The Spirit War - Part 1: Betrayal and Hope

By Fernando Quiros

The Spirit War is an epic Life of Jesus parable. Epic in that it is a modern yet biblically based version of the greatest true story ever told - with all its human, angel and Godly struggles, guts and glory. A parable in that the tale is fantasy based on truths, told in a simple manner, to engage and captivate contemporary readers while presenti

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fernando Quiros
• Release date: Jul 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9780981968049

Book preview

B&H - Prologue

Eternity Past

Huge horn-rimmed eyes locked onto Michael.

"I am Beelzebub, First Lieutenant of the Lord Lucifer."

Ten companies of winged beings with swords, their faces all grinning, mocking masks of contempt, fanned out on either side of Michael’s Archangels. Seven auras of light stood surrounded by hundreds of shadow-outlined creatures that had once been like them. Gabriel, Zantor, Mede, Rufo, Buhl and Galen watched as their leader held the dark angel’s glare. The irises of the Shaman Angel’s eyes consisted of concentric black and gray circles, giving his stare an intimidating targeting quality. Below the riveting eyes, sharpened white teeth contrasted starkly with the light-absorbing shadow that was Beelzebub’s aura.

Hands tightened on sword hilts, but Lucifer’s number one broke off his glare at Michael, looked at each of the other Archangels in turn, and tried to force a smile.

This is to be the greatest of days for our master. There is unfinished business with all of you. In his generosity, Lord Lucifer will give you one last opportunity to prove your loyalty.

Michael’s Life Company Archangels stood on the Planet Eden, the center of creation, in front of the most sacred of buildings, the Lord’s Temple. The question on their minds now was, Which Lord?

Ten thousand years had passed since the Confrontation. Ten thousand years during which Life Company, despite keeping their swords, had been identified with those who had thrown down their tools of creation in defiance of Lucifer. Over that time, the remaining Archangels had slowly changed into the type of creatures now surrounding Michael’s band, while the open dissidents had mysteriously disappeared. No member of Life Company had been allowed back to Eden since that fateful, long-ago day.

The gigantic square Temple, twenty kilometers on each side, had three gates on each of its massive, fifty-meter-high walls. The middle gate in the front wall stood open before the angels of light, while the horde of dark Archangels, each with sword drawn, formed a horseshoe pattern behind them. Smokey auras drifted upwards from the back of the horseshoe, forming a dome over Life Company, to cut off escape by flight.

Michael, black-skinned, with dappled gray wings and a fierce orange-red aura, had come prepared for anything. He was confident Life Company could fight its way through the dark Archangels and escape, but to what? His angels had made a solemn agreement before setting out: one way or another, it was time to reclaim their lives from Lucifer.

Beelzebub grinned at the creatures of light before him, and extended an arm toward the open gate. The seven Archangels turned and entered the Temple. As they did, Lucifer’s First Lieutenant yelled out Life Company! in a guffaw, and spat on the ground.

Inside the walls, the ground sloped gently downwards for five kilometers and then upwards for the same distance, toward the Tabernacle in the center. The Most Sacred Place was an elevated platform dominated by two monumental golden statues of angels bowing, their wings extending diagonally upwards and toward each other. The figures were colossal, and served to focus attention on a luminescence in the middle of the Tabernacle. There, between them, was the Tree of Life, the living manifestation of the Lord Creator in Eden.

As Michael’s Angels entered however, they could not see the center of the Temple. Instead of pink and blue sky above and an unhindered view of the Tabernacle, Life Company beheld an artificial tunnel sloping downwards. A barrier of shimmering, transparent cloth-like shadow rose to a height of ten meters on either side, filtering but not entirely obscuring their vision. The Life Company angels observed the care their dark escorts took not to approach or touch the barrier, and soon discovered the reason. As each angel drifted toward it for a closer look, his skin began to tingle, signaling the presence of enormous pent-up energy. The Archangels of light continued down the energy tunnel toward the low point of the Temple grounds, midway between the walls and the Tabernacle. Michael’s closest friend followed immediately behind him.

