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Picture Credits: http://www.lesroches.fe
They were to be pitied, respected and treasured like little gifts. They were His greatest creation, made in his liking, but with out his divine knowledge. We were to love them, protect them, treat them as equals. They were not my equal; they were lower than I would ever be. Everyone adored them, and sung their praises to the Lord. But me, I hated them. I hated them with every inch of my being. I didn't care if they were His Chosen Few; they still weren't worth my time. That’s what got me in trouble, that's
why I fell. I had no respect for them, and not a care for them. They were Mankind. The race destined to become greater than the Son himself. I don’t know how he lived knowing that thought. He followed Him like a lamb to the slaughter. And if I recall, that did come to pass.
I was the one who saw what they were to become, the beings that they would one day be, so perfect in the Divine Glory, basking in His light. Ha! They would never be better than me. I was the mightiest, strongest, most beautiful and most adored of the seraphim, there was no other above me in the ranks, aside from the Creator and his Son. I remember the day I first saw man, he was so scrawny and pale, and his hair was a shade of black, yet not quite so. He was so imperfect that I almost laughed aloud in the Council room. This was to be our equal? And then, He asked us to bow to him, and acknowledge his rank among us. He started with us, the eight more revered Seraphim.
Michael was first, little bugger, was always a push over, did anything he was told. Then it was Jophiel, and Chamuel, the brothers. Then Zadikiel, I had always like him, and I even noticed he hesitated slightly before bowing. I'd have to look into that later. Raphael was fourth, he was a lot like Zadikiel, but was more of a loner, only came when someone needed healing. Then Uriel, and we all know, Uriel the do-gooder, he wanted my rank, you could tell the way he was always trying to show Him that he could do my job better than me, never worked. He bowed so quickly I was surprised that he didn’t knock himself out with his wings. Then it was Gabriel, he was second in command, and damn good at it, it was him I had to worry about. I looked at him, his sephiral blue eyes shining with looked like hesitation and second thoughts. He swept his black hair out of his face. I had always hated him for that, his ability to get his hair to hang in his eyes, but then again, he still didn't compare to me. Finally he bowed, although only slightly. I was next. I remember making up my mind but moments before I spoke.
"Do you, Lucifer, acknowledge Adam in his rightful place as the greatest of all Gods creations and equal to you in your rank?"
I looked at the man, Adam, his eyes a faded blue colour, his hair a faded black, but not quite brown, like the Creator had run out of dye part way through creating him. And it was in that moment, when I locked eyes with man, and saw the hint of satisfaction of seeing us bow to him, that I made up my mind.
"No, I damn well don't. That thing will never be my equal, nor shall it ever be able to count itself amongst the ranks of me."
And with that I left the Great hall with burst of light.
To this day I still do not know who was more surprised that I declined me or Him.
~*~
"Lucifer! LUCIFER!"
Lucifer spun around, his white-blond hair whipping around his face and falling around it like a faint halo as it reflected the glow of the stars around.
"What do you want Gabriel?" he snarled "Come to lecture me on how I should repent?"
Gabriel was taken aback by the harshness in his friend’s voice. Well, at least he had always thought of him as a friend.
"No, I've come to warn you that He is looking for you, and He's not happy."
"Well, why would He be? His most prized angel just disobeyed a direct order."
"No, it was of our own opinion, we were given the choice."
"We never have a choice Gabriel. Are you so blinded by His ethereal light that you cannot see that we are merely His puppets, and we do what He wants. We never have a choice. You know that deep within your self, I saw you hesitate before bowing, I can see it. You know I'm right."
Lucifer stared into Gabriel’s eyes, there were a sharp blue, but soft and knowing all at the same time. Lucifer had always envied Gabriel’s eyes, as his were an iridescent silver, glowing like a liquid, they matched his hair.
After a few moments, Gabriel looked away.
"You may want to go. He is not at all pleased with you."
Lucifer smiled.
"You need not worry about me, Gabe; I can take care of myself."
Gabriel opened his mouth to speak, but Lucifer had already vanished with a flash of light.
Gabriel looked into the dark for a few moments, searching for any sign of a flash of white and silver, to no luck.
"Damn him." Gabriel muttered. "He knows more than he tells of and sees more than he should. It is no wonder that he is the most powerful celestial being."
He sat himself down, hanging his feet over the Edge, into the chaotic abyss.
"Gabriel! Have you found him?"
Gabriel turned slightly to see Michael and Uriel gliding up to him. He narrowed his eyes slightly at Uriel, he had never liked him much. But Michael, he was something else entirely.
