Battle Storm (The Battle Series Book 2) Read online

  Slowly, ever so deliberately, she opened her green eyes and gasped. Tears welled in her eyes once again. Her scalp tingled at the miraculous sight. Angels were everywhere; hundreds of them, too many to count, flanked the canoe. Some swam alongside and pushed the canoe through the stream, while others hovered above the water in front and behind. A few intersected their wings over the canoe as if hiding it from view.

  These weren’t the stereotypical cupid angels, the little naked cherubs that carry a tiny bow and arrow. These angels were giant and fierce-looking and all business. They each wore a purple surcoat over their shimmering white robes. A slain lamb intersected by a cross formed a coat of arms on each surcoat. These angels were undoubtedly guardians, elite ones by the looks of them. Sara had to shield her eyes with a hand. The intense glow sparkling off the angels’ robes and luminous skin burned her eyes.

  People often say that God always delivers right on time. She often said the same thing. But confusion and grief tugged at her belief in His timely providence. Why didn’t you send these angels five minutes ago, God? I might not be a widow now if you had.

  “What do you see, Mom?”

  Sara forced a smile onto her face. She reached into the tin and gave Spencer a piece of manna. “Instead of telling you what I see, I will show you.” She watched Spencer nibble on the manna. He was a picky eater and chewed warily, eating even slower than usual. She grinned when she saw his dark eyes grow large.

  “The angels are awesome, Mom! And they’re pushing the canoe!” Spencer exclaimed.

  Sara looked at Webb. “Thank-you,” she said quietly. He nodded and wiped at his eyes, surprising her. She remembered Webb as a brash tough guy that took nothing serious. Maybe he really has changed, she thought. Sara took a deep breath. She tried to relax. Her emotions were all over the place, but protected by an army of guardian angels, she at least felt safe.

  Sara closed her eyes, hoping that keeping them closed would dry up her tears. With her eyes closed her other senses increased. Sara noticed a pleasant smell in the underground air. She tried to place the aroma, and finally decided on a combination of saffron and cinnamon. She wondered if holiness gave off an aroma. In her encounters with demons back in the Utah slot canyons she remembered smelling sulfur. Maybe I smell the scent of heaven. The pleasant thought almost brought a grin to her face. Lord, why don’t you just bring your followers home? We all groan for it to happen.

  For several minutes no one said anything. Besides the angels, awkwardness hung over the canoe. Sara used the silence to help her concentration. She tried to picture Andrew’s face in her mind. She thought of his wavy dark hair, his beard and brown eyes, his laugh lines. She tried to burn his features into her mind. She didn’t have a picture of him with her and didn’t want to forget anything about him. She imagined Andrew talking, telling a story, saying a prayer. She didn’t want to forget how his voice sounded, especially his laugh. Andrew’s laugh had always been like music to her ears.

  Sara felt a hand touch her shoulder. She assumed it was Spencer and opened her eyes. But when her eyes fluttered open she found an angel looking back at her. “You have reached the exit, Sara. From here on out your journey will take place in the air,” the angel said in a voice powerful enough to shake the cave walls.

  “Are we going to heaven?” Sara asked. They had stopped at a bend in the stream. The angels stood around the canoe in a circle, forming an impenetrable phalanx.

  “Not today. You will learn of your destination shortly.”

  Sara looked around. She scanned the cave walls “I don’t see the exit.”

  “It’s hidden. You have to look closely and find the cleft,” the angel explained.

  “I think I see it, Sara,” Webb said. He pointed at a section of the cave wall. “It’s like an illusion. Do you see the fissure that runs vertically from the ceiling to the floor?”

  Sara inspected the cave wall more closely. She found the fissure. “I see it.” She turned to the angel to ask him a question, but he was gone. And so were the other angels. Where did they go so fast? “Spencer, did you see where the angels went?”

  Spencer nodded and grinned. “They flew through the walls and ceiling. It was cool.”

  “I guess this is where we get out.” Sara packed the manna tin back into her backpack and slung her arms through the loops. “Come on, Spencer. We have to go quickly.”

