Ruth’s Journey

The Generals Test

The scene plays out before me as I stand armor ready for battle. The sun glistening my golden armor vividly engraved with intricate holy designs. I stand with my right hand resting on the hilt of my sheathed sword strapped around my waist uncomfortably shacking my left wrist and hand with my hidden shield. I am shaken from my thoughts as I hear my second in command landing “General we just received word that Gabriel is on the march.” I sighed as I take in our breathtaking surroundings knowing this will be the last time it will be cherished. I turn to face my second. He is wearing a similar set of golden armor but his has medium sized wings on his helmet that covers around his eyes down to his nose as to mine that covers around my eyes and my nose with a small open slit going vertically down, then having large sized wings on the top sides of my helmet. He also has different engravings on his armor from me.

Why must he do this Solomon?” Solomon’s sharp jawline tensed causing a muscle to tick “I wish I knew General Ruth.” I tighten my hold on my gaze to the landscape admiring its beauty “How long til the threat arrives Lieutenant General Solomon?” About an hour ma’am. I turn to face my body towards him completely “Good, give the order to take positions and have an update passed along as well.” The sound of metal clinking carried as Solomon saluted me with a fist over his chest then turned. As he turned I admired his majestic wings stretching out gleaming in the suns warm rays.

His wings also has a sparkling luminescent effect to it. Twenty minutes pass eerily quiet and with that an mortals quote airs past “The calm before the storm.” A moment later the sound of thousands of wings flapping fills the still air. I turn to face my soldiers and notice a young boy advance wearing a white tunic with a gold pins at the shoulders and a small bag draped over his shoulder. He tilts his head down as he addresses me “General Ruth I come barring a message from Jesús.” He reaches into his bag to pull out a rolled up scroll. I take it from the boy who looks to be in his teens “Thank you, now hurry back before the gates are secured.”

The boy nods before flying away into the sky where a golden gate is faintly seen from earth. I unwrap the scroll reading it’s contents. My child and General of my Holy army you will betray me under false hope, and love. I warn you now to also pass true hope and love for you can seek redemption but it is solely up to you to choose your path my daughter. Stay strong Ruth. I wrap the scroll back up then stuff it inside my shirt that’s under the armor. My voice is horse just above a whisper “And now my journey begins.”

I force my self to focus on the thoughts staring out at my soldiers whom are wearing golden chest plates with golden chain Mel a tunic underneath that reaches to their ankles. They have golden armored boots and gauntlets which covers their fingers like Solomons, but their chest plates show a different engraving from Solomon and Me “Jesús has confirmed that my spiritual journey has begun.” Everyone salutes me in unison with a blessing “èiringh leis a `ghealach agus de`arrsadh leis à ghrèin!” (Rise with the moon and shine with the Sun). The sound of slow clapping filled the spacious field. I turn to face the origin of the sound to be face to face with Gabriel barring a sadistic smile as he approached me. Well well it’s good to know that I haven’t been fully replaced just yet, oh and congrats little sister.

I narrow my eyes glowing daggers at him. He acts as I have wounded his feelings. My voice booms as I speak confidently “There wouldn’t be a vacancy if you hadn’t left Gabriel.” Gabriel’s face goes sour knowing I hit a sore spot addressing him by his blessed name. The whole holy army knows how he turns away from it with disdain but no one truly knows why or why he actually betrayed our Father. I mentally shack myself from my wondering thoughts focusing back to the present situation at hand “Why have you corralled a small infantry against our Father Gabriel?” He waves his hand dismissively wearing a devious smile “For Peter’s sake call me Lue I’m a fallen Angel after all.”

My grip tightens on the hilt of my sword as anger raises my blood to a boil “I’ll call you by the name you were given now answer the question.” Gabriel sighs “You always took the fun out of things little sister but I guess I’ll oblige you this one time... I my little Ruth am here as a warning to all who enter their journeys as you are.” Before I have the chance to unsheathe my sword the one clear sky’s immediately are covered by darkened clouds releasing heavy rain droplets along with the fury of thunder and lightning. Gabriel’s maniacal laughing was dulled by Father’s show of rage. Everyone in the holy army steps back adding the distance between them and the enemy, but I stand my ground without hesitation. Gabriel narrows his eyes at me emotionless “Is that a challenge Ruth?” His voice sends shivers down my skin. No, Gabriel it’s a warning to you.

As quickly as the clouds darkened is how fast the infantry vanished with Gabriel left standing alone. Gabriel smiled sinisterly revealing his once hidden wings “Until next time then little sister.” His once white wings now stained black with large healthy feathers which is a sign of his status as a fallen Angel. Gabriel’s wings extend as he kneels closer to the ground and with a resounding whoosh from his powerful thrust as he jumps helps him ascend to the sky. I locks eyes with me his once bright eyes now extinguished to the shade of onyx “Mock my words sister I will see you again.” With that he flys away leaving me and my warriors standing there. I watch as he flys into the horizon then shift my focus to the now dissipating clouds clearing the sky’s once again. I close my eyes taking in the suns warmth praying “Oh Father I pray for you to help guide me through this impossible time and that you may bestow me with your wisdom as well as strength to survive this journey.” My attention is pulled as Solomon greets me “General Ruth we must fortify the kingdom in case he plans a surprise attack.” I sigh heavily lowering my head facing my people placing a hand on Solomon’s shoulder nodding in agreement then dropping my right hand down stepping forward lifting my chin proudly “Let us go home then.” They cheer in unison happy with their command. I watch as rows of my soldiers neatly step forward spreading their majestic white wings ascending the sky in unison then another row follows as the next dose til all that is left is the highest ranking officials. We form a line with me in the middle and Solomon to my right. My heart beats quicker dreading the entry back.

