Mastema: Last of the Satanim

By Julian Lesouffrir

Mastema: Last of the Satanim is the prequel to Historia Regum Obscurum Book I, and recounts the events that would forever shape the world. From the Early patriarchs, the earliest kings of Sumer, to the fall of the Watchers, and the War of the Nephilim, this book will illustrate the events leading to the Great Flood that was necessary to purge the world of the evil that had gripped it. Julian LeSouffrir brings life to the things that have been passed off as mere myth, lore, and legend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496910318

Julian Lesouffrir

Julian LeSouffrir is the author of The Book of Tragedy Chronicles and has published several books of poetry and novels seated in the supernatural and occult. His unique writing style does not only fully explain the mythology but inserts it into the history where it belonged all along—hiding in the Shadows of Reality.

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

© 2014 Julian LeSouffrir. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/01/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1032-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1031-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014908268

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The Sacred Order of the Satanim were once responsible for the most difficult of all tasks prescribed to any angel. Their role seemed paradoxical and their blessed duty often placed them at odds with their fellow Heavenly brethren who were accountable for the direct well-being of humanity. The Satanim, or satans, were charged with the indirect welfare of the human race by symbolically holding a mirror up to their frailties and weaknesses. They would create situational tests and scenarios that would arise within each person’s life, and merely examine the outcome, not in order to punish, but to highlight their weaknesses so they can learn from the experience and become greater than they were had they never been challenged. While the other angels would celebrate each human’s existence, aid them through life’s many challenges, listen to their dilemmas, answer their prayers, counsel them, and rejoice in their triumphs, the Satanim would have to test their limits, showcase their weakest aspects, all in hopes that the individual would learn an invaluable lesson regarding those elements of their character that have the opportunity to become strengthened now that they have been identified. All of the angels were meant to serve and protect humanity in some manner, and the service the Satanim provided was essential, but just as their name suggested, they were viewed as the adversaries, accusers, by angel and human alike. Their tests appeared as a cruel way to enhance humanity to the other sympathetic angels while their tactics and ultimate revelation of person’s faults made them wildly unpopular, even being considered wicked or evil, to humanity, however without them, many would never acquire the opportunity to self-examine their consciences thus remain bound to the sins or flaws.

It was a heavy burden that was laid upon the Order of the Satanim. They often had to stoop to insidious depths in order to provide humanity with answers about themselves that could ineffably benefit them, garnering them the indispensible opportunity to assess their own lives and try to repair those frailties in order to transform them into future strengths, all in hopes that they someday reach their teleological purpose, having learned the lessons and correcting all those weaknesses that would have otherwise prevented them from transcending. In order to prove how essential this task was, God had depicted that the Satanim were just another aspect of the same side by making the leader of the Satanim, Sataniel, the twin to the leader of the Archangels, the protectors of humanity, Sabbathiel. The two brothers were merely different sides of the same face, both aiding humanity though in radically different manners. One was to guard and protect, the other meant to instruct and enhance, both demonstrating strength in their enduring responsibilities. The dual duties, just like the two brothers, were forever entwined, eternally interlocked, and although their methods were diametrically opposing, their purpose was synonymous. At least it was initially.

The overbearing task had warped many of the Satanim, and their leader, Sataniel, was no different. The immense burden that the post warranted with it had made most of them cynical and pessimistic as to whether humanity was even deserving of the love, devotion, and praise that was freely granted to them by the other angels and God Himself. While the others were able to revel in the splendours of humanity and only deal with those happy moments in their lives or those periods where the individual is hapless or worthy of sympathy, the Satanim saw them strictly at their weakest and often time most sinister. Their collected skepticism amounted and they all realized that if enough pressure was applied to even the most righteous person, that they would opt to abandon God and walk the path of sin and self-servitude. Sataniel began constructing terrible tests in the forms of hardships and tragedies that once applied to the subject they would all renounce their Creator. These harsh examinations became excitingly crueler until they became labyrinths that had no possible way to escape unscathed. The moral choice was often so concealed and remote that the terrible contingencies would nearly completely block it out. The one path to God that was left open steadily became a narrower and narrower path as all other options were promoted to quickly and alleviate their suffering. The assessment tool that was meant to simply demonstrate to the person their weakest attributes so they could have the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves, grow from the experience, repent, and return stronger than ever before, had become distorted into endless tasks that led to only one conclusion and that was that all humans had a breaking point where they suffered so immensely that they would abandon God and accept anything that would relieve their misery. All of the Satanim had adopted this as their new way of conducting their tests except one. The youngest amongst them had managed to retain an optimistic view of humanity. He believed the humans could rise above these trials and tribulations, undergoing a metanoia, a metamorphosis into an enhanced form, once they take note of their limitations, learning from the experience, and utilize that information so if ever faced with the same challenge they will have the tools to overcome the obstacle and transcend.

