Havon

Dawn

The cars passed each other as water rained down and splashed back up.  The drivers focused on what they hoped were not reflections of light from the rain.  Passengers were serenaded by the beautiful notes echoing off the metal cabins of man made objects. 

            The taxi cab driver pulled to a stop at a red light.  His light shined brightly on the top of his cab marking an empty back seat.  The light changed and he eased forward.  As he got up to speed, he couldn’t help but notice the soaked woman on the sidewalk.  He eased up on the gas hoping and watching for a hand to waive him over.  But she stayed still, head lowered, and as he watched he couldn’t help but notice the shape of her belly hovering over her waist.

            The taxi passed by another car, the rain continued to poor, and the woman slowly looked up to see the opening in front of her.  She still didn’t know what to make of her situation.  Pregnant without a father, disowned by her parents, and left to fend for herself.  If abortion was a realistic choice, she might chose it.  If abortion wasn’t another word for murder she would have sought out help several months ago.

            She didn’t always feel this way, though.  When she was first late with her period she had even taken advantage of an overly generous health care system and purchased a pill.  They said it would take her problems away.  They said it would be quick and easy.  But just when she was about to swallow the pill, she was struck by an unavoidable and very real voice.   She could not see someone speaking, but she could hear a voice.  She could not determine where the sound came from.  But it was there.

The voice simply whispered, “Don’t.”  Following the voice came an insatiable need to spit the pill out.  As she did the pill ricocheted in the sink and then fell down the drain.  For a brief moment she considered getting down underneath the sink and taking it all apart to find the pill.  Before she was even able to register her next decision her arm seemed to move without a second thought to turn the water on full blast.  The pill was gone.

She then when to her upright shower, put the water on as hot as she could stand, and sat down naked on the tiled floor.  She pulled her knees to her chest and let her head fall into the crease between her legs.  Her tears then blended into the water.  Time disappeared for a moment as she sat there and tried to let her pain wash away and down the drain.

At first she thought she could handle the isolation and the scarlet letter that would be branded upon this unwed mother.  Even though society did not bat an eye at her situation, they also were not going to buy her groceries either.  Even though one night stands happened all the time, she knew that no one would truly take the time to give her a break.  Somehow she had gotten into this mess, now she had to deal with it.  But she did not count on the early contractions.  She did not count on the how urgently they would come.  If she prayed, then she would have bowed her head.  If she had a husband she might have her hold her closely.  If she had anything, well, then things would have been different.

Now she stood in the rain and the tears started coming down again.  But it wasn’t because she was unsure about giving birth, she had come to terms with that.  It wasn’t because there was no father.  He had reappeared some time ago telling her that he would help.  And it wasn’t because she didn’t pray.  She now prayed often and fervently.  She cried because she had seen this moment in her dreams.  She knew what was going to happen next and it wasn’t going to be pretty. 

In fact, she had seen how this would end:  the birthpangs, the bleeding, the screaming, and then the end.

The rain began to dissipate, but the darkness began to settle in.  Although the woman was drenched, the hairs on the back of her neck began to raise.  Her eyes widened, and her eyebrows raised.  She took a deep sudden breath.  This is the moment she had been waiting for.  This was the moment she feared.

Then she heard the noise.  A noise that shouldn’t be in the current climate, but there it was as clear as a bell ringing in an empty sanctuary.  The rustling became deafening as if every leaf from every tree blew upon an endless concrete floor. 

The urgency she now felt was as clear as a still small whisper. 

Move. 

Now.

*****

He watched her from the shadows.  The rain did not touch him.  Time could not hold him.  The darkness was there because of him.  Light flickered in his dark eyes like flames hungry for oxygen.  He was aware of the legion around him.  They had followed him from the beginning.  They now worshiped him for eternity.  And they were hungry.

He had been watching this woman for some time.  A predator had to be patient.  Such an animal could not show itself too soon and could not be late.  No, someone like him had to lurk in the shadows.  He had to wait.  When the time came, he would pounce.

Even though he waited, that did not mean he wasn’t active.  He was there at the facility where she originally bought that pill.  His smile was wickedly filled with anticipation when she took the pill from its plastic and put it in her mouth.  He was grinning from ear to ear.  Then, without warning, she spit the pill out and it sailed right to the sink and then down the drain.  Every part of his being wanted him to jump out of his hiding into the light to grab the pill and force it down her throat.  But something stopped him.  He knew what it was and was thankful for it.  His inner voice whispered:  Wait.

