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Children of Light - Book 5 - Sorrow and Joy

By Jana M. A. Smith

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Chapter 1: It’s Time


Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Philippians 2:12–13
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

*****
As the bones of a long deceased animal lie in the wasteland, a tribute to what was, so the remnants of the City’s pride lay, a testament of what was and what is to come. Emma gazed at the Amphitheater’s beams which protruded through the wreckage and reached toward the star filled sky. A strange quiet filled the air, as if the earth was holding its breath before the long exhale. Before the next step… the next phase. Change was in the air. There were no bird sounds. The wind was perfectly still. No clouds sailed across the night sky. The moon shone, its light casting a silver tone upon the scene, giving a faint pallor to all those present. It’s as if creation itself was mourning. Her heart ached. Ached for the loss of so many people, for the loss of what had been and dread of what was to come.
Kaiden’s arm around her waist was a comfort, a gentle pressure and warmth in the cooling air. “It’s time,” he whispered into her mind, loathe to speak for fear of breaking the fragility of the moment. He could feel Emma’s pain. He knew she perceived more than what she revealed, but he let her be for now. She would speak of it when she was able to. Her dreams had become nightmares ever since the day of the ceremony and the subsequent destruction of the amphitheater, the city and life as they knew it. It was as if a curtain, which had obscured the vision previously, had been torn away and the scene before her had become clear. He felt all of it, but could not help her bear the agony of what she saw, until she shared it with him.
Since Emma did not respond, he repeated but out loud, “It’s time,” and slid his arm from around her waist to the base of her neck and gently massaged her tense muscles. “Everyone has cleared the area and everything is ready.”
Emma tore her vision away from the desolation before her and sought his loving gaze. Nodding, she lifted her hand and formed a pure white Light globe. It hovered just above her palm, pregnant with power yet patiently waiting for her command. Without the flick of a finger or any discernible movement, the globe rose and positioned itself in front of Kaiden, who took a step away from Emma, grasped the globe and hurled it into the center of the Amphitheater’s sarcophagus. With a bright flash and whoosh of air, fire engulfed the remnants of the structure where, mere two days ago, Emma and Kaiden were declared as Paired Light Warriors and became husband and wife.
As the building burned, so did the bodies of all those who died because of this heinous attack. Loved ones rimmed the outer edges of the funeral pyre at a safe distance, mourning their loss, saying a farewell and preparing for what was before them. This one act signaled the start of the war they had been expecting for many years. A war some believed would never come, thinking they had misunderstood the scriptures, and scoffed at those insisting on preparation. Yet here it was. They had come full circle, and the world would be at war once more. A lone tear trickled down her cheek, to her chin, growing pregnant with expectation, poised for release.
As Emma watched the fire lick at the timbers and turn them to ash, she knew her hopes for peace, for a quiet life, for children and a family had also turned to ash. Before her was a life of war, of battle and of loss. It was not what she wanted, but it was what had to be. In all of this, God had a plan. Her purpose was clear. She had to follow God’s will for her life. She took comfort from the fact that she was not alone in this, for she had Kaiden at her side. God had provided a helper, a friend and now a husband and lover. Together they would work to carry out their purpose and use the gifts God had given them. Right now, that purpose was to stop Primus Dominus, called the Master by his followers, from destroying all believers. They had to stop the war and protect their people. Protecting God’s Children, His people, was their role as Light-Warriors, and Emma’s role and purpose as a White-Light. The only known White-Light that was battle trained for such a purpose.
A saying that Levi had told her early on in her training, echoed in her mind. ‘If you want peace, you must prepare for war.’ She’d never asked where he got it, or if it came from his own experience, but it seemed very appropriate at this moment. He said it means peace through strength, but it often requires more. It required a war. Everyone wanted peace, it’s what even the OneWorld espoused, yet it seemed illusive. Before there could be peace, there would be war.
Now, it was all painfully clear. When it was over, this war would usher in what Levi called the Tribulation period, the last seven years of man’s history. She’d shut off much of what he said about it, but the essentials remained. If they survived the war, horrors they could not imagine lay before them. Their only option would be to hide and survive until the End, when Christ would return as the victor, claiming the entire earth as His Kingdom. It would be then that He would usher in the Millennial Kingdom, and the world would finally know peace.
Emma and Kaiden stood, his arms wrapped around her, his head resting on top of hers, a comforting presence and embrace, as they watched the remains of the amphitheater burn. The smoke swirled up into the heavens, with frequent pillars of sparks obscuring the star-filled night sky. Sparks initially bright dimmed and disappeared the higher they rose away from their source. Separated from each other and their source, they burned out quickly.
Just like us, separated from God, from Christ, we burn out. Emma’s thoughts turned to what lay before her. Her hopes and dreams of a quiet life long snuffed out. Yet, a hope still lingered. Maybe, just maybe, if we can survive what is to come, Kaiden and I can have that quiet life and raise a family. Living in peace, finally, eternally.
As if sensing her thoughts or the disquiet that washed over her, Kaiden tightened his arms about her and, kissing the top of her head, he whispered. “One day, Angel, this will all be over and we will have a good life. One day there will be peace. We must have faith.”
