Hammer of the Gods

Chapter 8

WHISPERS IN THE DARK

Chapter 5

Archangel from heaven fell,

To the earth where man dwells

A Son of Morning, Satanel,

Never Heaven, only Hell

Now he comes to counsel Cain,

Due to him young Abel slain

Armageddon soon to come,

But in the end your judgment comes

Jonah sat on the edge of his bed gazing myopically around the room. For some reason, he never seemed to be able to remember where he’d put his glasses the night before. With his tall, lean build, dark hair, and blue eyes, he didn’t go unnoticed by a number of the girls on campus. He was handsome in a nerdy sort of way. But he was either oblivious or just too socially awkward to pursue any of the possibilities; as a result, he never had a steady relationship. His sister had encouraged him to try contacts, but he felt comfortable behind the lenses of his horn-rimmed glasses.

He had always been self-conscious about his appearance. He felt that his nose was too large and his Adam’s apple too prominent. He was not your typical college professor although he was a brilliant scholar. His level of history, archaeology, and ancient religions seemed to literally keep his nose in one book or another. He lacked the street smarts that his sister Angelica had, or the confidence and toughness of his father.

Tonight, is the big night! I am going to overcome my fears once and for all. I am trained in the martial-arts now, and I’m going to win some money in a boxing match in Anchorage.

Jonah was self-conscious standing in the ring with only his boxing shorts on. Fortunately, he could see fairly well up close without his glasses, but anything further than about five feet was just a blur. The bell rang as he moved towards his opponent, an overweight middle-aged man. “I am in much better shape that this guy. This should be over quickly.” Jonah thought to himself confidently. He swung as hard as he could with his right hand.

Suddenly, Jonah found himself standing in darkness. Where am I, is this a dream? His eyes were open, but he could not see. Whispers and murmuring filled his mind. He was unable to interpret their meaning. The voices were disorienting, he felt dizzy and was unable to gain a sense of direction as the sounds filled his ears. They seemed to come from all directions at once. Blackness closed in around him, thicker and tighter than any natural darkness he had ever experienced. He found a weight with it, an ominous presence of its own. He shivered as it touched his skin. He felt cold come around him. It brushed against him as the hairs on his neck and arms stood on end. It seemed to pull at him, inviting him to join its dark embrace. A dim reddish glow like the tail lights of a distant car afar off seemed to be coming towards him through the oily mists.

Some light filtered the scene now, but it was an unholy reddish-orange glow, not a wholesome illumination. There appeared to be mountains around him, black and menacing. There were a few dead trees nearby. The air smelled of sulfur and smoke. Small dust devils whirled across the landscape, carrying dirt, debris and dead leaves in their angry wakes. A dark lake off to his left bubbled with the appearance of a tar pit. Skeletons of what appeared to be dinosaurs lay near the body of thick liquid. One great line of bones had the appearance of a large two-legged creature, but it had the skeletal remains of enormous wings. It was lying in a face down position as if it had been taking a drink from the lake, except that its head was missing. Jonah could not identify a species of dinosaur that large with wings in his studies.

Enormous bats and carrion birds circled overhead. Foreboding, inky clouds blocked most of the light from far above. The air became thick and hot as the cold was replaced with a stagnant, humid heat. Sweat beaded across his forehead as the darkness swirled slightly around the two reddish floating lights that approached him.

Shockingly, Jonah realized these red orbs were not lights at all but were the eyes of a hideous horned demon! Its body was covered in dark, thick hair; it had cloven hooves for feet, and bony spikes protruded from its back and shoulders. Its gaping mouth glistened with sharp, menacing fangs. A gurgling, deep, guttural, growl emanated from its throat as saliva dripped off its outstretched forked tongue. It did not stop in its approach.

Fear seized Jonah as he saw his peril. The darkness had now wrapped itself around his feet and legs, preventing any escape as he struggled to flee. He fell backwards and landed on his back with his shoes stuck in the murky ground.

