Into This River I Drown

what my Father has planned. True, it is killing him to stay on this plane of existence,

but it is up to God, as you call him, to decide Calliel’s fate.”

“Then why do you want to bring him back? Why are you here? Why did you

send the Strange Men after him?”

“Because there is an order to things, even if you can’t see it in all the chaos.

There is a balance, and Calliel has broken that balance.”

“But if it was God that did it, then wouldn’t you think he has a reason?” Michael almost looks embarrassed. “I am a sort of stickler for the rules. Comes

with being one of the oldest. And Father has not spoken to me yet regarding this, so I

must follow protocol until I hear otherwise. But….” He stopped, staring up at Little

House.

“But what?”

“This house has some old bones. Good, but old. You must be very proud of it.” “This is the house my father built.”

He arches an eyebrow at me. “I expect you helped, though. I can feel you in

every part of it. There is love here. Old love. New love. You’ve just forgotten what it

feels like.”

“I….”

“I like you, Benji. That surprises me. I can see why Calliel loves you as he does.

Such a little thing, this place seems to be, but it too surprises me.” He turns to face

me. “There are other… levels… of existence. Other planes. Worlds you couldn’t

possibly imagine exist. There may even be an infinite number of them. I don’t think

even Father knows for sure. Once he started creating, I don’t think he knew how to

stop. And within these infinite levels, there is one that sets itself apart from the rest.

On this level, there are people who can do the most beautiful things with earth and

water, fire and wind. They can manipulate the elements like it’s so much magic. It’s

a beautiful sight to behold. But… there is a darkness coming. One we don’t know yet

how to stop, no matter how much we wish we could. And we must stop it, before it

finally spills over onto the other levels. It is too important to ignore. Metatron….” He

sighs and shakes his head.

“What does that have to do with me?” I ask harshly, unable to fully comprehend

his words.