Legends of Amacia The Caverias Rebellion
Chapter 37: World War III Erupts

On the surface at Tiamat, Dan, Mary, and Brother Paul listened to the news as they monitored the portal’s hologram of the planet. The situation had deteriorated severely in the last twelve hours. The American blockade of North Korea had turned into open war. A freighter headed for North Korea loaded with humanitarian food and medical supplies was stopped and searched by American warships. As soon as the North Koreans heard of it, they launched a massive missile strike on the carrier battle group that stopped the freighter. In less time it took for the freighter to be boarded, a barrage of eight anti-ship missiles slammed into three of the command ships of the blockade, one of which was the carrier Roosevelt, destroying it and two missile destroyers, sending its wreckage to the bottom of the sea with all hands. Seven thousand sailors went down. At the same time, the North Korean army swarmed the DMZ. In addition, at the same time of the missile strikes on the ships, the North Koreans fired nuclear-tipped missiles at Guam. The Chinese and Russian fleets in the Pacific, who had been engaged in war games in the area, turned to help the Koreans, engaging the US blockade. Dan, Mary, and Paul watched in horror as World War Three exploded before their eyes. “It has begun,” Dan breathed in horror as they watched the Korean peninsula flash with explosions. “They really did it.”

Paul put an arm around the horrified Mary and said, “It has to be. The Lord has declared it. Look up and rejoice for our deliverance is at hand.” Seconds later, there were three nuclear flashes on Guam, destroying the US military base there.

“Look!” Dan cried out as the radio went dead. He ignored the loss of the radio and zoomed in on China and Taiwan. The Chinese had begun a full-scale assault of Taiwan. “The Chinese are sacking Taiwan!”

“All in the Lord’s plan,” Paul replied grimly. “We must thank Him for our place of refuge.”

Mary turned to him, saying with great concern and emotion, “What about Hannibal? Where is he?”

Dan heard the comment and moved the view to South America and the desolate wasteland that surrounded Aconcagua. “They are in the hands of the Lord,” Paul told her gently. “He will keep them safe.” They looked at the hologram, seeing that the strange cloud was swirling menacingly and seemingly growing around the mountain.

Seeing the wasteland around Aconcagua was too much for Mary. “He is lost! They are all lost and so are we!” she cried out in hopeless despair.

Paul looked at her with anger and said, “Shut up, woman! You know nothing! Don’t even go there! That is the way of death! Believe in the Lord and they shall be saved alive, even in the midst of the hell that is exploding around the world!”

Mary was shocked by this harsh rebuke and began to bawl. “Shut up! Stop your crying! It’s unacceptable! You are letting your iniquity show! Repent of this evil!” Paul rebuked again even harsher than before. Dan thought to stand up for her but thought again. Mary was having a spiritual crisis. She was on the verge of committing the sin unto death: turning away from God and not believing in Him.

“Mary,” Dan said gently, touching her on the shoulder as she was about to flee the anger of Brother Paul. “Don’t give in to that spirit. Can’t you see what has happened?”

Mary hesitated, stifling her emotions at Dan’s gentle words. She was terribly angry with Paul because she didn’t think he knew her point of view. She looked at Paul hatefully and Paul rebuked it, asking, “Why are you angry at me? I haven’t done anything to you except reveal your sin. Please, put this anger away. The Lord is in control of this situation. Repent of your sin.” This time, he had tempered his rebuke with mercy and the combination broke her before the Lord.

“Oh, what have I done?” Mary cried humbly. “I have sinned! I was wrong to despair! Please forgive me!”

Paul’s anger melted away, being replaced by the forgiveness of God. “We forgive you, sister,” Paul replied gently, taking her by the hands. “Just don’t let this happen again. We cannot allow a spirit like that in here. It could cause great damage to us. Our unity in the Lord is our strength.”

“Thank you,” Mary cried gratefully. “I don’t know what came over me. Only a true brother in the Lord would have done what you did. Thank you.”

“You’re most welcome,” Paul replied with a warm smile. “Come, let’s get out of here. You don’t need to know what’s going on this way. Dan, keep me informed.”

Dan nodded, saying, “I surely will.”

Paul led Mary out of the portal chamber heading toward the cafeteria to get her something to drink that would calm her nerves as Dan went back to monitoring the situation with North Korea.