Been a while since I've posted anything. Been working on my short story which I am very close to finish editing. But today I felt like I needed a release:
Writing Prompt:
"This tastes like sunshine."
"The darkness and the light are both alike to thee." Psalm 139
The Old Testament has many stories. Stories of an angry jealous God who's capricious nature teetered from a warm hug to a devastating blow. But God wasn't truly as complicated as all that. Most of the time it wasn't Him giving the orders. It's a big universe and God has other places to be. So on the times He was gone the Archangels were in charge to watch over His most fondest creation: Man. Sometimes they got it right but even though angels may seem imposing and absolute that was only a part of our natures. They're actually quite human. Prone to stumble. Full of short comings. And perhaps more than any human creature full of Daddy Issues.
The first time Father went away was after he created Earth and the solar system it resided in. He made Adam and his mate, his first wife, Lilith. He placed them in a Garden that would provide them with everything they needed. Then God left his 5 Archangels in charge to order the lower spheres and guard His newest creations. Yes there were 5 Archangels. Michael, the loyal more war-like son who lead God's Heavenly Armies, Gabriel, God's messenger the only job he preferred as he hated conflict, Uriel the philosophical son who loved books more than people, Raphael the Healer, God's compassionate daughter, and finally God's first son, the first of all living creatures both mortal and divine, the Morning Star, Lucifer. Lucifer was the favorite son. He was most like God. Everyone loved him. He was the brightest of all angels. Yet he would be the first casualty in this tragic play of fate.
* * * * *
"You say that about every fruit," Gabriel chuckled.
"Not true," Lucifer smiled. "The grapes taste like rainbows."
"Shhhh," Raphael hushed her brothers, eyes still closed. "I was just about to go to sleep before you two started talking about impossible fruit tastes."
"Sorry, sister," Gabriel flicked Raphael's nose with the blade of grass he was playing with. She stirred groaning in annoyance. Gabriel went to do it again but Raphael caught his wrist.
"You know we all have heightened senses, Gabriel," Raphael reminded her mischievous brother. "I can hear that grass being squished between your fingers." It was true. Angels could feel every molecule in the air, in the food, in the water. It was cornucopia of sights and sounds that made them one with the universe. At first when they came into being it was like a loud bang but after a while they all became in tune with it. It made their experience of the universe much different than for other creations of God.
"You're about as fun as Uriel, sister," Lucifer teased. "If you were any more like him you'd be off somewhere alone studying the lowest organism."
Raphael opened one eye watching her oldest brother grinning at her. She couldn't help but smile back. Lucifer's smile was contagious. When he laughed everyone did also.
"I guess you won't go with me then when I go to check on Adam and his bride," Raphael sat up. "I was hoping to get a nap in before then."
"Raphael loves watching the humans," Gabriel sighed very bored with the idea. "Why nap now when you can fall asleep just watching them?"
"I stand corrected," Lucifer wondered. "You are like Uriel."
"You don't have to come," Raphael shrugged. Gabriel had better things to do.
"I said I would survey the eastern hemisphere with Azazel," Gabriel excused.
"Your girlfriend?" Raphael playfully nudged him with her foot. Gabriel pushed back, his face flushed.
"There's not much else to do while Father's away creating the universe," Gabriel said getting up and brushing the grass off himself. "I'll see you tomorrow then." Gabriel unfolded his golden wings. To show their rank angel wings were different colors. The lowest rank had black wings while the highest had gold.
Off Gabriel flew into the azure sky. Raphael took off soon after leaving Lucifer to his peaches.
But it wasn't long until Lucifer joined her. Michael was too serious and Uriel too studious. At least Raphael got his sense of humor. Raphael sat in a tree watching Lilith and Adam picking fruit.
"Did they have coitus yet?" Lucifer sighed heavily.
"Pervert," Raphael joked.
"That's the only interesting thing these creatures do," Lucifer complained. "They're supposedly Father's greatest creation and all they do is eat, shit and fuck."
