ARCANA Chapter 16 by William James Johnson

Huddled together in a small frightened clump, facing inwards, their knees and heads touching, the earthlings were paralysed by fear. They interlocked arms around each other, trying to establish a barrier to the ominous stench that oozed from the tarry surface of the Valley of Light. Wretched screaming when heads surfaced from the murky depths filled this despicable place with haunting sounds like that of tortured prisoners in a nearby cell.

Numbed by the never ending agony all around them, they tried to shut out the reality of this godforsaken place by physically rejecting it. André stopped retching. The pains in his abdomen subsided when the black spewing ended. Sandra continued weeping. John felt intense remorse for having brought his friends to such an abominable end.

With his background of survival, Tuma was the only one to view their situation without colouring it with past religious prejudices. He was first to see the brilliant metal of the craft which hovered over head. It could best be described as a whirlwind out of the north, engulfed in a great cloud and a fire enfolding it.
The ship, which appeared as a wheel within a wheel, orbited the trembling earthlings then touched down about a hundred yards from them, emitting a high note, barely audible in the human range, which pacified them momentarily.

Out of the metallic structure of hammered brass came the forms of four man-like creatures dressed in armour, each with a separate symbol on his helmet: that of a lion, an eagle, an ox, and a man.

"My God," shouted John above the wailing of the craft which spewed white steam all over the side of the rocky hill, "It's the prophecy of Ezekiel come true. Remember what Cardinal Vallenti said at our farewell supper in Pozzuoli. Look at them. Those are the same creatures he told us about."

As the bronze men moved towards them, the spirit which motivated the men seemed to be coming out of the huge saucer shaped craft, and it moved in conjunction with these strange creatures who approached the terrified earthlings.

"Run, John," said André. "They must be the snakes Mehnra told us about. He said they could take any form they chose."

"It can't be André. Not that ship and everything. Maybe they can take us back to the Domain."

"No...No, John...Please, don't risk it," urged Sandra.

He ran towards them begging them to help his desperate crew. "Please...who ever you are, help us get back to the Domain."

One of the creatures raised his hand, and a force shot out the end of his armour and struck John's lower limbs, cutting him to the ground. He rolled in agony on the tarry slime which had washed over the edge of the jagged rocks surrounding the pool of light.

A loud mocking laugh ridiculed the suffering earthling as he writhed in pain on the slippery ground, unable to get to his feet. A stinging sensation stabbed him in his groin caused by the burning rays that assailed him.

Suddenly vile curses began to pour out of John's mouth. "Vipers...filth of the seventh hell...scum of the earth. I damn you in the name of my God, the Maker of All Things."

John was out of control as he tried with words to thrust back the power of evil which surrounded them. This threat to their lives, made the sickly stench of rotting souls seem like nothing.

Tuma ran to John's side, slipping on the muck which had befallen his leader and stood before the threatening bronze creatures, and following John's example, shouted curses in his own native language, calling on the spirits of all his ancestors to drive off these enemies.

"You are the filth of creation," screamed Sandra. "Crawl on your bellies, back to the bowels of hell where you were spawned, manifest evil, master fornicators of the innocent..."

No one knew where these words were coming from. Some unseen power was speaking through them, and they could not make this power stop. It was André s simple command which finally proved most effective. Turning his back on his tormentors, the short Frenchman, shouted as loud as he could. "Get thee behind me, Satan."

With the utterance of these words, the armour on the four men began to fall to the rocky surface and they stood in all their nakedness before the stunned earthlings. In rhythmic sequence, one after the other, the forms of men dissolved into slimy snakes that slithered into the black tar pool. Their saucer went up in flames, adding to the choking atmosphere which had weakened the small crew.

John and Tuma struggled back to the others, cautious not to slip down the steep, slimy side, into the murky depths.

"What can I say... It just hit me. Honestly, I think I know what caused this appearance," said John, speaking rapidly, the pounding of his heart resounding in his very speech.

"I know you're going to think I've really flipped, but I think I may have caused what just happened."

