Chapter 18 - Appearance

Not minding what everyone was thinking of him, Noah closed his eyes in silence as a majestic voice sounded within his mind, "Rest assured, for those who fought under His banner shall be accepted into His Most Divine Temple to become one with the holy. At the time of God's Judgement, those who died shall return once again to help the faithful banish evil from His lands."

Hearing that, Noah was put at ease. He then stroked the sobbing man's back and said unto him, "Thy father is safely in His embrace for he fought to protect His people in His name. He shall return to us once Judgement falls upon the sinful."

Ilmar eyes lit up from what Noah had said. In response, he smiled and replied, "Is that true? If it is, then I am most glad." He clasped his hands and muttered, "I look forward to their return." Hearing his friend's son say that lifted a huge burden in Noah's heart.

"Son, thou hast really accepted the duty bestowed upon thee by The Almighty God." Lamech, the one holding a staff of old wood, said to him. Lamech then stood up, together with the other leaders of the village, and bowed, "I beseech thee, as the ninth patriarch of our dwindling family, save His people and bring forth peace upon the land."

Ilmar followed, "I beseech thee, as the seventh patriarch of the House of Ishtar, to save His people and bring forth peace upon His land."

After Ilmar, a middle-aged man with silver-colored hair and ocean blue eyes followed, "I, Eilmad, beseech thee, as the seventh patriarch of the House of Reino, to save His people and bring forth peace upon the land."

Next, another middle-aged man, this time with a fiery red hair and similarly colored eyes followed Eilmar, "I, Garuth of The House of Kiliu, beseech thee as the House's third patriarch, to save His people and bring peace upon the land."

A woman with dark skin and braided hair followed suit, saying, "I, Eleina of The Hitherlands, beseech the Servant of God to bring peace and prosperity upon the lands of Our God."

Another man of short stature and brownish skin followed, "I, Brans of The House of Yonwich, beseech thou peerage to save the lands from the gnawing fangs of the demons."

Lastly, a boy not older than thirteen bowed and pleaded with conviction, having a demeanor that does not suit his age, yet with a nervous tone, "I, Elric, second patriarch of the House of Garenson, to help His people save this corrupted land."

Together, they pleaded to him, "We beseech thee to save His people from harm."

Faced with all these, Noah smiled, and as a response, he replied, "Such is the duty given unto me by Him."

After saying this, the long-awaited construction of the Ark finally took place as almost all of the residents of the village partook in the project.

Some gathered wood, some handled the hammers, some cooked food for the workers, while Noah himself presided over all of it. As for those who remained uninvolved with the construction, they were the ones in charge of the farmlands to continue sustaining the abode's people.

As they were building the Ark, there soon came one serious problem that plagued Noah and the leaders of the village.

"The Ark is too small to fit all our people." Lamech said to them.

Noah nodded, "I trust in our God wholly. He must hath His plans for this." He said to him. "How would we know what His plan is?" Brans sighed as he held his head in frustration.

Bang!

Everyone was shocked when Noah slammed his fist on the wooden table, causing considerable cracks on it, "Do what thou want, but never judge what He does! God's plans are ineffable!" He shouted angrily.

Silence ensued as to calm the situation down. Soon, Noah regained his composure and said to them, "I shall go and call upon my God to ask for guidance. Excuse me." With that said, Noah went and left the hall where they were gathered.

He walked to a clear space within the forest, devoid of the noises of the hammers and saws. Kneeling down, he clasped his hands and prayed, "Almighty God, thy son asks for your guidance. Forgive my father and Thy people for questioning thine plans for us. For them, I ask for the light to descend upon us and enlighten us in the making of the Ark."

Seconds later, a peculiar butterfly came into Noah's view. Individually, both of its wings were as large as a lily pad. Its body was slender and magnificent, and its antenna glowed brilliantly like the midnight stars.

Oddly, as it arrived in front of him, it suspended itself midair with its wings only spread wide, as if welcoming a hug.

"Son, I hath come." What shocked him the most was when he heard the butterfly talk to him telepathically.

Noah was so shocked that he sprung up and backed off. He would sense if the animal in front of him was a demon or a spirit, but he was sure it wasn't for he felt a sense of familiarity with the mysterious butterfly. The source of divinity that he was utilizing in all his years as a Servant of God seemingly was within it!

"Do not be afraid, for I am thy Liege and Guide. When the world is plunged in darkness, I am to be my people's light. In troubling times, I am to be their refuge. I am not here to interfere, but only to guide." The magnificent butterfly once again spoke to him.

As It said this, Noah already had an inkling as to who It was, but it might be possible that it was some other spirit trying to mess around, so he asked, "Who art thou?"

In response the butterfly— ever so majestically— replied, "Why art thou troubled, when thy mind knows full well who I am? I am the beginning and the end; The Alpha and The Omega. I am All and All is Me. No one exists without being a part of Me."

This was the point where Noah had already become convinced, as the weight of every word that came from the butterfly easily overwhelmed him, he who had been forged by the grand pressure from The Leviathan.

With his knees plopping down to the ground once again, Noah cried out reverently, "I, Noah, Son of Lamech, Thine Servant, is honored to be in thy presence, Lord Almighty!"