TAKEN--A Metaphysical Fantasy Audio Drama

TAKEN: #17 – Mark of the Ancient

December 01, 2020 V. Morrow Season 1 Episode 17
TAKEN--A Metaphysical Fantasy Audio Drama
TAKEN: #17 – Mark of the Ancient
Show Notes Transcript

SET YOUR MIND on things above with TAKEN--A Metaphysical Fantasy Audio Drama. He was wanted a cure. He found the Creator. 

SYNOPSIS:
Enoch, an alpha-tracker and possessor of the One Mind, lives in a time of turmoil at the dawn of mankind. The curse promised by the Ancient One has come to pass. First Father Adam is dead and the dreaded plague that almost decimated the tribes 291 years ago has returned. Murder they understood. Father Cain taught them that. But, this sudden disappearance of the life force terrifies the clans of Adamah. They must find the “Bearer of the Seed”—the son of Eve the prophecy declares will cure the sickness and defeat death. Enoch and his powerful rival, Tubal-Cain, are chosen for the quest of a lifetime or rather the quest that will end their lives—find the cure, a miraculous healing plant known to grow near the Forbidden Garden, and stave off death once more. Only a fool would risk the dangerous trek to the Edge and the wrath of the terrible creatures guarding it. Only the favored son would find the way and return. Enoch quickly discovers he is not enough, but also he learns, he is not alone. A mysterious stranger leads Enoch through a portal to a metaphysical realm where past, present and future collide and now he finds himself in the middle of an ancient war. Supernatural forces are plotting too—one with a mind to destroy Adam's kind and the other with a heart to save it. Enoch must choose—angel or demon, friend or foe, dark or light before death overcomes and the Seed is destroyed forevermore.
 
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 MUSIC/SOUND SOURCES: 

Chapter 17 - Mark of the Ancient

Enoch gazed out the folds of his tent into the night—the camp was at rest, finally. The scent of the fatty meat and oil lingered in the air. Enoch sighed. He really wanted to be alone, to think, to understand what happened. Dinah watched him carefully, though she pretended to be sleeping. He could feel her hesitance. Is she afraid of me now? After the fire had come, a sure display of the Ancient’s favor, things were somehow, different.
There were no more questioning looks from Great Mother Eve. Nor more grumbling from his tribesmen after he stepped out of those roaring flames. Even Father Seth spoke to him with reverence. Enoch remembered the honored Soka’s words when he had given instructions to begin the distribution of the alroue at first light. “Yes Bearer. It is as you say Bearer.” He had no fatherly advice to offer as usual. Instead, Father Seth immediately assembled the Elders and Medici to make sure the most ailing members of the clans would receive a portion first according to Enoch’s wishes.
“Be at ease Bearer, even though the Tribe of Cain has betrayed us, we are not without means. I will assemble the Nesh Pa Nel scouts to discover the methods used by Cain’s people near Nod immediately. We will learn how to cultivate alroue and by the favor of the Ancient, we shall prevail.”
Enoch was glad Father Seth had taken over the tasks without being asked. “For truth, I am in no condition to do anything right now,” Enoch muttered to himself. Although he appeared strong and vibrant—he even had the unmistakable glow of the Ancient One earlier—but inside, he felt very weak. From the way Dinah is treating me, it’s still there.
Enoch held out his bronzed arms shining in the full moon with a light of their own. It was soft and almost imperceptible, but ever present. Enoch grabbed a robe and covered himself. Dinah was still pretending to rest. Her eyes were closed, her breathing irregular.
“Dinah,” Enoch said.
“Yes?” She sat up quickly. “Yes, Enoch, I mean Bearer.”
“You may still call me Enoch.” He walked over and knelt beside her. “We are husband and wife after all.”
Enoch peered into her dark brown eyes, searching. Dinah returned his gaze for a moment and then quickly looked down.
“Yes, husband. I mean, Enoch.”
Enoch tried a different approach. “I was wondering if you would make me a drink of the alroue. I am feeling—”
“Certainly Bearer. I mean Enoch.”
Before he could finish, Dinah had already rushed to her feet, donned a cloak and was halfway out the door of their tent. Her relief was apparent.
Enoch threw off his robe and tossed it to the floor. The night was too warm for it anyway. He plopped down on the cushions where Dinah had lain and sat down hugging his knees into his chest. The euphoria he experienced earlier while the power of the One Mind had surged through him was gone. Now he just felt tired and alone. He nodded his head, closed his eyes, and sat there for a while, listening to the sounds of the night.
“Enoch,” a voice called.
“Dinah?” Enoch said.
She stood before him carrying a wooden tray. It was filled with an assortment of fruit, some aloti cakes and a large mug of steaming liquid. The aroma of the alroue filled the room.
Enoch rubbed his eyes and tried to focus. I must have fallen asleep. He took the mug of alroue from the tray and held it under his nose, inhaling deeply. “Just the smell of it makes me better.” Dinah stood at attention, looking at him expectantly.
“Thank you, Dinah,” he said, “You have done my heart well this eve.”
Dinah beamed as she backed away slowly.
“There’s no need to leave—”
“Well,” Dinah edged closer to the door, “it’s just that Great Mother Eve and the Medici are preparing alroue for the others—as you requested. They really need my help, that is, if you don’t mind?”
“No, of course not. Please join the others,” Enoch hid his disappointment with a quick smile. “I will see you at sun’s birth.”
Dinah rushed through the tent door almost tripping over her cloak as she did so. Enoch frowned at the clumsy movement of his normally graceful wife. Why was she in such a hurry? Then he noticed it—the alroue had replenished him. The room was filled with soft, golden light—coming from him!

