Ever wonder what your Ancestors were like? Were they good people? We all probably consider that they are just as good as we try to be. Were they bad people? It's a safe bet that there are always a few skeletons in the closet. Attic. Basement. Backyard. None of us truly know. Some of us wish we did. For James Ian Pryce he's been given the opportunity. Body surfing his soul and mind through each incarnation of his family tree since the dawn of time. That covers a lot of family when your life expectancy is only 33 years. Some granted a longer shelf life due to magic or get this...leap year. So far James had met plenty of good folk in his travels. Climbing the celestial roots of what Cameron Scott referred to as the Infant Tree. Gone baby gone. On to the next. From the Ice Age to Dark Age. If he had time he would keep a journal. He's in a bit of a hurry though. His friends depend on him . Fortunately he does have a photographic memory. A lot to process though. Hit and miss recollections after a million plus lives he's inhabited one at a time. Some only lasting mere minutes before moving on. Others longer. Weighing their importance as he endures. Their own memories fading swiftly at his departure. To understate the fact that he has been busy would be pure outrage. His body of work a constant effort.
33 A.D, Golgotha.
In Matthew 12:38, some of the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign to prove He was the Messiah. But Jesus told them that the only sign He would give was that of the prophet Jonah: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth"
In this case the roots have come home. The Great Fish being Jesus of Nazareth. Poor James Ian Pryce on his celestial journey forward in time had entered the body of his earlier incarnation while hanging from the cross. Nails driven through his limbs. A crown of thorns upon his head. The pain excruciating. James could only respect his predecessor. Being referred to as a Messiah was a big deal. A lot of weight to carry upon his shoulders. Having carried his own cross to Galilee before being hung up to dry. While he himself felt only a fraction of the pain he could read the thoughts and emotions of those suffering the full extent of their agony. This day he could only observe through weakened eyes. Communicate with a confused mind. Offer his compassion while inside their emotions. This jump was a big one. The son of God himself. As the Bible professes. A man none the less. A miracle. James Ian was proud to be related.
"I've heard how this ends. I'm truly sorry for your loss. Just know that our lineage will continue on after. I'm on my way home now."
"As am I. My Father calls." Jesus strains even in his thoughts.
"Right. Is Dad really a God? Religion is so confusing."
"Yes. A deity above any false Gods. The creator of all that is. I am a reminder that humans were made in his image. All that ever will be fully known. As his child even you must respect that."
"Oh I do. I don't know him personally. I would like too. I mean he's not my biological Dad like yours. If so his name must be Jack. At least I believe my Dad's name is Jack. Which brings up just how could he be your Dad? For that matter how can I be you if you're the son of God? Does that make me the son of God too? What about Joseph? No offense I'm just really not grasping the concept. How do you cope? You're barely alive right now. I can feel you fading."
"Breath as I breath. We are each and every one the children of God. You are no different than I."
"Yeah but how can you walk on water? Heal the sick? The blind." James rambles within the head of Christ, "I especially liked that water into wine stunt. Oh and raising the dead? Dude you've done it all. Including raising yourself from the grave. So cool."
"All I have done has been my Father's will. How I have done these things is not for me to know. I follow my Father's wishes."
"Ok so have you physically seen your Dad?"
"Within the water I see my reflection. He is there before me."
"So wait. You're saying you're God?"
"We are all God. He is within each and every one."
"Right. Man designed in his image. Yeah, I don't get that. I mean don't get me wrong I feel privileged to have been you. If I am God in some way then that's awesome but I don't feel like any God."
"You are within me are you not?"
"True. And, I can read minds. Can you read minds?"
"I can. Yet, to intrude on another without permission is a sin."
"I never thought of that. I guess I'm in big trouble. Although generally when I read minds it's to help others. But, yeah I'll still repent and offer up a couple million Hail Mary's."
"Hail Mary? I do not understand."
"Yeesh. Religion in the future isn't so easily explained. I think they took you on as a spokesperson in a power trip campaign. Blame the Vatican. They hold all the secrets and truths. I've hacked...guess I better add that sin to my list...stolen secrets even though I don't use them to do bad things. Anyway the Vatican archives conceal things that would totally bring down civilization. Things about you even. Which obviously concerns me. That's why I need to know what's true and what's not. I hope you don't mind but I want to hang...bad choice of words...stay here with you until the end. Maybe catch a glimpse of things to come after you're gone. If you don't mind."
"Do I have a say? You have entered me as I will enter Heaven. A welcomed possession. I know who you are James Ian. The Pryce you pay for being of one with myself and those who came before. They who will come after. A wolf in sheep's clothing. Praise be to God. Your arrival I fear ends very soon."
"I know I can't stay too long but I'm going to resist the next jump as long as I can. I'm here for you Jesus."
"As I will forever be there for you my Son. My Brother. My soul shared."
"It's all relative. I...hey what's that guy down below you doing?" Jesus goes uncaring of any new threats. New pain. It is all a state of mind. Transition. A spear pierces the rib cage of Jesus. James Ian feels it enter. Senses the inner turmoil. If a soul could cry it would.
"Ohhhh, man. That was the Spear of Destiny wasn't it? But, in the book of John it said the spear came after you had died." Blood flows from the wound. Below a loud gruff bellow rattles the Roman who had jabbed Christ. A unique turn of events as a larger Roman soldier pummels the man for his arrogance. A man known to James Ian, "Holy...ummm that's Antonaeus Gaicazar. Jesus? I know this man. He is lost in time like I am."
Jesus wept. Dying tears streak his cheek and mix with his blood. As the large Roman Centurion looks up at Jesus he is tortured in his own soul. Plagued by beliefs. A man himself lost as to what is right from wrong.
"Find freedom Antonaeus." Jesus whispers.
The Roman looks with awe, "You know my name?"
"I do. As I curse this man who lays at your boot to wander the world until the second coming, so do I offer you purpose. Protect the world from this man. From the Devil's trident." A single tear droplets downward into the eye of Gaicazar. Blinded for a moment until he catches his breath. Sword drawn at what he spies around him. Demons in the form of man. Hissing and skulking away to avoid detection.
"I see all. Thank you Messiah. I know not what my future holds but I shall defend your dream. Your Father's dream."
"Whoa! This is badass. I mean...sorry I'll wash my mouth out with soap once I reach my old body in 2027. You just created another miracle. Even in dying you wish the world a better place." James detects a glow lowering around the body of Jesus and awaits the reason. Suspecting God himself to show up in some fashion. Instead it is something that not even Antonaeus can see. A pair of gorgeous Angels with magnificent white wings, a blond female of Caucasian appearance and the second an African American beauty in golden armor. Light all around them.