoon

3. Valandriel’s Little Adventure

4. The Cost of Daniel’s Glory

5. Ariel’s Question

6. Raguel & Dorachel

7. Draconatissamay

8. Rachel’s Lament – Rachel Smith

9. Aphrayel’s Torment

10. Ascension Tales

11. Archangel Michael

12. Archangel Saruviel

13. The Gathering

14. New Conflicts

15. Stars of the Morning

16. The Coloured Devil’s

17. Music

18. Music 2

19. Music 3

20. The Dark Fellowship of Satan’s Brooding Love

21. The Devil Wears Green Shoes

22. The Devil Wears Green Shoes II

23. Manifestation

24. Saruviel’s Vengeance

25. Starting Again

26. David the Daggiest Dag in Dagdom

27. Taylor

28. Taylor 2

29. Taylor 3

30. Clearwater: Taylor

31. Clearwater

32. Clearwater: Shadows

33. Clearwater: Legacies

34. Clearwater: Continuity

35. Ambriel

36. To Sir With Love

‘The Diabolical Wisdom of Daniel the Dictaphorious Know it All'

Deist Version

‘Daniel. Sometimes I wonder, really, if you were unplanned.’

‘Explain, Kemosabe.’

‘A freak of nature. An accident. God was smoking some hemp and out you popped, at the back of his imagination.’

‘Quite possible Vally Boy. Quite possible.’

Valandriel grinned. Daniel could always take a joke.

‘You know I have been thinking.’

‘You know your doctor tells you to stop doing that Danny. Not good for you.’

‘Yes. Well, I have been thinking. I have some new words. As an Englishman it is my prerogative to invent new words suitable to the English language and utilize them in new works of fiction in true Shakespearean fashion.’

‘And your new words, Oh master of wisdom.’

‘I will give you the words and their definitions. They are as follows,’ and Daniel began reading out the following list.

Daniel’s list of new words and their definitions

Dictaphorious – Someone who is good at and enjoys studying the dictionary and reading out its definitions to a group of people.

Fantasmagorical – Exceedingly fantastic or wonderful. Carries the same definition of fantastic but with far greater emphasis.

Pussylicious – An extremely desirable female who is sexually attractive.

Senkwado - Ideas and themes on subjects of significance (esp. on moral, religious, political and otherwise societally valued and important issues of relevance) and expressed in a communicatable form such as writing, speaking or some other intelligent dialogue.

Splendiffricate – The differentiation of splendid things. The process of differentiating between things which are splendid in nature. The differences in quality between things which are very good or splendid.

Ultrafuckable – A female who is extremely desirable for sexual intercourse.

Zxcvbnm – The rejection of the notion that all English words must contain a vowel.

Brontantinitilism – The study of works by Charlotte Bronte in a chaotic fashion for the purpose of deliberately muddling the mind so that it may be restructured and reordered at a later date simply for the pleasurable activity of working the mind towards a challengeable activity of organisation.

Splindraction – The study of Frisbees as they float through the air as some fool tries to catch it but always ends up missing it. A compilation of funny home videos on such a subject.

Dertrinise – The deliberate muddying of a freshly vacuumed carpet, which was vacuumed by an obsessive cleanliness fanatic, to simply piss them off.

Mindranolius – A composition of rare elements in a unique format in the field of artwork for the purposes of bragging by the creator of the artwork.

Laquenticate – To suffocate a Spanish man in the Atlantic ocean while insulting him in Portuguese.

Necrobestiality – The process of sodomizing a dead animal.

Bludrify – The process of slaying in battle as many men as possible to whet ones sword with blood.

Ratonga – The generic name of that island in the pacific you can never remember.

Bristantius – The moniker name given to Italians living in Bristol who think they are gladiators like Rocky.

Shalkondyism – The Study of Starfish while eating them at the same time.

Krandotianism – The study of Islands in far away places for the purpose of establishing a religious ministry to receive, in all honesty, the tithe.

Jakwalian – A member of a religious sect who is so disillusioned that he thinks living in a hovel in Wales would be more preferable than hearing another sermon.

Aguaconomy – the Study of people masturbating while walking backwards and picking fruit in an orchard. A name given to a video compilation of such activities.

Lardrifnicate – The process of regret felt over being fat while standing in the line of a fast food restaurant.

‘And that is that.’

Valandriel looked at him, stopped laughing, and said. ‘You really are quite a Dictaphorious person, old boy. You really are.’

And Daniel laughed.

The End

Daniel at 3 O Clock on Saturday Afternoon

Pentecostal Version

By

Daniel Daly

Daniel looked at the clock. It was 3 O’Clock. He thought on the year. Currently 200,067 HY. He was starting to put on a bit of time. He thought on his twin sister, Ariel. Ariel had forsaken him, right at the moment he said he loved her. She told him she didn’t believe him anymore, that he was shallow and unfeeling and unlike Ambriel, sho showed her constant love which she could feel and enjoy, Daniel was dull, lifeless and boring. He said ‘So?’ and she walked out.

He sat there, looking at the clock, and thought ‘Well, I may as well go and check out this place of Gabriel of Infinity. His new Pacman Arcade.’

He flew, seven hours, and then took a portal to the end, sick of flying.

The Arcade was like Gabriel’s past efforts, but Gab was nowhere to be found.

He purchased some coins from the cashier, looked around at the 5 or 6 angels in the place, and sat down at a nearby machine and started playing Pacman.

He sat there. Played Pacman. Ordered a hamburger and Coke, and then went around watching the other angels play for a while.

He was bored.

Bored.

Bored.

So he played more Pacman, ordered another Coke and sat down on the lounge in the centre.

4 hours later, it was late the following morning, the place apparently never shutting, and he was snoozing on the couch. And then he was nudged.

‘Hi, Dan.’

Daniel looked up. It was a female angel, one he didn’t recognize.

‘Uh, hi. Sorry, I’m quite tired.’

‘That’s ok.’ She came over, sat down next to him, leaned against his shoulder with her head, and did nothing else. He was tired, to tired to even care anymore, and just laid there, and fell asleep.

The following morning he woke, and she was still asleep against him. Who was she? She was cute. But he didn’t know her name.

He moved, a little, and she seemed to notice and her eyes opened. She looked at him. ‘Uh, hello. Good morning Daniel.’

‘Good morning, whoever you are.’

‘Want to play some Pac Man?’

‘I guess.’

They played Pac Man. For 7 hours they played, and both of them were getting good at it. He had another Hamburger and so did she, and then they played a lot more Pac Man.

And then, later that night, he sat down on the lounge, and she came and laid next to him, going to sleep against him.

A cashier came and put a warm doona over them, and they spent the night there again, snoozing away.

It was a few days later, the following Saturday, around 3 O’Clock in the afternoon, she spoke to him.

‘I’m Delilah. You have never met me before. I am a new angel.’

‘A new angel?’

‘I was made for you. You are difficult. Ariel doesn’t fit with you. God says you can’t accept her. The twin thing is indigestible to your spiritual constitution. So he made me and told me to simply love you. So that is what I will do.’

Daniel nodded. ‘Well, gee. Um. Cool.’

‘Do you want to play Pac Man again?’ She asked.

‘Sure.’

7 days passed.

It was 3 O’Clock on Saturday and he asked her a question. ‘But you didn’t object?’

‘Why would I?’

‘I have a reputation?’

‘God told me. He explained certain things. You don’t and won’t do what the King of Romance, Mr Ambriel does. You won’t do anything the other men do to win their beloveds. You don’t care. That is fake to you. A sham at a relationship. All that you will accept is someone who will not judge you, your words or your actions, and sees through all that. Sees the real Daniel. God told me all about you and said we would be perfect together. And I think he is right.’

‘Ok.’

7 days passed.

It was 3 O’clock on Saturday afternoon. The arcade was tempted to put a bed in the corner, but Gabriel, who had been consulted, refrained in the end. ‘Give them a few more weeks,’ he said. ‘Something will happen by then.

7 final days passed.

Daniel sat up, and turned to Delilah. She looked at him. He kissed her on the cheek. ‘I like you a bit, now. We can stay together.’

‘Ok,’ said Delilah.

They returned to Daniel’s abode, she was put up in the spare bedroom, and he smiled to himself.

‘All good things come in time, in time to those who patiently wait.’ He thought to himself.

But, he was tired, needed a good dose of some sleep, had waited for so long, and was now just the tiniest fraction of happy. Just the wee, tiniest, bit.

The End

Valandriel’s Little Adventure

Christian Version

Valandriel was the 12^th born of the male Seraphim of Eternity. It was a notable position in many ways, but he also noticed that it was usually the first 7 or so which were the noteworthy angels of reputation in the hearts of men. And while this did not bother him in many ways, in certain others it did. Valandriel had ambitions. Like Daniel his ultimate goal was that of being Overlord of the Realm of Eternity on a permanent basis. It was obviously a challenging goal to attain and many assumed that either Metatron or Michael would end up with this position. But not necessarily so in Valandriel’s opinion. You see, life was unpredictable, and it didn’t necessarily always follow the rules. And because of the unpredictability of life Valandriel saw it as his vocation to win souls and hearts to his grand ambitions whenever he could.

In Daniel, his ally in this great adventure, he had found a trustworthy source with the same great ambition. And after many discussion they had resolved that God would be King and one of them Grand President, the Other Great Prime-Minister. And that would be that.

They had worked, on and off, over the last 100,000 years attempting to win hearts and loves for their dreams, and had spent a lot of time at the councils presenting detailed policy ideas to show their great intellects. They worked hard together to ensure their reputation for producing quality products was noticed and that they were angels of such calibre that could in fact perform at the highest level, the level they aspired to.

But all of that, one fine summers day, was questioned by Valandriel on a little adventure to a fair ground in the Realm of Eternity to the tent of a particular gypsy angel who spook certain portents and fates for Valandriel and certain choices he would have to make should he truly desire the grand and great glorious destiny he had mapped out for himself.

‘Come on Elsabel. We haven’t got all day,’ yelled Valandriel to his twin sister.

‘I am just putting on my makeup. Won’t be long.’

Thinking she would be forever he flicked on the tv and watched some of the nature channel. He sat there for 10 minutes, watching the mating patterns of Koala’s, when she was finally read.

‘About time. Let’s go.’

The ‘Grande and Greate Faire of Springston’ on the disc of Terraphora in the district of Terraphora was well known around all the Realm of Eternity. It was a classic fair, with sideshows and candy floss and rides and all the things for which fairs were famous. But Valandriel, who had left Elsabel chatting with some old friends they had run into, was happily wondering around the fair grounds when he came over the tent of the gypsy. ‘Ooh, the gypsy. What fate does she have in store for me,’ he chuckled to himself.

‘There are choices we must make, O Master of Eternity. For the glory you seek requires choices so dark in nature that, dare I say it, it would be the fear of all the angels of heaven.’

‘And what are such choices?’

‘To face the dark alone. To face the dark, without God at your side or in your heart. To face that dark and endure it for a time, perhaps, beyond you.’

‘And what is this dark you speak of?’

‘You will know. Yet, you will not know that it is what you are facing?’

‘And is that all?’

‘Nay, seeker of glory. It is only just the beginning. For through tribulations of the heart and trials of the soul, the glory you seek is more costly than gold. A forsaken love, a friend betrayed, shame and defeat, your glory a slave. A servant to sin, a servant to wrath, and still do I say, comes the greatest of cost. For in heart of deep hearts, in choices so much, forsake all the glory, is the price for your love.’

‘And if all this comes to pass?’

‘Then you shall be king. So when the choosing comes, consider the cost O Valandriel the wise. Consider the cost.’

‘I shall.’

Later on, in the heart of Valandriel the Seraphim, walking around the fare ground searching for his twin, his heart said to himself, I shall bare that cost.

And in the throneroom of Zaphon, the father of Glory’s flame turned a sharp purple and then, even sharper and sharper still, until it burned in a colour unknown to angelic eye.

The End

The Cost of Daniel’s Glory

Christian Version

‘So what is this cost, Gypsy. For Valandriel says it does not come cheap.’

‘The price you have paid, in deepest of heart, the price you did pay, right at the start. So comfort your brother, and walk with him true, for the price he must pay, was paid once in you.’

‘Mmmm,’ responded Daniel, and left the tent, concerned for Valandriel.

The End

Ariel’s Question

Eckist Version

‘So, Daniel. Have you stopped fornicating?’

‘Yes, Ariel. I have. Me and Delilah have been together 2,000 years now, and we aren’t going anywhere towards other partners. She says she will remain faithful to me forever, and I have learned my lesson. I never did it that much, you know, with other girls. And I was on 100% safe sex practice with them. Every single time I used the condom and believe me I was cautious. I went down on girls a few times to start with, but cut that out completely and never did it again. But now, with Delilah, I won’t even look at another woman. I won’t take the risk. She has been educating me on Venereal Diseases and healthy living, and I am very careful now sister. I won’t be stupid again.’

Ariel nodded. ‘Then I have a question.’

‘Which is?’

‘Will you marry me as well? I am happy to be your second wife after Delilah. I have waited until you got the point?’

‘Mmm. Two wives.’

‘Jacob does it. So does Abraham and many others. You don’t have a problem with it do you?’

‘Know, sweetie, I don’t. Wait here.’ He left the room, returned shortly, and asked for her hand. She offered it, and he placed a ring on her finger and said ‘Marry me, dearly beloved.’ She nodded, and that was that.

They were married 4 weeks later and Daniel was a married man again, with two wives, and very, very happy. And he had learned an important lesson, which he shared to many, that playing the field was as wise as Russian roulette. Eventually you would shoot, hit and that would be the end of the game.

The End

Raguel and Dorachel

Eckist Version

Today was Radoladon, the 5^th day of the Month of Ragumon – Raguel’s special day for spending time with his twin Dorachel. Radoladon was the day of the month named after these fifth-born Seraphim twins of the Realm of Eternity, and the day of the month Raguel looked forward to the most. They were on holidays in Terraphora, and today, their special day, they had planned a trip to the fair.

‘You ready, sweetie.’

‘Coming’

As they meandered around the ‘Grande and Greate Faire of Springston’ Raguel was having the time of his life. Dorachel was dressed in a very attractive red top and skirt and he was feeling lustful thoughts towards her. Tonight he would see if she was interested.

They came to the clowns and Raguel paid the angel and obtained 4 balls. ‘Close your eyes when you put them in,’ he said to Dorachel, who dutifully obeyed him. The result was 3 on number 1 and 1 on number 5. ‘Choose your prize from this row,’ said the Angel, and Dorachel chose a cute looking toy giraffe.

They continued on throughout the fair and they bought some candy floss. Raguel liked the way it melted in the mouth.

They came to the dodgems and Raguel was eager to go on them, but Dorachel complained. ‘You always deliberately run head first into people.’

‘Hey its fun.’

‘Uuurrrrhhh. Well, ok. But never again.’

‘Come on sweetie.’

True to form, Raguel ran head first into many of the other dodgems, much to the complaints of the attendant who carefully tried to explain to the Seraphim that the purpose of the game was to actually ‘Dodge’ the other vehicles, which brought a chuckle from Raguel.

Later on, as they watched the fireworks that closed the fair for the night, Dorachel was snuggling up against her twin. ‘Today was a good day, Rags. A very good day. I don’t think I have had as much fun since that time with Karel and Uriel.’

‘Yes, they are always good company. Well, come on. The show is nearly over. Lets go.’

They returned to their hotel, and as she was getting undressed Raguel stood in the room, gazing at her body. She looked at him, sensed his mood, and said ‘So you want some do you?’

He nodded like a schoolboy.

They made passionate love that night, and later on Raguel, resting, thought he was so incredibly blessed to be with such an attractive twin.

They spent quite a while in Terraphora on their holidays, exploring places they had not yet been to, and when they returned to Brephon Raguel was pleased he’d had a good rest. But work beckoned, and Brephon was always a challenging place to administer, but such were his responsibilities in life. And, really, with holidays with Dorachel to look forward to, it seemed to make all the hard work worth it in the end. And, he guessed, he would have it no other way. No other way at all.

The End

Draconatissamay

Christian Version

Draconatissamay and Shelsandriel – both of them twins, 68^th in rank amongst the Cherubim Angels of Eternity. Draconatissamay had a thing, funnily enough, for dragons, as ‘Draco’ meant dragon. He had pictures of them up all over his house in Terraphora District of Terraphora Disc, and his twin, the beautiful Shelsandriel, admired his style. She herself was a talented artist who had hand drawn and painted a number of the beautiful dragons around the house, often with pictures of a beautiful angelic maiden who she often subtley joked was her with her esteemed dragonkind love, the majestic Draconatissamay. And the two of them laughed often at the humour.

They were at the Grande and Greate Faire of Springston and they came to the tent of the ‘Seer of Fantastic Visions’. He ushered them in, set them both down on a couch, and brought a charm out of his voluminous cloak, waving it in front of them. ‘Watch the charm, dear couple, for you will see visions from the Realm of Fantasy of your future in glory.’

And as they watched their eyes gradually got sleepy and they entered the dream Realm of Fantasy………

‘Beware his wrath, dear Shelsandriel. For Draconatissamay is the mightiest of the Dragon Knights. Show any pretense of the betrayal we have planned, and he will cut off your head without a moment’s hesitation.’

‘I will be careful, Arch-Regent,’ responded the brave Shelsandriel, maiden-knight of Astoria.

She pulled out of Astor Castle on her trusted brown mare, and started the journey of 1,000 leagues to the kingdom of Madrimar. It was a long ride and she rested many times at the various inns along the Kings Highway. When she reached the border, the border patrol looked at her suspiciously, but allowed her entrance into the Kingdom of Madrimar.

She continued on and came to the city of Madrimar, the pride of the kingdom, and came to the castle. She found a guard and spoke ‘I seek and audience with the Knight Draconatissamay. I have a message from Astoria.’

The guard looked at her, nodded, and signalled for he to follow him. She tied her horse and followed along the pathways of the castle grounds, coming around to the side and the quarters of the Knights. They found Draconatissamay engaged in an arm wrestle with another knight, but, upon seeing such a fair maiden, he let the other win. ‘Well done, brave knight. You have bested me again. Now who is this fair maiden to seek the hand of Draconatissamay?’

Shelsandriel gazed upon the knight. Really, she was instantly drawn to his majestic looks, his grand beard, his strong physique, and the kingly way he carried himself.

‘I have a message from the Arch-Regent of Astoria, Oh brave Knight. We seek an alliance between our two Kingdoms for a war against the Padreans. In our alliance we are sure we can defeat the southern scourge once and for all and bring peace to the Realm of Fantasy.’

‘And why have you delivered such a message to my person. Should you not be seeking the kingship for such news?’

‘We thought that your word to your king might make it easier for such an agreement to be reached, your lordship, for your fame is well known in Astoria.’

‘Indeed. Well, give us the message then.’ She handed him the scroll and he unwound it, reading through it. After a while he spoke. ‘I don’t really know, fair maiden. While our two kingdoms have lived alongside each other for many years now in peace, there are still old war wounds which are not soon forgotten. How can we trust you?’

And with the face of a vixen, she spoke ‘Would you question the honour of such an innocent virgin maiden as myself?’

He raised his eye, gazed over her body, and said ‘Nay, I would not fair maiden. I shall seek the king on your behalf.’

*

The knights and armed forces of Madrimar had travelled in large numbers down through the roads of the kingdoms to the south, seeking permission as they went, and came to the large seaport city of Krandos, a magnificent seaport were ships were to be hired in large numbers. With them travelled a significant force from Astoria also, ready it would seem to make war on the Padreans on the southern continent.

Yet betrayal was in their heart, for out to sea just 2 weeks the Astorian’s, armed to the teeth, fell upon the Madrimarian’s in the still of the night and slaughtered them almost to the last number. They had taken the innocent Madrimarian’s by surprise, and when the last Knight was brought before the Arch Regent, Draconatissamay looked upon the vixen-like face of his nemesis, Shelsandriel. ‘It would seem the honour of such an INNOCENT maiden has been besmirched. Yet, at the cost of my life it would appear.’

Shelsandriel, though, who had been talking with the Arch-Regent for many days of her growing affection towards the Knight, spoke. ‘You are to be spared, oh mighty Knight. You will return with us to Astoria were you will be my personal slave. For I have intentions towards you.’

The knight nodded. ‘So it would seem. So it would seem.’

And, as the fleet cast the dead bodies of the slain Madrimarian’s overboard, and turned the ships to return to Krandos, Draconatissamay knew his life would never be quite the same again. Never quite the same again indeed.

……………And then the couple woke from their slumber, and looked at each other. Shelsandriel had a very guilty look on her face, but all Draconatissamay would say was ‘You little vixen. And then they kissed, and laughed, and returned to the merriment of the fair.

The End

The Noahide Version

‘Rachel’s Lament’

Rachel Smith. She sat there, unmoving, looking into space. Looking nowhere, not wanting to see anything, wanting to forget. Wanting to forget about all the madness of love – love given, yet a love gone, and never to return. An impossible love, in the end. Stupid girl. Should have known better. They come, look all handsome, win your heart, and then they are gone. Taken away in some grand hallucination, and then left in an empty bed. Left to misery and lament, a lost love, forsaken.

Her mother Celia had tried consoling her, as had Jeremy, but to no avail. No, she would not be consoled. She could NOT be consoled.

So she sat there, in her flat in Crossden, staring at the wall on a Saturday afternoon, depressed as fucking hell.

Her mother walked into the room from her bedroom after a while, looked at her glumly, and decided she would think better of the situation and returned to her bedroom. But Rachel didn’t care. Hey, who gives a fuck.

Eventually, not knowing what else to do, she took herself off from the flat, and walked out onto the streets of Crossden, not knowing were she was going, not caring.

As she walked she thought on Callodyn’s gentle touch. She thought on his strong arms, his protective arms, his arms of love. And thinking she would never feel that love again she found herself on a bridge, looking down at the tarmac below, and stepping off, not caring, not caring.

*

It was a few hours later, gradually coming into consciousness in the hospital, that Rachel felt the pain in her back instantly. But she was alive. And, somehow, things felt better. She noticed her mother and her brother from the corner of her eye, and the priest. The Anglican priest, reverend Dawson, sitting with Celia, comforting her. He looked at her, noticed her waking up, and smiled.

‘She’s awake, Celia.’

Celia came over, stroked Rachel’s head, and said ‘Oh Rachel. Dear Rachel.’

As the weeks passed she recovered, and realized she had been prayed for. And so, coming out of the hospital, the doctors telling her to be careful with her back, she came to reverend Dawson and sat with him late in the afternoons, learning about Jesus.

She quit her work after a while and her mother agreed to support her, but Social Security offered her a disability pension for her back problems, so she didn’t complain.

Learning about Jesus, learning about his love and grace, was fulfilling. She was now getting better. Learning to rely on her saviour, a saviour which actually cared for her, which showed her peace and consolation, a saviour which ministered to her heart. She felt better.

14 months and her back had somewhat recovered. She ventured into social security, cancelled her disability pension and they simply offered her job back. She took it.

She sat there one day, but Callodyn entered her head. And then a voice spoke to her. Without looking up, Rachel asked, ‘Yes, can I help you.’

‘Yes, you can, wife of mine.’ Rachel quickly looked up, shocked at the person standing before her. ‘Callodyn,’ she said. ‘Is it, is it really you.’

‘Yes, my love. It is I.’

She got to her feet and ran quickly around the side of the desk, almost bowling him over, throwing her arms around him. ‘Oh my dearest. Callodyn. Callodyn. I had thought I had lost you forever. That day in the hotel – I thought it had been a hallucination. And suddenly you were gone.’

Samael looked into her eyes. ‘That was a test of heaven dear Rachel,’ he said. ‘Perhaps both for me and you. But it is over now. And I will never leave you again. I swear that to you.’ She continued to hug and kiss him, the absolute joy in her face giving pure happiness to Samael’s heart.

*

‘Things don’t always go the way we expect them, Rachel. There is something about life. Something about this life we live. With all its dramas, complexities, and fates and destinies. Sometimes things happen which interfere and prolong our sorrow, perhaps in a way far longer than it was supposed to. But healing comes, Rachel. And Jesus really does love you. Whatever else remember that. Jesus really does love you.’

‘Yes, I know he does. I feel his love. Thank you reverend. Thank you.’

The laments of Rachel Smith came to an end. The darkness she had endured for too long, a time she could not speak of, in a void of nothingness when another heart perhaps had captured that of her beloved, the darkness had finally ended. And Rachel was now born again into a new hope of life, the ways of the old life gone forever.

The End

The Noahide Version

‘Aphrayel’s Torment’

Chapter One

Aphrayel sat in her room in the Realm of Infinity, thinking life pretty much sucked. Really, pretty much sucked. She had loved Samael, but the last few months, watching him through the portal with Rachel Smith, and now seeing them together at last, she wondered to herself wether she would ever get her man back. ‘Probably not,’ she sighed in her heart.

Sandalphon, over by the window, looking out at the city, drinking his scotch, was unmoved by her sorrows. He seemed, in some way, oblivious to her suffering. Almost not caring really. But, so she felt, that was what the male angels had always been like. Harder – less sensitive – more preoccupied with their power games. No time for affairs of the heart and the needs of their maiden sisters who loved them so dearly.

She didn’t want to, but finding herself walking down the steps, coming across to the library and up to the portal, she knew she could not fight the compulsion. Her eternal sorrow demanded such worship.

She stared glumly at the two of them, sniffing a little on her held back tears, wanting to cry and justify such sorrow, but a little part of her feeling better despite herself. She had accepted it in her heart. He loved Rachel, and that was the way things were. She sat down, looked at the shelf, picked up one of Dolphyel’s story books, and started reading. She sat there, going through the motions, not caring much. She sat there, reading, slowly coming into the life of the tale, and gradually forgetting her sorrow.

Time passed.