Their promise left me speechless glancing to each of my trusted lieutenants “We have you General as you have had us in the past, ok?” I smile touched by their loyalty “Ok.” We joined hands spreading our wings crouching low then lifting off like arrows into the sky. The closer we got the more I cloud feel the resistance pushing back. Our once straight line becomes a V. At the entrance I felt the barrier excreting bolts of lightning solely to me. My groans and grunts turn into screams of suffering as me and my lieutenants fight against the barriers defenses.

I can feel my armor melting into me causing me to lose complete focus on fighting against the barrier but somehow I hear Solomon’s voice over my own wails “We’re almost through don’t you dare give up now!” With my final energy I do one last thrust with my wings. In that moment the pushing ceases along with the lighting stoping its ruthless assault. I feel myself slipping from my lieutenants grasps blacking out from the intense struggle falling to the landing platform. A faint voice sounds “CATCH THE GENERAL!” My concessions floats to a peaceful darkness. I don’t know how long I was out but I could feel myself drifting away from the darkness at some point easing back into the would I came from.

Groaning My eyes flutter open to see a bright yellowish golden ceiling. My attempt to move to rub my eyes has me groaning again from the pulsing pain radiating from my muscles in protest. Solomon’s voice catches my attention as he rushes to my side “Ruth your awake thank the Father.” I blink the grogginess away as my eyes adjust to my surroundings. My voice is harsh and raspy from it be dry only to be heard above a whisper “Solomon.” Slow down Ruth your just now waking up not including you haven’t regained all of your strength back yet. Solomon helps me sit up passing me a glass of water.

The water soothes my parched mouth and throat I moan in its pleasure. Ok how long have I been out Ole friend? Solomon stares at me for a moment with emotions swirling around him that I don’t understand than braking the silence “Almost two earth months and the Father has revealed another to join you on their journey” I stare at him in disbelief taking in the information when I notice he’s not wearing his uniform. I look at him questioningly “Why aren’t you wearing your uniform Solomon?” His face turns away and I couldn’t help but place my hand on his cheek turning his face back to me. He sighs “Because I’m the one joining you M’lady.” My heart drops as dose my hand landing in my lap as the color drains from my face knowing what it means. He quickly grasps my hands Ruth don’t worry nor fear. My sight blurs as unshed tears form “How am I going to do that when we’re both going to be in danger that’s not including the fact that Gabriel has a target on my back there’s also no telling how our journeys will end.” Tears now staining my cheeks with me clinging to Solomon’s shirt barring my face in his chest while he holds me close.

Solomon pulls away “Now come we must see our Father before departing.” I sigh nodding my head. Once Solomon stands I survey the room I’m in and to my surprise I’m in my room. My king size bed with golden bed frame and golden stitched linens and pillows. Gold painted dresser, and night stand. Golden bricked walls with a heavenly golden edged mural on the ceiling and golden crown molding one between the wall and ceiling than the other between the wall and floor that has a golden tiles. A medium sized soft golden rug near the foot of the bed.

I watch as Solomon leave out the bedrooms golden double door before tossing the covers off me to get dressed. I open my dressed to reveal my clothes which varies from formal wear bordered with gold to my earthly clothes. My uniforms were hanging in my closet with a place for my armor, sword, and shield. I grab a black tee and matching undergarments, then a pair of socks with a pair of blue jeans. I close my dresser draw and head to another door that right by my dresser. I open it to reveal my royal looking bathroom that has a massive wall in shower two sinks a toilet a large bathtub and a rake for my towels. Of course everything is gold.

I walk in closing the door stopping in front of one of the sinks to stare into the golden glazed mirror with a golden frame. I stare at my disheveled appearance before doing anything. I sigh at the sight of my greasy disarrayed hair, dark circles underneath my eyes and wounds all over my body. I shake my head thinking “Oh I’m definitely taking a shower now.” I unbutton the golden pins holding my gown together allowing the white cloth laced with gold to land on the floor. I start to turn to head for the walk in shower when at the corner of my eye I notice something reflecting off the mirror from my back so I turn far enough to face my back to the mirror so I can see what is on my back. I gasp in shock and staring back at me is what looks like a golden like tattoo of large wings on my back starting at my shoulder blades branching outward as the tip reaches near a arched muscle close to me neck down to the longest feather touching near my bottom.

