In Another Time

By James Cowell

Proteus is recalled from his Earthly existence and reincarnated in that part of God’s realm where free will reigns – The Material Universe, a vast expanse much coveted by the Devil. His mission is to tilt back the balance of power in favour of the Archangel Michael, engaged in the apocalyptic Battle of Armageddon with Satan and the renegade angels and hideous creatures that make up his demonic armies. The events described in the book are played out in worlds where the conventional boundaries of time and space are blurred. Advanced technology and weapons, spacecraft and wormholes sit uneasily with the longbow, the sword, the pike, mounted cavalry and bloody battles mediaeval in character. On his quest Proteus must enter Hell itself for the salvation of mankind depends upon the successful completion of his task. Will he succeed, or will he succumb to the formidable forces of the Anti-Christ? Nothing is pre-ordained. The stakes are high.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9780244551193

Book preview

In Another Time

IN ANOTHER TIME

By

James Cowell

Copyright

Copyright © James Cowell 2020

eBook Design by Rossendale Books:

www.rossendalebooks.co.uk

eBook ISBN: 978-0-244-55119-3

All rights reserved, Copyright under Berne Copyright Convention and Pan American Convention. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the author. The author’s moral rights have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organisations, events or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

Other books by James Cowell

God Loves A Trier

(2003)

ISBN 978-1904034605

Summary

This book is a religious fantasy with a twist that will interest readers of all ages.  Stirring battles are taking place in the skies above, on other worlds and in other dimensions where out of sight of mortal eyes Lucifer is set upon the conquest of the Material Universe. The upper planes of the Spiritual Universe are secure but something special is required to save the lower planes from his all conquering armies.  Otherwise mankind will be drawn into the deepest recesses of Hellfire.

Volume One

Part One

1   The Awakening

It's a cold winter’s evening in Brunlea where the last glimpse of day had slowly faded over the distant hills.   The snow covered roofs of terraced houses glistened under the light of a full moon and as dusk descended upon a landscape of tall factory chimneys wrought iron gas lamps burst into flame on the dark cobbled streets.

In the living room of a terraced house Jack sat next to a flaming coal fire appearing unconcerned about the wind raging outside but when a slate flew from the roof of a house across the street his wife visibly cringed.

Peering over his horn-rimmed glasses Jack distracted her attention away from the storm.   Proteus is in the front room playing with soldiers again, he said.   He’s too old for that sort of thing.        

Proteus was an unusual name for a fourteen-year-old boy in 1950s England and whose parents were both English, but Winifred had insisted upon it.  During her pregnancy the name was never far from her thoughts.  She loved to read so perhaps some hidden knowledge of Greek literature had persuaded her.  Her husband was against the name but at the christening Winifred had her way.

On these dark nights Proteus usually buried himself in a book but tonight he took himself into the empty front parlour where another fire burned brightly in the hearth.  There were no carpets on the wooden floor and the furniture consisted of just a sideboard and two rocking chairs, the walls bare but for the distemper dabbed upon them.  A threadbare carpet square lay in front of the fire.

Assembling two opposing armies he contolled a battle taking place on the floor between his lines of lead soldiers and those he flipped over remained dead until the end of the conflict when they'd resurrected to fight again. 

The storm had eased and his younger siblings had been in bed for some time when Winifred called out.  Bedtime, Proteus

His soldiers stood firm against an enemy on the brink of defeat!

Not yet Mam.

Now, Proteus

It’s not fair, Maureen’s still up.

She’s older than you 

Lighting his way with a candle Proteus climbed the stairs to his bedroom and crawled into bed between the cold sheets.  Ignoring the relentless sound of a clock ticking on the table beside his bed he thought upon a character from his forgotten past, someone he couldn't recall who remained out of reach in a place he knew so well. 

In the stillness he tried to invoke a memory lurking elusively below the surface of his mind, something he’d done many times before without success.  Nothing came to him and so snuggling into the pillow his thoughts turned to religion. 

He had attended catholic junior school when he was seven but before that time the nuns in the two infant classes had taught him.  One religious lesson he remembered was that after his overthrow Lucifer still opposed God by persisting in his rights to the throne of heaven.  

However, the sisters continued.  God is all powerful so good will finally prevail over evil.

Proteus had pondered on this many times.  Something didn’t make sense. If that’s true, he thought, with the outcome already ordained the struggle is just a formality.   So why does it take place?

