Jacob Diehm's Blog, page 2

The Path of Dreams

Here I stand, surrounded by thick, dense forest. The only lighting comes through the tops of the trees. Today the sky is gray. The air carries a slight chill as it touches my skin. In front of me is a pathway many have taken before me. I know this, cause of the evidence that lays around me. The edge of the pathway is littered with packs, empty food and water containers.

I’m marching forward. I know where it ends, but I don’t know what awaits me, before I can get there. Steeper and steeper the path goes. I see adventurers coming back down, disheartened and broken. Their eyes and faces defeated. They gaze upon me with a warning of the dangers ahead of me. I grow scared, but I am determined. My mind calculates, if I’m making the correct decision; But my heart is strong. I push past them as I push away my fears as well.

For miles and miles I walk, the pathway becomes cluttered with fallen trees, large boulders and more lost possessions of those who failed before me. Even with the chilly breeze, I begin to perspire. My breathing grew heavy. The skies grow darker, day flows into night. Night flow back into day and back to darkness again. The days turn into weeks. Weeks stretched into months. The pathway has become filled with people mending injuries, camping in tents, hanging on with a meager shred of hope. A few of them have lost everything they possess and are waiting to die. They reach out their arms to me as if asking me to save them. But I cannot endanger myself. I must move on and swallow my pity for them into my stomach. Part of me, wants to put them out of their misery.

Finally, after I’ve walked a good distance, I’m alone again. No longer having to look into the eyes of those who fell behind me, and those feelings of guilt and remorse disappear. My mission has pushed me past those awful emotions I had felt. The path is quiet, and dark; But it’s dark and lonely. I look ahead, it inclines dramatically now. I have to use my hands and feet to ascend. Then, suddenly the path levels and I’m on even ground. I drew a deep breath of relief. I’m quite excited. I feel like the hard part behind me. My pace quickens with excitement. Maybe, I’m close to the end of my journey.

I decided to rest and catch my breathe. I sit and take a candy bar from my pack and pull out my canteen. I eat and drink, smiling as I enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery around me. Just when I feel comfortable, I’m struck with an object of some sort. I fell to the ground. My face pushed into the damp, moist soil. I see people out of my peripheral moving and yanking at my pack and my clothes trying to take everything I have. I gain my senses and struggle to my feet. I’m surrounded by those who failed and want to take everything I own so they can continue on.

To hell with them, they will not stop me on my quest. I build the courage to fight. My fists tighten and I swing over and over. The sounds of roars and pains echo into the forest. Bodies fall, sharp pains shoot through me from returning blows. I’m knocked down, but I get back up and continue to fight. I reach and grab for my possessions and swing punches in a methodical manner. The battle turns in my favor and the attackers escape into the forest with only a few of my supplies. I won technically, I kept the important items, but I’ve been badly beaten and I’m sure this will affect me down the road.

My assumptions were right all along. My body aches, but I’m thankful to be alive. With sore ribs, bloody lip and aching joints I walk on with one foot in front of the other. Then suddenly, I’m staring at a huge stone wall. As I look up, it goes on far as the eye can see. I grow sad and disheartened. When will this journey become easy. There has to be a point when the climbing must stop. How long must I go on before this becomes easy. I look back. It looks much easier to just turn around and go back down. Why am I doing this? Why did I even bother to fight and claw my way here, to just continue to do the same thing over and over? Where’s my reward, any kind of reward?

My entire body aches right now. My pack has rubbed my shoulders to the point my skin has become irritated. I sit down on a huge rock debating what I should do. My head drops to my chest. I stare at the ground. The ground covered with brush. The path barely visible, because very few made it this far. As I look closer at my surroundings, I notice bodies and bones of the few who have made it here and failed as well. Do I want to risk everything to get to the end? I think about what awaits me at the end. I want it so badly. I grow hungry for it, but I’m so fearful.

Finally, I stand. I take off everything that can hold me back from accomplishing my mission. I remove my pack and everything I don’t need. I must do this. It’s what I want more than anything in this world; Even if it mean my death. I approach the giant cliff wall. I look straight up and search for a place to grip onto. I jam my fingers into the rocky cliff side. I can feel the cold and dirty rock face with my fingertips. My muscles flex and my fingers tighten as I pull myself upward. I carefully search for places to latch onto as I climb.

