Alhamdulillah!

Chapter Ten

A Sword

I

Salome’s death was taken from the physical timeline when Joel, Shiloh, and Yahweh pulled her from the portal.

She needed to plan her return – it was going to be a tricky one. How would she explain any of this: Shiloh, Hosea, Blue Dream, being saved from a Spiritual/Time Realm?

She decided she could never go back home. Salome was going to have to be buried and resurrected anew. She could never take the role of the successful painter who vanished for two decades after such a publicized pregnancy. Too much backstory. It would only cause mania.

She thought of the person she would become. Would she still paint? Would she still be able to play Etrog and Lulav? Could she ever return to a place she considered normal?

“What is your new name going to be, Mom?” Shiloh asked.

“It’s staying the same. No one is going to take my name away from me. It’s all I have left,” Salome replied as she combed Shiloh’s long curly hair.

The war was coming, everyone who looked in the right direction could see it.

Under the stars, inside the farmhouse where Salome and Hosea fell in love.

The inhabitants of Moriah protected the home from Hosea and those dedicated to him. They didn’t have to worry or stay awake at night – they had complete privacy.

And after what seemed an eternity in waiting, Salome and Shiloh’s relationship began to blossom. They adored each other.

During the cold winter months, as the snow piled up on the windows, the winds caressed the sides of the walls, a crackling fire, and a box of chocolates, the two women laughed until their hearts were full and souls were overflowing.

Joel and Yahweh would fall asleep, holding onto each other as the night darkened. The two women paid them no mind – this was their time.

A mother and a daughter’s love will always reign supreme. It is a bond that is almost impossible to break; it is a seed that survives through time – always ready to grow in the soil.

One morning, as they were finishing the last few eggs and strips of bacon, there was a knock on the door.

Shiloh and Joel’s heartbeats and defenses arose.

“Who is that?” he asked.

Salome smiled, hidden behind the paper napkin, then answered, “An old friend. I called and asked him to help me out with something.”

“What do you mean?” Joel asked, standing from the table.

“I’ll get it!” Salome responded excitedly, leaping towards the door.

In came a sharply dressed old man, slowly coming through the door and studying the farmhouse’s interior.

“Well, how cozy is this? Quite humble for being the wife of Hosea,” the man commented. He studied the home and rotated on the backs of his heels, when he spotted Shiloh and Joel at the breakfast table, looking at him wearily. “This must be your daughter!” he remarked happily and gave her a tight hug. “And you are the husband,” he concluded while giving Joel a firm handshake.

“And you are?” Shiloh and Joel replied in unison.

“This is my best friend in the whole world,” Salome said.

“As you are mine, darling,” he said with a smile then straightened his face to introduce himself. “My name is Noah, and I am here to bring you all to your destinies.”

Shiloh and Joel looked at him with more confusion than ever.

Then Yahweh flew in and landed on the kitchen table.

Noah put his hand over his mouth, awestruck. Small tears fell down his cheeks. Yahweh looked upon him, as if every good deed unseen were acknowledged and rewarded. Noah fell to the ground, his eyes now leveled to the glowing owl. “Abba,” he said under a hushed whimper.

“None of that, child. You and I have known each other for far too long to do with that sort of nonsense. You’re my best friend – and I am yours,” Yahweh spoke to his anointed child.

Noah smiled and wiped his tears, then looked at Shiloh. “So… what did He do to you?”

Shiloh bit the inside of her cheeks, with her arms crossed, when a small grin flickered upon her thick lips. “He burnt my favorite tree when I was a child. Destroyed it right in front of me.”

Noah scratched his head and looked at Yahweh. “Yep. That’s pretty bad. What about you, kid?” he asked Joel.

“Destroyed my baseball career when it was the only thing in my life,” Joel replied, putting the wet dishes in the dishwasher.

Noah looked back at Salome. “And you?”

Salome put the tip of her thumb in her mouth and softly chew. “I have been crushed by absolutely everything.”

Noah softly shook his head and stood to his feet. He stood in silence and outstretched his hand. Yahweh stepped upon his palm and Noah placed Him upon his shoulders. “And He wants you to do what, exactly? Dethrone a highly coveted musician and soda maker?”

