Rise of the Fallen (33 page)

He went to help Tren, but the demon backed off and ran back to their command post.

“Two got away!” Tren said.

They turned north with all speed, hoping they wouldn’t be too late. They hit the corner across the street from the Reliance building just in time to see the Fallen frantically searching for Berg. Validus searched too and saw a taxicab door close just as one of the Fallen materialized through a bus in his search.

Tren readied to attack, but Validus motioned for them to materialize through the parking garage wall and into the shadows. He pointed to the taxicab, which passed the bus on the opposite side from the Fallen. The timing of the operation was perfect.

“That’s Ral. If they make him, we’ll attack. If not, we disappear.”

A third demon joined the first two in their search for Berg, but the taxi was
now nearly two blocks away. Validus and Tren retreated west, away from the searching Fallen. Once they were safely away, they rejoined Ral.

He was smiling ear to ear.

“You cut that close,” Validus said with a slight grin.

“I love fooling those wretched Fallen.”

“This isn’t a game.” Tren glared at Ral. “I’m going to track them to see what I can learn.”

Ral watched Tren disappear to the north. “What did I do to him?”

“He’s seen a lot of destruction caused by the Fallen,” Validus said.

“So have we,” Ral said flatly.

“Yes, but—”

“But the children,” Ral finished for him, seeming to remember that Tren was a guardian and not a warrior.

30
 

AD 33

“General Danick, your vision to protect the lineage of the coming Messiah was prophetic. Although most of the world has been lost to Desgard, I now see the genius behind your tactics. Until the miracle of the indwelling of Ruach Elohim, I could not imagine how the world could be preserved, let alone regained.”

Validus was in the room with General Danick and Commander Brandt when the Comforter came.
Shortly after the resurrection of Jesus, the flame of Ruach Elohim came to rest on the head of each of the disciples, and they were all filled with His Spirit
.

It was the beginning of a new era of great power and mighty works. The Fallen had tried to stop it, but the outpouring would not and could not be stopped. And from that room would spread truth and hope not only to the nation of Israel but to all nations throughout the world.

Danick stood before Brandt and put a hand on his shoulder. “We have been through a lot, old friend. And without your trust and leadership, we would not be here today.”

Brandt allowed a quick smile, but Validus knew this meeting wasn’t just to offer praise for Danick’s strategy. He watched the wise commander prepare himself to make a petition.

“General, in spite of what we have seen as a result of your leadership, I must implore you to rethink your current strategy. Humanity is under a new covenant, and the church is beginning to spread beyond the borders of Israel and the Middle East.”

Danick turned away, a hint of sadness on his face, but Brandt was not dissuaded. He moved closer to Danick.

“The Spirit of Elohim resides within these sojourners of men and women. The Messiah has been given to the Gentiles even more so than to Israel—Gentiles that are called the sons and daughters of God! Surely you can see that we must protect them!”

“But Elohim is not through with His people.”

“The Messiah has come, Danick. What more of the lineage must we protect? It is time to retake the world through the power of Elohim’s Spirit. Ben Elohim is leading us to the four corners of the world through the saints! The guardians must have our help if they are to preserve the message of Messiah within the families that are traveling to the outer regions.”

Danick looked over his elaborate map of the lineage of the people of Israel. He had led well and with singular purpose—to see this day come. Now he looked a little lost.

He gazed first at Validus, then back to Brandt. “You are right, Commander Brandt. Now is the time to divide our forces and go forth. We will do so for every man, woman, and child who belongs to Elohim … no matter our cost. It is a new era.”

Brandt closed his eyes and took a deep, slow breath. “What are your orders, sir?” he asked resolutely.

“Our headquarters will remain here, in Jerusalem, but I want you to establish a command outpost headquarters to the north. Put one captain in charge of every church that is established, and give each a detachment of warriors based on your perceived threat level. As the churches are the backbone of God’s plan to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, so will they be the backbone of our strategy as warriors. Between our two headquarters we will respond to each attack that Desgard makes.”

Brandt nodded. Both men were looking at a map of the Middle Realm. “What of the western hemisphere? Do we send men there?”

“No. We will spread ourselves only as far as Ruach Elohim goes. If we are to retake the world, then we can only do so under the power of Elohim. Without Him, we have seen how Apollyon can influence humanity. I will not risk any of my warriors until the time is right.” Danick wore the seasoned look of a battle commander, the look that brought Validus great hope and courage. “I don’t think Apollyon even saw this coming, my friends. As the Spirit of Elohim
goes forth in the saints, the day will come when they will go west … and we will go with them!”

Brandt smiled a rare smile. “Which commanders may I have?”

“Take the east sector commanders, and we will redeploy to cover for them.”

Brandt looked at Danick, his smile still lingering. “Five commanders and twenty-five thousand warriors is not enough, but it’s a start.”

The corner of Danick’s mouth turned up. “I’ll send more as needed. Let me know when you are operational.”

“Very well.”

Brandt left Danick’s office with more enthusiasm than Validus had ever seen.

Danick turned to Validus. “What do you think, Validus? What’s your opinion?”

“My opinion is irrelevant, sir. I will follow your orders whatever they are.”

