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The Choice
Chapter One
The sound of swords slamming into each other echoed off the surrounding buildings. The force of the blows pushed Daystar backward. His arms ached from the constant pounding. Kaiah’s chuckle was like having ice water thrown in his face. Planting his feet, he bent his knees and raised his sword, again. He watched Kaiah, looking for a hint of his next move. Flinching toward the right, Daystar countered, aiming for his chest. Kaiah leaped about and answered with a quick slice. Daystar was ready. He turned and jabbed, just missing Kaiah’s massive wing.
Kaiah jumped back. Star rushed him. Their blades crashed. Daystar grunted as he pushed with all his might, but Kaiah held his ground. Brilliant white light sparkled on the steel blades.
Word spread quickly that Star had challenge one of the best warriors in Heaven to a rematch. Soon a crowd had gathered at the training field, eager to watch the battle. Some cheered Kaiah on, while others chanted, “Daystar...Daystar...Daystar...”
Kaiah rose to his full fourteen feet. Daystar straightened his spine and matched him foot for foot. Eyes locked, they watched each other, swords at the ready. Small puffs of dirt billowed in the air each time their feet pounded the dirt. Star wrapped both hands around the hilt of his sword and secured his grip.
They circled each other, waiting, watching. Suddenly Kaiah shifted. Before Daystar could react, the other angel landed a roundhouse kick on his arm, knocking his weapon from his hand. With lightning speed, Kaiah pinned Star on the ground, his foot on Daystar’s chest, the tip of his sword rested on his throat.
Kaiah stared down into Daystar’s eyes, his sword firmly in place. A hush descended.
Kaiah smiled, moved his sword tip toward the ground, and offered his hand to Daystar. Hesitating, Star accepted the help. “Not bad for a choir boy.”
Daystar glared at him. “I am not a choir boy.” Standing, he brushed off his robe. “I will beat you one of these days.”
Kaiah eyed his friend with a glint of mirth. “Maybe, but first you will need to work on your timing. It is crucial. You appear distracted today, my friend. And your distance. You allowed me to get too close. Remember, the closer I get the more damage I can do.”
Daystar sheathed his sword. “You might be one of the greatest warriors in Heaven, but I will best you.” His words were clipped with a whisper of anger.
Kaiah shook his head, his hand resting on the grip of his sword. “Go practice your singing, song boy. I’m heading over to spar with a real warrior. Tomorrow we’ll work on hand-to-hand combat.” He slid his gleaming sword into the sheath and secured it on his right hip. “I’ll tell Michael you send your regards.” Wings spread wide, he hovered above the ground watching his friend.
“Not that he would care. Michael thinks himself to be the greatest angel in all of Heaven.”
Kaiah shook his head as his friend once again touted his glowing qualities. Daystar puffed out his chest and demanded, “It will do both of you good to remember that I am the head angel, the one that was created to be more beautiful, intelligent, and gifted than all the angels. I walk among the fiery stones.”
“But you stink at being a warrior.”
Kaiah’s laughter trailed after him as he soared into the air. Daystar chuckled as Kaiah barrel rolled into the path of another angel, then quickly recovered, and soared around the angel. “Show off,” he grumbled as he made his way to the music room.
Chapter Two
Turning his body to the right, he stared into the windowpane and observed his reflection. “Perfect, just perfect.” He reached up and straightened the crown that rested on his silky blond hair. Rubies and sapphires gleamed in the brilliant light. He brushed out the nonexistent wrinkles on his sleeves.
“He was right to bless me with so much.”
“Admiring yourself again, Daystar?” The musical words were sung with a hint of laughter.
He turned and faced Melody. “Just making sure I look my best.” He grinned when she rolled her eyes.
“Who, in all of Heaven, could compare to your beauty?” she grumbled.
“Well now that you ask, let me think.” He tapped his index finger on his chin. He felt his smile grow wide. “I think you are right. There isn’t any being in all of Heaven more beautiful or talented than me.” He threw his shoulders back and unfurled his magnificent wings.
Gazing at the window again, he caught his appearance. His iridescent white wings shimmered in the light that poured into the room.
“If you don’t hurry you are going to be late for your shift guarding His holy throne.” Melody’s soprano voice filled the room, each word sung with perfection of pitch and tone.
Tucking his wings behind him, he turned and headed to the door. “Choir practice will start with just the two of us later today. I have a new song I want us to work on before the others come.” He didn’t wait for her reply as he rushed out the door.
Once outside, Daystar opened his eight-foot wings and moved his sword to rest on his back. Slowly, he glided upward past the roof of the music building. He breathed in the sweet fragrance of flowers that swept past him on the breeze. After clearing the buildings, he turned toward the center of Heaven.
As he flew, his eyes were drawn to the tall cliff where God reigned, seated in glory and surrounded by the twenty-four elders. A waterfall roared over the edge of the cliff, rushing down into the pool that fed the River of Life. The sound should be deafening—instead, it soothed him. His eyes trailed the crystal blue veins of water as they meandered in all directions.
The laughter from the angels gathered around the pool brought a smile. The mist from the waterfall created a dazzling rainbow. The deep reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples glistened in the brilliant white light that emanated from the massive structure that housed the Trinity.
He touched down in front of the massive ornate doors. As usual they stood open, welcoming everyone in. Tucking his wings, he straightened his outer robe and sash. He ran his fingers through his long hair, adjusted his crown, and moved his sword to his left side.