“That’s not who he is,” Salome replied, sitting down at the table. “He’s a hypnotist. Everything Hosea does is smoke and mirrors.”

“What’s behind the mirrors, honey?” Noah said, sitting beside her and taking a cigarette pack from his denim shirt pocket.

“Darkness,” she answered. Salome quickly jerked the pack from Noah’s hands and took a cigarette out.

“And, that’s why I am here,” he looked at Shiloh. “That ring of yours – it shines a little light,” Noah added. He clapped his hands then lit Salome’s cigarette and his own. He turned around and made his way back to the door. “We leave in 30 minutes.”

“Where are we going?” Joel asked.

Noah exhaled the smoke, pointing his head away from Yahweh, and said, “Prison.” He opened the door and chuckled heartedly to his RV.

II

The crew sat comfortably as they made their way down the road. The RV was used years before with Noah’s touring church band. He played the saxophone when he got the chance, but now with a masterly confidence that had gone through decades of failure and hard work. His instrument was a passage to his soul.

That was what Yahweh had given him – talent brought by loneliness.

He was once the beloved mayor of Franklin, with a successful band and accolades.

He found drinking to ease the edges of his loneliness. But some nights when the bottle seemed to be his only friend, Noah would get on his knees and pray. He would pray for the future days to be better than the last. He wanted to fall in love again with a strange and wonderous person, someone better than anyone he ever dreamt. He wanted to see more and experience the luscious fruits of such a remarkable world.

That’s what Yahweh had done for him. Showed him that he was worth the greatest life possible. Only for being. Nothing extraordinary had to be done, no goal had to be made. Yahweh crushed him to make the ordinary grapes of his existence into the finest wine ever tasted. Yahweh had chosen him to live a rich and exploratory life. He had to feel the waves bash upon his ship to understand the smoothness of the water.

With every bad and good thing, was another step for them. And for now, as their roads had intertwined with each other – as they coasted down the highway, fearless, and ready to be led to unknown places – they laughed and enjoyed the views.

Noah stopped the RV at the dusk of day under a small gathering of trees. The crew stretched and started a fire.

And under stars, in the corner of a small recreational park, the crew shared a bottle of cheap chardonnay box wine.

They sat beside each other, on the dead trunk of a fallen tree. Noah played the saxophone, accompanied only by dreamy eyes and whistling trees.

The night carried them all to sleep, comfortably upon the wooded ground. Shiloh and Joel sat atop the RV roof. Their legs and feet dangled off the edge and Shiloh had her arms wrapped around Joel.

“Do you ever think about it?” she asked.

“What?” he responded.

“The way we were beyond the painting,” she said.

“Not really. It seems insane to me to feel that much bitterness towards you. There was no gentleness in there or the small nonchalant things you do that make me happy. You are my wife – my queen! You are there when I am at my lowest. Sometimes the only thing I can do to feel some flicker of strength is touching your warmness. I love your hair, your eyes, your nose – I love how you don’t talk like anyone else I know – I love where you are from, and I want to be a part of your future. That world had none of that. That is how I knew it wasn’t real. I know you, Shiloh. No one, not even the devil, could trick me otherwise. Because the devil has never seen you the way that I do.”

Shiloh pulled her arm from under Joel and looked at her ring. “What do you think old man Noah meant by bringing us all to our destinies.”

“I guess we will figure that out tomorrow,” Joel replied.

And for a short while, they sat in silence, holding each other above the crackling fire.

Shiloh reached for her plastic cup of cheap wine, noticed it was empty, and waved it in Joel’s point of view.

“You got anymore?” she slurred.

“Ah! Yes, my dear,” he replied, pulling the near-empty bag of light-yellow wine – taken out of the cardboard box.

Shiloh grinned and placed her cup under the black plastic valve. Hosea opened it and squeezed the remainder of the bag into her cup.

They both took a sip and nestled back into each other.

“Can I tell you something?” Shiloh asked then sipped. “For the funniest reasons, I can’t seem to shake it,” she continued.

“Of course,” Joel replied while looking her in her eyes.

“It was when we were in there. It’s a memory that seemed to have stayed with me. But it’s also one that could have never possibly happened. It’s like an image from someone else’s life has been tacked onto my timeline. And now, whenever it does its random rewind, it plays through and I can see it ever so clearly.”

