Jesus Triumphant (Chronicles of the Nephilim Book 8) (20 page)

Remiel tried to make sense of it, but he fell to his knees, under the deep spell of the poison.

Through his blurry vision, he saw a huge black head, a serpent’s head watching him from the dark corner. He thought,
Ningishzida
. Everything went black.

Pan was a god of nature, and the angels were on his turf. So when Raphael had backed up against a wall, Pan whistled and a hundred roots reached out and grabbed Raphael, wrapping around him like manacles. Hot manacles.

Saraqael did not understand why his nemesis Lilith was not faltering. He had managed to cut her multiple times in their exchange, but she appeared unfazed. How much longer could he go if she could not be wounded? But how was that even possible? Even divine beings could be wounded.

Howls continued to echo through the chamber as the gods fought onward.

Raphael’s sword arm was free, but he was being squeezed by the burning roots around him. He would cut through some of them and return to his fighting, but then more would grab him. And more of them were on fire, singeing his skin through his leather armor.

Saraqael was tiring. Lilith got one good cut on his arm. He felt the burning slash. It was just enough for her to get an advantage over him.

The demon children tried to attack Raphael like wild dogs, as he held off the raging Pan. It was a losing battle.

The fire above them had become an inferno, burning furiously down the walls.

Saraqael’s weakened condition kept him from seeing another burning timber fall on him from above. It hit him in a burst of flames and knocked him to the floor. Lilith raised her sword high to cut him in half.

Out of the darkness, two javelins whizzed through the air and hit two hyenas at the back of the room. They howled in dying pain. A third javelin hit the third hyena in the head. It was dead instantly.

At the same time, piercing shrieks came from Lilith and the two feminine siblings. The demon children dropped dead to the floor.

Lilith suddenly manifested all the wounds that Saraqael had managed to inflict upon her which had previously not shown at all. They overwhelmed her and she dropped to the floor in a quivering heap of cuts, bleeding profusely.

Saraqael looked to the sanctuary entrance. Gabriel and Uriel entered the chamber and drew their swords. Their brothers had healed and come to their rescue.

Gabriel dispatched Pan in moments, as Raphael cut himself free from the enchanted, flaming roots.

The angels bound the god with Cherubim hair.

Saraqael pressed a hand over his wound and rose. “Am I glad to see you two.” Behind Saraqael the huge, black serpent slithered out of the darkness. It rose up to chomp him from behind.

Before it could launch at its prey, two swords criss-crossed themselves and cut off the head of the titanic snake. It dropped to the floor at Uriel’s feet.

“You are very welcome,” said Uriel as he tied up Lilith with Cherubim bonds. “But I do believe Gabriel and I are owed an explanation and apology for being unceremoniously ditched to burn up in the flames.”

Saraqael said, “Talk to Raphael. Executive decision.”

Raphael complained, “You all agreed with me.”

“Raphael,” said Gabriel.

Raphael continued, “We prioritized the mission as Yahweh told us to.” Remiel and Raguel groggily pushed themselves up from the floor.

“Raphael.”

“I didn’t know the flames would burn this deep.”

“Raphael!”

Raphael turned to Gabriel, who was looking at him with a big grin.

“We’re teasing you. It’s only a joke.”

Uriel added, “Of course you did the right thing, you lunkhead. We would have left you behind as well.” Raphael frowned.

Gabriel glanced upward. “Angels! Move!”

The fiery ceiling above them finally gave way. It began to cave in on them.

They found a last burst of energy to drag their wounded selves and the bound gods into the tunnel.

The ceiling collapsed into the sanctuary like a crashing fiery furnace, burning everything in its wake.

The angels and their prisoners landed inside the tunnel in a pile of arms and legs, as a wave of scorching air blew over them, singeing hair and skin.

Raphael looked at Gabriel and Uriel. “You two and your silly bantering. Now I know why Jesus is fed up with it. It’s going to get us trapped one day.”

“But we did save you, Raphael,” said Uriel with a grin.

Gabriel added, “That’s got to count for something, don’t you think?”

Raphael sighed.

Everyone got up and brushed themselves off.

A thought hit Raphael. “How did you know the weakness of Lilith and her demon spawn?”

Gabriel said, “Enoch and Methuselah ran into them in their day. The hyenas were daemon avatars. Animal spirits that accompany the gods and carry their vital force within them. That is why you could not vanquish them without killing their daemon.”

