1 The LORD God looked out into the world, and he wept. 2 The world suffered under those who called themselves the kings of it. 3 They were great men of the past, before being wiped by the cleansing flood. Though they were eradicated, their nature resurged in the men of the Postdiluvian. 4 The kings of the world, claiming to be the “Nephilim” amongst themselves, believed themselves to be above humanity. 5 They posed as the savior of the people, and turned many of the flock away from the LORD. 6 This enraged the LORD, who looked to his angels and spoke.
7 “I will make them regret that they have ever sought to harm the innocent, 8 They will regret that they have ever tried to proclaim themselves as greater than me, by turning my flock away. 9 Hellfire will rain upon their towers of glass, upon their strongholds of concrete and pain built upon my children’s lifeblood.” 10 So God commanded Metatron, “You will document all occurs, you will be my witness in Heaven for this apocalypse.” 11 And God commanded Michael, “You will lead the people of God to safety before the apocalypse.” 12 And God commanded Gabriel, “You will tell the Nephilim that they may all repent or be taken in the Apocalypse.” 13 And God commanded Israfil, “You will not sound the horn of Judgement Day, for this is not the end. Instead, you will sing from the heavens as we begin our attack.”
14 Then the LORD began preparing the forces of Heaven for his revenge on the Nephilim. 15 The angels of war armed themselves with arrows of flaming wrath, the angels of peace moved unto the world and appeared to those manipulated by the Nephilim, begging them to repent. 16 The angels of God, Metatron, Michael, Gabriel, and Israfil, began their duties. 17 Michael gathered the people of God, taking them to a sanctuary that the LORD had built for them. 18 Gabriel appeared to the Nephilim, demanding they repent or damn themselves and all they have deceived. 19 Israfil began the song of the apocalypse, and Metatron began documenting all that occurred on the Earth. 20 As Israfil began his singing, the arrows of wrath rained upon the world, flaming and bursting into multiple bursts of giant, flaming anger. They hit the cities where Nephilim resided, the concrete foundations, coalescing into the shape of a mushroom.
Gabriel To The Nephilim
2 Under the orders of the LORD, Gabriel appeared before the Nephilim. 2 In their dreams he came to them, speaking the same message. 3 “If you repent, as God has commanded you, you will be spared of destruction. 4 For if you do not repent, the LORD will strike all of you, in every nation of the world, with his wrath.” 5 One by one he spoke unto the Nephilim, and they spoke back.
6 They denied his grace, denied his plea for redemption. Eventually, he came to his final message, speaking to the King of the Nephilim. 7 The King spoke. “Why would we come unto your LORD? We are not of your Christ, not of the Jews, not of Islam. 8 We are not of any humans, for you are inferior to us. We are better than men. 9 We are superior to your God, as we rule the world. Your LORD cannot stand against our power, for He is King of the Sheep, and we are the King of all in the World. 10 Gabriel looked upon the king of the Nephilim, speaking. “I dictate the will of the LORD, you king of pride. 11 The Nephilim will fall, as your pride has blinded to the truth. All the people of God, in whatever form, are the true Israelites. God will bless them with many descendants, while you will die. 12 As I deliver the prayers of those who will suffer to annihilate the corruption you’ve caused, when you finally pray for forgiveness, this will be remembered.”
13 Gabriel touches the forehead of the prideful king, and imparts a vision. 14 Gabriel then ascends to Heaven, leaving the king of the Nephilim with naught but the knowledge of his empire’s inevitable fall. 15 At first, this knowledge did not shake the king of the Nephilim. He believed his dreams to be merely a figment of his own imagination. 16 He was the most prideful of the Nephilim, his empire of hypocrisy and ill-gotten money thriving until the very end.