###

Onami guarded the door as the woman set the tray down beside Enoch. He felt better too. The scent of the alroue reminded him of home. He needed all the reminders he could get since it looked like he would not be returning any time soon. The General’s orders were clear— “Observe and record until further notice.”
Onami stepped aside to avoid the woman’s haste. Though he knew she couldn’t see him, he didn’t like the sensation of humans rushing through him. He paced back and forth, studying the man bent over the cup of alroue. I do not understand these sons of Adam. He should be elated the Ancient of Days honored him in such a way. A human allowed to summon the forces—a privilege indeed! But there he was, slumping in the corner as if he had been reprimanded.
Onami stopped pacing and stood over Enoch. What was that? The man was mumbling gibberish. Oh, great. Now he is talking to himself. His mind is twisted. Such a shame, the strain of using the forces has bent his mind. Unless—
Onami rushed back to the door, reaching for his bow. Maybe this is some new trick of the Fallen? Onami aimed his weapon. Enoch was still muttering behind him, but louder now.
Onami peered again into the darkness and poised himself for attack. They must be here somewhere. Enoch is going mad.
Onami stiffened. A sharp sensation sent flecks of awareness throughout his frame. Pinpricks of light surged from his being, making him even more brilliant than usual. He knew this. Onami quickly dropped to his knees.
“My Lord,” Onami said, bowing low.
Magnificent light paused in front of Enoch. The Beloved nodded his head toward Onami and raised a finger to his lips.
“Son of Adam, your petition has been granted. Return to the Forest of Avenland where I will meet you.”
Onami watched the Beloved talk with the man for a while. He could no longer understand what they were saying. They were speaking some language unknown to him. Then, the Beloved turned to him and smiled before leaving. As he did, he heard the words: “Protect him.”
“Yes, my—” Onami gasped when the aberration in his appearance briefly surfaced again, a visible reminder of his trip through the gate at the Tree of Life. An intense spectrum of every hue imaginable whirled through him, then softened with the Beloved’s departure.
Onami studied Enoch—sleeping soundly on the rumpled blankets. The faint golden glow emanating from the human’s figure remained.
Onami held out his own arms, examining them. Pale pinks, purples and blues colored his figure in swirls, so subtle he could not tell where one shade ended and the other began. As he moved his limbs about in the moonlight, the colors changed again—this time warm reds, oranges and golden tones flickered throughout his figure. Why am I altered? Onami stood up slowly and studied his torso and legs this time—they too were affected. It is beautiful, I think. But, what does it mean? Will it last?
Onami plopped down on a cushion near the man and leaned against the wall. He stared at Enoch, who now looked a little more like the Elohim than a son of Adam. Onami hugged his knees to his chest and sighed as he remembered how the man’s wife had run away from him.