Patience, however, did not mean that he would sit idle.  His hand was upon the woman’s womb as he pressurized the baby’s lungs.  The baby would move and kick causing the contraction that he hoped would bring on an early birth.  If it was just early enough, the child would not make it.  But that hadn’t worked either.  Again, Wait.

Now the waiting was over.  The woman was exposed.  Her agony was about to begin.  With one thought the venom that stood around him began to move.  And then he followed.

But as he stepped out of the shadows she was already moving.  For a split second he was infuriated.  How had she heard him?  He hadn’t made a sound.  Did she see him?  No, there was nothing to be seen.  But then he knew.  Then he smiled.  He had been waiting for it.  The bloody, terrific, horrific, and unequivocally excellent moment of battle was here.

So in the next second he was skating forward.  His motions were fluid and almost more of a dance than a run.  The legion came behind him, but then sensed his commands and went ahead of him. 

*****

            She didn’t know where she would even go, but she was moving.  The fear she now felt built up on her heart as if it would simply collapse her arteries at any moment.  Her breath became short and desperate, and with her current state her body slowly became desperate for oxygen.  Yet, she could not stop.  She would not.  She would run until her oxygen depleted.  She would only stop if she fell to the ground dead and gone.  At least whatever came now wouldn’t be able to enjoy or long, slow death.  With this though came true terror.  She was going to die here and now.

No, not here and now.

The same voice as before came as it had before.   She did not fully know who was talking, but she was confident who was sending the voice.  And so even in the midst of her undeniable fear, there was stillness.  Even as she ran, time seemed to slow around her.

Then the noise came again so quickly that she thought they were already on top of her.  She turned to see a massive cloud halting in front of her.  She could see eyes spinning around one another in an unorganized circle.  They were watching.

Just when she thought she saw fangs and claws coming towards her he appeared.  He was a massive presence that no one would ever confuse as a man.  At 7’ tall with a wingspan to match it’s height the sword was already out and slicing through the black cloud.  The sword did not cut, but rather glowed with a light akin to the core of the hottest flame.  The demons scattered and re-gathered and the fight began. 

The Angel looked over his shoulder and instantly his eyes connected with the women’s.  She was moving again.  Her legs were renewed.  Her energy renewed.  Her lungs full.  As she was back on her feet and running she took one glance over her shoulder only to no longer to see the massive presence.  The cloud of darkness was now outlining the Angel.  The last thing she saw was that they now surged towards her.

She took a sudden turn and saw the steeple which she could only hope was her safe haven.  She quickly was in front of the church and heading up its steps when she tripped.  He spun around onto her back and started feeling for the next step. 

With one thought the leader had more Demons.  He now had legions and they all gathered like a water ready to surge forward on an unexpected town. 

Take her.

And then there were two massive presences between the woman and the Demons.  They both held two swords and started sweeping them with broad strokes trying to scatter the Demons every which way.  This time they didn’t need to look back.  The woman knew this was her chance to get through the steeples massive doors.  And this time, she didn’t look back.

Now she ran down the main row between the wooden pews stumbling and ever trying to keep her footing.  The priest came from the front corner of the Sanctuary only to see her fall onto her knees.  He came to her as quickly as he could.  She looked up at him with desperate eyes.  The priest didn’t need to hear an explanation.  The terror her saw reflected in front of him was enough. 

            Before the priest could do anything though, the steeple doors blasted forward and hung in the air.  As the sole intruder walked forward each row of pews shot up into the air one by one.  In that moment was mass chaos.

            The priest had heard of exorcisms and demon possession – but this was not something he was trained for.  No one had ever spoken of this type of enemy.  No one had ever said that he would see Satan face to face in this lifetime.

            Luscious smiled as he moved forward.  This priest had no idea who – or what – he was dealing with.  This woman had been promised to him from the beginning.  And now not only would he take her heart directly from her bosom, but he would devour  the light that gathered in her womb.     He licked his sharp teeth with his calloused snake like tongue.   He could almost taste the pure evil of it all.

            The priest simply dropped to his knees and began to speak in Latin with hopes that the ancient tradition of his priesthood would begin to pray for and with him along with this woman.  He opened his eyes one final time to see something he never thought possible.

            The sword swung upwards and collided with Luscious’ claws.  Instantly Luscious grabbed the sword and swung this new Angel with just one hand.  The Angel went straight into the far wall.  But this Angel was not like the others, and was back on his feet as quickly as he hit and flying towards Luscious. 