"Yes, I did, but he vanished again as I caught sight of him."
Uriel looked far too pleased with this. "Now the Lord will see how such power was wasted on him, his ego is far too-"
"Silence!"
Uriel choked on the end of his sentence, surprised that Gabriel would stand up for Lucifer even after what he did.
"He may be a violently tempered egotistical bastard, but he is still one of us, and always will be."
Gabriel had gotten up from his position on the ground and was standing nose to nose with Uriel.The fire that burned in Gabriel's eyes as he spoke let it be known that there was no argument to be held. He gave one last look of contempt to Uriel a muttered an apology to Michael as he stalked off to wards the Tabernacle, where he lived.
Once he left, Michael hit Uriel lightly.
"You know very well that Gabriel looks up to Lucifer to a fault. Insulting the two highest ranking seraphs may not be the most intelligent thing to do."
"Michael, you know that Lucifer is not going to repent, and you know as well as I, that he can wreak havoc in Heav'n if he wish it to be so. He let the power get to his head, and the Lord knew that when he appointed him.Why did this even happen?The Lord could have easily stopped it."
Michael walked over to the Edge, where Heav'n ended and the nothingness that was below was a swirling mass of colour and light.There were flecks of light beginning to form galaxies and worlds in the vast space. He watched these for a moment before turning back to Uriel. His normally bright green eyes were solemn, and they reflected the wisdom that he had.
"There are somethings that our Lord knows, and can foresee, yet even if they do not fit with His Divine Plan, he will let them be. I do not understand Him, he is complex, as is Lucifer. He was the first born and born of the very essence that runs through the Lords veins. The Lord knew from the moment of Lucifer's creation, that he would not comply with everything, yet he let him live. Even our Lord must follow the Powers that Be. Destiny is a powerful thing none of us can escape."
Uriel watched the sorrow that reflected in Michaels eyes, and he knew that he had seen things that he was probably not supposed to.
"What have you seen?"
Michael looked up, startled by the fact that he was so easily read.
"What makes you think I have seen anything?"
"Michael, I have known you since my birth, and you , dear friend, have always retained a certain sorrow in your eyes when you saw Lucifer. W hat did you see that makes you so sad?"
Michael heaved a sigh, like there was a great weight on his shoulders. He ran his fingers through his wavy brown-gold hair, letting it catch the light that shone form the Great Temple, making it look like molten gold.
"Hard times will befall us Uriel, and we must stick together. I have seen much, but I have not seen all. This is but merely the beginning."
His words hung in the air, haunting Uriel as they echoed in his head.
"Good night Uriel, we will discuss this matter tomorrow, when Lucifer has calmed down."
He bowed slightly then unfurled his massive gold wings and flew off to the tower.
"Good night Michael."
Uriel stood at the Edge, looking into the swirling masses of nothing for a long time after Michael left.
~*~
"How could he have been so stupid?!"
Gabriel stormed into what he called his Lair. It was a large semi circle, white and blue room that faced the Great Temple in the center of Heav'n. Long sheer sky blue curtains hung from the windows that were as tall as the floor. The curtains rustled slightly in a faint breeze.
Gabriel inhaled deeply, drawing the calming sent of Moonflower and purity into his lungs. The one advantage of being so close to the Temple was the soothing scents that drifted from it from time to time.
He directed him self over to the bed, which, like the rest of the room, was pure white with two large blue pillows. He threw himself onto the bed with the grace only he could manage.
He sighed slowly. His thoughts were a mess.
How could Lucifer throw everything away for the sake of his pride? Was it really worth all of it.He had seen Gods face after Lucifer left. As the shock wore off, he was furious. The bellowing sound that echoed throughout his skull would never leave him, the words forever haunting him.
"Find him now, for forever shall he be forsaken if he cannot see through his own light."
Gabriel knew that he was a kind and forgiving God, but his wrath was unlike anything that could ever be known, and he had never seen him quite so angry before.
Would God really cast Lucifer out? Where would he go if he did, how would he live? He was the first created being, made when God created light, can everything function without him.
Gabriel stopped himself, he didn't know if God would really cast him out. He would never cast out His Light. Soon, he gave up thinking on the topic all together, it was far too complicated for him to comprehend at this moment in time, all would be solve tomorrow. Provided Lucifer show up.
Gabriel rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling, it was a rainbow of colours that swam and twisted, like dancers of colour and light.
