Beginnings: The First Book of the Genesis Chronicles

Beginnings

By Michael E. Register

© 2011 by Michael E. Register

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system. Or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning or other - except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Hughesville, MD, by Calamus Crest.

Smashwords Edition

Scriptures are taken from

Holy Bible, Hebrew Translation, © The Besorah of Yahusha®.

© 2008 by Urchinsea Publishing.

Used by permission of Urchinsea Publishing.

All rights reserved.

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-9839977-0-2

Publisher’s note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

For Brenda

Dramatis Personae

Archangel - In the hierarchy of angels, Archangel is similar to a General, or one in charge of millions.

Azazel - Seraphim Angel. This General, known as an excellent strategist, answers directly to Lucifer.

Barry - An Archeology professor at the University of Maryland, Barry works in the lab environment and knows the nitty gritty of taking samples and sending them out for testing. He runs the lab portions of courses and is very adept at teaching students to find truth through experimentation and rational thinking. Barry and Jessica are good friends and met when Jessica joined the department a year prior to her husband's death. Barry is married to Sara, a highly intuitive person who bases her decision-making more on spiritual meaning than physical evidence. Two more different individuals would be hard to imagine.

Belle - Jessica's administrative assistant, twenty-something, is a natural editor-proofreader. Belle comes from a long line of writers and hopes someday to be published.

Cherubim - Angels. Similar in appearance to Man. Set apart by their size, they are much larger than Man, ranging from seven to twelve feet tall. Their wingspans are large and range from twice their height to two and a half times their height.

Elohim - The Creator. This individual is the most mysterious of all. Being everywhere at once, and existing outside of time, this being is the one who creates life with a spoken Word. Even Elohim's names are mysteries and many are considered too sacred to write in a novel. This name, Elohim is considered common and therefore safe for this purpose.

Falk - Among the fastest of the Angels, this Cherubim is one of the smaller messenger angels. He is known to be fierce and highly unpredictable.

Gabriel - Archangel

Hillel - An Angel in Uriel’s choir.

Jeremiel - An Angel in Remiel's Choir. Jessica sees him after he has become an Archangel.

Jessica Mozes - Archeologist and professor at the University of Maryland. Having lost her husband, Stephen, to a chronic illness eighteen months earlier, she finds the steady interaction with students and faculty tiring and would like nothing less than to bury herself in studies.

Kalil - One of the fire angels, Kalil is smaller than most of the angels in his choir and, unlike his cohorts, he displays timidity. Hillel, his closest friend, usually can pull the best from Kalil at times when most needed.

Lucifer - Seraphim - This red serpent/dragon was created to be the Commander of the angelic host in Paradise. He was responsible for the angels’ initial training.

Metatron - Ancient scribe of the throne room. While he is thought of technically as an angel, he is the only being that sits in the throne room other than Elohim Himself. He was also not created at the time the other angels were created and no one knows exactly when he came to be. Some have called him, The Angel of The Lord.

Michael - Archangel. Bronze skin, tawny hair and fiery blue eyes, this athletically-built angel stands nine feet tall. When he appears in man-like form, he is slightly shorter, about 6' 9", olive skin and black hair. His skin tone and hair color help him to blend in with the peoples of the Middle East, where he appears most often. He is given the task of guarding the glory of the Creator’s image. Therefore this angel and all the angels under his charge protect man (the Image of Elohim).

Ophanim - Angels. These are mysterious orb-shaped beings. They worship the Creator, in the throne room, by orbiting the throne, forming what to many people would resemble a planetary system with the throne as the fiery central sun.

Ozel - in Uriel's Choir, because of his immense size, this Angel would seem out of place.

Raguel - Archangel of Justice, this angel and his kind are dark-complected and have black raven-like wings.

Raphael – Archangel of Healing. Raphael’s choir tends to the mental and physical wellbeing of Elohim’s people. Many times they are accompanied by Ophanim Orbs.

Remiel - Archangel - As carrier of the sound of Paradise, this angel is charged with creating thunder when called upon.

Sara - Barry's wife, Sara is a spiritual and intuitive person. She can see spiritual meaning in most of the strange occurrences of life, as well as the more normal events. It's interesting that she is drawn to Barry, the more pragmatic if I can't prove it, it’s not true type of personality.

Satan - Enemy of Paradise - In his quest for power and his mistrust of the Creator, Lucifer-turned-Satan became the enemy of the Kingdom of Light. Satan literally means Enemy.

Semyaza - Seraphim Angel. This General answers directly to Lucifer.

Seraphim - Angels. These angels are the Dragon Serpents of Paradise, varying greatly in size and color. They also have varying numbers of horns and tail spikes. They started out with two wings, but over time many developed two more, then more, up to thirty wings.

Tzadkiel - An Angel in Remiel's Choir and later in Jeremiel's Choir.