For hours I climb, the higher I go, the more dangerous it feels. The rocks grow cold, and wet. The clouds move closer and closer. When the clouds are beneath me, my fingers sting, my back burns, and with each grip my legs and arms shake. I refuse to look down in fear. I look up for the next place to grab, then suddenly, I can see the top. Excitement fills my heart, this could be the end, I’ve been searching for. I quicken my pace, forgetting about how bad my body hurts. As I hurry, my hand slips and almost fall to my doom. I panic and search for place to regain my grip. When I finally back safety against the wall, I take a deep breathe and relax and regain my focus. I slowly climb to the top and roll onto my back looking up at a blue sky and bright sun. I finally did it! I made it up the giant cliff. I smile. I made it to the top and the end of my journey.

Once I have gained my bearing and wipe away my tears of joy, I stand and look at what I accomplished. I’m filled with wonder and excitement! Great pride fills my soul. I turn to look at the finish line and soak in the goal I worked so hard to achieve. When I look, my heart drops into my feet. What stands before me is a sharp, jagged mountain covered with snow. A path with very few footprints lead right up to my feet. With a deep breath of frustration. I start to walk.

Each step leads me into the deeper and deeper snow. I’ve come so far already. I must go forward with possible success or death. If I go back I will most surely will die. It no longer has to do anything with my will or desire. It’s all about survival now.

Time has faded into one big blob, I do not know what day it is, month or even years for that matter. My feet frozen. My fingers and face are frostbitten. An overgrown beard covers my face. I stink to high heaven. My teeth chatter, but not with words. The chilly breeze is now a frosty, gusty wind.

By now, I’ve turned into a robot walking with no set goals, or logical thought process running through my brain. I just keep walking. I do not even realize I have reached the top. The path stops and I stand at the edge of a mountain cliff. When I look up from the ground and gaze around me. I soon realize the air is warm. The sun shines. All around me there’s a beautiful array of flowers, Endless tables of glorious foods. Treasure chest overflowing with gold, gems and jewelry. I’m surrounded by mythical creatures of beauty.

Finally, there sits a giant golden throne. It’s covered in huge gems of all colors. Red velvet cushions with matching sturdy armrests. I approach and stand before it. I turn and raise both my fists into the air. “I did it!” I scream as loud as I can scream. I can hear the echoes across the sky. I sit down, lean back and rest my aching body against it. I take a deep breathe of pride and celebration. A servant hands me a giant frosted glass mug of beer, and another hands me a giant cigar: Then lights it for me with a golden Zippo lighter.

“I did it… I fucking did it!”

Thoughts of Young Men

Carry on, my dear friend.

For you do not possess the comforts of old men.

You cannot afford to eat and slumber.

Or gaze upon life’s mystical wonders.

Hurry, hurry, your feet must trample,

All those unwilling and no longer ample.

Work hard now, for life is not forgiving.

Cause soon, you’ll no longer be living.

Removes your sins from the depths within.

For they shall wear your profits thin.

Do not listen to voices of gossip and slander.

Most often, they do not speak with candor.

Believe in God or Evolution, I cannot make you choose.

For that is your decision, what you prefer to use.

Do what you must, young men.

Do what you must, until the end.

Hopes and prayers that we meet again.

Most important thing of all, Carry on, my friend.

The Box (reworked)

 

I stand inside this square wooden box; but you know this, cause  you put me here. You built every wall with your simplistic ideals. You know the ones, you told me I was ugly. You said I was strange. The way I repulsed you, when you gazed upon me. Your hatred, cause I did not fit into what you called the norm.

Your lack of understanding, has dubbed me as an animal. I grow angry inside this box. In that anger, I close my fists and pound till my knuckles bleed, my bones break. Now, you call me violent and unfit for society, when all I want is to be free.

The walls are cracking everywhere. So you push against it to keep me inside. You want me there, so you don’t have to think about me. I make you afraid, cause the simple ones always fear the unknown. Your weak, and I am brave.

These walls are crumbling. I peer out at you through the holes and cracks. Your eyes grow wide with doubt, mine filled with determination. You can’t keep me in here. I am too big for this box. I am too big for this world.

I’m finally free. You retreat and shiver. I approach and you fold. I’m a monster about to destroy everything that is you, that’s what you think. I raise my bloody fist at you. Your eyes close waiting, anticipating your demise. But, it does not come, cause you forgot one thing, I am human and I’m not like you. Your eyes open, my bloody fist still inches from your face. I raise my middle finger and walk away.

