My jaw fell open in disbelief as my eyes landed on the center platform, where bodies intertwined in a grotesque display of pleasure, with Aeromonas at its heart. Recoiling from the scene, I turned away swiftly, unable to stomach the reality unfolding before me. Clenching my jaws, I struggled to comprehend the identities of these individuals ...

  A sickening churn erupted in my gut, and I hastily covered my mouth, bolting out of the room. A searing sensation clawed at my throat, and I doubled over, clutching my stomach, every fiber of my being recoiling from the invisible filth surrounding me. “No,” I choked out, my hands frantically skimming the walls of the hall as I fled the wretched scene. “No... NO!”

  Determination surged within me, propelling me forward as I navigated the halls, evading the servants in my frantic race toward my destination.

  Grabbing hold of the rod, I found myself staring at the image of Baal etched upon it. With a surge of frustration and desperation, I slammed it against the idol, feeling the reverberations coursing up my arms. I couldn’t bear to remain in this accursed place any longer.

  Spotting another statue nearby, I let out a primal scream, hurling the rod towards it with all my might. “Fairytale is over!”

  Again and again, I struck at the stone figure, the cement crumbling and scattering in every direction. Leaving a trail of destruction in my wake, I unleashed my fury upon every hall space, every room, until finally reaching the grand foyer. Ignoring the bewildered stares of the keepers, I flung open the front doors with reckless abandon. What could they possibly do? They all still believed me to be Madaline.

  Collapsing onto the edge of the fountain, I placed the rod beside me, gasping for breath. Tremors shook my hands as I gazed up at the night sky, its vast expanse adorned with flickering stars.

  Exhaling a soft sigh, I felt the gentle caress of the wind against my face, tousling my hair.

  “Adoni,” I whispered, my voice barely audible above the rustle of the breeze. “How do you do it? When faced with such blasphemy, roaring like a lion before you, how do you remain so calm?” It was a moment of raw vulnerability, a glimpse beyond the fa?ade I wore, and I feared I might inadvertently reveal my true self. But, the evil of this place threatened to engulf me entirely.

  “Are you bored?” Luminous’s voice cut through the stillness as he emerged from the front door, hands casually tucked into his pockets. “Or was this a fit of rage to grab my attention? If so, consider it grabbed.”

  “I’m sure your god wouldn’t mind missing you for a night,” I retorted, my eyes burning with exhaustion, heavy with weariness.

  “What is it you want, Madaline?”

  Pushing myself off the fountain, I couldn’t contain the turmoil within me any longer. “Every statue removed from this place,” I declared, my voice trembling with determination.

  “That’s nearly impossible,” he countered, his tone filled with offense.

  “Our wedding is tomorrow,” I persisted, the urgency in my voice palpable. “I want flowers in their place — not reminders of death.” With a dismissive gesture, I tossed the rod aside. “You said I could break them, so I did.” I was sick to my core. Every inch of this place reeked of sexual immorality, crawling through its rotting walls, suffocating me with its repulsiveness.

  “What has gotten into you?” Luminous exclaimed, grasping my arm.

  Turning sharply, I shook my head, defiance flashing in my eyes. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

  “Are you sure about that, Madeline?” His voice was laced with challenge.

  In a surge of anger, I pushed him forcefully. “You know nothing about me!”

  His brows furrowed, his expression turning serious as my words cut through the tension. “You’re just a man drowning in death,” I spat, my voice trembling with righteous indignation. “The scent of you makes me sick, and your heart is full of rot.”

  With each word, I pushed him again, the force of my anger propelling me forward. “How dare you! You mock my God with your nauseating mind and laugh in His Holy face! Wake up! Don’t you understand you will be judged by Him and only Him!”

  For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air as he parted his lips, realization dawning upon him that Madaline was no longer within me — I had emerged like a warrior on horseback, ready to defend my king.

  “There you are,” he gasped, a hint of amusement coloring his words. “There is my Madeline Rimes. After all this time, here you are.”

  I clenched my jaw, nostrils flaring as his breath washed over me, his realization sinking in. “Madeline, don’t make this hard on yourself,” he urged, his voice softening. “Either submit or succumb to chains.”