            Luscious watched this new Angel with only one thought:  Gabriel, you never stood a chance.  Then he shot forward and caught Gabriel’s neck in mid air.  He held the Angel high as his eyes glowed blood red.

            Gabriel breathed firmly, and even though his airway was clinched shut, he spoke calmly.  “Stop this.  You cannot defy Him.”

            “But I can.  It is what created me.”

            Then Luscious throw Gabriel over his shoulder to the other side of the room.  And with letting go the Demon was right on top of the Angel as soon as it smashed against the wall beating his face in.  The Angel stopped moving within seconds.  The Demon stood and turned around only to see both the Priest and the woman to have disappeared.

            Fire seeped from his eyes.  He looked back towards Gabriel to see if he could take his anger out on the already beaten Angel.  Gabriel was gone as well. 

            Cowards.

            Luscious whispered, “This is not over.” 

           

            Anyone who had heard the commotion came running.  They knew it was coming from the steeple, but when they reached the steps all they saw was the massive doors closed as they typically were during the week.  A few dared move forward and open the doors to peak in and see what in the world was going on only  to see the same still, peaceful sanctuary.  All the pews were in tact.  There was no commotion what-so-ever.   And so they went along their way.  As some of the people walked away, they could not help but notice the sound of leaves blowing in the distance.

Rev. 12:1    A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birthpangs, in the agony of giving birth.  3 Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.  4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born.  5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne;  6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days. 

I & II

Book I

“And Grace so loved the world…”

I

“I tell you, in the name of he who has patronized this land; repent so that the kingdom of Havon will be saved!” 

The words echoed through the streets.  People walked by, paying the useless seer no attention, for he was not like a man.  No, he was something else.  He was a Moerlf—a cross breed between Man and Elf.  The race in which people hated, were discriminated against, and scorned. 

Even in being ignored, the Moerlf continued to speak.  “Our time has come!  The end is near!  I tell you only truth; for Grace hath revealed to me and only me:  Havon will be destroyed!”  

A lone a boy watched in curiosity, no, in fascination.  He was barely 15, and approaching the wonderful stage of acne in his life.  The boy was average height and had brown hair with bangs that came down just over his eyes.   His eyes were a fair blue as he looked towards the Moerlf.  His father had told him to move on, to do his chores quickly and intently.  But the Moerlf interested him.  And he never listened to his dad.  He and his dad were nothing alike anyway. 

For some reason the Moerlf’s message captured the boy.  And the seer had taken notice.  He looked directly at the boy.  “To those who will listen, be weary young one, for I am not one to be trusted.  Do you not know who I am?”  The boy nodded, simply acknowledging the question.  “But you listen anyway.  Will you not heed the truths I tell you?”  The boy stared back at the seer.  Truth was a compelling idea to even the 15 year old.  He nodded with a smile: the seer was going to tell him and only him truths, for no one else would listen.  “Then heed what I tell you.  Hear my voice ring true in your ears.  Then you must discern what I say to be truth or not:  it is only then that you will find your place, only then will you find your truths.  I have a vision from the Rock.  It has shown me what will be and what is to come.  I tell you this:  repentance must come from the heart and the heart of Havon must repent so that it may be saved from the One who hates this world.  Havon must accept the truth in its darkness before we all suffer eternal damnation on Havon!  These words will come to pass if the wrath of Grace is not fulfilled!…”

“Travis!”  The boy’s head flung towards the sound knowing exactly where and, more importantly, whom the voice was coming from.  He saw his father standing, waiting, with this foot tapping and a face reflecting impatience.  He looked back at the seer for a brief moment; the seer, though, had disappeared.  He then turned back and ran to his father. 

“What was so intriguing?”

“The seer.” he looked back again; still the moerlf was gone. 

“What seer?” his father hadn’t seen.

“Nothing, I was just seeing things.”  Travis walked beside his father looking back with curiosity every so often to see if the Moerlf was back prophesizing.  The Moerlf, though, was gone.

II

            A lone figure walked through the hallways of the massive castle of stone.  This was a castle that was made by none of the Fallen nor would the Fallen ever walk within its walls.  This castle was known as Castle de Havon.  The figure that now walked within Castle de Havon was taller than a Man and broader than a Dwarf and when in complete glory the figure would be 210 square feet.  He was a figure that had never had a reason to show itself.  He was an Archangel. 