Hands of God Press Release

Hands of God Press Release

The History of Earth: (Hands of God Lore)

There are distant dimensions in this universe. You know some of them. Heaven, and hell are two I’m sure you are all quite aware of. These places are like earth in a sense. If you were to take a piece of paper and look at one side, that would be earth. Now if you were to flip the paper over and look on the other side, that would be another separate dimension. Over the long history of earthly existence, many of these dimensions were created. Every known civilization that was forged on the planet earth came about cause of Lucifer’s rebellion. When he was cast out of heaven by God and Michael, the prince of heaven. Many angels rebelled with him. But not all followed him. So from the Ancient Egyptians to the Mayans and Aztecs, rebellious angels took humans and gave them the technologies to create and build these civilizations. These angels became gods themselves. They created their own heaven to rule over these nations.

To help make these civilizations stronger, some angels took their human form and had relations with humans. The offspring would become super human hybrids known as Nephillem. There were great risks, sometimes their offspring would become deformed, useless beings and would die, or look like hideous beasts. But when they genetically matched correctly, these hybrid humans would make a definite impression on earth.

You have heard many of their names, but over time some fell into the folklore and stories of fiction. From Alexander the Great, Beowulf, and Hercules, the list goes on. All were created to strengthen the civilizations created by these rebellious angels. Many of these civilizations fell due to these new gods fighting among themselves or Lucifer and even God’s angels. Many of these so called gods died, or ran into hiding for fear of their lives. Some joined Lucifer for some kind of safety.

So in conclusion, When we look into the past at all these former civilizations, and the great things they have created. It was put there by God’s guidance or those that have rebelled against him. All the different types of religions, languages, and customs came from the heavens in one way or the other.

*(This is not historical fact, or theory. This is just a fictional idea I came up with for my novel Hands of God, The Threshold of Salvation.)

The First Hand of God, Part II

After several months of training, Mary Magdalene and her protector Ariel return to the lands of Israel. They seek out a cult group who worships demons and summons them from hell. This cult group is a nomadic tribe from the deserts which are located in the nation we call Iraq today. They travel on camels and attack small villages. They sacrifice villagers to these demons and call them forth to possess the living.

Mary and Ariel catches word the tribe was seen marching in the southern region of Israel. They find the tribe in a small village. The fires can be seen from miles away. Homes are burning. Sounds of villagers screaming rolls through the desert.

When Ariel and Mary arrive, It’s evening and the tribe’s ritual has started. The surviving villagers remain tied and herded up into a group. The cult leaders stand next to a huge fire chanting in tongues. They stand only in their undergarments holding clay jars. They raise the jars in the air and pour the contents over their bodies. The content is the blood of the slain villagers. The leaders now covered in blood, dance and continue to talk in tongues. The remaining villagers weep in fear.

Mary removes the hooded robe, revealing her armor. Her midnight black hair flutters in the breeze. She stands garb in a long white tunic underneath her glossy silver armor shines in the moonlight at the edge of the village. Her two swords sheathed at her hips. She hasn’t yet been noticed by the cult members in the village since they are intoxicated in their rituals.

She opens a sack and pulls out a silver helm. The face is open with a small metal strip that protects the nose. The top of the helm has five feet long purple and white ribbons attached. She has embraced her past. The purple ribbons represent her adulterous history. She raises her right arm into the air and screams “In God’s name, I will serve!” The cult members and villagers look to the edge of the village. There Mary and Ariel stand, Mary helmet rests under her left arm. The cultist grab their weapons and charge towards the intruders.

Mary puts on her helmet. The ribbons flapping in the wind. She draws her swords. Ariel draws a sword and shield. His wings extend out beyond his body. The cultist stops on their heels. He takes to flight. Mary charges along with great speed. (The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you great speed, and strength.)

The enemy pulls out their scimitars and spears. Mary yells out her battle cry as she clashes into the first group of cult members. Weapons clash and bodies fall from Mary’s swords. She kicks and slashes down her enemies. Her blades piercing the skin of these evildoers.

Ariel lands behind the enemy battle lines. His sword cut men in two. His shield pummels bodies across the village into the burning houses surrounding the battlefield that once was a village. Bodies flip into the air from Ariel’s immense angelic power.

The cult members have surrounded Mary but she’s not fearful. Her blades swing and stab simultaneously as if she has eyes on the back of her head. After several minutes, the fighting spirit of the cultists breaks and they run for their lives. Ariel and Mary chase down and kill the final cult members.

The battle is over. Mary and Ariel go to free the villagers. Their silver armor covered in blood. The villagers now free, They scatter to the wind taking what they can carry, and disappear into the night.