He strutted into the room. Back straight, head high. His stride full of confidence and purpose. Stopping before the throne, he knelt and bowed his head. “All honor, glory and majesty belong to You alone.” His deep voice rang off the rafters as he prayed to God.
God whispered, “Welcome, Daystar.” The words felt like a warm oily substance being poured over his head, reminding him of his anointing years ago. The warmth spread through him, filling him with the knowledge that God loved him with a deep, complete love.
“I rejoice in Your love for me.” He could feel the tears pooling in his eyes and blinked rapidly, not allowing them to fall.
“Come, walk among the stones of fire,” God invited.
Rising, Daystar made his way past the twenty-four elders, around the pillars of fire, and stopped next to the throne. Above him Seraphim angels flew back and forth, calling out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.” The emerald rainbow that encircled God’s throne swirled around him as he took his place as guardian.
He remained alert as beings came and went from the room. Some came to talk with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Others came to bask in the presence of the Almighty. He lost count of how many times he heard, “All honor and glory belong to You.”
Daystar stood sword ready. He averted his eyes from the radiant light emanating from the Ancient One. The light was a billion times more intense than the light from the sun that He created for the Earth.
His mind went back to the time he watched as God spoke galaxies, universes and one special planet into existence. He had stood in amazement with all the angels and watched in awe as God laid the foundation for the planet He designed for a new race. The race of men. Humans. Beings that would be made of flesh and blood. Beings that wouldn’t look or act like angels.
In that beginning when God spoke, Daystar first tasted darkness. A chill had run down his back. A niggling of something.
A wave of love slammed into Daystar, drawing him back to the presence. He felt God turn toward him. Daystar bowed his head in respect. “Daystar, I love you. Always remember that.” His head whipped up at the soft-spoken words. He saw compassion on God’s face.
Daystar declared for all to hear, “I will always love you, Almighty. You are my Creator. My peace. You have blessed me with all that I have and all that I am. I honor You above all things.”
God turned his attention to the angels who flew into to the room. Daystar’s mind drifted back to the beginning of time for earth. When God declared day one complete, he turned to the angels and explained the light would determine their days; darkness would fill their nights. He thought about how beautiful the dark was. He felt a whisper of... He shook his head, stopping the thought.
“I would like to sing You a song.” The whiny voice drew Daystar’s full attention. He took in the small, scrawny angel. His feeble tan wings made Daystar want to laugh. What a puny sword. It must be a fourth of the size of mine. Daystar ran a hand over his silky hair and shivered at the sight of the angel’s red curly hair sticking out in all directions. What a mess. Have some respect when you come before the throne.
Daystar sighed. Please do not try to sing. We all know you cannot carry a tune in a basket.
Gideon stood tall. Daystar snickered, but quickly covered it with a cough. Gideon opened his mouth and began to sing a song of praise, “Worthy of all my worship... You alone... No other will do...”
With each word, Daystar’s indignation stirred. Can he sing any more out of tune? Who does he think he is singing that song? It is not his to sing.
As the last word faded, a wave of love slammed into Daystar, feeding his anger. Gideon fell to his knees, bent over, and placed his forehead on the floor, with his arms on each side of his head and his palms open.
God’s voice thundered through the room, out the open windows and door, rushing to every corner of Heaven. “Well done, my faithful angel. Your praise is pure in heart.” The words rode on the wave of love that flooded Heaven.
Daystar locked his jaw as cheers resounded from all of Heaven. Gideon rose, wiped tears from his face, and beamed at the Almighty.
Daystar’s hands itched to take his sword and... His thoughts stopped at the sudden silence. He looked around. The Trinity was watching him. He froze. “I am sorry.” He hung his head in shame and lowered the sword in his hand.
Daystar fled as soon as his shift was over. His feet pounded into the thick grass as he ran. His rage tucked tightly in his heart, he shot into the Heavens. He soared toward his mansion, his mind churning. His feet slammed down onto the walkway. He stalked inside.
“Who does Gideon think he is butchering my song?” Daystar stormed through his lavish living room. “I wrote that. Me. The chosen angel.” His voice shook with annoyance. He paced back and forth.
Bam. Bam. Bam. The front entrance shook with each blow. His heavy footfalls echoed off the walls. He yanked the door open and yelled, “What?”
Melody stood with a frown on her face and hands on her hips. “What’s your problem? Did someone mess up your precious crown?” The words were clipped as she sung them, revealing her irritation.
He glowered at her. “Why are you here?” At his sharp tone, she took a step back.
“I’m here because you are not at the music building!” She crossed her arms over her chest and sent him a look that could melt ice.
Aggravation flared in him. “You can stop with the insolence.” He yanked the door shut. “I was on my way,” he lied.
He started walking, not waiting for her to follow. They hurried across the emerald hills in silence. He tried to calm down. Why did I get so upset? Everyone knew that he penned the song. What did it matter if someone else tried to sing it? God knew the origination of the song! Where are these harsh emotions coming from? I don’t understand what is happening.
He pulled open the stained-glass door and waited while Melody stomped over the threshold. Calm settled over him as he stepped into the room. He took a few deep breaths, closed his eyes and silently prayed, “Almighty, I am truly sorry.”
A peace that he couldn’t understand poured over him. He basked in it.