And from the Darkness came a bright light-fire in the night.And the archangel Michael revealed himself to me.I was unafraid.I asked his business.Michael, General of heaven,weilder of the holy flame,said unto me, "Son of Adam,Son of Eve,thy crime is great,and yet the mercy of my father is also great.Will you not repent the evil that you have done,and let his mercy wash you clean?" And I said to Michael,"Not by [the One Above]'s grace,but mine own will I live,in pride." Michael cursed me,saying "Then fro as long as you walk this earth,you and your children will fear my living flame,and it will bite deep and savor your flesh."And on the morning,Raphael came on lambrant wings,light over the horizon,the driver of the Sun,ward of east.Raphael spoke,saying "Caine,son of Adam,son of Eve, your brother Abel forgives you your sin,will you not repent,and accept the mercy of the almighty?" And I said unto Raphael "Not by Abel's forgiveness but mine own will I be forgiven." Raphael cursed me,saying "Then,for as long as you walk this earth,you and your children will fear the dawn,and the sun's rays will seek to burn you like fire wherever you hide always.Hide now for the Sun rises to take its wrath on you." But I found a secret place in the earth and hid from the burning light of the Sun.Deep in the earth,I slept until the Light of the World was hidden behind the mountain of Night.When I awoke from my day of sleep,I heard the sound of gentle rushing wings and I saw the black wings of Uriel draped around me---Uriel,
reaper,angel of Death,dark Uriel who dwells in darkness.Uriel spoke to me quietly,saying "Son of Adam,Son of Eve,God Almighty has forgiven you your sin.Will you not accept his mercy and let me take you to your reward,no longer cursed?" And I said to dark-winged Uriel,"Not by God's mercy,but my own,will I live.I am what I am,I did what I did,and that will never change." And then,through dread Uriel God Almighty cursed me,saying, "Then, for as long as you walk this earth,you and your children will cling to Darkness.You will drink only blood,you will eat only ashes,you will be always as you were at death,never dying,living on.You will walk forever in Darkness,all you touch will crumble into nothing,until the last days." I gave a cry of anguish at this terrible curse and tore at my flesh.I wept blood.I caught the tears in a cup and drank them. |