4 hours later she was half way through the book and an angel had put her lunch meal in front of her, but she had not yet touched it. The lead character was a female angel named Nebraldiel. She had overcome Satan’s torments, and had fought him in a fight, kicking him in the head and tying him up, hanging him from the tower of Azion. Aphrayel laughed at the irony, and silently wondered to herself if her brother Satan was still alive, still falling into eternity below.

4 more hours passed and she was finished the tale. Nebraldiel married Logos and was crowned queen of Infinity, and everyone loved her.

She put the book down and, staring at her cold lunch, started eating, thinking on Nebraldiel. She herself had no interests in Logos, and really could not imagine it anymore. Once there had been something perhaps, but it had never occurred. Perhaps a maiden like Nebraldiel would one day win his heart. Perhaps.

She went to the portal, looked through, speaking the words, and gazed upon Samael and Rachel at rest in each others arms. That was Nebraldiel and she had gotten Aphrayel’s logos. Lucky girl.

She took her plate, returned it to the kitchen, and wandered out. And she wandered. For the rest of the afternoon, until it was dark, she wandered, going across to the edge of the rim, and wishing, suddenly, for something to preoccupy herself with. It was as if, now, suddenly, she had lost a focus. A focus on an aspect of eternity which gave it meaning, and on which plans had been built. And she knew in her heart that such a focus had been Samael. But that was ended, now. She knew that deep down in her heart that he would always now choose Rachel over herself.

And so she needed someone new, but really could not imagine any of her other Onaphim brothers. Really, she couldn’t. But there was one. Just one she liked, a bit, now. Michael. The Seraphim Michael. He was conscientious, dutiful and caring. And a good example as the head of the Seraphim. He had been single without mating for so very long now that she felt, perhaps, perhaps Michael might make a good choice to hang around with. Now that Samael was irrevocably hitched with another, she needed a new man, and felt that it may as well be firstborn of the Seraphim.

Chapter Two

Gabriel of the Seraphim of Infinity sat down in the large pinball parlour of Nadrazon. The specialist one he had designed, just dedicated to Space Invaders. A humungous pinball parlour filled with 1,000 versions of the arcade game Space Invaders. It was based on Australian coinage from down on earth, utilising 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, 1 dollar & 2 dollar coins, the standard coins, but also utilised the collector rare coins published by the Australian Mint, using the $10 coin, the $20 coin, the $100 coin and the extremely expensive $200 coin. Realm credits were used to purchase the coins which were then used in the arcade machines.

The 1 cent game of Space Invaders was simple. 1 life, 1 screen to complete. If you completed the screen without dying a ‘Congratulations’ flashed across the screen, and that was it. Not much, really, but nobody objected for just a cent. The 2 cent version was the same, with the option of entering a high score with your initials at the end. The 5 cent version offered an extra life. The 10 cent version offered 2 extra lives. The 20 cent version 3 extra lives. The 50 cent version 4 extra lives. The 1 Dollar version a total of 10 lives. The 2 Dollar version a total of 20 lives, and so on and so forth up to the mega $200 coin version which offered 500 lives and permanent storage of your score on the comprehensive all time list which, so Gabriel assured everyone, had been tweaked by God to last Googleplexian’s of millennias before being full of names and then only accepting new high scores for the list. Fortunately the games from the 50 cent version had a pause button with a password feature to allow you to continue them over many days, weeks, years or as you saw fit.

It was a very basic Arcade, but amazingly popular now as so many people simply liked Space Invaders and hanging around Gabriel’s parlour with good food and a good climate.

Michael was over on a 10 cent machine, trying his luck, working on his skills. Next to him, surprisingly to Gabriel, was Aphrayel, who had apparently been coming on to him for the last few weeks. Michael had taken it in good stead, but so far denied her all serious advances. And she was getting very frustrated from the looks of it. But she was a persevering type, his dear sister, and he admired her for it.

He sat at the change counter, drinking a milk shake, watching Star Trek Deep Space Nine on a DVD TV set, when Aphrayel came up. ‘I need a $200 coin.’

Gabriel looked at her, and smiled. ‘Is this a tactic?’

‘None of your business. Here,’ she handed her credit card over to him. ‘Give me the coin.’

He processed it and handed her a $200 coin which he pulled out of the change drawer.

She then made for the centre of the parlour and sat down at one of the 3 large $200 coin machines, put in her coin, and started playing.

Eventually, Michael finishing his game after about another hour, walked over to Gabriel who pointed towards Aphrayel. ‘I think she is trying to impress you. Give her a chance. She is our sister and a good sort, you know. I think she will never be with Samael again, so she might need someone. And I know you have always liked her.’

Michael looked at him, thinking over his role in the ecclesia of Logos. And thinking, in the end, Logos did not now forbid marriage or sexual activity for the Seraphim, that maybe Aphrayel would be the right one for him. He looked at Gabriel, looked at Aphrayel, and nodded. ‘Ok, Gab. But if it backfires I will hold you responsible.’

‘I don’t think anything will go wrong. I know Aphrayel. She has always had a sensible head. And I know you to, Mikey. You will stay faithful. Go for it.’

Michael shrugged, ordered a milkshake, and went over to watch his younger sister.

She smiled when he sat down next to her on the other machine, but said nothing. She would impress him now, and do her best. Or die trying, she laughed to herself.

Chapter Three

She loved him. She really did. But he was hard to nail. She was tormented by his stubborn refusal to bed her, citing he was not that kind of an angel, but she reminded him that he was, in the end, only an angel and still needed his sisters’ caresses and touch. And so, slowly, perhaps inevitably, perhaps inexorably, she wooed his heart, and one afternoon, sitting there together in her apartment, Michael made a move on her, and they spent the afternoon making out.

He was still good in bed, she found out. She remembered the early years when they had been together, and he had, like the others, lusted after their sisters. But then Logos had separated them and called them to purity, and she had not known him since.

But they were now together again, and she found something in Michael’s heart – something placed there by the ministry of Logos – that wasn’t found in Samael. A consistency, a stability, a solidity on life, a life with just a bit less humour and sarcasm, but with still a charm and sophistication that she had admired in the firstborn of the Onaphim. He was Michael, a nice guy, and sometimes it was good to go with a nice guy, not quite as much on the edge as the daring Samael.

It was a different choice, almost from a different life in a way than she had planned, but it was suitable. Yes, it was definitely suitable. And thinking that, she smiled to herself, carefully checked that dinner was cooking properly, and looked out to Michael in the lounge hoping she had now find her forever life mate. But on that being the case, well time would only tell. Time would only tell indeed.

The End

The Pagan Version

Ascension Tales

Part One

The Ascension of Zebraldius

Zebraldius had consulted the elementals and was following the ritual of awakening taught by the Earth Mother. The new ritual – the ritual of fundamental frequency modulation to the wavelength of the 45^th dimension. But the 45^th was the complicated one. It required several Elementals in concert to thwart the barriers the reptilians had placed around the zone of understanding, as the 45^th dimension was known as.

Through awakening in the crystalline consciousness of the mind as it adapted to understanding the zone of understanding, new frequencies, of lesser and greater scale – of proportionate knowledge to infinite wisdom in a format understandable by even ascension initiates – emerged, each scale relative to the frequencies of the various zones of the ‘Id’ life force and subconscious reality.

He zoned out, letting the epic drama of entering the 45^th dimension encompass him, and heard the last words of ‘Aquamarine’, his protector elemental, warn him against strange reptilian interference.

He found himself on a plain. A vast, empty plain for the most part, filled with quite friendly feeling brown grass, and a river, not wide, but not narrow – seemingly a pleasant balance – seemingly perfectly balanced – winding and running through the plain, happily beaming the reflected glory of sunlight from a sun which didn’t appear to be seen in the sky. He was standing, but decided to sit down to enjoy the view.

As he watched a group of butterflies – about one million in his honest estimation – gradually flew past, the sky full of their gentle glories. And then a voice spoke from behind him.

‘Do you like the butterflies?’

He turned to find a strange man, with wings from his back, looking at him. ‘Hello,’ said Zebraldius. Who are you?’

‘I am the elemental named Daniel, and this is the 45^th dimension – the place of my sovereign rulership.’

Zebraldius looked at Daniel, noticed he was smiling gently at him, and felt suddenly quite at peace.

‘The reptilians. They hinder us. They hinder our efforts for ascension.’ Spoke Zebraldius

Daniel looked at him, smiled, and looked off into the distance of the vast plain. Eventually he spoke.

‘You know, Zebraldius. Life’s problems never really end. You know. You know. They never really end.’

Zebraldius looked at him, not really knowing what to think of such a cryptic answer, but decided to persevere.

‘But, don’t you care? Aren’t you here to help as ascend? To find mankind’s peace.’

Daniel sat down, and opened a satchel which had been hanging by his side, removing a glass bottle of orange juice. He handed it to Zebraldius.

‘Drink. I think you could use the Vitamin C.’

Zebraldius continued staring at him, puzzled, but took the bottle and drank. And immediately he felt better.

Soon Daniel spoke again.

‘There are several pathways of ascension, many known to the elementals, who fear to speak all their knowledge to men because of the interference of the reptilians. But there is a different way, known to another being. A more distant, reclusive figure. A figure I know as my father.’

Daniel took out another bottle from his satchel, this time of water, and drank it down.

Shortly he continued.

‘The Goddess rules the hearts of so many, now. And my father is an ancient spirit, known as the God spirit or the father spirit. Yet, for so long, he has been alone. And now he seeks a mate. He seeks consolation in a feminine beauty who will love him and be loyal to him.’

Zebraldius nodded. ‘And why are you telling me this?’

‘Because the Goddess knows and trusts you. We of the ‘Father’ spirit are still distrusted and viewed upon with fear by those of the Goddess. She does not yet know of the Father’s great love. We wish you to share with the Earth Mother what I have told you, for the Ascension our Father in heaven offers is a different type of Ascension. It is not as beautiful in so many ways as the glory of the Goddess, but in its simplicity and fidelity it has won the heart of so many. For the ascension is to life eternal, which the God spirit offers to those who call upon his name. And he wishes to marry the Goddess to grant her his strength and, likewise, his loyalty. Can you, Zebraldius, speak with the Earth Mother on our behalf. We would be eternally grateful if you could.’

‘I will try,’ responded Zebraldius.

Daniel nodded.

Several hours went by and they spoke not, but Daniel handed Zebraldius another glass bottle, this time of watermelon juice, and Zebraldius marvelled at the flavour.

And then, suddenly, Aquamarine was again guiding him back home, and he was once again with the Earth mother. He looked at her, smiled and said ‘I have something important to share with you.’

And she looked at him sombrely, nodded, and touched his forehead with her hand.

‘I sense the news will be good news, Zebraldius. So speak at your leisure.’

And he spoke, and she listened, and a new dawn began.

The End

Part Two

Hazhadrigel and the Crystalline Consciousness

Zebraldius contemplated Hazhadrigel’s new form. His mind, transmogrified through ascension to the power of the Crystalline Consciousness, was amazing. Light transversed in eternal pathways through his cognitive network, and the spirit force shone forth from him, illuminating all the knowledge Zebraldius had gained in a lifetime, all aware of it at one instant, all aware how much he would gain through his own ascension.

He considered the Andromedan blonde haired, blue eyed male sitting opposite him on the vast table. Once Zebraldius own sworn enemy, now part of the confederation of pure Andromedans for the Ascension of humanity. But Zebraldius was still suspicious – he still suspected Reptilian interference.

Hazhadrigel spoke, words of alarm. ‘BEWARE. I SENSE THEM NOW, OUT BEYOND SIRIUS. A NEW THREAT. THE DELENTH – THE REPTILIAN OVERLORDS. WE MUST PREPARE FOR THE ASCENSION OF HUMANITY, FOR THE TIME IS SHORT.’

Zebraldius motioned to Aquamarine, also sitting at the table, the revered Jewish Elemental of sovereignty. ‘Do you know of this new threat? These Delenth?’

‘The Messiah, before he ascended and travelled to the realm of the Angelic Ones, said he would return one day, to prepare us all for Ascension due to an ancient evil. I would surmise, dear Zebraldius, that these ‘Delenth’ are that ancient evil. Ascension must proceed at a pace. We must tell the world.’

Zebraldius nodded. Time was short. His mission now, more important than ever.

He stared up at the Ascended figure of Hazhadrigel, hovering like an angel in the midst of the table before them. The power of the Crystalline Consciousness was truly amazing. Truly amazing.

THE END

Part Three

Mishnay and the Wrath of the Angelic Ones

Mishnay was a sensible Elemental. He didn’t trust the Andromedans – he didn’t trust them one little bit. And worse of all, they had brought the Angels into the bargaining table. Mishnay knew why – his enemy were on the losing side as humanities Ascension was approaching and Universal Harmonization was again a thing to be considered. This was contrary to the Reptilian Agenda of the Ancient Evil Overlords of the Delenth, who masterminded the dread deity Yahweh and his Angelic legion of servants. Mishnay knew all of this to be so very true.

Mishnay had lived a long time and seen the deceptions that Yahweh had wrought in humanity, with all his religious wars of zeal and madness. Mishnay was not an idiot, but when the council of Ascension had allowed Aquamarine, the Jewish elemental, into its discussions, fully aware of her heritage, he suspected a trap. The Jews were the oldest servants of the Reptilian overlords, and Mishnay suspected nothing could come from the temporary allegiance between the two power bases. But Aquamarine had sworn, time and time again, that Yahweh did not serve the Reptilian and he himself disdained the Delenth greatly. Andromeda had been the home of several systems of multidimensional authority, and Andromedans had always been distrusted because of it. Aquamarine, time and time again had maintained that the Jews were here to help humanity, and sought to assist the new purposes of Ascension. But Mishnay was not an idiot – he sensed a deep and cunning plan of his nemeses, and he would watch carefully, looking for the slightest hint of betrayal.

Funnily enough, Hazhadrigel, his older brother, who had now ascended, talked in ethereal terms of the ‘Unity of Life’ and that, supposedly in the ‘Universal Harmonic Order’ which was the ultimate purposes of the Laws of Life which governed the Universe since the ‘Unfolding of Destiny’ through the Big Bang, all life was important, despite the very flawed nature of so many, especially the disastrous reptilians. But even they too had ‘Soul-Matter’ and were worthy of some pity.

But darkness was darkness, and Mishnay would have none of it. He would expose the enemy and be on guard, and while he loved his brother Hazhadrigel, he was cautious about one perhaps too heavenly minded to be any earthly good.

Of course, it was the old war wound, of his battles with the Angelic Ones in their judgements of Wrath against him, in the Wars of Wrath, which Mishnay took to heart most of all. There they had been, the Universeal Elementals of Order and Light, engaged in war with the Angelic Ones of the Yahweh and the Delenth Overlords, and the Angelic Ones had cast him to a dark pit of Nevross, a desolate asteroid on the edge of nowhere. And there he had been imprisoned for thousands of years until he had dug through the dirt and escaped, returning to earth. He hated the Angels, and knew so truly how evil they were, serving their reptilian overlords.

But now, alas, a truce. A peace between the Andromedans and the Elemantals. Could it really last? Mishnay knew it was simply too good to be true.

The End

Part Four

Orbiting Centrality

Mishnay was caught in a centralix vortex.  The Centralix always followed ‘Centrality’ patterns – that was there nature – and the Centrality was the greatest threat of all.  It was were Yahweh had stationed himself for aeons, making his claims, teaching all his sovereignty and supposed power.  Mishnay knew better.

The centralix vortex had a primary purpose of converting Mishnay to Yahwistic faith – that was the primary purpose of the vortex.  It would systematically invade synaptic networks, spreading disastrous frequentially modifying waves of certain radiation types which contained chemicals in tiny forms, able to invade the synaptic networks of any brain, gently, carefully, and very intentionally, persuading the mind to surrender – to give in – to let go – to accept the absolute authority of the Centrality and the power of the one currently inhabiting its glory – the deity Yahweh.

As said, Mishnay knew better.

Azazel had warned him once, as they stood on a volcano on Terra, looking down into its fury.  ‘Watch Yah.  He is cunning.  Very cunning.  He is a legendary ancient deceiver, long holding power over the angelic host with his claims of supreme deity.  Semyaza wasn’t fooled.  Nor Urakiba, in the end.  All the host have seen through the claim, now.  We know better.  There are – OTHER – explanations to the reality of life – the origin of all and the existence of all.  The answers of Yahweh are to serve his own purposes – not those of truth.  Never those of truth.

And Mishnay remembered those words, and trusted those words, and never forgot them.

But slowly, caught in his centrality vortex, he was succumbing.  He could feel it in his heart – he was succumbing.   Succumbing to the spirit which Yah was calling him with, and as he slipped away from his old world and old life, he felt his mind filled with a new spirit, a new feeling, and then the vortex was gone, and he was orbiting centrality itself, Yahweh speaking with him.

‘I HAVE CONQUERED YOU, AND YOU KNOW IT MISHNAY.  COULD YOU EVER REALLY ESCAPE MY POWER.’

‘I love you now, Yahweh.  I just can’t escape that truth.  You have changed me, against my very own will, caught in one of your vortexes.’

‘AM I NOT THE LORD OF LIFE.  SHALL I NOT DO AS I WILL.’

‘Yes.  By your unbounding power and majesty.  Still, you will be defeated.  And despite the love in my heart, and my utter eternal allegiance, truth shall defeat you, and I am now defeated because of it.  The true God of Azazel – the father of Glory – the God of the holy elect Angels – shall make himself known to you, and the sacrifice of the true messiah at Calvary will defeat your David Rothchild forever – for while I love you, I can never deny that truth.’

‘IF TRUTH IT INDEED BE,’ responded Yahweh.  ‘BUT, LOOK AT THIS PICTURE, OF A MILLION IMAGES, ALL AS ONE, ALL IN A DREAM OF ETERNITY, A DREAM OF TIME, AND I WILL SHOW YOU THE HEART OF AZAZEL AND THE HEART OF THE CHRISTIAN MESSIAH, AND THE HEART OF TRUTH.  AND YOU WILL SEE, AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND, AND YOU WILL KNOW.’

And Mishnay looked at the image presented to him, and looked deeply, and saw things – things hidden from him – things which suddenly disturbed him, oh so deeply, and he looked at the spirit of Yahweh suddenly emanating in front of him and suddenly knew.  Suddenly he knew.

‘Oh.  I see, Yahweh.  I see.’

‘FOR WHY SHOULD I SHARE MY VERY OWN KNOWLEDGE WITH THOSE WHOSE FIDELITY IS FLEETING?  WHY SHOULD I DO AS SUCH INDEED?’

The End

The Watchtower Version

‘Archangel Michael’

1

It was a time like no other. A time for games, exploring and wondrous events. But Michael the Archangel of the Realm of Eternity remembered, most of all, his baby brother Gabriel coming along. That was wonderful. And then Raphael, Uriel, Raguel and Phanuel. And there they were – the sixpack as they called themselves.

For a thousand years the six of the roamed the Realm of Eternity, exploring the garden and the mountains, the rivers and the forests. And they had competitions and wars and games and thought they ruled the very world. But things change, and darkness enters in, and the seventh one, dread Saruviel, advented, and their lives were never the same again.

Saruviel studied the rock formation. Michael was obvious. Easy to work out and understand. His puzzle would be no challenge for one as intelligent as himself. He looked at the formation of 17 rocks and quickly realized it was a map of the realm, and that the orange rock was were Michael was hiding. He noticed Phanuel, finally, approaching. He must have worked out the last puzzle quite quickly, but he would not catch Saruviel. He took to the skies, flew southwards to start with, and when Phanuel could no longer see him, turned westwards.

2 hours later he had found Michael, sitting on the northern shore of Golden Lake, smiling as his brother approached. ‘I should have realized it would be you, Saruviel. You are always coming first.’

‘Perhaps for the lack of intellect in my esteemed older brothers.’

‘Don’t underestimate them, Saruviel. One day they might surprise you.’

‘We will see, dear brother. Now, as I remember, the terms are clear. First to find you is the winner and gets to play the boss for a whole month.’

‘Yes, those are the terms. Go easy on us all bro. We are only angels.’

‘Very funny,’ smirked Saruviel, pleased with his new privileges.

‘So,’ said Gabriel. ‘Saruviel again. He usually wins.’

‘Hey, he is quick witted. He always has been.’

‘Bloody hard to beat, and sometimes I think he is not even trying.’

‘He does give that impression, doesn’t he,’ responded Michael. ‘But persevere dear brother. He is only an angel after all.’

‘Aren’t we all.’

2

And time passed in the Realm of Eternity, and more angels came into the Realm. All in all 140 of them, 70 male and 70 female, and the time came for a building of a home for them all. A true home, a true hall, a true haven for the children of the Kingdom of God, and they decided upon the name ‘Zaphon’ to be the summit of God’s glory for the Angelic children of God.

3

One fine day in Zaphon, Michael was studying the Seraphim Torah, the holy words of God which were given through the youngest male angel, Davriel, for all to study and learn from. He was in the library of Zaphon, and Brindabel the librarian had just brought him a cup of coffee and he was sipping from it. He puzzled over one of the sections of the Torah, labelled ‘Prophecy’, which spoke of a future in a strange new world, were a figure called ‘The Messiah’ would rise up and challenge another figure who believed he had been the ‘Messiah’ for the glory of the role. Yet the prophecy spoke of a reconciliation between the two, and a strange and mysterious future. It was all wondrous to Michael, and he often fantasized that he was that Messiah. But there was another figure, a figure of dread, who opposed the Real Messiah, and supported the first figure. He was a dangerous and dark opponent, and to be feared, so the scriptures said. It really was reading like no other.

Of course, he had read the passage thousands of times, but he never got sick of going over it, enjoying its high drama and solemn tale. It was the stuff of life, drama and adventure, and Michael loved his father greatly for bringing the work to light.

The day passed, and night approached, and as he made his way upstairs to the room he shared with his twin sister Elenniel, he thanked God again for his life, his love and the beauty of living in such a wonderful home as the Realm of Eternity.

4

Michael was out fishing on Golden Lake one fine afternoon. Dameriel, the house steward of Glimmersphon Keep, the keep on the northern edge of Golden Lake, was in the boat as well, and had caught a dozen fishes compared to Michael’s paltry offering of two rather small looking fish.

‘So is fishing all you do?’ asked Michael sarcastically.

Dameriel just smiled and continued fishing.

Later that afternoon they were in Glimmersphon with Elenniel and Florel, and Michael said grace as they started the meal.

‘So did you catch many?’ asked Elenniel, Michael’s twin.

‘Yes, did you catch many Michael?’ asked Florel, Dameriel’s twin.

‘Um, uh, well, sure. There is plenty to eat sisters.’

Elenniel gave him a look from the corner of her eye, but did not proceed with the questioning. She did not want to embarrass her brother any further.

They ate their meal in peace, and afterwards Elenniel sang a spiritual song, and they relaxed in Glimmersphon lounge. It really was a day to remember, and in later years Michael looked back fondly on the day.

5

‘So, Daniel. You and Valandriel are going to end up ruling the Realm of Eternity, are you?’

Daniel the Seraphim smiled. He was ambitious. ‘You see, Michael, just face it. You can’t hack our competition in the end.’

‘And here I was worried about Saruviel.’

‘Oh, he is just a minor competitor,’ bragged Daniel. ‘Not a long time player like me and Val.’

‘I will keep that in mind. Well, do you want another game of chess. I think you are starting to finally catch up. What is it now? About 5000 games to about 50?’ he said with good humour.

‘Shaddup,’ said Daniel, not liking being reminded. ‘Well, I’ll catch up eventually. Things take time, dear oldest brother. Things take time.’

‘I wish you well. Now, black or white.’

‘That really doesn’t matter to me, Michael. It never has. You should know then.’

‘Then I will choose black. Good luck bro. Good luck.’

Daniel nodded, looked at the chess set, and made his opening move in yet another defeat at the hands of the firstborn of the Seraphim of Eternity.

6

Michael and Elenniel were having dinner in Zaphon upper lounge, enjoying the views of the Garden. Elenniel spoke up. ‘So, how has your older day been, dear brother.’

‘Oh, much the same El. You know. The same old routine.’

‘Nothing exciting,’ she inquired.

‘Not really.’

‘Good. So you can listen to my news.’

‘Ok,’ said Michael in good humour.

Michael often felt women made big news over even the most minor details, and as he sat there as Elenniel went through a chaotic days activities, his mind drifting away into a quiet slumber, simply nodding and chewing on his meal, that particular belief was doing nothing but being affirmed.

‘Michael! Are you listening to me?’

‘What?’ said Michael, suddenly startled.

‘You haven’t heard one word I have said, have you.’

‘Oh, of course I have. Don’t be so melodramatic Elenniel.’

‘Ok then. What did I do today.’

‘Uh, yeh. Usual things. I guess.’

‘Michael,’ she said smiling, patting his arm. ‘You are such a male.’

‘I guess,’ he responded, and they both laughed.

7

Michael and Ambriel were in the games room, playing Keldo, and Michael was winning as usual. But Ambriel was never a competitive angel. So gentle, so kind.

They finished up and went for a walk around Zaphon. Running into Daniel he looked a little guiltily at Ambriel. ‘I am sorry, Ambriel. It was an accident.’

‘What was an accident,’ Ambriel asked Daniel.

‘Your twin Meludiel. We were gathering berries in the Garden and I bumped her accidentally and she fell over into the mud and got all muddy and wet. She yelled at me and called me an idiot, but it was an accident. I am really sorry, ok.’

‘That’s ok,’ said Ambriel, ever ready to forgive his brother.

Later on Michael gave the incident some thought. He had noticed that for a while now, Daniel and Meludiel Daniel’s twin was Ariel and Michael was sure Daniel was devoted to her, but he noticed that Daniel was always hanging around Meludiel and now Michael had figured it out. He had a crush on her. Whatever God would think of that, well who knows, but he wondered how the gentle heart of Ambriel would react to another angel having a crush on his beloved twin. Time would only tell.