  I turned my cheek slightly, a silent defiance etched in my expression. “You will never make me forget again, Luminous,” I stated firmly. Drawing nearer, I pressed on, “You want the other cheek? Here it is.”

  He grimaced momentarily, then moistened his lips, understanding that I would not tolerate any further mistreatment. His silent anger bore into me as I held his gaze. Leaning in closer, I whispered, “I have never loved you. How could I ever bed a demon?”

  His breath hitched, his self-control beginning to waver. “You and I, we were never — ever yoked,” I declared, shaking my head in disbelief. “This place — every brick, every stone — will become like ash. Heed His warning, Luminous. You want a fight, my Jesus and your demon — this will end with His victory.”

  “Is that a challenge?” he retorted, his tone laced with defiance.

  “That’s a promise.”

  *

  Sharpening my sword, I lifted my voice in prayer to the Lord above. “I know that in exposing myself, all things work for the good of you. Whatever comes next, Lord, on this day, may it glorify you.”

  With resolve coursing through me, I chose to break unity and adorned myself in a white leotard. Slipping into my ballet shoes, I secured my hair in a tight, round bun. Today was meant to be my wedding day, the day of the choosing, but the Lord had other plans.

  Walking to the dining table, I felt the hushed gasps ripple through the room. Luminous raised his eyebrows, a predatory glint in his eyes as he slid his tongue across his front teeth.

  Surveying the room, I came to a halt when I noticed Aeromonas watching me intently. Her gaze never wavered, and a sense of curiosity stirred within me. I locked eyes with her briefly, I quickly looked away. Suddenly, she slammed her hand on the table, her breaths coming out in heavy pants as she let out a loud growl. “Why are you not in unity!”

  “I don’t have to explain myself to you, Aeromonas,” I retorted, refusing to yield to her demands. She scoffed, rising from her chair in a display of fury. Provoking her further, I declared, “Unity is from the depths of hell.”

  Luminous intervened, commanding her to sit back down. “She’s only trying to ruffle your feathers,” he reasoned.

  “You’re serious ... ,” Aeromonas muttered incredulously.

  A wave of jubilation washed over me, and I began to laugh, for the Lord laughed in the faces of the wicked. “How about a dance?” I suggested, lifting my feet off the ground and gracefully executing soft turns, transitioning into battements and then into a gentle pirouette.

  As I danced, whispers of my supposed madness fluttered through the air.

  Repeating the moves, I closed my eyes, embracing the freedom that only my Jesus could provide. With each broken demand, a piece of the chains that bound me shattered. Must I continue to follow wicked demands any longer? NO!

  I came to an abrupt halt, finding Aeromonas standing before me, poised to strike, but a keeper intervened just in time.

  “Luminous,” the keeper addressed him, “What shall I do with the two of them for breaking unity?”

  I gazed past them, meeting Luminous’s astonished gaze as he uttered, “My god, or your God.”

  “What does that mean?” Aeromonas demanded, confusion etched on her features.

  Luminous turned to his father, who could only respond with gentle taps and meaningful glances. Sabrina spoke on his behalf, her voice carrying a solemn weight. “Let this, Baal, transform our master.”

  “What?” Aeromonas exclaimed, her voice rising in panic. “No! I will not be sacrificed!”

  The keepers seized me, but instead of fear, a sense of relief washed over me. Part of me dreaded the thought of being burned alive, yet the prospect of finally being free from this hellish place brought a measure of comfort.

  “Stop,” Luminous commanded, his tone firm. “I will walk her.”

  With that, the keepers released me, and as we made our way toward the fountain, I could hear Aeromonas’s frantic protests echoing in the distance.

  Luminous shook his head in disbelief. “Here I thought today, I’d be marrying you,” he lamented. “Such a beauty you are.” He reached out, gently caressing my face as he continued, “Despite what you said last night — I tried to accept him, I tried to do things your way. Why didn’t it work for me like it does for you and all the others?”

  All I could muster was a quote from Matthew 13: “’A Sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.’” I continued, my voice steady, “Which means, ’When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.’ Jesus called out for you. You said it yourself, Luminous. You’re not forsaking Baal ...”

  With a mixture of sorrow and unwavering confidence in Baal’s victory, Luminous’s expression softened. He looked down briefly before meeting my gaze once more. His voice cracked as he uttered, “Goodbye, Madeline Rimes ...”

