Exile of Lucifer by D. Brian Shafer

doctrine, I see no reason that any
angel should have such an attitude. Why don't they speak with an
Elder...or bring it to the Temple if they have a problem?"
     "I can only speak for myself, Michael," said Sangius. "I joined
the Council because I felt it would serve the worship ministry to
the Kingdom. But the more time I spent with Lucifer, the more
unsure I felt about...everything. The changes in my attitude were
all very subtle...very quiet. But within a short time I didn't
approach my places of service with the same passion I once did,
and I felt my closeness to the Lord slowly slipping away.
     "Meanwhile the Worship Council became more and more
important to me even as it became more and more antagonistic
towards the Kingdom. I also noticed the agenda becoming increas-
ingly hostile. Rather than promote worship Lucifer began promot-
ing himself. Again, Michael, it was all very subtle. And whereas in
these new discussions centered on the Lord's ability to reign, now
they centered on His authority to reign!"
     Michael bristled at this statement.
     Sangius looked at Michael with tears in his eyes. "I finally
came to a point where I had to choose to believe Lucifer or to
believe the holy teachings. I began searching. I immersed myself in
74 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

the truth. I began to differ with the group in meetings. I voiced
favorable opinions of the Lord. I took up His cause. In doing so I
found myself increasingly isolated from the others. In my final two
encounters they started the closed-door meetings in which I sat
outside the conference room with Serus to `see to my comfort.' "
Sangius smirked and added, "It wasn't long after that I was asked
to step down. By then I wanted to stay on if only to upset the agen-
da. But I'm glad I left. If I had given myself over completely to
Lucifer as some of these others have, I might never have been able
to worship the Most High again."
     "What now, Sangius?" asked Michael. "Where are they taking
this...recklessness?"
     "I don't know for sure. The last meeting I attended they were
very excited about the Creation. It seemed to hold great possibili-
ties for them."
     "So they discussed the Creation in Council?" Michael asked.
"Interesting."
     "By then I was not in the same room, you understand. But
they have previously discussed what they would do if and when
another world was ever made available. Lucifer would of course be
archon--ruler. And this lovely Council would govern with him. It
was all such a horrendous and prideful fantasy. I did happen to
overhear a few things as I waited outside. Of course one can hear
much when one is listening outside a door." (Michael smiled at
this.) "It seems the coming Creation is very much on Lucifer's mind
right now--and not just because he's writing music for it. Believe
me, music for Lucifer has become merely a bridge to greater things.
He actually believes that if he was made ruler of the new world, a
great many of the angels would join him there! What disturbs me,
Michael, is that I believe he is quite correct in that assertion."
     "Sangius, would you be willing to say these things to some
other angels?" asked Michael. "I don't mean reckless, talkative
angels. I mean friends to both of us?"
     "Of course," said Sangius. "If you think it will help end this
nonsense." His eyes slowly shifted toward the direction of
Lucifer's house; the direction Serus had walked. "But we must be
careful. Lucifer has ears all over Heaven."
"What are they searching for that they must go to Lucifer to find?" 75

     They stood up to leave and he and Michael began walking
together. As they exited the massive gate on the south end of the
square Michael stopped walking. Sangius turned to see what was
happening. Michael, clearly troubled by the unfolding sinister
story, looked deeply into Sangius' eyes, and asked, whispering,
"Sangius...what do you believe they really want?"
     "That's easy," said Sangius. "Whatever he really wants."