“What was it?” Joel asked before sipping a mouthful of wine.

“I remember going into a grocery store and buying a bag of clementines. Clementine is my absolute favorite fruit, and I remember driving home, putting the other groceries away, and taking one from the bag before placing it in the refrigerator. I peeled a clementine, placed a slice in my mouth, and it had like…three seeds in that one piece. The whole clementine was the same way. There was a pile of seeds on the counter. And, I hated it, I wanted to throw away the whole bag. I thought, surely, this was a bad batch. I didn’t even know clementines had seeds. Nevertheless, after a couple nights, I found myself in the refrigerator, digging for another clementine – prepared to start picking seeds out of my mouth. But there wasn’t any. In fact, it was the sweetest and best one I have ever had!” Shiloh said before she finished drinking the chardonnay.

“…But…” she continued, “I’ve never purchased a bag of clementines in my entire life. So, it got me thinking that night in the portal, when I couldn’t stomach the thought of you and how badly I felt for experiencing such a failing relationship with you, I realized that it was just a seedy clementine. There would be another one, and it would be sweeter than we ever thought possible. All we see is, we gave it a shot and it was not enjoyable. It was a lot of work, pulling the seeds from our mouths just to enjoy such a small amount of remaining fruit. Time changed us; it could change us again. As long as we stayed dedicated to each other and committed to our future, we would soon find the sweetest fruits of love. Then, on the day we die – it should be the best day of our lives. Because we loved unconditionally, strived, and built something incredible together. A monument for everyone to see.”

“Something to be glorified,” Joel responded, dropping the empty plastic cup into the fire below them.

The cup melted and blackened in the fire and the two watched from above.

“Thank you for doing this with me tomorrow, Joel,” Shiloh whispered softly.

“Anything for you, my love,” Joel replied and kissed the brim of her forehead.

They slept under the swirling stars and tall trees, into the deep night as destiny danced its way around the fire and became one with them.

III

They ate their drive-thru breakfast burritos as the RV made its way into the city. They stared at the large skyscrapers of the busy city’s downtown. Then sipped from their coffees and listened to the radio in silence.

The city broke off and led into the country.

Further.

Further.

The morning hours passed to midday, a gas station stood upon a hill, the first establishment they had seen in many miles.

Noah turned the RV into the gas station parking lot, the group stretched and used the restrooms. Joel walked over to the beverage coolers and took a cold cola from the shelves.

A group of local teenagers took six bottles of Blue Dream from the cooler beside him. They smiled and laughed, talking about a newly released video game.

Noah stood beside him, taking his preferred drink off the refrigerated shelf. “You’ve never had it, have you?” he asked.

Joel grinned and pointed to his cola. “Never really wanted to; I have too many good memories with this. And, I guess, being a pretty picky person doesn’t help.”

“You could say that again,” Shiloh replied, “he would be happy having tortellini with ground beef and sausage for dinner every night till he dies.”

Salome walked into their conversation, patting down her hands on her denim jeans. “Dang paper towel dispenser is empty.”

Shiloh paid for everyone’s snacks and drinks and as they walked back to the RV, Yahweh flew over and landed on her shoulder. “Did, you use the restroom?” Shiloh asked the holy owl.

“Yes. Thank you for asking, dearest. My body wasn’t built for long car rides.”

The RV revved and made its way down the side road beside the gas station.

Further.

Further.

The RV curved through the road as a snake slithers across the scorching Sahara sand.

Nothing for miles. The area was abandoned and forgotten for generations.

Noah shifted the RV into high gear, and it pushed and ground uphill until the trees subsided, where the prison was less than a mile away.

Yellow faded brick cracked and unsettled from its foundation adorned the building. It was as if a grey cloud covered the effigy, leaving any onlooker with a sense of horror and unease.

The RV pulled into the empty parking lot and parked beside a tree that had grown through the cement, stretching high towards the sun.

Salome, Shiloh, Noah, and Joel stepped from the edge of the RV onto the disheveled concrete as Yahweh flew from Shiloh’s shoulders, through the steel bars of a cracked window near the highest peak of the building.

“I suppose, He wants us to follow Him,” Noah said, putting a straw hat upon his head.

Joel finished his bottle of cola and threw it across the parking lot, where it shattered into pieces.