Mary and Ariel ponder why? Then from the shadows of the desert, twelve demons approach. Some resemble humans with white and blue skin like a human corpse, but alive, and yet smaller than the other demons. The three larger ones look half human and half dog with red and brown skin. All possess claws and hardened skin on their forearms. The larger demons have giant fangs for teeth and attack some of the escaping villagers who have taken the wrong turn. They eat and chew at their villagers’ limbs.

Mary and Ariel redraw their weapons and prepare to fight! The small demons move with great speed and agility, while the larger are fast, and strong, they’re not as agile. They toss away dead villager corpses with great ease.

Ariel runs side by side with Mary, a two man battle line. When they meet the creatures of the night. The smaller demons (Newborns) slash with their claws. Some leap into the air jumping behind the two combatants. Quickly, Mary and Ariel fight with their backs to each other. One by one the Newborns fall.

Then, A large demon (Aged) approaches Mary, she can feel the massive power in its footsteps. It smashes the smaller demons out of its way, then swipes at Mary. It’s claws scratch across her chest guard. The next swing tosses her to the side. She lands a good twenty feet from Ariel. He sees her body land on the ground and turns. The aged demon slashes, but Ariel dodge saving his head from being sliced off. He drives his shield into the demon slamming it backwards. When it attacks again, his sword pierces its heart.

Mary able to get back to her feet before many of the newborns leaps upon her. She kills them, and looks to Ariel. He’s fighting the remaining two Aged demons. Some of their blows have sliced the angel’s skin. Claw marks on his arms and thighs run red. He ducks and slashes. Then he dodges and slams with his shield.

Mary charges forward to protect her protector. One demon turns to face her. It slashes at her. She rolls past it to dodge it’s swing. She slashes the ankles. It roars in pain as it drops to its hands and knees. She thrusts her blades over and over into the back of the beast. It will not die. Faster and faster she stabs, slowly the beast grows weaker. When the beast finally dies, there is no strength left in her arms. Luckily, Ariel has severed the head of the final Aged demon.

She falls onto her back. Her blades at her side. She looks up at the stars in the sky, out of breath and exhausted. Ariel stands above her keeping an eye to their surroundings.

“How did I do for my first battle?” she asks still breathing hard.

“Most impressive. Yet I still don’t seem to figure out where those demons came from. Unless, those demons had already been here previously and follow the cultists as they try to summon more. I was hoping your first battle would be verses cultists only. I can’t believe you killed an aged demon your first battle.”

“Why is that?” she replies.

“Cause they extraordinary hard to kill even for an angel. I thought we might be in trouble there.” He reaches out his hand and pulls her off the ground. “Come, It’s time to head back to the village to rest.” They grab their hooded robes and port away.

The First Hand of God. Part I

She was no longer able to shed another tear. Her body covered with the sands of the earth as she prays to God constantly as Christ, hangs above, his life slowly fading away. When his body was taken down, the Roman soldiers mock her, kick her, and spit on her. She never stops praying.

A few of the soldiers grab her. They drag her away. Their devious plans were all too clear to her. Her past never escaped her. Everyone knew what she used to be. They were to have their way with her.

When they finally have her in a discrete location they rip away her garments. She prays to God to save her. Her prayers have not yet been answered. One by one, the soldiers take off their armor and weapons to have their way with her. She fought with all her might as she tried to escape. But they were too strong for her. When all four soldiers were done. She cried in the sands. Dishearten, she still continues to pray.

God took pity on her. A gust of wind comes along, the sands pick up and swirl around the soldiers and Mary Magdalene. An angel comes down from the skies, hidden from view from the blowing sands. He places his palm upon her chest. She screams in agony as the angel’s hand burns her. God’s Holy Spirit enters her heart. His gift empowers her.

The angel whispers into her ear. “You will visit Christ’s tomb for instruction on how you will serve God. Now go, strike down these evildoers and wait for God’s word.” The angel departs. The swirling sands dissipate. The Roman soldiers stand in confusion on just what happened. When they turn, they see Mary standing naked with one of the swords of the soldiers.

With the rage of vengeance in her eyes, the soldiers’ hearts fill with hate and fear. They charge her quickly to disarm and kill her. One by one she slashes and strikes them down. Their naked bodies lay in the sand bleeding awaiting death. She drops the bloodied sword into the sand. The blade sticks into the ground. The blood of the fallen Roman soldiers rolls down the blade into the soil. She puts on her garments and marches off to visit Christ’s tomb.

