studied thy forces. Although you outnumber Lucifer, he controls such principalities and powers as to put the legions of Heaven in stalemate. Would not the Ophanim and Seraphim be his undoing if all united in his undoing?"
Michael shook his head as his face contorted in uncertainty. "Enoch, the Ophanim sit atop the mountain and do not interfere in the causes of angel-kind. And the Seraphim..."
Enoch cut him off. "El was wise to separate thee and diminish the root of bitterness thy actions have caused. To leave the contagion that He had foreseen, to just your people alone. For I can but imagine what might have been unleashed if Lucifer snarled both the Seraphim and the Ophanim in his cause.
"You hide behind protocol and are stymied in thy attention to El's commands. Thou, who has resided within His presence from the foundation of my world, yet for all thy might and knowledge you have zeal, but not according to knowledge. El hath not made me a candlestick for only my people, but also as a flickering light even to thee. I will do what thou are want to do, and will seek reconciliation between thy people. I will also do what I am bidden and bring Elijah as commanded. You will help me in this thing or you will not. But the word of the Lord shall abide forever."
Michael sighed. "I cannot go to the land of Aseir. It is forbidden. Yet this one thing I will do to aid thee: I will send Gabriel and Metatron as an escort. Gabriel will hopefully be received, for he is both Malakim and mouthpiece as the oracle of God. Metatron might serve as an ambassador of the Draco whose House was cause to the Schism. Wilt this suffice?" Michael then began to cough as though something were lodged in his throat.
Enoch turned and said, "It will do." And he left the Chief Prince who continued to cough uncontrollably.
Michael covered his mouth, and when he removed his hand from his mouth, specks of blood covered his palms.
* * *
Enoch left the mountain of God and entered the stables of the Malakim gryphons.
Gabriel stood grooming one of the steeds. Each creature was covered in golden feathers, part eagle, part lion. Their great wings spanned over twenty hand-breadths. Iron-like beaks could rip through steel. When fully armored, terror filled the eyes of combatants, whether angelic or human.
Enoch reached for a pouch of Cora leaf, and with an open hand, fed it to the creature that Gabriel groomed. As it ate, Enoch slowly began to stroke its mane.
Magnificent, is he not?" Gabriel said.
"He is indeed a marvel of bone and sinew. From whence do they come, and how are they tamed by your people?"
"When Heaven was young, El gave us dominion. The gryphons live in the land of Aesir with the Seraphim. Nathaniel, of the house Malakim, was first to encounter the great gryphon, Cabal. Nathaniel tried to tame him, but without success. Then one day, Nathaniel fell near the cliffs into the Abyss. Cabal saw him and braved the Abyssal winds and swept him from its clutches. The two immediately established a bond. We have since learned that they are intelligent beyond measure, and Cabal was so taken at Nathaniel's attempts to tame him, that he allowed him to ride him. Since then, all messengers use them as steeds to communicate to the rest of the realm. All messengers are sent with a gryphon by their side. And when summoned by this horn created by one of the greatest artisans of the Seraphim, they all will return to the spot of summoning."
Enoch continued to stroke the soft mane of the beast and it cooed at his touch. He turned to Gabriel. "Do you know why I have come?"
"We have not had the opportunity to get to know one another since your arrival in Heaven, but thy words are open to my ears. No, I do not know why you are here, but if thy request is within my power to grant, it shall be yours."
Surprised at Gabriel's response, Enoch said, "Thou dost not know my request and yet thou dost answer so?"
"Knowledge
Michael shook his head as his face contorted in uncertainty. "Enoch, the Ophanim sit atop the mountain and do not interfere in the causes of angel-kind. And the Seraphim..."
Enoch cut him off. "El was wise to separate thee and diminish the root of bitterness thy actions have caused. To leave the contagion that He had foreseen, to just your people alone. For I can but imagine what might have been unleashed if Lucifer snarled both the Seraphim and the Ophanim in his cause.
"You hide behind protocol and are stymied in thy attention to El's commands. Thou, who has resided within His presence from the foundation of my world, yet for all thy might and knowledge you have zeal, but not according to knowledge. El hath not made me a candlestick for only my people, but also as a flickering light even to thee. I will do what thou are want to do, and will seek reconciliation between thy people. I will also do what I am bidden and bring Elijah as commanded. You will help me in this thing or you will not. But the word of the Lord shall abide forever."
Michael sighed. "I cannot go to the land of Aseir. It is forbidden. Yet this one thing I will do to aid thee: I will send Gabriel and Metatron as an escort. Gabriel will hopefully be received, for he is both Malakim and mouthpiece as the oracle of God. Metatron might serve as an ambassador of the Draco whose House was cause to the Schism. Wilt this suffice?" Michael then began to cough as though something were lodged in his throat.
Enoch turned and said, "It will do." And he left the Chief Prince who continued to cough uncontrollably.
Michael covered his mouth, and when he removed his hand from his mouth, specks of blood covered his palms.
* * *
Enoch left the mountain of God and entered the stables of the Malakim gryphons.
Gabriel stood grooming one of the steeds. Each creature was covered in golden feathers, part eagle, part lion. Their great wings spanned over twenty hand-breadths. Iron-like beaks could rip through steel. When fully armored, terror filled the eyes of combatants, whether angelic or human.
Enoch reached for a pouch of Cora leaf, and with an open hand, fed it to the creature that Gabriel groomed. As it ate, Enoch slowly began to stroke its mane.
Magnificent, is he not?" Gabriel said.
"He is indeed a marvel of bone and sinew. From whence do they come, and how are they tamed by your people?"
"When Heaven was young, El gave us dominion. The gryphons live in the land of Aesir with the Seraphim. Nathaniel, of the house Malakim, was first to encounter the great gryphon, Cabal. Nathaniel tried to tame him, but without success. Then one day, Nathaniel fell near the cliffs into the Abyss. Cabal saw him and braved the Abyssal winds and swept him from its clutches. The two immediately established a bond. We have since learned that they are intelligent beyond measure, and Cabal was so taken at Nathaniel's attempts to tame him, that he allowed him to ride him. Since then, all messengers use them as steeds to communicate to the rest of the realm. All messengers are sent with a gryphon by their side. And when summoned by this horn created by one of the greatest artisans of the Seraphim, they all will return to the spot of summoning."
Enoch continued to stroke the soft mane of the beast and it cooed at his touch. He turned to Gabriel. "Do you know why I have come?"
"We have not had the opportunity to get to know one another since your arrival in Heaven, but thy words are open to my ears. No, I do not know why you are here, but if thy request is within my power to grant, it shall be yours."
Surprised at Gabriel's response, Enoch said, "Thou dost not know my request and yet thou dost answer so?"
"Knowledge
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