“Thank God Yahweh didn’t see that,” Shiloh joked.

“Didn’t really think that through, did I?” Joel responded after pondering it for a moment.

Salome picked a fallen pecan from the large parking lot tree and cracked the shell with her teeth, spit it into her palm, and peeled the pecan out with her fingers. “We’ve all done worse.”

After the four placed their belongings on their backs, they began their way to the abandoned prison.

The closer they came, the higher it towered above them. Noah led the team, undeterred by its eeriness. Decaying trees guarded the prison’s entrance, lightly whistling in the cool breeze, waving for them to come inside – daring only the courageous to become one with their fate.

With hands around their shoulder straps and eyes focused on the billowing smoke coming from the center chimney, they became the courageous and bold and walked inside.

It smelled of mold and the air tasted of metal. It was thick, humid, dark, and dirty.

Noah led them, for he was the only one who knew the way. They followed him beyond the hollowed cells to the further point of the large building.

Yahweh flew around the corner and landed upon Shiloh’s shoulders. “He is excited to see you,” he said.

“Who?” Shiloh replied.

Then, the group could hear a quickening rustle, as if a large fan rotated and scraped its uneven blades against its edges. A metal *sheenging* sound that seemed to excite and hasten more and more as they came nearer.

“Go on Shiloh, my child, he’s been waiting a long time.”

They opened the sealed large door of the solitary confinement cell. Inside of the padded room was a creature glorious in height and spectacular in human vision.

It was of two interlocking golden wheels, with countless small puppy dog eyes. The wheels rotated and became evident to the crew they were the cause of the *sheenging*, in a rhythm of a dog wagging its tail.

Inside the golden eye covered wheels was a gelatin-esque form that shifted and morphed into indescribable shapes. Stars and galaxies filled the inside of the gelatin, and every now and then, the gel would darken and brighten to a new constellation and void.

Shiloh stepped towards the towering celestial being as James and Salome stood awestruck and Noah grinned with amusement.

Yahweh perched upon Shiloh’s shoulders and looked up to the magnificent creature with pride. “This is Shiloh, Tyto.”

Then, as Shiloh became an arms-length away, with the shimmer of gold reflecting around her, the being extended a pink tongue-like protrusion from the gelatin form and quickly licked the side of Shiloh’s face.

“Down, Tyto. Down!” Yahweh spoke to the being.

The interlocking wheels stopped altogether then slowly began to spin again.

“He’s been waiting for you, haven’t you, Tyto? Yes. You have.”

Shiloh looked at the two interacting with each other. The holy owl and the excited being of golden wheels and eyes. A strange sight. But the wheels seemed to look at Yahweh as a master – to guard and uphold.

“Tyto… is your pet?” she asked in confusion.

Noah laughed and coughed, caught by surprise by the question. “He’s an Ophanim, Shiloh.”

Yahweh flew in-between the golden wheels around the being, as if He and the Ophanim were playing around.

Shiloh turned back to Noah and said sarcastically, knowing nothing what that meant, “Oh, that explains everything.”

As Yahweh and Tyto played off in the background, Noah finally let the truth be revealed.

“Before the physical universe was created, the spiritual realm had already existed for eternity. Yahweh breathed life into LIGHT and created Heavenly Creatures. And as there are different classes of Earthly Creatures – more evolved and capable for its universal task – there are hierarchies of Heavenly Creatures:

Third Sphere – The Heavenly Creatures that Guard Humans

Angels, Archangels, Principalities

Second Sphere - The Heavenly Creatures that Guard Creation

Lordship, Powers, Authorities

First Sphere – The Heavenly Creatures that Guard Yahweh

Cherubim, Seraphim, Ophanim.”

“But one day, Yahweh breathed life into CLAY. Which became us. Yahweh asked those across Heaven to bow to His miraculous creations of dirt – and some refused.”

“Some amongst Yahweh’s closest council sought after His throne, for they would not dare bow to man, begetting the spiritual war that has been raging ever since! Yahweh banished those who disobeyed Him, molding the LIGHT from which they were into FIRE.”

“The FIRE creatures now walk this Earth, seeking power and chaos. Some cultures have named them the “Jinn.’” The Jinn tempted man into disobeying Yahweh, destroying the once perfect haven He had created.”