But as he teetered on the brink of sleep the door to his subconscious opened and the answer came to him….‘God’s throne is unassailable so Lucifer can never conquer the Spiritual Universe.  However - the Material Universe is ready to fall!’ 

Was this the small voice within the nuns had told him of; if indeed it was a voice at all.

Tiredness gradually overtook him but as he drifted into sleep his body jerked violently and he awoke with a start sitting bolt upright in a cold sweat.  The voices of his parents downstairs failed to reassure him as willowy shadows cast by the flickering gas lamp outside the window danced vigorously on his bedroom walls. He knew for certain something was about to happen.  

Then without any effort on his part he rose horizontally into the air and hovering two feet above the length of the bed he slowly turned into an upright position.  Seeing a replica of himself asleep between the sheets he grabbed the bed rail and cried out in panic as his fingers clutched thin air.  His body had no substance!         

Jack poked the coalfire and when the embers glowed a bright red he settled back into the armchair.   That lad of ours either reads or plays with soldiers, he said.  He should be out playing football."

But hearing a loud cry from the room above Jack immediately rose from his chair. 

What the heck, he shouted.

Rushing upstairs they found Proteus lying perfectly still in bed not showing any signs of life.  Winifred took his hand and squeezed it tightly, calling out his name, but getting no reaction her fingernails bit deep into her husband’s arm and she screamed out loud.

He’s not breathing Jack, she cried out. He’s not breathing!

Jack took the boy by the shoulders and shook him vigoursly. Wake up… wake up lad! 

But there was no response.

With no control over what was happening Proteus watched the proceedings.  The end of a long silvery cord was attached to his navel, its other end to the navel of his lifeless counterpart on the bed.  His astral body had separated from his corporeal body!   Then his father's voice slowly faded away and an obscure vision from the past seared into his head.  How could he have ever forgotten who he was?

2   The Angel Israfel

The recollection of this memory was the catalyst to what followed. Whoosh.   He was pulled at some speed into a dark tunnel and travelled towards a compelling bright light.  Approaching the tunnel’s end the pace slowed and he emerged upon a lush green hillside amidst a grove of citrus trees invigorated by the scent of flowers and the crisp sharp air.    

Nearby a stream of crystal clear water tumbled its way over moss covered rocks in a series of cascades down to the valley below where it joined a large river flowing through lush grasslands.  In the distance under a slate blue sky the river’s source dominated the whole scenario. A mountain towered above the plains with a mist-shrouded forest upon the lower slopes, its snow-covered peak glistening in reflected sunlight.

These were familiar surroundings to Proteus.  Without a doubt he’d been here before!  He knew this place from somewhere in his past, a past now in the present.  Yet he was in deep shock as he pondered on what had just happened?  Why this strange event had occurred.

He noticed his hands, legs, his whole body had grown bigger into that of a man.  Striding to the banks of the stream he looked into the sunlit waters of a still pool at its edge and the image of a muscular man in his prime with a short-cropped beard and shoulder length hair stared back at him.

The teenager had gone!  Instead Proteus stood here as a fully-grown man with the thoughts and acumen of an adult.  He wore a metal helmet and a sheath containing a broadsword hung from around his waist. Light steel mesh covered by a white tunic dropped below the knees where metal protectors on his shins covered straps from the sandals on his feet. 

As he wondered about his dramatic change of circumstances and uncertain of what to do a strong resonant voice boomed out from behind him, a sound that instantly calmed him.  Never had he heard a sound with such a pleasing tone; no musical instrument could compare to it. 

Turning around he saw a man dressed as he was, with long blonde hair and a flowing beard that fell upon the steel mesh covering his body, which in turn was covered by a white tunic.  A metal helmet shrouded his nose, neck and cheeks and a scabbard upon his waist contained a curved sword similar to his own.  But he was more than just a warrior!  Tall and with a powerful build he possessed wings that quivered back and forth. 

Welcome Proteus, I’ve been expecting you.

Proteus knew instinctively this being meant him no harm, yet he showed caution.  Who are you? he asked in a lowered tone of voice.  The being looked him straight in the eye.  I am the Archangel Israfel, the Angel of Resurrection and Song. 

Proteus fidgeted nervously.  You know me, he said.

The stranger’s cheeks glowed red and his beard stirred in the slight breeze.  Yes, he replied.  Last night I watched you entertaining deep thoughts.  Belief is a gift from God.  It brings wisdom to harness powers humans lost over the ages.  And prayer is a wheel on which to hone your beliefs; the more time spent in contemplation the greater your powers become.  However, your powers are already in place.