  *

  My hands, wrapped in knotted rope, adhered to the pole like they were glued in place. The keepers applied tar to my feet. My chest tightened as sudden fear sliced at my heart. I widened my eyes, scanning the area to find all the keepers and servants gawking at Aeromonas and me; she too was affixed to a pole beside me.

  I searched the crowd for solace but found none. Looking upward, I saw dark clouds forming above, yet even the rumble of thunder failed to bring comfort. My gaze landed on Pauline. She looked at me with a small smile, not in sadness or happiness, but as if she knew something I didn’t.

  Keepers stood before us, torches ablaze. The fire danced around the torches, and as they approached us, Aeromonas cried out to her father in desperation, “Please, oh, Baal. Have I not been faithful to you? Save me. Please, save your servant, show the people that you can save me over her God!”

  My trembling breath gave way to a groan, and a whisper in the wind reached my ears, as if beckoning me. “Jesus Christ – I submit my soul unto you.” I whispered. As His name left my lips, the torches were hurled at our feet.

  As if the memories of the place started to truly sink internally, I understood why Theodore was the way he was. He sold his soul and gave it to Baal – Berith just like Luminous did, not knowing his fate would be imprisonment every time Baal wanted to come through. He didn’t know, and when he came back to his body, there would be no memory of it; he was deceived. They all were deceived, just as I was the moment I chose to forget.

  In sheer shock, I heard her scream piercing the air, the heat in front of me threatening to consume. I closed my eyes and cried out amid her burning flesh, “I repent, my Lord. Forgive me for all the impishness I caused.” I braced myself to be consumed by the fire before me, still hearing her scream and smelling her flesh.

  But as if the fire recognized its limit, it did not reach up to me. It stayed where He had commanded it. Amidst my sin, His gaze hadn’t left me, nor had He turned His face away. In that moment, I realized His mercy beckoned me with every vivid memory that flooded my mind when I had forgotten. In the forgetting He was there, for His eyes are ever watching. He remained faithful, even when I chose to sin. Determined to leave the ninety-nine to seek out the one, He did ? He found me.

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  Ashes of Aeromonas scattered in the wind, landing upon me. Conversation ceased, some even dropping their jaws in disbelief. Then, the rain began to fall, extinguishing the fire at my feet.

  At Luminous’s command, the keeper released me. With trembling hands, I stepped away from the lashing pole.

  As I navigated through the crowd, covered in damp ash, my hair clung to my face. With each step, the people parted in astonishment, creating a clear path to the castle doors. Among the crowd, anger brewed, yet again, for the evil of this place. I stopped and looked around, gazing at the lost.

  ’They need to remember, like you,’ I heard a voice in my heart say. I took a deep breath, and exhaled before I exclaimed, “Baal – Berith is not your god and Theodore is not your master! They have deceived you all! Theodore, if you can hear me, the demon inside of you has deceived you also, but is it too late for you now?”

  I looked to the crowd in anguish and declared to them, “Your identity was stolen from you. You were stolen from your mother, your father – from your brother and sister. Remember who you are! Remember your true names! Come back to the one who knitted you in your womb!”

  Complete silence held in their eyes as if they were in shock. My last attempt to help them remember, I uttered as I saw the ashes of Aeromonas whipped through the air, “Remember what true love feels like. ’Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.’” Raindrops mixed with my tears, I proclaimed the truth, “’Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth! Love never fails!’ Jesus Christ died for us, and He is our faithful master who lives and Elohim, is our God! I have been sent by him to save you from this place … search within in your heart, remember, and call out to Jesus Christ!” I hesitated, drawing a deep breath as I said, “He is coming …”

  The sound of the rain grew louder, yet no one spoke. Discouraged by the silence, a growing laugh drew closer to me.

  I looked up, and, to my surprise, saw Theodore approaching. He clapped slowly, with an amused laugh before saying, “Oh, Madeline, that was phenomenal.” He put his hands in his pockets and raised his nose toward the heavens. “What a show. I see it now …” He looked back at me, and with a spiteful tone, he added, “My poor daughter was right about you – such a sacrifice she gave, but I am healed. Baal never fails me – take her to the bottom …”

  Suddenly, a servant stepped forward, boldness etched into their features. “You put her in bondage — then take me too, for this is not my home. I have no idea where I am!”

