New understandings. Continued.

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Ah, right.  I got swamped laying a conceptual foundation.  Right.  Now... where was I?


Oh, waking.  Yes.  Waking.  Not merely from slumber.  When I sleep as I have been, it is an admixture of sleep and death.  To many, death is a thin line.  If they cross it, that is it, unless they can be brought back.  Very few others can go and return on their own.  For me, perhaps my kind or some of my kind as well, death is more like a six lane highway.

The centerline is death, but not until I am off the far shoulder is returning... more difficult.  Though I heard it wasn't resuscitation that brought me back on my longest sojourn into the cold dark.  I came back nearly thirty seconds after they  stopped trying.  Scared the bejesuz out of more than one... not supposed to do that.

Now, while I cross that highway, I see things.  Ghosts, devils, some of each?  Mostly shadows.  I suspect other than ghosts.  When they are drawn, ghosts, they mostly rattle or confound in minor ways.  Usually not visual.  It is this I suspect I have finally understood.  Aye, but the foundation was required for this to make sense.

I realize, as a horseman, there are times when the others assist.  When I cross that line, Hel sends... little ones... to turn me back?  End the death process?  I always sense that they are waiting for a command.  Have you ever had a dog sit, submissively, waiting for... a word, or action, on your part?  This is similar.  Shadows, though, can't be seen when viewed directly.  Will sit and wait on the periphery for minutes.  I have attempted simple commands, but that isn't it.  I think one must know their duties and capacities, and know to command them.  They don't do mundane.  Messengers, alarms, or such?  Anyway, I realize when I see these, Hel, or death, is near.  Either I am carrying her, or she me, near or far as we may.

I suspect sometimes I help her, or the others.  When one can't carry on, one of us other helps, or outright takes over for a while, as good, dedicated, dutiful brothers would, should.  Yes, even the illness might have been covering for Plague.  Who knows for certain.  Things simply happen as they must.

We don't always... agree.  Oh, yes.  Our internecine battles and wars, beside sorting things, keep us sharp.  Oh hush, even angels do this.  At least two major battles, more to come.  Trickster nephilim fight with the spiritual might of angels, the cleverness of men, and the greatest heart of both.  It's why the flood.  Angels and men, together, stand no chance.  Oh, our battles are epic, the horsemen moreso.

Have learned, in time, as God becomes... understood... and the futility of war between us becomes known... that conversation, negotiation, and prayer is a lot... more productive.  Ever tried to bath a cat?  Herd them?  Make them living breathing acts of nature, like a hurricane, then try.  Yeah, won't win that as attrition is impossible, as is gaining a strong enough permanent advantage.

Imagine what it will take to delay the will of the combined majority of man gone dark and those of true hell.  Practice, if futile, might have it's place.  Hmm...