about this white slab.
A third triangle appears at the upper right portion of the disk, which glows a radiant orange.
Opposite that, to the lower left of the polygon, emerges a substantial, purple-hued point.
So unnerved by fear, my bodily functions fail me and warmth trails down my inner thighs.
A dragon’s scaly head and large folded wings rise from the fiery pool in front of me.
Its eyes depict all that is evil.
Horror cripples my hopes as its remarkable body lifts from out of the lava.
“Welcome to the final stage in the tournament…your sentencing.”
The dragon’s deep, ominous laugh forces me to convulse uncontrollably.
A light purple triangle forms to the upper left side, holding Glen’s presence.
The last spot is Mom’s triangle, at the lower right, radiating as a brilliant yellow surface.
“Before these witnesses you will be tried and sentenced. Your charges are as follows…”
Do something to stop this! “This can’t be.” I interrupt. “My judgment should come from God.”
The beast is livid with rage…“Silence, Worm!” Its fierce head cranes down inches from my face. I try not to flinch from its rotted breath and the sound of many screams which cry out from inside its throat. “You are forbidden to use His Name in my presence.”
Its anger squirms as though a separate entity dwells amongst its flesh, beneath its reptilian scales.
The dragon’s face twists and distorts like putty. The entirety of its body demonstrates this.
Its scales alternate from metallic-red to a shimmering-green, then an iridescent-purple.
“You stand now, accused of…”
A voice as thunder booms from above “Hold, Adversary! He must have a Defender.”
A thousand roars rage from out of the dragon’s throat. It glances to the sky which is filled with ominous thunder clouds glowing a fiery orange. Lightning flashes among the expanding billows.
The monster turns to peer beyond me. Fury widens its piercing glare.
Beyond its seeking eye-lenses, its sockets hold the presence of countless onlookers.
“Trespasser!” the dragon snarls. “This is my domain. You have not an invitation!”
Rearing its head upward, it releases an awful cry with mouth drawn open.
Creatures screech from high above. A swarm of imps forms from miles away.
They dive from the glowing sky toward us, forming into a twisting upside-down tornado.
It takes a mere glance from my defending Guardian, who stands behind me, and the formed funnel cloud of attackers simply vanishes.
Peacefully He presents Himself…“Our Father Has Sent Me.”
My Messiah’s voice calms the overwhelming stress burdening me.
“Now I question,” He continues, “do you believe that it is here where you may overrule Him, and hold your own trial? His authority supersedes any corner of time you may try to hide in.
“I shall be this man’s Advocate.”
I struggle to place when or where I’ve heard those familiar words.
“Shall we begin?” my Savior patiently suggests.
The dragon rears menacingly to an impressive stature. Its wings whoosh as they fully expand.
Glaring with trained eyes onto my meager person its face snarls with bitter repulse, “Very well. Shall we examine the evidence?”
It sarcastically smirks, shifting its stare from me to my Defense, exposing rows of sharp, filth-stained teeth, then snarls, “I hold the binding contract this man freely signed.
“He knowingly laid down his soul to involve himself in the tournament.
“It is his word of honor that fulfills this contract, and obligates him to it.
“This document decrees that I shall gain ownership over that which he has chosen to sign away, should he lose in the tournament’s preliminary rounds.”
“You can no more own a man’s heart, or his mind,” my Intercessor calmly responds. “His soul is not an item that you can take by pen and paper, or by a given thumb print.
“You speak of honor in a man’s word, and yet you are The Father of Lies.
“There is no honor in the words that you speak.
“Your tongue slithers as your mouth opens.
“Each word you breathe is tinged by a sour stain.
“Your justifications alone unbind this contract, as they are born of deceit.”
“Then how can a man give his heart and his life to the Creator? Is that not the same, when man is a deceitful being, and wicked in nature also?”
“My Father takes His children in because they’ve come to Him by faith.
“Men may be fooled by your worldly promises.
“But in their heart they know to be wary of you.”
The Great Dragon’s attention focuses on me.
Its desperation kept hidden from its features, though I sense the element grows within it.
Coaxingly the beast whispers, “I will return you to your home.
