The Fall - By Chana Keefer

CHAPTER Twelve

A Choice



Adam’s efforts were thwarted at every turn. Tall tunnels of stone, lit by sunlight that poured down from square holes set high in the walls, were suddenly plunged into darkness; then when he thought he had discovered another path—some opening that beckoned with better light or perhaps a long line of stones set one on top of the other like a chiseled mountainside—the new path would lead to a solid stone wall or even to a narrow, ascending series of carved stones that would bring him to yet another blocked passage. Many times his heart would leap with hope and he would run toward an opening only to find the sight vanished when he drew near and came upon yet another solid barrier.

When he once again smacked into solid stone where an opening had been seconds before, he beat his fists on the unyielding wall and commanded, “Open and show me the way to Glory!” The rocks moaned with a sound of pain and anger and—he could not believe his eyes—the walls around him expanded as if taking a deep breath in hopes of crushing him! An accompanying rage stole the air from his lungs and beat upon his senses while a dark malice pressed down, driving him to the hard floor.

The thing was thicker than Glory’s waist as it glided, a shifting, shining iridescence, like a wide stream of reflective water that retained its shape outside its banks in order to curve around her. She followed an array of dappled, luminous golds, greens, pinks, purples, and patches where the colors seemed to bend before her eyes—from deep blue to black or snowy white transforming to bronze. It was, simply, a captivating, astonishing entity. But she had not yet learned the meaning of astonishment. Her eyes traced the unbelievable length of this mysterious… something… until it widened and rose into the air. Were those wings intertwined in the high branches of the tree? Higher and higher the incredible sight drew her gaze until, finally, there they were, shining with an inner fire and staring, unblinking, back at her—eyes—frightening, beautiful, and brimming with intelligence.

Then, when she felt her heart would burst, it spoke.

“She fears because she does not understand,” it said in a low, soothing voice. Then it stepped away from the tree—on strong, well-formed legs.

When Glory fell backwards in astonishment, it reached for her, its wings unfolding above like a diaphanous canopy.


No longer needing the guise of a humble tutor, Rapha’s body glowed like a powerful flame and he rose into the air, a beacon to his forces. The bright beings appeared around him, several bearing the marks of heavy combat. Their tidings were grim. Enemy forces surrounded the garden’s borders on all sides, waiting. Unfortunately, Rapha knew exactly what they were waiting for.


When he felt he was drawing his last breath, Adam gasped, “Please, Adonai! Help me!”

The pressure immediately lifted, his dark surroundings melted away, and he blinked in the warm, green light of a pleasant glade. At its center, the trunk of a huge, smooth tree rose up, branching into myriad limbs that climbed high to flow in every direction, bursting into clusters of bright leaves and flowering smaller branches, each bending toward the ground, heavy with fruit. A movement at the foot of the tree drew his attention where he saw a man digging in the soil while a snowy white lamb dozed beside him.

A surge of frustration overtook Adam. This place was lovely and peaceful and already its wholesome fragrance had renewed his strength, but why had Adonai not taken him to Glory?

He ran toward the man who remained, calmly digging in the dirt. “Please,” Adam shouted, “You must help me.”

The man turned to him and Adam recognized the Holy One who had instructed him through the night. Rather than answer, the man motioned for him to sit down.

“But there is no time! Even now she could be…” Adam’s protests died on his lips. The man was looking at him. In those eyes Adam saw empathy, peace, joy, compassion, boundless love, unfathomable pain, and even… hope. In fact, in that momentary connection, Adam felt he could look in those eyes and find everything he would ever need, never again requiring rest, food, drink, or instruction. He knew he was gazing upon the source of all things.

“Come and drink,” the man said, offering the familiar cup to Adam.

“Please,” Adam said, “come with me. We have to save her.”

The man’s gaze was sad. “I am unable to break the agreement.”

“I thought you had power over heaven and earth. What good are you if she remains in danger?” Adam shoved the cup away causing some of the liquid to splash to the ground. “Are you as impotent against him as Rapha?”

In an instant, Adam had to shield his face and throw himself to the ground. The man’s appearance was blindingly bright but the eyes were still clear, piercing into Adam’s innermost being. As if a veil had hidden them, a vast host of bright, celestial beings stretched in every direction, a multitude of witnesses to this moment. Suddenly, the fate of one man and woman seemed insignificant in the presence of such glory. Despair seized his soul and Adam bowed his head, trembling at the Holy One’s feet.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder. Adam opened tear-filled eyes to find the brilliant light was gone. The man lifted Adam’s chin and, with the sleeve of his garment, wiped away the dirt and tears. No sooner was the robe blemished with Adam’s filth than it was once again snow white.

“Understand, son of earth, if I break the laws that knit all creation, I become like the fallen one, putting creation under his power.”