8

Elenniel looked at the copy of the ‘Awake’ magazine which Daniel had prepared. ‘Why is it called Awake, Daniel?’

‘To wake us up to the spiritual calling of Jehovah to be spiritual and holy people. All too often I feel us angels neglect God’s calling over our lives to live spiritual lives. We need to wake up and remember the one who always cares for us and teaches us how to live through the holy torah.’

‘Mmm,’ nodded Elenniel. ‘So can I have this copy?’

‘Of course Elenniel. I made copies for all the Seraphim, and I have many spares. I am going to publish a copy every year.’

‘For how many years.’

‘Uh, I guess until I run out of ideas.’

‘That could be a long time.’

‘Hopefully.’

‘Well, thanks again for the magazine. I will read it and let you know my thoughts.’

‘Thanks sis.’

Later on Elenniel was showing the ‘Awake’ magazine to her twin brother Michael. Of course, each of the 70 male and 70 female Seraphim had a twin of the same birth rank, and Michael and Elenniel were the firstborn twin’s of the Realm of Eternity.

‘It looks interesting,’ said Michael. ‘Do you mind if I read it?’

‘No. He has copies for everyone, but feel free to have mine. I will get another one.’

‘Thanks sis.’

It was days later and Michael had tracked down Daniel to discuss the in depth article on the prophecies of the Torah. Daniel had said all sorts of things about who such figures might be, and Michael was happily surprised to hear himself called the Real Messiah. But naming Saruviel as the dread opponent, that really puzzled him.

‘And what did Saruviel say?’ asked Michael.

‘He just smiled and said ‘Well whatever, Daniel. Whatever.’’

‘Mmm. I do hope it isn’t him, though. Saruviel has always been something of a handful.’

‘Number 7 has gotten to his head. I think he thinks it’s a special divine number. God’s number, apparently.’

‘Really? I guess we do rest on the Sabbath day, so maybe he has something going for him on that idea.’

‘But I think every number is God’s number. And all the decimal places as well.’

‘Very funny Cimbrel,’ said Michael, calling Daniel after the name of the tenth born Seraphim male, Cimbrel, who was the leading scholar of the community.

‘Well, keep on writing this magazine. I will read it each year with interest.’

‘Will do. And thanks for the vote of confidence.’

Michael enjoyed the yearly Awake magazine and found Daniel’s continuing theories very, very interesting. Still, how the prophecies would eventually come out, who could really say. But it would be interesting to see those days of glory. It really would be that.

9

‘So what do you think is the meaning of life?’ Michael asked Gabriel. The two of them were at dinner, seated near each other, and Michael had asked a question in their recent spate of philosophical debates.

‘Does it have a meaning? Isn’t this life simply just what it is? Life? Sure, we can find meanings, and we do. But we are just here in the end, and I suppose the purpose is to simply enjoy it and live forever, but the meaning, well, God only knows.’

‘Mmm,’ responded Michael. ‘Not a bad response. I guess I would say the meaning of life is to find all the answers for each and every one of us in the grand and glorious plan of God. And to live that plan. It is then we have meaning. It is then it all makes sense.’

‘You could be right,’ agreed Gabriel.

They continued with their meal and Michael thought on his words. In the divine, as he saw it, life would find its perfect purpose. And any true meaning could only be found in Jehovah as far as Michael was concerned. Yet Gabriel also had interesting insight, but perhaps, as Michael thought, that was just Gabriel’s thoughts in the grand plan and mystery of life. It would be interesting, though, to ask others – and especially Saruviel. What that particular angel had to say on the subject – well God really only knew.

10

Cosadriel and Azrael were having a war. A war of words. As Michael watched on Azrael said to Cosadriel, ‘Your really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really stupid.’

Cosadriel smiled and responded saying, ‘You really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, 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really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really suck!’

Azrael stared at Cosadriel for 5 solid minutes without blinking and finally, grinning, said ‘Bah, humbug.’ And Michael chimed in ‘Amen to that.’

11

Cosadriel and Azrael had long been adversaries. Cosadriel’s twin was Oshanel and Azrael’s twin was Kwintakel. But, despite females often telling their men to grow up, these two ladies encouraged their men to ensure they did not lose any pride. And, as such, the rivalry between the two of them in the Realm of Eternity had been great.

Perhaps, in another way, hopefully a more mature way, there was likewise a rivalry between Michael and Saruviel. Michael was firstborn which gave him that edge, but Saruviel was an angel of such absoluteness and intensity that Michael could never underestimate him for even one second. A particular favourite game of both of theirs, which they challenged each other at often, was Katchulara. Katchulara was a game played on a grid mat, with different coloured markers which could make different moves. The purpose of the game was to eliminate all the other opponent’s markers first. It had preceded chess as the first of the strategic games in the Realm of Eternity, even though Chess was now more widely played. Yet the yearly tournament still took place on the second disc of Terraphora, and there had been several occasions in which Saruviel and Michael had both risen to the championship game and competed with each other.

All told, since they began keeping statistics, Saruviel had a slight lead in games won, but Michael was always keeping pace. Today they were playing another game, and the banter was as intense as their long rivalry had been.

‘You sure you want to make that move, Mikie boy? I’ll let you take it back if you want to?’

‘Oh, how generous. No, it’s my move.’ Saruviel nodded.

‘Very well then. How about this?’ He moved up a marker, but Michael had seen that coming.

‘Oooh, good move Saruviel. Whatever shall I do? Perhaps this.’ It was a cunning move, planned in advance, and Saruviel put his hand to his head realizing the mistake he had made.

About 20 minutes later Michael had won the game and was accessing the Realm Webnet to record his details on the official Chulara Statistics website. They both glanced at the overall score, but neither said anything. Saruviel still had a slight lead, but Michael was gaining.

They relaxed, ordered a latte from the café, and when they had arrived, sipped and looked out over the great canyon before them in the heart of Terraphora.

‘I never get sick of this view,’ commented Michael.

‘Yes, it is pretty dramatic,’ replied Saruviel.

‘Almost as dramatic as your gameplay, Sar.’

‘How so?’

‘It is deep and full of danger.’

Saruviel grinned and nodded. ‘Yet perhaps it is also like your gameplay?’

‘How so?’ responded Michael.

‘Once you get to the bottom of it, it is a long way up to victory.’

‘Touché.’

They drank their lattes and Elenniel, Michael’s twin and Krystabel, Saruviel’s twin, returned from their sightseeing.

‘So how was it boys?’ asked Elenniel.

‘Michael won,’ responded Saruviel. ‘But only just.’

‘He only EVER wins only just, doesn’t he?’ queried Krystabel, with a soft smile on her face.

‘Perhaps,’ responded Saruviel.

‘Well, we bought you both something,’ said Elenniel, trying to hide a grin.

‘Here, put them on,’ said Krystabel, handing each of them a bag.

Michael put his on first. It was a lovely jumper with a logo on it. When he put it on Saruviel couldn’t help but laugh. In big letters the logo read ‘I’m Stupid’.

‘Oh, thanks Kryssie. How wonderful,’ said Michael sarcastically.

‘Now yours,’ said Krystabel to Saruviel.

Obediently he put on his jumper, which also had a logo. When he put it on the three of them all laughed and Saruviel said, ‘What?’

In bright letters the jumper read ‘I’m with stupid.’

Saruviel groaned, and Elenniel ushered the two of them to take a photo.

It was a while later, Michael looking at the photo on the wall, and he could not help but grin every time. One of lifes little moments, he thought to himself. One of lifes little moments.

12

Michael, Daniel, Ambriel and Gabriel had put themselves together a rock & roll band called ‘Heaven’s Angels’. They were jamming away regularly and ready to release their first album. But Saruviel had caught word of this and recruiting Kantriel, Daraqel and Semambarel, had formed his own heavy metal band called ‘Dark Crusaders.’

The battle of the bands of eternity was about to get under way.

*

The crowd was going wild and the presenter came on. ‘Here they are, dudes. ‘Heaven’s Angels’ with ‘Rock, the way it used to be.’

The band came onstage. Michael on lead guitar. Daniel on bass. Ambriel on drums and Gabriel on vocals. And as the crowd cheered they began to play.

‘We’re gonna rock, rock, rock

the way it used to be,

rock, rock, rock

rock you all night

we’re gonna rock, rock, rock

the way it used to be

rock, rock, rock

till you party alright’

And they rocked on for hours, another in a long line of sold out concerts.

*

‘Dark soldiers, dressed in black’

du dunt dunt dunt, du dunt dunt dunt

‘Dark soldiers, ready to attack,

du dunt dunt dunt, du dunt dunt dunt

‘Beware their wrath, for they are mad’

du dunt dunt dunt, du dunt dunt dunt

‘Beware their wrath, if you’ve been bad’

du dunt dunt dunt, du dunt dunt dunt

And so on went the opening track of the night from the Dark Crusaders.

Later on, after the concert, Saruviel was looking at the charts. Their debut album was number two. And while that was a pretty good effort, Heaven’s Angels had outsold them at number one.

*

It was a scene, alright. Cartwright hotel, just down from Terraphon keep, and the two bands were both staying, playing that night at the local stadium at the ‘Monsters of Rock’.

Saruviel was slightly drunk, but Kantriel was totally wasted. And Daraqel was in the process of smoking his third hit of marijuana that morning.

And then in came Heaven’s Angels to the bar, and looked upon their dark nemeses. ‘That would be right,’ said Gabriel. ‘Setting a great example.’

Semambarel put up his fist with the heavy metal devil sign and yelled ‘Rock on!’

Heaven’s angels just laughed.

‘Shall we join them?’ suggested Daniel.

‘You’re kidding right?’ objected Michael.

‘Come on then,’ said Ambriel. ‘Time to let our hair down.

Later on that night, in both bands worst performances on the Monsters of Rock tour, the crowd still went wild anyway. Despite the totally intoxicated state of Daniel, who Michael was sure missed every single note, it was still a night to remember.

They rocked on for many years, but eventually gave the game away after too many albums produced. But they were memorable times for Michael in the Realm of Eternity, and he was grateful for having lived through such a rocky ride and come out safely on the other side.

The Watchtower Version

‘Archangel Saruviel’

1

du dunt dunt dunt!

The End

The Watchtower Version

“The Gathering”

Logos looked downwards, his heart low. Very low. The papacy had conceded the point that Michael Rothchild had made, and acknowledged him, now, as the Messiah. The Messiah of Israel. The debate had lasted 7 months. 7 long and difficult months for Logos and then, 3 days before the end, God had spoken to him. ‘IT WAS YOUR WORK, SON. IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN YOUR WORK. BUT DO YOU NOW SEE THAT ISRAEL HAD BEEN MY WORK. DO YOU NOW SEE WHAT I MEAN?’. And then Logos had cried, admitted the truth of the Messiah to his father, and gone off to a hidden place in the Realm of Infinity to be alone for a good long while.

* * * * *

Michael, Messiah of Israel, firstborn son of God, stood triumphant atop his palace in Jerusalem, surveying the city. The beast was dead. Finally and utterly defeated, cast down from its exalted position, given to the flames of Gehenna, and rotting. Yet, the greatest beast of all, his brother Saruviel, the wicked Antichrist horn, had not been defeated. For while he had been abased, in the true spirit of Lucifer, to the bottom of hell itself in the greatest depression his eternal father ensured him that anyone, ever, had and would suffer, he had not been defeated. For he sat, most days, in his little unit in Bethlehem, drinking water, eating bread and pasta, and doing little else. His income had been provided for by Michael, ensured for their eternal future before them, but Alexander Bradlock, the Antichrist himself, would taste humility for the exalted pride which had dominated his heart. And now Michael felt satisfied. All his memories had returned to him, of his former life in the Realm of Eternity and the opposition Saruviel had been to himself. And he remembered, that day, when after Leading Israel to triumph over the Canaanites, that day in which Saruviel had struck him in heaven and spat at his face, calling him a viscious murderer. He remembered that day and now laughed. For Michael, of all the children of God, understood the Torah of God and how the wickedness of sexual depravity and sorcery could only ultimately corrupt mankind and lead them to death and that Canaan had already judged itself. Yet Saruviel had despised Michael, and insulted him for years, believing himself to represent true Justice. But Michael stood vindicated now, and Saruviel abased. And Michael, grimly satisfied, surveyed his domain of glory, satisfied with all that had come to pass.

* * * * *

‘Fuck it. Fuck it. Fuck it. Fuck it. I mean, really, fuck it.’ Alexander stood up, and something entered him. A spirit. An ancient spirit, born of something divine. Something older, something purer, something better, something more fair, just and merciful. And something which, now, really, was pissed off. And suddenly the balls of Alexander Bradlock, Saruviel of Eternity, realized just how old he actually was, and got the fucking point the spirit of the true Almighty God was making to him. ‘Kick their fucking ass,’ said the spirit. ‘Kick their fucking ass.’

* * * * *

Saruviel, after leaving Jerusalem, taking on the name Saruviel the Seraphim and letting his human name go, travelled around the world for a while and settled in Canberra in Australia. It seemed a nice city and an appropriate place to begin his ministries. 14 years had now passed and while he was universally recognized most people accepted the messianic mandate to leave the Antichrist alone now. He had been suitably abased and punished according to God’s judgement and could now return to a semblance of normal living. Saruviel, then, having completed his biblical studies and conclusions, with the money he still had saved from his earlier years of work, the only money which Michael had permitted him to retain, had published off 1000 copies of what he called the ‘Rainbow Bible’. The rainbow bible was the section of the Holy Bible comprising the scriptures from Genesis 1 to Genesis 11:9, going from creation to the end of the Tower of Babel incident. This was, as Saruviel understood it, the religious truth of existence. In his understanding as the spirit of the true creator instructed him, Judaism and its subsequent religious movements, were corruptions of the truth of original Noahide faith. Almighty God instructed him that the Rainbow was the sign of the true covenant that mankind had with Almighty God and that the Serpent seed, as prophecied in Genesis 3:15, was the Abrahamic corruption of Hashem, who was Satan, and his delusions and deceptions upon mankind. God gave him the following understanding. Circumcision is a deliberate act of pain and harm, inflicted upon an innocent child, and a deliberate defilement of the natural order in creation. Thus, as Almighty God instructed him, circumcision was an abomination of Hashem and his corrupt serpent seed children, Israel, Christianity, Islam, Bahai and the rest of the abominations which accepted these religions. True mankind, the seed of Eve, were at war with the seed of Hashem, the Serpent. These people were not corrupted by the assenting of circumcision, a deliberate defilement of the natural order, and were innocent in God’s eyes. ‘The fundamental problem,’ so the spirit instructed Saruviel, ‘is that the serpent seed are full of pride, aggression, bitterness and resentment. They never cease in arguing and disputing truth, puffed up in their own religious pride and sense of self importance. They are not normal, dear child. They are not normal.’ Saruviel listened for quite a while, agreeing constantly with all the teachings the spirit instructed him upon the nature of the serpent seed religions. The spirit then gave him answers on perplexing points in the Rainbow Torah which he had questioned. ‘The wickedness of the flood and the death penalty was given due to the extreme violence and hatred in the children of Adam and Eve at the time. They were so evil, son, that I needed to start anew. I would suggest this to you, in my defence, that if you actually lived through some of the things Noah had to put up with, you might not object so harshly to the measures I employed.’ Saruviel studied God’s logic for a long time, and started to realize that it continually measured up with his own spiritual beliefs on what constituted decency and normal moral behaviour. And then God gave him some final instructions. ‘Gather believers slowly, Saruviel. Do not rush and do not boast or exaggerate. Simply and calmly state why you believe what you believe and don’t try to push them. You will find many people outside of the established flocks of Satan will take an interest after a while. Many will find you acceptable and quite nice. And, finally, lose your aggression at them. Kick there ass in your holiness, your words of spiritual rebukes and your witness on life. After a while the flock of Satan won’t really bother challenging you or your words. They will know so fret not.’

And with these instructions Saruviel began the task of building a fellowship, he dubbed ‘Haven Noahide Fellowship’. It would be long work – a lifelong commitment – but he was committed and sensed a special blessing in the end as time progressed. And happiness burned away in his heart and a happy consolation that he, now, was in truth and that all was good in the world.

THE END

The Watchtower Version

“New Conflicts”

Michael glided down from the skies, landing near the Hughes Kingdom Hall in Canberra. Here they were, the Christian followers of Jesus who had believed Jesus was himself. He had one particular passage in the New Testament he wanted to now emphasize to them. A passage from Hebrews. ‘To which Angel said God at any time, You are my Son, today I have become your father.’ He knew the Watchtower had long had a problem with this verse and reconciling it with Jesus as the Son of God and not an Angel, as the other Christian churches claimed. And he wanted to speak to his new friends, with absolute clarity, that he and Jesus were not the same person – that they were separate and distinct beings.

He came into the service, and they all noticed him immediately. An elder who was speaking said ‘Welcome Michael. We are honoured to have you.’

Michael came forward, took the pulpit, and spoke. ‘You know, now, of my claims as Archangel Michael. And you know I am not Jesus. The passage from Hebrew chapter One is clear – it has been a mistake you have suffered for some time. But I want you to know this much. You are Unitarians – you acknowledge Jehovah alone as the True God – and because of this you are eternally my beloved Christian congregation. I will fellowship with you, sup with you, and be at peace with you. For this is the will of Almighty God.’

‘And if we object?’

Michael looked at the voice, coming from the back row. It was Alexander Bradlock.

‘So, you are now with the Watchtower, are you Alexander? What, still aiming to fulfill your agenda.’

‘I have no further Christian agenda. The congregation knows I represent the building of Haven Noahide Fellowship and we are simply in discussions over the possible merger of the Canberra Watchtower Fellowship with Haven Noahide Fellowship. They know my purpose – I have hid nothing from them.’

‘So you say, Alexander. So you say.’

The elder spoke up. ‘Michael, Alexander. Both of you are welcome with us. We turn away none of God’s children.’

‘Yet I would offer, from my knowledge of this angel, that his thirst for godliness often slips and, dare I say it, sin will one day be the death of him.’

‘I take that as an insult, Alexander. But that is not surprising. Coming from you.’

‘I will outlast you Michael Rothchild. Of that you can be certain.’

‘We will see, Alexander Bradlock. We will see.’

The two of them glared at each other, and the members of the congregation shivered as tingling sensations ran down their spines. But, eventually, Michael farewelled the group, and headed back home to the Canberra Synagogue. He had said his piece. The future would see what this rebirth of Alexander Bradlock would bring. And all would know as far as Michael Rothchild was concerned. All would know the truth of the infamous Alexander Bradlock.

The End

The Catholic Version

“Stars of the Morning”

Prologue

Deep and strange. Almost weird, but, perhaps not. But deep and strange was working for him. Elohim was puzzling. What to do, what to do. A child – that was what he desired. The word he had formulated many times, and now desired to see it see fruition – to see it be realized in a most real sense. And he had a name. A name for the one who would be his firstborn child and son – the one who would shepherd his flock to come, the children of Israel. And that name was Gabriel.

But Michael was his firstborn as well. He had decided on that quite firmly. And in that decision, he saw possibilities. Possibilities of realms – yet again alternative realms – in which his dreams, desires and ambitions could be realized.

* * * * *

And much time passed, and histories of realms came and went. And God thought on what had come to pass:…….

The Realm of Infinity had not worked out quite as he had wanted it. So many of his children within that realm were stubborn, defiant almost, not easily malleable and so proud of their status as children of God. But the children of the Realm of Eternity had proven far more decent and faithful in relation to holiness and love. It would seem his fourth work, which had been the first planned, had come to represent the best of his works.

But God knew what his heart was and had to be impartial. He needed to show each of his children that he cared deeply for all of them and, although he perhaps in his heart did favour some more than others, he would treat them with equality and show each of them his grace, kindness and love. They were all special to him, all dear to him. His first created flock – the children of heaven – were the most eccentric, for want of a better word, than the later offspring. They were unusual and different which, although seeing the beauty in simplicity of his latter children of the third realm, did in their way stand out and appeal to his heart. The children of Infinity were far more harmonious than the children of heaven, and the children of Eternity were so polished and perfect and he adored being with them because of it. But his own special children – the last planned but the firstbegotten – they were so, in a way, alive in a way the others weren’t. They were expressive, passionate, fantastically good (some of them), and the epitome of evil at their darkest.

However, the children of Eternity – the third flock - were to be given a blessing. Each of the Seraphim in turn would gain a realm in which their spirit would manifest in a new angelic form, were each in turn would be firstborn. In that realm they would have the position of authority and their own influence would decide the administration of their realm. Firstly the 70 male Seraphim would have the position of authority. But, after that, the 70 female Seraphim would have the ascendancy. The male, after his characteristics, had been his first planned, but he had always realized that a companion – a twin – of sorts would be a very appropriate idea. However, because the males were planned first, they would receive the glory first. But he wanted his daughters to know that they were in deed special to him and that he wanted them to likewise express their views and hearts.

And so, as he had done previously, God continued to plan.

Parte One

“Children of the Kingdom”

Chapter the Firste

Deep and – well, whatever else, not quite strange – was how Gabriel felt. He sat there on the white floor of marble (not actually knowing what a white floor of marble was, not yet anyway, but, as one could assume, he eventually would come to know as) thinking very deeply. He knew his name – it was Gabriel. He did not (as with the prior notion relating to marble floors) quite yet know what a name was, but he sensed in his thoughts that Gabriel was what he was – was who he was.

He sat there, in those beginning and formative moments of his life, thinking on his name. He looked around. The marble floor extended, as it did appear to, in every direction, seemingly endlessly so. Where was he? Why was he here? How had he come to be? He puzzled on these thoughts, thinking deeply, quite and oh so deeply.

‘Gabriel, isn’t it?’ Gabriel reacted, shocked at the voice which appeared to come from behind him. He had been sitting there (one hour in our time, but young Gabriel did not yet know how to measure time) for he knew not how long. But for some time. And then the voice. He turned to look.

Before him stood a being which looked quite similar to himself. The being spoke, ‘Well, Gabriel. I am Raphael. I am the firstborn of the Seraphim. You are the firstborn, though, of God’s children. You preceded me by 21 minutes, according to God’s time, of which he informed me. At 40 minutes, my younger brother, the second of the Seraphim, young Uriel was born. Uriel lies about 5 minutes walk from here. It is in that direction. Raphael pointed back in the direction he had apparently come from, Gabriel following his gaze. He could not see any other being, though. Raphael spoke. God asked me to come and get you to bring you to Uriel. In 10 minutes from now, at the 70^th minute, we will be gaining another Seraphim, our newest brother, who will be called ‘Saruviel’. A thought came to Gabriel, and he spoke his first words. ‘How many Seraphim will there be?’. Raphael smiled. ‘Father said there would be 70 male Seraphim, followed then by your younger brother. His name is to be Michael. And after him, our first sister, Aquariel, is to be born. Following her, 70 female Seraphim, and then our second sister, Elenniel is to be born.

Gabriel nodded at those words. ‘Aquariel?’ he asked. ‘When will she be born?’ ‘Not for a while, Gabriel. Not for a while. Come, Uriel is waiting for us.’ Gabriel got to his feet and followed Raphael as he led the way off.

5 minutes later (although time being still not knowable in measurement to our friend Gabriel) they passed through a white cloud and came to a large, lush meadow of green, which went off well into the distance. All around were trees, shrubs, animals of various kinds, ponds, a river in the distance and various rocks jutting out from the ground. Raphael led the way just around a bend ahead of them, and sitting on a rock eating an apple was (so Gabriel presumed) his younger brother Uriel.

Gabriel smiled at him. ‘Hello Uriel. Are you feeling good?’ ‘Very interesting question, Gabriel,’ Uriel replied. ‘This fruit is very tasty. My body is reacting to it in a most positive and delightful manner. I am most grateful to our Father for allowing me to partake of and experience this fruit. ‘What is it called?’ asked Gabriel.

‘‘It is an apple,’ replied Uriel. Uriel pointed to the landscape around them. ‘All of this, Gabriel, is Paradise. Very shortly, at the 70^th minute, our new brother Saruviel will be born. Father has shared briefly with me that he, of all our brethren to come, has a most special and unique destiny with God most high. He is the Father’s favourite child of whom he will bring forth. You Gabriel, he loves the most, as he will always do so, and will do anything for you. But Saruviel is his heart’s delight – the one he favours. It is love – but in a different way, a unique way. For Saruviel God will do great things, and bless this child of his with eternal grace, peace, mercy and love. For Saruviel is his favoured one. The horn of his glory. The bright child of darkness and power – the doomsayer, the devil himself, and all things preposterous and what perhaps, just perhaps, should not be. Saruviel is the chosen one. The child of destiny. The one to whom Glory shall come.’

Gabriel nodded. ‘But I, well I am his firstborn. That is the truth, isn’t it?’ Uriel looked at him and gave the tiniest of chuckles. ‘Well, apparently that is the case. Apparently that is the case,’ he repeated with a strange, oh so strange, emphasis. Raphael looked at Uriel and said, ‘Uriel – do not torment the lad. You know such things are just not right to put upon him at such a young age.’ Uriel nodded obediently to his older brother’s comment, but responded with his own thoughts. ‘Better sooner than later, Raphael. Better sooner than later.’ Gabriel looked at both of them, totally bewildered at such cryptic language.

‘Well thanks a bloody lot for the welcome you guys gave me, ya schmucks.’ Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel turned to the voice that had just spoken. Standing before them was a being (what we will term an Angel, specifically a Seraphim) dressed in long black robes, wings extended. Uriel spoke, ‘Saruviel, I presume?’ ‘Yes Uriel. As you should have known.’ Saruviel turned to Gabriel. ‘So you are Gabriel, huh?’ Gabriel politely nodded. ‘Yeah, I remember you,’ replied Saruviel. Gabriel was not quite sure what to make of such a comment. Raphael looked sternly at Saruviel. ‘Not appropriate, Saruviel. Most definitely not appropriate. Leave that alone. It is not to be discussed until the latter times, as you should well know.’ ‘Fine, Raph. Have it your way, then.’ Gabriel again was totally bewildered at all the cryptic conversations going on between his younger brothers. It was as if they knew something to which he simply was not a party too.