"John, mon ami, everything is so terrible. You are delirious. Please come and rest up here, away from that black scum."

"No wait, André. Hear me out. Please, I beg you... all of you listen to me."

He waited until they had all composed themselves as much as was possible in this hell hole, and began his explanation. "When we were clumped together, with our arms around each other, I was thinking about us, and about all the things that led up to this moment. For some reason or other, I suddenly remembered Cardinal Vallenti's speech in Pozzuoli. I never knew what it meant. For a moment I was dreaming how great it would be, if in the time it takes to think about it, like Stellar told us, we would be rescued and all of this would be over."

"And you are saying that your thought caused this terrifying experience," said André.

"Exactly...you scientists have a word for it."

"Constellate. It's an astronomical term which means to cluster, as in the formation of stars. It's also a psychiatric term that refers to the situation where a person's hallucinations seem to acquire material form."

"Right. That's right. Now do you see what I mean?"

"I understand what you are trying to say, but you must realize we all saw this manifestation, not just you."

"But this is the Domain, or the Valley of Light, whatever it is called, where the rules we know on earth are different. Monads read minds, and these vipers or snakes, whatever they are, are most likely fallen Monads. So it makes sense they probably have the same power to get into our heads and read our thoughts. If they had been monitoring me, they would've known I was thinking about the Ezekiel prophecy and they exploited it."

"Then let's all think of someone who can help us get out of this horrible trap," suggested Sandra, wishing John was right but not seriously believing such a fantasy was possible.

Almost as though her thought had been instantly materialized before her, they saw coming from the inky depths at the edge of the white fire pool, the thrusting form of a muscular humanoid. He stood below them and began to wipe off the thick, oozing tar which covered his powerful body. Then with a voice like rumbling thunder, spoke in their language.

"This world is filled with vipers, who will do whatever they can to deceive you. I am the only one who can bring you to the ancient man and the Abode of Photar."

Sandra had an instinct about this creature and she challenged him immediately.
"You're a snake like the others.

This is another deception sent to terrorize us."

As he pulled himself closer to them, they could see his legs were chewed off below the knees. Apparently not aware of any pain, he hobbled up the sharp craggy coast, trailing pieces of flesh and bone splinters behind him.

"I am your only way out of here, because I am the only one who can take you to the ancient man."

"He's a snake. I know it...I feel it deep inside," said Sandra.

"Wait a minute, Sandy. Let's hear him out. If you're here to help us, prove to us you're not a snake," demanded John, regaining his confidence.

"Like you asked IAM to prove that you would be blinded if you looked directly at him."

His answer amazed the earthlings. For John it established instant credibility.

"Who are you? Why do you want to help us? How did you know that I challenged IAM?"

"All the souls in the pool of light know that you have stood up to the Maker of All Things, for they too, at some time in their existence did likewise...as did I. But IAM has given us another chance to regain his forgiveness. Do a kindness to someone in distress and earn the grace of He who is."

"I think this guy is genuine," said John, a look of relief coming over him. "I say we trust him. What have we got to lose?"

"Don't trust him, John," urged Sandra. "He's a snake. I know he's a snake. I can feel it."

"Tell me creature, how will you get us to the ancient man?"

"I can only take one of you into the midst of the pool of light, on my back. Somewhere out there in the steaming cauldron lives the ancient man you seek. I will take one of you to him."

"But how? You have no legs. How can you get to the Abode of Photar?"

"I lost my legs in a struggle in the fiery pool. IAM will not let it end. This suffering is eternal. As you can see I have mighty arms and body. Except for my lower legs, I am more man than you can ever hope to be. I will swim with the woman on my back."

"The woman?" replied John, shocked by his remark.

"Yes the woman. It's a long way to the island and I'll have enough trouble fending off the creatures of the deep, without also having to endure the extra weight of one of you men."

"Oh, no, John. Not me. I'm not going with this viper."

The unrelenting stench exuding from the fiery pool was making André retch again. He left his friends to relieve himself on the rocks away from them.