“But what of Glory?” Adam’s voice was a tortured whisper, “I care more for her than all creation combined.”

“That is both your strength and your weakness. The evil one knows this.”

“Please show me the way to her. Time is passing.”

“This moment is enough.”

“Enough for what? You speak in riddles when Glory is in danger!”

“Her greatest danger lies in your decision.”

“There is no decision. I have to help her any way I can!”

“How you choose to do this affects all that is and will be.”

Adam dropped his head into his hands, “How I wish that weight could pass from me. The reward of her smile every day would be enough.”

“There was a time Adonai’s favor was enough.”

That stung, reminding him Glory existed due to Adonai’s love. “But she is more precious to me than my own body.”

“More precious than the One who created her?”

Guilt assailed him. Now that the issue was laid bare, he could not look in the Holy One’s eyes. “She is my flesh and bone,” Adam whispered to the earth from which he was formed.

“Adonai knew the danger when He gave such a precious gift, but His nature is to give.”

The Holy One’s voice was full of compassion, giving Adam the courage to look up. “Please. I must go to her.”

“But I AM what she needs. Hear my words, trust me, and you will have power over evil.”


Glory was frozen with horror as an arm—so like those of tiny lizards but one hundred times the size—came near. Was it going to crush her? Pick her up like a ripe fruit and eat her? Even in that terrifying moment, she could not help but admire the intricate markings around its eyes and triangular nose as well as its luminous skin that glowed from within like a pulsing, flawless jewel. It was a reptile, like those she saw every day in the garden, but transformed into a superior being that stood before her with majestic grace. It paused before her wide eyes, its huge hand still outstretched… to assist her? As if she was about to plunge into icy waters, she gulped and reached for the finger that was as large as her forearm.

The hand looked damp due to its sheen, but it was surprisingly dry, cool, and smooth. Glory stared at that hand and gave it a quick squeeze, as if to prove she was not dreaming, before releasing it in haste with a mumbled apology as soon as she scrambled to her feet. She wanted to ask so many questions as her eyes raced to take in the creature’s entire length, but all Glory accomplished was another gasp.

It, too, studied her, sweeping its unblinking gaze the length of Glory’s body and returning to her eyes as if measuring her intelligence. Finally it said, “This is the new order?” in a voice disarmingly refined and most assuredly feminine.

Was she weighed in the balance and found wanting? Glory had no time to decide before Lucifer’s voice once again flowed over and through her.

“Yes. This is Adonai’s most glorious creation. ‘Glory’ is an appropriate name, wouldn’t you agree?”

“A definite improvement.” The amazing being smiled—at least she thought it did—the expression seemed to soften before a forked tongue flicked her way.

“Glory, allow me to introduce Ra-el, Empress of this humble domain.”

The amazing creature gave a subtle nod of acknowledgement.

“You, my dear, have glorious possibilities before you.” Rael spoke with exaggerated sibilance. Each word was melodic and lilting, their gentle beauty soothing Glory’s pounding heart even as the unblinking gaze held her spellbound.

The young woman simply nodded.

“‘What?’ you may ask, ‘could be more glorious than being queen of the world?’” Ra-el drew herself up to her full height, displaying the shimmering, muscular expanse of her underbelly, and spreading the membranous wings. “Yes, I am beautiful to behold. But consider; if Lucifer had remained obedient to the Maker’s plan, my years would have been spent shuffling through the dust, unable to speak or reason.” Again the beautiful eyes with the long, narrow pupils sought hers. “If not for Lucifer, that is where I would be to this day.”

Glory attempted to process what she was hearing; the words were so beautiful it took intense effort to decipher their meaning. Was Ra-el saying Lucifer was helpful and Adonai was stingy?

“No! Adonai has never shown anything but love!” The words that burst from Glory’s lips sounded coarse in comparison.

The two glorious beings shared a pitying look. Once again, Lucifer spoke. “You see only what He wants you to see. Why do you think you dwell within walls? Adonai would say they are for your protection, when their purpose is to keep you blind.”

“That is not true,” Glory’s mind was grasping for reason. “We receive constant instruction. Our tutor tells us about life outside the walls,” again she moved toward the exit.

“Ah! Rapha. Your trusted tutor. I am sure he would want to give his version of history—leaving out the part where he shed innocent blood.”

The shock of that statement froze her.

Lucifer gave a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Ask him yourself. He will not deny it.”

Glory stood, wounded and confused. If what she was hearing was true, even a bit true, whom could she trust?

Lucifer, as if reading her thoughts, continued, “I can understand why you would not trust me, ‘Lucifer! His very voice is evil!’” He echoed Rapha’s serious tones perfectly. “But what if he keeps you from me so you will remain content in your cage?”