Michael Leads The Survivors
3 Under the orders of the LORD, Michael sought out the faithful of the world. 2 After searching, Michael found those uncorrupted by the Nephilim, worthy of being saved. 3 He guided Lucas of the tribe of Cathol to a cliffside, where it was decided that the survivors would gather. 4 Of the other men, he guided Jacob of the tribe of Luther, and he guided Ether of the tribe of Mormon. 5 And of the women, he guided Sasha of the tribe of Juda, he guided Layla of the tribe of Islam, and he guided Eliza of the tribe of Pentecost. 6 Of the one not of either gender, he led Astrid of the tribe of Agnost.
7 As they gather near the cliffside, they question what has brought them here. They know not but that they were led by a piercing shriek. 8 Before them, Michael appears, and speaks upon them. “Be not afraid, children of the LORD. 9 I have gathered you here to save you from destruction, as the LORD God has commanded it.” 10 The group was shaken, and they conversed among themselves. Astrid believed themself to be hallucinating, while Ether and Lucas dropped to their knees and began to pray to Michael.
11 “Stand,” spoke Michael, “As I am not to be praised as God, like you try. Allow me to save you, as that is what I have been commanded to do.” 12 Ether and Lucas stand, as Michael cups his hands in prayer. “LORD of all, please bring unto us the path from destructive apocalypse. 13 Lend us your mercy, and create a path for their understanding’s apocalypse instead. 14 We sing our praises to you, LORD, you great and merciful creator.” 15 The cliff splits, a loud creaking coming from the stone as the interior is revealed, a lovely, spacious abode having been created by the LORD. 16 The chosen survivors slowly enter, as Michael speaks to them once more. “You all will survive the apocalypse; rejoice in that fact. 17 However, you must stay in this stronghold for 40 years. It will not be safe to exit for 40 years, but in exchange, you will live as the men of old. Your lives will be long and fruitful.”
18 Michael ascends once more to heaven, as the survivors contemplate what has been revealed. 19 They know not who shall lead them, so they begin to debate. Lucas and Jacob posit their reign as superior, as they are closest to the teachings of Christ. 20 Ether asserts the rule of women to be beneath him, and that Mormon has best kept the teachings and life of Christ, and thus deserves to rule. 21 Sasha and Layla, off-put by the insistence on Christ alone’s validity, propose they vote on who shall lead. Eliza, while she agrees, wishes not to speak on this for fear of mockery. Astrid silently watches the three debating men, contemplating what was to be done.
The Crowning
22 As the LORD prepares for his war against the Nephilim, he takes notice of what is happening in his safe haven. 23 He takes action, a heavenly light beaming into the cavern. “I AM THE LORD, AND YOU WILL CEASE YOUR INFIGHTING.” 24 All in the room shake from the intensity of the voice of God, and silence themselves.
25 “OF YOU, THE MEN HERE ARE NOT FIT TO RULE. YOU FOCUS TOO MUCH ON THE WAYS OF THE OLD, WHEN THE NEW MUST BE EMBRACED. 26 I AM WHO I SAY I AM, AND I SAY YOU WILL ALL TREAT ASTRID AS YOUR RULER. 27 THEY CARRY ON THE COMMANDMENTS BEST OF YOU, AS DO SASHA AND LAYLA. ASTRID SHALL RULE, AND SASHA AND LAYLA SHALL ADVISE THEM. 28 AND SO I SAY: WOMEN AND THOSE NOT OF EITHER GENDER HOLD JUST AS MUCH A CLAIM TO PRIESTHOOD AND RULERSHIP AS MEN. THUS SAITH THE LORD.”
29 And so, in obedience with God, the survivors accepted Astrid’s rule, with Sasha and Layla holding lesser positions of power.
The Chronicle of The End
4 The great apocalypse, as documented by the great Archangel Metatron, is as follows. 2 Before the singing and raining of wrathful arrows began, the LORD demanded seven arguments for the world to be saved. 3 To moderate these, the LORD put Gabriel as the advocate of the world, and Samael as the advocate of the apocalypse.