His words confused Proteus who closed his eyes tightly and tried to awaken from the dream he was in. 

Israfel smiled at him.  This is no dream, he said.  In a previous life you lived here as a great leader, Proteus, the ‘Lord Provost of Atlantis.’  Due to a lapse of conscience, on your demise your spirit dropped to Earth and you were reborn on that lower plane.  However now your help is desperately needed so you’ve been recalled here in a temporary incarnation whilst your earthly body remains in a deep sleep.

Transitory recollections of his true self emerged to Proteus and of the previous role he’d played here.  ‘The Lord Provost of Atlantis.’ He recognized the title.  During the short conversation other fragments of memories also returned.  He felt he belonged here.  But though a door had opened he’d not yet fully stepped through. 

Israfel nodded his head in a reassuring manner. You have fleeting images of your former self but in a short while your mind will clear.  In the meantime you wonder about your surroundings.

Proteus nodded slowly.

You’re on Hellania, Israfel said. "A planet of the third plane. It’s a little smaller than Earth and has two continents separated by an ocean.  We’re on the continent of Atlantis.  The other continent of Arctoris lies two thousand miles across the ocean.          

Why am I here, Proteus asked?

To take part in the fight against Belial.

The name had a familiar ring to Proteus but the haze in his mind persisted. 

The devil has many names, said Israfel. Zophiel, Eblis, Beelzebub, Zadkiel, Satan, and Shaytan.  On Earth he’s Lucifer or Satan but here he’s known as Belial, the angel of lawlessness; known to many as Beliar, the one without value.  

Proteus appeared puzzled.  God is all powerful, he said.  How can Belial hope to triumph?

Israfel answered with a knowing smile. He can’t touch the higher planes, but the lower planes of which Earth is a part are in great danger.  These troubled times have come about because mankind has turned away from the truth, and so God stands aside whilst the battles take place - offering help to neither one nor the other. 

But why. Proteus asked. Why does He remain impartial? 

When God created man he gave to them the gift of free will, said Israfel, so He takes no part in any disputes on the four lower planes between Belial’s legions and his own angels of light.  With His blessing angels watch over and protect humans, yet what ultimately becomes of them will be of their own doing.  They’re in control of their destinies and only they have the power to alter the balance.

You’re needed because Belial is now intent on conquering Hellania.  He plans to make use of a quick passageway here for his armies, a wormhole we’ve tried to close on many occasions without success.   However it’s now to our advantage for it to remain open as in the near future we may have good use for it. 

Belials armies are massive and so to level the field God willed that anyone on this world should only use archaic weapons. Any battles fought must be medieval in nature. He’d bring His wrath upon those who did otherwise

Nevertheless other aspects of technology have flourished here.  They have reached great heights in the fields of medical knowledge and civil engineering. Buildings tower majestically to the skies and the construction of huge dams upon the many rivers is a source of limitless power."

3   The Atlanteans

Proteus’s blood ran cold.  A series of piercing screeches had rent the air and Israfel, glancing briefly over his shoulder  spoke with some urgency to Proteus.  Sardians, he said. We must go at once.

Setting off on a pathway in the dense undergrowth Israfel swiftly made his way down to the prairie below and Proteus stayed close behind him.  The gravity here was much weaker than that of Earth.  He revelled in the surrounding feeling physically stronger and quicker of gait as he ran effortlessly behind the angel. 

Reaching the path’s bottom they stepped onto the edge of a prairie that stretched to the foot of the far mountain.  But only a few hundred yards away a number of huge reptilian-like creatures also emerged from the thickets and turned in their direction.  Israfel gripped Proteus’s arm tightly and pointed to a distant group of men waving towards them.  Salemian soldiers, he said.  Make towards them quickly.

The creatures bounded after them upright on two legs with a gait like that of a kangaroo and Proteus running as fast as he could hoped in those first few seconds Israfel would spread his wings and fly them both from danger.  But Israfel barely matched his speed and only a shower of arrows from the soldiers enabled them to outdistance their pursuers.  With their chests heaving they approached a line of men knelt behind their shields whilst a line behind them stood with their shields head high.

The lines parted for them to enter and a dark-skinned man with black raven hair approached a breathless Israfel.  Sire, he said. I’m Lieutenant Aaron in the service of my liege, Lord Melchizedek.  He ordered me to seek you out.   

