Prologue

I've been in these catacombs for the last few years. The brethren supply me with food and water to sate my hunger and quench my thirst, so I can focus on my prayers for our liberation from the Emperors assaults.

I don't know the timing of day anymore because it's always dark down here, but I don't mind. I'm too busy tending to the wounded and praying for answers. 

The Spirit has been responding a lot recently despite the turmoil taking place a short distance over my head, and in this way I've been able to give answers for the multitudes of questions that are asked of me in recent time. 

At first it was a bit awkward, suddenly seeing the personal intricacies of these strangers flood my mind, but I now have accepted the broad scope of reality that has opened up to me...... 

I cherish the warmth that is restored in the despondent eyes of those whom have suffered in silence these recent years. I am grateful to be a vessel that outpours the hope that has been gifted to me all those years ago.

For each soul that is restored, I am strengthened that much more in my quest to be a light among lights. Whether through a gentle touch or a comforting word, to experience healing is a miracle whether visible or invisible.

Lately they've been bringing me more chances to witness the answer of the visible sorts which is vexing as much as wondrous- but praytell what sign this means for us in Rome..... 

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I desire more time to pray, but none the less I have been entering deep in this presence much faster the past few days  since I saw the flame fill me in using my second sight the other night.... 

I attribute this quickening to praying in this divine tongue bestowed to me at that same time.... it's like the accounts spoken of by the elders, but I didn't realize how important it was meant to be. I am in awe of this and will be telling the others of my findings!

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The flame has descended upon others and they too have recieved their own languages! The Spirit has stirred with wild display when we pray in unison now- many can feel a new presence in the atmosphere, and it's been helping us feel calm and want to sing the hymns!

I'm grateful for this breakthrough, and i'm resisting the worsening news from the surface from overshadowing this wonderful change!

I have noticed that men I do not recognize have been among us recently. Though I am grateful for their arrival there is a uncommon peacefulness and gentleness to their presence.

It does not make me weary, in fact I welcome their extra help. I do have a curiousity to the confidence in their behavior. It seems they've been practiced in helping others for quite some time. My curiosity extends to wonder of what else they've been part of.

Which reminds me that the supplies have been in low supply.  We've been praying for more provisions to arrive, and in short order  familiar knocks on the door signifying a new arrival coincidentally occur at the entrance and these men have seemingly appeared from empty space with this food for the sick and weary. After confirming that we have eaten, they calmly tarry away just as suddenly with no trace.

It is strange but I give thanks for their offerings...... The shoutings from the surface is breaking out more often and fewer have been arriving for safeguarding.

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I'm finaly alone for an extended period of time in heavy prayer and this second sight has taken on a new layer of depth and clarity.

Without notice a bright radiance appears as one of the men I've seen previously offering us food is knocking at my doorstep.... The radiance is emiting from him and I feel a great presence surrounding him.....

This time his countenance is firm.

'I have a message for you. Your work here is coming to an end. By tomorrow these catacombs will be vacant. Go where you are taken and be firm that your faithfulness will be rewarded." 

I am still at the news and hyper vigilant to the words being bestowed upon me.

He continues at my alert attention staying focused.. "Many have given thanks for your life and for what you've given them. Although, we have seen the suffering you do not share. And we will be there for the suffering you are about to encounter tomorrow mid day. Fix your heart as you have these last few years, and when translation occurs know that what you set your hands to will only continue to grow. You are needed elsewhere and we will have news for you then."

And as a vortex at sea swallows a ship in a storm, in an instant all of the light and the man himself instantaneously compressed to a mote of light and ceased to be........ it was beautiful.....

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This presence spread throughout the catacombs and I heard a gentle assembly of hymns being shared in the background echos of the halls. 

I was filled with warmth hearing their voices singing the songs I had previously been encouraging them with beforehand in recent days...... 

As I considered the words given to me, I had closed my eyes and felt the resonance of the voices stir deeply within me... 

After all this time of being strong for these others, it was as if that time all alone had only now began to remind me of it's silence, and found myself curling on the ground with my face to my hands and all of  my organs and sinews tightening up and trembling uncontrollably.

I began feeling hot liquid drip and pool up on my palms and flowing off my wrists. I had not considered my wretched state like this in many years.

As I turned to lay on the earthen floor and sink deep into a relaxed state as I had learned before in coping with the trembling I suffered after being lashed. 