Saraqael complained, “Why did you not inform us of such an important detail?”

“I am sorry,” replied Gabriel. “It had slipped my mind.”

“For a couple of millennia,” griped Saraqael.

Uriel jumped in, “Saraqael, if you remember those days, we were all a bit consumed with more pressing matters, like the War on Eden.”

Gabriel said, “I was going to tell everyone right before Ningishzida took me out.”

Uriel said, “We better stop gabbing and get these gods to their destination, or our bantering just may get us trapped.”

The six of them, wounded and exhausted, carried the gods down to Tartarus.

“Jesus! Jesus!” Mary Magdalene could see him across the camp. But several men kept her and her female guests from getting any closer. One of them was Peter.

“I am sorry, but the rabbi is busy and we cannot allow everyone who wants to see him to take up his time. Least of all, women.”

“But I was with the Lord in the Cave of Pan. Ask him. I am Mary Magdalene.”

Peter’s eyes went wider. He hadn’t recognized the Ob without her exotic make up and priestess outfit. This Mary was dressed in plain clothes, though the women with her were not. They were aristocracy of some kind, and quite Greek in their dress.

“All the more reason,” he said. “A woman of your background and reputation has no business with the rabbi.”

From behind Peter came the words, “On the contrary, Peter, she has much business with me.”

Peter and the men turned to see Jesus behind them with Simon.

Peter stepped over to him and whispered, “But rabbi, she is the Ob priestess. She is no doubt full of demons.”

Jesus whispered to him, “Seven. She actually had seven demons. I already cast them out.”

Peter said, “But, women? What business can we have with them?”

Jesus said, “We are about to find out.” He leaned in. “Peter, I think you had better reevaluate your low opinion of women in the kingdom of God. They are your fellow heirs of eternal life. You had better get used to their valuable contributions. They may be subordinate to you in their roles, but they are going to share equally with you in your inheritance.”

Peter stood dumbfounded and chastised. Jesus looked at Mary, who was staring wide-eyed at Simon. Jesus leaned over to Simon. “And you had better change your monkish views as well, Simon. I think she has an interest in you.”

Simon had been staring back at Mary with wonder. He turned red with embarrassment.

Jesus drew closer to the women and said with affection. “Greetings, Mary.”

“Greetings, Rabbi. I want you to meet some other women who may be able to help fund your ministry.” She pointed to an older woman with graying hair but a bright smile. “This is Susanna, a seller of fabrics. She is a widow. I told her all about you. She has known me for many years.”

Susanna said, “Thank you for what you’ve done with Mary.”

Jesus placed his hand empathetically on her shoulder and said softly, “I am sorry about your husband. How long has it been?”

Susanna suddenly teared up. She could barely get out, “Four years.”

“You loved him deeply.”

She couldn’t say anything without bursting into tears, so she just nodded her head.

Jesus pulled her close and hugged her.

Peter looked uncomfortable. Such affection in public was not appropriate. People could get the wrong idea.

Jesus pulled away from Susanna and looked at the other woman. “And who is your other friend?”

“Joanna.” Mary then lowered her voice with a quick look around. “She is the wife of Chuza, Herod Antipas’ steward.”

Jesus’s brow raised with interest. Peter and Simon looked around to see if they were being watched.

Joanna said, “I know you must be wary of me. But I assure you, I have been following your travels and teachings, and I believe you are Messiah.”

Peter looked around again to see who was watching them. “She has spies.”

Simon added, “Antipas killed John the Baptizer.”

She tried to allay their fears, “Herod does not know of my interests. My own husband does not know. I’ve told no one, and my servants are believers in you as well.”

“He
is
contagious,” said Simon. He noticed that Mary chuckled at his remark.

Joanna said, “I agree with Jesus. Herod is a vixen.” Vixen was a female fox, which was an insulting political reference to the manipulation of Herod by his own wife.

Simon elbowed Peter and said to him teasingly, “She has attentive spies.”

Another chuckle from Mary, another lifted smile from Simon.

Joanna said, “I have money, earmarked for charity, that I have put aside to help you and your disciples. Pay for food, lodgings, fresh clothes.”

“I will need a donkey when we get to Jerusalem,” said Jesus thoughtfully.

“I can buy you fifty donkeys.”

“Well, Peter,” said Jesus. “Do you know of any men who will provide as much?”

