Immolation Ex: The Knower (COMPLETED)

Chapter IV

"King David? What do you mean?" Dustyn asked.

"Just as I said," Michael replied.

"Like the Bible guy, King David? The slingshot Goliath killer guy?"

"Yes." Michael bowed reverently once more. "You were known for your humility and willingness to be a leader. You successfully fought King Saul from the wilderness, never afraid to reach out for help even from enemies. A leader who knows his strengths and weaknesses and is able to use both to lead."

"King David? That's not possible. The only leadership skills I have are teaching music and art to elementary school kids," Dustyn said.

"Well, you always did have a propensity for those two subjects. But, teaching as a linear path is not that odd. Isn't teaching nearly hand in hand the definition of leadership? Patience, wisdom, execution, the ability to plan, and perseverance; aren't they all similar admiral qualities in both roles? Now, even if you still cannot believe you are who I say you are...aren't you standing right here in Heaven with the very angel that was also mentioned in many of the holy books of humanity?"

Angel rushed up and stood before the very tall Michael. "Is that why we look different? Michael, tell me who I was in my past life? If he was King David, why am I here?"

"Joan of Arc, The Maid of Orléans, my lady." Michael formally bowed his head once more.

"I did a report on her once in history. I always thought it was strange that I kept calling bullshit on half of the historical accounts. They just didn't seem right. Still, those odd coincidences aside, I have to agree with Dustyn. It's very hard to believe all of this. My only accomplishments were becoming head cheerleader and school treasurer. I suppose if it is true, then I know the answer to this one question that's been rattling around in my head since you told me. That's probably why I died a virgin, then, right?"

"I imagine so. More than likely you have never had intercourse in your soul's entire existence on the Earth. You also need to understand, in this lifetime, you had only been on Earth 18 years. No one knows what you could have accomplished with it," Michael said.

"That's sad. I'm sorry, Angel," the trucker added with a frown.

"It's okay, Danny. Can't miss what you ain't had, right?"

"True, true," the big man replied.

Michael continued, "Angel, you should be aware, your purity and the energy that accompanies it is unequaled in any soul on earth. You are a spirit that Holok will want back desperately. He might have even have engineered this accident just for you. Holok has probably caused your death at a very young age over and over just to keep you pure."

"Alright, then there Michael, 'splain this to me. Why do I look so out of character?"

"You my lord, are known by many names. Temujin. Chinggis Qahan. The great Genghis Khan, Mongol ruler of Asia. A very tolerant emperor that although many died at your hands and those of your army, still maintained a just and benevolent empire. Your skill at warfare and strategy are undeniable and your mastery of the saber is unequaled"

"So, why don't I remember it? None of us do," Danny asked.

"Holok," Michael answered.

"Let me guess, he burned our identities away? If so, then why do we look like the people we supposedly forgot?"

"These identities were the strongest of your many."

"I thought Holok didn't have control that long, at least not from the beginning. Or did I misunderstand you?" Dustyn asked.

"No, his reign came centuries after The Fall and The Great Flood. But, you had many lifetimes before Holok gained all of this power. This is why Heaven needs you. You are just three of the Original Human Souls of creation. There were 200, but, approximately 100 fell with Satan and were destroyed with him. That leaves roughly 100 that we the Archangels of Heaven believe still might exist."

"Then what are all of the other human souls on earth?" Angel inquired.

"They are the spiritual offspring of all of the 200 Original Souls, including you three."

Dustyn glanced up toward the sky in feigned mathematical computation. "Then that makes us...great, great...forget it. Some great-to-the-umpteenth degree grandparents. That's a lot of grandkids to give money to on their birthdays."

"I doubt that would be feasible," Michael said with a raised eyebrow.

"It's just a joke, Mike," Dustyn said and shook his head, noting the puzzled angel's expression.

"Ah, I see. Well, I do have one more item to share with you. I was able to save one more Original Soul from Holok at the same time the three of you made it home to Heaven. This means that there are still 96 possible Original Souls walking the Earth."

"Oh! So, you're the one who snagged that spirit orb!" Angel said excitedly. "You were awesome!"

"Thank you and you will get to meet him, soon, but first, I would like to confess something to you three," Michael said and paused as if considering something. "Well, it is this oddly serendipitous event of your arrival that has perplexed all of the  Archangels, including me. An amazing, practically miraculous coincidence of not just one, but, four Original Souls escaping into Heaven all at the same time. If we didn't know any better, this would almost imply that the hand of our father, God himself, was at work in this. Now, if we could assume this might be the case and consider what I am about to propose accordingly, I believe it is finally time."

"Time for what?" Angel inquired curiously.

"Time to implement a plan that I envisioned long ago, but have been unable to pursue due to one thing. "

Danny crossed his arms. "Let us have it. The suspense is killin' me."

Michael in a very un-angel-like burst of excited energy blurted, "The Archangels and I really believe you four would make an excellent team to help us defeat Holok."

"Team? And did you just say defeat Holok?!" Dustyn blurted. "So, you are suggesting we, as in us three and the mysterious other guy, are going to fight that big ol' golden cloud thing and try to destroy it!?!!"

Michael nodded. "Yes, but not alone. Your part would be recovering the rest of the Original Souls. Rescuing them from Holok's grip. And then when you have returned as many as possible, together you can begin to destroy all of the Grigori that feeds the evil Holok. Eventually, as he becomes weak enough, we Archangels can fight him. If we all work together, we might have a chance to reopen Heaven."

Dustyn, Angel, and Danny looked at each other in confusion.

Danny spoke first. "Michael, how do we fight those mean-ass angel wannabes? Those Grigori?"

"Yeah, I saw them 'poof' a few souls out there in space!" Dustyn added in concern. "It was awful!"

"I understand your trepidation regarding the matter, but first, let us go meet another member of your party. His name was Bass, then, we will speak of strategy."

"Hey, I like the sound of his name already!" Danny exclaimed.

"That's because it makes you think of fishing, right?" inquired Dustyn, pointing out at the lake.

"No, Lord Stereotype, it's 'cause I have a nice pair of G.H. Bass penny loafers that I would wear when me and the missus would go out to eat. She bought 'em for me on my birthday a couple of years ago," Danny said, glaring at Dustyn and then walked off following Michael and Angel.

"Lord Stereotype?" Dustyn wondered, mesmerized by the glassy body of water. "Where do you come up with that stuff, Danny? Um, Danny?" He turned and found he was alone. "Hey, where did you all go?"

Michael reappeared and grabbed Dustyn. "Come on, King David!"