The following day, Jesus body was placed in his tomb. Mary waits at the tomb for his instruction for three days. On the third day, an angel descended from the heavens. He removed the stone with great ease and takes the body of Christ. Mary rises to her feet and approached the angel. The angel turns holding Jesus in his arms. Mary latched onto the body of Christ and cries.

The angel spoke. “Do not weep my child, for the son of God lives. He is to return to his heavenly position as Michael, the Prince of heaven, an angel like myself. Now go, tell his disciples to come here for instructions. God has now abandoned the people of Israel for their sins against his son.”

Mary departs as does the angel. She returns with apostles. When the apostles find the tomb empty they fill with worry. Mary tells them what has happened. Some do not believe her story, although Jesus accepted her, others do not because of her past.

“Go away from us harlot! For you do not belong to walk among us.” Upset by their hateful words, she runs out of the tomb. Outside the tomb, two angels stand waiting. Being the third time seeing an angel she isn’t fearful of them. Outside the doorway, she stands. The apostles take notice of her presence and head outside to confront her.

At the sight of the two angels, the apostles back away in fear. One of the angels step forward, he has the resemblance of Jesus, but his hair is short and his beard is gone. Mary, who was in love with Jesus quickly figures out who he is. She falls at his feet and kisses them. This sparks the minds of the apostles, and they follow her and kneel.

“I am Michael the Archangel, the prince of heaven. You knew me as Jesus Christ. I have ascended to the heavens to join my father. You must go and spread my word to the world.” Soon after, the apostles leave to do as commanded. Mary is asked to stay.

“Mary, your conviction has not gone unnoticed. My father loves you as I have loved you.” says Michael. His body covered in golden armor. Golden shin guards and wrist guards. A large white cloak drapes behind him.

“My father has given you a task as well. You will not follow the apostles and preach the word. You will go and fight the evildoers on earth. Lucifer, my brother and a traitor, celebrates my death by launching his army of demons on earth. You, who has been possessed knows all too well what they are. You will go with this angel as your protector and fight evildoers and demons on earth.”

The other angel steps forward and salutes Mary. He presents her with two swords. They shine with such glimmer. She takes the swords in each arm. They feel light in her grasp. She glares at them as if they were priceless jewelry.

Next, the angel hands her glossy suit of armor, a chest guard, shin guards and wrist guards. She puts them on and they fit perfectly. “Now place your garments over the top of them, for no one is to know about your mission. To the world, you will only be known as a former disciple of mine. You and your protector will travel the world disposing of demons and evil men.” Michael begins to chant in his angelic language and disappears.

The remaining angel steps forward. His armor silver and shiny. His helmet is the shape of a lion’s head. His shin guards look like lion’s claws and a head of lion is engraved in the center of his chest guard. “Come, we have much work to do.”

“What is your name if I’m aloud to ask?”

“You may since I am here to protect you and serve you. My name is Ariel. My title is the lion of God. The First Protector. Your title is the Hand of God. Together we will rid evil from earth.”

“Where are we going?” Mary asks.

“You must train and train hard. You will know many secrets of how earth came to be. How Lucifer makes and grows his army. Plus, you will learn to fight. You have been blessed with the Holy Spirit and it gives you many powers.”

The angel latches onto Mary’s hand. He chants in his angelic language. They are ported off to a different world that Mary will spend some great time.

Advice From Steven King

Advice From Steven King

The Desert

The sun beats upon my skin with a relentless force. My leg struggles to move in the dense sand. My brain pounds against my skull from dehydration.. I pray to any God that will hear my prayers. My lips are cracked from thirst, my throat remains dry. I possess only a small canteen of water, most precious water. I must use sparingly to survive.

All around me, predators encircle me, hearts hardened by this dreadful desert. They look for me to fall, or stumble. Driven by a hunger that’s always constant. These beasts won’t stop. Minds set on desires for more, always more.

I struggle for survival. That’s what our life is made of. I watch them scowl at me during the day. In the evening, their eyes glow in the darkness. Waiting, always waiting for me to grow weaker. I am, I hang on by a meager thread of hope. Ever dune I approach, I forcefully convince myself, this will be the very last one. No, This will be the last one.

I feel eyes burning the back of my neck, searching for the opportune time to attack. Each step has a reason and a purpose. God damn it, I must fight them soon. If the playing fields were equal, there would be no defeat. We both know that. I need just a tad bit more water, and scraps of a meal, any meal. With that, I could crush them! They simply won’t allow it. They’re too far gone, rabid with GREED!

Writing Tips From Authors

Writing Tips From Authors