Peter felt like a scolded child. “No, Rabbi.”

Jesus said, “We are certainly in need of finances.”

Peter muttered, “I think Judas is pilfering from the treasury.”

Jesus said, “Nevertheless, I see no reason to reject the help of such beautiful and resourceful women.”

Jesus reached out and hugged Joanna. Another moment of discomfort for Peter.

Simon thought of another comment. “What a funny irony to have Herod on the one hand hunting you, and on the other, funding you.”

He immediately looked to Mary to see her reaction. She giggled.

Simon felt on top of the world.

Jesus turned sober. “Peter, get James and John. We are going up Mount Hermon.”

Simon gulped. Whatever had happened inside that cave, the incident at the Gates of Hades was a breach of the walls. But how could four unarmed commoners make an assault on the stronghold of evil itself?

Longinus waited patiently for Pilate to arrive at the Chamber of Hewn Stone, adjacent to the Court of Priests inside the Temple area in Jerusalem. He had made the trek down to Jerusalem from Galilee in pursuit of his revolutionary Zealots. He had requested that Pilate call a Sanhedrin meeting to address the question of Messiah.

The Sanhedrin of Jerusalem consisted of seventy or so of the city’s elders and leaders, who acted as a supreme judicial court and a political diplomatic link to the Roman governor. As guardians of the public order, they were invested with the authority to try, convict and sentence criminal cases, with one exception: capital crimes. Only Rome had the authority to execute. But even then, Rome often relied upon the Sanhedrin’s legal process before receiving convicted felons for execution.

Longinus could make out two major factions that vied for control of the Sanhedrin council, Sadducees and Pharisees. Sadducees were mostly the rich aristocracy, while the Pharisees had popular support. In the current scenario, the Sadducees seemed to dominate the proceedings with their numbers.

Since Pilate was late, the chattering and small talk had evolved into a full-blown debate between the factions.

These Jews love to argue
, thought Longinus as he observed the group from his seat at the pillared entrance. The Chamber of Hewn Stone was a fairly large, open area in a high-ceilinged room that gave him the impression of loftiness toward heaven, despite the very earthy and emotionally charged argumentation unfolding before him.

He was glad for it. He was glad to get a glimpse into the way they thought and saw the world. Anything to help him figure out the mindset of a rebellious people who seemed to inspire so much trouble for themselves.

They mostly sat around the outer edge of the room with polygonal walls which created a circular structure. At the forefront of the room was a head seat, that looked very much to Longinus like a royal throne, with its framed arch and red curtains displayed behind it. This was the seat of the High Priest, who was currently Caiaphas, a bootlicker of Herod, under Pilate’s direction.

Longinus detested this despicable monkey, not in spite of Caiaphas’ intimate relationship with Pilate, but because of it. The fat and luxury-loving sycophant was an ally of Rome, due to informing on his fellow Jews and keeping them in line. But Longinus still detested anyone who betrayed their own people. He had more respect for the Zealot lunatics and their fanaticism than for subtle serpentine traitors like Caiaphas.

It was Caiaphas who led the current heated debate about some theological difference that seemed quite unimportant to Longinus. It seemed to be one that had a long history to it.

Ridiculous
, he thought.

Caiaphas said, “Order! Order! You will please refrain from interruption!” The noisiness calmed down. “Now, Annas, you were trying to say?”

“I am saying that these so-called signs and wonders of Jesus raising a little girl and the man, Lazarus, from the dead are unsubstantiated rumors and legends. There is no resurrection and there is no afterlife spoken of in the Scriptures. Pharisees draw their arguments from non-Scriptural sources and traditions, which we Sadducees simply do not recognize as authoritative. We alone stand on the Word of our God.”

Annas had a snooty arrogance to him.

Another gray-haired gentleman spoke up. Longinus had heard that he was Joseph of Arimathea, another wealthy man, but a Pharisee.

Joseph said, “My brother Annas sounds more like a pagan Greek than a Hebrew.” Some scattered laughs peppered the crowd. Longinus shook his head with contempt.

“Not only does the prophet Daniel clearly speak of a general resurrection of the dead, but Isaiah and our beloved David reveal it to be so. May I quote from the
Scriptures
that Annas and his Sadducees so proudly claim to be the sole beneficiaries of? A Psalm of David: ‘For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.’ And the prophet Isaiah, who, I may remind my illustrious opponents, wrote
Scripture
, said of a Suffering Servant, and I quote,

‘But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities…

And they made his grave with the wicked…

Yet, when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the
Lord
shall prosper in his hand.’”

