Hammer of the Gods

Chapter 28

A BOOK FOR AN EYE

Chapter 16

A battle of wills a war to win

Satan now seeks to trick his twin

Unknown to him the book he gave

Inside were secrets the Bifrost made

Rainbow Bridge lights up the sky

Asgard's armies the realms now fly

Satan could not touch the water of the well

Where sword and eye deep down once fell

The small party from the outer world were submersed in a vision created by the archangel Raphael. The experience was so real, that it was as if they were there, feeling the brush of the breeze, smelling the flowers and walking on the soft grass. But they were as spirits wandering in Paradise, for this was in the far distant past, in the First Age of the world, in the reckoning of the children of Adam and Eve.

Odin appeared in a flash of light just outside the Garden of Eden. He was transfigured as a winged being of luminescence with a golden halo above his head. Before approaching the entrance, his countenance faded and his halo and wings disappeared, as he took on his human form.

“Mimir, it is I, Sandalphon, a Son of the Morning!” Odin cried out, using his heavenly name.

There was no response.

How odd.

Odin grasped the gate and to his surprise, it was unlocked. A gentle tug caused the shimmering barrier to open silently outward as he stepped back.

Perhaps Mimir is aware of my coming and has left the gate unlocked while attending to other matters within the garden?

Odin walked a few steps inside and paused. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, smelling the fragrances of flowers which could be found nowhere else.

A tall hedge surrounds the perimeter of the Garden of Eden. The outside of the barrier is covered in sharp thorns which can regrow quickly after they are cut. The skeletal remains of creatures long perished are entombed within the barrier, for when they attempted to cut their way through the thicket, they found themselves ensnared, as the long thorns pierced their flesh.

The inner edge of the hedge is covered by the softest leaves and lavender flowers found in this world. The grasses are the deepest green and no blemish or imperfections can be seen. The gentle blades of tundra rebound beneath one's feet and suffers no damage when trod upon. The only entrance to the garden at that time faced east towards the great sea. During the flood, the top of the mountain where the garden sat was lifted up and taken inside the earth.

The entrance is protected by a gate of diamond. Since Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, only the faithful cherubim, Mimir, Mimor and Tibor hold the power to open the gate. The doors are split into two halves which themselves bear the resemblance of the Tree of Life on the right and the Tree of Knowledge upon the left. Although the carvings of the trunks, branches and leaves within the gates are of diamond, the representation of the fruits of the Tree of Life are of giant pearls and that of the Tree of Knowledge are represented using large rubies.

The animals in the garden dwell in peace. Lions lay with the lambs; birds sing the most beautiful songs and butterflies light upon the air. This day, the beasts kept back in the trees and bushes as Odin walked towards the Tree of Life which stands in the center of the garden. The sound of a soft breeze flowed through the branches of the largest of all trees. The temperature of a perfect, perpetual, spring day greets any who might be permitted to enter. A feeling of peace came over Odin as he walked leisurely among the forests. Most of the plants either bore fruit of various kinds or wonderful flowers. The drupe is always of a perfect ripeness. It does not wither or fall of its own accord. Odin stopped to partake of some of the harvest before continuing his walk. All of the plants of the garden were created spiritually and then physically. A circular rainbow floats in the air around the Tree of Life creating a view found nowhere else.

It had been many an age since Odin had visited the enchanted vale. After Adam and Eve had been cast out, no mortals had been allowed inside. Even those of pure angelic blood must be escorted by one of the archangels. The last time Odin had been here was at the Great Celebration of Adam and Eve’s creation.

Asgard’s King surveyed the wondrous scene before sending out his ravens to survey the canopy above, but all appeared as it should. His wolves had circled the perimeter and found nothing out of the ordinary other than their master’s scent. Perhaps Mimir had left the garden, but this would go against his command to guard the sacred vale. He left Geri and Feki, his wolves, standing guard at the gate.

After some time, he approached the World Tree and leaned his spear against its trunk before entering the cavernous space beneath its roots. He could not help but admire the immensity of the topiary with its glittering, golden, leaves and white fruit. As he wandered the path beneath the great hardwood, his boots would leave glowing phosphorescence prints, which would gradually fade behind him.

Upon seeing Mimir, Odin greeted him saying, “Hail Mimir, it is I Sandalphon a Son of the Morning, I seek an audience with thee for knowledge and advice.”

Satan, disguised as the fallen cherub, replied in a perfect replication of the fallen guardian’s deep voice, “It is well. Sit Sandalphon. Tell me, what do you seek?”

“When I came to this world with my brothers, Raziel, and Jophiel, our legions were only of the Highborn who can fly or teleport of their own accord. However, we have found, that when we have children here upon the earth, that they cannot fly, teleport, or appear as beings of luminescence, though light still flows through their veins. They may inherit various traits from their angelic parents, such as enhanced strength, speed or other power, and they are immortal. For this reason, they are known as the Earthbound angels. Also, I have many mortal followers who desire to do what they may, to fight the forces of evil. Neither the humans, nor Earthbound angels can leave Asgard except by ship or by foot. It is a dangerous and slow process to move my armies to combat the forces of Satan in this manner.