  They climbed out of the canoe. Webb touched Sara on the arm. “I’m going with you. I made a promise to your husband that I would look after you and Spencer should anything happen to him. Nothing can stop me from fulfilling that promise.”

  She looked at the determination blazing in the big man’s eyes. A lump formed in Sara’s throat. She nodded quickly. “Thank you, Coleton. I welcome your company. I’m sure Spencer will too.”

  The fissure spanned only two feet across at its widest. They had to turn their bodies sideways to make it through. As soon as they made it through the fissure, Sara heard the whine from a helicopter motor starting up. Sitting nearby in a small clearing, the helicopter readied for takeoff. All its running lights were turned off. Sara could barely see it in the early morning fog. She looked at Webb. “That’s not the police helicopter is it?”

  Webb shook his head. “No, I don’t see a spotlight on it. I think it’s our ride out of here.”

  A tall man materialized from the fog and walked up to them. Sara recognized Gabriel. So far she had only seen Gabriel in his human disguise, for which she was glad. Standing every bit of seven-feet tall, Gabriel was imposing enough looking like a human.

  “You must hurry. Your pursuers are gaining on you. Get in the helicopter. We have much to go over,” Gabriel said, his voice commanding.

  Sara nodded and broke into a jog. She lowered her head instinctively when she reached the chopper and its spinning rotor blades. She helped Spencer into the cabin, and then climbed in herself. Webb followed close behind. The pilot and the copilot smiled at her sympathetically. Her heart jumped when she recognized Kyle Miller and Cody Hosmer. The two had helped her and Andrew and Webb battle the demons in the Utah slot canyons.

  Cody Hosmer looked at her sadly. “Gabriel told us what happened. I’m sorry for your loss, Sara. A day hasn’t gone by that I don’t think of Andrew. He was a special person. The world won’t be the same.”

  “You talk of Andrew as if he no longer exists. He’s been taken up to heaven. He’s more alive than all of you,” Gabriel said sternly to them. “Do not cling to your earthly lives. Your life here is only the beginning,” he added.

  Sara nodded sheepishly. She looked at Cody. “What are you two doing here? How did you know we needed a getaway helicopter?”

  “Kyle is a missionary pilot. And I’m training to become one. We airlift supplies and passengers to New Guinea. We’ve been doing that for almost two years. Gabriel visited us about a week ago and told us to come here. He gave us these coordinates and told us to be here at this time.”

  “I hope you don’t get arrested for helping us,” Sara said, suddenly realizing how hungry and tired she felt.

  “We won’t get caught. God is with us.” Cody looked over at Gabriel, who took up most of the cabin space. “And so is an angel.”

  The helicopter lifted off the ground and took off through the fog, barely clearing the trees. Sara spied a stack of blankets on the cabin floor. She gave one to Spencer, and then wrapped another around her shoulders. She shivered as she waited for the woolen blanket to trap her body heat. She looked out the window. Far to the west she spotted the police helicopter. She didn’t think the police would spot them since Kyle flew their helicopter discreetly without any lights. He could only see to fly with the aid of his night-vision goggles.

  Gabriel handed her a container. “There’s food inside. You need to eat to keep your strength up. After you three have eaten I will tell you what to expect from here on out. I will also teach you a new language.”

  Sara opened the container, half expecting more manna. But instea
d she found sandwiches. She gave one to Spencer and Webb, and then took the last one for herself. She bit into the sandwich, relishing the taste of meat and cheese. She was surprised she could eat after what happened. She ate quickly but then halfway through the sandwich stopped eating. She didn’t want to get sick. Her emotions always wreaked havoc with her stomach, especially when she was upset. Gabriel started talking again. And they all listened intently, including Spencer.

  “New Guinea is a large island, second only to Greenland in island landmass. Because of its rugged terrain and thick rainforests the island is sparsely populated. Many of the native people groups have never heard the name Jesus spoken. Missionaries are there trying to educate the people. But their task is difficult. There are nearly 1000 people groups, and each people group has their own language. The languages are hard to learn and there are precious few books available to help you understand and communicate with the people.