God had heard the prayers of the downtrodden and infirmed. The tests He had his minions perform to teach, instruct, and reform those that were weakest of His flock, had steadily contorted into sadistic games that taught nothing other than that humanity sought Him out when there were no other answers. He made them independent and strong, first attempting to explain and endure all their anguish, then looking towards each other for aid, and when all other resources were exhausted, they would bend their eyes towards the Heavens and request the All-mighty’s intervention. God knew that the burden He laid upon the Satanim was too immense for them and they crumbled under the extreme weight of their task. They had lost sight of what their duties were explicitly asking of them and they became drunk with the power entrusted to them. God stripped them of their roles and dispersed them into other Orders so that they would be able to gain a new perspective on humanity so not to just see them at their most sinful or lowest points but to join their brethren in partaking in the innumerable joys that they also provide. Many of the Satanim were resistant over the shift yet reluctantly obeyed but Sataniel was most opposed to the dissolution of his Order. The Lord promised him that he could reclaim his previous post when he was capable of seeing the good in humanity once again and reaffirm the commitment he once vowed to uphold, which was to preserve the sanctity of humanity. Sataniel remembered the oath but the long years had truly beaten him. He saw how wicked and to what deplorable depths humans would sink to in order to achieve their selfish objectives. He was sickened at the memory that his twin bowed first before humanity and that he bowed second. He made an oath to forever do what was in their best interest, but they also only did what was in their best interest. In his eyes they had morphed from these valuable entities to self-serving and jaded creatures that would turn on God the first true opportunity that they met.

What Sataniel had taken most offensively however, was that his Order that was disbanded was now placed in the temporary care of the youngest of the angels charged to him. The angel Mastema was elevated to Leader of the new Order of accusing angels that took on his title as their namesake, now being referred to as the Mastinim. He was praised for not having stumbled into the same pitfall as his brothers and he was charged with the task of continuing the original work of the Satanim before they lost sight of their true objective.

Over time Sataniel’s rage subsided though it remained locked between two extremes; one anger the other sadness, regret, remorse. He confronted his twin, Sabbathiel, who always saw the good in his brother. They shared a unique bond that could only be understood by God and the other angels who had a twin, a counterpart in function that completed them in essence. Sataniel confided in his brother that he truly wanted to see humanity as he once did, aid them in their endeavours, and reclaim his original post as Leader of the Satanim. Sabbathiel explained his reservations, fearing that his brother wanted to return prematurely, but he embraced Sataniel and told him that if he believed that he had already gained the new perspective necessary to once again pick up his mantle then he was supportive. Sabbathiel told Sataniel to approach the Lord and address the matter with Him directly. Sabbathiel said that it is only He who can read his heart and know if it is the appropriate time and if he truly found what he had lost. Sataniel embraced his brother and thanked him for his faith in him and with that he departed to the Palace to kneel before the Throne and address the new developments with God.

Unbeknownst to Sataniel there was a council gathering at that very moment regarding a loyal and faithful human named Yowb (called Job throughout the rest of this MS). The Lord had found favour with him because unlike many of the others on the Earth he was diligent in his work and praised the Lord in all undertakings whether they had succeeded or failed. Job held the Lord’s Name most high and believed that if something did not work out for him it was merely the Lord protecting him from an unknown questionable thing that could conceivably be worse for him if it had succeeded. Just because he wanted it or thought of it as desirable did not necessarily mean that it truly was in his best interest and he had the faith to understand that God would know if it was, far better than he could.

Sataniel entered at the moment that the Lord asked Mastema if the man had been adequately tested. Mastema gave his report which concluded that after several of the trials, the man named Job had identified his faults and corrected them, while also proactively seeking out to enhance those things he identified within himself as limitations, trying to fix that which had not even been tested merely to be worthy of God. The Lord thanked him for the report.

At this point Sataniel had walked to the center of the chamber and was standing before the Lord who was in the company of many of the angelic council including Mastema to His right. The council had fallen silent and everyone was looking on at Sataniel without a single utterance. The Lord was happy to see Sataniel and knew why he was present. He gave Sataniel the opportunity to express what weighed upon his heart, repent, and explain why he was prepared to reclaim his post.

Sataniel looked around at the council. He looked at the God he believed he served before all else, and then his eyes fixated on Mastema, the youngest angel in his Order that he had personally trained and taught the angelic precepts. Sataniel could not recall a time where he was honoured in such a way, that he was permitted to sit at the right hand of the Father, despite Mastema being situated three thrones away. His mind began to race and he could feel himself being torn apart from within. The struggle between rage and remorse, wrath and sadness, just teetered back and forth rapidly between both extremes. The Lord knew what he was enduring and simply asked, What is your business here? so Sataniel had the opportunity to finally remove the seemingly permanent yoke that he himself had tethered around his own neck.

Sataniel looked on at God as though the question meant to alleviate his suffering was an insult; merely God expressing His disdain for the creature by inquiring what the poor wretch was even doing standing before Him and His esteemed council. At that exact moment something essential was stripped from Sataniel. An intricate and fundamental part of himself shattered and who he once was had been entirely severed from what he had become. He falsely concluded at that exact moment that no matter what he did he was never going to be anything more than the ‘Adversary of God.’ He saw the blank looks of the other members of the council, including his former protégé, and concluded that they too saw him as an object of condescension and revilement; an abomination, filth that sullied the palace and was repulsive to their sight. He saw and heard why they had gathered, to celebrate the life of a faithful and flawless member of the beloved human race, but he ‘knew’ the truth. Job was human thus as corruptible as anyone else on the Earth and that his onetime apprentice, the one who stole his title and function, had went too easy on the mortal in order to ensure that he remained in God’s favour and skirt the same fate that befell the other members of his Order.

The angels in attendance mouths did not move, nor did their expressions contort into a scowl of disdain, but to Sataniel he heard their voices, the inaudible utterances expressing their abhorrence of the former leader of the Satanim. He saw what he believed was the undetectable microexpressions that hid the contemptible glares that the others had invisibly scrolled upon their faces. He was plunging into the abyss of madness. The Lord was saddened for He knew the terrible turn that Sataniel had just undergone. He knew that Sataniel was not yet ready but He was now going to demonstrate an important lesson to Sataniel as a means of showing him the error of his ways. The Lord was going to prepare a scenario for the ‘examiner’ which would illustrate his own faults so that he could finally correct the weaknesses. It was time for him to be tested.