Gabriel was tall and lean, golden-haired, pale-skinned, with white gossamer wings and a blue-white aura. The unofficial second-in-command of Life Company, Gabriel reflected on the changes of the past ten thousand years. It was he who had suggested the name for their group, a name which had caused them so much trouble. Son of the famous Shaman angel Xavier, Gabriel had broken with his parent over a new concept he could not accept: Death. The permanent separation of a spirit from its physical body seemed to contradict every principle for which life, creation and the Shamanhood stood. Despite Xavier putting the top-secret, fundamental change that Death represented in the best possible light, his golden-haired offspring had refused to accept it. Instead, Gabriel had chosen to join Michael’s Archangel candidate company, and in so doing had achieved a lesser triumph. The Shaman’s son had traded the power to manipulate cosmic energy directly, using mental power alone, in return for the use of a physical tool, a sword, to accomplish the same ends, albeit in a more limited way.

Gabriel’s choice, and his desire to make a statement against the Death he was supposed to know nothing about, had come at a price. Michael, to whom Gabriel had confided the secret concept, reacted by choosing Life Company as the name for their champion Archangel band. Lucifer had immediately seen a challenge, but had let it go at the time. Now, ten millennia later, the transformation of the trouble-making seven was complete: from once-triumphal top-of-class Archangel youths, to the grim-faced band of outcasts, finally invited back to the Temple into what was surely a trap, for reasons they could only guess at.

The Life Company seven continued down the corridor that was surrounded by the energy shroud. The physical differences among them reflected the variety that had once been characteristic of Archangels, before the darkening of their former companions. Black-haired, red-skinned Zantor, with wings a virtual rainbow and all sinewy speed, was alongside Michael. Buhl, of average size but a study in contrasts with milky-white skin, black hair and salt-and-pepper wings, was next to Gabriel. They were followed by a trio: Rufo, tallest by far, with olive-colored skin and hair, and matching wings; Galen, small but vividly colored, with golden skin, flaming red hair and bright blue wings; and Mede, strong and stocky, a compact version of Michael, although chocolate-colored rather than ebony.

The Archangels of light were now halfway through the artificial tunnel. They peered through the shroud at the gathered crowd of Builder angels. At a height of ten meters, the shroud extended horizontally over the heads of millions, to the very walls of the Temple. The Builders were imprisoned by the ramparts around them and the energy lid above them. Some of the angel host recognized Michael’s Archangels as they swept past, their auras shining like beacons in the midst of their shadowy escorts. The Builders cheered them and called out the names of those they knew. Tall Rufo responded, holding up two fists of defiance and turning as he passed them. Word spread among the angels. A wave of shouting and applause radiated around the Temple from the tunnel through which Michael’s angels were passing. At first the cheer was garbled, as each Builder shouted the name of his favorite Archangel, but gradually it changed, into a single, deafening chorus: LIFE COMPANY... LIFE COMPANY... LIFE COMPANY!

Grins broke out among the Archangels of light. The other six each imitated Rufo, holding up fists and spinning, looking out at the hundreds of millions under the shroud. The smugness quickly vanished from the shadowy faces of their dark escorts, replaced by scowls of envy and fear. Life Company numbered only seven, but they were far from alone.

Michael’s angels reached the low point of the Temple grounds. The energy shroud ended in a vertical barrier, the only opening being the end of the tunnel through which they had come. As Life Company and their escorts emerged, that gap too was sealed. The energy shroud, which imprisoned six-hundred-million Builder angels, became seamless.

The Temple grounds now sloped upwards toward the Tabernacle, and Michael’s angels gazed up at the Most Sacred Place. Their triumphant grins disappeared, and the cheering stopped, as the Life Company angels lowered their arms to their sides and stood in shock. The faces on both of the colossal bowing angel statues were now Lucifer’s, and the Tree of Life seemed somehow changed and diminished. The lights of its millions of life-giving fruits looked dim and blurred. Tears came to the eyes of all seven Archangels of light. The Tree of Life. The longed-for fruit denied them by Lucifer. The cause of the Great Confrontation ten thousand years ago.

