Exile of Lucifer (25 page)

"Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?"   193
"Yes," agreed Gabriel, looking at the others. "According to the
Zoa, the Most High has determined that man will have dominion
over the entire world--and without the assistance of or need for
angelic involvement."
"No angels involved in the stewardship?" said Sangius,
unable to contain his amusement. "What a very different world
Lucifer is envisioning! How disappointing."
"Really makes all of this a moot point, does it not?" posed
Michael. "Perhaps once Lucifer sees there never was an angel to be
named he will realize that he has behaved foolishly and bring
Heaven back into order."
"A reasonable observation," admitted Crispin, "were we deal-
ing with a reasonable creature. But Lucifer? I know that you will
call my judgment prejudiced but I cannot foresee him and Pellecus
and that swaggering Rugio coming to terms so easily."
"Nor I," agreed Gabriel, "and the Zoa intimated as much.
However, the Lord will prevail whatever the development. On that
they were quite deliberate."
"Should it come to that," said Michael, "I will of course fight.
But my hope is that Lucifer will see the foolishness in this and end
it before it is too late."
"Angel against angel in Heaven," mused Sangius. "May it
never be!"
"I'm afraid that it already is," said Crispin.
The conversation shifted focus as Michael related his discus-
sion with Serus, Lucifer's chief steward. From time to time
throughout the report, Sangius shook his head in disbelief. When
Michael was finished recounting the meeting Sangius spoke up.
"So Serus has had a change of heart?" he asked incredulously.
"I must tell you, Michael, that as much credence as I hold for an
angel being able to change, I am truly at a loss here. Serus seems the
most unlikely angel in Heaven to turn from Lucifer--with the
exception of Lucifer himself perhaps." He laughed.
"All I can tell you, brothers, is that Serus seemed sincere,"
repeated Michael. He looked at Sangius. "Perhaps you're right. He
was never able to make the final break with Lucifer. I'm not sure he

194          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
ever will. Lucifer has a hold over him that defies his ability to leave
him--even should he so desire. Fantastic!"
"Not so fantastic," interjected Crispin. "Think of Lucifer's
ministry here. His ability to lead us into rapturous praise in which
we are completely intoxicated indicates his ability to capture an
audience." He looked up from his desk at the others. "Such aston-
ishing power for one angel to exert over another!"
"I can only imagine the influence he could exert over earth,"
said Sangius, almost muttering to himself. Crispin, Michael and
Gabriel looked at each other grimly as they thought of so powerful
a being ruling the new world.
"Don't give Lucifer too much credit," warned Crispin. "True,
he exerts a certain appeal and influence over others--but it is only
that--an influence! Angel or man--if one succumbs to Lucifer it is
by one's own choice."
"Man?" wondered Sangius. "You propose that man will have
such freedom?"
"If, according to the Zoa, man is to rule in the Lord's authori-
ty on earth," Crispin responded, "it follows that he will be an
exceptional creature and completely unlike the beasts now being
created. So I say again, angel or man--one who succumbs to
Lucifer does so on his own volition."
"What is it then to which Lucifer has succumbed?" asked
Sangius.
"Lucifer has succumbed to Lucifer," observed Crispin. "And
that is the reason I see little hope for an easy end to this matter.
Apparently the others have succumbed to him as well: Pellecus,
Rugio, Berenius..."
"Kara was certainly bent upon learning what the Zoa had to
say," remarked Gabriel, still disturbed by the awkward intrusion in
the garden. "I know he and Lucifer have always had a strong
friendship but..."
"A friendship of convenience I would say," said Sangius.
"Come now, Sangius," protested Gabriel. "Surely an Elder
like Kara would not allow the ambitions of an angel to compromise
his position? Would he?"

"Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?"   195
"You don't know these angels, Gabriel," replied Sangius.
"They are driven. Something possesses them to push on and on--
closer and closer to the edge of complete madness." Sangius looked
sympathetically at Gabriel who always wanted to believe the best
about any angel. "Dear Gabriel, I wouldn't talk carelessly about
these matters. I want to believe otherwise but I cannot. I have seen
him for who he really is. If anyone could corrupt an Elder--even an
impeccable angel like Kara--it is Lucifer."
Gabriel did not like the direction the conversation was going.
He wanted desperately to believe that Lucifer had not compro-
mised the Elders. Could one angel hold such sway among the
Host? The Lord forbid it!
For the next few moments Michael and Crispin began outlin-
ing the reasons they felt that Kara could not be trusted further--or
at least must be approached with extreme caution. Gabriel listened
to the arguments made by both. He could tell they were trying to
soften the blow in deference to his own misgivings about it all, but
nevertheless they made their cases.
"It was Kara who led the delegation from the Council to
Lucifer's house when they told him of their decision to name him
steward," Michael said.
"And it was he who spoke to me of Lucifer, making excuses
for his erratic behavior," added Crispin.
"Naturally Lucifer acted completely surprised the day the
Council came to his house, but Kara was in shock to see me there
as well," Michael continued. "That was when Serus began signal-
ing me that he wanted to speak." The archangel began detailing his
conversation with Serus as to Kara's alliance of convenience with
Lucifer. He then summed it up: "If Serus is correct, then Kara is at
the very least motivated to further Lucifer's ambitions in order to
strengthen himself."
"Yes," remarked Crispin. "And you say he came to you imme-
diately after the debate to discover what was said to the Zoa--on
Lucifer's orders perhaps?"
"We are now accusing an Elder of something very dark," said
Gabriel, quite disturbed. "Lucifer is one thing--he has always

196          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
seemed prone to such possibilities; always an independent spirit. I
am willing to believe that he is capable of these things. Pellecus we
know has been poisoned by this perverse doctrine and seems bent
on wreaking havoc in the Academy. Rugio is a bitter warrior who
never received the rank and promotion he sought and is now seek-
ing it elsewhere. These I can accept. But Kara? One who sits with
the other Elders in attendance to the Most High God? I realize the
evidence points to the possibility. But if this is true then who in the
Kingdom is above suspicion?" He looked the group over.
"I would say no angel is above suspicion," said Crispin,
standing up. "If Lucifer, who is called the Anointed Cherub; who
walks in the paths of holy fire; who has access to the holy places;
who leads the Host in praises to the Most High...if such a one can
turn away from the true Light, then I would say any angel might
turn to darkness."
----------------
Lucifer enjoyed his excursions to earth. Now that Creation
appeared to be nearing an end, he was anxious as ever to get on
with the task of stewarding the new world. He glanced up and
could see the Heavenly Kingdom looming in celestial splendor,
wondering when at last his freedom would come. Two strange
looking beasts wandered by Lucifer, casually looking up at him as
they passed. Lucifer watched as they disappeared into the woods.
He marveled at the Lord's creative ability.
"There you are, my lord," came a voice. It was Pellecus, who
was accompanied by Tinius. "I thought we would find you here.
This seems to be your favorite place on earth."
"Yes," said Lucifer, "I love this spot. I have decided that it is
from here I will govern. It is quite lovely and gives vantage of the
Heavens and this beautiful world all at once. A medium between
two worlds, so to speak. This is where I shall place my throne." He
looked at Pellecus. "What developments have occurred?"
"Well, dear prince," said Pellecus, "the rather noisy climax of
the debate has created much stir in Heaven. You did well to retire
here for a season."

"Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?"   197
"Discretion is part of the game too, dear Pellecus," said
Lucifer. "I bade my ministers farewell and told them that I was off
to meditate on the coming greatness of the Kingdom--which in fact
I am!" He smiled. "And where is Kara? I specifically requested his
presence."
"An official matter has come up," said Tinius. "He was called
to Council." He looked hopefully at Lucifer. "Perhaps news of your
appointment?"
"Perhaps," said Lucifer cautiously, thinking it over. "Yet that
would be of such enormous importance that myself and the
archangels would be summoned as well. No, I'm sure this has to do
with the outrageous behavior of Crispin's supporters at the debate.
They will deliberate and it will be soon forgotten. Kara is good at
making them forget."
"Rather an extended day this time," said Pellecus, looking at
the teeming wildlife. A loud bark of some animal sounded in the
distance. "If not a noisy one."
"Extended, how so?" asked Tinius.
"Well it is evident that the Lord has finished creating the
beasts--he must now create the lord of the beasts." He shot a
glance at a perturbed Lucifer and quickly added, "By that I mean
him whom you will steward, my prince. Surely the Lord will not
send an angel down to earth to keep his animals. No, there is
greater work to be done here. He will create one who will manage
affairs--under your careful hand, of course."
"You do well to remember that I shall govern this planet and
not some earth creature--be he beast, bird or fish," said Lucifer,
glaring at Pellecus. "However, I do agree with you that Day Six
grows burdensome. I wish He would get on with it and finish the
work." He looked at the others and added, "When His work on
earth ends, mine will begin. Glorious days ahead, brothers!"
Lucifer led the group through a path already worn by the
newly created beasts of the field. They surveyed the animals,
amazed by the variety. "Notice that they are paired off," said
Lucifer. "Like every other living thing on this world, these crea-
tures are blessed with the ability of reproducing after their own