4 The first argument to not initiate the apocalypse came from Gabriel’s plea to the Nephilim. 5 None repented, and the trial for the world continued. 6 The second argument came from an attempt to show faith still existed– the churches frequented. 7 Samael presented the monetary purpose of the largest churches, and their corrupted message. 8 The third argument came from the good people fighting against the Nephilim. 9 Samael contended the Nephilim had sunk too deeply into every venture. 10 Everything bought funneled into the Nephilim, and their corruption, somehow.
11 The fourth argument came from the beauty the people put into the world. 12 Samael contested this, as they made beautiful art, but it could not contend with the beauty of the natural world that they were destroying, and the people that were dying. 13 The fifth argument came from the worth of human lives. 14 Samael contested that the Nephilim would not ever stop working men to death, making them waste their lives away in their factories. 15 The apocalypse would bring men into the embrace of the LORD, and throw the Nephilim into the arms of the burning plains. 16 The sixth argument came from God’s covenant to Noah. 17 Samael contended that it only applied to the destruction of the world through floods, as well as less and less keeping their end of the covenant.
18 The seventh chance came from Gabriel’s plea. He argued that even though they were broken, the people corrupted by the Nephilim were still human. Gabriel pleaded with God. 19 But the LORD denied this final chance. The corruption was simply too much. 20 As God decided this, Gabriel relented. Samael shook his hand, and they both readied themselves for war. 21 Israfil began his song, and the arrows fired upon the world. As the initial bursts of flame cleared, the Angels of War, led by the Angel of the LORD, charged into the strongholds. 22 The angels tore through all, a destructive force, leaving nothing but the shadows of all they took. 23 As the angels claimed all, the LORD spoke unto them. 24 “THE NEPHILIM HAVE PERISHED. IN THE HONOR OF THOSE INNOCENTS LOST, THIS DAY IS THE APOCALYPSIS. 25 SAY THE NAME, AND KEEP IT HOLY. THIS IS THE ONLY NAMED TO BE USED FOR IT– THUS SAITH THE LORD.”
5 And so, life continued. 2 Eventually, Eliza and Ether were wed, and begat a son. He was named Lehi, for a prophet of old. 3 And all those in the safety of God sent their praises to him for the child in the fifth year of their life in the cavern. 4 Astrid looked upon the child, and felt pangs of envy. They immediately retreated to their chambers, and spoke to God.
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The Apocalypse of Astrid
5 Astrid spoke unto the LORD, lamenting. “God, why do you taunt me so? 6 Though I wish it more than all, I cannot have one of my own. So why, LORD, do you mock me so?” 7 They stand, beginning to prepare for an early night of rest, before being struck by a sight. 8 Before them, they saw two thrones. On one, is seated a lamb. 9 The lamb possessed seven horns atop its head, and seven eyes upon its face, and seven hooves upon its legs.
10 On the other throne sat an old king. 11 The king bore seven military seals upon himself, as well as seven hands wielding seven swords. 12 Upon every wrist laid an eye, seven in total. Seven capes flowed from his back, and seven songs signaled his presence. 13 And seven crowns adorn his head. 14 The throne figures pointed to seven silhouetted figures, one having borne the spikes of a crown, as well as wings. 15 The crowned figure is bowed to by the others, before placing their head in their hands and weeping loudly. 16 The shadows behind them reformed into a crowd, and head still in their hands, the figure died.
17 The other figures loudly wept, yelling why they did so. 18 Some for the figure’s rule. Some for their bravery. Some for their words. But none wept for their lost parent. 19 And though this is such, their message and lineage of spirit carried on. 20 And they awake from this dream, running to speak to the others. 21 “I have had the loveliest dream,” They exclaim. “For I know legacy. I proclaim to you– I am the first prophet among us. 22 We will all shape the world, and we all will be remembered. 23 We are the survivors, and we are the great unity.”