“I desire a way to transport my forces more quickly, but I have as yet been unable to gain such inspiration, and Father has not spoken with me since I disobeyed him and left heaven. Without the combined might of the Earthbound and mortals, the Highborn are outnumbered against the armies of Satan. Even the ‘Triumvirate’ armies of Odin, Zeus and Poseidon dare not assault Hell alone with naught but the Highborn, nor can I bring all of my forces to bare quickly in defense of my brethren,” Odin said.

“I understand your need, and respect your ongoing fight against Satan. Let me ponder how I might aid thee a moment,” The Devil in disguise said.

***

A crafty plan to physically maim Odin began to take shape in Satan’s mind, but he was injured and would be ill equipped to combat his brother in open battle. The idea of his twin being physically perfect, while he was now lame, was too much for the Devil to bear. Satan knew of a book that Mimir had kept here in his library called the Book of Homam. Having read this tome once in heaven, he had been unable to glean anything of use from its pages, which spoke of the Kokoabeam, or the stars. The possibilities using their light as a source of power had evaded him. Rather his mind was more oft turned to subjugation of his servants and the domination or corruption of his adversaries, through temptation, lies, and partial truths. Even before his fall, his thoughts were turned rather to darkness for many an age as his pride grew. In his arrogance, he felt if he had gained nothing from the pages of the tome that his twin would likewise acquire little knowledge from reading it. However, he could use the book against his brother and perhaps he could gain Odin’s gift of far-sight in the process.

“I hear thee, Son of the Morning. There is an ancient book not of this world that may grant thee the knowledge that thou seekest. It is called The Book of Homam (1). Have you read it?” Satan asked Odin.

“Nay, I have not heard of that tome,” Odin replied.

Satan smiled for a moment before his face took on a more serious expression. He continued, “Thou art wise Sandalphon. If thou art diligent enough, thou can master its teachings and harness the power of the Kokoabeam to transport your armies. The knowledge of this book is found nowhere else in the heavenly libraries. However, I too desire something from thee in exchange.”

Summoning an old tome from off its shelf, Lucifer caused it to drift slowly in the air until it was suspended above the well. The enormous book shelf from which it came, was but one of many that lined the walls around the room. The old work levitated just outside of Odin’s reach in the half light of the cavern. Its runes glowed red on its ancient bindings and its cover pulsed with a hidden power. The book opened and the first few pages slowly turned, as Odin looked on intently before it shut suddenly.

“What desirest thou in return Mimir?” Odin asked, as his eyes remained fixed upon the tome.

“I want what few in Heaven or on earth have, your gift of far-sight. My orders are to remain in the garden until the end of the days of this world. I have grown bored, weary, and lonely. The animals lack the deeper thoughts of the heavenly host and I have visitors so seldom. I desire to see heaven once more, but I cannot leave this place save Father commands me. I also wish to see the Nine Realms and what transpires there.”

Odin’s face grew angry and he began to rise from his chair, but the cherubim held up one hand.

“Hold Sandalphon, hear me. With but one of your eyes, I could see these things. You would still retain your gift of far-sight with the other. Give me but one eye, and I shall grant you the knowledge you seek. And not only the scroll, but I will allow you three draughts from the well, which will bestow greater wisdom upon thee than thou now hath,” Satan said.

In addition to being the master of the Heavenly libraries, for years untold, Mimir had gained further knowledge during his time guarding the Tree of Life by drinking from the well. Satan, in cherubic form, remained seated, appearing calm, as Odin fumed over his demand. A slight sneer appeared on Satan’s face, but only for just a moment before he caught himself.

Odin’s attention was fixed upon the book awhile longer before he turned his fierce gaze at Mimir, “We were allies in the great war. Your isolation must have warped your thinking. But still, the cherubim were always unpredictable. Only to Gabriel would you and your brethren answer, and we both know that the Nine betrayed him during the war.”

***

Odin slammed his fist upon the crystal half-wall before him with a thunderous boom! A ringing sound like that of a tuning fork echoed for a while as he stared at the illusion of Mimir. The archangel sat long in thought. How many of my Earthbound and mortal soldiers, and our elven allies could be saved, if I were able to gain the knowledge to teleport them between realms? The Highborn are too few in number for direct conflicts against the armies of Satan. With this knowledge, we would have the power to stop their attacks quickly and to surprise them in their own realms at unawares.

“Very well Mimir, I see that I have no other choice,” Odin said begrudgingly. He slowly pulled his dagger from his belt. Placing the sharp tip behind his eyeball, he severed the nerve as he cried out in pain. The waters of the well sloshed violently spilling beyond their bounds, as the tree shuttered for a few moments before going still. Bright, white light shot out of the socket as he removed the orb, but then the glow faded away. Clenching his teeth, he held his eye in his left hand and extended it over the edge of the well.