When the Rock had created life among the lands it desired partnership.  So the Bread of Life created both Archangels and Man.  These two races were the first, both made to reflect Grace’s relational nature.  Man was made to rule over Havon; to tend and care over the gardens.  The Archangels were created to praise and exalt Grace solely for its glory. 

The Word though was perfect and could see into Man’s hearts.  Men were naturally emotional and lacked the presence to do all that was required.  Because of Grace, love was free.  Because of freedom, the race of Man was tempted by an Archangel that had began to praise and exalt himself over Grace.  In being tempted, Man partook of the forbidden bringing about the Fall of Man, the Archangel known as Luciphor, and those Archangels who chose to follow the one who would become Satan. 

Grace chose to continually yearn for his creation.  But Grace’s creation had changed through the fall.  Other Races came into being as Man began to adapt to its surroundings of the Fallen world of Havon.   Havon though, was equally being sought by Luciphor.  That was when the Archangels who remained became more then those who would worship and praise.   Their task evolved into being called to trust in Grace as they protected the barrier between Light and Darkness . 

            This lone figure that walked the halls of the Archangels capital, though, had grown tired of the Castle.  He had grown tired of Havon: the world that existed out of necessity.  Grace had made Havon so that Grace could share the greatest achievements and worst failures of creatures that resembled the Rock.  For Light needs the darkness to be light.  Without one; the other cannot exist.  But because of darkness Grace’s beloved had fallen into the hands of something far crueler than any other.  The Lord of the Demons, the Lord of the Darkness.  Since Darkness blinded creation’s eyes, Grace had been trying to set the creatures free from the deception.  Even if the Creatures did not disserve love, the Rock had created them so he pursued them. 

            This Archangel, Luscious Aramous, had gone through the histories slowly but surely reading every line as it appeared in the books kept in the Castle’s walls.  Luscious had been there when Luciphor and his followers fell.  Luscious Aramous could see it clearly as if it was happening in front of him in how those who fell complexions darkened.  He remembered his desire to be faithful to Grace so he continued to fight for the Light.

            Over the years, though, his desire had lessoned as he continually tried to speak to the Fallen so that they would listen.   Time and time again he had called out to the Races and time and time again the Races had turned away.   They constantly rejected Grace’s true teaching ever becoming less worthy, less loveable.   Still, Grace pursued.  

Far too many tears had fallen:  tears laced with golden light landed on the castle’s walls everyday as the Archangels above cried.  The walls shone now in painful golden brilliance as Grace had been rejected yet again, and again, and again.  Luscious, though, would stand by and watch no more.   He would bring about a day when the Archangels would no longer cry.  If Luscious Aramous had read correctly, in which he was sure he had, there would come a time where there would be no more Archangels to cry.  

I will give the Fallen a reason to come back to Grace.   Light will be consumed by the darkness.   Then, when they are consumed by the Evil that will reign, they will have no choice but to plead for the Light to return.

Luscious Aramous’ midnight stroll came to an end as he looked down on the lone altar at the pinnacle of what was known as the Great Hall.  The altar had been placed there for the Archangels to place their prayers upon as they were heard from the people who took the time to have faith.  This was the altar where the pure Archangels could take their pleas up to the Rock itself and in Grace’s greatest glory the prayers of the Fallen would be heard. 

Luscious lifted his wings just enough for the hilt of his sword to come into view where it was sheathed at his side.  He reached down and pulled the sword slowly and precisely from its sheath raising it upwards to the heavens above just as he had done every time before.  Thus far an Archangel’s sword had yet to shed Demon blood but had only scared them away from those with faith.  The Archangel’s sword had also never cut into his own skin. 

But that was then, Luscious Aramous would create the now. 

Luscious placed the sword down upon his wrist and began to cut through his skin.  Pain seeped into his being.  This, however, did not prevent him from cutting only deeper and deeper still.  The sword crept through the veins deeper to the tendons till he no longer could feel his hand.  He let the sword fall to his right as he turned his wrist over so that the wound faced down towards the altar.  Blood spilled on the pure altar thus letting impurity pollute the symbol in front of him.  As the blood seemed to seep down into the altar Luscious Aramous breathed one last prayer. 