6 Ether, after hearing of the miraculous vision from Astrid, became envious. 2 Lucas and Jacob knew of this envy, and tried to assure him that he would be important in due time. 3 Lucas eventually left to pursue some other activity, and Jacob spoke in a hushed tone to Ether. “Why do you not just lie about a vision?” 4 Ether began to protest, but found himself unable to rebut this question. “Would they not know?” 5 Jacob chuckled. “No, no. You simply need to make it convincing, friend– You’re doing God’s work!” 6 Ether hummed, formulating a story in his mind and speaking. “Thank you Jacob. You truly are a prophet among men.”
7 Ether left his room, speaking to the other survivors of his experience with the angel Moroni, and the appearance of Seph Smith the prophet before him. 8 He claimed that they told him to ensure all the women married, and they all had many children, to carry out God’s will to multiply. 9 This spread unease through Layla and Sasha, and even Lucas seemed unsure about this vision. He remembered the conversation he was in with Ether.
10 Jacob supported this message, trying to encourage the women to accept it. This only furthered their unease, and they went to speak with Astrid. 11 “I am unsure about this vision.” Layla admitted. “It seems off. It’s reasonable, I suppose, but I don’t hold any attraction to men. At least not the ones out there.” 12 Sasha spoke in agreement. “Can you please try to verify this vision, Astrid? It’s… unsettling to me.” 13 They promise to do so, and exit. Ether is in the middle of describing an elaborate chamber the vision was held in, as Astrid pulls him to another room.
13 “If you have had a vision, as you claim, then tell me– How many wings did the angel possess? How many songs did he play for his arrival with a message from the LORD? 14 How many times did he utter the name of God?” Astrid questions, their voice and demeanor utterly calm. 15 Ether, however, began to furiously sweat as he thought of what to say. “Well, he had–” He paused. “Two wings, one song, and not once. For to utter the name of God is heresy, and angels cannot commit such!”
16 Ether chuckles, entirely self-confident, before Astrid laughs with him. “You have not seen an angel, nor have you a vision from God. 17 The LORD does not simply reveal, His messages are esoteric and unknowable in their extents. 18 You expect me to believe that nothing else occurred in this vision but an angel, for something of this importance? Begone with your lies, Ether, or I will expel you to the decimated land outside of the safety of the LORD’s cavern.”
19 And on that day, the Redeemer, sitting upon the throne of Heaven, took notice of the leadership of Astrid, and spoke to the council. 20 “They show a talent for leadership. God does not choose without purpose, of course, and I speak unto you, council. 21 Astrid of Agnost will be our prophet upon the world, and we shall hold no others until they have perished.” 22 And Heaven rejoiced.
Samael’s Heresy
7 Ten years into their life inside of the cavern of God, all was well. 2 Sasha and Layla begat a daughter, who they named Anya. 3 Ether and Eliza begat a second son, who they named Seph, in honor of the prophet of Mormon. 4 Lucas and Jacob entered into a covenant, and were gifted a child by the LORD. The child was named Mark, after an apostle of the Christ.
5 Having questioned the fact that they have lived in comfort for a decade, the angel Samael speaks to the LORD. “May I cast upon them a trial, to truly test if their faith is genuine?” 6 God contemplates, and refuses. He has promised them comfort, and will not renege on his word. 7 Samael relents and flies away. He flies all the way to the burning land of the Earth below, and speaks to the ruler of the realm. 8 “I request you bring upon the survivors a trial, to test their faith.” Samael speaks. 9 Iblis the Morningstar agrees, as he looks upon the cavern that was created for the chosen. Having surveyed, he decides on his course of action.