"You sound jealous."
"Not at all," Lucifer defended. "I think humans have vast potential but they're being suffocated here!" Lucifer held his hands up in exasperation.
"What are you saying?" Raphael's interest was peaked.
Lucifer stared at Lilith. Some sort of lust in his eyes or perhaps it was something else. Raphael knew her brother well enough to understand that he was getting some bad ideas in his head.
"If I could create something like that I wouldn't limit them," Lucifer seemed to mutter to himself. The look in his eyes unnerved Raphael. "Have you ever wondered if we could?"
"Could we what?"
"Create like Father?" Lucifer looked up to the sky as if feeling God would return at any moment and hear his blasphemy.
"You mean create living things?" Raphael asked. "I suppose I've wondered the same thing. If we could make another living breathing creature."
"Have you ever tried?"
Raphael felt that they were on dangerous ground. She narrowed her eyes and asked suspiciously, "Why would we want to do that? Only God can create such perfection."
Lucifer was silent for a moment. His face unreadable. Then he miffed and shrugged, "It was just a thought. Think nothing of it."
* * * * *
Uriel came to Michael and Raphael in a frantic mood. He was the most high strung, excited and fascinated by each new discovery in God's new creation but this time was different.
"Lilith is gone," he cried.
"What do you mean 'gone'?" Michael asked raising an eye brow. "Gone where?"
"What happened first of all," Raphael touched Uriel's broad shoulder trying to calm him down.
"I was walking through the Garden cataloguing the many beetles in there, so far I've gotten to 1,000 species so far and then I heard the birds chatting about Lilith leaving the Garden in a rage!"
"A lover's quarrel?" Michael rolled his eyes. Sometimes Raphael believed he had no idea how handsome he was at how many of the angels threw themselves at him. Raphael shrugged and said soothingly, "Perhaps it's nothing."
"The birds saw her leave into the wastelands and into the forests," Uriel explained.
"Then we must bring her back," Michael sighed. He took two of his swords.
"Are those really necessary?" Raphael asked concerned.
"Father gave us a task and I intend to see it through," Michael affirmed. "And I like to be prepared for everything."
* * * * *
Raphael and Uriel with Michael leading the charge searched the world for Lilith. She couldn't have gotten far. The whole time Raphael couldn't shake the feeling that Lucifer was somehow to blame. Their last conversation about the humans left her unsettled. As much as she loved her brother she knew he had an ego that would get him into trouble.
Away from the others she settled in a secluded spot. This forest was unlike the one of Eden. It was wild and unkempt. Dark and frightening. It unsettled Raphael because it made her all too aware of her Father's absence. Without Him there is no order. Only chaos.
Raphael closed her eyes, sending her thoughts out to Lucifer. No matter where any of the Archangel siblings were they could always find each other. All one had to do was think of the other and with one swooshing flap of a wing the other will answer. Raphael heard the thud and tasted the dust Lucifer caused when he landed before her.
"You rang, sister," Lucifer smiled, his eyes twinkling.
"What did you do?" she asked without ceremony.
"What?" Lucifer tilted his head inquistively.
"Don't play dumb," Raphael insisted. "You're too egotistical to play that."
A rough chuckle errupted in his throat. Lucifer had little shame as he said, "You got me. You were always smarter than our brothers."
"What did you do, Lucifer?"
"I didn't do anything," Lucifer shrugged. "I just didn't understand why Lilith was with Adam anyway just because they were the only two people on Earth. That doesn't mean she has to settle you know?"
"Damn it, Lucifer, what did you say to her?"
"The truth," Lucifer crossed his arms looking indignant. "She's Adam's equal. She shouldn't have to obey his every word or command. She doesn't have to be on the bottom of this pairing."
It was then Uriel came, a grim look on his face.
"Did you find her?" Raphael asked. Uriel nodded. Lucifer's face became blank again.
"You should see for yourself," he said gravely.