“You are the Rock. Grace that is greater then all else, yet you cannot control your own people.  I have been faithful and I have prayed enough prayers for hundreds of lifetimes and I find no purpose in this.  This act will bring about a change in Havon that not even You will be able to cope with.  With this act I will meet the creator and controller of all Demons.  My actions may bring about greater Evil, but this Evil, I believe, will only bring about Your greater good.  I will bring balance back to the Fallen of Havon.” 

His words echoed throughout the hallway onto eternity.  Slowly, his life force faded away into oblivion.  He began to loose his focus as the hallway around him began to spin.   Luscious Aramous fell to his knees as his strength faded away.   As he focused his last remaining thoughts upon the altar he realized that his actions were irreversible.   The Archangel was experiencing a sensation that he never thought he would feel:  Luscious Aramous was dying.  Consciousness began to leave him as the room seemed to close down upon him as darkness overcame his being. 

*****

The Archangel Gabriel woke suddenly from the slumber he had needed from a long day under his Creator.  As his dreams of Grace left him the Archangel was overcome by a ceaseless emptiness of cold sorrow.   His mind instantly focused on Grace above every person praying for the Fallen knowing that yet another life had either been lost or another soul corrupted.  Now the emptiness only intensified.  As the cold sorrow threatened to overwhelm him, he remembered another time when he had felt such pain.       

The Rock had created Archangels purely to praise and to be messengers.  One of these Archangels became self consumed and in that act the Angel had realized life without Grace and had lusted for it.  In doing so the Angel had found a realm of Good the Rock had created merely out of creating Good.  Through creating something the Rock had created a possibility for the lack of that something or an opposite of that something.  This Angel had found that opposite:  Evil. 

A great battle was fought amongst Angels of Good and those of Evil.  The Archangel Luciphor was banished by Grace and the heavenly realms along with those Angels who followed.  Thus a Balance was created that Grace controlled the heavens and his creation but Lucipher received the Fallen in their nature after the fall thus ruling over Havon.  It was the Balance; one that Grace had been trying to overcome for its glory for too long.

Until now.  The Balance had been broken. 

Gabriel though, was aware that although the Balance had been broken it was not because of Grace, but by something else.  The Archangel, with his wide, white wings, flew through the air to the one place he feared was desecrated.  With the wind of his wings the doors to the Great Hall flew open and he saw a fallen Archangel in front of the Altar of Prayers.  He quickly was by the Archangel’s side bending down to see the fallen one’s needs.  What he saw was exactly what he had feared. 

Luscious Aramous, Archangel of worship, had cut his wrist to the bone with his own sword.  Gabriel’s tears fell down into the open wound of Luscious.  He looked up trying to make sense of this Archangel’s actions only to see blood seeping down through the grains of the wood that constructed the Altar.  The Altar of Prayers had been desecrated.  The Archangels would no longer be able to be mediators.  Where they once would bring the prayers of the faithful up to Heaven to place they now would no longer be a part of the Heavenly, but another fallen race lost to Havon.  Their purpose, if nothing else, was going to change.  Gabriel then looked down once more to see the bloodied ground under Luscious’s body.  Luscious body, though, was gone.

Then Gabriel remembered the Scriptures, the Histories that recorded the way Grace interacted with its creation throughout all of it’s existence.  The Histories recorded the fall of Man and the Archangels demise.  It also prophesized:  “An Archangel of Light will fall away from it’s meaning and find meaning beyond what I, the Rock, hath meant for my creation.”  For so long the Archangels knew this to be the already fallen Archangel Luciphor.  “Darkness will then break what I, Grace, hath given my own.  But even then, all will not be lost.” 

Gabriel thought quickly, trying to make sense of the Scripture in light of what Luscious had just done.   Was it possible the Archangels had been wrong?  Could it be possible the first fall had nothing to do with this prophecy?   Gabriel then realized a horror he didn’t want to accept.  If, in fact, Luscious Aramous had brought the first part of the passage true, then the second part of the promise was surely coming just as sure as Luscious actions had already been committed.  Darkness would be coming upon the land of Havon.   

*****

            Luscious Aramous awoke in a foreign hall eerily similar to the one he had just spilled blood in.  He was now on his knees in the hall that just preceded the Great Hall in Castle de Havon.  For a moment, Luscious began to wonder if he had not completed the action he had meant to.   Had he been dreaming?  