I remember how many I had recieved over the years while spreading the good news given us, out to and among the citizens and foreigners of the peninsula- I suddenly felt the atmosphere become warm and heavily blanket upon and embrace me as if I was the one that needed comfort now.

The echos of the hymns gently continued for some time as this warmth embraced me. I do not know at what point but I was deeply asleep before the echos stopped.

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Screaming!!!

I am jolted awake by screaming and a cacophony of sound. Wanting to respond I was failing to jump and assess the situation as I had anticipated.

There is cold sharp pains on my wrists that are now behind me for some reason and, I'm being carried?!

Is this rope I taste?! Muffled sounds emit from my face as I tried to speak, and assess what what going on. It's so bright!!! My skin is hot.... wait... This is sunlight... I'm outside?!

I start to recompose as I hear the screams of the family I had been tending to the last few days, and the sound of chains dragging them by shackles.

An unfamiliar voice echos off of stonework "Hey! He's awake! Unstrap him from the mule and take him to the pits, he'll make fine grub for the lions"

I take in a deep swift breath of hot air, I definitely just heard those words. I remembered the stories of what had been happening to the brethren as of late.

..........  I see....... it's like that...... 

Memories of the radiant man and his words to fixate my heart are recalled, and I take a deep breath to let go of the shock I had been experiencing but moments ago.

These men would hear no words of mine, no- even if I pleaded with them, it would only fuel and emblazon their desire to see this through. 

I see ornate stone arches, and begin to undestand the audible disturbance around me as I hear the distinct echos of a roaring crowd chanting to 'bring out more, bring out more'

Screams of a little girl pierced through the rest. The mothers' voice I had heard so gently singing last night, emitted visceral horror as her daughter was stripped from her grip and pleaded for her return and for them not to take her away....

'....that what you put your hands to would  grow...' echoes through my mind.

No..... at this moment the feeling stirring up told me to set my hand at destruction, but this anger would not to answered, as I heard a click and instantly fell to the ground. It happened too suddenly and I bent my ankle and wrenched my hip before I contorted to slam my shoulder and ear to the cobblestones beneath me.

There was burning within my hip and ankle and my arms become taught as the chains rattle tight causing my face to lift from the ground. My head throbbed and there's a slight ringing now.

A thick and gritty hand wraps around the back of my neck and lifts my torso upright. I feel my feet plant on the floor, but a searing burn alights my right ankle and hip and I clench my teeth on the rope and groan in sudden sharp pain before catching my bearing again and quickly reset my focus to attempt to walk, as I am now being manhandled towards a set of gates by my neck.

There are guards that grin at my arrival and nod back at the beast of a man. They begin to open the gate. 

Suddenly my second sight initiates and as I pass them I see a dark wafting cloud swirling around these men, with an almost indiscernable darkened figure with malevolent eyes whispering into the man's ears.

The texture my feet traverse becomes like sand having crossed the threshold and the brightly lit space before me is the inner courtyard of the arena.

I become struck between the pain in my body and the vision of multitudes of swarming dark snakes and winged critters superimposed among the crowd chanting.

My normal vision recognized the festive view of couples, groups of men and women, and the few of the merchants hawking their wares to take advantage of the excitement among the seats and walkways. It was bright and vibrant with colors. 

This view was incredible and reminded me of the amphitheaters I yearned to speak at. The second sight revealed to me the nature of these peoples hearts and poured ice on that excitement. Not in the way I had ever expected, for today I was their entertainment.

The crowd got silent as the guards chained me to a ring bound to the ground.

A man in a covered awning commanded for 'RELEASE', and the crowd roared as a trap door arched upwards near my chains, and a mighty frame and a literal guttural roar bellowed at me.

I planted my feet and faced this creature whose mane flurried in the wind cascading over the crowd and into the arena. I gritted my teeth on that rope despite the pain in my head, neck, shoulder, hip, and ankle. My wrists were still chained behind my back.

I was a pitiful mess before this crowd, and I could only imagine the anger this beast felt, looking at the way it lashed it's tail about and seeing the multitude of scars among it's mane and hide........

You've done well to last this long..... come.... it's time to be sustained for a little bit longer.....

I looked up to the sun which glowed so much more brightly and beautifully that I had remembered, as the rays pierced through the dark cloud that wafted off the citizens and workers of this Colosseum. 

I took a deep breath to relax and smelled both stale and fresh blood in the dusty and musty air around me. I could taste iron coming from my lips and teeth, and saw a blurry shadow with large teeth suddenly grip my face and pierce my neck.