“Men began to worship the Jinn, for they had control over the world. Power, wealth, and lust-filled the hearts of every man.”

“There was only one place left amongst the lands for Yahweh to protect – Moriah.”

“And, one day, Moriah will be the beginning of a perfect world. So, He guarded the island with His Cherubim, large creatures that resemble all-powerful beasts of the Earth, with ravenous teeth and towering wings.”

“But when you, Salome, painted the perfect image of Moriah, it became a portal on the inside of the island. The Jinn that now controls Hosea made its way through the painting and placed itself inside of a jewel. Hosea murdered his brother for the chance to wield its power. Now, the Jinn wishes for total world domination – including Moriah.”

“And… what about him?” Shiloh asked, pointing at the large golden rotating being playing with the owl.

Noah took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. “That ring of yours lets you summon Tyto whenever you please, giving you full access to walk through the spiritual realm, as you did to save Salome with her painting. The portrait was made from the hands of a human, its portal is weak and unreliable, only leading to its creator’s destiny. Your ring, however, was created by Heavenly Creatures to be used as a tool in the upcoming spiritual/physical war. You are the chosen one to bear such a gift.”

“Why?” Shiloh asked.

“Because you are the child of a Jinn and human,” Salome whispered, remembering the conception almost two decades before and how dark Hosea’s eyes seemed – possessed.

“A Nephilim,” Noah responded. “You are the only one conceived in thousands of years. You have the power to witness Yahweh in His true form, which would kill any mortal.”

Then, Tyto came close to Shiloh, the edges of gold touching her back. She turned and stared at the owl standing upon the Ophanim.

“You are right, Shiloh, I do look at Tyto as a pet. He means very much to me and always has. I trust him with no one except you,” Yahweh spoke boldly.

“But you’re an owl,” she replied.

The crew chuckled softly, bringing a glimmer of comedy into the conversation.

“No, my darling. I am who I am. And that is all I will ever be,” the owl replied. Yahweh looked up to Noah, with pride and honor. “And you, my son, thank you for the sacrifices you have made to keep Tyto safe these years I have been with Shiloh. You have done so well, keeping him entertained, safe and unseen.”

“It was my privilege, my King,” Noah replied, placing his hat back upon his head.

“So, what do we do now?” Joel asked.

Noah walked over and patted him on the back. “A soldier must have his weapon, shouldn’t he? And with you being the only true human here, I suppose you need it more than the rest of us.

“What do you mean?” Joel asked worriedly.

“Son, I died fifteen years ago in a car wreck. And, as you know, Salome made her decision before that. Our CLAY vessels have been broken, we are now spirits of LIGHT.”

Joel stood there with unease, finding the whole concept ridiculous.

“We are all here to protect and guard Moriah. Yahweh has granted us to save this world. Hosea has poisoned the people, who are ready to cause catastrophe at his word. This is the time to end the spiritual warfare plaguing this universe since the beginning of man. This isn’t a war between men – it is a war between LIGHT, CLAY, and FIRE.”

Tyto’s gelatin form morphed and the galaxies focused and shifted inwards to a space and time long ago.

They could see an ancient civilization with rich crops and large monuments.

Shiloh’s ring began to glow, she looked down at it and backed into Tyto. “We must go inside,” she said to Joel.

After a moment, Joel sighed and replied, “Here we go again.” He pulled his backpack tight around his shoulders and stepped into the gelation form, followed by the rest of the crew.

IV

They stepped from Tyto near the edge of a valley, atop a stone pyramid. Tyto collapsed and morphed around Shiloh’s scuffed golden ring, making its appearance shimmer and glow brightly. Tyto’s eyes were like the finest diamonds, and the appearance of the owl became almost idyllic.

“Wait. If Tyto could always mold to her ring, why did Noah have to hide him?” Joel asked, taking a flashlight from his backpack – illuminating the dark apex of the old pyramid.

“Because the ring was placed at the false end of man,” Yahweh responded. “Tyto and the ring were separated between time and space. And – not to brag – but I am the only entity in existence that can move between the past and future.”

Joel kept staring off into the illuminated inner chamber of the pyramid and smiled. “Well… thanks for not bragging, Yahweh.”

