With Michael's nose out of his business, Uriel went straight to the hall of wisdom and knowledge. The vast library held all knowledge and wisdom available in the universe. Except, of course, the mysteries that Gad hid from the rest of existence.
He walked through the tall mighty doors made out of gold and he stepped into the great library of old. The library was filled with books and scrolls, as well as screens for those who read by such means. However, Uriel was an archangel of the highest order, with maximum clearance. He didn't have to bother with books and scrolls to consume knowledge. His power and authority permitted him to learn by a much more refined means, the utilization of a truly great privilege.
At the far end of the library, at the top of five short steps, stood an elegant throne, and on this throne sat a golden crown. The throne was simple and yet elegant, with straight edges, made out of white stone and devoid of any decorations or elaborate designs. It was simple and was called the throne of wisdom and knowledge, and the crown bared the same name. The crown, unlike the throne, was golden and looked worthy of a king, as it glowed with the light of illumination. Only archangels and Gad himself had the privilege of using the throne and wearing the crown.
The throne of wisdom and knowledge was a very special piece of equipment. For anyone who sat on the throne and wore the crown received answers to any question that they asked. It was believed to be a machine that simply pushed knowledge into the minds of its users. But Uriel knew better for he was a regular user. He knew that the throne had a very peculiar interface and the experience was rather more complicated than information being pumped into one's mind. Even though that was in fact an option that the throne offered.
Uriel stepped up to the throne and picked up the crown. He sat majestically on the throne and set the crown on his head. He then closed his eyes, and when he opened them, he found himself in another realm.
The realm was dark and empty. Like space without the stars or the planet. And with his mind, Uriel summoned the cherub of illumination, the one who holds eternal wisdom and knowledge, the interface of the hat and chair of wisdom, the cherub, Raziel.
Raziel appeared out of the darkness in the form of a bright light of pure energy. Slowly he morphed out of his celestial expression and took his physical form. Now Raziel wasn't a sight for sore eyes and he was exceptionally ugly and grotesque by human standards. The cherub had two pairs of wings and four faces. His faces included the face of a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle. His legs were straight and the soles of his feet were like the hooves of a bull gleaming like polished brass.
However, despite the unpleasant nature of his looks, a testament to Gad's first sub-optimal attempt at creation, Uriel found Raziel absolutely stunning and quite handsome. For they had been friends from the beginning of reality and long before creation. They had even been comrades and Raziel had once been under Uriel's command. He flew right next to Uriel during the attack on Eden. And they stood at the gate for ages, defending it from heathens.
'Raziel,' Uriel said with emotion. 'It has been too long.'
'Way too long comrade,' Raziel said as he approached the throne of wisdom and sat at Uriel's feet. 'What happened? You used to visit very often. And then suddenly you vanish for a few years.'
'A few years is merely a few seconds for you,' Raziel, Uriel said, enjoying his seat and feeling like Gad. Uriel fancied the idea that Gad felt just like this, seated on his throne with angels at his feet.
'True. But there once was a time when we spent eons together. I providing you with infinite knowledge for you to consider. It gets rather boring here without you, dear brother. Since Gad had put me in this realm of his, this experiment of ease, I have grown quite lonely. I just exist in this empty universe, waiting to give simplistic answers. Gad never comes around. He has no use for knowledge that he already has stored in his mind. The other archangels like Michael and Gabriel, hardly ever come here. And when they do, the brutes have nothing interesting to ask. They ask boring questions like would they ever die? Or would they ever grow old? Michael at least tries to ask questions which are reasonable and bold. His mind is bright and his courage infinite. But when it comes to searching for enlightenment his mind grows dull and he lacks the courage to ask the right questions. He is wise, that Michael but he is far too cautious. But enough about my woes and worries. Tell me, dear Uriel, what questions you have and by Gad the answers you shall receive.'
'I take it that our discussion remains in confidence.'
'You know me too well Uriel. I am not one to tell. However, Raguel watches and we both know that his lips whisper directly into Gad's ears, things that the lord misses.'
'True. Then I shall be cautious and say nothing amiss. Tell me about how humans use magic. How do they feel when they utilize Gad's blessings? How does it work from their point of view?'
'Well, it differs from person to person. There are so many factors at play, potential, intelligence and belief are at the forefront of things to consider. For humans, that cast spells and use magic it, feels like their unleashing power from within their souls and expelling energy. And after completing great feats, they always feel weak and fray. In truth, this has become the general rule for all blessings. From those blessed with speed to those blessed with strength. They all believe in the laws of cause and effect. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. So from a human's point of view, he is simply using his magical energy, generated by his spirit and soul, converting said energy and unleashing it in one form or the other. That is the theory that is most popular among humans today. Although some are learning, and believing in the possibility of drawing energy from life forms around them and using it to fuel their powers. There are many conflicting theories, and different people believe and work according to different systems. But the most popular ones have I shared with you.'
