*cont’d from A Serpent in a Glass Jar*

Daniel turned scarlet and covered his privates.

“Perhaps it is time to remove this vestige of the Third.”

The Golden Being held out his hands and a stunning brilliant tunic of pure white and fine yellow filigree covered him. The robe throbbed with life, like a second skin. Shards of gold and platinum shot forth and curled back. The intensity of the Golden Being’s light hurt and Daniel squinted tears.

“What you see is a faint version of my aura,” his Lord said. “If I appeared in my true form, you will see only a globe of light.”

Yes, that ball of light I first saw, Daniel thought, it seems so very long ago.  What manner of god is the Golden Being?

“Daniel, let me reveal the brilliance of your aura.” The Golden Being touched his protégé’s forehead.

A yellow garment materialized over Daniel. Though several shades paler than his Mentor’s, it was brighter than the robe he had lost. His new robe also throbbed with life. Daniel tugged at his tunic, conscious of how easily he had lost the earlier one. It was loose and dropped from shoulders down to his ankles.

Feels like a second skin-like covering. Of course, I remember now.

Hindu and Greek scriptures spoke of gods and demi-gods who wore a second skin-like covering of body armour. The most prominent were Karna of the Hindu epic, Mahābhārata and Achilles in the Greek epic, Iliad. Their skin armour had accorded them invincibility in battle.

“You swathed yourself with a quick mental adornment and like all imagery it faded but not this. What you perceive now is the sheath of your Astral body, one that evolves as you progress in cosmic spirituality.”

With a chuckle, his Mentor assured Daniel that it would not ‘slip away’. Daniel sighed and found new confidence in his gait as he followed his Mentor.

Daniel’s Third Eye gave him a new perspective of his surroundings but one thought piqued him the most. He saw his Mentor as god and hence he revealed himself as a god. The Dark Being, is he a devil? What’s his true form?

“A great many questions brim, reflective of human fascination with the Dark.” The Golden Being spoke in his even soothing tone. “Perhaps we should visit Purgatory and experience the consequences of this captivation.”

“Purgatory?” Daniel swallowed hard. “You said I’d just come from there. Isn’t that in the nether regions, where the Dark Being lurks?” The colour washed from Daniel’s face.

“Yes, but do not vex yourself unduly.” His Mentor stopped for Daniel to catch up. “A visit would help you blunt the doubts gnawing your peace, Daniel, doubts about heaven and hell. It would reveal your great strides unlike the vast number of humans who remain trapped in their own World of Illusion.”

They continued through the green tree-lined tunnel, which gave way to a warren of glass walled passages. Daniel felt the enclosure growing warmer, a green house. Many narrow and abrupt corners confronted them.

As they progressed down and around passages, Daniel’s legs grew heavy and he found great difficulty keeping up with his Mentor. The long passages narrowed with every step he took.

Daniel hurried but was unable to close the gap and had to rely on the brilliant glow of the Golden Being. The glow thinned and disappeared around a corner. Shadows danced on the glass walls. Oh no! Shadows! He latched on the beautiful aroma of his Mentor. A few more sharp turns and even that welcomed fragrance dissipated. Daniel looked up and drew a sharp breath. The mirrored ceiling reflected his ashen face – his features, so evil! What’s happening to me?

He reached a junction and corridors spidered away in several directions. The entire labyrinth had dropped dark and silent.

The smell of ash wafted towards him and a lump rose up his throat. He smelt burned incense and the air pressed heavy. A strong wind rushed with great velocity and violence towards him. He leaned and almost fell forward when the wind abruptly died. Awful silence filled the corridor.

Daniel braced himself and with tremulous caution, he squeaked,

“My Lord?”

To be continued…

************ Copyright @ Eric Alagan, 2013 ************

For earlier episodes, please go to this page Fallen Grace. Thank you

********************

************