She winced and shut her eyes, wanting to hide from the cruel statement even as it struck a discordant note of truth. Thus Glory missed her host’s look of triumph.

As Rapha sensed Glory’s mounting confusion and vulnerability, an inferno of rage mounted within him. Visions of storming the stronghold assaulted his mind again and again. He had never felt so strong in protective love for another and yet so horribly exposed. Glory and Adam had become his own heart beating outside his body. He would gladly give up his place beside Adonai if only they could be spared the devastation Lucifer desired.

He longed with every fiber of his being to give in to the power of his emotions. He was capable of rending the stones of that fortress with his thoughts. Wasn’t this the appropriate time to utilize that might? But the memory of the last time he had succumbed to rage smote him. That would be exactly what Lucifer expected—and most likely what he desired.

With a silent command Rapha’s eyes swept his surroundings and clusters of opposing celestial beings became visible, perched high on the towers, watching from the trees like eager vultures. Yes, they were hoping for a frontal assault. That was what they understood.

Another sharp pain pierced his heart as he felt the bond of the girl’s trust in him begin to crumble. “No, Adonai. Please, no.” He whispered as he knelt, desperate to hear and obey his Maker’s will.

A comforting hand was on his shoulder. He looked up to discover the One who had restored him on that horrible day when a flash of his angelic power had resulted in death and devastation. Large tears ran down the Holy One’s face. At His appearance, the rogue celestial beings took flight.


“Please, refresh yourself.” Her host extended an array of monstrously large fruits but the girl declined, her heart too much in turmoil to be tempted. “What?” He laughed disarmingly. “Will the grapes wrap their vines around you and pull you down to darkness? Will the apples bite back? Ah! Look here. This cluster is angry for having been plucked!”

She responded with a shy smile. When Lucifer smiled back, her knees once again felt unable to support her and she looked away, an intense heat flushing her cheeks.

Glory could feel his eyes searching her. “I do not want to frighten you.” His voice was soft and low, a caress that made her lean forward to savor every word. “I know you believe I am a monster.”

She looked up to negate that statement and the force of his presence made the words lodge in her throat. He was so beautiful and his eyes… oh! His eyes stroked her soul, convincing her no one ever had or ever could understand, as he alone understood, what an amazing creature she was. She could not look away. Possibly, she was not even breathing. All that mattered was the connection between them. That would be her sustenance.

“Give me your hand.” He held his out to her and she looked at it. His hand was the most exquisite, desirable thing she had ever seen. The skin appeared golden and silky, yet firm and—she discovered she was jealous of that skin because it clothed the perfect hills and valleys that traveled up his arms to his muscular shoulders and across his chest and down to—she gasped. Her eyes had followed her mind with a will of their own. Once more she felt heat rush to her face.

She wanted to look anywhere else but he filled her entire vision and inserted a thought directly to her mind. “Take my hand and everything else is yours.”

“I cannot!” she shrieked and the rest of her body rebelled against the words. “Adam!” Her mouth spoke again though she could hardly recall the owner of that name. “Adam said… I mustn’t.” The words were painful to pronounce.

Lucifer turned away to hide his triumphant smile. So the man had tried to warn her about him? Such efforts were futile. Very soon the war would be won. It was all too easy.

And you, Rapha? In his mind he taunted the faithful angel whose presence hung about Glory like an evaporating morning mist. Your efforts are just as foolish. She is a ripe fruit longing to be plucked, and you are powerless to stop me.

How he wanted to laugh and dance! He was drunk on the power of pain from a threefold source: the man’s fear and helplessness, Rapha’s impotence, and, the most satisfying of all, the grief of Adonai! If just being close to his victory brought such satisfaction, surely he would explode when…. He breathed in her desire. It emanated from her, intoxicating and satisfying. He would teach her. He would mold her to his hand. He would open her eyes to wonders she could never imagine. He would delve deep into her soul and draw out every treasure Adonai had buried there. With every discovery, every exquisite pleasure, he would possess her more and more completely. Then the real fun would begin.

Do you hear me, Adonai? His hatred flung the thought toward his Maker. I will savor her torment because, with every pain, every betrayal, every breath of despair, every time she cries out begging for death, You will feel it.”

He glanced toward the radiant, pure young woman. How he was going to enjoy devouring her. And this time he would draw forth sons worthy of him, the perfect army to overthrow Adonai’s dominion!

He looked toward Ra-el, the towering queen of the past age. If that could be manipulated from Adonai’s original creation, he could not wait to see the heights that would be attained through humans!

Ra-el flinched and Lucifer reveled in her jealousy. No matter. He aimed the hateful thought her way, your usefulness has passed. He directed another lust-filled wave toward the girl, whose eyes glazed as her young body trembled. You have been replaced.