"You've got to do it Sandra. Look at poor André. Much more of that, and we're going to lose him. You wouldn't want that to happen."

"I'm so frightened, Johnny."

Standing in front of Sandra on his stumpy legs, he looked her in the eyes.

"Trust me, woman. I'll not deceive you. I was sent by IAM. Let me help you. You in turn will help me. That's the way it works."

Sandra had to admit, this face to face confrontation was not as terrifying as she had anticipated. She looked over his powerful body. Surely he was there to help them, not to hurt them.

"All right. I'll agree to go with you. But let's do it quickly because I want to get back to my friends as soon as possible."

The creature smiled and spoke in his mellifluous voice. "Take off your clothing."

"Never," protested Sandra, recoiling from the giant hand that reached for her.

"You must remove your clothing, or it will burst into flames as soon as we hit that tarry surface."

"But my skin, my body. I'll be burnt."

"Not with me beneath you, separating you from the eternal pool of light."

"Do as he says," said John. "It's our only chance."

"But if I uncover my face I will be blinded. Mehnra warned us."

"You must keep your eyes closed until we reach the Abode of Photar. If you do this, you need not fear you will lose your sight. Trust me, woman. I have come from IAM to save you."

"Do it Sandra...please do it. If he would have chosen me, I would do anything to get us out of here. For all of us, do as he says."

She began to unzip the body stocking which had protected them from the intense heat. The creature stood a short distance from her, marvelling at the beautiful soft flesh which was being revealed as she pulled her arms out of the sleeves. Her firm breasts jiggled sensuously as they fell out of her tunic. Soon she was standing before the creature, completely naked, except for the eye protecting hood. The giant could wait no longer. He seized the hood and yanked it off. The brilliant light struck the attractive face of his young victim. He seized her in his powerful arms, and hobbled to the inky pool below them.

Sandra screamed in terror. Stricken by his own fear, John could not move. The creature plunged into the fiery pool on his back, the young naked woman struggling on top of him. His leg stumps kicked under the surface moving them out into the pool of light. Her screams ripped through the tormented wailing of the damned. The writhing of her tender body against the coarse belly of her captor aroused the groin of the evil one. With a thunderous roar, he split her open for his pleasure.

Her screams, as she was impaled by the monster, filled the Valley of Light. "God..God help me. He is a snake. I told you he was a snake. Help me John...Tuma...André. Anybody. Please help me. I'm dying."

Grabbing the laser cone, John plunged into the searing, white hot fire. His protective clothing burst into flames as he screamed. "I'm coming Sandy. Don't give up."

Huge monster hands tugged at his legs trying to pull him under. Turning the laser cone on them, he released great sparks of energy. They grabbed him again and again. It was hopeless, as he felt the power beneath him grip him mercilessly, and heard the screams of Sandra grow fainter. With his final ounce of energy he yelled to the heavens.

"IAM! Maker of All Things. Forgive me."

Immediately the light above the fiery tar pit became a celestial blue, and hovering there above him was one of the spheres from the Domain. His eyes closed as he gave in to the struggle. He wasn't sure whether or not this was another constellation created by his own imagination.When he opened his eyes, he saw his three friends standing beside him. With them was Stellar.

"You'll be all right now," said the handsome spherenaut. "You will all be protected now."

"I don't understand. IAM said he would not help us."

"You have passed the supreme test. You were willing to give your life to save your friend, and you did not ask IAM to help you."

"I thought I called on IAM."

"Yes, you did. But it was not to ask him to help you out of your dilemma, but rather to ask him for forgiveness. IAM sees that as the ultimate act of devotion."

"What happens now?"

"You want to go to the ancient man. We'll go to the ancient man. You have passed the test of the Valley of Light and the vipers."

"Why do you keep saying test? Is this some kind of game IAM is playing with us?"

"No game, my friend. It is called life."

The plenary absolution of IAM restored the earthlings to a state of grace. The debris of trauma suffered in the Valley of Light was now an accumulation of disjointed fears buried in their pre-consciousness. Now with their Monad rescuer, they felt at peace again.