“You have the opportunity to have your old life back, and shall have your limb restored.
“Simply release your Defender from counsel. Tell Him you no longer accept His grace.”
How could I begin to fathom the miraculous love my Redeemer has for me?
He stands here with grace abounding, and calmly awaits my decision.
My heart ignites with fierce passion. Radiant endearment flows through the core of my body.
My answer to this offer…
“I dedicate my life to my Spiritual Leader. I will only carry out what He wills me to do.”
My Companion’s eyes gleam with favor.
Then His brow frowns as He steps forward and confronts this powerful force of darkness.
“By your involvement you influenced the separation of these two brothers.
“I curse your endeavors within Perdition.
“Since your fall, you serpent of old, you have tried to set your own rules.
“Your loneliness is a plague.
“Your parasitic appetite will never be satisfied as you gorge on the misery of mankind.
“By My command this event will plague your conscience with devout insanity.”
Enraged, the beast releases a stream of fire from its widened mouth down at me.
A torrent of heat blasts at the invisible dome that protects me.
Frustrated, it spews curses with fear ignited in its eyes.
“You have failed,” my Christ finishes. “Your only rule is over a demising earth.
“Father has sent me for this man’s redemption, because He knows you prowl about seeking innocents to devour in this filth-filled lair.
“The day draws near when you and I shall meet to fulfill John’s Revelation.
“Now, by My Father’s authority, Abaddon, free this man, and be gone!”
The leviathan sinks into the inferno, uttering retched sounds.
Smoke and foul odors rise from its searing flesh, as it sinks below and out of sight.
The putrid stench of sulfur lingers while the molten surface hardens to a black shell.
“Now, my son, you may freely advance.”
Taking my Lord’s extended hand, a rush like the breeze from an eagle’s wings surrounds me.
I momentarily lose all sense of being…
Hopscotch: Beyond Oblivion
Sheltered by Jacob’s wings, I’m rescued from Satan’s realm.
The reunion with Jesus, my Savior, happens within the blink of an eye.
There in the City of Light I’m the guest of honor at a magnificent banquet festival.
My spirit dazzles with pure light. Our Father’s Glory enlivens my presence with astonishing joy.
Vocal harmonies that resound with powerful emotions immerse me with unmatched melodies.
Time is of no concern. Monitoring my heart, my Savior presents opportunity.
With unfinished business still to do on eart
h, He grants the unique option for me to return.
I’m pulled by my waist from His heavenly realm, to a spot on the rug of my apartment.
A golden border gleams along the mat’s edges.
Scattered about are the unclaimed trinkets, but the valuable artifacts are still missing.
The special metal which I acquired in the virtual warehouse, Glen has taken.
And he has the X plates holding the clear marble.
An appealing glow catches my eye.
Glistening as pure gold, so divine that it’s see through, is the key that goes to mom’s hope chest.
It never occurred to me--that key could be part of the rare collection of metals also.
Holding it tightly, the substance of the key feels pliable.
A familiar essence begins to materialize beside me.
Leaning forward I retrieve a note at the front of the carpet, written in elegant hand:
I am returning to you the mechanism, brought to My home for renewal.
Your determination to return is honoring.
I am proud of you, Aaron, My son.
You are one of My favored children.
I have endowed you with a new body to reflect My admiration.
Your equipped arm is fashioned to aid you throughout future trials.
I adore your love for Me, and look forward to our heavenly reunion.
Forever and always together; your loving Companion.
Exhilaration courses through the cells of my left limb.
As I study its features I whisper its name: “Sentel.”
Its mocha-colored complexion blends beyond my elbow with my light-tan skin tone.
Insight reveals the sacrifice my creature underwent, developing in me a fondness.
It speaks softly inside my head my new name: “Aaron.”
I think back on a fleeting title akin to me, and have trouble remembering the name “Garrison.”
The celestial letter too precious to let go. The molecules of the parchment disperse into tiny grains and form a band that wraps around my ring finger.
“I dedicate my heart to you, Lord,” I whisper as the intricate promise ring solidifies.
There’s an uplifting