Legends of Amacia: Mysteries of Tiamat
Delegating Authority

Four hoursafter leaving the cafeteria, Nathanael and Harry had gathered everyone into theportal chamber for the meeting. After waiting nearly an hour, Hannibal, Dan,Jerry, and Chris finally showed up in a golf cart. During that hour, Nathanaeland Harry learned about the garden chamber from Selina, Cynthia, and Mary andwhat it meant for the supply of the Temple. Upon arriving in the portalchamber, Hannibal sprinted to the platform where Nathanael, Harry, Mary, Dennis,and Selina waited patiently talking with several other people. Dan, Jerry, andChris followed close behind Hannibal.

Hannibalclimbed atop of one of the crates of supplies near the edge of the platform andwhistled, getting everyone’s attention. Selina, Nathanael, Harry, Mary, andDennis joined him beside the crate with Dan, Jerry, and Chris. The crowdquieted, giving Hannibal their attention. “I’m not much of a public speaker, soI will try to keep it short,” Hannibal began. “First, I’d like to thank you allfor what you’ve done for me. You’re the finest research team and family any mancould hope to live and work with. I love you all very much. Second, I believeyou know why I called you here and it wasn’t for a thank you.” A laugh rumbledsoftly through the crowd as he continued, “You all know what’s been going onwith the expedition to Amacia. I have been informed that all things will beready shortly so the time has come when I shall have to leave you once again.Harry, Nathanael, and Selina will be accompanying me on the expedition toArgentina. That’s why I want to inform you all that I’m going to leave Dan incharge once again during my absence. He has repeatedly proven his ability tolook out for your welfare and keep things running smoothly. I want you to givehim all the support you can. Jerry and Chris will be his right and left hands.I ask only two things of you while I’m gone. One: that you keep your unity andlove as a family and community. Secondly: that the research and exploration ofthe Temple continue unabated. We sit on the greatest archaeological replace everdiscovered. Let’s not disappoint the Lord, who has so generously provided uswith this treasure. When the time comes to reveal our replaceings to the world,let’s let them know in no uncertain terms that it was the Lord our God whoopened the doors and gave us access to these treasures. I want you to followDan’s orders as if I had given them. Dan, could you step up here for a minute?”

Dan steppedup on the crate beside Hannibal. Hannibal put his hand on Dan’s shoulder anddeclared, “I put them in your charge, Dan. Look after them as I have.” Turningto the crowd, Hannibal stated, “I’ll come back to you at the end of thisexpedition. Amacia and the Temple will be revealed at the same time to theworld, and we’ll shake it to its foundations. Let the masters of the universetremble! Their house of lies is about to be washed out from underneath them bya flood of truth and they cannot stop it!”

Hannibalpaused for a moment, completely astounded at the last words he uttered becausethey just came out without him realizing it. Chills raced down his spinebecause of it. “We’ll be leaving in three days for Amacia,” he said in ahumbled tone. “I just thought you would like to know who I wanted to be incharge while we are gone. May the Lord bless you all, keep you safe in ourabsence, and remember...I will always come for you, Lord willing. I guess thatis about it. Treat Dan as you would me and you’ll get along very well.”

Dan steppeddown off the box and Hannibal turned to step down when a voice shouted out ofthe crowd, “How long will you be gone?”

Hannibalturned back to the crowd, addressing the voice. “I’m sorry to say I honestlydon’t know,” he replied. “Exploring isn’t an exact science. Just take thisplace for instance. It was six months before I was able to explore and securethis place enough to bring you all here. I’m not trying to give you a shortanswer. I simply don’t know.”

Anothervoice called out, “Please come back to us.”

“If it’sthe Lord’s will that I return, I will,” Hannibal stated, “and I’m confidentthat it’s His will that I return.”

“We loveyou. May the Lord guide your steps!” yet another voice shouted out.

