Burning Tears

Chapter XVIII: Waiting

A being of brilliant light suddenly appeared before them. Taylor immediately closed her eyes and covered them with her hands, letting out a gasp. Seth's strong arms wrapped around her before she fell all the way to the ground.

It's so bright.. I can't see anything. I don't know how much longer I can hold onto Taylor. The bright spirit suddenly transformed into a man wearing a white robe. A halo floated above his head, with the face of an angel. Seth's breath caught. Is this the archangel? Michael? Seth pushed Taylor up to a standing position, as she opened her eyes. She immediately stepped away from him, however she kept a firm grip on his hand, as she focused on the majestic being in front of them.

"Don't be afraid." Michael commanded.

Seth squeezed Taylor's hand, grateful that she was there. What am I supposed to do, Lord?

"Amoi will give you your instructions when the time comes. As for now, your comrades are waiting for you." Michael informed them.

Michael disappeared, as he was needed in another part of the battle camp of the Lord. Amoi brought them to another part of the park, where Skylar, Tonya and Adam sat on golden chairs with two other chairs sitting nearby. Each of them wearing the panoply of the Lord. Amoi vanished. Seth walked over to the others, waited for Taylor to sit down and then sat down in the last vacant chair, between Adam and Tonya. Taylor was sitting in the chair next to Tonya, who sat next to Skylar, who sat next to Adam.

"Alright, how did you guys get here?" Seth inquired the second he sat down.

"An angel named Emily guided Skylar and I when we arrived in this realm, she took us here, where Tonya sat waiting. We don't know where Katelynn is. We assumed that she wasn't going to take part in the war in this realm and instead take care of the agents' physical injuries." Adam report promptly.

"Sit at ease, agent. Here we are comrades." Seth assured him.

"Yes, sir." Adam replied, nodding his thanks as he leaned forward on his knees.

"Does anyone know what we are supposed to do?" Taylor asked.

Seth glanced around, meeting everyone's eyes. They're as confused as I am. Lord, what do You want us to do?

"Michael told us to wait until an angel came to tell us what to do." Adam offered.

"That's what Michael told us as well." Taylor agreed.

"I guess we should put our full trust in God's grace, wisdom and power. He will tell us when we are to do something, and what that something is." Tonya declared, "As for now, let's pray."

Everyone bowed theirs heads. Dear Lord, please direct our words and our steps. Help us to have courage to be still and to know that you are God.

"Dear heavenly Father, please give us strength in this war against the enemy. Don't let us fall prey to Satan's traps." Skylar began, "Protect those who don't have Your love with them, Jesus. Help them to see your power through this trial. Help us to not let pride, impatience or violence affect our decisions. Help us to ban our sinful nature as we fight for You. Help us to ward off the demons that will try to distract us. Lord, humble us. Help us to overcome the evil one, not by our strength, however through Your grace and power alone. Help us to trust You, Lord. In Jesus' name."

Should I pray? Seth wondered. DON'T LET WORRIES OF THE WORLD DISTRACT YOU, MY SON. I LOVE YOU. THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS. Yes, Lord.

"Lord, please help us to focus on You, not the storm. Lord, help us to stay steadfast in Your love, not our own. To trust You, to trust one another, to give one another grace as You have given us. Break down our pride. It will hurt, Lord, however, I know that You know what's best. So we are ready for You to build us up in Your name, so that we may do what You have asked of us." Seth prayed.