The Lord's realm in heaven as it is on earth within the White House and the senate.

Silent whispers filled the depths of the Lord’s White House. The council members felt an unease about the Lord’s return from speaking with Mandeville. Zealot entered the lower lobby where the council members met and held talks amongst themselves. “Where have you been, Zealot?” asked the new number one councillor, Malachi. “What business is it of yours, Malachi,” replied Zealot. “You have only been selected as the Lord’s messenger to the council, and not an advisor as I was. Besides, I’m retired from the council and its politics; your concern for me is no longer a matter for the gathered members who look uncomfortable. They respect my privacy. You, on the other hand, make me feel uneasy, being the Lord’s spy.” Malachi thought: he makes my task all the easier with his resentful attitude. “My concern,” he said, with chilling composure, “is a matter for the members.” He signalled towards them with open arms then returned his attention to Zealot. “You still frequent our meetings as an advisor and friend. Yet, you dare to accuse me. What we want to know is, who do you spy for, Zealot?” Zealot laughed and paced in a circular motion. He stopped; placing his hands behind his back in a poise of defence. “Ah”, he pondered, “the whisperings were not only about the Lord, but about my role within the lobby.” Zealot stared at Malachi prompting a swift response without thought. “Well,” replied Malachi, “as an elder of the council you are expected and welcomed.” Malachi produced a friendly smile, which Zealot doubtfully accepted. “Your presence,” continued Malachi, “has faded in recent times when you were required to attend a forum. Your absences become our concern. The members find it unacceptable ...” “Speak for yourself, Malachi,” interrupted Zealot angrily, suspecting Malachi’s friendly smile a con. “I speak for us all, as you did. But, you flirt elsewhere and shrug your responsibility towards the council and the Lord.” Malachi sighed with disappointment. “I benefited from your knowledge of the Lord, which helps when we are in session ...” “Ha!” exclaimed Zealot, “You are all fools. Malachi traps me into thinking I’m of importance, as did the Lord. My experience and advice are void among the residence of this house of the Lord. I was verbally crucified for my thoughts, which were thrown back into my face.” Zealot became over aught with passion from his anger, feeling his every word. “As with the Lord’s son, my pure policy of harmony, love and peace were no longer accepted and unimportant. The Lord has chosen Mandeville to fulfil his destiny. You all fall to your knees and grovel in his misdirected journey ...” “Silence,” interjected Malichi, bothersome with Zealot’s words. “You are at ease with blasphemy and betrayal, which you plague us with ...” “This is absurdity. You all convene to judge as one, puppets at the control of Malichi and your minds poisoned by the Lord. Well, judge this: consider an alternative to the management at the top ...” The members howled with disgust and covered their ears. “Devils talk,” said one. “No,” shouted Zealot. The members lowered their hands from their ears. “Any talk of change is looked upon as penetration from the devil. Come out from the dark and see the light I can create before it’s too late.” “You are the devil’s advocate,” shrieked the same member. Zealot laughed. “This is no laughing matter, believer of the red-eyed,” said Malichi, accusingly. “Not the devil,” replied Zealot. God, their minds are closed, he thought. “I’m talking about a new god with strength and direction. The one our Lord is afraid of and battles to defeat instead of embracing to share for the good of all.” “Our Lord battles in defence of his realm on behalf of his believers,” explained Malichi. “There can only be one ...” “Where have I heard that before?” “One you were devoted to ...” “And I am, Malichi, I am. I’m devoted to saving our Lord from the alliance with Mandeville, his Second Coming.” Zealot scorned with laughter. “Mandeville advocates war toward destruction. Am I the only one here who cares? Am I the only one who dares to speak the truth and see the light? You all appear deaf, dumb and blind to what is happening. Mandeville is using the Lord. The Lord is using Mandeville. Wake up!” “We are wide awake, Zealot,” informed Malichi, “and to be honest, bored with your sermon. The Lord is wise ...” Zealot laughed again at Malichi’s tunnelled vision. Zealot then spoke after his laughter had stopped. “The Lord’s wisdom deserts him and allows Mandeville to sit upon the throne of power and dictate. Can’t you see that?” “No, Zealot,” replied Malichi. “You are poisoned, which decays your sole.” The other members whispered in agreement. Zealot noticed the whisperings and the nodding of heads. “You dare to place me on trial,” he said, accusingly. “I’m the elder and most experienced of you all.” Zealot