Yahweh flew over to Joel and brushed His forehead against his cheek. “I understand you are worried. Everything around you has been turned upside down. I get it.”

“My wife is the guardian of the world and my mother-in-law is a ghost. Yeah, things in my life have seemed to change quite sporadically I would say,” Joel said sarcastically. Joel and Yahweh walked as the crew stayed back – knowing this was a journey they would have to take alone.

“Nothing placed upon your shoulders have been too difficult to bear, have they?” Yahweh asked, perched upon Joel’s shoulders.

“That doesn’t mean it’s easy, Yahweh. That doesn’t mean I could buckle from the weight at any moment. I grew up in a small town, I wasn’t prepared for any of this.”

“Ninety-nine,” the owl replied.

Deep down, the unease grew. Joel became irritated at Yahweh. His blood started to boil, and he wanted to scream at Him as loud as possible. But quickly, he calmed down and almost as a broken man replied, “What does ‘99’ have to do with anything.”

“You were sixteen years old and it was a really cold March day. There was about twenty minutes left of baseball practice and you were agitated about your performance. Just an ‘off’ day – but with all that tenacity and irritation, you focused in and swung your bat 99mph. Homerun. Bases loaded. I was so proud of you. It was the fastest swing you or anyone on your team ever made, and you didn’t even know it,” Yahweh responded, directing Joel down a dimly lit hallway. “You never quit and you better yourself when times get difficult. You construct when you’re criticized, even if it’s just yourself, instead of throwing gasoline on the fire. That small town is home only to a few people and you were chosen to be a part of that rare class of people. It taught you to never give up and to never back down from a battle. But now is the time to put down the baseball bat and to pick up your sword. As for your marriage - Shiloh always wanted a soulmate, who am I to deny her such an honest request? You were the one chosen to protect, love, and support her.”

They came across a flight of stairs where the light could not reach the bottom. Water drained through slots of the surrounding stone walls, which were adorned in unknown writing and strange drawings.

Joel and Yahweh watched the above waterfall splash upon the edge of the final step. The water fell into a deep and endless pit.

“Jump,” Yahweh spoke.

“I’m… afraid,” Joel responded, the light from his flashlight illuminating the crystal-clear water as sparkling diamonds erring from the stone.

“Look, son. Your destiny is behind those waters. You never had any other option. In every possible universe, your fate always leads you here. There is nothing to go back to – in any existence! Jump, my child. Be the king you were always meant to be,” Yahweh spoke. Yahweh lifted above Joel’s shoulders and landed upon the top of the steps.

Joel turned the flashlight off and placed it in his backpack.

He stepped closer to the edge. Beyond the flowing water seemed to be an endless void. No telling how far he would have to fall or how much pain he would have to endure once his body struck the surface – if he were to survive at all.

“Do you really believe I would lead you here just to leave you?” Yahweh spoke, reading the telepathic signals.

Joel sighed, louder and longer than any sigh he had ever brought forth into the world, and murmured, “No.”

Then he jumped.

And he fell.

Down.

Down.

He fell until he slowed to a point of levitation. The sounds of the waterfall faded into complete silence. His clothes started to soak. His hair drifted into underwater currents and his eyes started to burn, so he squeezed them shut. His lungs would not inhale, so he closed his mouth.

Then his body began to float until the surface broke and he inhaled deeply. He opened his eyes and saw that he was in a black mass of water. The only light he could see was a dim purple flame illuminating the corner of the large room.

He began to swim to the flame and once he was on the wooden dock, he stood and took his waterproof flashlight from his now soaked backpack.

His flashlight emitted a large chamber with elegant writings and paintings carved upon the stone walls and pillars.

Water gently streamed through the canals around stone platforms. Atop the platforms were large golden statues of lions, with rare gems as eyes.

He turned and stepped closer to the purple flame. The light flickered from his flashlight before dying altogether. After another elongated sigh, he put the flashlight away and reached for the torch. As he held it, the flame grew brighter, letting him see the path he was to take.

On the other side of the wooden dock was a cave opening. Joel walked towards its entry and made his way through. After a short while, the narrow tunnel opened to another large chamber. In the middle was only one platform. Fixated inside the center stone of the platform was a gladius golden sword. Joel placed the torch upon a holder, and it burned brightly, where the entire chamber could be seen.