I frantically turn to check my other side to see the same thing just mirrored. I close my eyes to even my racing heart slowly calming down deciding to ask the Father about it. Quickly I head to the shower to clean myself up. Once done I dry off than dress cleaning my mess along the way and head to Solomon. I open the double doors exiting out of my room to see Solomon sitting in a chair in the waiting room with a small couch to the side of him with another identical chair on the other side of the couch. A small oval table placed in front. A set of glass double doors near where Solomon sat lead to a balcony and the set of double doors on the opposite side of the room was the way into the hallway and beside that is a fireplace.

I smile at Solomon “Ok let’s go big boy.” He smiles back standing heading for the door heading to the hall. He stops at the doors opening them like a gentleman bowing as he gestures to the hall “Ladies first.” I blush from his sweet notion leading the way out of my mansion like home. Solomon brakes the uncomfortable silence as we decided the stares down from the hall we ventured “So have ever wounded why only some Angels has homes like Father’s children?” In all honesty I have for a long time but me being me I never questioned it of course I have been eternally great full that I have Solomon to genuinely express these thoughts to. I have but haven’t asked, why do you ask?

I heard some guards gossiping about something that’s all. My curiosity peeked “Ok and are you going to tell me or leave me hanging?” Solomon’s hearty laugh causes butterflies to swarm in my stomach more than it dose to irritate me so I just enjoy the sound while I know I can. He wraps a arm around my shoulders leaning in closer whispering so others can’t ease drop while passing other mansion like homes for God’s children. A few homes were for Angels but those were around where my home is. I look around watching families roaming, or either spending time together. I place my arm around his waist before he speaks “Well it’s said that only those the Father deemed worthy could become an Angel.”

I look at him “and?” And those she deemed worthy have homes which are to remind them of their families or something like that. I shake my head “What about why only certain Angels have to journey then?” It took a minute for Solomon to respond “Haven’t you noticed the only ones doing it are those whom have homes near his children?” I stop in my tracks speechless from Solomon’s question thinking long and hard about it. I count the Angels who’s had to take their journey “1. Jame 2. Lille 3. John 4. Michael 5. Rebecca....” See now your getting it aren’t you?

I look up meeting Solomon’s eyes “I guess.” He sighs “we’ll talk about it latter but for now we need to see the Father.” We continue our trek on the golden brick path deeper into the kingdom passing massive buildings and open spaces that look like open lawn to play on. The further in we walked the more marvelous it appeared like areas that look like fire pits but are actually places to view earth by God’s children. The father has his own pit to view earth and there’s Angels sent down to retrieve a soul meant to be here. Some Angels are sent to me guides they even help with inspiration and yes there’s Angels designated for love. We pass by what look like a massive bath building when we start passing rows of Columns aligned on both sides of the path.

Each column has a statue of a Arch Angel til the last column which has God’s only child Jesus as a statue on both sides. From there you can see a golden stone wall that makes a walkway til you reach a set of steps descending creating almost a complete circle around the area. The stone wall circle gets higher til you reach the steps which then begins a level height encircling the pit in the middle of the area and a massive throne further behind it with a set of small steps ascending to the throne. Seats for gatherings reached around lining the wall circle. As we descended the first set of steps I could see our Father Jesus observing earth with his eyes swimming with sorrow. When we reach the pit we kneel on our right knee in unison placing our right hand fisted over our left side of our chests bowing our heads down. I spoke as Solomon stayed quite “Father?”

His dirty blond hair is long reaching a little past his shoulders with a short beard joined with a mustache. He only wore a pure with cloth held together by a single pin at the shoulder exposing his feet. His voice was deep and angelic at the same time “Rise Children.” We obediently obeyed. We stood holding our hands behind our backs with our feet shoulder width apart and our backs straight. Do you have any questions before your journey begins? I step forward placing my fisted hand back over my left side of my chest “I noticed what seems like a tattoo of wings on my back and was wondering what it means.”

It’s to hide yourself from danger which in turn will also be your disguise from Gabriel. I step back beside Solomon with my hands behind my back again. Both of you have similar possible out comes one leads to your return as Arch Angels and the other leads you to darkness as Fallen Angels head me now children that a Fallen Angel may look like a teen so do not let your guards down you will also lose your memories, got it? Are you ready children? I take in a deep breath before answering “I’m ready Father.” Solomon answers beside me next “I’m ready too Father.” Lieutenant you’ll go first.

We quickly share a glance as he walks to Jesus taking a kneel before him bowing his head down. Jesus places a hand on Solomon’s head. I cover my eyes from the blinding light long enough for the light to fade away. When I can see Solomon again it looks like he’s falling to the ground from passing out. Jesus guides Solomon’s body by his hand that still on his head to puss him into the massive pit. I rush forward grasping the edges of the pit as I watch Solomon fall with his wings out. It takes him minute for him to regain consciousness as he quickly adjusts himself correctly to land safely on earth. Fear pours out of me when I’m addressed “General.”

I step around the pit to Jesus mimicking Solomon’s pose “You passed your test General now let’s see how you far with your journey.” I shut my eyes tight the moment his hand rests on my head. I take deep calming breaths then I feel warmth from his hand reaching out to me. The next thing I know my mind appears blank with the feeling of falling. The longer I have this feeling the more I try to open my eyes. Fear energizes my need to open my eyes. My eyes open to see myself falling facing up I see the blue sky and white clouds.