Sataniel erupted before them and said that all humans have their breaking point and no human would prove to be an exception. The Lord knew what lied in Sataniel’s heart. He was going to try and make a point so God offered the chance to him. The Lord asked him, Have you considered my servant Job (Yowb; Ludlul bel Nameqi), there is none like him on the Earth?

The council was somewhat horrified but kept silent and their reservations unspoken. They were assembled to review Job’s righteousness and how he was deserving of great things yet God had seemingly wagered with one that was devoted entirely to Him to merely prove Sataniel wrong. None dared remark on what each felt was the case for they risked offending the Lord and each knew that He was far wiser than they so that it must merely be in appearance alone. Mastema was the only one in attendance, other than the Logos, who saw through the proposal and knew what the Lord intended. He was testing the tester.

Sataniel saw this as his ultimate challenge. He believed the Lord was being boastful and mocking that he would never be able to turn such a being against Him, once again failing at his duties; at least what he had perceived his duty to be. Sataniel again said that the only reason Job had seemed so loyal was because he had never truly been tested, a statement meant to be an underhanded strike at Mastema who replaced him. He argued that if he were in charge of the ‘examination’ that the outcome would have been significantly different. Mastema arose and asked that Sataniel refrain from such slander and hold his tongue for that Job was so righteous that he frequently made sacrifice to God just in case one of his sons had said something that would have offended the Lord in their minds or quietly to themselves. The young angel did not wish for his mentor to be punished for the outburst because it was clear that he was not in his right mind however, the Lord quieted Mastema and told him to sit. God wanted to give Sataniel what he desired in hopes of rehabilitating him, allowing him to see that he had become biased due to his experiences and that it was not a ubiquitous phenomenon amongst all humans. The Lord assured Sataniel that no human was perfect and that Job had flaws just like everyone else but he never strayed too far from the path and always returned on the few occasions where he lost his way. The Lord told him that Job would never forsake Him.

Sataniel was not satisfied with the answer and scoffed that Job (Yowb; Ludlel bel Nemeqi) had everything a person could possibly desire citing his house and the hedge around it, his land, his wife and children, even his vegetation and livestock. Sataniel argued that everything that Job had done, God had blessed his hand, and every endeavour he participated in was favoured by the Lord. Sataniel questioned whether the man was loved by God because he was righteous or righteous because he was loved by God.

The Lord was saddened for his lost son. All that He wished was that Sataniel saw the error of his ways and returned to Him but knew exactly where it was all going to lead. One of the final tests for Sataniel was to see if he were God, how he would handle the situation. God granted him the power to do with Job as he saw fit, but there was a contingency. He could not kill Job and that it would all take place in an astral realm that was identical to Earth, for the man was intrinsically valuable and not merely a pawn in a game. What would happen in this realm would feel and seem real to him, and there, and there alone, did Sataniel have absolute sovereignty over the man. He could run his tests there unhindered but God assured him that Job would curse himself but never turn his anger towards God.

Sataniel took it as though accepting a wager, indifferent to the suffering this man was about to endure as though he cared no more about his well-being than he did the outcome of casting lots. Sataniel lost sight of his true purpose. He was more than prepared to just torment the man to prove that all humans would crumble before him and curse God if enough pressure was applied. Job lost everything in this realm. His wife, children, livestock, health, friends; all was stolen. Sataniel continued to be an evil ‘god’ in the realm, tormenting Job with one plague and tragedy after another but the broken man cursed himself and questioned what he had done to so anger the Lord, but not once did he turn his frustrations towards God and curse Him.

The trial had concluded and Sataniel again stood before the Lord in His chambers. Sataniel looked grim and somber. He thought that ‘victory’ belonged to him and that he would somehow be vindicated if Job had fallen to his knees and cursed God. He refused to even look up and was even less prepared to grovel and admit that he had been defeated.

The Lord simply asked, Sataniel, why do you appear depressed and saddened at the events that had transpired? You have won, have you not?

Sataniel looked up for a moment perplexed as though bewildered how that could be construed as a victory, but then his face took on a gaunt and grim expression and looked back down once concluding that the Lord must have been sarcastic or waiting for him to utter the words that he was mistaken. Both conclusions were very wrong.

This was a triumph today for you, Sataniel, God asserted. It is unfortunate that you cannot see it as such any longer. Your role as a satan is to test the very fibers of a humans limit, and once it is tested a person must feel a catharsis, a very real release knowing that they have been provided the invaluable opportunity to repent and become stronger. You are to enhance them. Is Job not enhanced now? He awoke and was so ecstatic that it was not real that he now has a new appreciation for all those things that he may have at some point taken for granted. He is improved, even greater than he had been before the council met, and now, through demonstrating how much he cares for all those people around him, he will likely double all that he has merely because people have a renewed purpose in working with him. Nothing will ever be taken for granted again because of your efforts. Does that bring you no solace?

Sataniel received not even a trace amount of satisfaction from the knowledge that he had bettered his victim’s life. He refused to speak and was not interested in what he perceived as gloating, though God was far from bragging. He was answering Sataniel’s question. The question that he had originally entered the palace with hopes of asking but never did. That question that remained silent in Sataniel’s heart, manifesting as venom spewed forth towards Job and Mastema’s perceived lax treatment of his case. The Lord knew that the Great Deceiver had finally deceived himself.

