Alizel's
Song
by
Bill Pottle
About
The Author:
Bill is a martial artist, author, and university
professor in Colorado. He tries not to take himself too seriously
while his work explores the interplay between religion and science,
fantasy and technology, and what it means to be a human. Bill earned
his Master's Degree in Biological Engineering from Cornell University
and lives happily ever after with his wife and daughter.
See
www.facebook.com/events/425325374208644/ for detailsWebsite | Book
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Genre:
Christian Fantasy
Publisher: Ellechor Publishing House
Release
Date: March 3, 2013Amazon
Book
Description:
An unranked angel, Alizel, tells the inside story
of the rebellion of Lucifer and the fall of man. Join him as he
strolls through Heaven’s gardens, ponders theological questions
with other angels, and battles against others who have turned
away.
This epic tale will take you from the inner workings of
the quark to the interplay between galaxies, from what lies hidden in
the soul to the fundamental questions of good and evil.
Praise
for Alizel's Song!
“When
Pottle told the story of Lucifer and man's fall he cleverly
incorporated modern scientific theory into the biblical
creation story.” ~ Carol Peterson, Amazon Reviewer
"Highly
recommended for Fantasy Fiction lovers! ”~Rachel Shelley,
Amazon Reviewer
"This
book captured my attention from page 1, Cannot wait for
the sequel. ”~Linda, Amazon Reviewer
Excerpt:
Raphael, however, was braver than most. Alizel crouched behind the
tree as he saw him approaching Luciferel slowly from behind, his soft
footfalls beating a calm rhythm. Rafael had broad, even shoulders and
was never in a hurry. Raphael, Alizel imagined, was a healer,
although he may not have been aware of it at the time, since angels
were never “injured” or in need of being healed. They were either
perfectly healthy or in the Containment. Neither situation could be
made better by anyone else’s help. The concepts of destruction and
healing were only just beginning to dawn on them. Still, Raphael’s
gentleness always made Alizel and the other Unranked feel safe in his
presence, and he seemed to have a gift for fixing whatever troubled
angels’ hearts. Alizel watched anxiously.
Luciferel was still hunched over the rail that guarded the Portal,
and didn’t notice the other angel’s approach. Rafael stood there
for a moment as if contemplating what to say, and then placed a firm
hand on Luciferel’s shoulder.
Luciferel whipped his head around, fear shining in his eyes. His
body relaxed slightly in Rafael’s presence but his expression was
still guarded. Rafael’s countenance was serene but troubled. He was
one of the few who could take in the full pain of another and still
exude a soothing aura to those around him. Alizel wondered how much
pain he had already absorbed from the rest of the angels…and how
much more he would have to before this was all over.
Rafael just looked at his fellow Seraph, as if trying to probe the
depths of Luciferel’s soul. He didn’t speak for several minutes,
until Luciferel finally met his gaze. Rafael didn’t flinch, but the
lines around his eyes drew downwards.
“What has happened to you?” Rafael seemed to already know, but
asked his question more to see if Luciferel himself understood.
“I am becoming stronger,” he said, gasping for breath. If it
weren’t for the seriousness of the situation, Alizel would have
almost thought it to be a joke.
Rafael swept his soft brown eyes over Luciferel’s body and then
raised his eyebrows. “You have rejected God’s power that sustains
us. Your body is falling apart. If you do not let Him flow through
you again, you will surely perish.”
“I will not die. I have found another power to sustain me.”
The shock of his words made Rafael look on in confusion. Alizel’s
eyes narrowed as he listened. Was Luciferel bluffing? He certainly
didn’t seem to be sustained.
“All this time,” Luciferel continued, each word labored, “we
thought that was the only way that we could live. Yet only after
blocking that vile substance did I find my own true power.”
“This power you speak of has left your body broken and damaged.
This internal power cannot compete with God,” Raphael countered.
“It is still dormant, unused.” Luciferel waited to catch his
breath before speaking more. “I am the first one to find this fiery
power within me. I surely meant to perish. Why would I want to
continue in a world where I must bow down to a Son of Mud? But my
anger, my displeasure, my feelings against the current situation
sustained my body. As these feelings grow stronger, so does my body.
I just do not know how to channel this power yet.”
“You never doubted the Lord before. You must come back and let
your body receive the Father again. You can still be bright!”
Alizel could tell Rafael’s mind was working furiously, probing to
find a crack in the wall of resentment Luciferel had erected around
himself.
“I was a fool then, surely. I did not understand that God only
meant to betray us.” The more Luciferel talked, the stronger he
seemed to become.
“There are uncertain times ahead, to be sure. But that is all the
more reason we need you with us, as our leader.” Rafael was
appealing to Luciferel’s sense of vanity now. “No one was able to
lead as well as you or to command as much respect as you. What will
we do without you?”
“Honestly?” Luciferel looked at him, but from Rafael’s
expression it was obvious he didn’t see the same Luciferel looking
back at him. “Honestly, I don’t care.”
Luciferel got up to leave. His gait was still hobbling, but he could
walk away on his own. His words trailed after him. “Come find me if
you come to your senses. Come find me if you want to be stronger.”