waited for a response. Malichi paused and stared at Zealot’s desperate expression. Malichi sighed with a look of sadness upon his face. “If ... Your statement is true , Zealot,” he said, “we can’t argue against it. So, why wonder into the depths of doom?” “I don’t need your sympathy, Malichi,” replied Zealot. “Your sympathy disguises the treachery towards me.” Malichi’s saddened expression turned to glee at Zealot’s rebellion. “Oh, but you do, Zealot ...” “Does, what?” “Listen to your council. The Lord commands it.” “The Lord can no longer command me to do anything. My faith has gone.” “Is this a confession, Zealot?” asked Malichi, with hope. “No,” replied Zealot, confidently. “Not a confession but a fact.” “It does not matter how you interpret. The Lord is displeased.” “Really,” said Zealot, flippantly. “He has no concern over me. Do you not know the law? Retirement is freedom from official duty of the council.” The members whispered again. “Stop this whispering,” requested Zealot. “If you have anything to say, then say it.” “Their words are not for you,” enlightened Malichi. “Anyway, laws change within the circumstances we find ourselves in. You have betrayed your Lord, a Judas among his flock. A flock who have the honour of residing in his house, which you no longer have.” “What do you say, Zealot?” asked a council member. “Think carefully before we whisper again.” “I see,” said Zealot, with realisation about the whisperings. “He behests understanding before ...” Zealot paused and thought: I’m doomed either way. “So be it, Malichi. “Whisper this.” Zealot paused again and clasped his hands. He continued. “You have to betray those who refuse to listen and understand about a better way without suffering ...” Malichi interrupted, which angered Zealot. “Suffering produces a godly way in the path of life ...” Zealot vociferated with frustration against Malichi. “You interrupt my defence so the Lord only hears your prosecution within the whispers. The devil is in you all. Mandeville is the devil’s advocate who invades and controls the Lord’s realm, controls the Lord, controls the humans and the victual. You are all doomed when Rashid and Malik pave the way for their god. I tried to intercept in the Lord’s name ...” “Nonsense,” roared the Lord, with a sudden interruption and dramatic entrance. “You anger me beyond my patience. You wanted to stop my Second Coming. You wanted to stop the coming together of the two worlds, past and future, where there can be only one.” Zealot laughed and tears flowed from his eyes as the fear of God drained from his body. “Mandeville will be the one, my Lord,” he said. “Are you so blinded by expectation?” Zealot attempted a hopeless escape. “Restrain him,” demanded the Lord. The council members restrained Zealot and brought him before the Lord. “My Lord, said Malichi, “show no mercy. He wished to take the devils path and escape his ...” “Who are you to advise me, your Lord?” erupted the Lord. “You only replaced Zealot as a messenger. My heart is heavy but I know what must be done.” The Lord instructed the council members to release their grip upon Zealot. “Stand free, Zealot,” announced the Lord, and stared into Zealot’s eyes. Zealot stared back, knowing the Lord’s hypnosis would fail. “Forgive me, my Lord.” The Lord stared on in disbelief. “It cannot be,” he said, “it cannot be. I had hope of your redemption from my gaze, which reflects your red eyes.” The Lord bowed with sorrow and raised his right arm. The Lord raised his head to face Zealot. The sorrow turned to vengeance as he saw the sign of the red-eyed enemy smiling to accept his fate. “It has to be, my lost friend, my lost sole.” From out of nowhere, the spear of the Lord’s son appeared into his right hand, pure white with a silver point; stained with the blood of Christ. Zealot’s fear returned. “The spear of sacrifice,” he whispered. The Lord exclaimed. “Zealot the Judas. Betray me no more.” The Lord cast the spear with all his might and anger, which plunged into Zealot’s heart. Rays of bright light appeared from Zealot’s wound followed by the blood of mortal man. Zealot tried his best to fight the wrath of the Lord and called upon Malik, and cried out in a voice that was not his own. “Rashid will survive.” The Lord clasped his hands and whispered to the Devil. “Take your demon angel, banished from my house.” The Lord opened his hands to catch the rays of light, which disappeared into his body. The Lord felt the pain of choice between life and death; portraying an image of a crucifix. The Lord stared towards Zealot. A ray of light discharged from the white eyes of the Lord. Zealot cried out in pain, surrounded by the light. The light eventually receded and Zealot was banished, disappearing into thin air. The Lord returned to his normal stance and paused for a while in silence. After his rest, the Lord spoke to the members of his council. “Let this be a lesson to you all. I shall say to you what I