The Lord said, I know that this is upsetting to you, Sataniel, for it is not what you wish to hear. This is not what you want but it is what you need. You have lost sight of your true objective and the heavy burden of your role has tainted your spirit. You revel now only in humans’ inability and failure to pass your impossible tests, and you have forgotten why it is that you are expected to test them. You cannot rejoice in Job’s success. The point of you testing them is so that they do return to Me, stronger than they ever were priour. You are meant to be a physician but you have instead become a poisoner. My son, you are not yet ready to return to your previous post.

Sataniel turned and left the hall for the second to last time. It was not rage he immediately felt, nor was it despair. It was a type of corrosive apathy that overcame him. It was as though he was dead inside, like the Lord’s response was the last thing that would sever what was left binding him to his former self. The rage would fluctuate, but where peace once dwelled only remained a shattered consciousness. Sataniel was no longer in control. What he perceived as an egregious insult, though meant as an act of mercy that was meant to warrant him time to heal from the pressures of his obligation, only pulled his psyche apart. If he was no longer fit for his primary function then what did he exist for? The question would be made clear when his twin brother Sabbathiel and Mastema would approach with intentions of only consoling him.

Mastema was fearful to confront his former master, for he outwardly appeared different. He seemed somewhat detached and a far cry from the splendid angel, Grand Chief of the Order of the Satanim, that he once was. Sabbathiel instructed Mastema to stay back for his own safety and approached his brother who clearly was not well.

Before Sabbathiel could even greet his brother, Sataniel interjected stating, You were always His favourite. You, who was deemed Sabbathiel, ‘the Rest of God’ implying that He could ‘rest’ knowing that you were protecting His flock. What was I deemed? What is my moniker say of my nature? ‘The Adversary of God.’ I always thought it denoted that regardless of my actions I still belonged to Him but I can now see what was always right in front of my eyes. I was made to be His adversary, that is how He views me, and that is what I am. He detests me for I tempt his precious beloved sheep just as I was instructed and now am despised when I fulfill my purpose. I brought their weaknesses to light but He wants to believe they are perfect. He so desperately believes in these ridiculous creatures that He fails to see that they would all turn on Him at the first chance that arises. He hates me the same reason why the other angels and the humans do. It is because I hold the mirror up to them showing exactly what they are; a reflection of self-indulgence, self-servitude, and sin. He loathes me because I see what He cannot. I see them as they truly are where He has been blinded, duped by His own work crafted by His very own Hands. He sees what He wants but I alone see what is.

Sataniel flew to the outskirts of the heavenly realm. Mastema was about to fly after him to speak some sense into the pitiful remnant that he had become. Sabbathiel stopped him though, arguing that he needed to be left alone to truly ponder his faulty logic, repent, and given the time and space required to truly find that which had been lost. Mastema was not in agreement with Sabbathiel regarding leaving Sataniel alone at this crucial time but, he figured that his twin would know what was best for him.

Sataniel was not going to exile himself and merely reflect on how to become better but did call to mind his former glory. If the Lord would deny him his rank and title he would steal it back. In his own mind he had already succeeded in demonstrating that humans would turn on Him at the first sign of hardship but now he sought to prove that it was the same with his loyal messengers. The angels who also were gifted free choice, he concluded would just as easily fall prey to his mastery of the existential condition. He knew how to manipulate the situation and get them to see things his way. He would use their own fears and inner contentions, those secret thoughts they all had regarding the humans that they would never dare utter aloud. With his near endless arsenal of tactics and understanding those internal governing beliefs that cause beings to act, he grew an army of God’s once loyal servants to attack the Lord, arguing that He had become ineffective as a Sovereign due to His blind affection towards the human race. Sataniel managed to grow a fierce army that secretly believed the same things regarding the humans, resenting them for their own existences that were devoted to serving these less than deserving, ungrateful bags of chemical reactions that failed to even comprehend how much actually occurred within their masterfully crafted designs. They all resolved in the idea that they would usurp God and they would be the new gods, ones that would rule over humanity and treat them accordingly. They would reward when the humans served them in their tasks (supsik ilim/dullu illi) and punish when they refused. The rebellious angels lifted the sacred objects that were entrusted to them, holy artifacts that were unique to each angel, as distinct and relevant as their individualized names; relics that were meant to demonstrate status or rank, though now rendered instruments of destruction. These former tools of their specialized tasks were now forever contorted into weapons; swords, daggers, flails, spears, and staffs, which would later fall into the hands of the humans and also be used thusly.

Sataniel and his army of rebellious angels swarmed the upper heavens and laid siege to the angels that refused to align themselves with Sataniel’s War effort. The war that pinned brother versus brother, sister versus sister, and child versus Father, became ever more real when Sabbathiel saw his brother and the rebel angels flooding towards the palace; each angel brandishing their unique instrument, a personalized weapon that was meant to be a heavenly tool. Mastema was given a long metallic decorative bow embroidered with angelic script reliefs; a perfectly straight shepherd’s crook meant to be used by the angel to guide the Lord’s flock away from dangers and lead them to the true path. Despite the long staff having retractable blades at either end, he refused to draw the sinister points against his brethren. He used the staff to repel the angels trying to get passed him, twirling and swinging it as means of repulsing the hordes of those that were his kin. He knew that he had to protect the Throne at all costs but also did not wish to harm those that were misguided, who were after all, still his family.