  Another voice chimed in, “We’ve been trapped ...”

  Followed by another plea, “Let us out!”

  And yet another cry, “Jesus ... we call out for Jesus!”

  The panic spread like wildfire, reflected in the fear-stricken faces of the families. Theodore, attempting to quell the unrest, raised his hands in a gesture of calm. “Calm down, my children! This has all been a great misunderstanding.”

  But before his words could soothe the chaos, a rock was hurled at his head, cutting through the air with a violent force.

  A servant’s voice rang out accusingly, “You enslaved us! Gave us a choice to forget or to die!”

  Sass exclaimed, “You turned me into a monster.”

  Tauriel added, his voice heavy with remorse, “How can I ever forgive myself?”

  Amidst the tumult, I found myself overcome with laughter, tears of joy streaming down my cheeks. Locking eyes with Theodore, I declared, “Jesus’s name is above all other names, and He always saves the oppressed.”

  Gritting his teeth, Theodore spat with malice, “You will never get away with this!”

  Breathless but resolute, I shot back, “Oh, I will. But will you?”

  In an instant, the keepers seized me, yanking me back and forcefully covering my head with a bag, plunging me into darkness.

  *

  The moist walls cried as I sat on the ground with a shackle on my ankle. “Remember his word, Maddy, even if it means death. Remember his promise, that He never fails,” I said to myself.

  The flickering flame’s shadow danced across the wall. My tutu, torn and covered in ash finally dried as I laid my head against the thick stone wall, down in the bottom. The pressure built within me surfaced as I said aloud, “‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”

  In all honesty, I was terrified to die. I didn’t want the last encounter I had with my family to be the last. There was so much of this world that needed Christ and I was willing to be his vessel. Even though I had forsaken him, he never once let go of me.

  I closed my eyes and pictured my mother’s face. Please, remember me, mother. Don’t be so hard on yourself. And, I saw my dad, You’ve always been my hero. Please forgive me for not saying that I loved you back. I saw my brother, I hope you got your meatloaf, and in honoring the day you guys lost me, I hope you have it that day every year. I squeezed my eyes tighter and saw Abigail, and said, I guess I don’t have to miss you anymore.

  I said aloud, “Whatever they do to me, Lord, may it be swift.”

  I realized that this entire time, it wasn’t supposed to wait on the Lord, Jesus was waiting on me to act in faith - I just needed to move and trust Him to take care of the rest.

  A step came toward me, and I looked toward the noise. Not being able to see anything, I didn’t move. I just waited to see what would happen next. An oil lamp switched on and I saw Luminous. His face was bruised, and his lip was busted, which told me the servants were demanding to be set free.

  Instantly, the Word rooted itself deep within me, and I heard the Spirit whisper Psalms 34:17, ‘The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.’ Amidst the swirling anger and hatred of this place, a glimmer of softness began to stir within my heart.

  But when I looked at him, my heart clenched with sorrow. It pained me to see him still choosing death, even when the truth stood glaringly before him.

  “Open it,” Luminous commanded the keeper, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. Pressing my back harder against the wall, I watched in silence as he slowly dragged a chair across the stone floor, its legs scraping against the ground. Taking a seat, he let out a heavy exhale before speaking, “I am giving you one last chance to reconcile yourself, Madeline. Just like all the others.”

  “I’d rather die than forget,” I replied firmly, unwavering in my answer. “I am never forsaking Him.”

  “Do you not understand?” Luminous’s voice rose with frustration. “We will tear you to pieces for this. This goes beyond breaking unity, Madeline. It is an utter betrayal.”

  I scoffed, crossing my arms defiantly as I spoke, “Paul so desired to be an apostle of Christ — he became one and he suffered in chains for the sake of bringing the lost to the Lord, Jesus Christ.”

  A sardonic smile played on my lips as I added, “Do I have to make this clear to you, Luminous? For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

  “You may be stubborn, but I am ruthless, and I don’t want you to die. I want you here with me,” Luminous asserted, his tone tinged with desperation. The keepers entered, seizing me as he continued, “I want you to forget it all. Start anew — so I can have you to myself.” Drawing closer, he whispered, “You see, I thought I wanted this version of you, but I’d rather have the submissive Madeline — this version of you is a thorn in my side.”