###

“No, Tiph’arah—wait,” Dinah called as she ran to catch up.
“Dinah, if you won’t go in, I will.”
“Medici Tiph’arah, please—I am sure he doesn’t want to be disturbed.”
“How do you know? Have you asked him?”
“Well, no but, I am—”
“Listen, Bearer or no Bearer. He is still Enoch.”
Tiph’arah pushed back the folds to Enoch’s abode. Soft rays of first light streamed through the room. Stunned, Tiph’arah took a step back. She shielded her eyes with her hand as she approached her cousin. Dinah peeked in through the doorway ignoring Tiph’arah, beckoning her to follow.
There was Enoch. He sat with his back to the door, hunched over a large tray. Empty melon rinds, a smattering of seeds and crumbs littered the floor around him.
Tiph’arah coughed. “Well, I see your condition has not affected your appetite.”
Enoch jumped and swirled around.
Tiph’arah squinted.
“Sorry.” Enoch threw on a hooded robe.
“That’s better.” Tiph’arah smiled brightly as she lowered her hand, “I believe this is yours.” Tiph’arah held out Enoch’s distinctive blade.
“What?” Enoch stood up quickly and looked down at the empty loop on his waist pack. “How did you?”
“You may be the leader of Adam’s Realm and you might have the glow of the Ancient One about you, but you still don’t know how to hold on to your weapon, Cousin.”
Enoch smiled. At least Tiph’arah is not afraid of me.
“I might be inclined to teach you, if you tell me your secret.”
Tiph’arah took Enoch’s hand into hers an examined it. “Where is the light coming from? Do you feel different? Can you call the fire down now?”
“No, Tiph’arah,” Enoch laughed. “I don’t know where the light comes from, it’s just there, I mean here. And, no, I don’t feel any different. Well—at least not now. But, last eve, I did feel—”
“Dinah, since you are closest to the door,” Tiph’arah called out sweetly, “would you please have a sebassi bring us some ketu? I am sure your husband would love a cup.”
“Uh—oh, of course, Tiph’arah,” Dinah said, stepping into the doorway so she could be seen, “I’ll have them prepare a tray.” The curtains fluttered as Dinah rushed away.
“Tiph’arah.” Enoch grinned. “You shouldn’t have. It was obvious she wanted to hear our conversation.”
“Well,” Tiph’arah said, picking up the scraps from the floor and loading them onto the empty tray, “she should have come instead of standing over there like a silly ninny.”
“Don’t be so harsh with Dinah. All women do not have your courage.”
“Well they should.”
“She is trying.” Enoch said softly
“I’m sorry Enoch—it’s just all her talk about being afraid made me angry. Do you know she stayed in the tent of the Medici all sun’s sleep? There is simply not enough room for her. I had to move all my things just so she could have a place to sleep. We had long finished our work and we didn’t need her. She should have rested in her own tent with her husband.”
Enoch sighed. “Tiph’arah, I do not blame her for being afraid. I am—different now.”
Tiph’arah bit her lower lip and focused on the straps of her sandals. “You were saying you felt something last night.” She leaned in close to Enoch whispering, her eyes bright with excitement. “Tell me.”
(Onami leaned in too. I am glad the girl Tiph’arah has come. Now we’ll get to the bottom of this! Onami listened intently as Enoch recounted the events of the evening before.)
“—and after the fire came down, it faded. I felt quite myself again, except for this. For truth, I didn’t even notice it until I saw how everyone kept staring at me. Even Father Seth treats me as if I were Adam himself.”
“Well, that is something. My father treats everyone like a childling.”
“There is one more thing. Last night, after I came here, I heard The Voice again.”
“You did?” Tiph’arah exclaimed, “What did He say?”
“I haven’t even told Dinah yet, but—”
Just then Dinah came bustling through the door with a large tray. Mugs of steaming liquid, rolls and an assortment of dried meats jostled precariously as she made her way toward Enoch and Tiph’arah.
“Enoch, dear one, what haven’t you told me yet?” she asked with a big smile plastered across her face. “Tiph’arah, you know you really should be going now. Great Mother Eve has been asking for you. She needs your help with the distribution.”
Tiph’arah folded her arms. “Of course, Medici Dinah. Let me just get a cup of the ketu,” Tiph’arah said, reaching for the tray, “and I’ll be on my way.” Tiph’arah stopped, surprised. The last mug was gone. “I could have sworn there was another cup.”
Dinah glanced down quickly. “I thought I brought enough. No matter then. You can just get more on your way out.”
“Certainly,” Tiph’arah pressed her lips together. “Enoch, I mean Bearer, we’ll talk later.”
(Onami grinned as he sipped the rich ketu. This is wonderful. It was good of the girl to have the woman bring this.)
“That Tiph’arah should be trained. Father Seth lets her run as wild as a gazelle, trying to get wisdom from my husband when she should be sitting at her father’s feet or helping the other women. But no, not her. What does she do? She runs with the men, hunting and training with weapons. It’s just not what a proper woman does. And she is presumptuous too, calling you by your first name as if she were—”
“Were what?” Enoch asked, frowning.
Dinah blushed and busied herself straightening the blankets. “Just never mind—I think you indulge her too much, Enoch.”
Enoch smiled. So now I am Enoch again. “Now Dinah, don’t let Tiph’arah get to you. She is just strong-willed like Great Mother Eve. Be at ease wife. I can’t tell you about the voice I heard last night, if you keep carrying on about Tiph’arah.”
“Of course, husband.” Dinah dropped the basket of blankets on the floor and sat beside him.
“The Ancient of Days spoke to me. I must go to Avenland Forest.”
“I see—” Dinah frowned. She emptied the basket and began folding the blankets into neat stacks. “When will you leave?”
“Well—right away.”
“I see.”
Dinah picked up the basket blankets once again and turned to leave.
“I suppose you’ll be needing some of your things prepared then. I’ll see to it.”
“Dinah?”
“Yes.” Her answer was sharp as she swung around to face him.
“I packed my satchel last night.”
Dinah noticed Enoch’s worn leather pack, stuffed to the brim, sitting by the door. “I see.”
“But if you could, that is if you don’t mind—” Enoch studied her face, puzzled by the coolness he found there. “Would you please ask Father Seth and the Elders to meet me at the Tower? I want to inspect the storehouse before leaving.”
“Certainly, Bearer.”