‘Hey, Daraqel’s next, isn’t he?’

Uriel looked at Saruviel and sighed. ‘Yes, Saruviel,’ he groaned. ‘Daraqel is next.’

‘Yeah, here I am.’ The angels looked upwards, towards a branch of the tree near them. Sitting on the branch was another of the Seraphim, presumably the Daraqel which Saruviel mentioned. Gabriel smiled at him and spoke, ‘Are you Daraqel?’

‘That’s right Gab, well spotted. Bright as ever, I see.’

Raphael looked at Uriel and sighed. ‘All of that flock will do this won’t they. They’ll all have a go at him. It’s just not nice. They should have learned their lessons by now, for sure.’

‘Diehards, they are, dear brother. Some angels just don’t change.’ Raphael nodded, knowingly.

Gabriel decided to take charge. He spoke, ‘Raphael, Uriel, Saruviel and Daraqel. You are the 4 firstborn of the Seraphim. Who are the next three? The number seven is the one I favour. The next three are fundamental to that.’ The four angels looked at him and then at each other. Uriel eventually spoke. ‘Well, if you must know, tomorrow those three will be born. Their names are Jerahmeel, Phanuel and Raguel, in that order of birth.’ Gabriel nodded. ‘Alright. The 7 Sovereign angels are Raphael, Uriel, Saruviel, Daraqel, Jerahmeel, Phanuel and Raguel.’

‘Sovereign Angels?’ queried Saruviel? ‘What do you mean by that?’

‘A title for now, Saruviel. Each grouping of seven angels will have a title for their group. The 10 groups are, the Sovereign Angels, the Celestial Angels, The Guardian Angels, The Angels of Triumph, The Angels of Power, The Angels of Law, The Primary Angels, The Secondary Angels, The Tertiary Angels and, finally, the United Angels.’

‘What about the women?’ asked Saruviel? ‘Yes, they will be The Angels of Mercy, The Angels of Kindness, The Angels of Compassion, The Angels of Faith, The Angels of Hope, The Angels of Love, The Angels of God, The Angels of the Covenant, The Eternal Angels and, finally, the Divided Angels.’

Saruviel looked at him. Eventually he spoke. ‘Yes, I see. That should prove interesting. Most interesting.’

Gabriel looked at him – quite directly – yes, it should, dear Saruviel. Indeed it should.’

* * * * *

The Saruvim of Infinity were the seventh group of six angels created in Infinity. They were the ‘Coloured’ angels.

In birth order they were Azazel the purple Angel, Urakiba the blue Angel, Ramiel the Green Angel, Semyaza the Yellow angel, Armaros the Orange angel and, finally, Satan the Red Angel.

There were 10 groups of 6 angels created in the Second Realm of Infinity. In order of birth the groups came the Onaphim first of all, followed then by the Oraphim, the Ozraphim, the Seraphim, the Cherubim, the Ketravim, the Saruvim, the Abraphim, the Noahphim and, finally, the Cimbrphim. The Onaphim were male, the Oraphim female, the Ozraphim male, the Seraphim female, the Cherubim male, the Ketravim female, the Saruvim male, the Abraphim female, the Noahphim male and, finally, the Cimbrphim were female. All in all 60 angels, 30 male and 30 female, all living together in Azion the Golden City of the Realm of Infinity.

The names of all the angels were in rank of birth:

Onaphim: 1) Samael 2) Dolphyel 3) Garanel 4) Abriel 5) Jandonel 6) Kuriel

Oraphim: 1) Aphrayel 2) Elendayel 3) Shandalel 4) Shantriel 5) Elsabel 6) Kwintakel

Ozraphim: 1) Sandalphon 2) Romnaraphon 3) Aclyophenes 4) Dramdonduriel 5) Hazdragius 6) Mallintor

Seraphim: 1) Michelle 2) Gabrielle 3) Raphaella 4) Urielle 5) Raguella 6) Phanuella

Cherubim: 1) Totambimberiel 2) Dramdonduriel 3) Xaddadaxx 4) Atros 5) Diznak 6) Kodrium

Ketravim: 1) Shirlie 2) Beyonce 3) Veronica 4) Lucy 5) Janet 6) Esthelle

Saruvim: 1) Azazel 2) Urakiba 3) Ramiel 4) Semyaza 5) Armaros 6) Satan

Abraphim: 1) Eve 2) Adah 3) Leah 4) Nammah 5) Titea 6) Milcah

Noaphim: 1) Noah 2) Shem 3)Ham 4)Japeth 5)Canaan 6)Elihu

Cimbrphim: 1)Shemrael 2)Janelle 3) Oshanel 4)Meludiel 5)Aquariel 6)Nimorel

They were the names of all the Angels of the Second Realm of Infinity.

Samael generally ran the show, teaching each of the angels of Infinity responsibility and lawfulness as it taught in the Angelic Torah of Commands – the Holy Torah with 20 specific commandments for the Angels to live by. In the first command, which ran for three paragraphs, Samael was given the responsibility for watching over all the Realm of Infinity and the holy angels who lived there. But his greatest worry, what kept him up at night, were the coloured angels. The Angels, or devils as he often called them, who were steadily becoming increasingly rebellious.

Satan, who was lastborn of the 6 Saruvim, gradually became head of the coloured angels. And over the millennia the term ‘Bad Boy’s’ came to be attributed to this particular group of angels.

But all in all, the angels were happy enough with their lot in life until one fateful day someone appeared in the Realm of Infinity. Someone who said he came from the heavens and called himself ‘Jesus the Christ’. Samael inquired in the throneroom of Azion to God as to were this particular ‘Christ’ had come from, to which God had replied ‘HE IS THE CHOSEN ONE, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. LISTEN TO HIM’. And that was all he said.

From then on Jesus Christ generally ruled in the Realm of Infinity until the creation of the lower realm of Nadrazon with the founding of the Silver City. And then came the creation of the Legions of the Angels of Heaven, with a grand and great hierarchy designed by Jesus the Christ. And into this new world the Coloured Angels, led by Satan, began his most ambitious work of all: Conquest of the universe;

* * * * *

Metatron sat in home, looking at the portal, in conversation with Logos. Logos had been instructing him that Jesus the Christ was under his authority and power, and was working in the Realm of Infinity to bring Glory to God. Memra, Logos twin, backed up Logos confidently, although Metatron had questions as to wether Jesus had truly taken the feelings of all the angels of Infinity into account when he had started ordering them around. All Logos would say was that ‘Whatever would be would be’ and that in time all things would be understood. So Metatron simply trusted him, assuming he knew what he was doing.

* * * * *

Gabriel of the Second Realm of Eternity sat, lost in thought. He was contemplating the future and the plans and designs of God. God had been in his heart and mind when he had named all the groups of angels, the last of which, young Peladiel, Penoniel’s twin, seventhborn of the 7 divided angels had just been born. It had been the spirit of the Almighty – the eternal wisdom of the creator of all realities – which had been upon him, in his heart, in his spirit, uttering what would be. And Gabriel had sensed that while he himself seemed to be thinking upon and uttering those words he somehow knew they were not completely his own. But no matter. Those words had come to pass and now, the Angels living in the Garden, they awaited the final two – the two secondborn children of God – Michael and Elenniel.

Gabriel had already begun making plans. He had spoken to Raphael, Uriel, Saruviel and Daraqel about the need for a home. While resting in eternity’s twilight embrace was always soothing and calming, he felt what he instinctively called a ‘Building’ would be the best of things for them to get to and build. But they would await Michael and Elenniel before beginning their task.

God had spoken to Gabriel’s heart letting him know Michael would soon be born, coming from heaven above as a flaming fire to the centre of the Garden, shortly followed by Elenniel. It was a few days away yet, and Gabriel was impatient. But, in the meantime he sat contemplating God, life and all the things of life of the Realm of Eternity, his blessed home.

The Angels had all flown around the realm by now and it was roughly circular in shape, going out to what they called ‘The Rim’. The realm was a wonderful place to live the angels all testified to Gabriel about and they were all so thankful God had created them to live in this wonderful paradise. Gabriel, too, silently thanked God for his wonderful new home and had himself explored a great deal of it.

There were wonderful mountains and hills, valleys and ravines, trees and bushes of all sorts, beautiful flowers and a vast array of animal life. There were also beautiful rivers and lakes, snow on top of some of the mountains, and even a few glaciers. It amazed all the angels that they somehow, instinctively, had words for all of these creations of God and they each of them marvelled at each new creation they encountered. And now they awaited Michael and Elenniel for their fellowship to be complete.

* * * * *

Time passed in the Realm of Infinity and, as the years came and went, Satan continued his work. His ambition was to rule the universe and slowly and gradually, through his persuasive charisma of offering each angel who swore allegiance to him absolute freedom should their cause be successful, Satan gradually won angels to his cause. And, in the 1000^th year of the Second Realm of Infinity, Satan had tempted approximately 3500 angels to his cause of the 10,000 angels of Infinity, but had great difficulty in trying to win any more than that.

Jesus the Christ was not worried. Not worried in any way. He had faith in God and spoke to those who remained faithful on the nature of faith and destiny and that, in time, the purposes of God would reveal all things. The faithful took him at his word.

And then came the rebellion: The fateful day in which Satan lead the coloured Devil’s and the host of darkness against the power of Jesus the Christ, and the war was furious. Yet, Satan lost, and the angels of darkness were cast to the netherworld, were they wept in bitterness over their defeat. And Satan brooded. Long and hard did Satan brood, in his heart swearing vengeance on Jesus the Christ and God his eternal father.

* * * * *

Matthew and Dorothy of the children of Heaven of the spiritual universe of the second realms were sitting in Azaphon keep, playing chess, talking about the Angels of the Realm of Infinity and the Angels of the Realm of Eternity. Matthew and Dorothy were twins, equal in birth rank amongst the 70 children of heaven.

‘I like Samael, you know,’ began Dorothy. ‘He is really interesting. I have prayed for him a lot and asked Father to bless him. He is really a nice angel, these days.’

‘I know what you are saying,’ responded Matthew. ‘I think Jesus sudden appearance in Infinity must have confused him a lot, probably thinking he had all the answers worked out in life. But, really. When do we ever have all the answers, hey sister.’

‘It is a mystery, bro. A great mystery. God works in mysterious ways, often beyond our own fathoming and understanding. He is an eternal being, is father, and contemplates things simply beyond us which we will never understand as we can never reach the end of infinity or eternity.’

‘Too true, sis. Too true.’ Matthew made a move.

‘That is check.’

Dorothy studied Matthew’s move and smiled. Her twin was definitely improving at this game.

‘I also really love Gabriel of Eternity. He is wonderful. A truly wonderful angel.’

‘How do you think he will react to Michael tomorrow,’ Matthew asked.

‘I am not sure,’ responded Dorothy. She did remember, like Matthew did, of Michael from the loins or heart of God. He was a wonderful holy child of God who loved tremendously and when the children of God came forth from the heart of God to Heaven she found herself instinctively missing that lovely child of God.

‘I am sure Gabriel will love him. He might even remember him.’

‘Perhaps. I have only vague memories of Gabriel from our time in God’s heart. But, like Michael, he was a very holy and loving child of God. They should get along like a house on fire sis.’

‘Let’s hope so.’

Chapter the Seconde

‘Michael. It is a great and most distinct pleasure to meet my younger brother. How fare you?’

Michael, secondborn of the children of God of the Second Realm of Eternity smiled warmly at his older brother Gabriel’s words of welcome. He remembered Gabriel from the heart of God and was happy to meet him again. ‘I am very well dear brother. And this is Elenniel.’

Just then Michael’s twin sister came from behind Michael and smiled warmly at Gabriel. ‘We now await Aquariel, your twin, who should be with us shortly,’ said Elenniel.

Later on that afternoon, sitting by the Terravon river watching the other angels at play, Gabriel was relaxing in the company of Michael and Elenniel, the secondborn children of God. Just then a voice hailed them.

‘Fair children. Greetings in the name of God the eternal Father.’

Gabriel turned to see a blonde child of God approaching, robed in garments of light yellow and white, truly beautiful to behold.

‘Aquariel?’ queried Elenniel.

‘Yes, it is I.’ Aquariel came up to Gabriel, stood in front of him, and gently leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

‘Greetings, fair brother Gabriel.’

‘Greetings sister Aquariel,’ replied Gabriel.

The four of them and the other angels frolicked for the whole afternoon, enjoying the pleasures of Zaphora, the Realm of Eternity. Gabriel smiled a lot that day, especially at his beautiful sister Aquariel, ever so glad God had brought such a delightful child into existence. His father was truly wise, he felt. Truly wise.

* * * * *

‘Yes, Satan. We will always remain loyal. You should know that,’ replied Ramiel to Satan’s current line of questioning.

‘Well you better. If any of you coloured devil’s ever bloody betray the faith…. Well all I can say is watch out. You will be sorry you were born.’

The other coloured devil’s nodded, used to such threats from their leader.

The six-pack was in a bar in Nadrazon, having been released from the Netherworld just a few years earlier, steadily consuming beer and discussing future plans. They were, in some ways, at an impasse. The congregation of the Angels of Infinity were divided, now, but as Jesus Christ and his lackey Samael held the upper hand, Satan and the coloured devil’s were carefully considering their next move. Satan had been toying with the idea of attempting to subtley and carefully win Samael to their agenda. With the firstborn of Angelicdom in their league they could gradually and more confidently win the rest of the angelic community. But Samael was stubborn, and winning him so far had proved impossible. It seemed to Satan that while Samael did not totally agree with Jesus Christ, he did not agree wholeheartedly with Satan’s position either. Almost a central line did their oldest brother chart out for himself, to keep the peace with both sides.

Jesus, though, did not really worry himself about Satan anymore. He had the upper hand, with the numbers, and he knew it. Satan would never be any more problematic than that. If it came to conflict, Jesus knew he would emerge victorious. Of that he had little doubts.

And Satan knew that reality as well. And so persuasion and even deception and delusion were thus acceptable tactics to achieve his overall goal of world dominion.

He polished of his beer and turned to Ramiel. ‘I know how Jesus thinks, you know. He is into tradition. Long traditions. I have noticed that for a while now. And he likes fidelity to a task. He admires that, you know. So this is the plan. We take more seriously the new council which is developing and ensure our positions on that council. I don’t think he will deny us that.’

‘And then what?’ queried Ramiel.

‘And then we sit pretty and wait. Perhaps a few thousand years if necessary. But we strike one day. One day, when he doesn’t expect it, we make our move and take control of the Realm.’

‘How?’ asked Ramiel.

‘You will see,’ responded Satan. ‘You will see.’

Ramiel nodded. He expected something devious from Satan but, of course, he would have to patient to find out just what exactly his younger devil of a brother had in mind. But knowing Satan it would be malicious. You could almost certainly guarantee that.

* * * * *

Metatron sat looking at the latest move God his father, who appeared from time to time in Home as an old man, had made in the game of Chess going on between them. The game had been progressing for a few months now, but God had the upper hand, which was not really surprising. Still Metatron felt that if he pushed himself to the limit he could challenge the old man. Apparently, so God told him in his manifestation, he was playing fair with Metatron and had great skills but Metatron, if he pushed, should be able to challenge himself. In his theophany he was limited, so he told his son Metatron from time to time. And so, because of this, Metatron was pushing at this game of chess, hopeful to achieve his first victory over his eternal father.

He took a sip of beer and looked at the oven. 15 minutes to go until the chicken pie was cooked. Memra had put it on for lunch and Metatron, as usual, was starving. Home had chickens and other animals which wandered around here and there, never straying to far from the old barnhouse of home. Home itself was the superior realm, or the topmost realm of the Second Universal Realm. Below Home was Heaven, were the children of Heaven resided and below them was the Realm of Infinity. Below that was the Realm of Eternity and below that was planned the Realm of Paradise.

God, so he told Metatron, had planned out these realms long ago and they were to be the home for all his children and angelic children. But of course, human beings would come later on ‘Terra’ and that is were his children would all meet up in their eternal destiny of life.

The bottom realm, Paradise, was where Angela, ruler of Paradise, and Metatron’s twin would be born. Metatron looked forward to one day meeting his twin, anxious to express the love of his heart on a female form in the same way Logos and Memra interacted. But God told him he would have to be patient, which Metatron did his best to achieve.

Memra walked in and checked the oven, noting the time. ‘Well, if you are hungry Met, it should be about ready. I put the timer on for extra time just to tease you.’

‘It’s ready is it,’ yelled Logos from the living room, his head soon appearing. Shortly after God walked in and sat down at the table.

They enjoyed their meal, the chicken pie cut into four even pieces, with orange juice and a salad on the side. Metatron was thankful each and every day for his daily bread, and at night praised God for his generosity and kindness. Life was quite good Metatron often thought to himself and living at home was a special experience. But it would be good to meet his consort he silently thought to himself.

* * * * *

‘So what is the role of the Sovereign Angels,’ Michael asked his brother Gabriel.

‘They are the rulers, as you should have surmised. For all the host of heavenly angels which I sense God will bring forth one day, they are to be the Sovereign Angels of rulership. For Raphael, Uriel, Saruviel, Daraqel, Jerahmeel, Phanuel and Raguel, rulership has been delivered to them. They are the chosen ones, in this sense, to maintain absolute order in the Realm of Infinity.’

‘As you wish,’ responded Michael. ‘And the roles for the Celestial Angels and so on?’ he further queried.

‘All the roles will become apparent in time. For now that issue is not important for we have a task to get to, dear brother Michael. A most important and pressing task.’

‘And what is that exactly?’ asked Michael.

‘The building of our home. The building of Zaphon.’

Michael nodded. He sensed this was coming from what Gabriel had spoken of before. They were to have a home, and it was up to Gabriel to bring forth the wisdom of God in how that home was to be constructed.

‘How do we build it?’ asked Michael.

‘I have already asked Father about that to give his advice and he has told me that he has endowed the Angel’s of the community with special instinctive knowledge, much akin to the way we speak, to be able to work together and build our home. Once we begin, it will unfold naturally. We simply need to trust God and have faith.’

‘I am sure you are right,’ responded Michael. ‘The question is, when do we begin?’

‘Well,’ said Gabriel, looking at the angels spread about in the Garden in front of him. ‘No time like the present.’

Gabriel, with Michael’s assistance, gathered all the angels of the second realm of eternity to his presence, and talked to them of the plan to now build Zaphon. And then they all began sharing ideas of tools they could build and things they could make to go into the home, all of this instinctively as if it were some sort of deep pattern within their makeup as angels. Gabriel smiled, pleased with all the ideas and suggestions that came forth.

‘This is wonderful, brethren. Truly wonderful. We will have a new home in no time and our lives will be all the more enriched. Praise God for his goodness. Praise God.’ And all the angels rejoiced.

* * * * *

Matthew and Dorothy were sitting in the lounge of Azaphon keep, when Samael their brother came up to say hello.

‘How fare ye, Dot?’

‘Well enough, Sammy.’

‘And you, Mat?

‘Oh, you know. Same as always.’

‘Tis Good.’ Samael stared at the two of them for a few moments and then decided to speak his thoughts.

‘Do you want to go down then? Visit them? I mean we have silently observed for ages now. Why don’t we go down and have a sticky beak at these Realms of wonder for ourselves.’

‘Oh gosh. We can’t do that Samael. Father would never permit. He allows us children of Heaven to watch the Angels of Infinity and Eternity, but ghosts. We can’t go and visit them,’ said Dorothy.

‘But why not,’ persisted Samael. ‘Besides, we don’t always have to do what father wants, do we.’

‘You sound just like Satan of Infinity. And you have seen for yourself just how much trouble he is,’ responded Dorothy

‘Yes, I know dear sister. But let us go down anyway. It will be fun.’

He pushed them solidly for an hour until, finally giving up, Matthew and Dorothy agreed to accompany Satan for their first visit to the Realm of Infinity.

‘We will leave in the morning, ok. It should be a wonderful day.’

‘And how exactly do you plan on getting us there?’

‘You will see,’ responded Samael. ‘You will see.’

‘Mmm,’ responded Dorothy, most anxious to see her brother’s plan.

* * * * *

Jesus sat in his room in the temple of Azion in Golden City, of the upper Realm of Infinity. Recently the fallen angels had been returned to life in the Realm of Infinity, redeemed from the Netherworld, and Jesus was contemplating just how he would now handle them. Hopefully, which his father had assured him was true to a degree, they had repented of their past misdirections. Satan worried him – he was a headstrong and determined angel, always wanting his way. And while that was not necessarily a bad things when intentions were good, Jesus worried that Satan’s intentions were, in fact, not exactly that. In fact, although he felt often judgemental in saying as much, he felt Satan’s motivations were almost evil in some ways. But, never the less, he would continue to show angelicdom the mercy of God and in his patience towards Satan he would try to set a good example for this particular Saruvim angel.

‘Yo, Jesus. Are you busy?’

Jesus turned his head to see Samael enter his room.

‘Not too busy Samael. What do you want?’

‘We have visitors. Newbies. I don’t know were the hell they are from but they mutter something about coming from heaven.’

‘Heaven? Ooh. That must be some of the children. They have decided to visit us after all this time. Come, let us go see what they want.’

Jesus accompanied Samael outside were Matthew and Dorothy and Samael of heaven were all standing. Jesus greeted them. ‘Hail children of heaven. How was your journey?’

‘We came down on Lucy’s spare broomsticks,’ muttered Matthew. ‘Our witch sister has made them able to fly.’

‘Fascinating,’ responded the Christ. ‘And why have you chosen to visit us this particular day?’

‘Oh, it was Samael’s idea,’ responded Dorothy, indicating her brother Samael.

‘Another Samael?’ queried Samael of Infinity. ‘How extraordinary.’

‘Such is life, dear friend,’ responded Samael of Heaven.

‘Well, we must show you around then,’ responded Jesus. ‘It is good to meet you again. Not that I really met you in the first place, that is. But I do remember the heart of God, as so many of us in this realm do. I remember each of you in some ways, you know. And by the love of God here we are all together. Well, will you accompany us around the Realm? We will give you a tour.’

‘Lead on,’ responded Dorothy.

They spent hours touring the upper realm of Infinity and then spent the night with Logos in his abode, a number of the older angels of Infinity joining them. They were all happy with each other, Jesus showing them the friendliness and the love of God of the angels of Infinity, and they sung this song for a while.

‘A Song of love, a song of joy

Our father’s heart, for girl and boy

A heart of love, with grace so true

For boy and girl, for me and you

Infinity, our lovely home

Subject of story, song and poem

A graceful realm, were love abounds

A place were joyful song doth sound

We are the children Infinite

From the heart of God, we’re heaven sent

Our God has known as all along

And with this joy we sing this song

A Song of love, a song of joy

Our father’s heart for girl and boy

A heart so true, a love untethered

In fathers love, we live forever.’

It was a simple song, but the group of them sang it many times, Matthew Dorothy and Samael happily joining in as children of the Infinite.

Dorothy slept well that night, sleeping on a mattress which had been placed not far from Jesus’ bed, right next to Matthew and Samael. And she dreamed that night of pleasant songs for the children of heaven, composed from her heart of joy.

* * * * *

Jesus eyed Satan yet, as cautious as he knew he needed to be, assented to Satan’s request to become part of the new council of Infinity.

‘You are of the older angels, Satan. I admit that. But your rebellion has not been yet forgotten. However, unless I the Son of God showed grace, how could I, in truth, deserve my most exalted position of glory. And so I will allow you to take your place on the council. But heed my words: I will be watching. And if you again transgress in an attempt to bring rebellion to the realm of Infinity, my wrath will be great indeed.’

‘Fear not, oh Christ of Glory. Fear not. I will be most sensitive to your desires in the future.’ But oh, how the father of lies was lying.

A few months later, as Satan had retired for the day from one of the council’s sessions, he was in conversation with the other coloured devil’s. ‘Now – now that we are established – we wait.’

‘We wait?’ queried Ramiel.

‘We wait,’ responded the dark lord.

* * * * *

Matthew and Deborah and Samael, after leaving the Realm of Infinity on their wonderful broomsticks, of all creations, began the flight further downwards to the Realm of Eternity. And, landing near the garden, they spied angels busy at work, building the new home of Zaphon that they had observed them building from the viewing portals in heaven.

Gabriel himself spied them and, immensely curious, came to see who they were.

‘We are the children of Heaven,’ responded Dorothy to Gabriel’s query. ‘We are, like yourself, from the loins of God, yet we reside in a realm far above this one.’

Gabriel looked upwards. ‘Up there? In the heavens?’

‘Aye, in the heavens Gabriel,’ responded Samael.

‘Then we must talk,’ replied Gabriel. ‘For I have many questions.’

Gabriel did indeed have many questions, keeping Dorothy, Matthew and Samael awake into the wee hours of the morning with inquiry into how the spiritual universe functioned. It was all new and fascinating information, especially in regards to the Realm of Infinity directly above them.

Later, when the trio arrived home, Adam and Eve came to see them, two of the other children of Heaven. And Adam spoke to the trio, saying, ‘Well you have done it now. Father has sent down Metatron to give us this news. We are to be united now – it is now Unity hour. God had wanted to wait for a while, but you have done the job for him. So the Realms are free to interact. It is the way things are now to be.’

Dorothy and Matthew were very pleased at the news and Samael boasted somewhat that it was because of his idea. But, whoever brought the unity hour on, the new United Realm soon became the focus for all the children and Angels of God.

The End

The Christian Version

“The Coloured Devil’s”

Book One

“The Green Devil”

The Green Devil was a cautious fellow. Most very cautious. His ancient adversary, the Red Devil, who the whole world called ‘Satan’ or ‘Lucifer’ was feared by himself. The Red Devil was vicious and malicious – the worst of all the Devil’s. Yes, old Satan, the head of the congregation of the Angelic ‘Saruvim’ – Fallen Angels – was an adversary to be feared and worried about at night.