As he tried to grasp reality he looked down at his wrist which was still cut deep down just as his sword had done.  If this was still his dream then he could will himself to do things he may not regularly do.  He tried to stand only to find to his surprise that all his limbs were working properly.  In standing he began to walk forward.  The sight he saw was the same, even the smell.  Everything but the feel.  Something about this dream was different, but still, he walked forward as if he was to relive the moment he had just experienced.  The doors at the end of the hallway that would lead him back to the Great Hall watched him as he came near. 

Waiting. 

As he approached, the doors crept open.  For a moment, he was afraid.  He tried to will himself out of this horrible nightmare only to be reminded of his actions.  He had willed this and with this realization an overwhelming sense of anxiety over came him. 

Had he misread the histories? 

No, he had read them clearly.  Nights upon nights he had read and read trying to formulate a clear action.  His action would change the course of Grace and It’s creation forever. 

Something spoke within him to continue to walk and like a puppet he did so.  His footsteps echoed in the hallway until the doors closed behind him.  He glanced back in mid-stride: Was this truly happening; had he just broken the Balance?  When his head turned back towards the font of the room he saw a replica of the altar that he had just let his blood fall upon.  He walked, slowly towards the new altar, ever hesitant of reaching it, but reaching it all the same.  He stood for a brief while, waiting.  Then, a thick red drop landed on his arm.  Luscious looked up to the ceiling as he saw more crimson bead up and fall down upon him and the altar in front of him.  Then, as if the levies broke, the red came down in steady streams. 

Thick red blood seeped into the altar just as it had done at Castle De Havon.  Following the streams a voice entered the room, pounding clear through to the heart of Luscious Aramous.  It was harshly low, more inaudible beats than any sort of pitch.  Somehow though, it comforted Luscious.  At first Luscious could not understand any words, but then, slowly, the words transformed into an audible, understandable language. 

“Luscious Aramous, I have heard your prayers at night.  I have watched you since the day you were created.  You are my son.”  A pause.  Luscious breathed in the atmosphere, knowing that from that second on he would feel more alive then he ever had before.  In death he would have life everlasting.  “Luscious Aramous, it is from this moment on that you will follow me.  You will serve me just as you have always done.”  A smile came to Luscious’ lips.  Finally, a purpose higher then being a mere protector.  He would follow his Father.  “Do you know what you have done?”  The question was unexpected and lay in the air waiting for the Archangel’s response.

“Only partially.  I know what I was doing and what it symbolized.”  Silence.  As if Luscious was left to put the puzzle together.  A puzzle that had already formed whether he liked it or not.  Or, maybe more accurately, whether he realized it or not. 

“Luscious Aramous, you have brought about a change in the Balance.  And in that change you will serve me as you bring about the dominance of my will in Havon.”  The Balance.  Luscious had interpreted correctly.  He was not in the Castle De Havon at all, but Luciphor’s parallel, his deceit.

Realities came together and tore apart all in seconds of each other.  The parallel of Castle De Havon imploded upon itself over and through Luscious Aramous till all that was left was the ground below Lucious’ feet.  Beyond the ground, Luscious found himself in a great expanse of void and space separate from all that Luscious had ever known and removed of all he had ever been.  The castle that had been surrounding him was destroyed by the realization of Luciphor as truth was revealed. 

In front of Luscious now stood something completely different then the altar or the presence that was before.  It had no form, but Luscious could see it.  It had no smell, but Luscious resented the smell.  It had no face, but Luscious was afraid of it.  The presence spoke with a different voice than he had before.  This voice was no longer a deep baritone but spoke with a thousand different voices from the dead and gone.  The voice then somehow correlated into one whisper of complete Evil. 

“Will you serve me even in realizing what you have done?” 

Luscious focused upon the presence that wasn’t really there, the smell that overwhelmed him, and the face that he wanted to cower away from.  It was all too late for cowering.  He spoke his words.  “In my action I have confirmed service.”

“Luscious Aramous is no more.  From hence forth you will be known as Luscious, Commander of the Demons, Son of Luciphor.  You will command my armies and you will be praised for my sake!”

Title Page

HAVON

Genesis

To all those who believed.

This is my dream come true.

To Julie, may you always live on into eternity.

You were always a believer,

And dreams do come true. 

Curtis P. Brophy

Where Havon Begins

A version of what is below was printed in an undergrad magazine at Bethel University in 2004-2005.  We edited it thoroughly, but I felt like some of the story was lost.  Since I have put a great deal of work into Havon and been through a lot more education and life experiences.  Never the less, this is where it all began.  I originally wrote this after a personal experience with spiritual warfare.  I did not quite understand it at the time, but I have come to know that principalities and powers are far greater than any physical strength.  I have also learned that prayer can move mountains.  Below, you will find what moves me.  This is the beginning.  Enjoy...