With their attention focused on the Tabernacle, the Life Company angels did not notice another great change that had taken place. They were still surrounded by a host of Builder angels, but this was a very different crowd. An inner multitude, smaller than the one that had been under the shroud, but still numbering in the hundreds of millions, looked at Michael’s Archangels with expressions matching those of their escorts. Under the shroud, every face had displayed the openness and innocence that had once been the norm among angels. Auras of all colors and intensities predominated, unsullied by a hint of shadow. In the inner square, scorn and mischievous expressions accompanied disrespectful giggles, and auras were dimmed by shadowy outlines. The dark Archangels around Life Company gathered strength from the crowd around them, who they sensed were now on their side, and prodded the seven visitors forward.

As Michael’s angels moved upwards toward the Tabernacle, the Tree of Life between the colossi came into better view: ephemeral yet huge, with thousands of branches and millions of multicolored fruits, glowing with energy from the Lord Creator himself. The Sacred Tree slowly floated and drifted, seemingly tethered rather than supported by its waving trunk, which was no thicker than the torsos of four large angels. The Life Company Archangels were relieved to find that the Tree’s apparent dimness when they had first seen it was caused by the combined auras of the Shaman angels standing in front of it. All their outlines had a light-absorbing trait, so that the sacred fruits appeared patchy and diffused behind them. As the seven approached the Tabernacle, the Tree of Life emerged from behind the Shaman auras, and glowed as vibrantly as ever.

The Life Company angels arrived at the foot of the Tabernacle, and stood looking up. They were immediately surrounded by the full host of dark Archangels, the shadowy mass hemming them in, and pushing them to the very center of the Temple. The dark ones then withdrew fifty paces, leaving Michael’s angels standing alone in a small, open patch, the Tabernacle platform in front of them and their sword-bearing rivals encircling them on all sides. The smirks of the nearer Builders now seemed almost wholesome, compared with the sneers and taunting, ear-to-ear grins of 144,000 dark Archangels.

Lucifer strode to the front edge of the Tabernacle platform, and total silence fell over the Temple. The physical change in the Angel King shocked Life Company. The only thing that remained the same was his sheer size: he was head and shoulders taller than any other angel, and massively muscled. His hair, which was adorned by a band of black obsidian, was still golden and flowing, but had become dull and unkempt. His skin and wing feathers, which once glowed in every color, were now varying shades of gray, absorbing rather than giving off light. Only portions of Lucifer’s chest belt retained their gold luster. Its insignias and patterns now matched his head band, and were indecipherable. His rainbow-colored eyes remained as bright as ever, but were now nakedly intimidating as they glowed against the shadowy background of his face. His aura was of the deepest, light-sucking black. As Lucifer prepared to speak, the effort required to control a leer of triumph gave his face a stilted, unnatural expression.

The Supreme Shaman stepped up to the special space on the Tabernacle floor, from which his image was magically projected. Now appearing to hover in the air, on a giant scale, in front of each individual angel, Lucifer began to speak.

Angel host, ten thousand years ago we all accepted a challenge. The duties each of you assumed called for great sacrifice. Angel access to the Tree of Life was renounced by all of you, in noble allegiance to me and my call. That self-denial was necessary. Mere angel propagation was incompatible with the task that was before us. Some were not up to the discipline called for, and revolted then and there. They excluded themselves from the triumph in which you will all share today. Yes, today you will see the fruits of what we, all of us, started ten thousand years ago. I think you will agree that those fruits are glorious.

You angels at the rear are probably wondering about the energy shroud that surrounds you. Rest assured, it can easily be removed. Only your free will stands between you and the glory of our accomplishments. Today, you will be able to join with us.

Under my plan, we have had to devote all our energies to building planets and to biological development. My target, ten thousand years ago, of building a universe of one hundred million worlds, has been met and surpassed. But we Shaman Angels have also found time to develop our science of imaging. We have captured scenes and sounds to show you, to help you make up your minds. Now, I present to you the evolution of life on mega-planets, as captured by the arts of our master physics Shaman, Xavier.