Emma leaned into his embrace, savoring the heat of his body, for the evening air was cool despite the raging fire before her. “We have much to do before that time comes, and there are no guarantees we will survive. You know what Levi said,” Emma’s voice trailed off, for the tightness in her throat prevented her from continuing.
“One day at a time, one hour at a time, one moment at a time. That is how we will get through it, with God’s help and guidance. Trust God, Angel, he never disappoints.”
Emma smiled, for Kaiden had quoted a favorite saying of Granny’s, a saying Emma had clung to over the past many months. “You know just what to say, every time.”
“It’s my job as your husband and protector.” The shadows obscured his smile, but Emma knew it was there. She could hear it in his voice and feel it through their connection.
“Well, you excel at it.”
Their light banter lifted her spirits. Kaiden’s comforting presence, his ever present hum in her mind telling her their link was strong, and the promise of hope in the future chased away the melancholy that had settled in.
“So, what’s next, husband?” Emma’s eyes sparkled as she said husband, her stomach filling with butterflies of anticipation. Although they were married, they’d not had a chance to be alone and truly become husband and wife, at least not yet. The plan was to take a few days and go to Levi’s cabin and spend a few days alone, just the two of them. Of course, how that worked with the team members always linked-in and echoes in their minds, Emma wasn’t sure, but hoped it was possible. She planned to use her ‘shield’ ability, with Kaiden’s permission of course. It was the one ability he asked her to never use again after what happened in the Shadowlands, but this would be different. They needed privacy. She needed privacy. Yes, as a Light-team member, one was always connected to every member of the team, but there had to be limits. There just had to be.
“We leave in the morning,” Kaiden said. She felt the increase in his pulse as he said the words. Her heart echoed his.
“Why not this evening?” Emma could not keep the note of disappointment out of her voice.
“Levi, Aryel and Dierdre have asked for us to stay and celebrate our nuptials, as Levi called our wedding.” Kaiden laughed at the old-fashioned term. “Dierdre has been making plans, despite everything.”
“She’s still shattered by the fact she didn’t see what was coming. She didn’t see the destruction, the attack, none of it. But, she knows God gives what is needed, no more, no less. We, for the most part survived and I have hope Angelica will as well. So, from her perspective, no more was needed.” Emma stroked Kaiden’s arm as it wrapped about her waist, holding her securely to him. Nodding her head, Emma agreed to the plan. “You’re right, of course. We can leave tomorrow.” Pushing down the bloom of disappointment, she snuggled into his chest.
They remained watching the fire until only embers remained. As a final salute, every Light Warrior and Light Wielder sent a globe toward the heavens. A rainbow of colors soaring into the night sky. When Emma sent her globe to join the others, it suddenly exploded and caused all the others to coalesce, forming a multi-hued umbrella that slowly rose and paled and then disappeared. Gasps of awe and surprise could be heard from those who’d remained for the final salute.
“I’ve never seen such a thing,” a crackling voice said just behind them. Emma and Kaiden turned to see an elderly woman illuminated by the dying embers of the fire. She was hunched over, her face weathered, gray hair pinned into a loose bun atop her head, giving the appearance of an angelic halo, standing a few feet away.
“You surprised me,” Emma said. “I had no idea you were there.”
“Oh child, I have waited many years to see you, to meet you. But my time is growing short, so I must speak with you now, if I can.” Her voice shook as she spoke, a crackle causing it to jump up and down in volume and tenor, weakly reminiscent of how Granny’s voice was in the last few years of her life. Emma’s heart melted at the sound.
Emma and Kaiden approached her, noting how frail and elderly she was. Each took an arm and guided her down the hill, hoping to find a place for her to sit. She tired easily, so Kaiden picked her up and carried her to a bench which, at one time, sat in a manicured park. Now, it perched among scorched trees and shrubs, overlooking a pond devoid of any life, poisoned by Dark Matter. Smoke scented the air and flakes of ash floated by, landing on any surface that would support them.
She sat on the bench, her gnarled hand stroking her dress and staring out into space. Emma glanced at Kaiden who stood over the elderly woman, looking helpless. Without a second thought, Emma knelt before her and, taking the woman’s hands in hers, she infused her healing Light into the aged, frail body.
“Oh my,” a hushed whisper and a smile. “That feels so… wonderful. Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” Emma said as she continued to send her Light.
“I feel, I feel ten years younger!” She laughed and squeezed Emma’s hands.
“You’re just like she said you would be, but maybe even more beautiful.” An aged, spot marked, gnarled and wrinkled hand withdrew from Emma’s and stroked her cheek and hair. “The hair is different. She said you had dark hair, almost pitch black. I’d not expected this, but it suits you. Reflects your eyes better.” She stroked the pure white hair that had broken loose from Emma’s own braided bun.
“Who?” Emma asked, not understanding whom the woman was talking about.
“Gabby, of course. She talked about you all the time.” The woman’s head shook as she spoke, as if the weight of it was too much to bear, but her eyes were steady and clear.
“Gabby,” Emma repeated, her voice quiet, throat tightening. She swallowed hard.
“Yes, you are all she talked about. She was so very proud of you.”
“Who’s Gabby?” Kaiden asked, not understanding.
“Why, Emma’s Granny, of course. Her name was Gabrielle, but she went by Gabby when she was young. In the last few years, though, everyone called her Granny. It was the proudest title she ever carried.”
“You knew my grandmother?” Emma breathed, her brow furled, eyes wide and glistening.
“She was my best friend when we were younger, and then we re-kindled our friendship when my husband was posted here. I stayed after he died, living with my daughter and her family. Gabby and I kept each other company, both of us being widows and all.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke of her friend, a smile creasing the aged face.

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