THE BATTLE FOR A SAINTESS | PART NINETEEN
The quiet hum of early life stirred gently around the neighborhood as birds called from distant trees.
Inside the sitting room of Wonder’s family house, the atmosphere carried the calm seriousness of an important conversation.
Golden cushion sofas were arranged around a glass center table. The open windows allowed the warm morning breeze to drift through the room, lifting the edges of the curtains slightly.
Excel sat respectfully before her parents and the visiting church leaders. Her hands rested together, her posture steady though her heart carried the weight of what she had come to say.
After listening carefully to her explanation concerning her relationship and desire to marry Orean, her parents exchanged thoughtful glances with the elders seated nearby.
Warm smiles slowly formed across their faces. They were pleased. They were hopeful. And together, they prayed over the young couple.
Hands lifted, voices rising gently in agreement, the parents and church leaders surrounded Excel with warm faith and blessings.
The quiet room filled with words of prayer as the breeze passed softly through the windows, carrying the sound of their petitions upward. In the unseen realm, heaven listened.
Three days later, preparations moved swiftly.
The compound where the traditional rites were held bustled with movement and joyful chatter.
Women wrapped in colorful fabrics moved between cooking fires and tables of prepared food. Relatives greeted one another with laughter and embraces.
Orean arrived respectfully with his family from Hill, elders walking beside him with dignity.
The traditional rites took place as Orean paid the bride price.
Hands were shaken. Blessings were spoken. Families united.
Drums sounded softly in the distance as elders spoke words of acceptance. Joyful cheers rose from relatives gathered around the compound.
The warm afternoon sun glowed across the courtyard tiles as both families celebrated the union.
In the spiritual realm, unseen eyes observed the covenant being formed.
The wedding arrived the next day.
The church hall stood wide and bright beneath the afternoon sun. Tall windows allowed light to pour inside, scattering across the polished floor like sheets of gold.
Bright fabrics decorated the walls. White ribbons stretched between the pillars. Soft music drifted through the air as guests filled every seat.
Politicians. Diplomats. Professionals. Governors. Ministers. Men of power. The poor. Friends. Family.
All gathered with joy as the couple exchanged their vows.
The hall vibrated with celebration as witnesses leaned forward with bright smiles. Camera flashes blinked. Choir voices rose gently in worship.
The polished floor reflected the glowing colors of clothing and flowers as heaven silently watched the covenant being sealed.
The nation rejoiced. Songs were sung. Prayers were lifted. Smiles filled every corner of the hall. All manner of food, drinks, and juices were shared freely.
None left with empty hands.
Outside the church compound, vehicles lined the streets as laughter and celebration spilled into the evening air. Plates of food moved from hand to hand.
Children ran joyfully across the open space. The sound of praise songs echoed into the sky.
Yet beyond human celebration, something darker lingered quietly in the unseen realm, waiting patiently for its appointed hour.
That hour came on a silent night.
The tiled veranda outside the honeymoon suite still carried the faint warmth of the day’s sun.
Night had settled calmly across the quiet neighborhood. A cool breeze slipped gently through the half-opened window inside the room.
The soft curtain swayed slowly, brushing the cream-colored wall each time the wind passed through.
Their honeymoon room was peaceful.
A bedside lamp glowed warmly beside the bed, casting a golden light across the cream-colored walls.
Their wedding garments hung neatly over the clothes hangers rack near the corner of the room.
Somewhere outside, a distant night insect chirped in steady rhythm.
The newly married couple lay side by side beneath white sheets. Orean rested quietly, unaware of the hidden storm gathering in the unseen realm.
Slowly, his fingers moved gently across the bedspread before coming to rest carefully upon Excel’s arm as his eyes closed.
The moment his skin touched hers… something shifted.
Excel’s body stiffened instantly. A tremor passed through her shoulders. Then suddenly her whole body began to shake violently.
Cold sweat burst across her skin. Her fingers clawed at the bedsheet as though something invisible had seized her bones from within.
Her breathing turned harsh and uneven. Her head snapped toward Orean. But the eyes staring at him were not steady.
They flickered wildly. Rolling. Trembling.
Excel struggled to push his hand away, but her arms twisted strangely as though they no longer belonged to her.
Orean’s eyes remained closed, but his spirit sensed something deeply wrong.
Excel’s voice sounded strained. Almost layered with another tone beneath it. Suddenly her body convulsed. Her limbs bent unnaturally. Her face distorted in disturbing flashes.
For a moment the shape of an animal’s snout appeared. Then the sharp outline of a bird. Then something shapeless and dark.
The flesh beneath Orean’s hand no longer felt like human skin.
A cold heaviness filled the room. The lamp light flickered. Outside, the wind rushed suddenly against the window.