reminded to Mandeville. There can be only one God.” The council bowed in silence and fear at what they had just witnessed. “Be gone with you now,” ordered the Lord, “return to your lodgings and pray for stronger faith. Leave me to rest and meditate.” Silently, the council retired from the Lord’s presence. Malachi entered his room alone and sat upon the hard wooden bed. He closed his eyes and called upon Mandeville; appearing upon the screen of Seeker One. Mandeville withdrew from his suspended animation. “Ah, Malichi,” he said, “a good day’s work. We have eliminated a threat of goodness and weakened the human’s faith, which will make them vulnerable; more acceptable towards military rule.” “I don’t understand,” said Malichi. “He, Zealot, was the Lord’s second in command of the realm. Prays the Lord could not deal with were passed onto Zealot. These will not be answered and anarchy will increase among the humans, which can be manipulated towards my cause. And, Rashid will have to look elsewhere for an alliance. Um ... I wonder where?” “I see,” replied Malichi. “The Lord was blinded by our prosecution and acted upon it. He was not aware of Zealot’s motif.” “It was the Lord’s anger, enlightened Mandeville, “that weakened his wisdom. His frustration increases, which sanctions his reliance upon his Second Coming, and I who control Seeker One. Indeed, Zealot tried to infiltrate the Devil’s realm to strike a deal to eliminate the Second Coming and halt the advance of Allah. Obviously, it didn’t work.” “Zealot called upon Malik,” said Malachi, “but was forsaken. Also, that voice ...” “Rahid’s voice,” interrupted Mandeville. “Zealot was not calling for help. It was realisation that Malik and Rashid will block any deal with the Devil struck from the Lord’s realm.” Mandeville laughed. “What is so funny?” asked Malachi. “You have much to learn,” replied Mandeville. “It should have been my name he called out. It was I, before you were promoted, that planted the seed of betrayal. Zealot was a threat and needed disposing of.” Mandeville noticed the expression of confusion emanating from Malichi’s face. “I must confess my embarrassment towards ignorance, Mandeville,” said Malichi. “Indeed, I have much to learn. But, why dispose of ...” Mandeville interrupted with a loud sigh. “Your embarrassment comes of only been a messenger and a spy. Useful, but you deliver without understanding.” Malichi looked displeased. “You treat me as I would be a child. You forget, I’m the first contact with the Lord from the council ...” “That’s better,” interrupted Mandeville, “a sign of forcefulness.” “So, explain the message of betrayal.” “The humans hide behind religion,” replied Mandeville, “their gods, disciples and religious leaders, as I once did. But, only for my own reasons. Anyhow, I have come to understand that if they didn’t have religion to hide behind then reality shines through. They have lost the guidance of the disciple, Zealot, and his quest for goodness. The Lord and I need each other. The Lord needs his Second Coming to eliminate his rivals. I need to achieve military rule. Thus, one ruler from the heavens; one ruler on earth.” “So,” concluded Malichi, “you have no aspirations of becoming God?” “Ha! No,” replied Mandeville, dismissively. “Where is the power in that? I’m here to control the humans to become the one leader of the world. It’s all about my ambition for America to rule the waves.” Mandeville paused and stared into the eyes of Malichi. “Um,” he continued, thoughtfully. “I think that is enough now. Some ignorance on your part is beneficial to me. However, now that I have given you a brief explanation and understanding, you are mine ...” “I resent ...” “Resent nothing, Malichi. You are my contact ...” Mandeville paused with a smile of achievement. “You are my spy within the council and what the Lord says.” “Don’t presume that I’ll agree.” Mandeville’s smile turned into a quiet guffaw of laughter. “You also have much to learn about me. You witnessed Zealot’s fate. Now, if I was to have a discreet word with the Lord ...” “But, it was your doing ...” “And your message of deliverance. Whom would the Lord believe? A messenger or his chosen one that sits on the throne of Seeker One. Besides, if I feel you are becoming a threat to me ...” “Alright,” conceded Malichi, intimidated by blatant threats. “Good,” said Mandeville, satisfyingly. “You have made the right choice. I’m sure you will benefit from my employ.” “What choice do I have? Let’s hope the Lord keeps your favour, for both of our sakes.” “Don’t worry,” pledged Mandeville, “I won’t be caught out again as I was on earth. I’ll never allow others to plot my destiny. The Lord will be weak and need to rest after his display. Time for me to continue the book of revelation.” “Never say never, Mandeville,” advised Malichi. He smiled and faded from the screen. Please feel free to leave a comment via my 'contact the author' on my bio page. Thank you.