Destiny

Suddenly, without fanfare or announcement, every light in the building went out. The pitch black startled Noriel, who had never been in the absence of light before. He squirmed uncomfortably in his seat for just a moment, but was vanquished by a sense of excitement, as a bolt of energy and expectation sprang to life in his inner being; then, the light over the performance area slowly came up. He could make out numerous living creatures in the air, hovering just above the musicians. They floated about three levels up. Mighty in appearance, their six wings beat the air like a metronome. There were eyes around about their heads and they gave off great flashes of bio-luminescent light that that caused them to change colour. This was accompanied by sharp cracking sounds that reverberated through the Musicorium as bio-energy charged, discharged and then recharged in an on-going rhythm. Their giant, powerful wings, changed tone—imperceptible at first—but now one could hear a low toned whirring that migrated to a rumble, then to a loud, indeed, thunderous beating. It was like listening to the heartbeat of eternity. The entire building and the beings that occupied it were deluged with a deep sense of expectation. Excitement raced through Noriel’s body, as amid the flashes and rumblings, he heard the living creatures call out in loud voices: “Great is the Eternal One! Holy! Holy! Holy! All power and dominion Belong to our God!” And with that declaration, great discharges of static energy leaped from one side of the building to the other. While Noriel watched all this, he became aware of a distant, seemingly hidden, deep-toned drumming, its rhythmic beat keeping time with his own heart and growing in volume. It lifted him, carrying him suddenly to a new level of awareness as the sound of timpani beat out a steady offering of praise. Five hundred pairs of drumsticks calling out at the hands of their angelic percussionists who, with each staccato set were intent on giving “Glory and Honor to Him who sits on the Throne.” As the drums grew in volume, and reached their peak, suddenly a thousand angels, each with a pure silver long trumpet pressed to his lips, began a fanfare of royal proportions. Every note gave testimony to what was in the heart of each player as the angelic hosts, first in unity, then in harmony, reached crescendo. The entire spectacle inundated every occupant within that great building to the point where, caught up in the majesty of it all, thousands upon multiplied thousands of celestial beings rose in unity and with one accord, raised their hands towards the Father and began to praise in song: “Power and Glory and Blessing and Honor Forever and Ever! Let Him Who Rules in Majesty and Reigns With Love Receive Our Praise; `For He Alone is Worthy!” It was awesome! Noriel’s heart burst forth in song! He couldn't help himself. His voice joined the legions present in voluminous worship. " * * * * * * “Lucifer…please. You’re going to find yourself opposing God! You’ll be alone.” Michael watched his friend, the anointed Son of the Morning, stand and get ready to leave. He hesitated a moment and looked back. His next words held steel in them. “I’m not alone Michael. I did think, ‘what if I’m wrong!’ So I've been talking to some others—a lot of others actually—and I've run these ideas past them. You’d be surprised at how many agree with me. They see things exactly the same way. So, you see, I’m not wrong, I’m not alone, and even the Father will agree with me.” “And what if He doesn't, Lucifer? What if He doesn't? What then?” “He will. This is what He wants me to be. However, on the slimmest of chances that I have misjudged Him…well, I guess I’ll have to deal with that then, won’t I?” Then, looking deep into his friend’s eyes, Lucifer said, “Two things I know for certain, Michael. First; things will never be as you describe them. You’ll see. He wants me to assume my destiny.” Then his voice assumed an icy tone, “Secondly, in the unlikely event that I am wrong, then I cannot—I will not—go back to being a servant!” Michael sat in stunned silence, his mouth agape. This was far more serious than he had realized. He needed to speak to the Father at once. He watched his friend turn and walk away—watched their friendship walk away too. They were now on opposing sides. Michael would not stand by idle while the Son of the Morning destroyed Heaven.