The storm that calmed at my words spread quickly across the village. By the next day, people from nearby farms and houses were already coming to see me. Some came out of curiosity, others out of fear, while a few came with questions burning in their hearts.
One of them was a young man named Samuel. He was about twenty years old, with sharp eyes and a restless spirit. He walked up to me boldly and said; "I saw what happened yesterday. I saw the storm obey your command. Tell me, who are you really?"
I looked at him carefully, then replied; "I am Alfred, a servant sent to declare that the time is short and the trumpet is near." He frowned a little, then asked; "but why would God send you here, and not to a big city where more people would hear?" I smiled faintly and said; "God does not choose places as men do. He chooses the humble to shame the proud, and the small to confound the mighty. If you believe, you will see greater things."
From that day, Samuel followed me closely. He would listen to every word I spoke and ask many questions. Though he was stubborn at times, I could sense a genuine hunger for truth in him.
Not long after, two women also began to believe. Their names were Miriam and Hannah. They were sisters who lived near the farmland. Miriam was gentle and soft-spoken, while Hannah was bold and outspoken. Both of them said to me; "we have been waiting for something like this. Our spirits have long told us that a time of great change is coming. Your words confirm what we already felt in our hearts."
Thus, a small group began to gather around me—Samuel, Miriam, Hannah, and sometimes even David would listen secretly when Grace was not around. We would meet quietly in the evenings at the edge of the farmland. I would share with them the visions I had received, warning them to prepare their hearts and to live holy lives.
But as light began to gather, so did darkness.
Strange things began to happen at night in the village. Animals would cry unusually. Some people claimed they saw shadowy figures moving in the dark. Once, a woman came running to David's house at midnight, saying her child was suddenly attacked by an unseen force. When I prayed for the child, the cries stopped and peace returned. But the rumors spread quickly: some said I was a savior, others said I was the cause of the troubles.
One evening, as we gathered with my small group, Samuel asked; "why do some people hate you so much when all you do is help?" I sighed and replied; "because truth is like a sword. It cuts deeply, separating light from darkness. Some hearts love the light, but others cling to darkness. That is why I was sent, to declare that the time of choosing is almost over."
That night, after the meeting, I walked home alone. As I passed through a narrow path, I suddenly felt the air grow heavy. A cold wind brushed against my skin, though the night was calm. Then I heard footsteps behind me. When I turned, I saw nothing, yet the sound grew louder. My heart pounded, but I stood still, whispering; "The Lord is my shield."
Out of the shadows, a dark figure slowly appeared. Its body was tall and thin, its face hidden in darkness, and its eyes glowed faintly red. My whole body trembled, but I remembered Gabriel's words—fear not.
The figure spoke with a voice like broken glass, saying; "leave this place, mortal. Your message is not wanted here. If you stay, you will die."
I gathered courage and replied; "I am not here by my own will. The One who sent me is greater than you. Depart from me in His name."
At my words, the figure hissed loudly and vanished into the air, leaving behind a foul smell. My knees grew weak, and I almost fell, but strength returned to me. I knew then that my mission was not only among men but also against unseen forces.
The next day, I told David what I had seen. He looked at me with fear in his eyes and said; "if what you say is true, then you are in greater danger than I thought." I answered him calmly; "not only me, but all who hear and believe will be tested. Yet the One who sent me is stronger than all."
When Samuel, Miriam, and Hannah heard about it, their faith grew stronger. They said; "if darkness rises against you, then surely your message is true. We will not turn back." Their courage gave me hope.
But the whispers in the village grew louder. Some began to plan secretly against me, saying; "if we do not stop this man now, he will turn the whole village upside down."
I could feel the storm of opposition building, but within my spirit, a greater fire burned. I knew the days ahead would be harder, yet I was ready.
For every soul that believed, I felt my mission was not in vain. And though shadows moved in the night, I held firmly to the promise of the One who sent me—that the trumpet was near, and my task was to prepare as many hearts as I could before the appointed day.
After finishing the meal, the man stood up and asked me to follow him outside. The evening breeze was cool, and the sky was already turning dark with a few stars appearing faintly above. He leaned on the wooden rail of the porch and kept silent for a while. I knew he was trying to gather the right words before speaking.
Finally, he said, "You know, young man, what you told me is very hard to believe. If I go out there and tell people you came from the past through an angel's portal, they will laugh at me. But I don't know why, there's something about you that makes me want to believe your story."
I listened quietly as he continued. He told me his name was Samuel, and his wife's name was Grace. They had been married for almost fifteen years and had worked on the farmland for most of their lives. Life was not easy for them, but they were content. He explained that they rarely welcomed strangers into their home, but my sudden appearance came with something he could not explain—like a gentle force pushing him to trust me.
As he spoke, I lifted my head and saw a sudden light flash far in the sky, almost like a falling star. My heart trembled because I remembered Gabriel's words—that I had been sent with a divine purpose and that more signs would follow me in this strange future. I knew immediately that this family was chosen to be the first to hear the message I carried.
Samuel noticed the direction of my gaze and turned too, but by then the light had vanished. He asked if I saw anything, but I simply said, "Yes, but it is not yet time to explain. When the right time comes, you will understand."
That night, Samuel arranged a small guest room for me at the back of the house. It was modest, with a wooden bed and a simple lamp, but it felt like heaven to me after the strange and terrifying journey I had endured. As I lay on the bed, I prayed silently for strength, and not long after, I fell into a deep sleep, awaiting whatever tomorrow would bring.