###

Father Seth panted as he raced toward the Tower. His silver braid slapped against his back like a whip. He had hardly slept at all last night. All he could think about was protecting those precious leaves. So, he’d gone to inspect the vault one more time before the Council arrived. It was the least he could do for the new Bearer.
“On point, as usual,” Father Seth greeted Enoch and the elders as they came up the path. “Shall we?” Father Seth stood aside, allowing the elders to enter first. 
The Tower, and barracks for the Nesh Pa Nel was crafted from a Father Tree conifer with long drooping needles, standing about three hundred and fifty lengths tall and fifty lengths in circumference. The hollowed-out trunk’s main entrance was an arched door at the base of the tree. Small cut-outs were scattered along its height for watch duty. Thick long branches were further obscured by an aggressive vine, leaving the storehouse virtually hidden.
“Clever,” Enoch said. “I might have missed it.”
Father Seth beamed. “This way to the vault.” Ladders built into the walls allowed access to the upper levels. A hollow column stood in the center and inside it, thick ropes hung from the top to large baskets on the bottom.  
They climbed the ladders to the upper decks, but Enoch reached the storeroom first. “I see we have easy distribution throughout. There’s plenty room for new crops, and it’s well-lit. Who installed lamps?”
Enoch searched the nooks—there were no lamps. The darkened room was completely illuminated as if the noon day sun sat in the middle. But, no sun did this—it was him. Light gushed from his pores brilliantly, just as it had last eve. Not even his dark cloak diminished the effect this time. The elders he revered his whole life were lying on the floor—prostrate.
“Please, I realize my appearance is, unusual. But I am no one to be worshiped. Get up!” Enoch pulled the men to their feet. The air was thick, heady. “We need to get outside,” Enoch said, rushing down the ladder.
The men looked dazed. 
“Quickly!” Enoch shouted.
Finally, the men followed him down the shaft and out the Tower door.
Once outside, the men breathed easier. In the bright sun and fresh air, Enoch’s strange glow was not so strange. Someone poked him.
Father Seth broke the silence. “This light is surely a sign of the Ancient’s favor, nothing to be afraid of. Remember, Father Adam and Mother Eve once shined with brilliance too before the exile. Since the Ancient One has chosen Enoch as the Bearer, why should he not possess the light the Seed will bring?”
“I see that I am not the only recipient of an altered appearance.” Enoch pointed at his head.
“Pardon?” Father Seth said.
“Look in the vessel,” Enoch passed him a polished dish.
Father Seth gazed at his reflection—his silver hair was now jet black—so black it was almost blue! “I have not seen the likes of this since I was a childling.” Seth laughed.
Enoch frowned. “How long were you in the storehouse before we arrived?”
“Surely no more than half a time,” Seth said.
“I feel refreshed myself,” Father Jared touched his toes and bent his knees easily. “Just think of what this means for the tribe of Seth. Anyone who enters the alroue vault, could be completely healed from the curse.”
“Listen!” Enoch silenced their excited chatter, “the alroue is a powerful gift, but I need to be sure.”
“When will you be sure Bearer?” an older man of the Soka asked.
“When the Ancient of Days says so. I have no such word yet.”
“Yet? Bearer, I mean no disrespect, but you are young and strong. Some of us have seen many ages and do not know how many more sun sleeps will come before the curse takes us.” The man made for the Tower door.
Enoch beat him to it and blocked it.
“Aye, Bearer, he speaks the truth.” Another man stood behind him forming a line.
Within moments, the queue wrapped around the Tower and down the trail. 
“Hear me well sons of Seth.” Enoch whistled and the Nesh Pa Nel materialized from the forest with weapons drawn. “Surely the Hidden Father will keep you well until I return. Please be patient. We must not not forget the fruit of that other tree—we are still suffering from its nectar. No one is to stay in the vault for more than half a time and the door must remain open while you are there. No one is to enter alone.”
“What if we get sick before you return?” someone asked.
“Anyone who brings a sacrifice for the Ancient One, should be given a fair portion.”
“But what about the sons of Cain?” the Nesh Pa Nel pack leader asked.
“The alroue is to be given freely to any Son of Adam who brings the sacrifice,” Enoch said firmly. “If any concerns arise in my absence, Father Seth and the members of the Tribunal will rule. I have already spoken to the Medici. They have their instructions.”