Free The Children of Eternity by Kenneth Zeigler Page A

barrier.
    “What now?” asked Jerry, looking up at the remnants of the stone arch that had once stood proudly, nearly 100 feet above the street.
    “We’ll need to backtrack,” said Jonathon. “There’s a side street about an eighth of a mile back. We can loop around and come in on Ascension Way. With a little luck, that route will be clear.”
    The others agreed. Jonathon led the way. They made their way back to a narrow side street on the right. The narrow street was littered with rubble fallen from the tall buildings on either side. It took over five minutes just to navigate their way 100 yards through this obstacle course. At last they reached Ascension Way, only to be confronted by three demonic guards.
    “You boys shouldn’t be back here. It isn’t safe,” said the most formidable of the three.
    “Sorry,” said Jonathon.
    “I don’t believe I’ve seen the three of you around here before,” said the guard, who appeared to be in charge. “Who are you, and where are you from?”
    Christopher was amazed at Jonathon’s quick response. “My name is Jonathon, and these are my friends Christopher and Jerry. We are from beyond the river. We’ve come here to be closer to the Father.”
    It wasn’t just the fact that Jonathon had thought so quickly on his feet that surprised Christopher, but that he was speaking to the demons in the common tongue of the demons. It was a complex variation of the angelic language. In turn, it had brought a smile to their potential adversaries.
    “You have learned our language,” noted the second.
    “Why, yes,” replied Jonathon, still speaking in the demonic dialect, “I learned it several years ago. Now I’m coming to realize that it may well be the dominant angelic dialect here in Heaven within the next few years. I think it’s a good idea to practice it. I hope I’m speaking it correctly; I don’t wish to offend.”
    A smile appeared upon the demon leader’s face. “No, my friend, you are not offending us at all. In fact, you speak it with hardly an accent. We are flattered that you have taken the time and trouble to learn it. I am Zurel, and these are my associates Klat and Sataring.”
    “Yes…very good indeed,” said Sataring. Klat nodded in agreement.
    “I was hoping to have the opportunity to practice with those who could be a true judge of my ability or lack thereof,” continued Jonathon.
    “So many of your kind dislike us intensely,” said the second demon, “though we do our best to win your approval.”
    “I don’t dislike you,” said Jonathon. “As for the others, give them a chance to get to know you better. I think they’ll come around in the end. I realize that your kind have served a useful function through the years. We humans have a saying, ‘It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.’”
    Jonathon’s comments elicited a round of good-natured laughter from the three demons. It was clear that they had taken an immediate liking to this young human.
    He engaged them in conversation for several more minutes. They spoke of what Heaven would be like once Lucifer assumed control of the angels. The demons assured the group that nothing would really change for them. All of the damage would be undone, and Zion would arise an even more beautiful city than before. Indeed, Lucifer would do almost anything to enrich life for the human inhabitants of Heaven.
    Jonathon seemed to anticipate every aspect of the conversation, and his words seemed to actually endear the demons to him. Christopher had never seen anything quite like it. What was this power Jonathon possessed that even soothed the hearts of savage demons? Then came the most probing question.
    “Tell me, my friend,” said the second demon, “would you like to see Lucifer rule over the angelic hosts once more?”
    There was the question. Short of lying, how would Jonathon wiggle his way out of this one?
    Jonathon gave not the slightest hesitation in his response. “Allow me to put it