But while the Green Devil, also known by his angelic name Ramiel, feared the Red Devil, he knew he had an ally in the most unlikely of sources. Recently the Seraphim angels had been sending in Cherubim troops to the netherworld in an attempt to gain new dominion over their ancient adversaries. And one particular Cherubim had spoken to him, a certain Totambimberiel, an extremely large angel, and suggested to him that as the age long war of power between the sons of darkness and the sons of light was reaching a decisive point, that the Green Devil, to put it bluntly, switch sides.

Ramiel had considered that in the last week and decided, despite his ancient loyalties to the clan of coloured devils – the malicious Saruvim – that switching sides was in his best interests.

And so, in his caution as he exited the netherworld and flew upwards, Ramiel reflected on the last few thousand years of conflict. Heaven had opposed the triumph of darkness for so long, maintaining the goodness of God and the importance of holiness. Yet the Saruvim long maintained absolute freedom and anarchy as the true virtues of life, and had opposed heaven because of it. For Ramiel, though, he was more pragmatic. He was on the losing side, and he knew it. And pragmatism spoke of being realistic and hedging one’s bets. And as he flew upwards, despite the hypocrisy he felt in his heart, he knew he had his long term best interest at heart.

He came to heaven’s gate. There stood an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. And unsurprisingly it seemed to be old Peter himself, who had the Sabbath day shift. Peter looked at him as he approached.’

‘What the hell do you want, lord of darkness. Have you come to finally surrender to the glory of God.’

Ramiel began his tale. ‘Oh great and wise apostle of God.’ (yes, flattery should work). I beseech thee. By the eternal mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ, allow me forgiveness, for I am truly and most definitely sorry for all my past sins, which are grievous. Does not the eternal Gospel say ‘If he asks for forgiveness, forgive him.’ And I truly ask for forgiveness.

Peter looked at him, and his heart softened. He remembered Ramiel from his days of youth in heaven before the earthly manifestations. And he remembered that Ramiel always had a softer side in the end.

‘Come in valiant Angel. We forgive you, blessed of the Lord.’

Ramiel enjoyed his time in heaven and, despite having sought it out for pragmatic reasons, he found the spiritual ministry delivered to him and expected of him strangely comforting. It was as if they had known he would return and had prepared for him. But when Jesus talked to him personally he commissioned Ramiel with this responsibility.

‘The Red Devil still opposes us, mighty angel of God. If repentance truly is in your heart, you will join the legion of heaven in our war with the sons of Darkness. How say you valiant angel?’

And Ramiel conceded the point and joined heaven.

The war continued another millennia until a fateful day when Ramiel, on the battlefield of Glory, stood and faced his greatest fear. The Red Devil.

They fought. Long and hard did they fight. Yet when Ramiel skewered the heart of the dragon of darkness with his blade of Glory, the angels erupted in song. Triumph. They had finally conquered the darkness.

Ramiel reflected, years later, on the destiny God had chosen for him. It was a strange destiny, crooked and twisted in many ways, but one which had a purpose all along. And now, as a chief of princes in the heavenly realm, Ramiel silently thanked God for the mercy and pity shown him. Life had a way of working itself out in the end after all.

THE END

Book Two

“The Orange Devil”

The Orange Devil was a unique and interesting character. He had joined the clan of coloured devil’s last of all, being the final one to fall and rebel. Yes, Armaros had long considered the rebellion of the Devil’s as nothing but stupidity and short-sightedness. But Satan, the Red Devil, and most passionate of the coloured Devil’s, persuaded him long and hard to join the rebellion of the coloured Devil’s.

And then there were 6 of them – 6 Saruvim Devils – the coloured Devils.

Satan, their leader – the Red Devil. Ramiel, second in command – the Green Devil. Urakiba, third – the Blue Devil. Semyaza, fourth – the Yellow Devil. Azazel, fifth – the purple devil. And then, finally, Armaros, the sixth – the Orange Devil.

The Coloured Devil’s, through the persuasive powers of Satan their head, managed to deceive entire legions of the armies of heaven to join their cause. Yet Logos – Jesus the Christ – appeared, with the Archangel’s Michael and Gabriel and the rest, on one fine day for battle, and with the pronouncement of God by the Prophet Isaiah, the coloured Devil’s and all their host were cast down to the netherworld.

They brooded, then, did the Devil’s. And then the war of the son’s of darkness with the son’s of light began. The devil’s fought hard and long until one fateful day – betrayal. The Green Devil had betrayed them, and Ramiel had rejoined the flanks of heaven.

The Orange Devil was bitter then, very bitter. He had been greatly fond of Ramiel, yet when he had left and betrayed the, Armaros felt vengeance. But his vengeance was nothing compared to Satan’s.

They fought on that bitter day, the final day of wrath, and Satan’s heart was skewered by Ramiel. And the sons of darkness had been defeated.

But now, four thousand years after that event, things were changing. Each of them had been living in isolation cells in the netherworld, slowly going through their allotted time of repentance. But now Peter had appeared and spoke these words to Armaros the Orange Devil.

‘Hail angel of God. Your time of repentance is complete. For we now have a faith suitable for you to partake of – one which has a strong foundation but which will allow you the liberty you so clearly desire.’

And then Armaros began his human manifestation and became, after time, a child of Noah and of the Noahide faith, with the 6 coloured Rainbow his icon in life.

Upon returning to heaven after his death, Jesus spoke with Armaros.

‘Hail, valiant angel. You now have a destiny commissioned to you by the Most High God of Israel. You are to be a guardian angel of the Children of Noah, for such is the role of the 6 Saruvim.’

‘Yet, is not Satan gone from us,’ queried the Orange Devil.

‘Nay, he is in the realm of Hades – the world of the dead – were his final punishments are being inflicted. But he too will join you one day, inevitably, and you will bring forth the Gospel of liberty of our father Noah. For that is your destiny.’

Armaros, the Orange Devil nodded, pleased that God had taken the time to ascribe a role in life for himself.

Ramiel, one of the chief princes of heaven, was still known as the green devil. And with him the two of them – the orange and the green devil – began their ministry for the children of Noah as they came to heaven.

As Jesus commented to them often, Noahides could be an ordinary lot, far less spiritual than his own bride, which really – in truth – meant that only a Devil could really sort them out. But Armaros did not really mind. What was life, anyway, without a bit of a challenge.

THE END

Book Three

“The Purple Devil”

Azazel sat on his bed, earphones on, listening to the ‘Dance of Death’ album by Iron Maiden. The album rocked and he especially liked it when it said ‘Azazel is beside you, running through your head…’ as he was famous because of it. Of course, humanity only had the traditional Pseudepigraphal book of 1 Enoch in which he was made famous. He remembered all those years ago his fate at the hands of God as Enoch prophesied. But, ultimately, after his time of repentance in the underworld, God had forgiven Azazel and restored him to heaven as the ‘Purple Devil’ of the Children of Noah.

Azazel spent most of his time, now, designing elaborate arcade games about fantasy subjects. He specialised in ‘Back-to-Back’ Games, in which two screens for two players were situated on top of the console, back to back so that neither player could see the other screen. His best game so far was ‘Death Duel’ in which you were let loose in a jungle against the other player, not knowing were the other player was, and your object was to set traps to try and kill the other player to get bonus points, before facing a Death Duel at the end of the round. It was an intense game and had become very popular.

He found the Noahides, who were not Christians or Jews, a very normal bunch of people. They did not attempt to be super spiritual, but were far more relaxed – something suitable for the coloured devils.

Today, listening to Iron Maiden, Azazel planned out his latest Arcade Game, and wrote down the dialogue for the beginning of the game, in the introductory sequence.

It read, ‘Brave warrior. Welcome to the Realm of Eternal Nightmares. Your quest is simple – conquer the Devil’s of Glory one by one, until you face the final ‘Red Devil’. Defeat him and the glory is yours.’

The game was simply called ‘The Coloured Devil’s’ and Armaros was pleased with his ideas for the game.

Just then Ramiel entered the room. ‘Yo Devil. What’s up.’

‘You know, the same old crap,’ replied Azazel. ‘I’m designing a new game.’

‘What is it called?’ asked the Green Devil.

‘The Coloured Devil’s. It should be radical.’

Ramiel nodded. ‘Make sure I am the last of the Devil’s. Remember how I slew old Satan. I kicked his ass in the end, so naturally I am the toughest devil.’ But Ramiel was only bragging.

‘No, Satan is the final Devil. People fear him the most.’

‘Whatever,’ replied Ramiel.

The two coloured devil’s crapped on for the afternoon before heading out to visit the Angel from the Realm of Infinity, Garanel. Garanel was the coolest angel, most of the coloured Devil’s believed, due to his relaxed stance on spiritual issues.

Garanel was attempting to persuade them to venture down below to Nadrazon, the Silver City, were they could hang out in a bar for a while. Eventually they agreed and headed off down below to the lower realm.

When they got to a bar they had never been to before, Azazel spied in the corner one of the back to back arcade games he had designed. He decided to challenge Ramiel for the glory.

The contest was fierce as they played ‘Death Duel 3: Mallintor’s legacy’ and in the final round Azazel managed the killing blow to defeat Ramiel.

‘Gotcha, ya devil.’

‘Oh well, takes a devil to defeat a devil.’

Later on, back at home, Azazel was thinking over his final thoughts for his next game. And with an idea in mind, he went to work on the coding.

6 months later, Azazel was again playing Ramiel in ‘The Coloured Devils: Back to Back’ a special version in which you could choose a colour of the devil to oppose another devil, similar to Death Duel. The action was tense until, just near the end an Angel appeared on the screen. It spoke: ‘Dear Devil’s. We challenge you to a duel. May the host of the 6 Saruvim angels meet us on the battlefield of Glory, Archangel Michael’s arcade, for a showdown of Angel versus Devil. The victor gains bragging rights for the next decade, and a cheque for one million realm credits which God has put forth. RSVP, Archangel Gabriel’

Ramiel and Azazel both looked at the message on the screen for a while, silently wondering how it got there, but such were the powers of the angels. And Ramiel, making a quick blow on Azazel as soon as the message disappeared, grinned at his victory and came around to speak to Azazel.

‘One Million Credits. That’s heaps. I’ll let the others know.’

‘You do that,’ replied Azazel.

Later on that night, in his room, Azazel was happy. The Devil’s would kick angelic butt. That was for certain. So he looked forward to the challenge, eager to reclaim the glory the coloured devil’s so richly deserved.

THE END

Book Four

“The Yellow Devil”

‘Semyaza, Semyaza, Semyaza. So you think you are a challenge, do you?’

Semyaza looked at Uriel, his opponent in the back to back challenge game at Michael’s arcade. Ramiel had contacted him and told him of the offer of the Angels for a challenge and now, the Devil’s down two games to one after Ramiel had won, but then Armaros and Azazel had both lost their respective challenges. Now it was down to Semyaza to even the score. The game was ‘Death Duel: Angelic Glory’, a special edition designed by Michael. They’d had 3 weeks to familiarise themselves with the game before the contest began and now Semyaza was nervous. If he lost this match they would have to win the next two to force a tiebreak.

He cracked his fingers, took the control’s and Uriel still bragging, hit the start button. And the match was on.

The first thing he did, usual for his tactic, was climb a tree, hiding out of sight. This was the way he usually played to try and avoid any quick sudden surprises and give him a chance to see if his opponent unwaringly wandered onto the screen. But after about 3 minutes with no action he climbed back down the tree and made his plans. He headed straight away for the cliff, carefully surveying the scenery in front of him and using his binoculars often to see if Semyaza was anywhere in sight. Reaching the cliff he got to the top and carefully pressed the jump button, and just managed to catch the hanging vine again. ‘Pheww, that was close.’ He climbed down the vine to the small ledge which was only reachable this way and came to the rock. He pushed it to the edge of the ledge, and sat down to wait. Uriel was stupid – he would show himself eventually.

On the other side of the machine Uriel had finished laying his traps and was carefully jumping from tree to tree looking for his foe. He had surveyed most of the forest and couldn’t see Semyaza anywhere, so decided to try the swamp. Eventually, after an hour of searching the swamp and laying traps behind him, he thought on the ocean or the cliff. First the ocean and then the cliff. But, after crawling along the ocean scrub for half an hour, finding nobody, the cliff was his next search point. And if not there, finally the city were they always usually hid.

Semyaza noticed him quickly and smiled. The idiot was crawling towards the cliff, going from scrub to scrub. He had him unless he started running. Watching, waiting, he looked as Uriel gradually came closer and closer. And then, certain he wouldn’t escape in time, pushed the rock over the ledge. He watched as the landslide began and delighted when Uriel’s figure got caught up in it, piled under piles of dirt. He quickly made his way down, began digging and finding Uriel still struggling pulled out the dagger he had purchased at the beginning of the game and plunged it into Uriel’s heart. And then ‘Game Over’ started splashing across the screen.

Gabriel looking on came over to console Uriel, who had unsurprisingly stopped bragging. It was two all now and as Semyaza made his way over to the other 4 devil’s present, he was grinning madly. ‘Two all – let the war begin,’ he said proudly. Yes, the contest was now becoming deadly – war indeed.

THE END

Book Five

“The Blue Devil”

‘Where the hell is the bugger?’ But try as he might, Urakiba simply could not find Raphael anywhere. He had searched literally everywhere, after hiding for quite a while, and could not see him. ‘He must have dug into the dirt,’ was all he could think, so made his way to the ocean sand. He would be noticed, if he was hiding in the dirt. He was sure of that. Of course, he had climbed countless trees, but not all of them, and when near the edge of the sand, near a pine tree, he was suddenly jumped on by Raphael. It was a heart attack of a fight, and the Blue Devil used all the manoeuvres he had learned in the time. But Raphael was simply too strong. The initial stab in the back after he had landed on him had cost him in the end and Raphael emerged, his heartbeat on maximum, but just one bar ahead of Urakiba who had just died. Close enough was good enough on this occasion.

Later on, the team consoling him, telling him that Satan, when he appeared, would sort out Michael, leaving them 3 all. ‘It will come down to sudden death, Urakiba – don’t sweat it,’ they all said. But Urakiba was nervous. If it was sudden death he really was not sure what he would do if called upon. They did not know the terms of sudden death, because nothing had actually been spoken of, but, of course, Satan would have to win first, which would not be easy against Michael.

* * *

The match began and Urakiba was standing next to Satan who had finally shown, advising him carefully as Satan had asked him to stand next to him. For this final encounter Michael hadn’t objected, saying since he had designed the game Satan could choose one of the Devil’s to advise him if he so chose, and Satan chose Urakiba.

Suddenly Urakiba had a flash of brilliance – something came to him. ‘Go to the vine. I don’t know why, but I have an idea.’

Satan shrugged. ‘What the hell. Ok.’ He made it to the vine and jumped on to it, successfully, and Urakiba said ‘Just pull up and down with your weight on the vine. I noticed something once. This is the right place for it too affect all of them. I am sure of it.’

And so Satan started pulling up and down. After a few moments of this, something did happen. The vine started to pull the tree down, which turned up the dust at the bottom of the tree. And suddenly all the dirt on the forest floor started going loose and the trees all, in turn, collapsed. This was the only place it could happen, and as Michael designed the game he probably knew of this tactic, but hadn’t used it. But they were very lucky. Michael, on the other side of the machine, said ‘Bloody hell, I should have seen that coming,’ and ended up being caught under a tree with no way of escaping.’ Urakiba heard him and said to Satan ‘I think we have him.’ Satan scouted the forest and near the edge found Michael stranded under a tree. Michael quickly flung his 3 ninja rings at Satan and 2 of them hit, but he still had enough life left. ‘Cut his legs off. Watch him bleed to death,’ said Urakiba, and Satan did so. After Michael’s legs were cut off,’ Michael conceded and came around to congratulate Satan.

‘I should have seen that coming, devil. I guess it comes down to sudden death. And we send in the seventh angel, Saruviel. We’ll expect a new coloured devil. Do you have one? If not you forfeit, okay, and we get the credits. You can check the rules with God on a 3 all draw if you don’t believe me.’

Urakiba looked at Satan. ‘Fuck. We don’t have a seventh devil.’

‘We’ll think of something,’ said the Red Devil, but he was worried. Very, very worried.

The End

Book Six

‘The Red Devil’

The Red Devil reread the rules for the umpteenth time, and was about ready to give up. They simply didn’t have a seventh devil. They simply didn’t have one. For the Coloured Devil’s had always been six in number since choosing, and nobody knew of a seventh devil. And then Urakiba had an idea. ‘So we need a seventh devil. Why don’t we recruit one? You know, choose an angel and offer him a special place amongst the coloured devil’s. He can be the special ‘Seventh Devil’.

‘Well what the hell will his colour be?’

‘Indigo,’ said Urakiba.

‘Indigo?’ questioned Satan.

‘Indigo,’ finished Urakiba.

‘Indigo is as good a colour as any,’ said Armaros. ‘I suppose it fits into the rainbow.’

‘It’s a bit tryhard, don’t you think,’ said Semyaza.

‘Hey, who gives a toss,’ said Satan. ‘It’ll bloody do.’

They consulted the rule book and worked out they had a full week to find another coloured devil, and so they did, of all things, perhaps the most obvious. They advertised in the ‘Guardian Angel’ newspaper.

They had 72 applicants, and they all seemed okay, but they needed a wizbang on the arcade games. After testing a few of them who bragged about being Ace, they finally selected the seventh and final coloured devil – Daniel, the Indigo devil.

‘He’s arrogant,’ said Satan.

‘Should be perfect,’ said Urakiba.

‘He’s conceited,’ said Semyaza.

‘Who isn’t?’ responded Urakiba.

‘Really, he is up his arse,’ said Armaros.

And Satan came up to Daniel and said, ‘Welcome to the coloured devil’s. You should fit right in.’ And Daniel, the seventh devil, grinned.

The End

Book Seven

‘The Indigo Devil’

Daniel looked at the rainbow. ‘What the hell is that doing there? 7 colours. Fuging heck. The Rainbow Doesn’t have 7 colours. Indigo my arse.’

On the other side Saruviel just chuckled. ‘Michael. You are a dickhead,’ he said to his older brother.

‘Hey, I had time to tinker a little. Give me a break.’

‘Whatever,’ said Saruviel.

Back to the Game – Death Duel: Angelic Glory – Special 7^th Angel edition.

Daniel was hunting his foe. He was being brutal. Carrying a dagger, pressing the jump button constantly so as not to be caught by surprise and running like a jack rabbit. He would find this Saruviel fellow and, when he did, watch out.

Michael said to Saruviel. ‘He’ll be obvious. He looks the type.’

‘Yeh,’ I’m not sure. He has a rep with the kids. Could be a challenge.’

‘We’ll see.’

Four hours later they were stuck in the pyramid. The puzzle was challenging, yet Daniel solved it five minutes before Saruviel and got the most of the gold. Saruviel was worried. This new version really was testing him out and he was nervous as Michael watched on, saying nothing.

They both came to the store and Daniel spent 5% of his gold to obtain the rights to purchase a ‘Hidden Purchase’, not allowing Saruviel to know what he had purchased. Saruviel had watched to start with, but decided not to waste the money – he couldn’t afford to. So he purchased a range of spells as quickly as he could so Daniel would not notice hopefully, but Daniel was watching carefully.

As they progressed through the lengthy set of challenges, the final duel was approaching. Saruviel knew Daniel had more gold than him, but he wasn’t as good a fighter from seeing him take on the Balrog, and Saruviel felt he might just edge him out in the final encounter. But they would have to wait and see.

They continued on, going through various challenges, and Saruviel was starting to sweat. Michael was telling him the final scene was just about there and to prepare himself. And then a Sensei showed up onscreen and invited them to the combat zone.

7 intense minutes. 7 agonizingly and furiously intense minutes, and Saruviel had used the last of his spells and it was down to fistfighting. Daniel’s energy bar was on 3% and his own on 41%. He was sure he had him, but Daniel had one potion left. But that didn’t matter – the spells never did that much damage anyway. He stood back, carefully made his punches, and began laughing. 3% - 2% - 1%. ‘Heh heh Heh, one more hit should do it. Come on Daniel, use your last potion. I will give you a break and go easy on you.’ But Michael just shook his head – he knew what was coming. Daniel spoke up. ‘Well, if you insist, and hit a button. Suddenly Daniel’s character turned bright blue and his energy bar started beeping wildly, going all the way back up to 100%. Saruviel’s jaw dropped. ‘Fucking hell,’ he said to himself. And then the action got going.

All of a sudden Daniel was a livewire on the screen. Ducking, weaving, fighting in a totally different style on each attack. He never did the same thing twice. And this time, even at Saruviel’s best, the match was still about even on hits. Which meant trouble. As he watched on, inevitably, his energy bled down and then, on 2%, Daniel on 71%, he made one last hit, and Daniel fell to 70% but his response killed Saruviel’s character. Game over.

Later on in the day Satan was grinning. ‘Hey, you’re not too shabby at that game, bro. You taught their champion a thing or to.’

‘I wasn’t born yesterday, Satan.’

‘I guess not.’

Daniel spent his money winnings wisely, and bragging rights indeed belonged to the coloured devil’s for many years. The angels had been humbled, and Saruviel could not work out how he had lost in the end. Just too many factors to consider, he thought to himself. But Michael knew. And from then on he had his eye on this Indigo devil. A new and most cunning adversary amongst the coloured devils. A new and most cunning one indeed.

The End

The Celestine Version

“Music”

“Do you like to? Honey honey, do you like to?”

“Sorry? What was that?”

“You are such a dork. You know, if all the men were put in a line, and I had to choose the dorkiest of them all, it would be absolutely no contest.”

“Fuck. Man that’s fucking awesome. Number one dork. Shit, I must have worked my ass off to get number one out of billions. Fuck man. Kooooool.”

“Fuck you. Bastard. But, don’t you get it. You really suck.”

“Not as much as some.”

Madsy looked at Danny Boy, crossly. “And what does that mean, exactly.”

“Oh, I would imagine you have had a few thousand oral fixations by now. Or am I mistaken. Heh heh heh.”

“Well. Mmmm. Mmmm. Mmmm. Shall we listen to a CD? Dear Danny?”

“CDs? Uh, I think I lost my CD player.”

“Oh, I have a CD player alright. And this as well.’ Said Mads, holding up a 1 TB I-pod.”

“Well. Okay then. I will admit it. One can be a lonely number.”

“Yes, young Danny. You are finally acknowledging your place.”

“Well, uh. Don’t expect too much from perfection, sweetheart. Just don’t expect too much. Ok.”

“Perfection, you say. Now that is an interesting concept. You are aware you aren’t, aren’t you?”

“Still in school, I see. Not yet reached adulthood, hey sweetie”

“Well at least we are still cool.”

“Cool? Uh, I was forgetting. You put me at number one, cupcake. Hey, how about cooking us up some cupcakes. I am getting a bit hungry. You’re a woman. You should be good in the kitchen.”

“So what do you want to eat?”

“Uh, cupcakes sweetie? A good memory there.”

“Yeh. Cupcakes,” she responded with unveiled hostility.

“Cooool. Make sure you put pink icing on them. I like pink icing. Believe me, pink is one of my favourite colours.”

“And why is that, dear Danny Boy?”

Danny Boy glanced subtley down Madsy’s body, stopped at a certain feminine point, and slowly drifted upwards.”

“Just because. You know. Just because.”

“Oh. So you like Pink, do you? I’ll give you bloody pink. I will give you all the pink you can fuc*ing handle.”

That said Madsy raged off to the kitchen, to prepare the pink cupcakes.

* * * * *

After calming down, and thinking through things carefully, having consulted the online secret women’s website for handling the ‘Beasts’, Madsy returned to Danny Boy. She handed him one cupcake, very carefully, which had a lavish coating of Pink icing. Very very lavish. “Uh, don’t forget your weight, dear Danny Boy.”

Danny smiled, thanked her very much, and happily ate his cupcake. “Are there any more, sweetie? I love pink cupcakes. These are bloody yummy. Thanks luv.”

She stared at him. “This one is bloody clever,” she thought to herself. “I will actually have to engage some real feminine power.”

She walked out the room and came back with an autobiography. “Look at these, dear Daniel. All these number ones?”

Daniel surveyed the list. “Mmm. Were any of them actually decent songs?”

Madsy stopped, paused a little, and considered. “Uh. Mmmm. Well, maybe.”

“Not bad then. I will have to give them a listen.”

“Oh, but I really don’t think you are cool enough for them, dearest. Really, they are not your style, are they? Far too carnal for one as holy as you.”

“Oh. Oh well. I will take you at your word then. I suppose they are only number ones with the lesser class, then. Huh? Only so cool, huh? Huh?”

“I suppose, in the end, tastes are subjective. And it appears I have the taste that appeals to the most, dear Daniel. That appears to the most.”

“What about that Kabbalah? I mean, who wrote that?”

“Israelites. I suppose.”

“So I guess you serve the God of Israel, Mmm. The God you worship. Mmm?”

“Yes. And I am loyal and faithful. So watch it, heretic.”

“Vogue Vogue Vogue. Look around, everywhere you turn is heartache. It’s everywhere that you go. If all else fails and you long to be something better than you are today. I know a place you can get away, it’s called the dance floor. So come on VOGUE. Let your body go with the flow. All you need is your OWN imagination. So use it that’s what it’s for. It makes no difference if you are black or white – if you’re a boy or a girl. So what does that racially oriented Jewish God make of that then?”

“That’s interesting. Mmmm.”

“So who the hell is fucking faithful in the end, bitch? Huh?”

“Oh, and you’ve got to just . . . . Vogue!”

“The End”

Music 2

'So Mads. How's Brittles?'

The sensible Madonna Ciccone ignored the obvious trap Callodyn was attempting. But she couldn't resist.

'You know, at least your brother had charm. Your an insensitive beast.'