10 He casts an affliction upon the three newborn children, causing them to profusely vomit and become pale like death. 11 The chosen survivors panic at the discovery of the illness, as Astrid swears to cure the three children. 12 First, they read a prayer from the Holy Bible. Iblis keeps Astrid’s voice from speaking the words properly, and they move on. 13 Next, try to render a prayer from the Gospel of the Mormon, to which Iblis causes the book to slip from their hands, and become lost in the room. 14 Finally, they attempted a reading from the Quran, to which Iblis caused it to be thrown into water, though it was unharmed by any of Iblis’ actions
15 Astrid, now certain of unseemly influence in this, looks around the room, possessing nobody but the sickly children and themself, and speaks, their voice quivering with power. 16 “Show yourself to me, spirit of evil. You cannot do anything to me that cannot be cured by God, so show yourself and begone before I call upon him to annihilate you.” 17 For but a moment Iblis considered the potential danger in remaining, but due to his pride, he did not falter in his attempts. So Astrid prayed to the LORD, and begged for his aid. 18 Now aware of trouble in his paradise, God looks down into the cavern, and demands all lies to be cast away, leaving Iblis exposed. Astrid looked upon him, and began to speak prayers from all they know, casting him out of the cavern.
19 God ensures all is well, giving the gift of healing unto Sasha of Juda, to ensure that none in His abode will ever remain sick. 20 Returning to Heaven, he finds Samael, and speaks unto him. “I KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, SAMAEL. FOR YOUR DISOBEDIENCE ON MY DIRECT WORD, YOU WILL NO LONGER BEAR ‘EL’, THE HOLIEST OF NAMES, IN YOURS. 21 YOU ARE NOW SAMA, LOWEST OF THE ANGELS.” 22 And Sama wept, for he was nothing.
8 Now 21 years into their life in the cavern, the survivors have done not but argue. 2 They only bicker at each other, mediated only by Astrid and their intense calm radiating over the survivors. 3 The LORD looks upon the bunker, turning His mind to them, and observes. 4 Michael, in his duty of standing guard beside God’s throne, speaks. 5 “Why do they fight amongst themselves so, my LORD? Why do they argue so violently?”
6 And God responded, “FOR THEY ARE HUMAN, AND HUMANS ARE ALL BUT PERFECT, AS WE HAVE CREATED THEM SO.” 7 Michael spoke, confused, “Why do we not make them perfectly harmonious with each other, then, my LORD?” 8 “FOR THAT WOULD BE A SIN OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, TO TAKE THE WILL THAT MAKES THEM HUMAN. 9 THEY MUST BETTER THEMSELVES TO FIND PEACE IN THE WORLD.” God declared.
The Apocalypsis and The Feast
9 28 years into the life of the survivors in the cavern of the LORD, Layla and Sasha found themselves in a crisis. 2 They had found that they were unsatisfied with the years, as there was nothing to look forward to except the end of their lives in the safe haven. The only thing that came close was the day when all others in the world perished. 3 Sasha spoke. “Perhaps we may celebrate the Apocalypsis in a more formal manner, and establish traditions– Maybe a feast?” 4 Layla responded, “But we are to keep it Holy. Would fasting not make more sense, as to meditate on the sacrifice of those taken to destroy evil?”
5 They spoke more on the issue, eventually becoming deadlocked in the issue. Neither could decide on the proper tradition to be formed. 6 Instead, they go to Lucas and Jacob, not wishing to disturb Astrid with their troubles. 7 Lucas and Jacob came to agree that they needed something worth celebrating in the year, but both groups sought different things to celebrate. 8 Lucas and Jacob believed it should be the Resurrection and Death of Christ, while Sasha and Layla thought it should be related to the Apocalypsis. 9 For while the others thought him God, Sasha and Layla saw him as a teacher, perhaps a prophet, but nothing more.
10 In a moment, Astrid entered, Eliza and Ether straying behind. They had experienced a vision together, soaked in sweat, and declared unto the survivors: “I have been called to the throne of God. 11 God sat before me, and to his right, sat the one called Christ. 12 He was the right hand of God. He spoke, telling me of his ascension to the LORD’s highest servant, subservient only to him. 13 He ruled over the chosen people, he was their savior, their lamb. 14 He told me, my friends, that we need only accept the LORD, and we should give our praises unto him on a special day. 15 So, I speak to all of you– We will mourn the Apocalypsis, the 26th day of the 1st month, and we will thank the lost. The next day will be the day of survival. 16 On that day, we will celebrate our life and give our praises unto the LORD with feasting and merriment.” And it was so.