He closed his eyes and images of a silver haired angel flew into his head. His sharp eyes looked like liquid silver, and gave him a more menacing quality. He and Raphael were the only two angels to have eyes of a different colour, Raphael's' being a deep violet. Everyone knew that Lucifer was the left hand angel, and prided himself on that, and Gabriel knew he hated to be out done. He, being the first created, may have had flaws. Gabriel chuckled to himself quietly. If only Michael were here, he would kill him
for even thinking that anyhting God created was flawed. But he had a point, Lucifer thought more freely than any of the other angels, and it had rubbed off onto Gabriel a bit.
He saw Lucifers point, they were just God's pawns, there to do what he wished, never having a thought of their own, but wasn't that their point? To exist solely for the Lord?
There must be something else. Something more that they could be.
After a while Gabriel gave up trying to think, or sleep. He rose and walked out onto the balcony, on the other side of the room, that over looked almost all of Heav'n.
It was deserted, nothing really moved, but there was a feeling of power that was radiating around. This perked Gabriels senses, no one was supposed to be moving after the bell tolled, another rule they all followed blindly. He scanned the horizon in search of the source, and he could pinpoint it to the south of Heav'n, close to the Drop, the chasm that fell into nothing, Chaos as God called it.
Gabriel itched to find out what was causing the power surge, but he also knew better to cross God's path when he was angry.
He turned from the window and went back to his bed. He changed from his brilliant white ceremonial robes into his preferred navy blue and silver robes. He wasn't much of a fan of the robes, but they allowed for movement. After he changed he went back to the balcony to let his wings out, the had started to cramp being folded in almost all day.
His wings were massive, only a bit smaller than Lucifers. They were a deep blue, nearing a black colour, and made his hair look like onyx, and his eyes like sapphires. Of all of the archangels, he had the darkest colouring, he was the angel of Resurrection, birth and rebirth, he was allowed to be dark, he saw the beginning, and he would be
the end. God had told him that long ago. He would create a world where he would place Man, and Gabriel would bear witness to the beginning, and would bring the end.
That was all he was told, he knew that Lucifer and Michael were probably told more, but he really didn't care. Now, he had seen man, how weak and fragile he was, an he worried. How was he to bring an end to such a pitiful creature?Sure, he was supposed to be considered an equal, but he had seen the weakness in mans eyes, he had faults. He thought back to the ceremony, the look in the eyes of Adam, then of th look in the eyes of Lucifer. He had watched the wheels turning in his head, and he knew
something was up. He saw the look of determination, and the look of fury and malicious intent that sparked to life in Lucifers eyes when he met Adams, there was no way he would bow.
Gabriel turned from the balcony, still lost in thought, and made his way back into his 'lair'. He was so enveloped in himself that he didn't see the snow clad angel that was sitting but feet from him on the wind, watching him with cunning, admirable and almost sad silver eyes.
A non-existent breeze swirled his silver hair about him, meshing with his silver black wings. He was Light in every aspect, except heart. He watched Gabriel go back into the Lair and gave a sad smile.
"Good night angel of death, for that is what you shall be. And though eternity will separate us, remember me." A low sad cry echoed into the night, and a silver feather fluttered softly down to land on the open balcony of Gabriel's room.
~*~
"What do you mean he's rebelling?!? He can't rebel! That's just not...it's not...how?!?"
"Michael, calm down, you are going to hurt yourself."
Raphael pulled Michael down onto a chair. He then summoned a cup of his soothing draught and handed it to Michael.
"Thank you Raphael."
Michael drank the draught and sighed. He looked to Raphael and Jophiel, who were standing infront of him looking worried.
"Does Gabriel know yet?"
Johiel shook his head, his blond hair swirling around him.
"I just sent Zadkeil to do that now. Uriel is with the Council, trying to figure out what to do, and we figured you may want to go to seeing as how I doubt Chamuel can keep him in order."
Michael gave a short laugh.
"You left your brother with Uriel? Wow, he must love you."
Jophiel grinned.
"Are you saying that the prats annoying?"
"Oh no, he's just too enthusiastic sometimes. He managed to get Gabriel to yell at him last night. I'd say he's pretty good."
The three laughed, although not whole heartedly.
"Michael, what do you think Gabe's going to do? He was mighty fond of Luc."
Michael nodded.
"I know, the best I can think of is that we have to be there for him, Lucifer was like a big brother to him, if not more. This will be difficult for him."
There was a crash heard outside of the doors and some muttered words and the sound of Zadkiels voice in a soothing tone.
"I'd say, that sounds like him. It doesn't sound...-"
The doors to the room flew open and in waltzed a distraught looking Gabriel followed by a frazzled Zadkiel.