198          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
kind. Quite an imaginative way of filling the planet, hmm? The
creatures themselves become procreators."
"The Most High was wise in that He didn't allow angels the
ability to reproduce themselves," said Pellecus humorously. "It
would be difficult to imagine two Michaels for example! Or two
Lucifers..."
"There is only one Lucifer," said Lucifer, smiling. "That is
quite sufficient!"
"And a good thing--else we would have two angels wishing
to be named steward!" Tinius added.
Lucifer looked at him coldly. "I only serve those who would have
me named steward Tinius--I do not serve myself in this matter!"
"Of course, lord," said Tinius sheepishly.
"At any rate," continued Pellecus, "the Lord has decreed that
these animals shall fill the earth. What a mind our Lord has. Such
an imaginative mind! Look at them!"
Pellecus pointed to a group of gazelles gracefully bounding
through a meadow, while nearby a lioness was playing with a cub.
The sound of an elephant trumpeting in the distance added to
earth's music. "Such a wide array of creatures," Pellecus went on.
"A marvelous mind to be sure!"
"Marvelous indeed," admitted Lucifer. "But what good is a
mind which is stagnant and closed to change? True, the Creation
demonstrates the capacity of our Lord to think great, imaginative
thoughts." An eagle soared lazily overhead and Lucifer watched it
for a moment or two. "But I do the same when I compose a worship
service, do I not? Yet my mind is ever evolving. Our Lord's mind
remains fixed. This is precisely the point that you were making
with the wisdom angels at the Academy, dear Pellecus! Such a pity
we must come up against such a mind!"
"If I may digress, dear prince," said Tinius, "I must congratu-
late you on your boldness in dealing with Michael. Your meetings
with him seem to have soothed his curiosities."
"As I said, Tinius, the best way to deal with your opponent is
to deal with your opponent!" He laughed. "However, I only met
with him the one time. Just prior to Kara and the Council barging

"Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?"   199
in and demanding I take the stewardship of earth." He looked at
the two angels, smiling. "Michael's look was priceless!"
"I speak of the more recent occasion," said Tinius. "Just before
the debate."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Tinius," snapped
Lucifer. "I haven't seen or spoken to Michael since the meeting to
which I refer. Except of course when he interrupted that splendid
scene Pellecus caused at the Academy!"
"That is odd," Tinius responded. "Michael was at your door
prior to the debate. Serus allowed him in."
"Serus never mentioned to me that Michael came to call," said
Lucifer, confused and a little angry. "How do you know this?"
"I saw him myself," said Tinius. "I was on my way to the
debate and observed Michael at your door. Serus looked quite agi-
tated and quickly ushered him in. I naturally thought you were
inside."
"I was not," said Lucifer. "I was in the Academy talking with
Kara at the time." Lucifer's aura began to manifest around him. "So
Michael spoke with Serus..." Lucifer's eyes now gave off a bluish
glow as he became more and more agitated. He looked at Pellecus
and Tinius.
"Where is Serus?" he almost whispered.
----------------
Serus was thinking about the conversation he had had with
Michael. As he wandered through Lucifer's great house he won-
dered if he had not made a critical mistake. Surely word would get
back to Lucifer that he had spoken with the archangel. A fear
gripped Serus as he contemplated the confrontation with Lucifer--
most likely in front of the entire Council. He wished he had never
contacted Michael. And still...
He entered the room where the Council of Worship met. The
room seemed strangely quiet given the usual activity that tran-
spired here. He looked at the large table that served as the focus of
strategy. It was from here that Lucifer had launched his bid for
becoming earth's ruler. Serus began to circle the table, placing his