  “Make no mistake, Papua New Guinea is a dark place. Witchcraft and sorcery are widely practiced, and occasionally cannibalism. But you needn’t worry about that. You will have protection. You won’t see us…but we’ll be there. You also needn’t worry about being discovered by the authorities. The rainforest will hide you sufficiently. Kyle and Cody will periodically drop you provisions and anything else you request.”

  Gabriel paused and looked at them deeply, his cerulean eyes blazed. “You three will work at evangelizing the Korowai tribe. A gift has been given to each of you, a gift of understanding. This gift has lain dormant until now. You have been given the ability to grasp the Korowai language. You will learn it quicker than other missionaries who have studied the language for years. In fact, you will help another missionary family already there, struggling to communicate with the Korowai people.”

  Sara interrupted the one-sided conversation. “Do these other missionaries know we’re coming?”

  Gabriel nodded his regal head. “Their organization has notified them.”

  Sara pushed back her bangs. “How long will we be in Papua New Guinea?”

  “I do not know. That is unimportant. Now, for the remainder of this very long trip, a trip that will include multiple stops for refueling, I will teach you the basics of the Korowai language. By the time you arrive you will have mastered the basics. Your goal is to befriend the Korowai people and tell them the creation story and the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection.”

  Webb looked over at Sara, and then at Gabriel. “Do we use the same names we have now?”

  “You will use your same first names. But your last name is Marshall. You and Sara are brother and sister.” Gabriel looked at Sara. “If you are asked, tell the truth. You are a widow and Spencer is your son.” Gabriel removed a vial of powder from a jacket pocket and handed it to her. “Each of you needs to put a small amount of this powder under your tongue for the first thirty days you are in the rainforest. Let the powder dissolve under your tongue. The powder is bitter and unpleasant, but you run a great risk of malaria and tuberculosis if you don’t take it. Spencer is especially at risk for the diseases. Do you have any more questions?”

  Sara shook her head. “I can’t think of any right now.”

  “Good, then it is time for me to teach you a new language. I ask that you pay attention, and that you do not interrupt until I give you permission. Here is your first word.”

  Chapter 45

  Heaven—that same moment

  With the two angels flanking him, Andrew Maddix stood at the entrance to heaven and looked up, way up. The iridescent gate soared high above him like an ocean cliff rising off a rocky beach. The gate wasn’t shaped like a pearl, but was unmistakably constructed from the same lustrous material. From studying Revelation, he knew that somewhere there were eleven more gates, each gate constructed from a single pearl and guarded by an angel.

  The great wall surrounding heaven shimmered like a gemstone. Maddix could tell that God somehow created the entire wall from jasper. But near the wall’s base were twelve layers or foundations. Each foundation was made from a precious gem. None of the foundations repeated; each layer constructed from its own gemstone. In his earthly life he always thought the wall sounded gaudy looking when he read about it. But the bejeweled wall—standing 216 feet thick—was simply perfect, an architectural masterpiece, and a feast for the eyes.

  Just standing there and marveling at the radiant wall, Maddix could tell that his mind operated differently. It had been glorified at some point during the trip up here. Otherwise his earthly mind would have been overwhelmed by the wall’s magnificence. If the wall is this beautiful, I can’t wait to see the city, he thought.

  “Andrew, hold out your hand,” the angel on his left commanded.

  Maddix did as he was told. He held out his right hand. The angel placed a white stone into Maddix’s palm and closed it shut.

  “Do not lose this stone, Andrew. The white stone is symbolic of your acquittal from sin and your victory over the devil. It also symbolizes your admittance into the marriage supper of the Lamb,” the angel explained.

  Maddix looked at the stone. The flat stone resembled quartz, or perhaps even diamond. He saw his name chiseled onto it. The name was different than his earthly name. He placed the white stone into a pocket on his robe.