All these changes occurred so rapidly that John was convinced they must have been a product of his own schizophrenic personality brought on by the intense stress he was experiencing. Whatever it was, he was thankful that somewhere in his spiritual dimension he had remembered to ask for forgiveness.

Stellar landed the blue sphere on the jagged shore of the Abode of Photar and was about to bid farewell to the courageous crew.

"Before you go Stellar, let me ask you something that has been troubling me."

"Of course John. What is it?"

"IAM helped us get out of the fires of the Valley of Light. Why then would he not also let you take us back to earth?"

"Because you must make that journey on your own."

"But why? You haven't answered my question."

"It has something to do with you being a human".

"But this is inconsistent. He helps us to escape from the bowels of Hell, yet he will not help us to return to earth."

"Against anything that happens to you in the Domain, he will protect you. You need only call on him. But once you leave his realm, and go through the opening in the earth, you are completely on your own. That is the way it is. There is no other way."

André, whose medical training had been so important to the crew in the past, suddenly opened his eyes in wide amazement. From somewhere deep in the recesses of his brain, he got a miraculous insight and now was able to make sense of the whole thing.

"That's why they can't help us get back to earth. It's like Stellar says. It has to do with our being humans. It's birth - this entire struggle to return to earth through the opening. Can't you see what it all means? We leave the protection of our creator in the Domain of IAM and are born in the Domain of Earth."

"My God, André. That tar must have cooked your brain."

John was not capable of making such abstract connections and these new concepts were even more difficult to accept than the events themselves. Sandra understood immediately what André had said and she urged John to give him a chance to elaborate on his theory.

"Go on André. What you have said is the one thing about all of this that makes any sense."

John resented being considered so dense. He was a realist and only needed more information.

"Then where are we now? Where is man before he is born, if that is what you are saying?"

"We are in the Domain of IAM," said André

"I know that. You think I'm some kind of dummy or something. I mean, what is the Domain of IAM?"

"The answer to your question, John, is inherent in the question itself."

"Now I'm positive the heat damaged your brain. You're not making any sense."
As the debate between the two earthlings intensified, Stellar wished them success, and entered the blue sphere. In the time it would take to burst a bubble, he was no longer with them.

"The answer is in the question," mumbled John. "Do you have any idea what he means, Sandy?"

"I think it has something to do with the name of this place."

"Exactly Sandra," said André. "The name of IAM not only refers to the creator, but also refers to us... our very existence. IAM is truly I Am. I exist. But I do not exist in reality until I am born into the real world."

"Then how do you explain the four of us being here, together, waiting to be born?"

"I can't explain it," said André. "I just know it."

Tuma did not understand at all what their debate was about. He was anxious to meet with the ancient man and get on with their journey.

"We go now to cave?" asked the young Eskimo.

"Caves I can deal with," said John.

Surrounding the island of the Abode of Photar was the enormous pool of white fire in the Valley of Light. As the four earthlings made their way up the steep slopes away from the stench of the decaying bodies, they could see above them the outline of rocks hidden in a damp grey haze. John went ahead to check the mysterious slime and was sucked under. Tuma had to help him get out. This murky air reduced the need for them to wear the eye protection. Stellar had supplied John and Sandra with new Monad temperature suits. Their brief sojourn with their rescuer in the blue sphere had revitalized all four of them.

The refreshing coolness of the higher atmosphere as they climbed was a welcome respite to the horrendous experiences in the valley. The brisk cool wind that raced around the shards of a burned out forest made them thankful for the Monad invention of a temperature control fabric. They began to feel the effect of their physical exertion as they trudged ever higher. John led the way, followed by Sandra and André with Tuma bringing up the rear. Breathing heavily, John stopped to catch his wind as he looked down at the others.

Without warning, an enormous dark grey vulture swooped out of the mist and struck him in the back knocking him to the rocks.

"What the hell was that?"