He’d barely finished the sentence when the Sardians came close enough to unleash huge spears that hit the shields with loud clangs but when these glanced harmlessly to one side they retreated.

A state of alarm gripped Proteus.  He’d no idea of how to use the weapons he carried.  Lieutenant Aaron appeared to recognize him. Be assured Sire they won’t break through our ranks, he said.  But they will attack again as their only fulfillment is the pleasure of the kill.  It’s rare for them to die other than on the battlefield yet as prolific breeders their numbers scarcely diminish.

Meanwhile the soldiers had discarded their shields.  Now they took up longbows and Aaron positioned himself to one side of them with one hand above his head waiting for the next charge. 

Still plenty in numbers and this time armed with broadswords the Sardians started forward again.  Moments later Aaron’s hand dropped. 

Up to now Israfel had taken no part in any action but as the soldiers loosed off a flight of arrows he astounded Proteus.   He had previously fled from them on two legs.  Israfel’s wings flapped strongly and rising from the ground he set about the oncoming Sardians from above.  Quick and true his curved sword whirled faster than the eye could see until when most of them lay dead upon a reddened grass others had fled the carnage.

Wild-eyed and bloodied he stood erect; his arms opened wide and his chest pushed out.  Tilting back his head a roar of triumph bellowed from deep within his throat, a guttural sound that ebbed and flowed with chilling intonations. As an avenging angel, he was the one!  Thank you for the victory O Lord, he cried. Thank you for giving me strength at this crucial moment. 

Then he knelt in prayer, hands on knees, his head touching the ground.

Rising to his feet he addressed Lieutenant Aaron.  You have a message from Lord Melchizedek?

I do sire,  grave tidings.  The city of Salem has fallen!

Israfel glowered.  Salem was strong enough to hold for some time.  Sire, enemy reinforcements swayed the outcome. Vast numbers besieged Salem for days threatening to overcome us.  In the end my lord’s only choice was to withdraw from the city and flee.

Lieutenant Aaron’s tone then became deadly serious.  Sire, he continued slowly. At the battle’s conclusion two thousand five hundred of our men lay dead.

Israfel swallowed slowly, unable to speak for a moment.  What of the civilians? he asked quietly.

"Most were saved Sire.  We became aware Belial’s forces had set sail for Salem and so evacuated much of the population by sea.  Only those unable to board the fully laden ships remained behind with the army.  The assault upon the city by lesser demons finally came and we repelled them with ease, yet the more we slaughtered the more of them came ashore. 

The decision was made to vacate the city and after fighting a rearguard action to the forest’s edge Azuri tribesmen guided us all deep into its interior.  The demons didn’t follow but instead entered the city complacent enough to think of us as a spent force they could deal with later.  Unfortunately during our retreat a number of soldiers and civilians were captured."

Finishing his report he looked to the ground in a submissive manner, ashamed at his part in the defeat.  Israfel instantly bolstered him. Don’t shoulder the blame.  Your duty is done, which no doubt you carried out honourably.  But is there anything more I should know?

Yes Sire, the lieutenant continued. Even now the army regroups and my liege wishes to rendezvous with you on this spot.  This is the rallying point.   And there’s something more.  Loki led the demons against us and the greater proportion of them came from Hell.

Israfel’s face reddened. It’s what I feared, he said.

His tone then hardened.  After some celebrations the torture of the captives will begin.  A counter-attack must be made soon if only to save one life from the horrors awaiting them.  When the army is intact we set out for Salem! 

Israfel then turned and addressed Proteus.  "People on Earth think of the gods Loki and Odin as myths in Scandinavian folklore.  But they’re real beings!  Every corner of the earth has its own protectors who rule over separate dominions, angels of the light answerable only to God.  Odin, the ruler of the Norse gods had this charge placed upon him, as did Loki. 

But Loki became known as the dark god when he instigated the death of Balder, the son of Odin and Frigga.  For this crime he was confined to Hell, chained to a great rock in the midst of a lake of fire never again to leave that place.  But because the malfunctioning rear portal enabled him to break his bonds he’s now supreme commander of Belial’s armies upon Hellania."

Proteus pointed to the gash on Israfel’s arm.  You bleed, he said.  Just now you fought in a corporeal body that could have been cut down.  Earlier you ran from the Sardians?