The demon bent over and grabbed Jonah by the chest and throat with one hand, lifting him into the air. The professors shoes remained stuck in the goo below as he was pulled upward. The clawed hands of the demon were so large that its palm was against his chest while its fingers wrapped around his neck and shoulder as its claws dug into Jonah’s soft flesh.

He screamed!

The demon held his victim at arm’s reach for just a moment and then began to strike the young man with a bestial ferocity. The blows were terrible to endure.

Jonah’s survival instinct kicked in. He punched and kicked and even head-butted this hideous spawn of hell, but it seemed to do little but entice the demon further.

Without warning the creature quit punching him. Still holding the bloodied man in the air, it turned its terrible gaze to the right looking back from whence it came. It took a step with its right hoof towards an approaching being of exquisite beauty and light who now materialized from the gloom.

Jonah saw the most beautiful person he had ever beheld, all in white light. As the brightness faded he noted the man had curly, black hair that rested at shoulder length. He wore a short cut beard that was finely groomed. The man’s robes were worn only upon one shoulder, much how the ancient Greeks wore their togas. His muscled body was clearly visible. The beautiful man approached with a smile on his face. This man had dark eyes, full lips and a muscular jaw line. He seemed to be about Jonah’s age, perhaps in his early thirty’s. Jonah surmised this being to be an angel sent to rescue him. The heavenly personage was slightly taller than the demon. Upon the angel’s fingers were gold bejeweled rings. He wore a necklace with eleven large diamonds and one ruby larger than the other gems.

The angel motioned to the demon with his left hand, palm down as he lowered his arm. Spindly roots suddenly sprang forth from the ground and wrapped themselves around the monster, pulling his legs together and his arms tight against his body. More roots grew up and pulled it to its knees. The creature dropped his victim as it bellowed in rage until the vines covered its mouth, silencing its cries.

A glimmer of hope came to Jonah as the demon was bound. He rolled several feet away. The professor struggled just to breathe the thick air. The pain from his body was intense. He held his right hand to his left side and winced with pain that worsened with each breath. My ribs must be broken! What is happening to me? Where am I? I pray this is just a dream. With his left hand, he wiped blood that had run down into his eye. He glanced only briefly at the red liquid on his left hand before looking back at the angel.

The tall man took a step towards Jonah smiling. He raised his arms as if he were prepared to embrace him. The movement lifted the man’s robes a few inches off the ground.

Beneath his white clothing, Jonah saw a cloven hoof and a hairy lower leg where the angel’s foot and ankle should have been. He stared wide-eyed.

The angel followed Jonah’s gaze looking down. He quickly pulled his animal leg beneath the robes and lowered his arms to adjust his clothing as he turned to look at the demon as if to see if it had noticed.

But the creature was unaware; as it seemed to be focused on its prey. It struggled with the roots that held it fast.

A look of irritation came over the angel’s beautiful face for just a moment, but just as quickly, it was replaced by a smile and a kind, caring expression.

“Where is Azazyel?” The voice came from inside Jonah’s head as the angel did not speak or move.

Jonah was unsure of where the voice was coming from. Azazyel?

The bearded man took a step forward and this time he spoke verbally. “Where is Azazyel?” His voice was both beautiful and clear. Although only three words were uttered, Jonah found himself drawn to the sound of the voice.

“I, I do not know of an Azazyel.”

“Jonah, I can save you from this demon. Great wealth I will give you if you will help me find my brother, Azazyel. He was lost long ago. He was treated unfairly and was buried alive. I only wish to find him, to help him. You can assist me Jonah, we can help each other. Here, let me heal you from your wounds. “The angel began to chant in a beautiful language.” He made movements in the air with his hands.

Jonah felt the pain in his ribs subside. The bleeding stopped over his left eye, and the blood disappeared. The heat dissipated, and his body cooled. Energy returned to his weary body.

“There, that’s better, isn’t it? I am here to help you. I only need a bit of information and I will take you home and you will be free of this demon and this place,” the angel said soothingly.

Jonah paused as his mind raced, trying to make sense of what was happening.

By their fruits you shall know them the scriptures say. He bound the demon and healed me. But, he wears jewelry; I don’t remember reading about angels wearing ornaments and riches. My father never mentioned that either. And he has a hoof? Still he helped me.