He could feel a warm trickle running down his back mixed with the fiery pain which radiated outwards between his shoulder blades.

"You're bleeding, John," said André. The red stream spread over his clothing.

"Feels like I was hit with a knife."

"It was a bird...a vulture I think. Pull off your tunic and let me see that wound."

Sandra helped him out of the tunic and they saw a cruel vee-shape cut between the shoulder blades where the bird had struck him. As André prepared to clean the wound, a grotesque furry animal larger then a raccoon darted noisily from behind a rock and seizing John from behind, began sucking the blood from the gash on his back, its claws buried in his flesh.

Grabbing a rock from the ground André swung at the head of the beast, but it would not release the screaming American, who was now grovelling on the rocks like an animal himself, frantically trying to shake the monster from his body, its face now smeared with his blood.

"Do something, for God's sake or he's going to kill me."

André was afraid that if he swung too hard at the creature and missed he would seriously injure his friend. Tuma could wait no longer. Risking being bitten by the ghoul, he shoved his fingers into its eyes, and wrenched the beast away from his fallen leader. Hanging onto the wretch by the head, he smashed it against the rocks several times until its body went limp.

Sandra bent over her suffering friend who lay trembling on the ground. "I can't take it anymore. If this keeps up, there's not going to be enough of me to go back home."

She held his head on her lap while André doctored the wound. She knew he must be desperate to speak this way. Of all the men she had ever known, she had never come across anyone as courageous as John Robins.

"Rest, my darling. The cave is not very far now. We'll make it. Just don't give up."

"This is insane. Why do all these things...these creatures, try to destroy us?"

"Because we are different," said André. "It's the same back on earth. The few who are different are the ones who suffer. The majority fears their unpredictability. That was the reason your President used the Centcomp to monitor the behaviour of all Americans. Here in the Domain, we are the ones who would dare be different. These constant threats are the price we have to pay for that difference."

"Do you think we should go on, André?" asked John.

"But of course, mon ami. As long as we can patch up the wounds, we must continue. Now, Tuma, let me look at your hands. Did that thing hurt you at all?"

"Tuma not hurt. Him not like to kill, but him kill when there is nothing else Tuma can do."

"Thank God for Tuma. You're fantastic to have around when the going gets tough," said John.

"Tuma glad you be all right. We go to cave now?"

They helped John to his feet and slowly continued up the slope to the cave which stood above the mist. They were surprised to see trees and shrubs growing on what seemed to be barren rock. Hanging over the opening to the cave was the skin of a reindeer. John stood in the centre of the small group and called out to the cave dweller.

"Old man. Come out. We need your help."

Patiently they waited. The animal skin moved slowly to the side of the entrance as a wrinkled hand, more like that of a skeleton than a human, revealed itself. The ancient man looked like a poorly preserved mummy as he came out of the darkness carrying a staff and exuding the odour of a mouldy suitcase. He examined them closely, one at a time. When he came to Sandra, he reached out and touched her on the breast. She jerked backwards, away from his grasp.

"Woman...of all the creatures I remember back on earth, woman was the one I craved the most."

Sandra felt a nausea tugging at her insides at the attempts by the ancient man to compliment her.

"Old man, we have been told you can tell us how to return to earth. We need your help ...desperately."

"And for my help, I get to lie down with the woman."

They could not believe what he had said. This decrepit caricature of human debris was propositioning them like any pervert who haunts the alleyways and public washrooms in the big cities in America.

"We were told you would help us. The woman is not a part of the deal."

"Why not? I thought you said you were desperate. Is a short time with this desirable creature too much to ask for your freedom?"

John could not contain his anger any longer as the ancient man pursued his attempts to get Sandra. Grabbing the shrunken remnants of humanity by the scruff of his wrinkled neck, he lifted him off the ground, and shook him vigorously.

"Listen, creep. I'll say it just once more, the woman is not for sale." With this he dropped the loathsome creature with considerable force against the hard rocky terrain. The ancient man lay still for several minutes.