'Tell me, Raziel, why does humanity fail. '
'Well, they are foolish and frail.'
'That is the simplistic answer, Raziel. They have been given opportunity and potential. Why aren't they raising hell?'
'Because they can't.'
'But they can. They are now unlimited.'
'Yes. Perhaps. They have the potential to change the laws of the universe and execute any idea that takes root in their minds. But while their powers have grown, their mind has lagged.'
'Explain,' Raziel.
'In truth, this is why Gad had lost faith in man. After the decree and empowering of mankind, Gad realized that power was useless without fixing man's mind. And because of that he grew bored with the project and now looks away from the evil he created.'
'What is wrong with the mind of men?'
'You mean asides being outstandingly foolish and devoid of strength.'
'Now, now Raziel. There have been geniuses among them.'
'Yes, quite a few nonetheless. You and I have whispered the secrets of the universe to these men and some of them have heard. But sometimes, the effort is pointless, especially in this day and age when everyone is trying to be politically correct. They praise mediocrity, Uriel. They no longer praise intelligence. And it is even worse because they choose to do this at a time where they truly need celestial knowledge. They need to unlock mysteries and see things that their eyes can't see. For to unlock their potential they must believe things that their brain can't understand. Gad blessed them and the imbeciles call it magic and power. They create theories around what they see, to explain it, thereby curtailing their potentials and possibilities.'
'Why?' Uriel asked. 'Why do they do this?'
'Because they are foolish', Raziel replied as he whisked his finger and in his hand appeared a golden apple. He took a large bite and started to chew.
'Is that what I think it is?' Uriel asked.
'I am wise and I know things dear comrade, but I am not a mind reader. I don't know what you think. But if you think that this is the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, then I would say that you are right.'
'Can I have one,' Uriel asked.
'Yes. I have many and I have only eaten a few. I took them from the tree when we were in the garden. I do hope that you aren't meeting Gad anytime soon. He greatly frowns on the consumption of this rare fruit.'
'I know how to hide from his view. The fruit is a delight I believe that I must indulge in. I am almost certain that it would be good.'
'Fine,' Raziel said as he conjured another apple and threw it to Uriel, who caught t with ease and began to feast. The taste of the apple was strange and heavenly. Like enlightenment, mixed with corruption and sin. Uriel found the taste pleasing and he continued to eat, taking only a short break to speak.
'Continue,' Uriel commanded.
'As you wish. The human mind needs systems to understand things. They need theories, laws, and concepts. Even when they imagine things that aren't real, they prefer when their imaginations go in line with some level of order. This is a repulsive limitation on their mind. A limitation that damns then ten times over. So when Gad blessed them they cursed their blessings with theories. They used the blessings in the ways they could imagine. The way they have seen in their old movies and fantasies. They said spells and they waved their hands in certain ways. That was the only way that it made sense to them.'
'But why? Surely they can try new things and unlock new abilities.'
'I'm afraid that they can't. Because man can only believe what he sees and understand. If he can't see something, nor understand it, he can't believe it. And if he can't believe it,…'
'He can't do it.'
'Exactly. See even when they try new things, they don't believe enough for it to work. And while the small tricks they engage in can be carried out with some level of unbelief, real power comes from absolute faith devoid of doubt.'
'What about fools and kids. Those ones can believe anything.'
'Fools are foolish and can't do anything great. For instance, if a fool believes that he can fly to space. What if he does? He gets there and remembers that he can't breathe without oxygen. He panics and freezes to death. It has happened a few times and I almost laughed out my last breath,' Raziel said with a smile. 'As for kids. Oh, those nasty little rascals. They can believe anything but their minds are too weak to create great things. And from a young age, their imaginations are being killed. A kid asks if he can play video games all night and his parents tell him that he can't. In that moment a bit of him is killed for he is forced to realize that he is limited. So his belief is stunted. And even if his parents tell him that he can be anything he wants to be, he fails to believe them. For if he can't stay up past his bedtime, he surely can't become the next Sun.'
'Your logic fails my good Raziel. Something I never thought would happen. A kid can believe that he needs to sleep and still have dreams.'
'My logic hasn't failed, you just don't understand me. The kid notices there are limitations and that's where the problem is. The kid begins to search for limitations so he can work within them or slightly circumvent them. But his mind would never, ever, be free of their existence. So he wants to be a pilot, his first thought is, what are the barriers to becoming a pilot. He has been indoctrinated into believing systems. He doesn't think he can just get on a plane and start flying. No, he researches into the barriers of becoming a pilot and then starts working towards breaking them down by going through the system. Or perhaps he wants to be a king. He looks for ways and paths. Systems that would lead him to his goal. A coup or a revolution. Anything that makes his goal possible. Thinking outside the box would be the creation of a new kingdom. But not one of them would ever consider creating a new planet.'