Israfel looked upon the small cut and smiled.  "Upon the lower planetary systems angels use their supernatural powers sparingly by adopting a human appearance. If I sustained my angelic form on Hellania my powers would rapidly deplete leaving me at the mercy of a great demon.  Defeat by one of these higher beings would return me to the foot of God’s throne and I would be out of the battle for an eternity of time. Therefore I conserve my strength for encounters with great demons.  I fight lesser enemies in human form.

However Loki sustains his celestial form by the drinking of human blood."

Proteus shuddered at the thought. Could you do the same? he asked.

Israfel nodded.   "Yes, on the material planes the powers of angels can be replenished that way. But angels treading the path of darkness become subservient to the will of Belial. 

We follow the path of light.  Loki does not so there are no limitations to his choices, which makes him stronger than any one of us.  To overcome him the combined strengths of three archangels are needed."

Then lesser demons are no threat to an angel of your standing?

They present a small danger to me.   By taking the body of a mortal I can be killed by one well-placed sword thrust.  But to be slain by a mortal or lesser demon would only put me out of the fray for a brief period.  This body would quickly rejuvenate itself.  However if any of us leave even for a short time the battle may well be lost.

Proteus spoke to Israfel in irony. Much like when I played with lead soldiers. Flick one over and it remains dead only for the duration of the battle.

A sound parallel, said Israfel

So in order to conserve your strength you face lesser demons and Sardians in human form?

Yes!

"But you just spread your wings against the Sardians and flew?.

Israfel glowered.  I became annoyed at the thought of those who died at Salem.  In human form we also take on some of the accompanying emotions.

At that moment Proteus saw Israfel possessed some of mankind’s vulnerability and still had far to evolve.  Even as an archangel he was not perfect.

4   Lord Melchizdek

The sound of distant bugles disturbed their reverie and Lieutenant Aaron got Israel’s attention by pointing excitedly to groups of men approaching in large numbers. Sire, he shouted.  It appears the army has regrouped.

Upon the landscape under the shadow of the far mountain soldiers could be seen making their way around the forested lower slopes in ever increasing numbers.

Metal helmets gleamed in the sun.  Men wearing red tunics over   breastplates and armed with short broadswords walked separately to those in scarlet bearing an assortment of halberds and pikes.  Archers dressed in green marched with bows strapped across their shoulders and a quiver of arrows upon their backs.  Horsemen with upright lances rode steeds gingerly picking their way down either side of the riverbank. 

Some time later the defeated army of Salem gathered together a short distance from Israfel, the whole assembly oozing dejection, an air of despair clouding their ranks. Standing elevated upon a rocky outcrop his voice thundered across the plain with the strength of a hundred megaphones causing them to look up with an expression of hope on their faces.

Men of Atlantis, he roared.  Don’t be afraid for I’m now at your side.  On our return to Salem there will be a different outcome.

At this short address the men’s spirits visibly lifted.

What of Loki. called out a voice from the crowd?  He comes with hordes of demons from beyond the gates of Hell?"

Israfel made his voice heard above the noise.  Our primary objective is to prevent more demons escaping from Hell and to accomplish this the rear gate has to be repaired.  But first we must retake your city. 

Then a man with the most striking appearance stepped out from the throng whose jet-black hair matched his copper coloured skin.  Dressed in the same apparel as Proteus a similar curved sword hung upon his side. 

Melchizedek was the angel sage who ruled over Salem and its army of seventeen thousand, five hundred men, a number of whom had lost their lives in the battle against Loki.  He’d played a role upon Earth long before the birth of Jesus by personally delivering God’s covenant to Abraham and by announcing himself to the world as the servant of El Elyon, the Most High.

Climbing the small hillock he embraced Israfel.                      

Melchizedek my old friend, said Israfel  I feared you were slain and out of the fray for awhile.                                                                   

Not so, it was a strategic withdrawal.  With your help, together we’ll retake Salem.  

Then looking down upon the men under his command Melchizedek                                                                 silenced them by holding both arms aloft.  Loki will be dealt with shortly, he shouted loudly above the excitement.  At this stage your courage must not fail; put your trust in God.

The newcomer also had wings and Proteus knew him to be an archangel.  Yet his instincts made him wary.  Something in his dim past triggered hidden memories causing him some trepidation.  And his fears were well founded when Melchizedek gave him a withering look.

Again the two angels embraced and then turning to the men before them both held their arms high and the soldiers, raising their swords and lances gave out resounding cheers that echoed across the plains to the foot of the far mountain.  Then with added fervour the chanting began.  Melchizedek! … Israfel! … Melchizedek! … Israfel!…

Their morale appeared boosted. The beating