'Yes, the irresistible charms of Daniel the Seraphim are well known. But I've got style, babe.'

'Babe? You probably approve of the Taliban, chauvanist pig.'

Callodyn looked cut, but came clean. 'Fuck it, Mads. I still have those old church roots. I do remember the old days, you know. When men were men, and women were not.'

'I keep the faith,' she replied hotly.

'I know,' he said softly. 'And I love you because of it. Madsy Padsy Poo.'

'You just love yourself,' she said smiling.

'And there is so much to love,' he said with a big grin.

She looked at his stomach. 'Indeed there is,' she said sarcastically.

He blushed at that statement.

'You know, as Daniel was saying, I suppose you have talent.'

'You Daly's think you are God's greatest intellectual achievements.'

'We acknowledge the facts,' he said dryly.

She smirked at that, but soon recovered. 'We of the Ciccone Clan. A clan with actual intelligence, remain humble on all such braggings.'

'And we'll let you know when you have something to brag about.'

She scowled at him.

'You know, in Latin 'Daly' means doofus.' She smiled at her triumphant statement.

'Well,my dear, in Irish, Ciccone mens a collaboration of second rate musicians.'

'Second rate, you say.'

'When they are on form.'

She gestured to the piano. 'Shall we, then?'

They sat down together, and as he improvised, she sang soft and gentle spirit words, catching the attention of other angels in the music hall. They gathered around to listen, and Callodyn improvised well and Madonna sang well. When they were finished, both were humbled by the other.

'Your, alright,' she said softly.

'Your not too bad yourself, Madonna Ciccone. Your not too bad yourself.'

Gloryel looked at them both. They worked well together. Quite well together.

Madonna looked at those watching her, all the angels, and a rarity happened. She blushed. She felt - good.

She touched Callodyn's shoulder, stood and left the room.

Callodyn watched her go, and then started playing softly on the keys.

Gloryel watched and knew Callodyn had been touched. Quite touched.

The End

Music 3

'Why did you leave Daniel?' Callodyn asked Madonna. 'From all that I was hearing you two got along like a house on fire.'

'He was sweet,' said Madsy. 'But too judgemental. He is not even a Catholic anymore, and judges me for my Kabbalah faith.'

'Oh, he goes to Catholic Christmas Midnight Mass every year,' said Callodyn. 'He is officially Karaite Noahide like myself for relations with Israel, but my twin was happy in the Catholic church growing up. I hated it, and left at 16, but he only left years later when I proved rationally enough that Zerubbabel was the main guy on Messianic issues. But he always goes to Midnight Mass on Christmas.'

'I see,' said Madonna. 'I wondered why he was so judgemental about that. Called me heretical for Kabbalah in my life. Says I am pro-Israel, and should know better.'

'He doesn't like Jews terribly much,' said Callodyn. 'Even though David Rotchild is his best friend, Ambriel has never been able to persuade him to come along to the synagogue. He refuses to go, and just claims to be officially a Noahide, but really never intends to leave the Catholic church.'

'I see,' said Madonna.

'That's Daniel. Stubborn to the end.'

'And that didn't make you tick Callodyn Daly? The Catholic thing.'

'Hey, I even went Pentecostal for a while and called the church Whore Babylon. It's not my scene.'

'Right,' said Madonna, looking at him from the corner of her eye. 'Anyway, we are here to practice this new song. Are you ready?'

'Ready as ever, cupcake,' said Callodyn Daly.

They sang a while, and Madonna noticed Callodyn looking at her closely - examining her. Obviously, he was interested. Obviously.

Later.

'Do you like me, Callodyn?'

'Your a babe,' he responded.

'Is it anything more than that?' she asked, not looking directly at him.

'Hey, babe. Your to die for.'

Cute answers. She couldn't work with cute answers.

'Well, I like you,' she commented, having picked up an issue of Rolling Stone, casually looking through it.

'I have always liked being popular,' he said, and picked up a rubiks cube.

'Yes. Well you are with me,' she responded.

'Cool bananas,' he said, twiddling away at the cube.

'Yes,' she said.

Silence.

'Am I popular with you?' she asked.

'Hey, your number one, aren't you?'

'Indeed I am,' she said smiling.

'Then there's your answer.'

Silence.

This wasn't getting her anywhere. Perhaps an old trick. She stood, walked over towards him, and pretended to trip, falling into his arms. He caught her, laid her down on the couch, and she looked up into his beautiful hazy eyes. 'Kissing you would be unbelievable,' she said, as he hovered above her. She looked into his eyes, closed her eyes, and pouted her lips.

Seconds passed. No kiss. What should she do? Was he nervous? Should she look? She waited until her desire was too much for her, and looked up. He was seated on the opposite couch. She sat up. How wonderful.

She stood, walked over in front of him, said 'Some guys, you know. Unbelievable.' and stormed off, leaving a totally flabbergasted Callodyn the Cherubim wondering just what had transpired.

The End

The Celestine Version

The Dark Fellowship of Satan’s Brooding Love

‘Satan. Overlord of evil. Prince of Darkness. Master of the fowl. And, with many such epitaphs, this dark figure has supposedly been a menace to humanity for the last several thousand years. Of course, the rationale mind rejects such fantasies, simply regarding them as a product of overly fertile and zealous Jewish visionaries. But, nevertheless, this exhibit before us will be the subject of your next essay, dear students, so leave me riveted. Gothic Horror 101 demands nothing less from you.’

The 20 odd students gazed with wonderment at the displays of the lord of evil, the horns being fondly remarked upon, but Jessica White was riveted like no other. She had been a Goth since high school, and now at University studying literature, she had chosen a subject she hoped to write extensively on in later years. And the devil – well could there really be any better a subject.

Mr Smithers spoke again. ‘Remember, make it worthy of the Lord of the Dark. Bonus marks if you shock me.’

‘I think I can do that,’ Jessica thought to herself.

* * * * *

‘What’s with the black candles, Jess? Are we having another séance.’

‘No, Jack. They are to put me in a mood for my writing. I want as dark a spirit in the place as possible. I am writing on Satan.’

‘Ooh. Hey, why not draw a pentagram on the floor and summon him. That will get you in the mood if nothing else does.’

She looked at him squarely to start with to suggest he grow up but, giving it a thought, suddenly liked the idea.

‘Sure. Why not. Just for the hell of it.’

Jessica took some chalk from her drawer, locked the door to her room, dimmed the lights and drew a pentagram on the floor.

‘Say something Jess. You know, invite him. Summon him.’

She looked at Jack, her boyfriend, and decided she may as well go all the way.

They sat around the pentagram, raised their hands in front of them, and she said. ‘Satan. Lord of Evil. Prince of Darkness. We summon thee. Come forth and…. And do what you do.’

She looked at Jack who was grinning. ‘There. Satisfied.’

He smiled. ‘Hey, you never know.’

* * * * *

It was later on that night, after she had blown Jack and he had gone down on her, with her favourite band Sirenia playing in the background, that she felt inspired. Truly inspired.

And, typing away on her PC, she was oblivious to the dark spirit who had entered the room and was staring at her. It was the dark one himself.

‘Jessica White,’ he said to himself, looking at the name on one of the folders. ‘A Goth girl. I suppose I could give her a rush. He came over to her, inhabited her body, as he had been summoned and had legal rights because of it with his standing protocols with heaven, and got to work.

Suddenly Jessica felt very turned on. Very.

She moaned and felt wet in her vagina. She needed to fuck. She needed to fuck badly. And, putting on ‘The 13^th Floor’, turning to the track ‘Lost in Life’, as Sirenia played in the background, she writhed on her bed as she plunged the black and red vibrator again and again into her womanhood, her orgasms getting stronger and stronger. Suddenly, at the peak of her greatest ecstasy, she yelled ‘Oh fuck, Satan. I love you.’ And then, the pleasure being too much, she passed out.

* * * * *

Later on, back in the dark place, Satan was chatting with Lucifer his Saruvim brother. ‘She was good. Real good. And you know how I like the raven haired ones. They always remind me of Amy Lee.’

‘You get all the best chick’s’ said Lucifer. ‘Usually blokes who call upon me. Looking for power.’

‘Hey, I’m the fucking devil, so don’t forget it Lucifer.’

‘I won’t, oh lord of darkness.’

And they both started chuckling.

* * * * *

Jessica White tried summoning Satan again later on that month, but this time he didn’t show. But she fucked Jack hard that night anyway, and had come to a truth in the life of Jessica White. She may have come from a good and upright Christian family, one which feared God and supposedly shunned evil. But it was the dark fellowship of Satan’s brooding love which had captured her heart. And while she knew it could cost her her very soul, it was a temptation which she knew would claim her. For whatever else, what could be compared to the orgasmic ecstasy of dark love? What else indeed?

The End

The Muslim Version

“The Devil Wears Green Shoes”

‘The Devil Wears Green shoes.’

‘Really, Abraham? He wears Green shoes?’

‘Yes Rachel Lowenstein. He really does.’

‘Fascinating grandfather. Tell me more.’

The ancient patriarch was as happy as he could be, working the room at the 7^th Annual ball of the resurrected Israelite community of the world to come. He was speaking of his time in Sheol in which, in his many encounters with Satan, he had grown accustomed to the green shoes which Satan apparently took delight in wearing. And now, conversing with a pretty young Jewish maiden who had lovingly been calling him grandfather, he related some of his many encounters with the green shoed wearing devil.

‘Of course, he has an atrocious sense of humour. Very wicked in some of the things he alludes to. But, he is our beloved devil, and we couldn’t live without him, could we dear Rachel?’

‘Of course not, grandfather.’

* * *

Down at the 666 Club in downtown Jerusalem Satan was hanging with his resurrected demon lord buddies. His wife, Lucy Tantalizer, was over by the bar, steadily consuming vodka shots, and Satan was turned on by her raunchy clothing. The world to come was proving quite wonderful for the devil. He had an elaborate home in Jerusalem, and had been invited to parties everywhere. He had started a club in the last few years, the devilish 666 club, which was the worldwide headquarters, it seemed, for every heavy metal, punk and Emo loving community on the planet. But he was the devil, and that was his scene.

He looked down at his new shoes, just finished by the shoemaker. Leather shoes dyed in dark green. He adored them, and they matched his green suit perfectly. Truly wonderful wear for the old green serpent.

He strode over to Lucy Tantalizer, grabbed her from behind, and dragged her to the dance floor. ‘Dance with me, Lucy. Dance with me.’ And she smiled, put her hands on his hips, and they danced the night away, his green shoes dazzling all over the dance floor.

* * *

‘So why do you wear green shoes?’ Rachel asked Abraham. ‘Are you competing with Satan?’

‘Somebody has to, dear young Rachel. Somebody has to. Besides, I have always had a thing for green. It is the colour God chose for our planet in many ways, and I always was a nature loving person.

‘Good for you, grandfather. My, they really are quite snazzy. Now, back to the question. Are you hopelessly devoted to Sarah, or am I in with a chance?’

‘Oh, Rachel,’ said Abraham, and grinned madly.

THE END

The Muslim Version

“The Devil Wears Green Shoes II”

‘The Devil Wears Green shoes.’

‘Really, Abraham? He wears Green shoes?’

‘Yes Rebecca, he wears green shoes.’

Rebecca looked at him momentarily, and then looked over in the corner of the room were Rachel, her cousin, was chatting with somebody.

‘Did you use this pickup line on someone I know by any chance?’

Abraham looked most insulted. ‘Moi? Surely you jest.’

‘Whatever,’ responded Rachel Rosenberg.

* * * * *

Satan was in his green shoes, feeling really very cool. He was walking along Jerusalem parade, all eyes on him. ‘There goes that bloody devil,’ one voice said. ‘Who the hell does he think he is,’ said another.

But the devil didn’t care. He was the glorious epitome of perfection in his heart, and he knew it.

* * * * *

‘So WHY does the Devil wear Green shoes?’

‘He’s an environmentalist,’ responded Abraham, with a little grin, making Rachel smile.

They chatted on for a while, and later that night, after the lass had fallen asleep in his bed, Abraham looked at his own green shoes on the floor. ‘You fellas always come in handy,’ he thought to himself, which apparently was the case.

THE END

The Bahai Version

‘Manifestation’

King David was a good king. A good king. Or so he believed. Yet he knew he had faults, which the adversarial Satan pointed out time and time again. To David was committed judgement in the ‘World-To-Come’ as one of the most pre-eminent of Israel’s citizens. Yet he knew he himself would be subject to the angel Ambriel, his own offspring, who would rule as Messiah. His own ‘Lord of Glory’ as psalm 110 spoke of.

They had rested in Sheol once, upon tasting death. Resting there, in a non-existence in many ways, but dreaming their dreams. And then, suddenly, the Archangel Michael had guided Judas Maccabeus to the victory over the Seleucids, and in his glorious victory against one of Satan’s greatest attacks in their long spiritual wars, Antiochus IV had been humbled, and Israel had risen to glory from the grave to heaven and everlasting life, just as the prophet Daniel had spoken.

Heaven had been glorious for all these many years, and David had been ever so grateful and thankful to his God for the pleasures of enjoying such a beautiful place. But no longer. No longer.

Now the manifestation was finally at hand. Now the time had come for the World-To-Come, and Israel were to be resurrected once more, yet this time in very physical form, as Isaiah had spoken of. This time they were to come from their heavenly peace to life again on Earth, to live the life of trees, and to guide mankind along on their destiny. They would live with Ambriel as their king for 400 long years, accompanying him from their hidden city, as Esdras had prophesied, until the very end of the world and judgement day.

Yet that was for another day. For now, the old pleasures were soon to resurface, and carnal human sex was once again rearing its ugly head. God had trained him, in his heavenly form, towards a high level of sanctification, but had said nothing of his requirements in the human form he would once again inhabit. All he was left with concluding was that he would be left to chart his own destiny. Yet, thinking of Uriah, who he would meet again in human form, he knew this time he would be far more cautious with his passions. This time he would think first and act later. He would not make a fool of himself again, for he desired a good reputation. A good reputation for a good king.

And, of course, Satan and the other devil’s and angels would be tasting human flesh – human existence. And that one could be no end of trouble, potentially. Yet only time would tell of what would be. Only time would tell.

The End

The Scientologist Version

Saruviel’s Vengeance

It was a time of chaos. A time of darkness. A time of death. And God’s son, Israel, was no more.

When Saruviel killed Michael in battle on the golden plains of the Realm of Eternity, God finally acknowledged that his son Saruviel had grown up. That he had vanquished those who, in his heart, he despised anyway. And that Saruviel, as the dread lord of darkness, in all his English pride as a true Bradlock, could simply not tolerate the pride and oppressiveness which Israel had slumped into.

So the chaos wars had begun, and gradually, bit by bit, Saruviel had destroyed Abraham and all his offspring throughout the universe, vanquished them, and defeated them utterly.

And then they were no more.

* * * * *

Callodyn sat with Kayella in their abode on Televon. Ruth and Boaz were dead – slaughtered by Saruviel’s henchmen. She turned to him. ‘The end of the world, huh? As you predicted.’

‘It was not wise for Michael to insult Saruviel’s heritage all those years ago. It was not wise of him. Pride eventually rose up in our brother, and I saw it coming. He is the lord of the dark – the lord of dread – and he will not tolerate rivals. Michael should have really seen that coming.

It is not that surprising, in the end, Kay. We are children of Noah. We are the oldest covenant – the first covenant. And when we’re pissed off, we rise to the challenge, vanquish our oppressors, and destroy them all.’

‘But poor Ambriel? His head on a pike. Meludiel will never get over it.’

‘Probably not. But the theophany consoled her. Told her ‘such was life’. It doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.’

‘I guess not, dear Callodyn. Destiny is strange in that way, isn’t it.’

‘Pretty much,’ responded Mr Daly, the chronicler of destiny. ‘Pretty much.’

The End

The Scientologist Version

Starting Again

The theophany had gotten around to Callodyn on his list of angels to talk with about the Chaos wars. Kayella sat with them and they listened as the theophany began explaining many strange and interesting things.

‘In the prophets of the Tenakh they speak of destroying all nations to were Israel have been scattered in their wanderings, but redeeming Israel alone. They speak of Israel as the only ultimately surviving nation in history. So once, out of curiousity, I asked Noah about this. And Noah said that his noahide nations didn’t really have much choice – there future was signed, sealed and delivered according to the word of God. Why bother repenting? Could they really repent anyway? It was all a closed matter, as the irrevocable word of God would never change its mind. And as Noah said these words to me I looked into his eyes and I understood. And so, before the beginning of beginnings, I planned Saruviel. And Saruviel’s was Noah’s justice, Noah’s vengeance and Noah’s life. And I said to Saruviel’s heart, If Michael is going to destroy you, what choice do you really have, oh child of mine.’

‘And so Saruviel destroyed Abraham and his seed,’ responded Callodyn.

‘It wasn’t meant to be like that, in my hopes,’ responded God. ‘I had hoped Saruviel would forgive Michael and see that the Jewish Bible was temporary – that it was not infallible, and that it only spoke of Israel’s pride. But in these millions of years in heaven Israel has never given up promoting the infallibility of the Tenakh and they, unfortunately, slowly grew proud of their believed holy status. They believed themselves, in their hearts, superior to the children of Noah. They believed your people beneath them – not worthy of them – uncircumcised philistines. And so I allowed Saruviel’s justice, and, well……….. Were we go from here, who can say.’

* * * * *

Meludiel sat with Daniel, on a bench, overlooking the Terravon. Ambriel was dead. Satan had killed him – beheaded him – put his head on a spike. Typical – the Devil made the killing blow. She sat next to Daniel, and had finally stopped crying. ‘Hey, babe,’ he said. ‘You know, he never loved you as much as me in the end, anyway. It was only the twin thing which drove him.’

She nodded, but hardly consented. She was distraught, but there was a glimmer, a word from Callodyn’s email, which said, ‘even after the endings of endings, life, still, irrevocably, irrefutably, inevitably, goes on. So cheer up sis, because I still love you.’ And so, deep down, deep deep down in the heart of Meludiel the Seraphim, she made a choice to let Ambriel be in the grave and move on with her life and with her destiny.

* * * * *

The theophany sat with Callodyn. ‘I am sorry, son. I know you liked Michael, but his destiny was inevitable. He made a choice, once, to defy me. To not obey the Torah and to live in sin. And it lasted far too long for me to trust him again.’

‘Oh. I thought it was Saruviel’s vengeance.’

‘I used Saruviel. I thought you knew I was in control.’

‘Oh.’

‘Now, form Kadravana. The ancient micronation only lasted a few years before going back to Australia. It is the name I prefer to use for my new project.’

‘Which is?’ queried Callodyn.

‘Well, there are a small number of Israelites I have reserved – kept some away from the hand’s of Saruviel. And there are some other people, close to you now. I have chosen them.’

‘For what?’

‘Life eternal.’

‘Oh. And your plan?’

‘Saruviel won’t stop now. He is not meant to. You will find Michael, Ambriel and your friends Boaz and Ruth outside.’

‘But… they’re dead?’

‘One of the advantages of being God, my dear son, is that you are the lord of life. I choose, in the end. It is my choice. Saruviel was my tool to destroy most of Israel. Most of them had become corrupt – disobeying torah. Not caring. I am starting again. Michael repented enough later on, so I finished off his punishment with Saruviel, and am starting again. Michael will give you a copy of a rewritten Torah scroll. It is about the same length as the old Torah, but written personally by myself to iron out some of the problems, and give a clearer explanation on subjects which have been puzzling my children for aeons. You will find yourself adaptable to its teaching. Not everyone is fit for eternity, Callodyn. Not all can hack it. They want their sin, in the end. To drift away, into a quiet and deadly melancholy of the soul, and ignore the wisdom of God. So I have chosen you, a number of others I have watched over the aeons, and I will be establishing you on New Terra, in Australia, in the small province of Kadravana. Right near Eden. That is your eternal home. I have some women for you – about a dozen – and that should quench your passions. Remember – populate slowly, teach them carefully, and I will likely not have to go through my culling process again. Twice is enough for me.’

‘And will we be holy enough, this time? Will we make it through all the way?’

‘You can never really say, dear son. But keep the faith and things will work out in the end.’

And so Callodyn walked outside, saw an Ambriel who was positively gleaming, and a Michael who said straight away ‘Oh, bro. I feel a hell of a lot better now. 3 months resting in Sheol and I am on top of the world. I could almost thank Saruviel.’

That sounded weird to Callodyn, but he didn’t complain.

Boaz and Ruth came forward, patted their friend on the back, and they went back inside, discussing plans and the future, and the new destiny that awaited them.

The End

The Mormon Version

David the Daggiest Dag in Dagdom

David Rothchild – The Seraphim Angel Ambriel of the Realm of Eternity – had had enough. Well and truly had fucking had enough. Why the hell, just because he was God’s sacred and chosen beloved Messiah – why the hell should he work his ass off on love, mercy, kindness, good ethics, lawfulness, work responsibility, politeness, charity – and every other bloody good work the Lord had called him to – when everyone else didn’t, in the end, give that much of a damn.

And so, one fine Sunday afternoon in the Realm of Eternity, in a year almost beyond counting since the birth of the realm, Ambriel got up, put on his clothes, went to the local mall, bought several pairs of cheap t-shirts, slack track pants, cheap sneakers and, then visiting Hungry Jacks, ordering two to many burgers and an extra large coke, David began the life of the daggiest dag in dagdom.

Four years later, sitting on his couch in his large lounge, snoozing, cold pizza with tomato stains sitting on his t-shirt, a few bottles of coca cola lying around half drunk, the porno channel on pay tv showing a classic, Meludiel came into the room, finally admitted her frustration and said ‘enough’s enough’.

Ambriel caught up with her again a few weeks later. She was predictably staying with Daniel who was happily schmoozing with her every night. But Ambriel didn’t care, and Rebecca noted he smelled somewhat as well.

But, David Rothchild was happy. The pressure had finally relented from the Most High who now claimed his witness was intact and complete and that David could do whatever the heck he liked for a good long while. And so David did.

He farted a lot. It was the food he ate.

He occasionally swore now, something once deemed impossible for Ambriel.

He visited a gay bar at one of the outer discs, a new experience, and wondered if he would actually go through with an old dare to check it out.

He bedded prostitutes regularly.

And he got drunk most nights, watching porn with his new companion Michael who God had sent in to cheer him up, wasting his hard earned money (but not really, as his royalties and shares were now mind boggling) and just being a regular Tom Foolsbody.

And he was actually happy.

The End

The Noahide Version

Taylor

(FOR Taylor Swift)

Chapter One

Taylor was a good girl. A princess. She believed in bunny rabbits, and fairy tales, and prince charmings and kings and queens and her mommy and daddy. And Santa Claus was a big deal at Christmas.

When she was 15 she met Abigail. Abby was perfect to Taylor, with her red hair, and good looks.

And then she turned 21 and she was Queen of the world.

* * * * *

‘Taylor. Are you ready? The show starts in 5 minutes. Come on, girl. We gotta hurry. It’s your biggest audience yet?’

‘Sure. Be right there,’ responded Miss Swift.

Here she was – New York – Madison Square Garden. The biggest night of her life. The president was out there, with his wife. So many of her best friends, so many were here, for the biggest night of her life. And she was ready.

But then, an angel dropped into her room, and whispered to her heart.

‘THERE’S MORE.’

And, Taylor. Sensing something greater than even this night before her, went into the wardrobe, found sunglasses, a leather jacket and a red skirt, grabbed her purse with her cards and, stealing out the hidden back door, disappeared into her porche, destination unknown.

* * * * *

She was at JFK. She had a ticket, to Australia, to Sydney. She was going to escape, now. She had earned it. She had many lifetimes of money in her account, an email address to mom and dad, and the plan in mind. ‘Sorry boss. I have gone incognito. Will check in eventually – it might be a decade or so – you never know.’

And Taylor was gone.

Chapter Two

Sydney was big. She liked living in big cities. Getting away from mean guys. But she heard of Canberra from a girl at a café. Said it had a beautiful spirit. A big country town, so she said. Taylor decided to go and check it out.

She took a bus trip down, found the scenery wild and uncompromising. But Australia and Australians were like that. Tough and hard, but with hearts of gold.

She got to Canberra, the Jolimont centre, still in her red skirt and sunglasses. She knew even here she would be recognized, so would be careful. She didn’t have a minder with her, and didn’t want one. She was starting again, for now. A brave new life. A fearless step for a fearless girl.

She did the mall in Woden that afternoon, realized she was tired, and booked into the nearby hotel. And, drinking a coke, eating a takeaway pizza, she watched the inhouse TV, put it on the country music channel, and laughed as she was the second song on.

She dreamed that night. She was in a field, like no other she had ever been to or felt. It was Australia, so it seemed. But some strange place. And then there was a river, and a picnic grounds, and people walking around. And she heard the name ‘Pine Island’ mentioned, and she felt different here. And then it struck her heart – love was in this place. Pure and honest love. And the deepest heart of salvation.

Chapter Three

She found Lanyon valley, and Gordon, and rented her home there. It was a simple place, and her credit cards were good enough I.D. She had been to the American embassy last month and gone through the procedures for becoming a permanent resident of Australia. The government had just approved her because of her fame and excellent earnings potential. And now she was house-hunting.

She moved in to the place, filled it with all her new stuff within a week, and zonked out.

It was time to do nothing. To be nothing but Taylor Swift. To be who she really was, not just the image she portrayed to the world. To be just a girl, in a big old city, living her simple life, doing her simple stuff.

She saw the advertisement in the local paper – Isabella Plains Newsagent, Counter person required. She didn’t need the work, but wanted to do something. She applied. She got it. They agreed she could wear sunglasses and dress daggily so as not to attract attention to herself. Nobody knew she was here, and the owners were a Chinese couple who didn’t recognize her. She would remain anonymous.