Sataniel, the Ben Sorer Umoreh (Rebellious son) descended before Mastema who was near certain that his former master was sure to vengefully strike him down, partly because he had replaced him in function, partly because he was a current obstacle. Chaos ensued all around them yet it was as though everything slowed down except Sataniel and him. Sataniel sheathed his blade and placed his hand upon his young charge’s shoulder.

The intimidatingly deranged prince peered into Mastema’s eyes and calmly said, I do not blame you, my apprentice. I carry no hostility, not a trace of animosity, towards you nor shall I permit any of those who call themselves my own to lift a finger against you. I was once like you. I was the second one in all of the heavens to bow before humanity. I devoted my existence to trying to guide them towards perfection, but I now realize that they were never worthy of His love. Not like we are. We follow His laws without question or grievance, we carry out all facets of His Will, yet it is these impious, brutal, savage creatures that He favours beyond all else. They use their higher reasoning as an excuse to control and manipulate each other. They lead to wars and destroy the planet they inhabit. The other creatures fight because of instincts for survival. The humans dominate not just to carry on but to thrive far above each other. They are never content with being content. They always desire more. They place value on inanimate objects and place them before one another. Stones and metals pulled from the earth are valued higher than the intrinsically valuable sentient beings before them that they abuse and utilize in order to claim more and more of that which they cannot take with them once they are no more. You are young and you have not seen them clear enough yet, but now that you are the only one left to do that task you shall see for yourself their true appearance. They will reveal to you exactly what they are, and you will be ashamed that you ever defended them. I know that I am.

With that as the final words Sataniel uttered to his onetime charge, he departed in the direction of the palace to either conquer the Throne, claiming it for himself, or to perish. Either way he was prepared to break loose of the chains of bondage that he believed linked him to the Being that despised him. Mastema pursued him quietly, following closely though undetected.

Upon reaching the Palace Sataniel was confronted by his twin brother Sabbathiel. With tears in his eyes the righteous brother approached pleading with Sataniel to abandon the path that he unwisely and selfishly chose. Sataniel shook his head and told him that he still did not understand. You are their champion, Sataniel began. The Lord shall always favour you, brother. But I am not jealous. I am happy that if I am considered less it is only because I am standing beside you. But He has crafted you to love and protect them beyond any other consideration. You are predestined to guard them and I understand the proclivity to do whatever He desires. He is our Father after all. Whatever He favours is correct, moral, good. But whatever He despises is filth and evil. Well you do what you are told thus you are good, while I, by design, have to do what He reviles. You are the good brother and I am the evil one. That is how this will forever be remembered. But I need you to know that I love you no less, but by His own hand we are not aligned. We shall forever be at odds with one another, a terrible struggle that was predetermined by Him. We were made in this way, two opposites, meant to forever be entwined with contradictory missions. I seek to end the struggle. If I usurp the Throne I will release you from trying to protect and defend these abominable creatures that only seek to undo their own existences. You are fighting a losing battle for the sad irony is that you shall spend most of your time protecting them from one another and themselves. They are evil and destructive but they are considered good because He loves them. Look at their destructive natures. You will see what I am saying is true. Remove yourself from my path, brother. Do not interfere but I would never request that you join me. I know that you are not crafted for such behaviour but moreover I would never want you to suffer if this does not conclude the way I anticipate. But at least see that I am doing this in our best interest. I will be a truly fair god, one that rewards good deeds and not find some inexplicable favour with animals that can think and reflect, which makes the gravity of their wickedness even worse.

With tears in his eyes, Sabbathiel drew his blade and begged Sataniel to reconsider his position despite knowing his brother never would. Sataniel also knew his brother just as well and knew that he would never strike him down especially behind his back. He wounded Sabbathiel and pushed him out of the way knowing the chaos that was about to ensue. Sataniel wounded Sabbathiel swearing that it was for his own good and for him to stay down. The abrasion was severe enough to incapacitate but it was not a mortal wound. Sataniel then entered the Palace, the ultimate sacred temple, prepared to finish what he had started. Mastema had seen the whole transaction unfold but remained silent, nearly paralyzed by disbelief of the occurrence. As an angel Mastema (mastemah), whose very name meant ‘hostility,’ ‘hatred,’ ‘persecution,’ ‘enmity,’ ‘division,’ and ‘inimicality,’ was responsible for inciting instances where humans had the opportunity to enact these terrible injustices all in hopes that they would be able to demonstrate mercy and restraint, but now that such atrocities were transpiring right in front of his eyes he was frozen with panic. He was to test the terrible pull that resided within humanity called Yetzer Hara, or evil inclination, in order for them to see their frailties and correct them. He knew full well from witnessing it occur on Earth countless times that nothing would ever be the same again. War splintered not only the opposing forces but the ramification on the individuals leaves them forever divided internally for they had now seen the darkest aspects of themselves. They see the depths that they are capable of sinking to and, in terms of being enhanced, they often try to repent and spend the rest of their lives trying to make amends for their vicious and violent acts but are never the same. The entire event was surreal, and all he could do was draw his bow and propel the rebel forces back before they see the darkness within themselves and can never return to their previously pure states.

