Chapter 86 Wedding Song
A few days later, at dawn, a grand wedding procession was ready. The donkeys and buffaloes, washed and cleaned the day before, stood proudly in place, with jackets draped over their backs by the humans.
At the ends of the jackets were sugar jars, filled with grains and dates.
The young groom moved through the procession as if inspecting his territory, checking every detail.
If he hadn't come so frequently, if his bright eyes hadn't radiated undisguised joy, his composed exterior would have been completely undetectable.
"Our son has finally grown up," Yare said to his wife with satisfaction, looking at him like this.
"Is that so? I think he's more like a child than ever before."
The shepherd chieftain and his wife, who had come from the western pastoral areas upon hearing the news, disagreed and had an unusual argument, but quickly stopped their pointless behavior, watching their son walk towards them. "Father, Mother,"
"My dear child," the woman looked at him gently, "I am so glad you have found your other half. You will be husband and wife under the witness of the Ancestor—"
"But I heard that the poor girl has no family, so she chose to marry from the temple…"
"We are all her family," Yare said, taking over his wife's words. He looked at Enoch, his gaze filled with authority. "You should tell her that. She doesn't need to be so formal."
Knowing his parents had misunderstood, Enoch found it somewhat amusing. Marriage was a serious matter and could not be taken lightly. He and Edna had skipped their parents' arranged marriage, and although the Ancestor had made the decision, it was still somewhat rushed. The beginning had already lacked composure, and the importance of the wedding procession was self-evident; it symbolized the dignity of both sides.
According to custom, after the bride was brought from her parents' home—considering that Edna had no family, the Ancestor was willing to let her marry from his own residence, treating her as if she were his daughter. The wedding would be held at the groom's home.
Grandpa Malere personally cleared out a plot of land for this purpose, but Edna refused, determined to marry outside the temple.
Adam wasn't angry. When he saw Edna's resemblance to Awan, "like a daughter" became "she is a daughter." Without further ado, the decisive ancestor easily relented, and the royal city was changed from the initial location for the wedding procession to the actual wedding ceremony.
At the same time, he offered considerable assistance. Had Edna not refused, the primordial couple would have practically taken over the entire wedding immediately.
"Adam is a good man, but seeing him always reminds me of his son," Edna once told him.
Clearly, the angels harbored a shadow over humans who forced marriages.
Thinking of Cain's unknown whereabouts, a shadow fell over Enoch's face. However, he didn't reveal this sense of crisis to his parents, only briefly explaining Edna's situation. The Ancestor's intervention had transformed this marriage from a purely family matter into something extraordinary; it was normal for their family's presence to be less noticeable, especially since they weren't a small family.
He looked up, glancing behind his parents. The clansmen who had come with them numbered over a hundred—a large number, even though he was his parents' only son, he had many close relatives.
Edna certainly wouldn't feel lonely.
However, after hearing his son's vague explanation, the seemingly rugged man became unusually perceptive.
"But I heard she originally had a family, named He Lie, in the far southwest..."
Enoch's eyelids twitched slightly. He hadn't expected his father to be so perceptive in this regard. The angels' casually fabricated origins were recorded in Andris's archives, inevitably leading to inquiries.
Edna certainly had a home, a hint of regret flickering across his face.
But she would probably never come to bless them.
"Edna is a devout believer; she has always considered the temple her home," he said. "I respect her wishes."
At this, the leader of the wedding procession arrived with the master of ceremonies, and they stopped talking, their gazes all turning to the new guest.
"I will be your officiant," Zorobatian said, giving them a slight bow, then looking at Enoch with a somewhat cold expression.
Priests had always been high and mighty, and Zorobatian, who had been raised as a high priest from childhood, was no exception, until recently, when he inexplicably stumbled and fell.
As if reflecting on his current predicament, he added curtly.
"I hope you can give me this opportunity."
...
Enoch didn't make things difficult for the proud and uneasy High Priest; in fact, he felt a little sorry for the priest. He hadn't done anything wrong. It was the priest's grandfather who had concealed the truth from the Ancestor; he was just an ordinary fruit taster. Now, however, the Ancestor was forcing him to personally preside over the entire ceremony.
He had a donkey prepared so the esteemed High Priest could travel with them.
"Honey..." He looked at the squad leader, about to ask something, when the experienced middle-aged man, who had organized numerous wedding processions, answered first.