"Oh my God, John, you've killed him," said Sandra, terror in her voice. With his foot, John prodded the mass of decrepitude that sprawled before him. Before he realized what was happening, he felt his leg in a vice like grip and in one quick motion he was hurled to the ground. The bundle of old flesh suddenly expanded into a full blown giant of a man, lording it over these terrified earthlings.

"On your feet, you sorry excuse for a man. You think the Lord Photar has to bargain with the likes of you to get what he desires. If I want the woman, I'll take her."

They were so frightened by his tremendous physical presence and obvious magical powers they were dumbfounded. Sandra grabbed John by the arm and pulled him between her and the ancient man. Tuma and André were frozen by their fear.
With a loud resonant laugh Lord Photar went to the cave entrance and pulled back the animal skin.

"Come into my abode. Come in. I wont hurt you. I cannot hurt you. My power is in my ability to make you hurt yourselves."

Hesitantly, they followed the giant into the cave. Beyond the anteroom, a large metal door that was slightly opened revealed a vast ornate cathedral decorated with magnificent tapestries depicting scenes from the Kama Sutra. Obviously the ancient man was obsessed with sex. Reclining on glossy satin pillows were several of the most beautiful women they had ever seen, dark eyed, veiled houris, from the tales of Aladdin.

"Welcome, earthlings, to my humble abode."

The aroma of delicate incense and perfumed bodies, wafted gently in the atmosphere of this potentate's luxurious palace. Strains of delicate oriental music could be heard in the background, and the sweet voices of chanting lulled them into a mood of comforting security. He led them to a mass of soft pillows and sat down in their midst, indicating they should do likewise.

"Forgive me, woman, for challenging you the way I did but I, Photar, must know the worthiness of those who seek my help. You have proven yourselves worthy...and now I will answer any of your questions."

André was fascinated by this remarkable turn of events. As a scientist, his enquiries were concerned with a better understanding of this new phenomenon, this ability to change physical structure by an act of the will. He wanted to know everything.

"Lord Photar, may I be so bold as to ask you what your name means?"

"I am the Lord of Light. Everything you see comes from me. The only control I do not have is the experience which you bring to your seeing. Do you understand what I am saying?"

"Not exactly," said André

"I told you that I could not hurt you. My power is in my ability to make you hurt yourself."

"You mean by provoking our imaginations?"

"That's it. Man fears what he cannot or does not understand. Since your earth minds contain only that which comes into it through the senses, it tries in whatever manner possible to get meaning out of the extraordinary. If your mind is filled with fear, the extraordinary will feed this fear, and the fearful situation will appear even more supernatural. It is this interior world of your mind which powers you. If it gets out of control, it can destroy you."

"Why do they call you the ancient man?" asked John.

"Before time was, I am," said Photar.

"But that is what the Maker of All Things is supposed to be," said John.

"Let me explain. In the ancient beginning of time, there was a great struggle to see who would be the supreme Lord over all that was being made. I was the first in that great creation, after the word."

André began to quote from St. John's gospel. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God."

"And the word was God," completed Photar. "I was created to end the darkness. Many know me as Lucifer, the light bearer. When I came, and my light gave birth to all that is, I wanted to be the Supreme Lord. But it was not to be. Those who knew they existed because of my light struggled against those who sided with IAM and we were cast into the pool of light you have seen. Since I was made before time began, I am known as the ancient man."

"But you're not a man," said André. "You're a God."

"No I am a man, there is no doubt about that. The moment one begins to think and question, he can no longer remain innocent. I have been without innocence since the great struggle with IAM. He lets me continue here in my Abode, because even though I may lead men to reject IAM and seek themselves, I in my own little way help man to find his true self."

"What is that true self?" asked Sandra.

"That man becomes by action, not by thought alone. It is in the doing that man comes to the knowing, not in the asking how."

"We're here to ask you how we can return to earth. But you have just said in effect that we must do it by ourselves."

"That is true. But that does not stop me from telling you of a way out of the Domain."

They couldn't believe what he was saying.

