Elsewhere…
The room was circular, with a dome ceiling. The walls were marble concrete with intricate layers of detailed artwork, laced with a gold-bronze color. There were 4 men in the room, 3 of them were standing at the bottom of a set of 5 steps, where the 4th stood at the top in front of a magnificent throne. The 4th man sat down in his throne, “Noah, I need you to go find Moses, he will be outside the realm of our power so take as many men as you need. He will not be alone, he will have a very strange man with him, and a family of dogs, accommodate them. This man will know me, and want to an audience with us all, I need you to make this possible. The Empire is in need of him, as he is in need of us.” His voice was gentle and soothing; youthful yet aged. It held a power that was undeniable, but it was soft.
The man he was speaking to was a largely built man with gray skin, he had a goatee that reached to the middle of his chest, and had a patch over his left eye. Noah bowed his head in obedience and firmly spoke with a rasp in his voice, “Yes my lord, it will be done.” And then he turned and left the room.
The man that had been standing next to Noah was Cain, a warrior, and leader of The Empyreal Army. He was a well-built man, toned better than Noah, but not as thick throughout. “Adam, should not Gideon go with Noah, to bring The Message to the other realms?” he asked.
“Gideon, you will go to the gene pool, and retrieve Merlin. Tell him that The Brethren must come together. Tell him that Gabriel is returning to us, and that he has a gift.” As he finished this statement, he sighed.
Gideon was a tall slender figure in a dark robe. His fingers were interlaced in front of him just above his stomach; he bowed his head and faded out of sight. Neither of the 2 men left thought anything of Gideon’s disappearing act, which was always how he exited a room.
“And what would you have me do, brother? Shall I be on a quest as well?” Cain was almost eager to hear where he might be sent, but knew that he would not be leaving. His conversance was merely smug. He looked up toward Adam, and waited for his orders.
“Cain, you and I need to spend some time alone together, that we could plan for the future. Even though I am the sky and the stars, I will not always be here. Soon Mykul will come for me, and no one man can take him. But he can take me, I am not a fighter, like you, or Moses, or Noah. He will win, and I will die. I need to know that you will lead The Empire after I am gone.” His voice was different this time; there was pain and sorrow.
“We have had this conversation before, and as in them then, it is the same now. I will do as much as I am capable of, but I could never do what you have done, nor could I replace you. I am not an Emperor, you are. Just as you are an understanding soul of all that is within The Womb, I am a leader. I cannot rule that which I am not part of, or the task itself would rule, not I.” Verses he had spoken a thousand times fold, though this time he did not know that it was true, but it was how he felt.
Adam leaned forward in his chair, “Cain, The Forever Example, you are an explorer, an adventurer. You connect with the organisms of our protection, you identify with them, think of the advantages that gives. I know when it is time you will do only what you feel is righteous. And that is all that I ask of you.” His words were sincere enough to believe, he was trying to get things out in the open. “I see you have nothing more to say of this, on to other matters then?” trying not to argue, he changes the subject. “Gabriel, will not speak to us until we are all together, but I think I can ascertain what will be said. The Child has awoken. I know this because he is with Moses now. He is the only one with the ability to defeat Mykul. And I think for the best reason. But that has yet to be seen, what we need is a way to fend Mykul off until he is strong enough. He has gifted Moses with a weapon, and he will gift you with one as well. But Moses is a shadow; you are not. Merlin will ask his help to build you armor befitting your stature. I ask that you except it, only when it is time.”
Cain looked confused for a moment, “I understand. How does this affect Mykul’s attack? He will still be to powerful for us to force him to retreat. Unless… Gabriel! Will he fight?” he sounded curious, and hopeful, but not excited. If Gabriel were to fight Mykul, The Mother herself would be destroyed in the battle. What could Gabriel do, if not fight? “The gift you spoke of, that must be the answer.”
Adam sighed in relief, “You see, it is already in motion. Inertia will bring the answers you seek. As for me, I have had my answers for some time now. Everything is as it should be. Go now Cain, prepare your men for that which comes. Prepare yourself for the future.” He waved his hand in the direction of the doorway. Cain bowed his head, turned, and left.