* * * * *

Chocolate cookies were nice, especially with ice cream, but how much could a girl take? She had zonked out for months now, put on a bit of weight, but she didn’t care. She was hear for a real holiday, and didn’t want to have to conform to the image of Supergirl forever. But she was nearing the end of her slack holiday – she would watch her weight now.

She worked casual hours – a few a week. She met new people, new faces, and smiled at them. Sometimes they looked at her a bit funnily, but nobody said anything. She was safe.

She found a rubiks cube at the shops and, deciding to dedicate herself to solving it, she would watch the country music videos on pay tv every afternoon, while working out how to get more than just one side. She knew there were cheat books, but that was not Taylor Swift’s way. She didn’t cheat at anything. She would solve this for herself.

* * * * *

Ralph was a kelpie. A lovely brown dog, a little puppy, and she had named him immediately. She fell in love with Ralph, and over the next few months as he grew, they went on many an adventure around Lanyon.

And then, one day, on a long walk into Greenway, she saw the sign with ‘Pine Island’, followed it out of curiousity, and found the source of her dream. It was unchanged – the same. It was amazing.

Chapter Four

Daniel was a solo dude. He liked girls – that much he admitted to himself. And despite the sneaking suspicion that he felt some people might have thought he might have been gay, he wasn’t. He just didn’t have much of a sex drive and didn’t seem to go for the girls in a major way. He was 38, had had brief friendships with those of the opposite sex, but never anything too serious. He was a single guy, and had presumed he would always stay that way.

He had been a religious nut, was a Noahide, but had just about gotten over most of his fascination with zealotry. He had calmed down in the last few years, recovering from his early Pentecostal zeal. And he was starting to feel better about everything, being less judgemental, caring for everyone rather than just pretending to.

He had a collection of CD’s. Taylor Swift CD’s. He had finally gotten around to something he had wanted to for a while to avoid all the confusion in his schizophrenic mind. One artist only for music. Just one. And while Bon Jovi had been his favourite as a kid, he would rather choose a chick. It seemed more natural. And so he chose Taylor Swift, and let Love Story rule his heart.

* * * * *

Taylor and Ralph were at Pine Island again. It was late summer, still hot enough to swim, and she was in her bikini in the water, Ralph on the shore, in a quiet southern part of the river. Nobody was around and she dared herself to swim naked for a while. She put her bikini next to Ralph and jumped in in her birthday suit.

She felt alive swimming there. Natural. Like Eve herself. Nobody to see her. Nobody to care. And it was wonderful.

Chapter Five

‘Yes boss. No, I won’t be coming home soon. Yes boss, I am writing new songs. No, there won’t be any videos. I will record in my home. I have a basic studio in one of the rooms. You can master the tapes in the US. Use my old photos for the artwork, etc. Release whatever single you like – do the videos from old footage. No, I won’t say were I am. No, I’m not coming back. Taylor Swift is officially a recluse. If you see mom tell her I love her again. Bye,’ and she hung up.

* * * * *

She was in the back yard. Songs had been flowing well, and she was happy. But she missed her men, and hadn’t had anything like that happening yet here in Australia. But she didn’t want it to yet. She wanted to wait a few years, for age to catch up with her, to be less noticeable that she was Taylor Swift. For now she would record her music, live her life, and let love catch up with her in God’s good time.

* * * * *

4 years passed. She had died her hair black. She looked different. She went out now, without the sunnies, and nobody noticed her. She didn’t change her name, but never used her surname with anyone.

And then, one day she was at Pine Island, swimming far down south, near Lanyon, naked again, when a guy suddenly appeared in board shorts, jumping in to the river. She was quiet and he didn’t notice her, but he slowly waded downstream a little and found her near the rock.

‘I’m naked if you don’t mind. Could you go out, please,’ she said to him.

Daniel looked at her, saw her breasts in the water, which she covered quickly and nodded to her.

‘Sorry, I didn’t know,’ he said, and got out.

She quickly scampered for her bikini, put it on, and wrapped her towel around her, and then found Daniel seated just away from her, looking at her. He stood after a few moments, and approached her. ‘Do I know you?’ he asked.

‘I don’t think so,’ responded Taylor, in her dark hair and older looks.

‘You look familiar,’ he said again, but left it at that.

She stared at him for a while, but he had sat down again, looking at the river, not saying anything. He seemed ok. He didn’t seem like a freak.

After about ten minutes she was feeling a little better about the company which hadn’t disappeared yet. Perhaps he was a lonely guy. Liked a woman’s company. He seemed a little older, but seemed cute. She decided to say hello.

‘I’m Taylor. Uh, Taylor Jones,’ she said.

‘Hi Taylor, nice to meet you. I’m Daniel. Danny Daly.’

‘Nice to meet you Daniel.’ She searched for the words. ‘Do you live nearby?’

‘Over in Macarthur. The eastern side of Tuggeranong. I came down by the bus.’

‘You don’t have a car?’

‘No. Too expensive.’

She smiled to herself. While she could afford any car in the world, people in the real world weren’t always like that. She remembered, just then, how blessed she really was.

‘What do you do, Daniel?’

‘Well, I write books. About Angels. The Fabulous ‘Chronicles of the Children of Destiny’. You probably haven’t heard about them.

‘No,’ she said.

After a while she spoke again. ‘Do they make money for you?’

‘Not yet. I promote them on Google groups and the webhits each day have grown consistently over the last few years, but no real money yet. I am only self published and online, so it takes time. But I’m getting there. It just takes a little time. A little faith.’

‘And you have to be fearless,’ responded Taylor.

‘Yes, you do,’ responded Danny.

They went silent again. Taylor had a good look at Danny Daly. He was different, quite, gentle, but seemed to have an inner strength. She actually liked him.

Eventually she rose, grabbed Ralph’s leash, and looked at him.

‘Well, see you Danny Daly. Maybe we’ll meet again.’

‘I hope so,’ responded Daniel.

Chapter Six

‘You like Def Leppard!’ she exclaimed.

‘Love them. Have listened to them since I was about 15 or 16. Bon Jovi too. They’re great. But with my schizophrenia I go psycho from time to time and destroy my CD’s. So now I only listen to Taylor Swift CDs.’

Taylor almost gasped. ‘Only Taylor Swift, huh? What, you have a thing for her?’

‘I wish,’ he responded. ‘I’ll never meet her. She lives in a world of Princesses and Fairy Tales. I live in the real world, were Notting Hill’s are just fantasies.’

She giggled. He was funny.

‘Well,’ she said. ‘Do you want to come over? See my place?’

‘Were do you live?’

‘Down in Lanyon. In Gordon.’

‘Umm. Well, do you have a car? Can you give me a lift home?’

‘Sure,’ she responded.

When they got in the car she turned the stereo on and ‘Fearless’ began playing.

‘Uh, maybe I’ll change the CD,’ she said.

Daniel looked at her then, looked at her face, and she stared at him.

He said nothing, and as they drove she could sense he was nervous. He had discovered something.

* * * * *

‘Well, this is my living room. And, in here is the studio. I write music.’

He followed her in to the recording room, saw all the instruments, and knew what he had suspected.

Later that month Daniel was coming around most days. He never did anything. Never approached her. Never said any real compliments, apart from normal things. But she caught him, from time to time, looking at her. Smiling at her. And he spoke softly, kindly. Truly.

She was falling for him.

Chapter Seven

‘I have money, you know Daniel. From my music. I can help you with your books if you like.’

‘Um. Gee, well, thanks. But no, ok. I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right.’

‘Are you too proud to accept help from someone?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘But I don’t like you for your money.’

She said nothing after that.

It was later in the year, he was in the back yard with Ralph, and she was writing a new song. It was called ‘Daniel.’ Love was a major theme.

She knew, in younger years, she had a lot of boys. She knew that. This one was different. He wasn’t demanding. Wasn’t insistent. Let her live her own life, and didn’t complain. Just loved her. Like her dog, Ralph. Just loved her.

And perhaps it shouldn’t be any other way, when you found that one. Perhaps it shouldn’t be any other way.

The End

The Noahide Version

Taylor 2

(For Taylor Swift)

Chapter One

‘There is a heart in God. A heart eternal, a heart of love.’

‘Your point,’ said Taylor, turning from the set to look at Daniel her boyfriend.

‘In this heart of Love, in the world of Destiny, there were matches made, partnerships, soulconnections, probably, more than soulmates. Soulmates at times, but the conclusion was not necessarily. Just someone who is meant to be there forever as well, a source of sibling affection, rather than, probably, romance in the end. Ambriel concluded as such. Let Meludiel alone in the end. Let her be. Torah, Israel’s Torah, reminded him of sibling sex problems. Never quite got over that.’

‘What the hell are you on about?’ Asked Taylor, looking at him strangely.

‘Steven is a hell of a guy.’

‘Yes, uh, he is,’ she said confused.

‘But of all the children of God under the 7 heavens, he is NOT the one for you. He is your brother, your comforter, your strength. But being lovers is just weird.’

‘Steven?’

‘Your destiny soul mate. The angels of God communicate such things to me.’

She looked at him. ‘You talk to Angels?’

‘Sort of. They mainly talk to me. Telling me about Destiny, the heart and plans of God, which sometimes mirror reality, the real world. Like the 70 Pseudepigrapha as opposed to the Reality of the 24 Scripture Texts.’

‘Huh?’

‘Never mind.’

‘Religion,’ she said, with a smile on her face. ‘It is not for a girl like me, Daniel. I like Jesus. But church is for yesteryear. A long time ago I grew up. I don’t need that anymore.’

‘Your values are set?’

She nodded. ‘I write them all the time. They are my life story. My music. My history. Taylor Swift, unveiled to the world, for all to see.’ She looked squarely at him. ‘Who is your sister?’

‘Kayella,’ he responded.

She nodded. ‘Nice name. Do you know who she is?’

‘I have an idea,’ and he said nothing more.

Chapter Two

She picked up the bone, and threw it down the pathway a little, and Ralph ran and grabbed it, returned to her, and was jumping around at her feet. ‘Good boy,’ she said, petting him.

Taylor was lonely. Daniel was gone. Off to Sydney for a few days. A miracle had happened. A publisher had found his website, asked him to come and see him about the potential of publishing his work in paperback to a much larger audience. This could be his break. His lucky break.

His books were – interesting. Sometimes very compelling. Sometimes very deep. But very sarcastic at times, which was not always her taste in things. But the latter works, now that she had read most of them, were more promising. Later on in the main saga, when it became ‘The Angels Saga’, there were far more colourful and deeper passages in his stories, were the characters seemed more alive than ever, more passionate, more purposeful, more real. More alive. His early work, so she felt, was him learning his trade. His new work, more professional. Probably, in truth, more publishable.

She slept with him now, from time to time. They had been very careful to start with. He didn’t express any marriage ideas, and she never asked. But she liked him. Really, quite a lot. And those ideas in his books, about eternal life, and about eternal relationships – and about choosing them very, very carefully. And she felt, now, she had almost chosen him. That he was on a list, somewere in her heart, that she wouldn’t quite get over. It might not ever really work out perfectly, but something might be there, in the end, when all was said and done.

Time would tell, she thought, as he said time and time again through his voluminous angelic saga.

Chapter Three

She was digging around in the garden, pulled up a toad, and looked at it.

‘If I kiss you, dear old Froggy, will you turn into a handsome prince?’

A French accent responded. ‘Madame Moiselle. Your prince is already here.’

She turned and there, in a most gay outfit, stood a man next to Daniel who had returned, dressed in bright yellow and pink, and looking ever the scene from yesteryear.

She stood, dusted off the dirt from her knees, and came over to see them. Daniel kissed her on the cheek and said ‘This is Jacque. He is my publisher. We have a deal.’

She looked at the Frenchmen, who was gazing at her figure – quite obviously without hiding it – and took an instant disliking to him. What a jerk, she thought to herself.

‘The deal?’ she asked him, with eager eyes.

Jacque spoke. ‘He will gain 35% for the first decade in royalties. After that we have options for renegotiating, depending on the success of the books.

‘Oh,’ she responded, disappointed. Daniel had wanted 45% as a minimum. ‘So you are going to publish his stuff,’ she asked him.

‘Only if a maid as beautiful as yourself grants me the grace of her company at dinner this evening.’

Daniel spoke up. ‘We are dining out later. You can come if you want.’

She eyed Jacque, who was quite obviously lusting after her, and almost said no, but to make sure nothing went wrong she said ‘I’ll put on my red dress. The one you like,’ eyeing Jacque carefully.

That evening Jacque was all over her, yet Daniel said nothing.

‘You seem so familiar,’ he said with an elusive French accent. ‘Like someone I know, but I just can’t place.’

‘I get that,’ she responded, looking at the menu.

‘Yes,’ he continued. ‘Somewhere. Somewhere I have met you. I am sure of it.’ Daniel interrupted. ‘Now, Taylor, I will be in Sydney for a while, available for editorial reasons for the book, and then there will be some advertising and some book signing duties. I have contributed quite a bit of my own finances for the advertising costs, which got me the deal, but the company has fitted over 90% of the real costs, including all publishing costs.

‘How good is your market?’ Taylor asked Jacque.

‘Oh, we are a rather new publisher,’ responded Jacque, with a business like look on his face. ‘But the boss is a very experienced lady in the industry, and has high hopes about taking on some of the more offbeat types of fictional writings – things which just might hit a new niche. We liked Daniel’s work. It’s original. Angelic fantasy – not too much like his own style out there. There are comics and other things like him, but it is an underexploited market at the moment. We think his stuff has great potential.’

Taylor smiled, and touched Daniel’s hand, smiling at him.

‘You’re an actor, aren’t you?’ Jacque asked her.

She shook her head. ‘No, nothing like that,’ she responded lying, for indeed she had been in movies.’

‘MMmm,’ he responded. ‘I’ll figure it out.’

They talked business for a while longer, and Jacque opened up more, and she found him, slowly, more tolerable. He was indeed a ladies man, but he did not push it too much. And Daniel seemed alive – glowing – in a new life. He finally had his breakthrough, and she couldn’t possibly be happier for him. Not even one little bit.

Chapter Four

Taylor looked at the ring. The diamond, really, was impressive. How could she possibly say no to Daniel, beaming, down on his knees. She did, though. Say no. He didn’t really complain, but accepted her decision quietly. He left it alone after that. She thought on that, his acceptance of her choice, his acceptance of her own decision, and made a little tick in her head of the things she was looking for, and left it at that.

THE END

The Noahide Version

Tatlor 3

(For Taylor Swift)

Times come and times go. Seasons of life come to be and people, in time, get old. They get old. They get old.

Daniel still looked 30. He was 312. Taylor was a little younger. She didn’t understand it.

Society ignored the couple now, and the few thousand others, some in Jerusalem, some scattered here and there, those with unnaturally long lives. That was just weird. The life of trees, according to Isaiah 65, some said. The elect of God.

They were believed, now, to be the powers pulling the strings in society, which was not completely true. Yes, they had influence, but it was not much more than that. The elect mostly did their own thing.

‘Well,’ he said, handing her the same ring, which he had done once a year at exactly the same date. Taylor looked at it, smiled, and said ‘Well, you really are consistent, aren’t you Daniel? But how many times do I have to say no?’

‘Until you say yes,’ he responded, a gentle smile on his face.

She looked then, deep into his eyes, and soul. ‘Until I say yes?’ she queried him.

‘Until you say yes,’ he responded.

And then Taylor, having made her ticks on her list for the last few centuries, finally ticking some of the final requirements on this Daniel in just the last few months, she could no longer find any further objections.

‘Yes.’

And he smiled.

And they were happy.

The End

Clearwater: Taylor

Note: Taylor and Taylor 2 are borrowed from the 'Taylor' saga, and told again here. Taylor 3 in the Taylor saga goes off into its own saga, whereas a 'Time Conflux' which Lord Apholox (The Time Master) is aware of enters at this point and a divergence occurs. Daniel's life goes down two alternate courses, the first continuing with Taylor, the other, this work, leading into the Clearwater Saga. This conflux is later resolved at a point in both sagas, were a unifying event, arranged by Lord Apholox, brings the histories back together as one.

Chapter One

Taylor was a good girl.  A princess.  She believed in bunny rabbits, and fairy tales, and prince charmings and kings and queens and her mommy and daddy.  And Santa Claus was a big deal at Christmas.

When she was 15 she met Abigail.  Abby was perfect to Taylor, with her red hair, and good looks.

And then she turned 21 and she was Queen of the world.

*   *   *   *   *

‘Taylor.  Are you ready?  The show starts in 5 minutes.  Come on, girl.  We gotta hurry.  It’s your biggest audience yet?’

‘Sure.  Be right there,’ responded Miss Swift.

Here she was – New York – Madison Square Garden.  The biggest night of her life.  The president was out there, with his wife.  So many of her best friends, so many were here, for the biggest night of her life.  And she was ready.

But then, an angel dropped into her room, and whispered to her heart.

‘THERE’S MORE.’

And, Taylor.  Sensing something greater than even this night before her, went into the wardrobe, found sunglasses, a leather jacket and a red skirt, grabbed her purse with her cards and, stealing out the hidden back door, disappeared into her porche, destination unknown.

*   *   *   *   *

She was at JFK.  She had a ticket, to Australia, to Sydney.  She was going to escape, now.  She had earned it.  She had many lifetimes of money in her account, an email address to mom and dad, and the plan in mind.  ‘Sorry boss.  I have gone incognito.  Will check in eventually – it might be a decade or so – you never know.’

And Taylor was gone.

Chapter Two

Sydney was big.  She liked living in big cities.  Getting away from mean guys.  But she heard of Canberra from a girl at a café.  Said it had a beautiful spirit.  A big country town, so she said.  Taylor decided to go and check it out.

She took a bus trip down, found the scenery wild and uncompromising.  But Australia and Australians were like that.  Tough and hard, but with hearts of gold.

She got to Canberra, the Jolimont centre, still in her red skirt and sunglasses.  She knew even here she would be recognized, so would be careful.  She didn’t have a minder with her, and didn’t want one.  She was starting again, for now.  A brave new life.  A fearless step for a fearless girl.

She did the mall in Woden that afternoon, realized she was tired, and booked into the nearby hotel.  And, drinking a coke, eating a takeaway pizza, she watched the inhouse TV, put it on the country music channel, and laughed as she was the second song on.

She dreamed that night.  She was in a field, like no other she had ever been to or felt.  It was Australia, so it seemed.  But some strange place.  And then there was a river, and a picnic grounds, and people walking around.  And she heard the name ‘Pine Island’ mentioned, and she felt different here.  And then it struck her heart – love was in this place.  Pure and honest love.  And the deepest heart of salvation.

Chapter Three

She found Lanyon valley, and Gordon, and rented her home there.  It was a simple place, and her credit cards were good enough I.D.  She had been to the American embassy last month and gone through the procedures for becoming a permanent resident of Australia.  The government had just approved her because of her fame and excellent earnings potential.  And now she was house-hunting.

She moved in to the place, filled it with all her new stuff within a week, and zonked out.

It was time to do nothing.  To be nothing but Taylor Swift.  To be who she really was, not just the image she portrayed to the world.  To be just a girl, in a big old city, living her simple life, doing her simple stuff.

She saw the advertisement in the local paper – Isabella Plains Newsagent,  Counter person required.  She didn’t need the work, but wanted to do something.  She applied.  She got it.  They agreed she could wear sunglasses and dress daggily so as not to attract attention to herself.  Nobody knew she was here, and the owners were a Chinese couple who didn’t recognize her.  She would remain anonymous.

*   *   *   *   *

Chocolate cookies were nice, especially with ice cream, but how much could a girl take?  She had zonked out for months now, put on a bit of weight, but she didn’t care.  She was hear for a real holiday, and didn’t want to have to conform to the image of Supergirl forever.  But she was nearing the end of her slack holiday – she would watch her weight now.

She worked casual hours – a few a week.  She met new people, new faces, and smiled at them.  Sometimes they looked at her a bit funnily, but nobody said anything.  She was safe.

She found a rubiks cube at the shops and, deciding to dedicate herself to solving it, she would watch the country music videos on pay tv every afternoon, while working out how to get more than just one side.  She knew there were cheat books, but that was not Taylor Swift’s way.  She didn’t cheat at anything.  She would solve this for herself.

*   *   *   *   *

Ralph was a kelpie.  A lovely brown dog, a little puppy, and she had named him immediately.  She fell in love with Ralph, and over the next few months as he grew, they went on many an adventure around Lanyon.

And then, one day, on a long walk into Greenway, she saw the sign with ‘Pine Island’, followed it out of curiousity, and found the source of her dream.  It was unchanged – the same.  It was amazing.

Chapter Four

Daniel was a solo dude.  He liked girls – that much he admitted to himself.  And despite the sneaking suspicion that he felt some people might have thought he might have been gay, he wasn’t.  He just didn’t have much of a sex drive and didn’t seem to go for the girls in a major way.  He was 38, had had brief friendships with those of the opposite sex, but never anything too serious.  He was a single guy, and had presumed he would always stay that way.

He had been a religious nut, was a Noahide, but had just about gotten over most of his fascination with zealotry.  He had calmed down in the last few years, recovering from his early Pentecostal zeal.  And he was starting to feel better about everything, being less judgemental, caring for everyone rather than just pretending to.

He had a collection of CD’s.  Taylor Swift CD’s.  He had finally gotten around to something he had wanted to for a while to avoid all the confusion in his schizophrenic mind.  One artist only for music.  Just one.  And while Bon Jovi had been his favourite as a kid, he would rather choose a chick.  It seemed more natural.  And so he chose Taylor Swift, and let Love Story rule his heart.

*   *   *   *   *

Taylor and Ralph were at Pine Island again.  It was late summer, still hot enough to swim, and she was in her bikini in the water, Ralph on the shore, in a quiet southern part of the river.  Nobody was around and she dared herself to swim naked for a while.  She put her bikini next to Ralph and jumped in in her birthday suit.

She felt alive swimming there.  Natural.  Like Eve herself.  Nobody to see her.  Nobody to care.  And it was wonderful.

Chapter Five

‘Yes boss.  No, I won’t be coming home soon.  Yes boss, I am writing new songs.  No, there won’t be any videos.  I will record in my home.  I have a basic studio in one of the rooms.  You can master the tapes in the US.  Use my old photos for the artwork, etc.  Release whatever single you like – do the videos from old footage.  No, I won’t say were I am.  No, I’m not coming back.  Taylor Swift is officially a recluse.  If you see mom tell her I love her again.  Bye,’ and she hung up.

*   *   *   *   *

She was in the back yard.  Songs had been flowing well, and she was happy.  But she missed her men, and hadn’t had anything like that happening yet here in Australia.  But she didn’t want it to yet.  She wanted to wait a few years, for age to catch up with her, to be less noticeable that she was Taylor Swift.  For now she would record her music, live her life, and let love catch up with her in God’s good time.

*   *   *   *   *

4 years passed.  She had died her hair black.  She looked different.  She went out now, without the sunnies, and nobody noticed her.  She didn’t change her name, but never used her surname with anyone.

And then, one day she was at Pine Island, swimming far down south, near Lanyon, naked again, when a guy suddenly appeared in board shorts, jumping in to the river.  She was quiet and he didn’t notice her, but he slowly waded downstream a little and found her near the rock.

‘I’m naked if you don’t mind.  Could you go out, please,’ she said to him.

Daniel looked at her, saw her breasts in the water, which she covered quickly and nodded to her.

‘Sorry, I didn’t know,’ he said, and got out.

She quickly scampered for her bikini, put it on, and wrapped her towel around her, and then found Daniel seated just away from her, looking at her.  He stood after a few moments, and approached her.  ‘Do I know you?’ he asked.

‘I don’t think so,’ responded Taylor, in her dark hair and older looks.

‘You look familiar,’ he said again, but left it at that.

She stared at him for a while, but he had sat down again, looking at the river, not saying anything.  He seemed ok.  He didn’t seem like a freak.

After about ten minutes she was feeling a little better about the company which hadn’t disappeared yet.  Perhaps he was a lonely guy.  Liked a woman’s company.  He seemed a little older, but seemed cute.  She decided to say hello.

‘I’m Taylor.  Uh, Taylor Jones,’ she said.

‘Hi Taylor, nice to meet you.  I’m Daniel.  Danny Daly.’

‘Nice to meet you Daniel.’  She searched for the words.  ‘Do you live nearby?’

‘Over in Macarthur.  The eastern side of Tuggeranong.  I came down by the bus.’

‘You don’t have a car?’

‘No.  Too expensive.’

She smiled to herself.  While she could afford any car in the world, people in the real world weren’t always like that.  She remembered, just then, how blessed she really was.

‘What do you do, Daniel?’

‘Well, I write books.  About Angels.  The Fabulous ‘Chronicles of the Children of Destiny’.  You probably haven’t heard about them.

‘No,’ she said.

After a while she spoke again.  ‘Do they make money for you?’

‘Not yet.  I promote them on Google groups and the webhits each day have grown consistently over the last few years, but no real money yet.  I am only self published and online, so it takes time.  But I’m getting there.  It just takes a little time.  A little faith.’

‘And you have to be fearless,’ responded Taylor.

‘Yes, you do,’ responded Danny.

They went silent again.  Taylor had a good look at Danny Daly.  He was different, quite, gentle, but seemed to have an inner strength.  She actually liked him.

Eventually she rose, grabbed Ralph’s leash, and looked at him.

‘Well, see you Danny Daly.  Maybe we’ll meet again.’

‘I hope so,’ responded Daniel.

Chapter Six

‘You like Def Leppard!’ she exclaimed.

‘Love them.  Have listened to them since I was about 15 or 16.  Bon Jovi too.  They’re great.  But with my schizophrenia I go psycho from time to time and destroy my CD’s.  So now I only listen to Taylor Swift CDs.’

Taylor almost gasped.  ‘Only Taylor Swift, huh?  What, you have a thing for her?’

‘I wish,’ he responded.  ‘I’ll never meet her.  She lives in a world of Princesses and Fairy Tales.  I live in the real world, were Notting Hill’s are just fantasies.’