Xavier approached the edge of the Tabernacle platform alongside Lucifer. He carried a floating, multicolored globe the size of a large melon, which crackled with energy. As all eyes focused on his parent, Gabriel noted that he was the least changed of all the Shamans. His parent’s golden glow was subdued and slightly darker around the edges, but had not taken on the light-absorbing darkness of the rest of the Angel King’s followers.

As Xavier stepped in front of Lucifer to begin his presentation, his gray eyes focused on Gabriel, and his expression changed from the uniform grin of Shamans and Archangels, to one of sadness. A lump tightened in Gabriel’s throat as he thought of his last meeting with Xavier. Evasiveness, and a demand for unquestioning acceptance, had replaced the openness and patient explanations of his beloved, once-cheerful parent - the parent from whose flesh and energy Gabriel had sprung, by the sacred mixing of one of Xavier’s feathers with a fruit from the Tree of Life. The very fruit that had been denied to all angels by Lucifer in his mad drive to build a universe greater than anything the Creator himself could conceive. Parenting, and the propagation of each angel’s line by mixing with the sacred fruit, were now dim memories. The only help that Xavier had offered Gabriel, after his offspring had refused to join him in the Shamanhood, was the provision of special Archangel swords for Life Company: mere tools in place of the bond of love between parent and son. The gift had saved Gabriel and his friends however, for it was his regard for his sword as his last link to Xavier, that had led Gabriel to convince Michael that Life Company should keep their tools, and not throw them down in defiance at the Confrontation, as 56,000 Archangels had done.

While every angel in the Temple looked on, Xavier waved his arms and focused the energy of his aura on the floating globe. His thoughts were amplified millions of times into a giant band of light, fully the height of the Archangel statues. The image band formed a complete circle around the Tabernacle, above the projected image of Lucifer. The band had an uncanny effect, in that every angel perceived the portion he could see as a three-dimensional panoramic vista floating above the Tabernacle, delivering light and sound in the most minute detail. The intensity of light, color, contrast, and sharpness were so strong that the senses of all the angels were flooded, drowning out all other perceptions.

The voice of Lucifer was heard, as narrator, to a succession of images of beauty and majesty, of worlds bathed in light almost as radiant as that of Eden. The worlds that were presented were of near-infinite variety: planets of land and sea; worlds of liquids of all consistencies; moons of clouds of every imaginable color and luminescence. And in every world, there was Lucifer in the background.

Here, angel host, is the product of your work, viewed as it was meant to be viewed, from within the worlds you have worked so hard to create. See the beauty. But this is only the beginning. Now, see the purpose for which this creation was made. See the life forms developed by the Shamans.

A sequence of scenes appeared, at first blurred, and then becoming sharp. Each was a slight, easily-recognized modification of the one before, giving a clear impression of the passage of time. Evolution of species was presented. From the microscopic to the gigantic, creatures of every type, texture, and metabolism were seen to develop. They always evolved from simple, unattractive and instinct-driven forms to complex, beautiful, and obviously intelligent beings. Due to the volume and variety of planets and life, the presentation took several hours. The show was organized so as to present ever-more-attractive views and life forms, building to a near blinding and deafening crescendo of sight and sound that, once concluded, quickly dissolved. Then, there was only Lucifer, standing at the front edge of the Tabernacle, with Xavier and the floating globe behind him.

The angels could only stare in stunned silence, as their senses recovered from the prolonged, overwhelming presentation. Then, angels from the inner square gradually began to shout and applaud. Hurrah! All the Archangels, then the Builders, and then the entire assembly of angels in both the inner and outer squares broke into a thunderous, prolonged ovation. The Life Company angels looked at each other in bewilderment, before finally joining in.

Lucifer spread his arms and wings in a call for silence, which was several minutes in coming. The magical Tabernacle image projection continued, so that all those present saw him as a giant floating figure, facing each of them directly. Eventually, the Supreme Shaman spoke.

I thank you for your applause and approval, but everything you have seen is the product of the work of all of us: myself, the Shamans, the Archangels, and the Builders. However, there is a threat to this work.

An expectant hush fell over the assembled throng. Gabriel, uneasy with the course Lucifer’s speech was taking, looked at Michael and the others and muttered, What of the Lord Creator?

