The Kingdom - Page 106/201

"Be on your way Sisakar and trouble him no further as I fear you have begun to believe the lies of your master. This man is near in the eyes of El Elyon and any attack by you is not one fended off by me, but rather by El Elyon. Tell me Sisakar, are you yet so foolish to believe that you can prevail against the Most High and the things which He has purposed to come to pass?"

Sisakar did not answer and quickly moved away from view, but I still felt his foul presence in the city at large. The entire city seemed oppressed by the evil thoughts and prayers of those who walked around unseen by the masses.

It was suddenly as if I could see through all the buildings and structures of the city and only see the evil ones that walked about. The messengers of evil were everywhere and I saw no joy in the faces of their victims that moved about as if rehearsing a play called life.

Noticing the general despondency of almost everyone, something that I hadn't picked up on before, I asked, "Is it just the presence of all these evil ones that oppresses the people or is there something more?"

Urtholan looked upon the city with quiet reflection in his gaze as he spoke, "By their own actions they have distanced themselves from El Elyon until He is but a vague memory in their thoughts. In the houses of some every foul image of idolatry and sacrament of Sheol has been celebrated and welcomed until the freedom that was theirs by right is no more. They are a people in bondage and now their self-elected masters of darkness demand a sacrifice of them."

"What are they sacrificing?"

"The only thing that still retains innocence."

"I don't understand. I………" Abrupt knocking on the door behind me made me suddenly aware of the fact that I was back in my room and that my strange spiritual encounter on the streets below was over.

The door opened and in walked Artaxis with a bright smile, "I see you're admiring the view of our fair city. Tell me, what do you think of it?"

Turning briefly, I glanced back out the window before saying to Artaxis, "I think your city is beautiful and yet I wish I did not see so many temples dedicated to the fallen ones. You would do well to remember El Elyon as a people and forsake those you serve instead.

Then I added, "I can't also help but see that I think Crona would be a more prosperous nation if there was once again peace between it and Philanthia."