Joel placed his hand upon the sword’s handle and pulled it from the stone platform.

He gazed upon it, shimmering under the purple light. The pommel was of a large blue gemstone; the grip was of obsidian stone, curved to perfectly fit his hand; the guard was designed as wings and the head of a roaring gold lion adorned both sides of the guard’s middle.

Inside the fuller of the blade was engraved the word by pure light, “Alhamdulillah!”

A sheath lay beside Joel. He leaned down and placed the sword inside, before tying it to his backpack, fitting perfectly inside of the backpack’s straps.

Beside the sheath was a golden helmet with a Maya styled face of a lion attached as the helmet’s face covering.

He stood there for a moment, placed on the golden lion helmet, and cracked his knuckles before taking the long journey back to his family.

Joel found himself in the darkest times he had ever endured. Amongst the primrose path of his youth, maturity reached out and grabbed him in his clutches.

His destiny lay ahead. Soon there would be blue skies and laughter, fires roaring, and tumbleweeds rolling across the intermittent highways. But now was a time to fight. Now was a time for his strength to persevere.

The tunnels, caves, and passageways to his family seemed dimly lit and narrow. His nerves were filled with unease and at times he had to sit down and rest. He would have sporadic moments of moral panic. He would call out to Yahweh, hoping to feel His presence.

Joel never felt more alone in his life.

He made the jump; he took the risk. Why now, after everything he had set out after – his dreams and pursuit of happiness – did he end up here?

It seemed every step he took, the foundation would break beneath him, causing him to backtrack further.

“What if I’m stuck here?” he asked silently.

“What if I messed everything up and fell short of my destiny?” he asked.

The black pit only seemed to get darker and deeper into oblivion.

He sat down in the darkness and held the golden sword, with only the word “Alhamdulillah!” glimmering in the black.

All he ever wanted seemed so far away. Everything he worked for seemed to be a faded happenstance.

“I know You are still with me, Yahweh,” Joel spoke. “And I know you will get me through this.”

Then, after only a few moments, the negative voices in his head began to silence, and courage began to build in his mind, body, and soul.

The fear remained but he began to move forward again. Through the labyrinth of the stone pyramid.

Amongst the thick vines gripped deeply into the cracks of the limestone walls was an ornate statue of a Mayan Vision Serpent.

He equipped the golden sword in his hands and thrust the blade into a slot of the Serpent’s heart.

He rotated the blade and swiftly pulled it to his side.

Then the Serpent cracked and crumbled to the floor.

Light beamed above him as he stepped over the fallen stones.

He covered his eyes with his left hand, squinting as his eyes dilated to focus.

And there he stood, on top of the world. Everything was below, only the sky stood above.

He stared out into the infinite jungle, gazing upon the exotic birds flying below and the dimly lit fires sporadically adorning the landscape.

Joel wondered about the different cultures and tribes gathered beside the fires. How their lives must have been. Before the Spanish Conquest of these lands and the devastating enslaved human sacrifice of the Mesoamerican people by the Maya.

This was a peaceful time. Where the people were fearless and deeply rooted in the same soil as the trees. Joel held his sword high where it glimmered upon the setting sun. At any moment in existence, the gleam of the blade could be seen if the onlooker found themselves pointed towards its direction.

Joel knew he was to be a defender, generous with his efforts, and to be as a courageous lion – scarred and battle born.

A swift wind blew hard behind him, picking up dust and thrusting it upon the back of his bare legs.

He turned and saw Shiloh, Noah, Salome, and Tyto behind him. He placed the sword back into its sheath and embraced his wife. They looked outward as the wind gently caressed their faces, carrying quaint and subtle music.

“We have been everywhere, haven’t we?” he asked his family.

“The only way a person can truly know themselves is by meeting new people,” Noah replied.

The sun set and the moon blossomed as they unpacked their camping gear and nestled in for the night.

“Where’s Yahweh?” Shiloh realized and stood in horror. She hadn’t ever been apart from Him so long.

Salome stood and held Shiloh by the wrists. “Honey, honey!” she said, calming down Shiloh and her shaking from the initial panic. “Don’t worry,” Salome continued and held Shiloh tightly. “Yahweh just needs to speak with your father.”