Uriel - Archangel. Tasked with carrying the fire of Elohim, this Cherubim, and those he leads, are completely covered in flames and to modern man they appear to have a Far Eastern appearance, as though they had originated in China, Japan or Mongolia. They are slightly smaller than most of the other angels. In the world where Michael's angels are Eagles, Uriel's angels would be more like Hawks.

Wilson - The head of AMS Labwerks, Wilson has had a good working relationship with Barry through the years. He is a trusted resource.

Zerachiel - Archangel assigned to the protection of the children of men.

Contents

Dramatis Personae

Prologue

1. Special Delivery

2. Dr. Angelo

3. A Closer Look

4. The Sample

5. The Phone Call

6. The Trip Back

7. Different Surroundings

8. Eternity Before Time

9. Day One

10. Day Two

11. Sulphur

12. Day Three

13. Day Four

14. Day Five

15. Day Six

16. The Gathering

17. Day Seven

18. Day Eight

19. Day Nine

20. Whispers

21. Day Ten

22. Day Eleven

23. Day Twelve

24. Day Thirteen

25. Day Fourteen

26. Accusation

27. Preparation

28. War

29. Aftermath

30. Conclusion

Prologue

This Morning

"I'm not sure what to say

it's been so long since I've spoken with You

or to You

I don't know how to go on

in the day-to-day routine there is safety

but no warmth

Why am I here?

Why should I go on?

My life was taken from me on the night Stephen passed away

It's stupid I know

I can't say that he died

I hate that word

I hate it

we were one, half of who I was, ripped away

all that remains is torn, bleeding

confused

Why was I left here all alone?

Why did You take him and not me?

What is my purpose?

I don't know how to go on

Please help me

I beg You

Amen"

Chapter 1

Special Delivery

The scribe held out the long cylindrical package to the messenger and whispered, Falk, you need to get this scroll to the captain right away, he is expecting it.

Where will I find him?

He is in the City of God.

Falk nodded. His dented and gashed breastplate bore the scars of prior delivery missions. He turned his back to the scribe, pulled the shield, strapped to his back, to one side allowing access to a pouch fastened underneath. The scribe opened the pouch, reached up to slide the cylinder in, then lowered the top flap and secured it.

The scribe patted Falk’s shoulder, letting him know he had finished.

The messenger turned toward the edge of the temple balcony, looked over the side to judge the distance to the ground. They were several miles high and he quickly scanned the surroundings. At the base of the temple were rows of rose bushes of every conceivable color and pyre plants, who’s ever moving leaves licked the air in a constant rhythmic dance.

The golden street just beyond the plants was filled with effervescent activity, as men and women walked here and there, interacting with each other, coming from or walking to various destinations, living out their eternal lives in peace. Most of the people here spent their time learning things they should have learned back on Earth, in their mortal lives. In this place, the temptations of earth could no longer distract them from their true calling, and their time was no longer wasted in vain pursuits.

He looked past the people and roadway to see the grass covered field, which was surrounded by a forest dotted with stately mansions and estates, the homes of the people, as far as he could see.

He backed away from the edge seven steps, placed his teardrop shaped headgear on his head, and turned to face the scribe. The scars on his face ended where the depressions and scratches in the helmet began. He saluted, his arm returning to his side after receiving a nod from the scribe.

Falk ran to the edge and jumped, back arched, legs together and arms extended in an elegant swan dive. His body plummeted toward the ground as he halfway unfurled two enormous wings. He kept the feathered limbs close to his body, much like a falcon would when building speed. Then with his back still arched, he angled his wings, forcing his body into an arcing path that brought him parallel with the street, the golden color reflected in his armor.

Many people on the golden road stopped what they were doing to watch the majestic being overhead. Some pointed as he flew by, others saluted.

The reflection in his armor turned green as he swooped over the grass field, his wings now fully outstretched. The tops of the tall grass followed him as he flew over. Beyond the field he raced toward a huge spiral opening in the air; the portal to another world.

He entered the portal, a swirling tunnel of light and color, many more colors than a man can see. This place, where the differing lattice work of two realities met, had a soothing effect on his nervous system. He could feel the difference in the forces acting on him as he progressed forward. The thinner or less dense reality he now infiltrated allowed for even greater speed, while the odor, that electric-metallic smell overwhelmed all other odors in this place.

He continued forward, moving past the far end of the tube and found himself in the familiar black space just above the earth, the moon moved off to his right, and for a moment, he remembered when this white heavenly body was smooth and perfect. He turned back to his target and pushed on into the stratosphere above the life-filled, blue planet.

He drifted close to fifteen minutes, his wings undulating in the solar winds, allowing time for the planet beneath him to rotate. He waited for a certain portion of the globe to appear on the horizon.

Here it comes, He whispered to himself as he waited, and the globe continued to spin. Then, when the Indian Ocean was beneath him, he said, The race is on.