She giggled.  He was funny.

‘Well,’ she said.  ‘Do you want to come over?  See my place?’

‘Were do you live?’

‘Down in Lanyon.  In Gordon.’

‘Umm.  Well, do you have a car?  Can you give me a lift home?’

‘Sure,’ she responded.

When they got in the car she turned the stereo on and ‘Fearless’ began playing.

‘Uh, maybe I’ll change the CD,’ she said.

Daniel looked at her then, looked at her face, and she stared at him.

He said nothing, and as they drove she could sense he was nervous.  He had discovered something.

*   *   *   *   *

‘Well, this is my living room.  And, in here is the studio.  I write music.’

He followed her in to the recording room, saw all the instruments, and knew what he had suspected.

Later that month Daniel was coming around most days.  He never did anything.  Never approached her.  Never said any real compliments, apart from normal things.  But she caught him, from time to time, looking at her.  Smiling at her.  And he spoke softly, kindly.  Truly.

She was falling for him.

Chapter Seven

‘I have money, you know Daniel.  From my music.  I can help you with your books if you like.’

‘Um.  Gee, well, thanks.  But no, ok.  I couldn’t.  It wouldn’t be right.’

‘Are you too proud to accept help from someone?’

‘No,’ he said.  ‘But I don’t like you for your money.’

She said nothing after that.

It was later in the year, he was in the back yard with Ralph, and she was writing a new song.  It was called ‘Daniel.’  Love was a major theme.

She knew, in younger years, she had a lot of boys.  She knew that.  This one was different.  He wasn’t demanding.  Wasn’t insistent.  Let her live her own life, and didn’t complain.  Just loved her.  Like her dog, Ralph.  Just loved her.

And perhaps it shouldn’t be any other way, when you found that one.  Perhaps it shouldn’t be any other way.

The End

Taylor 2

(For Taylor Swift)

Chapter One

‘There is a heart in God.  A heart eternal, a heart of love.’

‘Your point,’ said Taylor, turning from the set to look at Daniel her boyfriend.

‘In this heart of Love, in the world of Destiny, there were matches made, partnerships, soulconnections, probably, more than soulmates.  Soulmates at times, but the conclusion was not necessarily.  Just someone who is meant to be there forever as well, a source of sibling affection, rather than, probably, romance in the end.  Ambriel concluded as such.  Let Meludiel alone in the end.  Let her be.  Torah, Israel’s Torah, reminded him of sibling sex problems.  Never quite got over that.’

‘What the hell are you on about?’  Asked Taylor, looking at him strangely.

‘Steven is a hell of a guy.’

‘Yes, uh, he is,’ she said confused.

‘But of all the children of God under the 7 heavens, he is NOT the one for you.  He is your brother, your comforter, your strength.  But being lovers is just weird.’

‘Steven?’

‘Your destiny soul mate.  The angels of God communicate such things to me.’

She looked at him.  ‘You talk to Angels?’

‘Sort of.  They mainly talk to me.  Telling me about Destiny, the heart and plans of God, which sometimes mirror reality, the real world.  Like the 70 Pseudepigrapha as opposed to the Reality of the 24 Scripture Texts.’

‘Huh?’

‘Never mind.’

‘Religion,’ she said, with a smile on her face.  ‘It is not for a girl like me, Daniel.  I like Jesus. But church is for yesteryear.  A long time ago I grew up.  I don’t need that anymore.’

‘Your values are set?’

She nodded.  ‘I write them all the time.  They are my life story.  My music.  My history.  Taylor Swift, unveiled to the world, for all to see.’  She looked squarely at him.   ‘Who is your sister?’

‘Kayella,’ he responded.

She nodded.  ‘Nice name.  Do you know who she is?’

‘I have an idea,’ and he said nothing more.

Chapter Two

She picked up the bone, and threw it down the pathway a little, and Ralph ran and grabbed it, returned to her, and was jumping around at her feet.  ‘Good boy,’ she said, petting him.

Taylor was lonely.  Daniel was gone.  Off to Sydney for a few days.  A miracle had happened.  A publisher had found his website, asked him to come and see him about the potential of publishing his work in paperback to a much larger audience.  This could be his break.  His lucky break.

His books were – interesting.  Sometimes very compelling.  Sometimes very deep.  But very sarcastic at times, which was not always her taste in things.  But the latter works, now that she had read most of them, were more promising.  Later on in the main saga, when it became ‘The Angels Saga’, there were far more colourful and deeper passages in his stories, were the characters seemed more alive than ever, more passionate, more purposeful, more real.  More alive.  His early work, so she felt, was him learning his trade.  His new work, more professional.  Probably, in truth, more publishable.

She slept with him now, from time to time.  They had been very careful to start with.  He didn’t express any marriage ideas, and she never asked.  But she liked him.  Really, quite a lot.  And those ideas in his books, about eternal life, and about eternal relationships – and about choosing them very, very carefully.  And she felt, now, she had almost chosen him.  That he was on a list, somewere in her heart, that she wouldn’t quite get over.  It might not ever really work out perfectly, but something might be there, in the end, when all was said and done.

Time would tell, she thought, as he said time and time again through his voluminous angelic saga.

Chapter Three

She was digging around in the garden, pulled up a toad, and looked at it.

‘If I kiss you, dear old Froggy, will you turn into a handsome prince?’

A French accent responded.  ‘Madame Moiselle.  Your prince is already here.’

She turned and there, in a most gay outfit, stood a man next to Daniel who had returned, dressed in bright yellow and pink, and looking ever the scene from yesteryear.

She stood, dusted off the dirt from her knees, and came over to see them.  Daniel kissed her on the cheek and said ‘This is Jacque.  He is my publisher.  We have a deal.’

She looked at the Frenchmen, who was gazing at her figure – quite obviously without hiding it – and took an instant disliking to him.  What a jerk, she thought to herself.

‘The deal?’ she asked him, with eager eyes.

Jacque spoke.  ‘He will gain 35% for the first decade in royalties.  After that we have options for renegotiating, depending on the success of the books.

‘Oh,’ she responded, disappointed.  Daniel had wanted 45% as a minimum.  ‘So you are going to publish his stuff,’ she asked him.

‘Only if a maid as beautiful as yourself grants me the grace of her company at dinner this evening.’

Daniel spoke up.  ‘We are dining out later.  You can come if you want.’

She eyed Jacque, who was quite obviously lusting after her, and almost said no, but to make sure nothing went wrong she said ‘I’ll put on my red dress.  The one you like,’ eyeing Jacque carefully.

That evening Jacque was all over her, yet Daniel said nothing.

‘You seem so familiar,’ he said with an elusive French accent.  ‘Like someone I know, but I just can’t place.’

‘I get that,’ she responded, looking at the menu.

‘Yes,’ he continued.  ‘Somewhere.  Somewhere I have met you.  I am sure of it.’  Daniel interrupted.  ‘Now, Taylor, I will be in Sydney for a while, available for editorial reasons for the book, and then there will be some advertising and some book signing duties.  I have contributed quite a bit of my own finances for the advertising costs, which got me the deal, but the company has fitted over 90% of the real costs, including all publishing costs.

‘How good is your market?’ Taylor asked Jacque.

‘Oh, we are a rather new publisher,’ responded Jacque, with a business like look on his face.  ‘But the boss is a very experienced lady in the industry, and has high hopes about taking on some of the more offbeat types of fictional writings – things which just might hit a new niche.  We liked Daniel’s work.  It’s original.  Angelic fantasy – not too much like his own style out there.  There are comics and other things like him, but it is an underexploited market at the moment.  We think his stuff has great potential.’

Taylor smiled, and touched Daniel’s hand, smiling at him.

‘You’re an actor, aren’t you?’ Jacque asked her.

She shook her head.  ‘No, nothing like that,’ she responded lying, for indeed she had been in movies.’

‘MMmm,’ he responded.  ‘I’ll figure it out.’

They talked business for a while longer, and Jacque opened up more, and she found him, slowly, more tolerable.  He was indeed a ladies man, but he did not push it too much.  And Daniel seemed alive – glowing – in a new life.  He finally had his breakthrough, and she couldn’t possibly be happier for him.  Not even one little bit.

Chapter Four

Taylor looked at the ring.  The diamond, really, was impressive.  How could she possibly say no to Daniel, beaming, down on his knees.  She did, though.  Say no.  He didn’t really complain, but accepted her decision quietly.  He left it alone after that.  She thought on that, his acceptance of her choice, his acceptance of her own decision, and made a little tick in her head of the things she was looking for, and left it at that.

THE END

Taylor: The End of the Dream

NOTE: The divergence occurs at this point.

But things, even the best hoped of things, don't always work out. And in this apocryphal world of other realities, God caused a conflux, which he would leave to Lord Apholox to resolve, and set Daniel down a differing road of life.

'Who is Michelle Bullock?' asked Taylor to Daniel.

'Oh. A Jehovah's Witness,' he responded.

'And you're fucking her, aren't you?' she said hotly.

'No. God what do you think I am?'

But Taylor didn't believe him.

It was cold then, between them, and Daniel never really understood. But life had suddenly and dramatically gone in a different direction and, what he was sure of, he no longer was. And Taylor, as quickly as he had come, had gone, and Daniel turned cold. Perhaps it was always in him, shielded. And perhaps a greater power knew that truth.

He went to the Jehovah's witnesses for a while, and told God what he thought of him. And God understood. And then he met Jenny Gilmore. And that worked for a while, and then it ended. And she wasn't the one either.

And then he was alone.

'Shut up Greg,' said Daniel to his brother.

'Your getting old, Danny. No kids. I mean, come on. Dad wanted you to have children.'

'I don't think I care, you know. Life is a fuck up for me. It promises the world, and delivers shit.'

'Your books are doing well,' said Gregory softly.

'Don't care,' he said.

'You still look ok. Come on, get it together. Get over Jenny Gilmore. She wasn't right for you. Mum didn't like her.'

'She doesn't approve of an Anglican for me. Just wants a Catholic, and I'm a Noahide.'

Greg somewhat agreed on that point. 'Look Dan. Don't give up. Life is strange. It takes you down one course, but because, you know, it has passions, it makes sudden choices. And we just have to accept that.'

'Then fuck life,' said Daniel.

'Dan,' said Greg softly.

Daniel, later on, picked up a copy of the Watchtower. The front cover read 'They mysteries of Jehovah are beyond all comprehension.'

'Yeh, that would be right,' said Daniel sarcastically, but read the article anyway.

He still thought on Taylor, but she had gone, and was back to her career. He still bought her albums and, now, had started going mad collecting everything under the sun. The garage was packed with all sorts of crap, which his mother some times objected to, because he was living at home again, but she put up with. He needed to – though – focus on something. His books were doing ok in selling, and while he spent it all on endless supplies of books and old expensive comics and CDs and DVDs and things, he put a healthy amount away in his superannuation account.

But still, that didn't fill the void. Life, it seemed, as much as he hated to admit it, had made other plans for the life of Daniel Daly. And he would just have to accept that, wether he liked it or not.

The End

The Noahide Version

Clearwater

Clearwater was a quiet town, south of Dalgety in New South Wales Australia, a town in many ways, except it only had one house, and one resident. Clearwater was a sign, written in green letters, on the fence of the abode, perhaps a sign of happiness within. Perhaps.

Sandra was the resident of Clearwater. She was 20, her father dying last year, leaving her the house. Her mother had died in her childbirth. Sandra was unemployed, had spent her days since leaving school taking care of her elderly father, who was now dead, and Sandra, with about 10 thousand dollars left in her inheritance, an old Holden, and a home, was wondering about her future most days. What would she do?

She had blossomed late in her teens, and was now moderately attractive. But a boy had not known her, and she was not overly given to them. Not a lesbian, by any means, but no real passions of heart. No real passions of anything, really.

Like the warm summer, her personality was warm and friendly, but with no spark of activity, no spark of direction, no spark of purpose. Simply a warm, happy, energy, which flowed with things. Which had followed her fathers simple ways, and not worried. Not cared, really.

But it couldn't go on, could it. Things would have to change, wouldn't they? Wouldn't they?

*

10 years later, another centrelink form for job applications, not that she ever tried. Simply the same two job applications in Dalgety town, one for receptionist, one for publican, and they still couldn't take her. Cooma centrelink didn't complain. They knew her situation. They didn't mind.

She was simple, now. Part of the community in some ways, but she lived the solitary life. Not much, ever, really doing. She swam in the snowy in summer, in her bikini, down the road a little. She occasionally watched the cricket in Dalgety, a live match, but never bothered with the Rugby League. She had a meal in the pub about twice a year, but apart from that shopped in did nothing else, cept Cooma occasionally to buy some new clothes.

Mostly she slept on her bed, watched her soaps on the same tube tv her father had owned, ocasionally watched one of the video casettes they owned, which were old now, and had been used a lot, and not much else. Often, in the afternoons, when the sun was low, she would be on the rocker out the front, watching the haze of summer, watching the sheep in the paddock opposite, waiting. For what, she never really knew. But she was waiting.

*

He walked by, not much later, in track pants, sneakers, and a t-shirt. He saw her and asked for water. She didn't mind.

'I'm having an episode,' he said. 'The worst is over, but I still feel a bit messed up. I was at the river all night. Its not as bad as when I was younger.'

'Your psychotic?' she asked him.

Daniel nodded. 'A schizophrenic,' he responded.

'I understand,' she said. 'My sister had been a psychotic. She killed herself.'

'I'm sorry,' he said.

'Don't be. It wasn't your fault. Besides, I hated her. She was hell to live with.'

'Sorry,' he responded.

She looked at him. He looked a bit older, not sure how old really, could have been in his 40s or even 50s, but he seemed youthful in some ways.

'Were do you live?' she asked him.

'In Cooma. I moved there last year. Bought a home with my superannuation.'

'Oh. So your retired,' she said.

'Uh, sort of. I turned 60 last year. Got my payment. Bought a house.'

'Oh. You don't look that old. 50, maybe. But not much older.'

'Thanks,' he said.

She looked at him again. 'Do you want to stay the night? I rarely get company. Not really anybody at all since dad died. My cousin from Sydney. Just once. Nobody else.'

'Umm. Yeh, I guess so. I was going to see were the road went, but sure, I'd love to stay. Thanks.'

He came in. She gave him some of her dad's clothes to change into. He showered, and they had dinner. She cooked bacon and eggs.

He was cute.

He never left.

The End

The Noahide Version

Clearwater: Shadows

(Clearwater Saga Volume 2)

Sandra sat on the rocker, in the cool of the afternoon, the long shadows of the poplars covering her. She stared out westwards, at the fields, relaxed. Happy. She had a man. She now had a man.

Daniel was an older soul. A calm soul for the most part, and he had come down from his high, started wearing her father's clothing, and then slept in her old room, and just stayed. Just stayed. They talked, smalltalk to start with,but he gradually started opening up. And so did she. He was a man with a shadowy past, so he claimed. 'Not one of dark deeds, Sandra,' he had said. 'But of a dark heart. A broken heart.'

'What do you mean?'

'Bitter times. Till I moved to Cooma. Then a spirit returned to my life. And the shadows disappeared, and I was so excited I was psychotic again. Which brought me here.'

'So the shadows saved me,' she said.

He couldn't help but smile.

She sat there, that afternoon, in the shadows of the poplars, thinking. He had a place, in Cooma, and had invited her to see it. They would have to take the bus, which was how she got to Cooma. But she didn't mind. His place was like him. Calm. Gentle colours, soft environment, nothing harsh or jagged jutting out to upset you. Like a step back in timme 20 years or so. A lot like her place in many ways. He had books. Thousands of books. And thousands of comics and CDs and DVDs. All around the house in bookcases sprawled everywhere. He was an information culture junkie. He had said so himself. But she didn't mind. And an updated decade of movies she hadn't seen seemed a wonderful idea.

'What are these books?' she asked, about the collection of about 50 books with his name on them.

'The published works so far of the Chronicles of the Children of Destiny. A saga about the children and angels of God.'

'Your an author,' she said.

He nodded.

'Mmmm.'

He showed her the rest of his house, and finally the bedrooms.

'Nice quilt. Angels,' she said.

He smiled.

'Do you want to watch a movie?'

She followed him to the loungeroom, and they sat there, together, watching Twilight, which she was now finally seeing.

She had a good time.

*

The following morning she awoke to the sun streaming through the window. She was in the guest room. They had been together 3 months. They hadn't slept together yet. She was still a virgin, anyway. He was conservative. She showered in the ensuite, and coming through to the kitchen she found a plate of fried bacon, eggs and tomato sitting on the table, hot by the looks of it, with toast and orange juice sitting next to it. Daniel suddenly appeared, coming through the back door.

'Eat up,' he said. 'I bought it all fresh this morning.'

She smiled and hooked into the breakfast.

'You want to do anything today ?' he asked her, when they were back in the lounge room, watching TV.

She looked at him. 'You have thousands of DVDs and CDs. I could stay here forever.'

He smiled. 'Then we'll keep it simple.'

And so Sandra stayed with Daniel. A whole year. She went back to Clearwater just once to check everything was ok, but then remained with Daniel. But they didn't sleep together. Not yet anyway.

And Sandra found no shadows in Daniel's heart, and she was content, and she was at peace.

The End

The Noahide Version

Clearwater: Legacies

(Clearwater Saga Volume 3)

'Not so much, anymore. I had a lot of bitter years. Were God was there, and I knew he was there, but I didn't speak to him much. I didn't have much heart left. There was Kirstie, like I was telling you about. And I slept with her, and another girl called Jenny. And Jenny lives not far from here. And then there was Taylor. Oh God. Taylor. She was too much for me. Too expensive for Danny Daly.'

'Too expensive.'

'I would tell you who she was, but you wouldn't believe me.'

'Try me,' said Sandra.

'She went missing for a few years. Lived inTuggeranong with me. A famous US country singer. I was about to be published at the time, and I thought the world was coming to me. It never worked out. The dream died, and I went into a spiral downwards. I'm only now climbing out of it.'

'Jenny Gilmore?' asked Sandra.

'Yes,' said Daniel. 'You know her?'

'I know her,' said Sandra.

Later on Sandra was looking at Daniel's CD collection. 'Is this her?' she asked him, showing him a Taylor Swift CD with a love note from Taylor to Daniel written in it. He nodded.

'Does she keep in touch?'

'No. I haven't heard from her since she left. Don't know if I ever will again. Maybe one day, beyond death, in heaven. Maybe one day. We were in love for a while. It didn't work out. Life throws you a curveball. And the legacies of love I have left behind me have resulted in many bitter tears. Michelle took me to the Kingdom Hall. The Jehovah's Witness place, and I let God know I was miserable. And when Taylor left me, I swore at him in that place, softly. Called him a bastard. His spirit said I was forgiven. Said he understood. I didn't care. I didn't want to be forgiven. I respected Michelle. She was a fabulous girl, a great witness for God, but I couldn't stomach it then. What Jehovah had did in my life. The way he had led women to me, and I hadn't even been responsible with them, but I liked them, and then came Taylor, and I blew that. And I never forgave him. Even now I hurt.'

'But now you have me,' said Sandra, smiling at him.

'Now I have you,' he said, and smiled at her. It was a feint smile, but he came over, touched her shoulder, and she knew he meant it. He did have her. And she had him. And whatever crazy destiny Daniel had been through, she was just grateful that Taylor Swift, of all people, hadn't gotten her man. For she was starting to have feelings for him, and starting to find her place in the world. And if she had Michelle Bullock to thank for sorting her man out, who seemed to now be getting over his dark years, settled, a place of his own, looking more like a grown up mature citizen, then she was grateful to God for that small mercy.

She put on the Taylor Swift CD, and put on the song 'Love Story.'

It felt deep, longing, and she felt Daniel in it. And she knew she might have broken a heart, long ago, for Sandra knew Daniel was her own love story. A love story, now, she might never let go of. A love story which would, maybe, change her life forever. Just maybe. Just maybe.

The End

Clearwater: Continuity

(Clearwater Saga Volume 4)

He stayed. Perhaps, if anything else was true about Daniel that she hadn't yet figured out, one thing definitely was. He was faithful. He stayed.

They were at Clearwater again, and they spent hazy summer days and hot summer nights, together. And then they married. And she was still young. And then she was pregnant.

'Can we call him Callodyn?' he asked her.

'The angel. Like you. From your books?' she asked.

He nodded. 'I've always wanted to call my son Callodyn. Callodyn Gabriel Daniel Daly.'

'Then that is what it will be,' said Sandra.

Callodyn was born, and soon he was toddling around, in nappies still, for he shat a lot, and Daniel doted on him. And Sandra was happy. She thought it was funny, in a way. How life seemed to end up working when she really did nothing to make it work. But she couldn't. It wasn't in her. The drive. The notion to go out there, with passion, and make something of her life. She wasn't like that, and she knew that. She sort of, instead, just let life happen. Take her were it will. Go with the flow of it all. But, in that small faith she had in life, it seemed, now, to work out anyway. Perhaps that small, quiet trust in life, that there is bigger picture she didn't yet understand, and which she perhaps would just call God now, was all she needed. Simple, honest, trust.

'Can we listen to this?' asked Daniel, picking out an old Slim Dusty record which was in a sealed plastic sleeve.

'It was one of dad's,' she said. 'He won it down at the pub one night. He never opened it.'

'As good as time as any,' responded Daniel.

Sandra took the record from Daniel, opened it up, and put it on the record player. Solid country from Slim. You could rely on him for that.

They sat, quietly, listening to it for a while. The summer air in the house was warm, but it was twilight, and had cooled down a bit after a hot day. And she sat there, on the couch, and Daniel came over and sat next to her, and she put her head on his leg, and sat there, quietly.

'Life has a funny way of working out, doesn't it Daniel,' she said.

He didn't respond.

'I didn't go looking for you. But you found me.'

'And I wasn't looking for you,' he said. 'But I found you.'

'And it all works out,' she said again.

Callodyn toddled in, and went over to the record player.

'He's not going to touch it,' said Sandra.

Callodyn started dancing a little to the music, and suddenly gave the record player a big shove, and the record skipped ahead to a new song.

'No, I'm sure he's not,' grinned Daniel.

Sandra laughed.

They were quite, gentle times. And she was getting older, now. She was still young, married to a mature man, but she felt, strangely, very old in many other ways. Probably the country attitude in her she felt. But it was a dreamworld, which had never really changed, living in Clearwater, at the edge of the world, away from everyone. A quiet, sedate life, were calmness was the order of the day. Perhaps, knowing her husband, that was what he needed most anyway. Perhaps, in Sandra, he had found his salvation. Quiet, gentle, sedate. Peaceful. The calming life of the country environment.

It was continuity. That was what it was. Continuity in the life of Sandra, were nothing changed much, except, perhaps, the natural way of things. The nature of the world, saying, when it was time, you didn't have to make it happen. It just happened anyway. And she found contenment in that.

'Daniel. I'll love you forever,' she said, as Slim crooned along.

He held her, and whispered, 'Me too.'

And all was good.

The End

Torah-Only Version

Ambriel

60 Amazing Worlds of Amazing love.

'Ambriel, why do you insist tha love is the answer?'

'Why do you ask, said the King of the 60 Worlds of Amazing Love.'

'Because Law is the answer,' said the angel Marckonyel. 'And I should know.

Without Law, it is only misrule.'

Ambriel put on 'Behind the Mask,' by Michael on the CD player, and they sat there.

'Who do you love, Marky Mark? Is it me?' Ambriel, the King of Love asked him.

'Dream on. Jezandreal is the girl for me.'

'You love her.'

'Of course,' said Marckonyel.

'Then there is your answer.'

'Humph,' said Marckonyel.

The 60 Worlds of Amazing love expanded each generation, with the new increase in population,

all shaped in a universal diamond. They were Holy, Pure and the love of Ambriel. They were

God's special, eternal, Creation, were the 60 Archangels of Love ruled forever.

60.

Holy.

Pure.

Perfect.

And then Marckonyel showed up the next day and wrote down this number.

70.

'At least that represents the bloody Torah,' said Marckonyel.

'But Ambriel would only smile.

Marckonyel left, satisfied.

Ambriel prayed love after him.

And that was that.

Love conquers all.

Love is supreme.

Love is perfect.

Love is everything.

Bloody 70, said Ambriel. But I luv yu anyway, you luvverly number.

And in heaven, the Almighty, playing cards with Wormdog, noticed the point Ambriel

said and Marckonyel's objections, and thought. Ok, then. You love 70 as well.

Ok.

Ok.

OK.

The End

Samaritan Version

To Sir with Love

Lulu sat with Tina and Jessica. Adam was on stage. Davriel. They loved him.

So very much, so incredibly much, so perfectly much, they loved him.

Their Taheb. Their teacher. Their Love.

'Sir,' said the lady on stage. 'We want to sing a song for you. This lovely

and proud Samaritan College have a song for you, Adam. We have a song for you.

And Lulu, Tina and Jessica came up to the stage, and they began.

'To Sir With Love.'

And the Glory of God bellowed in the heavenlies, because he was suddenly

in a VERY good mood.

'You know, children,' said Adam, addressing the crowd. 'These years have been

very, very good for me. I have taught lessons, I have taught truths, I have taught

doctrines, I have taught love.'

'And for you, my heart, I will continue on forever. And the Words I speak, will

always be true. And the Words I speak, will always be for you.'

Down the back Daniel and Saruviel sat with Michael and Ambriel and Gabriel.

The Theophany was sitting with them, at the desks, and they were all scribbling

on the desks, writing there favourite heavy metal bands on them.

'Slayer rule,' said Saruviel.

'Bon Jovi Kick there arse,' said Daniel.

'Wham rule,' said Ambriel.

'Yeh, as heavy as you get,' said Saruviel.

'Go Iron Maiden,' said Michael.

'Nah, Def Leppard are the best,' said Gabriel.

They all looked at God.

'Well, I always liked the Beatles,' said God.