“I will reward you handsomely if you tell me where my brother is buried. What do you wish for? To be more confident? I can help you with that. I will teach you magic. I will train you in the secrets of the heavens if you but help me find my younger brother. I will give you a position of power in my kingdom. You desire the love of a woman? Many I can give you. Do you seek fame, or servants? Just tell me where Azazyel is buried, and all these things will be yours. You are one of the last who can find him. Your father must have shared this with you.”

The angel’s words seemed to create images in Jonah’s mind as he spoke. The mortal man envisioned himself as strong, confident, and popular. Beautiful women were attracted to him and caressed him, kissed him, loved him. He wanted for nothing. He saw himself driving a fancy car, living in a luxurious home and he was in a position of great importance. Everyone wanted to be his friend. No more was he the picked on, nerdy kid, from Gulf Breeze high school.

Jonah was tempted by the images in his mind. He felt drawn to the angel and wanted him to save him from the demon. The heavenly being had healed him, after all. It was more than this though. This angelic personage exuded confidence and charisma. He seemed to truly care about his brother, Azazyel. When he spoke the name, Jonah found himself wanting to help. He longed to have this being’s protection, his knowledge, his friendship. The disturbing image of the cloven hoof was already fading from his mind. It seemed important a few moments ago, but now, caught up within his visions it no longer mattered. But who was Azazyel and who was this being before him?

Deep down within he felt the whisperings of a guiding spirit or the Holy Ghost. Something told him this was wrong. He knew that to seek for these worldly things had been the undoing of many over the eons. He struggled to clear the images from his mind. He felt strength from deep within that he had never felt before. He stood up straight and stared into the angel’s dark eyes who stood tall above him.

“No, my father was killed. He never mentioned anyone by the name of Azazyel. What you offer is wrong. My father taught me long ago about angels. He never told me stories of righteous heavenly beings who wore jewelry or who offered wealth and power. I don’t believe that you were sent from God. I don’t know who or what you are. Just let me go!”

The tall man seemed to lose patience. His smile melted into a sneer as he clenched his jaw. His fingers drew up into fists; his muscles flexed. What light was present in this abyss seemed to begin drawing into him rather than radiating from him.

The earth trembled beneath their feet. Thunder boomed overhead, and lighting shot down and struck a dead tree nearby. It was split down the middle and began to burn. An orange glow from burning embers radiated from its core.

The angel shook his head slowly side to side as he stared at Jonah. Suddenly, he made a dismissive gesture with one hand in disgust.

The demon quickly burst its bonds as if they were but a thread. It stood and nodded to the angel. Then, it stepped forward and grasped Jonah once more; its grip crushed the air out of the professor’s lungs. It lifted him off the ground and began striking him once again.

The angel let out a terrible laugh and then began mocking Jonah. “You are not worthy of the title Nephilim! You are not worthy of your royal blood. You are a disgrace. Perhaps your sister will aid me if you will not.”

Each time the demon struck Jonah, the angel’s laugh would ring out into the darkness.

He realized now that they were working together. Jonah began to lose all hope. He felt his bones breaking under the blows, as he struggled to breathe.

The creature lifted him overhead and then threw him violently to the ground. Lying face down in the mud, with his shirt torn to shreds, he gasped for air as blood ran from his mouth, the pain was terrible.

Jonah prayed fervently. “God, please save me!” Jonah heard barking dogs from behind him. Out of the mist came Hugo and Brisbee. Hugo had died fourteen years earlier and Brisbee had passed away a few years later.

The dogs ran past Jonah and attacked the demon. They barked and growled; their hair stood on end and their lips were drawn back, bearing their teeth. Their ears were laid back on their heads as they circled the beast. The horned creature slowly stepped back towards the angel as it growled and took swings with its clawed hands at the dogs before him. Each time, the furry canines were too quick, always staying just out of reach.

Jonah weakly called to his beloved dogs. He was both relieved and mystified; how they were here? Was he dead and rather than go to Heaven he was in hell?