Annas responded quickly, “My colleague Joseph is taking Scripture out of context. David was speaking metaphorically, and Isaiah’s Suffering Servant is Israel, not Messiah.”

A voice interrupted their debate. “I can see my tardiness has inspired you to discuss the matter of Messiah in my absence.”

Pilate paused at the entrance of the chamber, with his personal guard. Everyone stood in respect.

Longinus saluted Pilate and whispered, “Prefect, sir, their quibbling and bickering only now touched on the subject. You know how they can get carried away.”

“Do I ever.” Pilate looked back around at the council. “You may be seated.”

They took their seats.

Pilate paraded to the center of the room, the center of attention. He snapped his fingers for Longinus to join him.

Pilate looked at Caiaphas and said, “Beside me is Marcus Lucius Longinus. I have tasked him with tracking down some particularly egregious Jewish rebels. One of them goes by the name of Jesus Barabbas. Do you have any intelligence on him?”

Caiaphas said, “No, my prefect.”

“And what of his comrades, the brothers Demas and Gestas Samaras?”

“No, my prefect.”

“What good are you to me, Caiaphas, if you don’t keep on top of your own people, and their rebel leaders?”

“Your eminence,” said Caiaphas, “we have told you everything we know of Amram and Tholomy, as well as the sons of Judas the Galilean. Is Barabbas the leader of the cave-dwellers of Galilee?”

Pilate nodded to Longinus, who replied to the high priest, “Yes. They are considered a separate splinter group of the Zealots.”

Pilate threw out with a laugh, “Yet another ‘splinter group.’ I swear, Caiaphas, if this increases, you may find Caesar himself coming to crush these brigands and the entire nation with them. Then you might take it all a bit more seriously. Would you prefer Caesar take his place in your Temple as god
?”

The whole crowd erupted in shock and muttering at the blasphemy. Pilate’s previous incident of placing Caesar’s standards in the temple was blasphemous enough and still fresh on their minds. The thought of Caesar’s personal presence was too much to consider.

Pilate shouted, “QUIET!” They quieted down.

He said, “And what of this other Jesus, the Nazarene? I heard you mention signs and wonders. Do any believe him to be your Messiah?”

“He is nothing, governor,” said Caiaphas. “They are parlor tricks, and his followers are fishermen and plebs. He speaks nothing of violent overthrow. Merely peculiarities of our laws.”

Pilate looked to Longinus for response, who nodded in agreement.

Pilate said, “I have no more patience for this tripe. If any of these men, be they Barabbas, Amram, Tholomy or even this patsy, the Nazarene, if any of them enter Jerusalem, I want you to immediately alert Longinus, who is now stationed in the Antonia fortress. Am I understood?”

“Yes, my lord,” said Caiaphas.

“Let us go, Longinus.” Pilate turned and left the room with Longinus in tow
.

Outside the room, as Pilate and his soldiers marched away, Longinus stayed behind and hid just around the corner of the open entrance. He wanted to hear what these sniveling little Jews would say behind their backs.

After a few moments of rumbling discontent, Longinus heard Caiaphas command everybody, “Settle down!”

As they settled, he then heard Annas say, “Why did you downplay the Nazarene? You know his influence is on the rise. And the signs and wonders are not being discounted as ‘parlor tricks.’ They are spreading like wildfire. You heard what the prefect said, if this rebellion keeps up, Rome will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Caiaphas’ voice again, “Annas, you know nothing at all. We need to be in control of the information. We let the Jesus movement gain momentum, and the next time he arrives in Jerusalem, he will be significant enough to become our scapegoat, and we the loyal Roman subjects who will in turn be trusted. And with trust comes power.”

In the silence, Longinus imagined Annas with his mouth open in surprise. Yes, the high priest had actually had an original thought in his head, utterly self-serving thought it may be.

Caiaphas concluded, “It is better that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”

Interesting
, thought Longinus.
That crafty Caiaphas is scheming to place all the unrest symbolically upon the back of the Nazarene and away from the rest of the Jews. How easily the vermin gives up his own. A pity the high priest doesn’t know anything about Demas and Gestas. I would have them by now. Well, regardless. They will eventually come to Jerusalem, and when they do, I will be waiting for them
.