Unholy Empire: Chronicles of the Host, Vol 2: Chronicles of the Host, Book 2 (16 page)

After his father’s death in Haran, Abram heard from God. The Lord told Abram to leave his father’s family there and move on to Canaan, where He would make Abram into a great nation! That meant an heir! What a promise—especially since Sarai was unable to have children. This time she didn’t need as much convincing to move on—she just hoped Abram had heard correctly from God! They departed soon afterwards, and Lot, their nephew, came with them.

Many years passed and Abram grew prosperous. He found favor with the local inhabitants and soon separated from Lot because the sizes of their respective flocks were too large to inhabit such a small area. After Lot took his flocks east toward the Jordan, the Lord spoke again to Abram, promising that Abram’s offspring would be so numerous that they would be like the dust of the earth!

Now the events of the last few weeks began playing themselves out in Abram’s mind in a whirlwind of images: the messenger telling of Lot’s capture; news of the defeat of the Canaanite coalition; organizing a pursuit with 318 men; Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre volunteering their aid; meeting the enemy at Dan and routing Kedorlaomer’s forces all the way north of Damascus. Then the most recent encounter with the kings of Sodom and Salem. What eventful days!

You’ve certainly lived an interesting life
, Abram told himself. But interesting as his life was, there was still the one missing piece of the puzzle that gnawed at him—which he thought about every day as he saw himself and Sarai getting older and older; which would make him feel complete; which would establish forever the integrity of the Creator’s word—
they still had no heir.
And certain as he was that God was more than able to deliver on the promise, he could not help but be anxious as he saw the dream of a son and heir becoming more and more distant with each sunset.

C
HAPTER
9

“How low the image of God has fallen among men.”

The Council of War was waiting for Lucifer to determine their next move against Abram. Although there was no immediate sign that an heir would be born to Abram, the promise of a coming son hung over the rebels like a heavy fog—suffocating and dreary. Kara chattered on, insisting that his agents were on top of the situation and acting as if a positive breakthrough was imminent. Pellecus looked at Kara with his usual disdain.

For years now, the war against the Seed had been in a stalemate. Both the holy and the fallen angels had observed Abram’s constant wavering back and forth. Often when it seemed that Abram might despair completely, he would recover his strength in the Most High. He always seemed to rediscover his faith—and that was the problem.

“Don’t be so encouraged, Kara,” said Pellecus. “How many times has human weakness and double-mindedness dashed our hopes?”

“Ah yes,” said Kara, “but we must count on humans to win the war. And Abram is as foolish as any of them.”

“The Most High’s covenant with him is assured,” Pellecus responded. “The Seed will come through him in spite of him. Our attempts to discourage him and bring him down through his wife’s constant complaints or his own family’s greed have thus far failed. I would declare the war a dismal failure.”

“That is why you are not ruler here,” said Lucifer, entering the clearing near Abram’s settlement at Bethel, where they had assembled. All of the angels immediately came to order. Kara sat down, enjoying Pellecus’s discomfort.

“I didn’t mean to imply that the fault was yours, my lord,” said Pellecus, trying to recover his indiscretion. “I merely am pointing out that the war goes without noticeable signs of progress.”

“In other words, Pellecus, the war is a failure?” asked Kara, with relish. Others joined in Kara’s effort, having various scores to settle with Pellecus, whom they considered the most arrogant among them.

“Enough of this!” snapped Lucifer. “The war is neither won nor lost. At this point I think it is fair to call it a draw.”

Lucifer settled down among the others around the remains of a pagan altar, recently destroyed by Abram’s men on his orders. Lucifer picked up an emblem of pagan worship, an amulet, that had been partially burned in the destruction.

“The war continues…as always,” Lucifer said, focusing on the amulet as if he were speaking only to himself. “You see this relic? It was once a proud instrument of worship.” He turned to Tinius. “As I recall, Tinius, this bit of ground was dedicated to you…one of your manifestations?”

“Yes, lord,” said Tinius, a bit embarrassed. “I actively engaged many humans here in worship. I had assumed a local deity and was directing them in certain bits of sorcery. That is until the land became Abram’s and he profaned this site.”

“As I said, the war is neither won nor lost,” repeated Lucifer. He cast the amulet to the ground. “Take heart, Tinius. Humans are incurably religious. I’m sure you will be able to raise another following elsewhere.”

“In fact, lord, I already have,” he admitted proudly. “Near Sodom the humans are begging to have the wisdom of…gods. I have begun to accommodate them.”

“Excellent,” said Lucifer. “Now if you might only achieve godlike wisdom!”

Everyone laughed.

“Many of you have achieved a following among the humans,” continued Lucifer. “This is necessary and I encourage it. Some of the more vile among us, have even caused the humans to degrade themselves in the most debauched form of…of…”

“Worship, my lord,” said Kara.

“Ah yes,” Lucifer agreed, smiling. “Worship. How low the image of the Most High has fallen among men. I told you that human sensuality was a fine weapon. Now in the name of the Most High they behave in every animalistic way imaginable. So you see, the war is not entirely lost. Humans will always prostitute themselves for a price.”

“Most humans, lord,” said Pellecus, causing heads to turn his way.

“Yes, Pellecus,” said Lucifer. “Abram has yet to fall to the sort of nonsense most humans are prey to. And it remains true that in spite of every setback, every attack, every weapon we have formed against him, his faith has survived intact.” Lucifer threw up his arms in disbelief. “Do you realize that the Most High has not even spoken to him for 13 earth years and he
still
remains true?”

The group began muttering among themselves, speaking to the injustice of it all. Lucifer watched the effect of his words on the group and then spoke again.