Sabbathiel arose despite his injuries, pulled Mastema into the Palace to keep him safe, and closed the doors behind them to try and prevent the other rebel angels from entering. Sabbathiel flew in front of Sataniel, sword drawn and again pled with him to refrain from what he was about to do because the consequences were irreversible. Mastema flew back in fear as the chamber doors swung open and the rebellious angels followed Arioch’el (Arioch; Alastor) into the hall prepared to claim the Throne from their Creator, overthrowing Him and dividing the kingdom amongst themselves. Sabbathiel tried to wrestle Sataniel’s weapon from him, but Sataniel was crazed. He was so close to what he felt was within his grasp, that it was all that he could see. Sabbathiel warned him for the final time that he would strike him down if it meant that he would be spared from the evil that he was about unleash, and the suffering he was about to endure. Sabbathiel’s options quickly dissolved and he began to lock blades with his brother. The altercation that was meant to merely contain the threat rapidly morphed into a violent duel between the twins with the pure angels trying to obstruct the rebel angels from their objective. Arioch’el (Arioch; Alastor) violently made his way through his brethren as though they were merely faceless, unknown foes. Sabbathiel saw out of his peripherals the impending doom and he did not want Sataniel swept up in what was inevitably going to end the rebellion.

Sabbathiel was demonstrating a great deal of restraint but that mercy was the same sentiment that was going to ensure that God would have to intervene. He did not want to lash out at his brethren using his full might but there was no other choice. Alastor, once the angel Arioch’el, had already struck down countless angels and was still aiming at his ultimate goal—dethroning God. Sabbathiel knew that if he did not reach deep down within himself and draw forth strength, stopping their onslaught, that they would forever curse themselves. He knew the only way to save them was to make the extraordinarily difficult decision to unlocking that inner power and stop them himself hoping that their failure would be looked on mercifully by God and they would at least be spared. He saw Alastor fast approaching and Sataniel was mid swing of his blade with the Throne of God (Kiseh HaKavod) as the target. Just as Sabbathiel finally unlocked that fortitude inside of himself and resolved that it would be up to him to thwart their effort, a ring of energy erupted from the Throne seemingly obliterating all of the rebel angels and only those that had not fallen under Sataniel’s spell remained, passed over by the wave of energy. The wave pulsed forward engulfing all though the righteous angels were exempt as though an orb of protection surrounded them, emanating from their very beings. The Satanic War had come to an abrupt end.

The Lord confronted what was left of His Heavenly choirs. The numbers were significantly reduced. Although He would not simply reward merely for doing what was right His appreciation for how difficult their intervention and sacrifice was apparent. The slain were restored to life and those that upheld order were provided something that He knew would amply demonstrate His gratitude for their loyalty in spite of the fact that they had to fight their own brethren who were misled.

Many received a new appearance, title, ability, or sanctified artifact, that replaced those that were tainted having been primarily used as weapons during the War. He went through each of His subordinates, His minions, His family, making His way to the final two who were closest to His Throne—Sabbathiel and Mastema. They both looked down as though ashamed that they had not done more to stop the War before it even took shape.

The Lord addressed Sabbathiel and asked him what weighed so heavily upon his heart, just as He had with his brother which was the unfortunate catalyst to the Satanic War. Unlike his brother, Sabbathiel looked up and said exactly what was on his mind. I was named Sabbathiel, the sorrowful angel began. You were supposed to be able to rest knowing that I would tend to the difficult matters but when I was confronted by the most difficult challenge I did not react quick enough, and now beings that were once my friends and family were annihilated and I have an emptiness inside of me. I accept full culpability for their transgressions for I was a leader amongst them, and I should have been able to do what was necessary. I know my brother, I know his heart, and as distorted as his views had become I cannot repent in his demise. I cannot find satisfaction and resolve in the deaths of my brethren. I know that they were wrong but if I could have found the strength necessary sooner I could have spared them their existences. If they had seen that they could not even stand firmly against me they would know absolutely that there was no way that they could ever overpower you, my Lord.

The Lord found joy in his answer and replied, "My son, at the moment before I intervened you had done just that. You found that internal strength to strike at them because you were trying to spare them from My Judgment. You exhausted every option, pleading with them, struggling with them, all in hopes of discouraging them from proceeding with their plan. You loved them and were more than prepared to do what was necessary to spare them from an unknown resolution. You alone have voiced concerns for them and their fates. You alone have demonstrated remorse for their behaviour and are willing to accept responsibility believing that it was you who had failed them and not the other way around. Your sadness is real and I can feel it emanating from you. I do not love you because you merely follow My Laws. I love you because you are capable of making those difficult decisions regardless of the consequences to you. You acted as I would have. I give every opportunity for redemption and repentance but am able to discern when there are no other options. You showed mercy when others had not. You demonstrated compassion and love when others around you were devoid of such sentiments. That is why I shall rename you Mikha’el (Michael), ‘he who is like God.’

The angel that was formerly known as Sabbathiel, now ordained Mikha’el (Michael), was speechless at the designation. The Lord also informed him that his brethren were not obliterated. They had sought to rid Heaven of God for they believed they could govern the realm better than He could so He gave them just that. The rebel angels were given a realm to rule, what Heaven would be if God had been removed. Their godless heaven was unstable and all of the splendour was stripped from it for it only existed because of God’s ever-presence. If God were absent, as is the case in this alternate reality, the wonders of paradise are reduced to unstable chaos. They can have influence on the Earth because it is as though they are the masters from the opposite side. Their test now is how they will manage their kingdom and how they shall treat humanity. If they are evil they shall be sent back to their remnant of heaven—now Gehenna (Hell), but they could find redemption if they realize the emptiness of their desire and seek to repent, restoring God to His Throne in their hearts. That was when God revealed to Mikha’el how essential his role is; now more than ever. He was always the protector of humanity, but it was no longer just protecting them from themselves but now also the demons that seek to rule over them. Sataniel was no longer one of His angels, but now had become Ha-Satan, ‘the Adversary’ and he sits on the twisted black throne that only causes pain and suffering yet he sits upon it regardless believing that it is a symbol of his victory over God. He deluded himself into believing that the sword thrust that he ruthlessly unleashed in the direction of the Throne caused the immense blast, which he concluded was God’s demise. He, just like any of them, could also receive redemption should they abandon their mission and demonstrate remorse for what they had done.