Hugo and Brisbee broke off the attack and ran to his sides. He lovingly embraced them as he struggled to his knees, leaning on them for support. His pets remained facing the demon, a deep rumbling growl emanating from their throats. For just a moment, they closed their lips and looked at him with love and affection as they licked his face and nuzzled him before turning to face their enemies.

How is this possible? Jonah thought to himself.

The demon bellowed his rage, and the angelic being’s sneer turned to a scowl.

Suddenly, behind Jonah there appeared what seemed like two headlights. But, as they drew closer, they became brighter and brighter and elongated into two beings clothed in white like the evil angel only their clothing was worn modestly. Jonah could tell that one was a man and the other a woman. Both were very beautiful like the fallen angel standing near the demon, although not quite as tall.

The woman had long straight white hair. She looked upon Jonah with compassion, yet she did not approach to lift him up. Her eyes were a vibrant blue. White light emanated from her. Likewise, the man who had curly white hair (but green eyes) emanated this white light, almost like lighting. The light from these angels pushed back the darkness around Jonah. The man begged the woman to help Jonah; she seemed to be in charge of the two.

She called Hugo and Bisbee to her, and they obediently left Jonah’s side.

Jonah felt his new-found hope fade as he saw his dogs draw away.

Suddenly, a hollow voice filled with hate and malice echoed from the fallen angel. His beauty was now marred by his rage and anger. “By what authority do you interfere with my work here?”

Jonah recoiled from the sound of his voice.

The woman replied with a voice that was melodious and clear. “I am under the authority of the one true God, and his only begotten Son.”

The fallen angel raised his arms and, twisted his face in rage as he clenched his fists tightly, muscles rippling. He began to emanate a darkness that pushed against the light from the two good angels. He screamed, “I am Satanel, the eldest Son of the Morning! I am Lucifer, the ‘Light Bringer’! Who are you to challenge me? It is I who should be worshipped by humans!” Satan’s beauty was twisted by his rage.

The woman replied, undeterred and unafraid, “No longer are you worthy of the name Satanel, fallen one. I am Afriel, the Angel of Sunset. It was I that took your place on the Grand Council. This is Ishtar,” she said, gesturing towards the man beside her, “Guardian of the second level of Heaven, commander of the righteous Nephilim, warden, and guard of the Watchers, who took the daughters of men as wives and taught them the forbidden secrets. Behold! I wear Solomon’s Ring!” Afriel held her left hand aloft as a piercing, blue light shot through the darkness towards the demon and fallen Archangel.

The demon recoiled in fear. Satan threw his cloak over the demon’s head and turned away from the ring’s light.

Jonah followed the blue beam and saw that the demon and Satan were gone. Suddenly, the murmuring returned and grew louder in his ears. A dim light began to grow overhead.

Together, Safriel, Ishtar and Jonah’s dogs, watched as he was lifted up, drawn to the whiteness above them.

Jonah felt pain, terrible pain, and then blinding light. He arched his back, breaking his restraints. He gasped for air and pulled the oxygen tube out of his nose. He wrenched the IV out of his arm as hands grasped his arms and legs in an attempt to restrain him. He screamed!

Who are all of these people? Where am I? Why are they trying to hold me down? He was surrounded by a group of doctors and nurses who had been praying for him. He had been brought to the emergency room several hours earlier after being knocked out in the Friday night fights. In an attempt to build his self-esteem, he had taken a month of Tae Kwon-do classes and then signed up for the contest. Things had not gone well for him and he ended up unconscious at the emergency room.

He thrashed about with an unnatural strength, despite his injuries. He threw off those who tried to hold him down. His body contorted into awkward positions as he seemed to fight with something which was not there. Finally, he collapsed back to the exam table. Sweat and blood covered his body, and he was too exhausted to struggle. Oh, the pain! The doctors examined him. He was bruised across his chest; his ribs were broken, perhaps from his fight? However, this could not explain what appeared like claw marks across his chest, neck and upper back which were not present when he was admitted…

1. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou have said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12.

2. “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:7.