""One Day Closer to Death"": Axis Mundi Book 1

"What my soul sees cannot be conceived by any thought nor expressed in words. I see nothing and I see it all. The more infinite Good is seen in the darkness, the more certain it is and the more it exceeds all things else."

-Saint Angela of Foligno, Book of visions and instructions

I have an incredible story to tell, and as my finger crosses the soft surface of my third scroll, I realize why this story must be told. It occurs during extraordinary times between two worlds that have grown complacent about God. Perhaps that's why Az and I were positioned to meet, as God has not only a sense of humor but also a beautiful sense of irony.

There is a rebellion brewing on heaven and earth, made worse by doubt about whether we even need each other. As both realms wrestle with the 'yes, no, and maybes, ' the four horsemen saddle up.

Stay with me here because redemption is always worth it, especially when it comes to the salvation of two profoundly broken beings, one who has been transformed into the bringer of death and the collector of souls - A being who has hidden from his disfigurement and refuses to look any further in fear of what he might see. And then there's me, a middle-aged breast cancer survivor who, until I met him, could barely find the will to live outside of work, much less find the courage to look at myself in the mirror.

Despite all that baggage, Azrael and I find each other twice. Within our bond, we find the courage to believe in one another and look beyond outward appearances to the souls beneath. Our unlikely friendship and later love will give hope and proof to both Heaven and Earth that we need each other to flourish, even if those opposed to our message seek to devastate everything we hold dear.

Our journey will nearly destroy us but will lead us to a place where our battle for the partnership between Angels and mankind will outweigh our struggles, allowing us to find a cause much greater than our own lives. Along the way, we find like minds and souls that will join us on our quest.