Gabriel sat down a looked Michael squarely in the eye, placed a silver feather on the table and then just stared.
Michael looked at the feather, it was one of Lucifers.
"Where did you g-.."
"It was on my balcony this morning when I awoke. I am assuming Luc stopped by last night to say good bye, because apparently he's REBELLING! Why is this
happening?"
Gabriel had risen and was looking highly frantic and a crazed look had appeared in his eye. Raphael appeared next to him with a cup of his draught ready, but Gabriel wouldn't take it.
"I dint want your potion Raphael, I want answers." He looked to Michael, who was looking much calmer than he had a few moments before, with a steely glare.
Michael rubbed his temples and closed his eyes briefly.
"Gabriel, I know that you are upset by this turn-..."
"Upset? You think I'm upset? I am beyond upset, I am nearing FRANTIC. My best friend since I was created has and rebelled against the only world he has only known,and now I hear that you have left Uriel of all angels in charge of his punishment! What were you thinking?"
Zadikiel put his hand on Gabriel’s arm and pushed him into the chair. He then took Raphael’s calming draught and forced it down Gabriel’s throat.
Gabriel sputtered, but then began to calm down.
"Thank you Zadikiel." said Michael. He looked at Gabriel, who almost seemed on the verge of tears. "Gabriel, we need you to collect your thoughts and try to think straight. I know that you are upset at this turn of events, we all are. Lucifer was a good guy, albeit a conceited one. What he has done is shocking in the least, and as much as we hold him in high esteem, he is going to have to face the punishments.”
Gabriel glared up at Michael from his seat, but the crazed look had receded from his eyes, leaving only sadness shining in the depths. Michael felt his heart being wrung by that look, as he knew how close Gabe and Lucifer were. But still, Michael knew he now had to protect Gabriel, keep him from following a path that now presented itself.
“So what are you going to do Mike? You cannot let Uriel decide Lucifer’s punishment, it isn’t fair. And you have to find him, see if I can talk some sense into him.”
Michael turned away from Gabriel, trying his hardest to ignore the pleading and desperate tone that was woven through every line.
He gazed out the window, taking in the peaceful surroundings of Heav’n with its beautifully constructed statues, buildings and worship areas.
“I don’t know what I am going to do Gabriel. It isn’t like this has happened before; I don’t know what I am supposed to do.”
He turned around to find that all four of them were looking at him intently.
“What?!”
“Well, you are the Warrior of God, so we are waiting for you to tell us what to do with the matter at hand.”
Michael narrowed his eyes slightly at Zadikeil.
“Thank you Zadikeil for reminding me that. It isn’t like there isn’t any pressure on me or anything.”
Michael sighed, sinking back into his chair.
”What am I suppose to do? I understand I can’t very well forgive Lucifer for God, but I can’t say I agree with casting him out.”
”God wants to WHAT?”
Michael cursed inwardly at his slip, he never did tell Gabe what God was planning. He turned to Gabriel, who was once again looking slightly crazed.
“God is planning on casting Lucifer out of Heav’n, but I am pretty sure I can sway His decision a bit, if not completely.”
Gabriel threw his hands up in the air, cursing as he did.
“For the sake of Grace Michael, why didn’t you tell me? Where is God going to cast Lucifer out to? Chaos? The Abyss? Earth? Where in the reach of Heav’n’s Kingdom is He going to send him?”
Michael shook his head.
“I don’t know Gabriel, I am not told everything.”
“It will be to the Abyss.”
Michael, Gabriel, Jophiel and Zadikeil turned around to see Chamuel standing in the doorway.
“What do you mean, the Abyss? No angel could reside there.”
Chamuel shook his head at Gabriel.
“I am sorry Gabe, but God has already made the decree. Lucifer is banished from Heav’n to the Abyss. Even Uriel saw this as too harsh, but neither of us could persuade him other wise.”
It was at this that Gabriel closed up. A stony look descended upon his normally soft features, and a chill settled in the room.
“Gabriel?” Jophiel inquired softly. “Gabriel? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine Jophiel. I think I just need to be alone at the moment. God bless.”
Gabriel spoke words colder then ice devoid of anything remotely alive. After he said his farewell, he walked out of the room, taking the cheer with him.
“This has hit him hard.”
“It is true Raphael, and I know it is only going to get worse.”
Michael watched Gabriel’s retreating back and feared that what was once just a possibility would now become Truth.
((So this is an older story that I have re-done, and am currently working on. Critiques would be greatly appreciated. Also a note, I do not mean to offend anyone with this, it was a random plot idea I got when reading Paradise Lost... of course ^.^))
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