Several final wing thrusts were all that were needed before he began the descent. Pulling his wings close to his sides, he allowed gravity to multiply his speed time and again, his entire body buffeted as the air rushed by. His helmet caught ablaze first, then his shoulders and wings, matching the fire that had been in his eyes from the beginning. Engulfed in flame, he rocketed toward the ground. To the casual observer, just another meteorite had hit the atmosphere and was being consumed by it. Perfectly comfortable in the inferno, the messenger pressed on. His expression remained stern, the package safe, strapped to the center of his back.

He streaked toward the City of God, Jerusalem. Reaching over his shoulder, he unclasped the shield and slid his right forearm through the harness, grasping the handle at the far side. Then using his left hand he pulled his sword free from its sheath, its fire blue in stark contrast to the orange flames which encased him.

Through the roar of his own flames he heard another sound building behind him, a deep menacing howl. He glanced over his left shoulder, back toward space. Nothing. He looked over his right shoulder. Two fiery streaks were following him, catching him. A third being, farther away, moved off to the east, toward ancient Persia. He moved his shield to cover his chest and most of his face while painfully contorting his body to become more aerodynamic. His speed again began to climb.

He glanced back over his shoulder, the two were faster than his best effort. He looked back to the ground he was racing toward, the roof of the Dome of the Rock only barely visible as a golden glint in the sun. He would never make it. The two behind him were within two hundred yards and still gaining.

Falk’s massive wings stretched out to their full width, grabbing the air like voracious scoops. His limbs and head lunged forward, his voice cried out past clenched teeth with the strain of the almost instant slowing to a near standstill. Such deceleration was not possible for the pursuers and they barreled past him, both banking in opposite directions.

The two serpentine beasts regrouped, separated from their prey by nearly a hundred yards. The larger serpent motioned to the smaller companion to stay put, calling out, I’ll take care of this little pest.

The monster churned his gigantic leathery wings, gaining speed as he flew directly toward the messenger who had invaded their territory. Fire and smoke puffed out of flared nostrils and between bared teeth. Its head bobbed up and down with each down stroke of its wings, sending waves of motion through its torso, ending with whips of its spiked tail.

The messenger was already narrowing the gap between himself and these two interceptors. He held his shield with the top directly below his eyes. A slit remained between helmet opening and the top of the shield. He moved fast, and quickness was an ally. As the two came within fifteen yards, the dragon exhaled a brilliant stream of fire, more as a distraction than to injure. The dragon tumbled forward in the air.

The messenger, faced with the temporary cloak of flame, pulled his wings close to his body and ducked to the right. The tail spikes sailed past his body, slicing through the flames, vortexes swirling like tiny sideways tornadoes in it’s wake. Falk’s arm shot out to the side, the burning blade found it’s target as the dragon continued its forward roll. The creature’s head along with half its neck separated from the huge body, flopping end over end, spewing glowing hot liquid into the air, surreal.

The body parts sizzled and popped as they fell, releasing a thick yellow vapor, until only the vapor was left to dissipate slowly.

Falk looked toward the second dragon, who greeted him with fangs and snarling hatred. The beast was already upon him and Falk tumbled through the air, the smaller brute was now attached to him, gripping his armor and flesh with the talons of his hands and feet. The dragon’s wings fought furiously to keep the invader from getting any closer to the ground. Its teeth gnawed at Falk’s helmet cutting into it like a can opener. The messenger’s shield bashed the creature’s face up and away, knocking the jaws free as a loud multi-octave screech filled the air. His helmet, now free, toppled toward the earth.

The dragon’s back erupted with blue flame, as the blade pierced through. Its screeching subsided like a siren out of air, frenetic body motions relaxed, eyes stared at nothing.

Screams and shrieks caught Falk’s attention to the East. A hideous and angry mob of serpents flew toward him. He yanked the sword free from the disintegrating corpse and continued his journey to the earth. The mob was too far away to catch him now, but he knew the fighting had only just begun.

Chapter 2

Dr. Angelo

Jarred away from her daydreaming by a knock on her office door, Jess turned as her twenty-something administrative assistant approached her desk. Belle was a short girl of just over five feet tall with dish water blonde hair in a sort of pixie cut, pale skin, and blue eyes. She was rather thin, and while not altogether clueless, common sense was not her strong point; however, she had plenty of book smarts, which was exactly what Jess had looked for when hiring an assistant. Belle was a great team member and an excellent editor. This last point was a big help when Jess needed to submit various papers and written reports. The two had learned to work well together over the past several years.

Good morning, Belle, what’s up? Jess asked.

Belle scanned a note in her hand, I just got a call. Some guy would like an appointment with you this afternoon. I need to confirm that you’re available today at four o’clock. Your schedule says you’re free, but I just wanted to make sure.

OK, well I think I’m free all day, except for my classes, let me double check.

As she pulled her already open appointment book out from under a pile of tests on her desk, she knocked a small framed picture over. She pushed her long dark hair over her ear while she glanced at the fallen picture, now face down. She sat the picture back up, looking at it for a moment, then quickly flipped the page to see what her agenda held for that particular day. Clearing her throat,