Yekhariel

=The Ascendant demon = ""I kneel only to the All-father, creator of both Water and Fire, both Earth and Gold, the ruler of every master and servant, across all realms, known and unknown.""

- Yekhariel refusing to kneel for the Demon King.



Yekhariel holds a unique position within the Essentism faith, not just as a Ascendant, but specially for his demonic origin. Contrary to the long-held belief that demons were embodiments of inherent evil, Yekhariel was a demon who not only converted to Essentism but also became an Essentist Ascendant during the era of Ascendant Ivan. This profound transformation forged a deep bond between the two, with Yekhariel becoming both the best friend and an adopted son to Ivan, who sacrificed his eye and gave it to the demon to read Angaelic.

This event challenged the foundational beliefs of early Essentist scholars, reshaping their understanding of the nature of evil. Instead of viewing evil as an inherent trait, they came to recognize it as a mere absence of goodness, further asserting that demons manifest into existence through worship and that is why we have a range of them from lesser to upper/darker demons.

The Encounter in Hell
Yekhariel's transition into the faith began during his servitude to an unknown formidable Demon King in a Hell city called Lugal'gael. When Ascendant Ivan led a secret contingent into hell with the aim of vanquishing this king, and penitrate an ancient artifact called "Jormund's uvula" with a special sword. Yekhariel discreetly observed them from a rock. As they camped near the city of Lugal'gael, he overheard their Angaelic prayers, which Ivan kept translating for his soldiers, intrigued, yekhariel came closer. Yekhariel, having never encountered humans, was initially deceived by the tribal warpaint adorning Ascendant Ivan's contingent. In his innocence, he assumed they were a faction of rebels, challenging the Demon King's rule.

When Ascendant Ivan, detected shadow moving stealthily, he immediately pursued, eventually cornering Yekhariel. The demon was engrossed in the sacred Angaelic verses he had overheard and scribbled down in demonic. Yekhariel confessed his status as an inconsequential slave under the Demon King's dominion and added. As a final plea, he asserted that his king would reward them with mountains of gold if they betrayed their supposed 'rebel leader'. Ivan, amused, and his warriors chuckled, believing Yekhariel assumed they were demonic insurgents. Playing along, Ivan asserted, "Our allegiance remains unshaken, for our Lord's worth surpasses all gold."

Yekhariel was shocked and confused. "How can your Lord, described with such gentle and compassionate attributes, inspire such loyalty?" He questioned, genuinely puzzled, "Who is this lord with the kindness of a slave but whose name is sung with such reverence? How do you believe a Lord can triumph against our ruthlessness, God king?"

Ivan's eyes and heart softened. "We are human warriors of Eldham, hailing from Rodinnbrok" he began, "And the words we spoke come not from mere men, but from voices that span the realms, shared to us by the Arch Angel of our God. We honor the All-father, The All-creator, our chief, the master of all realms, Eldham, Rathnir, known and unknown. We fear him as one would fear the power of the sun, for he is capable of obliterating all worlds with a mere thought. Yet, we also love him as one cherishes their parents for their boundless love. Unlike the rulers of this realm, His dominion is not build just on raw power, but with honor, love, and the wisdom of countless ages." The essence of Essentism unfurled before Yekhariel, tales of a singular divine, of angels and humans, and a universal truth that transcended realms.

Sacrifice and Divine Intervention
During the Lugal'gael campaign, Yekhariel worked secretly for Ivan and his warriors. But he was discovered in the king's chambers, examining stone tablets. Captured, he was paraded as a traitor. In the shadowed depths of a hellish torture chamber, Yekhariel was bound and interrogated. The demons sought answers about the human presence in their realm. But even as they tormented him, and extracting his left eye as a chilling testament to their intent, Yekhariel remained resolute, his spirit unyielding.

To instill terror in the hearts of others and make a grotesque spectacle of their prized captives, the demons arranged a public execution. The Demon King declared, "Withness the slave traitor who values dwellers of damp earth and water above Gods of gold and flame!" The demon king's chilling directive to Yekhariel was simple: "Now kneel, for you have been given the courtesy of being slaughtered for our God's amusement"

Yekhariel did not move. Again, the king repeated, "Did you not hear me? Kneel, slave…"

Staring unflinchingly at the Demon King, he proclaimed, "I kneel only to the All-father, creator of both Water and Fire, both Earth and Gold, the ruler of every master and servant, across all realms, known and unknown." His bold declaration stirred waves of shock and anger among the demon ranks.

Following his defiance, Yekhariel was hurled downwards, his frame ensnared by chains to razor-sharp pinnacles. But amidst the doom, the voice of Ivan reverberated with hope. Fueled by unyielding spirit, shocked and inspired by Yekharie's resilience, he and his men climbed the formidable barriers of the fortress. Ivan, there proclaimed : ""By the eternal gaze of the All-Father, My eyes are undeserving of prophecy, for they behold a never seen Truth! A demon, who shines with the faith of the greatest of Ascendants.""

- Ascendant Ivan

Drawing his blade gleaming in the hellish firelight, he declared, "For the truth that even within a demon's soul, the All-Father's grace can kindle." and, in one swift motion, he gouged out his right eye, holding it high, as a sign of his sacrifice and spoke the angaelic words: "Versiran! Verelirion!" Which translates to "Withness (the) truth of light"

A brilliant burst of divine radiance cut through the oppressive gloom of Hell, blinding the demonic hordes. Gizondael, the archangel of the All-creator descended, its presence commanding awe and terror. Recognizing the sacrifices of both Ivan and Yekhariel, the angel placed Ivan's eye into the empty socket of Yekhariel, declaring, "Verelirion es Gizan," signifying the union of faith, sacrifice, and prophecy. The act not only marked Yekhariel's transformation into a Ascendant but also stood as an eternal testament to the enduring power of belief and sacrifice. Seizing the moment, Ivan and Yekhariel, fled towards the Jormund's uvula. As they ran, the hordes of Hell could not approach, held at bay by Gizondael's celestial aura and the blazing path the angel had illuminated.