  Until now Maddix hadn’t even realized he wore a robe. The luxurious robe hung a little past his ankles and glittered like snowflakes on a clear day. The white garment appeared to be woven from some sort of linen material. He found the robe comfortable and unrestricting.

  “From this point on someone else will escort you into heaven. Someone you know has requested this privilege,” the angel said, looking at Maddix with an approving look. Just then the gate swung open. As the gate opened golden light beams leaked out. A figure stepped through the gateway and faced Maddix. He recognized the person despite their drastically changed appearance. Maddix stood face to face with his cousin Matthew.

  Matthew lived on earth for only twelve years. Though he’d been a strikingly handsome boy, Matthew suffered from mental retardation and a rare disorder that brought on daily seizures. He never talked and he walked with a herky-jerky gait. In his eternal state, Matthew appeared to be a young man in his prime.

  “Matthew?”

  “Hello, Andrew. Welcome to heaven,” Matthew said, his voice beautiful and intelligent sounding.

  Maddix looked in awe at his cousin. “You can talk. And you walk normally.”

  Matthew smiled a beatific smile. “Of course I can. This is heaven. There are no disabilities or disorders here.” He looked at Maddix’s right leg. “And there are no missing legs either.”

  Maddix looked down at his legs. His lower right leg was no longer missing. And he didn’t wear a prosthetic. He had his right foot and ankle and shin back. He reached down and touched his lower leg for the first time in nearly a decade. He felt like crying tears of joy. But all he could do was smile. Tears weren’t allowed in heaven.

  Matthew eagerly took him by the arm. “Come on, Andrew. I want to show you something,” he urged. Together they entered the city. Right away the golden beams shined onto Maddix. The bright light was everywhere, reflecting off the city’s architecture and warming his skin. When his eyes adjusted to the brightness he quickly noticed all the people gathered on both sides of the street. The crowd instantly started clapping and cheering his name. It was like walking into a surprise birthday party, only instead of twenty to thirty people crowded into a living room, there were several hundred million people cheering his name.

  “Why are they clapping and cheering my name?”

  “Every new arrival to heaven receives a joyous welcome. But your reception is much bigger than usual. You’re receiving a hero’s welcome. All of heaven stopped for a bit to watch you battle Satan and his demons. It was so exciting. You kept us all in suspense. We were all cheering you on and praying for you,” Matthew explained.

  A crowd of witnesses, Maddix thought as he looked all around at the happy and
cheering faces. “But I’m not the real hero here. Shouldn’t they reserve their applause for Jesus?”

  “Oh, this is nothing, Andrew. You just wait until worship service. It’s spectacular.”

  They walked on and on through the gauntlet of cheering saints. Many patted his back and shoulders. Maddix tuned them out after a bit. He wasn’t trying to be rude or unappreciative. He just wanted to see more of heaven. The cubed city soared up over his head as high as he could see, 1,500 miles all told. The transparent buildings glittered like gold under a jeweler’s light. Maddix couldn’t tell if the buildings were actually made of gold or merely glass that looked golden from God’s holy light mirroring off of it. But the Bible said the city was made of gold, and he believed every word to be true.

  The golden light beams reflected off every surface, including the golden street he and Matthew walked on. A river flowed through the middle of the great street. Fruit trees flanked each side of the crystalline river. Somehow the beauty didn’t overwhelm him. His transformed mind took it all in. He admired the sights wherever there was a break in the crowd. Countryside and city met together, melding in perfect harmony. Maddix looked at new species of trees that soared much higher than redwoods. Birds sang and butterflies flew from flower to flower. Large meadows carpeted with lush grass formed perfectly manicured lawns. Waterfalls were plentiful and fountains created meeting places at every street corner.

  Maddix marveled at the heavenly architecture. The greatest architects on earth couldn’t come close to erecting anything to match their aesthetic grandeur. Some buildings hung suspended in midair. Others sat half-hidden in trees. Everything complimented each other. The natural landscape didn’t overwhelm the buildings. And the buildings didn’t overpower the parks surrounding them. Everything belonged together.