Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman worketh but in vain.

—Psalm 127:1 (KJV)

PART I - SHATAZAR

Chapter 1 - The Ordination

Crimson and yellow blasts streaked across the village as billows of black smoke rose from the impact. The screams grew louder while the villagers of Irema ran from the assault. Delah stood in front of the shack and saw some of the black ships do a strange dance and fall from the sky. She saw her people floating into the other ships, one-by-one. Suddenly, a cold hand gripped her shoulders and she saw nothing but black.

●

Earlier that day

“I saw Him riding on a great white steed, and His name is Faithful and True and His eyes were like flames of fire,” the old man recited.

This was Delah’s first time to witness an induction into the priesthood. It was her own cousin, Teeabu, who was being inducted, and she waited for his name to be called. Now, the old man’s eyes were glassy and white all-around while he stood reciting his dream. Everyone called him “Elder,” that was all. It seemed he had no other name, unlike hers, Delah of the House of Ruyles.

She raised her hand, as it was the custom for any of the congregation to inquire at this point. However, if the actual ceremonial rites were being cited, then all were commanded to remain silent. At least, that is what she, a nine-year-old, understood of the rules.

“What is a steed?” she asked, curious to know of such things from strange visions.

“Ahhh...” The old man smiled, grooves of wrinkles deepening in his face. “I’ve seen the creature many times in my dreams. It stands one head taller than a Shatarian and travels on four legs. But much like the Granulups, it is very swift. And a man can straddle the creature’s back.”

Delah wondered how a man could ride their huge and wild burrowing serpents.

The other children fidgeted and grew restless. Delah believed they couldn’t grasp the old man’s sayings. In contrast, she always found it a delight to learn new things. Ever since she could remember, she looked forward to this annual ceremony. And this year was one she would never forget because her beloved cousin was ready to be called forth into the priesthood. Straight away, his name boomed over the children’s cacophony. Her heart drummed just as loud.

Teeabu, a youth of fourteen years, the son of Jamis from the lineage of priesthood, was beautiful and tall when he stood. His shoulders’ breadth spanned wide enough to take on the heavy responsibilities of his new apprenticeship. His long ebony hair, in one single braid, nearly passed the middle of his back. Yes, he was the best looking one here. She laughed within herself because she was proud of him.

As he stood in the huge auditorium, Teeabu was humbled by the honor he was receiving. He was ready for the induction and to learn the secrets of the priesthood. He’d already learned the history of Shatazar and intensely studied the Holy Torah and Holy Scriptures of their lost world—the fabled planet, some believed was only a myth.

The youth felt the elder’s hand rest on his bowed head. The old man chanted the history of the Shatarians, which covered the nine-hundred years they had been on Shatazar. When the elder finished, he and three other robed men directed Teeabu to a small opened chamber adjacent to the auditorium, where the children and other elders were. Here was the resting place of the seven golden candlesticks, their flames burning brightly, that made the centerpiece of their altar. Adorned with crystalline blossoms, it represented the main order of priesthood: love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, truth, and longsuffering.

Teeabu’s heart swelled, burning like the candles to help his people—to find freedom and their way back home.

The lights flickered and shadows played on a strange monument behind the candle holders. They were seven stone-like spheres, circling around until they reached the ceiling. He’d found solace here, praying in this small chamber, while feeling the warmth of Adoini. It was like protection under the wings of the eagles that flew free, without fear of oppression. It was beautiful, seeking the face of God and His promises.

Tears struggled to escape as he closed his eyes. The perfumed scent of crystalline blossoms wafted from the altar.

Adoini is sweet like the blossoms. He inhaled again.

And Teeabu lost to the tears. They cascaded down his cheeks. It was a familiar and comforting place to be near the candlesticks and seven spheres. He didn’t understand why he wept. Whether it was because of this change or things to come, he felt love overwhelm him—it tingled throughout his whole body.

This is Adoini’s witness and His approval. Teeabu bowed his head.

“There is One who will free us from this world,” Elder stated. “He will take us home, and we will reign with Him in peace. And He will judge in righteousness.” The old man stopped and wiped the boy’s tears away with his sleeve. “We will no longer be lost to our world in that time,” His voice soothed. “But we will be found. We will be made free from our oppressors. God has told me this, son. We will find our exodus from here to our true home.”

The youth couldn’t tear his eyes away, transfixed by the elder’s leathered hands on his face and comforting voice. The old man nodded his head, covered by a shock of white, wooly hair, for the elders to come close. He continued about his beginning of priesthood and how God had spoken to them of their emancipation, how he had lamented with the elders of Irema for someone to free them from their oppressors, the Araidians.

But Teeabu felt there was still no manifestation of the prophecy. Who in this world would shed their blood and sacrifice their lives for our freedom?