It was at that moment that they were called. Daniel and Eduardo exchanged a look. “It’s time.”
All at once, the Sons of Cain disappeared.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Solomon gazed at the hand-sewn banners that told the story of his rule. They adorned his throne room along with the flowers he insisted be picked fresh daily, just as his late wife had always done. The pain of her loss was too much and he wept. After some time, the physical tears dried but his soul continued to weep and he remained solitary in his throne room. It had been ten days since his beloved Makeda passed and his was not sure he would ever recover.
As their father mourned, Menelik and Rehoboam hunted the lands surrounding their father’s house. With the death of their mother, Menelik was getting used to the idea of being King of Sheba, his mother’s kingdom.
Rehoboam carried the ibex he had killed earlier. He had removed the long horns to make the carcass easier to manage and the horns were now displayed on his belt. From those horns, he would carve trumpets and they would be blown by Israel’s high priests at his mother’s funeral to announce that her soul would be arriving in the afterlife.
Menelik carted the meat from the other animals they had killed during the hunt. Only the ibex was left undressed as it would be presented as a sacrifice and they did not want the creature’s body desecrated before it was offered. They would do this in honor of their mother and the sacrifice would to send smoke to the heavens, allowing her soul to find its way.
“Good hunt today. One ibex? Not bad for your first time,” Menelik taunted his brother.
“Not too bad yourself today for someone who does not shoot an arrow straight. Good thing I was there to actually hit the animal for you.” Rehoboam moved the ibex to his other arm and punched his brother in the shoulder with his free fist. Menelik could not retaliate without dropping the meat.
Soon, their father’s house came into view. The fields were empty as their father had ordered the entire kingdom to mourn. Not everyone in the kingdom would stop working but those in his household had been ordered to mourn without working for ten days; this was the tenth day.
Because of this command from their father, they were surprised to see two men standing in the field.
As Menelik and Rehoboam neared, they placed the ibex and the meat at a tree and covered their store with leaves. Then, they drew their swords and approached the two men.
The two men had time to flee but they did not. It won’t do any good to run, Rehoboam considered. We’ll unleash the dogs on you. The dogs had been trained to wound but not to kill so their prey could be captured alive.
As they approached, the men stood their ground and did not seem afraid which made Menelik and Rehoboam nervous. They suspected an ambush but saw nothing to give that thought life.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the older of the two men spoke, “You are Menelik?”
Menelik studied the two men. Their complexion was dark unlike the people of Israel but not as dark as the people of Ethiopia, which meant they were outsiders. Despite this, the older man spoke in their language. His eyes seemed much older than his face.
“Yes, I am Menelik.”
The older man smiled. His face was warm and welcoming. “I expected so. I am Juan. This is Diego. We seek your father.”
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
The Sons of Cain had all heard stories of Azazel but none had ever seen him. They were curious as to his reaction with Enoch as it was Enoch who ordered him imprisoned in Dudael.
They looked on at Azazel and Shamsiel, two of the oldest and most powerful beings in creation standing side-by-side. The sight was imposing, and even more so when Cherubim joined them.
Cherubim had always known this time would come. The Morning Star had not created evil as evil existed as a choice of free will; he had merely been a catalyst of evil because of his jealously of the first man and woman. There would always be struggle as long as there was free will.
Cherubim knew that no matter what path was chosen by man, the path must be chosen in dissidence. Free will was the basis of creation.
He looked out at those who had gathered. Faces were grim as their charge was to occupy the attention of the Watchers allowing Juan and Diego time. Their survival was not guaranteed and more realistically, not likely. This was the only way, however, and each accepted that.
Cherubim smiled as an old flame rekindled. It had been many years since he faced combat. He relished in the memory of beheading the Nephilim. Now, war was upon them once again.
He felt the lust for battle coursing through him and that lust was infectious. Soon others felt it. It spread to the angels and war chants began. Cherubim gazed on them with eyes of fire.
He drew his sword and it burst into flames. He thrust it forward into the doorway of the Great Hall and it entered an unseen lock. Thunder clapped as the vast doorway was opened.
And the army entered.
The Morning Star felt their arrival but he