But, he had one more task for his former queen. Ra-el’s powerful will ground against his and her eyes narrowed to slits—she had always been a formidable delight! But with one flick of his thoughts he forced her compliance, and through clenched jaws, Ra-el spoke.

“Woman, the delights in store for you are beyond compare. You were told you would die if you touched Lucifer, but I tell you, you will surely not die but instead will gain understanding. I should know. I would be nothing without him.” The hateful glare from the creature would have slain a lesser being, but it only served to heighten Lucifer’s ecstasy.

With another casual toss of Lucifer’s thoughts, Ra-el’s wings fell once, and she began to rise, her malice boiling in the cauldron of her heart into a poisonous bile. How she longed to strike at him! His delight soared as she rose and flew toward the high wall. The combination of the girl’s desire and the ancient one’s hatred formed a dizzying elixir. All that intensity was aimed toward him. Good or bad, as long as he was the focus of their idolatry, he had achieved his goal.

Glory’s eyes were closed as she wandered in a fantastic dream. Lucifer, like a vapor on the wind, appeared behind her. She was his for the taking! His desires were within his grasp! Just one last obstacle to overcome.

“Look at yourself. Open your eyes to what I see in you,” Lucifer whispered.

The girl sighed with delight at the pleasure of his voice and her eyes were quick to do his bidding. Suspended in the air before her was a sparkling vision of herself, robed and crowned, as all creation groveled at her feet, captivated by her wisdom and beauty. Lucifer stood beside this glorious creature, devouring her with his eyes. But something was missing.

“Adonai,” the girl whispered.

“Adonai has hidden the truth from you.” Lucifer’s hand was suspended above her head, manipulating her thoughts like puppet strings. “Where does He dwell when He is not with you? Where do your faithful teachers go every day? Have they ever offered to take you with them? Have they ever offered to make you one of them?”

Those words were devastating. Adonai had always been the core of her existence, but was He keeping something from her? With that thought came a rush of anger. Did the heavenly hosts believe she and Adam were not good enough? Did Rapha want to “keep them in their place?”

Lucifer’s voice flowed once more. “Look around at my handiwork. The horse does not envy the eagle’s flight, the owl possesses the lion’s strength. But Adonai would say they are an abomination.” When he spoke again it was with a near sob of longing. “Ah, the plans I have for mankind. They would share celestial glory, would enjoy knowledge of wonders far beyond this earthly realm.

“You are called ‘Glory’ and that is what you will bring to all creation. Your deepest longing is to heal the strife, and end the pain of all the Earth. That is my greatest desire as well. It can be done without forsaking those outside these walls. Our combined power will heal their pain. Join with me. When celestial and earthly are one, there will be no more envy, no more reason for war. The peace of our garden will belong to all.”

Lucifer stepped away with a heartbroken expression, “My compassion was my undoing. Other celestials were willing to allow mankind to remain ignorant, but I longed to… teach them to fly!” At that moment the huge, owl-like, horse-sized creature swooped from its perch with a screech, soared low over their heads, then began to circle higher and higher into the deep blue of the cloudless sky.

Glory gazed toward the creature’s graceful arc, her breath coming in sharp, pain-filled gasps. As the longing played across her features, Lucifer reached a hand toward her hair but when his fingers touched the barrier of light a painful jolt threw him backwards. With lightning speed he masked his fury. By the time she turned toward him, he had managed a pitying smile.

“Adonai has even surrounded you in His might to protect you because He knows flesh of the Earth is vulnerable. If you join with me, your body will no longer be weak. You and your offspring would take on invincible, celestial strength.”

He took a step toward her, focusing all his will against that forbidding barrier of light. Sparks flew between them. The tension was fascinating, pure white holding back a fractured array. He laughed, “Ah well, Adonai insulates His children even when their desires contradict His.” With a gracious shrug he strolled toward the feast and reached once more for the silver goblets with the shimmering, red liquid. “We will share a drink. You will agree to ponder my offer and I will try to be patient. It is probably for the best. A decision this momentous should not be rushed.”

Lucifer held a goblet toward Glory. She hesitated, searching his face for one eternal moment. Then she lifted her eyes skyward where the soaring creature was just disappearing into the light of the sun.

With a trembling hand, she reached for the proffered goblet. When her fingers brushed his, a tongue of fire flared from the cup.

The Holy One beside Rapha doubled over with a moan and lost his footing for a moment as a low rumble spread out beneath them. “The veil is torn. The deceiver will deal the fatal blow.” With tears flowing down his cheeks, He turned to grasp Rapha by the shoulders. “Only blood will cleanse his corruption. All creation will groan under his slavery, but Adonai has numbered the years of his dominion.”

His eyes fixed on Rapha with deep compassion. “Never give up hope, son of light. Adonai will not leave them, or you, comfortless.”

Then he was gone.