* * * * *
Lilith was found but she was not alone. She was lounging on the beach, her long dark hair that once covered her breasts. She was lying beside a creature that no one had seen before. It was an ugly creature, deformed, right down to it's exposed genitals. Strangely though it looked almost human except for the ugly tusks protruding from its gaping mouth. It had pointed ears, bluish skin and small spikes poking out along it's spine. The skin was so tightly wound that the bones and lean muscles were clearly visible. God could not have created such a creature.
"Lilith," Michael stood over the sleeping beauty who awoke but not happily.
"Archangel," she spoke bitterly. "I told you to leave me alone." She rolled over snuggling up to the hideous creature. With little grace, Michael grabbed Lilith and pulled her roughly to her feet ignoring her protests.
"Unhand me!" she ordered. The commotion caused the beast to stir. It opened it's big eyes, even they were hideous. How could Lilith had lain with such a beast?
"You're coming back with us," Michael commanded.
"I am not!" Lilith protested but the more she struggled the tighter Michael's grip became. Raphael stopped him afraid that he would snap her arm in half.
"I am not going back to that fool you call Adam!" she continued, wrenching herself from Raphael's grasp.
"Where did that thing come from?" Uriel asked. His face a conflict of curiousity and horror. Lilith looked to Lucifer who was silently observing with great calm. The creature had gotten to it's feet. He did not look happy either.
"You, beast!" Uriel called. "Can you speak?"
"Yes," it's speech a garbled set of growls and snarls. It made Raphael shudder.
"What is your name? Where did you come from?"
"Sammael," it responded. Sammael had a hunched back. Raphael wished the creature had a concept of decency. Suddenly the creature charged at them. Michael was ready, his sword drawn but Lucifer beat him to the punch and slaughtered the creature swiftly. Sammael looked up at Lucifer who's eyes were cold, no emotion of remorse or pity for the ugly thing. The creature looked sad. Despite all it's ugliness Raphael felt a streak of pity for Sammael. Then the creature lay still. Lilith cried out in despair. She fell to her knees cradling the beast, her lover. No one could understand her attachment to such a hideous thing.
* * * * *
Raphael sat in the Garden watching the sun set. The sky ablaze with yellows and oranges. The evening birds began to stir while other beasts settled down for the night. The events of the day replaying in her head. She had never seen Lucifer look so indifferent. So calculating. He knew the creature for sure. She didn't know how... or maybe she did and didn't want to say it aloud. Raphael felt Gabriel's presence before he even said a word.
"Nice of you to drop by after your romantic weekend," Raphael spoke drily.
"I heard what happened," Gabriel apologized.
They say silently for a few moments looking out at the small piece of paradise their Father had created.
"Gabriel?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think Father created other creatures in this new world?"
Gabriel pondered the question then said, "No. We'd know about them."
"That creature... Lucifer knew where it came from," Raphael rested her head in her hands to support the weight of thoughts swimming around in it.
"How?"
"The way it looked at him," Raphael remembered the look of betrayal on Samael's face. "The way Lucifer looked at it..."
"Doesn't seem possible."
"I would have thought that too before...," Raphael trailed off feeling that she was revealing too much.
"Before?"
"Nothing," Raphael shook her head. "It's probably nothing..."
"Well anyway we're going to have to figure out how to replace Lilith," Gabriel sighed.
"Why do you say that?" Raphael looked at Gabriel her whole body tensing up.
"You didn't hear?" Gabriel marveled. "Michael killed Lilith. She didn't want to come back and Michael said that she was tainted since she slept with an ugly unholy beast. She said she would rather die free then come here a slave so... Michael put his sword through her."
Raphael fell silent. She wished more than ever that God would come back. Uriel was the clairvoyant one but she couldn't shake this foreboding that Lucifer was going to be even more trouble.
"Father, please come home..." Raphael secretly prayed. Before her brothers messed up more things.
* * * * *
If you would like me to continue this story post a comment below.
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