prologue

PROLOGUE

Nature defied its creator; the sea was calm and serene, with a gentle breeze whispering across its surface. The nascent sun smiled warmly, without scorching intensity. The sky shone with brilliant radiance, and the morning air strolled gently, swaying the trees. Creatures in the dense forest rested harmoniously, while skylarks fluttered and trilled a melodious song, infusing the morning air with a breathtaking ambiance.

The atmosphere was filled with silent anticipation until the clouds darkened in anger, like a gathering storm; this ominous sign appeared. A thunderstorm and lightning revealed a celestial figure riding a horse; his eyes gleamed like brilliant emeralds, his hair finely crested. His garment was pristine as snow, and a sword hung on his back. He held a golden scroll, his horse trembling.

Suddenly, arrows suspended in the air shot towards him; a voice from behind quivered. "Behemoths are coming for him. Bring him down," the voice hooted in the air. They drew arrows to trap him, but he defended himself with his sword. When he reached the sea, he stopped, and the behemoths drew near. "I told you, no hiding place for you," one of them sneered. "Now, hand over the scroll." "Never," he replied. "Shoot him," commanded the leader of the behemoths.

They shot arrows, but he summoned the sea breeze to suspend them in mid-air. He struck his horse, and it sprouted mighty wings, flying away with him. He flew to a hill, waiting to deliver the scroll to a monk in a cave, who had been awaiting this day. A bird perched on a tree saw the celestial being and flew back to the cave to inform the monk.

The bird looked sternly at the cave, and a force from its eyes created a hollow space. It reached the old monk, holding a sunflower in its mouth, and conveyed a message. The monk understood the bird's speech and came out of the cave, entering a canoe on the river. He reached the hill and saw the celestial being waiting for him.

"Greetings, oh Richard," said the celestial being. "I come to fulfill the prophecy written many years ago, to deliver the scroll to you. Sons of perdition delayed the mission, but I have battled demons, crossed oceans, and seas to find you. The day we awaited has come, the day our father Jethro prophesied." He gave the scroll to the monk and said, "I have fulfilled my mission; I must go fight the behemoths waiting for me in the first heaven."

"Guide this scroll with your life until the chosen one comes," he said. "Rejoice, oh earth, for new bliss has come," said the monk. The celestial being flew away with his horse, meeting the behemoths in the first heaven. Jehu sent armies on flying horses to aid the seraph in combat. The armies of heaven came down, saying, "Woe to sons of perdition who thought they were greater than their maker."

The monk returned to the cave with the scroll and the power of the amulet, shutting the entrance with a cloud to prevent intruders. The cave became invisible to mortal eyes. When he entered, monks came out of their tents, seeing the precious scroll dazzling in glory, and bowed. The scroll was laid in a tabernacle surrounded by six-winged creatures. A voice like a night wasp was heard, and resplendent beings encircled the scroll like glorious light, humming like skylarks.

The monks bowed, reverenced, and marveled at the fulfilled prophecy inscribed in Jethro's sacred papyrus.