  No, I whispered inwardly, my heart pleading with the Lord, Please! Don’t let them make me forget you.

  He reached out to caress my face, but before his hand could make contact, he was struck on the head by something. My eyes widened in surprise and relief as I realized the undercover agent was still alive. She bolted away, with the keepers in hot pursuit.

  Glancing down at Luminous, I saw him gasping for breath, partially aware of his surroundings but unable to rise. Uncertainty gripped me — I didn’t know if I wanted him to be saved. “What do I do, Jesus?” I pleaded aloud.

  “Who was Paul before he became Paul?” the Lord’s voice whispered in response.

  “He was Saul, a persecutor of your people.”

  “And what did I do to him?”

  I exhaled deeply, acknowledging, “You forgave him, and then You saved him ...” With determination, I reached for Luminous’s arm. “Come on, get up, you’re heavy,” I urged, although confusion clouded his gaze as if he no longer recognized me. I hoisted his arm over my shoulder, guiding him past the cells.

  As we approached the stairs, a red door caught my attention. Setting Luminous down on the first step, I instructed him urgently, “I’ll be right back. Stay awake.” With that, I hurried toward the door, driven by a sense of purpose and the hope of finding a solution.

  As I approached the door, a sense of foreboding washed over me. Placing my hand on the cold surface, I heard the blood cry out to the Lord. With a deep breath, I pushed the door open, revealing a scene that made my heart sink.

  Before me stood a pedestal, its surface coated in dried blood. The stench assaulted my senses, causing me to instinctively cover my nose. Blood, thick and cloying, filled the air, seeping into my consciousness. Atop the pedestal rested a statue of Baal, a grim reminder of the darkness that pervaded this place.

  Looking around frantically, I searched for something — anything — to use as a weapon against the statue.

  But, the room was barren and devoid of anything useful. Desperation rising within me, I silently pleaded with the Lord, “What do I do, Lord?”

  In response, His soft whisper echoed within me, booming with authority, Dance as the walls come crumbling down!

  With a mixture of trepidation and determination, I lifted my feet, standing on my toes, and began to twirl around the statue.

  Starting slowly, I gradually picked up speed, twirling faster and faster with each rotation. With each graceful movement, I could hear incredulous screams emanating from the demons that filled the room. Bringing my dance to a sudden halt, I leaped into the air, feeling the ground beneath me tremble.

  ‘Seven times!’ the Holy Spirit roared within me.

  Responding to His command, I repeated the sequence, twirling and leaping, until I reached the seventh leap.

  With a final burst of energy, I soared into the air, performing a graceful twirl before landing in an arabesque position: one leg extended with my arm raised toward the heavens.

  “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I command you, Baal — Berith, back to hell!”

  In an explosion of power, the statue shattered into hundreds of pieces, filling the air with another cacophony of screams before utter silence descended upon the room.

  As the ground beneath us began to tremble, I knew in my heart that the time had come for this place to fall. Gasping for breath, I ran toward Luminous, blood dripping down the side of his face. Swooping him up by the arm once more, we slowly made our way up the stairs.

  As we ascended the staircase from the lower level, my eyes caught sight of another door ahead. With a surge of anticipation, I pushed it open, only to recoil in horror as spiders scattered from its frame. A shiver raced down my spine as the realization dawned on me. These spiders weren’t guarding the secret door Luminous had revealed to me; they were protecting this door, the true gateway to the real pedestal.

  “No ... ,” he grumbled, his voice filled with desperation. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. Do not forsake us now when things get tough ...”

  “Luminous,” I whispered, struggling to support him as we ascended the stairs, “he’s forsaken this place, and he is in hell where he belongs.”

  He wrenched his arm from my grasp and grabbed my face, exerting all his effort as he commanded, “I command you to forget! Forget who you are and claim this place as yours, claim me.”

  Shaking my head, I resisted his futile attempt. “You never had the power, Luminous. He deceived every single one of us, but no more.”

  “This can’t be happening ... ,” he lamented, his voice tinged with despair. The walls around us started to crack, dust swirling around us. “It may fall but I am not giving up.”