Rev. 12:1    A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birthpangs, in the agony of giving birth.  3 Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.  4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born.  5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne;  6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days. 

 

Prologue

            Welcome to Havon--where good and evil are quite real.  Where God and Satan live out there battleground and where you and I fight for the side we worship.  It is here the spiritual realm and the worldly realm collide into one and we begin to see what we were never meant to see.  This is where Angels and Demons collide to bring peace—or complete anarchy—to our world.  But Havon is not so far away.  No, Havon is real.  I did not imagine it.  Some people see it, but some people are blind.  Let me tell you for sure, I have seen it.  Havon is real; I believe it.

*****

Her veil blew off her face as the wind caught a hold of the frail piece of cloth.  Her face was cut, bruised, and bleeding from the battle that raged outside the church’s walls - from the battle that raged in her mind.  The church would bring safety for her if she sought it out.  Yet the weight the evil had brought upon her was too much.  She had to take those final steps - crawl up them if she must - but she had to get into the church.  For the evil ones were after her.  This woman was the key.

            The sanctuary doors opened in front of her and she stumbled inside the church.  With every motion her physical wounds were shown.  With every last bit of strength her soul cried out for the deliverance she desperately desired.  She did not know what deliverance would bring - she did not know how to find it - she just knew it had to come.

            The evil ones came to the doors and swarmed outside of the church.   They had to proceed - but they couldn’t - not into the sanctuary. 

            A trumpet sounded from the distance and the two came.  They came to the church and landed in front of the doors - each massive in size, stature, and wingspan.  There were swords drawn ready to stop the evil ones in their tracks.  Michael and Gabriel watched and waited. 

            Then he came.  A sole existence came forward.  His body shaded by the dark soul he hid deep within—His eyes red from the effect of the one that controlled him.  

            He was Lucipher incarnate, he was Evil.  He, Luscious Aramous, would not be kept from her.  She bared the child.  The child that must be killed.  Luscious pointed towards the angels and spoke, but when he spoke with several voices; One of a snake, one of a human, one of a demon, and the others indistinguishable, but entirely noticeable. 

            “She will be mine!”

            They were at first few, enough for the angels to take, enough for Michael and Gabriel to control.  But then the rest came.  They appeared from the darkness within Luscious; they were churned from the hate stirring inside him.  What began as few ended in legions.  A massive army.  The massive black horde came at the angels.  The angels would not win this battle.  And if this battle was lost, Havon would fall.  The child had to be born.  He was the Chosen One.  He was the Messiah. 

            She fell on the pulpit.  The Holy Priest looked down on her.  She looked up to meet his gaze.  Her eyes met with his eyes of kindness - of love.  “May the prayers of the saints protect us, for you have come…You, who have been impregnated by no man, but by He who loves.  You who are deceived, broken by the evil around you.  You can not see, but He does.”  Her tears fell on the Priest’s shoes as a sea of darkness consumed her.

*****

            Havon, though, did not begin here.  No there is much more one needs to know.  There is much more that needs to be said.

            Lucipher, the Prince of Worship had begun to idolize himself.  He felt he was higher then others and therefore rebelled against the Creator. 

Or did you all ready know? 

Did you know that Luciphor and his followers were cast down from Heaven?  You see; this is what began the process that would eventually create Havon.  The mere fact that Lucipher, or Satan, was cast from Heaven was because of his worship. 

What do we worship?

For if it isn’t of the Creator, it is of the prince – Lucipher - Satan.  It is the things of this world.  I don’t care if you believe me, in fact, I expect you not too.  I care that you would listen to these words.  You must know about Havon.

*****

They walked hand in hand unaware of their nakedness.  Only aware of love.  Only aware of their surroundings; trees that were taller than any regular human eye could see; fruit bigger then our hands with protein more abundant then any worldly meat. 

There was only two; a man and a woman embraced by love itself—Grace the Creator. 

Yet there was one tree.  One forbidden fruit where the fallen one thrived.  The two had been warned - the two had been restricted from the tree.  Yet the fallen one was determined.  He had to get control of what Grace created.  He had to create Havon. 