“There are, of course, others who are true to the Lord,” he said. “Others who have not bowed to the gods we create or given in to the usual human depravities. No, Abram is not alone. But he is the chosen one…God has made a covenant with him and the Seed will come through him.”

Berenius stood, exasperated by it all. “This we know, lord,” he said. “And if we could get to Abram all of the other faithful would become irrelevant to the outcome of the war. But we cannot get to Abram.”

“Perhaps then, Berenius, we should not be going after Abram.” Lucifer looked over the puzzled group with glowing confidence. “Perhaps we are trying to catch a leviathan when we should be fishing for smaller game.”

He began pacing around the others, drumming his chin with his fingers as he spoke. “We need a new approach to the situation. Open force is useless right now—at least until Abram is in a position to compromise. What we need is something subtle…something indefensible…something that takes the battle out of the realm of combat and moves it into the realm of legality. And I believe I know how.”

Michael and Gabriel were enjoying the worship and fellowship among the Host in the Great Hall. Duty to the Most High was the supreme honor, but basking in His Presence was a supreme joy. But by far the greatest and most glorious aspect of service to the Most High was when the highest-ranking angels were allowed to present themselves to Him in show of their unswerving and unending loyalty.

This very special custom, known as the Day of Presentation of the Host, had taken on an even greater significance since the rebellion. Lucifer had taken with him upwards of one-third of the Host, including some of the most highly placed angels in the Kingdom. Their absence was noticeable and served as a constant reminder of the grim fate that awaited those who transgress.

The angels would approach the Most Holy Throne, and being careful not to look upon the Presence, would bow most humbly and speak a vow of loyalty to Him who was the giver of all life. Michael and Gabriel, as archangels, had already presented themselves. Now the teachers of the Academy of the Host were making their way to the Throne in solemn procession.

A hush that was uncharacteristic of the occasion swept the room, causing Michael to look up very discreetly in the direction of what appeared to be some sort of disturbance.
What could possibly be going on?
he thought to himself, as Gabriel too looked up. They both were amazed to see Academy teachers pulling away from a figure who made his way up the center of the Great Hall in measured steps. At the same instant, the name “Lucifer” was by now being echoed throughout the room.

Lucifer nodded at Michael, who barely restrained himself from personally removing him from so holy a proceeding. Gabriel looked on, astonished but not completely surprised at Lucifer’s appearance. Such nerve! And yet, Lucifer carried on as if he belonged; as if this was something that was normal—almost expected of him. Lucifer continued up the aisle, by this time completely alone, robed in ceremonial garb that he no longer had authority to wear.

He bowed low before the Lord, unable, as any creature, to look directly upon the Presence. The Lord’s voice boomed:

“
Where have you come from?
”

The Voice shook the room. Every eye hung low. Not one angel dared look up, although all were curious as to the outcome of what most expected to be Lucifer’s last contemptible act.

“Roaming through the earth, mostly, Lord Most High,” said Lucifer. “Back and forth, back and forth.” He stole a glance at the angels about the room, silent and bowed low. “These no doubt are surprised to see me here, O Lord,” he continued. “Perhaps some don’t realize that I have been granted a right of protest here…a right to bring just and true accusation before Your Presence.”

Lucifer enjoyed having such an audience again.

“I must admit, Most High, that Your angels have been quite up to the task of protecting Your covenant relationship with Abram, as well as the few other humans who have not bowed to me. The very few.” He motioned to those angels around him. “They are to be commended.”

Michael seethed as Lucifer continued his showy monologue.
Why doesn’t the Most High simply deal with him and be done with it?
he wondered to himself. Many in the room wondered the same thing. Lucifer continued.

“This, I am afraid, is what brings me here,” he said, enjoying himself and wishing his fallen colleagues could witness his performance. “I come to bring accusation to You, as is my right. But what good is an accusation when there is no possibility for moral indiscretion? By this I mean, Most High, how can Your creatures possibly choose fairly when they are so covered by Your concern; so blessed in their lives; so protected by Your Host; so…managed?

“In short, Most High, given such privileged circumstances, Your chosen ones would never curse You. There is no choice! Why should Abram or one of Your other servants choose a more independent course when their destiny is already decided? Now admittedly, Lord, there are very few on earth who truly serve You…”

“
Have you considered My servant Job?
”

“Yes, Most High,” responded Lucifer, grateful that the Lord was taking the bait. “It is in fact Job of whom I speak. Abram I have seen as flawed but faithful. But Job…he is of a very different character indeed.”

“
Job is blameless and upright. He is a man who fears God and shuns evil. He chooses to do so freely. There is no other man like him upon earth.
”

“But that is my point, Most High,” said Lucifer, still mindful enough of his position to keep his head low as he spoke. “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not placed around him and his household a hedge of protection? Of course he fears You. Why shouldn’t he? This is not like Eden where I dare say the game was much more fairly played out. A’dam chose poorly—but of his own freedom. But, my accusation is not of A’dam nor of Job, Most High. Job is innocently and ignorantly protected of You. But I confess that it is Your will in this matter that I accuse.”

A hushed but very real gasp filled the room as angels heard the Most High accused by Lucifer. Lucifer enjoyed the effect and went on.

“Consider, Most High—You have blessed the work of Job’s hands, so that his flocks are everywhere on his land…of course he serves You. I maintain, Most High, that the only reason that Job or any human will serve You is because of those things You provide—nothing else. It is not because of Your image that they bear, great as Your image is, or out of truly free choice that they serve You. It is out of fear that You will…forgive me, Most High, no longer deliver those material things of which they have need. Thus they are compelled in secret to choose You openly.