"We've made ample preparations, and with the Ancestor's help—you can rest assured," the merchant patted the donkey's pack, answering confidently.
They had prepared enough supplies for two hundred people; it would definitely be enough to distribute along the way.
Seeing this, Enoch felt relieved. After everything was prepared, the sun was already high in the sky, its rays bathing the ground, making the road ahead seem draped in golden waves.
"Ready?"
"Ready!"
After the exchange, the band sounded their horns, and the army of donkeys and buffalo slowly set off, converging in a certain direction, led by a long white yak and a wild camel.
Edna, her head veiled, emerged from the temple. Seeing Enoch leap from his camel, their gazes met, seemingly glued together.
The wedding band, noticing Enoch's prolonged stillness, exchanged glances, a knowing smile playing on their lips. They pushed past the priest, who coughed twice, preparing for a long speech, and began drumming and playing music around the groom, their gentle singing filling the air.
"Veiled in that light veil,
Wearing that fine silk robe,
Touching the groom's heart..."
They danced and teased the groom, compelling the reserved young man to walk towards his beloved.
"With a crown in hand, he strides towards the bride!"
The young man, who had dressed meticulously, instinctively touched his head upon hearing this, only to find nothing.
He hadn't worn a crown according to custom, and even so, compared to him, the angel's attire seemed too plain.
The mortal bride was adorned with opulent makeup and jewels, while Edna wore only a light veil and sparse accessories. She had abandoned everything to be with him—no family, no friends, no blessings, no wealth—but in his eyes, she surpassed all treasures.
Edna's eyes held a smile as she watched Enoch approach. The spring breeze brushed his face, dispelling the summer's heat.
He was followed by a crowd, his hand outstretched to welcome her.
"Dragging you down from the heights of heaven to earth was not my intention.
Perhaps I should go to hell for this moment of joy.
But dear Edna,
please don't worry, don't panic,
in this mortal realm, I will give you everything I can."
Edna listened to his innermost thoughts and responded to his outstretched hand. They held each other's hands tightly, as if they had found their other half.
"This is against the rules—" The priest's words were mercilessly drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. No one paid him any attention. Although no one knew why it was just a simple hand-holding, the newlyweds acted as if they had experienced a life-or-death situation. They simply surrounded them joyfully, offering their blessings.
"You have no home, but from now on, this is your home."
"Who said she has no family?" A clear, melodious voice broke through the clamor. Enoch, who was about to convey his father's, and indeed his own, wishes to Edna, looked up and saw a blonde woman standing steadily a short distance away.
"Yes, who's spreading rumors?" A young red-haired man emerged from beside her, a smirk in his eyes.
Behind them, standing or leaning, were angels with various expressions.
The people watched the newlyweds file in, dumbfounded, because the bride's family members were simply too beautiful.
Not only were the humans dumbfounded, but even Edna herself was stunned.
"Your...Your Highness?"
She called out uncertainly in her heart. Archangel Gabriel shushed her and chuckled, "How could we not come when you're getting married?"
"But...but..."
Gabriel adorned Edna with magnificent jewels and personally placed a golden crown on her head.
The artistry of Heaven was beyond human comprehension. In an instant, the simple bride was transformed into a radiant golden figure. Gabriel looked her up and down before nodding in satisfaction.
"Your master is too busy to come, but he made these two golden crowns himself."
Hearing Metalont, Edna's eyes reddened. She hadn't seen the Prime Minister of Heaven since then, but she felt a pang of regret for her hurtful words from that day.
"Don't blame him. He seems clever, but Metalont is actually the most stubborn among us," Gabriel whispered to her. Edna shook her head. "I've never blamed him…" She touched the small golden crown on her head, feeling the unspoken love of her teacher emanating from it.
"Then why are you crying? Aren't you happy we're here?" The archangel glanced at her sideways.
Edna then beamed.
"Super happy!"
Michael, standing beside her, placed a matching golden crown on Enoch's head, instructing him to treat Edna well.
Enoch had seen these seraphim in Raziel's memories and knew they were of extraordinary status. Now, they had personally come down to escort Edna to her wedding, and he couldn't help but feel relieved.
Whatever the reason, it was something to be happy about. Looking at Edna's radiant smile, devoid of any gloom, he couldn't help but smile along.