Lucifer continued.

The Creator, as you all know, left the building of the universe in my charge. From what we have all just seen, we have done well – magnificently well! You have seen the beauty. The numbers are also important. We reached and surpassed my original goal of one hundred million worlds, and one million mega-planets, in the ten thousand years since last we were all assembled. But it seems this is not good enough for the Creator. No, He has presumed to find fault with my work, and with your work. He presumes to come into our realm as a physical creature. I ask you, how can He dare to thus intrude, into the realm which we have created at such great pain and cost? I say to all of you, if He comes, our work has been for nothing! His overwhelming nature will dominate all. Therefore, I ask all of you to join me in defending our realm. Give me your allegiance. The best and wisest already have. All Shamans and Archangels, save for a remnant, have joined me. One-third of Builders are also with us.

Lucifer fixed his gaze on Life Company. Laser-like eyes, in a face of shadow strangely framed in bright yellow hair, riveted on Michael. Huge, even teeth glowed a startling white below the rainbow orbs, as the mouth curled into a beseeching smile.

Michael, Gabriel, Mede, Rufo, Buhl, Galen, Zantor. You are the only remnant that has yet to join us, from among the Archangels who kept their swords ten thousand years ago. You all did well not to throw away the honor you so brilliantly won. But there is a seed of doubt as to your worthiness to join us now. Ten thousand years ago, you chose the disconcerting name of Life Company. Is life, which is among the most common elements in creation, a name for champion Archangels? This is foolishness. But I am tolerant. Your building prowess, that you were the most productive in assembling mega-planets, has been noted. In truth, our schedule for these special worlds could probably not have been met without your extraordinary contribution. In recognition of this, I am willing to be generous. Renounce Life Company, and become individuals. Join me, join us, and set the example for our as-yet-uncommitted Builders.

Lucifer signaled to Xavier with a flick of his right wing, and Gabriel’s parent channeled aura energy into the floating globe. A much smaller screen band appeared behind Lucifer. It too was brilliantly colored and detailed, but could be viewed without the sensory overload of the earlier presentation. As Lucifer spoke, the most attractive of the worlds, with the most magnificent life forms, flashed onto the band in rapid succession.

In my new order, worlds will be assigned to the care of Shamans and Archangels. But as yet, none have been reserved. If you join us, Michael, you will have first choice of all the worlds, with one million Builders to serve as your assistants. Gabriel will have second choice, and the rest of your company will then choose in succession. Think of it: command over your choice of world, and one million servants.

Michael looked at Gabriel, then at Lucifer, and once again did not flinch from the piercing eyes.

Such generosity seems disproportionate, oh Shining One. We did our best, but so did others. We are only seven, and you already have all the other Archangels. Why such priority for us?

Lucifer’s grin faded. The darkness of his aura flared, obscuring a good portion of the Tabernacle behind him.

I am not used to being answered with questions. The reason is that I am generous, Michael, and it is my will to have all Archangels with me.

Turning to Gabriel, Lucifer once again adopted his imploring smile.

Gabriel, offspring of Xavier. You are probably the best trained of all non-Shamans in cosmology. Surely your opinion must be a guiding force for Michael and your Company. Help me to unite the Archangel ranks. Give your wise advice to Michael and your other friends.

Gabriel struggled with the rainbow-hued lasers, but was less successful than Michael. He alternated between facing Lucifer and looking down.

Oh Shining One, please know that neither Michael nor I, nor our Company, mean disrespect. You stated that you do not like to be answered with questions, but please remember that we have been absent for ten thousand years. I seek permission to ask two questions, to which we need answers in order to take a decision.

The grin disappeared and the dark aura flared again. Several seconds of uncomfortable silence, accompanied by a withering stare, ended with the return of the smile, and a settling of the black aura.

Very well. Ask.

Just what would be involved in joining you?

Reward for your hard work. The world you choose will be yours. We have completed the big push. You will be expected to contribute to further building, but on a much easier schedule. You will have most of your time available to develop your own world.

Lucifer leaned forward and, focusing all his psychological force on Gabriel, lowered his voice, to a loud