The Lord then addressed the final angel—Mastema. The Lord told him that he is the last one of his order and that he can request whatever his heart desired for not being ensnared in the same trap as his closest of kin. Mastema started, My Lord, my God, Creator of Heaven and Earth and the realms below them, artist of all beauty, architect of all matter, I do not request a new name for I am content with my own for it reflects my function, a function in which I am now solely responsible. To remedy this, O Master of All, allow me to summon the rebel angels, the demons of the depths, to not only test humanity, but to test their hearts, for if they are over-zealous it shall be revealed, but if they truly wish to enhance the humans, the mark they missed while in the higher realms, that shall also be realized, because in this way they receive the opportunity to become rehabilitated. Let them listen to me and focus on the humans I select for if they do not remain with me I shall have to summon other angels to the terrible task who may fall prey to the same pitfalls as my fallen brethren. This was their purpose for the evils of mankind are great, though theirs is greater, and I can aid in testing both if my request is granted.

The Lord had told him that what he was requesting would only further his terrible burden but He would grant the request if he truly understood what he was asking. He warned Mastema that he could only stare into the abyss for so long before the abyss would begin staring back at him, into him. To deal with darkness, almost exclusively, to surround oneself and keep its company, to become immersed in it and accept it within is a burden that only God’s Light could overcome. With that as His admonition He told Mastema to come to Him should he ever feel that the terrible chore he had been assigned ever became too immense; to know his own limitations and accept the aid that the other lapsed members of his Order had failed to seek. Mastema agreed and was granted his request swearing that should the need ever arise that he would not only be capable of identifying it but do what none of his fellow Satanim were able to do and recuse himself in order to rededicate himself to the true task at hand and gain perspective.

The Lord turned to Mikha’el and said that no one could ever replace his twin in his heart, but He asked him to turn and embrace Mastema, for he was now his counter-part, his other half, his brother. The Lord knew that despite the rebel angels now peering at what was left of the kingdom and many already regretting what they had done, Sataniel’s War was far from over. He knew that the affects of Sataniel’s poison were still resonating in Heaven and it had not yet finished running its course—especially within Mastema.

. . .

Several generations passed and Mastema had perched upon a mountaintop peering down at humanity. The sole member of the Satanim, now operating under the moniker Mastinim, an Order that was responsible for testing humanity in hopes that they learn from their errors, looked on at his test subjects with scorn. He had been a satan far longer at this point than Sataniel had before he fell, and Mastema became disgusted at himself for it had taken that much longer for him to finally see the truths that Sataniel uttered that fateful day when he was spared by his mentor who was making an attempt at the Throne and sovereignty over Heaven. He concluded that Sataniel was correct in his assertions regarding humanity but he could not justify his mentor’s evil mission against God. He believed wholeheartedly that he and God were both duped by the humans and that they shared a unique link due to them both falling for the farce. Mastema believed that the other angels, including Mikha’el (Michael), were content in simply praising humanity because they knew that that was what God wanted but Mastema believed he alone understood what was truly necessary. He reflected back on the first time he realized that Sataniel’s words were not merely the banter of a fractured psyche, but the poignant observations that only experience could teach.

Mastema recalled the world after the Satanic War when he had become the sole member of the Order, though he operated alone for far longer than he had within a group. Sataniel was deposed during the reign of the patriarch Kenan, who ruled under the title En-men-gal-ana. Hell also was formed during that time and the rebel angels were imprisoned there.

It was during this time that Mastema tested their bonds of community. He tried to measure their unique bonds that were forged through shared experiences and analyze whether the fellowships and kinship were as fortified as they could be. He knew that there would be tremendous trials ahead, and one of the most valuable aspects of humanity was the communities they grew and relied upon; the collected talents and abilities of all individuals operating as one body with each as an essential appendage. All separate members were necessary for the success of the whole. Mastema intended on testing their unity in order to solidify the fragile and enhance the already strong. He knew he would have to turn brother against brother, children versus their parents, all in hopes of strengthening their community, their extended family, so the humans would never become fractured as his own kind had. What he inadvertently did though was introduce a plague to Earth; one that would never leave. He would have to go back to humanity’s very roots. Each of the rulers were a direct descendent of Adamah (Adam).