Danick frowned. “The day I quit valuing the opinions of my commanders is the day I will step down from this position. Good leaders listen to their men.”

Validus felt the sting of his rebuke. “Yes sir.”

“Now, what’s your opinion?”

“I agree with your decision. We must protect the saints no matter where they go.”

“And what of the lineage of Israel?” Danick asked.

“I don’t know, sir. I guess I can’t see why it’s needed anymore, especially in regard to us as warriors. Your protection of the lineage from Noah to Yeshua was remarkable, but now the Messiah has come, and the Gentiles have been grafted into the royal line. Whom would we watch and for what reason? Where is the need?”

“You’re right, of course. With Ruach Elohim dwelling within everyone who believes, anyone could become a powerful vessel through which God will work.” Danick smiled. “I think Apollyon is terrified. Imagine a world of saints, all being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Apollyon thought he killed the one Christ the world had, and now the world is filling with Christlike saints.”

Validus had never thought of it that way. He became excited thinking about the possibilities. It would change everything—their strategies, tactics,
and their ability to take the battle right into the heart of Apollyon’s greatest strongholds. It was time to retake the Middle Realm!

“Our new priority is the saints,” Danick continued, “but we will not abandon the lineage of the Israelites that Elohim watches. Throughout the ages Elohim has set apart a man or a woman through which to fulfill prophecy and do great works in His name. We will watch whom He watches, and you will be my eyes. You must help me hear the whispers of Elohim.”

“But where do we start, sir?”

Danick seemed lost in thought. He turned and walked out of the temple. Standing at the top of the steps, he looked out into the courtyard. “When is the last time you saw it?”

Validus remembered how powerful “it” was when he looked at the ten-year-old girl playing in the streets of Nazareth. There were times in their lineage search when Validus had wondered if they were protecting the right people, but not so with Mary. It was deeply gratifying and affirming when he had heard that Gabriel had appeared to the virgin. And then when Joseph took her to be his wife, Validus marveled how their tracing of two of the lineages had intersected by their marriage. The ways of Elohim were profound!

In contrast to the brightness of the birth of the Messiah, all else seemed as a shadow. But there was one moment in the recent past when Validus’s heart stirred with something deeper.

He looked at Danick. “Simeon.”

Danick slowly nodded. “Yes … Simeon.”

31
 

Present Day

“He’s trying to recover Berg’s computer and notes,” Tren said as Validus and Ral joined up with him.

They were looking through the front window of an auto repair shop across the street from Benjamin Berg’s former apartment building. They watched as Drew Carter and Sydney Carlyle circled the building in her car for the third time.

“Bad idea,” Validus said. “His apartment has been crawling with Fallen since Carter extracted Berg from their watch, and Captain Linari made a special trip to see me yesterday.” Validus looked at Tren and Ral. “When Carter pulled Berg out, it seems to have drawn the attention of Durgank. He’s here in Chicago.”

“I’ve been out of the country. Who’s Durgank?” Ral asked.

“He’s Apollyon’s regional commander for the Midwest,” Tren replied. “Are you sure he’s here for Carter?”

“Hard to say, but Linari seems to think so. If he’s right, we’ll be up against one of the worst there is.”

Anger boiled up inside Validus as he remembered the havoc this enemy had brought to the people of the Midwest while he was in command. Abortion, drugs, suicide, sexual perversion of every kind, violence, apathy. Validus felt Niturni zeroing in on him—Durgank was evidence of it.

“Whatever happens here, we can’t let the Fallen see Carter or track him back to Berg.”

The car pulled into a parking lot a few hundred yards away.

“What did you find out about the FBI?” Tren asked Ral. “How close are they?”

“They’ve figured out Chicago, and they’re back to watching Carlyle. I was able to divert them a couple of times when she was going to meet with Carter, but it won’t be long.” Ral looked back down the street to the waiting car. “What’s so important about Berg’s computer and notes?”

“We’re not sure, but it may be the missing piece to this puzzle,” Validus said.

Tren pursed his lips. “Actually it
is
the missing piece to this puzzle, and I think I know why he’s here to get it.”

Validus and Ral turned to look at Tren.

“And it’s why the Fallen were trying to take Berg out a few days ago. Before you arrived, the Fallen disappeared for a few minutes, and I was able to gain access to Berg’s room to see what he was working on.”

Ral looked up at the ceiling in frustration. “You’re killing us, Tren. Tell us what you found.”

Tren waited a couple more seconds. Validus smirked.

“Berg was helping his professor at Drayle University work on a light-acceleration device. His theory is impressive and quite sound. Do you know what it means if it actually works?”

“No, what?” Ral prompted.

“Yes,” Validus cut in. He looked back outside to see Carter making his way to the apartment building.

“It means they will be able to see us … and the Fallen.”

The three angels stood in silence, shocked by the implications.

Ral finally broke the silence. “Whoa. Is that how Carter can see us? Do you suppose that lab accident permanently pushed his eyes into our world?”

Validus was lost in thought as he watched Carter.

“It seems the only logical conclusion,” Tren said.

Ral shook his head, still stunned by what such a discovery would mean. “I can’t believe Elohim would allow such a thing.”

“Well, considering Carter, He’s allowed it at least once,” Tren said.