Revelation One - The Signs

Episode 1 from the book "The False Apocalypse - A religious thought experiment" by Zeb

I am sitting on the stairs. I'm staring at the ground in front of me, which is barren. Suddenly a cloud of smoke catches my eye compelling me to walk down the stairs and move towards the it, wanting to find out what is happening. I wanted to see the root of the smoke and so I ran, from the woods, swamps, and finally I get a view of what that smoke is. I see buildings, trees, burning. The smoke is all over the sky like a large cloud. I see people gather with lanterns in their hands, confused and unaware.

Suddenly, an earthquake hits us, and the ground shakes violently. People panic and run towards everything, screaming, and afraid. Then there is a sudden silence, as if everything has stopped. And I hear a sound resembling a basson, seemingly coming from everywhere, continuous, getting louder by every moment.

I follow the path to the mountain, to get a better view of the events. The path is through a garden, now burnt and turned into a black land. Ahead is a small forest, through which I run. The forest is dense, the canopy blocking the light from the sky. As I run forward, I see at the other end of the forest, darkness dominating. This darkness, which after I observe, is from the smoke, the same smoke. I approach the end of the forest, and I move out, I feel warmth on my face, and I wipe my eyes to see what it is. The mountain, is burning.

Although exhausted, I run along the base of the mountain which leads to the village, with a sea of thoughts going through my head. The fire has warmed the air and I drown in sweat. I reach the village, people running everywhere. The recurring earthquakes, destroying the shelter and cracks appear on the land. I walk slowly, tired, breathing heavily, carrying a fear of what it might be. And then, I hear a groan, with the same loudness as that of the basson, coming from far away. I run towards the source of the sound.

Suddenly, a bright flash of light appears, coming from the horizon, by which I get blinded for a moment. It becomes larger with each passing moment, and I feel it approaching towards my direction. Its brightness overpowers that of the sun, which is above it. The sky turns reddish with the smoke resembling the clouds. I move to a higher ground to see what it is, or rather who he is. And as it comes closer, I see a creature engulfed in fire, smokeless fire.

I know who he is. He is the Serpent with seven heads, the Fallen Angel.

The angel, who had promised to return to this place. I feel the greatness of his, and part of me is in awe of this beast. His form is like air, moving through everything, burning what it touches. I feel I know about him, and about this event. And then I realize he is moving towards the mountain, as expected, which is behind me.

I run, as fast as I can away from him, praying for mercy, even though I know there is no place I can hide.