He called out to the woman and persuaded her with his slithery voice.  Waiting. Silently.  Ready to byte.  She took the forbidden fruit, hesitated, and then bit into the luscious red apple.  She then handed it to the male, standing there, waiting.  He then took the fruit while the woman watched him as he took a byte.  The fallen one took his own; not of the apple though, but a bite out of the souls of the man and woman he had just deceived.  And so it was that the man and woman fell - they choose a life without and Havon was further formed.

*****

The angels held fast.  The claws and teeth of the demons dug into the angels flesh. They could not fight back - they only had to protect.  They couldn’t fight back because of doubt.  Doubt of the one who carried Him.  She had to believe - they would continue to be scarred until she believed. 

The Holy Priest kneeled down in front of the woman.  “My dear daughter - my very own sister, why do you cry?  Why do you worry?  Why do you fear?  The one you bare is the one this world desperately needs!”

“Why me priest?  I can not hold this burden.  Evil pursues me, it over rules my desire to serve; I can not do this!”

“You can do the exact things that you are given to do.  No more, no less.  Just believe in the one you carry and all things will be forgiven.  He is the one we all seek.  He is the Messiah.”

“Immanuel, The Chosen One?  This is what I bare?”

“You and your husband, both of you bare this burden.  The child is no burden, but a blessing.  He will set you free.”  She looked up at the Holy Priest.  Her blood shot eyes revealing her pain; revealing her weakness.  “Just believe.”

“I shall trust in what I do not understand.”

*****

He fell to his knees.  What travesty!  What a mockery!  His own bride impregnated by another man.  How could she?!  He who would die when he found him.  And he would find him.  He ripped his clothes.  His tears fell down his cheeks.  Fire burned deep within his soul; hate for his wife, loathing for the one who had done this to his wife.  All the while ready to disown the only one he had ever loved. 

They came from above.  They came to releave his pain, comfort him, and to meet his needs.  He appeared to the man in the form of one; in a form the man would respond to.  “I swear to you, no adultery was committed, but the One who created you has impregnated her by my Spirit.”

“This can not be true…”

“Believe it, or she and the son will be lost.  The Messiah, Jehovah, the Son will never make it from the womb.”  He had no choice.  He had to believe.  He had to trust this angel.  So he believed.  And so he prayed.

*****

The voices began to echo through the skies.  The demons scattered.   Luscious face became disfigured, his chance was falling away.  Both of his arms came up and the masses came.  They came from the earth, they came from the depths of hell ready to destroy the angels, ready to overcome any good that still stood.  There were only two-left standing; Gabriel and Michael; each torn down to their bones, each ready to fall.

Luscious ran forward and battered into the two angels.  As he did so the legions of demons circled around behind Luscious and impacted the angels at the exact same time Luscious collided into them.  The two angels fell through the doors revealing the woman and the Holy Priest.

The Holy Priest watched as the sanctuary doors opened.  He could see Luscious walk through the doors ready for whatever force would keep him from the woman and the unborn child.  The Holy Priest lifted his hand towards Luscious.  “You have no hold in the presence of the Grace.  You have no claim in the house of God.” 

“You can not control me preacher.  No one controls me!”  His hands raised with palms forward.  The demons flew in and came up under Luscious’ hands.  They came forth picking each pew up and threw them up in the sky.

The Holy Priest fell to the ground.  “Father in Heaven, save us!”

Michael and Gabriel simultaneously grabbed their swords from the ground they had lifted from.  As they did light came down from the Heavens shining down on the angels renewing them of their strength.  Then the light pierced the sanctuary and the angels appeared in front of the demons.  Light admitted from each sword blinding the demons and taking Luscious’ control away from the rule he had over each of his followers.  The demons turned and fled in every direction.  

With the woman’s last bit of strength she looked up at the Holy Priest.  “I believe.”  Her head dropped to the floor.  Angels appeared out of nothing to surround her, catching her head before it actually hit the floor.  The light now fixed upon her body.  But the light was no longer coming from the Heavens, but from this woman.  The light pierced the angels around her.  Each began to sing praises.  Each falling to their knees in worship.  The Son was glorified, knowing that the Creator had given His own another chance to change the world. 

*****

So, do you believe what I write?  For this, all though not the beginning of man, is the beginning of the Son of man. This is Havon.  A world in between the spiritual realm and ours.  Where we have the ability to control whether angels have the strength to defeat the principalities of this present darkness.  I do not actually believe you are ready to trust me.  I do not actually believe that we’re even ready to read about such power.  But now that you have read about it, are you truly ready not to believe me?