Chapter 19 - Behemoth

Noah cried out reverently, "I, Noah, Son of Lamech, Thine Servant, is honored to be in thy presence, Lord Almighty!"

"Listen well, and remember all these that I shall say unto thee. Trust in My words and all will flow as smooth as water flowing from the River Tigrophratis." He said unto him, "Continue the creation of the Ark as planned. Once complete, hand-in-hand, all of My people shall carry the Ark to this very place, where I shall grant it My blessing and protection. Once done, trust in My words, and every single person who believeth in My Will shall be able to enter the Ark without it needing to be expanded more than it needs to be."

"Now go forth, proclaimeth the words that I hath said to My people." After saying that, the butterfly that had been in a state of suspended animation once again moved and flew away, never to be seen again before the time is right.

With Noah left in the middle of the forest, he kowtowed reverently to thank his guidance before returning to the village.

He said unto the leaders of the village what He had said unto him. "We shall trust in Our God's words for He is absolute." Lamech could only nod, placing their full trusts to what their God said unto them.

"Agreed."

"Seconded."

In a matter of seconds, everyone became convinced. The construction once again continued, now with everyone knowing the Word of God that was given to Noah.

Three years later…

The construction of the Ark was still ongoing, but is already nearing its completion. As Noah looked at its grandiose appearance, he felt slightly proud. What he did not notice was that, from a little over a mile, a beast of humongous size slowly creeped its way towards the Ark. Its size reached 120 feet in length, 60 feet in height, and 30 feet in width. Its head was likened to that of a boar, its eyes that of a goat's, its body to that of an elephant, its hooves likened to a horse, and its mouth similar to that of a hippopotamus.

The beast, like a predator stalking its prey, gazed at the Ark with a mischievous look on its face as it continued its way towards it.

As Noah stands atop one of the village's watchtowers, overlooking the Ark, one of the leaders of the village walked up and said to him, "Master Noah, once the finishing touches of the Ark is completed, we can finally bringeth it to the sacred place for the ceremony. It would only take at least three days."

Noah nodded in understanding. Looking at it, he said, "We have spent three years constructing this Ark in accordance to His Will. Soon, we would finally accomplish it."

They were happy, letting their guards down. But it would seem that they have let it down too much.

Everyone was shocked wide awake as the ground shook as if there was an earthquake. Bells of the Eastern Watchtower rang as the cries of the watchmen above alerted the people, "The Behemoth is charging towards us!"

Hurriedly, Noah and the others ran the East whilst the others evacuated the children. The sorcerers of the village who know a considerable amount of magic prepared to attack the beast, but Noah immediately stopped them, confusing the former.

"Why aren't we allowed to attack, Master Noah? The beast is nearing us!" one of the sorcerers asked while panicking.

As Noah looked at the rushing beast, he answered solemnly, "That is not just a simple beast! That is something with the powers equal to a deity! No mortal sorcery can damage them!"

As to why Noah knew this, it was because he could feel a power within the beast that was incredibly familiar to him, having fought it before landing in the mainland.

"Is this the other being that precedes God which Leviathan mentioned?" Sweat trickled down Noah's back. He wasn't afraid to fight this fearsome beast, but he was afraid that the people might be hurt.

"Evacuate all the people! This beast is something that even I would need effort to banish!" After saying this, Noah immediately casted his staff and struck it onto the ground.

Divine light shined brilliantly as a huge shield of light materialized, in hopes to stop the charging Behemoth. But as soon as the light materialized, they heard a loud and mocking laughter coming from the beast, "Ye lowly mortals think that such a measly wall can stop me? Foolish!"

What Noah feared came true as the Behemoth sped up its pace and bashed its monstrous head at the divine light.

Crack!

In an instant, the wall of light shattered, with the Behemoth continuing its charge. When Noah saw the beast's path, terror struck him, "The beast is going towards the Ark!"

But it was too late as the Behemoth reached the place where the Ark was being constructed. It stopped for a moment before bashing its way through it, destroying the three-year effort that the villagers spent.

Hopes crushed, Noah and the others fell down to the ground on their knees. Some cried in anguish, some can't even produce a single teardrop due to being overwhelmed.

Noah, on the other hand, muttered in disbelief, "Oh, My God. What should Thy people do?"

While hopelessness and terror creeped up in his heart, Noah suddenly faintly heard the beast say something that shook him wide awake. "Too clumsily built." After muttering that, the Behemoth ran away without even harming a single man.

As the beast left, some who had stronger wills who awakened from their stupor stood up to help the others. Ilmar, who was one of those, went to Noah and helped him up. He then asked, "Are you okay, Master Noah?"

The latter nodded absentmindedly. "What hast happened hast happened, Master Noah. I know this is too much, but as the pillar of God's believers, thou must be strong and hold firm in these times of crisis."