Cold fear gripped Orean’s chest. Understanding struck him with terrible clarity.
The enemy had captured Excel. And now they had come for him.
Yet Orean did not shout. He remained still on the bed. His eyes remained closed. His hand remained where it was.
His lips trembled slightly as his chest rose with a deep breath. Within the silence of his spirit, his heart began to cry out.
Prayer ignited like fire. A faint whisper slipped through the still room. Orean’s voice broke softly through the quiet night.
Orean (whispering):
"Father… forgive me."
The curtain drifted slowly with the passing wind as the words settled into the room.
Excel’s body shuddered violently beside him while unseen forces stirred angrily within the spiritual realm.
Yet above the darkness, heaven leaned closer to the cry rising from Orean’s spirit. His fingers tightened slightly over the bedsheet.
The weight of repentance pressed deeply upon his chest as another trembling confession escaped his lips.
Orean (broken):
"I took a step without asking You. I trusted my feelings more than Your voice."
The bed shook harder as Excel rolled sideways, struggling as though bound by invisible chains. Her body twisted against the sheets while the wind struck harder against the window.
But deeper than the physical room, a quiet stirring began in the heavenly realm as repentance opened the door for mercy.
Excel’s body twisted again. Her mouth opened in a painful cry. But Orean remained still. His eyes closed. His tone trembling with desperate faith.
Orean (pleading):
"Lord… ‘Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.’"
The air in the room thickened suddenly as a holy stillness pushed back against the spreading darkness. Excel’s limbs jerked violently while the lamp flickered again.
In the unseen realm, the cry echoed before the throne of God like a desperate trumpet.
Orean’s breathing deepened. His fingers gripped the bedsheet harder as another prayer rose from the depths of his soul.
Orean (earnest):
"And Father… deliver Excel. Let not the enemy triumph over her."
The moment the prayer left his lips, the atmosphere changed violently. A crushing pressure filled the room as though heaven itself had leaned down toward the earth.
The curtain snapped sharply against the wall as the wind burst through the window.
Suddenly Excel’s body was thrown off the bed. She struck the tiled floor with a heavy thud.
Her back arched violently as her entire body convulsed against the hard tiles. Her scream tore through the room.
Excel (screaming):
"Ah...!"
The cry echoed against the walls as the lamp flickered wildly.
Orean remained motionless on the bed while unseen fire descended into the room. The air vibrated with holy power pressing against the forces of darkness.
Orean did not open his eyes.
Both hands now gripped the bedsheets tightly as silent prayer burned within his spirit.
A burning presence filled the room. Like invisible fire pouring from heaven. Excel’s body rolled across the floor, twisting violently. Her voice shrieked again in terror.
Excel (shrill):
"Stop! Stop! The fire! The fire!"
Her hands clawed desperately against the tiles as if trying to escape a consuming force. The wind roared outside while the unseen light grew stronger in the room.
Far beyond the physical room, in the unseen realm, the kingdom of darkness burned under the descending fire of God.
Demons scattered in terror. Angels of the Lord moved like lightning across the spiritual battleground.
Chains of divine authority bound the fleeing demons. They were seized with Stonerip and cast into the eternal pit of fire.
Their screams rose in agony.
And the one who had led them… the demon queen Kaliqa, who had orchestrated the deception, was captured by the angels of the Lord.
Bound. Dragged. Cast down into the lake of fire.
Back in the honeymoon room.
Excel gave one final cry. Her body stiffened. The demonic spirits fled from her. She collapsed unconscious upon the tiled floor.
Silence returned.
The wind outside softened again. The curtain resumed its gentle swaying beside the window.
Orean remained on the bed. Still praying quietly under his breath.
Minutes passed.
The burning presence slowly faded from the room. Peace settled over the space like calm water after a violent storm.
Finally, Orean slowly opened his eyes.
The room was calm again. The bedside lamp glowed softly.
On the floor nearby, Excel lay motionless. Her breathing was slow. The torment had left her body. Darkness had been driven out.
Orean rose from the bed and moved quickly to her side. He lifted her gently from the cold tiles and carried her out of the honeymoon room.
Outside, the quiet night stretched across the silent street. He laid her carefully in the back seat of the car.
The engine started. Headlights cut through the darkness. Orean drove quickly toward the hospital.
The night road stretched ahead beneath the pale glow of distant streetlights. The wind rushed past the moving car while Excel lay unconscious in the back seat.
Yet the battle for her soul was not yet finished.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Written by Agbemawle Atsu Norvishi
© All Rights Reserved. Shared freely to bless and inspire.
Aatsujnk
Audio Premiere
Word: 0 / 0 (0%)
READY...