BeforeHannibal could respond, a spontaneous explosion of applause and cheer rose fromhis research team and their families. Within seconds, everyone was clapping andcheering. Hannibal looked around in utter amazement at the display of affectionand he was deeply moved. The applause went on for over two minutes. Tears welledup in Hannibal’s eyes as he motioned for them to cease their applause. Afterthe applause died down, he said, choked with emotion, “I’ll say it again…you’rethe finest group of people I’ve ever had the pleasure of being part of. Butgive not your applause to me but give it to the Lord. He’s the one thatdeserves the praise. Let’s give Him a round of applause and cheer worthy ofHim.” At that, he began to clap and cheer the Lord. Within seconds, everyonepresent was doing the same thing. A great cheer arose that rumbled throughoutthe Temple to the point that it was almost deafening. The cheer lasted almostthree minutes. As it subsided, a voice from the crowd began to sing. Within afew seconds, the song spread through the crowd like wildfire and everyone wassinging praises unto the Lord. Hannibal looked around at what was going on andmarveled. He saw everyone singing and immediately joined in.

Unknown tothem, a multitude of angels surrounded them and joined in. Gabriel and Michaelperched on top of the portal machinery and surveyed the scene. They looked ateach other with growing smiles. “He’s ready,” Michael commented. “The time hascome for him to face the Black Prince.”

“Yes, heis,” Gabriel agreed, “however, he’ll face great hardship in the mission thatwill cause him to doubt himself and at times the will of the Father. But aslong as he keeps the Lord in focus he will be successful.”

At that,the two archangels took to flight and passed through the three thousand feet ofsolid rock between the portal chamber and the surface in an instant. Theystopped and hovered a thousand feet over the volcano and surveyed thesituation. Angelic warriors patrolled the mountain with weapons drawn. Just offin the jungle around the Temple, a hideous black horde of demoniac entitiesmilled about like ants whose nest had been disrupted, constantly testing theangelic perimeter. They noticed the two archangels and some of the morepowerful demons took flight to surround them but did not come near in fear ofMichael’s great sword, which hung at his side.

Suddenlyfrom out of nowhere, Dezarcus appeared and pushed right up to Michael andGabriel. He snarled viciously at the both of them. “You can’t protect himforever,” Dezarcus hissed. “Beowulf is mine. You may have been able to evict usfrom our fortress, but you’ll not be able to keep it just as you’ll not be ableto keep Beowulf. I’ll have his soul and there’s nothing you can do about it.His descent into Amacia will be his final descent into hell where I’ll be waiting.”

“What holedid you crawl out of?” Michael retorted. “Why do you speak such lies? You’rebeaten, Dezarcus. Go back to your darkness and if you see the Black Prince,tell him that his days grow short.”

Dezarcusraged and cursed, ranting, “He’s mine. I’ll have him back even if I have todestroy the whole world to do it!”

“The Lordrebukes you, Dezarcus!” Gabriel rebuked. “You’ll never have him again and theworld is not yours to destroy. Now get thee hence back into your darkness.” Bythis time, a dozen great angelic warriors were backing Michael and Gabriel.

Dezarcushad thirty very powerful and hideous principalities backing him. Dezarcusglared wickedly at the two archangels, and then turned to his cohorts. “Anothertime,” he snarled. “These goody two-shoes will drop their guard sooner or laterand when they do; my sword will be in their hearts.”

“I thinknot,” Michael growled with righteous indignation. “Get thee hence back intoyour darkness, demon.”

“Anothertime, angels; we will have our day,” Dezarcus growled with venom as he backeddown and disappeared into the jungle with his cohorts.

“He’sgetting more and more brazen,” Gabriel observed.

“Yes,” Michael agreed as the angelic warriorsdisappeared into the Temple. “We’ll have to watch him carefully. He’s drawinghis legions together and will soon join with the Prince of the North. We’llhave to double our presence here just to keep him off of the remnant here.”Gabriel nodded and they both suddenly raced out of sight into the sky in aninstant.