'I see.'
'Do you?' Raziel asked, his eyes squinted in uncertainty.
'I think I do. But the question is what is the solution or is mankind doomed.'
'Mankind is doomed. They can never be more than they are now because there is a limit to what they can believe. And as the years go by, their limits grow stronger. Yes, they have learned new powers. But they have also created new barriers. Theories that seem to explain it all and everyone seems to believe. See humans are used to, 'cause and effect'. Something for something, nothing for nothing. Today, they believe that powers are hereditary and once that belief becomes law, it becomes the law of reality. In the end, religion is the closest thing, at least it deals with faith and belief. Unfortunately, nobody truly believes and those who believe don't believe enough. Look at the religious ones who believe in hell but still sin every now and then. If a being believes in an eternity of burning, not once would they try to risk it. The religious ones believe but their belief isn't deep or powerful enough.'
'Religion? That is the best you can prescribe,' Uriel said in a tone heavy with disappointment.
'Prescribe? I didn't know that I was making a prescription. I was of the opinion that this is nothing more than an intellectual discussion. Tell me, Uriel, what is this really about. What is your current interest in the human condition?'
'Something that must not be said, and something you couldn't fully understand. But tell me, how can man break this limit on his mind? How can they believe things they can't see or understand?'
'They can't,' Raziel said confidently.
'Oh come on Raziel. You are the angel of wisdom and knowledge. Surely there is a way better than religion.'
'Hmnn,' Raziel hummed in thought as he sent his mind racing through the vast archive of information under his control. 'I'm afraid there is none.'
'Oh,' Uriel said, disappointed and dejected.
'However, there is perhaps a way. A rocky path that goes uphill.'
'Tell it to me brother.'
'There is a system. A cherub just like me but far less intelligent. He has been modified into a system and he is an excellent guide.'
'Of what use is a guiding system in the matter at hand.'
'The system can guide a man to grow in power. And eventually, said man would realize that he has no limits. I take it that you have a test subject in mind.'
'I do,' Uriel said with a smile. 'Now dear friend. Explain to me exactly how this system works.'
'Well, it builds the belief of anyone who has it installed in them, by exposing the subject to knowledge and the secrets of the universe. It opens their mind to see things as they really are. See every now and then humans experiment. They try something new and test it out to see how it works. If it fails, they give up. If it succeeds, they try it again. And if the results persist they have a theory.'
'Science,' Uriel said.
'Exactly. Science and experimentation. Humans do it every time on varying scales. When humans try something impossible it mostly fails except they have enough faith. What the system would tell your subject is if he or she has enough faith.'
'He,' Uriel said.
'You actually do have a subject. May I ask what this is all about?'
'Yes. But the answer can't be given now. Continue your explanation.'
'Of course. Now, where was I? Yes. So, the human only tries things that he has enough faith to accomplish. If the human fails, he would believe that it is because he lacks faith and belief and he would aim to gain more of it, through training and knowledge which would actually help his belief. It would be like M.P. The more they have the greater the things they can do. Little by little the system would help the human to expand the boundaries of his reality.'
'So he would keep building his faith and the scope of what he believes he can do would widen.'
'Exactly. It is a lie, but it would ensure that he levels up. Eventually, if he is smart enough he would see through the system and realize the truth behind it all.'
Uriel smiled. 'You are brilliant Raziel.'
'It goes without saying but thank you nonetheless.'
'Tell me, comrade. When can I find this system?'
'It's classified as a weapon and it is hidden in the armory. You might need Michael's permission to assess it.'
'I need to receive clearance from the brute?' Uriel asked angrily.
'I'm afraid so.'
'I had rather not.'
'You could always steal it. But I wouldn't advise you to. For such actions would incur Gad's wrath.'
'That is only if I get caught,' Uriel replied,
'Your chances of a clean grab are all but not.'
'True. But I am afraid that might be my only option. Besides I can simply take it and defend my actions by my tongue.'
'Perhaps I can show you another path. If you honor me by showing me what is in your mind.'
'I can't. At least not now. But know this you are in my mind and heart. Thank you, Raziel. You have been most helpful.'
'Leaving so soon,' Raziel asked, his tone clearly sad.
'I am afraid so, but I shall be back in earnest.'
'Somehow I find it hard to believe you. You have changed Uriel, I see that. You have the eyes of a busy being.'
'Goodbye Raziel. And for your help, you have my gratitude.'
'Goodbye,' Raziel said as Uriel pulled the crown off his head and opened his eyes to see paradise.