Angels joined the wedding procession to see Edna off, greatly expanding the entourage. Adam had originally sent many to support the bride, but these hundreds of angels outnumbered even Enoch's close relatives. Not only were they numerous, but each angel was also strikingly handsome.
With their addition, the band played their instruments with great enthusiasm, instantly igniting the atmosphere.
They changed their original route, marching out of the city and circling Adam with great gusto. They distributed grains and dates to everyone they encountered along the way. Strangers who received gifts happily joined the massive wedding procession, and soon Adam was bustling with unprecedented activity, as if several cities had gathered in one place.
This was a celebration unseen for centuries; the wedding suddenly became the grandest in history.
Seeing the sugar jar gradually empty, God refilled it with grains and dates, as if inexhaustible blessings were being distributed to the people. Everyone smiled with joy, sin was banished, and happiness and goodwill abounded.
"Gabriel," Michael said, pointing to the seemingly inexhaustible jar of dates. "Look."
Gabriel, understanding his intent, quickly grasped the meaning.
God was nearby.
Even if not, he was watching the wedding.
"What is there to doubt, Michael?"
"Yes," the archangel laughed, waving his hand behind him. The angels, skilled in song, joined in with human tunes.
"Thanks be to this love on earth
May both worlds rejoice!
Lift up your faces and let the light shine upon us
Our Lord Jehovah!"
The heavenly music spread across the land, and people couldn't help but listen, wanting to hear what these handsome strangers were singing. Upon hearing it, they couldn't help but join in.
"Hear the words of mankind, hear the voice of heaven, how beautiful is your name in all the earth, better than a bountiful harvest!"
The band, playing their instruments, circled the city once more, arriving at the main gate. This time, their procession had swelled to nearly a thousand people. Such a large wedding procession had long attracted the attention of the guards. Adam, Eve, and their children, having heard the commotion, stood on the city wall to watch.
The song drifted into their ears on the wind, and Adam couldn't help but laugh.
"These young people are too mischievous these days. What are they singing? How dare they even embellish the gods?"
"I'll go and make them stop," said Seth.
"No need, my son, isn't this a joyous and cheerful song?" Eve said with a smile. "We haven't had such a commotion in a long time. Let's hear what they're singing about."
"May all who love you see you
Your glory shines in the heavens
The heavens proclaim your greatness
Show your mercy..."
The human couple, hearing this, suddenly sensed something. Adam, startled, cried out.
"Eve!"
"Yes, Adam, I see," Eve replied, her eyes fixed on the crowd below.
In the center of the crowd, there was a figure shrouded in light.
He was so holy, so radiant.
He was amidst the clamor of drums and gongs, yet seemed forever detached from the clamor.
"His measure extends to all the earth," O Lord God,
"His words reach the ends of the earth," You have protected us,
"The heavens proclaim the work of his hands," You have delivered us from oppression,
The heavenly guests who came to welcome the bride continued to sing, but Adam and Eve could no longer hear.
The ropes of death once bound people,
The rushing torrents terrified their bodies,
The snares of death loomed overhead,
We called upon God's name in our distress,
In times of trouble, God is man's refuge,
Treat the pure with purity,
Treat the loving with love,
Treat the perfect with perfection.
Tears welled in Adam's eyes, his vision, clouded by the turbid world, cleared again.
He knelt deeply in that direction.
"Father?"
"The ancestor of mankind!?"
After the wedding procession entered the city, the songs were drawing to a close.
"May our God bless this newlywed couple,"
"May they set up their tent in the sun,"
"May they joyfully enter their bridal chamber."
Enoch blushed, and the people burst into good-natured laughter. Edna, amused by her companions' teasing, laughed uncontrollably.
Laughing, she suddenly stopped.
Not far away, a pair of golden eyes captured her attention.
She met God's gaze, her soaring heart sinking slightly.
"No regrets?"
These words were carried on the wind.
Knowing this was God's last chance for her, a wide smile spread across her face.
"No regrets!" she cried out, joining her companions in a song to proclaim the gospel to the world.
"The law makes the simple wise
Reprimand brings joy to the upright heart
Ordination gives sight to the righteous
The ordinances are true, and righteousness endures forever."
May Your glory guide us forward...
The figure of God vanished amidst a peaceful chorus.
You provide the Great God's Twilight [Hebrew Mythology]: the arduous history of a world's formation.