CHAPTER 138

CHAPTER 138

THE SLEDS STOPPED AT THE FOOT of the immense mountain that rose imposingly like a giant tower. Surrounded by other rocky elevations of lesser importance, however, covered by an impenetrable layer of ice, they formed a very complicated network of winding paths as if they were part of a chaotic labyrinth.

— And now, where are we going to find the way? — The Senator asked.

Everyone looked at each other. Fernando took the Golden Book that had been brought hidden among the luggage in the sleigh, looking for some indication. But found nothing. Now it seemed that nothing made sense when looking at that huge turret that rose to the clouds.

Gregory got off the sleigh, and shivering with the cold, he walked until he approached a wall. With dismayed eyes, he peered at the stone elevations, which juxtaposed one to the other, formed a tangle of corridors, wide enough for an automobile to pass between them.

— These stones form hundreds of channels, we would die of cold before we could find an opening.

— We've come this far — concluded the Senator — we can't give up! Somewhere among those rocks is a fabulous treasure!

Nicole Hulmann got off the sleigh and walked around examining those fabulous walls. In his imagination he understood that behind those massive ice masses a city could peacefully hide. Immersed in these thoughts and completely distracted, she ended up walking away from the group.

Nicole was silent, watching those mighty rock formations. Suddenly he turned his attention to a faint voice that he could barely hear through the walls.

...Nick... Nick... run!

The young woman was troubled to look around and not find the agent. Leaving the sleigh, he ran to where Gregory Evans was standing.

— Where's Agent Dante?

— Was he not with you?

— Not! He had approached the rocks!

Driven by a gust of wind, the voice sounded stronger in the ears of both, who ran to meet him.

—...Nick...run...here!

More vigorous, Gregory went ahead and, followed by Nicole, they found the federal agent in one of the formations of the immense labyrinth. The young woman did not hide her irritation.

— You shouldn't get away from the group, you could be lost right now amidst this tangle of stones...

Euphoric, the agent interrupted his expedition companion's scolding.

— Are you not feeling it?

— Feeling what? — Asked the young woman, upset, with his lack of concern for her own safety. — I'm feeling it's cold! — Let's go back, we didn't find the tree...

— It's stronger! — Shouted the agent — And... come from there! he said as he walked further down the winding hallway.

— Fernando! Let's go back, there is nothing here!

Gregory ran to his friend.

— What are you feeling? Feel good? — He asked at the exact moment when a current of air came to meet him.

The federal agent then turned euphorically to Nicole.

— Nick, look! A stream of warm air!

— What did you say? — Asked the restless young woman.

Gregory and the agent shouted together:

— We found a warm draft!

THE SLED, WITH THE MEMBERS of the expedition, followed the corridor found by Fernando Dante. As they advanced, the cold air of the icy continent was giving way to an increasingly welcoming atmosphere. Everyone followed hopefully, until they reached an immense opening similar to a portal, embedded in the mountain.

— My God, this is fantastic! — Said the detective getting off the sleigh and falling to his knees, when his vision realized what until then had been hidden, there, in the middle of the mountains.

Gregory looked at the beautiful birds that flew in different directions, sometimes landing in the treetops, sometimes on the bank of a river of crystalline waters that was in the middle of a wonderful garden. This garden extended on all sides following the contour of the mountain, which closed in a circle, like a perfect cone, whose walls extended to the heavens.

— The mountains that touch the sky, as the Cardinal said — exclaimed the detective.

Completely amazed, Nicole took the federal agent's hand and pulled him inside. Her eyes watered as she realized that the two of them were the first couple to enter that garden since the fall of man.

— A paradise! Nicole exclaimed.

The senator, who was beside her and contemplating the wonderful scenery in a state of ecstasy, corrected her:

— You're wrong, Nick! This is not a paradise, in fact what we have just found is Paradise, the Garden of Eden, the first home of the human species, described in the Bible.

— The Garden of Eden! — Confirmed the detective —, the place is wonderful, there are no words to describe it!

— But tell me, Nick, which of all these trees is the Tree of Life?

For a moment Nicole Hulmann didn't recognize the Senator.

— Mister Hofma, we just found paradise; there is nothing on the face of the Earth more impressive than that! We are right where it all started. It amazes me just to think that here, in this place, God himself visited man daily.

James Hofma insisted:

— Tell me Nicole, which of these trees is the Tree of Life?

Nicole turned in surprise at the Senator's insistence.

— As the Bible tells us, the Tree of Life is the one in the middle of the garden...

Her curious eyes followed the Senator who left her talking to herself, hurriedly walked away, heading towards the center of the paradisiacal garden.

The detective was the first to notice.

— Senator Hofma, you cannot eat from the tree of life...

— Why not? — Asked the man with a slightly altered voice.

