Chapter 1
A soft breeze caressed my bare skin. I didn't have to see the soft powder blue sky or smell the sweet scent of flowers on the breeze to know I was dreaming. Air caressed my bare back, but I felt no shame in being naked, on the contrary, it felt right, good.
Peace filled me, surrounded me, lifted me from the confusion I felt. A voice called my name, and its owner strolled towards me. Six ft. eight to my five ft. 2, he towered over me, but I felt loved and protected in his shadow. Raven hair framed his face, and piercing green eyes looked deep into my soul, promising peace, and feeling like home to my tattered, stained soul.
"I am Gabriel." He extended his hand and spoke again in that lilting, musical, yet masculine voice. "Welcome to the Garden of Eden. The King of kings wishes to speak to you. "
He took my hand and led me further into the valley, past a lamb sleeping peacefully next to a lion. Past fruit trees laden with fruit, their scent adding to the intoxicating fragrance on the breeze. Past brightly coloured, dew covered, flowers. A waterfall roared in the distance, the sun creating rainbows in the spray. In the middle of the lake, rising out of the sun spangled water, stood an island , big enough only for one tree, the only stunted looking tree in this paradise. Its fruit were golden yellow, swaying enticingly in the breeze, sending delicious fragrances across to me, whispering promises of glory and wisdom. I actually took a step in that direction, but Gabriel held fast to my hand, and gestured to a Man sitting on a simple wooden chair, surrounded by lambs competing for His attention. Spell broken, I glanced at the tree in passing and this time saw the sinewy shape slithering around one of the branches, the fruit rotting at its passing.
Tearing my attention away and refocusing on the simply dressed but handsome face of the Man, I realised abruptly that I was in the presence of Jesus of Nazareth, The Carpenter and Saviour of mankind. Shocked, I fell to my knees in the soft, verdant grass. A hand grasped my own, scarred in the middle, where one of the nails that held Him to that cross went in, and pulled me up.
Jesus embraced me like I was a favourite sister and smiled at me. I never even realised that Gabriel has left my side, or that I was standing sans clothes in the presence of the Son of God. Before embarrassment could push through the fog of peace, however, I was suddenly clothed again, in a simple white garment. "Rachel Greenwood, welcome to Eden."
His voice was mesmerising, like rich chocolate, or the softest silk. "I know there are many questions, and few answers. But the only thing that is now important is that you have been chosen, chosen to walk a path few would dare. "
He held up His hand, I was about to ask one of the many questions bursting to be free.
"Time is short. I have only time to tell you the barest of basics. When the world was younger, my brother, Lucifer, unleashed a plague upon mankind, commonly known as the Black Death, or, more simply, The Plague. He unleashed his wrath upon mankind, hoping that our Father can forgive him and welcome him back."
He was, however, so blinded by his determination that he forgot that the way to our Fathers heart was not through wrath and anger, not by destroying man, but through love, and obedience."
He looked sad. "Now, he is at it again, this time, not for reinstatement into Heaven, but for the malicious pleasure it brings him to spread discord and unrest. "
"Time is short," He repeated, "Already he has chosen his champion to sow discord and havoc upon the world I gave my life for. Go now. My brother, Gabriel, will take reports from you. He will guide you. Ask and you will receive, but choose wisely the questions. Peace, blessed Sister."
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I was on the floor of my room. Judging by the voices in the living room, I was out for mere seconds, although it felt far longer than that. My body felt oddly light, but something heavy rested across my back and shoulders, weighing me down. I flexed my shoulders, holding my breath in case it hurt again, but all traces of pain was gone. Instead, wings unfurled behind me, white in the murky darkness of my bedroom, glowing ghostly in the moonbeams.
YOU ARE READING
The Guardian
Ficțiune adolescențiReligious Fiction... but not preachy Rachel Greenwood was your typical teenager... until she died. Now, tasked with a Divine purpose, she leaves all that behind, and embarks on a mission to New York... and new, dangerous enemies. Edit by author: ...
