CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
The first man tried to dissuade the feelings of anger and resentment he had for his wife but it was difficult. He couldn’t lay the blame entirely on her; he had been a willing party. But to think – banished for eating fruit.
Now they faced a foreign landscape. Where all had previously been green and lush, rocks and a wide desert now ruled their view. He turned and gave one last look at his birthplace. The image lasted only for a moment before the garden disappeared.
Gripping his staff formed from the forbidden tree, they made their way into the Land of Nod.
Shamsiel thought back on that day. He had watched them walk away, the man clutching the rod that would someday change everything. What did I do? He had turned his back on everything for nothing.
“There is another way.”
Shamsiel had been surprised by Cherubim’s words. “What other way?” he asked warily.
Cherubim regarded Shamsiel with dark eyes. “The Watchers have grown arrogant. They ignore what they perceive as insignificant because they have achieved what they believe is an ultimate victory.”
“We…” Shamsiel started to reply defensively and then realized that he was no longer a Watcher. He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. “You’re speaking of the Sons of Cain?”
“I am.”
“How can they defeat the Watchers? We defeated the Men of Nod and the Sons of Cain will be no different.”
“You mean you slaughtered the Men of Nod.” Cherubim glared at Shamsiel. “There was no honor in your victory.”
“We did what was necessary. It was no different than you beheading our sons.
“Your sons deserved death as much as the Watchers. You see where necessity has led you.”
Shamsiel had been humbled and he was alone but he was not without resolve and he grew angry.
Cherubim saw Shamsiel’s anger and smiled. “You are tenacious. You have always been tenacious. That’s why you were first chosen to lead the legions.”
Shamsiel was taken off guard by Cherubim’s compliment. He had been prepared to defend the memory of the Nephilim but the conversation had taken a turn.
“That’s why the serpent needed you,” Cherubim continued. “The serpent knew you would lead the Watchers to victory. He knew you would not impede and that you would be loyal to your cause. He also knew that loyalty would blind you to his intentions.”
“You speak in circles, Cherubim. Speak plainly. You spoke of another way.”
“There are those among the Sons of Cain who are of great importance if we are to restore existence. Two of these men are also known as Keepers of the Fountain.”
“Juan and Diego.”
“Juan and Diego,” Cherubim repeated.
“What do they have to do with usurping the Morning Star?”
“They can change what has happened.” Cherubim described what they must do.
Shamsiel considered the simplicity of the plan. “What about the Elioud? They will try to stop them.”
“The Elioud have become so deluded with humans that they barely know who they are. But where we will send Juan and Diego, the Elioud are strong and they’ll be dangerous.”
“But won’t the Watchers see what Juan and Diego are attempting? They will not let them be successful.”
“Then you must distract them.”
“Me? What can I do? How do I distract so many eyes?”
“You will not be alone. I will come with you, as will those I command.”
“Your legions.”
“Your former legions. They followed you once and they will follow you again. I have given the order. You will share command.”
Shamsiel looked at Cherubim in astonishment and then slowly began to smile. He tasted warfare. “Why do you do this for me?”
“I’m not doing this for you. You are a worthy being although for a time you strayed from your chosen course. Now’s the time to right what you wronged. But to do this, there is something else you must do. Your rage will not be enough to defeat the Watchers. There is one other you will need. You have freed Azazel and now you must get him to join you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
“What are you thinking?” Diego questioned Juan.
“I’m thinking this is our only shot.”
“Yeah, well I’m thinking this is crazy.”
Juan chuckled but he didn’t disagree.
Shamsiel had appeared to them at the Hill of Tara. Their first instincts were to fight but then Cherubim appeared beside him. Together they explained to the Sons of Cain what must be done. Juan and Diego would be tasked with a saving creation while the others joined Shamsiel and his legions against the Watchers.
When they were done explaining, Diego summed it up, “So what you’re asking is for Juan and I to go back and visit King Solomon and ask him to give up the Ark of the Covenant. In the meantime, Shamsiel will learn the whereabouts of an unstable rouge angel to ask him to join our cause. Once he finds him, the two of you will lead an army of ancient angels against another army of angels who just happened to have taken over all of creation. Does that sound about right?”
Cherubim was his usual stoned-face but Shamsiel offered a slight smile. Diego’s sarcasm was not lost on him. “That’s what we are proposing.”
Daniel and Eduardo stood upon the crest of the Hill of Tara watching the sun depart. “I have known this hill for many years,” Daniel commented. “I wonder if this will be the last sunset I see here.”
“If so, it is one of the best I have seen.”
“Do you think Shamsiel will find Azazel in time?”
“If not, we’ll lose.”
“Maybe, but we’ll give those ethereal birds a bloody good fight.”
Daniel had spent the majority of his life fighting with spears and swords; only in the past couple