— You can't eat! The Bible tells us that God forbade her man to eat, for if he did, then he would live for all eternity! — Warned the detective.

— But this is just amazing, eternal life!

Hofma's eyes sparkled.

— Why do you think I went to all this trouble to get here? — His voice now came out with mockery — I came here with the sole purpose of achieving eternal life!

Nicole's face was covered with terror.

— What are you saying? It can not be!

An evil smile spread across the Senator's face as he drew a pistol that had been kept hidden until then.

— Not only is it possible, it is the purest reality, or did you think that it was all over with the death of Cardinal Messina? No, by thwarting the plans of Lucifer's Priest, the late Joseph Messina, you only postponed Lucifer's plans for the dominion of Heaven and Earth. My master is too wise to have only one plan of action!

— Are you one of the Brotherhood of the Serpent? — Nicole said, feeling like she was going to faint.

— Traitor! — Greg said between his teeth — During all these years you deceived us, why?

— Well — continued Hofma with a malevolent smile — since you won't get out of here alive, I think you deserve an explanation. I am the Prince of the West. Together with Cardinal Joseph Messina, we controlled all Lucifer's subjects on Earth, coordinating the plan to establish the universal empire...

— I saved your life! — Said an incredulous Gregory Evans — this can't be happening!

— To be honest, the truth is, you think you saved my life, but it was never in danger!

— But what about the attack? — Nicole asked.

— What attack? — The Senator smiled sarcastically.

— Did you simulate everything?

— Exactly!

— But why? Why did you deceive us all this time? — Gregory was inconsolable.

The agent looked regretfully at Gregory:

— Because by simulating that attack, you became a hero in the United States. A man above reproach, willing to die for his convictions, with the support of the Christian right, which he infiltrated, now has an open path to assume...

—... the Presidency of the States! — Concluded triumphant James Hofma, clapping his hands.

— Perfect reasoning, perfectly understood our purposes. If Messina didn't fail as he did, and now I shudder to think of the terrible punishments he must be suffering at the hands of our master in hell, we, the Brotherhood of the Serpent, would have another opportunity to provoke World War III, enabling the domination of Earth and the conquest of Heaven. Lucifer's armies are still on standby, just waiting for me...

— What will you do? — Fernando asked.

— As President of the United States — Greg replied — he will have access to the launch codes for nuclear missiles...

— As you can see. Nicole's effort was in vain: It was useless to have destroyed the Cardinal's plans, because now I will continue!

— Why then would you want to eat the fruit of the Tree of Life, since your master will rule over everything? — Nicole asked trying to distract the Senator, as Greg backed up slowly, trying to get closer to the sleigh.

— It's a good question, and the answer is guarantee. Let's say that by eating from the Tree of Life, I feel more secure in relation to my master, who, between us, has a somewhat unstable temperament.

— Why serve it then? Why not serve God, who is a better Lord!

— I will have world domination! replied the Senator. — Unimaginable riches have been promised me by Lucifer.

— But what about God, why not choose Him? If He is the Creator and Lord of all.

— Lucifer's promises are much more tempting.

— But there are great promises for those who join God's party — insisted the young woman.

— I know, I know — temporized the Senator — neither eye has seen nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose... blah blah blah — It's what's in the Bible, isn't it? But why risk it? Lucifer has made it possible for me to reach the Presidency of the United States, and very soon he will also grant me the government of the world... Why then wait, for the promises of God, promises that no one really knows what they are?

— Without faith it is impossible to please God! — Nicole said with conviction.

— Faith? I prefer to believe what my eyes see — he said, taking a few steps back, until he approached a leafy tree in the center of the garden, which had some golden fruits. — This must be the Tree of Life...

Taking advantage of the Senator's recoil and apparent distraction, Gregory Evans leapt at him. Hofma, however, alerted by the sudden movement, fired.

Gregory Evans's face paled for a moment, then fell at Hofma's feet.

— Not! Nicole screamed, running to Gregory and cradling him in her arms.

— Elisa... — the detective's voice came out weak, almost inaudible — I... I... want to say... that... I will always... love you...

— I'll tell her that... — said the young woman in sobs — you can't die!

— By God, don't do that! shouted the agent kneeling beside Gregory, realizing that Hofma was going to pick one of the fruits from the tree.

The Senator paid no attention to him, and turning to the leafy tree, his eyes sparkled with greed as he contemplated the wonderful golden fruit, the object of his desires.

— Do not do this! insisted the agent. — By God, don't do that madness! —

For a moment Hofma turned to the agent, and with a malevolent smile, he sneered at him.

— Are you jealous? Why now will you all be wiped out and I will live forever? he said as he stretched out his hand to pick up the coveted fruit.

It was then that everything happened as if it were a dream.