10 35 years into life inside of the cavern of God, the survivors were left with nothing to do but wait. 2 Eliza and Astrid sat together, consummating their friendship. 3 Ether did the same, embracing them both, as a voice called out to them. 4 The lovely voice spoke, “Hark, Prophet, for I am Metatron, Prince of Heaven. 5 I call upon you, Prophet Astrid, to hear my words and give them to future generations. 6 I compel you to know the angels in Heaven, as well as the One True God, to know our work and His work, and to share them with your flock.” 7 Holy Metatron faded, as Astrid sank into the arms of Eliza and Ether.
The Ascension
8 As the Prophet looked, they saw the beautiful spires and walls of the Kingdom of Heaven. They entered the castle of Heaven, which bore seven levels, each with seven hundred and seventy-seven more pieces of gold adorning it than the last, each more and more divine. 10 In the first level sat the choir of Heaven, closest to Earth in order to sing to the world in the form of all sounds not made by a man. 11 Israfil sat on the throne, speaking. “Praise to the Prophet of God. Know the rewards of God.” As Astrid passed.
12 In the second level sat the Angels of War, the throne occupied by Michael. 13 “Prophet,” He spoke. “We felled the Nephilim for you and your flock. Look upon their corpses, and know the power of God.” 14 In the third level sat the Angels of Peace, praying in their abode, lighting and raising candles to Astrid. 15 On the throne sat Azazel, a cloak of white and a visage of the human skull upon his face. “We took those deceived by the Nephilim away in their sleep. Know the mercy of God.”
16 In the fourth level was the residence of the scribes of Heaven. They did not stop their writing with the appearance of the Prophet. 17 On the throne sat Metatron, around whom multiple pages wrote themselves, documenting all. “When you truly ascend, you may learn all. Know the knowledge of God.” 18 The fifth level housed the Guardians of the Chosen People. They pounded their chests in the presence of the prophet. 19 Gabriel sat upon the throne, kneeling to Astrid. “You are the one whose people we are sworn to protect. Know the honor of God.”
20 In the sixth level were the heralds of God. They sang praises to Astrid as they entered, in harmony with the praises to God. 21 Sitting on the throne was the Angel of the LORD. The Angel stood, and turned its side to Astrid. On the back of its body was the Angel of the Presence. Both spoke as one. “WE DELIVER NEWS OF GOD. YOU ARE WHO WE GIFT THIS NEWS TO. KNOW GOD.” 22 The Prophet Astrid ascended the final level, standing before all the Prophets of God. There stood Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Moroni, and all the rest. 23 And from the sky came the LORD, who made a declaration unto Astrid. “FOR YOU ARE MY PROPHET UPON THE EARTH, YOU WILL CARRY ON THE LEGACY OF ALL PROPHETS BEFORE YOU.” 24 Astrid responded, “But LORD, do my words not carry enough?” and the LORD said, “NO, FOR MY OTHER FLOCKS STILL TRY TO DENY YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. I WILL PERFORM TWO MIRACLES FOR YOU,” And God placed a hand upon the Prophet, and upon their face was the burn of the LORD’s fiery arrows. 25 “THE SECOND MIRACLE IS A SLEEP. YOU WILL AWAKEN ON THE APOCALYPSIS OF THE FORTIETH YEAR, AND YOU WILL LEAD THE SURVIVORS AND THEIR KIN.” 26 Astrid looked to God, a fear in their eyes. “Why must this be me, God?” 27 The LORD looked upon them, and spoke. “AS JESUS, AND MOSES, AND ALL PROPHETS BEFORE YOU, YOU MUST LEAD. WITHOUT YOU, MY PEOPLE WILL FALL.”