Priour to Mastema’s ascension to leader over the satanim, when Sataniel still ruled, humanity was just reaching its infancy. When God was looking on at the Earth He knew that the time was quickly approaching, the dawn of the era of humanity, but He would never merely thrust greatness onto a group without first offering it to them. They were meant to have free will and their first choice was to decide whether they were prepared to accept the responsibility to possess dominion over all that He had created. He went to the World of Forms, a dimension that possessed the rudimentary, basic elements of all life and objects that acted as archetypes for the varying forms of all things that made up existence. From the archetype of the primates as a mould, he had sent his angels to collect clay from the corners of the Earth in order for them to have a direct link to the Earth they were to inhabit and govern. It would be Azrael that would succeed in bringing the clay back, and with the primordial waters and the collected dust (epru), He shaped Adamah Kadmon, the perfect shape that embodied all of human potential, from the tiddu (clay). From either side of the perfect form He drew forth the pair Adamah Rishon (Adam) and Chavah (Eve), shaped and crafted with divine precision, and breathed life (shi) into them. They were complex structures with intricacies that they would never fully understand. They were asked if they were prepared to be the very first of their kind and live on Earth in perfect harmony with the rest of creation. They agreed and were placed upon the planet, though at differing times. They were masters of their own fate and the decisions they made were binding throughout all of nature. With humanity now possessing a favourable form, one that was equipped to handle their complexities, God allowed humanity to make a decision about humanity. Adam and Eve were created, but the others had adapted and evolved from the previous forms that had already existed on Earth. They developed because of Adam and Eve’s affirmation that they were prepared to exist and accepted the responsibilities that encompassed. They emerged from their former shells and grew over time into humans. It was a slow procession but each detail matched the fundamentals of the two that God had crafted.

When Adamah (Adam) and Chavah (Eve) had decided both to consume the flesh from the Tree of Knowledge, it was not a punishment, but a sign of acceptance of maturity; one they made prematurely, though it was their decision when it was the adannu (appointed time). Once they had decided, their very home, E-din (Kar-sag; ki-ulutin), the ‘house of creation,’ also Eden, the ‘garden of delight,’ within the lands of Dilmun (Land of the Living), which was once seen as a place for immortality, immune from sickness and aging when they were as children, feeling as though eternal and impervious from the ailments that came with age, though that had passed and the reality of their frail natures were made apparent. It was now viewed as a distant land embodying all that was now lost to them though all that had changed was their outlook. By them accepting the fruit of the tree, they accepted maturity, the ability to see what was right from what was wrong, which was limited priour to their development, just as a child lacks culpability for their impulsive and careless actions. The land was now rendered Edin, or Kislah, a wide opened plain that needed to be cultivated and tended to in order to continue yielding its fruits. The man would now need to develop the land utilizing its resources, toil, and protect his family, while the woman would know menstruation and the agonies of childbirth, and both would now fear death. Their nudity was made apparent to them though they were unaware of such sentiments priour, for they were as though children, for they were children, unabashed and unembarrassed by their nakedness. The land between the two rivers Idiglat (Indigna; Tigris) and Buranun (Euphrates), remained as it always had but the child-like awe that they once viewed the world had faded, and the once glorious land was now viewed as a burden that they had to develop; a steppe and rolling plains that had to be worked in order to yield its fruits. The Good Lord had warned them about accepting maturity too soon, for once their short time as children passed, they would know the trials and concerns of adulthood.

Mastema was even sickened by the way that humanity had retold their own origin stories, again placing themselves as the victims in some supernatural conspiracy. They had a somewhat sadistic God place but one desirable tree in the center of the garden in order to entice them, with the warning to never eat from it. If God was all good, they rationed, than why even place such a thing inside of creation unless He somewhat desired them to fall. Without the ability to know good from evil, having never eaten of the flesh from the fruit, they had no way of knowing what they were doing was wrong and indulged, only realizing what they had done was wrong once the act was already perpetrated. In truth, they were meant to eventually eat of the tree in order to accept the time that all of humanity would reach maturity. It was their hastiness to grow up so quickly that had robbed them of their own childhoods and that is why humanity now only has a brief time to be innocent and free from responsibility. Adam and Eve had made the decision sooner than they should have, accepting the curse of maturity not long after their ‘births,’ thus limiting their own time to be children; a decision that reverberated throughout all of their species.

Adamah (Adam) and Chavah (Eve), the protogenoi or Rishon (first), had two sons, Qayin (Cain) and Abel, but when the older had slain the younger, he was fearful of the other tribes that existed and believed that they were primal, even bestial, and thought that they would ultimately slay him. God knew that they were humans just as he was but his fear dictated his abominable attitude towards beings that were in affect his kin, yet he would treat them just as he had his true brother. God placed the wanders mark upon him to silence his concerns and worries, believing the tribal sigil exempted him from their fury, but in truth, the marking was an identification that he too was like them—human, thus worthy of respect and left alone because he was kin to them. The ones he viewed as primitive animals would demonstrate more compassion and mercy towards him than he ever had his own blood.

Around the time of the birth of Seth, Adam and Eve came in contact with the other humans, those ancient ancestors who developed steadily over time, manifesting as the first of those that were truly human, or lullu amelu, the primordial men, having been as though animals, bestial in nature before becoming ‘aware’ and now desiring to become awilutum (civilized humanity; namlugallu). Now both separate lineages conjoined into one, both becoming salmut qaddadi (humankind), where there were no true fundamental differences amongst them, for they were one united body. Still they were in awe of the stories of Adam and his ‘birth’ with his and Eve’s absence of navels as evidence that they were crafted and not born as they were. They declared that Adam was their leader for he was from above and considered somewhat divine because of his unique connection to God, having been made directly by Him. The evolved humans honoured Adam because they believed that he was the spiritual bridge between God and humanity—a prophet. Further proof of this was evident in that the angel Raziel had gifted to humanity a scroll, guided by God, in order to instruct each generation, an important directive regarding their reign, meant as instructions for each of Adam’s descendents. Adam’s directives involved the creation of civilization and the proper rules of governing fairly, accepting everyone as equals, and integral elements to the whole.