  Anxiety crept into my voice as I pleaded, “Come out of this possession. We are no longer oppressed, it’s over.”

  But as screams echoed from above, signaling the impending collapse, we rushed up the stairs. The roof began to cave, and the people scattered. In the distance, I saw Pauline, Chad, and the undercover agent escaping the castle. As I moved to follow, Luminous grabbed my hand, halting me.

  “We can do this together, Madeline,” he insisted.

  “Let go of me,” I urged, attempting to break free from his tight grip. “There is only one way out of God’s wrath. Accept salvation through Jesus Christ; it’s that simple. He’s the only one who can save you, Luminous!”

  He seized both my shoulders, shaking me violently as he revealed his refusal to accept defeat. “I will find a way,” he growled, his disbelief unmistakable. “There is always a way. I will not die. Not like this.”

  “Your false god cannot save you.”

  “Baal can.”

  I shook my head, sorrow sinking in as I whispered, “’Mathew 10:33, ’But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.’” With clenched teeth, I trembled. “Let me go.”

  His grip tightened even further, his voice turning into a menacing growl. “If I go down, you’re going with me!”

  I gasped as the pillars began to fall, a fire breaking out and consuming the paintings on the walls. The ground trembled beneath us, a wave of force knocking us off balance. As we fell, I swiftly picked myself up, knowing I had to press on, to continue what I’d started, to keep dancing.

  Lifting my leg, I began to twirl slowly. In a fleeting moment, I heard a voice urging me to spin faster. Without hesitation, I obeyed, spinning faster and faster. Despite the dizzying speed, I felt strangely invigorated. As the music within me intensified, I leaped off the wreckage, bowing my head with determination.

  Looking up, I locked eyes with Theodore, who knelt in the foyer. Suddenly, a thunderous voice resounded within me, shaking the very ground beneath me. You have gone long enough. You have gone long enough. You have gone long ENOUGH! the Lord’s words echoed towards Baal - Berith.

  I lifted myself up and continued to dance through the aisle. Chandeliers crashed down, curtains turned to ash in the blazing inferno. More pillars fell with deafening bangs as people screamed in terror.

  Despite the chaos, I danced on, leaping into the air with each pivot toward the foyer, causing idols to topple and shatter as I passed them.

  Dancing with an intensity like never before, I moved in slow motion toward the fountain.

  Spinning around it, I heard a crack, followed by the last meticulous scream.

  Lightning struck the fountain, shattering the cement to reveal another image of the false god beneath. Another bolt of lightning ignited the fountain, engulfing the wooden image in flames.

  Suddenly, I ceased dancing once the final idol was destroyed. I saw Luminous standing next to his father and mother, their faces contorted with disdain as they blasphemed my God. With each profanity, they hoped their false god Baal would save them once again. But, as the chaos raged around me, I stood firm, resolved to see this through to the end.

  Closing my eyes against the searing heat of the flames, I whispered, “Why aren’t they escaping, Lord?”

  As I opened my eyes, I beheld two enormous angels dressed in white linen, adorned with golden sashes, standing at the threshold of the front door. Each wielded a staff, and with every strike upon the ground, the stone shattered.

  Witnessing their purposeful actions, I questioned the family’s intentions no more. Turning away from the scene, accepting their fate, I began to walk away. There was nothing more to be done.

  The final slam reverberated through the ground beneath my feet, signaling the complete collapse of the castle with them trapped inside.

  As the cottages crumbled and the walls of the gates fell, I walked toward them in what felt like slow motion, my hair billowing behind me as the force of the destruction swept past.

  Continuing away from the ruins, finally free from the shackles of slavery, the grasp of idols, and the allure of darkness, my heart swelled with praise for my Lord and Savior. Glancing over my shoulder, I watched as the angels ascended into the sky with a whoosh.

  Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly. Before me, everything lay flattened, not a single person left standing amidst the Lord’s righteous wrath, except for those who’d been enslaved.

  Above, vultures circled ominously, their presence foretelling the impending doom.

  From my lips came the declaration, “Christ is the one who is victorious. Christ is the one who is the Lord of heaven’s armies.”

  Suddenly, a voice pierced through the silence. “Behold,” Jesus said, “I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End ...”