Realm of the Dead by Donovan Neal Read Free Book Online Page B

still teach me."
    Argoth blushed in anger, "Dost thou think because thou hast knowledge of my people in this way that you are above instruction?  Hast thy knowledge of our past puffed thee up?"
    Enoch stood up to leave and for a moment did not answer. He paused as he approached the library doors and turned to speak over his shoulder. "Pride does not animate my words, Chief of Eyes.  For I see that I have abased myself beyond measure, for angels are truly more powerful, and the gifts and knowledge thou possess are indeed beyond my own, yet in this one thing are we the same. You are not immune to pride nor foolishness.  In this, your people and my own are no different.  For I perceive that all have the choice to be self-ruled or ruled by the God I serve.  Positions are meaningless when thy very breath is a gift from the Almighty.  In this, thy people have lacked understanding...in this, thou hast erred, for thy proximity to God hath blinded thee to think thou art superior, yea even to one another.  Yet all of us are nothing more than the benevolent thoughts of our King.  Your people do not know this.  My people will teach you this."
    Argoth stood speechless and watched Enoch exit the room.

Chapter Three
    Complicity
    Iblis paced his room and felt his faculties diminishing.  Erratic thoughts raced through his mind. He could feel the encroachment of the Withering eat at him.  He had seen it before.  The slow demise of rational thought.  The inability to focus.  He thought himself immune to its effects but realized that was not so.  He pulled his hands from his robes to view them.  The tremors were more pronounced now. He quickly tucked them back into his robes.
    Only a little while longer, he thought.  I only need to hold on until El heals me.  Surely He will see my works of repentance and bring relief.
    Iblis paced back and forth in his room. Was Heaven aware that he carried the Withering?  He remembered how it affected his master, Marduk, and how it had driven the principality mad. His powers and faculties caused him to drive Babylon into superstition and magic.  Even Lucifer had to take pause and send Zeus to curtail his grossness, lest he draw the ire of Heaven, but it was too late.  Babylon was no more, and the nation that Lucifer used to destroy Israel was obliterated by El's wrath. For Babylon was broken against Grecia, and Marduk had fled into hiding. 
    A "click" sound came from the cell door and Iblis stopped in his ruminations. "Ahh dinner," he said.
    Two guards entered. One held a key and a chain while the other entered the room with a tray of manna leaf and warmed shill, a type of sweetened water.
    "I am famished.  It is amazing to me that you are so faithful in your duties.  I thank you."
    The guard with the tray placed it on the desk in the room and spoke, "Do not speak to me, traitor.  If I had my way, I would run you through with my sword."
    Iblis looked upon him with surprise and frowned in offense. "Me? Traitor?  Have you not heard of the information that I have shared with Michael and the Lumazi about Lucifer's schemes?"  Iblis walked towards the guards with open arms gesturing for an embrace.
    The solider backed away warily. "Do not presume to touch me unless you care to join your brothers in oblivion."
    Iblis stopped, smiled, and then proceeded to return to his table to eat his meal.
    The guard also turned and started to cough.  He covered his mouth, surprised that he found himself coughing even the more.  He looked upon Iblis, scowled, and walked past his partner, hacking. His comrade closed the door and locked it behind him.
    Iblis sat down to eat his plate of manna leaf, listening to a guard outside his door asking the other if he was alright. Still chewing his food, he glanced to where the tray wielding guard had started hacking and noticed specks of blue blood on the floor. He paused, then continued to chew his food, and spoke aloud with food in his mouth. "You really ought to