The PulseTeam, Book Two: Evolution

Chapter Thirteen: Adjusting To Life With The Elves

Part One: "I Need Thee..."

The StealthOps House | Sylvanoria, Elf Territory
Wednesday, July 5, 2034 | 13:00 EST

It's been over a month, and Asune still hasn't found the spell to undo her mistake. I don't care either way, but I can tell she does. And if she's not careful, this could ruin her sanity. So, each day, when we're not doing missions, I've made mandatory a two-hour, minimum, relaxation period. Outside of that, we train, buy food, and just generally try to make ourselves useful while we're here. But in looking out for the well-being of my teammate, I make sure we all have at least two hours of R&R every day, just so Asune doesn't burn herself out.

This afternoon, as I float up the stairs to our room, I hear a beautiful female voice, singing an old Negro spiritual from back in the days of Black American slavery.

"I need...
Thee, oh...
I need Thee..."

I look through the walls to see Alexa is the only one in our room as of right now.

"E...v'ry hour...
I... need Thee..."

And then it hits me: I think she's praying! But I've never heard one pray via song, before. Read about it, but I've never heard it for myself until now.

"Oh... bless...
Me now...
My Sa...vior...
I... come...
To...
To Thee..."

And even though I don't want to interrupt her prayer, she's touched my heart so that I can't help but close my eyes and accompany her when she repeats. And I know I'm not matching her notes, but I think it sounds fairly good. And when we're finished, I hear her heartbeat right next to me and smell her sweet vanilla fragrance.

"I didn't know you could sing like an angel, Alexa," I say.

"I could say the same for you, David," she shoots back. "You... harmonized with me!"

"I just thought I was off."

"Far from it, my love. You were going up and down with notes that directly complimented mine."

"Well, be that as it may, I apologize if I interrupted your prayer."

"Quite the contrary. I think you made my prayer an even sweeter sound to God's ears. So thank you. Ooh, speaking of which, I've got another one that I just remembered! Would you help me with it?"

"If I can."

"Okay, here it is:

I love you Lord...
And I lift my voice...
To wor...ship... You,
Oh, my soul... rejoice...
Take joy, my King...
In what You hear...
And let it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your ears."

We sing it together, and I'm pretty sure we have made God happy, because an angel that is not Malaya walks out of our room and addresses us, saying, "Fear not, children of the Most High God. I am Michael, the second-in-command to the Godhead, and commander of the Order of the Arcs. Elohim is rejoicing on His throne, because of your pure worship. And He wants you to know that you and your team will not be trapped here, in the SpiritWorld, much longer. You just need to trust in Him."

Michael is easily over seven feet tall with long, jet black hair and piercing blue eyes. The feathers in his wings, like Uncle Gabriel and Malaya, appear to be made from the same metal that is in his armor, and they also appear to be very sharp. He has a muscular build, and very fair skin.

"Wait, back up," I say. "Did you say your name is Michael? As in the ArchAngel whose name means 'Who is like God?' That Michael?"

"Not a lot of people know that. I'm impressed," he replies.