"Linking your world with this underworld are numerous tunnels throughout our globe. One of the most famous tunnels was used hundreds of years ago in earth time when the Aztecs escaped from the vicious Spaniards. Seventeen thousand of them went into underground tunnels and were never seen again by earth creatures. Some of those refugees, because of their evil ways, will continue for all eternity supplying light in my valley, while those who still had innocence and the love of their Creator, eventually took up life in the Domain as faithful Monads."

"Are you saying that if we find that tunnel we can get back to earth?" asked John.

"That is a possibility, but it would take you so long venturing to the southern hemisphere to locate the tunnel, your return to earth would be of little value in earth time. No, I only mention that story so that you will know there are such ways of escaping the Domain of IAM. The tunnel you must use exists in the region you call the western Arctic. It was used early in this century by a small group of Monads who, after losing their way, wandered aimlessly on the surface until they met the famous explorer Stefanson. It was unfortunate the scientific world doubted his account of this discovery. It could have pursued it further and maybe found the Domain of IAM before this time.

"You see, my friends, I am in complete agreement with John, that you must take the knowledge of this truth to earth. I, the lord Photar, prefer to bring man into the light, than to keep him a prisoner in darkness. It is the knowledge which comes from my light which gives man the chance to exercise his free choice which IAM praises so highly. Without me, there is no choice."

"But, lord Photar, he who chooses you is damned for all eternity."

"It is not I who makes the choice. It is IAM's weak, ignorant creation who does it. I merely give man the option. Without vice, there is no virtue. Without Photar, there is no Paradise. Now do you see why IAM needs me. Why didn't he share the Kingdom with me? I deserved it."

"Please tell us, ancient man, how to get to this tunnel of which you speak?" asked John.

"Your torments are not over," said Photar. "You will have to return to the Domain of IAM and prepare well for the rest of your journey."

"And how do we get back to the Domain?"

"Just ask, and you shall receive."

"And when we get back there, what must we do?" asked John, growing impatient.

"You must construct a balloon and fly over the Warbies. Beyond their realm you will find what appears to be a rocky fjord with a river the colour of blood that flows out of the opening into the Arctic ocean. Once there, you will have to contend with the problems of your world. I cannot help you anymore than that."

"And what direction must we go in to get past the Warbies?" asked John.

"Opposite to the course you steered to come here. This time you will know you are on the right heading when you see the smoking fires of the Warbies who burn their victims before they devour them. I guess you've been told about their insatiable appetite for sexual perversion. They get this instinct from me. I could never return to IAM because I would not give up my orgasmic ways.

"But in a way, I serve my Lord IAM, because my fantasies in the minds of men, keep the fruits of creation developing. You see my friends, we are like precious coins, with two sides. One is the image of the Maker of all things and the other is the value we are prepared to give to be a part of this precious metal. My free choice and your willingness to give up Paradise, is the high price we put on our individuality.

"You are correct, my dear doctor, in perceiving that the birth of man contains within it the end of this idyllic existence. Paradise can be enjoyed only in the upper levels of the spiritual being. As long as we are base, and the world of earth existence is truly base, we separate ourselves from IAM. But I will conclude by saying, you will return, either to me and my fiery pool, or to the infinite spiritual pleasure of worship of your Creator for all eternity. There are no other options."

That said, Lord Photar stood up and extended his hand to the earthlings, each in turn. When he came to Sandra, he pulled her towards him, and playfully said, "I would still wish to lie down with this woman." They didn't know whether he was testing them again or not.

John ignored his remark and asked, "And all I do is ask for IAM's help, and he will take us back to the Domain?"

"It's as simple as that," said Photar. He put his hand gently on Sandra's back and whispered, "I enjoyed you greatly in my pool of light."

Not hearing what the ancient man had said to Sandra, John expressed his faith in IAM, and in the time it takes to tell of it, they were returned to their villa in the Domain. Here they would make their balloon and continue on their return to earth.

View original art by William James Johnson at www.noozoon.com